"This world..."
Hu Ma, sensing the old shopkeeper's thoughts, also wanted to express some sentiments.
But he found himself at a loss for words, feeling disappointed yet resigned to reality, too weary to even complain.
With a low sigh, he gathered his spirits and shared his conjectures with Erguotou and Miss White Wine, who had just been invited over.
Together, they devised a plan before Hu Ma quietly retreated to his life temple.
In the night, he opened his eyes, pondering silently.
This was his first collaboration with reincarnators, and he couldn't help but feel anxious, worrying about this and that.
But after much thought, his heart settled.
In this world, there's no such thing as a perfect plan.
No matter what you do, you must face the risk of failure and unexpected challenges.
He had only confirmed the need for a certain amount of blood food, so why hesitate? After all, without the help of these two reincarnators, he wouldn't even know what he was up against.
Let's do it!
The next day, Hu Ma carried on as usual, managing various affairs but no longer deliberately sending his men out on patrols.
After all, the Altar Sect had issued a challenge, stating they would arrive in seven days.
This meant they could show up at any time, especially since they believed the manor owed them two lives.
If they sought retribution from his men, it would be troublesome.
Even Little Red Tang was grounded.
The Altar Sect members knew dark arts and could capture spirits.
If you, a playful one, ran around carelessly and got caught, what then?
The outer courtyard workers, however, remained oblivious to the invisible pressure.
They had grown accustomed to their light duties and now idly counted the days until the New Year.
The Red Lantern Lady Society had strict rules; even if one's mother died, they had to request leave to attend the funeral.
But they wouldn't deny anyone the chance to go home for a reunion dinner.
The workers were unsure if the shopkeeper would allow those who had joined the society in the latter half of the year to go home or if some would be required to stay and serve.
There was also the matter of whether the promised money and provisions would be given in full.
This wasn't due to their shrewdness but rather their simplicity.
Since they had joined in the latter half of the year, they hadn't yet contributed to the society's blood food reserves, which would only be replenished in the spring.
Thus, they felt guilty about taking money and provisions without having worked for them.
They dared not ask the shopkeeper directly and instead secretly inquired with Hu Ma.
But Hu Ma didn't know either...
He could only think, "Whether you can take money and provisions home for the New Year is uncertain, but I'll make sure you have your lives to go home first!"
He was also curious, "This world is so different from my previous life, yet the customs are similar. I wonder if any reincarnators have studied the relationship between the two."
A day or two passed, and as the Altar Sect's visit drew nearer, the invisible pressure grew.
It felt as if a shadow loomed over the manor, making it hard to breathe.
Hu Ma remained diligent in his cultivation, and in his spare time, he practiced the unique skill Shopkeeper Wu had taught him.
However, since he was hiding his true strength, he couldn't practice freely.
He noticed that while the shopkeeper appeared the same as before, rarely leaving his quarters, he had become more vigilant internally.
Little Red Tang now rarely ventured out of her room.
When asked, she simply shook her head, "The manor feels uncomfortable now, and you won't let me go out to play. So, I just sleep in my room!"
"If even Little Red Tang feels uncomfortable, how heavy must the pressure in the manor be?"
Hu Ma vaguely sensed that the old shopkeeper might be using some method to monitor the manor, so he became even more cautious.
In this oppressive atmosphere, the agreed-upon day approached.
Several villagers came to the manor with reports.
One said, "A pot mender has arrived in Yellow Dog Village and has been there for a day."
Hu Ma had no intention of investigating, merely advising, "Perhaps it's nothing. With the New Year approaching, everyone wants their pots and pans in good condition."
Another reported that in Stone Cliff Village, three or five traveling merchants selling mountain goods had arrived.
They claimed they needed to sort their goods before heading to the city and had rented two houses in the village.
The villagers remembered Hu Ma's earlier warning about not letting strangers into the village, but these men seemed wealthy—no, they seemed honest, so they were allowed to stay.
Ah, yes, they seemed honest and paid honestly, right?
If this had happened earlier, Hu Ma would have gone to investigate.
Now, he turned a blind eye.
He only went to the inner courtyard to inform the old shopkeeper, who merely nodded slowly, "It's good they've come. It's about time."
He said nothing more and patiently waited two more days.
Even the manor's workers were surprised, "Why is it so lively here, like a temple fair, just before the New Year? Sugar figurine makers, monkey trainers, couplet writers, and acrobats have all come here... Should we go take a look?"
"No one is allowed to leave the manor!"
Hu Ma was about to remind the workers when he suddenly heard a voice from the inner courtyard.
Turning, he saw Shopkeeper Wu, fully dressed, standing with his hands behind his back, his face cold as he addressed the workers, "From this moment on, everyone stays in the manor. No one leaves, and the night patrols are canceled. Just keep an eye on the manor. Anyone who disobeys can pack up and go home for the New Year, and they need not return afterward."
Usually, Hu Ma handled the workers' tasks and discipline, and it was rare to see the shopkeeper.
His sudden appearance and command left everyone trembling, not daring to disobey.
"Hu Ma, come to the inner courtyard!"
After reprimanding the workers, the shopkeeper called Hu Ma inside.
Once the inner courtyard's door was closed, he glanced at the sky and said, "It's about time. I'll be leaving soon. You stay here and guard the manor. Oh, and after the lanterns are lit, don't hang them outside as before. Bring them into the inner courtyard and make sure they don't go out..."
"Yes!"
Hu Ma listened to the instructions, knowing the time had come, and softly acknowledged.
His heart trembled, wondering if simply doing this would be enough.
Miss White Wine had mentioned formations and name tags...
Seeing that the old shopkeeper didn't bring these up, Hu Ma felt somewhat relieved.
But then, the old servant emerged from the main hall, nodding to the shopkeeper, who then pointed inside and said to Hu Ma, "Look there!"
Hu Ma looked up and saw that the Eight Immortals table, usually against the wall, had been moved to the center of the hall.
Several oil lamps, a brazier, and some yellow and green talismans were placed around it.
His heart tightened, but he feigned ignorance and looked at the shopkeeper.
"Tonight, something might come to blow out the lanterns..."
The shopkeeper also looked at Hu Ma, his tone cold, "Although I've taught you the Four Ghosts Salute, you've only practiced for a few days. Your skill is shallow, and you might not use it well. So, I've prepared a formation for you. If those things come knocking tonight, don't answer. If something causes trouble, handle it. If you can't, sit by the table. Even with your shallow skill, you can still manage within the formation."
"... Yes!"
Hu Ma solemnly agreed, though his heart was filled with indescribable strangeness.
The formation had appeared.
"And this!"
The shopkeeper suddenly took out a red envelope from his robe and handed it to Hu Ma, "This is a protective talisman I've written for you. Keep it with you at all times. Don't lose it. If something happens, this talisman can save your life."
Hu Ma looked at the talisman, feeling as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
After a long while, he took the talisman, slowly forcing a smile onto his face.
He looked at the shopkeeper and said sincerely, "I'll remember. Please rest assured, Shopkeeper."
Seeing Hu Ma's agreement, the shopkeeper tucked the talisman into his robe, his eyes slightly firm, but he said nothing more.
"Brother Hu Ma, be careful."
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy when Wu He, dressed in black with leggings and a bulging backpack, emerged from the inner room.
Her face was covered with a black cloth, only her gentle eyes visible.
She whispered to Hu Ma, seemingly hesitant, and added, "I also need to trouble you with something. Please empty the water from the vat..."
"... Only you can do it."
Hu Ma silently sighed and smiled, "Alright, I understand."
With his agreement, the shopkeeper nodded to Wu He, picked up a bundle from the wall, seemingly containing his tools, and left the courtyard.
Now, the inner courtyard was eerily quiet.
The old servant and the young attendant seemed to have been sent away earlier.
Hu Ma felt increasingly oppressed.
He coldly glanced at the formation by the Eight Immortals table and felt the talisman in his robe, which seemed to be warming up.
He took a deep breath and entered the side room, seeing the vat where Wu He usually stayed.
His heart was filled with resentment, but then he noticed faint characters carved by the vat: "Brother Hu Ma, never use the Four Ghosts Salute. If you can't hold on, abandon the talisman and save your life!"
Seeing these words, his heart skipped a beat, and his emotions became complex.
(End of Chapter)