An Old Friend Returns

Bai Yu selected a straight peach branch and cut three feet of white cloth.

The white cloth was washed with rootless water and exposed to the sun for three days.

Then, with flourish, he drew various runes such as Evil-Suppressing Talismans, Transformation Talismans, and Ghost-Binding Talismans.

While drawing the talismans, he chanted incantations to refine them.

After seven days, a Soul-Suppressing Banner was crafted.

Bai Yu took it to a mountain with heavy baleful aura, and with a few gentle shakes, the aura dissipated in response.

He put away the Soul-Suppressing Banner and returned to the Mortuary.

"Well, no matter what, it's better to be prepared."

In the days that followed, he resumed his routine of conducting funerals, practicing martial arts, and drawing talismans.

He was unhurried and calm, enjoying the tranquility of his life.

However, this peace was broken by someone.

One day, Bai Yu was on duty in the front hall.

A group of monks arrived in a hurry, carrying a corpse.

The leading monk was stout, with a kind face and benevolent eyes, and was actually a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist.

The four monks behind him, two Third-Rank and two Fourth-Rank, were all formidable.

Strangely, each monk carried a large gourd on their back.

The stout monk smiled, put his palms together, and said:

"Esteemed benefactor, this humble monk's secular disciple has died suddenly. We have come to borrow your precious land for burial. Please grant us this convenience."

He offered a tael of silver in a very friendly manner.

Bai Yu accepted the silver and led them into the backyard:

"Masters, please come inside. If you need us to perform any rituals, just let us know."

Bai Yu mentioned it casually, as monks usually performed their own ceremonies and didn't need the Mortuary's services.

Unexpectedly, the large monk took out five taels of silver and said:

"Please arrange for a ritual to be performed for my little disciple, so that he may rest in peace."

Bai Yu didn't think much of it and readily agreed.

However, the moment he saw the face of the corpse, he couldn't help but be stunned.

The corpse had bluish skin and a look of pain, but it was strangely familiar.

It was Mangzi!

The former undertaker was now being sent off.

The one who once dreamed of traveling the world was now in a small black box.

This made Bai Yu sigh repeatedly, and he even returned a tael of silver to the master.

"Master, he was once our friend."

"Rest assured, I will definitely choose a good place for him to be buried."

"I can't refuse other people's money, but I can't accept this payment."

The large monk put his palms together:

"Esteemed benefactor, you are truly kind-hearted. You will surely be blessed in the future."

Upon hearing of Mangzi's death, Uncle Jiu, Zhu Tong, and Old Zhang all rushed over.

Old Zhang shook his head:

"That kid, he wouldn't listen to advice. The martial world isn't as easy to navigate as he thought."

The group took care of everything, performing rituals and sending him off.

Uncle Jiu stayed by the side, conversing with the large monk.

From their conversation, Bai Yu got a general idea of what had happened.

It turned out that the large monk was called Golden Dragon Abbot, a figure in the martial world.

He had been severely injured in a fight with bandits and was rescued by Mangzi.

Mangzi took the opportunity to become his disciple, begging Golden Dragon Abbot to take him to explore the martial world.

As a result, Mangzi was as reckless as ever. As soon as he had learned something, he charged alone into a bandit's den, wanting to uphold justice, and was killed.

Mangzi's recklessness ultimately turned into a funeral.

Bai Yu finished playing a mournful tune on the Suona.

Golden Dragon Abbot and his disciples also came forward to offer incense and pay their respects.

Each of them looked sorrowful and lamented his passing.

It seemed the master and disciple had a deep bond.

At that moment, Bai Yu looked towards the Burial World Record.

[Burial Target: Wang Mang!]

[Identity: Secular Disciple of Golden Dragon Temple.]

[Age: 19.]

[Cultivation: Third-Rank Martial Artist.]

[Burial Participation: 51%.]

[Normal Reward: Strength +12, Life Experience +110.]

[Optional Rewards: Iron Corpse Skill, Dragon Force Art, Arhat Fist, Golden Bell Shield, Yin Energy +3, Blood Essence +45...]

Bai Yu instinctively sensed something was off.

Mangzi's burial rewards included things like the Iron Corpse Skill and Yin Energy, which seemed incredibly sinister.

Bai Yu's face remained impassive as he secretly examined the Burial World Record.

Through the Burial World Record, Bai Yu could view some scenes from Mangzi's life.

Mangzi had indeed saved Golden Dragon Abbot.

Then, Golden Dragon Abbot had passed on several powerful cultivation methods to him, constantly urging him to practice.

During those two or three years outside, Mangzi only had memories of cultivation, nothing else.

The final scene was frozen a month ago.

Mangzi was sitting in a large vat, soaking in medicinal liquid.

Golden Dragon Abbot and a white-robed young man stood by, waiting.

The white-robed young man asked:

"Is everything ready?"

Golden Dragon Abbot nodded:

"Only the final step remains."

The white-robed young man said leisurely:

"Fear is the best tonic."

"For the great cause!"

Golden Dragon Abbot also responded:

"For the great cause!"

The next moment, the white-robed young man raised his hand and shot out several silver needles, piercing Mangzi's head.

The last thing Mangzi saw was Golden Dragon Abbot's kind and benevolent face.

Bai Yu gasped inwardly after seeing this.

Mangzi had died a month ago!

The murderer who killed Mangzi was conversing cheerfully with Golden Dragon Abbot, and even killed him in front of him.

Even with Bai Yu's calm demeanor, his hand faltered slightly, and the Suona went slightly out of tune.

Golden Dragon Abbot turned back in surprise:

"What's wrong, young benefactor?"

Bai Yu took a breath and said:

"Master, Mangzi and I are old friends. Seeing him like this, I'm truly overcome with grief."

"Alas, if only I had stopped him from venturing into the martial world."

Golden Dragon Abbot still had a kind and benevolent appearance, saying:

"Benefactor, you don't need to be too sad. We monks have long seen through life and death."

"Wang Mang ventured into the martial world, he must have been prepared."

Bai Yu sighed, composed himself, and completed the ritual.

In the evening, Bai Yu tentatively asked:

"Master, according to custom, our Mortuary needs to tidy up the deceased's appearance and put on a shroud."

"Old Zhang usually does this, but since I'm familiar with Mangzi, I'll do it."

Golden Dragon Abbot chanted a Buddhist prayer:

"Amitabha, benefactor, our Buddhist customs are ultimately somewhat different from ordinary people."

"Leave the shroud and coffin matters to my four incompetent disciples."

Bai Yu didn't insist, but he became even more convinced that these monks were up to no good.

He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "In that case, we will naturally follow the customs of Buddhism."

"So, a vigil tonight?"

Golden Dragon Abbot said, "There's no need to trouble you benefactors. This humble monk and my disciples can chant scriptures and pray for Mangzi."

Bai Yu naturally nodded in agreement.

At night, everyone in the Mortuary returned to their rooms to sleep.

The night gradually deepened.

Golden Dragon Abbot, with two of his disciples, surrounded Mangzi, constantly chanting scriptures.

After midnight, a monk dropped down from the rafters.

"Master, they are all sound asleep."

Golden Dragon Abbot suddenly opened his eyes, his original kind and benevolent expression gone, replaced by a face full of ferocity.

"Jueming, were you discovered?"

The monk called Jueming hurriedly replied, "Master, please rest assured, I've investigated thoroughly. The highest cultivation in this Mortuary belongs to two martial artists, a Second-Rank and a Third-Rank, neither of whom are worth worrying about."

Golden Dragon Abbot said coldly, "Proceed according to the original plan!"