Chapter 734: The Human Path
Chapter 734: The Human Path
"I don't know what Master meant by the other half, but I trust his words."
"After Master's passing, for twenty years, I've been leading these No Eating Bull disciples. When the one who can complete the other half returns, it's also time for me to start thinking for myself."
"Before, I didn't need to think much because Master was there. He always had ideas, and when he didn't, I certainly wouldn't either. I just followed by his side."
"But over the past twenty years, I've come to understand many things. For instance, No Eating Bull has many Uncle Masters, and it wasn't born to become an emperor. Compared to us, who has become an emperor? Instead, it's more important to stop certain people from becoming emperors."
"Master, I can see the confusion in your heart now, but I really want to say..."
"Your confusion seems similar to what Master had before he was suppressed by the Twelve Ghost Shrines..."
"..."
"..."
Hu Ma had already left the manor, but the words of Senior Apprentice of the Ox-Free Sect still echoed in his ears.
The first and second stages of Lao Jun Mei's life were not much different from those of the current Reincarnates, except perhaps for being more carefree. After all, the Reincarnates back then didn't have to be as cautious as people nowadays, who were tightly controlled by the Ten Surnames.
So, what did he realize in the third stage of his life? Was it because of the Twelve Ghost Shrines that he understood those things and became aware of the debt he carried?
He had indeed witnessed the Twelve Ghost Shrines in Lao Yin Mountain, and they were indeed an unshakable force. Perhaps the only way to understand them was through worship and inquiry, which was what Old Abacus intended to teach him.
However, Old Abacus was tasked with guiding him to become the Chief Priest of the Dalaofa Religion.
There were countless sects in the world, and some could drastically change one's temperament upon contact. Therefore, he couldn't afford to strictly follow the Chief Priest's methods to investigate the Twelve Ghost Shrines just yet.
As he pondered silently, he leaned out of the carriage window and waved towards the distance.
Old Abacus had changed into a new set of clothes and was riding a donkey, looking rather pleased with himself. Upon seeing Hu Ma's wave, he hurriedly trotted over.
Speaking of this, Hu Ma couldn't help but feel a bit helpless.
He had never expected that Miao Shan would naturally follow him.
He had only come to the No Eating Bull manor to observe their activities and learn about Lao Jun Mei's past life; he hadn't planned to ask for their assistance.
However, Miao Shan, the Kindness Fairy, seemed to naturally prepare everything for his departure, hiring servants, coachmen, and even a chef. She provided three to four spacious and comfortable carriages.
Not only did this save him from the hardship of traveling on foot, but Old Abacus was also given a donkey.
There were people scouting the route ahead and purchasing food and ingredients along the way.
Even his biological father was provided with a black umbrella for shade and white flowers for his coffin. Miao Shan had even planned to hire mourners to accompany the coffin all the way to the Capital City, but Hu Ma firmly objected.
He turned to look behind him and saw a finely crafted carriage where Miao Shan and Si Zhou were chatting and laughing.
When they had first arrived with the carriage, both Miao Shan and Si Zhou had wanted to squeeze into his carriage.
However, with three people and two small ghost servants, it was indeed a tight fit.
So, Miao Shan's little ghost servant, Dou Guan, jumped out and said, "No need to squeeze! One person per carriage, we can afford it!"
And so, they didn't have to squeeze in.
But since the journey was boring, Miao Shan and Si Zhou squeezed into one carriage, leaving Hu Ma to sit alone in his, which was convenient for thinking.
As Old Abacus approached, Hu Ma asked in a low voice, "What exactly are the Twelve Ghost Shrines?"
Old Abacus was startled by the sudden question and whispered, "Didn't I tell you? They've enjoyed 150 years of incense offerings!"
"I'm not asking about that. I'm asking, how were the Twelve Ghost Shrines created?"
Hu Ma waved his hand and said, "The Ancestral Altar was destroyed, and the Twelve Ghost Shrines replaced it. But can anything replace the Ancestral Altar?"
"Aren't they said to be created by the second Chief Priest of the Dalaofa Religion? Even if they were created, there must have been something used in the creation."
"..."
Old Abacus's expression turned solemn. He took out a bundle of incense from his sleeve, lit it on the donkey's back, and gently blew on it. The incense smoke spread, isolating the carriage driver and the others outside.
Then, he whispered, "If you want to ask about this, it's indeed one of the Dalaofa Religion's secrets. I didn't even know about it before."
"Have you heard of Witchcraft and Curse?"
Hu Ma narrowed his eyes at Old Abacus. How could you not know how your own disciples came to be? Old Abacus hurriedly chuckled and said, "I have my reasons. Witchcraft and Curse is actually shallow as a curse and deep as a witch. It was once the oldest technique in the world."
"But because of its age, it was gradually abandoned. Few in the Central Plains practiced it, and only in some remote areas did it survive. Nowadays, the incense-burning and prayer technique is actually Southern Witchcraft. There used to be Northern Witchcraft in this world."
"Northern Witchcraft?"
"Yes, the ancestors of Duke Yi were once part of the Northern Witchcraft lineage."
"Back then, they used the Northern Witchcraft's methods to summon the Celestial Fiend, strengthening their army. The Twelve Ghost Shrines were originally their sacrificial offerings to summon the Tai Sui Lord. Later, when they entered the Central Plains, the Dalaofa Religion refined and replaced the Ancestral Altar with these shrines!"
"..."
"Sacrificial offerings?"
Hu Ma was taken aback by this revelation. He had always thought that the Twelve Ghost Shrines were merely replacements for the original ones.
But now, seeing their role, he couldn't help but wonder if all this calamity began with the summoning of the Tai Sui. If so, then these shrines...
Could they be the root of all this trouble?
"If it started with the Twelve Ghost Shrines, then it should end with them. Isn't that why your Master wanted you to see this?"
Old Abacus looked at Hu Ma and sighed, "I won't hide it from you. I don't really like that Master either. He doesn't teach us anything, appearing and disappearing like a dragon. He's not as good as our Ancestor Master, who at least left a statue for us to ask questions when we're in trouble..."
"...Although sometimes the answers aren't that reliable."
"..."
Hu Ma didn't pay attention to their internal affairs, but he frowned and slowly asked, "Then what's inside the shrine?"
"I don't know."
Old Abacus answered straightforwardly, "Only the chief priest can know. Outsiders who see it might go insane."
Hu Ma looked at him and said, "You mean I have to become the chief priest to see it, following your method?"
"No, don't jump to conclusions."
Old Abacus waved his hands, "This has nothing to do with me!"
"I don't care if you want to be the chief priest or not. If I had a choice, I'd rather go back to Runzhou and watch over the Blood Feast Mine."
"This task was assigned to me, and I'll answer your questions if you want to know. If not, I won't bother."
"..."
Hu Ma couldn't help but sigh in exasperation.
He had no affinity for the Dalaofa Religion and even resented them. But he couldn't bring himself to take out this frustration on Old Abacus; the man was too slippery.
Hu Ma pondered, considering everything he knew. "Then, have you ever heard of the matter of three lives?"
"No."
Old Abacus shook his head, "A person only has one life. How can they have three?"
"Even some demons and spirits claim to have multiple lives, but that's not true. It's just a matter of having multiple lifespans, different from the usual concept of life."
"..."
This aligned with Hu Ma's thoughts. He paused and then asked, "Then, in your eyes, what is life?"
"That's a difficult question..."
Old Abacus shook his head, "Each sect has its own interpretation, and sometimes even they can't explain it clearly. How can I, a mere novice, understand?"
"But I do know that once someone from a sect crosses the bridge, they develop their own understanding of life."
"But you seem..."
"..."
Hu Ma nodded.
The path of crossing the bridge wasn't suitable for him, or perhaps the time wasn't right.
He could have crossed the bridge earlier, but his troubled mind and unseen worries prevented him from taking that step. After meeting the State Preceptor, his caution grew even stronger.
According to the State Preceptor, once Hu Ma crossed the bridge, he would gain clarity about himself and retrieve some of what this body had lost. But before understanding everything, Hu Ma wanted to maintain his current mindset and cognition.
Could a person become someone else by suddenly regaining their past memories?
There had been similar discussions in his previous life, with varying conclusions, and Hu Ma didn't want to gamble with his own fate.
"There's something I wouldn't have told you unless you asked..."
Sensing Hu Ma's hesitation, Old Abacus hesitated as well. He slowly explained, "The so-called crossing the bridge is actually transcendence. When one's abilities reach their peak, they need an outlet, right?"
"This outlet is crossing the bridge."
"But in this world, the ten sects all seek transcendence through the Netherworld. Crossing the bridge is also understood in this way."
"However, in the Dalaofa Religion, there's a method that only the chief priest can follow."
"It doesn't involve crossing the solitary bridge in the Netherworld but instead takes the human path."
"In this world, one can still cross the bridge, see themselves clearly, and find their own path."
"..."
"Hmm?"
Hu Ma had never heard of this before and immediately turned to Old Abacus, "How does one walk this path?"
"Dharmic power!"
Old Abacus looked at Hu Ma seriously and lowered his voice, "Pillar by pillar, you cultivate your Dharmic power."
"Crossing the bridge is transcendence, and cultivating beyond the third pillar is also transcendence. The path is within yourself, not external."
"In this world, when one's abilities reach the Mansion, they've reached their peak. Those who cross the bridge are no longer human and naturally possess greater abilities than ordinary people. But if you follow the righteous method and cultivate pillar by pillar, you're also taking step by step towards transcendence."
"Not only will you not fear those who have crossed the bridge, but your abilities will surpass theirs!"
(End of Chapter)
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