Chapter 123 - 122 Zhen Sui Summons Evil Magic

Chapter 123: Chapter 122 Zhen Sui Summons Evil Magic This is all about applying pressure on the creature in the river... Hu Ma understood clearly. This wasn’t a stalemate between two factions, but three. If not for the threat from the creature in the river, the Green Clothes Gang would have swarmed forward and hacked Yang Gong and his companion in the Water God Temple to pieces. The two Red Fragrance Disciples might have learned some dharma methods, but they were now far from the Red Lantern Lady. How could they possibly stand against so many people? Hu Ma also considered that, in terms of manpower, his side was far inferior. He didn’t want to risk his life fighting the Green Clothes Gang for this achievement, so the only clever move was to borrow the river creature’s power. If I had only learned the skills of the Shousui man, I probably wouldn’t be able to handle this river creature. But the Age Suppressing Book has a solution. The Age Suppressing Book Granny left him likely had significant implications. Hu Ma had studied it very carefully. However, after returning to the village, seeing Juehu Village that Granny had left behind, and being reminded by the old tree stump, he knew he had to dedicate serious effort to the Age Suppressing Book. The old woman’s words before she left echoed in his ears again; she was still waiting for him to master the skills in the book so he could return and help her. But in trying to learn, I have to admit, the methods in the Age Suppressing Book are quite strange. Unlike the solid, tangible skills of a Shousui man, they involve mysterious and ethereal concepts. Simply put, one is skill, inherent to the body. The other is Magic, external to the body. Normally, a Ghost Walker also needed guidance from elders, allowing juniors to observe, learn, and accumulate experience. Only when they were confident would they be allowed to try things themselves. But Hu Ma had no other way. The Age Suppressing Book could not be shown to others. If he wanted to learn, he could only figure it out on his own. Previously, he had learned some fundamental things from Sister Wu He, diligently catching up on his studies. Only then, by trying to understand the Age Suppressing Book, did he learn these few methods for summoning and questioning evil spirits. But I’ve only memorized them and understood the procedures; I haven’t actually tried them yet. There’s no way around it; the principles of the Age Suppressing Book are strict. Methods for dealing with evil spirits can only be used on evil spirits, so there’s no opportunity to even practice. Lost in thought, he slowly walked into a fishing village on this side of the riverbank. He found a fishing family cooking outside their house and, with a friendly smile, approached and greeted them. "Greetings, good folk. I’m from Xiaoliang County, delivering an urgent message to Mingzhou Prefecture." "I’m in a hurry to cross the river, but I wonder what’s happening up ahead?" "I see many fierce-looking people wandering about, and I’m a bit too timid to go over there." Seeing Hu Ma’s inquiry, the fisherman quickly shook his head and lowered his voice. "You’re right not to go over there, traveler." "Those people are quite fierce. They caused a disturbance in the village all night yesterday. Now they’re all gathered at the Water God Temple!" "The Water God Temple?" Hu Ma was startled and said in a low voice, "Those people are truly bold. Isn’t the Water God Temple a place of the Immortals?" "They dare to wield blades and weapons there?" Hearing Hu Ma’s words, the fisherman sighed helplessly and waved his hand. "You might not know, traveler, but this Water God Temple was abandoned long ago." "Let them cause their trouble; we can’t do anything about it. We just don’t know when it’ll end, and it’s delaying our fishing." "Abandoned?" Hu Ma was somewhat surprised. "So there are no Immortals in the river anymore?" But perhaps because he was asking too many questions, the fisherman stopped talking and simply lowered his head to continue cooking. Seeing this, Hu Ma let Silver do the talking. He took out a small silver coin, about one tael in weight, discreetly handed it over, and said, "Good man, I’ve been on the road since early morning and I’m quite hungry. Please take this Silver, and buy me a bowl of porridge with it..." "Ah?" The fisherman, not expecting such generosity, hurriedly tried to refuse the money, saying he would give him a bowl of porridge for free. Hu Ma insisted on placing it in his hand and was promptly invited into the house. The table was wiped clean, and not only was a full bowl of porridge served, but also a dish of pickled fish to accompany it. As he ate, he continued his inquiries. With this simple fisherman, there was no need for elaborate lies. He just mentioned that he might frequently travel along this river in the future and wanted to understand things better for his own peace of mind. Having accepted the Silver, the fisherman felt obliged to speak. He sighed, "Ah, the creature in this river... it has quite a history." Hu Ma listened intently, feeling as though his eyes were being opened to a new world. According to the fisherman, there had indeed always been something in the river. In the past, they often had trouble with water ghosts and water monkeys. Generations of fishermen had made their living on this river and knew some folk remedies, which were usually enough to cope. But then, some unknown year, a powerful entity suddenly appeared in the river. After that, catching fish became increasingly difficult. Anyone who fell into the river never came out alive. The fishermen on both banks began to live in fear. To ensure their safety, they began making offerings to the river: first chicken blood, then pigs and sheep. They invested heavily in these sacrifices. But even this didn’t work; the disturbances only grew fiercer. At its worst, many people died, and children from the villages on both banks were even stolen. Later, a capable person passed through, learned of their plight, and privately gave the fishermen an idea: build a temple on the riverbank for the creature in the river. They were to ensure a constant supply of incense and Worship throughout the seasons. Initially, the fishermen were reluctant, but the village elders understood the wisdom in it and agreed. They built the temple. On the first day of the new moon, the river creature seemed quite pleased. Some fishermen who went for incense-burning even reported seeing water stains appear in the temple, and the offerings sometimes showed signs of being nibbled. During that period, it seemed the river creature was showing great mercy, and the fish catches improved somewhat. But this peace didn’t last long. One night, a sudden storm broke out with thunder and howling winds. By dawn, people saw that half of the Water God Temple was destroyed, and there were traces of blood in the river. The villagers feigned ignorance, repaired the Water God Temple, and continued to present their tribute. However, the offerings in the temple were never touched again. From that point on, the creature in the river became much more subdued. It caused significantly fewer disturbances and no longer dared to demand tribute. Several years passed like this. Gradually, the Water God Temple fell into disuse. The fishermen on both banks and the river creature, however, coexisted peacefully. Occasionally, they would still perform incense-burning or toss chickens and ducks into the river, but the severe disturbances of the past never recurred. This spirit was really tricked, wasn’t it... After hearing the story, Hu Ma largely understood the situation. I’d been thinking earlier that the appearance of the Water God Temple was bizarre and baffling. Never mind a mere river spirit like this; consider how formidable the Red Lantern Lady is! She’s the sole menace in Mingzhou Prefecture. Not only is she fierce, but the attendants in her Manors across various places have also helped the local people considerably. Countless individuals sincerely come to kowtow and perform incense-burning for the Red Lantern Lady. Yet, even she wouldn’t dare to build a temple. The Manors in different locations are "counters," meant for conducting business, not for collecting incense. According to the old shopkeeper, building a temple is easy, but you also have to be able to bear the consequences. For this river spirit to brazenly build a temple for itself – wasn’t that just courting death? That capable person who passed through the fishing village... regardless of their cultivation, their insight must have been extraordinary. Without even drawing a weapon, they managed to quell this spirit’s arrogance. Having learned all this, Hu Ma had a much clearer picture, but he knew he couldn’t rush things. He patiently and meticulously inquired about the surrounding river conditions and any other rumors concerning the underwater entity, asking for every detail, regardless of whether it was true or false. Only after finishing his porridge and gaining a certain understanding of this underwater creature did he rise, bid farewell to the villager, and purchase some items. These included a basin and a bowl of rice. Seeing some red paper left over from writing New Year’s couplets in a corner of the house, he asked for some of that too. I have incense with me, so I don’t need to buy any. The fishing village doesn’t have ink, but I can find a substitute. Hu Ma gathered his things, left the fishing village, and pulled a handful of straw from a haystack at the village edge. Casually weaving it as he went, he slowly made his way to the riverside. He was still some distance from the Water God Temple, far enough that neither side could see the other clearly. Hu Ma poured out the rice and filled the bowl with river water. Then, he turned and found a secluded spot. He placed the bowl of river water on the ground and sprinkled the rice in a circle around it, leaving an opening facing the river. He then positioned the straw figures he had just woven, two on each side of the opening. It’s a good thing I joined a handicraft club in university during my past life; my hands are still quite deft. Of course, their appearance is only average, but they’ll have to do. Normally, paper men would be more suitable. Granny actually possessed the skill of making paper men, but unfortunately, I never had the chance to learn it. After completing these preparations, he took out a Fire Stick, placed a brazier before him, and lit a fire within it. He then picked up a twig, dipped it in the charcoal ash, and wrote the character for "Command" on each piece of red paper. He pasted one onto each straw figure before finally sitting down, facing the river. "Little Hongtang, you better keep a good watch for me..." Before doing all this, Hu Ma had called Little Hongtang over and handed her the red wooden sword. "If everything goes smoothly, that’s fine. But if it doesn’t, just stab it!" He paused, thought for a moment, and still felt uneasy. So, he added another instruction for the somewhat clueless Little Hongtang, "If things go particularly badly, and you can’t suppress it, then run." "Don’t look back. The faster you run, the better. Don’t worry about getting lost; I’ll perform incense-burning later to summon you back..." "...By then, I’ll probably have to run too, and I might not be able to look out for you." Little Hongtang, clutching the red wooden sword, nodded vigorously. "Mm-hmm, I’ll definitely run and not worry about you!" Why does that sound a bit off? Hu Ma pondered for a moment. Yet, feeling that Little Hongtang’s understanding seemed correct, he said no more and silently focused on the methods from the Age Suppressing Book. After silently mulling things over for a while and preparing contingency plans, Hu Ma finally took a deep breath. He lit three incense sticks beside him and began to chant under his breath: "Skies dim, earth dims, the living keep clear, sun and moon obscure!" "I set this altar, I summon the River God!" "Swiftly, River God, come forth and meet me! Do not dally, do not delay, lest the opportune moment pass!" "...My word is command! Why do you not hasten?"