Chapter 224: The Funeral

The faint light of early morning filtered through the thin mist, sprinkling over the tranquil earth. The air was permeated with the faint scent of incense, accompanied by the low tolling of bells from afar, creating a solemn yet peaceful atmosphere.

The funeral was held in a spacious hall. In the plaza outside the hall, people formed a long line; they were mainly members of the Scorpion Society, with a small handful being students and old acquaintances from when Gu Zongzhao served in the government, and every one of their faces was filled with sorrow and respect.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was solemn and quiet. Black curtains hung on the walls, and Gu Zongzhao's portrait was placed in the center, surrounded by fresh flowers and elegiac couplets; every bouquet and every piece of calligraphy carried people's deep longing for the deceased.

Below the portrait, Gu Zongzhao's remains were placed in an exquisite coffin. The coffin had not yet been closed, so those who came to pay their respects could still see the old man's final appearance.

The mourners walked slowly into the hall, their footsteps light and orderly, as if afraid to disturb the deceased's rest. Guided by the ceremonial staff, the guests bowed and offered flowers to the old man in turn, and some even whispered eulogies to express their grief.

As time passed, the number of people in the hall grew, but the order remained intact.

The people of the Scorpion Society were clearly stratified, all dressed in black, and under the positioning of several leading Elders, they stood in wave after wave.

These people had only come here because they received an invitation from Jiang Lan; most were not there to mourn with genuine sincerity.

Therefore, these people mostly just went through the motions before staying to the side, quietly waiting for Jiang Lan's next move.

As for Gu Zongzhao's students and former subordinates, some wept silently, while others spoke in low voices, recalling the bits and pieces of the old man's life and sharing their stories and his influence.

Even the children they brought, under the guidance of their parents, learned how to express their respect for the deceased.

But likewise, none of these people stayed long; after seeing him for the last time, they all departed.

Once the people were gone, any further pretense was meaningless.

Jiang Lan, in her capacity as a family member, bowed in return to every guest who came to mourn, silently watching as these people left, reluctant yet resolute.

She knew very well that once people left, the accounts were settled, and she would no longer have any intersection with these people.

These were all Gu Zongzhao's connections and energy, and from now on, they would have nothing to do with her.

The curtain had fallen on the old man's life, and she had also lost her most powerful backing and protection.

Jiang Lan's expression was desolate; she slowly raised her head to glance at Jiang Kui, who was a head taller than her, and not far away, her daughter Jiang Xiaoguo, who was being held by a servant.

Finally, she swept a glance at the members of the Scorpion Society, who were harboring ulterior motives, and she had a premonition that a bloody storm was about to follow.

Gu Zongzhao's sudden passing had disrupted her plans. She had originally thought that with Gu Lao presiding, even if Chen Che made big moves after joining the Scorpion Society, it would not affect the safety of her and her family.

But now the situation was different; she knew very well that without Gu Zongzhao's protection, few of these people in the Scorpion Society would follow her sincerely.

What's more, she still had to push someone who had previously caused the Scorpion Society to be investigated by the Inspection Division, leaving them with their Vital Energy severely damaged, into the position of leader.

This was almost a fantasy, but for the sake of Jiang Kui and her daughter Jiang Xiaoguo's future, she had no choice but to do so.

Now that Gu Zongzhao was gone, she had no choice but to bet everything on Chen Che.

Whether it was a desperate gamble or burning her bridges, even if it meant total destruction, she had to take this step, and she had to do this!

Gu Lao's students and others left one after another, and gradually only the members of the Scorpion Society remained in the hall; apart from Jiang Kui's faint, intermittent sobbing, no one spoke.

Bai Xiangjin stood in the crowd, silently observing Jiang Lan, calculating the plans in his own heart.

No one else came to mourn, yet Jiang Lan had no intention of leaving, nor did she give any further instructions; the people of the Scorpion Society all looked at each other, whispering, not knowing what to do.

"President, it is time; let the old man be laid to rest quickly."

One of the most senior Elders in the Scorpion Society stepped forward to persuade her.

Jiang Lan raised her eyes to look at the entrance of the hall and said, "There is still one last person."

As soon as she finished speaking, two people walked into the hall one after the other, and the person following behind shouted loudly, "Qibao Association, Chen Che has come to see off Elder Gu."

The people who arrived were none other than Chen Che and Shen Qi.

"Chen Che?!"

In the crowd, someone shouted in shock, and the originally quiet and solemn hall instantly became clamorous.

Clearly, the people of the Scorpion Society had not expected Chen Che to come today.

After all, Chen Che had previously used a Gambling Battle to trick the Scorpion Society, and everyone present had been affected to varying degrees, their interests greatly damaged.

It could be said that whether it was the Qibao Association or Chen Che, they were a thorn in the side of everyone in the Scorpion Society; there was no one who did not want to get rid of them quickly!

If it hadn't been for Jiang Lan speaking up back then, forbidding anyone from causing trouble for the Qibao Association, the Scorpion Society would likely have gone to war with the Qibao Association before Chen Che and the Huang Family started fighting.

Now, how could they not be shocked that Chen Che and Shen Qi had come to the funeral so brazenly?!

"How did you come here?!"

The most senior Elder, surnamed Hong, blocked Chen Che and glared at him, saying, "This is a funeral held by the Scorpion Society for Gu Lao; outsiders are not welcome!"

Hong Lao's voice was like a booming bell, his nostrils flared, looking furious.

The other members of the Scorpion Society also stepped forward at this moment, surrounding Chen Che and Shen Qi, all looking like they wanted to eat them alive.

Bai Xiangjin stood where he was, his expression ferocious; from the moment he saw Chen Che, he had wanted to bite through Chen Che's throat, but for the sake of the upcoming plan, he had to endure it!

"Hong Lao."

Jiang Lan stepped forward, stood beside Chen Che, and said, "I invited Mr. Chen; Gu Lao wanted to see him before he passed."

Hong Lao stared at Jiang Lan, his gaze deep, as if he had seen through Jiang Lan's thoughts, and he said angrily, "President, he is an enemy of the Scorpion Society!"

"Mr. Chen is my friend."

Jiang Lan replied with a firm, resonant voice.

Upon hearing this, all the members of the Scorpion Society present were shocked; they had not expected Jiang Lan to be friends with the Scorpion Society's enemy!

"Hong Lao, please step aside."

Jiang Lan spoke again, "Mr. Chen is here to pay his respects; in terms of both reason and emotion, we should not stop him, as that would also be disrespectful to Gu Lao."

"Fine, then we will talk after the funeral is over!"

Hong Lao snorted angrily and stepped aside. Seeing this, the others also moved to clear a path.

Chen Che and Shen Qi stepped forward and bowed to Gu Zongzhao to pay their respects.

After the mourning ended, Chen Che and Shen Qi turned around only to find that the path was blocked again.

The core members of the Scorpion Society, as well as their subordinates, all had fierce and malicious expressions, wishing they could skin the two alive.

Jiang Lan stood out again and announced the end of the funeral; as the funeral music began to play, everyone bowed to the deceased once more and then slowly exited the hall.

However, no one left after the funeral ended, and Hong Lao and the other Elders stared at Jiang Lan with unkind expressions, looking as if they were there to hold her accountable.

"I know what everyone wants to say, and I happen to have something to announce as well, so please move with me to the side hall."

After Jiang Lan finished speaking, she turned her head to look at Chen Che, and the latter nodded to signal his agreement.

Jiang Lan took a deep breath and walked first toward the hall next to the auditorium.

Under the gaze of the others, Chen Che and Shen Qi followed, and Hong Lao and the others walked in without the slightest hesitation.

A great drama is about to unfold!