Chapter Ten: The Funeral

The death of Johnson stirred little reaction among high society. News of his strange illness had long been circulating, and with Tia, the widely acknowledged “dutiful daughter,” publicly declaring, “My father died suddenly of illness,” everything seemed perfectly natural, arousing no suspicion.

Johnson’s close acquaintances among the elite drove over in droves, volunteering to assist with the funeral arrangements. The mundane tasks—ordering the coffin, organizing the rites, purchasing the burial plot—were not for Tia to worry about. Her only duty was to sit by the bedside, maintain the redness around her eyes from mourning, and present herself as the lost, bereaved daughter—fulfilling her role flawlessly.

In the master bedroom, Johnson’s body lay quietly on the bed, his face serene, as if merely asleep. Tia stayed alone, apparently in contemplation of her father, but her mind focused entirely on the peculiar spiritual pressure lingering at her neck. She quietly pondered; it must be some martial technique.

Just then, a commotion rose from the living room outside. Someone exclaimed in surprise, “Lady Rain, is it really you? Why are you here?”

“I was a friend of Mr. Johnson. Upon hearing of his passing, I came to see if I could be of any help,” came a voice, gentle as jade, tinged with sorrow and concern. To Tia, this voice was all too familiar. Her spirit lifted, a flicker of hope shining in her eyes—perhaps there was finally a way to dispel the spiritual pressure at her throat!

Swiftly, Tia pulled out a hair tie and gathered her shoulder-length golden locks into a neat, sleek ponytail, exposing her swan-like neck. She hoped Lady Rain would instantly see through her predicament and help her resolve this thorny issue.

...

In the living room, the previously busy guests paused their tasks and clustered around Luo Lingxi. To them, the funeral was little more than a grand social event; expecting them to grieve Johnson’s death was nearly impossible.

“Lady Rain, it’s wonderful that you could come!”

“Mr. Johnson’s spirit must be comforted by your presence.”

Their words tumbled over each other, voices mingling flattery and ingratiation. Luo Lingxi responded casually, her mind only wishing to hurry inside and comfort the “poor child,” Tia.

Though not officially teacher and disciple, they shared such a bond in practice. Over the years, Luo Lingxi had secretly tutored Tia. This secrecy was mandated by the Summer Nation’s regulations: children with spiritual power must first attend the government-run Spiritual Arts Academy, only allowed to join sects or official organizations like the Six Gates or Brocade Guard for internships after the twelfth grade.

Thus, Luo Lingxi dared not openly reveal any connection with Tia. Most wealthy families did the same, but such matters could never be made public.

...

Luo Lingxi walked to the bedroom door, where someone eagerly twisted the knob for her, calling inside, “Tia, come greet Sister Luo—she was your father’s friend!”

“Sister Luo...” Tia looked up, her eyes rimmed with red, emerald green irises threaded with faint blood. Luo Lingxi’s gaze softened with pity, and she hurried forward to gently embrace Tia. “Good child, don’t be too sad. Life and death are fate; I believe Mr. Johnson’s spirit wishes for you to live happily.”

“Mm...” Tia’s voice was muffled, her heart sinking. Luo Lingxi had not noticed the spiritual pressure entwining her neck.

This meant the head of Azure Cloud Sect was stronger than Luo Lingxi.

Tia’s mind spun in confusion—where had that person come from? After all, Luo Lingxi before her was a prodigy from the renowned Purple Sky Sword Sect in Shanghai, famed for her talent and dominance among her peers. At twenty-three, she had advanced to the ninth rank of Spiritual Master. Her claim to fame was single-handedly repelling a two-tailed monster that crossed realms to attack, earning her the title “Lady Rain.”

Yet, even such a formidable figure could not sense the anomaly at Tia’s neck.

Thinking of Jade Capital’s warning, Tia had to suppress any unnecessary thoughts.

...

On October 13th, Johnson was buried. The guests toasted and laughed, carrying on as if at a lively wedding rather than a funeral. After the feast, everyone cheerfully departed.

The mourning hall’s decorations had yet to be dismantled; white drapes fluttered gently in the breeze. Tia, clad in pristine white mourning garb, her figure accentuating the outfit, her waist and hips so striking as to turn heads. That old saying, “Mourning brings beauty,” rang true in her case.

She inherited all of Johnson’s estate, yet felt no joy. Jade Capital’s spiritual pressure hovered over her like a death scythe, ever poised at her neck, making even sleep uneasy.

Tomorrow was the final deadline, and she still had no solution. Could it be she would have to submit to that person’s will?

Tia’s eyes narrowed, her expression tinged with hesitation.

“Tia, you must look forward,” came a familiar voice from behind. Luo Lingxi had quietly returned, gently resting a hand on her shoulder. “I intend to nominate you to the sect master for exceptional admission to Purple Sky Sword Sect.”

This year, the sects recruited interns on October 9th, but after that date, special admissions remained possible for students who missed registration for unique reasons. For example, Tia had missed registration because Johnson was bedridden, and she stayed to care for him.

Tia turned around, her pale cheeks showing deep guilt. She murmured, “I’m sorry, Sister Luo—I fear I can’t join Purple Sky Sword Sect. My father’s last wish was for me to enter Azure Cloud Sect.”

“?”

A look of bewilderment crossed Luo Lingxi’s refined features. She racked her brain but could not recall which sect Azure Cloud was, nor comprehend why Johnson had suddenly changed his mind.

Luo Lingxi had agreed to secretly tutor Tia only because they had planned for Tia to join Purple Sky Sword Sect after her internship. Now, with Johnson’s sudden change of heart, Luo Lingxi felt both confused and angry.

“Tia, you’re grown now; some things you must decide for yourself.” Luo Lingxi’s tone grew urgent. “Purple Sky Sword Sect is a famous sect in Shanghai, offering you more resources and better education. If you join Azure Cloud, I won’t be able to continue teaching you.”

“I’m sorry. It was my father’s last request—I do not wish to disobey.”

Tia’s gaze dropped, her sorrow so deep that Luo Lingxi could not argue further.

In her heart, Luo Lingxi blamed Johnson: Why on earth did he suddenly change his mind?

“Well, I hope you won’t regret it.” Luo Lingxi sighed and refrained from persuading her further.

She resolved to investigate just what kind of sect Azure Cloud was, that it could make Johnson forsake Purple Sky Sword Sect.