Chapter 60

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Chapter 60: Funeral Arrangements

     

As the three of them swiftly utilized their lightness techniques to return to Thumb Peak, they finally breathed a sigh of relief. Yanming Hermit casually sat on the reclining bull-shaped stone and asked: “Nephew, you hadn’t finished what you were saying earlier. Now, please continue.”

     

Lu Yueming said: “There are no birds in this forest. According to my speculation, there are two possible reasons for this. First, there might be a fearsome beast in the forest that scares the birds away, preventing them from roosting here. However, I cannot imagine what kind of beast could drive all the birds away, in my experience, there is no such beast. Second, this jujube forest might actually be a formation. Perhaps this formation has the effect of keeping birds away, preventing them from nesting here?”

     

Yanming Hermit pondered for a moment and said: “Nephew, you make some valid points. However, formations have long been lost in the martial world, and their specific powers are beyond our speculation. The idea of a fierce beast is also too far-fetched. Alas, this jujube forest holds too many mysteries for us to presume upon. We should wait until the right time next year to enter again. This time, surviving is a blessing in itself. Man’s calculations cannot match Heaven’s plans. One should not covet what is not theirs. The ancients did not deceive us.”

     

As Yanming Hermit spoke, his tone was unexpectedly melancholic, in stark contrast to the vibrant renewal of spring all around them.

     

Lu Yueming and Tan Feng exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with both fear and relief. Moments earlier, seeing Zhang Zhaoyang’s formidable momentum, they were nearly compelled to follow him into the forest. But at the final moment, they managed to keep their heads clear. In hindsight, it was indeed fortunate. However, their sect masters had issued strict orders, under no circumstances could all four leather hides fall into the hands of the Yanming Hermit. This crucial directive was the main reason they chose not to enter the forest.

     

The three were silent for a moment, and Yanming Hermit said: “This mission ends here. Although we didn’t go inside and lost a disciple from Ten Thousand Swords Peak, our goal has been achieved. You two can return and report back. I need to visit Ten Thousand Swords Peak to give an explanation to the Sword Master Wan. You go on ahead.”

     

Upon hearing these words, Lu Yueming and Tan Feng no longer lingered. After bowing respectfully to Yanming Hermit, they exchanged a mutual fist salute and chose different directions, swiftly dashing off on their separate ways.

     

Yanming Hermit watched as their figures receded into the distance. He didn’t know if they were heading straight back to their sect or taking a detour for other tasks. He no longer concerned himself with their actions. Reaching into his robe, he pulled out the hide from Ten Thousand Swords Peak, rubbed it gently for a moment, then carefully put it back and securely hid it. After scanning his surroundings and listening intently for a while, he utilized his lightness technique and swiftly departed.

     

The reclining bull-shaped stone remained peaceful, quietly awaiting the bustle of the coming year.

     

That midnight, on Ten Thousand Swords Peak, the Sword Master Wan Chengjiu received a message from Qu Xiangfeng of the Evil Tiger Gang: “Senior Brother Zhang Zhaoyang has disappeared.”

     

Wan Chengjiu’s face turned ashen, his hands clenched into fists, his eyes filled with regret. It was unclear whether he regretted the fate of his disciple or the missed opportunity to obtain the secret realm’s medicinal herbs.

     

In the Zhang family courtyard, the atmosphere remained solemn. People came and went, their faces displaying grief. The Zhang family in Guo Village had a good reputation, Grandma had always been warm and hospitable to others throughout her life. Therefore, many people came to offer condolences. The main hall of the Zhang family was not large, and after kneeling before Zhang Cai and the others, there was not much space left. Visitors took turns to briefly pay their respects to Grandma before hurriedly leaving, with most not staying long.

     

On the day Grandma passed away, Liu Yueyue was brought back to Baligou by trustworthy individuals. Mr. Liu received the news and was not only concerned about his married daughter but also saddened by the funeral of his in-laws. The next day, he arrived at the Zhang family’s residence, accompanied by Butcher Liu. After offering their condolences, they decided to stay and temporarily reside in Grandma’s former cottage to assist the Zhang family as needed.

     

These days, Zhang Xiaohua has been sluggish and lifeless. He spends most of his time kneeling in a corner, staring blankly ahead. During meals, it’s Zhang Xiaohu who passes him the bowl, waits for Xiaohua to finish eating, and then takes it away. At night, he continues to kneel until midnight, falling asleep promptly and being carried back to bed by Zhang Xiaohu. At dawn, he wakes up punctually with the first sunlight filtering through the window. After an unconscious deep breath, he resumes kneeling in the corner. It seems he’s almost like he’s a walking corpse.

     

Mr. Liu was the first to notice his abnormal behavior. It’s understandable to think that Xiaohua is mourning his grandmother, yet strangely, he has not shed a tear throughout this time.

     

Guo Sufei herself has cried herself into fainting several times, so naturally, she is unable to comfort her own son. Zhang Cai and the others are also at a loss for words and don’t know how to console him. Everyone feels that after a few days, Zhang Xiaohua will eventually come out of this on his own and return to normal.

     

Happy days are short-lived, just like days of mourning. Quickly, the seven days have passed, and it’s time for Grandma’s body to be prepared for burial. The burial plot has long been chosen, right next to Guoshan Cemetery.

     

This afternoon, the members of the Zhang family knelt once more before Grandma. Beside them, someone prepared to close the coffin lid and secure it with nails. Guo Sufei, filled with reluctance, cried as she clung to the coffin, unwilling to let go. She gazed at her mother’s smiling face repeatedly. It was only after Zhang Cai and others persuaded her that she reluctantly released her grip, collapsing to the ground beside the coffin.

     

The helpers swiftly covered the lid of the coffin and raised the large nails with a hammer, preparing to seal it shut. The rhythmic “clang clang clang” of the hammer blows echoed, seeming to be knocking on Zhang Xiaohua’s heart.

     

During this period, Zhang Xiaohua felt like he was living in a dream. He kept replaying and regretting everything in his mind. He thought if only he had martial arts skills, he could have protected his elder brother and sister-in-law earlier. They would have safely returned home, and their wedding ceremony would have proceeded smoothly. Grandma wouldn’t have left him so soon.

     

He hated himself so much, hated that he knew no martial arts, for not being able to protect his family. From the New Year in Lu Town to the wedding procession, he was constantly bullied and his life was arbitrarily trampled upon by others. He hated himself for not having the strength, for not choosing the right path in life, and for not spending more time with Grandma.

     

Even in his dreams, the breath-like twinkling seemed to sense his regret, intensifying with each passing moment.

     

The “clang clang” of the hammering shook him to the core. His heart ached sharply as he lifted his head, only to realize that Grandmother had already been nailed into the coffin.

     

“Grandmother~” Zhang Xiaohua roared in a low voice, tears streaming like rain, blurring his vision. Xiaohua lunged forward, pushing the person away with force. The not-so-short man stumbled back from the unexpected strength of the thirteen-year-old child, sitting abruptly on the ground with the hammer in hand, eyes wide with disbelief.

     

With most of the nail already hammered in, Zhang Xiaohua panicked. He hastily pinched the end of the nail with his fingers, exerted force with his arm, and slowly pulled the nail out. Then, with a grunt, Xiaohua pushed the heavy lid aside with a creaking sound. From the dark coffin emerged Grandma’s serene smile once again.

     

Zhang Xiaohua kept calling “Grandma”. Tears streamed incessantly down his cheeks, sliding over his face and clothes, dropping into the coffin. The tears that had accumulated over the past few days burst forth uncontrollably like a floodgate opened wide, beyond his ability to restrain them.

     

The onlookers in the room, astonished by Zhang Xiaohua’s strength, now found themselves silently shedding tears, witnessing this human tragedy unfold before their eyes.

     

In rural customs, there are specific times for the burial procession, as going beyond those times is considered inauspicious and may disturb the rest of the deceased. Therefore, after a period of weeping, everyone checked the time and stopped, focusing on allowing the elderly person to rest peacefully. However, at this moment, Zhang Xiaohua was deeply upset and could not be persuaded by anyone.

     

Some villagers tried to forcefully pull him away, but to their surprise, Xiaohua’s strength was unexpectedly great, and several people couldn’t move him. Everyone turned to Guo Sufei for help, but although she was not as sorrowful at this moment, she couldn’t convince her son. Just as everyone was at a loss, Liu Qian walked out.

     

She walked up to Zhang Xiaohua’s side and softly called out: “Xiaohua~” Repeating it four or five times before Zhang Xiaohua finally responded, saying: “Sister Qianqian, Grandma is really gone.”

     

Liu Qian wrapped her arms around Zhang Xiaohua’s head, gently stroking his hair, and said: “Xiaohua, do you remember what you told me by the little river outside the village?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua continued to cry, saying: “I remember, big sister. At that time, I already knew Grandma was about to leave me.”

     

Liu Qian said, “Yes, Xiaohua, there’s no endless banquet in this world. Everything eventually comes to an end. Grandma was busy all her life, and now she finally has time to rest. Look at Grandma’s face, isn’t she happily smiling? She left happily, so we should send her off happily too. Acting like this you are disturbing Grandma’s rest, wouldn’t it make her angry?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua said: “Big Sister, I know that, but, but I won’t be able to see Grandma anymore in the future. I don’t have Grandma anymore. I don’t want her to leave me.”

     

Liu Qian continued: “So how long do you plan to stay with Grandma? Half a day, one day, two days, or ten days? Grandma will eventually need to be laid to rest, you understand that too. You can’t accompany her for just a while but how can you accompany her for a lifetime? Come on, Xiaohua, get up. Let’s send Grandma off properly, and accompany her on this final journey.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua looked at his grandmother’s face with deep reluctance. The familiar features etched into his heart were gradually obscured by darkness, engulfed within the black coffin. He weakly closed his eyes, tears rolling incessantly down his cheeks. In his heart, he kept asking, why couldn’t his grandmother stay with him? Why couldn’t they live forever?

     

The graves of Grandfather and Grandmother were situated behind the village, a distance away. Villagers who helped carried the coffin ahead, while the Zhang family followed behind, weeping. The rest of the villagers also joined in, escorting this familiar figure on their final journey.

     

The grave had already been dug open. Carefully, they placed the coffin inside and covered it with earth. Soon, a small new grave took shape. After the helpers and villagers paid their respects and left, only the Zhang and Liu families remained at the graveside. Zhang Cai and Zhang Xiaohu carefully repaired Grandmother’s grave, adding fresh soil to Grandfather’s as well. Guo Sufei and Liu Qian meticulously arranged incense and candles. The group stayed by Grandmother’s grave until dusk before reluctantly departing.

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