Fang Che’s gaze was as sharp as a blade as he looked towards the Tang family, and solemnly said, "Blessings to Tang Zheng and Little Mei, from this life to the next, joined in the Yuan Alliance, never to be separated. May they grow old together in their next lives, as loving couples, with harmony in their household!"

Tang Zheng’s mother burst into tears, nearly fainting.

"This old woman... agrees!"

Tang Zheng’s mother wailed, "My son... your mother agrees, your mother agrees! Your mother... was wrong."

Amidst the mournful cries.

Fang Che raised his glass, "Brother Tang Zheng, congratulations to you... for fulfilling your wish, becoming a Guardian, a Guardian of the Great Hall Deacon, congratulations, rising to Silver Star; blessings for a happy marriage! Bless you... on your journey!"

He drank half the cup in one gulp.

The remaining half was gently sprinkled on the ground.

Everyone followed suit simultaneously.

Instantly, the hall was filled with the fragrance of wine.

Fang Che looked towards the Tang family, softly said, "Let Tang Zheng and his wife be buried at West Mountain Heroic Soul Cemetery. As for the family’s ancestral grave, let us build a cenotaph, how about it?"

"As you command, this is an honor for the Tang family, many thanks to Mr. Fang for arranging it."

Tang Zheng’s mother, eyes red with filled gratitude, said, "During this time when Tang Zheng came home, he talked most about Mr. Fang, the one he admired and respected most, was also Mr. Fang. This old woman once said she would personally thank Mr. Fang... just unfortunately... alas, now Mr. Fang personally fulfills Tang Zheng’s final wish, arranges various matters, this old woman, on behalf of my son, kowtows to Mr. Fang."

After speaking, she knelt down.

Fang Che hurriedly supported her, his emotions complex for a moment, not knowing what to say, after a long while, he said, "You raised a good son. Tang Zheng he... deserves having been a man in this life! Deserves wearing this Steward’s Clothes!"

He paused, his throat somewhat choked, and then heavily said, "He was very good, exceptionally good!"

The cries grew louder.

"Let them be buried tonight! Let them rest in peace earlier, and besides, tonight is their wedding night! Don’t let the newlyweds wait too long!"

"Alright!"

Two hours later.

West Mountain Cemetery.

A new grave stood tall.

"The grave of Baiyun State Guardian Hall Silver Star Steward Tang Zheng and his wife!"

Fang Che and others bowed to pay their respects.

Incense candles were lit.

Tang Zheng’s tomb was right next to Ren Chang and his wife’s.

Fang Che caressed Ren Chang’s tombstone, a myriad of emotions surged in his heart, he softly spoke, "Ren Chang, we meet again. Today Tang Zheng has just arrived, look after him, let him integrate with everyone. This guy is timid, you know. Look after him."

"Another day, has passed, Old Ren."

Fang Che sighed softly.

Jing Xiuyun came over solemnly, said, "Mr. Fang."

"Hmm?"

"Over there, are Zuo Guanglie and the other ten people."

Jing Xiuyun reminded, "I remember, you have not been over, go and see Old Zuo and the others."

"Alright."

Fang Che only felt a tearing pain in his heart, said lowly, "You all continue here, I will go see Old Zuo and the others."

He walked over slowly.

Stepping on the bluestone pavement, step by step, it seemed as though echoes were produced, ringing in his heart.

Jing Xiuyun also felt, Mr. Fang’s steps seemed inexplicably much heavier, couldn’t help but sigh.

Since Mr. Fang took office at the Guardian Hall, in a short time, Ren Chang sacrificed, Zuo Guanglie and ten others sacrificed, now, even Tang Zheng lay here.

These were all people very close to Mr. Fang.

Mr. Fang must be in immeasurable pain.

Fang Che walked step by step on the bluestone road, feeling as if each step landed on the Netherworld Huangquan Road, and before him was practically like home for Zuo Guanglie and others.

Ten tombstones stood still, as if ten people stood there, eyes fixated, staring deeply as Fang Che stepped forward one step at a time.

Finally, he reached the tombstones.

Looking at the names on the tombstones, Zuo Guanglie and the others’ names.

Fang Che instinctively wanted to reach out and caress.

But midway reaching out, he remembered Zuo Guanglie probably would not want him to touch, his arm stiff in mid-air, then retracted.

His heart still churned like waves, wanting to say something, yet felt complex inside, as if his throat was blocked, he couldn’t utter a word.

Just deeply looked at each name.

To each tombstone, he deeply bowed.

The night was deep, the night dew was heavy.

He stood alone here for a long time, silent.

The night dew wetted his temples.

He closed his eyes, only felt his body weightless as it drifted in a sea of clouds; in front, the figures of Zuo Guanglie and others appeared one by one, cold gazes constantly staring at his face.

They silently asked.

"Who are you really?"

"What kind of person are you really?"

Fang Che closed his eyes, slightly raised his head, sensing the slight chill in the night, tightly closed his mouth, not moving for a long time.

From afar, Jing Xiuyun and others looked over, merely seeing in the night Fang Che’s silhouette and the tombstones of Zuo Guanglie and the others seemed to merge.

Drifting in the night fog, swaying, giving an unreal feeling.

His black cloak rippled in the wind, making a whirring sound, as if conversing with the Heroic Souls in the night.

Everyone suddenly felt, inexplicably, that Mr. Fang too seemed to have become a ghost.

After a long time.

On this side, they were tidying up, preparing to leave.

Only then did Fang Che walk out, draped in night dew, emerge from the thick mist, as he walked out, the mist dispersed, revealing a handsome face.

As if he had returned to the Mortal World from Hell.

His hair gleamed bluely, all wet with night dew.

Everyone watched him with concern.

Fang Che’s gaze was somewhat unfocused as he looked across the cemetery, West Mountain Cemetery... had expanded again.

Row upon row of tombstones, akin to formations of battle, orderly stretched far, endlessly.

In the future, it’s unknown how many people will rest here.

"Mr. Fang." Everyone watched him with concern.

"I’m fine, say goodbye to Tang Zheng and the others."

Fang Che turned around, took a flower from Zhao Ying’er’s hand, placed it properly on Tang Zheng’s tombstone.

Before his eyes, Tang Zheng excitedly following him on patrol flashed again, his eyes shining brightly.

Fang Che stood silently for a long time, then a bitter smile appeared on his lips.

"Tang Zheng, do you regret it?"

The tombstone was silent, flowers bloomed furiously.

Everyone respectfully saluted, bid farewell, and then gradually left West Mountain Cemetery.

The cemetery, previously bustling, gradually restored its peace.

A few sticks of incense still burned slowly, releasing spirals of smoke curling in the air.

A gust of wind came, the gray ashes swirled and flew up, forming a small whirlwind, slowly rotating, seemingly bidding a farewell to Fang Che and the others’ retreating figures.

Flowers on the tombstone were bright and fragrant.

Like the tranquil smile on Little Mei’s face.

The tombstone was silent, standing proudly. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Just like the indomitable look on Tang Zheng’s face when he left.

Stand tall with the sky!

Upright and honorable!

This is called, a man!

...