Chapter 353: Three Knocks on the Door
Chapter 353: Three Knocks on the Door
That night was both bustling and serene.
Hu Ma helped Zhang Aogu pack up the items from the altar, making bundles out of them. Of course, these items were originally his, and he knew which ones were important, so he only picked up the brazier, discarding the burnt straw man and spilled rice.
Then, he politely invited Seventh Aunt and Zhang Aogu to his village for a meal and a rest.
By now, the night had grown deep, and it was out of the question to let Zhang Aogu walk back through the dozens of miles of mountain roads. After all, the night was not safe, and what if Zhang Aogu encountered some malevolent spirit and got scared? Zhang Aogu hesitated for a moment, then agreed, but on the way back to the village, she kept glancing at Hu Ma. Hu Ma noticed her gaze a few times and turned to her with a smile, asking, "What's wrong, Aogu? Did I get soot on my face?"
"No."
Zhang Aogu's face turned red, and she seemed to be thinking about something. After a while, she said in a low voice, "Thank you, Little Shopkeeper."
Hu Ma didn't know if she was referring to him helping to invite Seventh Aunt or something else, so he just smiled and said, "Aogu is my half-teacher, and we're family. There's no need to thank me."
"Huh?"
Zhang Aogu suddenly thought of something extraordinary because of this sentence, and her pupils dilated.
It was obvious that her legs were shaking, and she almost fell.
Upon returning to the village, they saw only the servants. Many villagers had taken refuge in the village to avoid the bandits, but after the battle outside, the servants had checked the situation and hurried back.
Although the bandits hadn't come too close, it was still necessary to return home quickly to check on the chickens, ducks, pigs, and other animals, making sure none were missing.
"There's no need to be so nervous. The bandits have already left. There was an evil spirit causing trouble in Yellow Dog Village, but Aogu got rid of it. Tomorrow, remember to go and see if there's anything you can help with."
"After all, we're neighbors and villagers. We should help each other."
"..."
Hu Ma comforted the servants who were still in a state of panic and then said, "Li Wazi, go and prepare a feast. Tonight, we're going to treat Seventh Aunt and Aogu to a good drink!"
The servants didn't know exactly what had happened, but seeing that Hu Ma had already said so, they felt slightly relieved and hurried to make preparations.
"Knock! Knock! Knock!"
But just as they were about to start, someone urgently knocked on the door. When they opened it, they saw several tall horses outside, with bloody men on their backs. The happy one was Zhao Zhu, who was so startled that he almost stabbed with his fork.
"Don't stab! It's me!"
The man on the horse wiped the blood from his face and jumped off the horse. Only then did Zhao Zhu recognize that it was Yang Gong. He quickly let him in to see Hu Ma.
"Brother, what happened to you just now...?"
When Yang Gong saw Hu Ma, he had countless questions he wanted to ask. How did Hu Ma happen to appear at that critical moment and enter the battlefield just in time to save his life? After giving him the knife, he turned and disappeared.
And when he used this treasure knife, it was as if he had gained wings, and even fighting the bandits seemed to have more strength. It was as if something had changed in the world, and it felt different.
All these questions made him feel that it wasn't simple, but when he really wanted to ask, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
In the end, it was all about intuition and the subtle changes within it. When he thought about it carefully, he found that everything seemed reasonable, and at most, there were only some coincidences at certain moments.
"First, take care of your business. We'll talk in detail when we have time."
Hu Ma interrupted him and only asked, "Will you be eating in the village?"
"No need."
Yang Gong said, "There are several hundred brothers waiting outside. After slaughtering these bandits, I still need to take them back to the mountains. Although we've only known each other for a few days, everyone trusts me. Of course, I should also send them back properly."
"Also, there are quite a few injured people. Do you have enough black ointment and green food? Give me two baskets to treat their wounds urgently!"
"..."
"There's plenty. I've already prepared them."
Hu Ma had just asked Zhou Datong to bring back all the black ointment from the village's storage. He also took several dozen pounds of blood food, which could be returned to the sect for reimbursement.
After all, it was taken by a Red Fragrance disciple, and who would the Red Lantern Society not recognize?
Of course, how long Yang Gong could still be a Red Fragrance disciple would depend on Red Lantern Lady.
"I..."
Yang Gong took these items, holding the knife in his hand, intending to return it to Hu Ma. But Hu Ma shook his head and smiled, saying, "Keep it. I have a knife I'm used to. Just remember, no matter what path you take in the future, don't forget when I gave you this knife!"
"Okay!"
Yang Gong took back the knife and looked at Hu Ma deeply. Suddenly, he said, "Several big households in the mountains are waiting to reward us. You also helped kill the bandits. Do you want to go and have a few drinks?"
"No need.
Hu Ma smiled and shook his head. "This is your achievement. Why would I get involved? Come find me after you're done with your work."
"Alright," Yang Gong agreed and left with the black ointment and green food. He mounted his horse and rode out of the village, but once outside, he kept looking back, feeling as if something was weighing on his mind, though he couldn't quite understand what it was.
After a long while, he sighed, "Such a brotherly bond..."
However, he didn't know that as he left the village, Hu Ma also watched him go, letting out a soft sigh. Zhou Datong, standing nearby, approached curiously, "What did Yang Gong just do? He's covered in blood..."
"He killed bandits!" Hu Ma glanced at Zhou Datong and smiled. "That commotion you heard earlier was caused by him leading a group to fight. Look at his red eyes; he probably hasn't slept well for days!"
Zhou Datong was stunned. He looked outside the village again and said, "Was this ordered by the Red Lantern Society?"
Hu Ma shook his head.
"Then, was he hired by someone?" Zhou Datong asked.
Hu Ma shook his head again.
Zhou Datong found this strange. "Was it to protect the village girls?"
"I didn't see any girls," Hu Ma smiled. "It was a group of old men from the village. I doubt they bathe more than a few times a year."
"Whoosh..." Zhou Datong sucked in a breath of cold air. He was as clueless as a monk in a temple, muttering, "Then what was he after?"
At this point, Hu Ma didn't bother explaining further to Zhou Datong. Instead, he noticed Li Wazi had already prepared several dishes. He invited Zhang Aogu and Seventh Aunt to sit at the small square table, with Seventh Aunt taking the seat of honor.
The aroma of warmed wine and the sweet scent of red sugar eggs filled the air, causing Seventh Aunt to sigh deeply, "It's so much more comfortable to eat at home..."
"The meat at that banquet was raw and hard to chew..."
"..."
"To Seventh Aunt, let's drink to this. From today onwards, all the spirits and ghosts around here will surely know of Seventh Aunt's presence..."
Hu Ma raised his cup with a smile, but his mind wandered. He wondered if Seventh Aunt's newfound prestige would cause Li Wazi to rise with her, becoming a runner for the Junior Hall Master. Could her status now rival that of the Red Wine Lady?
"Knock knock!"
Before they could finish a few cups, the village gate echoed with knocks. This time, it was almost as if someone had pushed it open. A gust of wind blew into the village, and the servants were about to shout in anger when they saw the red lanterns outside.
Two protectors, one on each side, rode tall horses, wearing cloaks and masks, and carried red lanterns. They led a large group of people and stood outside the village.
Their imposing manner seemed to demand the village head and servants to come out and welcome the Red Lantern Lady. But suddenly, they spotted Seventh Aunt sitting by the village gate.
They stared at each other, and for a long time, no one spoke.
Then, the incense burners and protectors of the Red Lantern Society outside the village gate gradually lost their intimidating aura.
The Red Lantern Society had been nearby, and they had learned about the events in Yellow Dog Village through the evil spirits who were forcibly taken to the banquet. Of course, they were also aware of Seventh Aunt.
So, not only did the malevolent energy disappear from the people outside the village, but the red lantern held by the left protector also quietly went out.
For a moment, the atmosphere was awkward.
"Ah..."
Hu Ma reacted and quickly stood up to bow, but the right protector, wearing a smiling mask, suddenly reached out, "No need!"
"Continue!"
"..."
The protector pulled on the reins, slowly retreating from the village. After a few steps, he dismounted, closed the village gate, and the sound of hoofbeats quickly faded into the distance.
Many members of the Red Lantern Society were puzzled. Why had the Red Lantern Lady come to her own village to rest but left without even entering?
The right protector, however, was deeply shaken by what he had just witnessed. "Old Bai Gan brother, he's capable! He actually connected with the Junior Hall Master?"
The people in the courtyard prepared to continue their meal, but the village gate was suddenly knocked open again.
Everyone turned their heads, filled with dissatisfaction and confusion. This time, they saw a horse outside, its body covered in blood, looking dejected. It glanced at the feasting crowd with its big eyes, lowered its head, and walked into the stable, silently lying down.
The people in the courtyard looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Hu Ma sighed helplessly and said to Zhou Datong, "Take a jar of wine and pour it into its trough. It looks like it might have trouble sleeping tonight..."
"Tonight, it's probably the only one feeling disappointed..."
(End of Chapter)
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