Twilight Boundary-Chapter 584 - 575 Hundred Demons Record

"It's best not to panic for now. Focus on opening your Mansion Gate. Once the opportunity arises on my end, I'll naturally inform you."

After soothing Sweet Potato and confirming when she could lend a hand, Hu Ma exited the Lifebound Spirit Temple, inwardly admiring Sweet Potato's ambition.

He had made a trip to Shima Town, a stroke of luck, opening two Mansion Gates in one go, leaving Sweet Potato far behind. Unexpectedly, she was creating her own opportunities and was about to catch up.

As a senior, I have to work hard as well, he thought.

But these matters were secondary. After chatting with Sweet Potato, Hu Ma became increasingly confident in his plans. After meticulous deliberation, his mind gradually settled. This was precisely his earlier intention—one he was confident about, yet found inconvenient to explain clearly to the mountain lord.

Nominally, he was inviting skilled individuals from all over the world under the name of the Zhensui Mansion to help the Hu Family stand against the Meng family. However, both the mountain lord and the Eldest Son of the Meng Family saw the flaws in his Method.

But in truth, he wasn't relying on those Paths at all. He was relying on... the Reincarnators!

This generation of Reincarnators has been hiding for twenty years. It's time for them to have a reason to enter this grand chessboard, he mused. He had planned this long ago. Ever since acquiring information on the previous generation's Reincarnator, Big Red Robe, Miss White Wine, Monkey Wine, and Er Guotou had gone everywhere, seeking out hidden Reincarnators.

The first collective meeting of the Reincarnators is about to be summoned. As the messenger and initiator, how can I not provide them with a grand stage?

The Reincarnators across the land were never truly honest, just frightened into submission. If they continue this way, they won't react in time to the world's drastic changes. Thus, borrowing the platform of the Zhensui Mansion to give each other an opportunity is essential.

The greatest evil spirit in this world, pitted against the 'Xian'er' worshipped by the Meng family, now that would be a spectacle…

In fact, tucked in his box was that painting. Theoretically, with his four-column cultivation, he could use the Lifebound Spirit Temple of the Great Virtuous Master depicted in it to call on other Reincarnators.

Yet, the impact would be so massive that in the current unclear situation, it's better to wait a bit and have several companions act as mouthpieces to invite other Reincarnators over.

After careful consideration, he calmed his mind, letting Little Hongtang guard the door. He lifted the Stone Box, placing it on the table. With his hand stroking the first copper ring of the Demon Suppression Golden Mace inside the box, a malicious aura began to seep out as the copper ring vibrated.

The flame in the oil lamp flickered suddenly, and everything around him changed appearance. The ordinary square table before him transformed right before his eyes, revealing a series of scrolls.

Having assumed command of the Zhensui Mansion and even ascended the hall, he naturally began to understand and master some of its secrets.

Among these were secrets about the origin of the Zhensui Mansion and some unknown matters. The most urgent one, lying atop all else, was the:

Hundred Demons Record.

…

The Zhensui Mansion had long existed, overseeing the order of yin and yang, defining the realms of the living and the dead. The Hundred Demons Record was a registry compiled twenty years ago before the Mansion's closure, cataloging the ghostly gods worldwide.

Calling it the Hundred Demons was an understatement.

Many frightful Evil Gods, unregistered yet extraordinarily powerful, had their names recorded. Though twenty years had passed and updates might be necessary, it was still useful.

For those of the Walking Ghost Path, this Hundred Demons Record was an invaluable tool. Knowing their origins, details, and names was key. When a walking ghost was on the altar, it was as if they wielded a True Word Talisman. From the Magic Altar, the Imperial Decree was issued, sacrificial offerings were made, and none of the Hundred Demons on the record dared to defy…

Of course, this was merely in theory. Whether one could indeed bestow such abilities upon the world's walking ghosts depended on his Zhensui Mansion.

Hu Ma had already begun this endeavor.

The method was quite simple.

Earlier, when hungry ghosts invaded Mingzhou, he issued the Seven Killings Order under the name of the Zhensui Mansion, drawing countless spirits and ghostly gods in Mingzhou to assist. He reciprocated by bearing their sins and recorded their merits.

Now that the threat of the hungry ghosts was resolved, Hu Ma intended to ask: of the ghostly gods and spirits in the land of Mingzhou, those who came had merit, but what about those who didn't come? Are they looking down on my Zhensui Mansion?

…

…

After closely examining the register, Hu Ma identified one, sealed the Stone Box, stowed it under his bed, and then went outside the Manor. In the nearby village, both Seventh Aunt and Aunt Zhang were waiting for his message.

Having received Hu Ma's message earlier in the day, Aunt Zhang had already prepared for setting up the altar; only the oil lamp before her remained unlit. Seeing Hu Ma approach, she quickly stood up, her expression somewhat troubled. "Shopkeeper…" she began.

"…Are you really going to do this?"

…

Hu Ma smiled. "It is the wish of the honored one in the mountains; we are merely executing orders. What is there to discuss?"

"Moreover, among all the Paths, the Ghost Walkers labor the hardest, seeking a livelihood for the people and peace for the restless yin souls and spirits. Now that the Zhensui Mansion has emerged, if we don't think more on their behalf, isn't our emergence in vain?"

…

Aunt Zhang gave Hu Ma a deep look. His words always struck a chord with her, so she wasted no more time. She lit the oil lamp and initiated the altar.

Hu Ma handed over the list of names he had prepared. Aunt Zhang first declared the Zhensui Mansion Order on the altar, then read the names aloud, summoning gusts of yin wind as she chanted:

"Heaven is spiritual, earth is spiritual, humanity is spirited, divinity takes form. I perform rites on the altar, inviting the Immortals to oversee this altar."

"Aunt Zhang, inquirer of Zhensui, by order of the Zhensui Mansion, specifically invites the Green-headed Purple-scaled General of Ni'erwa to our altar, to enjoy the offerings and receive the incense…"

…

After casting the spell, she held the list over the oil lamp to burn it. The yin wind, initially circling within the altar, suddenly blew outward. The two straw figures within her altar seemed to move slightly, transforming into figures clad in soap clothes before vanishing into the night.

Aunt Zhang, now holding an official position in the Zhensui Mansion, could employ the soap-clad figures when setting up the altar. However, as her Mana was not as profound as Hu Ma's, she couldn't yet command the Golden Armored Warriors.

Of course, this session's intent was Inquiry, not forcible detention; the soap-clad figures were sufficient.

With the spell completed, everyone waited. Aunt Zhang sat solemnly at the altar, her face serious, while Hu Ma stood with his hands clasped behind his back, observing, quietly waiting for any development. Nearby, Zhou Datong and the others dared not even breathe loudly.

Three incense sticks burned before the altar, and offerings of chicken, fish, and a pig's head—the small three sacrifices—constituted a most respectful altar setup. Combined with using the name of the Zhensui Mansion, it might have even been enough to summon the mountain lord of Old Yin Mountain himself.

Yet after a while, there was still no movement on the altar.

Aunt Zhang furrowed her brow and patiently performed the spell again, yet still, nothing stirred.

By the time she reluctantly performed the spell a third time, everyone was already growing anxious. Suddenly, a gust of yin wind blew against the altar, causing the candle flames to flicker dangerously. A chill enveloped all present, making them dizzy, and a faint, mocking laughter echoed in their ears.

"OH!" Aunt Zhang uttered a low cry. Rubbing their eyes, everyone saw the two straw figures on the altar suddenly fall forward, their straw stuffing strewn about.

The oil lamp before Aunt Zhang nearly flickered out. Though shielded by the altar's Mana, it slowly reignited, but the flame was dangerously weak.

The three incense sticks were in worse condition: two long and one short. The longest one pointed like an arrow straight at Aunt Zhang's face.

"Shopkeeper, this…" Aunt Zhang looked over at Hu Ma, a slight panic in her voice. For a Ghost Walker, no altar could be worse than this. It signified not only unwillingness from the summoned entity but outright hostility—enough to harbor murderous intent towards the one setting up the altar.

"Good, very good." At the altar's edge, Hu Ma observed coldly, then snorted. "The Zhensui Mansion previously commanded the spirits and ghostly gods of Mingzhou to comply, yet this entity, whose name is on the register, refused to heed."

"Now, we politely invite it to the altar for a discussion, and not only does it decline, but it throws a fit, tearing open the bellies of our altar envoys."

"It truly disregards our Zhensui Mansion."

…

"Then…" Aunt Zhang hesitated, casting a glance at Seventh Aunt, who was squatting in a corner. Seventh Aunt looked puzzled; although she didn't quite understand why their Path involved seeking out a yellow skin to Reason with, she felt she should step in given the current situation.

"No need." Hu Ma shook his head. "If it were any other time, we might need someone who can Reason to go and inquire. But since it shows such disregard for the Zhensui Mansion, what more is there to say?"

"Datong!"

…

His shout startled Zhou Datong, who, meeting Hu Ma's gaze, finally reacted. He hastily presented the mask and the Punishment Officer's Great Saber, taken from the Red Lantern Society, to Hu Ma.

Hu Ma donned the mask and tucked the Punishment Officer's Great Saber under his arm. He sneered, "Aunt Zhang, prepare a basin to catch its head!"

With that, he strode forth, vanishing instantly into the night.

As he plunged deeper into the night, a murderous aura rolled off him in waves. The Heaven Measuring Boots materialized beneath his feet, allowing him to span a hundred miles in an instant. Soon, he arrived before a brightly lit compound that seemed to be a Manor nestled in the wilderness.

Inside, music and festivity filled the air. A white-bearded Old Master, with a woman on each arm, was celebrating his birthday.

Hu Ma's eyes narrowed sharply. Drawing the Punishment Officer's Great Saber, without a single word of courtesy, he charged into the Manor.

"If the small three sacrifices don't satisfy you, then take my saber instead!"