Twilight Boundary-Chapter 406 - 402: Mining and Entering the Cave
"Really going to dig?"
Hu Ma’s question sent a shiver down everyone’s spine.
This valley had just witnessed a massive upheaval. Many corpses still lay uncollected, and layers of dead gu insects carpeted the ground. Though seemingly lifeless, the sight of them alone was enough to make one’s skin crawl. And all this chaos had stemmed from someone’s desire to open this mysterious mine and claim what lay within...
"That Mine Chief Zhuang isn’t all that honest either."
Feeling the tension among those around him, Hu Ma heaved a sigh and whispered, "He claimed he didn’t understand, but in reality, he had long figured out what was inside this mine. He was just trying to fool us."
"Moreover, since this thing exists, once word gets out, who knows if it will attract other covetous parties, stirring up even more trouble?"
"Besides, with such a sinister object just sitting in the mine, everyone will feel uneasy over time, right?"
"Listen to Brother Ma Zi."
Zhou Datong, ever diligent, immediately fetched two shovels and plunged them into the ground. He spat into his palms, rubbed them together, and looked eager to begin.
"Let’s not rush..."
Just as everyone was rolling up their sleeves, Calculation, who had been standing nearby, deep in thought, suddenly spoke up, "The Shopkeeper is right. It’s necessary to open it and see, but we must be thoroughly prepared."
"This valley is filled with corpses and gu insects. We need to clean everything up first. This is a blood food mine, after all, and strange occurrences are common. If we open it and some malevolent energy escapes, it could contaminate these corpses and gu insects, leading to serious problems."
Everyone agreed that his reasoning was sound.
These corpses and gu insects were problematic enough on ordinary days; if tainted by the sinister energy from a blood food mine, they would become even more dangerous. Cleaning up first was the only way to ensure peace of mind.
So, they busied themselves with the arrangements, and even Calculation was persuaded to help direct the efforts.
Incidents were frequent at the blood food mine, so coffins were always kept in stock. Zhuang Erchang’s two apprentices, along with the men who had accompanied Old Shousui Old Master Sun and the Magic King from the One Coin Sect, were carefully placed in coffins, and incense was burned for them.
These individuals had affiliations, and it was possible their associates would come to reclaim their bodies. Ensuring they were properly prepared now would make any future interactions smoother.
The Witches’ corpses, mostly gnawed by gu insects, were difficult to collect. Besides, it was unlikely anyone would come for them, and with the sheer number of insects on their bodies, no one dared touch them. They were piled together, a generous amount of dry firewood was gathered, and they were incinerated.
Once the valley was thoroughly cleaned, inside and out, the sun was already high at noon. Hu Ma had one group continue working while sending another to build a fire and prepare a meal.
Everyone had been on edge all night with little chance to relax. Even those who hadn’t contributed much were highly strung and famished. They all needed a hearty meal before attempting to open the mine vein.
However, when the Meat Cutting workers saw Hu Ma actually pull away the red cloth, apparently intending to excavate whatever was in the mine, fear gripped them. They worried Hu Ma and his men would force them into the eerie, unknown depths to scout ahead.
Some even exchanged furtive glances, wondering if, with the Witches gone from the outside, they could seize the chance to escape.
Yet, Hu Ma had promised them wages for their patrol duty over the past few days, and since those wages hadn’t been paid, they dared not actually flee.
As they held their large bowls, too agitated to eat and internally conflicted, Hu Ma approached. The entire group scrambled to their feet, legs trembling.
But Hu Ma merely asked them to sit down, then began to inquire about what had happened when Zhuang Erchang was excavating this mine. With Zhuang Erchang gone and his two apprentices dead, the leaderless miners naturally told him everything they knew.
Hu Ma listened intently, a clearer picture forming in his mind: Zhuang Erchang’s previous words had been a mix of truth and lies. It was true that an old miner had gone in and only half of him had been pulled out. It was also true that his eldest apprentice, wearing talismanic armor, had entered, emerged covered in blood and radiating a sinister aura, and then gone back in. However, the claim that Zhuang Erchang had immediately sealed the mine was false. According to the Meat Cutting workers, Zhuang Erchang had first cordoned off the mine with red cloth, preventing ordinary miners from seeing inside. He had muttered and studied within for a long time before finally sealing it.
So, the mine is indeed exceptionally strange, Hu Ma concluded silently as he let the workers continue their meal. But Zhuang Erchang wasn’t entirely helpless against it. He likely sealed the mine because the Witches arrived too quickly, leaving him no other choice. He must have already guessed what lay within the vein, realizing he couldn’t take it for himself, perhaps couldn’t even transport it easily. That’s why he took the drastic step of informing his Master, effectively selling this treasure to the One Coin Sect... If he could devise a solution, then as an Entering the Mansion Shousui, I should be able to as well.
His mind made up, and guided by a somewhat unsettling intuition, Hu Ma began preparations immediately. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Contrary to the miners’ expectations, neither Hu Ma nor his companions showed any sign of forcing them to enter. This piqued the miners’ curiosity, and they gathered at a distance to watch.
Of course, though determined to open the mine vein, Hu Ma proceeded with caution, heeding Calculation’s advice. Not only had he ensured all corpses and gu insects were cleared from the valley, but he also had an incense table set up, laden with offerings like steamed buns and plump chickens.
He had wooden stakes sharpened, wrapped them with hair cut from the heads of dead Witches, and then buried them in seven spots, all aligned with the mine entrance.
Next, he retrieved a row of ten jars from the warehouse. Each was covered with talismans that Calculation had scribbled illegibly using Tai Sui’s blood. These were arranged in a semicircle around the mine entrance, each jar three steps from the next.
What kind of Path does this old fellow truly follow? Hu Ma wondered, finding it all rather bizarre. He often felt that Calculation knew a great deal, seemingly employing Magic from various Paths, yet none of it appeared particularly profound.
Profound or not, Calculation’s arrangements seemed to reassure many. They exchanged glances, then walked up, yanked the red cloth away from the mine entrance, and dismantled the wooden frame.
WHEW!
As the wooden frame was pulled out, a cloud of dust billowed, revealing a dark, seemingly bottomless hole in the rock.
A cold, eerie wind, carrying the fresh scent of blood, wafted out from the depths of the mine.
Everyone shivered involuntarily, looking at each other with unease, an inexplicable chill creeping into their hearts.
Even Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, Zhao Zhu, and the others fell silent for a moment. Though they had been with the Blood Food Society for two years, they had always been stationed at the Manor, responsible for transport, and knew little about the mine’s affairs. Being this close, fear was a natural reaction.
But after a brief pause, Zhou Datong laughed. "Are your balls shrinking from fear? Come on, give me the meat cutting knife. I’ll go take a look!"
Zhao Zhu immediately said, "You stay here and guard. I’ll go."
Zhou Liang chimed in, "Yeah, let Zhuzi go!"
Watching them, Hu Ma couldn’t help but sigh. The youths from the village were indeed earnest. Of course, it wasn’t that they were truly fearless.
It was mainly because, by following him, they ate well, dressed well, and learned genuine skills. Hu Ma usually didn’t involve them in truly dangerous ventures, so an unspoken sense of indebtedness had grown in their young hearts.
Faced with danger, they were afraid, yes, but they were also prepared to brace themselves and confront it.
"Forget it. All of you stay here and guard. I’ll go!"
Hu Ma removed his outer robe and spoke to them, then headed towards the opening. They were all shocked and tried to stop him, but he waved his hand, signaling them not to say anything. He was going into this mine vein to confirm a hunch, so he had to go.
However, just as Hu Ma, under the worried eyes of the crowd, lifted the hem of his long robe, tucked it into his waistband, and bent down, preparing to crawl into the mine, his expression suddenly changed, and he retreated several steps.
The others heard it too and hastily fell back, their eyes wide as they stared into the dark depths of the mine.
Faintly, they heard THUDDING sounds, THUD! THUD! as if some heavy, savage force was ramming against the rock walls from within, like a caged beast desperate to break free.
Most terrifyingly, whatever was inside was drawing closer and closer to the mine exit.
"There’s something in there?"
Listening to the heavy, indistinct sounds from within, Hu Ma and the others who had retreated from the entrance stood dumbfounded.
They exchanged glances, confirming it wasn’t their imagination: something inside the mine was indeed moving, heavily, step by step, towards the outside.
A sudden tremor of nameless dread surged through them. Many felt their legs instinctively weaken, and even a simple breath made their bodies tremble violently.
Hu Ma’s resolve hardened. He retreated completely from the mine, extended his hand to the side, and snapped, "Quick, grab your weapons!"
CLANG!
The crowd finally reacted, hurriedly grabbing their knives, spears, and pitchforks, clutching them tightly.
Even Little Hongtang snapped into action. Remembering Hu Ma’s earlier instruction to hold her Red Lantern carefully when they left, she, with a WHOOSH, darted over, grabbed the Red Lantern hanging on the memorial arch, then snatched up her saw-toothed knife and squeezed into the crowd.
She tossed the saw-toothed knife to Hu Ma. Then, Little Hongtang stood on tiptoe, trying to shove the bamboo handle of the Red Lantern into his hand. Hu Ma merely glanced at it and waved dismissively,
"Get something useful!"
Little Hongtang stood momentarily stunned. She placed the Red Lantern on the ground, opened her small basket, and pulled out a bone of the Five Evil Gods for him.
