Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 63 The Coffin Lid Moved

After finishing their tea, they immediately set off.

The six members of the Tiankui Sect, along with Zhou Yi, formed a group of seven who took the route west of Sheqi, directly towards the city of Nanyang.

Once you leave Sheqi West City, it's as if you've stepped into the border of Nanyang.

Although it was still part of Huai'an Prefecture, it had long since taken the shape of Nanyang Prefecture.

Funeral shops were also seen in the city, open for business.

Zhou Yi then became suspicious: "Brother Yu, if you don't want the convenience of setting up a brothel in the city, why did you choose me?"

“This old master was a friend of my teacher when he was alive. I would rather not ask him than give him a perfunctory answer.”

Ying Yu pointed to the funeral shop with white banners that they passed by, "They're passable at buying coffins and acting as mourners, but when it comes to performing rituals, they're like a duck that can't swim."

“We just returned from Huai’an. We wanted to invite a mysterious person who was knowledgeable in the principles of Yin and Yang, but unfortunately he has already returned to Sichuan.”

"Oh? Who is this extraordinary person from?"

Lu Wuxia continued, "He comes from the Bashu Heyi Sect and is a disciple of the Tongtian Shenmu."

Upon hearing the words "Tongtian Shenmu" (Heavenly Goddess), the members of the Tiankui Sect turned serious. This old woman's ability to communicate between Yin and Yang was renowned throughout the martial arts world.

Zhou Yi roughly understood.

Despite his somewhat down-on-his-luck street-style attire, his background from the Taiping Dojo greatly enhances his overall demeanor.

Even if others try to imitate that style, it's hard to achieve a natural look.

These members of major sects have sharp eyes and can discern the truth from falsehood.

Ying Yu added, "Actually, there are two other reasons why we invited Master Yi to accompany us."

"Appreciate further details."

Ying Yu cleared his throat. "This old master Ren is quite skilled in martial arts and has some connections with the Taoist sect. I wonder if Master Yi has ever heard of a Taoist named 'Wang Zuan'?"

The six members of the Tiankui Sect all looked over with smiles.

This person isn't famous, so I imagine the young Taoist priest wouldn't know him.

Zhou Yi casually replied, "Is it the one who lives in seclusion on Maji Mountain? It is said that at the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, the world was in turmoil, with famine and plague. Wang Zuan, out of compassion for the suffering of the people, often performed good deeds in secret to save lives. He obtained the 'Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing' and it was later passed down to the world."

The smiles of the Tiankui disciples gradually faded.

This seems even clearer than what Master explained?
Ying Yu nodded and continued, "This is the first reason why we invited Master Yi."

"This is the second reason."

As soon as Ying Yu finished speaking, Lü Wuxia gestured towards a large mansion ahead: "We've arrived."

Zhou Yi glanced over.

I saw the vermilion gate, half-open and half-closed.

The door knocker, tied with a pale white linen, was swaying gently in the wind.

"The second reason is that I heard that Old Master Ren died from a qi deviation during his practice. He was filled with resentment, and ordinary black-smelling half-bucket water not only couldn't dispel it, but might even cause it to clash."

As Ying Yu spoke, a gust of cold wind blew by, causing the Yin-Yang flag in Zhou Yi's hand to sway wildly.

The group of people couldn't help but shrink back.

Arriving at the Ren family's gate, they saw that the two imposing stone lions at the entrance were also covered with mourning cloths, seemingly feeling sorrow, their heads bowed and their power diminished.

A middle-aged man dressed as a scholar rushed out to greet him.

He first looked at the Tiankui Sect members, whom he naturally recognized.

Then look at the eldest brother Ying Yu beside him.

A young and handsome Taoist priest stood like a pine tree, holding a yin-yang banner, carrying peach wood on his back, and wearing a Bagua mirror to ward off evil at his waist.

Amidst the everyday life, there is a touch of otherworldly charm.

Ren Jingfu, the head of the Ren family, knew that Tian Kui had sent someone to Huai'an County to find a strange person, and he figured it must be this person.

Ying Yu didn't explain much, only saying, "This is Daoist Yi."

"Greetings, Master Yi." Ren Jingfu stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Zhou Yi returned the greeting with a traditional Chinese bow.

"Please, everyone."

Ren Jingfu stepped forward to lead the way, and the half-closed doors were fully opened to welcome distinguished guests.

Twenty or thirty imposing men stood on either side of the gate, all dressed in short, tight-fitting clothes.

"please!"

They invited him in unison, and Zhou Yi, stroking the Bagua mirror, entered with Ying Yu and the others.

The Ren family is indeed a wealthy family; this residence is no less impressive than the Cao family mansion in Yanggu.

After entering a series of courtyards, and passing through a corridor, a large courtyard came into view, located directly in front of the mourning hall.

White curtains cascaded down from the tall funeral hall like a waterfall.

In the center of the mourning hall, a red lacquered coffin stood upright, covered with layers of plain white silk.

On the offering table in front of the coffin were laid out delicacies, but the flickering candlelight made the food lose its color and appear lifeless.

In the incense burner beside it, sandalwood smoke was rising in wisps. In front of the coffin, there was an earthenware basin where relatives and friends were burning paper money to pay their respects. Several younger members of the Ren family, dressed in plain white, were kneeling beside the coffin, weeping and wailing.

Old Master Ren died from a qi deviation, and the news of his death was sent out early.

Many foreign guests came today.

Aside from businessmen connected to the Ren family, the majority of their contacts were friends from the underworld.

Almost all the well-known figures in the martial arts world of Sheqi City have come.

Those with less close relationships come and go, while those with closer ties stay in the courtyard.

Of course, the ones with the biggest entourage were the Tiankui Sect members.

Of the eight major powers in Nanyang Prefecture, only they exist here.

Naturally, many people took the opportunity to curry favor and build relationships.

Most of the people were dealt with by Ying Yu's fellow disciples.

Because Zhou Yi always stayed by Ying Yu and Lü Wuxia's side, he inevitably attracted a lot of attention.

However, no one in the vicinity of Nanyang County could see through his identity.

"Master Yi, please wait a moment. We must wait until they have finished their condolences."

There's no rush.

Zhou Yi wasn't in a hurry; he stayed on the sidelines and watched the excitement unfold.

It's just that I'm not used to not seeing those strong relatives and friends gathered together playing mahjong during funerals.

He shook his head, deciding to stop thinking about these random things.

About two hours later, it was getting dark.

Finally, it was Zhou Yi's turn to set up the altar and perform the ritual.

This whole process of ringing the ritual bell, burning the soul-binding paper money and banners, and then presenting the ordination certificate to the City God is something even a charlatan could do.

However, the techniques of picking up the sword and burning the talisman, as well as the methods of ringing the bell and the rhythm of the bell, are very particular and cannot be imitated by someone who is only half-baked.

Hearing the somewhat sorrowful sound of the magic bell, Lü Wuxia whispered, "Master Yi is probably someone who frequently causes trouble."

The other disciples of Tiankui Sect, seeing Master Yi's smooth and skillful use of the peach-sword to pick up talismans, also praised him, saying, "Professional."

However, when Zhou Yi was chanting sutras around the red lacquered coffin...

The members of the Ren family also showed slight surprise.
"All things in the Three Realms, the Five Paths and Eight Gates, including celestial beings, men and women, and all sentient beings with nature, are endlessly dependent on each other, trapped in the cycle of birth and death, unable to escape."

The disciples of Tiankui had no idea what kind of nonsense Zhou Yi was spouting.

But the Ren family disciples could hear it clearly.

Ren Jingfu, the head of the Ren family, pricked up his ears to listen to a few more words.

That's not bad.
It is Wang Zuan's "Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing".

Moreover, it is the twelfth volume of the Cave Abyss, where all the saints protect you and avert disaster.

This scripture is not commonly seen. Old Master Ren obtained it from a Taoist friend when he was traveling the world in his early years, which is how he learned to study this scripture.

That's so thoughtful of you.
Ren Jingfu was deeply moved, and his gaze toward the Tiankui disciples was filled with friendliness and goodwill.

Looking at Master Yi, who was earnestly chanting scriptures, they felt even more grateful.

He immediately beckoned to the steward and asked him to double the amount of money he had prepared earlier, as this would show his sincerity.

After Ren Jingfu had arranged everything, his gaze turned to the large coffin.

He was a very filial son and was heartbroken when his father passed away.

The scriptures Zhou Yi recited reminded him of the image of his father sitting in the courtyard studying Taoism.

My mother died young, and now that my father is gone, I have no idea where I came from, only where I am going.

I was deeply moved at that moment.

The Ren family members around them cried even louder.

Ren Jingfu murmured:

"Father, after hearing this sutra, you will dispel your resentment and ascend to heaven in peace."

suddenly
A strange "click" sound came from around the mourning hall, and the crying of the Ren family members stopped abruptly.

this.
Where did the noise come from?

At first, they thought it was the clay pot on the ground burning paper money that was making a popping sound due to the heat.

Suddenly, there was another "click".

At this, the Tiankui Sect members who had been sitting under the mourning tent not far away watching the show all felt their scalps tingle and stood up abruptly.

Lü Wuxia ducked behind Ying Yu, slightly startled.
"Senior Brother, did you see it clearly?"

"See clearly."

Ying Yu stared at the red lacquered coffin: "Old Master Ren's coffin lid moved."

……

(End of this chapter)