The Nine Craftsmen of the Yin Line, second in the cremation of bodies.
Although it was just a simple cremation, there were still many intricacies involved.
Old Bai’s fire control technique was also quite remarkable.
It was only after the cremation was complete that I noticed.
The ignition switch inside the crematorium had not been turned on.
This meant that the fire within was Old Bai’s cast "Dao fire."
However, the Yin evil aura that burned the corpse could purify the body, ensuring it was clean and free from worldly karmic debts.
This could be considered a way to send off the deceased.
Seeing that the corpse was burned, Old Bai closed his eyes and finished his work, letting out a long sigh.
Old Bai was already covered in sweat.
Bai Ye quickly stepped forward and took the black rod and white fan from Old Bai’s hands.
Another cremator disciple offered a bowl of clear water for Old Bai to rinse his mouth.
When he spat it out, he found the water was as black as ink.
It was like charcoal water, very strange.
I did not understand why this happened.
Meanwhile, Uncle-Master hurried forward, cupping his fists:
“Old Bai, thank you.”
Seeing Uncle-Master’s gesture, Old Mo and I also stepped forward and cupped our fists in gratitude.
Old Bai smiled and waved his hand:
“I’m old, my skills aren’t as good as they used to be.
Little Gu’s body has been cremated. Bai Ye will clean it up shortly.
You should inter Little Gu’s ashes as soon as possible!”
“Yes, thank you, Old Bai.”
Uncle-Master spoke again.
Old Bai did not linger any longer; the cremation had left him feeling drained.
Clearly, cremating Master’s body had consumed much of his vital energy and power.
Afterward, Old Bai was helped away by his disciples.
Once the furnace cooled down, Bai Ye collected Master’s ashes.
They were placed in the urn we had prepared earlier.
I stepped forward and took the ashes with both hands.
“Brother Ye, thank you!”
Bai Ye merely nodded slightly and did not reply.
With Master’s ashes in hand, our group had no intention of staying any longer.
The first thing we did upon receiving the ashes was to take Master to the cemetery for burial.
In his will, Master had already chosen his burial spot.
It was at the South Mountain Cemetery.
I covered the urn with yellow cloth and, accompanied by Uncle-Master and Old Mo, walked directly out of the cemetery.
A car had already been called.
Before getting into the car, we scattered some yellow paper before finally boarding.
Inside the car, I lit a soul incense.
Although we all knew that Master’s soul had already departed with the Yin emissaries,
Whether the soul incense was lit or not made little difference.
However, we did not miss any of the ceremonial steps.
In the car, I just looked at Master’s urn and said nothing.
Uncle-Master quietly gazed out the window, lost in thought.
Old Mo, having been busy with me for several days, was exhausted and had fallen into a light sleep.
By the time we arrived at the cemetery, it was already ten in the morning.
We first went to the cemetery’s service desk to submit the necessary documents.
This included the contract for the burial plot.
After paying a management fee,
A dedicated staff member led us to the burial site.
Master had chosen a very good spot for himself.
Within the entire South Mountain Cemetery, it was considered a location with excellent feng shui.
Of course, it was also expensive.
A single plot cost a hefty one hundred and eighteen thousand.
Upon reaching the burial plot, Uncle-Master checked the time.
He selected a favorable time to inter Master’s ashes.
The process of erecting and engraving the tombstone was handled by the cemetery's comprehensive services.
There was nothing for us to worry about in this regard.
We only had to affix Master’s pre-prepared photograph to the tombstone.
Holding the incense, I looked at Master’s portrait on the white tombstone:
“Master, fare thee well.
I will not forget your words.
I will inherit your dying wish.
I will cultivate diligently henceforth, and one day, I will avenge our Grandmaster.
At that time, I will return to your grave to offer incense.”
Having spoken, I bowed three times to Master’s tombstone.
Uncle-Master took a sip of wine and poured some onto Master’s tombstone:
“Brother, we bickered my entire life.
Now that you’re gone, I still find it hard to adjust.
Have a drink too.”
Old Mo then threw his pack of cigarettes into the fire:
“Uncle-Master, I just bought these ‘Huazi’ cigarettes. They can help pass the time on the path to the underworld.”
With that, Old Mo also bowed.
Now that the rituals were complete, we prepared to leave.
At this moment, a large rat suddenly darted out from within the cemetery.
As soon as the large rat appeared, it began to squeak.
It startled two strangers who were passing by for their own rituals.
“Damn it, what a huge rat!”
“Come here, don’t let it bite you.”
Saying this, the two passersby quickly ran in another direction.
However, the three of us looked at this large rat and were taken aback.
We immediately recognized its origin.
It was the “son” of Granny Shu Guifang from Rose Supermarket.
“Brother Shu!”
I called out.
The large rat stood up, squeaking and gesturing.
Uncle-Master frowned.
Old Mo spoke:
“Master, Old Qin, does Brother Shu want us to follow it?”
“It seems so!”
I also saw the clue and nodded.
Master grunted:
“Let’s go! It probably wants to lead us to Sister Shu.”
When the large rat heard us speak, it ran off in another direction.
Seeing this, we followed suit.
We walked further into the cemetery; the area behind the cemetery was not yet fully developed.
There were still many trees.
We entered these hills and soon saw an old woman standing in the shadow of a pine tree not far away.
It was none other than Granny Shu Guifang, who operated a ghost business in this South Mountain Cemetery, emerging from the abyss…