https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-366-The-Poison-Array-Beyond-the-Valley/12918661/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-368-The-Great-Guardian-of-the-New-Year/12918663/
Chapter 367: The New Year's Eve Legacy
Chapter 367: The New Year's Eve Legacy
Hu Ma understood the rules of the martial world and was willing to abide by them, always giving others a bit of leeway with a smile. But today, he was in no mood to compromise.
Representing the Red Lantern Lady Society, he had come to this place, only to be met with underhanded tactics by these disciples of the Green Robe Gang. Without even a word or a glimpse of their faces, they had used a devious trick, causing him to lose a horse, which he had brought upon himself. Still, he couldn't help but feel indignant.
His roar contained the essence of the Five Thunder Golden Toad Roar, a skill so powerful it reverberated through the entire valley like muffled thunder, creating an overwhelming pressure.
Even the birds in the distant forest were startled, fluttering into the night sky.
The meat cutters, who had just been intimidating with their ferocious demeanor, now understood the gravity of the situation. They took several steps back, lowering their meat cleavers and forks, afraid to point them at Hu Ma.
Unexpectedly, they remained at the village entrance, hesitant to leave. Though they dared not act aggressively, they were unwilling to retreat.
"Step aside, everyone..."
Just then, a deep voice echoed through the valley. In the flickering torchlight, a tall man with a black cloth robe, bound legs, and a white cloth tied around his forehead emerged, accompanied by two others.
His large frame and slender build made him stand out among the meat cutters, towering over them by a head. The surrounding workers quickly made way for him.
"Chief Cui, look at this..." someone called out, unable to contain their excitement.
Hu Ma scrutinized the man, recognizing him as the mine master of the Blood Feast Mine. He had come to take what was rightfully his from this man, and he had already learned about him from Xu Xiangzhu.
The mine master was named Zhuang Erchang, a former member of the Green Robe Gang who had nominally joined the Red Lantern Lady Society. He was also a New Year's Eve Guardian, rumored to have revived his Five Viscera several years ago.
Having guarded the mine for so long, he undoubtedly possessed exceptional skills, though Hu Ma didn't know the specifics. The Red Lantern Society had taken over the Green Robe Gang's territory and was re-registering their members, but these underlings weren't going to give up their secrets easily.
Regardless of the mine master's abilities, Hu Ma was confident in his own skills and believed he could hold his own against him.
Upon seeing the mine master, Hu Ma gave a cold laugh and looked him in the eye.
"No need for words..."
As the man approached, the workers made way, forming a path. He raised his hand, silencing the chattering miners, then gave Hu Ma an indifferent once-over. "Are you from the Red Lantern Society?"
"I don't know how to address you," Hu Ma replied.
"..."
"Be courteous."
Hu Ma gave a respectful salute. "My surname is Hu."
"So, you're Manager Hu," the mine master, Zhuang, acknowledged with a nod. "I didn't know you were coming, so I'm afraid I didn't prepare a proper welcome. But the payments were made months ago, and the accounts are clear. Why are you here now?"
Hu Ma stood his ground, his tone calm. "The Green Robe Gang is dead, and their Blood Feast Mine now belongs to the Red Lantern Society. I've come on behalf of the Red Lantern Lady to inspect it. Is there a problem?"
"What do you mean? Mine Master Zhuang, you're being impolite, treating this mine as your own and blocking our entrance."
"..."
His words were blunt, unafraid of provoking the mine master.
The surrounding meat cutters, who had been eyeing Hu Ma with hostility, stirred at his words, but fewer dared to confront him after witnessing his skills firsthand.
The man's eyes narrowed, and after a brief silence, he said, "Forgive me. Since you wish to enter, please do so."
He stepped aside, gesturing for Hu Ma and his companions to enter. His disciples and the meat cutters at the entrance, their tools still in hand, glared at them with ill intent, but Hu Ma paid them no mind. With a flick of his long robe, he strode into the valley.
Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, Zhao Zhu, and the others also possessed their own skills and were undaunted by this minor display of force. They followed Hu Ma into the valley with their chests puffed out, looking around as if they owned the place.
Old Abacus, seated on the donkey cart, had a smaller heart. The donkey closely followed Hu Ma, afraid of being left behind, and so he, too, was drawn into the valley.
Only the horse at the entrance turned its head, watching Hu Ma and the others disappear into the valley, before turning away again.
Closing its eyes, it continued to savor the feeling of near-death it had just experienced...
...
"This Blood Feast Mine obviously has issues..." Hu Ma mused to himself. Even before entering, they had been obstructed, a clear sign that something was amiss. Once inside, the problems became even more apparent:
The season for harvesting the New Year Beast had long passed, and the meat cutters should have returned to their villages for farming. Yet, they remained, seemingly without concern for their wages.
Moreover, these meat cutters were only interested in earning silver to build houses and marry wives. How dare he treat them like his own underlings?
Rebellion, huh?
He thought to himself, not rushing to speak, and walked through the valley, arriving at a hall built of rough timber.
On both sides, fire basins were lit, emitting the distinct scent of black oil ointment. Animal hides and other objects hung on the walls, creating a rugged atmosphere. It didn't resemble a Blood Feast Mine at all, but rather a mountain stronghold. Upon entering the hall and sitting down, the person standing behind him was surrounded by a row of robust and ferocious individuals, making it even more apparent...
"Since the manager of the society has come, there's no need for rudeness."
The mine master, Zhuang, led them into the hall and said coldly, "Prepare a table of food and drinks to welcome our guests."
The people behind him heard this, exchanged glances, and seemed somewhat discontent. However, they obeyed his words, glared at Hu Ma and the others, and left.
They glared back, and Zhou Datong returned the stare. In his heart, he cursed the mine workers for their lack of manners, thinking, "Are they treating this like cutting meat?"
After giving the instructions, Zhuang turned to Hu Ma and said, "Since the society's manager has come to inspect, I don't know what you want to see."
"I've come to review the blood feast offerings and ledgers you submitted today. There are a few questions I'd like to ask you."
Hu Ma was straightforward and cold, "This Blood Feast Mine at Hollow Ridge used to belong to the Green Robe Gang. We obtained their ledgers and examined them carefully, but we still couldn't fully understand them."
"How much blood feast could it produce annually in the past? Why has the output suddenly decreased since it was handed over to the Red Lantern Society? A few months ago, the society instructed you to go to the Bright Province Capital to submit the ledgers in person. Why didn't you go and only sent a disciple?"
"Furthermore, blood New Year Beasts are scarce this year. Twenty pounds were allocated to you, yet you haven't submitted even a bit. You haven't provided any explanation for this either. What's the reason behind this?"
"I'd like to hear your explanations for these issues. If you can't provide a satisfactory answer, I think you should step down as mine master, hehe..."
"You might as well quit!"
"..."
As he spoke, Hu Ma coldly stared at the other party, leaving half of his words unspoken.
Even if you provide an explanation, you should still step down.
We're here to take over, and it's under Xu Xiangzhu's instructions. How smart is Xu Xiangzhu? If he wants to find fault with you, do you think he'll allow you to argue back? Of course, if it were a normal situation, Hu Ma wouldn't be so aggressive. In the world of the underworld, harmony brings wealth. Even harsh words should be softened.
But this time, the Blood Feast Mine didn't show any courtesy. Before we even entered the mine, you've already employed your underhanded tactics. Why should I spare your face? It's better to speak directly to their faces.
"You..."
Indeed, Mine Master Zhuang was somewhat indignant, and his two disciples behind him were even more furious.
These questions were clearly meant to make things difficult. It's normal for the Blood Feast Mine to have fluctuations in output due to differences in the size of the New Year Beasts.
As for the submission of ledgers, it's just a formality. Moreover, they weren't familiar with the members of the Red Lantern Society. Sending a disciple to convey the message was sufficient; why did they insist on the mine master's personal presence? Red Lantern Society, do you really consider yourselves officials? As for the twenty pounds of blood New Year Beasts allocated to them, that's even more ridiculous...
Even if I wanted to give it to them, it has to exist...
Despite the aggressive tone, Mine Master Zhuang managed to endure it. He turned and glared at his two disciples, signaling them not to speak out of turn.
He frowned and looked at Hu Ma, then suddenly said, "Hu Manager, it's evident that we're both Year-End Guardians, and we're from the same school. We're not outsiders."
"I studied under Old Master Sun of Iron Bridge in Tong County, Gongzhou. He was my master's master. I wonder, Hu Manager..."
"..."
"Eh?"
Hu Ma found this amusing.
Mine Master Zhuang recognized the difficulty of the situation regarding the Red Lantern Society's ledgers. Instead, he tried to establish a connection through their shared Year-End Guardian heritage.
This idea wasn't bad. Seeing Hu Ma's assertive demeanor and the pressure he exerted using the Red Lantern Society's reputation, Mine Master Zhuang knew that this matter would be challenging to resolve.
So, he chose not to mention the Red Lantern Society's current situation and instead borrowed the Year-End Guardian heritage to build a relationship.
The skills of Year-End Guardians were often passed down from master to disciple. Those truly skilled in the art were limited in number, and they might have known each other before, perhaps even having a prior connection. The higher the lineage, the closer the relationship, and they might even share a common ancestor.
Moreover, Bright State and Gongzhou were neighboring provinces, and the underworld wasn't that vast. It was possible that they could trace their lineages and find a connection between their masters, establishing a relationship between them.
If a relationship were established, Hu Ma wouldn't be able to be too harsh when discussing matters with the mine workers. He would have to consider the elders' faces.
His method was effective, but in this matter, he encountered Hu Ma.
So, he smiled, pointed to Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, and Zhao Zhu, and said calmly, "My fellow disciples and I all learned our skills from Lord Zhou Two of Old Yin Mountain. Mine Master, do you have any instructions for us?"
Mine Master Zhuang was taken aback and hurriedly said, "I've long admired you..."
(End of Chapter)
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