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

Chapter 203 New and Old Cases, Tried Together in Court

Zombies are nocturnal, and even established, old zombies that are not afraid of sunlight will still subconsciously retain this habit.

Xu Qing, this zombie, is also a night owl, which is quite similar to Xuan Yu. It just goes to show that birds of a feather flock together.

But this zombie has recently been incredibly busy, working day and night, never having a moment to spare. In a zombie horde, he would definitely be an outcast disrupting the horde's ecosystem!

As the saying goes, "the head is busy and the feet are busy too," once Xu Qing, the leader, gets busy, the people under the Cat Fairy Hall also have to get busy.

Other immortals or shamanic disciples, seeing that the sect leader was so busy, simply assumed that Xu Qing was just like that by nature, and that it was no wonder he could become the sect leader.

But is this really the case?

Xu Qing rode his horse with the little snake demon, the ride was so bumpy that the little white snake's bones almost crumbled.

The horse hadn't been out running around in a long time, so it ran as fast as it could along the way. However, even so, Xu Qing couldn't find a suitable temple keeper after running around all day.

Those women were either incapable of midwifery or lacked moral character; Xu Qing interviewed them all, but none of them truly met his standards.

The little white snake said it wasn't in a hurry. The matter of becoming a shaman could wait three to five months, no problem. Anyway, demons have long lifespans, a month is like a day, and three to five months is just three to five days, nothing to worry about.

Xu Qing disagreed. How could they not work for three to five months? Xuan Yu might need those three to five months of incense offerings.

That's right, the reason Xu Qing is so busy, acting as both father and mother every day, is all for the sake of the family cat.

When Xuan Yu first met Xu Qing, he already had four hundred years of cultivation. Now, after a year or two of cultivation, coupled with the high quality of the cat food he eats every day, Xu Qing has already sensed that Xuan Yu is not far from the five-hundred-year calamity.

When the cat heard that he was going to undergo a tribulation, it worked day and night for him, clearing away rats for others and saving every bit of incense it earned for his use.

Now that Xuan Yu is about to face a calamity, Xu Qing naturally has to make all the necessary preparations for it, so that this silly cat won't get struck by lightning.

Besides helping Xuan Yu consider her future, Xu Qing also kept Xuan Yu's past in mind.

Unfortunately, the cat was unwilling to reveal the specific details of how it lost its life. Xu Qing had clearly told it that he was not a vengeful person and that it was just a cat's life, so how could it possibly seek revenge!
However, the cat told him that the corpse's head was sewn up backwards.

Xu Qing, who was preparing the body for Qiu Zhan's death row inmates, couldn't hold back any longer.

I was trying to explain things to you seriously, and you're telling me my head isn't stitched up properly?
In short, Xuan Yu never told him the truth.

Everyone has secrets, and Xu Qingcang has quite a few as well. Since Xuan Yu doesn't want to talk about them, then he'll wait until he does when he wants to, and then he'll listen.

After all, Xu Qing never thinks it's too late to collect someone's body.

In his eyes, even the most formidable enemy will eventually grow old and unable to breathe.

When that zombie jumps onto the other person's face again, it's still uncertain who will win.

The little white snake was abandoned by Liu the midwife, and now that she's full, the whole family isn't hungry. How could she possibly understand Xu Qing's feelings?

"Little fairy, three to five months may seem insignificant to you, but to me, every second counts."

The little white snake seemed thoughtful upon hearing this.

“You’re right. Human lifespan is short. Three to five months should seem like a long time to you.”

Xu Qing chuckled lightly, offering no explanation.

The little white snake's understanding of him is still too superficial. Perhaps it will understand some things when this little immortal becomes an old immortal who can no longer walk.

When Xu Qing brought the 'little white snake' as thick as a child's arm back to the coroner's shop, Xuan Yu hesitated to speak several times.

It wondered why Xu Xian always brought back strange and unusual things whenever he went out.

It was one thing for Xu Qing to bring back tigers, mice, and insects in the past, but yesterday he brought back a big, dumb creature, and today he brought back a white snake that hisses and flicks its tongue. Xuan Yu felt that it wouldn't be surprised if Xu Qing brought back a monkey or a circus in a couple of days.

In order to keep the little white snake with birthing experience, Xu Qing wrote a temple inscription for it in advance, but the incense offerings could not be paid in advance because he had other important uses for it recently.

As for other pills, Xu Qing was not stingy at all. In this respect, everyone was treated similarly, after all, the horses pulling the hearse in his shop also received quite a few 'candy beans' every month.

Xu Qing's only regret was not being able to find a suitable midwife.

Whether it's the Cat Fairy Hall, the Baosheng Temple, or even his own funeral shop, he only hires trustworthy and virtuous people. If neither of these qualities is available, he'd rather put in extra effort and do the work himself.

But he really didn't want to do the delivery work.

He's a grown man; if a woman came to the temple seeking help, he definitely couldn't go and deliver her baby exactly as she was supposed to. In those days, that was no joke; being called a hooligan would be the least of your worries.

A woman's chastity is more important than her life; otherwise, the imperial physicians wouldn't have passed down the unique skill of diagnosing pulses by suspending a thread.

What can we do then? What else can we do besides dressing up as a woman? We can't just stand by and watch someone die, can we?

Xu Qing pondered that he had to find a wife, or at least someone with good character, whom he would personally train and put into the role.

Late July, the season when grasshoppers only have a few days left to jump around.

Xu Qing leaned back in his armchair, squinting as he looked out at the street.

I must say, the chair that the county magistrate sits in really feels different.

Xu Qing was thinking that if the yamen came to ask him for the chair back one day, he would say that it was lost and he hadn't seen it. If they asked him to pay compensation, he would say that he also had a mahogany coffin and could take one to settle the debt.

That coffin used far more wood than the grand master's chair.

However, Xu Qing was just thinking about it. It was just a chair, no matter how comfortable it was, he couldn't really take advantage of it.
Xu Qing sat in the armchair, where he could see the activity at the incense and candle shop diagonally opposite.

The incense and candle shop has been much busier than usual these past two days, at least it's more popular now.

The youngest daughter of the Wang family and Boss Cheng, one big and one small, support each other, just like a mother and daughter, and their lives are getting better and better.

Inside the incense and candle shop, as Cheng Caiyun was splashing water on the street, she happened to see Xu Qing tilting his head and smiling at her and her daughter.

"This scholar Xu's cousin only comes to visit him every few days. Every time she comes, he's not home. He has his daughter watch the shop for him. I don't know what he's thinking," Cheng Caiyun muttered to Wang's younger sister, who was learning needlework, as she returned to the shop.

Wang Yue'e smiled and said, "Sir, you are no ordinary person. You have important business to attend to when you go out to think."

"Can any important matter be more important than a lifelong commitment? Look at him, he's always so cheerful and doesn't seem to be in any hurry at all."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yue'e put down her needlework, stared at the coroner's shop for a while, and then said inexplicably, "But I feel that your shop is very lively, more lively than other shops on the street."

Hearing this, Cheng Caiyun felt a chill run down her spine: "My dear girl, please don't say such frightening things again. In that Xu boy's house, besides a coffin, there's only a cat. No matter how lively it is, it can't compare to the liveliness of us, mother and daughter."

Wang's younger sister said earnestly, "But I feel it's really lively, like there are a lot of people inside. If you don't believe me, godmother, look, it seems like Master is talking to someone right now." Cheng Caiyun looked over and indeed saw Xu Qing on the armchair turning his face, seemingly talking to someone, and nodding from time to time.

In July and August, a season that's neither too cold nor too cold, with the lingering heat of late summer occasionally showing its ferocity, it's far from freezing cold, yet Boss Cheng still shivered.

The young girl has sharp eyes and is familiar with the mortuary, which deals with so many dead people. She might have seen something unclean.

Inside the coroner's shop, Xu Qing was listening to Huang Xiaoliu from Chuantang report on the latest news from Linjiang County.

For example, the imperial inspector arrived in Linjiang County yesterday, and Wu Yaoxing, the shopkeeper of the paper-making shop next door, has also been taken to the Linjiang County government office for questioning.

In addition, there is another piece of news: Shang Shaoyang, who is temporarily staying at the county magistrate's house, once again stood up for justice and beat up the people from the Mirror Bureau.

This time, the arrogant young master Shang has really messed up. I heard he's been imprisoned in the yamen jail.

Xu Qing didn't take it too seriously. In Shang Shaoyang's eyes, the yamen was just like his own home. If you locked him up in the yamen's jail, besides making him behave for a few days, could you really make him turn over a new leaf and become a real spoiled brat?

No matter what, this young master Shang is a direct descendant of the Qianzhou merchants. Xu Qing has heard that none of the officials in charge of the Jingzhao Division are any good; even if you gave them a lot of courage, they wouldn't dare to offend the merchants.

The power and influence of a thousand-year-old family is not to be underestimated!

That day, Xu Qing planned to continue his search for suitable temple keeper candidates. Before leaving, Xuan Yu asked him expectantly what he would bring back this time.

Xu Qing was baffled. He wasn't some old scavenger who would bring home anything; how could he not come back empty-handed every time?

Xu Qing had just stepped out of the house and hadn't gone far when he saw a large group of people making a ruckus on the street below the mine.

Three carriages, with about ten servants and attendants, arrived in front of the carriages, and the people inside hurriedly lifted the curtains.

Xu Qing glanced over and saw an official with a crown and belt, wearing a generously embroidered robe with birds on his badge, walking down.

This official was none other than Wu Zhiyuan, the young man from the Wu family who had once gone to the prefectural city with Xu Qing to take the imperial examination.

It is said that clothes make the man and a saddle makes the horse, but now Xu Qing has to address the young Wu family member as Lord Wu.

"This humble scholar greets Lord Wu in person," Xu Qing said, bowing respectfully.

"No, absolutely not! Brother Xu, you're making me so ashamed!" Wu Zhiyuan blushed deeply at Xu Qing's words.

Without Xu Qing, the two brothers would probably be wandering somewhere, and Wen Cai's sister-in-law, uncle, and aunt would certainly not have survived.

After teasing the two brothers and seeing that they had indeed not forgotten their roots, Xu Qing's tone returned to normal.

"Is Zhiyuan wearing official robes perhaps a sign that he is heading to Pingqiu County to take up his new post?"

Wu Zhiyuan shook his head and said, "There are still grievances in my family that need to be redressed. How can I go there to take up my post now? Besides, the previous official has not yet completed his term. It doesn't matter where I wait for a vacancy."

Wu Wencai, standing to the side, laughed and said, "Brother Zhiyuan doesn't have many days of leisure. These past few days, the censor has been sitting in the yamen observing the trial. We two were planning to go there today to appeal our grievances. Once this matter is settled, you should go to Pingqiu County to take up your post."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing immediately perked up: "When will the trial begin?"

“When my elderly mother was taken to the yamen, it was time for the trial to begin.”

"Wencai and Zhiyuan, how can you two wear official robes when you go to trial?"

The two Wu brothers were young and impetuous, and in the prime of their lives, they did not pay attention to these trivial details.

Having worked in the underworld for a long time, Xu Qing had become more composed than the Wu brothers.

Seeing that the two did not understand his meaning, he thought for a moment and then casually reminded them: "If Zhiyuan goes there wearing this robe, others will think that you are relying on your official power. After all, you were just ordinary people when this case happened. If you stand in the courtroom as officials during the trial, what will others think?"

"You should wear your everyday clothes. If you really want to show off, wait until you leave the yamen, get into the official carriage, and have your servants change you into your official robes. Then you can pay your respects to your superiors as an official. Wouldn't that be better? You might even leave behind a good story."

Wu Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment before finally managing to utter, "Brother Xu, your insight is brilliant!"

After picking up the old lady of the Wu family, the two brothers no longer rode in the carriage, but only had their servants deliver the carriage, horses, and official robes to the outside of the government office a little later.

When the neighbors heard that the Wu family was going to beat the drum to appeal for justice, many people followed. Everyone knew Wu Yaoxing's character, and some had even watched the Wu brothers grow up. Now that the two were going to the yamen, everyone naturally wanted to help them make a good impression.

When they arrived at the yamen, a large crowd of people had already gathered outside the hall, where a case was being heard.

Ordinary people were not allowed to enter the yamen. The yamen runners would stand in two rows with sticks to act as a barrier. As soon as Xu Qing arrived at the yamen gate, a yamen runner let him pass.

Xu Qing was secretly pleased to see this, never expecting that he would have a reserved seat to come to the theater.

He's really something.

"Hey, Brother Xu!"

Xu Qing heard the voice, turned around, and saw that the face looked familiar.

It seems that wherever there's excitement, there's Guo Dongyang.

"Old Guo, you should just stand outside quietly and not get involved in everything."

Guo Dongyang was unwilling to accept this and said, "How come you can go in, but I can't?"
Xu Qing chuckled and said, "That's different. If someone dies from severe torture in the hall later, I, as the funeral director, can lend a hand and collect the body. What use is a storyteller like you coming in?"

"Does standing in front of someone, striking a clapper, and reciting a story really bring them to life?"

Guo Dongyang was speechless and could only watch enviously as Xu Qing walked into the hall and stood with the coroners and scribes.

He was really envious of the seats where he could watch the show.

As soon as Xu Qing stepped into the hall, Wang Lingyuan reached out and pulled him to his side. The two brothers dared not make a sound, nodded to each other, and then turned their attention to the hall.

At this moment, Xu Qing recognized the case being heard in court: the Chen family from Qushui Township, the Jin family from Qiaojia Village, and a baby lying in swaddling clothes crying loudly.

Strangely enough, as soon as Xu Qing entered the hall, the baby in the swaddling clothes caught sight of Xu Qing and immediately stopped crying, turning into a bright smile.

Not only that, the baby also freed up its little hand and stretched it out towards Xu Qing.

"."

Xu Qing grinned, revealing a devilish smile to the child, trying to scare him.

Unexpectedly, the child was easily amused and laughed even more heartily.

It is said that babies with unclosed fontanelles can see demons and monsters. Now it is clear that this saying has no basis. Otherwise, how could this unfortunate child not even be able to distinguish a ruthless zombie?
　I need to adjust my sleep schedule; it's a bit late, sorry.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)