When he learned that Mr. Ren's jiangshi had already been subdued, Uncle Kau was completely shocked. He rushed back to his coffin home to check, and upon finding the coffin truly empty, his face turned ashen.
"Man-choi!!!"
The furious Uncle Kau sent his still-sleeping apprentice tumbling out of bed with a single kick. The groggy Man-choi had no idea what was happening until Uncle Kau twisted his ear and dragged him in front of the empty coffin. Only then did he realize the jiangshi was gone.
"M-Master…"
"I told you to snap inked thread over all surfaces of the coffin, so why wasn't the bottom done? And I told you to keep watch tonight, yet you slept like the dead! Do you have any idea what you've done? Because of you, Mr. Ren was nearly killed!" Uncle Kau's expression was incomparably fierce. Ren Fa was one of the most prominent and wealthy men in town. He had entrusted them with this matter, yet they had nearly caused his death. If word of this got out, Uncle Kau's reputation would be utterly ruined.
Having been thoroughly reprimanded, Man-choi hung his head low, not knowing what to say. Soon after, Uncle Kau followed one of the Ren family servants to their residence. He wanted to see for himself just who this remarkable person was that had subdued the jiangshi, and how they intended to lay it to rest.
"The spirit tablet is to be placed at the head of the altar. The incense and candles must be arranged in the precise quantities, without the slightest error. You over there, stop walking back and forth, you'll disturb the deceased," Hu Tao commanded, her voice calm and authoritative. "This is the final dignity for the old master. You must all be more serious." This earnest attitude was incredibly convincing. Though she was often quirky and mischievous, she was exceptionally serious when it came to her professional duties, because she believed that a funeral was the final and most important ceremony for a person.
Uncle Kau entered the main hall and observed the ritual implements and their placement. Although he did not understand the specifics, the entire setup gave him a feeling of profound solemnity. How could a teenage girl possess this level of skill? The new generation truly surpassed the old.
After several hours of meticulous preparation, Hu Tao finally nodded in satisfaction. She raised two fingers, and a flame materialized from thin air.
"Soul-Calming Secret Art: Butterflies Return to the Yellow Springs!"
The flame transformed into countless butterflies that flew directly into Mr. Ren's body. As they did, waves of black, resentful energy were forced out of the corpse.
"What kind of Daoist magic is this? How can it be so miraculous?" Uncle Kau was flabbergasted. Man-choi and Ting-ting could only stare, dumbfounded. Such a technique was simply divine, like something out of a legend about the immortals.
When the last wisp of resentful energy had been drawn from the body, Hu Tao let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that the jiangshi of this world were much easier to deal with than she had imagined. "Alright, you may now carry the old master for burial. His soul has already been sent on its way," she instructed the servants. The ceremony was merely a formality; the real secret was her Soul-Calming Art. In the entire crowd, only Uncle Kau had been able to see Mr. Ren's soul emerge from the swarm of butterflies, bow respectfully to Hu Tao, and then fade away.
Ren Fa approached her and asked in a low voice, "Immortal One, is my father truly at peace now?"
"The resentment is gone, and his restless soul has been guided. What remains is just an empty vessel. You may bury him as you see fit," Hu Tao said with a wave of her hand, feeling the man was being rather troublesome. She had already told him the matter was concluded, yet he kept chattering on.
Subsequently, Mr. Ren was taken for burial. Uncle Kau took the opportunity to approach Hu Tao. "May I ask, fellow Daoist, from which esteemed school or sect do you hail?"
"And you are…?" Hu Tao looked him up and down. Could this be the 'Uncle Kau' that Su Han mentioned, the one who slays demons and exorcises evil? she wondered. She recalled Su Han saying that Uncle Kau himself was a man of good character, but that his two disciples were rather useless.
"I am a disciple of the Maoshan sect. My name is Kau."
"Oh, so it really is you. My name is Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Director? No wonder she was so formidable. She was the leader of her own sect. Uncle Kau was truly amazed; this young lady was far more capable than he had imagined. The two of them fell into a deep conversation, and the more they talked, the more they felt a sense of camaraderie, as if they were old friends who had met too late in life.
Two hours later, Mr. Ren was successfully buried. Hu Tao also received the notification in the group chat.
[Ding! Congratulations on the successful completion of your mission. You have been awarded 20,000 points.]
[Do you wish to return? If not, you may remain for one hour.]
"Return." With her business concluded, Hu Tao prepared to leave. This mission had been incredibly fruitful. So as not to startle anyone, she stepped into a shadowy corner and vanished.
Back in the Multiverse Mission Group chat, things were lively.
Ningguang:As expected of a professional. If it weren't for Hu Tao, this matter would have been truly difficult to handle.
Although the members of the group were skilled fighters, sending off the dead was something they truly could not do.
Hu Tao:Hehe… I've already transferred the points to you! Remember to advertise the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services for me!
This trip had been a massive gain for her. Not only did she get to see another world, but she also made a new friend. At that moment, a book appeared in Hu Tao's hands. It was a collection of Uncle Kau's personal notes on Maoshan Daoist Arts. As an exchange, Hu Tao had also imparted some of her own techniques to him.
Ningguang:Rest assured, I have already made the arrangements. From now on, the families of the Millelith will use the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for all their needs.
Su Han:You really made a killing this time, Hu Tao. How about you treat us all?
Hu Tao:(=ω=)… Of course! Hehe… everyone, let's meet at Wanmin Restaurant this weekend. I'll treat you all to a big feast!