https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-306-The-Well-of-Spirits-Third-Watch-/12918558/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-308-The-Authority-of-Seventh-Auntie/12918561/
Chapter 307: The Black-Robed Mage
Chapter 307: The Black-Robed Mage
"Is this also fate's cruel joke?"
Upon hearing the news from his trusted spy, Little Hong Tang, Hu Ma couldn't help but feel slightly surprised.
The one causing trouble turned out to be someone he knew.
In the past, to learn the secrets of becoming a New Year Guardian from Manager Wu Hong, he had taken on a job in Yellow Dog Village, persuading the malevolent spirit in the well to move. After completing the task, he hadn't given it much thought.
After the spirit moved, it had been peaceful, as it was only fixated on its obsession, guarding its unfaithful lover. Its interest in others wasn't as strong.
Hu Ma's reason for persuading it to move was to relocate it next to the Imperial Road, so that if the unfaithful lover returned, he would see her immediately.
Strictly speaking, this was just a ruse, but who would have thought that she would actually wait there?
No, that unfaithful lover was truly unlucky. Normally, after relocating a grave, the vengeful spirit inside would be exposed to the sun, and its resentment would dissipate and vanish into thin air. But he had encountered it?
Of course, Hu Ma wasn't omniscient and didn't know that the reason the spirit guarded the well was because the unfaithful lover's ancestral home was in Yellow Dog Village, and the memorial tablet was also enshrined there. Although he had moved elsewhere, the tablet couldn't be moved.
If it were to be moved, it could only be done by him or his descendants, as outsiders couldn't interfere, or it would be disrespectful to the ancestors.
And coincidentally, Hu Ma had helped her relocate the grave.
"Karma never lies, I've been honest..."
Although some details were unclear, Hu Ma had a rough idea of the reason. He sighed but didn't plan to get involved.
He had helped her move the grave in the past, and that debt was settled. Now, this matter had nothing to do with him.
Thinking of this, he only asked Zhou Datong and the others to keep an eye on the carriage, while he tried to recall the nearby paths, wondering if there was a way to transport the two large vats of blood food back to the manor first.
Just as they stopped to discuss, on the Imperial Road ahead, among the crowd, a servant pleaded desperately to the black-robed mage, "Please, Master Mage, save our master!"
"Our master returned to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors, but who would have thought he would be targeted by this spirit..."
"Now, the entire family is waiting in the mansion for the master to bring the ancestral tablet. We can't let anything happen..."
"..."
"Hmph!"
Hearing this, the black-robed mage coldly humphed, "You make it sound so simple, but how easy is it to resolve vengeful kin?"
"The spirit in the grave was once your master's wife, married with proper rites and carried into the house in an eight-palanquin procession. Although there's no blood relation, she's still considered vengeful kin. Now that she's possessed your master, the entanglement runs deep. Do you want me to get rid of your master as well?"
"..."
"No, that's not possible..."
The servant was shocked and hurriedly pleaded, "Can't you force it out?"
The mage coldly smiled, "Because it's vengeful kin, it's not easy to force out. Didn't you see that even when I whipped her, she refused to leave? She's determined to take your master's life!"
"If I continue whipping, I'm afraid she won't dissipate, and your master will become a fool first."
"..."
"What... what should we do?"
The servant became more anxious, "My master has a high status. Can he really be possessed by a vengeful spirit and be beyond help?"
"Sigh..."
Listening to the outsider's rambling, the mage sighed softly, "The spirit isn't powerful, but the situation is tricky."
"If I encountered this spirit normally, I could have blown it away with a single breath."
"But your master's entanglement with this vengeful spirit is unclear. The longer it stays, the deeper the entanglement."
"He was targeted by this spirit two days ago, and you only found me today. I've been searching for half the night to find her remains, but there's no other way. I burned her remains, but she doesn't care. She's determined to have your master accompany her in death, even if it means her soul scatters."
"What do you think this is?"
"It's like a minor cold that, if left untreated, becomes a severe illness beyond the cure of mortal techniques..."
"..."
"Master Mage, please save us!"
The servant was clever and realized from these words that the mage wasn't exaggerating the difficulty to demand more silver, but that the situation had truly become complicated.
He hurriedly knelt and pleaded, "Master Mage, you know that my master is a nobleman from Huai'an Wei Family, and there are important matters in the clan that require his attention. Please, we beg you to think of a solution..."
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
The mage scolded, "If not for the face of the Huai'an Wei Family, do you think I'd be here?"
"Now, the difficulty lies in how to get rid of the spirit without harming him..."
"But it's not easy. In my opinion, we might need to invite Old Lady Wu to have a chance of getting rid of this vengeful spirit."
"..."
Upon hearing this, the servant was overjoyed, "Quickly, invite her quickly!"
The mage coldly smiled, "Do you think Old Lady Wu is like those solitary ghosts worshipped by the Blood Feast Gang?"
"She's a revered deity in the Hall of Deities. How could it be so easy to invite her?"
"If you want to invite her, you must prepare incense, bathe, and offer three animals and five sacrifices. Without sufficient preparations, I dare not perform the ritual."
"..."
The servant stuttered, "Then..."
"The master is in a hurry to prepare the offerings. The Wei family can afford it..."
"..."
"What's the use of being able to afford it?"
The black-robed mage chuckled coldly, "Your master has been entangled by a vengeful ghost for two days. With each passing moment, a portion of his life essence is destroyed. If this drags on, even if he's saved, he won't live for long."
"If it's so urgent, not only your Wei family, but even if I wanted to help, it's likely we couldn't gather enough in time."
"..."
Hearing this, the servant's eyes widened in shock. He knew that if the master died, he would surely follow him to the grave. He burst into tears, "Please, Master Mage, think of a way. My master has gained the trust of the Wei family and has already received his appointment. He was just about to leave for his post."
"It's because of his lack of merit that he wanted to return and pay respects to his ancestors. Who would've thought that before he could accomplish this, he'd be ruined here. If you save his life, the Wei family will surely be grateful..."
The mage found the servant's crying irritating, but it did prompt some quick thoughts.
He wasn't opposed to the Wei family's favor, but now, with such a tricky situation, what should he do?
Just then, one of his disciples, who had been listening the whole time, was slightly moved. He stepped forward and whispered, "Master, there seems to be a Blood Feast Gang's caravan up ahead. I saw a sealed jar on their cart, probably containing blood food."
"Oh?"
The black-robed mage was surprised by this information. He looked at the master, who was entangled by vengeful spirits, and his expression changed, "Just as I was about to help him get rid of the evil spirit, blood food is delivered right to our door..."
"...Could this person truly be a lucky one?"
"... "
As he thought, he quickly pushed through the crowd and hurried forward.
On the other side, Hu Ma wanted to watch the spectacle but knew that the matter at hand was more important. He was arranging for his companions to turn around and find a detour back to their manor. Suddenly, the people who had been blocking their way earlier started shouting and running towards them.
The companions, unsure of the situation, quickly drew their knives, keeping a wary eye on the approaching group. They surrounded an elderly man in a black robe who was striding towards them.
"Friends, are you from the Blood Feast Gang?"
The black-robed mage rushed forward and forced a smile, cupping his hands, "I'm a disciple from Plum Blossom Lane. My surname is Yan. There's a nobleman entangled by vengeful spirits, and I'm in a hurry to save him, but I lack the necessary offerings. I fear the invited guests won't be satisfied."
"I heard that your gang is transporting blood food. This is indeed a fortunate coincidence. I hope you'll prioritize saving lives and lend me these blood foods first."
"Borrow blood food?"
This statement made the companions guarding the cart even more alert.
They had encountered many bandits recently, and even they followed a code of conduct. None of them had directly demanded to take their belongings; they always started by saying 'borrow' before taking action. What's the difference between them and these people?
Hu Ma didn't rush to respond. Instead, he focused on the words 'Plum Blossom Lane'.
The Red Lantern Society, after dealing with the Green Robe Brotherhood, had become the top gang in Bright State Prefecture. However, this didn't mean they dominated the city or became the most influential group.
Strictly speaking, they were just newly cleansed.
Earlier, while drinking in the city, Xu Boss had already warned him and Yang Gong about several entities they couldn't afford to offend.
First was the Heart Herb Hall, a deep and powerful organization with a high status in the underworld, not to be provoked.
Then there was the Government Office. Even though the court wasn't as involved these days, it was a cardinal rule for underworld figures to avoid officials.
The most mysterious was Plum Blossom Lane.
Hu Ma hadn't understood why Plum Blossom Lane was so formidable, but after learning about the existence of the Hall Official from White Wine Miss, he had some vague guesses.
The Hall Official managed the affairs of the underworld, so they were not to be trifled with.
However, he wasn't clear about the people from Plum Blossom Lane. Which of the four halls—Blade and Inquiry Hall, Reasoning and Fragrance Hall, or the two others—did they belong to?
"Our gang leader has instructed us that the Red Lantern Society and Plum Blossom Lane have a good relationship, and we should help when needed."
Hu Ma thought quickly and said, "If you have an urgent matter, of course, we'll lend it. But, could you show some credentials to prove your identity and write a receipt for me? That way, I can report back."
"Relationship?"
The black-robed judge heard these words, and his expression turned slightly disdainful, though it was hard to see clearly in the darkness.
He didn't seem to think the Red Lantern Society could have a connection with Plum Blossom Lane.
When he heard Hu Ma's request for credentials and a receipt, his expression became even more ambiguous. He chuckled, "That's easy. Since saving lives is the priority, you don't need to doubt my identity. In Bright State Prefecture, no one dares to impersonate someone from Plum Blossom Lane."
"How about this, shopkeeper? Give me the blood food from your cart, and after I save the person, I'll give you the receipt."
"This..."
These words made all the companions uneasy.
Hu Ma said, "That's out of the question."
(End of Chapter)
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