Becoming a martial arts god starting from the mortician.

Several more days have passed. A light snowfall has just occurred, and remnants of white still linger in the cracks of the bluestone pavement.

As the year draws to a close, new peach wood charms have been installed along the streets of Chengping County, and strings of red paper lanterns hang under the eaves, swirling gently in the thin winter sun.

The patrol battalion removed the barricades from the main street, leaving only a few squads of armored soldiers to patrol as usual.

A peddler selling candied melons carried his load through the streets and alleys, his calls echoing far and wide. Several children, bundled up in thick cotton-padded coats, chased and played, accidentally knocking over the inkstone of an old man writing Spring Festival couplets at the street corner, eliciting laughter and scolding.

The sound of firecrackers filled the air, scattering red fragments across the ground. The aroma of pine smoke and Tusu wine wafted through the cool alleyway.

Shen Qi pushed open the courtyard gate, passed through the outer city, and went straight to the Liu residence in the inner city.

White banners hung high in the main hall, and the paper money in the brazier turned to ashes. Shen Qi washed his hands and burned incense. His movements were swift and efficient. In less than half an hour, he had restored the peaceful and serene appearance of Old Master Liu, whose face had been contorted by illness.

Old Master Liu waited outside and peeked inside. The old man's face was relaxed and peaceful, as if he had passed away with a smile. His eyes reddened, and he bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Lord Shen, for giving my father a dignified send-off."

After saying this, he handed over three silver notes with both hands, each worth one hundred taels. Shen Qi took the silver notes, tucked them into his sleeve, nodded, and without further ado, took his leave.

……

At the end of the long street, stands the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

This premier restaurant in Chengping County was packed with customers today. Yan Qing stood at the foot of the restaurant steps, wearing a moon-white cloak, his posture upright and his demeanor gentle and refined.

A passing merchant in a brocade robe saw him, paused, and quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting with a broad smile: "Oh, isn't this Young Master Yan! With the end of the year approaching, I wish you all the best!"

Yan Qing smiled and returned the greeting: "Manager Chen, you're too kind."

The merchant's companion tugged at his sleeve and chuckled in a low voice, "Let's not delay our important guest."

The two bowed and took their leave. Yan Qing nodded slightly as she saw them off, her manner dignified and measured.

Seeing Shen Qi approach, Yan Qing came down the steps to greet him.

"Brother Shen, please come in."

The two entered the restaurant side by side. The manager personally led the way, guiding them to the second floor. Their private room was by the window; by pushing open half a window, they could see the bustling street below.

Wine and dishes were already prepared on the table. A pot of warm, aged osmanthus wine, four plates of exquisite appetizers, and a steaming bowl of eight-treasure clear soup.

Yan Qing picked up the wine pot and personally filled Shen Qi's wine cup.

"This is the signature product of Zuixianlou, a ten-year-aged osmanthus wine." Yan Qing poured himself a cup, gently swirling the amber liquid inside. "Brother Shen, please have a taste."

Shen Qi picked up his wine glass and took a sip. The wine went down his throat, mellow and long-lasting, with a subtle sweetness of osmanthus in the aftertaste.

"Good wine."

Yan Qing smiled and took a sip as well. They each picked up a few bites of food, remaining silent for a while. The sounds of the street below drifted up, making the quiet of the private room all the more apparent.

After several rounds of drinks...

Yan Qing put down his wine cup, his casual expression turning serious.

"Brother Shen, I invited you here today not only to catch up, but also to say goodbye."

Shen Qi paused in her chopsticks, which were picking up food, and looked up at him.

"The imperial examinations are approaching." Yan straightened his sleeves. "I plan to set off on the sixth day of the first lunar month, traveling north by water to the capital to prepare for the exams."

Yan Qing ran his fingers along the rim of the wine glass, his eyes clear and bright, revealing an undeniable sharpness: "We scholars read the books of sages and observe the world situation. If we only write articles in our studies, we will ultimately be creating things behind closed doors."

He raised his wine cup, his posture as upright as a pine tree: "I wish to enter the capital, ascend the golden palace. To see the vast landscape of this Great Yan, to meet the heroes of the world. Though my heart may hold countless wonders, I must try to know their depths."

Shen Qi slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze passing over Yan Qing's brows and eyes. Without deliberately activating his divine eyes, the intertwined and swirling crimson and azure aura above Yan Qing's head already possessed a magnificent and awe-inspiring presence. The phantoms of the bamboo slips and official seal were more solid than before, faintly exuding a natural and innate majesty.

It was as if this person was born to sit in the halls of power and hold key positions.

His destiny was sealed; he was destined for the highest position among ministers.

Shen Qi withdrew his gaze and looked down at his well-defined hands. His life was incomplete, stolen from the dead. Two completely different paths briefly intersected at this moment.

He picked up the freshly poured wine glass in front of him and said in a steady voice, "The journey to the capital is long, and the spring chill is still in the air. I wish Brother Yan a successful journey and that he will pass the imperial examination with flying colors."

A smile appeared in Yan Qing's eyes, his brows furrowed with confident arrogance. He raised his wine glass and lightly clinked it against Shen Qi's in mid-air.

"Years will pass, and mountains and rivers will stretch far. If we meet again someday, I, Yan, will certainly prepare fine wine and sweep my bed to welcome you."

Shen Qi raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"must."

……

The banquet ended.

Outside Zuixianlou, a blue-curtained carriage had been waiting for a long time.

Yan Qing tightened his cloak and bowed deeply to Shen Qi. Shen Qi returned the bow with clasped hands.

The coachman cracked his whip, and the blue-veiled carriage rolled over the cobblestones, slowly disappearing into the crowd at the street corner. Shen Qi stood there for a moment, then turned and walked in another direction.

After passing through two streets and alleys, Shen Qi stopped in front of the Zhou residence.

A muffled whistling sound came from the courtyard.

Zhou Wenyuan, shirtless, was practicing the Tiger-Taming Fist in the courtyard. The white cloth on his left shoulder had been removed, revealing a dark red scar on the new flesh. His punches were wide and powerful, each punch accompanied by a loud bang, the air crackling with a swirling, condensed energy around his fist.

Seeing Shen Qi step into the courtyard, Zhou Wenyuan stopped his attack. He exhaled a long breath of white air, his inner energy dissipating, and the terrifying ferocity vanished. The old servant quickly handed him a dry towel, which Zhou Wenyuan casually wiped the sweat from his face and head before putting on his padded jacket.

"What brings you here today?" Zhou Wenyuan asked as he walked to the stone table and sat down.

"I just finished an errand and stopped by to visit you, sir." Shen Qi walked over and sat down opposite him.

Zhou Wenyuan looked Shen Qi up and down, sensing the calm and restrained energy within him, and nodded in satisfaction. He picked up the teapot that was warming on the stone table, poured two cups of hot tea, and pushed one of them towards Shen Qi.

The two men, holding their teacups, chatted casually about their recent situations. Zhou Wenyuan inquired about the progress of his cultivation technique and then discussed the arrangements for the Surveillance Bureau's cleanup, to which Shen Qi answered in detail.

The conversation gradually dwindled.

The faint crackling of children setting off firecrackers drifted from the next alley, mingled with the laughter and scolding of adults. A gust of wind blew, carrying a few scraps of red paper that landed on the stone table in the courtyard.

Zhou Wenyuan glanced outside the courtyard wall and sighed, "The New Year is almost here."

He put down his teacup and looked at Shen Qi.

"You're all alone, and I have no family either. It's going to be very quiet this year-end. Come over early on New Year's Eve, and the two of us can spend the holiday together."

Shen Qi looked at the steaming tea in front of him. In the dead of winter, the aroma of the tea was especially comforting.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"it is good."