https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-771-The-Ten-Surnames-Young-Master/12919964/
Chapter 770: Ghost City in the Imperial Capital
Chapter 770: Ghost City in the Imperial Capital
"Grandmother has already told me everything she knows."
Upon returning to the Hu family mansion, Hu Ma had a quick meal and then went back to the room prepared for him by the old servant.
On this day, he finally met Grandmother and saw the ancestral hall of legends, and he managed to ask some of the questions that had been weighing on his mind.
Although Grandmother couldn't answer everything, he understood that she had given him the answers in her own way. Ever since his encounter with the State Preceptor at Old Yin Mountain, the last of his doubts had finally been dispelled on this day.
Outside the mansion, the white lanterns still hung, and mourners continued to come and go. The burial bearers were still having their meal in the courtyard, while he remained in the unlit room, silently sorting through his thoughts.
Images flashed through his mind—the Evil Suppression Bureau, the Ghost Crossing Bridge, the Dalaofa Religion's Merit Ledger rankings, and...
...the little red tang that Grandmother had given him.
A faint smile played on his lips as he pondered these thoughts for a long time. Then, he slowly immersed himself in his Soul's Genesis Sanctuary.
Now that he had made his decision, he could communicate with the Reincarnates, and naturally, he wanted to start with someone he trusted.
He thought of White Wine Miss.
Believing that he hadn't been mistaken when he saw her at his funeral that morning, he decided to call out to her and exchange some information.
However, upon arriving at his Fated Ancestral Spirit Shrine and inserting the Life Incense into the shrine, countless voices suddenly erupted, some anxious, some surprised, some angry, all intertwining within the spirit shrine.
"Old Bai Gan, what...what's going on?"
"Damn, big brother, are you the Hu Family Matriarch of the Evil Suppression Bureau?"
"With your temperament, you don't seem like someone from the Ten Surnames!"
"Kid, someone said you're a spy who infiltrated the Reincarnates? Pfft, I wouldn't steal your code name!"
"Imperial Jade Liquor, what's the next line? Answer me quickly!"
"Extra! Extra! There's a traitor among the Reincarnates! The latest bounty has been updated. Everyone, get ready to enter the Imperial Capital and slay some monsters!"
"..."
The voices were incessant, some trying to directly communicate with him, while others were just shouting randomly. Hu Ma, who had intended to call out to White Wine Miss, fell silent amidst the chaotic clamor.)
They had finally exposed his true identity within the Reincarnates' circle.)
The ones who had tried to assassinate him earlier seemed to be a very mysterious group within the Reincarnates' circle. He had wondered why they hadn't revealed their identities and instead opted for a covert assassination attempt.
Although he couldn't understand their motives, he had secretly held onto a glimmer of hope due to their actions.
Now, the suspense was finally over.
He understood the severity of his identity being exposed! Although he had a strong reputation among the Reincarnates and had gained many favors, once his identity and the threat he posed to the Reincarnates were known, there might not be many who would trust and protect him like the Bright Province group.
After all, there were so many Reincarnates, and not everyone would believe in him; most would be cautious.
What would he face next? Initially, it was just a few individuals trying to assassinate him, but surely not all Reincarnates would want to kill him now?
He was still in the Imperial Capital, where the talented individuals of the Ten Surnames had gathered, providing some sense of security. He couldn't imagine what he would face if he were still outside the city.
Even though he had decided to talk to the Reincarnates, given the current situation, how many would be willing to negotiate with him?
"You've finally shown up."
Just as these thoughts flooded his mind, a cold voice suddenly rose above the others, silencing the chaos. A red thread of incense connected with Hu Ma's Life Force Sanctuary, leading to the incense burner.
It was White Wine Miss.
Hu Ma's heart trembled slightly, and after a long while, he spoke softly, "Thank you..."
"There's no need for such meaningless words."
White Wine Miss interrupted him and said calmly, "You know, Reincarnates are quite selfish. They only use the pretense of favors to make exchanges for their own benefit. So, you shouldn't take our choices as genuine acts of kindness."
Hu Ma adjusted his emotions and calmed down, replying softly, "You're right."
"But aren't you taking a big risk by appearing in the Imperial Capital?"
The connection between them meant that she was also in the Imperial Capital, perhaps even very close to him, as there was only one pillar of incense in his incense burner.
This put her in extreme danger, surrounded by so many talented individuals, including the State Preceptor. If her identity were exposed or someone discovered something about her, she would undoubtedly face certain death.
"I've returned to investigate some matters."
White Wine Miss slowly spoke, "This matter requires the use of your position as the Hu Family Matriarch."
"Additionally, I know you're also on guard against the Reincarnates. I think that once I've figured out this issue, I can give you the answers you seek."
"..."
Hu Ma's heart skipped a beat, and a strange feeling arose within him.
Despite the apparent changes, White Wine Miss still managed to calmly propose their collaboration, a stark contrast to her previous cautious demeanor, which couldn't help but evoke a sigh.
With a slight sigh, she straightened her posture and asked, "What's the problem?"
"It's about some matters concerning the Celestial Guardian."
White Wine Miss's tone was slightly somber. After a pause, she spoke in a low voice, "Have you noticed the oppressive atmosphere in the Imperial Capital lately? It's as if there's a sense of fear hanging in the air..."
These words resonated deeply with Hu Ma, as he had felt this way ever since arriving in the capital.
Moreover, he had already discovered that the source of this eerie atmosphere seemed to be the Ancestral Hall of the Ten Surnames.
"Tomorrow, come to the Zhi Shou Pavilion, and I'll show you something."
White Wine Miss seemed to have made up her mind as she slowly said, "If you see anything, remember not to make a fuss."
"From now on, let's exchange information elsewhere, not at the Origin Spirit Shrine. It doesn't give me a sense of security anymore."
"Also, you need to be cautious in the Imperial Capital..."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Hu Ma's heart stirred slightly. The Imperial Capital? She wasn't warning him about a specific person; she specifically mentioned the Imperial Capital.
There was more he wanted to say, but White Wine Miss had already quietly severed the connection. It seemed she had much to figure out herself, or perhaps she didn't want to talk more at the Origin Spirit Shrine.
The next morning, he woke up and had a meal arranged by the old servant.
Although the servants in the Hu Family's old mansion had just been purchased from the slave market, they were competent in their duties. Hu Ma, having grown up in a village, was unaccustomed to such luxurious and extravagant living.
However, with his past life's experiences, he could still enjoy the meal with composure, avoiding any embarrassment that might come from his humble mountain origins and sudden wealth.
After the meal, numerous matters were brought before him. Various relatives of the Hu Family and necromancers from the past came to speak with Hu Ma at Mr. Hu Shan's funeral the day before, eager to test the waters and gauge his intentions.
Of course, they all found excuses, asking about business here, estates there, or the funeral gifts received the day before.
But as Hu Ma looked at these trivial matters, he merely frowned and turned his gaze to the two people in the courtyard.
Why was Thursday Miss still at the Hu Family's residence?
At this moment, she was changing into a tight-fitting outfit, accentuating her slender waist, and facing the morning sun, she slowly breathed in and out.
In the corridor below, Kindness Fairy had also risen, holding a cup of tea, which she sipped leisurely.
Beside her were some preserved fruits and other snacks, clearly enjoying the comfort of her own home, but it felt like she was in her own residence.
Hu Ma casually pointed at her and said to the old servant, "Ask her about everything."
"Her?"
The old servant was momentarily perplexed. Many matters required someone from the Hu Family to handle, and he didn't know this lady's identity.
Kindness Fairy also widened her innocent eyes in surprise, "Me?"
Hu Ma sighed inwardly and pointed to Thursday Miss in the courtyard, "Ask her, then."
"Master, this..."
As the old servant and the two ladies stood there, perplexed, Hu Ma, dressed in a linen robe and shoes, walked straight out the door, heading to the stable to get the horse he had brought from Bright Province. He called for Old Abacus, who had been sleeping in the stable, to accompany him.
The old servant followed behind, informing Hu Ma that a carriage had been prepared for the master and mistress of the Hu Family to go out.
The carriage from Bright Province seemed somewhat crude in the Imperial Capital, with its frame lacking the intricate carvings and decorations of more recent trends.
"What's with all these complaints?"
Hu Ma ignored him and pulled Old Abacus onto the carriage, then left the mansion.
He was going to meet at the Lifespan Pavilion, and he needed a reason. The current leader of the Dalaofa Religion, Daoist Sage Hongxuan, was staying at the Lifespan Pavilion.
As the main officiant who had just concluded his biological father's funeral, it was only natural for him to pay a visit to the State Preceptor.
Old Abacus, being a member of the Dalaofa Religion, had already paid his respects to the State Preceptor once, although he hadn't been granted an audience due to his status. Having him lead the way was convenient.
The carriage made its way through the Imperial Capital, heading straight for the Lifespan Pavilion.
It was only then that Hu Ma carefully examined the Imperial Capital. Even in broad daylight, there was a misty feeling, as if an eerie ghostly aura enveloped the city, stubbornly clinging to it and obscuring the view.
Beneath this eerie atmosphere, however, was an unusually bustling scene. Along the streets, shops opened, food stalls and taverns bustled, and all sorts of novel items filled the thoroughfare, with city dwellers dressed in silk and satin, chatting and laughing as they weaved through the crowd.
But whether it was due to White Wine Miss's warning or his own inexplicable feeling, Hu Ma couldn't shake the sense that something was amiss in the city.
Navigating the Imperial Capital, he felt even more oppressed and eerie than when he had first entered the Netherworld.
(End of Chapter)
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