An Unannounced Arrival

Everyone began giving some words about the late Yao Ning, whatever they could offer.

The 9 remaining elders came forward and spoke, and so did Alex. Graham said some words as well, and so did a lot of other individuals who had known Yao Ning throughout her life.

The rest said nothing and stood there, listening to everything the others had to say.

After they were all done speaking, the head of the Yao clan burned the funeral pyre, leaving behind a silence in which only the crackling sounds of the burning fire were anything that could be heard.

The somber atmosphere was occasionally broken with a few sniffs, but other than that, there was nothing anyone else said.

Alex closed his eyes, praying for a better future for the old woman who had died to protect him. 'If reincarnation truly is real, may you have a happy life in the next one and all your dreams come true.'