Chapter 55: Old Objects

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Old Objects "Got it done?" When he returned to the Manor, Shopkeeper Wu and Moustache Manager Sun hadn’t finished their drinks. In that short time, two women with heavy makeup had appeared by their sides, helping to pour wine. The new attendants selected for the Red Lantern Society were all quite vigorous. The sight made them feel parched, and they quickly lowered their heads, only daring to steal yearning glances from the corners of their eyes. The richly-dressed youth stepped forward, stopping just outside the threshold, and announced loudly, "It’s settled." Shopkeeper Wu smiled, pushed away the wine cup offered by the woman beside him, and assumed a solemn expression. "How did you settle it?" The richly-dressed youth replied loudly, "I brought a lantern and first had the attendants spread out to surround the den. Then, I lit incense and reasoned with them thoroughly. However, they wouldn’t heed my advice and even tried to cause trouble. So, I killed one, and they all ran off. I doubt they’ll dare to return." Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Wu frowned slightly. "Killed it?" "Yes!" The richly-dressed youth hurriedly had the young attendant behind him bring over the skinned corpse, placing it before the threshold with both hands. "It’s this one." "Quite mature, its whiskers are already white." ... The youth had intended to showcase his achievement, but Shopkeeper Wu’s face showed no pleasure upon seeing the creature. Moustache Manager Sun, at the same table, merely watched with a smile, saying nothing. Shopkeeper Wu frowned again, then said mildly, "Earlier, it bewitched someone and sent them to us, and it still intended to cause trouble. That’s why I wanted to give its family a stark warning. When I told you to kill it back then, killing it was the right decision." "But later, when I had you bring the lanterns over, the purpose was to send them off. You were supposed to negotiate properly. Instead, you attacked and killed one. Won’t that deliberately create enemies for our Red Lantern Lady?" "I..." The richly-dressed youth was completely taken aback, unsure what to say. Shopkeeper Wu seemed to read his thoughts and added, "Of course, our Red Lantern Lady wouldn’t give these few entities a second thought." "But we guard this incense ground for the Red Lantern Lady. Constantly making enemies, day after day, isn’t good either." ... The richly-dressed youth was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to say. "Alright, you’ve worked hard. Go back now!" Shopkeeper Wu couldn’t be bothered to say more. He picked up his chopsticks and instructed, "Take this yellow skin and bury it properly by the bridge. Tell the nearby villagers not to go near there at night." "If they hear sobbing, it’s just people performing rituals, so tell them not to be afraid." "In three days, light one of our red lanterns and hang it at the head of the bridge. After a few days, things will be peaceful again." ... The richly-dressed youth quickly agreed and took the yellow skin away. Shopkeeper Wu then explained some rules to Hu Ma and the other attendants waiting before the main hall, then waved them away to rest. After hearing all this, Hu Ma gradually began to understand. No wonder each branch of the Red Lantern Society needed an experienced old shopkeeper to oversee things. No wonder the local villagers, upon encountering someone afflicted by an evil spirit, would bring them to the Red Lantern Society’s Masters for help. Their presence here wasn’t just to guard and clean the Manor, nor merely to learn skills; they also bore the responsibility of clearing out the surrounding evil spirits. Once the red lanterns were lit, the ten-mile radius became the Red Lantern Lady’s territory. Not only humans but also evil spirits had to abide by the Red Lantern Society’s rules. Otherwise, the Society would take action to eliminate them. Simply put, the Manor’s function dictated these responsibilities. The Red Lantern Society’s most crucial task was to worship Tai Sui and transport Blood Food. This world, however, was full of skilled individuals, proficient in magnificent techniques like Five Ghosts Transport or stealing the beam and replacing the pillar. Yet, these methods often proved ineffective when used against Tai Sui’s Blood Food. Therefore, to facilitate transportation, the Red Lantern Society had established these branches in the surrounding areas. They served as operational bases for personnel and temporary storehouses. During busy periods, members were even dispatched as escorts, undertaking the responsibility of guarding shipments. During quieter times, they had to clear out nearby evil spirits to prevent any disruptions when things got busy. Take this nest of Yellow Immortals, for instance. If Liu Dadong’s family hadn’t provoked them first, the Society wouldn’t even have known of their existence. If they had been allowed to grow stronger and decided to cause trouble next spring when the Blood Food arrives at the Manor, it would have been a major problem. Blood Food is the greatest attractant for evil spirits. Once Blood Food enters the Manor, it becomes a fatal temptation for all surrounding evil spirits. Even those usually well-disposed towards humans might be incited to cause trouble. This was why the Blood Food Gang routinely cleared out the surrounding evil spirits. Of course, this "clearing" primarily involved expulsion. If they were to engage in outright massacres, even the Red Lantern Lady might not be able to bear the consequences. Every action taken by the Red Lantern Lady has its reasons. However, in the eyes of the local villagers, it appears as the benevolence of an Old Master, leading them to worship these Manors as if they were old fire pits. The traces of burnt paper offerings seen earlier originated from this practice. The villagers worshipping the Red Lantern Lady was a good thing; it contributed to her incense and spiritual power. Naturally, the attendants couldn’t stop them. Everyone has their own way of living... Hu Ma mused silently. This town and the surrounding villages were closer to Mingzhou Prefecture, bustling with more merchants and shops. Life here wasn’t as harsh as in Dayang Village, but they also lacked Dayang Village’s customs of ancestral worship. Instead, they worshipped the Red Lantern Lady. But isn’t the Red Lantern Lady an evil spirit herself? He still remembered the peculiar thought that had crossed his mind when he was discussing the human candles who served the Red Lantern Lady with Er Guotou. And Er Guotou’s response at the time had been perfectly matter-of-fact: "She is indeed an evil spirit, and the largest one for a hundred *li* around..." "How else could she dare to be called a Lady?" ... Living people worshipping ghosts, evil spirits in constant conflict... They say dusk is the boundary, that yin and yang are separate. But from what I’ve seen, this boundary has long since blurred. Thinking silently, an indescribable, strange feeling washed over him. Hu Ma could only sigh helplessly. He pushed these thoughts aside, focusing instead on the Shousui man’s dharma method he desperately needed. At least, this incident confirmed that the old shopkeeper was the person he was looking for, and his dharma method was of the same lineage as Second Master’s. It was just that the old shopkeeper’s was indeed far more advanced than Second Master’s. The life-saving dharma method he needed to learn would surely come from him. "You all can sleep over there; sort out the beds among yourselves. The latrine is inside; be careful not to fall in at night." "The inner quarters are the Shopkeeper’s private residence. Don’t go barging in if you have no important reason." The richly-dressed youth, who had seemed eager to prove himself, returned to his room with a sullen face, his earlier attempt having clearly backfired. His two attendants led Hu Ma and the other newly arrived attendants to a side room to rest. But that richly-dressed youth was arrogant, and his two attendants were no better. They merely gestured lazily, telling Hu Ma and the others to find their own places to settle down, before entering an adjacent, neater green-tile room to continue sleeping. It seems that in this world, having a private room is quite a luxury... Hu Ma thought to himself as he, Zhou Datong, and the others fumbled to light an oil lamp and then began assigning bunks. There were two rows of kang beds in the room. Zhou Datong immediately led his group to claim the more spacious western kang. Knowing Hu Ma preferred quiet, he proactively left him the spot against the wall. The few other attendants who had come with them, seeing that Hu Ma’s group was large and united, didn’t try to compete. They silently took the more worn-out kang. "Are we going to have to deal with these evil spirits every day from now on?" Once they had lain down, some of the newly arrived attendants began to whisper among themselves. "That Young Master Xu is too ruthless." "Back in our village, these Immortals are all supposed to be worshipped properly. But he actually just... directly..." ... Everyone came from different places, but their experiences were largely similar. Previously, they had always avoided evil spirits and revered other entities. No one would recklessly provoke such beings without reason, so a sense of unease settled over them. But Hu Ma thought that they were right about one thing: they would likely be dealing with such things often in the futuro. "I heard those who burn Red Fragrance have it good. They get to stay in the city, eat and drink well, and learn powerful skills..." As the group tossed and turned, Li, who was from the same village, suddenly muttered, "Burning white incense isn’t too bad either." "Many of those who burn white incense also get to stay in the city..." ... The voice wasn’t loud, but Hu Ma heard it. He chuckled, "Well then, how about you make all your own decisions from now on, alright?" Li fell silent, pretending to be asleep. "You’re so damn troublesome..." Zhou Datong suddenly shifted, kicking Li in the backside. "If it weren’t for Brother Hu Ma, you wouldn’t even have had the chance to burn green incense, let alone dream of staying in the city, eating and drinking well! In the city, you wouldn’t even be considered for a job like emptying chamber pots!" Saying this, he rolled over again to face Hu Ma, grinning eagerly. "Brother Hu Ma, I really admire you." Hu Ma smiled. "Why’s that?" "No particular reason. I just feel like I won’t lose out by following you," Zhou Datong said. "Don’t mind that arrogant fellow with the Wooden Sword. I think you’re much more formidable than him..." I am indeed more formidable than him... Hu Ma thought, though that Wooden Sword in his hand is of unknown origin and looks like it would be very troublesome to deal with. Seeing that everyone else had fallen asleep, some of the better sleepers already deep in dreams, he made an excuse of needing the latrine and stepped out of the room. Outside, perched on the courtyard wall, he saw Little Hongtang gazing blankly at the stars. He smiled, "Why aren’t you inside?" Little Hongtang shook her small head vigorously. "No! I can’t sleep on the beams in there. It makes Little Hongtang feel stifled." Hu Ma listened and couldn’t help but chuckle. Ever since Granny had left in the sedan chair, Little Hongtang had been following him. Usually, Little Hongtang liked to sleep on the roof beams, whether it was when they were in the village or during their few days in the city. But when she had stayed with him in the village, he was the only one in the house. In the city, there were only Zhou Datong and a few others. Now, however, the number of these boisterous young men in the room had doubled. Seeing her pouting lips and troubled expression, Hu Ma felt a pang of sympathy. He lifted her down and asked, "Then how can you sleep well?" Little Hongtang’s eyes brightened. "That man’s old item will do. Little Hongtang likes old things." "Old item... The Wooden Sword?"