https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-586-Killing-Ghosts-and-Absorbing-Qi/12919097/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-588-Visiting-the-Iron-Gate-Yan-Family/12919099/
Chapter 587: Redemption Money
Chapter 587: Redemption Money
"Has the Hu family gone mad?"
With the storm of blood and violence that had erupted, Hu Ma could sense the commotion within the Gate of Spirits.
If it were some rural spirit or monster, killing them would be one thing, and perhaps they would bear some unseen burden in the afterlife. But why would the living care about such things? To be recorded in the Ghost Register was no small matter, even if they only occupied a mere four or five characters in its pages.
Being mentioned in the Ghost Register proved that they were exceptional within the province for at least twenty years, enough to catch the attention of the authorities. Even Little Red Lantern, if she hadn't become a deity yet, would have her name inscribed upon it.
How could the killing of such spirits go unnoticed by those within the Gate of Spirits? Clearly, in Mingzhou, no one dared to stop the Ghost Walkers of the Pacifying Evil Office from their execution spree. But as the number of severed heads increased and the news spread, it stirred discontent and whispers outside:
"How bold of the young master of the Hu family. What is he up to?"
"Establishing authority?"
"Everyone knows that the Pacifying Evil Office is short-staffed, to the point of recruiting spirits and monsters without regard for their origins. They're even willing to kill their own relatives to set an example."
"I can understand you restarting the ghost-pointing, but instead of offering high positions and generous salaries, you're unleashing your murderous nature. Aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of many?"
"..."
"..."
"So what if you incur the wrath of many?"
Zhang A Gu had warned him about such talk, but Hu Ma merely scoffed, "Are they allowed to be from influential families, while we, the Hu family of the Pacifying Evil Office, are not permitted to break the rules?"
He didn't take these words to heart. On the contrary, he believed that by provoking a reaction from these people, he had achieved his goal. The few he had killed earlier were insignificant. He had intentionally chosen those who were nearby and less capable, making it easier to create a spectacle. Later, he received a list from Sweet Potato Burn, targeting those who seemed less intelligent, making the killings less troublesome.
Now that the commotion had reached this level, it was time for Hu Ma to truly exert his strength.
It wasn't just the Qingyuan Hu family who were taking advantage of the Pacifying Evil Office's closure for twenty years to recruit their spirits and ghosts. Wasn't that also a form of taking advantage of their misfortune?
Now, it was time to see who would be the first to step forward.
As Hu Ma explained the situation, someone indeed emerged. Zhang A Gu had been performing her rituals as usual, recording those who were unruly and disrespectful, although some were too far and numerous to finish.
But on this day, as she began the ritual, something unusual happened. A cold wind blew out the three incense sticks, and the two banners hanging on either side of the altar suddenly caught fire with a whoosh.
The banners burned to ashes, and the altar fell silent. Zhang A Gu's face turned deathly pale, and her anger soon brought a flush to her cheeks.
These banners were new, and she hadn't mentioned them to Hu Ma. She had hung them out of courtesy due to the recent high number of deaths, adding a touch of formality to the altar.
But now, they had been burned?
It was as if the altar was being completely disrespected, not only refusing to come but also drawing a clear line between themselves and the altar.
"Oh no..."
Her first instinct was to inform Hu Ma, but she hesitated, knowing his temperament. If he heard about this, wouldn't he go on another killing spree? Just then, a mysterious black fog enveloped the altar, and within it, the sound of flutes and drums could be heard approaching. Zhang A Gu stood up and peered intently.
She realized that the spirit she had summoned hadn't arrived, but something else was using the altar's oil lamp to guide its way.
"Hmm?"
As she watched, the procession of ritual canopies approached through the night, reaching the altar. The leader was a small ghost wearing a burial robe, its face painted deathly pale with bright red lips. Its body was slender and wobbly, but it carried itself with great pride, playing with a paper fan.
It swaggered up to the altar without kneeling, appearing taller than Zhang A Gu seated above. With a snap of the fan, the music stopped, and the ghost bowed to Zhang A Gu, saying:
"Greetings, respected grandmother of the altar. We are from the Iron Gate Yan Family of Guazhou, and we have come on behalf of Mr. Chun Sheng of the White Sand Lake Three-Eye Pavilion in Guazhou City. Mr. Chun Sheng was indeed once named by the Pacifying Evil Office, but he has since reformed and now dedicates himself to the welfare of the people."
"My master also admires his kindness and compassion, his broad-mindedness, and their friendship. Although the Pacifying Evil Office has emerged, Mr. Chun Sheng truly regrets his past sins and does not wish to commit more killings. Therefore, my master has sent me with redemption money as a gesture of goodwill."
"There's something else I'd like to say in person to the master of the Pacifying Evil Office and for Lord Hu to hear. Please, Elder, could you introduce me to them?"
"..."
"Redemption money?"
Zhang A Gu couldn't help but frown at the unusually large ghost messenger before her. She had set up the ritual canopy and summoned ghosts, but they hadn't appeared. Instead, the redemption money had arrived, which was quite unexpected.
The key point was that this ghost messenger had sent over the ritual canopy, but what's more, he even wanted to meet the master of the Pacifying Evil Office?
Of course, that was out of the question, even she herself hadn't... officially met them.
She had previously helped people in the countryside to exorcise evil and pacify disturbances, and although she had encountered dangerous situations, she had never come across something so complex. She felt a sense of doubt in her heart and turned to the Seventh Auntie beside her, saying, "Lord Hu is currently... busy, but we have a Pacifying Evil mediator from our family here."
"Mediation?"
The Seventh Auntie was smoking a pipe, lost in her thoughts, and only snapped out of it when Zhang A Gu looked at her. "Huh? Me?"
Even the tall and thin ghost messenger turned around and took a good look at the Seventh Auntie, recognizing her background. He frowned and slowly walked forward.
He had intended to pay his respects, but seeing the Seventh Auntie's dazed expression, he couldn't bring himself to show the proper respect. Instead, he only gave a half-bow and said, "Please listen to this ghost messenger's words, Immortal."
"My master once said that Heaven has benevolent virtue, and the Pacifying Evil Office is merely responsible for maintaining the balance of Yin and Yang to prevent people in this world from breaking the rules. However, it is only meant to deter those unruly rural spirits and prevent them from developing harmful intentions."
"Now that Mr. Chun Sheng has reformed, my master is willing to invite him into the Yan Family Ancestral Hall to serve as the Guardian Deity, receiving the incense offerings of the Yan Family and protecting their fortune. Please, Lord Pacifying Evil, show mercy and spare him. Accept this redemption money and register his name."
"From now on, don't invite him to the ghost-summoning altar again!"
"..."
The ghost messenger chattered on, his tongue as smooth as ever, but the Seventh Auntie didn't understand a word.
She looked perplexed and asked, "Why?"
This question seemed to stump the ghost messenger, and he didn't bother to explain further. Instead, he frowned and said, "I've said so much, and you still don't understand, Immortal?"
"I understand, I understand."
The Seventh Auntie glanced at the two ghostly figures behind him carrying a box and said stubbornly, "I understood just now. You're here to deliver the redemption money, right?"
The ghost messenger hesitated and slowly nodded. "Yes."
The Seventh Auntie's expression became even more perplexed, and she asked, "Why?"
This question seemed to choke the ghost messenger, and after a moment, he replied, "I just said..."
"What's the use of that..."
The Seventh Auntie shut him down with one sentence, saying, "Who asked you to bring redemption money? If you want to buy tofu from me, you should ask if I'm selling it first. Who just leaves money and walks away?"
"What does the Hu family owe you?"
"..."
"You..."
The ghost messenger was indeed stumped by the Seventh Auntie's words. He wanted to explain further, but suddenly realized the complexity of the situation. The ghost messenger from the countryside beside the altar remained silent, and there was no intention of introducing him to the master of the Pacifying Evil Office. So, he simply smiled and said, "Immortal, just deliver my message, and I believe Lord Hu will understand. I'll leave the redemption money here, and please pass on my master's name. Farewell!"
As he spoke, he even cupped his hands in a farewell gesture, unwilling to say more. He turned and left, creating a gust of Yin Wind as he disappeared.
"Could it be that what I, the Seventh Auntie, said was unreasonable?"
The Seventh Auntie became anxious and stood up, cursing in the direction he had disappeared, "Who is this person who doesn't understand manners?"
Zhang A Gu felt something was amiss. This ghost messenger had claimed to be a small ghost servant, but in all her years of summoning ghosts, she had never encountered one like this. She quickly got up from the altar and picked up the name tag on the box.
"Gua Prefecture's Iron Gate Yan Family..."
She pondered for a moment and vaguely recalled something. Although she was a ghost messenger from the countryside, she had traveled far and wide over the years and had gained some knowledge. Her face changed several times as she realized, "Is this the Yan Family, one of the three major families in the eastern district?"
"Oh no..."
"..."
Before the Seventh Auntie could understand the situation, a voice suddenly came from the darkness, "The three major families in the eastern district?"
"So it's not the Ten Surnames..."
"..."
As the voice spoke, Hu Ma emerged from the darkness, holding a green-faced, fanged head in his hand. He threw it into the basket in front of the altar and took the name tag from Zhang A Gu's hand, glancing at it before tossing it back onto the box.
He said indifferently, "Send the box and the name tag back to them!"
"Also..."
He thought for a moment and took out a bronze coin from his pocket, saying, "Send this bronze coin along with it, so they don't think we're ignorant of manners!"
(End of Chapter)
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