https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-493-The-Triad-Celestial-Scriptures/12918920/
Chapter 492: The No Beef Sect's Seal
Chapter 492: The No Beef Sect's Seal
After sleeping for a day and a night, important news had been spread, and even a rough distribution plan was made. The heavy burden on Hu Ma's mind was lifted, and when he woke up the next day, he felt refreshed and energized.
As he opened his eyes, a sense of lazy comfort washed over him. The dim sunlight outside the window seemed to make the events of the previous day feel like a dream.
Feeling the emptiness within his body from the previous day, he had replenished himself with a mouthful of blood. Only then did he put on his clothes, folding the tattered Daoist robe and instead donning the robe of the Blood Nourishing Pill Shop's assistant manager. He tied the azure belt around his waist and slipped on a pair of cloth shoes before stepping out.
It was already early morning on the third day, and the thin mist had yet to disperse. The Stone Horse Village above seemed much quieter and colder.
The common folk who had come from all directions to attend the Lantern Blessing Festival had left satisfied the previous day. The merchants and their caravans, previously trapped in the village, had also quickly followed the departing crowds, sensing that the danger had passed.
With their departure, news of the festival hosted by the One Coin Sect would surely spread far and wide, and one could only guess what changes it might bring.
"Uncle Hu is awake..."
As Hu Ma was thinking, a voice approached, interrupting his thoughts. He turned to see Sun Jia's Seventh, his expression a mix of surprise and worry.
He had been waiting here with something important to convey, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.
Uncle Hu had entrusted him with a precious blade to forge, and after half a month of work, it was almost ready. But just three days before the scheduled handover, the blade suddenly flew out the window on its own!
He didn't know if Uncle Hu would blame him, and if the matter escalated, the master blacksmith might sell him off just to cover the losses.
As he agonized over how to explain this, Hu Ma suddenly smiled and produced the wrapped blade. "I was just looking for you. The night before last was dangerous, so I took this blade for protection."
"But as you can see, the blade is not yet complete. It has no handle or scabbard. Take it back and help me finish it... How much silver should I pay you? Don't be shy, just tell me."
"..."
"Huh?"
Sun Jia's Seventh was startled, both surprised and delighted. "So, it was Uncle Hu who took the blade?"
"The master blacksmith has been crying in the shop for two days. He's willing to pay with his life..."
"..."
"?"
Hu Ma paused, then sighed. He couldn't help but laugh at himself; when he had taken the blade, he hadn't informed anyone, and now he had scared the honest master blacksmith.
"Apologize on my behalf and give him some extra silver."
Hu Ma quickly handed over the blade and said, "Where's your father?"
"My father..."
Sun Jia's Seventh glanced around before lowering his voice. "He left early yesterday morning. He's busy with important matters."
"About 130 li east from this village, there's a Worn Peach Mountain where several hundred bandits are holed up. Their leader is acquainted with my father, and he went to meet them. He wanted to speak with you before leaving, but your gatekeeper wouldn't let him make a fuss."
"Helpless, my father left with his martial friends, leaving only me to wait for you, Uncle Hu. If anything else happens, just ask me!"
"..."
"This Sun old man is really dedicated to the rebellion, not willing to waste a single day..."
Hu Ma sighed and looked around again. "Where's my old accountant? The one who came with me?"
He had just stepped out and noticed that the old abacus room was empty. He hadn't seen the accountant on the streets either, and it seemed the donkey was missing from the stable, leaving only Ma Ye, who turned away in anger upon seeing Hu Ma, clearly in a foul mood.
"Oh, Old Abacus has left too..."
Sun Jia's Seventh quickly explained, "He left early yesterday morning, leading the donkey. He left even before my father and his friends."
"Before he left, he asked me for ten Blood Nourishing Pills. He said he had exerted himself the night before, secretly supporting the festival, and needed to replenish his energy."
"I didn't have enough pills on me, so I gave him some from my own supply, telling him it was a gift. He insisted on borrowing them, but he wanted to put it on your account, Uncle Hu..."
"..."
"?"
Hu Ma was stunned as he listened. So many dangerous things had happened the night before, yet this old man was still thinking about taking advantage.
...And you took advantage, but the Sun family is wealthy and influential, so why put it on my account?
...I'll have to talk to him about this matter of 10,000 Blood Nourishing Pills later!
As he casually strolled towards the No Beef Sect, intending to discuss matters with Er Guotou, he suddenly spotted Miao Shan Fairy, in casual attire, leading an elderly man out of the teahouse across from the inn.
Her expression was excited, and upon seeing Hu Ma, she attempted to bow, but he quickly stopped her. He turned his attention to the man behind her, who looked like a village elder, and their eyes met for a moment.
Several thoughts flashed through his mind, but in the end, he sighed softly and said to them, "Now, what is the relationship between me and the No Beef Sect?"
"Ah?"
Miao Shan Fairy was taken aback, seemingly not expecting that after experiencing such an event, Hu Ma would ask such an unexpected question. It was then that the old village elder slowly stepped forward, slightly bowing towards Hu Ma and speaking softly, "Sect Leader."
"You have passed through the Three Gates and Twelve Tribulations, cultivated the Great Heavenly General Seal, protected the Lantern Blessing Festival, repelled three thousand shadow soldiers, and even beheaded..."
"...You are, of course, our Sect Leader."
"Or perhaps, our teacher."
"When outsiders see you, they must address you as Sect Leader, or else it would be disrespectful to the Unyielding Ox Sect. We can also call you Great Scholar, for you are the one we, the disciples of the Unyielding Ox Sect, have awaited for twenty years—the one who will guide our fated one."
"..."
"So..."
The previous night, Hu Ma had already met with the disciples of the Unyielding Ox Sect, but the situation was critical, and there wasn't an opportunity to speak further. Moreover, those demons didn't have a proper form, so even if he had thought of something to say, he couldn't express it.
Now, looking at the elder, Hu Ma fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Then, if I wish to inquire about some matters concerning the Unyielding Ox Sect, you won't hide anything from me, will you?"
The elder nodded slightly and replied, "We are seeking answers, so we wouldn't dare conceal anything."
Hu Ma heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Then let's go!"
The previous night, he had discussed matters with Er Guotou, the White Wine Lady, and Monkey Wine. He felt that various matters were pressing, and there were doubts in every aspect. However, if there was one thing that must be done and was of utmost importance, it was the Unyielding Ox Sect.
To understand all this, and even to unravel the mysteries or learn more about the secrets of the previous generation of reincarnators, he had to start with the Unyielding Ox Sect.
And since he had the opportunity to interact with them, he had to take the initiative to get close to these rebels.
Following the elder and Miao Shan Fairy, they arrived at the main altar of the Unyielding Ox Sect. He noticed that the spirit hall in the first courtyard was still there, but the large jar that was originally placed there had now become ten jars, lined up on both sides.
In front of the large jars, there were traces of incense burning, likely due to the excessive consumption during the previous night, and they were trying to replenish it.
Upon entering the second courtyard, he immediately saw two more disciples of the Unyielding Ox Sect. One was the leader of the opera troupe, and the other was an old man carrying his granddaughter. When they saw Hu Ma enter, they stood up and performed the chest-touching greeting.
In this world, greetings were either bowing or hand gestures, so this chest-touching ritual seemed particularly strange. Hu Ma recognized it as a custom taught by the reincarnators.
In his previous life, this greeting wouldn't have seemed odd, but in this world, it always gave off a sense of sinister strangeness.
However, Hu Ma didn't say anything. He merely glanced up at the ancient elm tree that covered the sky. The items tied to the tree had already been taken, leaving only the broken armor and official boots hanging at the top, along with a seal.
Standing under the tree, he pondered for a while and asked, "What exactly are the things hanging above?"
Upon hearing this, Miao Shan Fairy wanted to speak but stopped herself.
The man beside her, who looked like the old village elder, stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Rusty armor, mountain-measuring boots, and... the Nameless Seal."
"These are all ancient artifacts left by the previous Sect Leader, imbued with spiritual power. Only the Sect Leader can wield these items. Although they are wondrous treasures, many years have passed, and none of our inner disciples have been fortunate enough to use them."
"..."
"Is that so?"
Hu Ma listened to his words and looked up at the tree.
The armor and boots had already appeared on him the previous night, but it seemed like a mysterious force had temporarily lent him their power, and they hadn't truly been given to him.
Moreover, in his haste to behead the second young master of the Meng family, he could feel that both the armor and boots possessed some extraordinary qualities, but he hadn't had the chance to examine them closely.
As for the seal, he hadn't had the opportunity to handle it the previous night, and he wasn't sure what its function was.
Now, he was merely curiously examining the three objects, but his gaze eventually settled on the seal, sensing that it was the most important of the three. However, he didn't know how to obtain it.
As he pondered, he slowly walked past the tree, and at that moment, a gentle breeze blew by, causing the tree branches to sway, and the seal hanging above suddenly fell.
Coincidentally, it dropped right into Hu Ma's hand.
Hu Ma was slightly startled but didn't show any sign of surprise. He raised his hand, took a quick look, and tucked it into his sleeve.
To him, this seemed like a very natural and effortless action, but to the disciples of the Unyielding Ox Sect, especially the senior brother, it was quite shocking. The senior brother's eyes widened as he looked at the deep footprints under the tree, with spider web-like cracks beside them.
Those footprints were made the previous night when he had tried to take down the seal but was overwhelmed by its weight.
(End of Chapter)
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