CHAPTER 546: CHAPTER 279: DEATH’S LAST GLOW, BORN TO BE EVIL

The Five Shadows Daoist?

Even the well-traveled Xu Qing couldn’t help but gasp. According to the traditions of the Celestial Master’s Mansion, each shadow represents a life taken. That fat Daoist must have at least four lives on his hands, all close relatives.

"What are Zuo Zixiong and the people from the Celestial Master’s Mansion doing here?"

Xu Qing put away the treasure mirror, whistled, and immediately several crows flew in from afar, landing in front of him.

These crows often eavesdropped at the academy, understanding human speech and were very clever. After Xu Qing gave them a few instructions, they flew off in the direction the Five Shadows Daoist had left.

"Are those crows raised by Brother Xu?"

Liu Su’e was full of curiosity.

"Crows are harbingers of death; it’s only natural for us in the Funeral House to raise some!"

As they approached Underground Street, a yellow weasel scurried up to Xu Qing, chattering away while gesturing with its little hands.

Upon hearing that the Cangyi Group tried to steal eggs from the Funeral House under the cover of night but were beaten by the red-tailed monkey until they ended up in coffins, Xu Qing nodded with satisfaction.

This monkey king protector sure is diligent.

However, in the next moment, Xu Qing heard Huang Xiaoliu say, "The Hall Master was outraged and took a stick to attack the Cangyi Group’s branch..."

"..."

Xu Qing was about to speak but held back and finally instructed Huang Xiaoliu, "When the Hall Master returns, have him come see me!"

Watching the yellow weasel hop and jump away into the street corner, Liu Su’e cautiously asked, "Is this little yellow wolf also raised by the Funeral House?"

Seeing it hard to explain, Xu Qing simply laid it out, "Yes, besides the crows and yellow wolves, we have monkeys, tigers, donkeys, and mischievous spirits. If Boss Liu wants to adopt a tree demon as a godmother, it’s not impossible, either."

"I don’t believe it! Brother Xu always jokes with me..."

Xu Qing chuckled at her response—how come no one believes him when he’s telling the truth?

In the following days, besides teaching Liu Su’e how to manage the coffin shop, Xu Qing set up a ghost theater troupe for her. Apart from the embroidery ladies, he could also hire people from the Pear Garden Theater if needed.

If there really was no one available, Xu Qing still had the ghostly theater scroll to hold the scene. Once the stage was set and the scroll unfurled, all the actors in the entire theater were at his disposal.

Apart from this, Xu Qing also taught Liu Su’e the Kan Yuan Breathing Technique, a true cultivation technique he had acquired from the Water Worker Daoist, and the most suitable cultivation technique for Liu Su’e he had.

One Kan Yuan Breathing Technique, one Water Command Spell, plus a premium-grade piece of Unstable Black Water.

The Kan Yuan Breathing Technique could absorb Water Spirit Qi to nurture the body. With some progress, she could study the Water Command techniques to practice Water Manipulation techniques.

Xu Qing was pondering quietly. Sister Jin from Bao Sheng Temple was getting old. Since the Heaven-Reaching Road was severed, once Sister Jin’s merits were fulfilled, she would end up like the embroidery lady, turning into a Yin Ghost.

Bao Sheng Temple couldn’t be left unattended. With Liu Su’e now, the situation was different.

One day, Xu Qing took Liu Su’e to visit the temple on Purple Cloud Mountain.

Liu Su’e, a young maiden, had never been to a place like Bao Sheng Temple.

Just at the temple entrance, upon seeing the words "Bao Sheng Temple," Liu Su’e suddenly realized—wasn’t this the temple of the Goddess of Life from the plays!

Why did Xu Qing bring her here?

Not knowing what to think, Liu Su’e felt an internal "Oh no" and her face flushed red like a sunrise.

This is happening too fast...

Noticing something was amiss, Xu Qing asked, "What’s wrong, Boss Liu?"

She lowered her head silently.

Not thinking much of it, Xu Qing entered the Incense Hall, had a brief conversation with Sister Jin, then turned to look for Liu Su’e, only to see her offering three incense sticks, kneeling on the prayer mat, her eyes slightly closed, her lashes trembling, and her lips moving softly as if praying.

What is this girl praying for?

Intrigued, Xu Qing instinctively tapped into the Blood Lake Dharma Realm, and Liu Su’e’s wishes echoed unreservedly in his ears.

"Oh Goddess of Life, Brother Xu has been kind to this humble girl, and this girl holds great... great affection for Brother Xu. If in the future, we could become a couple, I hope the Goddess of Life blesses us with both sons and daughters..."

"..."

No, what kind of wish are you making here?

Xu Qing’s mind was in a whirl—who taught you to wish like this?

After her prayer, Liu Su’e returned to Xu Qing’s side, blushing, twiddling her clothes, head bowed.

"You, I..."

Originally intending to explain the purpose of the temple visit, so Liu Su’e could learn the art of midwifery from Sister Jin, Xu Qing found himself momentarily speechless.

What if one day this Boss Liu learns that he is the deity worshipped in the temple...

Xu Qing furrowed his brow, finally speaking after a moment, "Su’e, this is Sister Jin, the temple priest of Bao Sheng Temple, and the earthly emissary of the Goddess of Life."

"Our Funeral House and Bao Sheng Temple are very close. Bao Sheng Temple is also known as the ’Gate of Life.’ Now that you’ve embarked on the path of cultivation, you must cultivate virtue and accumulate merit to better deal with future spiritual tribulations."

"Sister Jin is skilled in midwifery and protecting childbirth, teaching the art of nurturing. You can learn from her in the future."

So, it was not about worship but about learning a cultivation practice.

Liu Su’e blushed again, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Thankfully, she had only made a silent plea to the Goddess of Life, and no one else knew; otherwise, she’d be too ashamed to face anyone!

Sister Jin also knew nothing about Xu Qing’s ties to the Goddess of Life. She only knew Bai Xiaoxian was on good terms with Xu Qing, and from what Bai Xiaoxian had revealed, Bao Sheng Temple and the Cat Immortal Hall were truly ’neighborly’ relations, very close.