Chapter 110 - 109: The Trembling Godmother

Chapter 110: Chapter 109: The Trembling Godmother Granny really came back? Hu Ma looked towards the side of the table but saw nothing. To him, there was only a swirl of air blending with the night outside the door. However, he saw the genuine joy and closeness on Little Hongtang’s face. If Granny had truly returned, he should naturally have been able to see her. If she had returned in another form, she surely would have let him see her. This indeed left Hu Ma a bit puzzled, but he held back from asking. Second Master had told him that at times like this, he should not ask such questions, or it would be disrespectful. His inability to see her didn’t mean Granny hadn’t returned. No one else in the village could see their ancestors either, yet they all remained devout. Thus, Hu Ma forced a smile. He first went to the table to pour wine for Granny, and then he cooked some dumplings. The first three dumplings were served to Granny and placed at the side of the table. Then, he served a small bowl to Little Hongtang and a large one to himself. The family, nestled in the dimly lit, oil-lamp-lit room, shared another reunion meal. In a trance, he almost believed he saw Granny in the Taishi Chair, looking at him and Little Hongtang with loving eyes, and a sense of calm settled in his heart. That night, every home kept its lights burning, for in every household, their ancestors were staying over. Humans and ghosts shared homes, yet everyone in the village slept exceedingly soundly that night. Everyone feared ghosts, but who would fear the very people who had raised them? 「」 "Granny, don’t worry about me. I’ve learned some skills of the Shousui man. I haven’t mastered them all yet, but I’m almost able to cure myself." After welcoming Granny home for the New Year, Hu Ma sent her back to the old fire pit the next day. Just as when he had brought Granny home, he burned three incense sticks to guide the way. He joined the endless stream of soul senders from the village, arriving at the old fire pit. Everyone inserted their incense into the pit, then took out their pouches, emptied the old pond ash into it, and refilled them with fresh ash. This was because it was the season for visiting relatives, a custom where people from various villages would call on their kin after the festivities. In the dense forest of Old Yin Mountain, pond ash was indispensable. However, unlike many families in the village who had frequent visits from nearby relatives, the Hu Family did not. After offering sacrifices at the old fire pit, Hu Ma began considering when to return. This being his first year in the Red Lantern Society, he had been granted the chance to come home for the New Year. But given the special circumstances, he had to hurry back to his duties. Especially since Miss White Wine’s Blood Food Pill is ready, I need to rush back to get my share... no, to seize the opportunity. "Little Huma, don’t be in such a hurry. Your Second Master and I have something to discuss with you." Just as Hu Ma began to pack his things, the Clan Leader and Second Master arrived. The Old Clan Chief made himself at home, settling into the Taishi Chair. He stuffed his pipe, puffed away contentedly, and said, "This year, with you youngsters making a name for yourselves, our village has truly gained some prestige. These past few days, people from the village have been visiting relatives, spreading stories about your achievements. It’s made the neighboring villages quite envious." He continued, "They all say our fire pit is practically glowing with good fortune... "Five of our own joined the Red Lantern Lady’s Club in one go, and they’ve all managed to hold their ground! One even became a little manager!" "This is a first in the entire ten-mile radius! Before, in that other village, someone whose brother-in-law merely became a manager was boasting all over the place!" "This is a great thing for our village, and we must acknowledge this good fortune." After reminiscing with satisfaction for a while, the Old Clan Chief tapped his pipe and addressed Hu Ma seriously, "So, I discussed it with your Second Master. We feel that this year, just making offerings at the old fire pit isn’t enough. We thought, before you all leave, we should also offer incense and make some offerings to the forest surrounding our village, and say some prayers for good fortune." "After all, your success isn’t just due to the protection of our ancestors; Old Yin Mountain has sheltered you as well." Sacrificial Mountain? This Old Clan Chief is truly daring... In my past life memories, those who dared to conduct Sacrificial Mountain rituals were no simple figures; even an Emperor might not withstand it. Especially in this world, the mountains are dangerously mysterious. Even if I’ve made a name for myself in the eyes of the villagers as a small manager in the Red Lantern Lady’s Club, what right do I have to perform a Sacrificial Mountain ritual? Even if the Red Lantern Lady herself came, she might not have the authority... "It’s not a grand sacrifice," the Old Clan Chief said, noticing Hu Ma’s surprise. "It’s just about going to the edge of the village, saying a few words to the forest, and seeking peace of mind." "You mustn’t refuse this. Your Second Master, I, and a few elders from the village have all discussed this." "Now, among the surrounding villages, everyone knows Dayang Village is the most distinguished. If we don’t burn incense now, when should we?" "Especially after offering sacrifices to this forest, our Dayang Village will stand out the most." "Even when it comes to distributing Blood Food, people will choose us first..." So, it’s not just about face; there are tangible benefits too. I knew he wouldn’t act rashly... Hu Ma understood the Old Clan Chief’s intention but still felt uneasy. He turned to look at Second Master. Now that Granny was not in the village, Second Master was his elder. He was also experienced, and when facing difficult problems, listening to his advice was definitely the right thing to do. "This isn’t a reckless sacrifice either," Second Master said, meeting Hu Ma’s gaze and putting down his pipe. "Our village has always had the tradition of Sacrificial Mountain." "In bountiful years, when more Blood Food was harvested and more children were born in the village, it was customary to offer sacrifices." "Though in recent years, while the village has been relatively peaceful, it’s been a hand-to-mouth existence without any major events, so the tradition has gradually faded." "Moreover, this so-called Sacrificial Mountain is really just a small, informal affair." "Don’t you have a godmother in the forest? We’ll just make offerings to her. Isn’t it perfectly natural for a godson to honor his godmother?" "Besides, when your Granny was alive, she was kind and helpful. She knew many beings in the old forest, so even the medicine collectors from our village received help when they went into the forest." "When you left, you kowtowed to them. Now that you’re back, offering some tributes and burning some incense is only right." After listening to Second Master’s words, Hu Ma felt slightly reassured. Though Second Master was a rough man, he understood the proper customs. If he deemed something sensible, it could be done. Besides, Hu Ma also caught another meaning in Second Master’s words. Previously, when Hu Ma had made offerings to his godmother, some mysterious beings from the forest had appeared. Second Master had immediately redirected the offerings to them and even advised Hu Ma to kowtow. The village didn’t know about this, but Second Master clearly remembered. This so-called Sacrificial Mountain ritual wasn’t really about sacrificing to the mountain itself, but about revering these spirits, much like the ancestors in the old fire pit. Initially, they had shown him favor out of respect for Granny’s old connections. But if he proactively made offerings this year, it would strengthen those old bonds and re-establish the relationship. "I will follow Second Master’s guidance." Having understood this point, Hu Ma nodded but couldn’t help but urge them to keep it low-key. He always felt that if things got too big, he wouldn’t be able to handle the consequences. "Rest assured, your Second Master knows what he’s doing." Understanding Hu Ma’s sentiment, Second Master and the Old Clan Chief left to make preparations. They certainly weren’t being perfunctory about it. Although sacrificing to the forest was a grander affair than the sacrifices at the old fire pit, the scale was much smaller. Firstly, no women or children participated, nor did they summon all the young, able-bodied men from the village. Only a few elders led the way, accompanied by Hu Ma and the few others who had joined the Red Lantern Lady’s Club. Even Li was specifically asked to stay behind. On the third day of the New Year, the group, carrying offerings, incense and candles, and dressed in new clothes, departed from the village. They circled through the forest and found Hu Ma’s godmother, a bare willow tree in the bleakness of winter. The godmother tree, stretching its branches in the sparse sunlight, was startled by the arrival of so many people, shaking so much that icicles fell from it. "Lady Liu’er, my dear! Your godson has made something of himself! He’s taken advantage of the New Year to come and see you..." Second Master, who was most familiar with the godmother tree, approached it warmly, murmuring as he pasted red paper onto its trunk. The godmother tree seemed to not want this godson at all. But it was the New Year; she couldn’t very well chase people away, could she? Meanwhile, Second Master finished pasting red paper onto the godmother tree and had the others clear away the surrounding weeds and dead branches, leaving a clean spot. The offerings were then laid out one by one. The godmother tree gazed at the bowls of chicken, fish, steamed buns, and meatballs, and even a whole pig’s head, along with the finest incense. It seemed utterly dazed. The fine willow tree actually seemed to possess a timid air. "Hu Ma of Dayang Village’s Hubai Clan, grandson of the Ghost-walking Granny, encountered a great calamity and narrowly escaped death. Thanks to the profound fortune of the Hu Family and the elders of the forest who remembered old ties and protected him, he is now healthy and has overcome his ordeal. Today, he has come to express his gratitude and fulfill his vows. We humbly request the elders to accept these offerings with a smile..." After laying out the offerings, Second Master took a slip of red paper inscribed with Hu Ma’s name and burned it while speaking these words. Before long, the surroundings seemed to grow significantly dimmer. From deep within the forest, myriad rustling sounds arose endlessly. Shadows flickered, and dry branches swayed, as if the world had transformed. Looking directly, one could only feel a chilling wind and see nothing. But in one’s peripheral vision, it seemed the edge of the forest behind was filled with figures. They cast various gazes towards Hu Ma—some gratified, some amused. Amidst these many gazes, Lady Liu’er trembled violently. Darn you all! What face do you have to say you’re here to make offerings to *me*? They’ve really come... Simultaneously, upon sensing these gazes, Hu Ma’s heart gave a slight jolt. It was them. The ones who had come to send Granny off, the ones who had come to see him when he left the village and had accepted his kowtow. He couldn’t clearly see these "people" now, but he could feel their familiar gazes. Especially when he slightly raised his head, out of the corner of his eye, he did indeed glimpse again that thing deep within the forest. The tree stump. This Sacrificial Mountain ritual that the Old Clan Chief and Second Master had arranged still made him feel somewhat unsure. But they... seemed to have been waiting for a long time? Taking a deep breath, he was about to bow when suddenly a clamor erupted in the distance, with faint shouts of rebuke carried on the wind: "What gives your Dayang Village the right to come out here and perform a forest sacrifice?"