https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-301-The-Year-Guard-Scroll-and-the-Old-Fire-Pit/12918541/
Chapter 302: The Rich Man's Child (Third Watch)
Chapter 302: The Rich Man's Child (Third Watch)
Old Fire Pit...
This was the first mysterious tradition related to protection that I encountered after arriving in this world.
Now that I've entered the Dao, learned my special skills, and traveled through this world, although I've always carried the ash of protection, I no longer rely on it for protection. But unexpectedly, after all these twists and turns, I suddenly discovered the mystery of the Old Fire Pit again.
Following this thought, countless scenes flashed before my eyes.
Grandma's skills were exceptional, but the first thing she did after bringing me back to life was to take me to pay respects to the Old Fire Pit. She even almost cursed me as a ghostly daughter-in-law.
Later, when the Meng family pressured her, she was willing to enter the Old Fire Pit herself to help me obtain that protection.
It was because the Old Fire Pit of Great Sheep Village was too powerful, so powerful that even Grandma, with her great skills, believed that she could only survive by obtaining the protection of the Old Fire Pit from that small village.
Or perhaps, Grandma wasn't concerned about the Old Fire Pit of Great Sheep Village, but rather the existence of something similar to the Old Fire Pit itself?
Ever since I started learning the New Year Guardian's technique, I've been dedicated to studying the GhostHunter's path, all for the sake of bringing myself back to life.
But Grandma's arrangements may have always been leading me down the path of the GhostWalker...
"Perhaps this answer is sufficient..."
After a long while, Hu Ma finally let out a low sigh. In truth, Second Pot Head didn't give me a clear answer.
He himself was confused, afraid because he couldn't see through the situation.
But after hearing what Second Pot Head said today, Hu Ma suddenly felt like he had vaguely grasped something. GhostHunter, Year Guard Scroll, ritual opening, incantation, chastity soul, Old Fire Pit...
...With someone pointing out this line of thought, Hu Ma couldn't quite understand the relationship between them, but it was as if he had suddenly discovered the correct direction.
He knew that the answer lay in that place.
With this direction, he felt somewhat prepared as he crossed that threshold.
"Wait..."
As Hu Ma's thoughts suddenly cleared, Second Pot Head, who was also lost in silence and hesitation, spoke up again, "That..."
"You said you wanted to eliminate the Five Sorrows Deity, were you serious?"
"..."
"I'm serious..."
Hu Ma casually replied, "It's just that the matter is quite significant, and I need to ponder it carefully."
"Alright then..."
Second Pot Head paused, as if making a decision, and said, "If you really want to do this, remember to let me know."
This question caught Hu Ma off guard, "Ah?"
You just said to contact me after two years!
"No, this matter sounds scary, but after careful consideration..."
Brother Second Pot Head also seemed a bit embarrassed, letting out a 'hehe' laugh, "It seems like it's a matter of time, and there are limited positions in the Hall. The Five Sorrows Deity is close to us, and if we don't eliminate it, Little Red Lantern will only suffer..."
"Although she has just gained the qualifications to enter the Hall, she will eventually make progress, right?"
"..."
"Damn..."
This statement left Hu Ma completely stunned.
Reincarnates are reincarnates, no matter how cautious they may seem, once they set their minds to something, they can be quite adventurous...
"Oh, I can only tell you this, White Wine Miss is too cautious, and Sweet Potato Burn is too rash..."
Second Pot Head sighed helplessly, "To be honest, do you think I'm satisfied just by entering the Mansion? If I were truly satisfied, I wouldn't have gone to Fox Coffin Village in Old Yin Mountain."
"It's not that I don't want to make progress, but the path of the GhostHunter is too chaotic, and the waters are too deep. I always feel that if I take another step forward, I'll be targeted. So, I've also been thinking about finding a way to avoid being targeted while seeking an opportunity to cross the bridge..."
"To put it simply..."
He paused before explaining, "I always feel that the path of the GhostHunter is like a house with an absent rich man."
"So, I also want to take advantage of the rich man's absence and steal something..."
"..."
At this moment, Hu Ma was struck by a thunderbolt. In front of the incense cauldron in his Life Spirit Temple, he instinctively opened his mouth wide, wanting to say something but couldn't bring himself to do so.
No...
Has Brother Second Pot Head ever considered that the rich man you're referring to is me?
You can say this to anyone, but the moment you said it to me, it doesn't seem quite right...
But despite the discomfort, he endured it and reluctantly agreed with Second Pot Head. He promised to consult with him when he took action, and with a sigh, he left the Life Spirit Temple.
After another short sleep, the sky brightened.
The accumulation of this journey, along with the final conversation with Brother Second Pot Head, left Hu Ma's mind filled with many unresolved thoughts. But suddenly, everything became clear.
He washed his face, wiped his mouth with green salt, and put on his long gown. Stepping out of the inner courtyard, he saw the workers in the village going about their tasks in an orderly manner. Li Wazi was fetching water and preparing to cook, so Hu Ma made his way to the kitchen entrance.
"Wazi, tell Seventh Auntie that tomorrow night, I'll be hosting a banquet for her."
"..."
Li Wazi was surprised to hear this. Why invite Seventh Auntie? After Masizige left for two months, why invite her upon his return?
He didn't understand the reason, but he still agreed, and Hu Ma returned to the inner courtyard, pondering how to arrange the banquet.
Two months ago, I had promised Seventh Auntie that I would give her a reply.
Now, the time is almost right, and the preparations I needed to make are done. It's time to give her an update.
Most importantly, I have laid the foundation.
It's time to take advantage of something and unlock the secrets of the Year Guard Scroll, and take a peek inside.
To see the mysteries within the Dao of the Year Guard Scroll, and to see just how much wealth this local rich man, the Hu family, has left behind.
Of course, even if everything is prepared and only the east wind is lacking, one must still be cautious.
Hu Ma first made thorough preparations, instructing Li Wazi to prepare incense, flowers, lanterns, wine, and fruits. He also set up the Immortal Table and instructed his companions to hide inside the room during the banquet, not allowing anyone to come out and watch.
After giving these instructions, Hu Ma rode his horse into Old Yin Mountain, where he lit three incense sticks and prayed.
After silently reciting the invitation to the Mountain Lord three times, he quietly stated his intentions.
When he opened his eyes, he did not see the Old Tree Stump.
Hu Ma knew in his heart that if he encountered difficulties, the Old Tree Stump would naturally come to his aid. But now, he was making a decision related to the Hu family, and the Old Tree Stump would rather avoid any potential conflicts of interest.
However, looking down at the three burning incense sticks in front of him, the two on the sides were of equal length, while the middle one was slightly shorter.
His mood suddenly relaxed.
The Old Tree Stump's absence indicated his avoidance of any potential conflicts, but the way the incense burned still represented his attitude.
An excellent auspicious sign.
This meant that he supported all of Hu Ma's current decisions.
"Thank you, Senior," Hu Ma said.
Hu Ma stood up and silently added, "But there's something else I'd like to ask for your help with."
As he spoke, he also picked up a few branches near the burning incense and carried them with him.
Back at the manor, Hu Ma patiently arranged the branches, first creating a framework, then fetching some straw, and slowly weaving it into the shape of two scarecrows. He covered their faces with white paper and placed them against the wall, waiting.
A day passed, and the preparations at the manor were almost complete. Li Wazi also informed Seventh Auntie.
Counting the days, it had been exactly two months.
Hu Ma put his mind at ease and personally supervised the banquet preparations.
As evening approached, Hu Ma had the manor's companions eat dinner, patrol the night watch, and retire early. Even the red lantern at the manor's entrance was taken down. Hu Ma sat in the courtyard, at one end of the Immortal Table.
Since it was a banquet for Seventh Auntie, he did not prepare the usual ordinary dishes and wine.
Three incense sticks burned in the middle, and two candles were lit at the table's ends. In the center were flowers, fruits, and a pot of sorghum wine, along with two cups.
Technically, this would have been sufficient, but considering it was for Seventh Auntie, he also had two live roosters with large combs and a pot of red sugar eggs prepared.
Hu Ma sat in a chair, while the one across from him remained empty. He patiently waited, and the two scarecrows he had made earlier stood on either side of the table like guards.
As night deepened and the cold wind blew, the candle on the table suddenly flickered, as if a spark had burst from it.
Hu Ma raised his head and heard a creaking sound beside him. It was Li Wazi, who stumbled out of the kitchen, his eyes rolling in confusion. He wanted to speak, but Hu Ma suddenly interrupted with a smile, saying, "Seventh Auntie, we invited you, so you must come over."
"..."
Li Wazi stumbled back into the kitchen and closed the door.
In the corner of the wall, there was a rustling sound, and a yellow shadow flashed by. A yellow weasel with pointed whiskers ran over, jumped onto the chair, and then onto the table, seemingly tempted by the red sugar eggs.
But after hesitating, it jumped back onto the chair, its small paws resting on the table's edge.
Its round eyes stared at Hu Ma, seemingly puzzled.
Hu Ma smiled at it, unsure if this confused creature had forgotten their previous encounter.
At this moment, he couldn't remind it.
Instead, Seventh Auntie, seeing Hu Ma sitting across from her, smiled without speaking. She seemed to sense that today's little shopkeeper was different from before, exuding a subtle pressure. This pressure made her think about what she had done recently.
Suddenly, she remembered, and in a flash, she jumped off the chair and picked up a straw hat from the wall.
She wobbled onto the chair and surprisingly spoke, her voice thin and sharp, "Little Shopkeeper, do I look like a person?"
Hu Ma smiled and then looked at her seriously, saying, "Seventh Auntie, your duty as a New Year Guardian is what makes you a person."
"If you engage in demonic deeds, you become a demon and must be punished."
"..."
It was just a light conversation, without any spells, incantations, or rituals.
But as Seventh Auntie listened, she suddenly froze.
Extra Chapter!
We've already reached 16,000 votes, and I owe you five extra chapters. The two extra chapters from yesterday's vote-seeking don't count; those were what I should have provided. This is the first extra chapter I'm repaying, and I'll continue writing to try and add another before midnight.
(End of Chapter)
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