"Well, whose kid is this, looking so cute!"
Xu Qing walked along the street with Qing Ya and Yao Guang, looking just like a pair of golden boys and jade girls.
Along the way, those who knew Shopkeeper Xu didn't hesitate to approach and ask questions. Xu Qing was prepared and would respond with a laugh, "My grandson and granddaughter, the older one is Xu Ya, the younger one is Xu Yao..."
The neighbors who heard this were amazed, for they hadn't heard of Shopkeeper Xu marrying and having children, so how did his grandchildren get so big after not seeing him for over a decade?
Xu Qing had more to say on the matter:
"I met his mother more than twenty years ago, but she became a nun and refused to leave the Taoist temple. I only found out later that she bore me a fine son!"
Upon hearing this, people thought, so he seduced a nun and even got her pregnant? That's quite shameless!
Xu Qing spoke with conviction, "It's a pity the child grew up without a father's love. When he grew up and knew about me, he wasn't keen to connect. He kept it bottled up and refused to acknowledge me for over ten years."
"Now, he's had a change of heart and is willing to let me take care of this pair of twins."
The curious ones asked Xu Qing how he managed to seduce a nun.
Xu Qing mentioned that back in the day, he went to the Five Elders Temple to invite a Taoist priest for a funeral service, and through funeral business dealings, they became acquainted, and eventually, things blossomed into a relationship!
Upon hearing this, the neighbors gave him a thumbs-up—Shopkeeper Xu sure has skills. Without making a fuss, he now has a full house with children and grandchildren!
Qing Ya and Yao Guang, two kids, were utterly bewildered.
How come in the blink of an eye, they became the benefactor's grandchildren?
The children dared not speak up, but the more silent they were, the more others thought they were well-behaved and sensible. Their good looks added to the charm, and they got their cheeks pinched and received snacks and trinkets along the way.
When Xu Qing returned to Underground Street, the kids were holding so many things; each had a red scarf around their neck.
In the freezing winter month, the kids appeared as festive as could be, and in a street full of paper wreaths, it seemed like two worlds from different paintings had collided, making everything feel surreal.
Xu Qing contemplated the placement of these convenient grandchildren. With the Cat Immortal Hall having ten halls already full, these unseasoned mascots couldn't hold up a branch hall or become a Branch Hall Master.
Besides, funeral work wasn't suitable for these little ones. Xu Qing thought over and over, and it seemed Bao Sheng Temple might be a better fit for them...
Xu Qing had just returned to the Funeral Shop and hadn't reached the door when a well-informed Xuan Cat blocked it, questioning him:
"The Xu Immortal Family did quite a big thing!"
Xu Qing, with the kids, still looked puzzled, thinking he, Zombie Xu, lived his life with integrity, what could he have possibly done?
"The Xu Immortal Family secretly hooked up with a nun, had children, and now the grandchildren are so big, yet still hasn't told me the truth..."
What happened to supporting each other and jointly cultivating Immortal ways? How did Xu Immortal Family suddenly fall into matters of love and abandon the original intention?
Xuan Yu was very angry.
It wasn't just about Xu Immortal Family abandoning its original intention that made it angry, but such a major event, how could Xu Immortal Family keep it a secret from it?
If not for the Transmission Hall's excellent news sense, it might still be in the dark.
Xuan Yu, after all, had a soft heart, thinking as long as Xu Immortal Family comes back to apologize and explain things, it could leave past grievances behind, showcasing Lady Qingqing's forgiveness and magnanimity.
But Xu Qing, faced with its questioning, seemed completely justified and showed no sign of guilt!
If the feelings have truly faded, Lady Qingqing might as well pack up tonight, leave the Immortal Hall, and make room for Madam Xu...
After holding back for a while, Xu Qing couldn't help but say, "Xuan Yu Immortal Family, do you want to take a closer look at what my granddaughter and grandson look like?"
How they're supposed to look has nothing to do with me.
Despite its words, Xuan Yu instinctively looked at the two children.
At first glance, they looked familiar.
On the second glance, weren't these the two golden carps saved by Xu Immortal Family back in the day? In gratitude for Xu Immortal Family's kindness, the goblets they offered are still in its possession.
"Xu Immortal Family's wife is a fish?"
"..."
Xu Qing's face darkened, thinking about how his household had cats and foxes who loved fish, and he'd run out to mess around with fish, having two fish as his children. Doesn't this sound absurd?
"These are descendants of our old neighbor, the Cyan Dragon Divine Monarch from Bai Jiang Water Mansion..."
Xu Qing explained the cause and effect of the Cyan Dragon Divine Monarch's entrustment to Xuan Yu.
Finally, he added, "As a funeral master, naturally I must float along with the world and adhere to the mortal cycles of birth, aging, sickness, and death."
With his white hair, Xu Qing reached to stroke his beard, jokingly saying, "In the eyes of others, I am already an old man of Underground Street. If I pretend to die someday, there needs to be a new identity to inherit the funeral business."
If someone resembles me in my youth, it might arouse suspicion among those with ulterior intentions, but if my biological offspring, left outside the family, inherit the shop, then there's no such risk."
Like father, like son, it's only natural.
Besides, there's no camera these days, over the years, everyone's impression of him in his youth might have faded. Even if there were one or two exceptional memories, they would assume his offspring inherited Old Xu's likeness, not suspecting that the Shopkeeper of Xu's shop is a rejuvenated demon.
"Smells so nice..."
After learning the truth, Xuan Yu's mood completely relaxed. It walked to Qing Ya and Yao Guang, its nostrils twitching as a special "watery" fragrance wafted into its nose.