Twilight's Threshold Chapter 594: The Greatest Freedom in the World - Novel Cool

Chapter 594: The Greatest Freedom in the World

Chapter 594: The Greatest Freedom in the World

After discussing the plan the night before, they set off early the next morning.

After all, Lao Suandan's words made sense; since the money for buying a life had been paid, they needed to hurry and retrieve that life.

If they delayed too long, the reputation of the Wandering Ghost's family would be tarnished.

Of course, it wouldn't be good to be too quick either. They needed time for the other party to feel fear and for people to spread the news. Seven days was the ideal timeframe; it was enough time for the news to spread and for the other party to come up with a plan, and then they could take them out, ensuring both face and results.

However, Lao Suandan's second suggestion surprised Hu Ma: "We still need to go secretly?"

"Of course."

Lao Suandan said, "Do you know how many informants they've arranged, waiting for you along the way?"

"If I'm recognized, it won't just be troublesome, but it'll also be embarrassing. We need to arrive quietly, and then at the right time, we'll take care of business. That's when it gets interesting."

"Don't be so unyielding. Think about the Chief Executioner of the Gate Guardian, Tie Jun. He also came quietly, without alerting the Qianjiao Sect to his movements. It wasn't until he reached the outskirts of the town that he revealed his carriage and horses."

"There's a reason for this. Although Tie Jun is a Gate Guardian, he can't lead an army and travel through states and counties with pomp and ceremony; that would be overstepping his authority."

"..."

"Alright!"

Hu Ma realized that this was for the sake of the Wandering Ghost's family's reputation, so he could only listen to Lao Suandan. He pondered, "Hiding our tracks doesn't seem too difficult. I haven't openly revealed my face to the public, and I also know a bit about the disguise techniques of the Play Gate."

"It's not that complicated. They have ways to find you even if you haven't revealed yourself."

Lao Suandan waved his hand and called Wu Ya over: "Good disciple, show off the skill I asked you to prepare."

"Is it the skill of eating without paying and not worrying about getting beaten up?"

Wu Ya giggled and took out a fragrant pouch she had prepared in advance. She gave it to Hu Ma, saying, "Inside this pouch is a type of bug that the village calls the Ugly Bug."

"The villagers use it to create venom that can block a person's energy. When a person's energy is blocked, they become less noticeable. In the village, some people are jealous of others' good looks, so they use this venom on them."

"After being affected by this venom, even the most beautiful person will appear ordinary."

"However, some believe that if a witch's daughter is too beautiful, it will bring disaster, so they intentionally use this venom on their own daughters. But they can't bear to truly harm their children, so they place the venom in a fragrant pouch."

"Once worn, the person's appearance becomes ordinary, and when removed, they become beautiful again. Shopkeeper Brother, since you're good-looking, wearing this fragrant pouch will prevent you from being recognized."

"..."

Lao Suandan quickly added, "It's not because you're good-looking, but because you, as a Gate Guardian, have a strong foundation. There are many skills in the Gate Guardian Sect, and they can pick you out from a crowd at a glance. This venom can conceal your energy, and it will be effective once you wear it."

Hu Ma glanced at him and said, "You don't need to add that."

He took the fragrant pouch and wore it without feeling anything unusual. He looked at Wu Ya, having already asked Lao Suandan about this the night before.

He knew that after this girl woke up, the venom prepared by the Monkey Wine had taken effect, causing her to lose about half a year's worth of memories from before she fell unconscious.

Upon hearing that everyone in the village, including her father, had died, she was heartbroken. However, after the initial period of grief, knowing that her favorite brother was still alive gave her a glimmer of hope.

Although it was cruel to say it was a blessing in disguise, she was indeed taken back to the village by Lao Suandan.

She collected all the venom that the villagers had cultivated, and now her skills were even more formidable than before.

After making the necessary preparations, the group set off towards Gua Prefecture.

As Lao Suandan had said, they encountered numerous Jianghu people armed with knives and guns along the way. Some were heading towards Gua Prefecture, while others gathered in groups of three or five, stationed at tea houses, villages, or market towns.

With vigilant eyes, they scrutinized passersby, and whenever they spotted something suspicious, they would boldly approach and interrogate them.

In Hu Ma's eyes, these people, even those from the Gate Guardian Sect, didn't seem very skilled. In fact, most of them were just wanderers with a few basic martial arts tricks. The thought of such people trying to find the Chief Swordswoman of the Wandering Ghost Sect seemed absurd.

However, Lao Suandan advised, "These people haven't even received the invitation from the Iron Gate Yan Family. They don't have the qualifications to receive the invitation."

"They know that the Iron Gate Yan Family is issuing a Hero Invitation, so they're taking the initiative to offer their services as informants. Even if they can't truly help the Yan Family, they hope to become familiar faces and have an easier time in the Jianghu in the future."

"..."

Hu Ma said, "They don't realize that the Yan Family is taking this matter so seriously because it's not something they can afford to provoke."

"This is the Jianghu..."

Lao Suandan gave Hu Ma a peculiar look and said, "It's not just about being foolish or reckless. Those who can't make a living in the secular world often turn to the Jianghu."

"You'll understand once you've spent more time in the Jianghu. Among these Jianghu people, those who follow the rules are already commendable. Occasionally, you'll meet someone clever and sensible. Unless there's a deep-rooted blood feud, you'll want to immediately form a sworn brotherhood with them."

"But even though people are stupid and reckless, they can be troublesome at times. Like now, if you were to come here with such a grand display, and these people were to take notice, then whether you kill or not becomes a problem."

"..."

Hu Ma nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

The Wandering Ghost Great Swordswoman's reputation for killing was built on her formidable aura. If she encountered blood on the road, it would only dampen her presence.

But upon seeing the Iron Gate Yan Family, they had truly made a spectacle. This play stage was set up with twice the effort for half the result.

It was likely that others only knew that countless Wulin practitioners were heading towards Gua Prefecture City, but who could guess that among them were Reincarnates, rushing to Gua Prefecture for the gathering of Reincarnates, or perhaps the first grand celebration of malevolent spirits in twenty years?

Thinking of Reincarnates, Hu Ma began to ponder another matter, taking advantage of the quiet journey to ask Lao Suandan: "I wanted to consult you on something."

"With your extensive travels, have you ever heard of the concept of 'Purple Heavenly Age'?"

"..."

"Purple Heavenly Age?"

Lao Suandan's expression darkened upon hearing this, and he felt a chill in the bright daylight: "Why ask about such a harmful thing? Has it appeared again?"

"..."

Hu Ma frowned slightly: "Harmful?"

Lao Suandan let out a 'hey' of laughter: "If not for this thing, the Yi Dynasty would have lasted more than two hundred years!"

He lowered his voice and said: "You're the Wandering Ghost Great Swordswoman, have you not heard that this thing is the key to ascending to immortality?"

Hu Ma's heart paused for a moment, and she nodded: "I've heard of it, but I don't believe it."

"Good that you don't believe it."

Lao Suandan gave a cold laugh: "They're all hungry for power, wanting to be the greatest free spirit in the world."

Hu Ma became even more confused by this strange term.

Lao Suandan was pleased with his reaction. His aged face revealed a hint of mockery as he lowered his voice: "Do you think being an emperor is truly free?"

Hu Ma thought for a moment and smiled: "Is there even a need to ask?"

Lao Suandan continued: "Then let me ask you another question. Even emperors have their worries. Can you understand that?"

Discussing whether emperors have worries seemed a bit far-fetched, but Hu Ma somewhat understood Lao Suandan's intention and nodded:

"An emperor need not worry about whether to use a golden or silver spade to cultivate the land, but they have other concerns. With an unstable empire and unrest in neighboring countries, they constantly contemplate which minister to execute and which consort to sleep with... Perhaps their worries are no less than those of commoners."

"Hmm? You have quite the insight, no wonder you're by the side of the Ten Great Clans' young master..."

Lao Suandan glanced at Hu Ma in surprise: "But of course, an emperor's worries are definitely less than a commoner's, at least less than mine."

"Even an emperor is only the second most free spirit in the world, precisely because they have worries."

"So, in the eyes of those in the Sect, the greatest free spirit in the world is..."

"It's said that those in the Sect, constantly honing their skills, climbing the ladder, entering the Mansion, and crossing the Bridge, still yearn to return home and perfect their skills. And when they reach the pinnacle, they can become Celestial Children..."

"At that moment, all the worries in the world will disappear. They will be ageless, immortal, and free of illness, calamity, and hindrance. They will truly be the greatest free spirit, transcending all in the world."

"..."

He unconsciously turned his mouth down: "Not everyone believes this, but those who do and those who don't argue endlessly, even to the point of quarreling. You call them foolish, and they call you stubborn..."

"After all, if the Celestial Child isn't real, why would the most free and intelligent emperor in the world tirelessly pursue becoming one?"

Hu Ma's expression grew strange as she listened: "So, the Purple Heavenly Age is the key to becoming a Celestial Child?"

"But I've heard that eating this can kill people?"

"..."

"Precisely because eating this can lead to immortality, it's not something anyone can casually attempt..."

Lao Suandan stared deeply at Hu Ma and whispered: "I don't believe in this, but those who do have a different perspective. They know that eating it can be dangerous, but they have another explanation. They say that immortal medicine isn't for everyone."

"Eating this depends on one's destiny!"

"Those with heavy destinies will become Celestial Children, while those with light destinies will only invite calamity!"

"..."

"Heavy and light destinies?"

Hu Ma was skeptical of this vague concept, but she thought of Erguotou's consumption of the Purple Heavenly Age and the reinforcement of his Life Spirit Temple. A strange idea emerged in her mind:

"Could it be that Reincarnates have particularly heavy destinies in this world?"

PS: For a new novel with a unique blend of post-apocalyptic and cultivation themes, check out 'Returning to the End, Seeking Immortality' by Xiong Gui Gui. This renowned author has ventured into a new genre, and it's worth a read for those interested.

(End of Chapter)

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