Chapter 588: Visiting the Iron Gate Yan Family
Chapter 588: Visiting the Iron Gate Yan Family
"Shopkeeper, don't worry. I've heard of the Yan family."
Upon hearing Hu Ma's words, Zhang A Gu's face grew concerned. She quickly replied, "Gua Prefecture is on the other side of Old Yin Mountain. It sounds far, but if we take the mountain path, we can reach it in just a few days. It's a vast place with vast fields and numerous wealthy families."
"The Iron Gate Yan family, in particular, has held official positions for several generations and holds an extraordinary status. When I was invited to Gua Prefecture to exorcise evil, even the Five Slaying Gods there had to exercise restraint."
"This time, firstly, the Yan family has treated us with courtesy. Secondly, it's no longer within the jurisdiction of Mingzhou. We know nothing about that place. What do you think about this matter...?"
"..."
"A Gu, you shouldn't worry."
Hearing this, Hu Ma turned to Zhang A Gu with a smile. "The Noble in the mountains has already said that we should handle the matters in Mingzhou first because it's more convenient. But in truth, there are fewer unruly individuals in Mingzhou, and the real challenge lies outside."
"We need to be more vigilant. We are from Mingzhou, but the Pacifying Evil Office oversees the entire realm. What's the difference between Mingzhou and Gua Prefecture?"
"What Seventh Auntie said earlier makes sense. If we've already made a name for ourselves in the Pacifying Evil Office, how can we let anyone redeem the evil spirits so easily? Back then, the Five Slaying Demons were brutal and committed all sorts of misdeeds. If some Yan or Song family suddenly wants to protect them, should we not slay them?"
"..."
"No."
Zhang A Gu's expression was conflicted. "I'm not foolish. I understand that we must take action, but I'm worried about you..."
"These past few days, as I've been calling out names on the altar, I've felt the obstacles increasing."
"Our Ghost Walkers' altar provides the most accurate insights. We can sense the quality of feng shui and the weight of resentment. When I was calling out the names of the spirits and demons in Mingzhou, I could only detect a hint of resentment, which we could suppress..."
"But when I called out the names of the spirits and demons from outside..."
"..."
Seeing her struggle, Hu Ma smiled and asked, "What's the matter?"
"The resentment is overflowing, and everyone is dissatisfied. I truly don't know how many people we've offended with our recent actions."
Zhang A Gu sighed, "I'm just on the altar, and it's better. Everyone knows I'm acting on behalf of the Pacifying Evil Office, so no one dares to harm me. But if you go to Gua Prefecture as the executioner, there's no guarantee of your safety!"
"Moreover, not to mention the Iron Gate Yan family, but even those who are dissatisfied with us might hear about this and go there to cause trouble..."
"..."
Seeing Zhang A Gu's worried expression, Hu Ma understood her concern for his well-being. He smiled at her and said, "Don't worry, A Gu. I have everything under control."
As he spoke, he looked at the box and smiled. "If we can let those dissatisfied individuals witness this, it will save us some trouble."
"I originally planned to ask Little Red Tang to help us deliver this item, but now it seems unnecessary. Since the Yan family of Gua Prefecture has such a grand reputation, we should at least give them a show worthy of their status!"
"..."
He lifted the box himself and walked into the night, amidst Zhang A Gu's worried gaze and the excited eyes of the praised Seventh Auntie. In his heart, he silently recited the incantation of the Golden Cudgel of the Pacifying Evil Office, and a faint response emerged.
Soon, two Golden Armor Warriors appeared before him, silent and motionless, as if their very presence had stilled the winds of the night.
Hu Ma handed the box to them and said calmly, "Deliver this to the Yan family in Gua Prefecture. You need not concern yourselves with anything else."
The Golden Armor Warriors accepted the order and, holding the box between them, strode away with thunderous footsteps, shaking the very earth and startling countless ghosts and spirits along the way.
Just then, a ghost servant, sent by the Yan family of Gua Prefecture to deliver the redemption money, was approaching the Old Yin Mountain. Accompanied by paper figures playing music, it had no intention of crossing the mountain but planned to take the Netherworld Path. Suddenly, it heard the deafening footsteps.
The moment the thunderous footsteps began, the music around it faltered and faded, and the lifelike paper figures crumpled as if someone had crumpled them into a ball, making incoherent noises until they fell silent.
This wasn't due to any disrespect or provocation; it was simply because they were blocking the path.
The ghost servant, startled, turned to look at the approaching Golden Armor Warriors and felt a sudden unease, involuntarily kneeling down. It wasn't a conscious decision to kneel; it was compelled by an overwhelming sense of awe.
Trembling, it knelt by the roadside, afraid to lift its head. Just then, it caught sight of the box held by the Golden Armor Warriors, and its spirit nearly fled its body in shock. It wanted to rush to deliver the news, but it couldn't even stand up.
At that very moment, in a luxurious mansion in the city of Gua Prefecture, within a garden adorned with flowers and surrounded by a lake, a man dressed in brocade and exuding elegance was playing chess and drinking wine with a white-robed, fair-skinned man.
Facing the white-robed man across from him, who seemed somewhat distracted, the elegant man smiled and said, "Rest assured, Mr. Chun Sheng. We've been close friends for many years, and I owe you a great debt of gratitude. Now that you're in trouble, how could I possibly stand by and do nothing?"
The white-robed man awkwardly cupped his hands and said, "It's not that I don't trust you, Brother Yan, but that Lord Hu, he even killed his own relatives, and we..."
"That's Lord Hu. Even if he's stubborn and cold-hearted, he can't possibly ignore this matter, can he?"
The elegant man smiled and said, "I heard he grew up in the mountains of Mingzhou. He might lack experience, but he should still know manners. If he personally takes action, it would be a loss of face. But if he sends his four Hall Masters to handle this..."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but sigh, "Mr. Chun Sheng, haven't you heard? The four Hall Masters of the Pacifying Demons Office have become a laughingstock among the Mystic Practitioners."
The white-robed man still seemed hesitant, saying, "Even if they are a laughingstock, but..."
"Rest assured, Mr. Chun Sheng."
Lord Yan of the Iron Gate Yan Family spoke solemnly, "The Pacifying Demons Office is related to Heaven's Mandate. Everyone respects the Hu Family as one of the Ten Surnames, but this world doesn't belong to them alone. The Pacifying Demons Office has its rules, and they must follow them as well."
Just then, a thunderous sound reverberated in the air, startling the two men so much that they knocked over their chessboard. They quickly stood up and heard a commotion from their servants in the distance.
They hurried over and asked what was happening. The servant replied, "We don't know, my lord. We were sleeping, and suddenly there was thunder in the sky. Something fell, and half of the hall was smashed."
"What?"
They rushed to take a look, and their faces turned pale. They saw a box that had fallen through the roof of the hall, landing in the main hall. For a moment, they seemed to forget how to breathe.
"The redemption money has been returned, which means they don't agree..."
Mr. Chun Sheng's face paled, and he began to lose control of his body. Water stains seeped out, and his voice carried a chill, "The letter wasn't even opened, which means they don't want to accept our face-saving gesture. So, this copper money..."
"It's the executioner's payment for taking a life!"
Lord Yan spoke slowly, his face turning slightly ashen. He said in a deep voice, "My Yan family has held official positions for seven generations. When my ancestor went to court, he didn't kneel before the emperor. The two stone lions in front of the gate kept the entire city's evil spirits at bay. And yet he dares to..."
His face grew cold as he spoke, "He's just an executioner under the Pacifying Demons Office. How dare he be so domineering? This is clearly a challenge, intending to kill someone at my Yan family's gate."
"Yes, yes, quickly invite Mr. Liu from the south of the city and Lord Gongshe from outside the city. Also, send someone to invite Lady Li from the Skillful Hands Pavilion."
"Even a minor executioner from the Pacifying Demons Office dares to cause trouble at my Yan family's gate?"
"..."
"..."
At that moment, another person experienced different emotions. The bearded man riding the green mule had entered the city and was looking at the city's scenery and the red lanterns hanging high above the city walls. Everything seemed unfamiliar.
His eyes widened, and he stared blankly to the left and right, his expression as if struck by lightning. "What? My Little Red Lantern has become a Mansion Deity and even entered Mingzhou City?"
"What? How did she become the Guardian Deity of the Grain Protection Army? When did Mingzhou City become the territory of the Grain Protection General?"
"Damn, why are there so many mothers? Has she given birth to over a hundred children?"
"..."
It was hard to imagine the impact this news would have on him. He didn't even have time to visit the temple in Red Gate Town. Instead, he rushed to the inn, eager to borrow the Life Spirit Temple to find someone who could explain what was happening.
Meanwhile, Hu Ma, who had sent the Golden Armor Warriors to return the box to Guazhou, was now at his estate in Qing Shi Town. He held the Punishment Official Saber in his arms and slowly wiped it clean, though the blade was already spotless. He silently pondered what else he might be lacking.
"During this period, I've slain many evil spirits and spirits. The image of the Great Might Heavenly General Seal is gradually becoming complete, but it seems I still lack a certain energy to open the third Mansion Gate..."
"How much more do I need to prepare to make up for this energy?"
As he pondered, he suddenly felt a spiritual connection and quickly put down the saber. He took a few deep breaths and silently practiced his cultivation, entering the Life Spirit Temple. In that moment, he sensed someone had connected with him. A faint voice said,
"I'm back."
The voice of the White Wine Miss still sounded calm, but with a hint of gravity, "It's a matter of great importance. Red Wine Miss also returned with me. Her group from An Prefecture has also arrived nearby."
"With those we invited from other places, this time, the commotion will be significant. Are you prepared?"
(End of Chapter)
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