Chapter 315: The Treasure Hoarder
Chapter 315: The Treasure Hoarder
As Hu Ma observed the somber expression on Shan Jun's face, an instinctive chill ran down his spine. Since he had first met this senior, he had always found him to be gentle and mild-mannered, speaking softly and showing no obvious signs of anger or joy, except for his love of socializing and feasting.
But now, for the first time, Hu Ma saw hatred and a hint of murderous intent on Shan Jun's face.
"Senior Shan Jun, why...?" Hu Ma asked.
Hu Ma turned to look at the village again, its withered and miserable state, and then back at Shan Jun. He cautiously raised his hand and made a chopping gesture.
"Because they also have their origins," Shan Jun explained.
Hearing this, Shan Jun let out a soft sigh. "These people aren't fools. They didn't venture deep into Old Yin Mountain; they're just skirting the edges, hoarding treasures and creating evil spirits. If I were to bring disaster upon them, it would mean I'm breaking the rules. Don't underestimate the consequences of breaking the rules."
"If I break the rules, others will do the same to me, and the peace I've sought so hard to maintain will be lost."
"..."
"Following the rules..."
Hu Ma was somewhat skeptical of this statement. He furrowed his brows and asked, "What about those people then?"
"They used such sinister methods to obtain the Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure, causing untold suffering to countless commoners. Is that what following the rules looks like?"
"..."
"Their master in the shadows is not like me..."
Shan Jun's expression seemed to carry a hint of disappointment as he spoke. "Someone is watching me, fearing I'll break the rules. But many are eager to see their master break the rules."
"The more he breaks the rules, the more embarrassed his former patrons become, and the more they become a laughingstock. Your grandmother's position in the ancestral shrine becomes unjustified and weak."
"Hehe, you're still young and don't understand. The power of aristocratic families doesn't come from official positions or influential individuals. It's built upon these rules that you take lightly!"
"When rules are broken, chaos and downfall are not far behind..."
"..."
Hu Ma's eyebrows twitched at these unexpected words, especially when he heard the mention of his grandmother.
"So, who is their master in the shadows?" he asked hurriedly.
"You've inquired about him before, haven't you?" Shan Jun said calmly. "He was the Five Sorrows Deity that your Hu family personally sealed. He was supposed to be the guardian deity of ghost walkers, but you've seen what happened."
"Hehe, if it weren't for your grandmother personally driving him out of Old Yin Mountain when he harbored evil intentions, and instead sought my protection for you, how could Meng Jia's messenger have taken you away so easily?"
"..."
Hu Ma's heart suddenly brightened as he understood the meaning behind these words.
No wonder Zhang Ah Gu always spoke of her fate with such despair and refused to seek help.
No wonder Erguotou said that the ghost-walking path had become so chaotic.
There was a reason for everything. Zhang Ah Gu, as a ghost walker, had emphasized the importance of the first altar. She had suffered because of the first altar, but upon closer inspection, as a ghost walker from a family lineage, she should have understood the principles. Why would she have to learn the hard way?
In fact, she had been very cautious and invited the guardian deity of the ghost-walking path, a hall guest who knew the ins and outs of the situation, to ensure everything went smoothly.
But unfortunately, she was targeted by the guardian deity of the ghost-walking path. How could she not feel hopeless?
Even the guardian deity they had sealed began to cause trouble. How could the path not be chaotic? It was chaotic to the extreme!
However, as Hu Ma listened, his thoughts became more serious. The situation was intriguing, and he had been thinking about finding this person. Now, the person had come to him...
...Could this be fate?
He pondered this, then focused his mind and spoke softly, "It seems like a familiar face."
"But he could have come earlier or later. Why now? Is there a reason for this timing?"
"..."
"I can't see that far."
Shan Jun sighed softly. "He has his own incense ground, though it's almost ruined by his actions. But a hall guest like him won't come without an invitation, especially since he has no reason to know you're still here..."
"But regardless of the reason, his decision to come means he's prepared and wants to test your abilities."
"Now, his incense master has already arrived. He's deliberately hoarding treasures and harming people here to test us and create evil spirits."
"When the five malevolent gods are gathered, he will arrive in grand fashion."
"..."
"When the five malevolent gods are gathered..."
Hu Ma thought back to the scene he had just witnessed. The mere act of hoarding treasures and capturing spirits had transformed a peaceful and serene village into a place of evil spirits.
What would happen when the so-called five malevolent gods were gathered? What would become of these villages, or even the entire Bright State Prefecture? A sense of disbelief arose within him. Hall guests were supposed to be revered and supported by incense offerings, not wild spirits from the mountains and villages. But how could they appear more sinister and evil than the previous chaos caused by the Green Robe Brotherhood?
Mountain Lord could see through the goodness and evil in people's hearts, but he couldn't immediately discern Hu Ma's thoughts. He could, however, sense the sigh in Hu Ma's heart, and he gently sighed, saying, "Hehe, when things go wrong in the hall, no one takes responsibility, and the sins they commit are even greater than those of the common demons below..."
"That's the truth..."
Hu Ma was immediately convinced by the wisdom in those words.
He slowly nodded, heaved a long sigh of relief, and mustered his energy to ask Mountain Lord, "Then, Senior, what do you think is the best way to handle this matter?"
"Don't be careless."
Mountain Lord paused for a moment, his voice heavy with thought. "He sent his men over for two reasons. One, to create an evil altar and unleash powerful forces, allowing him to escape unscathed. And two, to test the waters."
"But as a servant of the Hu family, he disrespected your grandmother earlier, and was driven away. That was already a serious offense. Now, he's here to test the waters again, which is an even greater sin. If he discovers your weaknesses, your situation will become extremely difficult."
"So, it's best to give him a warning early on and make him retreat."
"..."
Hu Ma listened patiently, knowing that the senior's advice was crucial. But as he heard the last part, he couldn't help but pause.
Since meeting Mountain Lord, Hu Ma had always been a respectful junior, but this time, a thought suddenly occurred to him, and he cautiously asked, "Just a warning, to make him retreat?"
"Why not..."
With a serious expression, Hu Ma slowly raised his hand and made a chopping motion. "Why not deal with them directly?"
"Hmm?"
Mountain Lord was taken aback by Hu Ma's earnest expression, as if he had sensed Hu Ma's inner thoughts, and realized that the young man wasn't joking.
Hu Ma, however, remained calm and said, "What's the use of just a warning? If we scare them away this time, won't they come back next time? If we scared away the Five Sins Deity this time, won't they bring seven or eight more next time?"
Mountain Lord looked at him for a long time before suddenly breaking into a smile. "I can sense what you're thinking, and it's quite frightening..."
"But I must admit, this is indeed befitting of the Hu family's heir..."
"..."
Seeing Mountain Lord's smile, Hu Ma quickly followed suit and laughed, "Then, Senior, do you have a good way to kill them?"
Mountain Lord smiled and said, "It's not easy to kill those who have ascended to the hall."
"But..."
"I happen to know a way, and your Hu family is in a unique position to make it happen."
"..."
Hearing these words, Hu Ma's heart leaped with joy, but he also knew that while it was easy to think about such things, the difficulty of actually carrying them out would be no small matter.
He hurriedly smiled and said, "Of course, we must also consider our own abilities."
"I'm mainly angry on your behalf, Mountain Lord. These people are fearless and deserve to die!"
"They're hiding treasures in Old Yin Mountain, and coming to our place to steal them is no different from stealing from us."
"..."
Even Mountain Lord was surprised by Hu Ma's words and turned to look at him. "Whether it's true or not, your words are quite pleasing to hear."
Hu Ma wasn't afraid of being exposed and just smiled. "Of course, ideas are just ideas. We must be careful in our planning. How many people did they send, and what are they preparing? Senior, please show me."
"You've made progress after going out. Your experience in the martial world is clearly richer than before."
Mountain Lord nodded with a smile. "I called you out this time to show you around. Follow me!"
With a wave of his wide sleeve, it was as if they were flying through the clouds, and in a dreamlike transition, Hu Ma was taken to several places and witnessed various events at the edge of Old Yin Mountain.
He saw a farmer's wife holding a child, a man pushing a small cart selling meat, a traveling doctor with a medicine bag on his back, a woodcutter carrying firewood, a child with rouge on his cheeks, and more.
This matter was of great importance, so Hu Ma dared not be careless. With Mountain Lord's help, he carefully observed everything and asked questions without hesitation to clarify any doubts.
After observing for a while, as dawn approached, Mountain Lord said, "No matter how much you see and ask, I'm afraid you won't remember everything. Whether you decide to give them a warning or eliminate them, you need to think it through carefully."
"In any case, once you've made a decision, let Little Hong Tang come and tell me, or send that Little Hall Official."
"Of course, if the Little Hall Official comes, keep the message simple, as she might not remember it all."
"But we can't delay. The incense burners are quick to create evil altars, and it won't take them more than seven days to set up the altar. You must make your plans early."
"..."
After Hu Ma took notes, Mountain Lord waved his sleeve, and Hu Ma felt the world spin. He sat up in bed, feeling dizzy, and saw that it was already bright outside, and he was neatly tucked under his blanket.
This night's journey and experiences seemed like a dream.
He called out softly, intending to get up, but suddenly felt something was amiss. He touched his head and was surprised to find, "Wow, following Mountain Lord on this journey has such unexpected benefits?"
(End of Chapter)
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