Chapter 284: Suppressing Fate
Chapter 284: Suppressing Fate
"Mr. Hu, you can use this gourd to collect the spring water. Collect as much as you can."
Despite the Li Clan's enthusiasm, Hu Ma, who was always straightforward and never expected repayment, could only reluctantly agree. The Li Clan's administrator then handed him a natural gourd.
Hu Ma pointed to the spring water flowing down from the mountain, surprised, "Is this spring water what you just mentioned...?"
"Humans have three souls and seven essences. After death, the seven essences dissipate, and the three souls each have a different path."
The Li Clan's administrator smiled at Hu Ma and explained, "The three souls are the primordial soul, the perception soul, and the birth soul, which are further divided into the rebirth soul, the cause and effect soul, and the guardian soul."
"After death, each soul takes a different path."
"One soul reincarnates, one soul guards the body, and one soul, it is said, goes to settle cause and effect."
"Those who come to the Cave Li Clan are birth souls. Birth souls perceive events, and perception souls understand fate. The Li Clan fears that the birth souls will suffer in the Ghost Cavern, so they prepare a final meal for them and also help them cleanse their souls."
"This spring water is the soul-cleansing water of the netherworld."
"If you use the Li Clan's gourd to collect this soul-cleansing water, you will naturally obtain what you desire."
"..."
"Then, what about this...?"
Hu Ma was usually reserved, but with the gourd in his hand, he could only nod silently. Then, out of curiosity, he asked, "After collecting it, how do I view it?"
The Li Clan's administrator smiled and said, "In a shaded area, pour it onto white paper. The heavier the yin energy, the better. Once the yin energy dissipates, the words will disappear..."
"Alright..."
Hu Ma agreed and took the gourd, approaching the spring water flowing down from the mountain. He filled the gourd until it was nearly two-thirds full, then stopped, plugged it, and held it in his hand.
The Li Clan's administrator was a bit surprised but smiled and gestured for Hu Ma to join the feast without saying a word.
Hu Ma was satisfied with what he had collected. He tied a hemp rope around the gourd's waist and carried it with him, ensuring no one would notice.
As for the two large baskets, Hu Ma glanced at them, not to see their contents but to consider how to transport them conveniently. In that moment, he confirmed that they were indeed filled with blood food, and it was not the inferior kind...
Even more astonishing was that, as if concerned about his transportation, they had been smoked...
Smoked...
Since his reincarnation, everyone had treated blood food as a treasure, handling it with utmost care and refining it into pills for consumption.
Hu Ma had only encountered two people who used such down-to-earth methods to deal with Blood Centaurs.
One was his mother-in-law, who would butcher ten to twenty pounds of it daily and cook it like pork, forcing him to eat it in large mouthfuls.
The other was the Ghost Cavern Li Clan, who used it to smoke meat...
He was increasingly surprised but couldn't show it. If he revealed his knowledge of its value, he wouldn't know how to treat them. Should he kneel down and express gratitude for the Li Clan's generous gift just because it was precious?
"There's one more thing."
At this moment, the Li Clan's administrator, noticing no one else around, took a step forward and produced a copper coin strung on a red thread.
Unlike the coins distributed to the martial artists, this one seemed larger and had an ancient design. He whispered, "This item was personally instructed by the Marquis to give to you."
"It's not easy for anyone from the Li Clan to leave. Even watching a performance is troublesome."
"But sometimes, we need someone to help with external matters, like purchasing items from outside, delivering messages for the Li Clan, or other tasks. Since you are acquainted with Miss Li, the Marquis invites you to help purchase cosmetics and makeup in the future."
"This copper coin serves as a token for future transactions."
"..."
"Do I need a token just to buy cosmetics and makeup?"
Hu Ma took a deep breath, understanding that this was just an excuse. Even in Mingzhou, it wouldn't be easy for him to buy and send these items.
Considering this, he realized the copper coin might be a form of protection from the Li Clan. However, since they had been so tactful, he didn't press further. He nodded in agreement and asked, "Where is Miss Li Xiangyu? Why hasn't she come out today?"
"She's preparing a gift for you."
The Li Clan's administrator smiled and said, "This spring water is the Cave Li Clan's gift to you, and the baskets contain local delicacies."
"Miss Li feels indebted to your kindness and insists on preparing a gift herself."
"This is not something we external administrators can inquire about. You'll see it once she's ready."
"..."
Hu Ma nodded and followed the Li Clan's administrator outside.
"Hu, you're back..."
Outside, the martial artists were in high spirits, drinking merrily despite the early hour.
Upon seeing Hu Ma, they all stood and invited him over.
Many of them glanced at Hu Ma, knowing that he had just received the Li Clan's gratitude. They had only accompanied him and received a life-saving copper coin.
So, after escorting the Li family's young lady back from afar, what would the Li family give as a token of gratitude?
If he truly couldn't bring it himself, should I help him?
Amidst the enthusiastic gazes, Hu Ma sat down, drank a few cups, and before the other Martial World individuals could inquire further, Han Womzi suddenly spoke calmly, "I took a small effort, yet gained such a huge advantage, all thanks to you, young master."
"Moreover, your ability to eliminate those demons on Ping Nan Dao is truly admirable."
"I'd like to thank you first."
"After we settle matters here, why don't you come with me to my estate and stay for a few days? We can have a proper chat."
"..."
Hu Ma realized that Red Wine Miss was trying to help him out of an awkward situation, so he quickly smiled and said, "I'd be delighted to seek your guidance, senior."
Upon seeing this, the surrounding Martial World individuals understood the situation and withdrew their intentions.
Some had heard that Hu Ma eliminated several demons on Ping Nan Dao and knew he was no ordinary man, so they held back their thoughts.
Others heard Han Womzi invite him to her estate and thought she was taking the initiative, making it difficult for others to intervene.
The banquet continued, and by the time the sun was high in the sky, the guests bid farewell under the send-off of the Cave Li Clan members.
Just before they reached the monument with the warning "Mortals Beware," Xianggu, the young maid who was not expected to appear again, rushed over, accompanied by an elderly woman and a maid her age.
She was out of breath and quickly handed a bundle to Hu Ma. Everyone around craned their necks, curious about its contents, but Hu Ma immediately understood and opened the bundle.
Inside, there were no rare treasures or mystical objects, only a pair of newly-made shoes.
"Thank you, Fragrant Jade Miss..."
Hu Ma sighed inwardly, dismounted, and faced the crowd, feeling a bit embarrassed. However, he solemnly gave the shoes to Xianggu, who received them with both hands.
As a reincarnate, how could he not understand the young maid's intentions?
When did she start to develop feelings for him?
It was unlikely to have happened in Mingzhou, even though she had lived there for a while and helped him with laundry and shoe-making. That was not a romantic gesture.
She was just an insecure young girl who instinctively drew close to him, seeking his favor.
If that was enough to move her heart, then this affection was not worth much.
After her accident, when he helped her listen to the diagnosis and acted as her guarantor, she was unconscious and couldn't possibly know about it, so there was no chance for any emotional connection.
So, was it during the journey from Dongchang City to Anzhou?
This was a difficult question to ponder. He had saved her and stayed in Mingzhou for a few months, yet these feelings hadn't arisen. But in the last seven days, a slight change had occurred.
Unfortunately...
Hu Ma put the shoes into his embrace and bowed to Xianggu, bidding her farewell, "Fragrant Jade Miss, take care and farewell."
Xianggu's eyes welled up, and she nodded firmly.
What else could be done? That was all that could be done!
...
...
"He couldn't stay, but it's fine."
At the same time, in the Cave Li Clan, the master of the Li family, who knew what his daughter was preparing, also sighed softly. He raised his hand to his forehead, and the iron chains wrapped around him clattered, his expression appearing somewhat desolate.
His gaze turned towards the depths of the cave, as if conversing with something, and he said softly, "Before, I always felt that this daughter wasn't mine, but rather yours..."
"But now it seems that someone has given her a breath of life..."
"..."
Inside the cave, the howling wind blew through the holes, as if something was whispering.
The master of the Li family listened for a while, then laughed softly, "It seems like all our planning was in vain, and in the end, nothing has changed?"
"The girl's fate is heavy. She wandered to Mingzhou, yet she managed to avoid all disasters and safely returned to the cave. It's as if divine protection guided her, but even with that protection, she's still far from the cave. How could there be no change at all?"
"In my opinion, there are only two possibilities."
"One is that the variables have already occurred, and whether good or bad, they've been buried, waiting to surface at an unknown time."
"The second is..."
He paused slightly before saying, "It's possible, but not impossible..."
"That is, the reason she returned safely is because the little shopkeeper who escorted her back has a heavier fate than her, suppressing all potential variables..."
"But what I dare not think is that the girl is born with a Yin Deed, and in this world, how many people have a fate heavier than hers?"
(End of Chapter)
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