Twilight's Threshold Chapter 684: Turmoil and Ambitions - Novel Cool

Chapter 684: Turmoil and Ambitions

Chapter 684: Turmoil and Ambitions

"What do you mean by that?"

Fragrant Girl's words genuinely surprised Hu Ma.

Currently, his understanding of the Netherworld was still limited. Aside from the City of the Wrongly Dead and the Village of the Living, he hadn't ventured deeper, and he hadn't even seen any of the legendary Eight Scenic Views of the Netherworld.

As such, it was difficult for him to comprehend the doubts plaguing Fragrant Girl's mind at this moment.

However, it was evident that she seemed different from before. Previously, she had an innate empathy for the wandering souls in the mortal realm and was willing to guide them into the Ghost Cave. But now, she appeared to be grappling with some other internal conflict.

Unfortunately, she clearly didn't want to elaborate, as if she was worried about something beyond her control. She merely hinted at it to Hu Ma before changing the subject.

They stayed in the village for half the night, conversing by candlelight about matters concerning the Underworld. As dawn broke, Hu Ma bid farewell to the Cave Li Family, and together with Sweet Potato Burn, they departed the place. Fragrant Girl was indeed thoughtful, providing them with a donkey cart loaded with several large baskets...

These Blood Nourishing Pills were undoubtedly essential for them, but traveling with such a large quantity was inconvenient.

So, Hu Ma first went to Azure Province and summoned help using his Life Spirit Temple. As expected, someone with the code name Old Sorghum responded.

Azure Province was Miss Red Wine's territory, and although she had been staying in Ming State for convenience, she hadn't abandoned her operations in Azure Province. Old Sorghum, after completing his mission in Guanzhou, had returned there.

Coincidentally, Hu Ma handed over the Blood Nourishing Pills to Old Sorghum, who arranged for their transport to Monkey Wine. Meanwhile, Hu Ma and Sweet Potato Burn traveled lightly, using their abilities to hasten their journey to Ming State.

The two of them, one summoning Sky Measuring Boots and the other calling upon a Little Ghost to carry them, moved at a speed beyond ordinary mortals.

Of course, speaking of which, Sweet Potato Burn's skill in summoning ghosts to carry her was truly exceptional. Fortunately, Hu Ma kept her in check, preventing her from becoming too arrogant. Otherwise, with a wave of her talisman, she would summon ghosts for other purposes...

...to form a society!

Hu Ma didn't prohibit her from establishing a society, nor was he afraid that she would outpace and surpass him.

The main issue was that with her summoning, ghosts appeared everywhere, and she was scattering Blood Nourishing Pills left and right as if they were worthless.

Furthermore, she was still on the blacklist of the Impermanence Li Family. Previously, in Wazhou, she had attracted attention due to her high-profile actions, which led to two Little Officials from the black and white Impermanence Li Family knocking on her door. They chased her relentlessly, leaving her with no escape in the mortal realm or the Netherworld.

She was stubborn and refused to produce the Subduing Evil Bureau's Little Official's order. In the end, she had no choice but to plunge headfirst into the Netherworld, only to be pulled out again by Hu Ma.

Now that she was back, she needed to maintain a low profile. Otherwise, if she wasn't careful, the Impermanence Li Family might come knocking on her door again.

After traveling by day and resting at night for several days, they finally returned to Ming State. Along the way, they indeed gained a deeper understanding of the current situation in the world. Everywhere they looked, there were more and more disasters and conflicts, with bandits and deserters visible everywhere, each bearing their own flags and banners.

Of course, at this point, the world was still in the early stages of chaos, with the strong preying on the weak.

Often, when a powerful Warlord rose to prominence, they would absorb local bandits and smaller factions, strengthening themselves in the process.

Consequently, many would surrender at the sight of their might, and few would suffer bloody deaths. The common people would also suffer less.

It was only when equally powerful Warlords, unwilling to yield to each other, clashed over destiny that they would fight to the death.

Upon arriving in Ming State, Hu Ma noticed that the place was relatively peaceful, except for a few empty camps previously stationed outside the city walls.

After inquiring, he learned that someone had come to borrow grain, and the Grain Guard Army's duty was to protect their own food supplies. Therefore, Bow Yang didn't hesitate to raise his banner and launch an attack, presumably still engaged in a bloody battle somewhere.

Hu Ma was satisfied with this.

With the world in turmoil, Warlords were seizing the opportunity to make their moves. If Bow Yang had remained holed up in Ming State City, he would have been deemed useless!

"Do you want to go home and hide for a while, or return to the Scarlet Lantern Society?" Hu Ma asked Sweet Potato Burn upon their arrival in Ming State.

"Alternatively, you can go help Miss Red Wine. She needs people," Hu Ma suggested.

Sweet Potato Burn waved her hand and said, "But if there's a big job, you must think of me!"

"Don't worry, don't worry!" Hu Ma assured her.

"But you should also be cautious and maintain a low profile. Our Reincarnation Assembly has already taken place, and our leader is Brother Two Pot Heads. If you have any questions, ask him, and also pass on a message for me, saying that I miss him..."

"The most important thing is your abilities. I see that you've progressed quite quickly, and you've already opened two Netherworld Gates?"

"If you want to learn skills, ask around in the reincarnation circle. The elders won't be stingy. If you want to learn the Summoning Ghost Ritual, I've already taught you the method, but you must be discreet. Everyone is busy now, and it's not easy to help you deal with the Impermanence Li Family!"

"As for Blood Nourishing Pills..."

"I still have some left. I'll give you two hundred pounds as payment for your work in Wazhou."

"If you need more, you'll have to wait until next year. I'm a bit strapped for cash at the moment."

"..."

"Wuu..."

Sweet Potato Burn's eyes welled up with tears as she listened. "Senior..."

Hu Ma shivered. "What's wrong?"

"Your nagging is just like my grandmother..." Sweet Potato Burn said.

"?"

Hu Ma was at a loss.

Sweet Potato Burn said, "In my previous life, only my grandmother treated me well, but later, I ended up angering her to death."

Hu Ma was speechless, "Just don't anger me to death..."

After obtaining Sweet Potato Burn's promise, the two parted ways in Mingzhou. Hu Ma headed towards Qing Shi Town, while Sweet Potato Burn was going to find her righteous sister, the Left Protector Scarlet Lantern, to have some fun.

However, as Hu Ma returned to Qing Shi Town, Sweet Potato Burn began to ponder as she walked, "I was targeted by the Impermanence Li Family before. Now that I'm in Mingzhou, will they still come after me?"

"The Impermanence Li Family is so powerful that even if I hide, they'll probably find me."

"Since that's the case, why don't I lure them out and take the initiative?"

"..."

"..."

Upon returning to Qing Shi Town, Hu Ma saw Zhou Datong, Li Wazi, and the others, who had been eagerly awaiting his arrival. With the Lunar New Year approaching, they had already prepared the New Year's goods and were waiting for Hu Ma to return so they could all go back to the village together. However, they had been waiting for a long time without any sign of Hu Ma.

Hu Ma's return settled their minds on returning home for the New Year. After resting for half a day, he entered the One Life Pavilion and called out to Miss Red Wine, then smiled and said, "I'm back. What's the situation now?"

"We've finally waited for your safe return."

Listening to Miss Red Wine, she seemed to let out a long sigh of relief and smiled, "Your safety is the most important thing to us now."

"Eh?"

Hu Ma was curious, "Didn't Brother Two Pot Heads tell you?"

He had first contacted Old Sorghum, but due to the distance, it was understandable that he hadn't informed Miss Red Wine.

Brother Two Pot Heads had come so early, yet he hadn't said anything?

"I haven't seen him..."

Miss Red Wine was surprised, "We were worried about that. We were afraid he would betray you."

"It's good to hear that you're safe. I finally feel relieved."

"..."

'He betrayed me?'

Hu Ma's heart stirred slightly, vaguely confirming something, and he felt more at ease. He sighed and said, "This trip had its twists and turns, but it was worth it."

"Miss Red Wine, I think you all saw Senior Long Jing's arrow. This legendary senior is indeed admirable, but unfortunately, after he left, he was too busy to meet with the rest of us."

"Additionally, he brought some important news and even taught me the correct way to use the Purple Great Guardian."

"Of course, the most crucial thing is that with one arrow, he brought Heaven's Mandate back to the mortal realm. I think our goal of seizing Heaven's Mandate from the Butcher Tai Sui should have begun..."

"..."

"It has already begun."

Miss Red Wine smiled, "Those seven arrows indeed brought many things, and many people are now pondering and verifying certain matters."

"As for seizing Heaven's Mandate, those warlords and extraordinary individuals who rise during chaotic times are born with four ears and eight eyes. They don't need our reminder to sense that the world is on the brink of great chaos."

"Before you returned, I also spoke with Stumbling Donkey. He is a warlord during this chaotic era, and his perception is the clearest. It's as if some heavenly will is pressing down on him."

"Initially, he sent troops to attack Salt Prefecture to put pressure on the Meng family and make it easier for you to act. He was also prepared to let himself die and escape from that predicament."

"After all, he knows he can't become an emperor and is afraid of getting too deeply involved, making it difficult to extricate himself later."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Hu Ma became curious, "And then?"

"Then he got himself even deeper into it."

Miss Red Wine smiled, "With Heaven's Mandate descending into the mortal realm, chaos ensued. Everyone thought he had foresight and attacked the Meng family. Now that the situation is in disarray, the Meng family is in a difficult position and can't retreat. Troops from all directions are flocking to him..."

"Without losing a single soldier, his territory expanded tenfold, and his troops tripled!"

"..."

"After two decades of peace, it's time for the rise of various heroes. The Meng family's ambitious plan to create a Demon Mirror is an opportunity to teach them a lesson."

Listening to this, Hu Ma sighed softly, and his tone became serious, "But to defeat the Meng family, there's another matter we can't ignore. Miss Red Wine, I also have something to tell you."

Miss Red Wine immediately became serious, "Quickly, tell me!"

"Well..."

Hu Ma paused for a moment before speaking earnestly, "Although I have many things I don't understand, it's true..."

"...I, Hu Ma, have a deep-rooted grudge with the Meng family of the Spirit World and am the only grandchild of the Propelling Evil Hu family."

"..."

After saying this, he tensed up, waiting for Miss Red Wine's reaction.

Then, he heard Miss Red Wine also fall silent for a while before suddenly letting out a 'hmm' of laughter, "Okay, okay, I understand."

"Oh my, you really scared me!"

(End of Chapter)

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