Chapter 58: East City Glamour Corpse (Part 3): My Little Disciple is Inexperienced in the World Part 3

After a short run, they reached the coffin shop. Two freshly made, unpainted coffins sat exposed at the entrance, their wood a pale yellow. Wood shavings littered the ground in clumps. An old man stood with one foot on a workbench, hunched over, puffing on his pipe—pa-ta, pa-ta.

Two young apprentices sat on stools nearby, huffing as they planed coffin planks. Spotting the trio—a beggar, a noble young master, and an immortal—they puzzled over the odd group. But when they clearly saw the woman’s face at the rear, a beauty beyond compare, they flushed crimson and dove back into their work with redoubled effort.

Drawing near, Shang Shan called out “Boss,” only for the old man—shrouded in smoke—to wave it away and say gravely, “Boss, could you please not smoke?”

The old man took a draw, chuckled hoarsely. “This little lass is policing my smoking now? Tell me why not.”

Shang Shan huffed sullenly, “Smoking is bad—very bad!”

Mu Qian Tan eyed the back of her head.

This brain-damaged dragon wouldn’t meddle in smoking out of nowhere. The pipe must have reminded her of that mongrel You Lianmeng, sparking her ire.

At her defiant age, chafing under that woman’s beatings and escape order, she harbored resentment—enough to fume at the mere sight of smoke.

Thinking her young and averse to the smell, the boss set his pipe aside. “What can I do for you?”

Shang Shan said, “Nothing major. I just saw Miss Wen providing a coffin here and thought she’s truly a good person.”

“You’re the immortals ghost-hunting, right? First time I’ve seen her,” The boss, mouth itching without his smoke, rubbed his fingers. “The Wen Family aren’t good folk. Family head and servants act all high and mighty, but they’ve got luck—a kind, obedient daughter like that.”

Shang Shan said, “She was in a wheelchair. Something wrong with her legs?”

Boss confirmed, “Aye. Her old man brought karma down on her instead. Said they went to the mountain temple for blessings; she tumbled coming down, snapped her leg. Months later, still no better—can’t walk without the chair. And still she helps others. Heartbreaking, ain’t it?”

Shang Shan murmured “oh,” visibly moved. Jiang Yuanqi asked, “Boss, do you know anything about the East City Ghost?”

The boss slapped his knee. “Some.” He rattled off details matching what the Rice Wine Town Waiter had said. Spotting the row of rice wine jars in the corner explained the source. Jiang Yuanqi just smiled and thanked him.

Shang Shan pondered, then asked, “How long for those victims’ coffins?”

Old man glanced back. “Least five days. Deaths piling up—city shops can’t keep pace.”

Shang Shan pressed, “Any ready-made ones for immediate use?”

In this heat, bodies left out… Thinking of the old lady watching her son’s corpse rot atop his death pained her. Better bury first if possible.

Old man said, “Got some, but no trading plaques for those. Pricey.”

Shang Shan patted her pockets—empty, stone broke. She glanced pleadingly at the frosty beauty behind, batting her eyes in clear hint. The woman ignored her utterly, not deigning a look.

No recourse, Shang Shan started, “How about I figh—”

“I’ll cover it.” Jiang Yuanqi pulled out his pouch. “Boss, trouble you to deliver. One coffin, please.”

A hefty sum changed hands. The boss directed the youths to fetch it. Wheeled in on a cart: exquisitely carved, glossy finish, hefty and pristine.

Address given, boss noted, “Oh, her.”

Shang Shan asked, “You know her?”

“Nah, but blind eyes groping for the coffin? Pitiful sight.” He refunded some coin. “She’s pitiable, you’re good sorts—discount.”

Jiang Yuanqi praised, “Boss, your heart’s in the right place.”

Boss puffed his pipe, waved it off. Youths hauled the cart ahead.

Shang Shan whispered admiringly, “You’re great. Boss too.”

Jiang Yuanqi’s eyes crinkled in a grin. “Miss Shang’s the kindest. You inspired me to do good.”

Mu Qian Tan trailed behind, rolling her eyes at the budding male-female protagonist romance. Obvious sweet-talk—the brain-damaged dragon couldn’t see through it?

Shang Shan beamed. “Really? Wonderful—one more good person in the world is always great.”

Mu Qian Tan: “…”

At the old lady’s door, the coffin unloaded. Youths waited with the cart. Old man peeked in, spied the wretched corpse, drew deep on his pipe, exhaled slow, tucked it away, and rolled up sleeves to lift.

Old lady snapped from her daze at the movement, shielding the body in panic. “Who? Who’s there?”

Old man tilted his head, spat smoke, slid hands beneath. “Time for burial, old timer. No more grief. Aiyo, rotted to hell…”

Shang Shan coaxed, “Grandma, can’t leave your son like this. This coffin… cough cough… was ready-made, no plaque wait.” Lying stuck in her throat; she glossed over. “Bury him now.”

Old lady turned, saw the upright coffin on the cart, jolted awake. Son’s death—final. Unbearable agony surged; she wailed, “Immortals! Save my boy! He can’t die like this—no, he… ah!”

Old man sympathized, craved a smoke but eyed the girl and refrained.

Desperate, she clutched Mu Qian Tan’s skirt—sensing the silent woman’s supremacy—begging piteously.

Mu Qian Tan tilted her head slightly, regarding the weeping elder gripping her hem.

After a beat, she knelt gracefully, took the old woman’s hand tenderly, guided it to the corpse’s chest. “Feel.”

Bewildered amid tears, the old lady obeyed. Mu Qian Tan shifted it to the face, toneless. “No heartbeat. No breath. Your son’s gone—cold. Begging won’t help. Understand?”

Soft as a dream murmur, the plain truth hammered home. The old lady’s sobs cut off; she sat stunned.

Unsettled, Shang Shan tugged the woman’s sleeve. “Master, don’t…”

Mu Qian Tan brushed her off, told the old man, “Bury him.”

Never seen the like in his years, the old man gaped, then stirred.

Youths pried open the coffin outside. Old man and Jiang Yuanqi hefted the body in, sealed it. Carted to the outskirts, good feng shui plot dug, interred. Paper money burned, offerings laid—dusk fallen.

Post-burial, old lady wandered soulless, gaze vacant, body rigid, mute.

Fearing the worst, Shang Shan scrambled for words, burst out, “Old lady, stay strong! When we nab your son’s killer, you’ll identify her!”

Color returned faintly. “Thank you… thank you all… My boy’s lucky you saw him off…”

Old man eyed the sky uneasily. “Getting dark. Best head out, all of you.”

He said that, then recalled the old lady’s dilapidated house on the verge of collapse and asked, “Is this old lady living alone? If you don’t mind, why not come stay at my coffin shop? More people means safer.”

The old lady hesitated. Shang Shan said, “Yes, yes! More people is safer, Grandma. Go ahead. I’ll catch that ghost for you later.”

Hearing this, the old lady finally agreed. The three escorted them back to the coffin shop, then laboriously found a restaurant for a meal. Only then did night fully fall.

The main street stood empty, eerily silent. Only the lanterns and the talisman papers on the walls swayed in the wind, lending an air of the uncanny.

The three walked down the long street without encountering any strange figures. Jiang Yuanqi said, “East City isn’t small. It’s hard to just run into it like this. Better to lure it out.”

Shang Shan asked, “How?”

Jiang Yuanqi replied, “If it’s a vicious ghost, it craves blood qi the most. If it’s a person, it’ll react to noise. We let out some blood scent, make a bit more racket while walking around, and maybe we can draw it over.”

After thinking it over, Shang Shan said, “That’s simple. Do you have a knife? Lend it to me. I’ll just cut my hand and drip some blood.”

“That doesn’t seem right.” Even as he said it wasn’t right on his lips, Jiang Yuanqi still pulled out an exquisite little dagger and was about to hand it over when Mu Qian Tan grabbed his wrist. Her expression was cold. “You buy him a coffin, say a few nice words, and he’s grateful enough to bleed for you?”

She had read the original story in bits and pieces, grasping only the framework and key plot points. She’d skipped or skimmed the romantic developments entirely, so she had no idea how these two ended up together.

She’d originally thought they took the pure youth mutual-heart-touching route. But from what she saw now, it was just one-sided self-righteous lecturing and sweet-talking.

Buying a coffin was some huge favor? A few compliments and he was over the moon? That Brain-Damaged Dragon wouldn’t slowly build up affection from such petty kindnesses, would she?

If so, she’d be pretty pathetic.

Mu Qian Tan hadn’t wanted to interfere, but she couldn’t stand it and had to speak up. Her words were directed at Shang Shan, but her gaze fixed on Jiang Yuanqi without any politeness. Shang Shan said, “Huh? I don’t have any issue. I just want to catch that guy sooner.”

Mu Qian Tan replied, “Someone dangles a fishing hook, and you bite right away. Why doesn’t the one saying it bleed himself?”

Shang Shan said, “Doesn’t matter who. It’s just one cut either way.”

Mu Qian Tan said, “Exactly, it can be anyone. Can’t you find a chicken? Idiot.”

Shang Shan fell silent for a moment before saying, “Oh, right. But where do we find a chicken around here?”

Not even a chicken feather could be found on this empty street.

Mu Qian Tan frowned and shot her a look. “Didn’t the dinner place we just ate at have some? Do I have to spell it out? Your brain doesn’t even turn. No wonder you’re getting duped.”

Scolded until she couldn’t lift her head, Shang Shan hurriedly said, “Got it, got it. Don’t say any more. I’ll go borrow one right now.”

Jiang Yuanqi was still smiling. “Yao’e Immortal seems to have some grievances with me.”

Mu Qian Tan met his gaze. “My little disciple is inexperienced in the world, hasn’t seen much of people, naive to the point of stupidity. What’s wrong with me teaching her a lesson?”

Jiang Yuanqi shook his head. “Of course not. I just think it’s one thing for you to be cold to a stranger like me, but treating your own dear disciple this way is a bit hard to watch.”

Mu Qian Tan said, “If you can’t stand watching, then don’t. Get lost.”

Ever since they met the Male Protagonist, Li Biyuan had kept quiet on her own to avoid any more embarrassment from being overheard. But at this point, she had no choice but to speak up, her voice pitifully small. “Sister Tan, Sister Tan, they’re a little couple nurturing their feelings. Don’t chase the Male Protagonist away…”

Before she finished, a sudden ding-ling rang out from the end of the long street. Someone was coming.