The role of a Corpse Groomer was highly respected, even within the folk sects.
They prepared the deceased, ensuring they departed for the underworld with a semblance of their former selves. This not only granted dignity to the departed but also brought solace to their grieving families.
Ordinary Corpse Groomers merely tidied up the deceased, making the bodies appear less unsettling.
More skilled Groomers could even trim fingernails, apply heavy makeup, making the deceased look no different from when they were alive, as if merely asleep.
Even more accomplished Groomers mastered the aforementioned skills and could also reassemble shattered bodies from accidental deaths, or pacify vengeful spirits and malevolent ghosts harboring lingering resentment.
In essence, compared to the Night Watchmen, Corpse Groomers had stronger destinies, lest they be unable to endure the profession and die within days of starting.
Corpse Groomers were respected, not only by ordinary people but also by those in the Xuanmen, and even by the deceased. Their extraordinary status was largely due to their extensive networks, the most crucial part of which was their connection to the underworld.
Due to the unique nature of their profession, Corpse Groomers were destined to become ferries between the human world and the netherworld. Once they mastered this channel and solidified their relationships below, no one in the mortal realm would dare to offend them.
Therefore, when Xu Qian revealed that their leader was a Corpse Groomer, Yan Shouyi was not surprised; instead, he found it entirely reasonable.
"Shen Shuzhen, that name sounds like it belongs to a woman," Yan Shouyi remarked.
Xu Qian nodded. "I've always called her Grandma Shen. Grandma Shen is very old."
Since he had arrived in Qiantang and caused trouble, Yan Shouyi decided to meet Shen Shuzhen.
Furthermore, his original intention for this trip was to familiarize himself with more inheritors of folk sects, to alert them in advance of Li Genmiao's conspiracy and schemes, so that fewer people would be misled by Li Genmiao and stray from the righteous path.
Thus, meeting Shen Shuzhen might also provide an opportunity to meet more inheritors of folk sects.
Yan Shouyi then asked, "Brother Xu, could you introduce me? Can you take me to see Grandma Shen?"
Xu Qian frowned, his expression showing a hint of difficulty. "I confided in you earlier because I saw you were a descendant of Lu Ban and a righteous person. But you and I are still just acquaintances met by chance. If you ask me for an introduction..."
Yan Shouyi realized he had been too forward, as Xu Qian didn't know him that well yet.
He chuckled sheepishly, saying with embarrassment, "I was too hasty."
Xu Qian replied, "How about this? Leave me your contact information. I'll go ask Grandma Shen. If she's willing to see you, I'll contact you. That won't be too late."
"Alright, thank you, Brother Xu!" Yan Shouyi quickly left his contact information and added, "I don't know if Grandma Shen has heard of me, but please convey this to her: I am Yan Baixiang's grandson, Yan Chou's son, and I've just come down from Longhu Mountain."
Although he had only been in the martial world for half a year, Yan Shouyi's name had already become well-known, with titles like "Grandson of Yan Baixiang," "Son of Yan Chou," "Holder of the Dragon Tiger Secret Scripture," and "Young Master of the Old Xuan Sect." While Yan Shouyi himself didn't like to boast, he had to shamelessly mention these now to meet Grandma Shen.
The divide between the folk sects and the renowned orthodox sects was indeed significant. Yan Shouyi had caused such a stir on Longhu Mountain, even leading to the death of the Heavenly Master, which shook the entire Xuanmen. Yet, Xu Qian looked as if he didn't understand anything Yan Shouyi was talking about.
Although Xu Qian knew of Longhu Mountain, he had no idea what the Luótiān Grand Ceremony was, nor what a Heavenly Master inheritor meant, or what Yan Shouyi had experienced on Longhu Mountain.
He merely nodded with a peculiar expression, indicating he would convey the message accurately.
Seeing Xu Qian's expression, Yan Shouyi felt helpless. He finally understood why the disciples of those sects had looked at him strangely and been so dismissive and disdainful during their participation in the Luótiān Grand Ceremony.
Fortunately, they had not embarrassed the folk sects during the Luótiān Grand Ceremony.
As for how Yan Shouyi evaluated the relationship between the folk sects and the major orthodox sects, it was quite simple.
As long as the path was right, everyone was a friend; there was no need to distinguish between "you" and "me."
Even if the major orthodox sects liked to contend for power and profit, and some were even hypocritical, as long as they didn't affect the overall situation, there was no real difference. After all, the folk sects also had their share of bad people.
After chatting with Xu Qian for a while, they found they got along quite well. Especially after Xu Qian had witnessed Yan Shouyi and his companions eradicating demons and defending the righteous path, he firmly believed Yan Shouyi and his group were good people, and their communication became much more open.
At this moment, Weng Qianxiang slowly climbed to the second-floor window and asked, peering in, "How is it! Is Xuanxuan alright!"
Yan Shouyi sighed. He truly pitied Old Weng, who couldn't even get a warm response even when acting like a lovesick puppy.
After all, Long Feicheng and Han San had been fawning over Kong Xuan with solicitous inquiries for a long time.
Kong Xuan, wrapped in a blanket and holding a cup of hot water, finally began to recover under the comfort of Long Feicheng and Han San.
She then couldn't help but ask Xu Qian, "Um... so during this time, you appeared downstairs every night to protect me?"
Xu Qian was startled, then nodded.
Kong Xuan bit her lip, her gaze toward Xu Qian changing subtly. After a period of awkward hesitation, she mustered her courage and said, "Thank you. Can I have your contact information? I'm afraid those ghosts might come looking for me again..."
Clang!
In an instant, Long Feicheng and Han San's hearts shattered.
They cried out in despair within their minds.
We can also catch ghosts and drive away demons!
It was us who just slew the female ghost!
Why is Xuanxuan only looking at that Night Watchman!
Damn it!
In Kong Xuan's heart, although Long Feicheng and Han San were capable and decent people, they were ultimately just passersby. But this man, who silently guarded downstairs every night protecting her, had almost captured her heart the moment she learned the truth.
Some women sought...
Xu Qian scratched the back of his head.
He seemed to understand what Kong Xuan meant but shook his head with a wry smile. "Perhaps it's better not to."
Kong Xuan was stunned. She hadn't expected to be rejected and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Han San jumped out, pointing his money-warding sword at Xu Qian and shouting, "Halt! Don't be so ungrateful! Quickly leave your contact information. If you make Miss Xuan happy, she'll give me her contact information!"
"Huh?" Xu Qian was completely dumbfounded. What was Han San doing?
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Yan Shouyi was also shocked. This was the first time he had seen someone fawn so shamelessly. Although Long Feicheng also fawned, he was nowhere near as devoted as Han San!
Han San truly deserved the title of "Han the Fawn"!
Yan Shouyi pushed down Han San's money-warding sword, grabbed his face, and pulled him back. "Tone it down a bit. Don't fawn too much, you're disgracing your sect, the Maoshan!"