Twilight's Threshold Chapter 593: The Foundation of the Ten Surnames - Novel Cool

Chapter 593: The Foundation of the Ten Surnames

Chapter 593: The Foundation of the Ten Surnames

"A Hero Invitation?"

The name itself left Hu Ma momentarily bewildered, "What kind of ghost is this?"

"Hehe, the Iron Gate Yan Family isn't one to easily get along with."

Upon hearing this, Lao Suandan couldn't help but chuckle, "Do you think it's a small matter for the Wogui Great Swordswoman to send over the money to buy lives?"

"Now, it seems that the Yan Family has no intention of giving you face. They've widely invited fellow cultivators from the Wulin to go to Gua Prefecture City to have a good talk with your Propaganda Hu Clan."

"Since they've invited heroes from all over the world, this invitation is indeed a Hero Invitation. Of course, I won't speak of the caliber of those invited, but as long as they're willing to support the Iron Gate Yan Family, even I, an old man, can go and get a free meal."

"..."

Hu Ma was a bit surprised, "So many people aren't giving the Hu Clan face?"

"No one dares not to give the Hu Clan face."

Lao Suandan said, "But not everyone knows the reputation of the Propaganda Hu Clan."

"The Ten Surnames have always been reluctant to expose themselves, hiding very deeply. It's because the Ten Surnames hide too well that not only the common people and the wilderness heroes, but even many within the Sects are unaware of their existence."

"Furthermore, even those who know of the Hu Clan's reputation are mostly aware of their current predicament. If they were to actively provoke others, there would be few. But if you go and provoke others..."

"..."

"They might not be willing to give you face either."

"The Iron Gate Yan Family, on the other hand, has a strong foundation, a great reputation, high-level Sect experts, wild spirits, noble families, and many who seek their favor."

"..."

"Even if others don't know, the Iron Gate Yan Family certainly does. They've even sent over redemption money."

Hearing this, Hu Ma smiled and said, "Not only do they dare to protect themselves, but they also have the audacity to do such a thing!"

"It's not just a matter of courage..."

Lao Suandan narrowed his eyes and spoke solemnly, "The Yan Family has held official positions for seven generations, and they are a prestigious clan. When the Emperor was still in power, they were an unshakable noble family. Every new official who came to serve had to pay their respects to the Yan Family first. In the Wulin, who would dare to look them in the eye?"

"Now that the Emperor is gone, the Yan Family has become even more formidable. Recently, a Wilderness Hero emerged in Gua Prefecture, known as the Iron Horse King. He commands an army of forty to fifty thousand soldiers, all secretly supported by the Three Great Families of Gua Prefecture."

"The Governor of Gua Prefecture is also supported by the Yan Family's Incense Offerings."

"Furthermore, even the officials and courthouse staff in the government office are all fed by the Yan Family."

"Don't you think Gua Prefecture is just a small court? It's practically a miniature empire!"

"To be honest, the Iron Horse King has yet to ascend the throne and proclaim himself Emperor. If he were to take that step, a single Imperial Edict could make the spirits and ghosts of Gua Prefecture disregard the Propaganda Hu Clan's orders, rendering the Pacifying Evil Office insignificant!"

"..."

Hu Ma furrowed his brows, initially puzzled, but soon understanding.

The Pacifying Evil Office, standing alone and influential, was not subject to the Emperor's control. However, if a new Emperor were to emerge and issue an Imperial Edict, it could break mountains and temples, and the people's loyalty would shift, causing the Pacifying Evil Office to lose its foundation.

Lao Suandan seemed to be talking about Gua Prefecture, but he might also be using this opportunity to remind himself of this fact.

"And that's just the official side."

Seeing that Hu Ma seemed to be listening, Lao Suandan became even more smug. He picked up the tea cup that Wu Ya had served to Hu Ma and took a sip, "Moreover, in the Wulin, the Iron Gate Yan Family is not to be trifled with."

"Not only are the local Sect experts in Gua Prefecture City closely connected to the Yan Family, owing them favors, but the head shopkeeper of Lifespan Pavilion is also the Yan Family's son-in-law..."

"Don't underestimate this Lifespan Pavilion. It's on par with Grass Heart Hall in the north, and they are the two major Sects within the Life Fate Sect."

"Many doctors in the world have connections with them. In the past, Lifespan Pavilion and Grass Heart Hall competed for the position of the Fragrant Hall Master in the Life Fate Sect, and Grass Heart Hall was defeated by Lifespan Pavilion."

"It's also because Grass Heart Hall couldn't become the Fragrant Hall Master that they refused to serve under others, resulting in their current situation of not assuming the role of Sect officials. From this, you can also see the capabilities of Lifespan Pavilion, right?"

"..."

Hu Ma didn't quite catch the full meaning and slightly furrowed his brows.

Lao Suandan quickly added, "Don't underestimate any Sect. The people of the Life Fate Sect might have fewer methods to harm others... but don't truly believe that they have fewer methods... The important thing is, who among them doesn't have extensive connections and friends in various Sects?"

"It's precisely because of this Yan Family's good son-in-law, the head shopkeeper of Lifespan Pavilion, that so many Wulin experts were invited!"

"Gua Prefecture is currently at its most bustling. Are you going to go there alone and kill people?"

"..."

"Sigh..."

As he spoke, he shook his head, "Whether it's the Sects or the Wulin, the truth is the same. It's better to have many hands carrying the flower sedan chair. We don't know what your Hu... Hu Clan's Noble is thinking."

"The Pacifying Evil Office has emerged, and it's the perfect time to establish good relations with various noble families. How did it suddenly become so tense?"

"Look at the other nine surnames. How many of them are active in the Wulin? Yet, why are their spies everywhere?"

"To put it bluntly, a vassal's vassal is not your vassal. The Ten Surnames are too distant from the Wulin. They rely on the Magistrates for minor matters and the support of these noble families for their foundation."

"..."

Looking at his seemingly meaningful expression, Hu Ma paused slightly before laughing, "We don't know what the Noble is thinking, nor do we inquire. We only know that by following this Noble, there's meat to eat!"

"Now that you've become an executioner, just focus on killing. Ignore everything else."

"..."

Lao Suandan had initially intended to persuade him to reconsider, but upon hearing these words, he realized his efforts were in vain. He sighed and said, "You're only concerned about this immediate matter?"

"Having meat to eat is good, but one must also consider if there's a knife hidden in that meat..."

"The Propaganda Hu Clan, no one dares to provoke them. But the news about their Four Great Officials has already spread, and it sounds like a joke."

"I'm just reminding you that when you reach Gua Prefecture, not everyone will give you, a Wandering Ghost Great Swordswoman, face. In fact, let's say something unclear happens, and you, as the Wandering Ghost Great Swordswoman, die in Gua Prefecture. It's not impossible..."

"..."

Hu Ma contemplated for a moment, nodded, and then seemed to have an idea. He turned to Lao Suandan and said, "Actually, I came back for another matter, and I wanted to seek your advice, brother. I didn't expect our conversation to lead here."

"But since we're on the topic, you've traveled far and wide in the Wulin, and you understand the rules. For this trip to Gua Prefecture, why don't you accompany me? It would be a great help."

"Huh?"

Lao Suandan was taken aback, "I was just persuading you to stay out of this mess, and now you want me to join you?"

"No way!"

"..."

Hu Ma didn't say anything else but smiled and said, "I told you, following us, you'll have meat to eat!"

"If you're willing to go, I'll give you this much!"

"..."

He gestured the number two.

Lao Suandan snorted, "Twenty Blood Nourishing Pills? That's nothing."

Hu Ma smiled without replying, and Lao Suandan's expression changed slightly, "Is it twenty pounds of blood food?"

"Two hundred pounds!"

He almost said two thousand pounds, but seeing that Lao Suandan wasn't that generous, Hu Ma reduced it by a zero and smiled at him.

"My goodness..."

Lao Suandan's face was a mix of emotions, his lips twitched as if he wanted to argue, but he couldn't find the right words. In the end, he hardened his expression and said, "Let me make this clear, I won't kill anyone with my own hands."

"At the very least, it should be the Small Swordswoman of the Pacifying Evil Office who has the right to kill. What qualifications do you have?"

Hu Ma glanced at him and smiled, "I just wanted to ask for your advice because you seem to understand things."

Lao Suandan asked, "You want to know how to kill him?"

"No."

Hu Ma shook his head, "That man is destined to die from the moment he refused to accept the challenge. I only want to know how to make his death appropriate."

"..."

This unexpected question caused Lao Suandan to fall silent for a moment. He looked at Hu Ma intently and put down his teacup.

"You're indeed starting to understand."

"To be honest, while I was trying to persuade you, I knew it was futile. You've already paid for the life-saving money, even if it's just a copper coin. That's like establishing a rule, and once a rule is set, you must follow the Wulin rules."

"..."

Hu Ma furrowed his brows, "Wulin rules?"

He had only heard of similar practices in the Wulin when he gave that copper coin to vent his anger, but he didn't fully understand.

"Yes."

Lao Suandan explained, "Before that, you need to understand a principle."

"Whether it's the Chief Executioner or the Deputy Hall Master, although their titles include the word 'official,' they aren't real officials. Speaking of which, the Four Great Officials under the Ten Great Clans are all Wulin people. It's just that the Propaganda Hu Clan has the Pacifying Evil Office, which makes them seem a bit different."

"But ultimately, they still need to follow Wulin rules. Otherwise, even if you kill someone, it won't convince the masses."

"At the level of the Propaganda Hu Clan, if you can't convince the masses, exert influence in all directions, and establish rules, then killing is pointless."

"..."

"That makes sense!"

Hearing Lao Suandan's words, Hu Ma's spirit was lifted, feeling that these words resonated with him. It was only after hearing this that he confirmed Lao Suandan was genuinely considering his situation! He stood up solemnly, bowed half a greeting to Lao Suandan, and smiled, "Then I'll have to ask you to teach me well, brother."

"As the Wandering Ghost Great Swordswoman, this is my first time receiving an order from the clan to kill someone outside our territory. How can I make it a clean kill?"

"..."

"Of course, of course..."

Lao Suandan was delighted, his eyes narrowing with joy, "I was already planning to help you, after all, we're brothers. And you insist on giving me two hundred pounds of blood food..."

"Anyway, regardless of the circumstances, this blood food is guaranteed, right?"

"..."

Hu Ma smiled, "Of course, you can rest assured."

His heart was at ease: a promise is a promise. If the blood food you promised isn't honored, how can you expect me to honor my debt to you?

(End of Chapter)

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