https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-173-The-Red-Lantern-Lady-Remembers-You/12899784/
Chapter 174: The Method of Not Dying After Killing a Pig
Chapter 174: The Method of Not Dying After Killing a Pig
Things were clear, and Hu Ma finally felt a bit more at ease.
The next day, after having breakfast with Yang Gong and others, they were all whispering about which side would win and which side would lose that Night. The people above were busy with the magical duel, while the people below, though under pressure, still had their entertainment.
From the first round, someone had already placed bets, and now it was the final round. If they didn't bet, there would be no fun, so everyone's enthusiasm was even higher.
"Basically, whoever calls the Challenge First, Wins the Face."
"But the last two days were the opposite, I think... we should bet on the side that calls the challenge first!"
"I agree, I'll bet ten taels."
"Final Round, brothers, I'll bet Thirty Taels, we'll lose."
"… Lower your voice, if the Lady hears, you won't get the Taels, and she'll Drain You dry first."
"…"
Seeing their enthusiasm, Yang Gong also bet Fifty Taels and enthusiastically invited Hu Ma to place a bet.
Hu Ma smiled awkwardly: "I don't like betting money..."
"… Give me Two Hundred Taels, we'll win."
"…."
"Hiss…."
Including Yang Gong and others, they were all surprised, looking at Hu Ma with admiration. This brother is truly loyal to the Sect...
Hu Ma felt a bit helpless, two hundred taels, we're betting our lives with the Red Lantern Lady...
A group of people mixed, fought, and played cards until dusk, when the Red Fragrance Disciples reluctantly went to guard, Hu Ma and Mr. Xu also came to the Arena.
They saw that this time, the most complete group was there, even Chie Xiangzhu, who had disappeared for two Days, was present, sitting Properly Below the stage, his Face Still Swollen, Said to be Slapped by His Wife.
The Blue Robe Gang was As if Facing a Major Enemy, with a solemn Atmosphere. The RedLantern Society was also Not atEase.
Even if they lost this round, it would be a Draw, but if it really happened, the RedLantern Lady's Reputation would Suffer.
After All, they Normally Occupied the Best BloodFood Mines, Received the Best Offerings, and Had the Most Shopkeepers. If they Really Lost, the Above Might Doubt the RedLantern Lady's Strength.
The Wine anddishes were served as usual, but no one was in the Mood to Eat or Drink.
After the second round of gongs, they first heard a silver Bell-like Laughter from the BlueRobe Gang side, where the crowd was suddenly Stunned and Looked at the Stage.
A girl Wearing a Bright Green Robe, with a Pretty Little Braid on her Head, Bounced onto the Stage.
Her Beauty Stood Out, Making the Surrounding Firebasins Seem Duller.
Most of the Crowd Were Rough Men, and they Were All Stunned by the sudden Brightness.
"Indeed, it's the Sweet Potato Burn..."
Hu Ma Thought Secretly, This Girl looks Pretty and Cute, but she's Actually Quite Capable, and...
... She's Already Married, to Her Elder Brother, and became the Wealthy Mrs. Mi.
While Everyone Was Still Thinking, the SweetPotato Burn Raised Her Hand, and the Blue robe Gang helped her Lead a...
... Pig?
Everyone Was Still Immersed in Her Pretty Appearance, and They Were All Stunned.
Such a Beautiful Girl, why lead a Pig on Stage?
And it looked like the Pig was Just Pulled from the Pig Pen, Covered in Mud and Smelling Terribly, making it Hard for theCrowd to Eat.
"The Gentlemen of the RedLantern Society, please show your respect..."
SweetPotato Burn Held the Pig, Raised Her Hand, and the BlueRobe Gang Stepped Back, smilingly Pointing to the RedLantern Side: "I came here to PayRespect to the Blue Robe Lord and theRedLantern Lady. I haven't Eaten Well or Taken a Bath for Days, and I'm Covered in the Smell of the Road..."
Someone in the Crowd Couldn't Help but Respond: "Not Smelly, it's Fragrant."
SweetPotat oBurn Smiled: "I've Taken a Bath, of course I'm not Smelly. The Smell you're Sensing is from this Brother's..."
As She Said, She Patted the Pig, which Grunted.
The Crowd Burst into Laughter, and the Person Who Responded Instantly Felt Embarrassed.
"Even a Pimple Face is Obvious Anywhere..."
Hu Ma Felt a Bit Helpless, looking at the stage, Sweet Potato Burn Already Smiled: "I came here to have a Good Meal. There's Wine and meat below the stage, but what I Want Most is Hot Pot."
"Doesn't anyone in the RedLantern Society like this? Come up and Have a Few Bites with me. See, I've Already Prepared the Ingredients..."
Though the Girl Was Attractive and Spoke Well, this was a Challenge, and the RedL antern Side's Heart Was Suddenly Raised.
"Hehe, let the Old Man Come!"
At That Moment, a Hoarse Voice from the Crowd Responded, and an Elderly Man in Colorful Robe Stepped Out and Smiled as He Climbed the Stage.
No One Knew Him, and Hu Ma Was Also Surprised, as It Wasn't the Bald Head He Had Met Before.
"Fan Old Man?"
At the table, some of the Old Men Recognized Him and Were Surprised: "This is a Famous Leader of the City's Colorful Theater Troupe, and a High Person in the Inner Circle. The Sect Actually Invited Him Here?"
"Last Time They Said Performance Overcomes Soul Punishment, this Old Man is from the Performance Sect?"
Hu Ma carefully examined the old man, noticing that his attire indeed resembled that of a folk performer.
In terms of appearance, he was quite similar to the followers of the Vat Sect.
Hu Ma immediately understood. It seemed that the Red Lantern Association had also realized the importance of this final round. Even after guiding the bald shopkeeper, they still felt uneasy and thus spent a great deal of resources to invite a high-level expert from outside to participate in the duel.
Of course, whether it was easy to invite such an expert was another matter. It could have been a substantial amount of money or some other means.
“Old sir, please sit. Let’s get the pot ready…”
Diguashao was very sweet-talking. Despite the intense and deadly atmosphere of the duel, everyone would still exchange pleasantries, but she truly seemed to be warm and enthusiastic.
As she spoke, she gave a subtle glance, and someone brought a stove, with a pot placed on top. She and the old man sat down on either side of the stove.
The people in the audience began to worry again. With the stove set up, would these two start burning their hands or cutting flesh again?
However, to everyone's surprise, after inviting the old man in colorful robes to sit down, Diguashao smiled and said, “You are the elder, please sit. I’ll cook the meat for you. The meat is best when it’s fresh, and I particularly like to cook fatty meat; it’s so fragrant…”
As she spoke, she took a small silver knife, gently stroked the pig’s body a couple of times, and then plunged the knife in.
Everyone was startled.
Their expressions quickly turned peculiar. Diguashao cut a wound on the pig’s body, then sliced a piece of meat from it and threw it into the hot pot.
The pig, which was neither tied up nor held by anyone, stood there obediently, seemingly feeling nothing. Its large head was still sniffing and grunting around.
“What’s going on?”
In the audience, Mr. Xu and others were speculating, “Is it making the pig not feel pain?”
“It’s probably not that simple. The Blue Robe Gang has already invited so many people. The one who came last should be even more skilled.”
“This round won’t be easy.”
“…”
“What?”
Even Hu Ma was startled when she saw Diguashao’s move.
Earlier, she had brought back news and detailed to the left and right guardians the methods used by Diguashao and her senior brother. Although she could only describe them as an outsider, it still gave the guardians a good understanding of their three unique skills:
Huangguanzhi, Soul Calling, and Paper Money for Life.
What she had described was theoretically what the Red Lantern Lady Association should know. Without any additional information from Er Guotou, the Red Lantern Association would likely have prepared specifically against these three skills.
But now, Diguashao’s first move didn’t seem to be any of these three skills…
Had Er Guotou discussed something else with Diguashao, or was Diguashao, who was unreliable, about to cause trouble?
Thinking back to what the Red Lantern Lady had personally told her, Hu Ma felt a bit uneasy and stared intently at the stage.
Seeing Diguashao cut a piece of meat, the old man in colorful robes also looked a bit solemn.
He looked at the piece of meat, then at the pig, which seemed completely unaware, and after a long silence, he slowly stroked the pig’s head, looking quite distressed, and sighed, “The girl is very sensible. I’ll return a bigger piece to you…”
As he spoke, he gently pressed his palm on the pig’s head and then reached for a knife that someone handed him.
He took the knife and cut a large piece of meat from the other side of the pig, even bigger than Diguashao’s, but not as meticulously. He threw it, skin and all, into the hot pot.
Throughout the process, the pig seemed to be in a daze but didn’t move.
“What a waste of this pot of soup…”
Diguashao looked at the pot and shook her head. “I really planned to eat it…”
As she spoke, she giggled and then cut off a large part of the pig’s shoulder.
The old man in colorful robes looked extremely serious, clearly under immense pressure. He slowly took out a few silver needles, inserted them into various parts of the pig, and then carefully began to cut.
He was very slow, as if afraid that a single tremor of his hand would ruin his technique. By the time he finished, he was drenched in cold sweat, but he managed to cut the piece and placed it aside, breathing heavily.
“They are competing to see who can cut a larger piece without the pig feeling it?”
“No, it’s not just that. They also have to ensure the pig doesn’t die. Whoever’s knife kills the pig loses.”
“…”
Amid the audience’s chatter, the two of them took turns cutting the pig, which was now covered in blood, a sight too gruesome to bear.
Seeing that the old man in colorful robes could actually keep up with her, Diguashao suddenly smiled and took out a small silver saw. She started sawing at the pig’s neck, making a rasping sound, and eventually sawed off the pig’s head, casually tossing the saw aside.
She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a handful of grass, which she placed near the pig’s mouth. The pig immediately began to eat, but the grass fell off at the neck.
The scene was inexplicably eerie, and the entire venue fell into a dead silence, even the flames seemed to stop flickering.
(End of Chapter)
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