Chương 10: The Missing Temple Keeper

"Something's wrong." Fang Cheng pointed at the coffin.

"What's wrong?" The strong young man carrying the coffin asked. His name was Yuan Min, the temple keeper of the City God Temple and Zhang Ruilin's only subordinate. Fang Cheng sniffed the red lacquer on the coffin and replied, "I smell evil." Yuan Min and Li Sanshui both froze. They wondered if this great cultivator had lost his mind. Fang Cheng had no choice but to say it that way. He couldn't exactly say "my demon sword is interested in that coffin," or everyone would think he was a demon.

Han Bingxuan also felt the coffin was off, but a scan with Divine Energy revealed nothing unusual. He asked Yuan Min, "Was this made to Lord Zhang's specifications?" Yuan Min nodded.

"The coffin maker said Lord Zhang sent the plans over a month ago. The red lacquer is cinnabar mixed with crabapple tree sap, all natural. I can smell the wood's fragrance. Nothing strange."

"A month ago?" Han Bingxuan sighed. It seemed Zhang Ruilin had prepared his suicide well in advance. He understood. Zhang Ruilin had served as White Flower City's City God for twenty years, faithfully attending the Everlasting Emperor's statue, yet he'd never gained the Emperor's recognition. And now his post has been snatched by some guy named Zhu Youchang who just bought his way into office. If that had happened to him, he'd be crushed too.

Yuan Min continued, "My lords, if there's nothing else, may Lord Zhang be encoffined and buried?"

"Buried so soon after death? Isn't that too fast?" Fang Cheng asked. He had a feeling someone was trying to destroy evidence quickly. Yes, he'd added the young man to his suspect list, even though he smelled no evil on him. Yuan Min explained, "Lord Zhang instructed me that today is an auspicious day. He must be buried early."

"What? You knew he was going to kill himself, and you didn't stop him?" Fang Cheng pressed. He felt he was closing in on the truth. Yuan Min sighed, his face filled with sorrow.

"I'm just a normal person. How could I ever stand in the way of the City God? I want to talk him out of it, but I can't find the right words. So I'll just do as he wishes and make sure he leaves without regret.... wuwuwu..." He wept, his voice filled with grief. Fang Cheng studied Yuan Min carefully and could tell he was being sincere, not putting on an act. He fell into silence involuntarily, his thoughts starting to churn.

The demon sword's craving for blood kept goading him, yet his conscience kept reminding him that the dead deserved the utmost respect. Han Bingxuan shook his head with a sigh. Though he was an Underworld Officer, he wasn't as brutal as others; he had more compassion. He patted Yuan Min's shoulder.

"My condolences." Li Sanshui chimed in, "My lords, let's follow Lord Zhang's wishes. Let him rest in peace."

"Agreed." Han Bingxuan nodded, then glanced at Fang Cheng. Seeing him silent, he assumed he'd agreed. This man was unusually stubborn in some ways, but at least he understood social graces. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Fang Cheng couldn't spare the attention to respond; he was busy suppressing the demon sword's bloodlust. The red lacquer on the coffin made him suspect it contained some creature's blood.

With the lords' approval, Yuan Min dressed Zhang Ruilin's body in a red burial robe, lifted it from the bed, and gently placed it in the coffin. Then he produced a basket and scattered crimson petals over the body. Han Bingxuan glanced at the petals. They were azaleas, which reminded him of the ancient line: "The cuckoo weeps blood, and the ape wails in grief." Lord Zhang was using his death to declare his innocence. But would the Everlasting Emperor in heaven even see it?

Fang Cheng watched closely, never taking his eyes off the coffin. Layer after layer of petals fell, covering Zhang Ruilin's entire face until only a strange upturned smile remained. Soon, Yuan Min finished scattering the petals, closed the coffin lid, hammered in the nails, and bowed to the three men.

"My lords, thank you for giving Lord Zhang a proper burial. On behalf of the City God, I will always remember your kindness!" With that, he hoisted the red coffin onto his shoulder. Han Bingxuan offered to help, but Yuan Min waved him off, saying he was strong enough to carry it alone. Yuan Min harbored much resentment toward the Hall of Eternal Life and the Underworld Bureau. His Lord Zhang had committed no wrong, and the people loved him. Yet he'd lost his position to some unknown Land God. It was unjust.

He carried the coffin out the door and headed east. Han Bingxuan followed, and Fang Cheng quickly caught up. Li Sanshui hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and followed as well. The people on the streets saw the red coffin on Yuan Min's shoulder and knew it was the City God. Weeping erupted everywhere. They followed behind the procession, crying as if to pour out all their grief. The crowd traveled east along the main street until they reached the crabapple pear forest. Li Sanshui frowned.

"Strange. Why would Lord Zhang want to be buried here?" Fang Cheng thought Li Sanshui had noticed something.

"What clues did you find? Tell me!" Li Sanshui hesitated, then shook his head with a smile.

"The crabapple pear blossoms here had remained unopened for so long. Perhaps they were waiting for today, to see Lord Zhang Ruilin off on his final journey."

"Foolish superstition," Fang Cheng scoffed.

"The weather's been cold this year. The temperature hasn't reached what crabapple pears need to bloom. That's all." Li Sanshui clasped his hands in praise.

"Lord Fang truly is a learned cultivator." Fang Cheng waved him off.

"Nothing to do with cultivation. I used to farm. Crabapple blooming is like rice sprouting; they bloom to reproduce, not to look pretty. Ever seen a boar mate? When it's cold, that thing between its legs just won't stand up. So whether it's blooming or breeding, you've got to do it when the weather's warm."

"Your words are most perceptive, Lord Fang. Your humble servant is now clear as day. You are indeed a cultivator of great stature." Li Sanshui shamelessly offered his praise. Han Bingxuan coughed and shot Fang Cheng a look, signaling him to shut up. This was a solemn occasion. Fang Cheng shrugged and rolled his eyes, falling silent. Li Sanshui took the hint and closed his mouth. The burial site was in the center of the crabapple pear forest, a large open space. Yuan Min had already arranged for a pit to be dug.

He lowered the coffin into the ground and began shoveling dirt. Some of the weeping villagers stepped forward with their own shovels to help fill the grave. Soon the pit was filled. Yuan Min knelt before the grave, kowtowed, and recited a eulogy. He burned paper money and incense. The villagers gathered around, kneeling and weeping louder. With the red coffin buried, Fang Cheng's demon sword finally calmed. Reason reclaimed his mind, and he spotted a detail.

"Didn't you say Zhang Ruilin had a wife? Why didn't she come to see him off?" Fang Cheng asked Han Bingxuan.

"What, are you making her a suspect now?" Han Bingxuan sighed. Li Sanshui explained, "In White Flower City, women under sixty can't attend burials. Look around. Other than some old women, you won't see any young women."

"That's an odd custom." Fang Cheng scratched his head. Li Sanshui smiled.

"White Flower City has many odd customs. You'll get used to them, Lord Fang." Han Bingxuan said, "He's not your City God. Once I'm done with Zhu Youchang, I'm taking him to the Underworld Bureau." Han Bingxuan was still focused on Fang Cheng's appointment letter, hoping to use him to find Zhu Youchang and his connections. Li Sanshui quickly stepped away from Fang Cheng. Best not to associate with those headed to the Underworld Bureau. Fang Cheng said, "Zhu Youchang doesn't need to be dealt with.

He was a great demon, and I already stabbed him to death."

"Fang, you..." Han Bingxuan didn't know what to say. The case involved high-ranking officials at the Hall of Eternal Life. He needed this witness. He needed to question Zhu Youchang about his accomplices. If he hadn't known Fang Cheng's character, he'd have thought he was silencing a witness.

"Where did Zhu Youchang die? I need to see his body."

"Hold on." Fang Cheng waved his hand. He'd just realized something. Yuan Min, the strong young man, had vanished. Damn it. He'd slipped away while they were talking. This man was definitely hiding something.