Twilight Boundary-Chapter 766 - 757: 64 Bars

He said he wouldn't meet, so he didn't.

The steward of the old estate handed over the account books from the past twenty years, which Hu Ma didn't even glance at.

Actually, it was easy to imagine that this Hu Family mansion was not earned by the Hu Family but rather bestowed by the previous dynasty. Twenty years ago, the Zhensui Hu Family moved away with their whole clan, leaving only this old servant to watch over the house. The main gate remained locked for twenty years, with no contact with others.

Over time, some of the assets in Shangjing were dispersed anyway. Considering this old servant lived alone, a little silver was enough for him to live on.

The account books and other items he handed over merely showed which assets originally belonged to the Hu Family and who owned them now.

Hu Ma truly had no interest in these matters.

People from the Qingyuan Hu Family also wanted to come in and say a few words, using the Hu Family name, but he didn't see them.

Hu Ma was very curious. He had already killed people from the Qingyuan Hu Family, even causing a public uproar. Why would they still come?

The elder uncle from his maternal family's Ren Clan also wished to come in and reminisce, but Hu Ma wasn't interested in meeting him either.

Until later, when Calculation followed Little Douguan, who was marching with formal, measured steps, his hair styled into two prominent tufts, and came in to discuss the funeral arrangements for the next day...

...This was someone he still needed to meet.

However, as for the funeral, Hu Ma had decided to keep it simple, even though all of Shangjing now knew the Hu Family had returned and were watching them.

But Hu Ma still believed that his biological father had passed away over ten years ago. With the reincarnated soul and Corpse Guardian Soul both gone, it seemed his father's only wish during his lifetime was to be sent back to Shangjing. He wanted to be buried in the ancestral hall, to rest beside Granny.

Certainly, some would consider grand funeral arrangements acts of filial devotion. Yet, Hu Ma clearly understood the current situation. It was nothing more than using such an unexpectedly vast funeral to showcase the Hu Family's dignity to the numerous influential figures within Shangjing, or even to all under Heaven.

Once one of the Ten Surnames, the Zhensui Hu, they had been nearly forgotten by many in the world.

In recent years, with some of the things Hu Ma had done, their name gradually came back into people's minds.

Especially with the death of Tongyin Meng, the reputation of the walking ghost lineage soared, and the whole world began to remember the renown of the Zhensui lineage.

This visit to Shangjing seemed to be using this funeral to draw the world's attention, inviting them to watch.

Yet, even if attention was drawn and their reputation rebuilt, what could be achieved?

Sitting in the still seemingly vast and empty, desolate and deathly quiet Hu Family Mansion, Hu Ma looked up and gazed outside. The immense Shangjing City seemed shrouded in a darkness so thick it felt impenetrable.

The depths of the night were silent. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

On the long street, only occasionally could one spot a couple of cold lanterns. Despite being a practitioner of nine columns of Tao, Hu Ma felt a vaguely oppressive and somber atmosphere.

However, the Daluo Dharma Sect Leader had now appeared, planning to hold a dharma meeting, and numerous experts of the Ten Surnames had mostly gathered in Shangjing.

When it came down to it, probably nearly half of the most capable people in this world were crammed into Shangjing, weren't they?

Why, with so many people here, did this great city still feel so oppressive and sinister?

"There's no need for a forty-nine-day wake, not even seven days. Tomorrow morning, I will take Father to the ancestral hall."

He didn't want to cause trouble within Shangjing City, nor did he wish to fulfill those people's expectations.

Hu Ma understood even better that his biological father had already waited for over a decade on Old Yin Mountain. Now, nothing was more reassuring than taking him to the ancestral hall.

As for his biological father, Hu Ma already knew he was not a heartless person and respected him deeply.

But this act of gaining fame under the banner of the deceased was truly not to his liking, and he believed Granny would have thought the same.

"Alright, I'll listen to you on this matter."

Calculation said, "But while the funeral's scale isn't large, it is indeed for others to see. However, the procession itself must be properly managed; this is a matter of respect for the ancestors."

"For sending off ancestors, the standard is 'two timbers, eight bearers.'"

"As for choosing the coffin materials, you already picked them on Old Yin Mountain, so we won't disturb the deceased again. However, the porters must be chosen carefully. I've actually been thinking about this for you since we were on the road."

"According to Shangjing customs, when the Emperor dies, 120 porters are needed. When a member of the Royal family dies, 80 people are required. Of course, these days the Emperor's family line is extinct. Among the Ten Surnames, yours is the most prominent. Even if you found 1,000 porters, it wouldn't be considered too extravagant."

"But isn't that unnecessary?"

"So, I think it's most appropriate to follow the specifications for nobility and invite 64 people."

...

Listening to this, Hu Ma couldn't help but frown. His late father was now just bones, and the coffin wasn't heavy; he himself could lift it with one hand.

Yet 64 people were required to carry it?

But before he could speak, Calculation said, "That's the absolute minimum; we can't reduce it further."

"After all, the Hu Family is still the Hu Family. Some things you can economize on, but others you simply cannot omit."

...

Listening, Hu Ma could only nod and sigh lightly. "Such matters, I'll leave them to you to handle."

Calculation nodded. "Then get the money ready quickly. I need to rush to make the arrangements!"

Hu Ma was momentarily stunned. "Money?"

Calculation said, "Yes, although we're simplifying, the expenses will still be substantial. Never mind the incense paper candles; hiring 64 porters requires funds, doesn't it?"

"There'll be quite a few people coming to pay their respects, and the funeral refreshments can't be avoided, can they?"

"Counting everything, it's a lot. Even those who come to pay their respects will bring condolence gifts according to custom, but we must prepare in advance, shouldn't we? Just hiring someone to keep the accounts requires money too!"

Suddenly faced with this issue, Hu Ma was momentarily at a loss.

When it came to money, this grandson of the Hu Family, who had returned so gloriously to Shangjing City, truly had none on hand.

However, the Qingyuan Hu Family indeed had money, and so did his mother's Ren family. When they had asked to meet earlier, they even mentioned it.

The cleaning of this mansion, inside and out, and the newly hired servants, were actually funded by them.

If he needed to, Hu Ma could just go and mention it to them, and the money would come.

They were probably waiting outside for just such an opportunity.

But Hu Ma had no inclination for that now. He simply waved his hand. Yet, before he could speak, Little Douguan pressed down Calculation's outstretched hand and said, "Who demands money like that? I'll go to Auntie's place for what's needed."

"As long as we get an order from Grand Master, we'll know what to do and can set our minds at ease!"

...

At these words, even Hu Ma couldn't help but look at Little Douguan with appreciation, reaching into Little Hongtang's basket for a piece of Blood Food to reward him.

So, Calculation followed Little Douguan out the door, hurrying to make arrangements through the night.

Miaoshan Immortal did not lack money. Coupled with the staff in the mansion and Little Douguan overseeing the arrangements, things could be managed. As for the porters, Calculation remained anxious.

Sixty-four porters were needed, and they had to avoid anyone whose zodiac signs or birthdates were incompatible with the deceased. Calculation feared they wouldn't all be gathered by morning, which would lead to embarrassment the next day. However, Little Douguan already had a plan. After he explained it to Calculation, Calculation immediately understood.

He quickly went to find Fourth Miss Zhou. Upon hearing the situation, she dismissed her own confusion and immediately treated it as a top priority.

To find porters, they needed young men with vigor, compatible birthdates, and strength. They also had to know the proper etiquette and be able to carry the coffin steadily and smoothly.

Where could they find such individuals at this short notice?

Of course, by borrowing people from her father.

Who had more compliant and capable young men than those in the Shousui Sect?

But the Lord of the Zhou Family, Zhou Zhiming, seeing his daughter asking to borrow men to help the Hu Family carry a coffin, looked troubled and scolded, "Don't forget your surname! Without any formal standing or approval, you're already rushing to help them? Shouldn't some things be clarified first?"

Fourth Miss Zhou furrowed her brow, pondering. After a while, she suddenly asked, "Father, there's something I can't quite figure out!"

The Zhou Family Lord, Zhou Zhiming, sneered, "Go on, let's hear what brilliant idea you've come up with!"

Fourth Miss Zhou asked, "Why would you want someone else's dharma method for no reason?"

"And back in the town, when I was chasing you, how did you run so fast?"

...

Zhou Zhiming, facing his daughter's suddenly bright eyes, wanted to speak but could only sigh helplessly.

He waved a hand and told the Iron Steed Grand Hall Officer, who was standing beside him pretending not to hear their conversation, "Go and arrange the men for her!"

"Choose ones with pure yang bodies; it shows greater respect."

"The Hu Family is of a noble direct lineage! How can they use just 64 people? Even when the Meng Family sent off distant relatives, they used 80 people!"

...

Thus, with everyone pitching in, although it was only one night, all arrangements fell into place. At dawn the next day, Calculation discreetly informed Hu Ma, putting his mind at ease.

Then Hu Ma changed into white hemp mourning clothes and, surrounded by the crowd, approached the coffin. The porters were all ready, and a path of paper money was being laid out, stretching towards the ancestral hall.

Hu Ma personally broke a tile, chanting, "Spirits of Heaven and Earth, passing ghostly gods, today I borrow this path to send off the funeral procession!"

"A great road lends twelve feet; a small road needs eight feet of width."

"People guide the soul away; the funeral must proceed with solemnity."

"This funeral is no ordinary one; Hu Family nobility receives divine light."

"Those who ruin this funeral shall die beneath it; those who block it shall perish under it."

"Today I borrow this path to send my father forth; one stick of incense before the ancestral hall."

"Lift the coffin!"

...

Beneath the wooden sword, gray tiles shattered. Hu Ma held the soul-guide banner at the forefront, while 64 porters lifted the wooden coffin.

Upon exiting the gates, the servants behind knelt in farewell. Outside, along the road, various mourning platforms were crowded together.

Along the way, countless people had come to watch, using the send-off as an excuse to see the face of the rumored descendant of the Zhensui Hu Family.

At this moment, Hu Ma did not disguise himself or alter his appearance, allowing countless curious, suspicious, or awe-struck gazes to fall upon him. In his peripheral vision, he thought he saw some familiar faces hiding within the crowd, stealthily vanishing.

Yet, he wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but amidst the crowd, Hu Ma thought he spotted a figure wearing a straw hat and holding a white cat.

His heart filled with doubt and apprehension. Why would Miss White Wine, someone usually so cautious, appear in Shangjing City at such a time, teeming as it was with experts and lurking dangers?