Twilight Boundary-Chapter 538 - 529: Bestowing the Heavenly Book upon Humans
Outside the manor, the commotion went unnoticed by Hu Ma.
He merely took this opportunity to painstakingly convey to Yang Gong everything he had learned.
As a Reincarnator, he often looked at some things in this world and felt a sense of familiarity. He even occasionally had a vague feeling of perceiving the essence of things, allowing him to slightly predict their patterns.
There was, of course, an occasional sense of superiority. But when it came time to explain these things, he realized that he hadn’t worked hard enough in his previous life. All he could convey were mere superficialities.
But even these superficialities fascinated Yang Gong. Hu Ma also perked up, patiently explaining first the principles. Then, he linked them with some matters Yang Gong currently faced, such as the situation in Mingzhou, discussing them in detail for him.
For example, he explained why the Truth Sect wanted to seize the grain and why they needed to follow rules. He discussed why the people in the mountains believed Yang Gong, and why the nobles in Mingzhou City clearly sided with the Truth Sect, yet the burden of food collection fell upon the common people.
This explanation included knowledge from his previous life, combined with his insights as a descendant of the Hu Family in this world and his sharpness as a person of the Path. All this shaped an overall picture to enlighten Yang Gong.
His reason for doing this was partly because Yang Gong had arrived, and Hu Ma needed him to be more steadfast and qualified to accomplish this great undertaking.
The deeper reason, however, was that Hu Ma knew the root of Yang Gong’s success lay in the mountains. Whether it was his father-in-law or the people he would meet later, they would all influence him, ultimately transforming him into another version of himself.
At that time, whether Yang Gong would still be Yang Gong was anyone’s guess.
Yet, supporting Yang Gong now also involved the Reincarnator factor. A Reincarnator wouldn’t support someone who disregarded those beneath them in a bid for the Emperor’s throne. Thus, saying these things now was laying the groundwork for the future.
As one spoke and the other listened, Yang Gong became entranced. The confusion in his heart cleared away, and a strong anticipation and enthusiasm began to emerge in his eyes.
Besides the matters in the mountains, Hu Ma also offered advice on the world of the Path, the issues of the nobles, and even what should happen next in Mingzhou and beyond.
To put it simply, it boiled down to nine words of wisdom: stockpile grain, build strong walls, and take the throne slowly!
At this point, Yang Gong’s admiration for Hu Ma reached its peak. He was a rugged character, not skilled in words. He still called Hu Ma his brother, but the gratitude in his eyes was strong enough to bring him to his knees.
However, after addressing the most critical points, they both relaxed somewhat. The conversation took a sidetrack—partly because speaking too much to Yang Gong risked him forgetting, and partly because Hu Ma simply didn’t have more to say...
In his heart, he increasingly understood the urgency of finding a Reincarnator with a doctorate in the humanities to help compile the Heavenly Book.
"Huh?"
"Was it Brother Yang Gong who came?"
"..."
As the conversation between Hu Ma and Yang Gong entered the next stage, an enthusiastic Yang Gong downed several bowls of liquor, and his voice grew louder.
Initially hiding inside the house, Zhou Datong and others noticed that Hu Ma hadn’t invited some ghost or spirit, but rather Yang Gong, whom they already knew. Unable to resist any longer, they cautiously poked their heads out. Seeing that Hu Ma wasn’t scolding anyone, they boldly emerged from the house to join in the drinking.
When they heard about Yang Gong’s current rise to power, leading thousands to confront the Truth Sect, their eyes sparkled.
They too had learned skills, and those who learned skills naturally felt an uncontrollable urge to use them.
Yet, sticking close to Hu Ma, they were too well-protected. Occasionally given the chance to take action, their opponents were always much weaker, and their hands itched for a real challenge.
Seeing their eagerness, Hu Ma pondered seriously and smiled, "What Brother Yang Gong does is mountain work, and you are mountain folk too. Actually, his title of food-protection general even protects our Dayang Village."
"You all have received true teachings, and it’s natural to want to use your skills. But think carefully: if you truly want to hone your abilities, going over for a bit of ’fun’ is fine. Just don’t be careless."
"That is a real slaughter field. One wrong move can cost you your life."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, Zhao Zhu, and others were delighted and eagerly promised, "We’ll just go and play for a couple of days, promise not to mess around. Otherwise, when we get back, you can punish us as you see fit..."
Seeing their excited expressions, Hu Ma didn’t stop them, just nodding slightly, indicating he’d consider it further.
So they cheerfully drank through the night, and outside the manor, all remained calm. Yang Gong, relieved, had a drunken night’s rest arranged by Hu Ma. The next day, it was time for him to return to the mountains.
Zhou Datong and the others woke up early, equipped with weapons and horses, looking eager. Seeing this, and under the pretense of the chaos outside and Yang Gong’s special status, Hu Ma deliberately arranged for Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, and Zhao Zhu to escort him back.
"Brother, I drank too much yesterday, can’t remember a thing."
Leading his horse to the edge of the manor, Yang Gong turned and said to Hu Ma, "I forgot about admitting fear, forgot about how I cried like a coward."
"But I remember every word you told me. You were the first to see worth in me when I was nothing. Rest assured, I won’t become the kind of scoundrel who, after making it big, forgets his roots!"
"We slept in the stables. In the future, when we make it, we should also sleep in high rooms and ride fine horses, but we must never bully those still in the stables. That’s not true authority; that’s losing your conscience..."
"..."
"Hold that in your heart, but don’t be too quick to share such thoughts with others."
Hu Ma patted his shoulder, advising, "If you want to succeed, you must learn to keep some thoughts to yourself!"
After this, he saw them onto their horses and turned to the now excited Zhou Datong and others. He had already decided not to mind them going for some training.
Following him, they had certainly learned true skills, but opportunities to temper them were few, and danger was infrequent. Now, although the risk of fighting was great, their skills could indeed be honed.
Whether these three were suited to such a life was still uncertain. Hu Ma had left them an out, using the reason of escorting Yang Gong back to the mountains.
This way, it would be reasonable for them to return anytime.
But still, they were people who had followed him from the village, so he was somewhat worried. He took a bundle from Little Hongtang, who was beside him, and passed it to Zhou Datong. "Go along, play a bit," Hu Ma said, "and you’ll understand the weight of each grain."
"If you achieve something great, that’s excellent. Even if you don’t, or if you simply wish to return and help me, there are still good paths for you."
"However, the bundle is crucial."
As he spoke, he also looked at Yang Gong. "Those in the Truth Sect possess evil skills and are not to be underestimated," Hu Ma said. "But since they can use their evil skills to kill three hundred of your brothers overnight, we also have treasures to even the score."
"The things in the bundle are borrowed from Seventh Aunt. I’ve borrowed them for you to use, to get some revenge first."
"Once the situation in Mingzhou is stable, return them."
"..."
Zhou Datong and the others all nodded firmly, indicating they remembered, and then left the manor together.
Just after leaving Hu Ma’s manor, Yang Gong was still worried that the Truth Sect might have men waiting around the manor to capture him. But after riding for over ten miles without seeing anyone, he felt relieved.
Yet, on their way, as they crossed nearly half of Mingzhou Prefecture and took a route through Xiaoliang County to join their forces in the mountains, they were startled. Ahead, the slope and the sides of the road were filled with people wielding weapons.
During the night, Truth Sect followers, bearing banners and forming numerous groups, had gathered from all directions and set up camps. It increasingly seemed like a great army was poised to descend, creating a suffocating sense of pressure.
Yang Gong’s forces had long been pushed into the mountains. With every exit blocked, it was a truly oppressive moment.
"Brother Datong, what do we do now?"
Yang Gong slightly pulled on the reins and called out to Zhou Datong.
Zhou Datong hesitated at the sight of so many people, but quickly reminded himself of his hard-earned skills, then laughed, "With these skills we’ve practiced, why not just charge straight through?"
Yang Gong laughed heartily, "Alright!"
With that, the four of them brandished their whips, charging straight into the dense crowd ahead.
"Who are they? Stop them!"
Scouts on the roadside had already spotted them and shouted out, but these four said nothing, charging into the crowd, clearly intending to force their way through to the mountains.
At the same time, in the mountains, the situation was dire. The three to five hundred able-bodied men Yang Gong had brought from the village, along with the two to three thousand people who had gathered around him after their grain was seized, had been terrified by the Truth Sect’s momentum overnight.
With Yang Gong not having appeared all night, rumors spread everywhere that Master Yang Gong had abandoned them to die here.
Morale was shattered, and unease was rampant. Frankly, if the Truth Sect army outside had launched an attack, these people might have fled in terror. But just at that moment, an observant scout suddenly cried out in delight:
"He’s back..."
"Look, Master Yang Gong didn’t run away! He’s coming over with people..."
"Oh no! Why is he charging directly into the enemy ranks?"
"..."
The panicked troops all became excited, climbing hills and trees to catch a glimpse outside.
Indeed, they saw Master Yang Gong riding a horse, wielding a treasure sword. Escorted by three others, he was charging directly into the crowd of Truth Sect members outside, killing and advancing inward all the while.
