Noticing the hesitation of the paper figurine shop owner, Xu Xiangqian repeated his old trick, "If you really can't do it, you can go back with Old Zhang and ask for money from Green Cliff Courtyard. He can give you some!"
At this time, Old Zhang came back with two young men. After hearing the conversation, he said, "This is a teacher from the academy. What's wrong with trusting him?"
Jiang Wang couldn't help but glance at him. This person's voice was cold and gloomy, but he was warm-hearted inside.
The middle-aged man from the paper figurine shop only replied, "Okay."
Then he lowered his head and busied himself with the paper figurines. He seemed to be very familiar with the process.
Old Zhang from the coffin shop said to Xu Xiangqian, "Mr. Xu, these two are good young men who are willing to work hard. Do you think they'll work? "
Xu Xiangqian waved his hand, "I'll take them!"
He didn't forget to add, "There's no need to trouble two masters for the same thing. You can also go to Green Cliff Courtyard to ask for their wages."
"Okay, okay." Old Zhang agreed.
The two young men were indeed strong. It was late autumn, and they only wore a single layer of clothing. The muscles on their bodies were very obvious. They carried the coffin on both sides, and it was very easy for them to walk.
It wasn't that Xu Xiangqian or Jiang Wang couldn't carry a mere coffin, or that they lived like princes and had to hire people to serve them.
Instead, hiring people to carry the coffin was a part of the funeral etiquette. This was the result of being as simple as possible.
Originally, eight people were required to carry the coffin during the burial. These eight people had to be highly respected in the clan and were able to convince the masses. They were called the "Eight Bearers".
However, Xu Fang's blood relatives were all gone. His hometown was Xinming County's Songcheng. If the "villagers" who watched Xu Fang's family die because of the "family closure fee" were asked to carry the coffin, Xu Fang's corpse would probably crawl out of the coffin in anger.
The two young men carried the coffin and walked behind. Xu Xiangqian held two in each hand and held four paper figurines in front to open the way.
According to the complete funeral etiquette, in addition to the Eight Bearers, there had to be someone who raised a white banner, cleared the way, sent the paper figurines, and scattered paper money …
Xu Xiangqian alone took care of the latter.
He wasn't related to Xu Fang. This matter was neither good nor unlucky. As a disciple of the Green Cliff Academy, it was even more "condescending". This was especially valuable.
Jiang Wang followed behind. To a certain extent, he could already represent Chung Geng Sheng. It was understandable that he would follow along to offer his condolences. After all, Chung Geng Sheng was a person worthy of respect, and he had actually helped Chung Geng Sheng. If Chung Geng Sheng did nothing, it would be too deliberate.
However, it was also inappropriate to carry a coffin and take a step further.
During this process, one had to grasp a measure that was related to the human heart.
Old Zhang from the coffin shop was also by his side. As soon as the coffin was carried out of the shop, he closed the door. He was in a hurry to go to Green Cliff Courtyard to ask for money. No matter how trusting he appeared on the surface, his heart was burning with impatience.
It was just that they had to split up when they reached the end of the street.
Jiang Wang looked around aimlessly. Sure enough, he saw another target, but he just passed by without alerting anyone.
He pretended to ask Old Zhang casually, "Did the paper figurine shop next to your house just open?"
Old Zhang from the coffin shop was stunned. He said, "The shop has been open for many years, but Old Li went back to his hometown to recuperate a few days ago. He asked his nephew to take over the business for a while. It was quite sudden. He rushed back and didn't have time to say anything … Why, Old Li's paper figurines are not good enough? We don't know each other well. He's only been here for a few days and doesn't talk much. "
These people couldn't be offended. Therefore, Old Zhang immediately shirked responsibility.
"No, no." Jiang Wang explained, "I just saw that you guys were a bit distant, so I asked."
"I see."
Old Zhang from the coffin shop responded, and the two stopped talking. At the intersection ahead, he turned in the direction of Green Cliff Courtyard.
Jiang Wang followed behind the coffin bearers to Green Rock Palace.
There was something wrong with the wooden middle-aged man from the paper figurine shop. Although he was very skilled at making paper figurines, it looked very real.
Jiang Wang noticed that the shop was very old, and the middle-aged man's clothes were washed white. It was obvious that he was a diligent and thrifty person.
But two paper figurines were on credit. The money wasn't much, and they weren't made of Phoebe zhennan wood. There was no reason for credit. Moreover, they didn't know each other well.
It didn't look like a small business.
Later, they were conflicted because Xu Xiangqian asked for two more on credit. If they agreed, it would be too fake.
According to Old Zhang from the coffin shop, the middle-aged man was the nephew of the original owner of the paper figurine shop. This didn't seem to be a problem, but it couldn't stand up to careful scrutiny.
Why didn't he recuperate in Linzi? Why did he travel back to his hometown? Moreover, if Old Li really let his nephew take over his shop, there was no reason for him not to introduce his neighbors and let them take care of him.
With all these reasons, Jiang Wang could conclude that the wooden middle-aged man wasn't here to do the paper figurine business.
But this had nothing to do with him. The safety of Linzi City was in charge of the imperial guards, and the law and order of the patrol office were in charge. Moreover, the man might not be a bad person.
He couldn't do anything just because of his suspicions. He just kept it in his heart.
Carrying the coffin through the streets and alleys, even the densely populated Linzi City had to give way.
On the other hand, the outside of the Bluestone Palace was deserted. No one stopped them.
There wasn't even a strange look in their eyes. It made one's hair stand on end.
Xu Xiangqian led the way. Other than their footsteps, there was no other sound.
The two young men who were hired to carry the coffin chatted a little at first to boost their courage. Later, they stopped talking.
Outside the only door of the Bluestone Palace, Jiang Wang saw the dead Xu Fang.
He was still kneeling, facing the door. His hands were holding a dagger. His chest and abdomen were cut open … his appearance was very tragic.
Because he had been dead for some time, there was no one to collect his body. His body had decayed to a certain extent … but it was still in good condition.
The two young men who were carrying the coffin vomited on the spot.
Jiang Wang and Xu Xiangqian were very silent.
Xu Xiangqian directly lifted Xu Fang's body with his Noble Spirit and placed it into the coffin that was specially made for him.
Jiang Wang made a gesture to summon the Flower of Devouring to clean up the filth on the ground.
Bluestone bricks and green moss. The Bluestone Palace was cold and silent.
Jiang Wang was a little worried. "You directly used the Noble Spirit. Will it affect your cultivation …"
Xu Xiangqian said in a rare serious tone, "For someone like Xu Fang, even if his corpse rots, it's not filth. He's closer to the Noble Spirit than the Noble Spirit. It's my honor to be able to bury him. "
After all, the Noble Spirit was only a cultivation method. People like Teacher Liu of Jia City could also cultivate it. However, the real "Noble Spirit" came from one's personality and could not be erased.
Jiang Wang raised his head and saw a sparrow with a tilted head on the cornice. It seemed to be very curious about them.
"There's not even a fly here, but there's a sparrow?" Xu Xiangqian seemed to have some thoughts.
Jiang Wang reached out and pulled him. "Let's go. Don't miss the time. "
Of course, Xu Xiangqian received the warning not to cause trouble. After thinking about it, he called out to the coffin bearers. "Let's go."
The two young men had more or less recovered. They lifted the coffin and left. This place was really unsettling.
Outside the Bluestone Palace, there was a rare movement. The sound of footsteps gradually faded away.
The Bluestone Palace was like a dead object. It was like the Bluestone itself. It allowed the wind and rain to blow and people to come and go.
…
(After editing, this line was removed.)
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