Chapter 131 - 130: Trump Card Path

Chapter 131: Chapter 130: Trump Card Path "Hmm?" Suddenly hearing such a remark from Er Guotou, Hu Ma was momentarily stunned. However, he immediately reacted, lowered his voice, and said, "Is something going on?" He suddenly felt alerted inside. If he were truly an ordinary young man from the village, getting such a chance to become a Shopkeeper, he might even be willing to stake his life on it. This was because such an opportunity wasn’t just promising; it was practically a rapid ascent, like one’s ancestral grave emitting smoke. Although it was just a small Shopkeeper position, couldn’t he relay a word to acquaintances in the Red Lantern Society and help Dayang Village out? Could he perhaps bring in a few more children from the village when the Red Lantern Society recruited next? Hu Ma had only become a manager, yet he was already considered the most promising child for miles around. If he became a Shopkeeper, wouldn’t the Old Clan Chief be utterly stunned? But Hu Ma was a Reincarnator, naturally guarded, so he wasn’t so bewitched by this status. Once he sensed an issue, he immediately became more cautious. "Heh heh, these Shopkeepers often weren’t the Lady’s trusted aides, yet the Lady’s trusted aides couldn’t exactly perform this role. But with such hefty monthly income and Blood Food, do you really think it’s that easy to earn?" Er Guotou sneered. "There might come a time when they are needed. Coincidentally, such a wave is coming next month, so I think you should wait this ordeal out before trying for the Shopkeeper position again." "..." Listening to Er Guotou, Hu Ma felt a chill in his heart and said, "What’s the specific issue? Tell me." "Specifically..." Upon hearing this, Er Guotou hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice to say, "Be sure not to let this slip. Including me, only three people in the Red Lantern Society know about this. If the news leaks, outsiders could easily target you and me." "..." Hu Ma said solemnly, "I understand the seriousness." Only then did Er Guotou sigh softly and say, "Next month, they’re selecting Shopkeepers from all Manors to enter the city and risk their lives. The Evil Ghosts of the green clothes gang have been suppressed by our Red Lantern Lady for so long, and now they finally can’t contain themselves..." "..." "What?" Hu Ma listened intently and suddenly broke into a cold sweat, realizing how important the information Er Guotou had told him was. Just moments ago, he was filled with joy, not expecting he had nearly stumbled into great misfortune. After calming down a bit, he said seriously to Er Guotou, "Brother, your information saved my life. I can’t accept it for nothing; I’ll owe you a favor." "..." Er Guotou said, "No need to say that. This is the basic mode of cooperation among Reincarnators: passing information rather than rashly taking action." Though he said so, Hu Ma still noted down the favor. These things were indeed mysterious; others need just a word to profoundly alter one’s fate. After a moment’s silence, he asked, "Should I turn down the Shopkeeper position then?" Er Guotou replied, "Not necessarily turn it down. Being a Shopkeeper in an outside Manor is indeed comfortable, and it would make it easier for us to cooperate in the future. But you shouldn’t stand out right now. You might even go into hiding for a while. Don’t worry about losing the Shopkeeper role; selecting a Shopkeeper for a Manor is a complicated process." "That’s unexpected..." Hu Ma thought for a while and said, "I see." Seeing Hu Ma’s easy acceptance, Er Guotou laughed. "Honestly, I didn’t expect you to make a name for yourself so quickly. That young man named Yang Gong is universally disliked; he even rolls his eyes at me. Unexpectedly, he particularly respects you. When I rewarded him the other day, he kept mentioning your contributions, saying other Shopkeepers weren’t as good as you, and praised you highly..." "I don’t want this reputation; I’d rather not offend anyone..." Listening, Hu Ma felt somewhat helpless and forced a smile. "Actually, I just helped him casually before. I was worried too, but the credit was too tempting. After weighing it, I decided to do it." "This major credit is indeed worthy. Among your batch that joined the Red Lantern Society last year, few stood out. Among the green incense Disciples, you’re the only one." As Er Guotou spoke, there was a hint of regret in his voice. "However, there was indeed so much Blood Food—if only we could’ve gotten our hands on it..." Hu Ma laughed. "It’s not that I didn’t feel the pinch, but the matter was too urgent, and I didn’t have time to make other arrangements..." "True enough," Er Guotou mused. "One can’t make moves too frequently; otherwise, trouble will eventually arise." Thinking about it, Er Guotou also agreed profoundly, laughing. "Ultimately, it’s no loss. That Yang Gong, a Red Fragrance Disciple, has no sense of propriety. He’s reckless and fierce, completely unaware of the need to conceal his strength. Originally, I thought of him as cannon fodder with little life left. Unexpectedly, he took a different approach, seized such great credit, and caught the Lady’s Dharma Eye. It’s not bad to ally with him now; maybe he’ll be useful one day." "..." Listening, Hu Ma deeply concurred. Yang Gong was typical but also special. Even Er Guotou initially didn’t see his potential, nor did I. Ironically, sometimes those seemingly flawed individuals, overlooked by others, could achieve extraordinary things through simple-minded persistence and sheer willpower. Of course, it was equally possible that they might perish tomorrow. Reflecting on this, he suddenly grew curious about one thing and asked, "What kind of prospects do these Red Fragrance Disciples have?" Er Guotou laughed and said, "They generally have to face more dangers than green incense Disciples. "These Disciples who burned Red Fragrance enter the society, and the first thing they experience is the good life, supplied with the best Blood Food, well-fed, and well-dressed. This is because most are from impoverished backgrounds, inherently lacking, and needing nourishment; lest they lose their souls to a gust of yin qi before even seeing the Red Lantern Lady. "Once nurtured well, they pass through the first trial, known as ’Worshipping the Red Lantern.’ In the midnight hall, holding three incense sticks, they kneel before a Red Lantern, illuminated throughout the night. If they can’t withstand it, they die. Even if they survive, if their bodies are eroded by yin qi, they’ll fall seriously ill. "If they endure, they become yin bodies. At this point, as long as they learn the spellcasting techniques, they can invoke the Red Lantern Lady’s Mana in adverse situations... You could think of them as mobile Red Lanterns. "Of course, that’s not all. Learning to invoke the Red Lantern Lady’s Mana only signifies they can work. Additionally, there are various unusual situations, including how to worship, nurture their bodies, and discreetly handle dirty work, etc. "If they study well and are willing to work, catching the Red Lantern Lady’s Dharma Eye, they might be summoned to serve directly before her and carry out her will... "In fact, these Disciples, after passing three trials, belong to a certain Path known as negative spirit people. Nowadays, they’re the most common type in the jianghu, traveling the most dangerous Paths and striving for the greatest fortune. "So, if Yang Gong doesn’t survive, then so be it. But if he does, he cannot be underestimated." "..." Feeling some emotion as he listened, Hu Ma softly said, "Shousui, walking ghost, Negative Spirit..." "How many Paths exist in this world after all?" "..." Er Guotou chuckled. "That’s a vast subject. In your past life, could you grasp how many academic disciplines there were?" After asking this, he continued, "In summary, the most common in this jianghu are the grand Paths like Shousui and walking ghost; Negative Spirit and Punishment Soul; Haishou Siming; Witchcraft and Gu; Theft and Disaster; and Tricks and Black Magic. "But human creativity is boundless, even within these major Paths. These grand Paths give rise to numerous minor, sub, and alternative Paths beyond our imagination." "..." My understanding of this world is only the tip of the iceberg... Hu Ma reflected silently. Now I’m on the Path of Shousui, yet I also want to learn the skills in the Age Suppressing Book. What Path do those skills belong to—walking ghost, or another unknown to me? It wasn’t easy to ask Er Guotou directly about the Age Suppressing Book. With a slight stirring inside, he said, "This time, when handling matters with Yang Gong, I encountered Ghost Walkers from the green clothes gang. Brother, do you have any knowledge of the Path of Ghost Walkers?" "Ghost Walkers?" Er Guotou was initially stunned upon hearing this, then laughed. "That’s the easiest Path to enter; there are plenty of them in the jianghu. But you needn’t worry. Most Ghost Walkers are fairly manageable because, you see, the essence of the Path of Ghost Walkers isn’t easily mastered by just anyone... It’s a money burner!" "..." As he spoke, he casually explained some particulars about Ghost Walkers to Hu Ma, enlightening him profoundly. After chatting to their heart’s content, Er Guotou unwillingly disconnected, still sighing helplessly, "If only chatting with Miss White Wine were as engaging as with you..." "..." Even I felt speechless listening—how did I inexplicably attract dislike? But after exiting the Lifebound Spirit Temple, he thought helplessly: Miracle men, various Paths... This world is truly profound, mysterious, and complex... Why are Reincarnators like me, Er Guotou, and Miss White Wine here? Simply to survive in this world? Even after mastering skills and gaining a footing, what will ultimately await me? This fundamental question was something Hu Ma had never really had the time to ponder. Thinking about it now, he only felt more confused and weary. Ultimately, he could only sigh, pushing this initial doubt deep into his dreams. 「Before dawn」 Hearing the gate creak, he rose from his bed. He saw Shopkeeper Wu’s old servant leading a cart into the courtyard and packing luggage. Hu Ma stepped forward to help, carefully loading the items without alerting the staff. At early dawn, he sent the two elders and the young Sister Wu He out of the Manor. From afar, through the thin mist, Sister Wu He lifted the curtain and looked back. But what could I do besides wave goodbye to her? A realization dawned on him: The Jianghu Road is long, and destiny is turbulent. Whether Reincarnators or this world’s natives, all are just struggling to survive. Why think so far ahead? I should focus on staying alive first, and then think about living wisely...