https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-682-The-Ancestral-Shrine-of-the-Ten-Surnames/12919852/
Chapter 681: Ancestral Fire Altar
Chapter 681: Ancestral Fire Altar
"Holy shit, you really took her away?"
As Lord Li spoke, Hu Ma maintained a calm expression, but his heart skipped a beat.
Previously, while staying underground, he had limited access to news from above. He knew that once the reincarnator received his message, they would surely make the Meng family suffer.
Moreover, seeing so many people delivering messages to the Meng family patriarch, he realized they had already taken action. His smooth handling of the Meng family patriarch was also related to their activities above.
But...
...You tied up the Meng family's matriarch? What's the point?
...Indeed, I also tied up the Meng family patriarch. So, this was useful!
Not only was he surprised, but the sweet potato burn, who was holding a wine cup, also had her eyes wide open, clearly intrigued.
Perhaps she realized that during the time she was on the run from the Impermanence Li family, she had missed out on some extraordinary excitement.
'I'll have to look into it later and see which guy was so bold as to kidnap the head of the family...'
As these thoughts ran through her mind, Hu Ma adjusted his expression and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my? Is it the Meng family, one of the Ten Surnames?"
"My goodness! Who... is so bold?"
"..."
"I'm not sure about that."
Lord Li smiled and said, "It's just that my Li family, for generations, has been entrusted by the Emperor to guard this place, isolated from the outside world. Although we hear some news, it's still not clear enough."
"But it seems that whoever dares to do such a bold and outrageous thing must be no ordinary person. The Meng family is one of the best in the Men Dao, feared and revered by ghosts and gods. I've heard that their foundation is in the mortal realm, but their roots are in the Netherworld."
"If such a calamity can occur in their earthly residence, it must mean that things have already fallen apart in the Netherworld."
"Young Master Hu has just come up from above. I wonder if you've heard anything?"
"..."
Facing Lord Li's meaningful smile, Hu Ma also smiled and calmly said, "I did hear some things."
"Tongyin Meng colluded with evil spirits, destroyed the Dragon's Lair of the Noble Zhang family, causing chaos in the world. He has been captured by Hu Zhenchong, but unfortunately, even though Hu Zhenchong has the world's well-being in mind and tried his best to stop it, he fell short. This world is likely to be in turmoil."
"..."
"Eh?"
His casual mention of such a shocking matter startled both Fragrant Girl and Sweet Potato Burn.
Fragrant Girl looked at Hu Ma, feeling that after two years of not seeing him, his demeanor was as natural as ever. Ordinary people in the rivers and lakes often reveal their brilliance in their youth, but as time passes, they learn to conceal their brilliance and sheath their sharpness.
However, this Hu brother, from the very beginning, had always been steady and reliable, with no shortcomings. Now, after two years, his aura and demeanor had become even more dazzling and brilliant than before.
This was not a sign of him returning to his old self but an indication of his increased abilities and broadened experiences, making it impossible to conceal his brilliance any longer.
Sweet Potato Burn's thoughts were simpler: 'Did I really miss out on the excitement?'
"Oh?"
Lord Li also raised his eyebrows slightly upon hearing this.
Even for someone of his status, this news was indeed shocking.
But as he looked at Hu Ma, he smiled and slowly said, "So that's how it is. It doesn't sound bad."
"In the rivers and lakes these days, everyone is talking about the destruction of the Noble Zhang family's Dragon's Lair. In this age of great contention, many capable people have secretly suspected the Meng family's involvement, and they deeply resent the Meng family for harming the Men Dao. The heroes of the rivers and lakes are grateful for this."
"..."
Hu Ma smiled and said, "That's how the people in the rivers and lakes see it. What about the seniors?"
Lord Li smiled and said, "The Cave Li family doesn't involve itself in the rivers and lakes, and we're not even considered part of the Men Dao. Naturally, we don't understand these matters."
"But I also feel that if the Meng family really harmed the Noble Zhang family, they must have been well-prepared. It's unlikely that at such a critical moment, their matriarch would be kidnapped. This is the time when various clans and powerful families are vying for opportunities..."
"The Meng family is in disarray, and even Salt Prefecture is about to fall into the hands of others."
"..."
As Hu Ma listened, he nodded.
Since coming up from below, he had been most concerned about the current situation in the world. If given the chance, he would rather discuss it with the Ten Surnames to hear their thoughts. However, his current identity had not yet been revealed, so he didn't have the opportunity for such deep conversations.
But he could guess some of it from the reaction of the Cave Li family.
The Dragon Well Master's arrow was well-shot, borrowing the power of the Meng family's great ancestor. This matter couldn't be hidden within the Men Dao.
No matter how many mouths the Meng family has, the Dragon's Lair is destroyed, and it was destroyed by their great ancestor.
The rivers and lakes are not a court of law; what they say goes, and no one can refute it.
As he thought this, he felt the timing was right, so he looked at Lord Li and slowly said, "Last time, I heard a senior mention that an evil ghost had emerged from the depths of the Ghost Cave, wreaking havoc in the mortal realm."
"This time, while I was underground, I gained some insights. I saw the Noble Zhang family using the world's destiny for their own benefit, and Tongyin Meng selling out the world for personal gain."
"Because of this, I'm becoming more and more confused. What exactly have these evil spirits done to incur such heavenly wrath and human resentment?"
"Could it be that the trouble caused is even greater than that of Noble Zhang and Transcendent Yin Meng?"
"..."
"Huh?"
Sweet Potato Burn and Fragrant Girl were both surprised by this, and they looked up at Hemp Seed Master Hu.
Hemp Seed Master Hu smiled and said, "Of course, I've also heard from seniors about these evil ghosts' disrespect towards Emperor Yi."
"But it seems that before that, they were already considered malevolent spirits, right?"
"..."
"Hehe..."
The Li Family Patriarch, upon hearing Master Hu's question, did not find it surprising at all. Instead, he slightly nodded, not rushing to answer. He simply nodded to Fragrant Girl, who understood and said to Sweet Potato Burn, "Sister Lu, let's go and change your clothes!"
"Alright..."
Sweet Potato Burn actually wanted to listen in, but knowing that the senior was handling important matters, she quickly wiped her mouth and looked Fragrant Girl up and down, saying, "Sister, later I'll borrow your clothes. Our waists are similar, just find a looser undergarment..."
Fragrant Girl's face turned red from her words, and she quickly led her out of the cave.
The Li Family Patriarch waited until the two of them had left before turning to Master Hu and smiling, "Young friend, in what capacity are you asking me this?"
Meeting his gaze, Master Hu also smiled, stood up, and bowed, saying, "Please forgive me, senior. In fact, a few years ago, I also had the fortune of being noticed by a high-level cultivator. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made such progress as I have now."
The Li Family Patriarch waved his hand and smiled, "It's not surprising. Although the incident happened in Mingzhou, the Evil Suppression Bureau's chief executioner is a Year Guardian's responsibility. I've also heard about it. At that time, I told my maid that it might be our honored guest."
Master Hu showed surprise and smiled, "Just from this news, because I'm in Mingzhou, the senior can associate it with me?"
"Not entirely."
The Li Family Patriarch smiled and said, "It's just that my family, the Li Family of the Cave, has been in the business of summoning ghosts for generations. We've seen countless wandering souls coming and going, and so we've developed a keen eye for such matters."
"In this world, there are the poor and the fortunate, those with blessings and those without, those with long lives and those with short ones, the commoners in the fields, the merchants in the towers, and the experts in the various sects. I've seen countless souls of the dead, and with one glance, I can discern their human essence."
"The first time I met you, I could tell that your fate is extraordinary, perhaps even heavier than my own daughter's. No matter your background, you are destined for greatness..."
"..."
'Is there such a saying?'
Master Hu had to admit that each sect had its own unique abilities, and this man's discerning eye was one that couldn't be hidden.
But times had changed, and it was no longer appropriate to conceal it. He smiled and said, "I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse, but in the world of cultivation, one's fate is not in their own hands. If a noble person is willing to lend a hand, then one must take the opportunity."
"It's just a pity that the sect I've joined has its own difficulties. Following them, I can't expect to rise above my station and become a patriarch."
"I understand."
The Li Family Patriarch smiled and nodded, "The Hu Family has a low threshold, allowing talented people from all over to join and contribute their skills."
"In this regard, I admire them. I think that if the Hu Family didn't have this determination, how could they take on such a heavy burden for the world?"
"..."
"Hmm?"
The Li Family Patriarch's frankness surprised Master Hu, and he couldn't help but be moved, "Taking on a burden for the world?"
"Indeed."
The Li Family Patriarch sighed softly and said, "It could even be said that they are atoning for the sins of those of us who guard the caves."
Master Hu raised his eyebrows, "Because of those malevolent spirits?"
"Not just that."
The Li Family Patriarch looked at Master Hu directly and said, "I've told you about the sins and karmic debts of the Li Family of the Cave."
"That Capital Grand Sacrifice that changed the fate of the thirty-six families happened one hundred and seventy years ago. At that time, it had already been sixty years since the Dui Yi Royal Family seized power from the Zhang Family."
"But even after sixty years, the world was still in chaos, with constant disasters and famines due to excessive killing. The Netherworld was overflowing, and malevolent spirits were everywhere, causing a disturbance in the balance of Yin and Yang. Strange flesh and blood appeared out of thin air, giving rise to all sorts of mountain spirits, ghosts, and malevolent spirits."
"Emperor Dui Yi, deeply troubled, had no choice but to invite the Great Dharmic Religion's Supreme Master Shangxuan to enter the capital and appoint him as the National Master, setting up the Capital Grand Sacrifice in the hope of restoring peace to the world."
"Unfortunately, the disaster began with that very sacrifice..."
"..."
Master Hu listened intently, his heart stirring. He had heard the Li Family Patriarch mention, "It was then that evil ghosts emerged from the human realm? Our thirty-six ancestors also took on karmic debts and began guarding thirty-six ghost caves?"
"Not just that..."
The Li Family Patriarch slowly explained, "The most serious problem with that sacrifice was the destruction of the ancestral altar that had enjoyed the incense offerings of generations."
"The ancestral altar?"
Upon hearing this term, Master Hu's heart stirred inexplicably.
"Indeed."
The Li Family Patriarch sighed deeply, gazing intently at Master Hu, and said softly, "Do you know why, in ancient places around the world, there is a tradition of worshipping fire pits?"
"Because, in this world, there was once a fire pit that protected the world's destiny and suppressed malevolent spirits."
(End of Chapter)
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