https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-36-The-Curse-of-the-Reincarnated/12834430/
Chapter 35: The Three Pillars of Life
Chapter 35: The Three Pillars of Life
Second Master held back his grief and left the cave first.
He thought it was just Old Lady giving her final words, and he didn’t want to intrude.
Little Hongtang obediently went to the cave entrance to keep watch. At first, she was very worried, but after seeing Old Lady, she felt relieved. She didn’t understand the gravity of the situation and didn’t notice anything wrong with Old Lady’s state.
Perhaps in her perception, Old Lady seemed even more approachable at that moment.
Hu Ma, on the other hand, held Old Lady’s weakening hand, silent and unable to speak.
He could feel the old woman’s affection for him and was grateful that he hadn’t made a different choice earlier.
But as he felt her frailty, a wave of indescribable emotions washed over him.
"Child, I’m leaving," Old Lady said gently, her words causing Hu Ma’s heart to tremble in disbelief as he looked up.
"You don’t need to worry," she noticed the concern on his face, which made her feel more at ease. She smiled softly and continued, "I’m not really abandoning you. I just need to go back to the ancestral shrine to prepare the way."
"The Meng family failed to make us childless this time, but their actions have implicated many others. If I don’t return, they might do even worse things."
"But don’t tell anyone this, not even Second Master. They wouldn’t understand..."
"..."
Looking into Old Lady’s gentle eyes, Hu Ma felt a bit more at ease, though he sensed that her words hinted at something significant.
But with his current understanding, he couldn’t grasp it.
"Pity, pity..."
Old Lady sighed lightly, "I’ll be leaving you here in this old Yin Mountain, all alone, with your problems still unresolved."
"My grandchild, you’re still suffering, and I’m leaving you to endure this on your own."
"..."
He could hear the difficulty, reluctance, and strong sense of guilt in her voice.
Hu Ma’s heart stirred as he listened. He had come to Old Lady to understand his own condition.
Was he really going to keep surviving on Blood Elder for the rest of his life?
"You were severely injured by the Meng family back then..."
Old Lady could see his thoughts and slowly sighed, "Or perhaps, you really did... die."
The word "die" seemed to repel her, as if she still couldn’t accept this reality.
After a pause, she continued, "But our Hu family, including your father and mother, did nothing wrong. Why should we be made childless?"
"So I refuse to believe it. No matter what, I must save you..."
"..."
Hu Ma listened silently, not daring to interrupt.
"But it’s ultimately my fault. My powers were insufficient, and I pushed too hard..."
Old Lady’s guilt-filled eyes looked at Hu Ma as she said, "I managed to bring you back, but the resurrection ritual was only half complete."
"Normally, I should have stayed to finish healing you."
"But the Meng family is pressing too hard, and I need to return to the ancestral shrine to handle things there. The remaining half must be completed by you..."
By this point, Hu Ma was already a bit confused.
But he had seen all the effort Old Lady had put in, and seeing her so remorseful made him feel even worse.
He quickly said, "You’ve done so much for me, Old Lady."
"Ah..."
Old Lady stroked Hu Ma’s hand. The warmth from his hand, which had revived the fire and slain the infant spirit, seemed to give her a sense of comfort and warmth.
She sighed softly, "It’s not enough. Your father is gone, and I couldn’t even raise you properly..."
"If it were the old you, I wouldn’t have the heart to leave for the ancestral shrine, but now..."
"..."
She hesitated, then said, "Being sensible isn’t always good. Sensible children always suffer more."
"I won’t suffer, Old Lady."
Hu Ma’s heart trembled as he spoke. Without thinking, he added, "You’ve helped me drive away evil spirits and found so many Blood Elders for me. You’ve done very well."
"I’ve only been with Second Master for a month, but my skills are already stronger than anyone else’s. He’s taught me everything he knows..."
"Second Master was surprised. He said that after a month of tending the furnace, I’m even more skilled than his sixty years of child’s training!"
"..."
"Isn’t that right?"
Old Lady smiled, her eyes filled with pride, "After all, you are a descendant of the Hu family!"
"Second Master is just a butcher..."
"..."
Gossiping behind someone’s back was always enjoyable, and the atmosphere in the cave seemed to lighten.
The old woman’s face was lit with a smile, but as she looked at Hu Ma, her expression gradually softened. She spoke gently,
“Good child, I believe in you too.”
“But there are a few things I need to tell you, and you must remember them.”
“...”
Hu Ma quickly gathered his wits and nodded.
The old woman’s voice grew serious. “First, you must bring me back to the old hearth. No matter who asks, you must only say that I’ve gone and never mention me or the Hu family again until the day I come to call you back.”
“Entering the old hearth... doesn’t that mean...”
Hu Ma’s heart trembled with worry at the thought.
“You are different from me,” the old woman replied with a smile. “It’s just a discarded shell, no longer useful. It’s better to leave it behind.”
Hu Ma didn’t fully understand, but looking into her clear eyes, he knew she wasn’t lying. He nodded solemnly in agreement.
“Once I’m in the old hearth, my grandson, you must focus on healing yourself.”
She sighed, looking at Hu Ma. “How many incense columns of cultivation do you have now?”
“Incense columns?”
Her words made Hu Ma think of the incense column he had seen in his dreams.
Originally, he had only a small piece, not even two fingers long. But after consuming more Blood Longevity and practicing diligently, he had made a breakthrough.
Now, he had one and a half incense columns.
He tentatively replied, “The other night, when I was practicing, I felt something change...”
He didn’t mention the dream, only describing the sensation of something melting.
“Indeed.”
The old woman’s face lit up with a relieved smile. “So you have one and a half incense columns of cultivation.”
“This shows that our method is correct.”
She sighed softly. “The second half of the method I can’t help you with, but once you have three incense columns of cultivation, you can solve your half-yin body problem.”
“Three incense columns?”
Hu Ma’s heart stirred. “When I have three incense columns, I can cure the coldness in my body?”
“A single life is worth one incense column. With the equivalent of three lives, if you still can’t recover, it would be unjust.”
The old woman sighed. “Learning from your second uncle was to prepare for this day. His methods are orthodox, but he was reluctant to teach them. But you, you must continue to learn.”
“...”
She turned with effort, reaching for a bundle beside her. Hu Ma quickly helped her, handing it to her. She pushed it into his arms and opened it. “Keep these things safe, and don’t let anyone see them. That red one...”
She pointed to a paper strip that looked like a talisman. “This is Little Redtang’s birth chart. Keep it, and she will stay with you.”
“Ai, she’s a poor child. Don’t be harsh on her.”
“...”
“Of course not...”
Hu Ma shook his head, looking toward the cave entrance where Little Redtang was sitting, lost in thought. “I really like Little Redtang.”
“You used to bully her and trick her into stealing things...”
The old woman couldn’t help but laugh, but Hu Ma didn’t know how to respond. After a couple of laughs, she pointed to a jar inside the bundle. “Your body can’t do without the Blood Longevity.”
“I’ve cut all the Blood Longevity from the Old Yin Mountain, but I don’t know if it will last until you reach three incense columns. There’s no other way for now...”
Hu Ma could only shake his head, trying to reassure her, but found no words to say.
The old woman didn’t give him a chance to speak further. Using all her strength, she pulled out an ancient book from the bottom of the bundle. Hu Ma saw the words “Qingyuan Hu Family” and “Townsman’s Age” on it.
“This is the Hu Family’s Townsman’s Age book...”
With great solemnity, she pressed the book into Hu Ma’s hands.
Her expression became serious. “Only you and I are left of the Qingyuan Hu Family. I must return to stop the Meng family, and my abilities are limited. I don’t know how long I can hold them off, but I’m counting on you, my grandson.”
“One day, you will master great skills, and we will settle accounts with the Meng family.”
“...”
Seeing the old woman’s stern expression, Hu Ma felt an immense pressure.
A subtle emotion made him hesitant to accept the book, as if taking it would also mean taking on a great burden.
But looking at her expectant face, he finally sighed inwardly and took the book with both hands.
“I will.”
He promised her earnestly. “I will.”
(End of Chapter)
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