Twilight Boundary-Chapter 442 - 436 Little Ghost Brings News

Indeed, those brave enough to vie for power now must have courage, and they wouldn’t be too foolish. If they plan to rebel, how could they not consider the troubles that might arrive before success?

Hu Ma secretly let out a sigh of relief, his expression slightly softened. He asked Immortal Miaoshan, "What method?"

"Summon people."

Immortal Miaoshan said, "Our fellow disciples of the Beef Avoidance Sect have only one goal upon entering the path: to travel around the world, investigate the situation in all directions, and secretly manipulate events, preparing for the right moment to start a rebellion."

Hu Ma was slightly moved listening to this, recalling Big Red Robe’s instruction that contending for the Emperor was of utmost importance. It seemed that, although the Reincarnators didn’t know much about these matters, the Beef Avoidance Sect Disciples had been doing similar things all along.

He hurriedly asked, "Is the doctrine of the Beef Avoidance Sect encouraging people to rebel?"

"Then... does it have a deeper meaning?"

Immortal Miaoshan was a bit stunned and hesitated. "There should be, right? Since our senior brothers and sisters are doing this, naturally, we should do the same."

Hu Ma waved his hand helplessly, signaling her to continue.

Were all the members of the Beef Avoidance Sect rebellious brutes who didn’t even know why they wanted to rebel? Or was it that those pushed to the forefront were generally more transparent?

"Yes, yes," Immortal Miaoshan hurriedly assured. "But doing such perilous things, of course, requires preparation. Besides, we often run into Hall Officers in various places, and we’ve encountered no few troubles, so it has formed a routine over time."

"For me, if I encounter trouble, it means calling for help from my senior brothers. That’s how the One Coin Sect can create such a grand momentum. It’s because my senior brothers transferred their past favors to me. Old Master Sun and Altar Master Tang of Great Shanbao all came because of them."

At this thought, Hu Ma understood.

The surface momentum of the One Coin Sect isn’t much higher than that of the Red Lantern Society; or rather, it’s not lower either. Everyone is just pecking at each other with little advantage.

But this time, coming here, there was a feeling of taking the lead. The One Coin Sect’s momentum aside, the esteemed guests included figures like Old Master Sun, a local power, along with the old Altar Master of Great Shanbao, the Store Manager of the Wanma Gang, and the adopted son-in-law of Grandma Wu.

These people had prominent identities and reputations, holding power and immediately elevating the One Coin Sect.

However, analyzing closely, this wasn’t the One Coin Sect’s ability, but rather the ability of the Beef Avoidance Sect behind it. The disciples of these Great Virtuous Masters were restless, planning for years, and holding many trump cards.

He slowly exhaled. He didn’t quite agree with the strategy of scrambling for help when trouble came, but he thought that if he could meet more members of the Beef Avoidance Sect, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

He then said, "Shouldn’t you go quickly? I’ll come along and see!"

Immortal Miaoshan hurriedly agreed, got up, and took Hu Ma to a nearby house. The walls of this house were all black, surrounded by several locust trees, with the courtyard gate facing north, giving off a ghostly air.

Once inside, they saw Bai Shanzi waiting, with a brazier in the courtyard. Next to the brazier were four or five paper men, each about half a person’s height, holding a white letter with the words "Urgent Order" written in red ink.

"Sect Hierarch..."

As soon as Immortal Miaoshan arrived, Bai Shanzi hurried forward to pay respects, as if he had been waiting anxiously.

But he immediately noticed Hu Ma beside the Sect Hierarch, feeling rather surprised and glancing at Immortal Miaoshan, wondering if they were about to make a move to reclaim their sect’s core teachings.

Unexpectedly, as Immortal Miaoshan entered, she didn’t ask about the delivery of the message. Instead, her face darkened and she scolded, "Why didn’t you greet us upon meeting?"

Bai Shanzi was momentarily stunned and quickly cupped his hands in salute, "Brother Hu..."

Immortal Miaoshan immediately glared at him. "Call him Uncle Master..."

She then corrected herself, "...No, that’s not right. *We* call him Uncle Master. You’re an entire generation lower than us, so you should properly address him as... Uncle Master!"

Bai Shanzi, after a moment’s hesitation, immediately adjusted his attire and bowed respectfully. "Uncle Master, please accept this bow from your junior..."

"Stand up, stand up..."

Hu Ma felt somewhat troubled. What on earth was this ’Uncle Master’ designation supposed to signify in terms of generational hierarchy?

He helped Bai Shanzi up while curiously examining him. "You’re with the Trick Door, right?"

Bai Shanzi laughed awkwardly. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The group went to the scene, looking at the paper men gathered around the brazier. Hu Ma was curious. "Is this what you use to deliver messages?"

Bai Shanzi was unsure if he should speak about a matter concerning life and death. He turned his head to Immortal Miaoshan, who nodded repeatedly, so he quickly said, "Reporting to Uncle Master, indeed so. These paper men were crafted by the Sect Hierarch’s senior brothers and possess supernatural abilities."

"When major events arise, we burn the paper men, borrowing a path from the underworld. A journey of a thousand miles can be completed in half a day. Those who seal off the town from outside might block the paths of the living, but they can’t block the paths of the underworld."

Hu Ma nodded. "Just do what you need to do; I’m just observing."

Technically, in times of life and death, the secrets of seeking help should remain unseen by outsiders. However, Sect Hierarch Immortal Miaoshan seemed to treat Hu Ma as one of her own, letting him observe as if he were not an outsider.

She approached the brazier, placed her index fingertip to her lips, bit it to draw blood, and dotted each paper man’s eyes, thus opening their eyes, but did not anoint their lips.

If the paper men were to deliver verbal messages, their mouths would be consecrated. But since they were delivering secret messages now, they just needed to get the letters through. Leaving their mouths unconsecrated would prevent them from speaking en route, thus avoiding unforeseen troubles.

After completing the ritual, Bai Shanzi fetched a dry branch from the brazier and set all the paper men alight.

Once the paper men had turned to ashes, Bai Shanzi suddenly opened his white fan and urgently recited, "Quickly go and quickly return, don’t dawdle; quickly go and quickly return, don’t be greedy."

As he spoke, he forcefully fanned his hand, and a gust of wind arose, swiftly blowing the ashes over the wall. A faint, playful laughing sound echoed, and all the ashes disappeared without a trace.

Hu Ma stood in the courtyard, watching the drifting ashes. Next to him, Immortal Miaoshan watched him. Bai Shanzi sneaked a glance at the Immortal, then at Hu Ma, wondering what was going on.

After a while with no one speaking, Hu Ma finally responded, "Is it done?"

Immortal Miaoshan said, "Reporting to Uncle Master, the little ghost has been sent with the message."

Bai Shanzi quickly added from the side, "The little ghost has gone to borrow a path from the underworld. The longest journey will take half a day, while a shorter one might take about the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. After that, it will still take some time for the senior brothers to make a decision."

"However, the great hall officer wouldn’t dare attack immediately, so we still have time to prepare."

Hu Ma took a deep breath and nodded in agreement. "What about the others? No preparations needed?"

Immortal Miaoshan hesitated, just looking at Hu Ma.

Hu Ma felt helpless. He finally sighed lightly. "Alright, make a list of the current personnel, available experts, and treasures in the town. Then, send people to discreetly probe the opponent’s formation."

"After organizing it, send it to my room. Also... are Old Master Sun and the rest trapped in this town too? At least ask their opinions."

At this moment, he couldn’t rush out to take the lead yet, but he needed to understand what was necessary. From Calculation sneaking over earlier to find him, he already suspected the town’s people were panicking.

Of course, everything he needed to know had to be understood, but there were more pressing matters for him now.

Immortal Miaoshan readily agreed and earnestly saw Hu Ma out. She even asked where he would rest for the night and if he needed anyone to attend to him. This annoyed Hu Ma, who reprimanded her, telling her to focus on tasks more appropriate for someone planning a rebellion.

Meanwhile, Hu Ma returned to his room at the inn. He drank a bowl of tea, settled his mind, and then sat down calmly, regulating his breathing. As night fell, he eagerly entered the Lifebound Spirit Temple.

"Brother Monkey Wine, can you hear my call?"

"I’ve been waiting for your message. Have you found a way to save Wuya?"

Hearing Monkey Wine’s response, Hu Ma felt slightly relieved. He quickly said, "Don’t rush. I’ve been running around for Wuya’s matters, but now, I have some things I need your help with first."

Monkey Wine, as always, replied calmly, "Speak."

Hu Ma took a deep breath. "Currently, I’m in Shima Town, but the place has been surrounded. You have experience in such matters. I want you to help me investigate from the outside: find out who sealed the town, their cultivation, and how much power they possess!"

Monkey Wine’s voice carried no discernible emotion as he calmly replied, "I can do that."

Hu Ma felt a little relieved again. Then he continued, "Also, there’s something else. I need you to go to Mingzhou and invite some people from nearby. Just say it’s a message from Old White and there’s something important to discuss."

Monkey Wine thought for a moment this time and said calmly, "Give me a code word. Otherwise, if I find them, they might not trust me."

"Code word?"

Hu Ma paused for a moment. Then he immediately said, "When you get to Mingzhou, just call them directly. If the first person you contact is Miss White Wine, ask her if the rouge prepared by the old friends in Anzhou has taken effect."

"If you first contact the one codenamed Er Guotou, ask if he has obtained the boon of Divine Incense Distribute."

"Whichever of them hears it’s from me, they’ll naturally help contact the others..."

Speaking of this, he suddenly remembered something. "If you first contact someone codenamed Sweet Potato..."

"...Don’t speak! Disconnect and call again!"