Chapter 282: The New Year Guardian's Skill
Chapter 282: The New Year Guardian's Skill
Hu Ma observed the current appearance of Fragrant Girl, and an extremely peculiar feeling arose within him.
Just a moment ago, he had entered the Ghost Cavern for a short while, feeling his entire body turn cold as the chilly wind blew through the cave. After sitting for a while, he felt uncomfortable all over, as if he had fallen into an icy pit.
If even the body of a New Year Guardian couldn't withstand it, what would it be like for a living person to stay in that cave? Even the master of Li Manor had to lock himself inside. Yet, this girl had been eagerly anticipating entering earlier?
Was it the so-called "Yin Deed" that influenced her, or was there some deeper reason?
If the Ghost Cavern Li Clan were all in debt and had to repay it, how could Fragrant Girl seem like she was born to repay it?
Her father loved her and hoped that, as someone beyond the seventh generation, she could escape this fate. But he didn't know if the master of Li Manor truly cared about his daughter or asked her what she wanted...
...The mental health of children is very important!
Perhaps, if he had truly talked with Fragrant Girl, she wouldn't have ended up wandering in Mingzhou.
Hu Ma sighed softly as he looked at the bowl of noodles and cup of tea on the table, as well as Fragrant Girl standing beside him with a tray, smiling. For a moment, he didn't know how to express his feelings.
After a long silence, he suddenly smiled and asked Fragrant Girl, "Can you raise a Ghost Servant?"
"..."
"I don't know how to do that."
Fragrant Girl looked up at Hu Ma and replied with a smile, "But once I enter the Ghost Cavern, all the Summoned Ghosts will listen to me. Moreover, the deceased in Anzhou can help me with tasks and serve as my Ghost Servants."
"That's amazing."
Hu Ma smiled and said to her, "Then, you can do whatever you like."
"But if one day you get bored and want to go out for a walk, to see the world of the living..."
"You can send a Ghost Servant to notify me, and I'll come to fetch you."
"..."
Fragrant Girl's eyes lit up, and her voice carried a hint of joy, "Okay, Young Master, now I feel at ease!"
"Although I wanted to enter the Ghost Cavern earlier, I was still a little worried and scared. Once I go in, I won't have the chance to come out again."
"But since you've said so, I have no regrets!"
"..."
These words, for some reason, carried a tinge of sourness. Hu Ma wasn't the type to persuade good people to do bad things or bad people to turn over a new leaf. When there was a problem, he would first ask about the other party's intentions.
Now that he saw Fragrant Girl was truly willing to enter, he didn't say anything else and just tried to lighten the atmosphere, saying, "Hey, you really shouldn't call me that. It sounds strange."
"You, a young mistress of the Ghost Cavern Li Clan, calling me, a small manager of the Blood Feast Gang, 'Young Master' is really inappropriate."
"Now, I'm in your territory. If someone troubles me, I can't handle it."
"..."
Fragrant Girl giggled and said, "That beggar woman threw a nail into my head. Even though I knew she was a bad person, I could only call her 'Wet Nurse' when I thought of her."
"Now, I don't know why, but I feel like you've also thrown a nail into my head. Whenever I see you, I just want to call you 'Young Master'."
"..."
These words sounded a bit odd, but Hu Ma understood her meaning.
Perhaps it wasn't him who gave her that nail, but the time they spent together in Mingzhou that did?
Hu Ma thought about it but didn't want to discuss it with her. He sighed helplessly, picked up the bowl, and ate the noodles. He gave the tea to Fragrant Girl, and the two of them chatted casually about their time in Mingzhou and their journey, keeping the atmosphere light.
It wasn't until an old nanny came to remind them three times that Fragrant Girl finally left.
Hu Ma, lying on the bed, sighed softly, "Although there were some twists and turns on the road, Fragrant Girl has returned. This big worry is finally resolved."
"But..."
His eyebrows gradually furrowed, "...What about my payment?"
"Why aren't the Li family members bringing it up?"
"Is it because they think the matter is too small and not worth mentioning, or is it that the Ghost Cavern Li Clan has a big reputation but is actually so poor that they can't afford it?"
"Damn..."
"..."
He suddenly felt a bit worried and tossed and turned in bed.
That night, he didn't speak with Red Wine Miss. Were the Ghost Cavern Li Clan truly guarding the reincarnates' path? Hu Ma wasn't sure, but the more uncertain he was, the more careful he had to be.
Of course, Red Wine Miss didn't know about this matter, but before coming here, she had agreed with Hu Ma that they wouldn't use the reincarnates' means of communication in the area of the Ghost Cavern Li Clan. This was a precaution.
Up until now, the reincarnates still didn't know what kind of person could discover their secret means of communication. However, whenever they encountered powerful individuals, they would remain vigilant.
Although Red Wine Miss had a radical approach to handling matters, it didn't mean she was reckless with her life.
After waking up from a good night's sleep, someone from the Ghost Cavern Li Clan brought him hot water for washing up. After he finished his morning routine, he saw that a banquet had been prepared early in the morning.
Representing the Li family, the one who came to greet them was not any of the three who appeared yesterday. Instead, it was a middle-aged man in his forties, mature and composed.
He handled matters and spoke with propriety, addressing the martial artists, "Fellow martial artists, you have escorted our young miss back, and the Cave Li Clan is deeply grateful. We intended to invite you to stay for a few days and exchange tales of our martial journeys. However, the Ghost Cavern is different from other places, and prolonged stay may not be beneficial for living beings. So, we can only ask you to leave first."
"The martial world is vast, and the mountains and rivers are vast. The Cave Li Clan will remember your kindness."
"..."
The martial artists all nodded in agreement.
Logically, it was unreasonable to send someone back yesterday and then rush them out early the next day.
But after spending a night here, they had indeed sensed some profound and mysterious things, and they didn't want to stay any longer.
As they were talking, everyone took their seats, ate, and drank. After three rounds of drinks, several young members of the Cave Li Clan came forward, carrying a box.
Inside were ancient and worn copper coins, which the mature and composed man handed out one by one, saying softly, "Fellow martial artists, this is a small token from the Cave Li Clan. It may not be of much help."
"But within Anzhou, if anyone dies within three days, and their cause and effect are not resolved, with their organs and head intact, they can use this to extend their lifespan by ten years."
"Of course, this object carries a dark aura, and we hope that you will have good fortune and never need to use it."
"..."
"What?"
The martial artists had been examining the inconspicuous copper coins carefully, but upon hearing his words, they were all startled.
Wasn't this something that could save lives?
Of course, they had sent the young miss back yesterday, hoping for some benefits, and at the very least, to become familiar with the Li family.
But they never expected that the Cave Li Clan would offer such a valuable item.
Within Anzhou, anyone could use this copper coin to extend their lifespan by ten years. Wasn't this equivalent to having an extra life to spare, no matter what dangers one encountered?
Or, how much would this copper coin be worth if sold to those in Anzhou who were destined to die but didn't want to?
For a moment, everyone was shocked and excited beyond words. However, they understood the importance of maintaining decorum, and they politely declined, but deep down, they couldn't bear to refuse, fearing that the Li family would take it back.
"Skinning Master Han is an old friend..."
The man approached Red Wine Miss and whispered with a smile, "The reputation of Skinning Master Han is known even to us in the Ghost Cavern Li Clan. She is a female hero worthy of admiration."
"When Skinning Master Han came to Great Stone Cliff to plead for a young man whose life was unjustly endangered, our master agreed out of respect for her reputation as a chivalrous person. We never expected that she would accumulate good karma for our young miss. In a critical moment, she received help from Skinning Master Han..."
"Here is a handwritten letter as a token of our sincerity."
"In the future, if Skinning Master Han feels that anyone has been wronged, they can freely enter and exit Great Stone Cliff. We will serve you tea and treat you as an honored guest."
"..."
Those sitting far away didn't hear, but Hu Ma, who was nearby, heard it clearly.
He was surprised. Red Wine Miss had hit the jackpot. Others only received one copper coin, which could save one life.
But Red Wine Miss, or Skinning Master Han, had gained an infinite number of lives and truly established a connection with the Li family.
Especially before this trip, Red Wine Miss had hinted that she was in Anzhou, close to Ling Shou Prefecture, and as a member of the Puppetry Guild, she was naturally curious about this place but had no opportunity to learn about it.
Now, wouldn't this be a chance?
After receiving the handwritten letter, Red Wine Miss, or Skinning Master Han, only smiled faintly, "Please convey my gratitude to Master Li. You are too kind..."
"It's the least we can do..."
The Li family administrator smiled and lowered his voice, "Moreover, it's not just a superficial connection. Our Li family has a very important matter to request of you..."
Skinning Master Han smiled, "There's no need for such formality. Please speak freely."
Even Hu Ma became curious. The Cave Li Clan was a unique sect. What could they possibly ask of an outsider like Skinning Master Han?
"Life at Great Stone Cliff is harsh..."
The Li family administrator's face suddenly turned bitter, "Our Li family follows the rules and dares not leave casually. Additionally, the heavy yin energy here discourages outsiders from entering."
"But there is a large family living here. We are accustomed to simple meals, but life is dull and monotonous. The young people in our family can't endure it any longer. No matter how high the dowry, no young lady is willing to marry into our family."
"Skinning Master Han is a respected senior of the Puppetry Guild. We only ask that you speak on our behalf. In the future, if there are good performances, storytelling, or barrel juggling, please bring them to us more often."
"Please make it clear to them that although living at Great Stone Cliff is uncomfortable, as long as the time is set, it should be fine."
"Moreover, although our Li family is poor, we will not shortchange anyone when it comes to material wealth."
(End of Chapter)
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