Chapter 520: Returning to the Camp for Treasures
Chapter 520: Returning to the Camp for Treasures
Perhaps the Truth Sect, having been chosen, has some exceptional qualities. Perhaps the Qingyuan Hu Clan, having arrived, has many ideas. Or perhaps the Shadow Bridge Meng Family has painstakingly set up this scheme, and their backup plans are one after another.
But Hu Ma had no intention of staying outside to compete with them. Now that he had mastered the skill of entering the mansion and broken through the Three Pillar Cultivation, he had refined the evil spirit of the Meng Family.
With a clean and honest background, it was the perfect time to retrieve the Hu Clan's relics.
So, he decided to retrieve them.
No matter what tricks or conspiracies they had, nothing could compare to the importance of retrieving the Hu Clan's relics first.
It was for this reason that after observing Yang Gong's current state and gaining a general understanding of the situation in Mingzhou, he didn't delay at all. Instead, he strode forward, borrowing the skill of the Heaven-Measuring Boots, and ventured deep into the Old Yin Mountain, returning to the Great Sheep Camp.
With this newfound ability to travel swiftly, he no longer needed to ride a donkey or a horse, and it no longer took three to four days to reach home. He traversed the deep mountains and forests, and it only took him half a day.
Instead of returning to the camp first, he made his way to the manor outside the camp where Second Young Master resided. After returning the Heaven-Measuring Boots, he stopped at the foot of the mountain and straightened his robe, which had been disheveled by the wind. Then, he took a piece of oil paper-wrapped blood feast, weighing more than four jin, from the jar held by Little Red Tang. He held it in his hand.
"Second Young Master, how's your health lately?"
Before even entering the manor, he smiled and said, "I've come back to check on you."
Inside the manor, Second Young Master was instructing a group of young disciples, pointing and demonstrating the moves with great enthusiasm. When Hu Ma entered, he almost knocked over the teapot in surprise. "It's not the New Year or any festival, why have you returned?"
The group of children in the camp looked up in surprise when they saw Hu Ma. They knew he was the most promising young man in the camp, and their eyes were filled with curiosity and reverence.
"It's not that I have other matters to attend to. I've seen that there's a famine outside, and those who used to be able to eat their fill are now going hungry. I'm not sure about the situation in our camp, so I came back to check, and I've brought some grain with me."
Hu Ma smiled and said, "Here, this is the meat I prepared for you before I left. It's to nourish your body."
"Why are you still bothering with these formalities?"
Second Young Master hurriedly stood up and welcomed Hu Ma into the house, complaining, "When have I ever wanted for meat? I can go hunting in the forest whenever I feel like eating some."
After entering the house, he turned around and gave Hu Ma a thorough once-over. There was an unspoken satisfaction in his eyes, and then he lowered his voice and asked, "Has something happened to you?"
"Why have you returned to the camp empty-handed?"
"And what about your horse?"
"In the past, you would return with a carriage and horse, looking so grand. But this time, it seems like you ran all the way back."
"..."
The more he thought about it, the more bizarre it seemed, and he suddenly became tense, afraid that the children outside might overhear him. He lowered his voice and said, "You haven't been driven out by the Scarlet Lantern Society, have you?"
"Second Young Master, your concerns are as simple as ever..."
Hearing this, Hu Ma couldn't help but smile bitterly. "What are you worried about, Second Young Master? I'm on good terms with the Red Lantern Lady..."
"I said I brought back grain. But the cart and horse carrying the grain are slow, so I let them follow behind at their own pace. I'm not riding a horse because I've been practicing my skills. Now that I've learned the real deal, I can return from the city in less than a day."
"That's right..."
As he spoke, he remembered something and smiled, "Recently, the Society has been showing me more favor and promoting me..."
"What?"
Second Young Master was bewildered by Hu Ma's words. What does it mean to be on good terms with the Red Lantern Lady? How can you travel hundreds of li in a day?
He felt that Hu Ma was full of hot air. Why would the Red Lantern Lady know someone like him?
And running hundreds of li in a day? That's like having winged feet!
But all of this paled in comparison to the last sentence, which held the most weight. He was shocked, "Promoted again? You're now the manager?"
"..."
Hu Ma was about to respond, but seeing Second Young Master's surprised expression, he held back. He decided to be considerate of the old man. If he told him about his experiences over the past few years, he might not believe it, and instead, he would become worried.
So, he smiled and said, "Not exactly. I'm still a manager, but before, I managed the manor, and now I manage the Blood Feast Mine... Of course, the wages are much better."
"Manager of the Blood Feast Mine?"
In Second Young Master's mind, he instantly pictured the big and influential gentlemen he had to deal with every year. He was so happy that his head felt a little dizzy, and he hurriedly asked, "Are you sure you're not exaggerating?"
"If you're the manager, then in the future, can you bring people from our camp to harvest blood feast? No one will dare to withhold our wages or annual tribute money, and we'll save a lot!"
Hu Ma smiled and said, "I do have that plan. Second Young Master, next year, bring some men, and let's go harvest blood feast at my mine!"
Second Young Master was so delighted that he didn't even question the truth of this statement.
As for the piece of blood feast that Hu Ma gave him, he didn't even bother to look at it. He directly threw it into the jar used for storing green food. Hu Ma watched, wanting to remind him, but then he felt it wasn't necessary, so he let Second Young Master leave it there.
As soon as they arrived, Second Young Master locked the door and brought Hu Ma along to return to the camp.
On the road, he asked, "What's this about a famine? Our camp doesn't seem much different from other places. It's unlikely we'll eat our fill every meal, but it's not like people are starving to death..."
"The Old Yin Mountain has a Mountain Lord protecting it, so it's indeed different from other places..."
Hearing this, Hu Ma slightly relaxed, and as they walked back to the camp, he pondered.
The villages in the mountains had limited interaction with the outside world and had been impoverished for generations. However, this isolation made them less affected by oppressive taxes and military disasters. In peaceful times, they didn't enjoy much fortune, but during turmoil, they were also less likely to be involved. It was a classic case of having both gains and losses.
Currently, the counties and villages surrounding the Old Yin Mountain had shown some signs, but compared to other regions, they were still better off.
It was the Mountain Lord's protection that brought such good fortune to the eight hundred li of the Old Yin Mountain.
However, this also made the area a target for those with grand ambitions, who saw it as a prime resource.
Upon returning to the camp, Second Young Master's announcement immediately spread the news that Hu Ma was back. The Elder Patriarch and several elders also put down their work and came over.
Initially, seeing Hu Ma return empty-handed, without a mule or horse for transportation or any belongings, they felt a sense of sorrow, not out of greed for those items, but concern that Hu Ma might have encountered trouble. Yet, they hesitated to ask right away.
"Stop staring with those eyes!"
Second Young Master found this amusing. "You all have such limited vision. Let me tell you!"
"Little Hu Ma has made a name for himself. He's learned skills and become a supervisor at the Blood Food Mine. He bought several carts of grain, which are being transported to the camp. Why isn't he riding a horse? Because he's learned magic, and traveling by magic is faster than riding a horse."
"I heard about this years ago when I was outside. Some people can summon demons to carry their sedan chairs, and they move incredibly fast!"
"..."
Upon hearing this, the Elder Patriarch and the village elders immediately turned their worries into joy and surrounded Hu Ma to ask for details.
"I've just started learning, and I'm not that powerful yet... I can't summon demons to carry a sedan chair."
Hu Ma tried to make himself sound less boastful, smiling as he explained, "But it's true that I've been transferred to the Blood Food Mine. From now on, things will be much easier. I was worried about not having help from our own people, but now they can come to the camp too..."
"We'll leave these matters to Second Young Master."
"..."
The people in the camp finally rejoiced and eagerly inquired about the others.
Hu Ma provided updates on Zhou Datong and Li Wazi, both of whom had become successful and were also supervisors. Li Wazi, in particular, was now capable of handling matters independently.
Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu were also diligent in their studies. Zhou Liang had become more composed and showed great initiative when faced with problems, while Zhao Zhu was even more formidable, excelling in fork techniques. No one in the camp could match him.
In the midst of this joy, Second Young Master set up a feast. Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, Zhao Zhu, and Li Wazi's families sent wine and dishes, and they all enjoyed a lively meal. Hu Ma took the opportunity to ask, "Second Young Master, I have another matter to attend to. How is Old Sheepskin Elder doing?"
Hearing this, Second Young Master became somewhat concerned. "Over there, the haunting is getting worse..."
"Your mother-in-law left some arrangements, so most of the things inside can't get out, but the yin energy is getting heavier. Even in broad daylight, you can hear crying inside, and at night, it's like a bustling market..."
"Many people from Python Village can't stand it anymore and want to move out. Old Sheepskin Elder couldn't hold back and went there once, but he was so affected that he couldn't leave his bed for two months."
"Just a couple of days ago, he came to our camp, wanting to ask about it, but I persuaded him to leave."
"..."
The nearby Elder Patriarch and elders also chimed in, "That's right!"
"Even here, malevolent spirits seem to be more prevalent."
"When going out now, we carry twice as much ash powder. After the sun sets, we head back, fearing something might happen."
"..."
'The Extinct Village's situation shouldn't affect us here. It might be due to other reasons. In these times, malevolent spirits are more aggressive, and even deep in the mountains, people can't escape them. The Elder Patriarch is unaware and blames the Extinct Village.'
Hu Ma silently pondered, then slowly spoke, "We can't blame Old Sheepskin Elder."
"Your mother-in-law promised them help within ten years, and it's been about that long, hasn't it?"
"..."
"He came to ask about this, didn't he?"
Second Young Master's festive mood vanished, and he looked at Hu Ma with concern. "But now, are you confident?"
"I am."
Hu Ma didn't say more, just nodded slowly. "This trip, I plan to go and take a look."
(End of Chapter)
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