Twilight Boundary-Chapter 690 - 681: Ten Families’ Immortal Ascension (Second Release)

"Old Master, the sky has fallen..."

Compared to the astonishment and bewilderment of Eldest Master Meng, Eldest Granny Meng, who managed the Meng family's affairs, was even more distraught at the sight of him, as if her very soul had fled.

With a wail, she began to lament loudly, "I don't know where these demon people came from, emerging one after another from underground, without rhyme or reason, making trouble for our Meng family..."

"Our people died in droves, too afraid to even step outside. The golden bodies in the Yin Palace were destroyed one by one. Several Blood Food Storages were targeted by the demon people, and family members met with disaster one after another. Even I, even I..."

"...was dragged out after the demon people broke into the mansion!"

"..."

Not only was this the first time Eldest Master Meng had heard these details, but Hu Ma also learned many things he hadn't known before. It seemed that what Miss Red Wine said about the Reincarnators playing a significant part in targeting the Meng family was indeed accurate.

The Meng family was large and wealthy, but this also meant their holdings were scattered, playing right into the Reincarnators' hands. When they decided to act, they truly did so in myriad ways...

"The Ancestral Hall was burned, the grasshead king we nurtured had his throat slit, and the entire household is in chaos..."

Eldest Granny Meng wept. "Now, even you've been captured?"

The Tongyin Meng family had solid roots. The underworld and the mortal realm supported each other; even if one faltered, the other could still hold.

Yet now, as Eldest Master Meng and Eldest Granny Meng saw each other, they were utterly stunned.

It was impossible to describe the terror in their hearts as they looked at Hu Ma. In Eldest Master Meng's eyes, there was even a kind of fear one would have when facing a dreadful evil spirit or demon person.

When he was initially captured, he could only think it was a twist of fate. He had even been resigned to sacrificing his life, as long as the Meng family's foundation remained. But now, seeing Eldest Granny Meng also bound and kidnapped, boundless fear surged within him...

Could it truly be that the Meng family had collapsed in such a short time, leading to his wife's capture?

It was hard to imagine. If the Meng family hadn't collapsed, who could possess such audacity and power to storm their gates and kidnap this esteemed Lady of the house?

"Heh heh..."

Seeing the two of them weeping and looking at him in terror, Hu Ma chuckled lightly and said calmly, "The Hu Family has lived in seclusion in the mountains for twenty years, not meddling in worldly affairs. Among so many relatives and friends, only the Meng family still thought of us from time to time." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"I am a person who repays kindness. That's why I specifically invited Aunt here to reunite with Uncle Meng. I didn't expect it to stir up so much trouble."

"Why don't we have a proper talk? After things are settled, I can send Aunt back sooner, can't I?"

"..."

"Talk?"

Eldest Master Meng's expression finally changed as he looked at Hu Ma. Amidst his shock and regret, there seemed to be a tinge of fear. His voice trembled as he said, "What is there to talk about?"

"Do you, do you truly believe I don't understand the Zhensui Mansion? You couldn't have accomplished all this, whether by relying on your Hu Family's skills or the Zhensui Mansion's methods. It's clear you... you broke the rules!"

"You, a dignified descendant of Zhen Sui Hu, are associating so closely with those Evil Immortals?"

"..."

"Heh heh..."

Hu Ma listened carefully to Eldest Master Meng's every word but merely sneered and said calmly, "The Meng family pressed too hard. We Hu Family people don't want to be completely wiped out, so of course, we must have some means."

"But as for talk of evil spirits, Uncle Meng, you should be cautious with your words."

"Our Zhensui Mansion guards the Yin-Yang Boundary, suppressing all demons and evil spirits. How could it possibly collude with them?"

"..."

Hearing this, the expression on Eldest Master Meng's face was unreadable, a mix of tears and laughter. "Indeed, indeed," he said. "No one would believe it if it were told."

Hu Ma smiled faintly and said, "In ordinary times, I wouldn't mind learning more from Uncle Meng and listening to his teachings, but now isn't the time."

"I have brought Aunt here to reunite with you, fulfilling my duty of kinship. So, Uncle Meng should also show some sincerity and tell me about the past, especially..."

"Why did your Meng family dare to harm my Hu Family, and only my Hu Family, in the matter of Immortal Ascension?"

"..."

"What?"

The thunderous question left Eldest Master Meng clearly bewildered.

Not only was he bewildered, but Hu Ma himself didn't truly understand.

Hu Ma knew the enmity between the Hu and Meng families was one of life and death. Too many Hu Family members had died at the Meng family's hands—it was a blood feud that had to be avenged. And if given the chance, the Meng family certainly wouldn't spare him.

But Hu Ma knew nothing about how the feud began or where its roots lay. Despite his ignorance, he couldn't ask directly and reveal his lack of knowledge.

So, he first threw out a heavy accusation, trying to gain the upper hand and see how Eldest Master Meng would respond.

Sure enough, hearing Hu Ma's stern voice, Eldest Master Meng became somewhat bewildered. "You young whelp, you speak without reason..."

"Even now, the Ten Surnames await the Stone Pavilion Alliance—to seal reincarnation, slay the Human Demon, offer the Three Corpse, dismantle the Life Bridge, and destroy the ghost gate... Every family and clan has made preparations. Only your Hu Family has been dragging its feet and doing nothing, yet you turn around and blame my Meng family?"

"..."

Something stirred in Hu Ma's heart, and he committed it to memory. His gaze grew even colder as he shouted, "Things have come to this, and you still dare to speak such nonsense?"

"My Hu Family has paid such a great price, all for Immortal Ascension, yet we are hindered by your Meng family."

"Do you really think that because I value old ties, I wouldn't dare to shatter your spirit and marry Aunt off to someone else?"

"..."

"Young man, watch your words!"

Eldest Master Meng was equally furious. A sense of authority seemed to arise from within his yin soul as he shouted, "The Immortal Ascension of the Ten Surnames! Do you realize what a monumental event that is?"

"My Meng family was the one pushing energetically for this matter! Twenty years ago, we proposed using the Twelve Ghost Altars for Immortal Ascension. If your Hu Family hadn't meddled, our Meng Family Ancestor might have already comprehended Immortal Fate and wouldn't be in this suspended state..."

"Speaking of Immortal Ascension, Zhen Sui Hu is indeed the furthest from that immortal path. But that's something your Hu Family brought upon yourselves! The Ten Surnames were generous enough to let your Hu Family rejoin. And now you claim my Meng family is dragging you down?"

"Our Meng Family Ancestor is still only a Demi Immortal! This is all because of your Hu Family's interference!"

"..."

"Twelve Ghost Altars? Heh heh..."

Hu Ma immediately followed up, his voice cold, "That was a trap set by the State Preceptor. Do you think I don't know?"

"And weren't those evil spirits cleared out by your Meng family?"

"..."

"The State Preceptor... he deceived the Hu Family as well?"

Eldest Master Meng was even more bewildered. "Weren't those evil spirits jointly sealed into the Twelve Ghost Altars by the Hu Family and the State Preceptor? Afterward, it was your Hu Family that paid such a huge price to get the State Preceptor to plead on your behalf, so the Ten Surnames would grant you some time..."

Hearing him clearly speak to the crucial point, Hu Ma felt a slight chill in his heart, determined not to miss a single word.

Yet, just then, Eldest Granny Meng, beside him, spoke softly, "Old Master, say no more..."

"This child is tricking you."

"..."

"Hmm?"

Eldest Master Meng's heart jumped. He immediately focused his gaze on Hu Ma, his face showing anger.

Eldest Granny Meng sighed and brushed her hair aside. It was clear she had suffered greatly recently, and she seemed to have no cultivation. Yet, even in such a predicament, she still maintained a certain dignified grace.

Her gentle gaze fell on Hu Ma's face, and she said softly, "Hu Family's young nephew, you are clever, and you also have the Hu Family's ruthlessness."

"But in truth, you know nothing about past events, do you?"

"..."

"That depends on what we're talking about."

Hu Ma smiled and said, "When Fourth Master Meng came, he certainly caused me a lot of suffering..."

"What?"

Eldest Master Meng's expression changed suddenly, a trace of fear even appearing. "The matter concerning my fourth brother... you've known all along?"

Hu Ma said nothing, merely looking at them coldly.

"Our Meng family also had no choice."

Eldest Granny Meng sighed gently and said softly, "When you think about it, our Hu and Meng Families are natural allies, different from the other families. Walking ghosts and Negative Spirits—we are two sides of the same coin. How can it be clearly explained?"

"Initially, our two families had a falling out over the Zhensui Mansion. At its root, it was merely about who would take that first step. Unexpectedly, by tripping each other up, neither of us could make that move..."

"..."

Hu Ma looked at her coldly, recognizing that this woman was not simple. He said indifferently, "After all, it was your Meng family that struck first, making things difficult for everyone, wasn't it?"

"Yes..."

Eldest Granny Meng sighed softly and said, "Yes, it was our Meng family that underestimated the people of your Hu Family."

"It was also because our Ancestor's Immortal Ascension was incomplete, trapping him in daily suffering. This forced us to make a move against the Hu Family. There was a time when we genuinely thought we could control your Hu Family. We never expected someone like you to appear, someone with such methods..."

"Capturing both me and the Old Master shows your capability. However..."

As she spoke, her tone suddenly changed, tinged with a hint of helplessness. "But you've truly made a mistake."

"You captured us both. Do you think the Meng family is now helpless, and the Hu Family has gained the upper hand?"

"..."

She continued, her voice filled with boundless sorrow, "Whether it's me or the Old Master, if even one of us were still in the Meng family, this situation wouldn't have gotten so out of hand. There would still be room to talk."

"But with both of us captured by you, the Meng family's affairs will fall into the hands of that scheming child of mine."

"He is my child; I know him. He... he is a madman!"

"Before, it was only because the Old Master and I were there to restrain him that he didn't do anything too outrageous. But now that we're gone, who can guess what that madman will do?"

"..."

Hu Ma listened, frowning slightly, not rushing to speak.

Eldest Master Meng, who was beside them, also understood. He gave a bitter smile and said, "She's right."

"Young man, do you know why our Meng family, despite doing many things over the past twenty years, always left your Hu Family some breathing room?"

"That's because, no matter how deep the enmity between the Hu and Meng Families, neither of us wanted outsiders to benefit. So, when we acted, there was always a certain limit."

"But now, your Hu Family is under your control, and the Meng family has fallen into the hands of that rebellious son of mine. With you two youngsters both acting so ruthlessly, I'm afraid both the Hu and Meng Families might be facing utter destruction..."