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Chapter 688: The Grand Mountain Sacrifice
Chapter 688: The Grand Mountain Sacrifice
"The Grand Summoning of the Nether King?"
Upon hearing Second Master's words, Hu Ma immediately understood that something was amiss.
Having just returned from the Underworld, he knew that there was no Nether King there. Moreover, due to the severed reincarnation cycle, the Underworld was already in a state of perpetual expansion. Even if there was a Nether King, he wouldn't complain about the overcrowding. How could there possibly be a shortage of people?
However, despite these thoughts, Hu Ma didn't interrupt Second Master. Instead, he wore a curious expression.
He wanted to hear how Second Master, who had grown up in the village, viewed the Black Gale Plague.
"In my entire life, I've only witnessed the Black Gale Plague three times, and it's truly terrifying!"
At this point, Second Master sighed, "Whenever we hear of the Black Gale Plague, every household would shut their doors, burn incense, and bow to their ancestors, praying for the plague to spare their village."
"But if it does strike, there's no escape. We can only endure, and survival depends purely on luck."
"It's said that only those with abundant blessings and a thriving family can withstand such a plague, but even then, it depends on the circumstances."
"The best-case scenario is when the Black Gale Plague arrives but doesn't blow towards our village. We just hear the commotion and that's it. If it does blow towards our village, and it only lasts for one or two incense sticks' worth of time, then the villagers can grit their teeth and endure it."
"The scariest situation is when the plague sweeps across half of Old Yin Mountain in an instant, wailing and howling throughout the entire night, leaving no chance to escape."
"If we calculate it now, it must have been fifteen years ago. The time our village encountered the plague was the most severe. It seemed like the Black Gale Plague from half of Old Yin Mountain blew directly towards our village."
"It was as if, once the Black Gale Plague blew over, it refused to leave."
"It howled incessantly, and the livestock outside cried out continuously. After a while, the commotion subsided."
"In fact, our village has a custom. When faced with the Black Gale Plague, we hide if we can. But if the disaster is too great, we can't hide."
"The young and strong gather together, some beating drums, others striking gongs. The old and young head to the fire pit, burning incense and praying to our ancestors. It's said that if the commotion is loud enough, it can drive away the disaster. But that time, the disaster struck with such ferocity that no one dared to venture out..."
"..."
At this point, Second Master seemed to feel a hint of regret, "I was also at the door, and I saw Hu Shan, your father, carrying a drum on his back and leaving the village. I wanted to help him, but he said I wouldn't be of any use and didn't let me go."
"That night, the sound of drums echoed outside the village for half the night."
"In the latter half of the night, the drumbeats stopped, and the wind died down. We waited until dawn before daring to go out with the ash pits to search, but we only found the drum outside the village, not your father."
"At that time, the villagers speculated that he might have been dragged away and eaten by something. Some even guessed... Could he have run away?"
"..."
Looking at Hu Ma's eyes, Second Master seemed to feel a sense of sympathy. He sighed, "But after a few years, no one mentioned it again."
"If he wasn't dead, who could stay away from his mother and not see his own son for over a decade?"
"..."
The pitch-black night, the howling winds, the wailing ghosts and gods, the changing heavens and earth, the man carrying the drum alone, and the village engulfed in despair...
Hu Ma had never met his previous life's father, and he had only heard a few stories about him. He didn't have any particular feelings for him. However, after listening to Second Master's account, he felt a complex mix of emotions, a heavy burden weighing on his heart, leaving him at a loss for words.
"In the end, it's because our village lacks unity and our incense isn't prosperous enough. Otherwise, who would fear it?"
As Second Master spoke, he seemed a bit dissatisfied. "That's why we need to perform the mountain sacrifice. After the sacrifice, the villagers within ten miles will look out for each other, and when there's trouble, we'll face it together. What's there to fear from the Black Gale Plague?"
"Hmm?"
Listening to Second Master's confident tone, Hu Ma was surprised, "Can it really be stopped?"
Ever since he learned about the heavy fate and shallow blessings of the Hu family, he had tried to find out more. He discovered that within the Men Dao, there were numerous theories about fate, blessings, and fortune. Many methods were even related to these concepts.
However, despite the discussions, the solutions were always vague. Even if one claimed to have the knowledge, it was only a tiny fraction of people who understood, and outsiders found it difficult to grasp.
For instance, the concept of 'providence' was something only those in the Disaster Prevention Sect understood, and it was intangible.
But for such a challenging matter, even within the Men Dao, Second Master seemed to have a good grasp of it.
"Of course, it can be stopped."
Second Master glared at him and said, "As long as our hearts are united, nothing is impossible."
"During the previous Black Gale Plague, our village was starving, and the people's hearts were scattered. The Zhou, Cui, Li, and Zhao families each looked after their own interests, and when the plague arrived, they all hid and prayed to their ancestors. Who would care about others?"
"But now, we're performing the mountain sacrifice for this very reason."
"This time, it's not just about us burning incense and making offerings. We need to invite people to witness the ceremony."
"It's said that providence can ward off disasters, but what is this providence that we can't see or touch?"
"It's about celebrating!"
"It's during these grand occasions that your prestige is on display. Since our village is holding a mountain sacrifice, many people will come to show their support. The higher their status, the more it will benefit our village's reputation, making your family seem more influential. Those with illnesses or disasters will also seek refuge here."
"Moreover, this matter isn't about taking advantage of others. It's like the saying, 'Many hands make light work.' When the time comes, we'll be in the spotlight, and those who come to burn incense and kowtow will also share in the joy. The more people, the merrier!"
"No matter what calamity it is, we can ward it off."
"..."
'Wow...'
Hu Ma listened in awe, as the intricate issues within the sect were effortlessly simplified by Second Master.
If gaining blessings were truly this easy, wouldn't everyone be rushing for it?
However, he naturally wouldn't dampen Second Master's enthusiasm and smiled, "Second Master, you're absolutely right."
"Since it's a mountain sacrifice, of course, the more grand, the better."
"Our Mountain Deity has been longing for this for many years. This time, we'll make a grand offering to honor his old age."
"..."
Second Master's expression turned peculiar as he listened, "Your words are good, but they don't sound right."
"Are you trying to offend the Mountain God? Don't you fear stumbling when you enter the mountains in the future?"
"But for this matter, you must take it to heart."
"The mountain sacrifice is a major event, and the attendees are also important. Within ten villages, you don't need to worry. Your Second Master's reputation is well-known."
"Additionally, regarding the blood food matter you mentioned earlier, I've already informed them. Later, we'll bring the people from their village. So now, everyone is giving me face, and we can't do without a grand scene. As for those influential figures outside, it's up to you..."
"Can you invite a few of the capable people from under the General Guardian of Supplies to join us?"
"..."
"Don't worry, don't worry."
Seeing that Second Master still seemed a bit unconvinced, Hu Ma smiled and assured him, "We brothers have been out for a few years, and we do have some friends."
With that, the matter was settled. Second Master was overjoyed, and his gait carried a hint of pride.
That night, as usual, they feasted and drank. It was a tradition for them, the successful ones, when returning to the village.
As the banquet was set up, Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu, who had been back in the village for two days but still insisted on showing off in their armor, pushed Hu Ma to sit next to the Elder Patriarch. This was the most honorable position among the younger generation.
The villagers, though unable to openly express it, also found it peculiar. Why was it that after becoming a general, they let a commoner sit in such a position?
Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu had already informed their families a few times, so they took this opportunity to explain to the villagers, "Our skills were all learned from Brother Hu Ma, but he wouldn't let us pay respects to him as our master. He only agreed to be our senior brother. Our master remains Second Master."
"Even if we're brothers, there's still seniority. If Brother Hu Ma doesn't sit above us, we'll have to stand while eating."
"..."
Zhao Zhu added, "That's right. Even the General Guardian of Supplies would only sit below Brother Hu Ma."
Hearing this, Second Master's face suddenly glowed with an inexplicable radiance, and the villagers became more respectful.
In their hearts, they felt that Zhao's son was still so straightforward. Letting someone take a seat was one thing, but how dare he talk about the General Guardian of Supplies, a divine figure, behind his back?
Hu Ma didn't hesitate and took his seat. The villagers also noticed that not only did Hu Ma sit above, but Zhou Datong also sat at the head, and even Li Wazi had become successful. How did Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, and Zhao Zhu start calling Hu Ma 'brother'?
...They seemed quite attentive.
During this banquet, Second Master announced the mountain sacrifice, bringing joy to everyone in the village.
The following days were the Lunar New Year. For Hu Ma, the absence of the old lady in the village diminished the significance of the occasion, and he simply followed the arrangements of the elders.
Apart from inviting the ancestors home for the New Year's Eve reunion and sending them back to the pond on the first day of the New Year, the young and strong in the village had no time to visit relatives and friends. Instead, the Elder Patriarch personally wrote dozens of notices.
Hu Ma also carefully considered inviting the influential figures from outside and listed a few names, asking Little Red Tang to deliver the invitations.
Among those invited were Xu Wensheng Xu, the Supply Commander under the General Guardian of Supplies; the Grand Commander, Bald Old Zhang; several old acquaintances from the Scarlet Lantern Society; and Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu's good brothers and friends they had made during their time with the General Guardian of Supplies...
...It was just to create a grand scene and bring joy to Second Master. Wasn't that enough?
...
In Ming State, the General Guardian of Supplies and several veteran generals of the allied White Armored Army were discussing post-New Year military plans when the candles on the table flickered, and a gust of cold wind blew in.
Amidst the fierce and intimidating gazes of the warriors in the room, Little Red Tang entered the tent and handed the notice to Xu Wensheng, then to Bald Old Zhang, Lady Cui, and others...
"Here, Brother Hu Ma, inviting you to share in the joy..."
"..."
In an instant, everyone in the tent was stunned. The General Guardian of Supplies was the first to react, slamming the table and standing up, "Who?"
"How could you not invite me, Brother Hu Ma?"
(End of Chapter)
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