https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-682-The-Ancestral-Shrine-of-the-Ten-Surnames/12919852/
Chapter 683: The Number of Heavenly Disasters
Chapter 683: The Number of Heavenly Disasters
"Black Gale Plague?"
Hu Ma never expected that Lord Li's words would lead to this topic.
If he wanted to understand, he indeed had this opportunity to converse with the Cave Li Family.
After all, having guarded for so long, with the reopening of the Evil Suppression Bureau, the heavenly mandate's descent, and the Meng family suffering a significant loss, as a member of the Hu family, he had to step up and face the other major clans. He needed to learn about the Evil Suppression Bureau, the transmigrators, and some matters of this world.
In this world, information and secrets are a matter of qualification. They are monopolized and not casually spoken of. Therefore, the Cave Li Family, situated in seclusion yet with a clear lineage, became a unique existence.
However, looking at Lord Li's gaze, Hu Ma vaguely sensed that Lord Li might have misunderstood him in some ways.
His words even hinted that he thought Hu Ma represented the Hu family and was here to form an alliance. Of course, since Lord Li had this idea, Hu Ma didn't plan to argue. But when Lord Li expressed his sincerity, Hu Ma couldn't help but feel surprised.
"Yes."
Seeing Hu Ma's slightly surprised expression, Lord Li confirmed that he wasn't a true member of the Hu family. He sighed softly and said, "You may not understand, but I believe the young master of the Hu family should."
"Let me just say this: if my guess is not far off, there must be someone from the Hu family who died from a heavenly disaster within three generations of blood relatives, right?"
"..."
Hu Ma's expression turned solemn as he listened.
Lord Li's guess was not just accurate; it was spot on.
His original body's father, Hu Shan, was the eldest son and grandson of the Hu family, the head of the Evil Suppression Bureau, and the first son of the Qingyuan Hu family. He died in the Black Gale Plague.
In the past, Hu Ma didn't know much about the Black Gale Plague, so he didn't suspect anything. But after entering the Netherworld, his knowledge broadened, and doubts arose.
In the Netherworld, he had encountered the Black Gale Plague and even a stronger Black Gale Demon. It was formidable, beyond the capabilities of ordinary people. But if even his current self, who had entered the Netherworld to guard the New Year, could withstand it, then how much more so his original body's father?
Could it be that the Ghost Walker Path had no way to counter the Black Gale Plague? Or was his original body's father's abilities insufficient? Before his original body, he was the only successor in the Evil Suppression Bureau, so it shouldn't be the case, right?
"Sigh..."
Seeing Hu Ma's perplexed expression, Lord Li also sighed and said, "Heavenly disasters are beyond human control."
"The Ancestral Hall in the capital once served as the foundation of the world, suppressing certain things."
"Later, when the Ancestral Hall was shattered, its fragments were used to create the Evil Suppression Bureau, which also had to suppress something. Initially, the Evil Suppression Bureau carried out the imperial mandate and could still suppress that thing. But..."
"Before the starving ghosts from Guanzhou entered Mingzhou, I didn't know that the Evil Suppression Bureau was no longer under the imperial mandate."
"This news is indeed shocking, but it also leaves one perplexed. If the Evil Suppression Bureau is no longer under the imperial mandate, then isn't the burden of what it suppresses entirely on the Hu family?"
"..."
Hu Ma caught the key point: "The thing it suppresses?"
Lord Li slowly nodded and said softly, "There are three heavenly disasters: wind, fire, and water."
"Humans have eight calamities: drought, flood, epidemic, famine, pests, ghosts, beasts, and monsters."
"The Hu family took over the Evil Suppression Bureau and thus inherited the heavenly disasters. These disasters are first borne by the ancestors. If the ancestors cannot withstand them, they fall upon the living. It is said that the Evil Suppression Bureau once executed members of the Qingyuan Hu family, indicating that the two sides are no longer on good terms."
"This is even more concerning. The Hu lineage of the Evil Suppression Bureau, counting them all, has only a few ancestors. How can they withstand such heavenly disasters?"
"..."
As he spoke, he slightly lifted his sleeve and said softly, "I'll stop here. Go and remind him!"
"Disasters cycle every three years. The Hu family has fate but no fortune. As an outsider, I don't understand why the Hu family made such a ruthless decision, but the price they have to pay is beyond ordinary imagination."
"To resolve such a disaster, one can only rely on the Disaster-Stealing Path to seek the blessings of the Sun family."
"..."
"The blessings of the Sun family..."
Hu Ma's expression also turned solemn. After a long pause, he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, senior."
"It's not guidance, just a casual reminder."
Lord Li smiled and said, "After all, our thirty-six families have been in seclusion for a long time. The Ten Surnames have taken our place, and their prestige and abilities are beyond our imagination. By connecting with them, we might be able to help each other in the future."
As Hu Ma listened, he clearly sensed the unspoken emotions in Lord Li's words.
The thirty-six families also had their grievances. If they hadn't been punished and exiled to guard the Ghost Cave in a remote area, it might not have been the Ten Surnames' turn to rise.
Today, the Ten Surnames enjoy wealth and power, while the Ghost Cave family is in a miserable state, forced to remain in seclusion. Looking at the world, it would be a lie to say they aren't envious.
The phrase 'outsiders' may sound detached, but in reality, it means suffering.
Clear wind and bright moonlight are no match for a bowl of braised pork. Cricket and bird songs are not as enjoyable as Fat Auntie's singing of the Eighteen Touches.
Instead of calling them 'outsiders,' it's more accurate to say they are forced to live in seclusion, like prisoners.
This deep conversation had been beneficial for Hu Ma, and as he rose to take his leave, he intended to leave the copper coin behind.
In the world of martial arts, one's actions have consequences. Initially, he had helped Fragrant Girl, and the Cave Li Family had given him this copper coin. Now, they had not only retrieved him from the Netherworld but also shared many secrets. The debt of gratitude from before had, in fact, been repaid.
This copper coin should be left behind.
However, Lord Li merely smiled and waved his hand, asking him to keep it, saying, "This time, I brought you back as a favor between our two families. It's not a big deal."
"The copper coin was given to you by the girl. You should discuss it with her."
"..."
Hu Ma understood the implications, so he accepted it and bowed again in farewell before leaving the cave.
The first time he entered, he needed a guide, but now, with his newfound abilities, he could freely enter and exit this place.
When he reached the outside, he saw that the village was empty, except for a row of servant ghosts and a few patrol guards. Surprisingly, there were no other people in sight. Fragrant Girl and Sweet Potato Burn, who had changed into a new outfit, were waiting for him outside.
Upon inquiry, he learned that a troupe had arrived outside the village and was performing a play. Everyone in the village had gone to watch, as it was a significant event that occurred only once a month.
Fragrant Girl and Sweet Potato Burn approached him with smiles, saying, "Brother Hu Ma, will you be staying for a while this time?"
"I'm afraid I don't have the time this trip."
Hu Ma quickly apologized, "I still have many matters to attend to in Ming State."
"I'll stay for a few more days when I have free time in the future."
"..."
Fragrant Girl listened and nodded lightly, "Alright!"
"Also..."
Hu Ma hesitated for a moment before deciding to be bold and say, "Those Golden Silk Centipedes in your backyard..."
He was still thinking about the important task the Monkey Wine had given him. That fellow wanted not only Blood Centipedes but also Golden Silk Centipedes, and even Purple Great Guardians.
When he asked for Blood Centipedes, he had transported over ten thousand catties himself. As for Purple Great Guardians, Brother Two Pot Heads had obtained quite a few. However, Golden Silk Centipedes were hard to find, had fewer uses, and were more valuable. Only the Punishing Soul Path or the Ghost Cave would have some contact with them.
Hu Ma remembered that Fragrant Girl's family had plenty of these, and if he didn't ask now, when would he?
"Oh my..."
At this moment, Sweet Potato Burn suddenly interrupted Hu Ma, putting his arm around Fragrant Girl's shoulder and saying, "Brother, it's not me saying this, but our sister here has a kind heart. I only asked about it once, and she took the initiative to prepare a lot of blood food for us, including those with Golden Silk..."
"You see, I've been refusing for a long time, but the sister is sincere. She insisted that we take them, so brother, please don't refuse anymore, or else it'll be difficult for the sister."
"..."
'Eh?'
Hu Ma finally realized that Sweet Potato Burn, with his thick skin, had already spoken to someone about it. He quickly put on a serious face and said, "I was just about to talk about this. The Golden Silk Centipedes in your sister's family aren't something that fell from the sky..."
"I do need them, but we should still negotiate a fair price and be clear about it."
"..."
"Brother Hu Ma, surely you haven't become distant with me after not seeing each other for two years?"
Upon hearing this, Fragrant Girl pursed her lips and said, "The blood food in our family isn't something that fell from the sky; it grows from the ground."
'If it's not distant, why did you used to call me 'young master' but now call me 'Brother Hu'?'
Hu Ma thought to himself and smiled, "Since we're both from the martial arts world, I won't beat around the bush. Sister, I owe you a big favor."
"If you have any matters later, remember to send a little messenger ghost to deliver a message to me."
"..."
Fragrant Girl nodded hurriedly, then suddenly seemed to remember something. She gently raised her hand, tugged at Hu Ma's sleeve, and pulled him aside. In a low voice, she said, "I do have something to remind you about, but it's not my business."
"Brother Hu Ma, I haven't taken on any responsibilities yet, so many things haven't been told to me by Father. But sometimes, when he's busy, I also go in to help."
"I'm not very familiar with the outside world, but you must be careful. While guarding this cave, I've seen many eerie and terrifying things in the Netherworld. When they cause trouble, they get closer and closer to the cave entrance. Perhaps..."
"..."
Hu Ma was surprised to hear this, "The vengeful spirits in the Netherworld?"
"No, no..."
Fragrant Girl shook her head, "The vengeful spirits in the Netherworld are pitiful. They wouldn't do such things..."
She seemed to struggle to describe it, so after thinking carefully, she whispered, "They are some things I haven't seen before when I traveled through the Netherworld."
"I asked Father about it, and he said they originally guarded the Ghost Cave. There were thirty-six families, but over generations, some escaped, and some died. So, the number of people managing the underworld has decreased, and the things below have become more dissatisfied..."
"Sometimes, I even feel that our sect should be guiding the souls of the living, helping the unclaimed souls of humans alleviate their suffering. But now, it's more like..."
"Feeding them!"
(End of Chapter)
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