Twilight Boundary-Chapter 732 - 723: Silence in Response

A coffin, a cart, a fine horse chosen from the village, and some luggage comprised Hu Ma’s travel preparations.

Logically speaking, given his current wealth—though he had very little Blood Food, he had plenty of gold and silver—he could arrange something more luxurious. But Hu Ma had an inexplicable feeling. Right now, he just wanted to keep a low profile, so he only prepared the essentials.

There was much to take care of: the Newborn Pond God, and the Ghost Walking Sect, who were responsible for guiding spirits back to their altars and ensuring their proper settlement—all these matters required significant attention. However, he could barely attend to these things now, as he just wanted to hurry to Shangjing.

Other matters could be put aside, but Second Master’s affairs were critical. Long before the Sacrificial Mountain ritual made him a Saint, Second Master had eagerly planned to take the villagers to Hu Ma’s Blood Food mine to earn wages. Now, even as a Saint, he still intended to go.

But speaking of the Blood Food mine, Hu Ma fell silent for a moment. He didn’t immediately agree and first summoned Old Calculation.

"Are the people from the Witch village still at the Blood Food mine?"

Old Calculation immediately understood that Hu Ma was referring to Wu Song and quickly shook his head, saying, "No. Near the end of the year, he only visited the Blood Food mine once. The Blood Food you had Datong’s group transport was handed over to him, and he left after that."

"When he left, he also took Master Ma from the mine. Who knows what he said to that old horse, but it happily followed him away."

"The Blood Food extracted from the mine this year has also been promised to a merchant caravan for delivery to the address he left. He said he might be busy for a while and wouldn’t have time to come for it again. I haven’t had time to go back to the mine to supervise, but my young disciple, Wuya, is still there!

"We’re just waiting for these Meat Cutting Craftsmen to arrive and prepare to harvest this year’s Blood Food."

Hearing that Monkey Wine was not at the mine, Hu Ma relaxed slightly. He then agreed with Second Master, allowing Datong to stay in the village for a few more days. After the first lunar month ended, they would gather the Meat Cutting Craftsmen Second Master had promised earlier and head to the Blood Food mine for the harvesting work.

Having arranged all this, Hu Ma immediately prepared to leave.

Even the Old Clan Chief and the others hadn’t expected Hu Ma to be in such a hurry, not even waiting for the first lunar month to end before heading out. But everyone in the village knew Hu Ma had his own ideas, so they didn’t try to stop him; they only baked some large flatbreads for him to take along.

「The night before his departure」

Hu Ma fell into a deep sleep, as if the fatigue of the past few days had suddenly overwhelmed him.

In his drowsy state, he suddenly heard someone calling, "Brother Old White, can you hear my call?"

Hu Ma was startled, finding himself in his Lifebound Spirit Temple. He clearly heard Miss Red Wine’s voice. She called out several times before stating directly, "Now that the Reincarnators have succeeded in the Bridge Crossing Experience, their power has greatly increased, and they have discovered many things they hadn’t noticed before.

"Now Brother Dazed Donkey, also known as the Long-winning King, is preparing to advance to Three Rivers Beach...

"Brother Monkey Wine in Peach County received the Golden Silk Tai Sui I sent him. His research has progressed, but he still needs...

"Also, Bai said she found clues about a friend we once had in Shangjing. She left me a cryptic message and then departed, refusing to elaborate...

"By the way, if you have time, find that fellow named Gua Shao. Wasn’t he supposed to be the most honest one among your Mingzhou group? Now he’s caused such a huge disaster...

"Bai said before that she only listens to you...

"Besides, didn’t you want the insights from the Bridge Crossing Experience? Where are you? I’ve compiled them and arranged for someone to deliver them to you!"

She spoke a torrent of words. Seeing no response from Hu Ma, she finally stopped, muttering to herself, "Could he have left Old Yin Mountain?

"With my power, if you return within three days, you should be able to hear my words.

"These are hectic times; find me quickly! There’s so much to discuss!"

Hu Ma remained silent, not responding even as Miss Red Wine’s voice faded away. Their Life Incense didn’t intertwine, so Miss Red Wine couldn’t discover that Hu Ma had been listening all along.

However, it was clear from her voice that she was somewhat anxious. This was probably because the Reincarnators’ power had greatly increased, which made her eager to discuss matters with Hu Ma.

They really don’t guard against me at all...

But as Hu Ma listened to her voice appear and then vanish, his emotions became incredibly complex.

The State Preceptor was right; this was indeed the time when all Reincarnators trusted him the most. All their secrets were open to him. For many matters, they even wanted his opinion before making a decision. If I had any ill intent, wouldn’t it be incredibly easy to lead them astray, even into a trap? But I won’t. Not only will I not, but knowing the State Preceptor is watching me, the less I know about these things, the better.

He withdrew from the Lifebound Spirit Temple, even removing the three Life Incense sticks.

Only this way could he ensure that even if other Reincarnators tried to call him, he wouldn’t hear them.

Despite all his efforts during this time—fighting the Meng family and visiting the Twelve Ghost Altars—he was utterly exhausted. Yet, it seemed his drowsiness had vanished. He simply sat on the doorstep, watching the moon in the sky.

He sat from night until dawn tinged the eastern sky. Then, he composed himself, wanting to appear as though he had slept well, bid farewell to Second Master, took Little Hongtang with him, and left with the coffin.

Seeing Hu Ma about to leave the village, Fourth Miss Zhou naturally couldn’t continue staying in the village to freeload meals, so she followed him out. Having eaten and drunk her fill at their expense for several days—and good quality at that—she hung one of her jade ornaments in front of Second Master’s house as payment for the food.

Little Hongtang rode on the horse, Fourth Miss Zhou sat at the back of the cart, and Hu Ma walked beside it, carrying the Punishment Officer’s Great Saber. Old Calculation, his fate sealed, could only follow behind.

The group headed straight out of Old Yin Mountain. Along the way, a wind blew, carrying the rich scent of incense. Hu Ma knew the mountain lord was watching over him, but now, even with the mountain lord, he didn’t know what to say. He merely bowed in respect as he exited the mountain.

The mountain lord seemed somewhat curious, not quite understanding. The Meng family had been dealt with, and the disaster averted. Why was this Hu Family lad’s heart even less tranquil than before?

「After Hu Ma and his group left Old Yin Mountain」

The road became lively. They had traveled less than twenty miles when they saw people by the roadside, bowing in greeting. It was Immortal Miaoshan and several of her No-Eating Beef Disciples.

They were all dressed as Martial Artists, so outsiders wouldn’t recognize them. From afar, they guided Hu Ma and his party into a Manor by the roadside to rest, even personally arranging for the kitchen to prepare a meal for Hu Ma.

She had come from Mingzhou City, originally intending to go directly into Old Yin Mountain to observe the sacrificial ceremony. However, she was blocked outside the mountain by her Big Senior Brother and compelled to stay and help with work. Now that she finally saw Hu Ma, she noticed he seemed somewhat listless, so she thought it best not to disturb him.

She was dissatisfied seeing Hu Ma using such an ordinary cart and a dull-witted horse, so she had them replaced with better ones.

As an aside, she also stuffed a bundle of gold and silver and two jars of Blood Food onto the cart.

As for Fourth Miss Zhou, Immortal Miaoshan observed her closely. From her speech and demeanor, she deduced that Fourth Miss Zhou was of high birth and possessed considerable skills.

Her appearance was also quite pleasing!

Nearby, however, the Bean Official watched with a stunned expression. Oh no, my lady will never get married now! How can she still be giggling foolishly here? No, I must quickly go and pack my lady’s belongings...

Hu Ma paid little attention to Immortal Miaoshan. Since he had been received by the No-Eating Beef Disciples outside the mountain, he went to take a look. He saw that the Manor was filled with clay molds for Steles and craftsmen at work, and he understood what the No-Eating Beef Disciples were doing.

In Old Yin Mountain, New Gods had been born, but the sacrificial ceremony had only lasted for a day. These New Gods, with demons and devils still rampant in the world, were still fledgling.

The No-Eating Beef Disciples did things with a clear beginning and end, knowing exactly what they aimed to achieve. Thus, without needing instructions from Hu Ma, they had already begun preparations to repair the common folk’s divine temples, to help them gather incense, and also to guard the New Gods against any unexpected turns of events.

They had invited Hu Ma over to see if he was satisfied with their arrangements.

At the sculpting area within the Manor, Hu Ma met Senior Brother No-eating Cattle. He was different from before. He approached Hu Ma respectfully, bowed, and said with a smile, "The Sect Hierarch returns the gods to the people. We, understanding his esteemed intention, will naturally build divine temples and sculpt their forms, ensuring the common folk’s incense has a proper place to be offered. We will start from Old Yin Mountain, building temples and gathering incense.

"If the Ten Surnames are temporarily unable to manage this area, well, previously the Meng family established the Yin God Temple and compelled various Lords to come, only for them to be slaughtered. This has left many Prefectures vacant, and the incense needs to be guided to them as well.

"Once these pond gods enter the various Prefectures and enjoy the Worship of the common folk, then the evil spirits throughout the land will likely become much more subdued."

Hu Ma listened to his arrangements and nodded.

But instead of elaborating on those words, he suddenly asked, "I merely performed the Sacrificial Mountain ritual to borrow incense. Yet, you mobilized all your people and even prepared to contend with the Ten Surnames. Do you acknowledge me now because you recognize the Great Virtuous Master of old?"

Senior Brother No-eating Cattle perceived Hu Ma’s mood. Instead of asking rashly, he nodded slowly, "Our Master taught us to deceive gods and ghosts, but never to deceive the common folk. The Sect Hierarch led us in the Sacrificial Mountain ritual, brought forth New Gods, and restored protection to the common folk.

"We believe in our Master, so naturally, we also believe in the Sect Hierarch!"

Hu Ma could see that Senior Brother No-eating Cattle’s attitude towards him had subtly changed. He seemed to genuinely acknowledge him as the Sect Hierarch. Previously, his heart might have felt some joy at this, but now he merely shook his head.

Looking into his eyes, he suddenly said, "Then, what if I were to tell you that your Master, and your other martial uncles, ultimately aim to seize this land?"

"That truly is a significant question," Senior Brother No-eating Cattle said, looking up at Hu Ma. "But I have followed our Master for over forty years. How is it that I only know he had the heart to kill the Emperor, but never saw him possess the heart to become one?"

Seeing the confident expression on his face, Hu Ma let out a light breath and smiled. "Does this Manor of yours have any wine?

"I’d very much like to hear you speak in detail about this senior of yours!"