A week later, an opportunity to make money arose.

The young master of the Zhang family in East City had died and was to be laid to rest at the Charity Mortuary before being buried.

Suddenly, the mortuary became bustling with activity.

Originally, there were only five people at the mortuary, plus the occasionally appearing Immoral Wu.

On this day, almost all fifty people associated with the mortuary showed up.

The entire mortuary was cleaned up, with people bustling everywhere.

Bai Yu was taken aback and pulled Zhu Tong aside to ask:

"Brother Tong, why are there so many people here today?"

Zhu Tong lowered his voice and said:

"Just a little insider info, I'm only telling you, so don't spread it around. The Zhang family from East City is here for the wake, and there's money to be made."

"The Zhang family is generous, the manager gets five taels, the workers one tael, and we minor attendants get two hundred coins."

Bai Yu immediately understood; no one shows up to work, but when it's time to get paid, no one misses out.

Zhu Tong continued mysteriously:

"And I've heard that for this ritual, they need a brass and percussion band, especially suona players."

"If you play well, the reward is at least five taels."

Five taels of silver!

Bai Yu maintained a calm demeanor.

As a Changsheng, he always regarded money as dirt.

Yet Bai Yu needed this "dirt."

The Zhang family was indeed extravagant.

And this was exactly the startup capital he urgently needed.

Bai Yu pulled Zhu Tong aside and asked eagerly:

"Brother Tong, tell me more about this brass and percussion band gig."

Zhu Tong laughed:

"I knew you'd be interested."

"The young master of the Zhang family was a martial arts prodigy, becoming a Stage Three Martial Artist at a young age."

"But he suddenly died, and even in death, his eyes wouldn't close."

"This has Master Zhang heartbroken, as if he's dying himself."

Bai Yu asked curiously:

Search "pawread dot com" for the original.

"And what does this have to do with suona players?"

Zhu Tong replied:

"Master Zhang's beloved son has died, so naturally, he wants a grand funeral."

"I've heard that the Zhang family plans to set up a brass and percussion band every mile from the city gate to the mortuary."

"Our mortuary also needs to provide a band."

Bai Yu's expression grew serious:

"It seems the requirements for the band are quite high."

"Indeed, only experienced suona players can be selected. I won't say more, I need to go hang some lanterns."

Zhu Tong grabbed a white lantern and busied himself inside and out.

While Bai Yu cleaned, his mind was racing.

Five taels of silver as a reward.

And to send off a Stage Three Martial Artist, the funeral reward would surely be substantial.

The temptation was too great.

He had to compete for the suona player's spot.

Before long, Daoist Lin Jiu gathered everyone and said:

"I'm sure everyone knows by now that the Zhang family needs a brass and percussion band, with the suona player being the most important."

"If you play well, the Zhang family's reward will be generous."

"Who wants to join the band?"

In a mortuary, a brass and percussion band was a must.

Immediately, several people stepped forward, including those who played gongs, drums, and shengs.

Bai Yu also stepped forward with his suona, along with two other suona players.

At that moment, a sarcastic voice came from behind:

"Young people these days really don't know their place, daring to step up at such a young age."

Everyone turned to see a skinny middle-aged man wearing a melon cap with a suona tucked at his waist.

He held a wine jar in his hand, reeking of alcohol.

Someone in the crowd recognized him immediately:

"Liu Yiqu, he's here too. The suona spot is definitely his."

"Liu Yiqu used to be the chief suona player at the Hundred Virtues Mortuary, and his 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' is a masterpiece."

"It's said that his 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' really attracted flocks of birds."

The Hundred Virtues Mortuary was filled with people with connections.

But some of these connections had real skills, and Liu Yiqu was one of them.

Seeing Liu Yiqu step forward, the other two suona players withdrew immediately.

"Master Liu is here, we'll step back."

"Master Liu, this job is yours."

Bai Yu was a bit stunned. Was Liu Yiqu really that famous?

But this funeral, for a Stage Three Martial Artist, with five taels of silver as payment.

Bai Yu wasn't going to give up so easily.

Besides, when it came to playing the suona, he feared no one.

He stood his ground, not planning to withdraw.

At this moment, Liu Yiqu staggered over to Bai Yu, reeking of alcohol:

"Kid, didn't you hear? The suona spot is mine, Liu Yiqu's."

Bai Yu replied calmly:

"Since Daoist Lin is letting everyone compete, there's no predetermined winner."

"Whoever is more suitable should be decided after a competition."

Liu Yiqu laughed:

"Kid, you're arrogant. Young people these days are too arrogant."

"How many years have you been playing the suona, daring to compete with me, Liu Yiqu?"

Others laughed uproariously:

"Haha, this kid is new here and doesn't know the ropes."

"Kid, don't embarrass yourself, step back."

"You think you can compete with Liu Yiqu? Can you play 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix'?"

Zhu Tong, who was always on good terms with Bai Yu, hurriedly pulled Bai Yu's sleeve.

"Little Bai, Master Liu is a veteran, his suona skills are formidable. You're no match for him, better to give up."

Bai Yu gritted his teeth and said:

"I won't give up. At least give me a fair chance to compete, then we'll see who's better."

He was fully confident in his suona skills.

Even at grand funerals of wealthy families, the suona players weren't as good as him.

Daoist Lin Jiu looked at Bai Yu, also quite hesitant.

To be fair, he didn't think a young guy like Bai Yu could outplay Liu Yiqu.

If they really competed, it might just embarrass Bai Yu further.

Just then, Immoral Wu walked in from outside.

"Compete for what? Compete for what?"

"Bai Yu, who do you think you are, demanding fairness?"

"The suona spot is reserved for Old Liu."

He was closer to Liu Yiqu and naturally sided with him.

The other drummers and gong players, also more familiar with Liu Yiqu, expressed their agreement.

Bai Yu was about to argue when Immoral Wu glared at him:

"This mortuary is run by my uncle. Don't want to work here anymore, do you?"

Bai Yu looked at Immoral Wu, then at Liu Yiqu, and instead of getting anxious, he calmed down.

Liu Yiqu reeked of alcohol, his steps unsteady, and his suona was tarnished with rust.

He watched as Liu Yiqu rose to prominence, entertained guests, and then watched as he fell from grace.

Bai Yu sneered and said nothing more.

The position at the mortuary was very important to him.

In the mortuary, there were naturally official funeral commissions, with daily funeral rewards.

This was something no other place could offer.

Priorities had to be set, and the position at the mortuary was of utmost importance.

It wasn't wise to clash with Immoral Wu for now; better to bide his time.

Liu Yiqu, having secured the spot, was all smiles:

"Old Wu, you're a good man. I'll treat you to a drink at the Qihong Courtyard someday."

Liu Yiqu and Immoral Wu laughed heartily, while others flattered them.

The atmosphere was lively.

Only Bai Yu watched coldly from the sidelines.

Zhu Tong and Mangzi, worried that Bai Yu might be upset, quickly pulled him aside.

Zhu Tong said:

"Little Bai, don't be angry. They're all connected, we can't afford to offend them."

"Besides, Liu Yiqu's suona skills are indeed formidable, you really can't beat him."

Bai Yu smiled faintly:

"No worries, I'm not in a hurry. I'll wait and watch the show."