Twilight Boundary-Chapter 683 - 674: The Number of Catastrophes
"The Black Wind Disaster?"
Hu Ma hadn't expected Old Master Li's words to lead here.
If it's understanding we're talking about, then I did indeed intend to use this opportunity to speak with the Dongzi Li Family.
After guarding for so long, with Zhensui Mansion reopened, destiny unfolding, and the Meng family suffering a great loss, as a member of the Hu Family, it was indeed time to step up. I needed to face the other major families and understand matters concerning Zhensui Mansion, the Reincarnators, and even certain aspects of this world.
In this world, information and secrets are a form of qualification, often monopolized and seldom spoken of openly. Thus, families like the Dongzi Li Family, who reside outside worldly conflicts yet possess a clear heritage, become unique.
However, observing Old Master Li's gaze now, Hu Ma vaguely sensed that this Old Master Li had indeed misunderstood certain things.
He even implied he thought Hu Ma was representing the Hu Family to forge an alliance. Of course, while Hu Ma had entertained such ideas, he didn't plan to argue the point. He was merely somewhat surprised by the sincerity in Old Master Li's words.
"Yes."
Old Master Li, noticing Hu Ma's slightly perplexed expression, became certain he wasn't truly a core Hu Family member. He sighed softly and said, "You may not understand, but I believe that Young Master Hu should be aware."
"Just one point: if my guess is correct, someone within three generations of your Hu Family's direct bloodline must have died in a natural disaster, right?"
"..."
Hearing this, Hu Ma's expression couldn't help but turn solemn.
Old Master Li's guess wasn't just close; it was strikingly accurate.
The original owner's father, Hu Shan—the eldest son of the direct lineage and heir presumptive for both the Zhensui and Qingyuan Hu Families—died in the Black Wind Disaster.
In earlier years, my understanding of the Black Wind Disaster was too superficial to arouse suspicion. This time, having entered the underworld and gained more knowledge, doubts naturally followed.
I encountered the Black Wind Disaster in the underworld, and even the Black Wind Blight, which was a tier stronger—truly formidable, vast, and overwhelming, far beyond ordinary human capability. Yet even I, who Entered the Mansion for Shousui, could withstand it. So how could the original owner's father not?
Could it be that the Walking Ghost Path offered no method to counter the Black Wind Disaster? Or were the original owner's father's skills insufficient? Before my time, he was the sole successor of the Zhensui lineage; that shouldn't have been the case, right?
"Sigh..."
Old Master Li, observing Hu Ma's bewildered expression, sighed again. "Heavenly disasters descend; they are beyond human control."
"The ancestral altar in Shangjing was once the foundation of the world, constantly suppressing certain things."
"Later, when the ancestral altar shattered, its fragments were forged into the Zhensui Mansion, which was also meant to suppress certain things. Initially, the Zhensui Mansion, acting under imperial mandate, could still suppress those things. But..."
"Before the hungry ghosts from Official Zhou entered Mingzhou, I was unaware that Zhensui Mansion no longer operated under imperial command."
"This news was truly shocking and perplexing. If the Zhensui Mansion no longer served the emperor, then wouldn't the Hu Family have to bear the full burden of what it suppressed?"
"..."
Hu Ma caught the key point. "The things it suppressed?"
Old Master Li nodded slowly, his voice low. "Heaven sends three disasters: wind, fire, and water."
"Humans face eight calamities: drought, flood, plague, famine, pests, ghosts, beasts, and monsters."
"The Hu Family took control of Zhensui Mansion and thus inherited the heavenly disasters. These disasters, if too great for the ancestors to bear, would fall upon the living. It's rumored that Zhensui Mansion once executed members of the Qingyuan Hu Family, indicating a deep conflict between the two branches."
"This made the worry even more pronounced: the Zhensui Hu lineage, all told, had only a few ancestors. How could they withstand such heavenly disasters?"
"..."
As he spoke, he merely lifted his sleeve slightly and said softly, "My words end here. Go back and remind him!"
"Disasters and fortunes cycle every three years. The Hu Family possesses a strong destiny but lacks accumulated blessings. As an outsider, I don't understand why the Hu Family made such ruthless decisions, but the price they must pay is likely beyond ordinary imagination."
"To resolve such calamities, aside from enduring them head-on, their only hope, I'm afraid, is to seek out the Benefit Sun Family of the Theft Disaster Path."
"..."
"The Benefit Sun Family..."
Hu Ma's expression grew grave. He pondered for a long moment, then cupped his hands. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior."
"It's not really guidance, just a few casual words of reminder," Old Master Li said with a chuckle. "After all, our thirty-six families have long since retreated from the world. The Ten Surnames have taken our place, and their power and abilities are beyond our imagination. Establishing some connection with them might help us in the future."
Listening to him, Hu Ma clearly sensed some unstated emotions in his words.
The thirty-six families clearly harbored grievances. If they hadn't been convicted and banished to desolate lands to guard the Ghost Caves, the Ten Surnames might never have had the chance to rise.
Now, the Ten Surnames held wealth in one hand and power in the other, while the people of the Ghost Cave clans lived in isolated decline, forced to remain on the fringes of society. Watching the affairs of the jianghu and the imperial court, it would be a lie to say they weren't envious.
The term 'people beyond the mundane world' sounds somewhat transcendent, but in reality, it's a life of suffering.
A gentle breeze and bright moon can't compare to a bowl of braised pork belly. The chirping of insects and songs of birds are no match for a portly auntie's rendition of 'Eighteen Touches.'
To call them 'people beyond the mundane world' is less accurate than calling them 'prisoners forced into exile.'
This profound conversation had benefited Hu Ma greatly. He rose to take his leave and intended to leave the Copper Coin behind.
Martial artists, martial affairs. Initially, he helped Xiang, and the Dongzi Li Family gave him this Copper Coin. Now, they had not only escorted him from the underworld but also shared many secrets; the original debt of gratitude had, in truth, been fully repaid.
This Copper Coin should, by rights, be left behind.
However, Old Master Li just smiled and waved his hand, asking him to keep it. "Bringing you out this time was merely a matter of goodwill between our families; it's nothing."
"The Copper Coin, however, was a gift to you from the lass. You two should discuss it yourselves."
"..."
Hu Ma understood the tactful words and accepted. After another bow, he walked out of the cave.
The first time he came, he needed someone to guide him. Now, with his current abilities, he could come and go as he pleased.
Outside, the village was deserted. Apart from a line of servant ghosts and a few patrolling guards, not a soul was in sight. Xiang and Gua Shao, who had changed his clothes, were waiting for him there.
Upon asking, he learned that an opera troupe had come to the village outskirts and was performing. The entire village had gone to watch. The monthly opera performance was a major event for the village.
Xiang and Gua Shao came forward, smiling. Xiang asked, "Brother Hu Ma, now that you're here, will you stay for a few days?"
"I'm afraid I don't have the time on this occasion."
Hu Ma quickly apologized, "I have too many matters to attend to back in Mingzhou now that I've returned."
"When I have free time in the future, I'll come and stay longer."
"..."
Xiang listened and just nodded gently. "Alright then!"
"Also..."
Hu Ma hesitated for a moment, then decided to swallow his pride. "About those Golden Silk Tai Sui on your back mountain..."
He was still thinking about the important task Monkey Wine had given him. That fellow wanted not only Blood Tai Sui but also Golden Silk Tai Sui, and even Purple Tai Sui.
As for Blood Tai Sui, Monkey Wine had already transported over ten thousand catties of it. For Purple Tai Sui, Brother Er Guotou had managed to obtain a considerable amount. However, Golden Silk Tai Sui was harder to find. It had fewer uses and was extremely valuable. Only those from the Execution Soul Path or the Ghost Cave practitioners would likely have some.
Hu Ma remembered Xiang's family had quite a lot of it. If he didn't ask now, when would be a better time?
"Oh, my, my..."
Gua Shao suddenly interrupted Hu Ma, putting an arm around Xiang's shoulder. "Brother, it's not for me to say, but our little sister here has such a kind heart! I only inquired once, and she took it upon herself to prepare a lot of Blood Food for us, the kind with golden silk..."
"Look, I tried to refuse several times, but our sister is so sincere and insisted we take it. Brother, you shouldn't refuse either, or you'll put her in an awkward position."
"..."
Huh?
It was only then Hu Ma realized: that shameless Gua Shao had already brought it up with her beforehand?
He quickly put on a serious face. "I was just about to discuss this. The Golden Silk Tai Sui from your family, sister, doesn't just fall from the sky..."
"...I do indeed need it, but it's best if we discuss a price and settle things clearly."
"..."
"Brother Hu Ma, surely we haven't grown so distant just because we haven't seen each other for two years?"
Xiang pursed her lips upon hearing this. "The Blood Food from our family doesn't fall from the sky; it grows from the ground."
'If we're not distant, then why did you call me 'Young Master' all the time before, and now it's 'Brother Hu Ma' every other word?'
Hu Ma thought this to himself but smiled. "Since we are all people of the jianghu, I won't stand on ceremony. Sister, I owe you a huge favor."
"If you need anything later on, remember to send a little ghost to deliver a message to me."
"..."
Xiang nodded quickly upon hearing this. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she gently raised her hand, tugged on Hu Ma's sleeve, and pulled him aside. She whispered, "I do have something to warn you about, though it's not my own concern."
"Brother Hu Ma, I haven't officially taken over any responsibilities yet, so Father hasn't told me many things. But sometimes, when he's too busy, I go in to help."
"I don't know much about what's happening outside, but you must be extremely careful. Guarding the cave here, I've seen many bizarre and terrifying things from the underworld. When they stir up trouble, they get closer and closer to the cave entrance. They might..." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶
"..."
Hu Ma was startled by her words. "Resentful souls from the underworld?"
"No, no..."
Xiang shook her head. "The resentful souls from the underworld are pitiable beings; they wouldn't act like this..."
She seemed to find it difficult to describe. After thinking carefully, she whispered, "They are things I'd never seen before during my yin hour journeys."
"I've asked my father too. He said the original guardians of the Ghost Cave were the thirty-six families. But over generations, people from these families either fled or died. Consequently, the number of those managing the things below has dwindled, and the entities in the underworld have grown increasingly dissatisfied..."
"Sometimes I even feel that our Path—which is supposed to be about living soul guides helping unclaimed vindictive souls in the human world find relief from their suffering—has now become more like... we're just... feeding them!"
