Chapter 56: Utmost Purity and Goodness

Hensheng was indeed feeling somewhat resentful; every event he encountered on his escape felt like a mountain pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

But now, after hearing what Su Zhenzhen said, it was as if a light had been lit on the uncertain road ahead. The road was long and the end could not be seen, but it was full of hope.

"Miss Su, don't worry, I will definitely strive to improve myself." Hensheng looked at Su Zhenzhen with a determined expression.

Su Zhenzhen smiled and didn't say anything more.

The next morning, the incense and candles were given as a reward.

Hensheng carried his things, intending to ask someone where the loyal martyrs were buried.

These veterans were all poor people before they joined the army, and they would get up and work as soon as it was light.

Someone noticed that Hensheng was up so early and greeted him, "You're up so early too?"

Hensheng smiled and nodded, "I asked the underworld officials to get me some incense and candles. May I ask where those who have passed away are buried? I would like to go and pay my respects."

The men looked at each other, speechless with shock. In the end, they took Hensheng to the back mountain to pay their respects.

Huzhou is rich in resources, and these veterans have managed to make a living by hunting in the mountains and cultivating some small plots of land over the years.

However, since they mostly live in the mountains, they don't follow the proper funeral customs. The main problem is that even if they did, they wouldn't have any knowledgeable funeral masters.

Several mounds of earth joined together, and a large stone tablet stood there.

"Don't laugh at me. Everyone wanted the brothers to have coffins, but none of us knew how to carpent. The coffins we made were not only ugly but also prone to leaking, so we buried them one by one. It's the same with the stone tablet. We didn't have enough stones, and we couldn't carve it evenly, so we simply erected a tablet and engraved the name of whoever passed away on it."

Hensheng didn't speak, but walked step by step to the stone tablet, took out incense and paper money and began to burn them.

Ms. Su said this thing is called a lighter, and she even demonstrated how to use it. It is indeed quite easy to use; a gentle press and the flame comes out.

Incense and paper money burned, and ash and smoke swirled.

When Su Zhenzhen came over, most of these veterans had already arrived at the back of the mountain.

In order to reduce the consumption of mental energy, Su Zhenzhen really did not want to release General Huo during the day.

But considering that everyone here probably wanted to see him more, he gritted his teeth and ultimately decided not to take General Huo back.

That's why Su Zhenzhen came out late.

If it's not late, you won't be able to see what's behind you.

Here, men in their forties are the first to get up, while the elderly and teenagers sleep as much as they can.

The news that several men had taken Hensheng to the back mountain to pay respects spread like wildfire throughout the mountains. The old people, regardless of whether they were still awake or not, dressed and slowly made their way to the back mountain with their canes.

The boys, barely out of bed, were also pulled out of their blankets by their mothers.

Su Zhenzhen glanced at the time in the live stream; it was only 6:30, and the geniuses here were just beginning to awaken.

The boys, though woken up, didn't complain. They put on their shoes and went outside, even helping an elderly man with mobility issues along the way.

The women went to the stove to start a fire and lit torches, and then followed behind.

Su Zhenzhen simply took out her flashlight. With the bright light, even the water droplets seeping out of the mountain path could be clearly seen.

Everyone stopped in their tracks, letting the human and the ghost go first.

"Greetings, General. This is the messenger of the underworld."

The veterans greeted General Huo and Su Zhenzhen one by one.

Su Zhenzhen walked slowly on the slightly damp ground. By the time she reached the back mountain, the incense and paper money had already burned out.

The ashes swirled in the air, lingering for a long time.

Hensheng knelt down solemnly, and at that moment everyone had gathered there.

"My esteemed souls, in your lives you defended the borders of the Jiang Dynasty, never complaining of the hardships of swords and spears, believing you could bring peace to the world with your own lives. Who knew that the emperor was immoral, and the capital fell? You, these fine men, were forced to live in seclusion in the mountains. You were filled with glory, yet you received no dignified honor in your final moments. Today, I, Jiang Ruheng, on behalf of the Jiang Dynasty, apologize to you, these loyal ministers and generals. We have failed to live up to your unwavering loyalty."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hensheng kowtowed to the ground.

"boom--"

In an instant, Su Zhenzhen heard the sound of the dragon soul soaring into the sky.

This land is radiant with golden light and teeming with life; something is quietly spreading.

General Huo clearly sensed it too, saying, "This place will be a blessed land from now on."

There are loyal and virtuous people buried here, and even the emperor bowing in reverence.

These veterans, including young boys and women, all knelt down without prior arrangement.

Hensheng straightened up and respectfully placed the three lit incense sticks in the ground in front of the stone tablet.

The incense burned extremely fast, and soon it was all gone, as if many people were vying to enjoy it.

General Huo looked at Su Zhenzhen, but had not yet spoken.

Su Zhenzhen knew what he was going to say. "No need to think about it. They've already been reincarnated. There are no karmic ties. They enter the cycle of reincarnation immediately upon death, and no one can escape it."

Hensheng stood up and saw a group of people kneeling behind him. He quickly went forward to help them up one by one.

What are you doing? Get up!

The people in front got up with Hensheng's help, and the people behind them also got up when they saw this.

This kneeling was not to the so-called monarch, but to someone who had no connection to the royal family and was willing to kneel to a commoner who had already died.

Anyone with eyes could see that when he was born, during the siege of Kyoto and the subsequent puppet emperor's sue for peace, he was just a baby and couldn't do anything.

But now he is willing to treat people with such sincerity.

The one-eyed old man also came over. He was used to sleeping in trees like a monkey and hadn't come into the house last night.

"Old buddies, given the current situation, you should think it over yourselves. Do you want to stay in these mountains and live out your lives, or go out and restore the glory of the Huo family army? You should all figure it out yourselves."

After saying that, the one-eyed old man climbed down the mountain like a monkey.

You know what, even though he walks slowly, he climbs fast.

The veterans remained silent and began their own tasks as they descended the mountain.

Hensheng hesitated, "Miss Su, should we set off back? Let's see if there's any other way?"

Su Zhenzhen was surprised that this guy actually wanted to come here to pay his respects, and she looked Hensheng up and down in disbelief.

Feeling a little embarrassed by being stared at, Hensheng asked, "Miss Su, is there something on me? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Su Zhenzhen stroked her chin, her expression quite intriguing, "You've broadened my horizons. You truly are a kind and gentle person."

Hensheng naturally understood the meaning behind those words, and smiled shyly. "Miss Su, as you can see, these people have been living peacefully in these deep mountains for twenty years. Some are very old, and some have married and had children. I don't want to destroy this peace. Rather than asking them to come out of the mountains, I would prefer to negotiate with Chunzhi. Doesn't she still have a private army under her command?"