Funeral

From small-scale conflicts to large-scale invasions, the scope of the war between the Great Han Dynasty and the Xiong State rapidly expanded.

The Hexi region of Henan is vast, Xiong State's army began to occupy parts of it as strongholds. While searching for the Zhu Jiuyin Cauldrons and the Emperor Qin for Zhu Jiuyin, these army groups engaged in daily acts of burning, killing, and looting.

When a war escalates to a certain point, it becomes uncontrollable. In particular, with Daojun's defeat and disappearance, Zhu Jiuyin's physical body being taken away, stopping the Xiong State's army becomes extremely difficult. Moreover, the Great Han Dynasty's army will not allow the Xiong State to leave so easily.

The busiest business in Chang'an City was no longer the pleasure quarters, but the trade of grain and weapons. Even ordinary people wanted to carry a kitchen knife and a hoe as weapons for self-defense.

As they traveled by carriage, Zhang Xuezhou felt the atmosphere of war was heavier than ever before, and even ordinary people in the East and West Markets noticed it.

"I used to live in that house over there!"

It was uncertain whether the Demon-Revealing Mirror would attack again, and Zhang Xuezhou did not go to Old Tree Alley.

His immediate priority was to return to his residence and then go to the palace to find the new emperor.

Only when he was certain that the Demon-Revealing Mirror had not marked him, and would not go berserk and unleash a powerful force that he could not withstand, could Zhang Xuezhou normalize his life in Chang'an City.

What are all these people doing, dressed in white?

Zhang Xuezhou would proactively explain some things, and Ren Anran would ask him questions about some things she didn't understand.

As the carriage approached the Imperial City District, many people dressed in mourning clothes came into view.

In the real world, people wear black for funerals, but here the custom is to wear white, or, if the family is poor, to drape a piece of hemp cloth over the deceased, thus sending them off on their journey.

Zhang Xuezhou gave an explanation, Ren Anran nodded to indicate that she understood.

"No wonder the people near the graves on both sides of the river, west and south, are all dressed in coarse linen!"

"Only the rich can wear white; this must mean a rich person has died!"

Zhang Xuezhou leaned out of the carriage window, but quickly pulled his head back in.

The closer he got to the mansion, the more nervous he became.

As soon as the first Demon-Revealing Mirror's power shone on him, Zhang Xuezhou felt that he would inevitably spread his wings and unleash the Sound Barrier-level speed to escape Chang'an City at top speed.

"Sir, there are too many people here, we can't get through!"

Zhang Xuezhou was extremely vigilant and prepared.

Only when the coachman's voice reached Zhang Xuezhou did he feel a bit helpless.

"These people heading to the funeral are blocking the road; we'll have to walk in!"

The roads in the Imperial City District are wide enough for two carriages to pass side by side without any problem. Traffic jams are rare, and difficulties only arise during funerals or other special occasions.

Zhang Xuezhou jumped out of the carriage and looked at the groups of mourners slowly making their way down the road.

This situation made it difficult for the carriage to pass. The people in the Imperial City District Chang'an City were all wealthy and noble, and the coachman was not bold enough to shout and drive away pedestrians. In the end, he could only ask Zhang Xuezhou and the others to get off the carriage.

"Park your carriage over there and come back to my residence with me to get the fare. My residence isn't far, only a hundred paces away!"

Zhang Xuezhou was completely wiped out by the Demon-Revealing Mirror. Now penniless, he had no choice but to ask the coachman to pull over.

After taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuezhou exerted force with both palms and lifted the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle again.

The weight of the Zhang Xuezhou -Yang Two Qi Bottle was like a brick to an ordinary person; it didn't pose a significant problem. However, the bottle's height of about half a person's height did obstruct his view, and the way he used his hands to exert force was quite complex, almost like refining an elixir. Zhang Xuezhou had to ask the driver to shout a few times to prevent him from accidentally bumping into someone.

"Your shouting sounds weak and listless; I could shout better!"

Ren Anran didn't Great Han, while Zhu Jiuyin had wrapped half his head with a piece of cloth, making him look like a foreign merchant.

He watched as the coachman cautiously inquired of the way, and felt that the man was extremely timid, not even daring to shout loudly.

"Don't shout!"

Zhang Xuezhou replied irritably.

His body could only be considered to contain Demon Power, while Zhu Jiuyin's body was entirely filled with Demon Power. If Zhu Jiuyin did not restrain himself properly, Zhang Xuezhou was really worried that he would be implicated by Zhu Jiuyin.

At this point, he dared not allow Zhu Jiuyin to use his power to shout.

There are so many people here, it seems your family is also in mourning!

Zhu Jiuyin bumped into a silent passerby, then looked up at the mansion Zhang Xuezhou was pointing to. He saw white lanterns hanging high above the mansion, indicating that it was also involved in the funeral.

"Our family has always obeyed the imperial court's orders and will participate in any major funerals; we will definitely wear mourning attire... Something's not right!"

Zhang Xuezhou responded and saw that nearly a hundred people were lined up at the entrance of the mansion, and many more had squeezed onto the walls of the Pingyang Marquis's mansion to watch.

His road leads to Sima Gate, which is a busy intersection, but it's a different story when people gather there and don't move.

"Are they holding a funeral for me?"

Zhang Xuezhou's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but quicken his pace.

As they drew closer, they could hear sobbing and wailing sounds coming from inside the mansion.

"Did someone in your family die?"

Zhu Jiuyin asked a question, Zhang Xuezhou retorted, "Your family is the one that died," which annoyed Zhu Jiuyin, so he had to shut his mouth in embarrassment.

Where did you come from?

Holding the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle Zhang Xuezhou squeezed his way through the mansion gate, only to find over a hundred people inside holding a farewell banquet, with some reciting poems in mourning.

Zhang Xuezhou called out, and saw the young man in white reciting poetry turn around.

"Thinking of Manqian's past brings me endless sorrow... Manqian?"

Their eyes met, and the young man, who was composing a poem in mourning, hesitated for two seconds before pointing to himself.

"Do you recognize me?" the young man asked.

"I don't recognize your mother, but I recognize you. You must be Mei Gao, right?" Zhang Xuezhou said, putting down the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle.

"I'm not Mei Gao, am I Mei Gao!"

The young man's face flushed red, his expression showing a hint of horror. He kept glancing left and right before letting out a scream.

"You're still alive? What about all the work I did for you these past three days—setting up the mourning hall, keeping vigil, and reciting eulogies—?"

How would I know what I am?

Mei Gao handled Zhang Xuezhou's funeral arrangements, arranging everything in an orderly manner and even inviting many people to mourn. The funeral was befitting of Zhang Xuezhou's official rank, and even Zhang Xuezhou could not find fault with it.

When an official of Zhang Xuezhou's rank passes away, it is not in accordance with etiquette for high-ranking officials to come and pay their respects; they can only offer condolences to the family.

Zhang Xuezhou had no factions or powerful connections, and few friends came to offer condolences. In the end, it was Mei Gao who paid for people to attend the funeral.

This funeral needed to conform to the official standards of Zhang Xuezhou, as well as the new emperor's instructions. Mei Gao spent money lavishly, hiring mourners who were required to do so, and the wailing was very effective. Scholars who recited poems were also invited, and he had already led the recitation of five poems. Many scholars also recited their own poems, making it a small-scale poetry and prose event. The only problem was that Zhang Xuezhou was not dead.

Mei Gao felt that things were difficult to handle and ended up messing things up.

Where is my wife?

Zhang Xuezhou stepped forward and saw a red lacquered coffin in his eyes. His name was on the memorial tablet, but none of the mourners in the mourning hall recognized him.

"Your wife has fallen ill and refuses to eat or take medicine. Madam Chen has been taking her to the Imperial Medical Bureau for several days now!"

Mei Gao ran forward in the distance, and responded repeatedly.

Zhang Xuezhou thought for a few seconds before realizing that the Madam Chen that Mei Gao was referring to was Wei Shao'er.

Whether in reality or in this world, Zhang Xuezhou and his group are in a high-risk situation; the collapse would occur if anyone were injured or killed.

Whether it's Zhang Xuezhou himself, or Ren Anran, Luo Burang, and others, once one of them dies, it's almost impossible to find a replacement.

In Chang'an City, Zhang Xuezhou's confirmed death led to the collapse of his already small family.

Where is His Majesty?

His Majesty personally went to Maoling to choose an auspicious burial site for you!

Zhang Xuezhou inquired about the new emperor's whereabouts, only to find that many things were in complete disarray.