https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-688-The-Grand-Mountain-Sacrifice/12919865/
Chapter 687: A Person of Importance
Chapter 687: A Person of Importance
"A favor for someone?"
Hu Ma listened, and his heart skipped a beat, even more surprised than when Miss White Wine had revealed his true identity.
If she had already guessed his identity, why didn't she speak up?
Who had such great influence that they could persuade someone as cautious as her to protect him so diligently?
Hearing the urgency in his voice, Miss White Wine seemed to hesitate. After a long silence, she spoke softly, "That person once asked me about my opinion of you, and my answer was... you are a trustworthy person."
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure if that statement is completely accurate. Perhaps it's my cautious nature, but I find it difficult to fully trust anyone. I've observed you from many angles and investigated you."
"Second Pot Head has done something similar, but I have to admit that I have no reason not to trust you. Sometimes, I even think that your foolish reputation is not just a joke."
"But do you really think Second Pot Head has raised so much suspicion purely due to a misunderstanding?"
"No, it's just that there are more doubts about him than you!"
"..."
As Hu Ma listened to Miss White Wine's questions, a very strange feeling arose within him.
It was as if a void in his heart had suddenly been struck.
As a reincarnator, he was naturally suspicious. Initially, he had wanted to hide his differences from others, and this thought still lingered. However, as their cooperation deepened, he had to start facing certain issues and consider investigating them.
But if there were indeed doubts about him, was it possible that Brother Second Pot Head also had some matters he hadn't been completely honest about?
Additionally, the person who had asked Miss White Wine to look after him...
"You've done too much for the reincarnators."
In his contemplation, Miss White Wine spoke softly, "But I need to remind you that just because the reincarnator gathering has been held, it doesn't mean everyone will truly unite for a common cause."
"Some reincarnators have gone into hiding, not participating in the Gua Prefecture gathering, and they haven't shown themselves even until now."
"This includes several individuals we met in the capital who entrusted their lives to us."
"..."
"There are still reincarnators in hiding?"
Miss White Wine's words left Hu Ma with a peculiar feeling, as the reincarnators were scattered due to time constraints. This meeting hadn't gathered all the reincarnators, and Miss Red Wine had a responsibility to bring more reincarnators on board. However, Miss White Wine's words seemed to imply something else.
She meant that someone knew about the gathering but was still hiding in the shadows?
"Figure out your own situation first!"
Amidst the silence, Miss White Wine sighed faintly and said, "Our abilities are not enough to see through everything."
"Perhaps, once you understand your situation, the person who entrusted me will reveal themselves and meet with you."
"Yes."
Sensing her thoughts, Hu Ma slowly nodded and said, "I'm leaving tomorrow to return to Old Yin Mountain."
"Before that, I need to borrow something from you."
"..."
"..."
After leaving the Life Spirit Temple, Hu Ma stood still for a moment, suppressing his distracting thoughts, and fell into a deep sleep.
When he woke up the next day, Zhou Datong and Li Wazi, who had been eagerly waiting to return to the village for the Lunar New Year celebrations, had already loaded the New Year's goods they had purchased onto the donkey cart, not willing to waste a moment, fearing they would miss the annual Fire Pit Ceremony in the village.
However, Hu Ma asked them to wait for two hours. He first wrote a few letters, asking Little Red Tang to deliver them to Zhang Agu and Qiugulao Niangniang. Then, he saw a white cat appear on the courtyard wall, holding a bell in its mouth and squatting there with narrowed eyes.
Hu Ma took the bell, carefully kept it, and took out a piece of dried salted meat, making a chirping sound.
The white cat gave him a cold look and turned to leave.
Hu Ma, feeling helpless, put the dried meat into his mouth and chewed slowly. With a crack of the whip, he drove the donkey cart straight into the depths of Old Yin Mountain.
In previous years, he would return with Zhou Datong, Li Wazi, Zhou Liang, and Zhao Zhu, but this year, it was only Zhou Datong and Li Wazi accompanying him. Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu were following the Grain Guard Army to battle and weren't in town.
However, the opponents they were facing this time weren't particularly formidable, so they shouldn't be delayed for long. Before their departure, these two had told Zhou Datong that they would return directly from the army to the village.
With the New Year's Eve approaching, they couldn't afford to waste any time, so they rushed back day and night.
Indeed, when they returned to the village, it was already bustling with excitement. The elder patriarch and the heads of various families visited the village entrance three times a day, but Hu Ma had returned once during the year, so he wasn't as excited as Zhou Datong and Li Wazi, who were thrilled beyond measure.
Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu had actually returned to the village two days earlier.
The two of them rode on warhorses, donned iron armor, and even brought along a few soldiers to serve them, looking incredibly majestic.
The village was just about to slaughter chickens and bulls, announce the good news to all directions, and prepare a grand feast for them.
But they firmly refused, insisting on waiting for Hu Ma, Zhou Datong, and Li Wazi to return before having the feast.
The villagers, upon witnessing the imposing presence of Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu, were already in awe, feeling as if they were in a dream. Hearing their resolute words, they assumed that Hu Ma, Zhou Datong, and Li Wazi had achieved even greater success, and so they eagerly awaited their return.
However, to their surprise, the three of them returned just as they had in previous years, riding a donkey cart and carrying New Year's goods. This unexpected sight sparked private discussions among the villagers.
Only Second Master remained unaffected and welcomed them. Seeing Zhou Datong and Li Wazi being escorted away, he led Hu Ma back to their thatched cottage and asked, "Did you get some divine help with your mouth, or did you know about this beforehand?"
"Those Zhou and Zhao kids, their skills and abilities were never as good as yours. How come, after just a few years of not seeing them, they've become officials? My goodness, there are even people serving them in the village!"
"It's not just those two who became officials."
Hu Ma smiled and said, "Datong also made a name for himself in the military, but he doesn't want to stay in the army."
Second Master was even more astonished. He quickly lowered his voice and asked, "What about you?"
Hu Ma thought for a moment and replied, "I joined a sect and dedicated myself to learning skills. I've made some progress, and this can also be considered as bringing glory to my ancestors, right?"
Second Master bluntly said, "That definitely doesn't count. What sect or skills? Learning skills is for becoming an official. Even the managers of the Blood Feast Gang have more authority than that. Let me tell you, in recent years, the head bosses and managers of the Blood Feast Gang are the ones with real prestige, but that's because the world is in turmoil. Once the Emperor takes the throne, being an official will be the most prestigious!"
As he spoke, he leaned forward and advised, "Your Second Master here has some insight. In recent years, the head bosses and managers of the Blood Feast Gang are the ones with real prestige, but that's because the world is in turmoil. Once the Emperor takes the throne, being an official will be the most prestigious!"
"You shouldn't learn all sorts of nonsense and get involved with sects and the underworld... Those with real blessings, how many of them go into the underworld?"
"Even if underworld figures gain great fame and abilities, they're still just dog meat that can't be served at a banquet!"
"..."
Hu Ma was speechless. Second Master's words were indeed sincere.
If we're talking about official positions, Hu Ma had to admit that he was indeed inferior to Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu. Although they weren't exactly grand generals, they were at most small leaders under the General Guardian of Supplies. If the General Guardian of Supplies were to become a king, then they could be considered small generals.
However, it must be said that their current official positions are indeed genuine. After all, the General Guardian of Supplies hasn't claimed kingship, so nominally, they are the generals of Mingzhou Capital City, even if they appointed themselves. This is acknowledged by all parties.
Therefore, Hu Ma is currently an official of the Yi Dynasty, and although the Yi Dynasty has only a shred of reputation left, in the eyes of the mountain villagers, it is still much more prestigious than those self-proclaimed warlords.
"Second Master, I understand your reasoning, but I still feel that having skills makes one's path more stable."
Hu Ma understood this, so he just smiled and said to Second Master, "Regardless, our village has produced two officials, and they are mighty generals. Isn't it time to perform the mountain sacrifice?"
"The mountain sacrifice is best done as early as possible. I was just about to talk to you about this."
Second Master had been talking about this for years, but when it came to actually planning the trip, he seemed a bit nervous. He spoke in a low voice, "It's not just about having two generals. In fact, one would be enough..."
"To be honest, I can tell that these two aren't really grand generals, but with this title, everything becomes easier!"
"There's no other way. The world is in turmoil, and outside, there's chaos with soldiers and horses. More and more people are fleeing into the mountains. The sooner we perform the mountain sacrifice, the greater the blessing, and the village will be more peaceful. No matter what disasters or difficulties come, they won't reach us!"
"..."
Seeing that Second Master had a strong opinion on this matter, Hu Ma put his mind at ease. But when he heard about the disasters, he furrowed his brows and spoke in a low voice, "Second Master, I was young back then, and I can't remember many things."
"I just heard that my... father, he passed away trying to stop a disaster?"
"..."
"Your father?"
Upon hearing Hu Ma's words, Second Master's voice turned somber. He sighed softly and said, "To be honest, I wasn't very close to him. He didn't stay in the village for long, and he was usually quiet and kept to himself."
"And during the years he was in the village, he would often leave for ten or half a month at a time..."
"Of course, although we weren't close, everyone in the village knew that Old Hu Shan was a real man. Not only did he help our village through times of famine, but he was the only one I saw who dared to face the Black Gale Plague."
"..."
"Black Gale Plague?"
Hu Ma had heard of it before, but he still wanted to hear Second Master's account. He asked in a low voice, "What exactly is it?"
"Sigh..."
Second Master sighed and said, "It's said that King Yan didn't have enough servants, so he summoned his army..."
"You young ones are lucky, born in a good era. It's been peaceful for over a decade, and we haven't seen the Black Gale Plague. But in the past, it would blow through every three to five years..."
"Your father, he stopped the last Black Gale Plague our village ever saw..."
(End of Chapter)
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