Adrian treated Uncle Tian with unusual respect—not because of seniority, but because this old man was none other than the Tianshu of the Liyue Qixing .
And on top of that, his daughter Lynn served as a secretary in Yujing Terrace—one of Liyue's true power centers.
If Adrian wanted to swim comfortably in Liyue's deep waters of connections and politics, he had no choice but to maintain good relations.
At that thought, he suddenly remembered another senior martial sister of his—an official of even higher rank.
She's always running around like a fool, busy from dawn till dusk, so busy she doesn't even have time to see me.
But one day, once I become her grandmaster, I'll definitely make her my secretary.
Then… she'll handle things when there are things, and when there aren't…
A filthy grin crept up from the corner of his lips.
" Uncle Adrian? "
A simple, honest-sounding voice suddenly called from behind.
Adrian turned around—and there stood Chongyun , someone he hadn't seen in quite a while.
Adrian gave him a warm smile, gentle as early spring sunlight.
"Chongyun? Quite a coincidence. I was just about to look for you."
Chongyun tilted his head, confused.
" For what, Uncle Adrian? "
Adrian replied cheerfully,
"It's like this. Tomorrow I need to conduct a funeral. The deceased has no descendants, so I want you to act as a temporary mourner. I'll give you a ten-thousand Mora red envelope afterward."
Chongyun hesitated, looking troubled.
"Uncle Adrian… tomorrow might not work. Xingqiu already asked me to go to the bookstore with him."
At this, Adrian immediately put on the stern face of an elder.
"Chongyun, let me tell you something as your senior. Xingqiu isn't like you. He's a rich young master—everything is prepared for him."
"But you're different. Your family's finances are very tight. Your mother even turned white-haired from the stress.
And you still have the leisure to run around with him every day?"
Chongyun scratched his head, embarrassed.
"Uncle Adrian… My mother's hair has been white since birth. It's hereditary, not from overworking…"
Adrian froze for a full second, then coughed lightly and forced himself to remain dignified.
"Ahem… details, details. The important thing is—your mother works hard every single day for the family. A son must honor his parents while they are still here. "
Chongyun's expression softened with shame.
"Uncle Adrian… I understand. I'll help tomorrow."
"That's more like it." Adrian nodded with satisfaction.
"A man should be the pillar of the family. And I won't shortchange you. Tomorrow's red envelope will be twenty thousand Mora."
Chongyun's eyes widened in gratitude.
"Thank you, Uncle Adrian! You're the best!"
After sending the boy off, Adrian bought some vegetables from a stall and returned to his shop.
The moment he arrived, he plunged into preparations.
The next morning
Before dawn, when the sky was still pale with the faintest gray, Adrian was already awake.
He dragged out the stupid mule named Strategy and began loading all funeral supplies onto the cart.
Wreaths, paper offerings, ceremonial tools… the cart was piled so high it looked ready to topple.
Once everything was ready, he walked to Shenhe's door.
He knocked softly.
" Senior Sister. "
The door slowly opened to reveal Shenhe—cold, ethereal, breathtaking in a simple white dress. Like a celestial maiden descended from the moon.
"Senior Sister," Adrian said warmly, "today we need to handle Lord Grant's funeral. There's a lot to do—I'll need your help."
Shenhe merely nodded.
Adrian smiled. "Thank you, Senior Sister."
He turned to leave—
But Shenhe's cool voice drifted behind him:
" Junior Brother… don't thank me again. "
Adrian froze. Slowly turned back.
And looked at her.
His gaze held something different—something that made Shenhe's heartbeat quicken.
Flustered, she shut the door at once, leaned against it, took several deep breaths, and barely calmed herself.
Adrian, on the other hand, hummed a cheerful tune all the way as he pulled the mule cart alongside Shenhe toward Lord Grant's estate.
Hu Tao and Zhongli were already waiting there.
Hu Tao, mischievous as always.
Zhongli, steady as a mountain.
"Let's move," Adrian said simply.
They began unloading items and then initiated the formal procedures—setting up the mourning hall, dressing the deceased, and performing the encoffining rites.
Zhongli watched Adrian carefully.
This young man… is far too skilled.
Each movement was practiced and perfect—gentle, respectful, precise.
Under Adrian's expert hands, the painful stiffness on Lord Grant's face faded into serene peace.
Even Hu Tao, who openly despised Adrian's personality, found herself quietly impressed.
By noon, sunlight filled every corner of the estate when Uncle Tian arrived with ten elderly ritual performers.
Thin, tired, weathered by life.
Adrian donned a pristine white ceremonial robe.
Snow-white, solemn, making him seem more dignified than any mortal priest.
Uncle Tian and the elders changed into white daoist garments.
Adrian led them as they began chanting the Deliverance Sutra .
The deep, resonant voices drifted through the hall—
crossing the boundary between life and death,
guiding the wandering soul toward peace.