On the Road

Steward Li and Xiao Liu were busy gossiping about that poor scholar Qiusheng, while inside the Rouge Shop, Ren Tingting had finished her conversation with Auntie, the two of them now as close as mother and daughter.

"Auntie, I don't know where Brother Sheng's parents are currently residing. I would like to pay them a visit."

Suddenly, Ren Tingting, sitting within the Rouge Shop, blushed as she spoke to Qiusheng's aunt.

"Ah, did that boy Qiusheng never tell you? His biological parents passed away in an accident many years ago. Ever since then, the lad moved in with me and has lived here ever since."

"Oh, so Brother Sheng's parents have both passed away."

Hearing Auntie say this so abruptly, Tingting felt a slight shock in her heart.

"Yes, the boy is quite pitiful. I took him in when he was just a child to help me solicit business here at the Rouge Shop."

"It was only a few years ago, as business at the shop began to improve, that he happened to meet his master, Uncle Nine. That was when I finally let him leave to learn some skills from his master."

Listening to Auntie's words, Tingting finally gained some understanding of Qiusheng's childhood experiences.

"Brother Sheng was truly so pitiful when he was young."

"Mm, yes, the boy suffered quite a lot when he was a child."

Just as they were secretly discussing Qiusheng, the curtain of the Rouge Shop was lifted, and Qiusheng strode straight inside.

"Auntie, what are you two talking about? It's getting late, and I need to take Tingting home."

"It's private talk between us women; what are you prying for?"

"Alright, you brat, go ahead and take Tingting back."

"And listen here, you rascal, I like this girl Tingting very much. If you dare to bully her, watch out—I'll peel your skin off!"

Under his aunt's scolding, Qiusheng took Ren Tingting to the Ren Mansion.

As soon as they entered the Ren Mansion, the man Tingting called Uncle Huang, an elder over fifty years of age, came out to greet them. After exchanging a few words with Tingting, he handed over a stack of account books for her to review.

Tingting did not seem unfamiliar with this; after a simple lunch with Qiusheng, she began to carefully audit the accounts.

As for Qiusheng, he simply stayed by her side, watching her work.

An entire afternoon passed. By the time Qiusheng opened his eyes, Tingting had finished checking the accounts and had prepared a table full of sumptuous food.

"Brother Sheng, stay for dinner before you go. Once you leave, who knows when you'll be able to return."

Seeing the sorrow on Tingting's face, Qiusheng gently stroked her back.

"Come now, Tingting, if the love between two people is meant to last, why does it matter if they are together morning and night?"

"Rest assured, I will send Uncle Four Eyes back as quickly as possible and rush back to Ren Family Town to be with you."

"Mm, Brother Sheng, I know. I will wait for your return."

Ren Tingting said, gently wiping the corner of her eye.

"Come, Brother Sheng, let's eat. I made this especially for you."

Looking at the exceptionally rich meal before him, Qiusheng naturally did not stand on ceremony. After enjoying the intimate dinner with Ren Tingting, he hurried back to the Public Mortuary alone.

By the time he arrived at the Public Mortuary, Wencai and his uncle were already prepared.

Over a dozen Walking Corpse were tied together by four long bamboo poles. The seven corpses in the middle, which had been crippled by Qiusheng, were sandwiched between the others, barely managing to remain standing.

"Damn, this is a clever trick. If it were just normal corpse-driving, even if those seven corpses were already crippled by me, they wouldn't be affected."

Qiusheng marveled to himself as he looked at the scene before him.

"Heh, Senior Brother, what do you think? I came up with this method. Aren't I smart?"

Wencai laughed as he saw Qiusheng step inside.

"Mm, I have to admit, ever since you learned the Golden Dragon Locking Jade Pillar, you've become much smarter than before."

Qiusheng looked at the proud expression on Wencai's face and deliberately brought up the sore spot.

"Qiusheng, you dare bring that up? I'll kill you!"

Hearing his words, Wencai, who had still been smiling, instantly flew into a rage and began chasing Qiusheng.

As for Qiusheng, he began to scramble all over the courtyard. Just then, Uncle Nine emerged from the main hall of the Public Mortuary with Four Eyes.

It just so happened that Wencai delivered a heavy blow, intending to strike, but it landed squarely on the master's forehead.

"Ouch!"

"You bastard! You dare hit your master? Are you two trying to revolt?"

Seeing Wencai strike Uncle Nine on the forehead with the pole, Qiusheng immediately knew he was in trouble. Without a moment's hesitation, he shouted:

"Master, take care! I'll be off to escort Uncle's clients out!"

"Shangqing Dongxuan, spirit lamps guide the way, heavenly bells sound the call, obey the command with haste!"

As the incantation was cast, Qiusheng immediately led his uncle's clients hopping out of the Public Mortuary. He wasn't going to stick around—he was getting out of there.

As for Wencai, he was a beat too slow to react and was caught red-handed by Uncle Nine.

"You little brat, I'll show you 'skin,' I'll show you 'skin'!"

Uncle Nine cursed as he chased Wencai relentlessly.

Watching his senior brother bicker with his disciple, Taoist Four Eyes, dressed in his Taoist robes and holding a banner aloft, shouted out loud.

"Time to hit the road!"

And just like that, the group of three, accompanied by over a dozen Walking Corpse, set off on their journey.

Due to the unique nature of the corpse-driving profession, once they officially set out, they had to hide in deep, dense forests where human footprints were rare and sunlight could never reach, unless they could reach the next Public Mortuary.

Only veteran corpse drivers knew these locations like the back of their hands, ensuring they wouldn't rush the journey and cause their clients to be exposed to direct sunlight.

Therefore, even though it looked like Qiusheng and Wencai were just seeing their uncle home, this was actually a form of tutelage from Taoist Four Eyes.

Do not look down on this humble profession of corpse driving; it was filled with intricacies. Even if one's Taoist arts were profound, without experience, one would truly be unable to handle the job when the time came.

"Uncle, is corpse driving really this difficult?"

Deep within the dark, claustrophobic forest, Wencai frowned as he shook the bell in his hand.

This was already their third day on the road, and starting from the second day, it had become Wencai's task to lead the Walking Corpse.

As for why, according to Taoist Four Eyes, corpse driving was a fine trade. If he wanted to make good money and take a wife in the future, he had to learn well and observe carefully throughout this journey.

In the end, Wencai, who had yet to experience the hardships of the world, was easily hoodwinked by his uncle.

He walked obediently at the front, holding a lantern in one hand and a bell in the other, driving the corpses.

As for Qiusheng and Taoist Four Eyes, they were lying on bamboo chairs, resting leisurely on poles lashed to the arms of the Walking Corpse, looking incredibly relaxed.

This bamboo chair was a piece of "black technology" developed by Qiusheng himself; one could lie inside comfortably without worrying about falling out while fast asleep.

At this moment, Taoist Four Eyes was lying in his chair, drifting between sleep and wakefulness. Hearing Wencai's words, he spoke indifferently.

"It is difficult for those who don't know how, and easy for those who do. Wencai, you still lack tempering. Focus on driving the corpses and speak less. Call me when we reach the next Public Mortuary."

"Oh, I understand, Uncle."