Twilight's Threshold Chapter 370: The Tai Sui Lord's Possession - Novel Cool

Chapter 370: The Tai Sui Lord's Possession

Chapter 370: The Tai Sui Lord's Possession

"Haunted?"

After all, this was the Blood Feast Mine, a place inherently associated with these evil entities. Even an old miner like Lord Zhou had some experience and methods for dealing with such matters, let alone the guardians who had entered the Dao and even refined their Five Viscera.

Ordinary evil spirits would likely not dare to approach the mine. With so many experienced miners around, their Yang Qi alone would drive the spirits away.

Just like Xiao Hong Tang, ever since Hu Ma entered the Blood Feast Mine, she had not shown herself. The reason was that the mine's Yang Qi made her feel suffocated.

But now, when Chief Zhuang suddenly mentioned a haunting, it sounded a bit far-fetched.

"It's true..."

Chief Zhuang sighed softly and continued, "Just as Manager Hu and the others suspected, we also guessed that if the things outside were so good, perhaps there was an even better Tai Sui inside, and we might suddenly strike it rich."

"With this idea in mind, we couldn't afford to be careless. We sent the most experienced meat cutters, but little did we know that trouble would start right then."

"..."

It was unclear if it was an illusion, but as he spoke, everyone felt the surrounding wind grow slightly oppressive.

He sighed softly, "The first batch of miners, two or three of them, went in, but before long, they all became dazed. When they were pulled out, their faces were pale, as if their souls had been taken away."

"This kind of thing is not uncommon in our mine. Often, it happens to people with insufficient Yang Qi, who are stimulated by the blood energy of the Tai Sui Lord. In our jargon, we say they've been taken to serve the Tai Sui Lord, and they need to stop work temporarily."

"Although we were a bit surprised at the time, we didn't think of stopping. We sent another experienced miner, a very reliable one. But before the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, we heard him shout from inside, full of excitement, saying that it was..."

"But before he could finish explaining what was inside, there was a sudden scream, and he was hastily pulled out. We saw that his head was gone, and only his neck remained, with clear bite marks."

"The bite marks on his neck were still visible."

"..."

Everyone fell silent at his words. In a soft voice, someone asked, "What's inside?"

"I don't know," Chief Zhuang replied in a low voice. "We thought there was something inside, so we prepared accordingly. But after waiting for a long time, there was no movement at all. We threw things in and poked with sticks, but there was not even a hint of a reaction."

"I sent my ghost servant in, but he never came out. We panicked and didn't know what to do."

"..."

As he spoke, his expression became extremely conflicted and embarrassed. Hu Ma could understand his dilemma.

Everyone who worked in the Blood Feast Mine wanted to make a big profit. They were lucky to have found such a rich vein, and if they could keep it to themselves, it would be the foundation of their wealth for life.

However, this enticing opportunity was accompanied by unknown dangers. How could anyone make such a difficult choice?

Slowly, Hu Ma asked, "And then you..."

"We discussed it and decided not to give up... We also wanted to bring back the old miner's head to give him a proper burial."

Chief Zhuang slowly explained, "So, this time, my senior disciple went in with a knife. He had already ascended to the second level and could easily subdue ordinary fierce ghosts and demons with one hand. I also gave him the Talisman Plate Armor that my master had taught me when I was young. He put it on."

"This plate armor had been worshipped by a ghost servant on the altar and could ward off evil spirits even when hung at home. It was our mine's treasure. With his skills, even if he encountered danger, he should have been able to retreat safely..."

"..."

Hu Ma listened intently, his curiosity piqued. "And then?"

Chief Zhuang remained silent for a long time before speaking in a low voice, "He went mad..."

"After entering that mine, no one knew what he discovered. We only heard constant chewing sounds coming from inside. Worried, we kept asking him."

"But he insisted that everything was fine and that he was still looking. However, as he spoke, there seemed to be chewing sounds in his mouth. We asked him several times, but he refused to come out. I became anxious and pulled him out before the incense finished burning, and then..."

"..."

As he spoke, not only did he tremble slightly, but those around him also unconsciously averted their gazes, as if recalling a chilling scene.

"The talisman armor on his body had been removed. It was bound with a special technique, making it difficult for outsiders to remove. But it seemed as if he had taken it off himself, and his body was covered in blood and flesh, as if something had gnawed at him. Most shockingly, he had a piece of flesh in his mouth, chewing it with a grin."

"It looked like a piece from his arm..."

"..."

Unbeknownst to them, even the oil lamp on the altar had dimmed. Zhou Datong shivered involuntarily and moved closer to Hu Ma and the others. Chief Zhuang, after a moment of silence, slowly continued, "I hurriedly questioned him about what was inside..."

"He usually treats me with such respect, but at that moment, he was already dazed, just chuckling and saying that he had received the Tai Sui Lord's decree and was to herd the mortal cattle and sheep. Zhuang Erchang, are you not afraid of me?"

"..."

Everyone listened intently, as if returning to the previous eerie and panicked scene. Even one of the disciples behind the Mine Master, Zhuang, couldn't help but tremble and interject, "Senior Brother, at that time, he seemed like a completely different person..."

"That voice, that tone, sounded like a theatrical performance. He even held his hands in a 'lotus finger' pose, which was quite eerie..."

"Master also noticed something was wrong and hurriedly ordered us to hold him down and bring black oil to treat his injuries. But, but his strength was so great that he threw us off, and then he crawled back into the flesh mine and never came out again..."

"..."

As they spoke, even Hu Ma was surprised and quickly asked, "After that, did you send anyone else into the mine?"

"No."

The Mine Master, Zhuang, smiled bitterly and said, "After what happened, who would dare to go in again?"

"I..."

He seemed hesitant but then spoke frankly, "I directly ordered to temporarily seal the mine. I know this isn't ideal, but... but I'm certain that Da Hu is no longer human..."

He was explaining himself, feeling guilty for sealing his senior disciple inside the mine without attempting to rescue him.

But Hu Ma didn't judge him. If what they said was true, his senior disciple seemed more like a ghost than a person, and he would have done the same.

"So..."

He paused slightly, then looked up and asked, "Where is the mine now?"

Upon hearing this, the Mine Master shivered and walked to the side of the hall, pointing to a corner in the valley. It was about one or two li away, a dark cave that was hard to make out. "It's right there, on Bull Horn Ridge. It's now filled with wooden stakes, and the ones with red paper are the sealed ones."

Following his gaze, everyone looked in that direction, unable to see clearly, but still sensing an overwhelming aura of evil. The cold wind blew, and they instinctively averted their eyes, not daring to look further.

"Hmm..."

Hu Ma thought silently, not rushing to ask questions, but instead turned to Old Abacus, seeking an answer.

Old Abacus was also deep in thought, encountering some uncertainty. When he noticed Hu Ma's gaze, he suddenly spoke up, "Just seal it and that's it? You didn't plan to use some other method..."

"This..."

Hearing this, the Mine Master smiled bitterly, "To be honest, we were thinking of inviting an expert to investigate. We even considered reporting it to the Red Lantern Society, but..."

Seeing the troubled look on his face, Hu Ma understood.

Indeed, wealth stirs the heart. The blood and golden-veined Tai Sui from the mine were valuable. If he leaked the news, he might not be able to keep them.

He must have been conflicted.

"Moreover..."

The Mine Master sighed, "We didn't even have time to fully understand the situation when our enemies showed up. We no longer need to worry about this matter..."

His voice grew softer as he spoke, gazing into the dark night outside, "It's the one blocking the door out there."

"Just as we were discussing how to handle that mysterious mine, out of the blue, someone delivered a black bundle. Inside was a crow nailed down, with no accompanying message."

"I've dealt with shamans before and know their rules. This is their way of threatening, the harshest kind. It's like telling someone to leave, and if they don't after accepting the gift, they'll be cursed with poison."

"But, this was a critical moment. How could we leave? So, we planned to write a letter and invite them to talk..."

"..."

Hu Ma's heart stirred as he heard this, "And then?"

The Mine Master smiled bitterly and suddenly tore open his collar, revealing several terrifying claw marks.

"As soon as I expressed my refusal and prepared to write the letter, that half-rotten crow flew up and scratched me."

"Initially, I wasn't too concerned, relying on my skills as a New Year Guardian. I wasn't afraid of their poison, but I never expected the wound to persist. Gradually, even my five viscera began to rot."

"To be honest, right now, with each breath, I can smell a strong stench of decay. I know it's coming from inside my body; I'm only suppressing it with my cultivation."

"..."

Hearing this, Hu Ma and the others paled, "Is there really such a powerful poison that even a New Year Guardian can't withstand?"

(End of Chapter)

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