I discovered a world bug.

"My dad left us a letter before he passed away, telling us to wait for you."

He said you would definitely come, but he didn't know when.

"We originally thought you wouldn't arrive until tomorrow, no matter how fast you came, but after picking up my dad today, I had a feeling you should be here soon, so I went to the village entrance to wait for you."

"I can't believe I actually found you... Actually, I don't even know what you look like, I just ask every stranger I see..."

Xu Feng's tone was light; his father had passed away, and he didn't seem to be very sad.

This is actually normal - funerals in rural China have always been like this.

Filial sons and grandsons will inevitably shed a few tears in front of the coffin, but once they leave the mourning hall, they are mostly able to chat and laugh.

It's not that they don't have their own hardships, it's that they have to support their family.

The more critical the matter, the less one can afford to falter or show weakness.

Therefore, Lin Shu did not think that Xu Feng's behavior was abnormal.

He simply followed Xu Feng into the village, echoing his words:

"Perhaps it's Master Xu's spirit protecting us from heaven."

"Hey, it's not that mysterious."

Xu Feng waved his hand dismissively and said:

"You might not believe it, but my dad doesn't believe in things like reincarnation or the underworld."

"He used to tell us that when a person dies, they are dead. Their consciousness dissipates, and they cease to exist in this world."

"Therefore, if he dies someday, there is no need for a grand funeral, especially the usual procedures for the passing of a master should absolutely not be followed, as it is a waste of resources and manpower."

"But..."

Xu Feng slowed his pace slightly and turned to Lin Shu, saying:

"But as you know, funerals are often actually for the living to see."

"Anyway, he didn't strongly object when he was alive, and he didn't mention it in the letter he left after his death, so we'll still do it according to the standards for a master's ascension to heaven."

"Look, seven shamans have come today, all to deliver the mountain and the coffin."

"Pressing down a coffin?"

Lin Shu asked, puzzled:

"What does that mean?"

Xu Feng led Lin Shu into a small alley, bypassing the crowded streets, and casually replied:

"We have to sit on the coffin to send him off from the mountain—the funeral procession."

"Generally speaking, it means that someone will inherit his mantle, so that he won't die with his eyes open and become an evil spirit."

"Anyway, that's how it is. I don't believe in this stuff; it's just a formality."

Xu Feng's tone revealed a hint of indifference—indifference, but not disdain.

Although he respected his father, he seemed to genuinely disbelieve in the "master" system, which was completely contrary to Lin Shu's expectations.

Before he arrived, he thought that Xu Changshun's family were all devout followers of the Meishan School.

Now it seems that Xu Feng is definitely not one.

Xu Changshun is becoming more and more complicated...

After walking through the alley, the two arrived at a courtyard house with blue bricks and gray tiles. The main gate was wide open, and many people who came to pay their respects were blocked at the door. Lin Shu and Xu Feng, however, entered directly through the side gate, crossed the second gate, and entered the main hall.

There, a dark coffin rested quietly on the deathbed.

Incense was burning and a brazier was placed in front of the coffin.

The brazier was almost overflowing with ashes from the burnt paper offerings, but the people kneeling before it, who had come to pay their respects, continued to throw paper money into it.

Whether silent or chattering, everyone was expressing their "remembrance" of this respected master.

Under Xu Feng's guidance, Lin Shu also lit incense and burned paper money.

After he stood up, Xu Feng nodded and pointed to the coffin.

He asked:

Are you scared?

afraid?

I'm not so afraid...

Lin Shu shook her head.

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all the same."

"I've seen quite a few, so I'm afraid it's definitely not fair to call them that."

"That's good."

Xu Feng said with relief:

"Then go open the coffin and look at my dad's palm."

What? !

Lin Shu was dumbfounded.

"I'm going to open the coffin??"

"yes."

Xu Feng replied:

"He left a letter saying he left something for you, it's in your palm."

"No one else would let him see—his left hand was clenched so tightly that even the doctors couldn't pry it open during their resuscitation efforts."

"You might have to pry his hands open yourself. I wanted to help you, but he made it clear that he wouldn't let us see."

"Why......"

At this moment, a hint of sadness flashed in Xu Feng's eyes.

"To outsiders, my dad's life seemed pretty good, but only we family members know how hard he suffered."

"He seems to have done a lot of things, but he has never told anyone, not even his own son."

"My life has passed like this, until I die... I can't go against his wishes."

"So, you go by yourself."

"Be careful, try not to... hurt him."

Lin Shu nodded slowly.

He didn't know what Xu Changshun had left for him, but it was clear that the coffin had to be opened.

Even if it's not for myself or for his legacy, it has to be held.

According to local custom, his hands being clenched like that meant he couldn't be buried...

With that thought in mind, Lin Shu made a decision and walked towards the coffin.

His heartbeat quickened—although at this age he was no longer afraid of ghosts and gods, it was impossible to be completely unmoved when facing a dead person, a corpse.

But when the time comes, there's no other way but to not do it.

As she approached, the refrigeration unit's cold air rushed towards her, and Lin Shu subconsciously held her breath, looking into the half-open coffin.

Xu Changshun lay there, his face serene, though his skin was yellow as if it had been waxed, and there was some frost on his eyebrows and hair.

At this time yesterday, I was still talking to him, a living, breathing person.

Now, he's lying here...

Lin Shu felt a sudden wave of sadness for no reason, and the little fear she had was also diluted.

After calming himself down, he reached into the coffin—but couldn't reach it, so Xu Feng behind him brought him a stool.

Standing on the stool, Lin Shu finally touched Xu Changshun's hand.

Cold and stiff.

He carefully pried open each finger one by one, and in the dim light, he saw the marks on Xu Changshun's palm.

It was clearly something he had scratched with a hard object before he died, and the edges still bore some mottled bloodstains.

Judging from its shape, it looks like some kind of symbol, but the mark is very faint and cannot be seen from a distance.

And he couldn't possibly pull Xu Changshun's hand out.

Turning back to greet Xu Feng, who was standing to the side waiting, Lin Shu then poked her head into the coffin.

As we got closer, we could finally see the string of symbols clearly.

It's a number.

A 12-digit number.

200412020909.

Date and time?

Lin Shu straightened up and jumped off the stool, her brows furrowed.

What does this mean?

All he left for himself was a date?

What does this date represent?

What happened that day?

He looked puzzled, but seeing him come down, Xu Feng spoke up:

"You're pretty good, no wonder my dad chose you... Did you see that clearly?"

"Look carefully."

Lin Shu nodded.

"But I don't know what that means—would you like to take a look?"

"I won't watch it."

Xu Feng waved his hand.

"If he doesn't let me see it, then I won't see it."

"It's okay if you don't understand, just remember it."

"Let's go, we've already offered incense. My dad has some things he wants to give you."

"Come with me, I'll get it for you..."