Chapter 100[Tracking Technique] (7000 words)
The Taoist site of the third senior brother is not small, covering an area that even includes a separate small building with a rather large courtyard. However, the location is quite remote, farther north of Kowloon Tong.
It is likely because of this remoteness that he could secure such a large place for a Taoist site. Otherwise, in the land-scarce Port City, even a thousand-square-foot house is considered a luxury. In the popular areas, having such a large Taoist site would cost an astronomical price.
Chen Yan and Chu Keqing caught a taxi from outside the hospital to head to the Taoist site. By the time they arrived, it was already past seven in the evening—visiting a memorial hall at this time was, in fact, quite abrupt.
The two took a taxi and arrived at the site. From the street corner, they could already see a black flower ball hanging above the main gate of the Taoist site.
Walking to the entrance, they saw that the main gate was open, and through the courtyard, they could see the memorial hall set up in the living room.
Black cloth draped over the door frame, and wreaths extended from the memorial hall all the way to the roadside.
As Chu Keqing and Chen Yan walked through the gate, two young men smoking in the yard immediately came forward. Both were wearing the same type of T-shirt with the name of the site printed on them, though in pure black, likely special made for the funeral.
Chu Keqing directly revealed her identity, saying she was Chu Keqing, the Cloud Sect Leader, and had come from Jinling Prefecture. One of the young men immediately ran inside to report, and in no time, two men came out from the memorial hall.
One was dressed in full mourning attire, with a white band on his head. The other wore a black suit, with a white cloth tied on his arm.
Both were in their thirties or forties. The one in mourning attire looked slightly older, while the one in the black suit appeared more spirited.
After a few words with Chu Keqing, it was clear that these two were disciples of the third senior brother: the one in mourning attire was the second disciple, and the one in black suit was the third disciple.
Faced with the arrival of Chu Keqing, the Cloud Sect Leader, both disciples showed great enthusiasm immediately. They addressed her as "Aunt Master" and hurriedly led her into the memorial hall.
The memorial hall was solemnly arranged, with a frozen coffin placed at the center. On the wall hung a black and white portrait draped with black cloth. In front of the coffin was a table with the memorial tablet and an incense burner.
In front, a brazier was placed on the ground, along with two prayer mats.
Chu Keqing stared at the portrait on the wall for a long time. Finally, she took a deep breath, accepted three incense sticks from the second disciple in mourning attire, stepped forward to offer incense, then received a stack of paper money from the third disciple in the black suit, and crouched in front of the brazier to burn it.
Chen Yan remained silent, simply standing quietly to the side.
Through the memorial tablet, Chen Yan learned the name of the third senior brother: Huang Mingyi.
Chen Yan had discussed with Chu Keqing before, and all their fellow disciples, including herself, had names given by their master.
Mingyi, this name probably reflected the expectation for him.
Chen Yan shook his head inwardly. Unfortunately, Huang Mingyi most likely failed his master’s expectations.
Judging from the photo in the memorial hall, this third senior brother was quite handsome, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, though his gaze showed a trace of unruliness.
Huang Mingyi never married or had children throughout his life in Port City. Though he had some friends, his afterlife matters were left for his disciples to handle.
Chu Keqing crouched by the brazier, burning sheet after sheet of paper money. Her expression seemed calm, but her eyes revealed slight changes in emotion.
People, after all, are gone. The old grudges, along with these paper money sheets, finally turn to ash and leave nothing behind.
Chu Keqing stood up, then turned and nodded to the two disciples kneeling beside her, who returned the bow as filial sons.
Chu Keqing slowly asked, "Did my senior brother leave any last words?"
The second disciple in the mourning attire shook his head. "Master passed away suddenly, and there was no one around at the time, so he didn’t leave any last words."
The third disciple in the black suit signaled his senior brother with his eyes before turning to Chu Keqing and saying, "Master often mentioned the little aunt master from Jinling Prefecture, saying that you and he had a deep bond since childhood, and he always spoke very highly of your Taoist skills, constantly praising you..."
Chu Keqing’s eyes turned slightly colder.
Praising incessantly?
More like cursing me for not knowing the times behind my back... Chu Keqing sneered inwardly.
Seeing this opportunistic man in a black suit, Chu Keqing felt a bit displeased and asked, "Earlier, it was Huang Mingyi’s first disciple who called me. Where is he?"
Both disciples looked embarrassed. The second disciple in mourning attire immediately spoke in an indignant tone, "Who knows where he’s run off to! Master was not even cold in the grave, and suddenly he just up and left without a word! I think he has no conscience at all! Master valued him the most in life, but after death, this failure didn’t show any filial piety!"
"Yes!" The third disciple in the black suit joined in the condemnation immediately, "Master trusted him the most! He even managed the site’s finances! He suddenly took off the morning before yesterday. Who knows how much money he might have taken! We’ve been looking for him but can’t find him anywhere."