Twilight Boundary-Chapter 704 - 695: Universal Sacrifice

"Are you sure you're not joking with me? You really intend to annihilate the entire prominent Tongyin Meng family in one fell swoop?"

When Little Hongtang sent out one overt and two covert secret letters, Hu Ma, who had contacted Miss Red Wine through his Lifebound Spirit Temple, also heard her surprised exclamation, "Elder Longjing was able to eliminate Noble Zhang using Nightmare Magic because his skill has reached that level."

"The Tongyin Meng family is indeed the most arrogant among the Ten Surnames right now. You can injure them, assassinate a few of the grasshead kings they've cultivated, or even kidnap their Elder Grandmother..."

"But you're saying you want to have the Meng family struck off the list entirely?" Miss Red Wine asked.

Hu Ma replied, "Though I may not possess Elder Longjing's level of skill, I am, at least, a member of the Hu Family, am I not?"

Hu Ma smiled. "Of course, even the Hu Family is considerably outmatched when compared to the Meng family. It's only because the Meng family now seeks a life-or-death gamble with the Hu Family that we have this opportunity."

"Indeed, indeed," Miss Red Wine sneered. "But the heritage of the Ten Surnames is terrifying—the more you consider it, the more frightening it becomes. You truly shouldn't underestimate the disciples of the Meng family."

"From birth, what they see and learn is far more profound than ours. They won't be foolish enough to throw themselves into the line of fire. Be careful not to let a moment of carelessness lead to a major setback... Of course, if we could truly seize the Meng family's Bridge, it would indeed be a great accomplishment."

Hu Ma laughed. "Indeed. My only fear is that they *won't* be that foolish. But perhaps the Meng family's luck has truly run out. Lately, my right eyelid has started twitching."

"No family among the Ten Surnames relies solely on luck to maintain their standing!" Miss Red Wine said seriously. "Besides, a twitching right eyelid signifies impending disaster. You're the one who should be cautious."

"I've already distributed the Purple Tai Sui. The Reincarnators are about to ascend the Bridge in large numbers... And that one called Monkey Wine, he really doesn't act like an outsider, taking enough for ten people by himself. Otherwise, there would be even more..."

"But even with the Purple Tai Sui providing cover, ascending the Bridge is ultimately a perilous undertaking. No one can be sure if they'll encounter an ambush by the Ten Surnames on the Bridge, or if some other trouble will arise."

"If the Hu and Meng Families were to truly engage in a major conflict now, it would conveniently divert attention from the Reincarnators."

"And if the Reincarnators succeed in ascending the Bridge this time, then perhaps..." She paused slightly, then whispered, "They will no longer need to hide so furtively as before."

As she spoke, a thought occurred to her, and she suddenly added, "Besides, with such a rare opportunity, aren't you going to take this chance to ascend the Bridge yourself?"

"You shouldn't be lacking Purple Tai Sui. Even if you were, I could share some with you!"

Hearing Miss Red Wine's concern, Hu Ma smiled. "I will also ascend the Bridge, just not with the main contingent."

"I already obtained Purple Tai Sui previously in the underworld. I just need to observe a bit more before deciding how to take that final step."

Having clarified things with Miss Red Wine, Hu Ma finally felt completely at ease.

He quietly gazed at the oil lamp burning before him. Through this lamp, he could hear some of the events unfolding within the Walking Ghost Path. With Aunt Zhang receiving his letter and notifying the various walking ghosts, the scale of this Sacrificial Mountain had already grown more than tenfold compared to before.

Logically, the Hu Family members had been absent for a long time, and few within the Walking Ghost Path today still held faith in them.

However, after Hu Ma reopened the Zhensui Mansion and accomplished several significant deeds, he had at least earned a considerable reputation within the Walking Ghost Path.

Most crucially, by reopening the Zhensui Mansion and issuing the decree to slay ghosts, he prompted the Hundred Ghosts to Return to the Altar, as recorded on the Zhensui Mansion's roster. Consequently, the abilities of Ghost Walkers throughout the land surged, and with these Hundred Ghosts backing her, Aunt Zhang's words now carried far more weight than before.

It could be said that nearly ninety percent of the walking ghosts in the world relied on the power of these Hundred Ghosts. Consequently, almost all of them could hear the messages Aunt Zhang conveyed through the Hundred Ghosts Magic Altar.

This influence, distinct from that of the Zhensui Mansion, truly belonged to the Walking Ghost Family itself.

Moreover, Hu Ma, speaking on behalf of his family for the first time, sought neither fame nor profit. He only asked them, as they embarked on this path, to lead the people from all regions in a Sacrificial Mountain ritual. This concept originated from the village and resonated deeply with the hearts of walking ghosts everywhere.

「Meanwhile, in Mingzhou Prefecture...」

When Little Hongtang delivered the letter to Immortal Miaoshan, the immortal, who was enjoying an opera, was suddenly overcome with a mixture of surprise and immense joy. "When did the Sect Hierarch return to Mingzhou? Why hasn't he come to visit me?"

"Auntie, quickly, look at the letter!" the Bean Official beside her urged, craning his neck. "The world is in upheaval; it's a critical time! For the Sect Hierarch, who usually finds you so bothersome, to proactively send a letter—it must contain something very important!"

"How could the Sect Hierarch find *me* bothersome?" Immortal Miaoshan retorted, clutching the letter, suddenly indignant.

The Bean Official urged, "Read the letter, read the letter!"

"If the letter is so important, why should *I* be the one to read it? Quickly, deliver it to Big Senior Brother!" Immortal Miaoshan declared.

Immortal Miaoshan handed the letter to the Bean Official and stood up abruptly. "Pack your things; we're going to the mountains to take a look."

The Bean Official immediately grew anxious again. As a little ghost, he wasn't allowed to peek at the letter, yet he was desperate to know its contents. Hurriedly, he took the letter, his short legs churning like wheels, and after a night of arduous travel, finally delivered it into the hands of Senior Brother No-eating Cattle.

This Big Senior Brother, who had sustained some injuries during the recent Dragon Slaying, was nonetheless in high spirits. Upon seeing the letter, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled, "Truly worthy of the title Sect Hierarch."

The Bean Official stared. "Big Senior Uncle, you always spoke of the Advisor with respect, but you used to call him 'Junior Uncle,' unwilling to address him as Sect Hierarch. Has your way of addressing him finally changed?"

"During the Dragon Slaying, I already knew he was the Sect Hierarch. I saw his shadow beside Martial Uncle Longjing." Senior Brother No-eating Cattle sighed softly. "In the past, I admit I wanted to scrutinize him somewhat. This was because he was a Sect Hierarch pushed upon us, and he didn't particularly like us. But observing his actions now, he is indeed our Sect Hierarch."

"Furthermore, he truly understands what we, the No-Eating Beef Disciples, have prepared over so many years—what we've painstakingly saved up as our sole asset!"

The Bean Official hurriedly asked, "So, what are we to do this time?"

Senior Brother No-eating Cattle didn't answer directly. Instead, supporting his injured body, he slowly rose to his feet and, with a long sigh, whispered, "The Sacrificial Mountain."

"There are village sacrifices, and there are Prefecture sacrifices. Gods are not efficacious without incense. The scale of the sacrificial ceremony determines the scale of incense the deity can enjoy."

Hearing this, the Bean Official grew excited. "Does that mean the Sect Hierarch intends to..."

"The Sect Hierarch has high aims; village and Prefecture sacrifices are beneath his notice..." Senior Brother No-eating Cattle sighed softly. "The foundation of No-Eating Beef lies with the common people. He has instructed us to act with our full strength. This already surpasses the limits of ordinary Prefectures and regions. It might even be considered..." He paused, sighing again, "...a Sacrifice for All Under Heaven!"

"All Under Heaven?" The Bean Official was dumbstruck, unable to utter a word for a long moment. Big Senior Brother, however, suddenly turned to him with a smile. "Little Lord, do me a favor and go issue an order!"

"All No-Eating Beef Disciples are to mobilize the local populace, with Yin Mountain as the signal, and on the eighth day of the month, perform the Sacrificial Mountain ritual for the Mountain God!"

"Furthermore, order the leading disciples of the Eight Gates of No-Eating Beef to proceed together to Old Yin Mountain to pay their respects to the Sect Hierarch."

"For someone of his standing to be willing to return divine authority to the people... Our No-Eating Beef's vision and magnanimity are far inferior to his. We absolutely must make the most of this connection!"

「Elsewhere, in the west of Xia Land...」

At the same time, as walking ghosts across the land received the news from their Magic Altars and the No-Eating Beef members were gathering the populace to spread the word, upon a desolate mountain, a young master from a wealthy family, dressed in brocade robes, his face painted white with rouged cheeks, and his body bedecked with various ornaments—exuding an intentionally bizarre and flamboyant aura—was shivering uncontrollably as he was escorted forward by a ceremonial procession.

He was Meng Sizhong, a disciple from a distant branch of the Tongyin Meng family. Since childhood, he had always envied the grand processions of the main Meng Family members. Yet now, the ceremony tent and retinue prepared for him surpassed even those of the Meng family's direct heirs.

Yet, he felt not a shred of joy. Instead, trembling violently, he stared at the Ghost Cave deep in the desolate mountains before him—a gaping maw leading to an unknown destination—and cried out, "I... I am willing to go down and serve the Old Ancestor..."

"Young Master Sizhong, be careful what you say." Accompanying him was a Little Inquiry Hall Officer from the Tongyin Meng family. Here in this desolate wilderness, he too seemed afraid of disturbing something and spoke in a low voice, "You must recognize your own status. The Old Ancestor does not accept service from those not of the direct bloodline. They are not qualified to go down and serve."

"For someone like you, from a distant branch, to be shown such grace and permitted to serve the main family is already a blessing."

"Besides, when you went to Mingzhou that time, you suffered a loss at the hands of that Hu Family member. Upon your return, you were constantly cursing and often publicly declared that if you ever had the chance to eliminate that Hu Family spawn, you wouldn't hesitate to risk your life. Isn't that so?"

"It is precisely because the Eldest Young Master remembered those words of yours that he specifically chose you to be the one to deliver the calamity this time..."

"I..." Young Master Meng Sizhong's voice trembled. "But... but this is delivering a calamity..."

"I've heard that the one who delivers a calamity will not only be plagued by karmic retribution themselves but will also bring misfortune upon their entire clan and blood relatives, right?"

"The Eldest Young Master is just trying to frighten the Hu Family, isn't he? He doesn't truly intend to send a calamity, right?"

The Little Inquiry Hall Officer sighed softly. Seeing Young Master Sizhong was terrified to the extreme and fearing he wouldn't kowtow obediently, the officer closed his eyes slightly and silently recited a few incantations.

Young Master Sizhong suddenly felt his body grow heavy, as if a strange figure had appeared on his back, pressing his head down and forcing him to kowtow.

The instant his forehead touched the ground, the incense he held in his hands burned out completely in a flash.

At that very moment, countless members of the Tongyin Meng family, through the connection of their shared bloodline and karma, suddenly felt a heavy, oppressive weight settle upon their hearts. They reached out to touch it but could grasp nothing, yet the sensation of being crushed was undeniably real.

「In the Meng ancestral home...」

The Eldest Young Master of the Meng family sat beside a square table. He had someone bring a basin of water, into which he gazed, and then he burst into loud laughter that echoed through the corridors. "The calamity has been successfully invoked! Disaster is upon the Hu Family!"

Something my father and grandfather failed to achieve has actually been accomplished by my hand?

"Unfilial son... Unfilial son!"

「Meanwhile, in Old Yang Village...」

A pickled vegetable jar, placed in a corner of a room, suddenly began to tremble violently. The wails of Eldest Master Meng emanated from within: "He's squandered our fortune and ruined our longevity! That rebellious son, he should have been drowned in a chamber pot at birth!"

"Hu Family brat! Hu Family brat, quickly, come see me! A great calamity has arrived! A great calamity has arrived..."