Twilight Boundary-Chapter 493 - 485: Three Volumes of Heavenly Books

Chapter 493: Chapter 485: Three Volumes of Heavenly Books

Hu Ma, upon receiving the seal, was filled with curiosity. However, under the other party’s gaze, he refrained from appearing too frivolous.

As he tucked it into his sleeve, he examined it carefully and was slightly astonished. The seal, a foot square, was clearly an old object, seemingly carved from low-quality jade with faint blood-like patterns within. Yet, its surface was blank.

If it’s an old seal, how could it possibly be blank?

Curiosity gnawed at him, but he wasn’t in a rush to ask. This Not Eating Beef Sect was shrouded in mystery, and there were too many questions. He restrained himself, knowing that dealing with these demon people was like navigating a delicate relationship—it required a careful balance of attitude and emotion.

Thus, he merely pondered as he followed the Big Senior Brother and Immortal Miaoshan into the hall and took a seat on a Taishi Chair.

The Big Senior Brother, who resembled an old farmer, also sat down. Immortal Miaoshan had intended to sit as well, but a glance from the Big Senior Brother made her realize her place. She awkwardly rose and went to serve them tea.

Hu Ma noticed the main house of the headquarters seemed rather empty. The previous night, he had clearly seen numerous Beef Avoidance Sect Disciples, a far cry from the mere handful present now. Not hiding his curiosity, he asked the Big Senior Brother, "Where are the others?"

The Big Senior Brother replied, "I had them disperse yesterday. Logically, they should have come to pay their respects to the Sect Hierarch, but I told them to prioritize the larger situation. This Lantern Festival was a significant event, and we don’t know what disturbances it might cause in various places. They need to return to their respective areas to manage their affairs, whether that means seizing opportunities or guarding against attacks from others." He chuckled lightly. "For the Sect Hierarch’s information, every disciple of the Beef Avoidance Sect, regardless of their abilities, represents a web of cause and effect in their locality."

He paused, then looked at Hu Ma with sincerity. "Furthermore, there was an urgent matter that required us to summon the disciples of the Not Eating Beef Sect. That’s why all the nearby disciples came to meet the Sect Hierarch. However, the Not Eating Beef Sect carries significant responsibilities, and the Sect Hierarch is of paramount importance. Therefore, we operate differently from others. Ordinarily, apart from the eight Sect Leaders, regular disciples are not qualified to meet the Sect Hierarch. It’s fortunate you didn’t reveal your true appearance yesterday, Sect Hierarch; it saved a great deal of trouble."

"There’s such a rule?" Hu Ma was initially taken aback, then understanding dawned. Of course, they have to be cautious.

After all, this group was constantly engrossed in rebellion! Moreover, though his interactions with the Beef Avoidance Sect Disciples had been limited, it was clear they were not a band of pious believers. If things went wrong, they wouldn’t hesitate to betray the Sect Hierarch. With no moral compass and an obsession with rebellion, the people of the world’s label of "demon people" for them was, in this respect, quite accurate.

"Going to various places to busy yourselves with important matters?" Hu Ma asked, not hiding his curiosity as they chatted. He smiled. "The One Coin Sect’s situation here is excellent. Why not stay?"

"With the skills of your Beef Avoidance Sect Disciples, if you gathered in one place, you could do more than just hide in the mountains to rebel. You could probably conquer cities and territories, couldn’t you?"

Last night, despite it being their first encounter, Hu Ma had gained an understanding of these Beef Avoidance Sect Disciples’ capabilities. They had managed to prevent the esteemed great hall officer of the Shousui Path from even entering the town, which demonstrated that these demon people possessed considerable skill.

Of course, regarding the commotion last night, Second Young Master Meng had been a more formidable opponent. But Hu Ma also knew that the Meng Family, or rather, the Ten Surnames, couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards. Their abilities were deeply intertwined with their lineage.

However, across the land, the Ten Surnames were a minority and preferred to operate from the shadows. The truly active figures in the jianghu were the miracle men from various Paths.

"For the Not Eating Beef Sect, organizing the Lantern Festival for the One Coin Sect meant our mission was completed," the Big Senior Brother said truthfully, a smile on his face. "As for the outcome of this event in Shima Town and its ultimate impact, that doesn’t concern the Not Eating Beef Sect much. Strictly speaking, the Not Eating Beef Sect only hopes the One Coin Sect can successfully revolt. Whether they can conquer the world is not our concern. Besides..." He chuckled. "There’s little hope for that to begin with."

"After all, the One Coin Sect is merely snatching food from others’ mouths. Now that they’ve held the Lantern Festival, they’ve certainly secured some spoils, but one can’t get full from a single bite. Moreover, the Emperor’s fate in the Shima Town area hasn’t yet been discovered."

"We Beef Avoidance Sect Disciples focus on the Seventy-two Paths of the world, establishing hidden networks and planning strategically, seeking opportunities. The One Coin Sect has the advantage of initiative, but in terms of foundation, they are still a minor player."

He’s being remarkably candid, not hiding anything about the Not Eating Beef Sect, Hu Ma thought, nodding slightly as he listened. What the Big Senior Brother was revealing were essentially secrets of the Not Eating Beef Sect, yet he spoke openly, without hesitation. Hu Ma understood his words and didn’t intend to press further on this topic.

In fact, since his arrival in Shima Town, Hu Ma had recognized their predicament. Turmoil was evident across the land, with rebellions flaring up everywhere, and even noble families were starting to invest in various factions. The One Coin Sect seemed to have chanced upon a favorable time.

Yet, paradoxically, the One Coin Sect was backed by the Not Eating Beef Sect, which meant it inherently lacked something compared to others. Revolutionaries secretly supported by noble families wouldn’t have attracted the attention of a great hall officer from the Shousui Path right at the outset. "Snatching food from others’ mouths" was an apt description indeed.

Now, through a stroke of luck, the One Coin Sect had achieved a major success. The Lantern Festival had been splendidly executed, and its fame would likely spread for hundreds of miles, enabling it to rally widespread support with a single call.

But what would happen after that?

With his current understanding, Hu Ma dared not predict the One Coin Sect’s fate. The miracle men within the Not Eating Beef Sect were no fools; they certainly wouldn’t go all-in here. Instead, leveraging this momentum to strategically place more pieces on the board was paramount.

He was a Reincarnator, possessing knowledge from a past life, but these individuals had been professional rebels for twenty years and were no less astute. So, while certain thoughts crossed Hu Ma’s mind, he didn’t plan to delve deeper into discussion. Instead, he pondered for a moment and then turned to the critical point.

"I originally came here seeking Magic, but I’ve unintentionally become entangled with the Not Eating Beef Sect. These are grave matters, and no one would readily entrust their life and fortune. So, Old Sir, if you don’t mind, I have a few questions."

The old farmer—or, as the members of the Not Eating Beef Sect saw him, the Big Senior Brother—showed no surprise at Hu Ma’s words. He simply smiled and said, "Sect Hierarch, please speak. I will answer freely."

"Good." Hu Ma exhaled slowly, looked at him intently, and asked directly, "How much do you know about the previous Sect Hierarch?"

"He was my master. I was a long-term laborer in his household," the old farmer replied, meeting Hu Ma’s gaze squarely. "Although I am seven years his senior, I always followed him and regarded him as my teacher. These skills and this understanding, he imparted them all to me."

"It wasn’t until twenty years ago, on the eve of the great duel in Shangjing, that he instructed me to leave with the disciples. Before that, I had always served by the Virtuous Master’s side."

"You left with the disciples?" Hu Ma listened, slightly surprised. That duel had been on such a grand scale, and its consequences so severe. Could it be that the Great Virtuous Master faced it all alone?

"Then..." he pressed on, "when he asked you to leave, did he say anything specific?"

"Perhaps, in a way, he did," the old farmer said slowly, meeting Hu Ma’s gaze. "He told me, ’It is too early, and yet too late...’"

Hu Ma frowned. The old farmer, understanding his confusion, elaborated, "The Master said it was ’too early’ because many preparations were not yet complete. It was ’too late’ because, though born a man, it was only then that he truly understood the responsibility he was born with."

"Thus, he had me take all the disciples and leave. He instructed us to hide but also to prepare. He only said that he would definitely return. When that time came, he would lead us to save this world."

Good heavens... Hu Ma listened, a sense of gravity settling in his heart. This previous Reincarnator certainly had an imposing aura, always talking about saving the world and such things.

He shook his head slightly. "Then, how do you determine if it’s truly him who has returned? Or rather, why did you immediately decide that I could be your Sect Hierarch?"

"Naturally, because of the Ghost Cave Secret Cave," the Big Senior Brother replied honestly, looking up at Hu Ma as he spoke. "The previous Sect Hierarch’s final instructions were for us to await someone who could pass the three passes and twelve tiers. Over these twenty years, many disciples have attempted to brave this trial."

"Unfortunately, regardless of their skill or character, all failed before the three passes and twelve tiers."

"Over time, we had all but given up, viewing this path merely as a valuable means of tempering one’s mind and advancing cultivation, until you appeared, Sect Hierarch."

Hu Ma had more questions, but the Big Senior Brother seemed to anticipate him, raising a hand slightly. "I know what the Sect Hierarch wishes to ask: after waiting twenty years, how could the Not Eating Beef Sect so easily trust one person?"

"The reason is actually quite simple." He looked directly into Hu Ma’s eyes and said in a low voice, "One who passes the three passes and twelve tiers becomes the Sect Hierarch, not merely because legend says that doing so confers the destiny of a Sect Hierarch, nor even because it means one has cultivated the Great Mighty Sky General Seal."

"It is because, according to legend, the one who passes the three passes and twelve tiers and enters the Ghost Cave Secret Cave will receive the Three Volumes of Heavenly Books from the Sect Hierarch."

"Three Volumes of Heavenly Books?" Hu Ma echoed, startled, and looked at him with curiosity.

"Yes." The Big Senior Brother looked back at Hu Ma, a hint of nervousness in his demeanor. He lowered his voice and continued slowly, "One volume grants Nether Communication, another allows Peeping Heaven, and the third can summon Divine Weapons and Divine Weapons to descend upon the human world."

"With these Three Volumes of Heavenly Books, not to mention the Ten Surnames, even this entire world would be within our grasp. Therefore, I’ve actually wanted to ask since I arrived:"

"Sect Hierarch, have you... obtained the Three Volumes of Heavenly Books yet?"