https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-187-Black-Mirror-Reflects-People/12899825/
Chapter 186: Evil Ghosts Pay a Visit
Chapter 186: Evil Ghosts Pay a Visit
"This is..."
Hu Ma listened, unable to contain his excitement: "Senior, you mean you will lend a hand when necessary?"
Ever since the Yin-Communicating Meng Family came, he had been somewhat uneasy.
Now, hearing his words, he finally felt a bit more at ease.
But then he thought, this senior mentioned he couldn't leave the Old Yin Mountain, and also said he would come when necessary.
Could it be that he also needs to pay a price to go?
The conversation had reached a point where it was considered settled, but Hu Ma's curiosity grew even stronger, and he was unwilling to leave just like that. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly said to the old tree stump, "Senior, I have one more question..."
"I know our Hu Family and the Meng Family have some grievances, but I am still confused..."
"I want to ask, when will I be able to understand all of this?"
"..."
Hearing Hu Ma's question, the figure on the old tree stump fell silent for a moment, as if a heavy gaze fell upon Hu Ma.
After a moment, he softly said, "In the past, you always avoided becoming a Hu, not wanting to be a part of the Hu Family. Your family once relied on the Bai Family to keep the last incense burning, and even we outsiders felt sympathy for her."
"Today, you seem to understand things a bit better, but to truly understand these matters or take over the burden from your grandmother, you must first become a true Hu."
"..."
"Become a true Hu?"
Listening to the old tree stump's words, Hu Ma had a strange thought.
Setting aside his biggest secret, he was already surnamed Hu, and his grandmother had acknowledged him. Why did he say this?
After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Senior, I didn't learn the Hu Family's techniques before, but now I have tried to understand them and have used them once."
If not learning the Hu Family's techniques means one isn't a Hu, then he should at least be considered a Hu now, right?
"I can see that."
The figure on the old tree stump said lightly, "But you still can't be considered a Hu."
Hu Ma immediately furrowed his brows, "Then what does it take to be considered one?"
The old tree stump laughed suddenly and said, "I don't know, because I am not a Hu."
"..."
Hu Ma was momentarily stunned, inwardly cursing, "Riddles should all die..."
The old tree stump said calmly, "I can sense the good and evil in people, and I can sense that you are cursing me in your heart..."
"?"
Hu Ma silently thought, "Senior of the old tree stump is invincible..."
"In short, the Hu Family's situation is indeed dire, and the burden on your grandmother is heavy. She is from an outside family, so many hopes are placed on you."
The old tree stump ignored him and sighed lightly, "You want to understand the Hu Family's affairs, which is understandable, but you need to understand that understanding means taking over the heavy burden from your grandmother..."
"Are you prepared for that?"
"..."
"This..."
From his ordinary words, Hu Ma sensed an immense pressure.
But there was one thing he heard clearly.
Yes, the Hu Family is also one of the Ten Surnames.
Just like the Yin-Communicating Meng Family who control the Red Lantern and Blue Robes, and the mysterious Master Zhao's Family, the Hu Family is also one of the Ten Surnames.
One of the most mysterious ten families in the world.
At this level, the grievances are intricate and terrifying, far beyond what a little Age Keeper like him, who has just entered the path, can bear.
Reincarnated ones often prefer to make wealth quietly, but this Hu Family identity seems to push him into the center of the storm. He has always been subconsciously curious about the Hu Family's grievances, but such a significant grudge is also instinctively repulsive...
"Looks like you aren't ready yet."
The senior on the old tree stump seemed to read his thoughts from his expression and sighed lightly, "To be honest, I advised your grandmother before that she didn't need to cling to this name. If the Hu Family is gone, it's gone."
"But your grandmother, who is surnamed Bai, is more like a Hu than any of the Hus."
"She refused to listen to me, so it's up to you."
"If you are willing, then there will indeed be one last Hu in this world. If you are unwilling..."
"..."
"Then one more grudge will be settled."
"..."
Hearing these words, Hu Ma felt a strange heaviness, and after a moment of silence, he smiled, "I understand what you mean, Senior. Now, let's talk about specifics."
"The Meng Family, of course, I don't want to provoke, and there's no need to meet them. But they are going from village to village, using mirrors to find people. I can't avoid them forever. Should I prepare some means?"
"..."
"That's simple."
The figure on the old tree stump smiled lightly, "Here's what you do. After I leave, dig up a handful of the soil beneath my feet and bring it back to the village."
"When they come, smear this soil on your chest, and their mirrors should not be able to see you..."
"..."
"Should?"
Hu Ma had a question he dared not voice: "Senior, shouldn't you be more certain about this kind of thing?"
As if reading Hu Ma's thoughts, the old tree stump chuckled lightly and said, "The Meng Family of Yin Communicator has many means. How dare I give you a definite guarantee?"
Hu Ma felt a bit helpless and hurriedly asked, "Then, what exactly can this soil prevent?"
The old tree stump seemed a bit stumped by this question, pausing for a moment before saying, "Theoretically, it can prevent a bit of everything."
"Huh?"
Hu Ma's heart stirred, and he suddenly felt a bit excited.
His gaze shifted slightly downward. Soil that could prevent a bit of everything—this was surely better than Yin Bone Jade...
"If you like it, take it all back. Although, only the first handful you dig up will be useful."
The figure on the tree stump chuckled lightly and gradually faded, saying, "In any case, I've said what I needed to. I won't talk to you much more. Just remember, no matter what the Meng Family does, don't lose your composure."
"Others haven't done anything yet, but you're already afraid. That's... too pathetic."
"..."
"Um?"
Hu Ma wanted to ask more, but as the old tree stump spoke, it quietly disappeared, as if merging into the Old Yin Mountain. The empty ground gave no hint that a tree stump had ever been there.
No matter what the Meng Family does, first maintain your composure...
Hu Ma thought to himself, squatting down where the old tree stump had appeared. He cleared away the weeds on the ground and rolled up his sleeves.
He was curious: Though it was all the soil under his feet, why was only the first handful useful, and not the second? If he dug a bit more, would it still be useful? If a bit slipped through his fingers and he picked it up again, would it still work?
He couldn't figure it out. This kind of thing in the Daoist realm seemed to be quite mysterious.
Forget it.
Though he couldn't understand, he still carefully dug a solid handful of soil with both hands, using his outer robe to wrap it and carry it on his shoulder. He then took large, cautious steps, sneaking away from the Old Yin Mountain, using the night to cover his tracks, and returned to the village.
He stuffed the soil and the robe under his bed and asked Little Red Apricot to keep an eye on it, feeling a bit more at ease.
"At least this senior from the old tree stump has promised to lend a hand when it's crucial."
He thought to himself, "Of course, no matter what, I need to handle things myself first. I can't waste the favor the old lady did for me in the Old Yin Mountain."
He also wondered about the old tree stump's Daoist power. From his words, it seemed he wasn't particularly afraid of the Meng Family of Yin Communicator, just a bit reluctant to get involved.
Though Hu Ma had never seen him perform any techniques and, due to the vast gap in their abilities, couldn't sense any pressure from him, he vaguely recalled that this old tree stump seemed different from other evil spirits.
When other evil spirits appeared, they often brought a cold wind, sometimes mixed with a foul, eerie smell.
But the old tree stump always seemed to bring a fragrant breeze...
It was hard to describe the scent. It wasn't like perfume, but more like the smell of burning incense and paper, heavy and dignified.
After all, it was an existence that could imbue the soil under its feet with a certain amount of power...
...though only the first handful.
With a sense of calm, he focused on what was happening here.
Knowing that the Blue-robed Boys had started entering the various villages of the Red Lantern Association to look for people, Hu Ma became more cautious and paid more attention to this matter.
This was a straightforward affair, and he could use the pretext of having a grudge with Chief Zheng and the recent appointment as the shopkeeper to gather more information about the Blue-robed Boys' actions.
He knew how they behaved in each village and that they often took people away without discrimination after a cursory inspection.
Their actions caused the shopkeepers in each village to suffer greatly, but they had no place to complain.
The Blue-robed Boys and the Red Lanterns were already not on good terms, and with the Blue-robed Boys having the authority to inspect the Red Lanterns, it seemed they were taking this opportunity to retaliate, angering many people. Only the left and right guardians managed to keep things under control.
And Chief Zheng, as the incense master of the Red Lantern Lady Association, became a guide for the Blue-robed Boys in this matter, further tarnishing his reputation.
"This is not a simple matter..."
After some investigation, Hu Ma had a better understanding. They would eventually come to his village, and he wondered why they were taking so long.
Since it couldn't be avoided, let them come!
After about seven or eight days, the village finally received a message from a lesser servant ghost, informing everyone to gather early the next morning. Hu Ma took a deep breath and ordered the apprentices:
"Call everyone back, prepare wine, food, and incense. Someone will be visiting tomorrow, so take good care of them!"
Though the visitors were unwelcome, the necessary formalities could not be neglected.
(End of Chapter)
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