Chapter 731: Carrying the Coffin Northward
Chapter 731: Carrying the Coffin Northward
"The remains of Elder Hu Shan?"
Compared to Hu Ma's calmness, Lord Second was more visibly moved.
He always felt that many of the misfortunes in the Hu family were somehow connected to the silent and reclusive Hu Shan. Back then, when he took on the calamity for Big Sheep Camp, he should have been buried in the pond.
However, since his body was never found, and his fate was unknown, none of the Hu family members were buried in the pond that year. During the time when Hu Ma's life changed, the fire pit in the camp couldn't protect him.
Moreover, at that time, he was inexperienced and held the same beliefs as the people from other villages and camps. They all thought that their ancestors belonged to their own families and couldn't be easily given to outsiders for protection. So, although he felt a bit upset on behalf of the Matriarch, he didn't know how to bring it up with the camp.
But now, after performing the Fire Sacrifice on the Mountain and witnessing the birth of the Water Spirit, he had come to understand many things.
The practice of guarding their own camp and excluding outsiders was actually a lie.
The origin of this lie was already untraceable, but this custom would actually prevent the pond from giving birth to a true deity.
His mind suddenly became complicated, and he quickly supported Hu Ma's arm, which was holding the remains, and led him into the house. He lit incense and settled the wandering soul.
Only then did he turn to Hu Ma and said, "Should we bury him in the camp, or..."
Now, if someone from the Hu family wanted to bury their deceased in the pond, no one would stop them, and it would be considered reasonable. But Lord Second had already noticed that Hu Ma's abilities were not ordinary, and his identity was likely extraordinary. Perhaps his biological father had a better place to rest...
"Then let's bury him in the camp."
Hu Ma nodded slightly in response to the question. "The birthplace of the Birth Deity, protecting all the people, what better place is there than here?"
The Matriarch was also buried in this pond, and although her soul had already departed, her remains had become one with the ashes in the pond. It was very fitting for his biological father to be buried here.
Hu Ma even thought that when he went to the Capital City, he might bring the Matriarch's spirit tablet back to the camp.
The Ancestral Hall in the Capital City was built by the Dalaofa Religion, and he didn't feel at ease leaving the Matriarch there.
"Hmm?"
Lord Second responded and was about to make preparations when Hu Ma noticed the three incense sticks.
He saw that during their conversation, the three incense sticks had burned into a pattern, with the leftmost one being the tallest and the rightmost one the shortest, creating a clear height difference. Hu Ma, who had studied the Incense Reading Technique in the Evil Suppression Bureau's books, couldn't help but frown. This was a disapproving incense pattern.
His biological father's living soul had departed early, and since he had died to suppress the calamity, the price was immense. He might not even have the chance to enter the Netherworld, and his soul had likely dissipated.
This could be understood as only leaving behind a set of remains.
In the secret arts, it is said that the most tragic fate is for the soul to scatter, but there are still some mysterious influences at play.
These influences were beyond the understanding of those who practiced the secret arts. The mysterious influences should be related to the legendary Karma Soul.
This incense pattern represented the attitude of the deceased, and it seemed that he didn't want to be buried in this pond.
Of course, it could also be a coincidence.
"Your father, does he have something to tell you?"
Lord Second also noticed the incense pattern and was surprised, but he couldn't quite understand it. He tentatively asked Hu Ma.
People usually didn't pay attention to the incense pattern, and no one cared how it burned. But once they noticed it, they had to take it seriously.
This glance might be a predestined moment, like a message from an ancestor. If you didn't hear it, it was as if it wasn't said, but if you heard it, you had to consider the reason.
Hu Ma also frowned and said softly, "Perhaps I should send him back to the Ancestral Hall!"
He suddenly understood that the Matriarch had stayed in Big Sheep Camp for two reasons. First, to protect him, and second, because she had approved of the camp and was willing to stay there. Among the elders of the Hu family, the Matriarch had stayed in the camp the longest.
But this biological father wouldn't show arrogance in front of the camp's people and would do his best to save them.
However, deep down, he probably approved of the Ancestral Hall in the north and didn't want to stay in Big Sheep Camp.
"Then please help me prepare a casket and burial robe, and let me enshrine my father. I'll carry his coffin back north!"
Hu Ma slowly said, "It's just right that I'm also going north to burn incense for the Matriarch."
Lord Second didn't quite understand. Clearly, the Matriarch was buried in the camp, so why would he go north to burn incense for her? But he didn't ask about such private matters and agreed.
That night, he went out and woke up a few people in the camp who were skilled in carpentry. They helped the Hu family prepare the wood, burial robe, and corresponding offerings, but at Hu Ma's request, they didn't reveal who the preparations were for.
When Hu Shan left, he didn't alert the camp, and since Hu Ma didn't want to stay, there was no need to cause a fuss.
The next day, with Lord Second's help, Hu Ma placed his biological father's remains in the coffin, sealed it, and offered incense. The people in the camp didn't know the reason, and apart from those who helped, no one else was allowed to come and pay respects, making the atmosphere cold and lonely.
But Lord Second still remembered that Hu Ma's father was a decent man when he was alive, and he always felt that this coldness was inappropriate.
Seeing that Hu Ma had already offered incense, Zhou Si, who was standing beside him, poked her head over and watched. He waved at her and said, "Young lady, you come too, and offer a stick of incense!"
"Well, according to the rules, it's appropriate for you to follow the Hu family's customs and bow your head."
"But after all, I haven't met your family's elders yet, so I'll skip the bowing. Offering incense together will be more lively!"
"..."
"Huh?"
Zhou Si, the type of incense and the current situation, vary. She knew that this was Hu Ma's father, and when Lord Second mentioned it out of the blue, she was taken aback. Instinctively, she wanted to ask Zhao San Yi if this was proper, only to realize that Zhao San Yi had already left. She hesitated and said, "This... isn't this inappropriate?"
Lord Second said, "You're a grown young lady, and you've come to our camp. What's there to be inappropriate about?"
As he spoke, he handed the incense to her.
Even Hu Ma was surprised, feeling that it was inappropriate for Zhou Si to offer incense to his biological father. He said, "Isn't this inappropriate?"
Lord Second glared at Hu Ma and said, "She's a grown young lady, and she's come to our camp. What's there to be inappropriate about?"
Zhou Si, being straightforward, saw that Lord Second had handed the incense to her. She also thought that the Ghost Hunter was a good man, and his father must be extraordinary. Regardless, offering incense to him was the right thing to do.
She went forward boldly to offer incense, and although she didn't kneel down to bow, she still gave a deep bow, showing great respect.
After offering incense, burning paper money, and sealing the coffin, they placed it on the cart, and Hu Ma had to escort the funeral procession north.
After Hu Ma finished these tasks, he asked Zhou Si, "Why haven't you returned yet?"
Zhou Si had stayed for two more days, sleeping in the Matriarch's room at night and not needing to be called for meals; she would come over at mealtimes.
Even in helping with the collection of Hu Ma's father's remains, she was enthusiastic, and when preparing the wood for the funeral pyre, those logs that were as thick as a hug and weighed over a thousand pounds, she could carry two by herself, which startled Lord Second. He thought that she must be an expert in farming.
Now that Hu Ma finally had time to ask her, she bit her lip and said, "I can't leave yet, I still haven't gotten my things back from you!"
"Those two hammers? Or the bottle from Master Ping?"
Hu Ma looked at her and added, "That bottle has already been chewed up, I can't give it to you."
"But those two hammers, I didn't even want them from you. They're under the bed, if you want them, just take them back!"
"..."
"Who do you take me for?"
Hu Ma didn't intend to make things difficult for Zhou Si, but she seemed a little unhappy when she heard this.
She crossed her arms and said, "We Zhou family members don't need anyone's pity."
"You beat me and took my weapon, so of course I have to beat you and then take it back properly!"
"..."
Hu Ma frowned and said, "Then let's do it!"
"Do you want to spar, or do you want to go all out?"
If it was just a friendly spar, they could do it in the camp, but if they wanted a real fight, they'd have to find a more open space outside the camp.
However, Zhou Si was hesitant, as she was a young lady and paid attention to details. These past few days, she had seen that Hu Ma's expression was calm, but she could sense a hint of hidden disappointment beneath his calmness.
She didn't know about the State Preceptor's matter, assuming that Hu Ma was worried about his father's funeral. It was a time when his mind was unsettled, and she didn't feel it was right to challenge him now.
...Besides, she couldn't beat him at the moment.
She pouted and said, "No, I don't want to fight now."
Hu Ma was even more confused, "Then what do you want to do?"
Zhou Si said confidently, "I haven't decided yet!"
"Then take your time and think about it!"
He intended to find an excuse to return the two hammers to her, but she seemed indecisive.
Hu Ma didn't bother to argue and let her take the large bowl to eat with Lord Second. As he had no appetite, he returned to his room to pack his things. After all, he didn't know what he might encounter on this journey, so he wanted to bring as many useful items as possible.
As he was gathering things in the room, Little Red Tang crouched on the beam, curiously watching him.
She seemed to sense the gloom in Hu Ma's heart, and these past two days, she had been well-behaved, just following him around.
When Hu Ma turned and saw her, he sighed inwardly and forced a smile, saying, "Little Red Tang, do you miss the Matriarch?"
Upon hearing this, Little Red Tang happily replied, "Yes!"
"Then let's go see the Matriarch!"
Hu Ma also showed a genuine smile, and the various odds and ends in his hands were simply thrown aside.
He stopped packing, for a Year Guard's skills were all on his body, and there was nothing left to pack.
Anyway, once he saw the Matriarch, everything would be clear.
(End of Chapter)
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