Chapter 225: The Way of the Life Keeper
Chapter 225: The Way of the Life Keeper
Now, Hu Ma actually knows nothing about the people who guard the cave or what happened to Fragrant Girl. He brought her to see the doctor mainly because he trusted White Wine Miss. She was one of their own, and whether to treat her and how to treat her were decisions she could make, so he didn't need to worry about it.
He just thought silently that the old steward was even more grateful when Caoxin Hall agreed to treat her, repeatedly expressing his thanks.
The unexpected part was that even after he mentioned the Ghost Cave, Caoxin Hall didn't seem to care and agreed to treat her, apparently also giving some face to the little shopkeeper of the Blood Food Gang...
For him, what this represented in terms of complex feelings was unknown.
"Both of you, just make sure to be back by midnight. Since I need to burn incense and bathe, I won't keep you for dinner..."
Hearing the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper make a joke, Hu Ma knew they were being dismissed. Seeing Fragrant Girl left at Caoxin Hall with a soul-soothing incense stick burning beside her, he knew she was protected and no outsider could get close. Hu Ma felt relieved and walked out.
He first sent Zhou Datong and the others back to the village and then headed to the Red Lantern Society.
After all, he had entered the city and had the whole day, so it wouldn't be appropriate not to pay a visit. Besides, this time he saw Mr. Xu...
...No, now it's Incense Master Xu. Regardless of the title, he needed to follow up on the accounts.
"Ah, these accounts are hard to settle..."
Incense Master Xu seemed pleasantly surprised to see Hu Ma and put on a show of complaining: "Nephew Hu, come and take a look. What kind of mess did that Zheng guy leave me?"
"Should we pay for taking over the Blood Food Mine from the Blue Robe Gang? Should we pay for settling the new managers and apprentices? Building a temple also requires a lot of silver, right?"
"And there's the tribute to the higher-ups. More Blood Food Mines mean more tribute."
"Sigh, here and there, but the society's resources are limited. What can I do?"
"..."
Now that they were more familiar, Hu Ma knew that Xu was just complaining for show and was actually happy.
So he smiled and said, "I don't care about that. You promised to settle my accounts, right?"
"That's easy, I've been thinking about it!"
Incense Master Xu chuckled, waved his hand, and then lowered his voice, "Next spring, would you like to visit the Blood Food Mine?"
"Ah?"
Hu Ma was surprised, fully understanding how much profit this could bring.
He quickly said, "Is that possible?"
Incense Master Xu said, "It's not an easy task..."
Hu Ma laughed, "I understand the rules."
Incense Master Xu said, "Exactly because it's not easy, we need someone like you, Nephew Hu, who is steady and capable!"
"Talking about rules with me is being too formal, isn't it?"
"To be honest, I thought of you from the start. I've already found a good accountant for you, remember the old man with the abacus who saved your life? He's a reliable guy and will be sent to your village when the time comes."
"..."
"Even the accountant is arranged, is this really possible?"
Hu Ma thought of the old man who owed him sixty Blood Food Pills and felt elated. He quickly said, "With the Red Lantern Society being so big, the incense master in charge of money and grain needs to be reliable. Uncle Xu did a great job..."
"Shall we talk more over dinner tonight?"
"..."
Having agreed to have dinner with Mr. Xu, Hu Ma left and went to find Yang Gong.
Unexpectedly, Yang Gong had just finished his shift and was teaching the lame lesser servant ghost in his courtyard how to deliver messages, how to send objects, and how to recognize the characters he wrote. Suddenly, a cold wind blew, and he looked up to see that his lame lesser servant ghost was gone.
Beside him, Shen Bangzi said, "Brother Yang Gong, your little servant ghost is no good."
"He ran off before you finished speaking."
"..."
Yang Gong was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "Go to Spring Harmony Pavilion and tell them my brother Hu Ma is here."
Sure enough, when he went outside, he saw the lame lesser servant ghost kneeling in front of Hu Ma, shouting, "Master Hu, may you have good fortune."
In the evening, Yang Gong hosted a dinner, inviting Incense Master Xu and several venerated members, including the old man who owed him sixty Blood Food Pills. A few Red Incense disciples also joined them.
These Red Incense disciples could still drink with the managers and stewards, but once they advanced and became incense burners by the Lady's side, such social interactions would no longer be possible.
After a few rounds of drinks, Hu Ma, out of curiosity, asked Incense Master Xu, "What does Caoxin Hall do?"
"This place is not simple at all..."
Hearing this, Incense Master Xu began to show off, explaining to Hu Ma and Yang Gong, who were still inexperienced: "You are still young and inexperienced, only seeing how the Red Lantern Society is becoming more prosperous."
"But remember, even though our Lady has built a temple, places like Caoxin Hall, Plum Blossom Alley, and the Prefecture Office are still not to be provoked."
"Of course, they won't provoke us either. We all give each other face and get along."
"..."
Yang Gong quickly said, "I know about Plum Blossom Alley. Our Red Incense disciples don't enter that alley during night patrols. Last time, they sent a servant to buy a few Blood Food Pills, and it was the incense burners who personally delivered them. But what's the deal with Caoxin Hall?"
Hu Ma listened, feeling somewhat curious. Yang Gong used to be straightforward, only recognizing the Red Lantern Lady. Now, it seemed he had grown more sophisticated.
Incense Master Xu said, "Our Red Lantern Society relies on Blood Food for sustenance and serving the Lady. Therefore, most of us are Age-Guarding Spirit Bearers, and a few are Ghost Walkers to better assist the Lady."
"But do you know that among the itinerant doctors and herbalists who travel the lands, there is also a sect?"
"That sect is called the Life Keeper."
"..."
"Life Keeper?"
Hu Ma pondered for a moment and asked, "What is special about this sect?"
"The special aspects are significant."
Incense Master Xu smiled and said, "Outside the sect, they treat illnesses; inside the sect, they treat fates."
"Ordinary itinerant doctors use herbs and silver needles to treat illnesses and injuries, and when the medicine works, they are considered good doctors. But once they enter the sect, things become mystical."
"They are said to have the ability to forcibly extend life. Strange diseases that ordinary doctors can't cure can be treated by them, and even those who appear to be on the brink of death can have their lifespan extended with their help."
"Within the sect, it is even said that the Life Keepers can alter the Book of Death, preventing the King of Hell from taking souls!"
"..."
"Are they really that powerful?"
Hu Ma listened, feeling a bit intrigued. "I should go and check it out."
"Not so fast."
Everyone was gaining new insights and listening patiently. However, a Red Incense Disciple named Shen Dabang said, "Before the Red Lantern Lady built her temple, we felt fearless in Mingzhou City. Only the Blue Robe Gang dared to oppose us, and we chased and beat them."
"Now that the Lady has built a temple, why do we have to be cautious everywhere?"
"..."
This comment resonated with several other Red Incense Disciples, but Yang Gong seemed thoughtful and did not join in.
"Hehe, this is actually a good thing..."
Incense Master Xu, who usually had little patience with these uneducated Red Incense Disciples, now understood that with the Lady building the temple, this batch of Red Incense Disciples might be the last. So, he patiently explained with a smile:
"We have always stayed here to handle the Lady's affairs and rarely ventured into the Wandering World. You don't quite understand."
"In fact, in the past, we were just part of the Blood Food Gang, which focused on collecting Blood Food. We fought for benefits, but our reputation in the Wandering World was limited. Outside, if you mentioned that you were a Red Incense Disciple or a Shopkeeper from the Blood Food Gang, some might show respect, but others might ignore you."
"But now, things are different. When we go out, we are no longer just part of the Blood Food Gang. We are disciples of the Red Lantern Lady, who is venerated in the incense and offerings. This gives us a certain status."
"Even if they don't know us, other Wandering World companions who venerate incense and offerings will remember our connections. Even those who don't venerate incense and offerings will respect our status to some extent."
"..."
Hu Ma wasn't sure if the Red Incense Disciples understood the difference, but he himself felt a sudden clarity.
This was the difference between Shaolin, Emei, and the Salt Gang in a certain place.
To put it simply, the Blood Food Gang had no significant influence in the Wandering World before...
No wonder the steward of the Fragrant Girl's family, despite being destitute and down on his luck, still exuded a certain air of arrogance that was somewhat unsettling.
It all boiled down to one's status in the Wandering World.
His identity as a Shopkeeper in the Blood Food Gang wasn't particularly impressive and might even be seen as a liability.
Of course, with the Red Lantern Lady building a temple, things would change, but that would take time. For now, others still saw him as a Shopkeeper from the Blood Food Gang.
Having gained a clearer understanding of his status in the Wandering World, Hu Ma felt more at ease.
He drank with them until they were all tipsy, then politely declined Incense Master Xu's invitation to visit the pleasure quarters in the city to listen to music. Instead, he went alone to the Caoxin Hall.
He was already seven-tenths drunk, but with each step, he grew increasingly sober.
Age-Guarding Spirit Bearers, having refined their five viscera, could drink poison like arsenic in large bowls without even needing sugar, let alone wine.
When he reached the Caoxin Hall, he lit a few incense sticks to dispel the alcohol smell from his body, then went upstairs. The old steward from the Li Manor was already waiting there. As soon as he saw Hu Ma, he bowed deeply.
But Hu Ma neither approached nor distanced himself, merely nodding coldly and looking ahead.
He maintained his dignity. Understanding his position in the old steward's mind didn't mean he accepted it.
"Do you subconsciously think that a little Shopkeeper from the Blood Food Gang who saved your young miss might demand something in return for his kindness?"
"I'm not that kind of person. Even if I wanted something, I would wait for you to offer it voluntarily!"
I am truly awesome. I had a fever, but I didn't miss an update, and I even managed three chapters!
I am justified in asking for support.
(End of Chapter)
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