Twilight Boundary-Chapter 431 - 425: Law of Destiny

Could it really be the same routine as Old Master Sun?

Hu Ma couldn’t help but think, The supposedly free things were often the most expensive. They said they would teach me this dharma method, and indeed, they did. But within it hid misfortune. As long as I wanted to learn it, I would have to join their sect... Not only joining the sect, but could it be that I also have to rebel with them?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Hu Ma grew cautious while meeting the complex gaze of this Immortal Miaoshan. On the surface, he remained polite, calmly giving a respectful bow, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Immortal."

"It’s just that I have a Master, which is Second Master Zhou of Old Yin Mountain. Without my Master’s permission, no matter how great others’ skills are, I can’t just join, can I? Besides, I came here earnestly seeking Taoist Skill, and according to the rules, I’ve offered half of my possessions..."

"Truly, that’s half of my possessions. If Immortal doesn’t believe it, you can certainly verify it..."

"Since this Dharma method was exchanged for half of my possessions, in terms of karma, it’s naturally settled. Saying payment is clear would not be an exaggeration. So why is the matter suddenly turning uncertain?"

As he spoke, he sincerely looked at this Immortal with a polite smile on his face.

Though his words were courteous, the implied questioning was obvious, making this Immortal slightly frown. Her enchanting eyes glared at Hu Ma with anger as she said, "Who are you hinting at with your sharp tongue?"

"You, this little manager, think I intentionally coax you to join the sect, don’t you? Hmph, do you think you’re so attractive? Our sect boasts famous teachers and brilliant students, gathering talents from everywhere. Ascending and Entering the Mansion, experts are as numerous as fish crossing the river. Why would we lack the likes of you?"

"Huh?"

Hu Ma was taken aback. How could a Sect Hierarch speak like a little girl? However, when arguing, the most troublesome are those who suddenly lower the level of discourse, so he could only soften his tone slightly, whispering, "Please calm down, Immortal. I’m just a little manager of the Red Lantern Society, here to learn skills. I’m grateful for the Sect Hierarch’s kindness."

"But you see, I’ve already given away half of my possessions, showing my sincerity. If there’s still any other issues, the Sect Hierarch can just tell me. Heaven and earth, through fire and water, whatever is needed, just let me know."

"I understand the principle of ’Cultivation Technique not being transmitted lightly’. At most, I can offer the remaining half of my possessions..."

"Who’s after half of your possessions, only ten taels of silver!"

The Immortal seemed somewhat angry as well, gave a cold snort, flicking the horsetail whisk in her hand, and side-glanced at Hu Ma, saying, "I genuinely want to save your life, don’t be ungrateful."

"Now you’re already on the brink of death, still nitpicking here. Without joining our Not Eating Beef Sect, do you really think you can bear this Dharma method?"

’She doesn’t want me to join the One Coin Sect, but the Not Eating Beef one?’

Shocked by the implication of her words, Hu Ma felt unsure inside. Facing this sudden choice, he also harbored doubts. Although the Not Eating Beef Sect was closely related to Reincarnators, it carried a sinister air. Dealing with them for a bit was one thing, but rashly joining was too much.

Besides, judging by her appearance, her anxiety didn’t seem fake. Was there really a big problem with this Cultivation Technique? But if there was a problem, why didn’t she truthfully inform him and instead try to coerce him into joining the Not Eating Beef Sect? Wasn’t that also excessive?

He began to contemplate, unsure if he should directly confront her and demand the truth about the problems within this Cultivation Technique... This Sect Hierarch surely had skills, but now no one else was around, and they were close to each other. As a Shousui man, dealing with a mere woman, couldn’t he mold her as he pleased?

For a moment, both remained silent.

Both carried doubts. Hu Ma silently pondered while Immortal Miaoshan paced back and forth worriedly, occasionally glancing at Hu Ma, frustrated by his lack of response and her own inability to understand the situation. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

They had hurried back with questions on their minds, but an inexplicable unease lingered in their hearts, causing a delay.

Time passed, and just as they were yet to gain any clarity, sudden chaos erupted outside.

"Sect Hierarch, your subordinate has an urgent report!"

Someone rushed into the front yard, shouting loudly.

Immortal Miaoshan’s face showed a hint of impatience, but she eventually gave a light stomp, opened the hall door, and stepped out. Through the crack in the door, Hu Ma saw Bai Shanzi standing outside with two Altar Masters.

"Sect Hierarch, there’s trouble this time."

They spoke outside, "That Demon Corpse wreaked havoc in the town, killing thirty-seven people. Eleven of them were our followers, and twenty-six were merchants from the Wanma Gang and town residents. Now, the whole town is in a panic."

"I have ordered our followers to wear talismanic armor and carry weapons, patrolling everywhere. But from the recent encounter, that entity is neither corpse nor ghost, and the talismanic armor troops may not be able to suppress it!"

"If it charges into the town again unawares, we can’t tell how many more lives will be claimed. With rumors spreading, many townspeople are packing up, planning to flee at daybreak."

"Flee?"

The One Cent Sect Leader, Immortal Miaoshan, was noticeably annoyed, whispering, "I invited them here under the guise of celebrating my birthday, all for the Lantern Festival three days from now. If they leave, what about the festival?"

"After all this preparation, are we to let it go to waste?"

Bai Shanzi gave a wry smile. "The consequences are indeed severe, but the key issue is that the entity is truly strange. We can neither confront nor defend against it..."

"And now, even those we invited have gone silent, clearly preparing to back out..."

"Let me take a look!"

This One Cent Sect Leader also helplessly stamped her foot and turned to leave, but suddenly thought of something. She instructed Bai Shanzi and the others to proceed first, then returned to the hall, saying to Hu Ma, "Little shopkeeper, don’t dally."

While speaking, she unbuttoned and took off her outer garment.

Hu Ma was startled and took a step back, wary, watching her drape a Taoist robe that was beside her onto her shoulders. While buttoning it, she said, "I know you’re scheming, your eyes darting about, but there’s no need for such trouble."

"I saw you were young and good-hearted, so I pointed you toward a clear path, yet you’ve become suspicious. Hmph, I suppose everyone has their own destiny."

"I won’t force you to become a disciple, but I’ll offer you a way to survive. Whether you can grasp it is up to you."

As she spoke, she clearly furrowed her brow as if having made some resolute decision. She walked straight towards the side room inside and came out holding a black box.

After rummaging inside for a while, she retrieved a scroll, hung it directly in the hall, and said to Hu Ma, "I have important matters to attend to. You carefully observe this painting. If you discern any Path, enter the Ghost Cave and worship the Divine Platform; there might still be a sliver of hope."

"If you can’t comprehend it, or don’t want to, you may come and go as you please. However, the Taoist Skill must remain in my One Coin Sect and cannot be taken away."

With that, she glanced deeply at Hu Ma, said no more, took up her sword, and left the room, even locking the door from the outside.

"?"

Hu Ma was filled with curiosity. Why was she locking the door from the outside? As a Shousui man, would this flimsy lock really keep him in? But hearing her words, although veiled with threats, her expression seemed genuine. Could it be that this situation was truly different from what he imagined?

He wanted to ask her something, but she had already passed through the second door, leaving Hu Ma to his thoughts. He turned to look at the painting she had hung. It was merely an ink painting, vaguely depicting the back of a figure bowing to a mountain.

「」

"Sect Hierarch..."

As Hu Ma remained unsure, Immortal Miaoshan, upon exiting, saw Bai Shanzi and two Magic Kings waiting. They immediately stepped forward to greet her. Bai Shanzi hesitated, glancing towards the hall.

Whispering, he asked, "That one..."

"Even I can’t make sense of him anymore..."

Immortal Miaoshan waved her hand and sighed softly. "He shouldn’t have acquired this Taoist Skill, nor should he have entered the sect. None of it makes any sense..."

"Isn’t it simple then?"

Bai Shanzi gestured with his fan, but Immortal Miaoshan’s face flashed with annoyance as she shook her head. "If he had only taken the Taoist Skill, it could be retrieved."

"But since he has entered the sect, it’s a different matter."

"My senior brother said this Taoist Skill isn’t for ordinary people. Regardless of his background or any secrets he might be hiding from us, once he has come into contact with this Taoist Skill, he cannot escape the destiny intertwined with it. People with a light destiny cannot withstand it. Even if we ignore him, he’ll soon be crushed by this fate."

"Unless he joins our Not Eating Beef Sect, and then we ask my senior brothers to find a way for him."

"But since he doesn’t agree, it all comes down to his own fortune..."

Hearing this, Bai Shanzi was genuinely shocked. These rules were unknown even to him. He was part of the One Coin Sect but not the Not Eating Beef Sect. Moreover, he knew that the Not Eating Beef Sect was extremely secretive and not at all easy to join.

His mind filled with extreme confusion, he paused before whispering, "Then this dharma method, which was kept hanging on a tree, was for..."

"Do not inquire."

Immortal Miaoshan gave him a cold look, and Bai Shanzi quickly shut his mouth. Yet, in Immortal Miaoshan’s heart, her worries grew heavier as her senior brother’s long-ago warnings replayed in her mind:

"This Taoist Skill is prepared for the destined person. Whoever can master this Taoist Skill will become the Not Eating Beef Lord..."

"How can ordinary people possibly bear it?"

"So many senior brothers tried. Entry was easy, and some even progressed by leaps and bounds overnight, their skills greatly increasing, but every single one of them was soon crushed by this destiny..."