https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-151-Paper-Figures-Scouting-First-Update-/12898687/
Chapter 150: Ma Family Ancestral Hall
Chapter 150: Ma Family Ancestral Hall
The Monkey Boss spent the entire night calling seven or eight souls, which turned into moths in his lantern, fluttering around chaotically. Only then did he quietly leave the village with Hu Ma.
Once they were outside the village, the monkey jumped onto his shoulder, and his voice finally grew louder, boasting proudly about his unique skill to Hu Ma. However, Hu Ma remained indifferent, seemingly distracted and not very interested in responding.
“You ah...”
The Monkey Boss didn't seem to mind, just smiling at Hu Ma and saying, “You’re still too young, you don't understand yet!”
“Once you enter the sect, you're no longer the same as those outside...”
“...”
Perhaps he sensed Hu Ma's subtle resistance, but he didn't know that Hu Ma had already thought of killing him several times. He only knew that he was still being watched, and with the enemy outnumbering him, it wasn't the right time to act.
Now, they had returned to Wutong Town, and someone was already waiting at the town entrance to greet the old monkey, planning to take him for a drink. They invited Hu Ma to join them, but he refused outright.
They let Hu Ma return to the inn to rest, while they went with the old monkey to Qianfeng Tea House. The Young Master Lu had already prepared a table of wine and dishes, waiting for the old monkey. When he saw the seven or eight moths fluttering in the lantern, his face brightened considerably.
“So, Monkey Boss, is that boy suitable?”
But after sitting down and putting away the lantern, he was still uneasy, focusing intently on the old monkey.
“No one could be more suitable.”
The old monkey smiled, took a sip of wine, and said, “Don't worry, I’m good at judging people.”
“He’s just a beginner in the wandering world. Even though he seems to understand some rules, it’s because his elders taught him. He hasn’t really been out on his own.”
“Moreover, although he’s suppressing it, it’s clear he can’t accept my unique skill. This shows he’s definitely not from our treasure hunter profession. Otherwise, even if he hadn’t done it himself, he would have seen it and wouldn’t have reacted so strongly.”
“...”
Hearing this, Young Master Lu's doubts were completely dispelled, and he was somewhat excited, “Did you get the hair and fur?”
“This I didn’t.”
The old monkey shook his head, “He’s a Year Guardian, and quite cautious. I can’t just snatch it from him. This old body of mine isn’t enough to take him on.”
Young Master Lu looked slightly disappointed, shook his head, and said in a low voice, “Then his name?”
The old monkey chuckled, called for paper and pen, but didn’t write immediately.
Young Master Lu laughed helplessly, showing three fingers, “Old Monkey, three hundred taels enough?”
“Enough, enough.”
The old monkey agreed with a smile, wrote a few words on the paper, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it to Young Master Lu, smiling, “This is his real name. I’ve checked with his brothers; their names are similar, indicating they’re from the same generation.”
“That’s good. If we can recruit a Year Guardian, how could we not help the Blue Robe Master? I’ll remember this favor.”
Young Master Lu unfolded the paper, looked at it with delight, and put it away, raising his wine cup, “Here, I’ll toast you.”
“We’ll act tomorrow, hoping everything goes smoothly.”
“...”
“...”
“They will likely act tomorrow.”
At the same time, in the inn, Hu Ma seemed to be in a low mood and depressed after returning, as seen by the outsiders.
Little Red Apricot looked at him several times, tentatively asking if she should go and beat up the monkey squatting on the roof of the neighboring house, but Hu Ma shook his head to stop her. After venting his frustration, he silently lay back on the bed and went to sleep.
In his dream, he immediately became active.
Diguashao was already waiting for him. After Hu Ma recounted the events in detail, Diguashao was clearly surprised, “Soul Calling Technique?”
“An old man with a monkey... does one of his eyes appear murky?”
“...”
Hu Ma nodded, “That’s him.”
“Hehe, it’s that old thing...”
Diguashao sneered, “He’s a scoundrel, who used to mix in Mingzhou Prefecture, committing several major cases, but was later driven out.”
“Later, it’s said he joined the Blue Robe Gang to make a living. However, his reputation was terrible, and he had many enemies, so he didn’t dare reveal his identity even in the Blue Robe Gang. Since he can call souls and is so proficient, it’s likely him.”
“He calls souls to break one of my techniques.”
“And they can call at most ten souls in one night. If he only called eight, it’s not because he’s kind-hearted and let the other two go.”
“There’s only one possibility: they’ve already called enough.”
“So, I understand my senior brother’s plan. They will definitely go up the mountain tomorrow.”
“...”
“It’s good that you can analyze the information.”
Hu Ma, while with the old monkey, was passive but occasionally asked a question to figure out their timing, to pass on to Diguashao.
He didn’t expect that, even without asking, Diguashao guessed it from the number of souls called.
He took a deep breath, then said more seriously to Diguashao, “Do you know this blind man well? What are his weaknesses? Tell me.”
“...”
Diguashao smiled, “I don’t know him well, but his technique is a side branch of our sect, so I can tell you about it.
"He's using just the surface-level techniques of our sect. He hasn't learned as deeply as my senior brother and I. The technique is called the Wuchang Soul-Stealing Method, which can summon a person's soul for use in spells. But his method is far from perfect."
"If he masters it, he can secretly memorize a person's name and birth date, or even just draw a portrait in secret. At night, he can burn three incense sticks and summon the Wuchang Lord to call the soul, locking a chain around the neck. No matter how great the person's abilities, they won't be of any use."
"Even more powerful is that if he shines a light on you, he can know your name and birth date. Whatever method he wants to use against you, he can."
"But before that, there's something important... has he gotten your name and birth date yet?"
"..."
Hearing this, Hu Ma shook his head and said, "He doesn't know."
Because he had suffered a setback in Dayang Village before, he had been extra cautious since leaving.
Now, he realized he needed to be even more careful in the future.
"That's much better."
Diguashao said, "Senior, although you are experienced and powerful, you must remember not to let these people know your name."
"Even from this moment on, you should forget your own name."
"They might not be able to get your birth date, hair, or beard, let alone your essence and blood, but just knowing your name gives them many ways to scheme against you."
"..."
"So dangerous?"
Hu Ma was taken aback and asked, "What if it's someone familiar? How should I deal with the people of the Soul Punishment Sect?"
"Hehe, let me put it this way!"
Diguashao said, "My master's name, we two still don't know. And although my master is nominally the chief elder of the Blue Robe Gang, he has always been a lone wanderer, living in seclusion. Even his closest friends don't want him to come within a ten feet of them, and they don't want to eat at the same table."
"As for my senior brother, he comes from a wealthy family. My master and I knew his name from the beginning, but he was so scared that in the past three or four years, he has changed his name three or four times and has his maids and servants call him by different names every day."
"As for me, I was a street urchin picked up by my master when I was young. I remember my original name, but I claim not to remember, so my master gave me a new name."
"But I never acknowledged it, so it can't really be considered my true name."
"..."
Hu Ma found it rather strange, "Do the people in your sect live such difficult lives?"
Diguashao smiled helplessly and said, "Because we know what methods can be used against others, we are naturally cautious about others using the same methods against us."
"Anyway, not just our sect, there are many techniques in the Soul Punishment Sect. Just be vigilant all the time."
Immediately, the two discussed some specific plans for the next day. Hu Ma recounted what he had seen and heard at Young Master Lu's place, including the attire, demeanor, and dialects of the people around him, as well as how they addressed each other, before leaving.
When it was light, Hu Ma got up and, before he could have breakfast, heard a commotion downstairs. It turned out that Old Monkey had entered the inn, but his ragged clothes immediately drew the ire of the innkeeper and the inn boy, who tried to drive him out.
Old Monkey didn't get angry; he just laughed and argued with them.
When they made a show of hitting him, he jumped outside, and when they turned around, he came back in. It wasn't until he saw Hu Ma at the top of the stairs that he smiled and waved:
"Little brother, let's go eat buns. I know a place where the buns are big and white..."
"..."
The innkeeper and the inn boy were surprised to see that Old Monkey knew Hu Ma and didn't know what to do.
Hu Ma waved his hand, not bothering to play along. He remembered how everyone had laughed at Second Uncle's jokes before, but now, hearing this old beggar's jokes, he only felt disgusted.
He walked out lazily and said to Old Monkey, "Old sir, with your great abilities, why do you let them boss you around?"
"It's so much fun..."
Old Monkey laughed, "Everyone looks down on me, so when I want to harm someone, I won't feel guilty at all."
Hu Ma glanced at him but didn't say anything more.
Old Monkey had promised to take Hu Ma to eat big, white buns, but they actually returned to Qianfeng Teahouse.
Everyone from yesterday was already there: the two sallow-faced men, the man surnamed Zheng who could throw flying knives, the jianghu man in hemp clothes, and the taciturn, seemingly honest man who could only smile foolishly.
"Have a hearty breakfast, and we'll set out after noon to the Ma Family Ancestral Hall."
Young Master Lu saw Hu Ma enter and said, "I'm sure my junior sister is already waiting there. This girl is young but has a pretty face. However, she is devious, cunning, and shameless. While others have blood in their hearts, she is full of evil schemes."
"Although all of you are experienced, you must be vigilant, so you don't fall for her tricks."
"..."
Everyone responded, wondering what kind of opponent they would face. Hu Ma, however, was slightly taken aback, "Junior sister?"
You guys are too perceptive. I only mentioned "her" yesterday, which gave it away. I'll fix it later so that new readers won't guess.
(End of Chapter)
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