I Can Devour Spirits-Chapter 103: Burial
After Jie Daohan left, Shen Yanliu looked at Fan Yuanhai and laughed, "Imperial Envoy, this case is full of twists and turns, shrouded in mystery! Why don’t we join forces and submit a report to the sect, detailing the changes in this case comprehensively!"
Fan Yuanhai smiled faintly and said, "Although Shen County Magistrate’s suggestion is good, our roles and responsibilities differ. I think we should each submit our own reports."
"That works too... it works!" Shen Yanliu nodded and smiled.
"Shen County Magistrate, I have some affairs to attend to, so I’ll take my leave!" Fan Yuanhai said, clasping his fists as a gesture of respect, before standing up and leaving.
Shen Yanliu watched Fan Yuanhai’s retreating figure, the smile on his face faded, and a sinister light flashed in his eyes. "The case has already been established; do you think you can escape by not getting involved?"
Fan Yuanhai exited the County Government Office, feeling rather refreshed, and strolled towards his lodging at the Spring Breeze Inn.
Before he even arrived in Xianggu County, Xu Ruhu had already been rescued from the dungeon!
And now, the case has undergone such a drastic change—the one who dared to rescue Xu Ruhu was Jie Daohan’s own nephew, Jie Lei!
Considering everything about the case, it’s all affairs of the Xianggu County Government, so why should he wade through this muddy water?
Shen Yanliu wanted him to co-sign the report; did he really think he’s foolish? All he needs to do is report the true details of the case to the sect in full, wait for the sect’s reply, and proceed with the next steps.
Now that Xu Ruhu is dead, and his original order was to execute Xu Ruhu on the spot!
Perhaps, once the sect receives the report, they’ll directly order him to return!
As for the details of the case, leave it to the Xianggu County Office to investigate!
This case is so peculiar, such a hot potato—who would want to hold onto it?
Once Fan Yuanhai returned to the Spring Breeze Inn, the landlady Xu Ru immediately greeted him, eagerly asking questions.
Xu Ru was originally the madam of Drunken Spring Pavilion. Although later defeated by Huaying Building and closed down, she still possessed a keen eye for people.
Fan Yuanhai, young and generous, and a new face at that, caught Xu Ru’s attention as soon as he walked in.
"Master Fan is back! What would you like to eat tonight? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it in advance..."
"No need! I’m going out tonight!" Fan Yuanhai said coldly, and returned to his room alone.
Though her warmth met with Fan Yuanhai’s indifference, Xu Ru didn’t mind at all, her heavily rouged face still displayed servile laughter...
Fan Yuanhai prepared to first return to his room, write the report to the sect, send it to the Ministry of Communication’s station, then intended to head to Huaying Building for a visit tonight!
These days, he’s heard some things—the Four Great Flower Shadows of Huaying Building, just hearing the titles makes one’s heart itch!
In the West Suburb of the county town, the Xiao Family’s ancestral burial ground!
The grave pit had long been dug at the acupoint location!
When the funeral procession arrived, it was about two quarters of an hour away from the calculated burial time!
The presider held an old handheld sun dial, counting the time!
Seeing that the time was near, the presider’s withered hand waved with force!
The pallbearers then carried the coffin to the grave pit, ready to lower it for burial!
Suddenly, the sound of string music and wailing cries erupted simultaneously!
Amidst the sound of string music and relatives’ cries, six robust men, shoulders wrapped in coarse hemp ropes, walked over!
Six men threaded the coarse ropes from the bottom of the coffin, pulled them onto their shoulders, tightly straining them!
After that, the pallbearers withdrew, and the heavy coffin suddenly dropped, the six robust men shouted loudly, exerted strength in their legs, and caught the coffin!
Their shoulders all bore a bloody mark from the ropes!
They gritted their teeth, stabilized the coffin, and slowly lowered the ropes, letting the coffin descend to the bottom of the pit!
The relatives’ cries grew louder, with a few collapsing beside the grave pit, crying out loud...
Duan Rong glanced over, noticing these individuals were crying dryly, their faces taut, without a trace of tears...
After the firecrackers and paper money were scattered, Duan Rong, along with a few others carrying the coffin, began shoveling soil!
Xiao Yu stood not far away, watching the black coffin being gradually covered by soil, tears uncontrollably streaming down...
With the mound formed and the soil compacted, the prematurely carved tombstone was erected at the gravehead!
Duan Rong leaned against the shovel, standing by the gravehead, feeling a surge of emotion as he looked at the words on Xiao Baijiao’s tombstone...
"When a person dies, the light extinguishes, forever separating the realms of the living and the dead!"
Everything was ready, leaving only the relatives to cry for a while, once their funeral rites were exhausted, they could leave!
At that moment, a sudden shower fell from the sky!
A torrential rain, suddenly descending!
Moreover, it was a sun shower!
The blazing sun still shimmered behind the clouds, faintly visible, yet the torrential rain poured down!
The relatives who were about to cry out were instantly dispersed, white mourning flags abandoned everywhere!
Duan Rong amidst the chaos and trampling, searched for Xiao Yu’s figure, having just fixed his gaze on Xiao Yu, when he saw Xiao Yu suddenly dart, weaving left and right through the crowd, in the rain’s curtain, faintly leaving a faint shadow behind!
Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat, his expression flickered. "Cloud Serpent Step! Seems to be more advanced than Zhu Xiaoqi’s, it’s the Master Level Cloud Serpent Step!"
Xiao Yu suddenly halted, helping up someone from the crowded group. It was none other than Xiao Zongting, crying and being knocked to the ground!
Xiao Yu supported Xiao Zongting, Zhu Xiaoqi holding Xiao Baijiao’s tablet following closely behind, and they might the crowd headed towards the city gate!
Duan Rong saw the chaos in the ancestral grave, the white mourning flags trampled into the mud, sighed: It’s just a commotion, and proceeded towards the city gate too!
As the crowd approached the city gate, the rain suddenly stopped!
Looking up, the sun had already emerged from the clouds, hanging high in the sky!
For a moment, people began to discuss fervently!
"This is truly odd! Could it be the spirit of Second Miss Xiao?"
"Second Miss Xiao has a kind heart! She doesn’t want people crying at her grave..."
Duan Rong was slightly stirred by this, standing at the city gate, glancing at the sun overhead.
Though the sudden rain lasted only for a moment, it drenched everyone into soaking chickens; but the rain only fell in the West Suburb outside the city, Xianggu County’s streets remained dry!
Pedestrians in the street, seeing a drenched crowd entering, thought something had happened!
Duan Rong intended to return to the dormitory first, change out of his wet clothes, but as he reached the entrance of Yuan Shun Escort Agency, he suddenly saw a constable in government attire, limping over!
Duan Rong stood by the stone lions at the entrance of Yuan Shun Escort Agency, smiling at the individual, saying: "What brings you here?"
"I’m here to find you!" Yang Zhen looked at Duan Rong, appearing somewhat dejected.
"Find me?"
"Yes, are you free? Accompany me for a drink." Yang Zhen’s tone carried a hint of melancholy.
Duan Rong’s eyes moved, sensing Yang Zhen’s troubled mind. "Alright! Wait for me a moment, I’ll return to the dormitory to change clothes and come!"
Duan Rong returned to his dormitory, dried his wet hair, changed into dry clothes, then left Yuan Shun Escort Agency, joining Yang Zhen and headed to his home!
On the way, the two bought some dishes at a deli, and acquired two vats of yellow wine at a distillery!
Upon arriving at Yang Zhen’s home, they settled in the living room, the table laden with food, yet Yang Zhen only drank, not touching the food!
"Drinking like this is not right, careful not to upset your stomach!" Duan Rong pushed a torn roast chicken towards Yang Zhen, saying.
Yang Zhen seemed unfazed, continuing to gulp wine down, draining one bowl, only reaching for the wine vat to pour another!
As Yang Zhen attempted to pour more wine, Duan Rong pressed down on the wine vat, saying: "Whatever it is, tell me, let me hear. What’s the point of wallowing in silent drinking?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Yang Zhen’s eyes dimly looked at Duan Rong and said, "Do you know? Lei is dead!"
Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat, turns out it’s about this.
