https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-279-The-Person-Locked-in-the-Cave/12918474/
Chapter 278: Dead Man's Meal
Chapter 278: Dead Man's Meal
Upon encountering Li Clan members and confirming Fragrant Girl's identity, both Hu Ma and the other mercenaries felt significantly more at ease.
At the invitation of the Li family, they continued on horseback, slowly making their way inside. However, the further they went, the more their hearts trembled. They saw that they had already entered the desolate mountains. The setting sun still hung over the foothills, but the surroundings were already shrouded in darkness, carrying a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.
Along the roadside, they occasionally spotted withered and dilapidated white banners, along with traces of burnt candle wax.
Ancient trees towered on both sides of the road, like giants watching over the pedestrians below.
The abandoned graves on both sides of the road had increased in number, scattered here and there.
Everyone present was a mercenary, and in this world, evil spirits were prevalent. However, not everyone was skilled at dealing with them.
The majority of mercenaries were in the business of making a living, and those who excelled in the mercenary world were often from the Deception Sect or the New Year Guardians, relying on their skills to earn a living by escorting valuable goods and protecting treasures. Even the Blood Feast Gang could only be considered half of that.
Among the mercenaries who had come, not everyone was accustomed to dealing with evil spirits. Seeing the eerie and mysterious environment of the Ghost Cavern Li Clan, they couldn't help but feel a chill down their spines.
As they proceeded, they finally reached the Great Stone Cliff Village just before nightfall.
It was only upon arriving here that everyone suddenly realized why the village was named Great Stone Cliff, a rather peculiar name.
They first saw a massive stone in front of them, vaguely circular in shape, situated on the mountainside. It didn't seem naturally formed but rather like a man-made sculpture. The stone was so large that it spanned several li in both length and width. Who could have carved something so immense?
Especially perched on the mountainside, it resembled a well cover, concealing something unknown.
The Great Stone Cliff Village was built around this colossal circular stone, forming a circle with various dwellings.
Outside the houses were terraced fields, where yellow cattle could be seen grazing.
Seeing the environment here, even Hu Ma was astonished. The Cave Li Clan had such a renowned reputation, with a manager, servants, and a young mistress who was indeed a thousand-gold miss. In the entire Anzhou region, they were known for their fame and status.
But now, as he looked around, it seemed more like an isolated village, cut off from the world, existing in its own realm. It could even rival the Big Sheep Camp in Old Yin Mountain.
"Miss, quickly go and freshen up, then go inside the cave to meet the Marquis."
"Since your incident, the Marquis has been extremely worried. Without any news, he intends to come out and search for you personally."
After bringing everyone here, the three elders instructed Fragrant Girl, asking the village's elderly ladies and maids who had gathered around to lead her away. These people were also excited to see Fragrant Girl, examining her from head to toe while wondering how her hair had been cut.
As Fragrant Girl walked inside, she turned back to look at Hu Ma, who nodded slightly, assuring her to be at ease.
Throughout the journey, the two had been inseparable, but upon reaching home, they couldn't stay together any longer.
Instead, they had to avoid suspicion.
After all, they were now at home, and even if those people were bold, they wouldn't dare do anything to Fragrant Girl.
"Everyone, you've traveled far, please have some wine and food."
After escorting Fragrant Girl inside, the three elders of the Li family hurriedly invited everyone to the front of the village for a meal. They saw a spacious courtyard where over ten Eight Immortals Tables had already been set up, with chicken, fish, and some fresh vegetables, as well as a jar of wine on each table.
Although the standard was not low, Hu Ma's heart sank. This didn't feel right; the banquet seemed inadequate...
This was the standard of hospitality that the Big Sheep Camp offered to the Blood Feast Gang leaders who came from the city...
Earlier, they had heard that the Cave Li Clan had a great reputation and was very powerful, so he also wanted to come and make some plans.
But why did it seem so shabby now?
Was the Cave Li Clan stingy, unwilling to offer better hospitality, or were they truly this poor?
However, upon seeing the wine and food, some of the mercenaries who had been craving wine during the midday journey, unable to hold back any longer, started to approach, only to be stopped by their companions.
As the wine and food were served, the Li family members didn't leave. Instead, they brought one incense burner after another, placing them on the tables and burning incense, bowing towards the direction of the Great Stone.
This didn't seem like a meal for the living but rather an offering to the spirits. As everyone was taken aback, the three elders, after the younger generation had finished their offerings, removed the incense burners and turned to face the mercenaries, apologetically smiling, "This is the custom of our Great Stone Cliff. Before setting up a banquet, we must first offer it to the ghost deities. Please don't be offended, everyone."
The mercenaries all found this strange. It wasn't a festival or holiday, so why was there such a custom? But they all smiled and said it was fine, and then they sat down together.
Hu Ma, the Li family's Fourth Elder, Han Womzi, and several influential figures from the Anzhou mercenary world sat at the head table, even being pushed to the right side of the Eight Immortals Table facing west, the honored guest position, with Han Womzi sitting opposite him.
The elder personally poured the first cup of wine for Hu Ma, expressing gratitude, before passing the task of pouring wine to the younger generation.
Hu Ma maintained his composure, not being overly lively, and engaged in polite conversation.
He suddenly felt fortunate that White Wine Miss had invited so many people along. Otherwise, with the Cave Li Clan's grand customs, he might have been intimidated.
In the Li Clan's cave, everyone wore a face of joy and gratitude, but Hu Ma knew their true feelings. Sitting there, he occasionally felt a few sinister gazes, and his heart was filled with caution.
On the other hand, the people at the table were all smiles, only speaking polite words of gratitude, and no one mentioned the awkward matter.
The atmosphere was harmonious, as if it was just a matter of the Li Clan's young miss going missing and being brought back, with no trace of the unsavory business.
The worries and malicious intentions in his heart didn't exist, and with the Red Wine Miss sitting across from him, their sharp eyes could see through any schemes these people had. Yet, she didn't give any warnings, indicating that this was indeed just a casual gathering.
After three rounds of drinks, everyone was already full and satisfied. The Li Clan invited everyone to stay for the night.
There were some drunk martial artists who insisted they didn't believe in such things and wanted to leave immediately, even in the middle of the night.
The Li Clan members just smiled and said, "Great Stone Cliff is different from other places. Please don't refuse, it's best to stay."
They added, "But remember, after you stay, don't go out at night, and don't open the windows."
"This isn't because the Li Clan has many affairs, it's the rule of the Ghost Cavern."
"..."
Hearing this, everyone fell silent for a moment, even those who were drunk became slightly more sober.
Hu Ma was arranged to stay in a clean farmhouse, with a simple wooden bed and coarse bedding. Although he had been invited to drink a few more cups, his New Year Guardian physique allowed him to handle it well. In his heart, he silently thought:
"What happened to Fragrant Girl? She went in and never came out. And why hasn't the Marquis of the Li Clan shown himself?"
"Even the Li Clan members mentioned the Ghost Cavern, it seems like it really exists..."
"But where is this place? Why is it so mysterious?"
"..."
As he was wondering, he suddenly heard a knock on the door. Hu Ma immediately became alert and asked, "Who is it?"
"Has the Honored Benefactor rested yet?"
A young voice came from outside the door, "The Marquis has instructed us to invite you over to express his gratitude in person."
"The Marquis?"
Hu Ma was taken aback, then got up from the bed and opened the door.
Outside, he saw two young members of the Li Clan from the cave, both wearing black cloth robes. They had sturdy limbs, indicating they were farmers who worked in the fields year-round. Apart from the faint Yin energy on their bodies, they didn't seem much different from farmers elsewhere.
They held white lanterns to light the way, and behind them, the Great Stone Cliff was engulfed in complete darkness, not a hint of light visible.
"Then please lead the way!"
Hu Ma was cautious, but he tried to remain calm as he was a guest in their home.
The Marquis of the Li Manor wanted to thank him in person; did he need to bring the Red Wine Miss along?
He straightened his robe and followed them, walking along the rugged mountain path in the village. The two young Li Clan members remained silent.
Hu Ma also kept quiet, following the lantern's light. All around was dead silence.
They walked along the village path, turning inward, seemingly heading towards the mountains where the Great Stone was located.
At a crossroads, the two young men suddenly stopped.
Hu Ma looked up and saw that the crossroads ahead were filled with blue porcelain bowls containing white rice with chopsticks standing upright. And in these bowls, incense piles were burning.
No, it was an incense pile.
Countless incense sticks were gathered and burned together, creating swirling blue smoke and dim red flames that illuminated the surroundings.
Seeing this in the middle of the night was already unsettling, but what was more astonishing was the sound of iron chains coming from another small road that intersected with theirs. Then, one by one, crooked and wobbly figures appeared.
Hu Ma could clearly see their faces, all blank and lifeless, with a faint bluish tint. They wore silk, coarse cloth, or were even barefoot.
They were shackled by iron chains, causing them to walk unsteadily.
When they reached the crossroads, they all stopped, bent down, and deeply inhaled the scent of the incense pile.
On their rigid faces, a hint of longing seemed to appear, and then they reluctantly continued forward.
Some, greedy for the scent, inhaled deeply, causing the chain behind them to be pulled, making them stumble forward. Those behind hurried to catch up, deeply inhaling the incense before continuing on.
There were dozens of them, and only after the incense pile was about to burn out did they finally pass by.
It was only then that the two guides whispered, "Let's go!"
Hu Ma couldn't help but feel curious and asked softly, "Who are they...?"
"They are the dead brought from Yongle Prefecture."
One of the young guides seemed to have a strange smile on his face as he whispered, "They are about to enter the Gate of the Netherworld."
"This is their last meal before entering the gate, of course, a dead man's meal."
(End of Chapter)
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