TGCFNM -Chapter 56 A Grand Farewell

Chu Ling stood at the foot of the mountain, watching the villagers escorting the spirits steadily make their way upward, supporting each other along the path. A sheet of white paper money fluttered down with the wind, landing at her feet.

Chu Ling glanced down at it, then looked at the two spirits before her, lifting the corners of her mouth in a smile. “Grandma Qin, Miss Hong.”

Grandma Qin smiled and replied, “I never expected so many people to see an old woman like me off. I’m content with my life now.”

Zhong Hong bowed deeply to Chu Ling, “My lord, Zhong Hong is leaving now. I wish you a lifetime of peace and safety.”

Chu Ling nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

Grandma Qin and Zhong Hong linked arms, smiled faintly at Chu Ling waved gently, and then slowly dissipated into nothingness.

“They’re gone,” Bai Su said softly.

Cui Xi tugged lightly at Chu Ling’s arm, beaming. “Miss, Miss Hong and Grandma Qin must have been reborn by now.”

Chu Ling gave a firm hum of agreement. “Let’s go up and see them off one last time.”

The Ghost Scholar stroked his beard with a smile. “After sending them off, it’s time for us to leave too. Time to return to Sishui County.”

Chu Ling lifted her steps and slowly ascended the mountain. Yes… finally, they could go home.

The next day.

Chu Ling descended the stairs with a smile, full of vigor, waving to everyone. “Let’s go. We’re returning to Sishui County.”

Wan Sanjin straightened his chest, stepped forward, and was the first to open the doors of the Fulai Inn.

Chu Ling was the first to step out, and her eyes widened in awe at the splendid scene the villagers of Qingning County had prepared.

The red lanterns had long since been burned, replaced now by newly made paper lanterns from the whole county. There were rabbits, lotuses, and even uniquely shaped ones—all kinds of designs and colors—hanging from the eaves. From a distance, they seemed to stretch in a continuous line, almost reaching the horizon.

Outside, the horse-drawn carriage was ready, decorated with red flowers. Zhuifeng’s head was adorned with silk flowers, and even Zhang Dong, the driver, was adorned with red flowers, looking like a groom on his way to a wedding.

Xiao Hua lifted the carriage curtain and peered out, excitedly shouting, “My lord, the villagers have sent us so much food!”

Chu Ling’s eyes brightened, and she called out, “Thank you!” Then she waved to the watching villagers and stepped onto the carriage.

Wan Sanjin waved too, smiling, and followed her in.

Su He was at a loss for words, staring at the scene, hunching over as he hurried into the carriage.

After bidding farewell, Wang Long and Wang Hu sat on either side of Zhang Dong. With a whip crack, the carriage began its journey, Zhuifeng pulling it swiftly forward.

The villagers watched from a distance, waving, their smiles tinged with tears, as Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin leaned out of the windows, happily waving back.

Once the carriage reached the rear, Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin stepped out, holding onto either side of the carriage and waving joyfully to the villagers seeing them off.

Su He clutched his newly acquired tools tightly. He really could not understand how anyone could enjoy such a scene. Didn’t it feel awkward?

“Coroner Su, aren’t you going to take a look outside?” Xiao Hua asked.

Su He shook his head immediately. No way was he going out!

When they reached the riverside, Zhang Dong unhitched the carriage and returned it to the Fulai Inn. Then he led Zhuifeng onto the boat first.

Wang Long and Wang Hu helped Xiao Hua carry things, while Chu Ling led Wan Sanjin and Su He to bid farewell to Magistrate Zhao.

Magistrate Zhao handed over a cloth bundle. “These are three books we confiscated from Chen Huai. After discussing with my adviser, we thought it best to let you take them, Lord Chu.”

Chu Ling took it, flipped through the pages casually, and smiled. “Good, then we’ll take them.”

“Safe travels, Lord Chu. If you have the chance, you’re always welcome to visit again,” Magistrate Zhao sincerely invited.

Chu Ling thanked him solemnly, and after boarding the boat with Wan Sanjin and Su He, waved toward Magistrate Zhao on the shore before ducking into the cabin.

“Are we keeping these books? Not burning them?” Su He asked.

“Some people use a knife to chop vegetables, some use it to kill. The problem isn’t the book, it’s the person using it,” Chu Ling said, handing the Wan Du Jing to Su He. “If you ever need to identify poisons, this book will come in handy.”

Su He thought for a moment and accepted it.

Chu Ling then looked at the remaining two books. She hadn’t intended to take all three initially, but since Magistrate Zhao had given them, keeping them didn’t seem bad.

Bai Su spoke from the side, “The Xuanmen Xinfa and Fengyun Qibu: one is a manual used by Xuan Jizi for cultivating skills, likely belonging to the same lineage as Mei Zhongxue. Fengyun Qibu is a lightness skill, stepping according to the Big Dipper formation—one step stirs the wind, one step mounts the clouds. It’s top-tier lightness skill.”

Chu Ling murmured softly, “Such excellent martial arts… how did they end up in Qingning County? Could it be a fake version…”

Bai Su said, “…Open it and let me see.”

Chu Ling pretended to open the manual and spread it out.

After looking it over for a while, Bai Su tested a few things and said, “It should be genuine, no doubt.”

Chu Ling made up her mind and, looking at everyone on the boat, said solemnly, “Let’s start practicing martial arts!”

Zhang Dong, who had just arranged the fruits gifted by the people of Qingning County, nearly tripped at the sudden announcement. “Lord Chu… I… I’m already too old…”

Su He shook his head. “I’m just a coroner.”

Wan Sanjin was also reluctant. “Training is too grueling.”

Xiao Hua, however, was eager. “Lord Chu, I’m willing to give it a try.”

Wang Long and Wang Hu also wanted to try. After all, as constables, practicing martial arts was beneficial. In fact, not just Wang Long and Wang Hu—Chu Ling had already decided to have Qi Da and the others organize everyone to train together.

As for why… of course, she was still wary of Prince Rui finding them, and wanted to give herself more leverage.

“Zhang Dong, think carefully. If you don’t train, do you expect your younger sister to protect you for your whole life? Do you not want her to get married?” Chu Ling asked, her tone very serious.

Zhang Dong was stunned. How could he be so selfish?

Chu Ling pressed on, “And you, Coroner Su. What if you encounter a peculiar corpse and want to examine it, but someone blocks you from doing so? What will you do? But if you learn lightness skills, you can steal the corpse back, examine it, and return it secretly, right?”

Su He felt a twinge of interest.

Chu Ling then turned to Wan Sanjin. “Wan Sanjin, what if you’ve been away for a long time, and your family comes to catch you but you can’t escape? What would you do—stay at home as the young master, or come with us solving cases everywhere? Think carefully.”

Wan Sanjin drew a sharp breath. He wanted to train.

Chu Ling sighed, furrowed her brows, and looked at them seriously. “I truly care about you all.”

In unison, they replied, “Lord Chu, rest assured, we will train hard.”

Chu Ling nodded. Now she could relax. She couldn’t bear the hardship of training alone; with more people sharing the effort, it felt much better.