Twilight's Threshold Chapter 689: The Soul Sustaining Bell (Part 1) - Novel Cool

Chapter 689: The Soul Sustaining Bell (Part 1)

Chapter 689: The Soul Sustaining Bell (Part 1)

The mountain sacrifice was indeed a significant event, but it was something that the younger generation could handle, yet it was not appropriate for him to give specific instructions. Hu Ma, however, felt relieved.

In truth, he wanted to speak up, and he could have asked the Mountain Deity directly about what kind of offerings were desired or if it was necessary to burn a few concubines as servants...

But considering the Mountain Deity's temperament, he decided against it.

When inviting someone for a meal, it's not customary to ask what dishes they want. It's like asking if they'd like to wash their feet after the meal.

...After all, those with sincerity would have already made the arrangements.

Moreover, the only thing that mattered to him was the mountain sacrifice, and the Mountain Deity had repeatedly mentioned it, using the excuse of craving it. But Hu Ma was well aware that the Mountain Deity wouldn't urge him to do something as useless as this.

If he wanted to understand certain matters, he had no choice but to perform the mountain sacrifice and see the problem clearly.

Of course, as long as it was a mountain sacrifice, it didn't matter how it was conducted or what the process was. It depended on what Second Master liked, just to please the old man, and there was no need to be too serious about it.

So, when everyone in the village was busy, Hu Ma, having nothing to contribute physically, took advantage of the darkness and left the village alone. He arrived at Second Master's estate.

It was the Lunar New Year, and Second Master had returned to the village. Those who followed him to learn his skills were also absent, so Hu Ma looked around and lit some incense. He bowed to Old Yin Mountain and waited quietly. The Mountain Deity didn't appear, but the wind suddenly stopped.

This was considered a greeting, and Hu Ma prepared to use his territory with peace of mind. He placed the incense outside and took out the Twenty-Four Divine Flags that Second Pot had left in the Netherworld.

Hu Ma found them convenient to use, so he inserted them around the estate, isolating the inside from the outside, and then set up an altar.

"Little Red Tang, go to the entrance and keep watch. Don't let anyone in. If the Mountain Deity comes..."

Hu Ma instructed, "You should also let me know first."

After seeing Little Red Tang bounce off, Hu Ma began to set up the altar inside the estate. He lit the incense and recited the incantations.

Holding three sticks of incense, he bowed slightly, and suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew through the mountain. Soon, thick mist gathered around, blocking out the sky.

As heavy footsteps approached, two golden armored warriors, holding iron chains, escorted a pitiful and lonely soul, breaking through the mist to arrive. It was none other than the patriarch of the Meng Family of the Spirit World.

This once dignified and respected patriarch of the Meng Family, after being suppressed by the incense burner of the Evil Suppression Bureau for some time, had his spiritual power depleted. He now looked even worse than the common ghosts in the Netherworld.

The two golden armored warriors threw him to the ground and stood guard on either side. Hu Ma sat in the grandmaster chair where Second Master usually sat, exuding an air of authority. He coldly hummed, "Lift your head."

"..."

With this command, the flags on both sides of the altar fluttered, and the scarecrows seemed to transform into black-robed figures.

They advanced forward, issuing intimidating shouts.

The patriarch of the Meng Family, dazed and confused, was startled by these shouts and slowly raised his head.

Inside the altar, the soul couldn't see its surroundings clearly, but it perceived rows of black-robed divine generals on both sides of the grand hall, trapping it in the middle. In front, there was a supreme figure, towering over the heavens, exuding an oppressive aura akin to the depths of the underworld.

The soul was jolted awake, and a weak cry escaped its mouth, "You... you audacious Hu Family child, the Hu and Meng families have been allies for generations, yet there are some grudges between us. In terms of seniority, I am your elder, and you..."

"How dare you insult me like this?"

"..."

"Indeed, you are my elder..."

Hu Ma gave a sinister smile and hummed coldly, "Then keep up your act as my elder."

"As for the affairs of Guanzhou, the evidence is conclusive. If I interrogate you in the Evil Suppression Bureau, I can easily shatter your soul. But I've brought you here to give you a chance to explain yourself, at least so you won't suffer too much before you die?"

"..."

"Haha, haha..."

The patriarch of the Meng Family, now just a tiny lone soul, faced Hu Ma's imposing presence on the altar, and the difference between them was indescribable.

But in response to Hu Ma's words, the patriarch suddenly burst into laughter, "Hu Family child, do you think you can force me?"

"You were born in the wilderness and lack experience. I, for a moment, was not vigilant and fell into your hands. How can your petty tricks force me?"

"My Meng Family serves the Ancestor, nurtures the army, and has the support of half the governors. With the Heavenly Mandate and extraordinary fortune, we only await the Ancestor to open his eyes again, and we will remain unharmed. You think you can intimidate me with your posturing here?"

"..."

'Indeed, a man of strong will and unyielding spirit...'

Hu Ma even felt a sense of admiration and smiled, nodding, "What Elder Meng says is true. I know you won't cooperate, so I've made preparations."

"Hehe..."

The patriarch of the Meng Family smiled grimly, "I know the Hu Family has the Punishment Incantation, which was obtained by the Hu and Meng families from the Impermanence Li Family. It's specifically for punishing souls and ghosts, and it's very powerful. Since I've fallen into your hands, why don't you recite it and let me experience it?"

"The four great curses of the Hu family, the Execution Shackles, are never ineffective."

He clearly knew this and still provoked him, appearing fearless.

"Spare me the details."

Hu Ma listened and indifferently waved his hand, reaching into his sleeve and pulling out a tiny bell, which he held in his hand.

He whispered, "I'll first invite Uncle Meng to taste this new experience!"

As he spoke, he gently shook the bell towards the Meng Family Patriarch, and it immediately jingled incessantly.

This bell was borrowed from Miss White Wine. He had asked her how to make a spirit speak obediently, and she gave him this item as a gift.

To be honest, before using it this time, Hu Ma didn't know its purpose. But now, as he gently shook it in his hand, he saw the Meng Family Patriarch's face change slightly, as if a mist was swirling around him, and his face turned pale.

"You..."

It was clear that the Meng Family Patriarch was in excruciating pain, his voice trembling: "Are you forcibly extending my lifespan?"

"Is this a Soul Sustaining Bell?"

Hu Ma suddenly understood. Indeed, it was the Life Fate Sect's secret technique.

The Meng Family Patriarch's cultivation was formidable. Although he appeared as a faint shadow, he was actually as solid as iron, untouchable and uninjurable. He could shrink and hide, immune to all spells, so he was unafraid of punishment incantations and impermanence.

However, the Life Fate Sect's techniques were different. When the bell was shaken in this manner, it forced a breath into a person, even if they were near death. Upon hearing the bell's jingle, they couldn't help but hold onto that breath, effectively extending their lifespan.

Shaken in the opposite direction, it would shorten a person's lifespan. The more it was shaken, the deeper the injuries of the afflicted would become, and the faster a dying person would breathe their last breath, thus shortening their lifespan.

The Meng Family Patriarch was a shadow, and as Hu Ma shook the bell, he was extending the patriarch's lifespan. This caused the shadow to feel as if it were being roasted by a raging fire, an unbearable torment. This was a rule of heaven and earth, not something his cultivation could withstand.

Moreover, the Yang Fire roasting would also destroy his foundation, which couldn't be replenished.

Understanding the technique, Hu Ma shook the bell while observing the Meng Family Patriarch.

Speaking of which, the Head of the Ten Surnames was no ordinary person. But Hu Ma knew that the Meng family had risen through kowtowing, so he didn't believe that someone skilled in kowtowing could have such a sturdy body.

However, after shaking the bell for a while, he saw that the Meng Family Patriarch was indeed suffering, but to his surprise, he gritted his teeth and endured. His eyes remained fixed on Hu Ma: "Hu family boy, if you have such skills, why not use them more?"

"Since my body serves the Ancestor, I fear not losing this family business!"

"Even if you beat me to the point of soul scattering today, as long as the Meng family's foundation remains, my descendants will worship me year after year. What is there to fear?"

Amid the ringing of the bell, his voice grew more resentful: "Moreover, do you truly believe that capturing me will harm the Meng family?"

"My Meng family is different from your Hu family. In the realm of the living and the dead, there are always leaders. Even if I'm gone, there are still two brothers who can take my place. Your actions can only anger my Meng family. What other great achievements can you boast of?"

"..."

"Hmm?"

Hearing his words, Hu Ma suddenly stopped shaking the bell and gently placed it beside him.

Looking at the solitary shadow in the altar, he sighed softly: "Elder Uncle Meng's teachings are right. The Meng family's foundation is indeed not something that can be harmed by such minor disturbances."

"You are the Meng family's Head in the Underworld, serving only the Meng family's Ancestor. But the family's affairs in the living world are watched over by others. Since it is so, I should also understand and invite Elder Uncle Meng to meet a familiar face from the living world..."

"..."

As he spoke, he walked out of the altar, holding a talisman paper that suddenly ignited with flames.

After a moment, a dark mist gathered in the depths of the forest, and then groups of ghostly shadows emerged from the mist, waving spirit money as they flew through the air. Among them was a noble woman, surrounded by these ghosts.

Although dressed nobly, she was tightly bound, a cloth stuffed in her mouth. Her appearance was youthful, and her charm remained, but her eyes were filled with terror.

"Thank you all for your hard work."

Hu Ma had borrowed some blood food from Little Red Tang and rewarded these ghosts who had delivered the noble woman.

There was no need for introductions. Even if she had been tormented to the point of soul scattering, the Meng family's Head Matron, who had endured the pain of burning flames without uttering a single word of weakness, was stunned upon seeing this noble woman.

As a shadow, once it concentrated its attention, its form became clearer. Its eyes widened, nearly popping out of their sockets.

After staring for a while, it couldn't help but believe: "You... how did you get here too?"

And the noble woman, wherever she went, would first pretend to faint. This time, before fainting, she saw the solitary shadow curled up in the altar.

She was also startled: "Old... sir, how... how are you here?"

(End of Chapter)

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