"Damn, so he's a big shot with a military background! No wonder so many influential figures from Hanjiang showed up!"
Wang Pangzi exclaimed from within the crowd, a shiver of fear running down his spine.
He now realized how dangerously close he had come to disaster just moments ago!
The armored vehicle slowly came to a halt.
"All personnel, disembark!"
A resonant voice commanded. A group of soldiers with solemn expressions leaped from the vehicle and quickly formed two lines.
Even in this simple maneuver, their efficiency exuded a natural aura of deterrence.
Instantly, the surrounding clamor subsided significantly.
However, as Zhao Wenjie, clad in the uniform of a Three-Star General, stepped out of the vehicle, the surrounding noise erupted once more.
"A... Three-Star General? Could this be the promising young master Zhao Wenjie from the Zhao family?"
"A Three-Star General at such a young age, it must be Zhao Wenjie!"
"Look quickly, following behind Zhao Wenjie is our Hanjiang Military Region's Deputy Commander, Tang Long!"
"Strange, why hasn't the Commander-in-Chief appeared if the Deputy Commander is here?"
...
Amidst the uproar, Zhao Wenjie, leading a contingent of soldiers, marched with orderly steps towards the mourning hall.
The footsteps of all the soldiers were silent, a mark of respect for the departed!
As these figures advanced, the surrounding clamor further diminished.
In the face of such solemnity, few dared to speak carelessly.
"Offer respects!"
Zhao Wenjie stopped before the main entrance of the mourning hall and called out solemnly before entering.
Immediately, hundreds of soldiers behind him quickly removed their hats and held them in their hands.
They bowed their heads in silent mourning, paying tribute to the deceased.
Yang Fei stepped forward to return the greeting, then guided Zhao Wenjie, Tang Long, and others to Ling Feng.
"Heavenly Venerable, please accept my condolences!"
Zhao Wenjie said with a sorrowful expression.
Ling Feng nodded faintly, "Offer some incense."
Zhao Wenjie and Tang Long accepted the incense sticks handed to them by Aunt Bai and bowed respectfully three times.
Old Man Bai watched everything, repeatedly praising Ling Feng's achievements, and felt immense comfort in his heart.
The deceased could not be brought back, but for the living to live better was the greatest solace for the dead.
As Zhao Wenjie, Tang Long, and others knelt on either side of the mourning hall, Tang Ru and other younger descendants also regained their senses and knelt on the ground.
They had completely integrated themselves as part of the family, a fact Ling Feng tacitly acknowledged.
Everyone knelt in silence, with only the mournful music echoing within the hall.
Yet, under these circumstances, no one dared to utter a single complaint.
After a full half hour, Yang Fei approached Ling Feng from behind and said solemnly, "Heavenly Venerable, the time has come!"
Ling Feng immediately stood up, "Begin the procession! Farewell!"
As his voice fell, Yang Fei and Zhao Wenjie took positions on either side, while Tang Long, with a few others, moved behind the coffin. Together, they lifted the crystal coffin and began to walk out with heavy steps.
Leading the way were the hundreds of soldiers brought by Zhao Wenjie!
Boom, boom, boom!
The ceremonial gunfire boomed, causing the hearts of everyone present to tremble.
Such a grand ceremony would not have been possible even if Tang Long himself had passed away!
This further deepened the mystery for everyone as to who the deceased truly was.
Ling Feng held Ling Xiaoran's hand, carrying the portraits of Ling Yan and his wife. Aunt Bai supported Old Man Bai, walking alongside Ling Feng before the coffin.
And as they passed by all the influential figures, a scene that stunned everyone once again unfolded!
Not a single one of these Hanjiang magnates stood up. They all remained kneeling on the ground, moving forward on their knees, following the funeral procession!
Wearing mourning attire!
Kneeling and walking!
This was what Ling Feng had instructed them to do, and at this moment, no one dared to disobey.
While feeling humiliated, a sense of impatience grew within them. Why hadn't the Wuhu Group arrived yet?
Had they been intimidated by the current scene?
This was absolutely impossible; these people were only enough to intimidate the onlookers from the general public!
As the powerful figures from various factions knelt and followed, the surrounding crowd instinctively followed suit!
Their shock was beyond description!
"What in the world is going on? Why are all these people kneeling and following them?"
"Holy cow, are they going to the Junsongling Cemetery five kilometers away?"
"Impossible, that distance is too far. At such a distance, forget them crawling on their knees, even if we walked on our legs, our feet would be worn raw!"
...
The clamor and discussion continued, but as the distance widened, the voices from behind grew weaker and weaker.
This was because they realized that the direction was indeed towards Junsongling Cemetery, and the influential figures in front were still following on their knees, with no one daring to fall behind.
Initially, their wailing sounded insincere, but later, many genuinely began to cry.
This was because their knees had been worn raw. In just three kilometers, streaks of blood had stained the streets.
However, despite this horrific scene on the streets, no one came to stop it. Even approaching vehicles dared not honk their horns.
Eventually, the number of followers dwindled.
Because of fear!
All those who followed felt an inexplicable dread!
The spectacle that was about to unfold was not something they could bear to witness, as it would truly be dangerous!
Of course, there were still some who were not afraid of death and continued to follow behind in their cars.
A path of blood paved to send off my elder brother!
Ling Feng's gaze was cold and filled with grief. The dead could not be revived, and he could only do his best to send his elder brother off properly.
And today, Ling Feng would not permit any accidents to occur!
At Junsongling Cemetery, the funeral home staff responsible for the burial had long since disappeared.
Apart from the tombstones, there was a faint white mist surrounding the area. It was already eight o'clock, but the sun had not yet appeared, and it was unclear how long this mist would persist.
Thump, thump, thump!
Footsteps echoed in the vast cemetery as the leading soldiers quickened their pace.
In a blink of an eye, they stood before the cemetery, and the Hanjiang magnates who had followed on their knees all knelt in a small plaza before the graves.
The atmosphere throughout the entire area was extremely solemn, even somewhat oppressive.
"Lower!"
As Yang Fei's voice fell, two coffins were heavily lowered into the grave pit!
Old Man Bai and Aunt Bai secretly wiped away tears, while Xiaoran couldn't help but cry again.
Even Ling Feng's eyes felt a sting.
At this moment, the atmosphere throughout the entire scene was one of extreme sorrow.
Old Man Bai stepped forward, scooped up a handful of yellow earth from the ground, and sprinkled it in, "Xiao Yan, Xiao Ying, have a good journey!"
This was an indispensable ritual step for him as an elder.
However, Ling Feng slightly stopped Old Man Bai, "Old Man Bai, please wait a moment."
"Xiao Feng, we've arrived at the place, it's best to let them be buried soon."
Old Man Bai looked back at Ling Feng, somewhat puzzled.
He thought that Ling Feng was too grief-stricken and reluctant to bury his elder brother.
But Ling Feng's eyes turned icy cold, and he said in a chilling tone, "I've found the people who forced my brother to his death. Now, I will make them accompany my brother in death!"
"What?"
Old Man Bai's eyes widened upon hearing this.
Ling Feng turned and ordered Yang Fei, "Bring them forward!"