Chapter 306: The Well of Spirits (Third Watch)
Chapter 306: The Well of Spirits (Third Watch)
After the New Year celebrations, upon returning to the manor, it was time to start preparing for the spring Blood Emperor harvesting.
Normally, this being their first year, Hu Ma and the villagers should have been well-versed in the process, but last year, their village had been shunned like thieves.
Throughout the entire Blood Emperor harvesting season, they merely managed the warehouse, never getting close to the Blood Emperor, and thus, there were no extra benefits. This was the reason why the village's finances were so tight last year.
But this year, things were different.
We had secured a connection with Xu Boss, and everyone in the society was familiar!
Upon arriving in the city, Xu Boss immediately understood the situation after seeing the mountain goods sent by Second Lord for his brother. He whispered, "You've joined our society, and without visiting the mine, you'll only get a reputation for relying on blood feasts. In reality, you'll just be doing the work of a bodyguard."
"Of course, we're not going to the mine to seek benefits. We mainly want to get closer to the Blood Emperor and gain some spiritual connection, right?"
"..."
Hu Ma deeply agreed, but he had no personal interests; he only wanted to learn more about the Blood Emperor.
"I've already chosen a suitable location for you..."
Xu Boss lowered his voice and said, "There's a Blood Feast Mine at the Blind Ridge in West Mountain. It used to belong to the Green Robe Brotherhood, but we took it over last year."
"However, when we took over the mine, to avoid trouble, we promised the previous guards that they could continue working there. Only a fool would actually keep them. To be safe, we'll have to get rid of them eventually."
"You go there and take over directly. Then, let Old Calculator follow you to keep the accounts. This way, both the society and Lady will be at ease, right?"
"Of course. A promise is a promise. We have to keep our word. Last year, we promised to let them continue managing, but this year, we'll get rid of them. It won't look good, so..."
He paused briefly, lowered his voice, and said, "We'll kill them later this year."
"This season, let them continue managing for now. I'll find some faults with them, and then we'll confront them all at once, allowing you to take over. But you must also do a good job this year, establishing a reliable reputation, so I can hand it over to you directly..."
"Otherwise, within our Red Lantern Society, there are quite a few people eyeing that Blood Feast Mine."
"..."
Hu Ma was deeply touched by his clear instructions, but he criticized sternly, "Xu Uncle, you're wrong to say it's being handed over to me."
"This is clearly yours. I'm just keeping an eye on it for you..."
The two men exchanged a knowing glance and then quickly whispered some words that Red Lantern Lady shouldn't hear—secrets only for their own people.
After returning, Hu Ma took out his own money to prepare a feast, informing his companions that they had to get busy.
Initially, the companions thought it would be similar to last year, just repairing the warehouse's rat holes and being diligent and cautious when the blood feast carriers arrived, so as not to offend them.
But soon, they realized it was different. The tasks they received this year were completely unlike last year's.
Last year, they only managed the warehouse, and even the job of guarding it was done by others. But this year, within a few months, they had made several trips, transporting cartloads of blood feasts from the mine and escorting them all the way to Zhu Gate Town for accounting.
This change was due to the temple built by Red Lantern Lady.
Previously, the Red Lantern Society was based in the city, but now, the first temple of the Red Lantern Society had been built in Zhu Gate Town.
Along with the Left and Right Guardians, the various worshippers, the incense master, and the incense burners, they all moved to Zhu Gate Town.
With the start of receiving and escorting, the risks on the road naturally increased. From the time the blood feasts left the mine until they reached Zhu Gate Town, the responsibility lay entirely with them.
The companions were naturally worried, treating each trip as if facing a formidable enemy. But each time, Hu Ma personally escorted them, being cautious and careful, and there were no issues.
No issues meant that problems were resolved; it wasn't that there were none.
There were indeed evil spirits attracted by the scent of blood feasts, but Hu Ma's loud shout dispersed them.
Additionally, there were several groups of bandits who wanted to rob their blood feasts. These weren't the kind of bandits who would block the road in the mountains, asking for a few things before letting people pass. They were genuine killers who wanted to rob and hide in Old Yin Mountain until the heat died down.
One of these bandits was kicked to death by Zhou Datong, and Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu also got blood on their hands.
After all, they had each learned a unique skill.
Zhou Liang learned to use his left hand, Zhao Zhu his right, and Zhou Datong had already mastered the art of Ghost Ascension with his legs. He was best at climbing over widow walls, prying open locks, eavesdropping, and picking windows...
... Hu Ma didn't know how he learned these skills, which were a bit different from his own, but he had indeed mastered them, developing his own unique style.
Of course, the rule was that although Hu Ma taught them, he wasn't their master. Second Lord was their true master.
Hu Ma was merely passing on the teachings on Second Lord's behalf, making him their senior brother.
The only issue was...
... Second Lord didn't know he already had four disciples from the society.
...
After several busy months, Hu Ma's village had escorted dozens of blood feasts to Zhu Gate Town. During busy times, they had to make a trip every two or three days. As soon as they returned, before the animals could rest, they received another order.
But Hu Ma knew that Xu Xiangzhu was helping him accumulate merit, so he didn't refuse and instead took charge of his companions daily with fine wine and meat. The companions were delighted.
As the busy season was coming to an end, Hu Ma reckoned that his merit was almost sufficient. The next step was to wait for Xu Xiangzhu's arrangements, and then he would go to Blind Ridge to take over the Blood Offering Mine there. By then, his profits would increase significantly.
On this day, he received orders to transport a batch of Blood Food sealed in large jars.
Seeing that the jars were sealed and adorned with talismanic patterns, Hu Ma guessed that they contained something valuable. His heart stirred with temptation, but he reminded himself to resist, to wait...
...until they returned to the mine!
Once he took over the mine, Little Hong Tang would be able to eat Blood Food every day.
In the early morning, they received the shipment and traveled for an entire day. As they approached the manor, they planned to rest for the night. However, a flood had occurred in a nearby area, collapsing a bridge and forcing them to take a detour, which delayed their journey. When they were about ten li away from the manor, the sky began to darken.
"We're almost home, so let's not rest here!" Hu Ma thought, as they were already in the vicinity of the manor, and the night watchmen sometimes patrolled this area.
It would only take half an hour to return, and it was better than resting here and having a restless night.
So, they hurried along the official road, and Hu Ma quietly promised the horse master a reward of two pounds of wine for his service.
Traveling at night often led to strange encounters, and with Blood Food in tow, these encounters could be tenfold. However, as they were very familiar with the area around the manor, they knew who was buried in each grave.
Due to their familiarity, few dared to cause them trouble.
Just as their carriage was passing through Yellow Dog Village, almost within sight of the manor, they suddenly saw two large flags standing on both sides of the dark official road ahead. The flags were illuminated by lanterns, revealing four large characters: "Keep Out to Outsiders."
A group of robust-looking men stood behind the banners, and when they saw someone approaching, they shouted:
"Stay back! Don't come any closer!"
"..."
"What...?"
The companions, confused, turned to look at Hu Ma.
Hu Ma politely dismounted from the carriage and took a few steps forward, bowing from a distance, and asked, "Who are you, blocking the road?"
"We are disciples of the Red Lantern Society, returning to our manor. May we borrow this road?"
"..."
"The Red Lantern Society?"
Hearing this, the robust men let out a cold laugh. "So what?"
"Our master is currently exorcising evil spirits and saving people. Outsiders, move along quickly to avoid disrupting the ritual."
"..."
"Exorcising evil and saving people?"
Hu Ma's heart skipped a beat.
They were at the entrance of their own manor, and everyone was accustomed to being bold, especially with their skills. Hearing the other party's impolite tone, Zhou Datong, Liang, and Zhu felt indignant.
But Hu Ma quickly ordered them to stop and retreat a few dozen zhang, avoiding any potential conflict.
"Little Hong Tang, what's happening up ahead?"
Only when they were far enough away to ensure the others couldn't hear them did Hu Ma approach the side of the road and quietly ask into the dark fields.
"Oh dear, it's the sister in the well..."
Little Hong Tang quickly crawled out of the field, a small basket in hand. She anxiously told Hu Ma, "Brother Hu Ma, the sister in the well is fighting with someone up ahead. They keep whipping her with a whip, but she won't let go of one of them."
"The sister in the well?"
Hu Ma was stunned for a moment before suddenly realizing, "Is it her?"
...
...
Just ahead, behind two plaques, a group of people surrounded a carriage, its roof now removed.
Inside the carriage sat a middle-aged man with a pale face, long beard, and luxurious clothing. However, his face was filled with malevolent energy, his movements awkward, and his eyes held a sinister gaze, brimming with hatred as he stared at the man holding an oil lamp.
This man, dressed in a black robe, with a goatee, held a willow whip in one hand and glared at the man, shouting, "Evil beast, do you know who he is? How dare you harm him?"
"Leave him at once, or I'll scatter your soul and spirit, preventing your reincarnation forever!"
"..."
"Of course, I know who he is. He's my husband, but he cruelly pushed me into the well."
Hearing this, the man's eyes filled with hatred, and he laughed mockingly, "I later moved his grave to keep watch over him...
"I didn't expect him to be so heartless. When he finally returned, he filled up the well. If I hadn't moved, I wouldn't have even gotten to see him. Master, look, isn't this our fate?"
(End of Chapter)
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