No matter human experiences or supernatural elements, nothing in this world is particularly special.
The gatekeeper of the Yin River is just that—a gatekeeper, while the Immortal Disciples of the Cat Immortal Hall wander between the dark and light like knights, helping those in need.
Bao Sheng Temple connects midwives and matchmakers to assist with births, while Da Luo Sect rises in times of chaos, attempting to set things right, the so-called rebel faction.
Of course, Xu Qing never sees it that way. His Da Luo Sect is united and friendly internally and operates wisely externally; it is undeniably a force for justice, a moral benchmark.
Could a sect like this really be a rebel group?
Having inspected a flourishing sect, Xu Qing returned to Underground Street.
In the Funeral Shop, Xuan Yu, driven by curiosity, frequently questioned Xu Qing about his experiences outside.
Mostly about the affairs of Lady Hongluan at Bao Sheng Temple!
Xu Qing disliked mentioning it, but Xuan Yu insisted on asking.
When pressed, Xu Qing took out a red ball and revealed a sinister smile, saying he wanted to tie a good red string for Lady Qing Qing of Cat Immortal Hall.
Mr. Xu was merely joking, teasing the cat, but Xuan Yu reacted with wide eyes, incredulous:
"I understand now! The red string on me is tied by the Xu Immortal Family!"
What do you understand? Xu Qing looked at the red string around Xuan Yu's neck—isn't that the positioning red string obtained from ushering the ill-fated Wang Family couple into the afterlife?
The red string is like the Crane Bone Flute he once gave to the Wu Family brothers; its sole purpose is a sense of mutual attraction and connection. What does this have to do with the red string?
However, Xuan Yu thought differently: no wonder every time Xu Immortal Family goes on a journey, she loves to sit at the gate, thinking about someone's return, as if there's been a spell cast!
"Xu Qing, as the human I've raised, how could you do such a rebellious thing to the Cat Master!"
"..."
What did he do?
Xu Qing stared at the cautious and guarded girl, his face suddenly darkened.
"When I gave you the red string, I hadn't yet apprenticed under the Goddess, nor did I possess authority over marriage; if you don't want it, give it back, and I'll let someone else wear it."
Seeing Xu Qing intending to take off her red string, Xuan Yu instantly manifested her true form, darting to the side.
Xu Qing looked up to see a black cat on the top of the Twin Coffin, watching him as it leisurely licked its paws.
This cat is becoming more unruly!
In the Funeral Shop, Xu Qing sat at the counter, reviewing the temple list ledger. Over the years, Cat Immortal Hall recruited many Immortals of good character, and the funeral business thrived as well.
Xu Qing even saw many foreign names on the funeral roster.
"Has Jin Sect recently welcomed numerous foreigners?"
Beside him, Xuan Yu, now back in her black-clad girl form, remarked disdainfully:
"Those people smell awful, both men and women love powdering themselves, just like Xu Immortal Family did back then."
"..."
Xu Qing was speechless.
In the early years, he powdered himself to conceal the corpse odor on him, but as his cultivation improved, he no longer depended on such methods to cover his scent.
Cats dislike strange odors, and powdery smells too.
For cats, women's powder smells similar to the foul stench of a zombie's feet.
Seeing Xu Qing not speaking, Xuan Yu reached into the translucent cup, pulling out a small paper box.
"I've learned a new fire technique from the foreigners; does Xu Immortal Family want to learn it?"
Xu Qing looked at her as she pulled a red-tipped stick from the paper box, striking it against the box's edge and igniting it; he was temporarily dazed.
The orange fire reflected on Xuan Yu's flushed face and also in Xu Qing's eyes.
"Does Xu Immortal Family want to learn it?"
"How much is a box of these matches?"
Noting Xu Qing recognized the foreigners' fire technique trick, Xuan Yu was slightly disappointed. Xu Immortal Family's drawback was knowing everything; this somewhat frustrated her as she played the role of the head.
"Three taels of silver per box."
"How much?!"
Xu Qing was shocked; even five coins per box for these matches felt expensive to him, but it sold for three taels of silver?
He didn't even earn so much for organizing a single funeral!
A small paper box costing more than a coffin!
"Hmm..." Xuan Yu couldn't understand Xu Qing's dramatic reaction. She tilted her head: "These matches are said to be foreign treasures; Feng Family's young man mortgaged ancestral assets, spending tens of thousands of silver buying foreigners' matches and pocket watches, saying they're treasures, expecting to sell them at a high price eventually."
"..."
Xu Qing listened, his eyelids twitching; no wonder they say the most significant squander is starting a business.
Even a vast fortune can't withstand the descendants' entrepreneurial spirit!
"Is the Feng Family's young man referred to by Profound Jade Immortal Family Feng Xiaosheng or Feng Zhennan?"
Xuan Yu blinked: "It's Feng Er Ye's son Feng Xiaosheng."
"Him? He's a man with one foot in the grave; why not rest at home? Why start a business?"
Feng Xiaosheng was already over eighty; at such an age, instead of relaxing at home, why insist on progressing?
Xuan Yu didn't understand mortal thoughts, explaining to Xu Qing about Feng Xiaosheng hoarding items and asking the Feng Family steward to gift matches and pocket watches to all shopkeepers in Underground Street.
After hearing it, Xu Qing felt the matches box was somewhat scorching—the rest might not realize, but he knew these items like matches, and pocket watches were mass-producible; western industry was booming then.
He didn't need to think to know Feng Xiaosheng was fooled by foreigners!