Chapter 17: The Eternal Slumbering Guardian

  Under the arrangements of Sheriff Bernard, Winnie-the-Pooh's funeral was held in a public cemetery on the hill near the Sea God Alonzo's slope outside the slum.

  On the edge of this public cemetery stands a temple dedicated to Chrogaia, the Earth Mother, who is part of the Quinari pantheon along with Alonsus. Due to her nurturing nature, one of the most important tasks of the mortal priests of the Earth Mother is to protect the eternal rest of the dead from malevolent entities and necromancers.

  It is precisely for this reason that in the Karpas continent where the Lorring Empire is located, there will be a large earth temple next to every large public cemetery.

  However, in recent millennia, the priests of Chakson, the god of fierce fire and blazing light from the Quinian pantheon, have been slowly eroding the goddess Krogrea's sacred duty to guard the dead through the practice of cremation. The power of habit still leads people to choose to let the deceased rest in the thick, deep bosom of the earth goddess unless they really have no other choice.

  So, in accordance with the tradition of the Earth Temple that had been passed down for tens of thousands of years to bury the dead, Wina-Lisst, who belonged to an abnormal and unjust death, was placed in a pure white square coffin. Two professional pallbearers, who had never harmed any intelligent creature, slowly carried it to the northwest corner of the public cemetery, where a grave had already been dug.

  A Terrakai priest, clad in earthy tones with black trim, intoned a mournful dirge for Wynna-Lyster, said to ease the restless spirits of those who died unjustly.

  Then, as relatives, Malong and Xiao Anwei each placed a branch of the colorful Bird of Paradise flower on either side of the cold, sleeping casket that would never again awaken to Vina - Lister's body.

  Originally, this kind of thing should be done by the deceased's husband or wife, accompanied by their children.

  But Ma Long, that poor Vi?a aunt, her rotten husband Red Nose Ian Wan is probably busy eating and drinking somewhere, how can he possibly attend his wife's funeral?

  In fact, apart from Ma Long, Xiao Anwei, Sheriff Bernard and Little Fox Girl Amy, there were only a few old neighbors who had a good relationship with Weena.

  So, who else can lead Xia Anwei to give eternal rest flowers to the deceased besides Ma Long?

  Looking at the sleeping face in the coffin, pale and thin as white paper, although only thirty years old but hair already turned white, "Auntie" gently put down the Bird of Paradise flower, Ma Long sighed...

  "Auntie, don't worry and go, I will let Xiao An grow up healthily and happily."

  After saying this in a low voice, Ma Long patted his younger brother Xiao An Wei on the shoulder, indicating that the little guy would put down another heavenly bird flower.

  "Mom." Little An tiptoed, half of her body stretched into the white coffin and put down the Bird of Paradise flower. Then, imitating Malong's tone, she said: "Mom, rest assured and go to the kingdom of Goddess Heralis to enjoy happiness. Brother Malong will take care of me from now on. He told me a wonderful story today..."

  Looking at Xiao Anwei trying hard not to cry, Ma Long's nose suddenly felt a sourness. He remembered the memories inherited from Ma Long-Li Si Te, the care of the late Wei Na aunt for Ma Long-Li Si Te, and the memories of the past twenty days after crossing over, whether this aunt secretly sent hot food to the attic for him to eat, helped him wash clothes and dry quilts, and asked about his well-being.

  Yes, this Weina aunt is not very smart and can't be considered beautiful. Her personality is even quite weak, but there's no doubt that she has a kind heart.

  She is too kind.

  Hmph, as expected. A kind person can't be weak, or they'll suffer the same bullying as that scoundrel Rednose Ian, and then fall into endless misfortune because of their kindness.

  Ma Long rubbed his nose, and suddenly had such an epiphany in his heart. He felt more and more that his behavior of kicking the red-nosed Ian was not wrong at all - kindness and humility did not need to be used on evil people. These guys should get enough punishment to make them suffer and remember not to do evil again.

  This may sound extreme, but Ma Long is indeed thinking this way.

  Ma Long thought to himself in this way, his sleeve was lightly tugged by someone.

  Turning back, Malong saw a pair of sapphire blue eyes. The expression revealed in this pair of beautiful and unadulterated eyes was: "Please don't be sad anymore."

  "I'm not sad, I just want to figure out how to make Auntie happy even in the afterlife."

  Ma Long said as he spoke, his words were directed at the sapphire blue eyes, revealing a clear smiling expression.

  This answer made the beautiful sapphire-like eyes sparkle, and soon transformed into a new expression that was easily read by Ma Long: "Then... have you thought of what to do?"

  "Uh-huh." Ma Long nodded his head and said: "I've thought of it."

  Then, those beautiful sapphire-like eyes narrowed slightly, revealing an expression of extreme delight - "Good luck!"

  Then, Ma Long subconsciously nodded his head heavily again.

  The sound of dong dong dang dang rose, that was the coffin bearer using long and sharp nails to nail down the lid of the coffin.

  "Vina-Lyster, your name will not be heard in this world again. Your flesh will return to dust and earth within this coffin, while your resentment towards the unjust death will transform into a protective power under the all-encompassing light of our Lord. Your soul will return to the bosom of the one you believed in, under the protection of our Lord. Rest in peace, poor and humble woman, turn your resentment into a protective power, to guard those who placed heavenly flowers in your coffin, for they are your blood relatives, your descendants..."

  A low, yet powerful voice that brings peace to the soul, accompanied by the sound of nails being hammered into a coffin, as Pastor Eternal Rest reads the final passage of the eulogy.

  The few neighbors who came to mourn the passing of Winnie Lister bowed their heads, following Pastor Eternal's low voice, repeating this funeral eulogy.

  Just a moment ago, the little fox girl Aimie, who was still using her sapphire blue eyes to "talk" with Malong, also lowered her head like everyone else, and a thin layer of misty water vapor appeared in her eyes.

  Xiao Anwei, who had matured early due to poverty at home, was finally moved by Pastor Yongming's low voice and wept uncontrollably...

  There was only Ma Long, and in his eyes there was an expression of utter astonishment.

  Because Ma Long felt that, with the eternal sleep pastor standing at the other end of the white coffin, the sound of continuously reciting the eulogy in a low and mournful tone had a mysterious power that was somewhat cold but made him instinctively feel harmless and beneficial, floating and drifting onto his body, trying to merge into his mind!

  What on earth is this?!

  Malong's heart was filled with doubts.

  Just then, a very familiar voice suddenly appeared in Malong's mind.

  "The youth with the spiritual bloodline flowing within his veins, I can... dispel your doubts."