River City, a county city of the Li State, sprawls wide, dominating the southeast, and is one of the largest cities in the southern region.

At this moment, the sky is just beginning to brighten, and River City is shrouded in a misty white fog.

Out of the fog walks a young man.

He wears a bamboo hat, with a suona tucked at his waist, accompanied by a half-human-tall black dog.

This young man is Bai Yu.

He removes his hat, brushing off the dew from his body.

"Finally, we've arrived in River City, Old Mo. From now on, we'll make our home here.

Wherever the heart finds peace, there is my home."

Old Mo responds with a few barks, filled with anticipation for their new life.

Bai Yu enters the city with Old Mo.

A big city is truly different from a small mountain village; even in the early morning, people are bustling about.

The aroma of scallions and garlic wafts from the street-side stalls selling buns and noodles.

Bai Yu buys two large meat buns, one for each of them. The warmth of the buns dispels their fatigue.

Having just entered the city, everything feels fresh and new to the pair.

The streets, several dozen yards wide, are paved with bluestone and can accommodate eight carriages side by side.

"Old Mo, look, there's a street performance, face-changing and fire-breathing."

A performer with painted face changes masks with a flick of his hand and even breathes fire.

Bai Yu watches with Old Mo for a while, tossing two coins as a tip.

"Amazing, the face-changing is so quick."

The man and dog wander around the city, eating and playing.

Bai Yu even buys Old Mo a picture book.

Old Mo carefully places it in his small bag.

***

By noon, they have eaten and played to their heart's content.

Bai Yu finally takes a rest with Old Mo on a patch of grass.

"Old Mo, we've spent quite a bit on the journey. Now we need to find a job.

Preferably something related to playing the suona. Once we earn some money, we'll buy a bunch of big meat buns and maybe a few little females for you."

Old Mo stretches out his paw, showing off his muscles, indicating he can help Bai Yu with work too.

Bai Yu chuckles and heads to the eastern city wall.

The wall is plastered with numerous job postings.

"Zhou's Roast Duck Restaurant, hiring two waiters, room and board included."

"Spring Breeze Pavilion, hiring a strong male escort, special skills required."

"Hua Mansion, hiring ten servants."

***

Bai Yu examines them carefully and finally finds a job that suits him.

"Hundred Virtues Mortuary in the south of the city, hiring five attendants, requires strong physique, courage, and attention to detail."

A mortuary, in simple terms, is a morgue or mass grave.

The city's deceased are buried through the mortuary.

Those who die away from home are stored in the mortuary, waiting to be transported back.

This might be taboo for others, but for Bai Yu, it's a perfect fit.

In the mortuary, he can conduct funeral processions to his heart's content.

Moreover, the mortuary has official backing, and every body sent there comes with a funeral reward.

This is an advantage no other place offers.

Bai Yu is thrilled and decides on the spot to join the mortuary.

He inquires along the way and finds the Hundred Virtues Mortuary outside the southern city gate.

The expansive mortuary has hundreds of rooms.

Opposite it is a shantytown, and behind it stretches a barren mountain dotted with graves.

By this time, a crowd has already gathered at the mortuary's entrance.

The notice only calls for five attendants, but there are hundreds of applicants.

Bai Yu is taken aback.

Is finding a job in this world so competitive too?

Hundreds of people competing for five positions, that's just too difficult.

He waits on the outskirts of the crowd, listening to the chatter and learning a lot.

The mortuary was established by the county governor's office, funded by several major families in and around the city.

In other words, being an attendant at the mortuary is a formal position.

No wonder so many people are vying for it.

Finally, as the sun reaches its zenith, the mortuary doors creak open.

A thin servant comes out, calling: "Steward Wu will be out to interview you, be prepared."

Soon, a few servants set up tables and chairs, erecting a temporary interview station.

A corpulent steward, like a mountain of flesh, takes the main seat.

Given his weight, one wonders if the wooden chair can hold up.

Beside him is another interviewer, a Daoist in robes.

The crowd murmurs.

"That's Steward Wu. Whether you pass the interview depends entirely on his nod."

"Next to him is Daoist Lin Jiu. It's said he has a knack for exorcism, and he oversees this mortuary."

Soon, a servant points to a young man in white for the interview.

Steward Wu is almost reclining in his chair.

With a wave of his hand, a servant brings him a pot of tea. He takes a casual sip and asks:

"What are your strengths?"

The young man in white bows slightly:

"My surname is Liu, and my strength is my second uncle."

Steward Wu's expression becomes more serious as he asks: "Your second uncle is?"

"Captain Chen!"

Steward Wu immediately stands up, saying: "Young Master Liu, please have a seat, you've passed.

Someone, pour tea for Young Master Liu."

Just like that, the first spot is taken.

Bai Yu is dumbfounded.

So blatant?

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But looking around, no one dares to complain.

Everyone seems to think it's only natural.

What kind of world is this?

Next, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe steps forward for the interview.

Steward Wu asks again: "What are your strengths?"

The middle-aged man smiles and bows: "To the steward, I was introduced by Master Zhang."

He pulls an envelope from his pocket and hands it over.

Steward Wu opens the envelope, sees the character "Zhang," and finds a small-denomination silver note inside.

He smiles too: "So you're Master Zhang's brother-in-law, you're qualified. Go get your identity badge."

And so, the second spot is gone.

The third spot goes to a distant relative of the Zhao family from the west of the city.

The fourth goes to a retired instructor from the Tongbi Martial Arts School.

In the blink of an eye, only one spot remains.

Bai Yu is anxious; this mortuary job is perfect for him.

Joining the mortuary means a steady stream of funeral rewards.

But who would have thought the recruitment process was so corrupt?

With only one spot left, another connection steps forward.

A servant whispers to Steward Wu: "This is the twelfth brother-in-law of the deputy leader of the Money Gang."

Steward Wu is about to nod when Daoist Lin Jiu, who has been silent, speaks up.

"That's enough. Someone has to do the work, right?"

Steward Wu reconsiders and realizes he's right.

If they're all connections, who will do the daily work?

If something goes wrong at the mortuary, he can't shirk the responsibility.

So he clears his throat and says: "For this last spot, everyone will compete based on their abilities. We always conduct our business fairly and openly."

The crowd becomes excited; there's finally some hope.

Thus, the servant starts calling people for interviews one by one.

The first is a strong man who shows off his muscles, claiming his qi and blood are strong and he's not afraid of evil spirits.

Steward Wu nods approvingly.

The second is even more daring, pulling a skull from somewhere and kissing it.

He shouts that he's brave and not afraid of ghosts, making him perfect for the mortuary.

Competitors showcase their divine abilities, making Bai Yu nervous.

He fears that if Steward Wu nods, the last spot will be gone.

Using his Tendon Forging Realm strength, Bai Yu pushes through the crowd to the front row.

Finally, it's Bai Yu's turn.

---

Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan