https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-497-Worshipping-Stone-Horse-Hanging-Red-Lanterns/12918924/
Chapter 496: What is No Beef Sect
Chapter 496: What is No Beef Sect
“Senior, do you need my help?”
Sweet Potato Burn was feeling bitter, but upon hearing Hu Ma’s words, he was unexpectedly overjoyed: “What kind of help?”
Hu Ma pondered for a moment and said, “It’s not the right time to talk about it yet. Just these few days, go to the eastern forest and find me for a meeting.”
“Sure, sure, sure. Senior, wherever you point, I’ll follow. I’m very obedient…”
Sweet Potato Burn, surprised by this unexpected favor, immediately agreed, “In our Scarlet Lantern Lady Society, I admire you the most. The other day, when that monkey wine delivered a message and mentioned that you had matters in Stone Horse Town, everyone was complaining about you!”
“They said you have thick eyebrows and big eyes, looking honest, but in reality, you’re the bravest and most trouble-making one… But I don’t agree with that!”
“You are clearly the most capable one, alright…”
“……”
“Enough, enough, enough…”
Hu Ma hurriedly stopped Sweet Potato Burn’s flattery, made an appointment with her, and then cut off the connection.
Hu Ma felt a bit helpless. How could he put it? Sweet Potato Burn, this young lady, was truly enthusiastic when it came to matters, but her excitement was a bit scary…
Earlier, not just Hu Ma, but White Wine Lady and Brother Two Pot Heads also instinctively avoided her. But now, things were different. The reincarnators had encountered major issues, and such proactive people could no longer be excluded.
Of course, the most confidential information about the reincarnators was still kept back, just in case. Who knew what she might do in her excitement?
This meeting was not just to pacify her and prevent her from attacking the One Coin Sect. Hu Ma indeed needed her help.
Firstly, Wu Ya was still in a deep sleep and needed someone from the Corpse Soul Sect to examine her. Although Sweet Potato Burn had not yet entered the sect, she likely knew a lot about the Corpse Soul Sect and could be more helpful than Hu Ma himself.
Secondly, the thing in his left arm needed to be dealt with properly. It was currently suppressed and could not escape or cause chaos, but Hu Ma only had a vague idea of how to handle it and needed someone from the Corpse Soul Sect to assist.
Year-End Guardians, whether they cultivated their physical bodies or dharmakayas, were straightforward and coarse by nature and could not handle such delicate tasks. Sweet Potato Burn’s current abilities might be limited, but she could help him gain more insight into the Corpse Soul Sect.
After some consideration, Hu Ma withdrew from his Vital Spirit Temple, opened his eyes, and went back to sleep.
When dawn came, he packed his belongings. This trip to the One Coin Sect had been eventful, and he had nominally become their Sect Leader, but he took very little with him.
He only took the Great Heavenly General Seal, the painting that could enter the Ghost Cave, and a blank piece of paper that fell from the Ancient Elm Tree. According to Senior Brother, the first two items were his, and the latter was a symbol of his status.
After waking up, brushing his teeth, he ordered some food from the inn, ate until he was full, and fed his horse.
Seeing that it was time to depart, the Seventh Son of the Sun Family arrived with a master blacksmith wearing an apron, with bloodshot eyes and a fiery aura, along with two apprentices. Upon inquiry, it turned out that this was the master who had helped forge his blade.
The handle of the blade had been carved and securely attached, with red thread wrapped around it.
“This master has worked hard…”
When Hu Ma went to collect the blade, he had seen the blacksmith’s shop with the fierce blade being forged and had a vague idea of what had happened.
He bowed deeply to the master and took out ten taels of silver and three Blood Nourishing Pills to give as payment… He had no more silver left, as this was what remained after giving ten taels to the One Coin Sect.
The Blood Nourishing Pills were also gifts from the Seventh Son of the Sun Family; he only had seven in total, so they were scarce.
Usually, Little Hong Tang would receive a Blood Nourishing Pill after helping, but this time, despite sending several secret signals, she only received a candied“Not necessary, not necessary…”
To Hu Ma’s surprise, the master refused the payment, waving his hands and saying, “It’s an honor to serve this gentleman. Giving me this task is a privilege. Accepting payment would be inappropriate.”
“……”
The two apprentices, hearing this, could hardly contain their surprise. They thought, “The blade nearly cost you your life as soon as it came out of the forge. Is this really an honor?”
Hu Ma was also surprised, glancing at the Seventh Son of the Sun Family. Seeing him nod with a smile, he understood that this Master was a Sun Family retainer and would naturally bebeSo, he put the ten taels back and was about to take the blade when the Master approached, whispering to Hu Ma, “Young Master, may I have a word in private?”
Seeing his caution, Hu Ma walked a few steps away and listened as the Master sighed softly, “By right, I am just a blacksmith and shouldn’t meddle, but this blade is no ordinary item. I must advise you, Young Master.”
“This blade is no ordinary item; it carries an extremely fierce aura, both malevolent and fierce. When you are not using it, do not carry it on your person. It’s best to find a temple with a thriving incense altar and place it there to suppress its killing aura.”
"When the time comes, prepare a live chicken and strong liquor to test the blade and stir up its malevolence. After using it, burn the blade with fire to purify it, and then offer it back to the temple."
"..."
"Yes, yes, I understand."
Seeing the sincerity in Hu Ma's words, the master craftsman smiled and agreed, though he didn't take it too seriously.
The blade was indeed both fierce and evil, but Hu Ma was capable of suppressing its power.
Although the master craftsman was a blacksmith, he specialized in catering to the Martial World's needs and had a keen eye for reading people's expressions. Despite Hu Ma's polite demeanor, the master craftsman could tell that Hu Ma was somewhat dismissive, and he let out a long sigh, saying, "Others may not know, but I do."
"Young Master, you are no ordinary person. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to subdue this blade, and even after it went out for a spin, it suddenly became less aggressive, as if it were drunk..."
"But Young Master, listen to my advice. You may be able to control it, but weapons are inherently dangerous. The malevolence of this blade and the weight of its sinister energy are like nothing I've ever seen in my lifetime of forging."
"However, sinister energy can seize fortune but destroy blessings."
"Young Master, as long as you can control this blade, your luck will improve, but your blessings will diminish!"
"So, it's best to keep it sheathed when possible, to avoid future regrets when it's too late to make amends."
"..."
Upon hearing these words, Hu Ma was slightly taken aback.
Deep inside, a faint, long-forgotten doubt seemed to stir, triggered by the master craftsman's words.
He paused briefly, then spoke with increased sincerity, "I'll remember your words."
"May I ask how I should address you, Master Craftsman?"
"..."
"Of course, of course..."
The master craftsman was pleased that Hu Ma took his advice seriously and asked for his name, showing great respect.
If this blade were to become famous, he would also gain recognition as a master blacksmith.
He quickly followed the Martial World's etiquette, cupping his fists, and introduced himself, "This old man's surname is Hong, and my given name is Fang."
"Greetings, Master Hong," said Hu Ma.
Then, in his role as the Junior Overseer of the Red Lantern Society, he exchanged names with the master craftsman, establishing a connection.
Master Hong quickly instructed his apprentice to bring the blade and its scabbard. The scabbard was crafted from wood that had grown for over a century on a sunny slope, and it had a simple, unpainted appearance.
The material was of excellent quality, perfectly accommodating half of the blade's length. However, compared to wearing it at the waist, it was more suitable for offering it as a sacred object.
In the future, if Hu Ma wanted to carry it outside, he would either have to hold it in his hand or tie it to his back.
In addition to the scabbard, there was a cloth for cleaning the blade and a whetstone for sharpening it, both of which were of renowned quality and considered gifts from Master Hong.
Hu Ma took them, and Master Hong curiously asked, "Hu Overseer, have you given this blade a name yet?"
Seeing that both the master craftsman and his apprentice were genuinely interested in this matter, Sun Family's Seventh Son, standing nearby, also perked up his ears in curiosity. Hu Ma smiled, recalling how this blade had just been forged, and how it had accompanied him in cutting the Grass Head God and drinking the blood of the Meng Family's sons.
He smiled and said, "I've given it a temporary name, but it's not very pleasant. I call it 'Punishing Official.'"
"Ah?"
Master Hong had been judging Hu Ma's character through the blade, and upon hearing this name, he was startled once again.
At that moment, in the distance, on the stone-paved road at the other end of the town, two tall horses with blue manes pulled a large cart carrying a bronze casket. The person escorting the cart was White Fan, a close companion of Miao Shan Fairy. Hu Ma had arranged with the Senior Brother and Miao Shan Fairy the previous day to keep a low profile, so they didn't need to send them off personally.
As for the Lantern Blessing Festival, it was up to the others to witness it. But at least on the surface, Hu Ma was still just the Junior Overseer of the Blood Food Mine in the Red Lantern Society. After seizing this opportunity, he quietly slipped away.
Back at the main hall of the Red Lantern Society, the Senior Brother and Miao Shan Fairy, though unable to see them off in person, maintained the proper etiquette. They stood facing east, silently sending their farewells. Miao Shan Fairy repeatedly turned to look at the Senior Brother, her cold and noble face now filled with clarity and purity.
"Senior Brother, what have you been discussing with the Sect Leader these past few days? Why does he, as the Sect Leader, not stay to manage the situation but instead return to the Blood Food Mine to continue as a small mine owner?"
"..."
"We talked about many things, mostly the Sect Leader asking questions."
The Senior Brother sighed softly, "He asked about the state of the world, the Mystic Path and cultivation techniques, the strengths and weaknesses of the Ten Surnames, the extraordinary individuals appearing in the town, and even some challenging matters related to cultivation. It was as if he were a sincere student seeking knowledge."
"As for me, I only asked him one question: What is the No Beef Sect?"
"..."
Miao Shan Fairy was taken aback. Shouldn't the Sect Leader be asking us this question? We are the No Beef Sect...
But she knew it wasn't that simple and quickly asked, "What did the Sect Leader say?"
"He said..."
The Senior Brother paused, then smiled, "He said that common people are like cattle and horses, carrying the weight of the world on their backs. They can bear the burden, but they can also be crushed by it. It's not that we can't eat them, but we dare not."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
