Patriarch Zhang's son from the eastern part of the city had died. His coffin was to be kept at the funeral home before burial.
All at once, the funeral home became bustling.
There had originally been only five people at the funeral home, plus Wu the Unvirtuous, who showed up now and then.
That day, nearly all fifty-some people from the funeral home had arrived.
The entire funeral home had been scrubbed clean, and people were busy everywhere.
Bai Yu could not help but be startled. He pulled Zhu Tong over and asked:
"Brother Tong, why are there so many people here today?"
Zhu Tong lowered his voice and said:
"Word is going around, but don't spread it. The Zhang family is bringing someone here to lie in state, and there's reward money for everyone, top to bottom."
"The Zhang family is lavish with money. Managers get five taels, workers get one tael, and little odd-job servants like us get two hundred copper coins."
Bai Yu immediately understood. So no one showed up when there was work to do, but not a single one would miss out when it came time to collect money.
Zhu Tong added mysteriously:
"And I heard this funeral ritual needs a wind-and-percussion troupe, especially suona players."
"If you play well, the reward money will be at least five taels."
Five taels of silver!
Bai Yu looked utterly calm.
We immortals had always regarded money as dung.
Yet Bai Yu happened to need dung.
This Zhang family was far too generous.
And this was precisely the startup capital he desperately needed.
Bai Yu grabbed Zhu Tong and hurriedly asked:
"Brother Tong, tell me properly about recruiting this wind-and-percussion troupe."
Zhu Tong laughed.
"I knew you'd be interested, kid."
"The Zhang family's young master was a martial arts prodigy. At such a young age, he had already become a Third-Rank Martial Artist."
"Yet he suddenly died a violent death, and even in death, his eyes never closed."
"It broke Patriarch Zhang's heart so badly he was practically dead and alive again."
Bai Yu asked curiously:
"What does that have to do with suona players?"
Zhu Tong said:
"Patriarch Zhang's beloved son died, so naturally he wants to give him a grand funeral."
"I heard the Zhang family plans to arrange a wind-and-percussion troupe every li from the city gates to the funeral home."
"Our funeral home naturally has to provide one such troupe as well."
Bai Yu's expression turned grave.
"Then the requirements for this troupe must be very high."
"Of course. You need to be seasoned suona players at the very least to be selected. I won't talk to you anymore—I need to go hang some lanterns first."
Zhu Tong took several white lanterns and began bustling about inside and out.
While Bai Yu cleaned, his thoughts churned like rolling waves.
Five taels of silver in reward money, and he would get to escort a Third-Rank Martial Artist to burial.
It had to be said—the temptation was simply too great.
He had to fight for one of those suona player slots.
Before long, Daoist Lin Jiu gathered everyone and said:
"I'm sure everyone already knows. The Zhang family needs a wind-and-percussion troupe, and the suona player is the most important part."
"If the performance is good, the Zhang family's reward money will naturally not be lacking."
"Who is willing to join this troupe?"
A funeral home naturally could not do without a wind-and-percussion troupe.
Several people immediately stepped forward: drummers, gong players, and sheng players.
Bai Yu also stepped forward with a suona in hand. Besides him, there were two other suona players.
Just then, an affected voice drifted over from behind them:
"Young people these days really don't understand the market. At their age, they already dare to crowd forward."
Everyone followed the voice and saw a gaunt middle-aged man wearing a fur cap, with a suona tucked into his belt.
He held a wine jar in his hands, reeking of alcohol.
Someone in the crowd immediately recognized him:
"Liu Yiqu! He came too. The suona player position can be none other than his now."
"Liu Yiqu used to be Hundred Virtues Funeral Home's chief suona player. His Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix is his signature masterpiece."
"I heard that when he played Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, he truly drew down flocks of birds to pay homage."
Hundred Virtues Funeral Home was stuffed full of people who had gotten in through connections.
But some of those connected people really did have some skill, and Liu Yiqu was one of them.
The moment Liu Yiqu stepped out, the other two suona players withdrew on the spot.
"Master Liu is here, so we'll step back first."
"Master Liu, this job still has to be yours."
Bai Yu was a little dumbfounded. Was Liu Yiqu really that famous?
But this funeral was for a Third-Rank Martial Artist, and the pay was five taels of silver.
Bai Yu would not give up so easily.
Besides, when it came to playing the suona, he had never feared anyone.
He remained where he was, with no intention of withdrawing.
At that moment, Liu Yiqu staggered drunkenly over to Bai Yu.
"Kid, are you deaf? Didn't you hear? This suona player spot belongs to me, Liu Yiqu."
Bai Yu said coolly:
"Since Daoist Lin asked everyone to step forward and compete, there's no saying it must belong to anyone."
"Who is more suitable can only be decided after a contest."
Liu Yiqu laughed.
"Kid, you've got nerve. Young people these days are truly far too arrogant."
"How many years have you even played the suona, that you dare compete with me, Liu Yiqu?"
The others burst into laughter as well.
"Haha, this kid just arrived and doesn't know what he's up against."
"Kid, stop embarrassing yourself. Step down."
"You think you're worthy of competing with Liu Yiqu? Can you play Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix?"
Zhu Tong had always been on good terms with Bai Yu, and he hurriedly stepped up to tug on Bai Yu's sleeve.
"Little Bai, Brother Liu is a senior, and he's extremely skilled with the suona. You're no match for him. You should give up for now."
Bai Yu gritted his teeth.
"I won't give up. At the very least, give me a fair chance to compete. Even if I lose, I'll accept it willingly."
He had absolute confidence in his skill at playing the suona.
He had even heard the suona players at funerals held by wealthy households, and they might not necessarily be better than him.
Daoist Lin Jiu looked at Bai Yu and hesitated deeply as well.
To be fair, he did not believe a green youngster like Bai Yu could surpass Liu Yiqu.
If they truly competed, it would only leave Bai Yu more humiliated.
Just then, Wu the Unvirtuous walked in from outside.
"What are you competing for? What are you competing for?"
"Bai Yu, who do you think you are, demanding fairness?"
"This suona player position is decided—it goes to Old Liu."
He and Liu Yiqu had both entered through connections and were closer in ordinary times, so naturally he had to look after Liu Yiqu.
The other drummers and gong players were also more familiar with Liu Yiqu, and they all voiced their agreement.
Bai Yu was about to argue when Wu the Unvirtuous glared.
"My uncle calls the shots at this funeral home. You don't want to keep working here anymore, do you?"
Helplessly, Bai Yu lowered the hand holding his suona and silently stepped back.
His position at the funeral home was very important to him.
This was not the time to clash with Wu the Unvirtuous.
Having secured the position, Liu Yiqu beamed with delight.
"Old Wu is still the decent one. One day, I'll treat you to drinks at Yihong Brothel."
Liu Yiqu and Wu the Unvirtuous looked at each other and laughed, while the others fawned over them.
The atmosphere was exceedingly lively.
Only Bai Yu stood off to one side, watching coldly.
Zhu Tong and Mangzi feared Bai Yu would be unable to swallow his anger, so they hurriedly pulled him aside.
Zhu Tong said:
"Little Bai, don't be angry. They all have connections—we can't afford to provoke them."
"Besides, Liu Yiqu really is formidable with the suona. You truly can't beat him."
Bai Yu smiled faintly.
"No matter. I'm not in a hurry."
As an immortal, why would he care about a single morning or evening?
Watch him raise a towering mansion; watch him host guests in grand banquet; watch his mansion collapse.
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