https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-356-The-Right-to-Allocate-Fragrances/12918651/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-358-The-Fiend-from-the-Depths-of-Hell-Third-Watch-/12918653/
Chapter 357: Shallow Fate, Thin Fortune, and Imperial Destiny
Chapter 357: Shallow Fate, Thin Fortune, and Imperial Destiny
The next day, Hu Ma felt refreshed and as if a dark cloud had been lifted from his heart. He got up and saw that Wu He's room was already empty, with the bedding neatly folded.
He asked the servants around him, and they all said that Zhang Aogu had gotten up early, even before the sky had fully brightened. She left, saying that she didn't want to disturb Hu Ma, but if there was anything happening in the village, she would come to help if the little ghost messenger informed her.
Hu Ma simply nodded and, without saying more, went to wash up. After putting on a decent cloth robe and shoes, he left the village and looked around.
Not long after he set off, he saw a bustling crowd ahead, with villagers from the neighborhood gathering around.
The previous night's battle had terrified the locals, and they didn't dare show their faces. But seeing that things had calmed down, they gathered their courage to watch the commotion.
The government office had already dispatched a team of officials and laborers overnight, who were currently gathering the unclaimed bodies of the bandits killed the night before and burying them in a mass grave at the foot of Old Yin Mountain.
However, no one dared to touch the stone statue that had fallen to the ground. Instead, it was encircled with red string, almost like a tourist attraction, as people pointed and discussed it.
At this moment, everyone was talking about the vicious bandits who had emerged from the mountains, the headless divine statue that had fallen from the sky, and the mysterious Yang Gong, who claimed to be a disciple of a deity.
The incident of the divine statue falling from the sky was already astounding, but with rumors spreading about dreams of a golden-armored deity dragging an evil spirit through the village, the locals were filled with awe and reverence, bowing in worship.
People began to speculate that the bandits from the mountains were acting under the orders of this evil spirit.
However, since the evil spirit had caused trouble, the deity from Mingzhou Prefecture had punished it by beheading it and dragging it back as a warning.
As for Yang Gong, he was even more enigmatic.
The villagers believed that Yang Gong was a divine disciple who, aware of the banditry in the mountains, had come to help them eliminate the threat.
As the stories spread, the air of mystery around Yang Gong intensified, and it was hard to imagine what those in the mountains who had received his help or fought alongside him might say.
"The dignitaries can easily disrupt a place, and the Hu family descendants can change one's fate with a single word..."
Hu Ma, feeling like an outsider, observed the various consequences of this disaster, marveling at the incredible power some held in this world.
However, his immediate concern was to enter the mountains and ask the Mountain Lord some questions.
After beheading the Five Sins Demon, it was necessary to meet with the Mountain Lord again, but Hu Ma didn't rush into the mountains. Instead, he patiently waited for a few days to see if beheading the demon would trigger any unexpected changes. The result was astonishing.
The beheading of the Five Sins Demon and the falling divine statue sounded like a bizarre event, and the banditry in Mingzhou, which had caused countless deaths, seemed cruel. But these incidents had occurred and were now in the past.
The fallen statue was cordoned off, left for people to admire and discuss.
The dead were buried, and a few wandering ghosts might come to chant spells and burn incense to pacify their spirits, preventing them from causing trouble.
Even these measures seemed unnecessary, as the deceased, though numerous, were all well-behaved. They wouldn't dare disturb the peace or cause trouble, not even crying at their graves at night without covering their mouths.
The locals didn't know who had beheaded the divine statue, and those who did know dared not speak. They could only let the villagers speculate, and rumors spread through the streets and alleys.
Some guessed it was Red Lantern Lady, while others thought it was Seventh Aunt...
After all, in Mingzhou, these two were unavoidable.
Of course, Red Lantern Lady's reaction to these rumors was another matter.
After waiting for two days without any unusual occurrences, Hu Ma felt relieved. He chose a time to enter Old Yin Mountain.
Tying his donkey outside the mountain, he ventured into the forest alone, found a clearing, and lit three incense sticks. He bowed deeply towards the empty space and recited, "I respectfully invite the Mountain Lord to descend..."
"There's no need for that."
Previously, he had to recite it three times, but this time, after just one recitation, a faint voice sounded behind him.
Hu Ma turned and saw the familiar stump with the Mountain Lord sitting on it, sighing softly, "You've just resolved the issue with the Five Sins Demon, and now you're rushing back into the mountains."
"Do you think I'm here to seek praise for a job well done?"
"..."
Hearing this, Hu Ma looked up and smiled, "Do you also think I did a good job this time?"
The Mountain Lord sighed lightly and said, "Since you heard that there was a way to kill the Five Sins Demon, you immediately made a plan and executed it without hesitation or doubt. You didn't even waste words before eliminating it. I already thought you did a great job then."
The Mountain Lord sighed lightly again, "So, are you satisfied?"
"..."
Hu Ma felt a bit helpless after hearing this. He paused and smiled, "I didn't come here seeking praise. Actually, I've figured out most of what happened, but there's one thing I'm still worried about.
Mountain Lord was slightly startled. "Oh?"
Hu Ma sighed softly and said, "How exactly does the selection of the emperor work? And what does the so-called 'Imperial Fate' refer to?"
"It's just as you see it now."
Mountain Lord smiled at his question and spoke calmly, "This world has been in chaos for a long time, and it needs an emperor to clean up this mess."
"But who will become this emperor? The Ten Clans and the Door Valleys, the inner circles and the dignitaries, all have different opinions and candidates."
"In this turbulent world, either nothing will happen, or it will be completely overturned. All sorts of extraordinary people and noble families, as well as malevolent spirits, will take part in this gamble. The more they bet, the more Imperial Fate will accumulate."
"Of course, no matter how many there are at the beginning, in the end, only one will remain."
"This time, you broke the Five Sins Formation and chose someone with insufficient fate. It's a lesson for Plum Lane. But now that the matter is resolved, you can also consider whether to choose someone to enter this game."
"..."
Hu Ma listened intently, nodding slowly. Then, hearing Mountain Lord's final words, he laughed and said, "Isn't there already one? Why choose another?"
Mountain Lord was surprised by this, "Do you really want him to become the emperor?"
"That Yang boy, after all, has no solid foundation. In the mortal world, he's like a beggar, without a clan or elders to protect him, no siblings to support him, and a weak and fragile fate."
"In the Dao Gate, he has an unknown origin, abandoned by his bloodline, without the blessings of ancestors, and no Yin spirits to secretly protect him. His fate is light and shallow. Although you helped him strengthen his fate this time, it may still not be enough to enter this game..."
"..."
Regarding Yin blessings and destiny, Hu Ma could only understand them vaguely. He felt something but couldn't logically sort it out. After listening to Mountain Lord's words, he just smiled and said, "I'm not considering who to let in or keep out. It's just that..."
"This Imperial Fate is something he fought for himself. How can I not respect his fate? Although he's a farmer, he's a farmer who dares to fight and gamble, risking his life for wealth and honor."
"Since he can break the Five Sins Formation with the knife in his hand and a bold spirit, who can guarantee he won't become the emperor?"
"..."
Hearing these words, Mountain Lord fell silent for a long time. Hu Ma even felt that his gaze seemed to become more focused.
After a while, he sighed, "Your attitude is a bit scary..."
Hu Ma was slightly startled and smiled, "How so, senior?"
"Actually, I thought you were just establishing your authority."
Mountain Lord spoke frankly, "You're just using this method to tell others that the Hu Clan doesn't care. Whether it's Plum Lane or the Imperial Fate, as long as the Hu Clan wishes it, even a beggar can have the fate of an emperor."
"When that person couldn't suppress the evil energy and was on the verge of death, wasn't it you who changed his fate?"
"You've already intimidated everyone and established your authority. But if we consider practical matters, after establishing authority, you should start choosing someone truly suitable for the Hu Clan to cultivate. But looking at you now, you're actually considering it. Don't you think..."
He paused before suddenly saying, "...a farmer doesn't have the qualifications?"
Hu Ma furrowed his brows and looked at Mountain Lord in surprise, "At the very beginning, wasn't it you, senior, who..."
"I just knew you had this ability, but I didn't expect you to take this matter so seriously."
Mountain Lord sighed softly, "The Bright State is in chaos, with evil energy running rampant. It's reasonable for Plum Lane to take action, and for the noble families living in the city to recruit soldiers and mercenaries to eliminate bandits.
"If the Exorcism Bureau were to use its power to dispel the evil energy and pacify the countless vengeful spirits, it might be a bit of an overkill, but it's not entirely inappropriate. But solely..."
"..."
At this point, he sighed, "A scholar is a scholar, and a farmer is a farmer. You can occasionally use him, but if you really want him to enter this game..."
Hu Ma couldn't help but frown upon hearing this. He smiled and said, "I haven't seen any scholars or farmers. If those above don't manage, those below will. And if those below manage, those above might become those below."
"Isn't it reasonable and fair?"
"..."
Mountain Lord looked at Hu Ma, as if listening to the thoughts within his heart. But the result surprised him; he could feel Hu Ma's inner determination.
After a long silence, he didn't answer directly but sighed, "I must say, you remind me of someone."
Hu Ma hurriedly asked, "Who?"
Mountain Lord remained silent for a long time before speaking softly, "The evil spirit..."
"Daring to challenge the entire dynasty, crawling out of hell, and hiding in the mortal world..."
Today, I planned to release an extra chapter, but I went to the hospital yesterday due to chest tightness. I'll get an ultrasound done today, and once I'm back, I'll continue writing to release the chapter as soon as possible.
(End of Chapter)
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