Twilight Boundary-Chapter 421 - 415 Seven Apertures Ultimate Skills (One more update)
"This is putting us in a difficult position..."
Hu Ma looked at the gazes from everyone around the table and sighed inwardly.
Compared to other Paths, Shousui men lacked these flashy tactics the most. Moreover, the few present had all Entered the Mansion. Their abilities looked somewhat unimaginable, making it even harder to catch their Dharma Eye.
Even if one forced themselves to show off a skill, if not done well, it would still make them lose face and be looked down upon.
While he was pondering this, the one-eyed old Altar Master of Great Shanbao raised his head, glanced at Hu Ma, then suddenly smiled at the person next to him.
"How done do you want it?"
"..."
The others were momentarily stunned. Then, they saw the old Altar Master of Great Shanbao adjust the eyepatch over his eye, revealing a bloodshot eye underneath, looking towards the leader. The vital energy from his body boiled, and a faint white smoke emerged.
By then, the bandits outside had understood the danger and knelt down to kowtow. They realized they had encountered a formidable person and were completely devoid of their previous fierceness. However, the leader, after kowtowing a few times, suddenly flew into a rage.
"Why kneel? We brothers have devoured countless people in the mountains, yet in this lousy town, we have to suffer this indignity?"
"Who’s using Sorcery to harm us? Find him and chop him up!"
"..."
As he spoke, his anger was uncontrollable. With his other hand, he swung his knife wildly, but he couldn’t move beyond the boundary of the bowl, only swinging the knife randomly to vent his anger.
Gradually, he screamed with such intensity that layers of steam rose from his body. As if his strength was spent, he slowly fell to the ground, his skin bright red, as if steamed.
The man was already dead.
The key was, this person was already done.
Goodness, is this also a Shousui man?
Hu Ma watched, somewhat surprised. This old Altar Master of Great Shanbao wasn’t using any Qimen Skill, but genuine Shousui man techniques.
Hu Ma could tell it was one of the Seven Apertures Ultimate Skills of the Shousui level achieved after Entering the Mansion, a skill targeting the eyes. One eye became bloodshot; by focusing on a person, he could ignite their vital energy.
The targeted person would become increasingly agitated, angry, and unable to control themselves.
But this was just the beginning. By further exerting his power, he could cause the opponent’s vital energy to continuously heat up. Once it reached its peak, their entire vital energy would boil, scalding them to death from the inside out.
With this skill, if engaged in combat, the opponent would become progressively anxious. When an opponent grew anxious, their flaws would be exposed. Even if there were no flaws, they couldn’t last long against him as their vital energy would boil.
"Marvelous! No wonder Old Brother Tang has the ’steamer’ title. With this skill, no one could face him head-on."
Bai Shanzi praised, then turned to Hu Ma. Others also turned; some collected chopsticks from the table, others removed bowls, all faces full of anticipation.
Looks like it’s time for me to show some skills too...
Hu Ma thought to himself. Others from different Paths had demonstrated their trump cards; even among the Shousui men, one had shown off their trump card. He felt he must display something too.
Contemplating silently, he picked up his wine cup, brought it to his lips, but didn’t hurry to drink.
Just then, on the street outside, the bandits who were terrified and furious from witnessing their companion’s strange death felt trapped. Suddenly, as if hearing something, they hurriedly ran toward the tavern.
"Ghost Wind?"
Bai Shanzi’s ear twitched slightly, a bit surprised. His senses were extremely acute, detecting that Hu Ma seemed to utter something. Those nearby couldn’t hear it, but the distant bandits did.
This demonstrates a fine mastery of Secret Transmission, a trump card, but just this might not be enough...
As he pondered, the bandits reached the front of the tavern. Before they could speak, Hu Ma put down his wine cup with a THUD, a sound that drowned out a light nasal hum.
The very next moment, the bandits who had rushed to the front of the tavern froze as if struck by an immobilization spell. After a long moment of inactivity, one by one, they collapsed, dead without a breath remaining.
"Oh my!"
The sudden silence startled everyone. They peeked outside, and when they turned back, their faces expressed indescribable surprise.
"I told you I’d only recently Entered the Mansion and didn’t have any real skills..."
Hu Ma smiled bitterly at those around the table. "You insisted I make a fool of myself, and now I’ve truly lost face..."
Goodness...
The people at the table gazed at him oddly.
We’ve only managed to kill one after all this time, yet you, claiming no real skill, killed four with just a snort?
But Hu Ma couldn’t help it. He had learned three trump cards from Ji Tang before Entering the Mansion, mastering them only upon Entering the Mansion.
Ghost Wind, akin to Secret Transmission, couldn’t be heard by people nearby, yet distant ones could. It was ideal for signaling secretly. With deeper power, it could even slightly influence others’ minds.
The other skill was the half-learned Xing Qi.
It could unexpectedly shake a person’s Divine Soul, though it significantly drained his own power. He was merely pretending to be calm.
As for being ruthless... well, that was Ji Tang’s doing, not Hu Ma’s concern. The Beggar Gang led by Ji Tang roamed the jianghu, doing dirty work without adhering to norms. Their trump cards weren’t for show, only for utility.
"No wonder Old Master Sun praises you so. Being a disciple of an expert indeed implies deep foundations."
In the silence, Bai Shanzi smiled. "With Brother Hu’s prowess, the Shousui prestige is upheld. Within any Mansion Gate, you’d stand out."
"I’m flattered," Hu Ma said with a bitter smile. "Without True Skill, I’m just showing off in a small pond, far inferior to those with genuine abilities."
"Huh?" Curious, Bai Shanzi asked, "You have a Master, so how could you lack the Magic for Entering the Mansion?"
"Well..." Hu Ma knew such a question was inevitable and sighed. "My Master is our village’s Second Master. He has countless Disciples. I’m the only one with the surname Hu; most are surnamed Zhou, some Li, and a few Cui or Zhao."
"Moreover, while other Disciples learned from him day and night, receiving who knows how much guidance..."
"But I, alas, spent less than one-tenth of the time others did with him..."
"..."
Everyone listened, all murmuring "Oh," vaguely grasping the context.
Only Bai Shanzi remained surprised. "If he only casually taught you a few things, yet you Entered the Mansion at such a young age, then you..."
"My Entering the Mansion had little to do with my Master, although he is my Master for life," Hu Ma sighed. "However, regarding my Entering the Mansion, I owe it to someone. His surname was Ji. A few years ago, while on business in Anzhou, I encountered this expert surnamed Ji."
"We hit it off immediately. He was open and sincere, teaching me the Magic for Entering the Mansion and three Seven Apertures Ultimate Skills. Coupled with the considerable care from our Red Lantern Lady, I somehow muddled through and entered the Mansion Gate."
"..."
So that’s how it is. Another one who studies and studies but can’t seem to grasp the real abilities...
The attendees, noting Hu Ma’s candor, felt a slight empathy, and about half of them felt a sense of camaraderie.
In essence, most of the Shousui men seated here, much like Old Master Sun, had idled away their time after Entering the Mansion.
There were no alternatives. Learning skills after Entering the Mansion was challenging unless one worked under a Hall Officer. But Hall Officers were selective about their subordinates; one had to have a clean background or belong to a clan to even be considered. Those from unconventional backgrounds were dismissed outright.
"Let’s drink! Manager Hu is young and has plenty of time. He surely has his karma, no need to worry."
Someone suggested a toast, and the banquet continued enthusiastically. When the pimp in a small green hat led several rouge-clad women in, the atmosphere improved even further.
After Hu Ma showcased his trump card, the others unconsciously warmed up to him. Initially, they had wanted to see if the young Hu Ma was qualified to sit among them. Now, seeing that he more than qualified—he certainly did!
They exchanged toasts and became friends, talking of romance and jianghu tales until midnight when everyone dispersed to rest.
Old Master Sun personally walked Hu Ma back, intentionally falling a few steps behind the others. He said to Hu Ma, "Young brother Hu, your skills are impressive. You’re here because I invited you, and that makes me proud."
Hu Ma whispered, "About meeting the Sect Hierarch?"
Old Master Sun waved his hand. "Just rest here tonight. If you receive an invitation, go with them."
Hu Ma nodded, returned to his room, and waited patiently.
The Sun Family was wealthy. Their manager, unsure how many attendants Hu Ma might bring, had arranged three large rooms. This allowed him and Old Calculation to have one room each, ensuring they wouldn’t disturb each other at night.
Of course, the main concern was not disturbing Old Calculation. Hu Ma had seen the old fellow returning to his room with two women earlier... Two of them, really?
Returning to his room, he drank some tea. He thought that perhaps the expert known for not eating beef was nearby, so he took a moment to enter his Lifebound Spirit Temple.
He called out several times, but no one responded. He had no choice but to withdraw and continue waiting patiently.
「 」
"All his trump cards are vicious and sinister, not from a legitimate lineage. So, we need not worry about any connections with that Zhou Family. Senior Sister, rest assured. I’ll bring him over now..."
Unbeknownst to Hu Ma, at this very moment, Bai Shanzi was whispering to the air. He listened quietly for a response, then nodded slowly. Turning towards the inn’s direction, he spoke gently, "Brother Hu, could I trouble you to come to the alley behind the inn for a meeting?"
After he spoke, his fan moved slightly, and his words, like a gentle breeze, were carried softly across the night sky, flying straight into Hu Ma’s room.
