The sound of loud and sorrowful firecrackers erupted in front of the Liu family’s home, traveling far into the quiet night sky, far, far away...
One by one, warm lights flickered on, spreading throughout Lu Ting like a chain of falling dominoes, as word of mouth carried the news from the vicinity of the Liu family.
The slumbering Lu Ting awakened once more; countless original residents spontaneously dressed and, holding torches, slowly surged towards the Liu family’s home...
It was common knowledge to the original residents of Lu Ting that the esteemed Yang Erlang, the amiable young shopkeeper of Yuelai Inn, was among them.
Until now, they had all been complicit in a grand charade titled "We all know who you are, but we will all pretend we do not know who you are," diligently safeguarding the tranquility and happiness that Yang Ge had found in Lu Ting.
For this, they not only turned a blind eye to the peculiarities of Yuelai Inn but also devised all sorts of "perfectly logical" explanations for thoses eccentricities to fool the rare and strange outsiders...
But the great charade seemed to have reached the time for its final curtain.
The living could be deceived.
But what of the dead?
If they were to let the old shopkeeper of Yuelai Inn depart this world quietly and alone, it was feared that Lu Ting would no longer be able to retain Yang Erlang...
At corners and alleys, the original inhabitants of Luting County piled up like mountains and seas, murmuring amongst themselves that the old shopkeeper had indeed been fortunate to have seen through this Spring Festival.
In secret, countless people were slamming tables and breaking cups, commanding their subordinates in the harshest and most uncompromising terms to ensure the news of the old shopkeeper’s demise reached XXX within X days.
Nearly everyone who had come to deeply understand Yang Erlang knew what the old shopkeeper meant to him.
In a way, Yang Erlang’s protection over Luting County had all extended from the old shopkeeper...
Now that the old shopkeeper had passed away, the last scabbard that held back the edge of the cold moon blade was gone!
The difference was...
Some commanded their men to deliver the news promptly, concerned that their master would not arrive in Lu Ting before the old shopkeeper’s burial and ruin the relationship with Yang Erlang.
Others commanded their men to deliver the news promptly, fearing their master, unaware of the situation, would cause trouble at this time and collide with the cold moon blade.
Still, others commanded their men to deliver the news promptly, knowing some of their master’s plans and desperately trying to remedy the situation...
And then there were some who had silently rolled up their bedding and fled in the night: it was hopeless, there was no saving it, might as well await death!
Countless swift horses galloped through the snowy night out of Lu Ting, from the lofty temple halls to the far-flung rivers and lakes, all were stirred into action by the news!
Even special groups on the fringes of the temples and martial world, such as bandits and robbers, chose to close their doors for business upon receiving the news...
With Yang Ge having not ventured out of Lu Ting for a long time, and without any rumors of him for some time, the reemergence of many of his titles onto the desks of leaders of various forces around the world jolted them into realization...
The man from Lu Ting was no longer considered the number one in the world.
He was a mountain.
This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.
An insurmountable high mountain!
Whether you have heard of him or not, whether you acknowledge him or not...
He is still there!
...
The next morning, a fine snow like powdered salt began to fall.
Yet the courtyard of the Liu family was overcrowded.
Friends and neighbors of the deceased shopkeeper spontaneously brought their own tables, chairs, benches, pots, and pans, setting up an open-air stove in the courtyard and arranging a continuous feast along the street outside.
It seemed that everyone who walked down this street could find their place in this funeral; some welcomed guests, some received condolences, some cooked, some chopped wood, some washed vegetables, some did the dishes... Liu Mang was scurrying around under the orders of a group of yin and yang masters, and he had absolutely no time to grieve.
Only Yang Ge, draped in sackcloth and holding mourning rituals in front of the shopkeeper’s spirit, could not find his place.
His feelings at that moment were strange...
To say he was sad, it didn’t seem entirely true.
Since the old man had fallen ill, he had been the one seeking medical advice and treating the elder, as well as the one constantly watching over his sickbed, nursing him back to health; no one was more aware of the situation than he. So although the old man’s departure was still somewhat sudden, he had been mentally prepared, and he could accept it.
To say there was regret, there didn’t seem to be any.
The old man’s final month and a half on his sickbed was tough, but he didn’t suffer unduly, and he passed away laughing in the company of them all. In the end, he even had a bite of his favorite fiery kidney flowers—wasn’t this something of a joyous grief?
He thought everything through, but he just couldn’t muster any energy, caring for nothing, wanting to do nothing.
That inexplicable feeling of depression or bewilderment seemed as if the flesh under his skin had suddenly vanished. The wind from the outside could blow through the crown of his head, pulling at his soul within his body, swinging back and forth, back and forth...
Just then, a guest wrapped in chill winds entered the mourning hall to offer their respects to the old shopkeeper.
Yang Ge threw the paper money into the fire, mechanically bowing his head in return.
Someone held him up, coaxing in a low voice, "Erlang, grieve not beyond what is proper."
"Yes, Erlang, when people age, this day comes for all. I heard that the old shopkeeper passed away silently during a family reunion; this is already a blessing in disguise..."