Chapter 106 - 105 The Yellow Immortals Family Walks Sideways

Chapter 106: Chapter 105 The Yellow Immortals Family Walks Sideways Once the matter with the Tan’er Sect was settled, it was truly time to prepare to return to the village for the New Year. The Shopkeeper’s words carried a hint, which Hu Ma understood. If he had the chance to become the Shopkeeper of this Manor, then both money and Blood Food supplies would naturally increase significantly. Especially for a Shopkeeper of a branch like this, who held high status and power, his days would be comfortable, and everything he did would be convenient. Yet, he suppressed this thought in his heart. Previously, he had actually planned to leave after learning the Shousui man’s dharma method, intending to hide his name and live in anonymity. Now, however, knowing the identities of Er Guotou and Miss White Wine, a delicate balance had formed among the three of them, making the matter of leaving less urgent. But after some self-analysis, Hu Ma still felt that stepping into the limelight too early was not a good idea. After all, he hadn’t even worshipped Tai Sui once. The thought of suddenly becoming the Shopkeeper made him feel uneasy. However, even though the Shopkeeper intended to leave, it wasn’t something that would happen in the next few days. The immediate concern was still arranging for the servants to go home for the New Year. Hu Ma had already promised the servants. Now, with the Shopkeeper’s instructions, he carefully calculated the Manor’s remaining money and grain. Apart from what was needed for the following spring, he planned to distribute the rest to the servants in the Manor. Moreover, the sheep the Manor had recently acquired were slaughtered. They also ordered a pig from the village, planning to divide the meat among the servants for them to take home. In those days, being able to take a large piece of pork home for the New Year was a very respectable thing. By rights, the Manor should not be left unattended. Even if people were allowed to go home for the New Year, someone needed to stay and watch over it. However, the Shopkeeper said he would stay at the Manor this year, which saved some trouble. Considering the old shopkeeper’s kindness in teaching him the dharma method, Hu Ma should have stayed to celebrate the New Year with him. However, due to the recent incident, Hu Ma no longer frequented the inner courtyard. This distance, unexpectedly, made both the Shopkeeper and Hu Ma feel much more at ease. Now, they all had a tacit understanding. All Hu Ma could do was prepare money, grain, and meat for the Shopkeeper and his household. He didn’t need to worry about them being uncared for; the old manservant and the young servant were already back at the Manor. Ironically, these two had left even before the people from the Tan’er Sect arrived. It seemed the old shopkeeper had then decided to obtain the Blood Food and not return to the Manor. However, things unexpectedly went awry, and he had summoned them back. "Brother Hu Ma, can we really take this much stuff home?" When Hu Ma distributed all the money and grain to the servants and set the time for their departure, not only did the other servants cheer with delight, but even Zhou Datong felt as if he were dreaming. Such a large half-side of pork, mutton, two bolts of cloth, and three bags of polished rice—the sight made his eyes nearly pop out. Not to mention, each person also had a few small silver coins tucked away. "It’s still not enough," Hu Ma glanced at their haul and said. "We need to rent a large cart. It’s a journey of several days back to Dayang Village. How else can we carry all this?" Zhou Datong declared, "Carrying all these things, I wouldn’t get tired even if I had to walk for a month!" Not only did he nod, but Zhou Liang, Zhao Zhu, and even Li, who was now as thin as a rake, all nodded vigorously. They had all dreamt of going out to earn Silver, returning home in fine clothes to impress their parents, uncles, and the young women of the village, but they never expected it to happen so soon. They had only been away for a few months, and now they could take so much back to the village? This was faster than robbing! But Hu Ma understood in his heart that while taking all these things back to the village would indeed be glorious, they hadn’t come easily. If not for the Reincarnator’s help, and if he hadn’t overcome the traps set by the old shopkeeper, it was questionable whether all five of them would even be alive, let alone taking all these goods back to the village. What seemed like a dream on the surface had been paid for dearly underneath. Of course, this was also because it was his first year as a manager, and he hadn’t thought of being stingy with those under him. Otherwise, if he had skimped on what was due to the others and taken it all back to his own village, the amount of money and grain would have been at least three times larger. There were plenty of good things in the storeroom. These branch Manors usually settled their accounts once a year, and any surplus was for the main Manor’s needs. Given the special circumstances of this branch Manor, they basically never distributed green food, only meat, cloth, money, and grain, which was already considered quite modest. Thinking of this, Hu Ma smiled at Zhou Datong. "If you insist on carrying it all back, I have no objection. But I’m going to the city to hire a large cart. Do you want to come?" Zhou Datong immediately raised his hand high. "Yes, I’ll go!" "Today, we can finally explore those alleys, right?" Hu Ma’s face fell upon hearing this. That Zhou Datong, always thinking of mischief! He himself had just joined the Lady’s Society, and there were important matters to attend to in the spring. If Zhou Datong lost his virginity now, it would surely bring a string of bad luck next year! But as for himself... once he succeeded in refining life in *that* place, he would be free! Suppressing his stray thoughts, Hu Ma chose a day to rise early. He took Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, and Zhao Zhu with him to the city. They bought some novel items only available in the city, like New Year couplets and firecrackers. Then, they went to the Mule and Horse Market and spent two taels of Silver to hire a large cart. They arranged for the cart to come to the Manor in two days to pick them up, take them to their village, and then the carter would return alone. Zhou Datong and the others had never had the experience of spending Silver so freely. The dazzling array of novelties in the market overwhelmed them. Some bought tiger-head hats to wear, while others purchased colorful kites, combs, and other trinkets for their younger sisters back home. Hu Ma let them be, merely warning them not to rush off to "explore the alleys." He did promise them, however, that once they earned more Silver, he would take them to a proper entertainment house to listen to songs next year! To be honest, resources were scarce in this world. Although the city seemed bustling, there were only a few types of goods available for purchase. Of course, the joy of returning home laden with goods was a feeling common to any world. At noon, they had a filling meal at a steamed bun shop. Afterward, Hu Ma went to the meat market and bought two cages of chickens, having Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu carry them for him. Zhou Datong was puzzled. "Buying pork and mutton is enough. Why buy so many chickens?" "I have my uses for them," Hu Ma replied cryptically and led them back, placing the two cages of chickens on a small handcart. Previously, Little Hongtang would have delivered such things directly. But Little Hongtang couldn’t manage these two cages, so Hu Ma decided to deliver them himself. Before setting off, he thought for a moment and decided to bring Li along. Li was both excited and apprehensive. Hu Ma had been taking care of him, but there were many things he couldn’t participate in anymore. What’s happening now? he wondered. Hu Ma noticed his trepidation and reassured him with a smile, "Just follow me. There’s no danger." Li puffed out his chest and said, "With Brother Ma Zi, I’m not afraid of anything!" Of course, his slightly pale face indicated he was still scared. The saying "once bitten by a snake, one fears a coiled rope for ten years" fit him well. His courage had been shattered. Even if his inner "furnace" wasn’t completely extinguished, it could no longer burn brightly. Hu Ma took Li, and as dusk fell, they set out. Soon, with Little Hongtang guiding them, they pulled the small handcart to a large boulder in the wilderness. Hu Ma stopped there, letting Li sit down beside it while they both rested. As the night deepened, the chickens in the cages suddenly began to cackle restlessly. Hu Ma looked up; he knew his "guests" had arrived. "Aiya..." A gust of sinister wind swept past, and Hu Ma first heard Li’s shrill voice. He saw Li jump up, his body contorting as he squatted beside the cages, exclaiming in surprise, "There are so many of them?" Hu Ma chuckled. "Didn’t I promise you ten?" "The young manager is a man of his word..." In the wild grass by the roadside, streaks of yellowish-brown figures darted back and forth, SQUEAKING urgently. This terrified the chickens in the cages, causing them to FLUTTER and squawk in alarm. "One, two, three... two, three, one..." Li was practically plastered to the cages, counting over and over. But being unable to count properly, he couldn’t get an accurate tally. "There are enough," Hu Ma said with a laugh. "But I must tell my good neighbors something. I’m going back to my village for the New Year. During this time, please don’t be too aggressive. Don’t harm the local villagers, and don’t break into people’s homes." "Also, there probably won’t be any night patrols for a while. But you should still be careful. It’s best not to even go near the Manor. Our Shopkeeper is still there, and if he sees you, he probably won’t be as accommodating as I am." "He’s just a Shopkeeper. What’s there to be afraid of him for?" Li turned his head, neck stiff with pride, and declared, "We even have connections with the Red Lantern Lady!" "What?" Hu Ma was startled. "When did you lot get involved with her?" "Just a few days ago," Li said. "When you brought that lantern over, our Little San even helped the Red Lantern Lady find her way..." "That incident?" Hu Ma was dumbfounded. What kind of boasts did that little rascal make when he got back? He clearly almost lost his life back then, and now he thinks they’ve made some grand connection? It was rather amusing. But this family of Yellow Immortals was notoriously arrogant and unruly—a nest of troublemakers who definitely wouldn’t heed his warning. All he could do was offer a reminder. After delivering the goods, Hu Ma pushed the small handcart and left with Li and Little Hongtang. Li walked for a good distance before he suddenly jolted, coming to his senses, completely unaware of what had just transpired. He only heard a commotion of squawking chickens and what sounded like yelps, the sickening sounds of blood being drunk from torn chicken necks, and the flurry of feathers in the darkness behind them. Terrified, he hurriedly caught up with Hu Ma. Back at the Manor, Hu Ma had Zhou Datong and the others start packing. He then went to the inner courtyard to report to the old shopkeeper. "Shopkeeper, we’ll set out the day after tomorrow. We’ll be back after the New Year, before the fifteenth day of the first month." "The rice and flour in the kitchen have all been milled. I’ve also arranged with the village; once they slaughter the pig, they’ll send half a side over for you." "If you have any other instructions, I’ll arrange everything properly before I leave." After a pause, the old shopkeeper’s voice finally sounded. "Nothing else. Just... try to come back before the fifteenth." "There will be many things to attend to in the spring, and I need to entrust them to you one by one." Hu Ma paused for a moment before replying firmly, "Yes!"