https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-31-The-Five-Ghosts-Technique-and-the-Light-Circle-Technique/12834424/
Chapter 30: The Hero "Rescues" the Beauty
Chapter 30: The Hero "Rescues" the Beauty
"Rare?"
Hu Ma felt her reaction was a bit odd, but seeing her agree, he couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise. He didn't have time to dwell on the details, though.
This woman's demeanor and status clearly indicated she was a person of great influence. As a seasoned reincarnated soul, she possessed numerous abilities. Since she agreed to help him find his grandmother, he could at least put his mind at ease for now.
Just as he was thinking this, she added, "However, I can't directly help you. We need to create an opportunity."
Hu Ma was slightly taken aback. "Huh?"
She paused, then said coolly, "Has no one ever taught you that our most important task is to conceal our secrets?"
"Unwarranted closeness and friendship can raise suspicions. In this world, it wouldn't make sense for me to suddenly become familiar with a poor boy from a village. Therefore, we need to create an opportunity for ourselves."
"Tomorrow at noon, I will encounter a bit of danger. When that happens, come and save me. That way, it won't seem strange for me to help you!"
"..."
"Is that even possible?"
Hu Ma finally understood, nodding. "I see."
"About the information you're concerned about..."
"..."
He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. This woman's aura seemed different from the first reincarnated soul he encountered. Since she was so clear about her boundaries, Hu Ma worried that if he revealed the information, she might go back on her word...
"Let's find the person first before we talk about it."
She seemed to sense his thoughts and smiled faintly. "I have time."
"Just remember to tell me the answer in the dream, using our connection. In the real world, don't say anything that might raise suspicion."
As her voice faded, a wisp of smoke retreated into the dark red mist. Hu Ma noticed the incense on his altar had returned to its faint, scattered burning state, finding the whole situation a bit surreal.
He pondered the information she gave him and the different circumstances he found himself in. Sighing, he slowly drifted into sleep.
When he woke up the next day, it felt somewhat unreal.
"Little Hu Ma, wake up quickly, wash your face. We need to hurry today."
Elder Two had already washed his face by the stream and handed Hu Ma a damp, rough cloth, whispering, "We took a detour yesterday and didn't reach the destination the nobles wanted to go to. Today, we need to be quicker. Once we finish their tasks, we can go look for your grandmother..."
"Has Little Hongtang not received any messages today?"
"..."
Hu Ma turned to look. Little Hongtang was huddled beside the dead log she slept on, a small ball, and shook her head.
The situation with his grandmother didn't seem promising.
After eating the softened dry food, his body felt heavy. He hadn't eaten the Blood Age for three days, and his limbs were starting to feel cold. However, a burning sensation in his lower abdomen continued to radiate heat, but he knew this was just the furnace fire beginning to consume itself.
As long as the furnace fire lasted, he could still pass as a normal person. But once it was completely consumed, he dared not think about what would happen.
Perhaps only by finding his grandmother could he fully understand.
While washing his face, he glanced at the black sedan chair, feeling a bit curious.
The conversation last night couldn't have been a dream. Why hadn't she come out yet?
The group finished preparations and continued on their journey. The reincarnated soul known as White Wine remained in the sedan chair, while the others walked alongside.
The sedan bearers were rotated every hour, not because they lacked stamina, but because the forest path was rough and difficult to navigate. Sometimes, they had to take detours for places where the sedan couldn't fit, even though they could have passed through by crouching.
This naturally extended the distance and slowed their progress.
But Elder Two was used to being a guide and didn't mind the nobles' demands. He simply led the way diligently.
From morning until noon, the group had grown somewhat weary. They had entered a part of the forest where few people ventured. Hu Ma remained vigilant but didn't see any opportunities.
Until, by chance, he turned his head and saw a gnarled old tree nearby, covered in black spots. Especially at a height of two to three meters, the spots vaguely resembled a human face.
"Ghost Tree?"
Hu Ma's heart stirred as he recognized it.
Old trees in the forest often developed human-like faces over time. Once a face appeared, the tree gained a spirit, and the entire forest became eerie, making it easy to get lost or even disappear mysteriously.
If such a ghost tree appeared near the village, Elder Two would cut it down. But in the deep forest, no one paid attention, and some trees not only developed faces but also gained power.
Logically, it was daytime, so the old tree shouldn't cause trouble.
But earlier, Second Master had warned that the forest was heavy with yin energy, and these spirits often emerged before dusk.
Of course, Second Master had a strong yang aura, so logically, evil spirits should not have approached. But in this old, dark mountain, who knew how many powerful beings lurked?
Hu Ma immediately became wary. He had noticed the ancient tree, so why had Second Master, and the two sedan bearers walking ahead, simply kept their heads down and continued on their way, completely oblivious to the eerie old tree right beside them?
As he pondered, a branch of the old tree, growing at an angle, silently reached toward the sedan.
Hu Ma was startled, knowing the moment had come. He quickly called out, "Be careful."
With that, he took a step forward, clenched his right fist, and delivered a powerful punch.
This was the first move of the Mountain-Opening Fist, the very first technique Second Master had taught him.
As Hu Ma struck, he channeled the fire energy from the hearth, making his punch both swift and forceful. His clenched fist, traveling a distance of several meters, struck the angled branch in an instant.
The punch was so strong that it even lifted the edge of the sedan curtain.
In his peripheral vision, Hu Ma glimpsed a glimpse of a jade-green earring, a fair cheek, and something fluffy, all flashing by.
"Smack!"
The branch, as thick as a fist, was instantly shattered into two pieces by Hu Ma's punch.
One piece fell to the ground, writhing for a moment before lying still.
The other end, however, suddenly contracted, like a gray python, and in an instant, retreated into the forest, vanishing.
"Protect the young miss!"
The sudden movement startled everyone.
The old shopkeeper nearly lost his composure, shouting as he lifted the front of his robe and leaped to the side of the sedan.
Even Hu Ma was pushed to the outer side of the sedan.
The group of attendants also snapped to attention, drawing their knives and standing guard.
"It's fine."
From inside the sedan, a calm female voice eventually spoke: "It's just an ancient tree that has grown powerful."
"Yes, yes..."
The old shopkeeper, drenched in cold sweat, repeatedly agreed.
But inwardly, he scolded himself. Had he become so exhausted from the journey that he had overlooked the dangers of the forest?
Although the person in the sedan should not have been harmed, this oversight was a significant mistake for him.
As he thought, he suddenly turned and drove a black nail into the old tree beside him.
The tree trembled, its leaves rustling and falling.
But the shopkeeper did not look back. Instead, he cast a strange glance at Hu Ma.
He, the old guide, and all the loyal guards had missed it, but this young boy had noticed.
However, it was a close call. While the boy's intentions were good, his rashness could have been problematic. If he had lifted the curtain and offended the person inside the sedan, it would have been troublesome.
"This boy has a good heart."
As he pondered, the person in the sedan spoke again, "Shopkeeper, give him five taels of silver."
"Yes, yes."
The shopkeeper agreed, then turned to Hu Ma, the scrutinizing look on his face already gone. He smiled, "Young fool, you're in luck. Don't forget to thank the young miss for her reward."
"..."
As he reached for the silver, Hu Ma suddenly reacted, waving his hands, "I don't want the silver."
"Eh?"
Even Second Master, standing not far away, was confused: "Why not?"
He had been leading them for several days and had not received much in the way of rewards...
"Hmm?"
The shopkeeper also looked at Hu Ma curiously, a half-smile on his face, "What, five taels not enough for you?"
Acting was not a problem.
Hu Ma quickly feigned confusion, speaking in a small voice, "I don't want the silver. I want to ask the young miss... sister for a favor."
He knew the young miss was from his hometown, so calling her "miss" felt a bit awkward. Calling her "sister" was fine, though.
But at his words, the old shopkeeper's face fell, and even Second Master's heart sank: This little Hu Ma was being too reckless.
When someone offers you a reward, you take it. Refusing the silver and asking for a favor was not something the nobles from the city would appreciate. One wrong word could offend them, and they might not only give you a dirty look but also a slap or two if they were in a bad mood.
"You..."
The shopkeeper's face changed, ready to scold him, but then the voice from inside the sedan spoke calmly:
"I have matters to attend to and cannot help you much."
"But since I said I would reward you, I can't go back on my word. What is it you want?"
"..."
Those around, including the shopkeeper, all composed their expressions and nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Second Master was stunned, "This little Hu Ma, a fool with luck, actually managed to gain the favor of a noble?"
(End of Chapter)
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