As Mr. Wang saw the woman descend from upstairs, he leaned close to Zhou Huan’s ear and whispered, “That is Old Man Sun’s daughter. Her name is Xiang Jiao. Now that Old Man Sun is dead, everything here falls under her jurisdiction.”

Zhou Huan’s eyebrows lifted ever so slightly. “Old Man Sun was so thin; how could his daughter be…” He paused. “And what kind of name is Xiang Jiao?”

Dong Zi let out a burst of laughter beside them, but a look from Zhou Huan instantly suppressed Dong Zi’s impulse to speak further.

“Ah, genetics, never mind that. She’s coming toward us now,” Mr. Wang cut off his words.

Old Man Sun’s daughter approached Zhou Huan slowly. The handkerchief in her hand fluttered alluringly before his eyes, making Zhou Huan feel an involuntary urge to gag. At that moment, Dong Zi had already turned away and squatted down nearby.

“Master Zhou, let’s postpone my father’s salvation ritual for a moment. I think we should select the burial plot for the elder first,” Xiang Jiao pleaded with Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan offered a faint smile. “That’s no problem. I can certainly choose a burial site for Mr. Sun first, but…”

“But what?” Xiang Jiao stifled her tears and looked at Zhou Huan with grave seriousness. “Don’t worry about the money. Our Sun family absolutely will not offer less than anyone else. We know you are a master craftsman; select the location for my father, and the deposit will be wired to your account tonight.”

Hearing Xiang Jiao’s words, Zhou Huan quickly waved his hands in refusal. “Sister, I think you’ve misunderstood. I’m not asking for money. I just wanted to ask if Old Man Sun had any dying wishes. If he did, please tell me every single one.”

“He did. His only wish in life was to have a ‘Washing of the Golden Basin’ ceremony performed for him. He never wanted to step foot into the underworld business again. Now that he’s dead, what do you suggest we do?”

“Are there any other wishes?” Zhou Huan immediately pressed Xiang Jiao.

“No. The only other wish is mine: I just want to find him a proper grave so he can rest peacefully.”

Zhou Huan felt a sense of futility. Everyone knew that letting the deceased rest in peace was the basic duty, and finding a good plot was inherent to the work of a Shoushi (Master of Longevity/Burial Arts). He felt Xiang Jiao’s words were utterly superfluous. Zhou Huan then stated, “We can certainly take care of these matters. As for the ‘Washing of the Golden Basin,’ we can handle that as well.”

“That’s good then. Let’s go choose the grave site now, see what you think?” As she spoke, Xiang Jiao beckoned to the people behind her. In moments, a group of people emerged. She then called out to the crowd, “Thank you all for coming to mourn my old man. If anyone else wishes to bid farewell, please continue. Host, proceed.”

The group she brought out then ushered Zhou Huan and his companions out of the villa, heading toward the mountain ranges in the suburbs.

Along the way, Zhou Huan explained to Xiang Jiao what kind of location should be chosen for Old Man Sun’s grave. “Sister, let me tell you, Old Man Sun’s placement has requirements. His ashes must be interred with the ashes of Old Master Sun. This was Old Master Sun’s demand, too. Otherwise, even if Old Man Sun reaches the underworld, his own grandfather will beat him to death.”

“Understood. I know what to do. Master Zhou, you decide on this matter,” Mr. Wang interjected from behind, effectively silencing Xiang Jiao this time.

After driving for a while, the cars entered the mountain cluster on the outskirts of Andong City. Here, mountains connected to mountains, filled with verdant scenery. In fact, many wealthy families often relocated their ancestral tombs here for burial because such places are rarely entered by the common folk. These locations are often fiercely contested by Feng Shui Masters—what we commonly refer to as Feng Shui treasures.

Zhou Huan searched everywhere for a suitable Feng Shui treasure, a place for the eternal rest of both Old Master Sun and Old Man Sun.

“Master, allow me to handle this. If I do anything incorrectly, you can guide me,” Shi Bingyuan volunteered, eager to regain some face in front of Zhou Huan and the others. Since he was the one who had chosen the plot for the old master previously, this was his chance to redeem his past errors.

Zhou Huan understood Shi Bingyuan’s intentions well and agreed. He then cautioned Shi Bingyuan, “Remember, check if the burial site has been disturbed. If it shows any signs of disruption, no one is allowed to set foot within a five-mile radius.”

Shi Bingyuan nodded repeatedly. Zhou Huan then closed his eyes, and Shi Bingyuan scouted the surroundings, looking for the right location for the interment.

The car drove deep into a large mountain gorge. The mountain here was a spur of the Changbai Mountains, and its name was Mount Dingxiang (Orientation Mountain). Ranges stretched for dozens of miles, and in the distance, the peaks met the horizon, clouds floating in between—a truly magnificent sight.

Shi Bingyuan called a halt to the vehicle and, taking Hong Kun with him, swiftly climbed onto a small mound. Standing there, he surveyed the massive mountain range. Finally, his gaze settled upon the highest peak, wreathed in white mist.

“Hong Kun, look there! The Black Tortoise in the north stands erect; the Green Dragon in the east, the White Tiger in the west, and the Vermillion Bird in the south—the four great mountains are arranged in perfect, logical order. Furthermore, their height and mass are perfectly balanced,” Shi Bingyuan explained his insights with palpable pride.

Hong Kun nodded repeatedly, expressing full agreement with Shi Bingyuan’s assessment. The two then quickly descended and returned to the car, describing the location they had observed to Zhou Huan. The convoy then proceeded further, driving right to the spot Shi Bingyuan had indicated. After entering the selected area, Shi Bingyuan got out first to search for the ‘Dragon’s Eye’ on the mountain.

“Master Zhou, aren’t you going to find some Dragon’s Eye or Phoenix’s Eye for our elder?” Xiang Jiao was quite diligent. Despite finding it a bit taxing to get out of the car, she did so to discuss matters with Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan chuckled. “This is serious business. You don’t need to search for any ‘Dragon’s Eyes’ here. You can bury them anywhere; as long as you like the spot, it will suffice for their resting place.”

“Really? Then let’s bury them in a lower spot, to save me from climbing a huge mountain later.” Due to her stout figure, Xiang Jiao had no choice but to make this request.

Shi Bingyuan circled the mountainside and finally set his sights on two towering, straight larches halfway up the slope. These were the two thickest and tallest trees in the entire forest. He then leaned toward Zhou Huan and whispered, “Master, look between those two trees; a burial site is perfectly feasible right there. This spot is precisely backed by the Black Tortoise and facing south toward the Vermillion Bird.”

Zhou Huan made no sound, simply nodding. “Fine. You arrange for the two elders to be interred there. But one thing: how they are buried, the positioning inside the coffin—you must master the timing and heat of the process. If any unusual situation arises, you must devise a unique solution.” After giving his instructions, Zhou Huan remembered something else. “Right, make sure you find out the birth dates and times—the Bazi—of both elders. Determine their elemental compatibility; the Five Elements must absolutely not clash. You must devise a way for them to nurture each other’s bones upon burial and pacify their souls. Also, Old Man Sun requested the ‘Washing of the Golden Basin.’ You must find a way to carry this out for him, so he truly washes his hands clean here.”

Shi Bingyuan led the group to the designated location. Beneath the trees, the earth was surprisingly level, as if it had been recently cleared. Shi Bingyuan squatted down, grabbed a handful of soil, rubbed it between his fingers, and exclaimed repeatedly, “Good soil! A holy ground for burial! This is the place!”

“Senior Brother, Master told us to figure out how to perform the Golden Basin ceremony for the elder—what about that?” Hong Kun asked Shi Bingyuan from the side.

Shi Bingyuan rested one hand on his chin, his mind whirring. He murmured lightly, “Hong Kun, help me think. Master is relying on us. We must succeed in this task, or I won’t be able to face Dong Zi later.”

“Hmm, how about this: we ask the family to prepare four golden basins, and we place these basins beneath the coffin. The ashes of the two elders should be placed at opposite ends of the coffin, with one golden basin situated right in the middle,” Hong Kun suggested, thinking that since they heard ‘golden basin,’ they must use them for the ceremony.

Shi Bingyuan considered this. “That won’t do. We need all four golden basins inside the coffin. Place the largest golden basin in the center, arranged in the shape of a plum blossom. This is called the ‘Plum Blossom Acupoint Sealing.’”

“Great idea! Let’s do that!” Hong Kun and Shi Bingyuan finalized their plan and immediately arranged for men to start digging the pit.

Zhou Huan, with Xiang Jiao struggling behind him, made his way toward Shi Bingyuan and his companion. After inspecting the area beneath the trees, Zhou Huan asked Shi Bingyuan, “How did you two design the arrangement?”

Shi Bingyuan explained the method they had just settled on. Zhou Huan added, “Both elders’ destinies are of the Wood element, but one is Yin Wood, and the other is Yang Wood from the forest. You figure out the alignment. I’m going back to prepare to bring out Old Master Sun. You start preparations here.”

With that, Zhou Huan took Li Tianxiong and Dong Zi and drove away.

Shi Bingyuan then drew a plum blossom pattern on the ground and instructed the diggers to excavate according to the design.

The pit diggers were remarkably swift. In less than an hour, a perfectly shaped plum blossom pit was completed.

By this time, Zhou Huan had returned to Fushou Hall. With a few incantations, he summoned Old Master Sun. As soon as the elder appeared, he grumbled, “For you, Zhou Huan, a master of your caliber, to summon me with just a few chants! The food on my table has been set out for days; I finished it long ago, and you haven’t bothered to replace it.”

The old man’s constant complaining annoyed Zhou Huan greatly. He formed a hand seal and pushed the old man right back into his pile of bones. “Elder, it’s not that I don’t want you to be comfortable before burial, but your mouth talks too much. I can’t stand it. You’ll have to bear with the jostling on the journey for now.”

“I was wrong! Please let me out, I promise I won’t talk anymore,” Old Master Sun surrendered quite quickly, immediately laying down his arms.

Zhou Huan paid him no mind, tossing the bones into his bag and turning to leave for Old Man Sun’s villa. The mourners were still gathered there. With Xiang Jiao’s permission, Zhou Huan took Old Man Sun’s ashes. He then told Xiang Jiao, “I’m heading to the burial site now to prepare the coffin. But there is one condition: you must find four strong males from your family by nine tomorrow morning to carry the coffin. Otherwise, if your father causes trouble, you will be the first to suffer.”

“Oh, that’s easy. We already contacted several vigorous young men from the Wufu area a few days ago,” Xiang Jiao replied lightly, though a faint trace of hidden meaning flickered in her eyes.