https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-92-Four-ghosts-bowing-at-the-gate/12898261/
Chapter 93: A Sigh
Chapter 93: A Sigh
"This world..."
Guessing some of the Old Shopkeeper's thoughts, Hu Ma also wanted to express some sighs.
But he felt as if he couldn't say anything, disappointed yet having come to terms with reality. He was too lazy to even complain.
He just let out a low sigh, then gathered his spirit and shared some of his speculations with Er Guotou and the newly invited White Wine Lady. Together, they formulated a plan before silently exiting his Life-bound Spirit Temple.
In the night, he opened his eyes and pondered quietly.
This was his first time collaborating with a Reincarnated One, and he couldn't help but feel anxious, worried about one thing and another.
But after much thought, his heart settled.
There is no perfect plan in this world. Whatever you do, you face the risk of failure and unexpected challenges.
He only needed to secure some Blood Food, so why hesitate?
After all, if not for the help of these two Reincarnated Ones, he might not even know what he was facing.
He decided to act!
The next day, Hu Ma woke up as usual, arranging various tasks, but he no longer sent the Apprentices out on patrol.
After all, the Vat Sect had already issued a challenge, promising to visit in seven days. That meant they could arrive at any time during this period, especially since they believed the Village owed them two lives. If they tried to settle the score with the Apprentices, it would be a problem.
Even Little Red Apricot was confined to her room.
The Vat Sect people knew Evil Techniques and could raise Auntie Tan. If you, a playful one, run around aimlessly, what if you get caught?
The Apprentices in the Outer Courtyard didn't feel the invisible pressure.
They were now familiar with the work in the Village, and it wasn't heavy. In their free time, they just counted the days until the New Year.
The Red Lantern Lady Association had strict rules. Even if an old mother died at home, one had to take leave to return for the funeral.
But there was no reason to prevent them from going home for the New Year's reunion dinner.
Now, the Apprentices in the Village were unsure whether the Innkeeper would allow them to go home, especially since they had only joined the Lady Association this year. They also wondered who would be left behind to serve.
Another concern was whether the promised money and grain would be given in full when they returned home for the New Year.
This wasn't because the Apprentices were shrewd or pragmatic, but rather because they were quite simple and honest.
Since they had joined in the second half of the year, they wouldn't have any Blood Food in the warehouse until the next spring. So, they felt guilty for not having done any work yet, and still planned to take money and grain home for the New Year.
They didn't dare ask the Innkeeper directly, so they secretly asked Hu Ma.
But Hu Ma didn't know either...
He thought, "I don't know if you can take money and grain home for the New Year, but I'll make sure you all have a chance to go home and celebrate."
He was also a bit curious, "This world is so different from the previous one, but the customs and habits are similar."
"I wonder if there are any Reincarnated Ones who have studied the relationship between the two."
"..."
A couple more days passed, and as the date of the Vat Sect's challenge approached, the intangible/invisible pressure grew even greater.
It felt as if a shadow had covered the Village, making it hard to breathe.
Hu Ma continued to practice diligently, and in his spare time, he pondered the unique skill the Innkeeper had taught him.
However, since he was hiding his Daoist Power, he couldn't practice openly. He could sense that the Innkeeper, though still not leaving the house, was much more alert internally.
Little Red Apricot didn't dare to leave her room much now. When asked, she just shook her little head: "The Village feels uncomfortable now, and you won't let me go out to play."
"So, I can only hide in the room and sleep!"
"..."
"If even Little Red Apricot feels uncomfortable, how much pressure must there be in this Village?"
Hu Ma vaguely felt that the Old Shopkeeper might be using some method to monitor the Village, so he became even more cautious.
In this oppressive atmosphere, the time approached the appointed day. Outside the Village, a few batches of Villagers came to report news. One said, "In Huanggou Village, a Mender of Misfortunes has arrived and stayed for a day."
Hu Ma didn't plan to go see, only advising, "Maybe it's nothing. It's close to the New Year, and everyone wants good pots and pans."
Another Villager came to say that in Shiyazi Village, three or four Peddlers had arrived to sell mountain goods. They said they needed to organize their goods before entering the city, so they rented two houses in the village.
"Our Village remembers what the Young Manager on the Counter said, that we generally don't let strangers in, but these people looked wealthy... no, they looked honest, so we let them rent the houses."
"Ah, yes, they looked honest and paid well, right?"
If it were a few weeks ago, Hu Ma would have gone to check immediately. Now, he ignored it.
He only went to the Inner Courtyard to report to the Old Shopkeeper, but the Old Shopkeeper only nodded slowly:
"Good, it's about time."
“……”
Unexpectedly, after waiting for two more days without any other incidents, even the apprentices in the Village found it surprising:
“Why is it so lively during the New Year, just like a temple fair?”
“Blowers of sugar figures, monkey shows, couplet writers, and performers have all come here…”
“Should we go take a look?”
“……”
“Absolutely no one is allowed to leave the Village!”
Hu Ma was just about to remind these apprentices when he suddenly heard a voice from the Inner Courtyard. Turning around, he saw Mr. Wu, dressed neatly.
With his hands behind his back, he looked coldly at the apprentices in the courtyard and said in a deep voice, “From this moment on, everyone must stay in the Village. No one is to leave the Village for even a step. We’ll skip the night patrol tonight; just make sure the Village is secure.”
“If anyone disobeys, you know what to do. Pack your things and go home for the New Year, and don’t come back after the holiday!”
“……”
Usually, Hu Ma was the one who supervised the work and disciplined the apprentices. It was rare to see Mr. Wu. Now, seeing him give orders in person, they all trembled and dared not refuse.
“Hu Ma, come to the Inner Courtyard!”
After scolding the apprentices, Mr. Wu called Hu Ma inside. After closing the door to the Inner Courtyard, he glanced at the sky and said, “It’s about time. I’ll be leaving soon, and you must stay here to guard the Village.”
“By the way, when the lanterns are lit later, don’t hang them outside as before. Bring them inside the Inner Courtyard and make sure they don’t go out at any cost.”
“Yes, sir!”
Hu Ma listened to the instructions, knowing the time had come, and responded softly.
He felt a bit anxious, wondering if preparing these things was all that was needed.
The array and name talisman that Miss White Wine mentioned…
Seeing that the Old Shopkeeper didn’t mention these, he felt some relief. Just as he was thinking, the old servant came out from the Main Hall, nodded to the Old Shopkeeper, who then took Hu Ma inside and pointed to the hall, saying, “Look there!”
Hu Ma looked up and saw that the Eight Immortals table, which was usually against the wall, was now placed in the middle of the hall.
A few oil lamps, a brazier, and some banners and yellow-green talismans were placed around it.
He felt a chill, pretending not to understand, and looked at the Old Shopkeeper.
“Tonight, something might come to blow out the lanterns…”
The Old Shopkeeper looked at Hu Ma and said coldly, “Although I taught you the Four Ghosts Bowing at the Gate technique, you’ve only practiced it for a few days, and your skills are shallow. You may not be able to use it effectively, so I’ve prepared an array for you.”
“When those things come knocking at night, don’t answer. If something causes trouble, deal with it. If you can’t handle it, sit by the table.”
“Inside this, even with your shallow skills, you’ll be able to use them.”
“……”
“……Yes, sir!”
Hu Ma responded, but his feelings were indescribably strange.
The array had appeared.
“Also, this!”
The Old Shopkeeper suddenly took out a red paper seal from his pocket and handed it to Hu Ma, saying, “This is a protective talisman I wrote for you. Carry it with you always, and never lose it. If anything happens, this talisman can save your life.”
Hu Ma looked at the talisman, feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
After a long while, he finally reached out to take the talisman, slowly forcing a smile.
He looked at the Old Shopkeeper and said sincerely, “I will remember, please rest assured.”
Seeing that he agreed, the Old Shopkeeper put the talisman in Hu Ma’s pocket, his eyes slightly more settled, but he didn’t say anything more.
“Elder Brother Hu Ma, be careful.”
The atmosphere was already somewhat heavy, but at this moment, Wu He Sister came out from the inner room. She was dressed in black, with her legs bound and a bulging backpack on her back.
Her face was also covered with a black cloth, leaving only her eyes, which were as gentle as water.
She whispered to Hu Ma, seeming hesitant, and added, “I need your help to empty the water from the jar…”
“…Only you can do it.”
“……”
Hu Ma sighed inwardly and smiled, “Alright, I understand.”
Seeing that he agreed, the Old Shopkeeper nodded at Wu He’s Junior Sister, picked up a backpack from the wall, which seemed to contain his tools, and left the courtyard.
The Inner Courtyard instantly became cold and quiet. The old servant and the young servant seemed to have been sent away early.
Hu Ma felt a bit oppressed, coldly glanced at the array the Old Shopkeeper had set up beside the Eight Immortals table, and felt the talisman in his pocket, which seemed to be slightly warm.
He exhaled and entered the side room, where Wu He usually stayed, and saw the jar.
Feeling quite angry, he suddenly noticed a faint line of characters carved beside the jar: “Elder Brother Hu Ma, do not use the Four Ghosts Bowing at the Gate technique. If you can’t resist, discard the talisman and save yourself!”
Seeing the characters, he was startled and felt a mix of emotions.
(End of Chapter)
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