https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-107-Returning-Home-to-Visit-the-Village/12898541/
Chapter 106: The Yellow Immortals Stride Sideways
Chapter 106: The Yellow Immortals Stride Sideways
With the matters of the Vat Sect settled, it was indeed time to start preparing to return to the village for the New Year.
Hu Ma was not oblivious to the innkeeper’s hints. If he had the chance to become the innkeeper of this village, the amount of money and Blood Food supplied would naturally increase significantly.
Especially for such a high-ranking innkeeper, with power and influence, life would be comfortable, and doing anything would be convenient. However, he suppressed this thought in his heart.
Previously, he had planned to leave after learning the Age-Keeper’s cultivation techniques, going into hiding under a false name.
Now, however, due to knowing the identities of Er Guotou and Miss White Wine, a subtle balance had formed among the three of them, making it unnecessary to leave in such a hurry.
But after analyzing himself, Hu Ma still felt that rushing to stand out too early was not a good idea.
After all, he had not even performed the Year-Worship ritual once. If he became the innkeeper so soon, it would feel somewhat unsteady.
However, although the innkeeper had the intention to leave, it was not something that would happen in the next few days. What was immediate was the arrangement for the apprentices to return home for the New Year.
Earlier, Hu Ma had already promised the apprentices. Now, with the innkeeper’s instructions, he carefully calculated the remaining money and food in the village. Apart from the surplus for the following spring, the rest was planned to be distributed to the apprentices in the village.
Not only that, but the sheep that the village had recently traded for were also slaughtered, and a pig was ordered from the village. The meat would be divided and given to the apprentices, who could take it home. In these times, being able to bring a large piece of pork home for the New Year was a very prestigious thing.
In principle, the village should not be left unattended, even if people were allowed to return home for the New Year. However, the innkeeper said he would stay in the village, which saved a lot of trouble.
Out of gratitude for the old innkeeper’s teachings, Hu Ma should have stayed to accompany him for the New Year. But after the recent incident, he no longer felt too close to the inner courtyard.
This distance made both the innkeeper and Hu Ma feel much more relaxed.
Now, everyone just tacitly understood. All Hu Ma could do was prepare the money, food, and meat for them.
There was no need to worry about them being neglected, as the old servant and the young servant had already returned to the village.
It was quite amusing to think that these two had already left before the Vat Sect people came. It seemed that the old innkeeper had already decided to seize the Blood Food and not return to the village, but things went unexpectedly, and they were called back.
“Brother Hu Ma, can we really take so many things home?”
When Hu Ma distributed all the money and food to the apprentices and set the time for their return, not only did the other apprentices cheer joyfully, but even Zhou Datong felt as if he were in a dream.
A large half of a pork shoulder, a sheep, two bolts of cloth, and three bags of fine rice—his eyes were almost popping out.
Not to mention, each of them also had a few small silver coins in their pockets.
“It’s not enough.”
Hu Ma glanced at them and said, “We need to rent a large cart. It takes several days to get to Big Sheep Village. How can we carry all this?”
Zhou Datong said, “I wouldn’t mind carrying these things for a month.”
Not only did he nod, but Zhou Liang, Zhao Zhu, and even the now emaciated Li Wa Zi also nodded continuously.
They had not thought they would earn silver and return in glory, showing off before their parents, uncles, and the women in the village. But they never expected it to happen so quickly.
Just a few months out, and they could bring so much back to the village. It was even faster than robbing travelers...
But Hu Ma understood that bringing all this back to the village would indeed be prestigious, but it had not come easily.
If it weren’t for the help of the reincarnated one, and if he hadn’t overcome the pit the old innkeeper had dug for him, it would have been a question of whether these five could even survive, let alone bring all this back.
It looked like a dream come true, but they had all paid their dues.
Of course, it was also because it was his first year as a manager, and he did not want to be stingy with his subordinates.
Otherwise, if he had deducted from others and brought everything back to the village, the money and food would have tripled.
There were plenty of good things in the warehouse.
These branch counters often settled accounts once a year, with the surplus going to the village.
Because of the special circumstances of this branch, they did not distribute Green Food, only these meats, cloth, money, and grain, which was already quite frugal.
“If you want to carry it back, I have no objection.”
Thinking about this, Hu Ma smiled at Zhou Datong and said, “But I’m going to the city to rent a large cart. Do you want to come?”
Zhou Datong immediately raised his hand. “Yes, I’ll go...”
“Finally, we can go through the alleys today?”
“...”
This made Hu Ma’s face drop. Zhou Datong really didn’t want to do good things.
They had just joined the Lady Society, and there would be a lot of important things to do after the spring. If they broke their vows now, there would be plenty of misfortunes next year!
But as for himself...
...it seemed that once he refined that place, he would be free...
...
Suppressing his fantasies, Hu Ma woke up early one morning, took Zhou Datong, Liang, and Zhu, and went into the city. They bought some new items that only city dwellers had, such as couplets and firecrackers, and went to the horse market. They used two taels of silver to hire a large cart.
They agreed that in two days, the mule and horse traders would come to the village to pick up the people, escort them back to the village, and then let them return on their own.
Zhou Datong and the others had never before experienced the freedom of spending their own money. They were dazzled by the variety of new things in the market, with some buying tiger-head hats and others buying colorful kites and combs for their little sisters.
Hu Ma just let them be, only warning them not to rush into the alleys. He also promised them, "Once we brothers earn more money, I'll take you to the pleasure quarters next year to listen to some music!"
To be honest, this world was resource-scarce. Even though the city looked bustling, there were only a few things to buy.
Of course, the joy of a full return was a universal feeling.
At noon, they had a hearty meal at a bun shop. Then, Hu Ma went to the meat market and bought two cages of chickens, asking Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu to carry them for him. Zhou Datong was still a bit puzzled: "Why buy chickens when we could have bought pigs or sheep?"
"I have my reasons."
Hu Ma didn't say more. He brought them back and placed the two cages of chickens on a small cart.
In the past, he would have had Little Red Apricot deliver these things, but now, Little Red Apricot couldn't carry the two cages. So, Hu Ma decided to deliver them himself.
Before leaving, he thought for a moment and decided to bring Li Wa Zi along.
Li Wa Zi was both excited and nervous. He felt useless now. Although Hu Ma took care of her, she couldn't participate in many things anymore. What was happening now?
"Just come along; there's no danger."
Hu Ma saw her unease and smiled.
Li Wa Zi straightened her chest and said, "I'm not afraid as long as I'm with Brother Ma."
Of course, her slightly pale face showed that she was still scared.
Once bitten by a snake, one fears the rope for ten years. She was so scared that even if the stove hadn't been destroyed, it wouldn't be thriving anymore.
Her courage had been shattered.
Hu Ma took Li Wa Zi and left when it was nearly dark. After a short while, with Little Red Apricot leading the way, they arrived at a large stone in the wilderness. Hu Ma stopped and let Li Wa Zi sit to the side while they rested.
Gradually, the night grew darker. Suddenly, the chickens in the cage started squawking. Hu Ma looked up, knowing the guests had arrived.
"Oh!"
A cold wind blew, and he heard Li Wa Zi's sharp cry.
She had already jumped up, twisting her body and squatting next to the cage, exclaiming, "So many!"
Hu Ma smiled, "I promised you ten, didn't I?"
"The Young Manager is a man of his word..."
In the roadside weeds, yellowish-brown figures darted back and forth, making squeaking sounds, scaring the chickens in the cage into a flutter of unease.
"One, two, three, two, three, one..."
Li Wa Zi was about to climb onto the cage, counting over and over, but she couldn't count properly.
"Enough."
Hu Ma smiled, "But I need to tell my good neighbors that I'm going back to the village for the New Year. Don't be too ruthless during this time. Don't hurt the villagers or break into their homes."
"Also, there won't be any night patrols for a while, but you should be careful. Don't even get close to the village. Our Innkeeper is still in the village. If he sees you, he might not be as lenient as I am."
"So what? He's just an Innkeeper. Why should we be afraid of him?"
Li Wa Zi turned her head, her neck stiffening as she said proudly, "We have connections with the Red Lantern Lady!"
"What?"
Hu Ma was taken aback, "When did you make this connection?"
"Just a few days ago..."
Li Wa Zi explained, "You brought the lantern, and our Little Third Son helped the Red Lantern Lady find her way..."
"Is that it?"
Hu Ma was stunned, "What did that kid brag about when he got back?"
Clearly, he almost lost his life at the time, but now he thought he had made a connection?
It was somewhat amusing, but this family of Yellow Immortals was used to being arrogant and tyrannical. They were a bunch of ruffians and definitely wouldn't listen to him.
He could only give them a warning.
After delivering the items, he pushed the small cart, took Li Wa Zi and Little Red Apricot, and left. Li Wa Zi had walked about ten paces when she suddenly shivered and woke up, not knowing what had just happened.
She only heard the commotion of chickens being slaughtered and feathers flying in the deep night, which was frightening. She hurriedly followed Hu Ma.
"Mr. Wu, we'll set off the day after tomorrow. We'll be back by the 15th after the New Year."
When they returned to the village, Hu Ma had Zhou Datong and the others pack their things. He then went to the inner courtyard to report to the Old Shopkeeper, "I've already had the rice and flour ground and arranged with the village to send half a pig after it's slaughtered."
"If there are any other instructions, I'll take care of them before I leave."
"..."
"There are no more."
The Old Shopkeeper's voice finally came after a moment, "Just don't wait until the 15th, come back earlier!"
"There are many things to do in the spring, and I need to entrust them to you."
"..."
"Understood!"
Hu Ma agreed.
(End of Chapter)
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