Chapter 703: One Bright, Two Hidden
Chapter 703: One Bright, Two Hidden
Disaster, invisible and formless, can only be blocked by blessings.
But what exactly are blessings?
Hu Ma recalled the words he had spoken with Second Master. Blessings are intangible and unseen. When heaven brings calamity, there is nothing one can do.
However, the elders always keep in mind the importance of being a good person. It is to allow the ghost deities to see and bestow some blessings upon them, and for the villagers to witness their good deeds, earning them a good reputation. In times of difficulty, someone will lend a helping hand, allowing them to overcome the crisis.
Even if one cannot escape, and misfortune strikes, others will still curse the heavens for being unjust.
It's not the fault of the heavens, but rather, it's not your fault.
This is the ultimate goodness in the mortal world. The Mountain Deity is born in response to this goodness, whether it be the Temple Deity or the Duke. The name and strength are not important; what matters most is acting in accordance with this goodness.
Upon careful reflection, Hu Ma found it all quite intriguing. When he first arrived in this world, he had witnessed more of the martial world, the imperial court, and the profound secrets within the sect. But only now, as he looked back, did he truly appreciate the ancient and profound faith held by the villagers.
The Mountain Deity's words resonated deeply, leaving Hu Ma's heart in turmoil.
With so many doubts and such a massive crisis, he had to think carefully before acting, always feeling as if some sort of fate was looming over him.
But now, he finally understood. No matter what, being born in the village meant living by the village's ways.
What's there to fear if there are unclear matters? As long as one's conscience is clear.
After giving instructions to Little Hong Tang, he returned to the village and noticed that everything had changed.
The fire pit that Second Master had passed through had been filled, but the charcoal and ashes inside were collected and placed in a furnace, with incense sticks inserted. These ashes were not meant to honor Second Master but rather the Mountain Lord who had allowed Second Master to safely pass through the fire pit without getting burned.
At this moment, Second Master, supported by others, sat down, still taking the seat of honor.
Yet, everyone in the village seemed resigned, including his brother, the Elder Patriarch, who could only watch with a mixture of pain and relief.
Relief for his brother, who, after so many years, had finally earned a good reputation.
Pain for his brother, as now that he had gained fame, would he, as his brother, no longer be able to bully him?
"Elder Brother Two, Second Master, I truly didn't mean to..."
In front of Second Master sat Iron Fist Peng, his white beard and hair trembling. He had a handsome appearance, and his beard and eyebrows alone gave him an air of a wise and experienced person.
But now, he was trembling, as if the vitality of the New Year Guardian had been drained from him. He could only lament and explain to Second Master, "I had just left, and I don't know how, but I met someone who looked like a beggar. He asked me for directions."
"I pointed the way, and he looked at me and said that I wasn't feeling right. He wanted to talk to me. I spoke to him, but before I knew it, my mind became hazy."
"I, I truly regret it now. How could I have been so foolish as to be led astray by ghosts and demons? I shouldn't have come back to tell you all this."
"Look, look at this martial art style..."
He held a manual in his hands and struggled to explain to Second Master, "I had left it here earlier. I wanted to leave it as a token of my intentions..."
"Master Peng, I'm getting old, and you're even older."
No matter what Iron Fist Peng said, the villagers looked at him with cold eyes. Second Master, seated in a chair, looked exhausted. After a long while, he sighed and said, "I've encountered many strange things in the forest. I believe you were indeed led astray by demons."
"I didn't go through the fire pit to spite you. I just didn't want the villagers to suffer because of me."
"In the end, you did show me the world when I was young, and you taught me a few martial arts techniques. Whether these techniques are valuable or not, I've passed them on to the village youths. So, when you came to our village, I treated you as a guest."
"But take this manual back!"
"..."
He pushed away the manual that Iron Fist Peng was trying to hand over. It was something he had once dreamed of and longed for, but now, he felt no attachment to it. Instead, he sighed, "People say that I've had a tough life, but I don't think so."
"I've received the blessings of the Mountain Lord and have taken in a few good disciples."
"Your skills are indeed impressive, but my disciples have learned even better ones. They don't need yours."
"..."
Upon hearing Second Master's words, Iron Fist Peng seemed to lose all spirit, his eyes filled with dejection.
He understood that his reputation was ruined, and he could no longer stay in Mingzhou.
Perhaps if he had realized it earlier and immediately left the village, taking a few disciples with him and leaving Mingzhou that very night, he could have relied on his genuine skills to earn a living.
But now, led astray by ghosts and demons, had lost face in front of respected elders like the Grain Protection General and Elder Sun. As a result, no matter where he went, no one would accept him with such a tarnished reputation.
These disciples, if they had a conscience, would prepare to return to their hometown with him, and the skills they had learned would have to be hidden, as if they had never learned them.
Those without a conscience would likely leave him and seek refuge under another master, changing their identities.
He understood how these disciples would react and realized that his lineage, passed down for generations, might now be removed from the sect.
As Iron Fist Peng left the village, disheartened and under the contemptuous gazes of many, Brother Hu finally stepped forward to speak to Second Master.
Initially, he had wanted to avenge Second Master, but now that Second Master had made up his mind, he wouldn't interfere as a disciple. However, seeing Second Master's apparent regret, he knew the pain in his heart and smiled, saying, "Second Master, there's no need for regret. We don't need to enter that sect. If you want to play in the sect, I'll make a name for you in the jianghu!"
"Then, you'll be the Grandmaster of that sect, and I'll be your first disciple."
"..."
"At our age, what else is there to be attached to?"
Second Master said, "I'm not thinking about any sect or its teachings. It's better to teach a few more kids and have them go to the mine to earn blood meat and wine money. When I can't work anymore, if they have a conscience, they'll take turns buying me wine, and you won't go hungry either, Second Master."
"Iron Fist Peng does have real skills, but look at his disciples; not one of them dares to speak up for him when something happens."
"We rely on these martial arts to teach our disciples, but not one of them truly cares about us."
"..."
As he spoke, Second Master's face lit up with a rare radiance, showing an unexpected clarity. He waved his hand and said, "Of course, all of this is for the future."
"It's time for the Mountain Sacrifice."
Lowering his voice, he said, "What you said before is right. The Mountain Deity has indeed waited for many years."
Brother Hu, knowing that Second Master had gone through the Fire Pit and must have witnessed mysterious things, smiled and nodded, saying, "I said the Mountain Deity was greedy, right?"
"What are you talking about?"
Second Master glared at Brother Hu and sighed softly, "Actually, it's Second Master and the people in the village who were wrong."
"The Mountain Sacrifice doesn't need to wait for an official to emerge from the village."
"It's not that the village that sacrifices first will have more blessings. The talk of high-ranking identities being necessary for the sacrifice is all nonsense..."
"I don't know when these blind words started spreading, deceiving us poor folks..."
"..."
"Hey?"
Brother Hu was also surprised by Second Master's words.
During his trial by fire, Second Master had realized these profound truths. The title of Sage was not given lightly...
It was already the sixth day, and time was running out. Although this incident had occurred, the news that the Mountain Deity truly existed and had been watching over the villagers had spread through Second Master, increasing the village's enthusiasm even more.
On the very next day, the news spread, and even those from nearby villages who had little connection with Big Sheep Village rushed over to pay respects to the Sage and participate in the Mountain Sacrifice.
Inside the village, everyone was busy preparing. They made paper flowers and horses, but without Brother Hu's specific instructions, the maids didn't make any, and the standards had changed.
Initially, the village had invested heavily, planning to slaughter cattle and pigs and gather the best offerings from the neighboring villages to present to the Mountain Deity. But now, Second Master had them change it to millet, red beans, and sorghum.
Fortunately, his reputation had grown, or else no one would have listened to him, fearing that the Mountain Deity would go hungry.
In addition to the paper flowers, horses, and offerings, the platform for the mountain sacrifice was also set up.
Since this was no longer just a matter for Big Sheep Village, the sacrifice wasn't held within the village but at the place where they usually burned incense outside. This was where Brother Hu had met his foster mother in the forest, and she was already accustomed to it, saying, "It's just once a year, right?"
Proudly hanging her dense branches, she thought, "We're used to it. If you dare to bow, we dare to receive."
However, she gradually felt something was amiss. In previous years, they would just burn some paper and bow their heads, but why was the stage set so high and the preparations so grand this year?
Just as the village was bustling with preparations, Little Hong Tang returned after delivering the message.
"Delivered!"
She clapped her hands, her eyes full of anticipation as she looked at Brother Hu.
"I'll owe you for now!"
Brother Hu looked at Little Hong Tang with an open heart, as he had no blood meat left.
...only a few pieces left, which he needed to keep for himself!
Seeing a slight change in Little Hong Tang's eyes, he quickly added, "There's also a letter that I need you to deliver."
The first letter was for Zhang Ago, asking her to borrow the ritual altar in her capacity as the Wandering Ghost Hall Official and inform all wandering ghosts about the mountain sacrifice. This was done openly, without fear of being seen by others.
However, the second and third letters were secret, and even the Mountain Deity wouldn't know about them.
It was only right for people to offer incense and worship the Incense Deity to ward off disasters.
Thinking of the Mountain Deity, once an Ancient Deity of supreme status, now reduced to lingering in the Old Yin Mountain, carrying the title of Duke, which he considered slanderous, without a proper temple or title, and sometimes even having to attend postpartum feasts...
This time, he wanted to ensure that this senior deity had a satisfying and filling meal and witnessed the grandeur of the former Temple Deity.
After thorough preparations, the only thing that required attention was simple: the crazy young master of the Meng family should truly be insane and wouldn't back down at the last moment, right?
(End of Chapter)
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