I was forced to cultivate immortality when I just wanted to lie down

Chapter 190 The Haunted House Opens for Business, Midnight Exposé
The young master of the Shang family, who came from a prestigious family, seemed to have never seen anything other than luxury cars and fine horses.

Hearing that grain would be distributed to the poor, he eagerly took out his money to join in the fun. When he heard that he might encounter ghosts while participating in a religious ceremony, he rushed over, excitedly wanting to go and fight the ghosts.

Just because Xu Qing spoke of passion, he felt he could do it too!

Little did he know that Xu Qing, who spoke such passionate words, was actually more cold-blooded than anyone else, both physically and mentally.

Xu Qing looked at the guy in front of him, who was wearing a dirty white robe, just like a white cat that ran into the stove to warm itself in winter. He was half white and half gray. The key thing was that he didn't care. Whenever he saw someone, he would crawl out of the stove and get closer to them.

How can you be so blind?

As Xu Qing walked ahead, he pondered how to fool this good-for-nothing playboy away.

However, he couldn't just kick the person out. After all, the person had just spent two hundred taels of silver to handle the coroner's business and donated five hundred taels of silver to charity. If he were to turn his back on them so easily, it would be morally unacceptable.

Otherwise, I'll just take out my dog-beating stick, knock this kid unconscious, and dump him at the widow's house across the street!
Who knows, we might even get to attend Boss Cheng's wedding banquet in a few days.

Helping widows living alone to escape poverty sounds like a virtuous act.

"It's definitely cooler inside Brother Xu's shop than outside."

As soon as I entered the shop, the sight of paper coffins came into view. Coupled with the cool breeze that seemed to come from nowhere, and the eerie presence of paper figures and horses all around, the summer heat vanished.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing patted the coffin that was in the middle and said, "It's cooler lying inside, Young Master Shang, would you like to try it?"

"."

Xu Qing had already put it this way, and anyone with a discerning eye could tell that the innkeeper was issuing an order to leave and had no intention of keeping the guest company.

But the young master Shang pretended not to hear and lingered in the coroner's shop, looking here and there.

Seeing that the other person was looking at the shop's 'funeral menu', Xu Qing decided not to chase them away.

"Brother Shang, take your time looking around. Our shop's services are suitable for all ages, and after-sales service is guaranteed. Look at this model."

Xu Qing pointed to the newly erected sand table next to the funeral notice and said with a smile, "Brother Shang, doesn't this look familiar?"

Shang Shaoyang blinked, looking at the clay sculptures on the sand table depicting a city, and the Baisha River decorated with white sand, which resembled a miniature Linjiang County town layout.

However, the clay sculpture of Linjiang County is obviously much rougher and simpler, while the most exquisite part is the cemetery not far from the city.

"Is this Wujiu Slope?"

"This is no ordinary hillside; it is a blessed burial site, a place suitable for the deceased to rest!"

Xu Qing picked up a thin wooden branch and began to explain everything from feng shui principles to home purchase guarantees, covering every detail with remarkable clarity.

"Brother Shang, take a look at this burial site. The pine and cypress trees in the front yard are evergreen, and the new pond on the back slope reflects the moon. According to the principle of the four gods corresponding to funerals, the green pines and cypresses of this burial site are just like the green dragon raising its head to guard the bright hall."

A half-acre pond with clear blue waters opens up in the backyard, resembling a black tortoise with its tail hanging down, gathering vitality.

I observe that Brother Shang is a chivalrous person with a heart that cherishes flowers and loves people; he is truly a refined gentleman. If one were to choose a burial site, this elegant residence would be the first choice.

Xu Qing got more and more excited as he spoke. He reached out and grabbed Shang Shaoyang's arm, pulling him to the other side of the sand table. Pointing to the back of a grave, he said, "This house has pine and cypress as its bones and flowing water as its veins. It subtly incorporates the image of the Big Dipper constellation. Backed by Wujiu Slope, it perfectly matches the layout of 'left screen and right guard' and 'front desk and back support.' It is truly the elegant residence that the deceased sought in his life."

"There are also willow trees shading the side of this house. After Brother Shang passes away, if you want to go out for a stroll, you can take this path. The road here is cool and you won't be afraid of the scorching sun. A hundred steps away from the green willows and winding corridors is a clear pond with lotus flowers planted in it. They rise from the mud but remain unstained, and are washed by clear ripples but are not seductive. It is truly a wonderful place to enjoy the scenery at every turn in all four seasons."

"."

Shang Shaoyang's eyelids twitched as he listened. He wanted to interrupt, but he also felt that the house was just as Xu Qing had said, exactly what he wanted, as if it had been tailor-made for him.

"This is a family heirloom, priceless, but since I consider you a friend, I can give you a 50% discount. The friend's price is only one hundred taels, plus an additional twenty zhang (approximately 33 meters) for the expansion of the burial ground, so that even a hundred or a thousand years from now, you can enjoy the blessing of generations living together."

"."

Shang Shaoyang frowned, relaxed, and then frowned again.

It's not unusual for merchants to boast about their wares and solicit customers, but this was the first time he'd ever seen someone in the funeral business come out to solicit customers.

He was curious: wasn't Xu Qing, who introduced business, afraid of being scolded or beaten?

It's important to know that funerals and related events involving death are generally considered unlucky, and people tend to avoid them. Anyone who dares to advertise the sale of burial plots or coffins is practically cursing someone, let alone engaging in such behavior as selling a family-sized meal package, which is seen as cursing the entire family.

In response to Shang Shaoyang's question, Xu Qing smiled nonchalantly and said, "Brother Shang is a chivalrous and unrestrained man of the martial world. How could he be so petty as to be like an ordinary person?"

"Everyone dies eventually. Some people are terrified of death, but in the end, their relatives and friends still have to take care of their funeral arrangements."

"As the saying goes, haste makes waste, and preparation prevents trouble. Brother Shang, just imagine if people don't think about what will happen after they die, and then hastily prepare coffins, burial materials, and search for burial sites when they die. How can they find a place they like to live?"

“During the hot summer months, some people are in a hurry to bury their dead. They don’t bother to find a suitable place and instead choose a low-lying area or a place with lush old trees. The former will inevitably be washed away by water, and the latter will have tree roots penetrating the coffin. In such cases, it will be necessary to spend money and effort to move the coffin.”

"At that time, not only will the deceased suffer, but they will also be tormented and unable to rest in peace."

Xu Qing said solemnly, "Although I have started this business, I do not want people to suffer in vain because of some prejudices. After all, the separation of life and death is already exhausting. If I can help them not to worry about the troubles of funerals, I would be happy for them."

"Brother Xu is truly righteous!" Shang Shaoyang praised without reservation.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing waved his hand and said, "It's not about lofty ideals; I'm just doing my job."

"On another note, Brother Shang, don't you want to acquire a good plot of land in advance? You must know that a thousand mansions are not as good as a peaceful corner of the heart. This plot of land is not only a place to shelter from the wind and rain, but also the root of our family for generations. If you hesitate even slightly, I'm afraid this fine house will belong to someone else!"

"."

Logically speaking, anyone with a sound mind wouldn't actually buy a burial plot decades in advance, no matter how eloquently Xu Qing described it.

But Shang Shaoyang, a young master from a powerful family, spent a hundred taels of silver to buy a property in Wujiu Slope, and it was a family-friendly property that could accommodate up to ten generations.

With all the signatures and seals in place, and the complete red deed, even when selling a grave, Xu Qing still strictly adhered to the principles of selling a house for the living, and would never allow any future disputes over land and property.

Shang Shaoyang didn't care at all; he just found it novel and fun. Buying things from Xu Qing was an experience he had never had in Qianxi.

"Brother Shang, you've come at the perfect time. Our shop is having a promotion where you get free gifts with the purchase of a residential plot, including lifetime after-sales service, feng shui stones, and cemetery maintenance services."

“I remember all of this. It will be useful no matter if it takes ten, fifty, or a hundred years. My shop will continue to operate for generations to come, and I am always ready to serve you, Brother Shang. Please rest assured!”

"."

Shang Shaoyang's unusual excitement had subsided. Now, he looked at the handover contract in his hand and glanced at Xu Qing, who had been very responsible from beginning to end.

He suddenly felt a pang of regret.

Judging from how seriously Mr. Xu is taking this, it seems that one day the other party might actually follow the contract and bury his body on Wujiu Slope.
Seeing that she had just closed a deal, Xu Qing's gaze toward Shang Shaoyang changed.

"Brother Shang, you must cultivate diligently and not waste your time. If you can become the top martial arts champion in the future, that would be excellent." Xu Qing had never encountered a corpse of Grandmaster quality before, but Shang Shaoyang in front of him was full of potential.

He genuinely hoped the other person could live longer and didn't want such a person to die prematurely.

In the stillness of the night, yin energy arises.

Having just completed a business deal, Xu Qing and Shang Shaoyang arrived together at the Flower and Bird Street, at Master Feng's house.

Master Feng's close friend, Liu Xian, was also at the mansion.

"To my shame, I just troubled Brother Xu with some old matters last time, and now I have to trouble Brother Xu again."

"Hey, why bring this up?" Xu Qing said dismissively. "Master Feng and I are true friends. What's a little favor? Besides, I've asked him for help countless times before."

Not long ago, Xu Qing asked Master Feng to find a suitable talisman to use for sacrificial offerings to prevent the bones from decaying. Master Feng, without saying a word, informed the caravans that traveled between the north and south, and told them to pay close attention.

These are all social interactions between spirit mediums. Spirit mediums rely on personal relationships to invite spirits, and the same applies to the spiritual masters and spirits of various sects.
"Second Master, please tell me what it is. I believe there must be a reason why you summoned me."

"Brother Xu is a wise man."

Master Feng sighed with some emotion, “This is a strange story. Brother Xu, do you remember not long ago when all the birds on Flower and Bird Street that could mimic speech started talking and accusing others of being fake?”

"."

Xu Qing was stunned. How come he was involved in this?
Master Feng continued, "Shortly after that day, people in Flower and Bird Street kept saying they had encountered a headless ghost. The ghost's whereabouts were elusive, and whenever it appeared, it would always say that something was a fake."

Those who feared it threw away what they called fake objects and were unharmed, but those who refused to part with their possessions to avert disaster had their eyes eaten by the demon and became blind.

Ji Ruinian, who was playing with snakes, spoke up: "I've heard Second Master mention this. It's all thanks to Brother Xu for taking away Second Master's fake painting, otherwise..."

Master Feng, somewhat shaken, said, "I'm not afraid of Brother Xu laughing at me, but lately none of us dare to deal with antiques. If we happen to buy a fake, I'm afraid my eyes won't be able to keep them!"

"Brother Xu's expertise in antiques and calligraphy is far superior to mine, which is only half-baked. I was thinking of asking Brother Xu to come over and see if he could get rid of this busybody."

A ghost that exposes counterfeits? Xu Qing was surprised.

Besides him, how could there be other evil spirits or ghosts to expose fraud?

Are ghosts these days so idle?

"Are all the items being investigated by this ghost for being counterfeit really fake?"

Although Shang Shaoyang didn't quite understand what was being said, he grasped the key point.

Master Feng nodded: "It only appears when there are fakes. But it doesn't matter during the day. This creature only appears after dusk and before the rooster crows. If there are no fakes, it won't appear."

"Has this matter been reported to the Demon Suppression Division?"

"The Demon Suppression Division has been too busy with cases lately. I heard that a big shot has come to the capital and wants to establish some new division."

Ji Ruinian reminded him, "It's the Mirror Reflection Division. This newly established division is directly under the jurisdiction of the current emperor. I heard that there are also Celestial Masters registered in the division. After the Mirror Reflection Division is established, there probably won't be a Demon Suppression Division anymore."

Xu Qing shook his head. The government couldn't be relied on. In critical moments, the people of Linjiang County still had to rely on him, this zombie.

"May I borrow your paper and pen, Second Master?"

Master Feng didn't understand Xu Qing's intentions, but he still ordered his servants to bring him writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Xu Qing picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and said with a smile, "Since this ghost likes to expose fakes, then I'll go along with its wishes and make a fake painting."

Besides copying the paintings, Xu Qing also found a quiet guest room and, using Jiang Daqian's forgery techniques, aged the paper as well.

When the finished product was ready, not only Master Feng, who was waiting outside, but even Ji Ruinian, who was an expert in calligraphy and painting, could not tell the difference between the real and fake.

"Brother Xu, do you perhaps also possess an authentic piece, and are you deliberately using it to tease us?" Ji Ruinian said half-jokingly.

"That won't do, Brother Ji, please look—"

Xu Qing flipped the brush tip, lightly touched the handle, and circled several areas.

Those places, like the forger Jiang Daqian, all left behind pieced-together small characters as markers.

Ji Ruinian looked at the circled lines, their thickness and ink density, and read out each word carefully: "Wu Gong Shop winning ticket, all funeral services at 10% off."

"."

Fortunately, it's a painting of pine trees and longevity with a lot of ink; if it were any other calligraphy or painting, it might not be able to hide so many characters.

After finishing the fake painting, Xu Qing took the calligraphy and painting and prepared to go out. Shang Shaoyang, who loved to join in the fun, grabbed his sword and wanted to go with him to the streets for some entertainment.

Master Feng was timid and only dared to see him off to the door.

To prevent Xu Qing from being implicated, Master Feng specially found a lantern to light the night and a tinderbox.

"If things become unmanageable, I hope Brother Xu will burn the calligraphy and paintings in time, so as not to let the ghost harm your body."

Xu Qing happily accepted the lantern and set off with the hot-blooded young master.

At this time, the moon was obscured by dark clouds, and it was pitch black all around. Xu Qing deliberately chose to walk along narrow paths and alleys.

At first, Shang Shaoyang was a little nervous, and he never loosened his grip on the sword for even a moment.

However, after wandering around for an hour without encountering any ghosts, Shang Shaoyang became somewhat relaxed.

This ghost might just be a person in disguise; there probably aren't any ghosts on the street that can expose fakes.

Compared to Shang Shaoyang, who was sometimes tense and sometimes relaxed, Xu Qing appeared much more relaxed.

Compared to ghosts, Xu Qing was more wary of people; he wasn't particularly afraid of ghosts.

Especially those kinds of ghosts that harm people based on a specific opportunity.

These kinds of ghosts and spirits are not fully conscious and act only based on their obsessions and instincts, so their spiritual cultivation is relatively low.

One of them carried calligraphy and paintings, admiring and praising them along the way, while the other carried a lantern and held a sword, utterly bored.

Until one moment, the two people walking into the alley suddenly heard someone speaking above them:
"Fake, fake! This jade pendant is obviously fake!"

(End of this chapter)