https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-187-Black-Mirror-Reflects-People/12899825/
Chapter 188: The Lady Said
Chapter 188: The Lady Said
“Hold it!”
Seeing Chief Zheng say one word, those Blue-robed Boys, grinning, picked up their chains and walked over, seemingly to take Zhou Datong and the others away.
These people didn't understand what the mirror had revealed, but being targeted by these demonic-looking people made their hearts chill. In the face of such strange people, they were at a loss, panicking and anxiously looking over at Hu Ma, who stood to the side.
Even Zhou Datong, who was usually quite brave, was clearly flustered now.
But before the Blue-robed Boys could get to them, Hu Ma suddenly stood up, blocking them.
He couldn't afford to stay out of it.
During this time, he had been paying close attention to these Blue-robed Boys, knowing they had caused quite a stir in Mingzhou City. Many people had been taken away after being shown in the mirror.
Even in the various villages under the Red Lantern Association, it was the same. Many apprentices had been taken away after being shown in the mirror, and once they were taken, there was no news, no one asked about them, and no one knew their fate, whether they were alive or dead.
Even asking the Red Lantern Lady yielded no information.
He didn't know what was going on with Zhou Datong and the others, why they had been shown in the mirror.
They were clearly innocent, ordinary villagers. How could they be so different from others?
Could it be that Chief Zheng had tampered with the mirror?
His gaze suddenly turned to Chief Zheng, cold and fierce, and he gritted his teeth. Regardless of what Chief Zheng had done, he absolutely couldn't let them take Zhou Datong and the others away.
If they were taken, would they ever come back?
His heart was racing, but he forced a smile on his face.
Staring at Chief Zheng, he said, "We dare not obstruct the Blue-robed Lord from doing his duty, but these people are all fellow disciples who serve the Red Lantern Lady. If you just show them in the mirror and take them away, shouldn't you at least give an explanation?"
"An explanation?"
Chief Zheng, seeing Hu Ma stand up, smiled faintly and said slowly, "The Blue-robed Lord has ordered us to use the Yin Mirror in Mingzhou City to find those who lack Yin Virtue. One look in the mirror, and their Yin Virtue will be revealed."
"Anyone who reaches the red line must be taken back for questioning and further judgment."
"This is how it's done in Mingzhou City, the Red Lantern Association, and even the Blue Robe Gang. Do you want an explanation now?"
"..."
"Red line?"
Hu Ma's request for an explanation was just to buy time; he didn't really expect an actual explanation.
But hearing his words, he couldn't help but glance at the bronze mirror and indeed saw a faint red line marked on the edge of the mirror.
He didn't understand what "lack of Yin Virtue" meant, but he immediately followed up, saying, "I don't dare say anything against the Blue-robed Lord's orders, but if I didn't see wrong, they are still far from that red line, right?"
This was the truth. Among these people, only Zhou Datong was close to the three-foot red line, but just barely.
As for Zhou Liang, he was still half a foot away, and Zhao Zhu and Li Wa Zi were even further off.
Chief Zheng, hearing Hu Ma's words, didn't change his expression, just said calmly, "The Blue-robed Lord is merciful and only wants those who reach the red line."
"But we must be cautious in our work, so we take those who are close to avoid any mistakes."
"Since you haven't reached it, why fear? It's just a few questions, and then you'll be let go."
"..."
"Go to hell..."
Hu Ma cursed inwardly, urgently thinking, but his face remained naturally friendly, saying hurriedly, "We just fear it might be too much trouble and tire the Blue-robed Lord and the seniors. If you're not sure, just show them in the mirror again..."
"If they really reach the red line, I'll bind them and take them there myself..."
"But to take them away so blindly, Chief Zheng, you are a member of the association. If the Lady finds out you treated our own apprentices this way..."
"..."
"..."
He spoke casually, not really expecting his words to intimidate Chief Zheng.
Others might think Chief Zheng was just using the Blue-robed Lord's authority to bully them, but Hu Ma knew that behind this, there were the shadows of the Meng Family. How could the Red Lantern Lady dare to intervene?
He was just buying time, already thinking of how to escape, take Zhou Datong and the others out of the village, and hide in the Old Yin Mountain.
This position as a manager in the Red Lantern Association, he didn't want it anymore.
In the end, Zhou Datong and the others' lives were more important. He had learned many skills; he could always find another opportunity to re-emerge.
His only concern now was, facing these Blue-robed Boys, Chief Zheng, and the mysterious evil ghost mask in the sedan, which seemed to be of the same nature as the Red Lantern Lady's lantern, how could they break out?
While Hu Ma was thinking this, the Blue-robed Boys seemed to grow impatient.
They were already unhappy with the Red Lantern Association, and after handling so many tasks, they had never encountered such a troublesome situation.
They squinted their eyes, laughed coldly, and swung their chains. If not for Chief Zheng blocking them, they might have already rushed over to snatch the people.
"Hmm, that's true..."
But no one expected that Chief Zheng, looking at Hu Ma, seemed to be thinking deeply.
In the end, he let out a low sigh, muttering to himself, "After all, I am part of the Red Lantern Association, and these apprentices were all recruited by me. How can I really be completely indifferent to them?"
As he spoke, he looked at Hu Ma expressionlessly, then turned to the Blue-robed Boys with a smile.
He said in a somewhat ingratiating tone, "Fellow Senior Brothers, shall we go?"
"What?"
Caught off guard by these words, not only the Blue-robed Boys but also Hu Ma and the people in the village were greatly surprised.
What’s in his sleeve?
Upon hearing this, no one dared to relax; instead, they thought that this Zheng might be about to make a move, and their hearts were on edge.
"I mean it."
Chief Zheng bowed deeply to the Blue-robed Boys and said, "During this period, in Mingzhou City and among the various Blood Food Gangs, we have already inspected many people and brought back quite a few."
"These few apprentices in the village, although they are indeed somewhat better than ordinary people, still have a significant gap compared to those who exceeded the red line."
"There are already quite a few people on the other side, and we can't even finish the review, so there's no need to make things so complicated."
"Fellow Senior Brothers, you've worked hard, inspecting seventeen villages. There's no reason to create trouble here, is there?"
"Besides, no one exceeded the three feet mark, so there's no need to even invite the Blue-robed Lord."
"..."
Seeing him speak like this, the Blue-robed Boys looked at each other in confusion, and the chains in their hands slowly stopped swinging.
Their skills were not necessarily lower than Chief Zheng's, but having followed the Blue-robed Lord for too long, they had become somewhat different from ordinary people, and their speech and actions were not as quick-witted. Therefore, on this journey, they mostly followed Chief Zheng's advice.
Moreover, Chief Zheng had deliberately tried to be friendly, making their travel and rest very comfortable.
Upon hearing his words, they actually nodded slowly.
On Hu Ma's side, he had already prepared to kick sand into their faces, but to his surprise, they were really leaving.
They were actually letting Zhou Datong and the others go?
This change, far from bringing joy, seemed rather strange.
Seeing Chief Zheng make a gesture to leave, the Blue-robed Boys lifted the sedan chair and were about to go. Hu Ma's mind raced, trying to guess Chief Zheng's intentions.
Suddenly, he had a thought and hurriedly walked a few steps to catch up with them, smiling, "Blue-robed Lord, please go slowly, Fellow Senior Brothers, please go slowly. I'll see you off..."
He suddenly realized that this Zheng might be buying time, saying he would leave but then turning to attack.
As a Year Guardian, he was more effective the closer he was to his opponents. At this critical moment, he couldn't afford to let them get too far.
Some of the apprentices were also quick-witted and had already picked up their knives and forks, following behind.
But even Hu Ma hadn't expected that as he escorted Chief Zheng and the others out of the village and toward the town entrance, they were really just leaving, showing no signs of making a move. This was truly unexpected, and he felt a strange sense of unease.
"Mr. Hu, are you worried that I might try to forcibly take your apprentices?"
At this moment, Chief Zheng was walking slowly behind the Blue-robed Boys, hands behind his back, a smile on his face as he looked at Hu Ma, "Or, do you think that the few apprentices who were found were a result of my manipulation?"
Meeting his gaze, Hu Ma's heart sank slightly, but he remained silent, just looking at him.
"That's very normal. If I were you, I would think the same."
Chief Zheng didn't wait for a response, just laughing softly, as if sharing a secret with Hu Ma, making it seem like they were very close.
Even some of the apprentices in the village thought that because of Hu Ma's good relationship with Chief Zheng, he had helped to plead for Zhou Datong and the others to stay.
But the words that came out of Chief Zheng's mouth surprised Hu Ma: "In fact, I didn't manipulate anything."
"Even if I had the ability, I would only use it on you, because I do want you to taste the hot oil. But for these apprentices, I have no interest."
"They were really found, and they really met the criteria to be taken back."
"..."
"Then..."
Listening to Chief Zheng's words, Hu Ma was momentarily stunned, realizing that he might not be lying about this.
But if that was true, why was he being so kind and really letting Zhou Datong and the others go?
At the town entrance, the ghostly aura around the Blue-robed Boys had become increasingly intense and cold, and the sedan chair they were carrying trembled slightly, as if it were a bride on her wedding night.
Hu Ma had no reason to continue following them, and he could see that they really had no intention of making a move, so he stopped. But the questions in his mind made him stare at their backs for a long time without turning away.
Chief Zheng, walking further and further away with the Blue-robed Boys, finally turned his head to smile at Hu Ma when he was almost out of sight.
Seeing that triumphant smile, Hu Ma's heart suddenly jolted, a thought flashing through his mind:
"Bad!"
(End of Chapter)
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