Chapter 11

"Composing your own music isn't scary, but damn, listen to what kind of tunes he's been making?"

"'Grand Funeral Procession,' 'Wailing Through the Five Watches,' 'A Safe Road Westward'… Holy crap! Are these tunes meant for the living?"

"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap! Why couldn't he write something else? Why this underworld stuff?"

"By all rights, I'm my brother's die-hard fan and should unconditionally support all his work, but 'Grand Funeral Procession'… how the hell am I supposed to support that?"

"Just hearing the names of these tunes makes me want to cry, but why is it that watching Su Meng count them, I actually feel a little like laughing?"

"To match the mood, should I grab a piece of white cloth and drape it over myself?"

"Play one! Su Meng, play one! Don't just talk the talk."

……

In a household in Baishi Village, a mourning hall had already been set up.

Elegies hung outside the main gate, and many wreaths were placed at the doorway.

Quite a few people were coming and going, all dressed in mourning hemp and white.

One look and you could tell this family was holding a funeral.

Several middle-aged men in mourning attire stood at the door; whenever they saw someone approach, they hurried over to kowtow and welcome the guests.

These were the hosts of this funeral.

On the open ground at the main gate, two Eight Immortal tables were set up on the left and right, with a few people seated around them.

Each person held their instrument in hand.

Suona, sheng, gongs and drums, clappers, cymbals… everything was there.

Beside the table on the left, a suona player was playing with great gusto.

With his shirt half-unbuttoned, one foot propped on a long bench, cheeks puffed out as he blew the suona with all his might.

The bright, piercing suona could be heard across half the village.

When the piece ended, he wiped his sweat, picked up the big bowl on the table, and gulped down a whole bowl of water.

Only then did he catch his breath and say helplessly.

"Why hasn't Fifth Brother come back yet?"

"Skill-wise, I'm not afraid of the opposing Li Family Troupe, but how am I supposed to compete against them with just one suona?"

Yes, the two suona troupes had now entered the PK stage.

On the other table, two suona players were playing with great gusto.

The two suonas sometimes answered each other, one leading and one following, and sometimes merged into one.

Whether in momentum or volume, they firmly held the upper hand over the Wang Family Troupe—no wonder the Wang Family's suona player was feeling frustrated.

He muttered a few words, then picked up his horn again, just about to keep playing.

Suddenly his eyes lit up and he said joyfully.

"He's back, Fifth Brother's back!"

The others at the table looked in the direction of the sound and saw a minivan come to a steady stop nearby.

Wang Laowu jumped out of the car and eagerly led two people over.

The suona player said loudly.

"Fifth Brother, you're finally back. You got the suona, right?"

"Hurry up, the two of us will team up and take those guys down!"

Wang Laowu glared at him, then turned and said to Su Meng with a smile.

"Master Su, this is where today's job is."

"Would you like to rest for a bit first?"

At this moment, Su Meng was looking around with a face full of curiosity.

This was the first time since arriving in this world that he had seen someone holding a funeral.

But after a few glances, he noticed the customs were the same as in many places in his previous life, so he paid it no more mind.

"Troupe leader, no need for rest."

"But I don't know the usual tunes you all play—I can only play the ones I composed myself."

"How about you let the brothers rest a bit while I give the gongs, drums, clappers, and cymbals a few instructions?"

Wang Laowu nodded, just about to speak.

That suona player cut in directly.

"Fifth Brother, who is this? What instructions?"

Wang Laowu waved his hand, signaling the others to stop what they were doing, then introduced.

"This is a master suona player I specially invited. Just call him Master Su."

"Today's suona work will be led by him—you all follow his arrangements."

Huh? His words left the others stunned.

That suona player looked at Su Meng and asked, frowning.

"Fifth Brother, where did you find such a young whippersnapper?"

"These days, are there still young people willing to take funeral jobs?"

Wang Laowu was about to speak, but was cut off by Su Meng waving his hand.

He looked at the others and chuckled.

"You never know a horse until you take it out for a run."

"How about this—you all back me up, and I'll play a piece first?"

……

The new book sets sail; I kneel and beg for all kinds of data!