Twilight's Threshold Chapter 422: Supreme Virtuous Elder Miao Gu (Part 2) - Novel Cool

Chapter 422: Supreme Virtuous Elder Miao Gu (Part 2)

Chapter 422: Supreme Virtuous Elder Miao Gu (Part 2)

After stepping out of the room, Hu Ma looked around, but there was no one in sight, neither living nor ghostly. Yet, just moments ago, he had clearly heard someone speaking by his ear, which made him feel a bit bewildered.

He adjusted his robe and, as agreed, went to the back of the inn. There, in the shadows by the wall, a figure emerged, smiling broadly—it was the same White Fan he had seen at the banquet.

The fan in the figure's hand closed, and they bowed respectfully to Hu Ma, saying, "Hu, I apologize for any offense at the banquet. It was for safety reasons, please don't take it to heart."

Hu Ma smiled and returned the gesture, saying, "Would a sage like you really worry about small fry like us?"

"Our senior sister doesn't bother with such trivialities. She's already waiting for you."

White Fan smiled and said, "But those of us who run errands are always a bit more cautious. Our One Coin Sect is a big tree that attracts attention. We help many and offend many. While we're not afraid of ghostly tricks, if someone were to sneak in and disturb the peace, it wouldn't be good."

"That's true."

Hu Ma smiled and said, "Then can you take me to see the Sect Leader now?"

"Please, follow me."

White Fan led the way, and the two followed the winding alleys unique to Stone Horse Town. Despite the town's bustling atmosphere, there was no curfew.

However, it was late at night, and pedestrians were scarce. Only a few restaurants and brothels remained open, and even the guesthouses had no one at their doors. Only strings of lanterns hung on the doors, swaying gently in the night breeze.

After several twists and turns that could confuse anyone, the two arrived at a large courtyard.

From the outside, nothing seemed unusual. There were no lights at the entrance, just two heavy doors half-open. White Fan made a gesture of invitation at the door, and Hu Ma nodded slightly, unhesitatingly entering the courtyard.

The atmosphere inside was strange.

In the front yard, white cloths and paper banners were being pulled back and forth, with signs of paper burning everywhere, making it resemble a funeral hall.

However, there was no coffin in the courtyard. In the center stood a large black vat, about a person's height.

White Fan followed and slowly explained, "Don't be suspicious, Hu. This is our One Coin Sect's tradition. These are chaotic times. The government is absent, allowing evil to run rampant. The wealthy families are high above, while the poor struggle for survival."

"Every day, countless people die of hunger and poverty, their lonely souls left unfed and unsheltered. That's why we set up this hall to appease the vengeful ghosts."

"..."

"Respectable."

Hu Ma looked at the vat beside him and asked, "What's this?"

"This is our blessing vat."

White Fan smiled and said, "To enter our sect, you must follow our One Coin Sect's rules."

"Many have wanted to join our One Coin Sect, both from the trade and the poor. Some seek blessings, while others seek solutions to their problems. But the rules are the same for all. You must put half of your wealth into the vat and receive a copper coin from us in exchange."

"With this copper coin, you become a member of the One Coin Sect, receiving its blessings. You can also use this coin to ask for our help in solving problems."

Hu Ma was slightly startled and smiled, "So, I have to do the same?"

White Fan smiled but remained silent, only looking at him. Hu Ma smiled and patted his body, saying, "I'll follow the rules."

"But..."

Hu Ma took out his money pouch and weighed it in his hand, smiling, "I only have twenty taels of silver on me."

White Fan smiled, "It's not just about cash; property and land are also counted."

"That's unfortunate."

Hu Ma sighed, "I truly have no valuable possessions and no savings. Even the blood-meat silver given by the sect has been spent, leaving me hungry. To be honest, these twenty taels were borrowed from someone else!"

Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind: If only half of his property was required, would the One Coin Sect take on half of his debt?

"If that's the truth, then it's fine."

White Fan smiled, "Our One Coin Sect values rules and sincerity. Even if you had only twenty taels, or if a poor person had half a bun, and they threw it in, it would still count."

"..."

"Is there another rule?"

Hu Ma's heart stirred, and he smiled, "What if someone cunningly brings only half a bun to exchange for our sect's copper coin?"

"Our One Coin Sect values sincerity, and believers seek blessings."

White Fan smiled, "But if one starts with the intention to deceive us, this blessing coin might not bring blessings but instead bring disaster."

"..."

"That makes sense..."

Hu Ma nodded and took out ten taels of silver from his pouch, tossing them into the vat.

A crisp sound echoed in his ears, as if the vat were empty. Just as he turned to look at White Fan, wondering what to do next, a hand suddenly emerged from the vat, its color a strange greenish-blue, startling him.

The thick fingers held a black copper coin, slowly extending it towards Hu Ma, its abrupt appearance startling him.

Despite his cultivation, Hu Ma showed no surprise. He reached out and took the copper coin, examining it in his palm. It seemed like an ordinary coin in circulation, with no apparent abnormalities, but it felt heavier than a typical copper coin.

In the world of cultivation, using money to create magical treasures was not uncommon, and a single coin could be refined into countless treasures.

"Please, Senior Sister is inside."

As soon as White Fan saw Hu Ma take the coin, she nodded slightly and approached the second door, gently pushing it open for him.

However, it seemed that he didn't intend to follow her inside.

Hu Ma took a deep breath, nodded at him, and stepped into the room. His heart suddenly felt a sense of awe.

Inside the second door, a towering tree stood, its lush canopy covering almost the entire courtyard. Countless branches hung down, resembling a giant umbrella.

Stranger still, these branches were adorned with all sorts of peculiar objects: scrolls, children's shoes, wooden horses, wooden cows, lanterns, ink pots, and even weapons like swords and seals.

They were densely packed, perhaps numbering in the hundreds.

Beneath the tree, leaning against the trunk, sat a person in a cross-legged position. Hu Ma's pupils slightly dilated.

The person was a stunningly beautiful female Daoist nun, appearing to be in her thirties. Her features were exquisite, and her aura was transcendent. She held a dust whisk in her hand and sat with her eyes closed, exuding a sense of serenity and detachment, further enhancing her allure.

Hu Ma had been in this world for a while, and he had never seen a Daoist or a monk before, nor had he heard of such beings.

Seeing the Daoist nun's attire, he felt a sense of familiarity.

He took a deep breath and approached her, following the instructions given by Elder Mr. Sun. He bowed slightly to the Daoist nun and addressed her respectfully, "Senior Sister!"

"..."

"Sit."

The Daoist nun opened her eyes, her gaze light as she glanced at Hu Ma, indicating that he should sit on the meditation cushion in front of her.

In that glance, she seemed to have assessed Hu Ma from head to toe. She spoke softly, "The manager of the Red Lantern Society in Mingzhou, at such a young age, you've earned great trust and are in charge of a blood meat mine. You've even become a Mansion Year-Guard, and you once chased away our Lotus Holy Mother..."

"Manager Hu, your abilities are truly extraordinary."

"..."

"Huh?"

Hu Ma, upon hearing her mention the Lotus Holy Mother who had been driven away, quickly explained, "It was all a misunderstanding."

"It wasn't entirely a misunderstanding."

The Daoist nun suddenly smiled and said, "But since we are not of the same path, if there is a disagreement, then a confrontation is not unexpected."

"You didn't destroy that old fox's cultivation, nor did you harm the Dharmaraja of our sect. You are a kind-hearted person."

"Many come to pay respects to the One Coin Sect, but they are either impoverished commoners struggling to survive or martial artists who have faced great calamities. You, Manager Hu, seem to be neither. Since you've come to pay respects, it must be because of your exceptional abilities."

"But you are so young and already possess such skills. In this chaotic world, finding a way to survive is not difficult. Why take the risk of coming here to seek the Dharma?"

"..."

Hearing her gentle words, Hu Ma had already prepared his response, "It's just to learn more advanced skills."

"In these chaotic times, what can entering the Mansion or receiving the protection of Lady Red Lantern really do?"

"It's still not as reassuring as having true abilities of your own."

"..."

The Daoist nun listened and nodded slightly, then suddenly asked, "And what will you do after learning more advanced skills?"

"Do you still plan to serve Lady Red Lantern in the Red Lantern Society and continue to provide blood meat to seek stability?"

"..."

"Hmm?"

Hu Ma sensed something strange in her words and looked into her eyes, which seemed slightly blurred. He felt as if some thoughts deep within him were about to slip out uncontrollably, but he suddenly became alert.

He almost fell for her words...

The Daoist nun's words seemed to have a magical power that could draw out one's innermost thoughts. Fortunately, he had once used the Evil-Suppressing Office's evil energy to cleanse himself, and his foundation was solid, allowing him to react in time. However, he couldn't avoid answering, and his thoughts raced. He decided to test her.

He pretended to be unable to control himself and blurted out, "That's impossible! How can a real man endure being under someone else's thumb for long?"

After saying this, he showed a slight surprise, as if astonished by his own words.

His eyes remained fixed on the Daoist nun, observing her reaction.

Unexpectedly, the Daoist nun didn't reveal any unusual expression. She merely nodded slightly, seemingly very satisfied with his answer. She said softly, "A fine young man. Please proceed."

She turned slightly and looked at the tree behind her, saying softly, "This tree is the Thousand-Year Elderly Willow God of Blessing and Protection, brought here by my senior brother from Xikunlun. No matter what you seek in your heart, you can pray to it sincerely."

"However, the copper coin you bought with half of your family's assets must be offered here. If you obtain what you desire, it will be a great joy. If not, don't complain, for it's all a matter of fate."

(End of Chapter)

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