Seven days after the tragic battle at the crematorium.
It was the seventh day memorial for the embalmer Shen Shuzhen.
It was also the seventh day memorial for all the disciples of the folk sects who had sacrificed themselves in that valiant battle.
The survivors lit soul-guiding lamps amidst the ruins of the crematorium, guiding the souls of the fallen back home for one last look.
Three days prior, during Shen Shuzhen's funeral procession, Cui Yu had personally embalmed her.
Everyone came to pay their respects to Shen Shuzhen's appearance. She looked very serene, as if she were merely asleep. Her complexion even seemed better than when she was alive.
This was perhaps because Shen Shuzhen had finally shed the burdens on her shoulders and the past in her heart.
Ying Jiu looked at Shen Shuzhen's remains, no longer crying, but instead praising Cui Yu's improved embalming skills.
Shen Shuzhen and the others' deaths had paved the way for a more prosperous Qiantang.
This was the wish of generations, finally fulfilled by their generation.
As Shen Shuzhen was buried, Cui Yu remained silent, his young eyes reflecting maturity and steadiness.
Yan Shouyi looked at Cui Yu, seeing a reflection of himself.
In the past, he, like Cui Yu, had lived under the protection of his grandfather, Yan Baixiang, and had also been willful and mischievous.
Later, his grandfather suddenly passed away, and he instantly matured and became steady, especially during the time he ventured alone into Rongcheng, experiencing so much loss and recovery.
Shen Shuzhen and the others were buried. After their seventh-day memorial, Ying Jiu sent them to the underworld for reincarnation. Not even Shen Shuzhen returned.
Most of them could have remained in the human world like Wen Yuxian and Zhang Shantong, but they ultimately chose reincarnation, including Shen Shuzhen.
Having endured so much hardship as disciples of folk sects in this life, they wished to quickly move on to the next, forgetting all their pain and embracing a new life.
Shen Shuzhen was dead, and Cui Yu was still young. The responsibility of the crematorium now fell on Duan Mu and Ying Jiu.
The two were initially somewhat apprehensive, believing that Xu Zhiping, who was more senior, was more suited to lead them. However, Xu Zhiping's aspirations lay elsewhere; he preferred to roam among the common people and protect them through direct action.
After all the ceremonies concluded, Duan Mu and Ying Jiu set up a table with food and drinks in the crematorium courtyard, specifically to entertain Yan Shouyi and the others.
Yan Shouyi, Long Feicheng, Han San, Weng Qianxiang, Old Jin, Wang Jimang, Liu Ying, Ma Jinxuan, Kang Jinlong, Xu Qian, and Xu Zhiping were all present.
During the banquet, Duan Mu and Ying Jiu repeatedly thanked Yan Shouyi, even apologizing to him, saying they shouldn't have ostracized him initially.
Yan Shouyi naturally shook his head, telling them not to feel apologetic, as all folk sects should be one family.
As they clinked glasses and chatted, Yan Shouyi was plied with a considerable amount of alcohol.
Xu Zhiping, as a senior, toasted Yan Shouyi individually. Yan Shouyi, overwhelmed with gratitude, quickly stood up, held his cup with both hands, and then lowered it, his movements exceptionally proper and humble.
Xu Zhiping reached out and raised Yan Shouyi's cup, bringing it level with his own, and then said:
"Yan Shouyi, without you, Qiantang would not have reached its current state so quickly. It is I who have been unable to change Qiantang for so many years. You deserve this toast!"
Yan Shouyi felt extremely ashamed: "Senior has already given a gift. This toast should be mine to you!"
"Good lad!" Xu Zhiping glanced at Xu Qian, who, realizing the situation belatedly, quickly followed his master in toasting.
After finishing the drink, Yan Shouyi finally had the opportunity to ask Xu Zhiping about the horse lantern.
"Senior, what exactly is the function of your horse lantern?"
Xu Zhiping slapped his forehead and chuckled, "Ah, I forgot to explain it to you. My oversight, my oversight! Little Xu, you explain it to Yan Shouyi!"
Xu Qian was naturally happy to oblige. He said, "The horse lantern is a treasured heirloom of us watchmen. It can absorb the essence of ghosts and purify it, supplying it for other ghosts to absorb. When we watchmen walked the night roads in the past, we were not truly alone. Skilled watchmen would keep a group of minor ghosts for protection, and the horse lantern was the treasure used to feed these minor ghosts."
Upon Xu Qian's explanation, Yan Shouyi immediately understood.
With this horse lantern, when he caught ghosts in the future, he could use the lantern to absorb the essence of the malevolent ghosts, and then allow San Yuan, Zhu Shanzao, Yan Gui, or even Lin Zitong's Hei Chuan Lu to absorb it!
This would also accelerate their cultivation speed!
This was truly a precious item!
Yan Shouyi was extremely grateful and toasted Xu Zhiping three more times.
Perhaps Xu Zhiping was a bit drunk. He walked over to Yan Shouyi, put a hand on his shoulder, and said with a tipsy voice:
"Yan Shouyi, the folk sects cannot do without you..."
Yan Shouyi felt a prickle on his scalp and was deeply ashamed, repeatedly shaking his head: "You flatter me, senior."
"It is not flattery, not flattery..." Xu Zhiping shook his head earnestly.
Xu Qian came to help Xu Zhiping, and apologized to Yan Shouyi: "Brother Yan, my master has a low tolerance for alcohol. He's happy today and had a few extra drinks."
"It's nothing, it's nothing!" Yan Shouyi waved his hands quickly.
By the end of the banquet, Yan Shouyi was also a bit drunk. He even went to the roadside and vomited for a while.
"I haven't been this drunk in a long time." Yan Shouyi wiped his mouth and gave a wry smile.
His physique was extraordinary, and he was normally immune to large amounts of alcohol, but he couldn't withstand everyone's enthusiasm.
He had drunk twelve bottles of Erguotou at the meal, making it impossible not to vomit!
As Yan Shouyi leaned against a tree to rest, Liu Ying patted him on the back from behind and said:
"You vomit more, and you'll feel better soon. I'll take you to see my master later."
On the day Shen Shuzhen was buried, Liu Ying's master, Yin Tang, had appeared for a moment. However, he only stood at a distance and watched for a while before leaving, and Yan Shouyi hadn't had a chance to greet him.
Yin Tang was a storyteller and preferred to remain neutral. Even in the recent operation against the Ghost King family, he had only assisted through Liu Ying.
Liu Ying had previously promised Yan Shouyi that she would take him to see Yin Tang, and she hadn't expected it to be tonight.
Yan Shouyi wiped his mouth and said, "I'm fine now."
"Really?" Liu Ying blinked her eyes. "Think about my driving skills."
"I'll go vomit some more."
After emptying his stomach, Yan Shouyi rinsed his mouth with the mineral water Liu Ying handed him and washed his face. He tidied himself up as much as possible before getting into the car.
After getting in, he discovered that Kang Jinlong was also in the car.
He recalled that the last time he asked Liu Ying what question Kang Jinlong had asked her, Liu Ying had replied that Kang Jinlong's question would have to be answered by her master.
Therefore, Kang Jinlong's presence in the car meant he was also going to see Yin Tang.
Yan Shouyi said to Kang Jinlong, "I hope you get the answer you're looking for tonight."
Kang Jinlong nodded silently.
Liu Ying started the car and set off with Yan Shouyi. The mountain road was treacherous, and Liu Ying's driving skills were on par with Lin Zitong's. Even though Yan Shouyi was mentally prepared, he almost couldn't endure it.
He grumbled, "Having me ride in your car is worse than fighting the Ghost Kings again..."
"You'll have another chance," Liu Ying smiled. "After all, didn't Yu Jinhong escape? He'll definitely cause you trouble again."
Yan Shouyi: "..."
Seven days prior, after Yan Shouyi defeated Yu Jinhong, he discovered the Twin Soul Lock within his soul. He had rushed to have the Yao family's Ghost King, Yao Yuming, go to the Yu family's ancestral home, but it was already too late.
When Yao Yuming arrived at the Yu family's ancestral home, the place was already deserted. Yu Jinhong's residual soul had fled with the Yu family.
This was not good news for everyone. Yu Jinhong was vindictive, and letting him live this time meant he would eventually find an opportunity for revenge.
However, they currently had no leads and were also helpless, forced to wait and see, always ready for Yu Jinhong's counterattack.