Chapter 265: The Gate of the Netherworld
Chapter 265: The Gate of the Netherworld
"As I suspected, Fragrant Girl's fainting spell is indeed connected to the old manager..." Hu Ma sighed softly, feeling a sense of absurdity. From the very beginning, when Fragrant Girl suddenly fainted for no apparent reason, they had all suspected the old manager, but his performance was so convincing that it dispelled everyone's doubts.
It seemed that Fragrant Girl's memory was gradually returning, and when she caught sight of him, she remembered many things. The old manager had no choice but to immediately take action.
Otherwise, if Fragrant Girl was awake, there would be too many things he couldn't explain, let alone continue to deceive them.
After confirming that Fragrant Girl was truly awake, Hu Ma hurriedly reached out and lifted her out of the coffin, concern in his voice as he asked, "And how much do you know about your family's situation?"
"I remember everything..." Fragrant Girl's expression was one of panic. Her body was weak, but her eyes were filled with tears of urgency. "Father is still waiting for me in the cave."
"If I don't return soon, the things in the Ghost Cavern will come out, and everyone in the Li family will be in danger..."
"..."
"What?"
Listening to Fragrant Girl's confused and anxious words, Hu Ma was left bewildered.
From the manager's earlier words, it seemed that the entire Li family was hiding from some kind of cursed fate, and they were in a hurry to 'exile' Fragrant Girl for the same reason.
But now that Fragrant Girl had woken up, why was she saying that if she didn't return, the Li family would be in trouble?
His mind was filled with too many incomprehensible matters, but seeing Fragrant Girl just waking up and still a bit dazed, with red, teary eyes, he could only make a decision for the time being.
Taking a deep breath, he said to Fragrant Girl, "Don't worry, just think things through and tell us what's going on. But for now, let's leave this place first!"
They quickly packed up the carriage, placing the manager's body directly into the coffin, which they left behind. In the darkness, with Fragrant Girl just waking up and still dazed, she didn't realize that the body was that of the manager.
The group hurried down the hillside and reached the official road.
However, deciding where to go required careful consideration. The manager had mentioned that there were still people from the Li family waiting ahead, and if they ran into them, it could cause trouble.
So, Hu Ma made a bold decision and led the group back towards Dongchang Prefecture.
After all, the Beggar Brotherhood members who had followed them were all killed by him, and Old Lady Cui and the others were also dead, making this place safer.
It was already late at night, and the city gates were long closed, but Hu Ma had his ways.
He first found a low spot and listened carefully, hearing no one patrolling above. Then, he used his Ghost Ascending Stair skill to bring everyone into the city one by one. Only the carriage and donkey were difficult to accommodate, so he temporarily tied them up in a secluded spot to retrieve the next day.
Inside the city, they avoided the night watchmen and woke up the owner of an inn.
After paying with silver, they had hot water brought and bowls of noodles prepared. Only then did they have time to ask in detail.
Fragrant Girl was now in a state of panic and confusion, as if the magnitude of the situation had scared her. She turned to Hu Ma and said, "Young Master, I understand everything now. I know how I got out."
"But they've all misunderstood..."
"The Li family can't escape the Ghost Cavern. The Li family guarding the Ghost Cavern isn't a duty, but a debt..."
"..."
"Repaying a debt?"
Hu Ma was even more perplexed and asked, "How is it repaid?"
"I remember..." Fragrant Girl's voice trembled with fear as she spoke. "I remember Father telling me before I got lost that the Li family, and originally, the families sent here, were all prisoners sentenced to be beheaded."
"We Ghost Cavern folk aren't officials, but prisoners. We were sent here to watch over the Ghost Cavern, and our lives are tied to this place..."
"Prisoners?"
Listening to this, Hu Ma began to suspect that these matters might be connected to something he hadn't considered before.
For the people of this era, the emperor seemed too distant! The only thing they knew about him was that he had his skin peeled.
Even the government offices had become mere names, with no real authority. Who held power in Mingzhou?
It was the Red Lantern Society that held sway!
And yet, in this era, in such a remote place, there were still people guarding the imperial edict?
The more he listened, the more he felt that this matter was not as simple as he had thought.
Taking a deep breath, he tensed up and asked Fragrant Girl the most crucial question, "What exactly is inside the Ghost Cavern?"
"It's..." Fragrant Girl opened her mouth, hesitating slightly.
But facing Hu Ma's serious expression, she couldn't hide the truth. "It's the Netherworld."
"The Ghost Cavern is the Gate of the Netherworld."
"All the dead in Ling Shou Prefecture, no, even in the entire Anzhou, must enter the Ghost Cavern!"
"..."
"What?"
Hu Ma was genuinely shocked and stood up.
Instinctively, he looked at Zhang Agu, who seemed to have widened her eyes in surprise as well. Even this experienced ghost walker was startled by such a revelation.
Could it be that the Gate of the Netherworld truly existed in this era?
According to rumors, the Gate of the Netherworld had already been closed. Then why did Ling Shou Prefecture still have such a place, and even living people guarding it generation after generation?
In her heart, countless questions arose, but the Fragrant Girl looked at him and said, "Young Master, I don't want to hide anything from you. You're a good person, the only good person I've met since leaving home."
"But Father said that I mustn't tell outsiders about what happens in the Cavern. Even within our Li family, most people don't know about this matter..."
"Father said that there are some things that the living shouldn't inquire about. Otherwise, if you know too much, the things in the Ghost Cavern might take you away."
"..."
Hu Ma immediately became more cautious.
He was indeed curious, but he also believed that anything was possible in this era.
Perhaps there really were some matters that, once inquired about by the living, would offend someone and bring trouble.
"I need to return as soon as possible."
The Fragrant Girl's urgency was evident: "No one in my family understands Father. I'm afraid... I'm afraid of what they might do."
"Hmm!"
Seeing her anxious expression, Hu Ma nodded slightly.
It was necessary to send her back, and of course, on the surface, he couldn't help but hesitate.
Normally, a junior manager of the Blood Feast Guild would just do a good deed, but now he had encountered so many troubles; it was impossible not to have second thoughts.
However, in reality, for himself, the Li family's affairs were troublesome, but the more so, the more he needed to go to Anzhou. At this point, it was no longer a matter of him wanting to back out; the investment was too great.
Therefore, he needed to take a step further and see how the situation developed.
Of course, while that was the plan, the Li family's affairs were too complex, involving some secrets, and he couldn't be too hasty.
It was better to first reach Anzhou and connect with the Red Wine Miss and the others there, then make further plans.
After a long silence, he finally nodded and told the Fragrant Girl not to be afraid; he would send her home. However, now that she was awake, they needed to quicken their pace.
Hu Ma first let everyone rest, and then he called for Zhang Agu, along with the coachman and the two companions who had been following them and working diligently. He said, "You've all endured a lot on this journey."
"Now that the person is awake, we'll travel light for the rest of the way. I'll take her directly to Anzhou. If we encounter any trouble, it'll be easier for just the two of us to escape."
"Our job here is done. You can take all the silver now, or I can write you a note, and you can collect it from our manor when you return. Don't suffer on the way back; hire carriages and horses, and I'll cover the expenses."
"..."
Upon hearing that they could return, the coachman and the two companions were surprised.
They should have been polite, but thinking of the dangers they had faced on the journey, they couldn't bring themselves to say anything courteous.
They were truly scared.
After instructing the coachman and the companions, Hu Ma turned to Zhang Agu and said, "Agu, we don't need to be polite."
"On this journey, although you refused to be my master, you taught me a lot. You even helped the Ghost Walkers guard the Spell Altar for your disciple. This time, you suffered a great loss when you set up the altar."
"I won't say more, but of course, you'll get the silver for coming here."
"And after you return to Mingzhou, just stay home and don't go out. Don't walk with ghosts, and don't set up altars. Wait until I return to Mingzhou, and we'll discuss everything then."
"Although I'm from the Blood Feast Guild, I know a few seniors who might have a solution to your problem."
"..."
Zhang Agu was clearly surprised by Hu Ma's words.
She thought he was just comforting her, as only she knew the details of her family's affairs. How could anyone from the Blood Feast Guild think of a way to deal with the Five Malevolent Gods invited to the hall?
But seeing Hu Ma's serious expression and clear eyes, she couldn't help but believe him. She nodded and said, "I understand. I'll rest when I get back."
After giving his instructions, Hu Ma took out a Blood Meat Pill and gave it to Zhang Agu.
Zhang Agu was startled. She had already taken one of these expensive pills, so why was he giving her another?
Hu Ma insisted that she take it, and after helping them settle down, he went to the Horse and Mule Trading Post in Dongchang Prefecture and learned of a large caravan heading south. He paid some silver and arranged for Zhang Agu and the others to follow and accompany them on the journey.
Of course, it wasn't just about accompanying them; they also had to go to the city to retrieve their donkey, which would be brought back to Mingzhou while Hu Ma and the Fragrant Girl rode horses.
Fortunately, the local customs were good, and the donkey hadn't been taken away.
After arranging for their return, Hu Ma finally heaved a sigh of relief and returned to the city, hiring several fine horses.
Using the disguise technique he had learned from Zhou Steward, he quickly changed his appearance, and the two of them chose a side gate to leave the city.
They took the nearest route, heading straight for Anzhou.
Riding fast horses, they hurried along, enduring some hardship, but their speed was noticeably faster.
They proceeded with caution, avoiding unknown troubles, traveling by day and resting at night, not daring to delay. On the seventh day, they finally reached the borders of Anzhou.
(End of Chapter)
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