Liu Dacheng suspected nothing. He glanced once more at Eunuch Qiu's grave, then said to Huang Xiao, "Junior Brother, let's go."
"Wait!" Seeing Liu Dacheng about to leave, Huang Xiao suddenly called him back.
"What else is there?" Liu Dacheng asked, somewhat puzzled.
"We'd better remove the incense, candles, and offerings," Huang Xiao said.
At Huang Xiao's reminder, Liu Dacheng nodded. "You really are attentive, Junior Brother. That's right. Leaving these things here might draw someone's attention and deny the eunuch peace even in death."
Liu Dacheng hurriedly dug a hole and buried the remaining incense, candles, and fruit offerings, along with the ashes of the burned spirit money. He and Huang Xiao even covered the grave mound with another layer of topsoil from nearby and scattered some weeds over it, so no one would notice that the earth here had been disturbed.
This was the Mass Burial Ground. Few people ordinarily came here, but that did not mean no one ever did. If someone saw signs of offerings to the dead, there was a chance that some people might come and rob the grave.
Having buried Eunuch Qiu, Liu Dacheng had fulfilled his final wish. Coupled with having received Eunuch Qiu's divine art, this left him quite excited.
The two soon returned to the Imperial Palace's Prison Office.
"Senior Brother Liu, I've received word that I no longer need to serve as a Prison Office Guard here. I have to return to the Six Gates tomorrow. Take care of yourself in the palace," Huang Xiao said before they parted.
Liu Dacheng was somewhat surprised. He had thought Huang Xiao would stay for a while longer. After all, he had been banished here, though Liu Dacheng did not know whom he had offended. Ordinarily, such a matter would not be