Chapter 226: The Li Family's Fortune
Chapter 226: The Li Family's Fortune
It was not yet midnight, yet the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper was already preparing. Fragrant Girl lay on a soft couch on the second floor, her body tied with multiple red threads.
Some of these red threads were tied around her ankles, others around her wrists, and some had one end pushed into her mouth, making her bite down on them. All the red threads crisscrossed to form a net around her, with small bells attached to the threads.
It looked both eerie and mysterious.
The Five Ghosts Shopkeeper had changed into a white robe, wearing a tall hat on his head and a yellow talisman around his waist. He took the five small bottles he usually carried and placed them around Fragrant Girl's head and limbs.
As he silently chanted, the surrounding incense smoke revealed the faint appearance of five small ghosts kneeling around Fragrant Girl.
Seeing that it was almost midnight, he lit the incense and began to circle around Fragrant Girl, chanting.
"Is this treating an illness?"
Hu Ma was amazed, thinking it looked more like casting a spell.
But Mr. Xu, the manager, had said that the Way of the Life Keeper meant they had the power to decide life and death and control fate. He warned not to underestimate them.
Hu Ma just widened his eyes, eager to gain more experience.
"One soul leaves the body, two souls remain, guarding the corpse and protecting the self. At midnight, the bells ring, and the soul returns in peace..."
As the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper's chanting grew louder and clearer, the five small ghosts suddenly lifted their heads and pulled the red threads. Instantly, all the bells on the threads began to ring, creating a continuous, disconcerting sound.
The sound was unbearable, as if it was pulling the soul out of the body.
Hu Ma closed his eyes slightly, trying to suppress the feeling. The apprentices and the Zhou Manager, who were watching, could not withstand it and took a step back.
Fragrant Girl, in the center of the ringing bells, was suffering unimaginably. Although her soul was out of her body, she was unaware, yet she frowned, as if in great pain.
Just as the ringing reached its peak, the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper, who had been circling Fragrant Girl, suddenly stopped. He stepped in a strange pattern, reached out, and gently pulled one of the red threads.
"Swish!"
All the red threads were tied with live knots, seemingly complex but actually connected by one thread. The Five Ghosts Shopkeeper's pull caused the red thread to suddenly be drawn out, and all the bells on it rang one last time before scattering around Fragrant Girl's body.
The last ringing gradually subsided, and the bells lay in a chaotic heap.
The Five Ghosts Shopkeeper squatted down to examine the bells. Hu Ma joined him and was surprised to find that several of the bells were damaged.
No one knew the exact reason, but they watched the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper closely. After a long observation, he called for paper and pen, noting something down. Then he stood up and invited Hu Ma and the old manager to sit in the outer room.
"The girl you brought is not in good condition. She is indeed in a state where her soul has left her body and cannot return, but do you know the more serious issue?"
He lowered his voice: "Someone hammered a nail into her head."
"Nail?"
The old manager was already panicked.
Hu Ma suddenly remembered what Fragrant Girl had told him. He had seen no signs of a nail on her head, but the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper had used the techniques of the Life Keeper to discover it.
The Five Ghosts Shopkeeper sighed, "A person has three souls, also known as the past-life soul, the karmic soul, and the body-guarding soul."
"From what we can see, her soul has left her body, and she is unconscious, but the nail in her head is the most severe injury, damaging her primary soul and preventing her from protecting her body."
"As a result, her remaining two souls are one injured and one damaged. If her soul does not return soon, her life may not be saved."
"..."
Hu Ma did not understand these techniques and could only listen carefully, learning as much as he could.
But the old manager seemed to understand and was both shocked and worried: "Who would dare to inflict such a cruel act on the daughter of the Ghost Cave Family?"
"Herb Heart Hall treats illnesses, but not grudges."
The Five Ghosts Shopkeeper said, "But since we have already intervened, you don't need to worry too much. I will temporarily protect her with a longevity lock to ensure her safety for now. However, I need to consult the Young Master for a more specific solution."
"However, the Young Master is resting now, so I can only ask him tomorrow."
"You should find a place to stay and come back early tomorrow."
"..."
The old manager, hearing that they had to wait, was naturally worried. He thought it would be best to wake the Young Master immediately.
But Hu Ma saw this as an opportunity and agreed.
Herb Heart Hall kept patients but not guests. Hu Ma had already declined Mr. Xu's invitation, so it would be inappropriate to go back now. He decided to find an inn to stay in.
Seeing the old manager squatting by the side of the Herb Heart Hall, looking pitiful, Hu Ma felt some sympathy and called him over to stay at the inn together. It was late, so they did not bother washing up and simply lay down to sleep.
Entering his Life-bound Spirit Temple, Miss White Wine was indeed waiting.
Seeing Hu Ma enter the Spirit Temple, her voice echoed, "You are quite fortunate. Where did you find such a person?"
"Indeed, what a coincidence."
Hu Ma then recounted how he had helped Yang Gong and, by chance, saved the girl. However, he did not mention anything about the Year-Guarding Book, only saying that his grandmother had left a stick of incense which, when burned, could ward off evil spirits.
He spoke in detail about everything that did not reveal his Hu Clan identity, including the fact that the girl could lead souls in her dreams.
"Since she is from the Li Family of Ghost Cave, it's not surprising that she can lead souls."
Miss White Wine sighed and said, "You are indeed fortunate to have stumbled upon such a significant opportunity."
Hu Ma, who had been eager to ask, quickly said, "So, she really does have a background?"
"Indeed, she does, and it's not a small one."
Miss White Wine continued, "The people of Ghost Cave refer to those who, by imperial command, guard the ghost cave in Lingshou Mansion. It is said that there is a natural ghost cave there, from which demons and evil spirits emerge to harm people."
"Thus, the emperor at the time secretly dispatched several powerful individuals with the ability to subdue demons to guard this evil land. Over time, these families settled and multiplied, becoming the current people of Ghost Cave."
"I have personally examined the girl and can confirm that she is indeed from the cave-guarding lineage and possesses some innate abilities."
"..."
Hu Ma thought for a moment and said, "You mean her ability to lead souls in her dreams?"
"Exactly."
Miss White Wine said, "Leading souls in dreams is no small feat. Many people in the martial world cannot achieve this through practice. It is an innate ability passed down through her bloodline, and it cannot be faked."
Hu Ma let out a low breath and finally confirmed that the girl's background was indeed extraordinary. He then asked, "Are the people of her lineage very powerful?"
"The people of Ghost Cave are not like ordinary martial sects."
Miss White Wine explained, "They have guarded the ghost cave for generations, with a family tradition that limits their interactions with other martial sects. However, they possess extraordinary abilities that command respect. In Anzhou Prefecture, they are a highly renowned and mysterious clan."
"Indeed, she does have a background, but not what I expected."
Hu Ma understood and laughed, "I thought she might be from the Impermanence Li Family of the Ten Surnames..."
"Ten Surnames?"
Miss White Wine was taken aback and chuckled, "Just because someone is surnamed Li, you assume they are from the Impermanence Li Family? Why don't you pick up a rock and think it's gold?"
"If I encounter someone surnamed Zhao in the martial world, should I assume they are from the Master Zhao Family?"
"If I meet a child surnamed Hu in the village, should I assume they are from the Evil-Subduing Hu Family?"
"..."
"?"
Hu Ma was flustered: 'Don't jump to conclusions...'
"However, speaking of which..."
Miss White Wine said, "The Ten Surnames are like dragons, seen at the head but not the tail. Unless they choose to reveal themselves, it's not just difficult to find them, but even to find people associated with them. On the surface, there are some prominent families in various counties and prefectures."
"In terms of surface reputation, the influence and standing of these prominent families are even greater than those of the Ten Surnames. The Li Family of Ghost Cave is one of them, and they can be considered the local emperors of Lingshou Mansion."
"If you have the opportunity to form a connection, it would be a shame to miss it."
"..."
"Really?"
Hu Ma was taken aback and laughed, "But when our shopkeeper heard about this clan, he spoke quite firmly."
"That was due to the rules. We must maintain our dignity. If everyone starts pulling rank, what will become of our rules?"
"Of course, you are different. Their family has a long tradition and holds sway over an entire prefecture. When they speak, the entire Anzhou must show respect. In terms of their foundation, they are indeed not comparable to your Red Lantern Lady Association."
"..."
Hearing this, Hu Ma understood.
At the prefecture, state, and county levels, the Red Lantern Lady Association is a blood food gang that has a significant presence in Mingzhou Prefecture and its surroundings.
However, within a state, there are at least a dozen prefectural cities. While the Red Lantern Lady's reputation might spread throughout the state, the further away one goes, the less influence they have. The Li Family of Ghost Cave, on the other hand, can truly influence an entire state.
The old steward was not exaggerating; the Red Lantern Lady Association is indeed not on the same level.
Sighing, Hu Ma thought, "It's just that the Red Lantern Lady hasn't worked hard enough. If she were a bit more powerful and diligent, her followers would have more prestige when they travel the martial world."
"In any case..."
Miss White Wine also sighed, "You are indeed very lucky. Not only did you save the daughter of the Ghost Cave family, but you also have the opportunity to deepen this favor."
"What are your plans now?"
"..."
"Deepen the favor?"
Hu Ma was taken aback and said, "That's a bit much. I just wanted to save a life, not for any return..."
"..."
"But their family cannot forget this favor, can they?"
(End of Chapter)
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