https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-679-The-Bottom-of-the-City-of-the-Wrongly-Dead/12919849/
Chapter 680: Cave Li Family
Chapter 680: Cave Li Family
"Huff..."
"Fragrant Girl, or should I say, Cave Li Family, still upholds the code of the jianghu..."
Upon seeing the arrival of the tall-hat ghost servants, Hu Ma felt slightly relieved. From the moment he entered the Netherworld, he had already considered this alternative route.
To bypass the Ghost Gate and enter the Netherworld, the Ghost Cave was the most suitable and reassuring option. However, if one were to descend from the mortal realm, they would need to travel a thousand miles to reach the Spirit Prosperity Prefecture, wasting time. But to ascend, it would be as simple as a single word.
When I sent Fragrant Girl back, I already owed a debt of gratitude to the Cave Li Family. I gave them a copper coin.
If it wasn't necessary, since they used it, the Cave Li Family brought me and Sweet Potato Burn up together. It shouldn't be a problem.
However, upon seeing these tall-hat ghost servants, they only carried a single palanquin. Hu Ma furrowed his brows, noticing Sweet Potato Burn beside him, sticking her head out with a look of amazement, seemingly marveling at her extensive connections in the underworld. He said, "Your legs are not convenient, so let you sit instead!"
"My legs have healed long ago, but on this trip, I was bitten by a little ghost again..."
Sweet Potato Burn spoke without ceremony and sat down on the palanquin. Then, turning her head, she said, "As jianghu children, why be so polite? Senior, come and sit on my lap."
"?"
Hu Ma was a bit helpless: 'Is this because my legs have never fully healed, and I keep getting into trouble, resulting in new injuries on top of old ones?'
As they were politely declining, the tall-hat ghost servants looked at each other, and suddenly, starting from the lantern bearer in front, they split from the middle, a group of shadows, now divided into two, the group of ghost servants became two.
Even the palanquin they carried became two, and then, looking at Hu Ma, they politely smiled and invited him to sit in the palanquin.
This time, Hu Ma didn't decline. He summoned Little Red Tang and held her in his arms, and they set off.
"Brothers, stay down there and wait. I'll go up and learn from the Ghost Gate Path how to set up an altar. I'll definitely invite you up for a feast..."
Sweet Potato Burn sat in the palanquin, bidding farewell to the group of odd-looking ghosts with heartfelt emotion.
Hu Ma, standing beside her, suddenly became alert, thinking that he should teach Sweet Potato Burn himself to save her from seeking others...
...But it was strange; those odd-looking ghosts were also sobbing, and it seemed like genuine emotion.
Compared to them, he glanced curiously at Little Red Tang. The little girl was sitting obediently in the palanquin, being held by him, but Hu Ma was quite surprised.
It was only now that he realized that when Little Red Tang was in the mortal realm, she wasn't much different from other little ghost servants. But in the Netherworld, her weight was almost comparable to a living person...
The souls of Yin ghosts were usually light, and even if a little ghost servant followed a master, they could only receive a limited amount of incense offerings. But this weight was a bit too exaggerated, wasn't it?
He became increasingly curious about this little ghost servant left behind by the old lady.
Although Little Red Tang had always been by his side, in truth, his understanding of her was still quite shallow...
...
The ghost servants carrying the palanquin kept their short legs moving, and soon, the two palanquins disappeared into the thick mist. After Hu Ma and the others had walked for a long time, a faint shadow suddenly appeared at the edge of the City of the Wrongly Dead.
Second Pothead now had a mischievous look on his face, his expression indescribably odd. At times he clenched his teeth, and at times he blushed, slapping himself twice:
"Is what this little brother says true?"
"No, if he's the foolish young master of the Hu family, then what was the point of my inquiries in Old Yin Mountain?"
"Good heavens, it turns out I've been moving their family's belongings right under the master's nose?"
"No, if he's truly from the Hu family, should I believe him?"
"Should I tell him about this matter?"
"..."
"..."
Hu Ma didn't know that Second Pothead hadn't gone far; he was just immersed in a state of confusion, anxiety, panic, and severe social awkwardness. Meanwhile, Hu Ma was also slowly pondering in his heart.
Ever since Second Pothead obtained the Yin-Yang Dual Scenery Plate and then acquired the Purple Great Guardian, the hints from Divine Hand Zhao and Dharmaraja Chen, and the shout from the Meng Family Patriarch...
...He couldn't help but laugh.
A question that had been bothering him for a long time was how to handle his identity. Before entering the Netherworld, the management of his three identities had become increasingly unsuitable as his abilities grew and he became involved in higher-level matters.
Especially now that the Meng Family had suffered a significant loss, it was time for the Hu family to reveal themselves. All he could say was...
...Second Pothead, you're too polite.
He wasn't worried about this old brother slipping away; after all, he would surely be unable to resist contacting him.
Moreover, even if he ran away, could he really escape the Governor of Mingzhou? But he didn't think further. In the Netherworld, there was no concept of space. As the misty fog dissipated, Hu Ma soon felt that the palanquin seemed to be floating upwards.
When they reached his side, there was a sudden sensation of rising from the water. The palanquin beneath him abruptly stopped, and in front of him, a faint luminescence appeared, leaping out from the darkness.
He stepped down from the palanquin and took a deep breath. This feeling of having his feet firmly planted on the ground was incredibly reassuring.
After straightening their robes, Little Red Tang and Sweet Potato Burn walked forward. After only a few steps, they saw a cave-like space ahead, illuminated by a single oil lamp.
Beside the lamp sat a scholarly man in a wide-sleeved robe, and beside him, a slender, fair-skinned maiden in a green dress. Upon seeing Hemp Seed Master Hu emerge from the depths of the cave, the maiden's eyes lit up, and she slightly straightened her waist.
Then, behind him, Sweet Potato Burn peeked out, his face filled with curiosity.
The man smiled and said, "Young friend, it's been a while. I thought that by the time you needed this copper coin, you'd be in the realm of the living. I never expected it to be from the Netherworld, and that you'd receive my message."
"..."
Master Hu quickly stepped forward and bowed to the two of them, saying, "My abilities are lacking, and I had no choice but to come here and trouble you, Senior and Fragrant Jade Miss. I'm deeply apologetic if we've caused any trouble."
He turned to introduce the maiden, "This is my righteous sister. Her husband's surname is Lu."
Sweet Potato Burn was usually carefree, but now, in unfamiliar territory, he stood properly and respectfully as Master Hu introduced them.
The maiden's laughter was like a silver bell, "I was framed by a villain and thrown into the Underworld. Thankfully, my brother here spoke up for me and brought me back to the realm of the living. I owe my life to the Patriarch. I won't forget this kindness."
She then turned to Fragrant Girl, "You're also very beautiful. Just now, my brother mentioned you down there, saying you're a heavenly fragrance and a national beauty. I didn't believe him, but now that I see you, I realize my brother was holding back..."
At this, Fragrant Girl blushed and stole a glance at Master Hu, lowering her head.
Master Hu was stunned. In the mortal realm, people spoke human language, and in the Netherworld, they spoke ghost language. Everyone loved to hear flattery, but you couldn't just flatter anyone...
"Hehe, of course, of course..."
These words put Lord Li at ease, and he smiled at Fragrant Girl, "Let's set up a banquet here."
As he arranged for Fragrant Girl to leave, he turned to Master Hu, "Young friend, you're familiar with our place. We usually don't hold banquets here."
"It's all because of you two. You must have been down there for some time. It's not good to suddenly return to the living realm and eat mortal food, so I arranged for you to stay here first, to adapt to the human essence and chat with me."
Master Hu replied, "I'm deeply grateful."
Soon, Fragrant Girl personally brought over a food box. It hadn't been long, so it was likely just prepared, and she had simply fetched it.
The contents of the food box were simple yet strange—wine, meat, and rice. The meat was steamed and had a layer of oil on it, and the rice was undercooked. The wine was normal, but it seemed like it had been soaked in well water.
Master Hu and Sweet Potato Burn exchanged glances, picked up a piece of meat with their chopsticks, and realized it was cold, but when they put it in their mouths, it was surprisingly hot, like burning coals.
They understood then that the Netherworld was indeed very different from the mortal realm.
They were both from the Men Dao, each with their own abilities, but this transition had unknowingly affected them deeply.
"Young friend, it's been less than two years since we last met, and your skills have improved so much. Truly, the youth are formidable!"
After Master Hu and Sweet Potato Burn had eaten a few bites, Lord Li picked up his wine and smiled.
It was clear that Cave Li Family understood etiquette.
Logically, two living people emerging from the Netherworld would have something to say, but he didn't ask and only chatted casually.
Master Hu chose to return to the living realm for three reasons: to bring Sweet Potato Burn, to help Monkey Wine find some Golden Stem Tai Sui, and thirdly, he had something to ask. Naturally, he didn't mind the conversation.
He also picked up his cup and smiled, "In the mortal realm, every step is dangerous. I've learned new skills and owe the Li Family a favor."
"If it weren't for you teaching me a few tricks and giving me two loads of blood food, I might not be here today."
"..."
Not hiding his curiosity, he asked, "In the Netherworld, it's hard to distinguish day from night. This time, I took care of some personal matters, but it took some time. I wonder, what year and month is it in the mortal realm now?"
Lord Li smiled, "The New Year is approaching."
"It's been almost a month?"
Master Hu was surprised and laughed, "Have there been any new developments during this time?"
"New developments..."
Lord Li smiled, "The rise of bandits, chaos in the world, the emergence of capable people, and the appearance of dragons and snakes—these could all be considered new developments, right?"
"But the most shocking thing..."
"There's a large clan in Salt Prefecture, the Meng Family, known as Transcendent Yin Meng. They are the most prominent family in the Men Dao, and with a single word, they can stir up bloody storms in the world..."
"But the main wife of the Meng Family Patriarch has been captured by a demon. Does that count?"
(End of Chapter)
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