Chapter 271: Skinning Master Han
Chapter 271: Skinning Master Han
How could livestock cry for help?
Especially since these animals didn't seem unusual, only weaker and wobbly as they moved, unlike the robust appearance of typical livestock. But the more they observed them, the more unsettling it felt.
It was only when Hu Ma heard their pleas for help that he took a closer look and suddenly realized the source of this unease.
It was their eyes, which carried a gaze that was...
...human!
This gaze made them feel increasingly disturbed, even to the point of panic.
It was more terrifying than encountering any wicked spirits.
Hu Ma felt a shock and took a step back, protecting Xiang Yatou behind him while also gripping his knife handle.
He realized what this was.
Beastcraft.
In this farmhouse, everywhere were the products of beastcraft, and these animals might all have been humans.
The pitiful state of Wu He that he had witnessed earlier suddenly flashed before his eyes, and he became instantly alert, dispelling the sense of reassurance he had felt, which was masked by his initial concern for his fellow villagers.
Doubts began to surface in his mind. Could it be that the Burn Blade's words were also a lie, and he was deceiving Hu Ma, leading him into this den of evil? But just as his fear and suspicion reached their peak, he heard a lazy voice:
"The one in front of you is a murderer and robber. For two silver cakes and half a catty of Green Centennial, he sneaked into a family's home at night and slaughtered everyone, even a three-year-old infant, who was thrown into a stew pot."
"When I arrived, one of his legs was already missing."
"The one on his left is a flower thief who learned some tricks from the Deception Sect. He climbs over walls and breaks into homes, defiling innocent women."
"Especially those about to be married, which is his particular preference."
"In just half a year, he has driven several brides to hang themselves."
"..."
Hu Ma and Xiang Yatou were startled and quickly looked up. Behind the haystack, they saw a figure speaking these words.
As she worked, she continued slowly, "The one next to him was once a human trafficker during the famine. He lured people into the lair of robbers, turning them into two-legged sheep, just to get a piece of meat for himself."
"As for the one crying and whining, he is even more heinous..."
"..."
As she spoke, the figure slowly emerged from behind the haystack, saying, "He dared to enter my farmhouse to steal, and he even caught and roasted a sheep."
"So, I made him pay the price."
"..."
Her speech was slow, but her voice was chilling.
As she finally stepped out from behind the haystack, her body passing through the thin mist that permeated the farmhouse, Hu Ma and Xiang Yatou's eyes widened in surprise.
They saw a woman in her twenties, with a peculiar demeanor. Despite her stunning and enchanting appearance, she wore a towel on her head, a tobacco pouch at her waist, and held a bundle of hay she had just pulled from the haystack, her expression cold and indifferent.
She glanced at them and said indifferently, "What's this? Are you here to steal as well?"
Her face was beautiful, but her gaze sent shivers down their spines.
Xiang Yatou, meeting her gaze, felt her heart tremble with fear. She quickly lowered her head and shook it repeatedly, too scared to respond.
"Isn't this Red Wine Miss?"
Hu Ma was surprised, curious about her, but he remembered the "rules of the jianghu" that Burn Blade had told him. He bowed slightly to her and said, "Please don't misunderstand, Senior. We're here to seek help. May I ask if you are..."
"Seek help?"
Hearing these words, the village girl's face seemed to show a strange expression.
She gave Hu Ma a half-smile, half-serious look, nodding slightly, but her voice was cold as she said, "Do we know each other?"
"No, we don't."
Hu Ma shook his head immediately, then took out a piece of gray cloth from his sleeve and said, "But at the Jade Ice Pavilion, I obtained a bounty notice, and I know that you, Senior, are a member of the Colorful Robe Sect with a chivalrous heart, punishing evil and upholding justice."
"You even issued a reward bounty in the jianghu, seeking the heads of those demon members of the Beggar Brotherhood on Ping Nan Road. What a coincidence."
"I don't have their heads with me, but..."
He paused before forcing a smile, "Those people did indeed die by my hand."
Upon hearing this, Hu Ma and the person opposite him were prepared, as it was just a formality. But Xiang Yatou, standing beside him, trembled and looked up at Hu Ma.
Just as she was trying to process this information, the village girl across from them was startled, then suddenly laughed coldly, "Kid, the Deception Sect is known for their quick hands and sharp eyes. I can tell you're a New Year Guardian, but you haven't entered the prefecture yet, have you?"
"As for that Old Lady Cui and her Bone Whip on Ping Nan Road, I've been wanting to get rid of them for a while. I just haven't had the time due to tending to the livestock."
"I've heard of their skills, and they're not weak. Where did you get the ability to eliminate them?"
"..."
"Not one of them lacks acting skills..."
Hu Ma sighed inwardly and straightened his chest, then took out several items and placed them on the ground.
Before them was a broken memorial tablet, one that had clearly been forcibly broken, with several bone fragments attached. There was also a bone whip, a tailor's measuring stick, and a wooden puppet with nail marks.
"Although I don't have their heads, I have brought their usual tools as proof."
"To be honest, it was pure luck that I was able to get rid of these demons. I had help from a Great Wandering Ghost, but she was injured and has already left."
"I was cornered in Anzhou and had no choice but to seek help. Only then did I learn about the bounty you issued for these demons' heads. So, I came here to take a chance, believing in your strong sense of justice and that you wouldn't turn a blind eye."
"..."
"Such childish words!"
Hu Ma's righteous speech left Xiang Yatou deeply moved.
However, the woman across from them merely smiled faintly and asked with interest, "But how did you end up in such a predicament?"
"Speak up. Were you being chased by those demons' accomplices?"
"..."
"You could say that."
Seizing the opportunity, Hu Ma immediately explained, "The trouble started with this young lady here."
"She is actually..."
He turned to glance at Xiang Yatou and deliberately kept the truth to himself, saying, "She's the daughter of a wealthy family in Ling Shou Prefecture, but she's had a difficult life. She was abducted by Old Lady Cui on Ping Nan Dao and sold to Mingzhou."
"I happened to rescue her and wanted to send a message to her family, but they didn't respond. So, I had no choice but to personally escort her back to Ling Shou Prefecture."
"I didn't expect that on the way, Old Lady Cui would discover us and gather a group of demons to silence us..."
"..."
He proceeded to briefly explain the situation, his voice filled with righteous indignation, portraying himself as a kind-hearted, chivalrous country boy.
Xiang Yatou was deeply moved, almost to the point of tears.
Initially, she had only heard Hu Ma mention taking a risk, but she couldn't understand why.
Now, she finally realized that the young master had no other choice...
He was just a junior overseer of the Blood Feast Guild, and bringing her here was already pushing his limits. Going further to Ling Shou Prefecture, who knows what they might encounter, and he was truly at a loss.
So, he had come to seek help from a fellow wanderer? But neither Hu Ma nor the village girl, or Red Wine Miss, would let her understand this so quickly. Red Wine Miss was quite the performer, and she feigned surprise, saying, "In this day and age, there are still such pure-hearted youths?"
"Oh dear, you have a good heart, but your mind isn't as sharp. You've done a good deed, but have you figured out this young lady's situation?"
"If she were truly from an ordinary wealthy family, how could she have attracted so much trouble?"
"..."
In response to this, Hu Ma merely pretended to be troubled, not giving an answer. Xiang Yatou lowered her head in deep thought.
The village girl suddenly smiled and said, "But it's no problem. I'm from the Colorful Robe Sect. We are many and diverse, and there are quite a few rogues among us. It's my duty to get rid of these people."
"The Beggar Brotherhood should be under the jurisdiction of the Puppetry Guild. By eliminating Old Lady Cui and those rogues, you've actually helped the Puppetry Guild."
"But you came here asking for my help. Do you really expect me to assist you?"
She chuckled twice, looking at Hu Ma and speaking softly, "I don't even know what trouble you've gotten yourself into or how much effort it will take to help you, yet you boldly come knocking on my door. Do you think this is appropriate?"
"Huh?"
This question left Hu Ma stunned. Didn't he follow the rules of the wanderers, and Red Wine Miss was supposed to help him out?
Why, even after saying all this, she still hadn't agreed?
What should he say next? As he was pondering this, he suddenly heard Han Womzi's tone change as she spoke to herself, "But being able to eliminate those demons shows that you're not without skill."
"How about this? If you agree to tend to the livestock in my estate for a few years, I might consider helping you."
"..."
"This..."
Hu Ma's face immediately showed hesitation, as if he was wavering.
"That's not possible."
At this moment, Xiang Yatou suddenly spoke up, her voice loud and clear, leaving both Hu Ma and Red Wine Miss startled.
Then, Xiang Yatou glanced at Hu Ma and spoke softly, "Young Master, I can't let you take this kind of loss for me anymore!"
The slender young girl, still wearing dirty and disheveled clothes to conceal her identity, gently straightened herself and walked forward.
In this moment, her demeanor seemed to transform, exuding the elegance of a noble family.
She approached Red Wine Miss with utmost sincerity, bowed slightly, and said, "Senior, I know who you are..."
"My father once told me about several experts in Anzhou, among them a Skinning Master Han, a master of the Puppetry Guild. It must be you."
"I am Li Xiangyu, daughter of the Li Manor, the gatekeeper of Great Stone Cliff in Ling Shou Prefecture. I pay my respects to Senior."
"I beg you to consider the Ghost Cavern Li Clan's face and help us through this crisis. Please send me home..."
(End of Chapter)
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