https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-269-The-Netherworld-Official-s-Summons/12917088/
Chapter 270: The Rules of the Jianghu
Chapter 270: The Rules of the Jianghu
A gentle breeze blew, and Hu Ma awoke, feeling the sun's rays on his face, causing a slight itch, and the surroundings were serene and tranquil.
He turned to look at the small shrine again, dilapidated and diminutive, barely able to accommodate a fist, let alone any beautiful women or a grand hall that could accommodate people.
However, when he patted his chest, he realized that the letter had indeed been sent out, and the matters that Burn Blade had reminded him of were still fresh in his mind, as if they had just parted ways.
He heaved a soft sigh, unsure whether to feel relieved or burdened.
The burden came from the realization that, after listening to Burn Blade's explanation, he finally understood that the matter that had sought him out that night was far from simple. He had thought that the Ghost Walker's incense array was formidable, but it turned out that there was a certain pattern to it, making it even more difficult to evade.
The relief, however, came from finding the organization, which made things easier.
Thinking of their instructions, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "What is in White Wine Miss's letter that makes them treat it with such solemnity?"
Initially, he had thought that by coming here, he might only gain some intelligence about the Reincarnation Organization in Anzhou or offer some minor assistance. But now, they seemed to have immediately accepted him as one of their own.
Moreover, they were willing to let him go directly to Red Wine Miss, revealing her real-world identity all at once.
For a Reincarnate, exposing one's identity was a significant gesture of trust. In Mingzhou, even Sweet Potato Burn had yet to discover the identities of the other three people she was working with!
Sighing softly, he also recalled what Burn Blade had told him in the Yellow Millet Dream: "Ghost Summoning, Reaper's Call, within seven days, no one can escape."
"There are ways to counter spells, but not this. This is not a technique cast by any human. Once targeted by this thing, there is only one possible outcome—being taken away."
"But it's also fortunate that in all of Anzhou, the only one who can resolve this is Red Wine Miss."
"Although she agreed to help, it's not as simple as showing up at her door. I need to discuss with you and come up with a method that allows you to seek her help legitimately, without arousing suspicion from others."
"..."
Hu Ma understood this point very well and nodded, listening intently to how they would proceed.
"You've come from Mingzhou, and you have no connections in Anzhou. Red Wine Miss is also someone who keeps a low profile, only occasionally going out to catch pigs. Logically, there's no reason for you to know each other, and even less reason for her to help you with your troubles."
"But if we plan it well, we can make your acquaintance and meeting seem reasonable."
"So, let's first ask Old Bai Gan Brother to explain why and how you got involved with this matter, and then we'll see what to do."
"..."
Agreeing with his words, Hu Ma paused for a moment, then shared the story of escorting Fragrant Girl, which would also reveal some of his background. However, he couldn't afford to be overly cautious at this point.
As he narrated, he noticed that Burn Blade didn't seem concerned about his affairs in Mingzhou or inquire much about Fragrant Girl's identity. Instead, his eyes lit up when Hu Ma mentioned his encounter with the demon in Dongchang Prefecture and Ping Nan Dao.
"You killed those people?"
"Do you have proof?"
"..."
Hu Ma immediately replied, "Yes, I do."
Burn Blade clapped his hands and laughed, "Then it's simple. You can go directly to Red Wine Miss, and as long as you follow the rules, there won't be any risks."
Hu Ma listened intently and asked, "What rules?"
Burn Blade smiled and said, "The rules of the Jianghu."
After saying this, he gave Hu Ma an object, pointed out a location, gave him some instructions, and then let Hu Ma leave.
As soon as he stepped out, a gentle breeze blew, and Hu Ma woke up, feeling as if the conversation had been both real and surreal, truly magical. However, he knew the urgency of the situation and didn't dwell on it, quickly preparing to take action.
First, he pretended to be busy, rushing to several places, casually inquiring about various matters, and then went to a certain inn in the city with a red lantern hanging outside. Using a secret code, he exchanged a few words with the proprietress and obtained something.
With everything in place, Hu Ma returned to the inn, met up with Fragrant Girl, settled the room fee, and led two horses out.
Seeing Hu Ma's urgency, Fragrant Girl also became anxious and asked, "Young Master, where are we going?"
"I've been thinking for two days about how to send you back to Ling Shou Prefecture, but I haven't come up with a good idea yet."
Hu Ma had already planned everything in his mind and replied with a worried look, "Now, we can only go outside the city and take a chance."
"Ah?"
Fragrant Girl became concerned, "Are you going to fight Third Young Master?"
"He... he's very powerful."
"..."
"That's why we must take a chance."
Hu Ma smiled bitterly, "Of course, I'm not going to fight him directly. I'm going to take a chance first."
As they spoke, they led the horses out of the city and mounted them, riding swiftly towards a specific location.
After several days of continuous travel, they had become quite adept at riding.
However, even with their fast pace, it took less than half an hour to leave Anzhou Prefecture far behind. Along the way, they saw well-tended fields and distant green mountains and clear waters, creating a picturesque landscape.
In the distance, Hu Ma spotted a large town, but instead of entering, he turned around and headed north.
Soon, they found themselves on a mountain path, and the horse slowed down. However, as they continued, the surroundings became more and more eerie, with overgrown weeds and even a cluster of abandoned graves. Despite this, they kept moving forward until they reached the edge of a forest, where they noticed red ribbons tied to the trees, creating an eerie sight in the thin mountain mist.
"Red ribbons signify danger," Hu Ma remarked, sighing. "Miss Red Wine, you've certainly chosen an interesting place to live."
Upon reaching this point, they dismounted and led the horse by hand.
As they prepared to venture further, they heard a shout from a nearby slope. Turning, they saw a woodcutter carrying firewood descending the mountain.
The woodcutter's face was filled with panic, and he called out to Hu Ma and Xiangya from a distance, "Are you two kids crazy? Can't you see the red ribbons tied by the ghost walkers? There's something sinister ahead, and you mustn't go there. There's a demon causing trouble. If you go in, you'll lose your lives."
Hearing the woodcutter's warning, Xiangya's heart filled with fear.
Hu Ma, however, breathed a sigh of relief and thanked the woodcutter for his advice.
"But we're in trouble and seeking a master to cure our illness. We heard that there's not a demon here, but a master."
The woodcutter was taken aback. "I've never heard of that. All I know is that there's an evil presence, and no one dares to enter."
"Even we woodcutters don't venture inside."
Seeing Hu Ma and Xiangya's determination, the woodcutter had no choice but to shake his head helplessly and continue on his way with his firewood.
He glanced back repeatedly, feeling pity for the two young children.
"The world is treacherous, but there are still many kind people," Hu Ma sighed to himself.
Leading Xiangya further into the forest, they emerged into a more open area. In the distance, a faint path through the grass led deeper into the forest.
The terrain here seemed to trap the mist, creating an eerie atmosphere. As they led the horse along the path, they felt a sense of foreboding, occasionally spotting strange things.
But as they continued, they finally reached the end of the path and saw a farmhouse. The terrain was uneven, with steep rises and drops, making the farmhouse appear out of nowhere.
The farmhouse looked ordinary, with a black wooden door and stone walls. Outside, a few willow trees grew, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
By now, Xiangya was clinging tightly to Hu Ma's arm.
Hu Ma's nerves were on edge, and as they approached the farmhouse, he felt a sense of dread similar to when he had encountered the ghost village.
The ghost village had been filled with vengeful spirits, while here, an oppressive malevolent force seemed to press down on them.
However, he reminded himself that this was their destination, so he mustered his courage and knocked on the door.
"Creak..."
To his surprise, as soon as he raised his hand, the wooden door of the farmhouse suddenly swung open.
No one was inside, but a cold breeze carrying a faint hint of bloodstains greeted them.
Hu Ma and Xiangya took a step back, shielding their faces. After a moment, they continued inside, but their horse, as if sensing something terrifying, refused to budge, lifting its head high and refusing to take a single step into the farmhouse.
Left with no choice, Hu Ma tied the horse to one of the willow trees outside and entered with Xiangya.
"Young Master, what are we doing here?" Xiangya asked in a whisper.
"Shh, keep quiet. Whether we can safely send you home depends on whether this master is willing to help us," Hu Ma replied softly.
As they stepped into the farmhouse, it appeared ordinary, with several low-lying thatched huts and wooden farm tools stacked against the walls. There was even a large pile of hay.
What set this farmhouse apart from others was the absence of any human presence and the fact that the livestock were allowed to roam freely. Pigs, sheep, cows, and horses were scattered about.
When Hu Ma and Xiangya entered, the animals simultaneously lifted their heads and stared at them.
Xiangya felt a chill as she met their gazes.
"Is anyone here?" Hu Ma called out, pulling Xiangya close as they ventured further.
No one answered, and the farmhouse became even quieter. The scattered livestock slowly surrounded them, some tall and others small, some robust and others emaciated. They moved cautiously, as if weak, and as they approached Hu Ma and Xiangya, the two were too afraid to continue.
The animals gathered around them, kneeling on their front legs and blocking their path, but they showed no other signs of aggression.
Instead, they strained their necks and began to call out.
Some mooed, some bleated, and some grunted, their voices blending into an unintelligible chorus.
Hu Ma listened intently, and as he focused on the subtle changes in pitch, he was suddenly shocked, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
"Help!"
These animals were calling for help!
(End of Chapter)
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