Chapter 649: Chapter 309: Opening the Coffin for an Autopsy
Three days later.
Qinghe City.
Tomorrow marks the funeral of Patriarch Li Qinghe from the Li Family. Delegates from Thunder Sword Sect, Feiyun Sect, Western Emperor Palace, and numerous smaller sects have come to Qinghe City to attend the funeral.
Today, Qinghe City is abuzz with disciples from all the major sects, even the Sect Leaders, making it more lively than usual.
Yet, the entire Qinghe City is enveloped in a solemn and mournful atmosphere.
Qinghe City has always been jointly governed by the Cheng and Li Families. This generation witnessed the union of Patriarch Cheng Yu and Li Qinghe, fostering twenty years of prosperity for Qinghe City.
The two Patriarchs held high prestige in Qinghe City.
Especially Li Qinghe, who was always kind and benevolent, deeply loved by the people.
But unexpectedly, she passed away in her prime, causing the entire city to be plunged into a heavy atmosphere of grief.
"Every household in the city has put up white banners and paper money. I didnât expect Li Qinghe to have won such affection."
At this time, Qin Gengyun was leading the Phoenix Bird Beast into the city gate, noticing the streets filled with white banners and paper money for the funeral, and couldnât help but sigh.
"Junior Brother He, why are you so surprised?"
A seemingly cold yet enticing voice came from nearby. Jian Yue casually bumped against Qin Gengyun, whispering:
"Junior Brother~ You havenât been seeking me out for training recently. Do you have some secrets?"
Beside them, Qiu Zhihe gave her a cold glance. Jian Yue smiled slightly and took two steps away from Qin Gengyun.
Up front, Tantai Mingyue turned to remind: "We are here to offer our condolences for Patriarch Li; disciples mustnât be careless."
Xu Caihe and Zhou LingâEr immediately responded with cupped hands: "Yes!"
Soon after, Senior Brother He, Junior Sister Ruo, and Senior Sister Ye just nodded slightly, making Xu Caihe and Zhou LingâEr hurriedly shrink their necks, wishing they could hurry to Li Mansion to avoid walking along with them.
Qinghe City is under the jurisdiction of Zhenyang Sect, and with the Patriarchâs funeral, Zhenyang Sect naturally has to make a showing.
Thus, Sect Leader Tantai brought Ye Xiyue along to attend the funeral, with Xu Caihe and Zhou LingâEr, daughters of the City Lord of Zhenlian City and the Zhou Familyâs maiden respectively, also attending.
As for Qin Gengyun and Qiu Zhihe, along with that bird, for some reason, Sect Leader Tantai specially appointed them to join the trip.
This was troublesome for Xu Caihe and Zhou LingâEr.
In recent days, the two were compelled to train daily with Qin Gengyun and the others, witnessing their various secretive methods, feeling apprehensive at the thought they could be silenced at any moment.
Upon knowing they were accompanying the Sect Leader to Qinghe City, the two rejoiced, believing they were finally free from their fears.
Unexpectedly, the source of their fear was now accompanying them.
The two poor girls tread cautiously on their way, fearing that a wrong word could cost them everything.
They finally arrived at Li Mansion, seeing the entrance bustling with delegates from various sects and factions.
Among them was City Lord Xu Jiangxing of Zhenlian City.
"Father!" Xu Caihe exclaimed excitedly.
"Uncle Xu!" Zhou LingâEr also called out.
The two glanced at Tantai Mingyue and, receiving a nod of approval from the latter, the two young girls hurriedly ran out, as though escaping, towards Xu Jiangxing.
"Daughter, Little LingâEr, you are here too?"
Xu Jiangxing smiled at the two with teary eyes, comforting them:
"Itâs been only a few months, yet you miss me this much?"
Xu Caihe whimpered, "Not really, but I finally have a shield, boo-hoo."
Zhou LingâEr also nodded tearfully on the side, causing Xu Jiangxingâs comforting expression to freeze momentarily. He coughed lightly and pointed at Qin Gengyun in the distance:
"Isnât that Taoist Friend He? Caihe, LingâEr, you two came with him. You sisters didnât quarrel over him, did you? Haha."
It was meant as a joke, but Xu Caihe and Zhou LingâEr flinched visibly, their faces showing fear.
"Father, please donât say that. I dare not like him anymore!"
"Yes, yes, Uncle Xu, just think I was blind before!"
Xu Jiangxing glanced at their expressions, suddenly angry: "Did that boy dare to bully you?"
"No, no, Senior Brother He didnât bully us, he just forced us to practice every day!"
"Yes, and if we donât do well, his wife would scold us!"
The two young girls chattered their grievances, leaving Xu Jiangxing puzzled. At this moment, Tantai Mingyue approached, and he quickly bowed in greeting.
Tantai Mingyue was graceful and gentle, her speech akin to a spring breeze, soon attracting other sect members who marvelled at her elegant demeanor.
Some even subtly probed about Sect Leader Chen Qingmoâs situation, all subtly deflected by Tantai Mingyue.
While chatting, Tantai Mingyue couldnât help but cast a worried glance around.
Finally, she saw a figure in plain white swiftly approaching from the city gate direction, and a hint of a smile appeared on Tantai Mingyueâs face.
That white-clad figure also spotted Tantai Mingyue and hurried over, gracefully saluting:
"Master!"
Tantai Mingyue quickly helped Su Yue up, her gaze filled with affection:
"XinâEr, why have you lost so much weight?"
Previous days, Su Xin had already used the Sound Transmission Talisman to inform Tantai Mingyue of their experience in Qinghe City.
Her injuries were serious, thus she remained in Thunder Sword Sect to recuperate.
Only today did she feel somewhat healed, knowing Tantai Mingyue would also visit Qinghe City, so she came to Qinghe with Wei Wan together, following Ming Hu.
Now, mother and daughter reunited, Tantai Mingyue knew Su Xin was hurt while covering Ming Huâs escape, casting a somewhat unkind glance at Ming Hu.
"Sect Leader Tantai, you, you, hello."
Ming Hu felt nervous under Tantai Mingyueâs gaze, scratching his head, his burly frame slightly retreating.
"Master, if not for Senior Brother Ming, Wei Wan and I would have died by now..."
With many people around, Su Xin did not finish, but Tantai Mingyue understood she meant nearly dying at Li Mansion.
With that, she glanced at Ming Hu and led Su Xin by the hand towards Li Mansion.
Su Xin looked back at Qin Gengyun, Qiu Zhihe, and Wei Wan as their three to four eyes met, nodding slightly.
Tonight is the action!
...
Night falls.
Li Mansion.
After hosting numerous guests during the day, the vast mansion quieted down.
Inside the funeral hall.
Cheng Qingyu stood before Li Qingheâs coffin, her eyes red, her voice hoarse:
"Mom, why did you suddenly leave? What really happened?!"
"Why is father still in seclusion?"
"Mom, you were a burden to our family while alive, now even in death, itâs so unclear! Youâre such an embarrassment to father and me!"
The sudden death of Li Qinghe, with Chen Qingmo, the Patriarch of Cheng Family and Sect Leader of Zhenyang Sect still in seclusion, left their sole daughter Cheng Qingyu hosting all the guests.
After the dayâs tumult, Cheng Qingyu finally couldnât hold back her emotions, came to Li Qingheâs funeral hall, and furiously questioned.
After crying and scolding, she finally left.
Shortly after Cheng Qingyuâs departure, several figures slowly appeared.
"Junior Brother He, are you truly going to conduct an autopsy?"
"Li Qinghe was the Ancient Divine Phoenix, she couldnât have died easily. There must be deception involved, only by seeing Li Qingheâs corpse can we unravel the mystery."
"Coo, coo!"
"Donât worry, Huang. We will open the coffin right away."