The old shopkeeper was truly a good man.
He explained everything in detail to Hu Ma, allowing him to grasp the profound nature of the "Shousui" technique.
This unique skill was called "Four Ghosts Salute the Gate."
In simple terms, it was derived from the usual training routines Hu Ma and others practiced.
The predecessors of the Shousui practitioners were those who lit the furnace.
Once the furnace was lit, as long as one learned the corresponding techniques, they could summon the furnace fire to rise, using it to ward off evil spirits and ghosts.
In combat, with the furnace fire's enhancement, their strength would be immense, making it difficult for ordinary people to get close.
However, these techniques consumed a lot of furnace fire.
Each time a technique was used, the furnace fire would diminish a bit...
If one could regularly replenish with blood sacrifices, it wouldn't be a problem, and the techniques would become more proficient with use.
Without blood sacrifices, the body would quickly deteriorate.
Even without mentioning that, once the body was damaged, the cultivation would also be ruined.
But if one advanced to the Shousui technique, it involved transitioning from life to death, then refining life from death, making the techniques even more profound.
The unique skill the old shopkeeper mentioned was essentially a technique only Shousui practitioners could perform.
On the surface, Hu Ma had mastered one hand and one foot, but secretly, his progress was even faster.
Despite this, he only knew that after refining life, he gained the ability to withstand blades, poison, and fire.
It wasn't until he heard the old shopkeeper's explanation that he realized his understanding was quite shallow.
When both hands and feet were dead, one would step into the gates of the underworld.
Using the Shousui technique, one could borrow the power of ghosts and spirits, unleashing dark and mysterious forces beyond the imagination of the living.
"Four Ghosts Salute the Gate, the Netherworld's Power Descends!"
Just the imagery this technique evoked gave Hu Ma a real fright.
It was a method to open the so-called gates of the underworld, borrowing the power of ghosts and spirits.
Moreover, after borrowing this power, one could use abilities like "Ghost Ascending Steps" and "Soul-Seizing Hand."
These abilities weren't impossible for others to learn, but without the foundation of a Shousui practitioner, they couldn't be used.
"Every move is experience, every stillness and motion is something our ancestors tested with their lives..."
Hu Ma couldn't help but sigh after listening to the old shopkeeper's guidance.
Many of these unique skills were things he, as a Shousui practitioner, could grasp immediately.
But even though they sounded simple, if he had to figure them out on his own, who knows how long it would take.
This was where the old shopkeeper's generosity shone.
Ordinary Shousui practitioners would teach their disciples one technique at a time, one meridian at a time, and would stop at some point.
If you asked, they would just say you weren't ready yet, brushing you off.
Disciples, limited by their circumstances, would serve their masters tirelessly, but the old shopkeeper taught differently.
He would explain all the key points at once and then let Hu Ma meditate and comprehend them.
This was true for both the Shousui techniques and this unique skill.
Logically, the "Four Ghosts Salute the Gate" technique required Hu Ma to refine both hands and feet before it could be fully used.
The old shopkeeper only needed to teach him the basics, but he went ahead and taught him the entire口诀, fearing Hu Ma might forget.
He said that once Hu Ma refined both hands and feet, he would naturally know how to use it.
This kindness deeply moved Hu Ma.
One teaching, one learning, they continued until it was time to light the lamps.
Hu Ma stood up and bowed deeply to the old shopkeeper: "Thank you, shopkeeper."
"Go on, go on!"
The old shopkeeper, satisfied with the teaching, waved his hand with a smile: "Don't forget to take that bowl of green food from the kitchen."
Hu Ma smiled and agreed, first going to the small kitchen to get the bowl of green food, then happily leaving the inner courtyard.
His spirits were high, and his steps felt lighter.
When he returned to his small room, he placed the bowl of green food on the table, turned to close the door, and when he turned back, his smile had vanished, replaced by deep concern:
"Is the old shopkeeper really this good?"
"After all this effort, all he wants me to do is guard the lantern in the village?"
"..."
"..."
"Big brother..."
In the inner courtyard, the old shopkeeper, stroking his beard and smiling, watched Hu Ma leave with the green food and slowly sighed.
The pleased smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a hint of gloom in his eyes.
He remained silent for a long time.
Even the usually quiet old servant, after bringing the meal on a tray, sensing the tense atmosphere, quietly left, taking the errand boy with him to eat in the small kitchen of the inner courtyard.
The silence in the main hall lasted for a while before a trembling voice came from the side room: "Is this really okay... what we're doing?"
The old shopkeeper just sat silently for a while before saying: "What else can we do? If we tell him directly, even a fool wouldn't agree."
Wu He remained silent for a moment, then said: "But he really wants to help us..."
"I also think he's a good kid."
The old shopkeeper sighed softly: "He's sensible, diligent, grateful, and unsuspecting, with a clean background. What I told him earlier wasn't a lie. In other times, I might have really wanted to take him as my last disciple."
"But now... we have no other choice. If we don't use him, who else can we use?"
"Though, to be fair, in teaching him, we haven't shortchanged him. Using him this once... can't be called unfair!"
"It's just a matter of whether his fate is strong enough. Perhaps, we might not really need to use him..."
In the jar, Wu He remained silent, though faint sobs could be heard, but she forced herself to hold them back.
......
"At least two things are clear."
Hu Ma, now sitting in his side room, the bowl of green food untouched on the small table, was deep in thought.
After carefully reviewing his conversation with the shopkeeper, he concluded:
"The old shopkeeper knows where that batch of blood sacrifices is, or at least has a general idea, but might not be able to retrieve it!"
"Perhaps after the Altar Sect hid that batch of blood sacrifices, he secretly found their location but kept it to himself."
"Because he knows the location of the blood sacrifices, he isn't worried and doesn't care about the Altar Sect's schemes. For him, he just needs to wait, and the Altar Sect will come to him."
"The second thing..."
Hu Ma's expression grew darker: "He hasn't been entirely honest with me..."
If Hu Ma were truly just a village boy, without memories and experiences from his past life, and without his conversations with Erguotou, he might have believed the old shopkeeper's words.
But with all that, he suspected things weren't so simple.
Of course, in front of the old shopkeeper, he couldn't say anything.
A village boy like him had no reason to doubt this.
But Hu Ma had reached the simplest conclusion: if the old shopkeeper really just wanted him to guard the red lantern, there was no need for all this trouble.
But what exactly he wanted to do, Hu Ma needed to ask someone who knew better.
So, without showing any signs, he slowly ate the bowl of green food, then performed his usual exercises before going to sleep.
As usual, he called out to Erguotou and said: "The Altar Sect will probably come soon, but things are a bit strange. My shopkeeper is very worried about the red lantern being blown out and wants me to guard it."
"Guard the lantern?"
Erguotou was surprised: "Why go through all this trouble? If you're worried about the lantern going out, just carry it with you."
"If he's really worried about something else, he could just teach you how to summon the Red Lantern Lady. Why make it so complicated?"
"..."
From his words, Hu Ma vaguely confirmed his suspicions and slowly said: "I thought the same. The old shopkeeper taught me techniques, unique skills, and even used green food to nourish my body..."
"Such a great favor..."
"..."
"Perhaps it's not a great favor, but a great enmity?"
Just as Hu Ma was pondering this, a woman's voice spoke up, calmly saying: "You're learning the Shousui techniques he taught, practicing the unique skills he's best at, essentially becoming a smaller version of him."
"If, after he leaves the village, he uses some other methods, wouldn't you just become his substitute?"
"Huh?"
Hu Ma was surprised and quickly looked over.
He saw that the incense in his incense burner had split into two streams, each connecting to a different direction, forming thin threads of smoke.
The person speaking was someone else.
"Don't you recognize the voice?"
Erguotou chuckled: "We were just talking before you came."
"Miss White Wine?"
Hu Ma finally remembered the voice and smiled: "I was wondering when I'd see you again."
"If there's something in it for me, you can see me anytime."
Miss White Wine said indifferently: "If there's nothing in it for me, why would you want to see me?"
"..."
Hu Ma was speechless: "Still as unapproachable as ever!"
Look at how nice Brother Erguotou is...
But there were still important matters to discuss, so he pushed those thoughts aside and asked: "What do you mean by substitute?"
"A life stake."
Miss White Wine explained: "Right now, it's just speculation. What he's really planning depends on whether he sets up some formation for you to stay in or gives you something strange when he leaves the village. If not..."
"...well, it's also possible you've just met a kind-hearted master."
"..."
He had met a kind-hearted master before, but that person was still mining in the old mountains!
Hu Ma thought to himself, took a deep breath, and asked: "What if he does?"
"If he does, you need to be careful."
Miss White Wine said calmly: "The Altar Sect has many ways to harm people, but in a direct confrontation, only the Altar Auntie, who has cultivated a body full of resentment, is formidable. In terms of skill, your shopkeeper is no match for the many demons of the Altar Sect."
"But if he can find someone to bear the Altar Auntie's resentment for him, even if the Altar Sect doubled their numbers, they wouldn't be enough for him to kill."
"..."
Hu Ma's heart sank, and he quickly asked: "Then what should I..."
Erguotou's voice chimed in with a laugh: "Wouldn't that be perfect?"
"We're planning to get that batch of blood sacrifices, and this could be just the opportunity we need."
(End of Chapter)