Chapter 285: Mansion Entry and Hall Chat
Chapter 285: Mansion Entry and Hall Chat
After bidding farewell to the Cave Li Clan, Hu Ma and his group of martial artists embarked on their journey back.
Since they had come from different places, they didn't need to travel together on the return trip. They parted ways at various crossroads, each with their own farewells. Many also invited Hu Ma to visit them.
But Hu Ma only smiled and explained that he had already promised Elder Han to accompany her, so the other martial artists laughed heartily and made plans to meet again later for a grand feast.
Of course, there were also those who turned back and laughed coldly, "This lucky kid has a good fate. He's young and has already made a name for himself, and he's even connected with the Cave Li Clan. But whether he's smart or not is hard to say."
"The Deception Sect is best at bewitching people. Following them won't bring you any good."
"Elder Han's estate rarely keeps people, or perhaps those who stay often end up in a bad state."
"..."
Hu Ma knew that in the eyes of many martial artists, he had become a well-intentioned fool, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Should he trust Miss White Wine, or believe these martial artists whom he had only met once? Or should he be so naive as to believe in the chivalry of the martial world and foolishly carry these items alone?
The Cave Li Clan was indeed generous, and the gifts they gave were good. But the real test was bringing these benefits back. As they traveled, the fewer people they encountered, and by the time they reached Anzhou Prefecture, Hu Ma and Elder Han decided not to enter the city. Instead, they headed straight for her estate located deep in the wilderness.
After pushing open the wooden door, they dismounted and both took a deep breath. Without waiting for Hu Ma to enter the house, Miss White Wine said, "Don't rest yet. Help me feed the livestock first."
"..."
Hu Ma had no choice but to agree. He helped her by preparing grass feed, mixing in cornmeal, and boiling hot water to scald it. The livestock had been hungry for two days and a night, and they eagerly crowded around the trough, devouring the food.
Hu Ma now understood that Miss White Wine's livestock was no ordinary. He carefully observed them and could easily distinguish their eyes from those of regular livestock, but their appearance showed no flaws.
He couldn't help but marvel at Miss White Wine's incredible skills.
After feeding the livestock, Miss White Wine boiled water again, made tea, and chatted with Hu Ma in the main hall. Before speaking, she went to the door and hung two small bells there before returning to sit down.
She sighed softly and said, "The Cave Li Clan's abilities are even greater than I imagined. Last time, I couldn't enter the village and stopped at the monument."
"This time, I finally had the chance to visit their village, but I couldn't understand some things..."
"..."
"You're talking about this in reality again..."
Hu Ma's heart trembled, and he subconsciously glanced outside before speaking in a low voice, "I heard that in the cave..."
"Some powerful evil spirits have emerged?"
"..."
Although Hu Ma felt pressured to communicate in reality, his curiosity was overwhelming.
Ever since his conversation with the Li Clan's Marquis, he had been shocked and filled with curiosity. According to the Marquis, reincarnators emerged from that cave.
Could it be that the Li Clan was guarding the passageway for reincarnators?
"You're not the first person to hear this theory."
Miss White Wine immediately turned to look at Hu Ma and said, "I've always wanted to investigate the Cave Li Clan, and this is one of the reasons."
"But although many people say this, I don't think it's possible."
"..."
Hu Ma was slightly taken aback, unsure why she was so certain. Then he heard Miss White Wine say, "The Ghost Cavern appeared after the Grand Sacrifice in the Capital City."
"But as far as I know, some of the earliest reincarnators came even before that sacrifice. Some even speculate that there might be traces of reincarnators behind that sacrifice, but we don't know how much they did."
"..."
"What?"
Hu Ma, who had been feeling a bit uneasy, was startled by this sudden statement.
The earliest reincarnators had arrived so early. What was the Li Clan guarding now? What was the real reason for the reincarnators' arrival?
"Are you starting to take an interest in these matters now?"
But at this point, Miss White Wine stopped talking. She only smiled faintly and glanced at Hu Ma as if examining him from head to toe.
Then she shook her head and said, "I can tell that you're different from Miss White. She's too cautious, which is why her abilities are so great, but she always holds back. You seem cautious too, but your curiosity is uncontrollable. It's your nature; you and I are of the same kind."
"..."
Hu Ma felt a bit embarrassed by this statement.
It seemed that being praised by someone like Miss White Wine wasn't a good thing...
Miss White Wine looked at his embarrassed reaction and sighed again, "I appreciate your curiosity, but it's too early for you to understand these things now.
"Actually, in your current state, you don't have the qualifications to understand these matters..."
"..."
'Why am I being looked down upon again?'
Hu Ma felt a twinge of frustration and asked, "Then, what does it take to be qualified?"
"Enter the Mansion!"
The Red Wine Miss spoke softly, "Without entering the Mansion, in this world, you can only survive, but you won't have the qualifications to understand it."
"Of course..."
She suddenly seemed a bit disheartened as she spoke, sighing helplessly, "But the most annoying thing is that even among those who have entered the Mansion, a large portion of reincarnators have become accustomed to it. They are skilled in their own ways, but when it comes to handling important matters, they are timid and hesitant."
"Not to mention Little White, look at Anzhou, Burnt Blade, Jade Ice Distill, Old Millet Liquor... They are all capable, but they not only hide away, they also meddle in my affairs in their free time..."
"I'm so careful, how could they possibly be exposed through me?"
"..."
'Yes, yes, you're careful...'
Hu Ma sighed inwardly, 'I just hope you won't talk about these things in reality anymore.'
He quickly pondered, trying to shift her attention, and asked, "Is it difficult to enter the Mansion?"
"Different paths have different entry methods and difficulties."
The Red Wine Miss slowly nodded, and after a moment, she said, "But ascending the steps to enter the Mansion and crossing the bridge to return home, this is a path that everyone in every path must attempt to take."
"And after entering the Mansion, there are special..."
She paused before continuing, "You will have more and more secrets coming to you proactively, and even if you want to hide, you won't be able to escape them."
"This is also the reason why many reincarnators stop after entering the Mansion. They are all apprehensive, and once the secrets of this world find them, they worry that their own secrets will be exposed, so they prefer to stay at the stage of entering the Mansion."
"..."
She seemed to want him to understand, but as she spoke, she also became more accepting.
When one hasn't reached a certain level, communication is often difficult. She could only sigh and say, "Perhaps, you just need to understand that ascending the steps is merely entering the path, and only by entering the Mansion can you see the true scenery within this path."
"Not only us, but even those evil spirits and monsters have to go through this process. Without receiving incense offerings, they can never truly thrive. Once they receive incense offerings..."
"Hehe, then they can be considered as belonging to the Hall."
"..."
These words made Hu Ma's heart stir, as he had already known about Zhang Ah Gu's situation and kept it in mind.
The problem Zhang Ah Gu faced was related to the so-called 'Hall' and the Five Malevolent Gods summoned from there.
, he still didn't know what this 'Hall' represented...
"Those in the Hall are the ones who receive incense offerings."
The Red Wine Miss said calmly, "Without incense offerings, one cannot enter the Hall. It's only by one's own abilities that they can be removed, and they can't blame others. But those who enter the Hall are considered incense offering gods, with their own spirit temples and statues, and they also have their own believers."
"It's only after entering the Hall and being registered that one can have a foothold in this world. Otherwise, they are just wild gods and evil spirits, not worth mentioning..."
"..."
"Enter the Hall and be registered?"
Hu Ma was surprised and asked hastily, "What are these?"
"I knew you were curious."
The Red Wine Miss glanced at Hu Ma and said, "Don't you feel that this world has become chaotic, but the order hasn't completely collapsed?"
"Hehe, that's because there are Hall Officials managing it..."
"Sword Wielder Inquiry, Reasoning and Distribution, these four Hall Officials have the support of the Ten Clans, and they are the ones stabilizing the order of this world."
"Under the Hall Officials are Junior Hall Officials, and under them are Clerks who run errands. They aren't government officials, but their power now even surpasses that of the actual government. They just act low-key and don't involve themselves in secular conflicts."
"But the higher their abilities, the more one fears them. Speaking of which, Mingzhou might also have them, but since your abilities are limited and your experience is insufficient, you can't perceive their existence."
"..."
Hu Ma was indeed reminded and began to ponder deeply.
In Mingzhou, he was just a little shopkeeper in the Blood Feast Gang, and his experience was indeed limited. However, he had always kept an eye on the movements in various places.
Now, with the Red Wine Miss's reminder, he began to think hard, and several possible existences flashed through his mind. In Mingzhou, Red Lantern Goddess seemed to be the most influential, with an unmatched reputation.
However, in his previous conversation with Xu Xiangzhu, he also learned that there were indeed a few existences in Mingzhou City that even Red Lantern Goddess didn't dare to offend easily...
...For example, the Government Office or Plum Alley, whose path was still unknown.
"This world is deep and complex, and even we old-timers in the Jianghu haven't fully understood it, let alone you?"
Han Womzi also sighed, "However, now, I want to ask you a crucial question. Do you want the New Year Guardian's Mansion Entry Transmission Technique?"
Hu Ma was shocked, "Is there anyone who doesn't want it?"
(End of Chapter)
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