Hu Tao stood off to the side, her expression complicated as she stared at Adrian, whose ritual Dharma form looked solemn and dignified.
Though she had always taken pride in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's ceremonies, she had to admit—what Adrian conducted today, whether in solemnity or atmosphere, had already surpassed every traditional rite Wangsheng had ever performed.
Zhongli, meanwhile, had completely immersed himself in the scripture Adrian was chanting.
As the cadence flowed gently through the hall, he felt more and more that these verses were truly profound.
Each word, each line, felt like a crystallized truth refined by time itself, filled with deep insights on life and death.
And yet, a doubt rose faintly in his heart.
He had never heard that Cloud Retainer—Adrian's master—had written scriptures like this.
Could these… be Adrian's own creation?
The moment the thought surfaced, even Zhongli found it almost unbelievable.
Adrian was only in his early twenties. How could someone so young create scriptures of such subtlety and depth?
The wisdom, experience, and understanding of the Dao required to compose these verses were far beyond what someone of Adrian's age should possess.
Yet the evidence stood plainly before his eyes.
Adrian truly was a once-in-a-generation talent with extraordinary insight.
The only pity was that his cultivation aptitude was so poor.
Zhongli couldn't help sighing internally at the waste.
Before long, Lord Grant's acquaintances began arriving to pay respects.
Some looked rushed, others indifferent.
Most simply walked in, glanced at the coffin, and turned to leave. Not a single one even bothered to offer condolence money.
Adrian observed all of this quietly, unable to stop himself from complaining inwardly about the deceased's terrible interpersonal relationships.
Still, it was understandable. When one had a flirtatious, trouble-magnet of a young wife… who had the time to maintain friendships?
Once he finished reciting the Scripture of Deliverance, Chongyun arrived as well.
Adrian dressed him in white mourning clothes and placed him at the spirit hall to burn joss paper.
After a short break, Adrian gathered the elderly chanters and led them in reciting the "Supreme Lingbao Scripture of Deliverance from the Five Sufferings of the Three Paths."
Melodious chanting once again filled the entire hall.
Zhongli listened intently, impressed beyond measure by the even more esoteric scripture.
Only when the sun sank fully below the horizon did the chanting finally come to an end.
Adrian rose slowly, his expression solemn and devout.
He stepped toward the incense burner, picked up three sticks of incense, lit them with a candle flame, and placed them upright in the burner.
The rising trail of blue smoke seemed like a bridge of communication between him and the deceased—carrying his respect and prayers into the night.
When the incense was in place, he led everyone in a deep bow before the deceased.
With this, the yin-yang ritual drew to a temporary close.
Adrian changed out of his ritual robes, then handed out red envelopes—10,000 Mora for each elderly scripture-reader, and 50,000 Mora for Uncle Tian.
He personally escorted Uncle Tian and the elders to the gate of the estate.
Just as he sent them off, he noticed Xinyan walking toward the entrance, guitar slung across her back, steps light and energetic.
Adrian looked at her in confusion.
"Xinyan, didn't I tell you to come after eight tonight? Why are you here so early?"
Xinyan scratched her head sheepishly.
"I didn't have much going on today, so I thought I'd come check out the venue, get familiar with the place. Didn't expect to show up too early. I didn't bother you, did I?"
Adrian checked the time.
"Since you're here, just stay for dinner."
Xinyan waved her hands quickly.
"No, no, I already ate! I'm totally not hungry. Don't worry about me, I can just wait outside!"
Adrian glanced at her notably flat stomach and chuckled.
"Eat a little anyway. We're staying up all night."
After a moment of hesitation, Xinyan nodded.
"All right… since you put it that way, I'll eat just a little."
Soon, dinner arrived—personally delivered by Xiangling from Wanmin Restaurant.
When they opened the boxes, a full spread was revealed: ten dishes and one soup, all fragrant, colorful, and steaming hot.
Hu Tao's eyes instantly lit up.
She elbowed Adrian.
"Hey, you little bastard Adrian—what's gotten into you today? Did you hit your head or something? Why're you suddenly so generous? You're never this lavish!"
Adrian shot her a look.
"Hmph. I'm always generous. And enough nonsense—eat quickly. We still have important things to do later."
Hu Tao snorted, then immediately began devouring the food with zero dignity.
The others followed suit, and in no time the table was swept clean, leaving only empty containers behind.
After dinner, Adrian put on his white ritual robes again.
Moonlight spilled across him like flowing water, making him appear like an immortal untouched by the mortal world as he stood before the deceased, reciting the "Scripture of Resentment Dissolution and Deliverance."
It was a chant to dissolve grudges and cleanse karmic burdens.
Only when the moon climbed high—past the third watch—did the chanting finally come to a gentle halt.
Adrian bowed deeply before the deceased, lit three more sticks of incense, and placed them into the burner.
Then he turned toward Xinyan and gave her a small nod.
It was time for her performance outside the spirit hall—
"Death Rock."