Twilight Boundary-Chapter 692 - 683: The Life Gate of the Hu Family

"The Meng family was too arrogant..."

"You attacked the Hu Family, primarily because the Hu Family has been taking hits without the ability to strike back against the Meng family!"

"But don't forget, the Hu Family has that fierce spirit!"

"In your eyes, this may seem like a mutual ruin, a crisis where others can take advantage, but in the eyes of the Hu Family, this was finally the chance to pull your Meng family onto the gambling table!"

Hu Ma believed that Uncle Meng and Aunt Meng had already understood his words, so he didn't need to inquire further.

The Tongyin Meng family had a strong foundation, making it difficult to topple them, but now these two had given him a surprise, filling him with anticipation.

He rummaged through the Second Master's room and found a wine jug left from drinking. It was the wine Hu Ma had brought back to the village in his first year.

The wine was gone, and the Second Master had since used the jug for pickling vegetables. Hu Ma emptied the vegetables, dusted the bottom of the jug with incense ash, and drew the Hu Family's Chains Curse on its surface. Then, he placed Eldest Master Meng inside, sealed it, effectively taking him into custody, and handed the jug to Little Hongtang to hold.

Meanwhile, this Lady Meng was placed in a small cabin in a nearby valley, a place where hunters lived, and Zhou Datong was supposed to watch over her.

...Forget it, better let Li do it!

Having done all this, he took advantage of the night, leading Little Hongtang, and slowly walked towards the village.

In his mind, he was slowly pondering the words extracted from the Meng family: What exactly did the Ten Surnames do after watching Douyi collapse? The sealing of reincarnation, slaying of Human Demons, sacrificing Three Corpses, dismantling the Life Bridge, destroying the ghost gate... Were these all preparations made by the Ten Surnames for Immortal Ascension? Then, what role did the Hu Family play in this grand plan for Immortal Ascension? Was it true, as the Meng family claimed, that the feud between the two families arose merely because the Hu Family was trying to dominate? In truth, he didn't know much about the Hu Family. Regarding his original body's father and grandfather, he knew absolutely nothing, not even if they too were obsessed with this matter of achieving immortality. But he did know Granny... Would such a kind-hearted person, someone who at times even seemed a bit pedantic, also dream of achieving immortality?

His thoughts were momentarily tangled. Just then, he heard a sigh from the shadowy depths of the adjacent forest. A blurry figure sitting on a tree stump was quietly watching him.

Hu Ma turned around, bowed deeply, and smiled, "Senior, I was just wondering why I hadn't seen you for so long. I have some matters to discuss with you. The village is already preparing for the Sacrificial Mountain. Do you have any specific instructions or preferences we should be aware of?"

"Should I burn a couple of paper men to come and attend to you?"

"..." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Discard those filthy thoughts of yours..."

The mountain lord sighed and said, "Paper men are used to appease the yin souls of the underworld; they are of no use to me."

Hu Ma hurriedly said, "I've taken note. Are there any other particular requirements you have, Senior? I'll discuss it with the people in the village. We must ensure this ceremony is conducted splendidly."

"The Hu Family is indeed on the rise..."

The mountain lord, not fond of interacting with him, simply sighed deeply and said, "The woman you just locked up carries an air of nobility. She is far from ordinary."

"Well, of course."

Hu Ma smiled, "That lady is Meng..."

"Do not speak."

The mountain lord interrupted him, "I do not wish to have dozens of Lords troubling me. Matters of the jianghu, matters of the court, have nothing to do with me, nor do I care who you have imprisoned. I even distance myself during your interrogations."

"I merely saw that the Hu Family is currently enveloped by good fortune, and it stirred some complex feelings in my heart, so I came to see you, that's all."

"..."

Hu Ma sensed the mountain lord's complex emotions, then hesitated before saying suddenly, "Senior, the Hu Family has thin blessings, and someone is using this as an opportunity to gamble lives with us."

The mountain lord listened silently for a long time before speaking softly, "The Hu Family indeed has thin luck, even less than ordinary people."

"There are Paths in this world, Lords, and Evil Ghosts, but there are also things beyond the Path, like karma and calamities. If someone truly uses these things against the Hu Family, you must be cautious."

"Of course, those who invoke such things will also pay a heavy price themselves; that much is certain."

"..."

Hu Ma nodded, "But with such deep-seated grudges, and Granny still suffering, if there's a chance to bring down the Meng family, I don't want to retreat."

"You people of the Hu Family, so stiff-necked in doing ruthless things, when have you ever retreated?"

Hearing this, the mountain lord wryly smiled and said, "I know your mind is hard to change, and I can't persuade you. Besides, these matters have nothing to do with me; my debts to your Hu Family have been repaid."

"But..."

"..."

After a slight pause, he softly said, "I also always find it peculiar. After all the things the Hu Family ancestors have done, it seems they shouldn't have left behind such a significant Life Gate.

"The Hu Family's thin luck is known to the Ten Surnames, so they all feel they can control the Hu Family anytime. Even when the Meng family made a move against you, they had to tread carefully, fearing you would go all out in desperation and truly destroy the Zhensui Mansion. But if..."

"..."

Hu Ma continued slowly, "What if we endure it?"

"A Hu Family with such a significant Life Gate—if it endures the heavenly calamities, wouldn't that mean the Hu Family has no weaknesses?"

"..."

The mountain lord fell silent, a hint of admiration in his eyes. He wasn't sure when it had started, but this Hu Family youngster's conversations with him no longer felt like those of a junior receiving guidance. Instead, they were now discussions between peers.

After a long pause, he sighed softly and said, "I'm just an outsider, and I don't understand these matters. Though I have this suspicion, I still have to remind you: even someone as skilled as your father died from this calamity. You must also be cautious."

Hu Ma said no more, only nodding. He suddenly asked, "Senior, you are a Lord, yet confined to this mountain. You have ties with my Hu Family, but we are not on the same path. I see you appearing carefree every day, yet you always seem troubled. I wonder... in this mountain, who is it that you are guarding?"

"..."

His words carried a probing intent, but after he asked, silence reigned for a long time. When he looked again, only the dense, swaying shadows of the trees remained; the mountain lord had already left.

"So, he's still unwilling to say, huh..."

Hu Ma sighed and had no choice but to take Little Hongtang and continue walking towards the village. With complicated feelings, he asked, "Little Hongtang, have you ever seen my father?"

Little Hongtang shook her two little pigtails. "No. When Granny brought me back to the village, only Brother Ma Zi was at home."

Hu Ma thought for a moment. "Then, do you remember if Granny ever mentioned him?"

"I remember."

Little Hongtang thought for a while and said, "Granny cried sometimes too. She said her husband was a stubborn mule, her son was a contrary stick, and she, a fine young lady in her youth, shouldn't have married into the Hu Family to suffer."

"..."

Hu Ma was somewhat at a loss for words. He truly felt Granny had suffered a lot. He sighed and said, "By the way, before you were with Granny, where were you from?"

"Why did you also eat Purple Tai Sui?"

"..."

Little Hongtang looked dazed for a moment, as if pondering, then cheerfully shook her head, "Forgot!"

"Little Hongtang was brought out from a big house by Granny. I can't remember anything about the big house. After coming out, I just stayed by Granny's side!"

"..."

Alright then. He had always intended to properly question Little Hongtang, but every time, his well-thought-out questions ended so abruptly and inconclusively.

Returning to the village, Hu Ma found Li, gave him detailed instructions, and asked him not to tell Zhou Datong. Of course, Li agreed and headed out immediately to handle matters that night.

Looking at Dayang Village now, a joyous atmosphere prevailed. Although several days remained until the eighth, respected elders from neighboring villages had already arrived to lend a hand.

These elders, having reached a venerable age, understood all the old customs and arranged everything methodically.

Of course, at times, they bickered among themselves—one claiming another was wrong, another insisting someone else remembered incorrectly. If tempers flared, hoes were nearly lifted in anger.

Hu Ma wasn't worried about them actually fighting; after all, none of them could best the Second Master... The Second Master and the Old Clan Chief, those two brothers—one shrewd, the other robust—were well-renowned in the surrounding villages.

Of course, news of Dayang Village's upcoming Sacrificial Mountain ceremony made attendees from other villages uneasy, despite their silence. After all, once the mountain was sacrificed to, Dayang Village would gain great prestige, becoming the foremost in Old Yin Mountain. Which village wouldn't be envious?

However displeased they might be, the sight of Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu in their majestic iron armor, accompanied by uniformed soldiers acting as their attendants, thoroughly intimidated the people from the other villages.

They were real officials, after all; who wouldn't be afraid?

As various affairs within the village were settled one by one, guests invited to observe the ceremony gradually began to arrive.

First came Master Xu Wensheng, the grain overseer from Mingzhou, who had received the letter; Bald Zhang, the troop leader; Lady Cui, the assistant troop leader; the incense-burning Old Master from the Red Lantern Lady Temple; several wealthy gentry from Mingzhou City; and other noble families. All arrived accompanied by a retinue of servants, escorting carts full of congratulatory gifts.

When they entered the village, not only the people from the neighboring villages but even those from Dayang Village itself were stunned.

Even Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu felt it would be inappropriate for them to go out and greet these arrivals. After all, under the food-protection general, Master Xu Wensheng, Bald Zhang, and the others held ranks that slightly exceeded their own.

So, they hurried with Hu Ma in their midst to the village entrance. Unexpectedly, Master Xu not only disregarded them (Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu) but also paid no heed to Hu Ma. After a perfunctory salute, he scanned the surroundings and merely asked, "Where is that old brother of mine?"

"Old brother?"

Hu Ma was still somewhat puzzled when Xu Wensheng's gaze swept through the crowd, and he immediately recognized the Second Master.

Rushing forward, he pushed through the crowd, bowed deeply to the Second Master with a beaming smile, and said with overflowing warmth, "Brother, surely you still remember old Xu?"

"I've long wanted to visit you in the village to pay my respects!"