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Chapter 692: Hu Family's Vital Point
Chapter 692: Hu Family's Vital Point
"The Meng family, too arrogant..."
"The reason you targeted the Hu family is that they've been on the receiving end, and they don't even have the ability to retaliate against the Meng family!"
"But don't forget, the Hu family has this kind of ferocity!"
"In your eyes, this may seem like a lose-lose situation, a crisis where others gain an advantage. But in the Hu family's eyes, it's an opportunity to finally bring the Meng family to the negotiating table!"
Believing that the Meng family's Elder Uncle and Aunt had understood his words, Hu Ma didn't see the need to ask further questions.
The Meng family of the Spirit World had a strong foundation and deep roots. Overthrowing them was never going to be easy, but these two individuals had given him a pleasant surprise, and he felt a sense of anticipation growing within.
He searched through Second Master's room and found a wine vessel that Second Master had used for drinking. It was the wine that Hu Ma had brought back from the village a year ago.
Now that the wine was gone, Second Master used the vessel to pickle vegetables. After discarding the vegetables, he sprinkled incense ash at the bottom and drew the Hu family's shackles curse on the vessel. Then, he placed the Meng family Patriarch inside, sealed it, and handed it over to Little Red Tang to hold.
As for the Meng family Matriarch, she was taken to a small cabin in a valley not far from the village, where hunters resided. He planned to have Zhou Datong keep an eye on her.
...Forget it, let Li Wazi come instead!
After finishing these tasks, he took advantage of the cover of night and slowly made his way into the village with Little Red Tang.
His mind was filled with the words he had extracted from the Meng family: What did the Ten Surnames do after watching the Yi Dynasty collapse? Seal the cycle of rebirth, slay man-demons, sacrifice the Three Corpses, demolish the Bridge of Life, and destroy the Gate of Ghosts...
Were these all preparations for the Meng family's ascension to immortality?
In that case, what role did the Hu family play in this grand plan for immortality? Was it true, as the Meng family said, that the two families became enemies because the Hu family wanted to monopolize everything?
In truth, his knowledge of the Hu family was limited. Neither his original body's father nor grandfather knew anything about them, and he wasn't sure if they were also obsessed with the idea of becoming immortal. But he did know his mother-in-law...
Could someone as kind-hearted as her, who sometimes seemed a bit old-fashioned, also desire immortality?
His thoughts were in disarray, and just as he was pondering, he heard a sigh from the shadows of the nearby forest. A blurry figure sat on a tree stump, quietly observing him.
Hu Ma turned around and bowed deeply, saying with a smile, "Elder, I've been wondering why I haven't seen you in such a long time. There are some things I need to ask you about. Regarding the Mountain Sacrifice, the village is preparing for it. Do you have any specific requirements?"
"Should I send over a couple of paper figures to serve you?"
"..."
"Get rid of those filthy thoughts in your mind..."
The Mountain Deity sighed and said, "Paper figures are used to appease the Netherworld souls, but they are of no use to me."
Hu Ma quickly noted, "I'll remember that. But does the Elder have any other requirements? I'll inform the people in the village so that we can make this ritual as grand as possible."
"The Hu family is rising..."
The Mountain Deity didn't seem interested in conversing with him, only sighing softly, "The person you just locked up has an aura of nobility, definitely not an ordinary woman."
"Of course."
Hu Ma smiled, "That person is Meng..."
"Don't speak of it."
The Mountain Deity Elder stopped him, saying, "I don't want dozens of Dukes to come and trouble me. These matters of the martial world and the court have nothing to do with me, so I don't care who you locked up. Even when you interrogate them, I stay far away."
"I just saw that the Hu family is surrounded by good fortune, and it made me feel emotional. I came to see you."
"..."
Hu Ma could sense the complexity of the Mountain Deity Elder's emotions, so he paused briefly before saying, "Elder, the Hu family has thin fortune. Someone is using this opportunity to challenge the Hu family to a life-or-death struggle."
Hearing this, the Mountain Deity Elder remained silent for a long time before speaking softly, "Indeed, the Hu family's fortune is thin, even less than that of ordinary folk. There are Daos, evil ghosts, and Dukes in this world, but there are also things that go beyond the scope of Daos. Consider karmic retribution and the three disasters and eight tribulations. If someone is using these against the Hu family, you should indeed be cautious."
"Of course, those who invoke such things will also pay a heavy price."
"..."
Hu Ma nodded, "But with the deep-seated blood feud and our mother-in-law still suffering, if there's a chance to overthrow the Meng family, I don't want to back down."
"When have the Hu family ever backed down from their ruthless actions?"
Upon hearing this, the Mountain Deity Elder let out a bitter laugh, "I know your mind is made up, and I can't persuade you otherwise. Moreover, these matters have nothing to do with me. I've already repaid the Hu family's kindness."
"But..."
"..."
He paused slightly and spoke softly, "I've always felt something amiss. The Hu family ancestors have done so much, yet they seem to have left such a big vital point exposed."
"The Hu family's thin fortune is known to the Ten Surnames, but because of this, the Ten Surnames also believe they can restrain the Hu family. Even when the Meng family takes action against you, they must be cautious, fearing that you'll break the jar and destroy the Evil Suppression Bureau. But if..."
"..."
Hu Ma continued, "What if we endure it?"
"With such a vital weakness in the Hu family, if they manage to overcome the heavenly calamity, does that mean the Hu family will no longer have any weaknesses?"
"..."
The Mountain Deity fell silent, perhaps appreciating the situation, but at some point, the Hu family's young man had stopped being a junior receiving guidance and was now conversing as an equal.
After a long while, he heaved a soft sigh and said, "I'm just an outsider, and I don't know much about these things. But even though I have this speculation, I still want to remind you that even your father, with his exceptional abilities, died in this disaster. You should be careful."
Hu Ma didn't say more, only nodding slightly. Suddenly, he asked, "Senior, you are a Duke, yet you are trapped in these mountains. You have a connection with my Hu family, but it's not like we are on the same path. I see you living freely here, but you always seem troubled and frowning. I wonder who you are guarding in these mountains..."
"..."
There was a hint of probing in his words, but after asking, there was silence for a long time. When he looked again, he saw only the shadows of trees swaying, and the senior Mountain Deity had already left.
"So, you still won't tell me..."
Hu Ma sighed, then took Little Red Tang and continued walking towards the village. His mind was filled with complicated thoughts, so he asked, "Little Red Tang, have you ever seen my father?"
Little Red Tang shook her two horned braids, "No. When Granny brought me back to the village, there was only Brother Hu Ma at home."
Hu Ma thought for a moment and said, "Then, do you remember if Granny ever mentioned him?"
"I remember."
Little Red Tang thought for a while and said, "Granny cried too. She said her husband was stubborn, and her son was stubborn too. She said that when she was young, she was a good daughter, and she shouldn't have married into the Hu family to suffer."
"..."
Hu Ma didn't know how to respond. Indeed, he felt that Granny had suffered a lot, so he sighed and said, "By the way, where were you before you were with Granny?"
"Why did you eat the Purple Great Guardian?"
"..."
Little Red Tang stared blankly, as if pondering for a moment, then shook her head vigorously, "I forgot!"
"Little Red Tang was brought out of the big house by Granny. She doesn't remember what happened in the big house, and after leaving, she's always been by Granny's side!"
"..."
Alright, he had always wanted to ask Little Red Tang properly, but every time he thought of a question, it ended up being brushed aside like this.
Upon returning to the village, Hu Ma summoned Li Wazi and gave him detailed instructions, asking him not to inform Zhou Datong. Li Wazi naturally agreed and set out to handle the matter that very night.
The Great Sheep Village was now filled with a festive atmosphere, even though there were still a few days until the eighth day. Elders with high moral standing and respect from several nearby villages had already arrived to lend a hand.
These elders, having reached their advanced years, understood the old customs well and made all the necessary arrangements.
Of course, sometimes they would argue among themselves, one saying that another was wrong, and another claiming that someone had remembered incorrectly. When they became really agitated, they would even grab their hoes.
Hu Ma wasn't worried about them fighting; after all, not one of them could beat the Second Master...
...The Second Master and the Elder Patriarch, the two brothers, one clever and the other strong, were renowned in the surrounding villages.
Of course, when the news spread that the Great Sheep Village was going to perform the Mountain Sacrifice, the people from other villages who came felt a sense of unease, even though they didn't say it aloud. After all, once the mountain was sacrificed to, the Great Sheep Village would gain prestige and become a part of Old Yin Mountain. Which village wouldn't be envious?
However, no matter how unwilling they were, when they saw the formidable Iron Armor on Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu, and the soldiers attending to them, these villagers were subdued.
These were real officials; who wouldn't be afraid of them?
As various affairs in the village were gradually settled, guests from all walks of life began to arrive.
First, there was the Mingzhou Grain Commander Xu Wensheng, the Great Commander Zhang Lu, the Deputy Commander Cui Madam, the incense-burning elder from the Red Lantern Temple, several wealthy gentry and aristocratic families from Mingzhou City, all accompanied by a crowd of attendants and carts filled with gifts.
When they entered the village, not only the people from the neighboring villages but even those from the Great Sheep Village were stunned.
Even Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu felt that it would be inappropriate for them to go and greet these guests, as they were currently serving under the General Guardian of Supplies. That Xu Wensheng and Bald Old Zhang had higher ranks than them.
So, they surrounded Hu Ma and hurriedly went outside the village, but unexpectedly, Xu Wensheng not only ignored them but also Hu Ma. He hastily performed a perfunctory greeting and then scanned the surroundings with his gaze. "Where is my older brother?"
"Older brother?"
Hu Ma was still a bit dazed, but Xu Wensheng quickly scanned the crowd and immediately recognized the Second Master.
He hurried forward, pushing through the crowd, and bowed deeply to the Second Master with a face full of forced smiles, saying enthusiastically, "Older brother, do you still remember me, Old Xu?"
"I've been wanting to come to the village to pay my respects to you..."
(End of Chapter)
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