paranoianovel Chapter 326 Requiem
Chapter 326 Requiem
Tang Xiaorui cheered and stood on tiptoe to give Tang Yuan a big kiss on the cheek: "Thank you, Dad!"
Amidst the joy, only Tang Xiaofu stood in the corner, her expression gradually dimming as she looked down at the ground, hiding all her emotions deep within her eyes.
Seemingly sensing her sister's unusual behavior, Tang Xiaorui skipped over to Tang Xiaofu and gently tugged at her sleeve:
"Sis, what's wrong? Aren't you happy about my marriage to Feng?"
Tang Xiaofu snapped back to her senses, quickly concealing any unusual expression in her eyes, and reached out to ruffle Tang Xiaorui's hair:
"How could I not be happy!"
She paused, her gaze sweeping lightly over Lin Feng beside her before returning to her sister's radiant smile:
"My sincere blessings are for you and Lin Feng. May you have a peaceful and joyful life together, always by your side!"
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaorui smiled even more sweetly, hugged her sister's arm tightly, and nuzzled her head against her shoulder.
"I knew my sister was the best! Tonight, at my wedding, you'll be my most beautiful bridesmaid!"
"Okay, whatever you say." Tang Xiaofu replied with a smile.
Tang Yuanqing cleared his throat: "We'll talk about the wedding later. There are two more important things to do right now."
He glanced at the six exhausted beasts at the back of the column, then at the animal skin bags carried by the Fang Squad, and said solemnly:
"First, we need to send these six beasts back to their respective exhibits to rest. They have just exhausted too much energy and need to recuperate properly."
"Secondly, and most importantly, we must quickly bury the white ape's remains, perform a ritual to appease its spirit, and dispel its resentment accumulated over a hundred years. We cannot delay."
Lin Feng, Tang Xiaofu, and Tang Xiaorui nodded in unison, all understanding the importance of this matter.
Tang Yuan immediately made arrangements: "We'll split into two groups now. Xiao Fu, you drive the sightseeing bus, take Lin Feng and Xiao Rui, and first take the Ghost-faced Mandrill back to the Mandrill Garden. Then take the other beasts back to their respective exhibits one by one. Be careful on the way."
"Okay, Dad." Tang Xiaofu nodded in response and turned to walk quickly toward the entrance and exit of the baboon exhibit.
Lin Feng quickly called for the six beasts to follow, and Tang Xiaorui took the opportunity to tightly hold his arm.
Tang Yuan then turned to the Fang Squad and said solemnly, "Luo Lei, you guys follow me to Jingling Slope in the northwest corner of the zoo."
"That place is secluded and tranquil, the most auspicious and peaceful spot in our zoo, making it the perfect place to bury the white ape's remains."
Luo Lei immediately raised his hand to acknowledge the order: "Yes, Director Tang!"
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The sightseeing bus started and headed towards the mandrill park.
Six ferocious beasts followed closely behind, though they were exhausted and their pace was somewhat slow, they still maintained an orderly formation.
On the other side, Tang Yuan, leaning on his cane, led the Fang Squad towards Jingling Slope in the northwest corner of the zoo.
Just as Tang Yuan had said, Jingling Slope was backed by a verdant hill and had a clear lake in front of it, with lush green grass and unidentified wildflowers growing along its banks.
Reaching the middle of the slope, Tang Yuan stopped: "This is it."
He took out his walkie-talkie and called the staff:
"Immediately send a set of shovels and hoes to Jingling Slope in the northwest corner, along with a table, incense, yellow paper, grains, and a rectangular wooden board. The sooner the better."
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The sightseeing bus has already arrived near the mandrill park.
Tang Xiaofu stopped the car, and Lin Feng got out first, guiding the Ghost-Faced Mandrill slowly to the entrance of the Mandrill Garden.
Upon entering the exhibition area, the mandrill glanced back at Lin Feng, let out a low cry, and then walked deeper into the park, found a dry rock, and curled up.
The sightseeing bus drove away from the mandrill enclosure, orderly transporting the remaining five predators back to their respective exhibits.
After delivering the last beast back to the exhibition area, Tang Xiaofu immediately turned the car around and sped off towards Jinglingpo.
Before long, the sightseeing bus arrived at the entrance to Jinglingpo.
From a distance, a neat pit had already been dug in the center of the slope.
The four members of the Fang Squad were gathered around the pit, carefully placing the animal skin bag embroidered with talismans into it.
Tang Yuan, leaning on his cane, stood not far from the pit. On the small table in front of him were incense, yellow paper, water, and a small dish of grains. His expression was solemn and dignified.
Seeing Lin Feng and the other two approach, Tang Yuan nodded slightly, his tone solemn:
"You've come at the right time. Everything is ready. The ceremony of requiem shall begin immediately."
Lin Feng and the other two stood solemnly to one side.
Tang Yuan took a deep breath, slowly raised his hand, picked up three incense sticks, and lit them.
Wisps of smoke rose slowly into the air, not dispersed by the wind, but instead lingered above the pit.
Tang Yuan held the incense sticks in both hands, raised them high above his head, and bowed deeply three times towards the direction of the pit, his voice low and earnest:
"There is now a white ape. In the past, it was brought to its doom by villagers who robbed its tomb. They were misled by the slander of an evil master, who imprisoned it in an ancient tomb and cruelly sacrificed it. It died with resentment and its anger could not be quelled."
"Now that everyone is of one mind and works together to eliminate evil, break the karmic pact, collect the remains, and bury them in the auspicious burial site of Jinglingpo, we will perform the ritual to appease the soul."
"May the spirit ape let go of its obsessions, resolve its resentment, return to peace, and live undisturbed years and without calamity in every life."
After saying that, Tang Yuan gently inserted three incense sticks into the incense burner. The smoke grew thicker and thicker, gradually condensing into a wisp of white mist that lingered above the animal skin bag.
Then, he picked up a glass of water and slowly sprinkled it around the pit, silently reciting a soothing incantation.
Tang Xiaofu lowered her eyes slightly, looking at the green grass at her feet, and a sense of emotion suddenly arose in her heart—
This white ape led a tragic life, becoming a vicious puppet. Now it can finally find a peaceful place to rest, which is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.
She secretly raised her eyes and looked at Lin Feng beside her. If it weren't for him, the white ape might still be tormented by resentment and never have a peaceful day.
After Tang Yuan finished reciting the incantation, he picked up the yellow paper and gently lit it.
The yellow paper slowly burned in my hand, turning into golden ash that drifted with the wind toward the pit and landed on the animal skin bag.
"Lin Feng, Xiao Fu, Xiao Rui, you should also offer a stick of incense," Tang Yuan said, looking at the three of them.
Lin Feng nodded, took an incense stick, lit it, bowed three times towards the pit, and whispered:
"Go in peace. No one will be able to disturb you from now on. This Jingling Slope is your final resting place."
Tang Xiaorui held incense in both hands and said in a devout tone, "I'm sorry for making you suffer. May you let go of your obsession and rest in peace."
Then, Tang Xiaofu stepped forward, picked up an incense stick, lit it, and as the smoke curled, she bowed deeply three times towards the pit.
"After a century of suffering, you are finally freed. May your soul rest in peace, free from resentment, and may you enjoy peace and happiness year after year."
After the three finished offering incense, Tang Yuan picked up the grains from the stone table and slowly scattered them around the pit, saying:
May the five grains soothe your soul, and the clear water purify your spirit. May you depart without disaster or hardship, and may your soul return to nature.
The moment the words fell, the surrounding wind suddenly became gentle, rustling the leaves as if they were sobbing or letting go.
Just then, the wisp of white mist above the pit suddenly surged and gradually condensed into a blurry white ape phantom.
Its eyes were no longer ghostly green flames, but instead emitted a warm, gentle light. Its body was no longer filled with any ferocity, only a faint trace of sorrow remained.
This is the soul of the white ape. Soothed by the calming incantation and the sincerity of the crowd, it finally broke free from the shackles of resentment and revealed its original form.
The white ape phantom slowly raised its head, its gaze sweeping over everyone before bowing respectfully.
Then, its form gradually thinned out, the white mist slowly dissipated, drifting with the breeze towards the clear lake, and finally merging into the natural world...