https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-282-The-New-Year-Guardian-s-Skill/12918487/
Chapter 281: Ten Years of Soul Guidance
Chapter 281: Ten Years of Soul Guidance
"Yes, Father, but..."
Fragrant Girl stood up, still looking hesitant, and turned to Li Family's Elder.
"Don't be in a hurry," Li Family's Elder said with a smile. "You are the next Guardian, but you don't have to rush into it. Although your fate is already set, I've come to realize that as long as I'm alive, the debt still belongs to the seventh generation, and it's not your turn yet!"
"Stay outside for now, these days have been easy on you."
Fragrant Girl's eyes turned red, and she nodded silently before walking over to Hu Ma and taking his hand.
According to the two young Li Family members outside the cave, once the red thread is broken, you can't leave the Ghost Cave. But now, Hu Ma was able to leave the cave with Fragrant Girl without any issues.
As they walked through the dark passageway, Fragrant Girl whispered, "Hu Da Ge, my father... he could have left the cave and lived outside, but he refused. Our Li Family has always had a strange tradition: either the older generation leaves the cave late or the younger generation enters early. I was supposed to take his place in the cave half a year ago, but he wouldn't let me."
Hu Ma didn't know what to say. As an outsider, it's hard to understand the strange traditions of the Li Family. They've been paying off a debt for seven generations, but who exactly is receiving the debt?
Hu Ma shook his head, deciding to put these thoughts aside for now. The Li Family's affairs are too mysterious and complex, and seem to be connected to some ancient court matters that are hard to grasp.
For now, Hu Ma was more concerned about the three red threads on his arm and how they got there. Could it be that the Li Family is holding a grudge against him for bringing Fragrant Girl back, even going so far as to try to harm him in front of the Li Family's Elder?
As they approached the exit, Hu Ma saw a group of people gathered outside, including some Li Family members, who were holding torches and surrounding a young man kneeling on the ground.
Hu Ma's eyes widened slightly as he realized that the people holding the torches were actually role ghosts, similar to the ones he and Fragrant Girl had encountered earlier.
The young man kneeling on the ground looked up at Hu Ma with a mixture of anger and defiance. Hu Ma guessed that this must be the infamous Third Young Master.
Hu Ma realized that the Li Family's Elder must have been watching everything from the shadows, and that this young man's fate was likely sealed.
The people surrounding him, including the stout old man who seemed to be the Third Uncle, were all dressed in ordinary clothing, but they looked like they held some authority within the Li Family.
As Hu Ma watched, the Third Uncle shouted, "Li Family's Third Uncle, Li Xiangguan, is guilty of treason and plotting against the main family. Please, Elder, punish him!"
Hu Ma slowed down his pace, curious to see how the Elder would respond. After a brief silence, the Elder's voice came from within the cave, "Bring him in, sentence him to be a role ghost for ten years, guiding souls."
The young man's face turned pale as he struggled against his restraints.
The stout old man, however, glared at him and said, "Elder, he's still young, perhaps..."
But the Elder's voice was firm, "Bring him in!"
The role ghosts outside the cave suddenly floated up, their chains rattling as they moved to bind not just the young man, but also the stout old man and the other family members, including the female relatives.
Everyone was shocked and confused, staring at the role ghosts in surprise.
The Elder's voice came from within the cave, "I'm not just talking about him. I'm talking about all of you who knew about this and did nothing. Bring them all to the altar, regardless of age or status, inside or outside the family."
"If anyone dares to defy, their birth soul will be separated and cast into the Ghost Cavern."
"..."
"Hua..."
Everyone at the entrance of the cavern was stunned, and a chaotic wail erupted.
Especially the young man kneeling there, who was even more stunned. He, who had felt the most resentment, was now at a loss for words.
The summoned ghost didn't care about their reaction. When the people inside the cavern didn't speak, those outside could follow the rules and use the summoned ghost to guide the souls. But once the people inside spoke, the summoned ghost would only listen to them and immediately dragged these people into the cavern.
The once quiet and solemn cavern entrance suddenly became chaotic, with a lively commotion. Everyone was pulled into the cavern, creating a grand spectacle.
The noise attracted the attention of the Wulin figures staying in the village.
Bound by the rules, they dared not come out to watch the commotion, but they all opened a window and listened intently.
"This is the true might of the Li Clan of the Ghost Cavern..."
Even Hu Ma couldn't help but sigh.
They, who were guarding inside the cavern, could ignore the matters at hand and even feign ignorance, allowing those outside to deceive them into thinking they had no temper. But with just one word, the outside would have to undergo a complete overhaul.
However, Xiangya Tou glanced at the relatives being dragged into the cavern and seemed to soften, but she didn't say anything.
Having left the cavern, she still held Hu Ma's hand.
By now, the candle in Hu Ma's hand had burned out, and there was no lantern, leaving them in complete darkness. Yet, she walked with remarkable steadiness.
She led Hu Ma back to the village and to the house where he was staying, then she let him sit down while she bowed her head and left.
Hu Ma could tell that she had something on her mind, but he didn't know what it was.
After all, she was now the young mistress of the Li Clan of the Ghost Cavern, and her status was different. He had to give her the respect she deserved, so he sat quietly, listening to the faint sounds outside.
Soon, the wooden door was gently pushed open, and Xiangya Tou entered, carrying a wooden tray.
Hu Ma was surprised to see a bowl of noodles and a cup of tea on the tray.
Had this girl just gone to cook after leaving?
"Young Master..."
Xiangya Tou approached the table and served the food to Hu Ma.
Hu Ma quickly looked up at her and said, "That's not the right way to address me..."
"It's fine, I'll keep my voice down."
Xiangya Tou spoke softly, "Young Master, this is the last time I will serve you. Consider it my gratitude for your escort back."
"This..."
Hu Ma looked at the bowl of noodles, and his heart felt complicated.
He raised his head and saw Xiangya Tou's face, which looked somewhat desolate in the dim oil lamp light.
He sighed softly and suddenly asked, "Miss Xiang Yu, is it because..."
"Did I really harm you by bringing you back?"
"..."
Similar words had been asked once before Master Li, but he still wanted to ask Xiangya Tou.
If she truly didn't want to, perhaps...
"Ah?"
Hearing these words, Xiangya Tou's heart raced, and she quickly waved her hands.
She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and then looked at Hu Ma seriously, saying in a low voice, "Young Master, please don't misunderstand. My father and I are different."
"He has a debt to repay, but I've felt since birth that this is my duty. I've always known deep down that I was meant to stay inside."
"Others want to spend as little time inside as possible, but I actually want to enter sooner."
"I... I don't know how to describe it..."
"..."
She hesitated and replied softly, "It's like... I'm drawn to that place."
"Before I lost my memory in Mingzhou, I would hear those poor souls crying, and I would unconsciously lead them in my dreams. It's not just that I couldn't bear it; now I think about it, it's as if it was my destiny from the start..."
"I..."
She paused before speaking softly, "I've never felt a strong attachment to the world of the living. It all seems mundane and tedious."
This answer was beyond Hu Ma's expectations, and he suddenly remembered a peculiar aspect of Xiangya Tou.
Back at the estate, he noticed that she could guide souls in her dreams. If an ordinary person experienced such a thing, they would probably be afraid, right? But she wasn't; even though she didn't remember, she still felt it was all as it should be, without a hint of hesitation or fear.
Was it her personality, or was the Yin Ledger influencing her?
"But it's not like I have absolutely no..."
Amidst Hu Ma's surprise, Xiangya Tou seemed to gather her courage and turned to look at him, saying softly, "The only time I felt..."
"Perhaps... in Mingzhou, when I didn't remember and had no pressure."
"I could work a little, laugh with Da Tongge and the others, and sew clothes for you..."
"..."
Listening to her words, Hu Ma didn't know what to say.
(End of Chapter)
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