Chapter 246

Chapter 246

Last month, Xie Yinxue commissioned an exquisite coffin for himself, made of premium Dragon Scale-patterned Phoebe nanmu wood. From a distance, it glimmered like golden threads, resplendent like celestial tapestries; up close, it emitted a delicate fragrance, profound and lingering. It must have cost a seven-figure sum, crafted meticulously over a period of fifteen days. Only yesterday, it was delivered to Mingyue Cliff, where he personally inspected and accepted it.

To Shen Qiuji's current understanding, a coffin has but one purpose: a resting place for the deceased.

After all, if one is well and alive, why would they purchase a coffin for themselves? Even if flush with cash, it's an odd extravagance.

Yet, Xie Yinxue admitted he bought the coffin to lie in it, saying, "What else is a coffin for if not to sleep inside? To ensure a comfortable rest, I also purchased the matching sleeping attire."

Shen Qiuji: "..."

Matching "sleeping attire"? That would be burial clothes, wouldn't it?

"Oh, speaking of which, Buhua, after lunch, make a call to inform the Shen family and have them prepare a funeral for me," Xie Yinxue dropped another bombshell. "No matter where they currently are, all direct-line members who are still breathing should be at the foot of Mingyue Cliff the day after tomorrow for my burial."

The Shen family is a prominent clan, with seven core branches. Xie Yinxue and Shen Qiuji belong to the seventh branch. However, their lineage doesn't continue by birth but through the adoption of the most talented child from the main six branches.

Thus, their line typically comprises just two living members at a time: the "Master" and the "Disciple."

Out of respect, all members of the Shen family, regardless of age or lineage, address members of their branch as "Seventh Uncle." The "Master" is addressed as "Seventh Uncle," while the "Disciple" is referred to as "Little Seventh Uncle."

To avoid complicated explanations to his peers, Shen Qiuji simply introduces Xie Yinxue as "Seventh Uncle."

Although Xie Yinxue chose the "Lone" path upon joining the esoteric arts, changing his surname from "Shen," his branch still ultimately belongs to the Shen family. Thus, all members of the main six branches of the Shen family must attend his funeral.

Realizing this, Xie Yinxue remarked with irony, "It seems that my 'lone' destiny only allows for a 'reunion' with the Shen family at my own funeral."

Any other gathering might cost them their lives.

To Shen Qiuji, who doesn't share this "Lone" fate, Xie Yinxue advised, "Ah Ji, you're not of the 'Lone' destiny. If you wish, you can visit the main house."

Shen Qiuji responded listlessly, "I was adopted from a side branch; I don't know any of the direct-line members. Why should I visit them?"

Xie Yinxue, genuinely concerned, replied, "If ever you're short of money, you can always ask them."

Shen Qiuji's spirits lifted, "Then I must make time to visit. Maybe they can buy me a new air conditioner." But his mood soon soured, "Master, didn't you just say you wanted to live? Why are you planning a funeral?"

Xie Yinxue, looking deep into his eyes, retorted, "Three months ago, I gave you a set of books to read and study. Have you finished them?"

"No," Shen Qiuji responded confidently, "I still don't recognize many characters, so I couldn't understand them."

Xie Yin Xue: "What I gave you is in Pinyin. I've also annotated some of the more arcane phrases for clarity."

Shen Qiu Ji: "..."

Xie Yin Xue raised an eyebrow slightly, remarking with a mocking smile: "You didn't even bother to read it."

Shen Qiu Ji lowered his head: "... I did glance over it, briefly."

Merely a glance, not much at all.

"Had you read it all, you would know that one doesn't have to be dead to don the funeral garments and lay in a coffin," Xie Yin Xue sneered coldly, "In the lesser occult arts, there's a technique called 'Coffin Slumber Substitution', which can prolong one's life."

How exactly does it prolong life?

— The person near death stages a fake funeral, then pays a substantial sum for a substitute to wear the dying person's funeral attire and lay in a coffin, sleeping in a mountain tomb for a night.

If the substitute is lucky, they'll descend the mountain unscathed. If not, their soul may be taken by the underworld's emissaries, mistaking them for the false deceased, leading to their true demise. Meanwhile, the near-dead person can deceive the soul collectors and live longer, essentially stealing the life span of another.

Xie Yin Xue earnestly warned Shen Qiu Ji: "This method is dark and forbidden. I've documented another method in the book I gave you, called 'Planting the Life Foundation', which can change one's fate and extend life."

The Life Foundation tomb doesn't bury the dead, but rather the living's birth date details, hair, nails, blood, clothes, shoes, etc. Establishing this foundation can promote rank, longevity, fertility, and wealth.①

"Additionally, a coffin made for a living person is called 'Life Wood'. If one rests inside on the first or fifteenth of the lunar month, they can soak in longevity. For those with profound karmic merits, it can indeed extend their life. However..." Xie Yin Xue shared a litany of unconventional uses for coffins, burial garments, and graves. Yet she concluded with a twist, "My desire to wear funeral attire and sleep in a coffin has nothing to do with these rituals."

Shen Qiu Ji: "..."

Xie Yin Xue had her own reasoning: "If you won't diligently study the books on your own, then your master will simply have to teach you in person."

Shen Qiu Ji, worn out from her relentless teasing, asked: "Then why on earth are you holding a funeral?"

Xie Yin Xue leaned down slightly, looking at her young disciple who stood before her: "Want to know?"

Shen Qiu Ji nodded.

Xie Yin Xue smiled warmly, her voice gentle: "Go back and finish those books, and then you'll understand."

Shen Qiuji: "..."

Shen Qiuji felt his temper rising again.

Even the onlooker, Liu Buhua, could sense Shen Qiuji's rising blood pressure on his behalf.

The master manipulator, Xie Yin Xue, now lowered his long lashes, his voice lost as he whispered, "Ah Ji..."

"...This will likely be the last time I use this arcane art in my life."

With just a few words, the young man caused Shen Qiu Ji's emotions to surge and ebb rapidly. The hand by his side clenched into a fist. After a moment, he said hoarsely, "I'll go read the book now."

Saying so, Shen Qiu Ji promptly turned and headed back to his room. From the looks of it, he probably planned to stay up all night reading, foregoing sleep.

Once his figure disappeared, Xie Yin Xue chuckled and murmured, "Cheeky rascal."

Liu Bu Hua was a tad curious, "Godfather, does the book you gave him really contain answers about why you want to wear a shroud and sleep in a coffin this time?"

"Of course not," Xie Yin Xue said with raised eyebrows. "Such complex arts would take him at least twenty years to learn, given his aptitude, even with intense dedication. The book contains only basic spells. He hasn't even finished those basics. Does he expect to understand advanced ones?"

Liu Bu Hua: "...Truly befitting of you."

Xie Yin Xue smiled and said no more, pulling out a luminous, mutton-fat jade piece from a drawer. He began carving. With just eight swift strokes, he crafted a delicate jade cicada, sharp in detail and lifelike in form.

Liu Bu Hua wasn't focused on admiring the jade cicada. After a brief glance, he looked away, asking in a low voice, "Earlier, you mentioned this being the last time..."

"Yes," Xie Yin Xue picked up from where he left, "It is indeed the last time."

— The last time in his life he would use the arcane art.

Holding the jade cicada up to the moonlight, Xie Yin Xue said to Liu Bu Hua, "Go call the Shen family."

Liu Bu Hua replied, "Understood."

A command from Xie Yin Xue was irrefutable to the Shen family.

Those close to Mingyue Cliff arrived at its base by that night; the ones further away hurriedly arrived the next day. They waited at the foot of the mountain, setting up a memorial altar, donning white garments, tying white ribbons, and wearing white flowers in mourning for Xie Yin Xue.

By 6 a.m. on the third day, Liu Bu Hua, Shen Qiu Ji, and the hired funeral procession carried Xie Yin Xue's empty coffin to the foot of the mountain — this was where his funeral procession would begin.

Normally, one would leave from their home after passing, but Xie Yin Xue couldn't return to the Shen residence. Mingyue Cliff wasn't home either; it was a cemetery for everyone of their sect. They lived in houses in their lifetime and were buried on the mountain after death. Hence, Xie Yin Xue's funeral procession had to begin at the base of the mountain.

By 7 a.m., Xie Yin Xue descended the mountain.

He had changed into his shroud. Though called a shroud, it resembled the robes he usually wore. Pear blossoms, white as snow, were still embroidered on the shoulders. However, the robe's color was vivid, a deep red akin to blood, making it the most striking hue in the funeral.

Snow continued to fall, quickly layering the freshly swept ground with a thin veil of white.

Liu Buhua, holding a white umbrella, moved next to Xie Yin Xue to shield him from the falling snow.

Xie Yin Xue brushed away the snow on his shoulder. With his funeral makeup removed, his exquisite face no longer looked cold and pale. He smiled, radiant as a luminous moon, captivating and said, "Not used to it? You rarely see me in such a vibrant color, do you?"

Liu Buhua hummed in agreement, "Especially such a deep red."

Xie Yin Xue chuckled, "I always felt that this shade of red should only be worn at weddings. But it turns out, funerals are suitable too."

After all, "Xie Yin Xue" would never have a wedding. From the day he entered Mingyue Cliff and changed his name from Shen Qiulin to "Xie Yin Xue", he never had the opportunity to wear festive clothes. The only occasion he could adorn himself in such a vivid color was his funeral.

Still, Xie Yin Xue thought, wearing this outfit to meet Bu Jiu Zhao in the afterlife would be just like wearing bridal attire, wouldn't it?

Thinking of that person, Xie Yin Xue unconsciously twirled the plain gold ring on his ring finger and instructed Liu Buhua, "After I'm gone, all my assets are yours. Shen Qiujie would likely squander them. Whatever funds Shen family sends subsequently, keep it. If it's not enough, demand more. Don't save for them."

Dressed in black with his hair dyed back to its original hue, Liu Buhua chuckled, "There's too much money, more than I could ever spend."

Xie Yin Xue continued, "And do take care of Qiujie for me. Don't let him become so poor that he begs. That would be disgraceful."

Shen Qiujie, standing to Liu Buhua's left, said emotionlessly, "I heard all of that."

"Then remember it. Live your life fully and freely," Xie Yin Xue crouched before him, placing his hands on his young disciple's shoulders and softly wished, "Do what you desire, love whom you want. No new regrets, no dwelling on the past. May your life be as full and complete as the mid-autumn moon."

"If I'm poor, I won't be fulfilled."

"Wealth is external. Let go, and you'll find contentment."

"I can't let go."

"... Stubborn child."

Xie Yin Xue, resisting the urge to scold his disciple, began to stand, but Shen Qiujie gently gripped his sleeve, lowering his head, "Master... what do I do if I miss you?"

"If you miss me deeply... dream of me," Xie Yin Xue patted his head, "I often dream of those I long for."

Shen Qiujie slowly released his grip, as slowly as Xie Yin Xue had once reluctantly let go of Chen Yuqing.

For a moment, Xie Yin Xue seemed taken aback. When he looked at Liu Buhua, a layer of mist appeared in his eyes, but his lips still curled into a smile, "Buhua, all these years as my adopted son, I never asked: is there something you've always wanted but I never gave you?"

"Yes, godfather. I've always wanted to hold your funeral. I can't explain why, but I've always wanted to see you off myself," Liu Buhua pondered for a moment before telling Xie Yin Xue, "Today, you've granted that wish."

Xie Yin Xue paused for a few seconds, then leaned forward and hugged him, "… Having you is my blessing."

Liu Buhua gently hugged him back, "It's time to go, Godfather. Let's not miss the auspicious moment."

"If one day, your godmother returns, could you help me..." Xie Yinxue hesitated, pulling away from Liu, "Never mind."

Liu Buhua quickly assured him, "No, no, no, how can we just drop it? Rest assured, Godfather, I'll make sure she truly experiences the beauty of the real world. And I'll take care of Ah Jie, ensuring he never goes begging."

Xie Yinxue chuckled, patting Liu Buhua on the shoulder, "Hearing you say that makes me even more worried."

As the word "worried" dropped, Xie Yinxue turned and walked towards the golden nanmu coffin. Lying inside, he placed the white jade cicada into his mouth and closed his eyes silently.

Liu Buhua, hand in hand with Shen Qiuji, approached the coffin for one last look. Inside, the young man wore the brightest red, silent and unchanging, like a perfectly preserved corpse.

After a moment, Liu Buhua took two steps back, commanding loudly, "Seal the coffin—"

The funeral workers acted promptly, covering the coffin and obscuring the view of the man inside.

Liu Buhua continued, "Nail it shut—"

The workers placed seven coffin nails on top. A teary-eyed Shen Qiuji, with trembling hands, hammered them in.

Exhaling a white breath, Liu Buhua moved to the other side of the coffin, standing opposite Shen Qiuji, "Kneel—"

The Shen family, standing on both sides of the Mingyue Cliff path, knelt in unison, blending seamlessly with the surrounding snowfall.

Both Liu Buhua and Shen Qiuji, with hands on the coffin, called out in unison:

"Farewell, Uncle Seven—"

Thereafter, Shen Qiuji gazed into the distance. The snow-covered Mingyue Cliff was everywhere, yet nowhere was "Xue" (Yinxue) to be seen.

Lost in thought, he recalled the family portrait taken last year, including himself, Xie Yinxue, Liu Buhua, and Mother Chen.

He didn't smile in that photo and had decided that next year he'd smile, aiming for the perfect family portrait. Alas, that opportunity would never come.

Just as the ancient texts say: Life is full of everlasting regrets, like the endless flow of water to the east.