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Chapter 592: Gua Zhou Hero Invitation
Chapter 592: Gua Zhou Hero Invitation
What could Hu Ma say? Of course, he agreed wholeheartedly.
Upon hearing that Er Gu Tou had come into contact with such a thing, he felt truly uneasy. However, seeing that the Red Wine Miss had given Er Gu Tou sufficient warning and planned to cooperate with him in researching that thing, he felt slightly more at ease.
At least, for now, he didn't have to worry about Er Gu Tou suddenly turning into that bizarre and terrifying thing one day...
But the doubts in his heart were not something he could easily set aside.
As the heir of the Propaganda Hu Clan, he had never heard of such a thing, yet everyone thought it belonged to his family. However, he was one of the most fearful people of that thing in the world...
How strange.
But now, the reincarnated person had just plucked up the courage to learn about some things they hadn't had the chance to encounter before, and there would likely be many more similar issues. Hu Ma adjusted his mood and decided to stick to the original plan and set up the stage for the performance first.
Calculating the time, it was about right. Since the execution money had already been delivered, he planned to set off first.
Before departing, he first went to see Zhang A Gu and asked her to temporarily close the Sacred Altar and stop calling out names for the time being. He also gave Seventh Auntie a break, asking her to wait around the estate and that if there was any news, a Mansion Order would arrive.
Zhang A Gu had been under immense pressure during this period, and upon seeing that she could finally close the altar, she heaved a sigh of relief. Taking the opportunity, she spoke to Hu Ma, "Boss, do you want to tell that noble person that I'm afraid my skills aren't enough, and I might not be able to handle the tasks he assigned? If there's a suitable replacement, you can find someone else to take my place..."
"If there are any difficult or tiring tasks, I won't complain."
"..."
Hearing this, Hu Ma smiled and reassured her, "There aren't many people he trusts. A Gu, just take on the responsibility. There aren't many such difficult tasks left. You can take a break for now and just wait for news."
Zhang A Gu was a bit puzzled, as many powerful names on the list hadn't been called yet, and it was already over?
Hu Ma didn't offer further explanations. Among the Four Great Officials of Wogui, Zhang A Gu was the only pure Ghost Walker.
There were other Ghost Walkers in Mingzhou Prefecture, including one who had crossed the bridge, but instead of helping with tasks, they were busy trying to fleece the main family.
Upon returning to the estate, Hu Ma packed his luggage and brought Zhou Datong with him. At this time, Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu had stayed with the Grain Protection Army, and they came back to express their desire to make a name for themselves in the army.
Hu Ma only advised them to be careful and emphasized that they must return to Dayang Village during the New Year to report to their parents. He was responsible for teaching them these skills, but he wouldn't make such important decisions for them.
General Yang Gong, the Grain Protection General, also secretly visited the estate one night, seemingly having a lot to say. However, Hu Ma had already conveyed everything he needed to say on the night Yang Gong led the Grain Protection Army out of the mountains.
This time, Hu Ma only invited him for a drink and told him, "You've done very well. What more is there to worry about? Don't always think about what I might say about what you do."
"Just look at the common folk. What they want to say is what I want to say to you."
"..."
"..."
As for Bu Shi Niu's people, they had their own arrangements. The White Armored Army had already returned, and they didn't even know that Hu Ma was here. Some of Bu Shi Niu's people stayed, while others dispersed. The Iron-Tongued Military Advisor remained by Yang Gong's side, and the rest returned to their own places.
Only Immortal Fairy Miaoshan bought a large mansion in Mingzhou City, seemingly planning to stay long-term. She even sent Little Douguan to invite Hu Ma over.
But Hu Ma was busy with killings; how could he have the time?
Having decided to go to Gua Zhou, Hu Ma also planned to take a detour and visit the Xue Shi Mine first to see Lao Suandan.
Considering Zhou Datong's slow pace, Hu Ma originally planned to use his magic to rush there at night and then let Zhou Datong follow slowly. However, to his surprise, Zhou Datong exclaimed, "Brother Hu Ma, I can run quite fast now!"
Hu Ma found it amusing and decided to test him. To his shock, he summoned the Measure Heaven Boots, and with their help, he ran like a spirit-assisted ghost, even faster than the spirits carrying the palanquin summoned by Sweet Potato Burn.
Unexpectedly, Zhou Datong, who had only mastered the skill of climbing stairs, could barely keep up with Hu Ma's progress. As long as Hu Ma didn't go all out, they could run side by side.
Upon asking, Hu Ma learned that in the Grain Protection Army, the Iron-Tongued Military Advisor had drawn two talismans on Zhou Datong's legs. When he ran, these talismans would ignite, and since Zhou Datong was already skilled in leg techniques, he was now even more formidable.
Hu Ma was impressed. With this skill, what walls couldn't he climb?
After rushing for two days, they arrived at the Xue Shi Mine. Looking at the mine hidden deep in the mountains, Hu Ma put away the Measure Heaven Boots and was about to speak when he suddenly paused.
In the valley, he saw a graceful and slender witch girl with silver ornaments in her hair, feeding chickens with a winnowing basket. The valley was also adorned with circles of fresh and elegant flowers and plants.
Hu Ma was momentarily startled, thinking he might have taken a wrong turn, when the witchgirl appeared. Upon seeing him, she carefully examined him, and a smile spread across her face. She hurriedly called out, "Master!" and then brought over a winnowing basket.
"Are you the shopkeeper brother? Thank you for saving my life..."
"..."
"Wu Ya?"
Hu Ma recognized her and was surprised.
This young girl had been poisoned by the Black Heavenly Age and was in a coma. He had planned to use the Hu family's curse-breaking technique and the Dharma image of the Great Might Heavenly General Seal to gradually heal her.
Before leaving, he had only treated her once, and although the curse-breaking scripture from the Town Age was placed by her bedside, without his own spellcasting, the effect shouldn't have been so immediate. How could she have awakened so quickly?
And now, she looked radiant, with fair skin and bright eyes, a far cry from her previous desolate appearance.
"Aiya..."
Just as he was about to ask, he heard the voice of Lao Suandan in a hurry. He hurriedly pulled up his pants and rushed into the yard, his eyes squinting to prevent Hu Ma from speaking. Instead, he said, "Wu Ya, my good disciple, come and meet your lifesaver."
"Your village was harmed by evil spirits, and the Gu worms backlashed. It was this shopkeeper brother who saved you..."
"..."
Hearing his explanation, Hu Ma understood that Wu Ya had indeed lost her memory as Monkey Wine had planned.
He sighed inwardly, thinking that Lao Suandan's mention of their village being harmed by evil spirits was not a problem, so he nodded and said, "It was indeed me who saved you, but I didn't expect you to wake up so soon."
He then turned to Lao Suandan and asked, "When did you take her as your disciple?"
"I was just idle anyway..."
Lao Suandan scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Not long after you left, she woke up..."
"Mhm, don't worry, she's cured..."
"I've been here in the valley, and there's no one to talk to. Seeing that she's a smart kid, I took her to pay respects to Zushi, and accepted her as my disciple. Alas... this girl has had a tough life. I only hope that Zushi will protect her more."
"..."
"It's a joyous occasion."
As Hu Ma walked into the valley, he smiled and said, "If I had known earlier, I should have prepared a banquet for your apprenticeship."
Lao Suandan immediately opened his mouth and said, "You can make it up later."
He led Hu Ma towards the hall, but Hu Ma didn't pay attention and went to the stable first. Seeing the horse, he was shocked, "Why is Ma Ye so thin?"
The horse lazily lay in the stable, glanced at him, and then turned its head away.
Lao Suandan broke into a cold sweat and said, "I don't know. I've been in the valley all this time and haven't gone anywhere..."
"Who asked you?"
Hu Ma turned his head in surprise and examined Ma Ye. He didn't seem to be ill, so he was slightly relieved.
Wu Ya, standing nearby, said, "I've been feeding him grass at night, but he doesn't seem to like it. I remember someone in the village saying that when horses grow up, they need to be paired with a mare. I went to bring a mare, but it kicked me out..."
"?"
Hu Ma was filled with questions. He bent down to smell the feed trough and then understood.
He said to Wu Ya, "From now on, pour two pounds of wine into his feed before feeding him. Otherwise, he'll have no appetite and won't eat his food."
After confirming that Ma Ye was not dead and the mine was quiet, Hu Ma returned to the hall. He had been traveling for two days and was covered in dust.
Wu Ya stared at him with her big, dark eyes, feeling curious about the shopkeeper brother who had saved her life. She brought him some water to wash his face, but Lao Suandan stopped her at the door and instructed, "You should minimize contact with him, understand? Your master won't let you down."
"Your fate is light, and getting too close to someone with a heavy fate can lead to big trouble..."
"..."
Wu Ya asked curiously, "Master, didn't you say my fate was heavy before?"
Lao Suandan explained, "Your fate is peculiar, sometimes light and sometimes heavy. It depends on who you meet. If not for that, Zushi might not have been willing to accept you..."
After saying this, he took the washbasin and eagerly brought it to Hu Ma. He smiled and said, "Why are you back so soon? With all your affairs, I thought you'd only return next spring!"
As Hu Ma washed his face, he said, "I just came to check on things, and I'll be heading to Guazhou again soon."
Lao Suandan asked, "What's the matter? Are you going to chop off someone's head again?"
Hu Ma turned to look at him and smiled, "I didn't expect your news to be so accurate..."
"Is there a need to explain?"
Lao Suandan, feeling proud, laid down on the nearby Taishi chair and said with a grin, "Little shopkeeper, you've struck it rich now. But how about a bet with me?"
Hu Ma was surprised, "What bet?"
Lao Suandan lowered his voice and said, "I bet that when you go to Guazhou, you won't even be able to enter the Iron Gate of the Yan family."
"Ah?"
Hu Ma was astonished, "You even know about this?"
Lao Suandan was speechless. He rolled his eyes and said, "Do you know that in the past two days, the Hero List from Guazhou has reached Rolling Province? They've invited many high-level experts from various sects, and influential spirits are preparing to block you."
(End of Chapter)
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