Chapter 170: Sun Niu Zi Takes the Stage
Chapter 170: Sun Niu Zi Takes the Stage
In the end, it was still Second Pot Elder Brother who was cunning and smooth, doing things Thoroughly...
Hu Ma didn’t expect the final arrangement to be this way, saving himself the trouble of getting on the stage, helping himself earn a reward, and even Gaining a Favor.
He supported the Old Shopkeeper, who was two rounds older than himself, and sincerely said, "Elder Brother, don’t say it that way. We all have our own skills, and I just happened to bring some news, so I don’t dare to accept such a Bow."
The Old Shop Keeper’s Face was Full of Excitement and Gratitude, and His Gratitude seemed genuine.
Such a Stage Match, especially when it’s a Challenge, even the Old Wandering World People are Afraid of it.
Having Received This Favor, I will now Have a Connection and Influence Among the Old Shop Keepers.
"Ha ha, since you two are Chatting, let’s Go!"
At This Moment, the Smiling Right Guardian Waved His Sleeve and Said, "We Have Already Arranged for Others to Handle the Rest."
"Tonight, We Must First Win This Match!"
"..."
Seeing Everyone’s Faces Relax, They All Walked Outward. Hu Ma’s Heart Was Also Curious: "Tonight is a Challenge, so It Must Be Sun Niu Zi Going Up."
"What’s the Steady-Winning Technique They Talk About?"
While Thinking, He Walked Out and Saw a Group of People Waiting Outside, Which Included Yang Gong and Shen Dabangzi and Others.
SeeingYang Gong’s Concerned Face, Hu Ma Went Over to Talk to Him.
Before He Could Get Close, a Cold Gust of Yin Qi Carried a Lame Little Ghost to Him, Who Kowtowed and Said, "Blessings for Master Hu..."
"..."
Before He Could Finish, Yang Gong Kicked Him Out and Scolded, "Scared Me to Death!"
"Who Never Shows Up Unless Burned Incense, Why Now?"
"..."
Not Only Him, Even Hu Ma Jumped in Surprise.
Suddenly, a Lame Little Servant Ghost Knocked, and No One Was Afraid, but Seeing it Was Yang Gong’s Little Servant Ghost, Hu Ma Couldn’t Help but Laugh.
He Patted His Chest and Found he Still Had Some Dried Meat with Him. He Pinched a Piece and Threw it to the Little Servant Ghost, Saying, "Blessings, blessings, ThisTime I Really Got Lucky."
"You’re Too Used to it..."
Yang Gong Look at Hu Ma with a Grumpy Face but a Happy Smile.
Talking Frankly, It’s My Little Servant Ghost, I Can Scold him as Much as I Want, but If Others Are Nice to him, It’s Also a Respect to Me."
Seeing the Lame Little Servant Ghost Enjoying the Dried Meat with Joy, Hu Ma Said to Yang Gong, "What You Said About Good Luck is..."
"You Don’t Have to Go on the Stage."
Hu Ma Leaned in and Whispered, "They Remembered Me Doing a Favor for the,,. Got a Reward, and Will Even Give Me a Bonus!"
Having Brought Back the News of a SelectedPerson, He Kept It a Secret for Now.
"Great..."
Yang Gong Listened and Immediately Look Relived, his Heart finally Settled, and He Smiled, "This Is Worth Celebrating."
"I Have to Go on Duty, Wait for Me, and We’ll DrinkTogether After."
"..."
His RoughManner Made Shen Dabangzi Frown, and Hu Ma busied himself patting him, signaling him not to say Such Things.
Not Having to Go on the Stage is Good, but Saying it in Front of So Many People, Isn’t That Indicating Serving the Red Lantern Lady IsBad?
While Talking, the Group Moved to the Center of the Town, where the Arena Was Already Set Up. They Saw Several Round Tables on Both Sides, and Mr. Xu Was Sitting at One of Them, Waving Hu Ma Over from Afar.
Yang Gong and Others Brought Hu Ma Over and Went to Patrol.
In Such a Major Event, Even Though Yang Gong and Others Had High Status, they Had to Take on Patrol and Guarding Duties, and wouldn’t Sit at the Banquet.
The White Incense Disciples Were Busy Cooking, Serving Dishes, and HandlingMiscellaneou Duties.
Only Hu Ma, Having Risen from a Blue Incense Disciple, Could Sit at the Side Tables and Drink.
Hu Ma Sat Down and Told Mr. Xu He Didn’t Need to Go on the Stage. Mr. Xu’s Face showed a Smile, and He Introduced the People at the Table to Hu Ma.
All of Them Held Various Positions in the City, and Even the Old Blue-robed Servant Ghost, who Saved Hu Ma’s Life with the “Ancestral Ointment,” Was at the Table, Surnamed Qian. Mr. Xu and Others Called him “Old Accountant.” Hu Ma Gave him a Deep Look and Then Smiled as He Raised His Cup, Expressing Gratitude for Saving His Life.
"Good, good, good..."
Old Accountant Smiled, Looking Concernedly at Hu Ma, "If You Can’t Sleep Well, Come to Me for a Second Blood Food Pill..."
"Trying to Trick Me Again?"
Hu Ma Thought, "At Least the Second One is Half Price."
"You Wait, I’ll Get Twenty Blood Food Pills from You, or This Matter Isn’t Finished..."
Of Course, While Thinking He Could Only Chat with Them. The People Mr. Xu Introduced to Him Were the Ones He Planned to Meet and Make Connections Before Leaving the Village.
Now, Having Recognized Them, and Having Earned Some Merit, He Could Save Some Silver.
Of Course, He Still Had to Spend, but He Didn’t Need to Buy Expensive Gifts as Knocking Door Bricks.
Sitting and Chatting, They Saw Dusk Approaching, and a Gong Gave a Loud Clap, Making the Crowd on Both Sides of the Arena Fall Silent. Everyone Stood Up and Bowed.
On both sides of the arena, preparations were made. On the Red Lantern side, the left and right guardians carried a massive red lantern and hung it high on their side.
On the Blue Robe Gang's side, a huge blue cloth was unfurled.
In the center of the blue cloth, a mask with a blue face and fangs hung, symbolizing the Blue-robed Evil Spirit they worshiped.
After the worship, everyone took their seats, and the White Incense Disciples began to serve dishes. People on both sides started eating and drinking.
This was because the Blue Robe Gang had won yesterday's challenge, and they had won against the Red Lantern's challenge. As a result, everyone was elated. Initially, many in the Blue Robe Gang had not been optimistic about their own prospects and had been plotting how to join the Red Lantern Association. Now, they found that their chances of winning had greatly increased.
Clearly, their voices and laughter were louder than those on the Red Lantern side.
"Whether we succeed or fail depends on whether we can hold our ground tonight."
Mr. Xu sighed softly, expressing everyone's concerns.
If the Blue Robe Gang won another round tonight, even if the Red Lantern Association won the remaining rounds, it would only result in a tie.
For the Red Lantern Lady, who already had profound Daoist Power, this would be a very embarrassing situation.
Worried about this, they could not enjoy the feast, even though it was abundant. Of course, after eating for seven days, they had already lost their appetites. Hu Ma, however, had been busy traveling these past few days and had a hearty appetite. He ate heartily and even toasted a few people with a cup of wine.
After three rounds of drinks, the sky had turned pitch black. Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums echoed, and everyone turned their heads.
A man in blue robes, with a handsome face, appeared on the Blue Robe Gang's side, carrying a small tray. He walked slowly onto the stage.
Seeing him, Hu Ma was taken aback. He had met this man before. It was the one he had confronted in Niujia Bay, from whom he had taken the great merit that Yang Gong had earned.
The man walked up to the stage, sat down on a small mat, glanced at the Red Lantern side, and said with a faint smile, "Yesterday's round was too bloody, and it hurt the harmony between our two gangs."
"Today, I am calling the challenge, and I don't want it to be so unpleasant."
"I have brought a pot of good tea. Does anyone from your gang want to come up and have a cup with me?"
"..."
Everyone on the Red Lantern side looked grim, and no one truly believed his words. The more casually he spoke, the more ruthless his preparations were likely to be.
After he called the challenge, Zheng Xiangzhu led Sun Niu Zi to the stage, straightened his clothes, patted his shoulder, and said with slightly reddened eyes, "Go up there!"
Sun Niu Zi's lips trembled, as if he had something in his mouth, and he couldn't speak.
Gritting his teeth, he finally stepped onto the stage, his legs trembling as he tried to stand firm. He bowed deeply to the other side, "Brother, I greet you..."
"..."
His words were formal, but his expression was worse than crying, and his speech was muffled, as if he had something in his mouth.
This was already a significant breach of etiquette, making the Red Lantern Association lose face.
However, the man in blue robes did not seem to mind. He smiled and invited Sun Niu Zi to sit down, clapped his hands, and a servant brought up a stove filled with burning charcoal and a large iron pot.
In front of everyone, he poured water into the pot, placed it on the stove, and silently sat down. The young Blue Robe Incense Master then said with a faint smile, "I invited you up here to taste the good tea I brought."
"However, my skills are not very good, and the water in this pot never seems to boil. Brother, do you have any ideas?"
"..."
For a moment, everyone held their breath, knowing that this was a challenge.
Hu Ma also looked curiously at the stage. The stove was blazing, with flames leaping from under the pot, burning fiercely.
But the black iron pot remained steady, showing no signs of change.
Mr. Xu leaned over and whispered, "Little Merchant Hu, can you see what's going on here?"
Hu Ma replied, "If the water doesn't boil, it must be a problem with the pot or the water."
He remembered that in his previous life, there were many ways to prevent a pot of water from boiling, but he didn't know what the young incense master had done.
"I don't think so."
Mr. Xu slowly shook his head. "If it were that simple, he would lose once the flaw was discovered."
"The Blue Robe Gang is determined to win this round. It won't be that easy."
"..."
Asking others, they also frowned in concentration.
At this moment, an old man sitting across from Mr. Xu lowered his voice and said to everyone, "This is a tough one."
"I think he must have used a technique from the Harmful Chief Sect."
"This technique is called the Uncooked Rice and Meat Technique. If we can't break this technique, the water in that pot will never boil, no matter how long it's heated..."
"..."
"Such a technique exists?"
Hu Ma was surprised and even more curious.
How would Sun Niu Zi, or the upper echelons of the Red Lantern Association, break the opponent's technique? And how could they be so confident in winning this round before even knowing how the challenge would be called?
(End of Chapter)
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