The passing of the Old Heavenly Master brought deep sorrow to Longhu Mountain.
The Heavenly Master's Hall, where rain seldom fell, was deluged for three days and nights, followed by four days of overcast skies. Only after a full seven days did a ray of sunlight grace the hall.
Seven days. It was finally time for the Old Heavenly Master's funeral and burial.
Yan Shouyi, dressed in plain white, walked beside Lin Zhitong towards the Ten Thousand Dharma Altar. His heart was a complex mix of emotions. Even after seven days, the damage Li Genmiao had inflicted upon the Xuanmen had not healed.
Soon, the Old Heavenly Master's burial ceremony would commence. People from all over Longhu Mountain were converging on the Ten Thousand Dharma Altar, their movement from the higher grounds like streams merging into a great river, which then flowed into the ocean.
However, along the way, Yan Shouyi overheard some unfriendly voices.
"Did you hear? The Old Heavenly Master was supposed to die long ago, but he used some secret arts to prolong his life..."
"I heard a rumor too, that the Old Heavenly Master absorbed the lifespans of some extremely wicked individuals from Longhu Mountain's dungeons!"
"Hush, you mustn't speak such things. Longhu Mountain is the foremost Daoist orthodoxy; such unsavory matters should not be spread!"
"Alas, the Old Heavenly Master is dead, and the new Heavenly Master has yet to be appointed. I fear Longhu Mountain will never regain its former glory. What do we have to fear now?"
"That's true. Although Li Genmiao didn't gain an advantage this time, he certainly altered the landscape of the Xuanmen!"
"Speaking of which, will Yan Shouyi and Yu Lumen still fight? Who is the true heir to the Heavenly Master?"
"Ahem, Yan Shouyi is just ahead. Let's discuss this later."
Hearing the whispers, Yan Shouyi could only shake his head and sigh. He knew what the Old Heavenly Master had done in his life, and there was no room for defense. He simply regretted that even someone like the Old Heavenly Master had tarnished deeds associated with his passing.
Lin Zhitong held Yan Shouyi's hand, offering silent support. Yan Shouyi squeezed her hand back and asked, "How is your injury?"
Lin Zhitong replied, "With Old Jin's help, I'll recover soon enough."
They reached the Ten Thousand Dharma Altar. The grand decorations from the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony had been removed and replaced with funeral arrangements. Soul banners fluttered in the wind along the pathways, exuding a somber aura even under the sunlight.
"Shouyi, you're here." Yan Chou and others had already gathered.
"Greetings, Father, Grandmother, elders, and seniors," Yan Shouyi saluted.
Aware that this was not a time for idle chat, everyone simply nodded in acknowledgment. Their gazes then turned towards the entrance of the Heavenly Master's Hall.
Outside the hall, Yu Lumen, Liu Yiren, and a host of Longhu Mountain elders and officials, all clad in mourning attire, knelt with bowed heads.
Zhang Shantong sighed, "The hour has come."
Hearing this, Zhang Shanli slowly rose, rubbing his stiffened knees. He tidied his clothes and then took out a prepared speech from his sleeve. Stepping forward, he spoke in a heavy voice:
"In the year Yewei, the third month, seventeenth day, a propitious time for offerings. Your filial son, Li, respectfully presents incense, candles, silks, sacrificial animals, wine, delicacies, and clear libations, in the customary rites, to the spirit tablet of the recently departed, our esteemed late father, Master Zhang Yin, aged one hundred and thirty-two years. With sorrow and tears, I pen these words: Alas!"
"Heavenly Master Zhang Yin was born in the ninth year of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty. He entered Longhu Mountain at the age of three, descended the mountain to vanquish demons at fourteen, and assumed the position of Heavenly Master at thirty! After becoming Heavenly Master, Zhang Yin led Longhu Mountain in capturing seventeen thousand three hundred and eighty-eight ghosts, eliminating thirty-nine thousand five hundred and one demons, and subduing thirty-two thousand and seventy-six zombies!"
"Heavenly Master Zhang Yin cultivated virtue and accumulated merit throughout his life, fostered good relationships, was generous and magnanimous, and held noble integrity, serving as a model for us all. Yet, fate is cruel. Seven days ago, demon-iacs invaded Longhu Mountain. The Heavenly Master, knowing his time was short, unleashed his great power, forcing back the demon-iacs but ultimately falling in battle."
"In the battle seven days ago, our Longhu Mountain lost two hundred and five disciples and twelve allied Daoists. They were..."
"In the battle seven days ago, the Old Heavenly Master displayed his divine might, summoning spectral soldiers and generals, killing over ten thousand malevolent spirits, more than five thousand zombies, and eight hundred and eighty-six demon-iacs!"
"We are able to gather here today solely because Heavenly Master Zhang Yin sacrificed himself for the righteous path!"
At this point, Zhang Shanli could no longer control himself. Despite his age, he flushed red, fighting back tears, his voice choked with emotion, unable to continue. The Longhu Mountain disciples kneeling on the ground were also tear-streaked, their sobs shaking the heavens.
Yu Lumen quietly stood up and took over from Zhang Shanli, addressing the crowd:
"Looking back on the past, sorrow is like a dream. Where can we find solace for returning souls? Recalling the past and reflecting on the present, our grief swells. We only hope that our master's spirit can ascend to the heavens soon and be ranked among the immortals."
"Thank you all for coming to mourn. On behalf of Longhu Mountain, Lumen expresses his gratitude."
With that, Yu Lumen knelt again, bowing to the guests. Several Daoist friends in the front quickly stepped forward to help Yu Lumen up.
Yu Lumen swallowed and turned to the ailing Grand Elder Zhang Sishui. Zhang Sishui was already gravely ill, and the death of the Old Heavenly Master had dealt him a severe blow. He was now only mentally coherent, struggling even to speak.
Zhang Sishui weakly said, "Complete the ceremony as soon as possible and inter the Heavenly Master's ashes in the Ancestral Hall of the Heavenly Master."
"Yes." Yu Lumen bowed in acknowledgment. Just as he was about to proceed with the ceremony, someone suddenly shouted:
"Does Longhu Mountain not intend to explain the Heavenly Master's use of secret arts to prolong his life?!"
This sparked a ripple effect, and soon, many voices cried out:
"The Heavenly Master Zhang Yin was the head of the Daoist orthodoxies, the most righteous figure in the world. Yet, he secretly engaged in deeds only demons would do. What right does he have to enter the Ancestral Hall?!"
"Exactly. Zhang Yin knew that demon-iacs were attacking the mountain that day, yet he remained silent to us, placing us in a precarious position. Is this how the head of the orthodoxies behaves?"
"How can you face our twelve deceased disciples like this!"
Hearing these accusations, the veins on Yu Lumen's forehead bulged, nearly causing him to shout in anger. But Zhang Shanli held him back. He knew that confronting these troublemakers at this moment was not a wise decision. These people were eager for the situation to escalate, hoping to usurp Longhu Mountain's position as the foremost Daoist orthodoxy.
Listening to the gossip, Yan Shouyi clenched his fists, his eyes shut tight. He said to Lin Zhitong, "The Heavenly Master asked me to ascend the mountain to admonish the current Daoist world. His intentions were deeply thoughtful, yet few understood."
Lin Zhitong also sighed. "The Heavenly Master had his reasons for prolonging his life. Look at the current Daoist world; some sects are like vultures. The Heavenly Master is barely dead, and they're already rushing forward, eager to feast on Longhu Mountain."
"Li Genmiao's objective has also been achieved, hasn't it?" Yan Shouyi said, his face grim.