https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-136-Drought-Demon-Brings-Disaster/12898652/
Chapter 137: Master Zhou
Chapter 137: Master Zhou
The next morning, Hu Ma brought Zhou Datong and the others. After washing their faces and having a hearty meal, they hurriedly set off on the road.
He had calculated the distance. Since he and Zhou Datong were all Age Keepers, they moved quickly. Normally, without any delays or wrong turns, they could arrive at Man Cang Town before sunset.
So, he had arranged for them to eat a full breakfast and not stop for lunch. For a group of young men who ran the mountains every day, this was no problem. They didn't even ride horses, just walked briskly.
It was fortunate that Li Wa Zi wasn't with them, or he wouldn't have been able to keep up.
They crossed mountains and hills. Roads were scarce in this world, but Hu Ma had asked for directions the day before, so they didn't take any wrong turns. As the sun began to set, they climbed over a hill and saw a neat village nestled in a plain in the twilight.
"Let's tidy up a bit."
Hu Ma stopped Zhou Datong and the others, who were eager to enter the village, and gave them some instructions. Then he led the horse they had brought from the village, mounted it, and began to prepare.
He disheveled his hair, wrapped a scarf around his face, hung a few small straw dolls on his body, and attached some hastily drawn talismans to his waist. Only then did he head into the village.
First impressions mattered...
Hu Ma had thought ahead. The villagers had pooled two hundred taels of silver to hire someone to deal with the Drought Demon, but getting the money wouldn't be easy.
He was here to make money, but he wasn't very familiar with the prices in this world. Still, two hundred taels was a significant amount.
There were few expenses in this world, and for most families who lived self-sufficiently, two hundred taels could build a small house for Second Uncle, get him a wife, and buy some livestock.
Although the village was looking for someone to exorcise the demon, getting the silver wouldn't be easy.
They were all young and inexperienced, and even if they had skills, the villagers might not trust them. Dressing up made them look more credible.
"Datong, when we get into the village, you'll have to help me out. With this disguise, I can't speak too bluntly."
As they walked, Hu Ma kept giving Zhou Datong instructions on what to say and how to flatter people. He also told them to show off their weapons...
...but Zhao Zhu's manure fork should stay hidden!
"At first, I thought I was coming out to investigate a case with Pockmarked Brother, but now it turns out we're putting on a big show?"
Zhou Datong couldn't resist teasing, even laughing at Hu Ma. But as the village drew closer, he grew serious, leading the horse and placing a hand on the knife at his waist, walking with a proud, wide gait.
One horse and three followers, armed with knives and swords, and dressed strangely, immediately drew attention.
Villagers were naturally wary of strangers, especially as it was getting dark. When they entered, several people who were eating outside their doors looked at them suspiciously.
"Hello, ma'am..."
Zhou Datong knew it was his turn to act. He saw a woman nursing her child and approached her with a smile. "Is there a Village Head or Clan Chief in this village?"
"Or any elder who can speak for the village? Our master is passing through with us and has some important matters to discuss..."
The woman, startled by Zhou Datong's friendly smile, quickly retreated into her house.
An old man smoking a pipe stood up and asked, "Who are you?"
"Hehe, our master is a Ghost Walker. He travels far and wide to exorcise demons and ward off evil spirits. In recent years, he has dealt with over eight hundred major demons and three thousand minor ones. Ordinary wronged ghosts scatter with just a breath. Today, he happened to pass by this village..."
Hu Ma thought Zhou Datong was exaggerating, but he got to the point: "He sensed demonic aura here!"
"Our master, being kind-hearted, brought us to check it out."
"..."
"Oh!"
The old man was startled by Zhou Datong's words and hurriedly bowed. "We've been waiting for a master like you. Please wait a moment, I'll go fetch our village's Zhao Laoye to speak with you."
He rushed into the village, and Hu Ma and the others waited on their horse.
The villagers heard the commotion and poked their heads out to look, but they only watched from a distance, not approaching to talk.
Zhou Datong saw the woman peek out from behind the door again and smiled. "Ma'am, your child looks very healthy. How do you feed him?"
Creak!
The door slammed shut, and she hid again.
Before long, several lanterns appeared in the distance, floating closer. When they arrived, a well-to-do middle-aged man, accompanied by a few strong laborers, approached and bowed to Hu Ma on the horse.
"Apologies for not greeting you sooner. May I ask your name, Master?"
"..."
Hu Ma cleared his throat, making his voice sound rougher. "I am Zhou, Zhou Dazhuang."
Zhou Datong was taken aback, glancing at Hu Ma, wondering, "Why are you using my father's name?"
"Master Zhou, it's a pleasure to meet you."
(End of Chapter)That Zhao Laoye hurriedly bowed to Hu Ma again, drawing close to Hu Ma’s horse and whispering, "Master, did you notice the demon aura in this place?"
"Afraid it’s more than just demon aura, right?"
Hu Ma’s voice was rough as he laughed, "From afar, it could be considered a sky full of demon aura. I reckon it hasn’t rained here for nearly a year, right?"
"Perhaps, a few people have died?"
"..."
"That’s right, that’s right..."
Zhao Laoye sighed and hurriedly directed the people behind him, "Quickly, invite the master inside."
The group led the horses and followed Zhao Laoye into the village. However, Hu Ma was also thinking that although Zhao Laoye was polite, he was clearly shrewd and might not have fully trusted them yet.
Dealing with villagers couldn’t be done carelessly. If he wanted to take on this job, he would have to show his skills.
As he thought, he quietly observed.
Just as he was thinking, they arrived at the spacious courtyard of Zhao Laoye’s house. Hu Ma felt a bit uncomfortable and looked around but saw nothing, hesitating slightly.
It was then that Little Red Apricot, who was sitting on the horse’s rump, seemed to sense what Hu Ma was looking for. She climbed up his back to his shoulder, covering his eyes with her cold little hands. Hu Ma’s vision went dark, and he saw something.
It was a black shadow crouching by the wall of Zhao Laoye’s courtyard, digging at the wall.
But no one around noticed it as they moved to and fro.
Seeing Hu Ma stop and look at the wall corner, the others were slightly stunned, unsure what he was doing.
"Red Apricot Sister is truly impressive..."
Hu Ma praised in his heart, withdrew his gaze, and smiled saying: "Old Master Zhao, please don't mind my meddling, but I fear your estate isn't quite... clean, if you will..."
"I suspect it's the governor's residence, where a funeral was recently held?"
“……”
Zhao Laoye was taken aback, his heart filled with suspicion: "Could it be another scammer trying to swindle us?"
Lately, their village had been plagued by drought, and they had been trying to find someone to perform a ritual to ward off the evil spirits. Many scammers had come, making empty promises but delivering nothing.
“White affair…” Zhao Laoye's expression was puzzled, and he forced a smile: "No, we haven't had any..."
“Or perhaps it's not your family’s.”
Hu Ma smiled: "But it must be related to your family. Someone is unhappy with you and is digging at your wall corner!"
“Digging at my wall corner?”
Zhao Laoye was genuinely shocked, having heard of vengeful spirits digging at people's walls, causing illness or financial loss in the household. Recently, he hadn't been feeling well, and now he was worried: "What does it look like?"
Hu Ma looked at the black shadow in the corner and said: "It looks like a young person, not an old soul, and the body seems strong, not like someone who died of illness."
"Ahh..."
Zhao Laoye was truly frightened now. After thinking for a moment, he hastily said: "Could it be Zhao Laosan?"
"A while back, someone tried to dig up our ancestral tomb, and Laosan, being a kind soul, tried to protect it. But he was killed with a spade by someone from a neighboring village..."
"Is... is he unhappy with me?"
"..."
"Probably."
Hu Ma said: "He died for your sake, and you didn't take care of his family. That's why he's seeking revenge."
As he spoke, he glanced at the frightened villagers and knew it was time to show off his skills. "Since I've arrived, I'll take care of this problem for you. Leaving it here wouldn't be suitable for the bigger task at hand."
He muttered to himself for a moment, then stretched out his hand and shouted: "Flying sword!"
The villagers retreated in shock, their eyes wide with wonder.
Even Zhou Datong and the others were stunned, thinking, "Mazi Brother has skills, but what's a flying sword?"
Just then, Hu Ma took out a red wooden sword from his back and tossed it casually into the air. Little Red Apricot jumped up and caught the sword, then, following Hu Ma's sword gesture, charged towards the black shadow crouching by the wall.
The others couldn't see Little Red Apricot, but they saw Hu Ma point, and the sword seemed to fly on its own, heading towards the wall corner.
Everyone was shocked, their eyes fixed on the scene.
The black shadow was just a weak and vengeful spirit, driven by a
Chapter end
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