Chapter 217: Hush Money
Chapter 217: Hush Money
Lady Red Lantern was extremely nervous, kneeling devoutly and writing a guarantee, while the manor was filled with a lively atmosphere, with wine and dishes being served, and everyone eating and drinking merrily.
Hu Ma had initially been worried about not getting back the blood food and provisions he had spent on the ghost walkers. However, seeing how agreeable Lady Red Lantern was, he deeply appreciated her.
After Lady Red Lantern left, Mr. Xu, the manager, also relaxed and smiled, saying, "From now on, everything will be different."
"Hu Nephew, I must say, your approach, which wouldn't have mattered much in the past, is now highly appreciated by the Red Lantern Society. Helping the people and exorcising evil spirits are exactly what the Red Lantern Society values the most..."
"..."
"At the time, I didn't think too much about it, but now it seems I might be set as an example?"
Hu Ma also began to realize that the Red Lantern Society might indeed be different after this incident.
As he thought, he was also somewhat moved and asked Mr. Xu, "So, does this mean that this incident could be considered a significant contribution?"
Mr. Xu laughed, "Of course, it's a contribution!"
"Besides, with Master Zheng gone, no one is managing this area. I'll report it to the higher-ups first."
"..."
Seeing his smug expression, Hu Ma was somewhat moved and lowered his voice to say, "The three positions of Grand Incense Master in the Red Lantern Society are all lucrative, and one of them is now vacant."
"Perhaps, Uncle Xu, it's time for you to move up?"
"..."
"Ah!"
Mr. Xu, hearing this, quickly put on a serious face and waved his hand, "That position is so important, how could it be my turn?"
Then he chuckled and whispered, "I've already started making moves."
"The old buddies are all supporting me, and I can't let them down. If I really do get the position, I can help everyone out a bit, right?"
"..."
Well!
Hu Ma was surprised. This incident had stirred up the entire city, and everyone, whether involved or not, had been drawn in.
Who would have thought that, in the end, the one who benefited the most would be this old Xu?
As they talked, Hu Ma sent someone to the town to fetch wine and food. It was the yellow-haired girl, Li Xiangyu, who carried the food box and personally delivered it, which greatly boosted the morale of the apprentices in the manor.
Hu Ma also treated Mr. Xu to a meal, and they chatted about many things that only insiders could discuss, such as the impact of this incident, Lady Red Lantern's temple construction, and the integration of the Blue Robe Gang and Blood Food Gang, along with various other businesses. Everyone was very pleased.
After they were well-fed and drunk, Hu Ma saw them off and prepared to close the manor for the night.
But just as he lay down, there was a sudden knock on the door. Opening it, he was greatly surprised.
It was the incense burner who had left earlier in the day, now riding a large horse and standing at the manor gate. Each of the two men held a rope, carrying a large box. Without much talk, they placed the box at the gate and said, "This is a gift from Lady Red Lantern."
"But don't mention It. Stay here in the manor and do your best."
"..."
"Gift?"
Hu Ma was stunned, "So soon?"
Wait, even if this incident was a contribution, it didn't warrant such a hasty reward, especially not in the middle of the night, with the incense burner secretly bringing it and telling him not to say anything...
Looking at the silent incense burner and the red lantern they held, Hu Ma could feel the light in the lantern seemed nervous, as if secretly watching his reaction.
He suddenly realized, "Good grief, this little Miss Red Lantern is trying to buy my silence."
"Thank you, Lady Red Lantern, for the gift..."
Hu Ma hurriedly thanked her and watched the two incense burners leave without a word, leading their horses away.
He then moved the large box into his inner courtyard. Zhou Datong and the others were curious about what was in the box, but Hu Ma just glared at them and told them not to mention it.
However, once he opened the box in the inner courtyard, he couldn't help but gasp.
Apart from various bottles and jars, there were large chunks of unprocessed Blood Ta Sui, and even some pearls, jade, gold, and silver, which made it seem like Lady Red Lantern had moved her dowry.
He understood that Lady Red Lantern was afraid he would reveal her previous cowardice, which would damage her reputation. Therefore, she had used some private funds and sent the most discreet incense burner to deliver the gift, ensuring he would keep the matter to himself.
But why go to such lengths? Wouldn't it be simpler to just eliminate him?
On second thought, she couldn't. Lady Red Lantern was probably the most benevolent she had been in years.
And from now on, she would have to remain benevolent.
Reflecting on this, he was slightly moved: "Now that she's so afraid, can I use the Year-Guarding Book to subtly remind her if there are any issues in the future?"
The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was feasible, even if it was a bit underhanded.
Lady Red Lantern was already quite pitiful. She looked like she had built a temple, but in reality, she had three major evil spirits under her control...
Feeling much better, he inventoried the contents of the box. The blood food pills alone numbered over thirty, more than what he had won in the magical duel.
Not to mention the two-pound chunk of Blood Ta Sui, and the gold, silver, and jewels mixed in, which were all valuable but paled in comparison to the blood food.
"Little Red Apricot, catch!"
Hu Ma, suppressing his excitement, pulled the stopper, pinched a blood food pill, and threw it to Little Red Apricot.
Little Red Apricot chewed on the Blood Food, still finding it hard to believe, but then her eyes suddenly lit up.
Blood Food, it's really Blood Food?
"Look..."
Hu Ma watched her excited expression and felt a bit smug, saying, "Isn't our life getting better and better?"
Little Red Apricot nodded her head enthusiastically, saying, "Can we eat Blood Food every day from now on?"
"..."
Hu Ma was a bit embarrassed: "That's still not possible for now..."
This reward, or rather, this hush money, came at just the right time!
He was just worried about how to gather the Blood Food needed for his fifth organ cultivation.
If he relied on the grain and money from the village, it would take who knows how many years to accumulate enough Blood Food to refine his heart.
So, let's do it!
Realizing the importance of his abilities, Hu Ma had no reason to stop now.
Starting from that night, he began to try stopping the Blood Qi supply from the Blood Tai Sui to his heart and instead used his Daoist Power to refine it.
Thump!
After the last trace of Blood Qi withdrew from his heart and it gave one final beat, there was a long, eerie silence.
A cold sensation spread from his chest to his entire body.
It was as if only at this moment did Hu Ma truly feel the difference between himself and others.
His body is that of a dead person...
Without the strange vitality of the Blood Tai Sui, his heart wouldn't even beat.
After a low sigh, he immediately began to mobilize his Daoist Power, gradually refining it.
From that moment on, the arduous process of refining the fifth organ began.
Earlier, whether it was the hush money from the Red Lantern Lady, the gifts from Old Zhang, or the Blood Food earned from the job with Er Guotou and Miss White Wine, he had quietly taken them out and hidden them under his bed.
Every day, he would consume large amounts of it, using the ample Daoist Power it provided to gradually infuse his heart with vitality.
Earlier, when Hu Ma had refined the other four organs, he had learned from the Old Shopkeeper's notes that refining the fifth organ was extremely difficult and required a large amount of Blood Food. However, at the time, he didn't understand the specific reasons. Now, he did.
The heart is different from other organs; it is the place where Blood and Qi are converted. A thread of vitality that is redirected can only linger for a moment before it disperses, unable to truly stay and nourish the heart.
Refining the other four organs was like hammering iron, a process of repeated refinement.
But for the heart, it was like a continuous stream of water, constantly flowing, day and night, without stopping.
Of course, unlike ordinary water that can wear through stone, the water he used to impact his heart was filled with golden sand.
Before refining this organ, he thought that being a Ghost Walker was the most expensive path.
Now he realized that the methods of the Age Keepers could also burn through resources without blinking an eye...
The hush money he received this time was truly substantial, something that other innkeepers might take years to accumulate through both earnings and greed.
But now, it seemed to barely suffice?
...
However, the process of refining the fifth organ cannot be rushed, and Hu Ma had the time to slowly refine it. The apprentices in the village had all gone through some trials and became more stable.
Moreover, it wasn't the time to collect Blood Food, so there wasn't much work in the village, and they could handle it themselves. Of course, the evil incidents around the village were surprisingly few, making it much easier to manage compared to other villages.
Now, Zhou Datong and the apprentices' most important task, besides patrolling at night, was to mediate disputes and fights among the villagers.
When two groups of people were fighting, armed with spears and clubs, Zhou Datong would just cough, and they would immediately calm down.
He was even more effective than the village elders.
The construction of the Red Lantern Lady's temple had also begun, and this little girl might soon receive incense offerings.
But Hu Ma suspected that in this world, even the gods who receive incense offerings might still be puppets controlled by others.
As days passed, Hu Ma's progress in refining his heart gradually improved, and the area around the village became increasingly peaceful. The memory of the previous chaotic period of rampant evil spirits seemed like a distant nightmare, feeling somewhat unreal.
On this day, after taking a few Blood Food Pills and practicing his techniques, Hu Ma walked out of the inner courtyard.
If it weren't for the waste of eating too many Blood Food Pills, he would have swallowed them all at once.
He had planned to check on how the apprentices were doing since he hadn't been involved in the daily affairs. However, as soon as he stepped out, he heard a loud shout from the outer courtyard.
The apprentices' voices were filled with genuine surprise, and he could hear the sound of hurried footsteps, with shouts like "They're here" and "Hurry up and put on your clothes." He was a bit taken aback...
These young men were actually quite sensible, knowing how much he cared for them.
As he thought, he slowed his pace, planning to console them a bit, telling them to work hard and learn more skills.
Then, as he stepped out of the inner courtyard, he was a bit dazed.
No one was looking at him; they were all gathered at the entrance of the village, surrounding a yellow-haired girl.
(End of Chapter)
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