Chapter 497: Worshipping Stone Horse, Hanging Red Lanterns
Chapter 497: Worshipping Stone Horse, Hanging Red Lanterns
"I never expected that a trip to the One Coin Sect would not only grant me cultivation techniques but also earn me two large beasts..."
Initially, Hu Ma intended to harness Ma Ye to his carriage, and the One Coin Sect's horses were to be led back by White Fanzi. However, Ma Ye held a grudge against him and paid no heed, leaving Hu Ma no choice but to drive them away.
As they left Stone Horse Town, Hu Ma could hear the rhythmic clopping of the horses' hooves. Behind him, Sun Family's Seventh Son, Hong Shifu, White Fanzi, and others had accompanied him to the town's entrance and were now seeing him off. Hu Ma sensed that more than just these few individuals were watching him from the town.
Reflecting on the recent exchanges, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. He had many questions he wanted to ask, but he couldn't find the answers to the questions posed by the Senior Brother.
How could he possibly explain the No Beef Sect?
Since the No Beef Sect already had its own principles, Hu Ma could only vaguely hint at it. But unexpectedly, the Senior Brother seemed deeply moved by his words.
"Good, maintain this style. If you make it too profound, I might not be able to provide the answers."
"Phew..."
Upon leaving Stone Horse Town, Hu Ma heaved a long sigh of relief. Due to the weight of the bronze casket, he didn't whip the horses but let them pull the carriage forward slowly. Along the way, he carefully observed the mountain villages and fields.
Most of the houses were intact, and there were signs of life, seemingly unaffected by the Lantern Blessing Festival of the One Coin Sect.
Recalling the recent encounters with the Yin General, the Great Hall Official, and various battles with demonic techniques and strange methods, Hu Ma realized that these ordinary folks were incredibly fortunate to have safeguarded their homes and families amidst such chaos.
However, compared to when he had arrived, there was a noticeable difference—several villages had hung red lanterns, their paper still fresh and new, indicating they had just been put up.
As he passed by one village, he spotted a peddler with a bamboo pole on his back, selling over a dozen red lanterns. He was teaching a group of mischievous children gathered around him, bribing them with candy to sing a rhyme:
"Worship the Stone Horse, hang the red lanterns,
A copper coin to summon the Shadow Soldiers.
Summon millions of Shadow Soldiers,
To reclaim the wealth and offer it to our ancestors."
"..."
Hu Ma was astonished. In just a few days, they had composed such a nursery rhyme? This seemingly innocent song could be deadly...
As the carriage passed by, Hu Ma took the opportunity to scrutinize the peddler. The man appeared healthy and cheerful, seemingly oblivious to Hu Ma's gaze. But after Hu Ma passed, the peddler suddenly turned and smiled at him.
Hu Ma immediately understood—this man was likely from the same sect, possibly a disciple of the No Beef Sect.
With their involvement, everything made sense. The No Beef Sect's practices, such as Fish Belly Books, Sand River Stone Man, and Fox Night Cry, were all basic operations.
They were doing their best to spread the influence of the Lantern Blessing Festival, but unexpectedly, Red Lantern Lady had also taken a place in it, and her ranking seemed to surpass even the One Coin Sect.
As he gazed at the red lanterns hanging in the mountains, their glow spreading like a wildfire, he couldn't predict the consequences, even though Red Lantern Lady's name wasn't explicitly mentioned.
"Anyway, Red Lantern Lady has built a temple and is accepting believers. I'm just helping her..."
"..."
He decided not to think about it anymore and focused on driving the carriage towards his Blood Food Mine.
"Ancestral Master, I only ask for your guidance..."
While Hu Ma was on his way back from Stone Horse Town to the Blood Food Mine, Old Abacus, who had returned two days earlier, was in his hut at the mine. He had slaughtered a chicken, prepared fruits and flowers, and set up an incense altar. He took out the flag he usually kept hidden in his pants and respectfully placed it at the top.
With utmost reverence, he prayed, "This fellow is too good at causing trouble. With my limited abilities, I can't keep an eye on him..."
"I calculated that his fate was significant, so I followed him to reap some benefits. Who would've thought his troublemaking abilities were so terrifying? He even got involved with the No Beef Sect's demons. I fear it will be challenging to turn the situation around for his family..."
"Let's not say anything else. As usual, if you nod twice, I'll leave immediately. Is that okay?"
"..."
Mumbling to himself, Old Abacus shook the copper plate in his hand and tossed it to the ground, but all the coins landed heads up.
Unsatisfied, he picked them up and tossed them three more times, but not once did they land tails up.
Old Abacus's face turned pale, and he forced a smile, praying, "Nodding twice is too tiring. Just nod once, and I'll understand."
He tossed the coins ten times in a row, but incredibly, all ten times, they landed heads up. Old Abacus became furious, jumped up, and knocked over the chicken from the incense altar. "I won't let you eat this! I tossed the coins ten times, and you didn’t nod once. Is this fair?”
“According to those Malevolent Spirits' teachings, this doesn't conform to probability theory. I provide you with the finest food and drink daily, and now you push me into a fire pit when I need your help?"
The Ancestral Master paid no attention to him, and a gentle breeze caused the flag to flutter slightly.
Old Abacus was so startled that he fell to the ground, sobbing, "There's no disciple as pitiful as me... Could it be that you..."
"..."
"Have accepted a bribe from the Hu family?"
"..."
The flag fluttered slightly, but the old abacus remained silent. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him, "Or perhaps, you think this family still has a chance of winning?"
He hurriedly grabbed the copper coins and tossed them again, only to be dumbfounded by the result.
It was still reversed.
Sitting in the room in a daze, unsure of what to do, he heard a commotion outside. It was Hu Ma returning. He quickly gathered the coins and placed the plate of chicken in front of the Ancestor Master for him to enjoy. Then, with his long robe draped over his arm, he stepped out.
"Place the coffin in the shade of a tree by the valley, dig a hole and bury it. Surround it with some sour jujube branches and stick a circle of eye-catching red paper on it. Make sure no one, drunk or otherwise, disturbs it."
Hu Ma was busy organizing people to pull a large cart to the other side to unload the coffin, bury it in the ground, and retrieve it when needed. He also had the two large livestock they earned tied up in the stable to be fed. Only then did he enter the hall, carrying his bundle.
Just as he entered, he saw the old abacus coming out and smiled, narrowing his eyes, "Brother, you're not being honest. We went to the town together, and when something happened, you didn't wait for me and ran back early."
Hearing this, the old abacus was even more furious than Hu Ma. With a mournful expression, he said, "How dare you say I'm not honest! You're the one who's not being honest!"
"You Year-End Guardians are fast runners, but I'm not. That night was so dangerous, with the Grass Head God worshipping the lantern, the No Beef Sect demons lurking about, and the Year-Guardian Hall Official attacking the town. I, an old man, was so scared that I hid in the coffin for the entire night, and I didn't see you helping me at all!"
"..."
"Fine, fine!"
Hu Ma had intended to tease him a bit, but he didn't expect the other man to be even more aggrieved.
Seeing that everyone seemed to be equally at fault, it was best to let the matter rest.
While ordering people to prepare a meal, he invited the old abacus into the hall and even poured him a cup of tea, smiling, "To be honest, I was worried about this trip, and I thought you had run away. I didn't expect you to be so righteous and stay to help me."
The old abacus was suddenly struck by his words, and he tentatively asked, "How about you settle my wages for this period, and I'll find you a younger accountant to replace me?"
Although the Ancestor Master didn't want him to leave, if the other party insisted on driving him away, it would be reasonable and justified, right?
"No need."
Hearing this, Hu Ma immediately smiled and refused, and his demeanor seemed even more amiable than before. "They say that having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. Although you're my older brother, and we're of the same generation, you're still an elder, aren't you?"
"Actually, on my way back, I was thinking of discussing something with you. It's related to the cultivation techniques of the human soul. Do you understand it?"
"..."
"Ask me?"
The old abacus was taken aback and said, "Didn't you learn great skills from the One Coin Sect?"
"I know the result, but not the reason."
Hu Ma said, "I did learn a bit, and I can feel my soul growing stronger and my energy replenished. But I don't understand the profound mysteries. I can manage the basics, but when it comes to precise control, it's a bit challenging."
"The Year-Guardian Technique is like that. It only works when you're alive, not after you're dead..."
The old abacus sighed softly, deep in thought. "But the path of the soul is much more complex. What do you want to know?"
"I have a friend..."
Hu Ma looked into his eyes, having considered this all the way. Now, without any hesitation, he asked directly, "Originally, my family had some foundation, but they were forced by their enemy family. They almost killed their only son, but he was saved later."
"However, that enemy family didn't have a kind heart and let him go. It seems that something was done to his soul, and now he's discovered the problem and has a way to force out that thing..."
"But I'm still not quite clear on the specifics. Elder Brother, you're experienced and knowledgeable. Do you have any good suggestions for me?"
"..."
After saying all this, he looked at the old abacus seriously, a smile on his face, and pulled out a blade from his bundle. Admiring it slowly, he waited for the old brother's response.
This old fellow was mysterious, and his abilities were hard to gauge. However, the senior brother from the No Beef Sect had keen insight, and no one could hide anything from him in the town these past few days. He had carefully explained everything to Hu Ma.
Usually, they were all buddies and would let things slide, but now that the truth was out, if he still refused to speak...
"This..."
The old abacus, seeing Hu Ma's seriousness, felt a bit flustered. He knew he should have left earlier, but the Ancestor Master didn't allow it. Could it be that he was destined to be entangled in this troublesome affair?
He wanted to avoid this cause and effect, but the other party was a Year-End Guardian.
The Year-End Guardian held a blade, standing right in front of him with a smile, asking for his advice. How could he refuse?
"That's too much!"
The old abacus was filled with righteous indignation and slapped his thigh hard. "Your friend has encountered a Mystic Path incident where they Devour the Homeless!"
"This is a violation of heaven and earth. Who could bear it?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
