"Confidence?"
Sweet Potato Shao, upon hearing Hu Ma's question, laughed. "What confidence could they have? They're sending this challenge letter to the Red Lantern Lady's Club, setting up this arena, because they have no choice. The Incense Order from above is about to co down. With this talisman, there's a chance to build a temple. Although that Green-clad Evil Ghost's power can't compare to the Red Lantern Lady's, he absolutely can't give up this talisman. To Great Evil Spirits like them, the chance to build a temple might only co once in a lifeti. If they can seize this opportunity, they could soar to the skies. If they don't get it, they'll never enjoy incense in this lifeti and can only remain an evil object."
Build a temple? Hu Ma's heart stirred upon hearing this. He had always been curious about the temple building for evil spirits in this world, but he had no one to ask. First, it was Old Shopkeeper Wu Hong who told him that the Red Lantern Lady didn't want to build a temple because she was afraid she couldn't handle it. Then he saw that old turtle in Niu Family Bay, who was tricked by so wise guy into building a temple but suffered great losses, and his questions grew more nurous. In this world, there's the concept of "temples" and "incense," yet you rarely see temples in small places. What's the deal with this? He also heard her ntion "Incense Order." Could it be that even building a temple in this world requires official approval? It was this sentence that solved a mystery in his heart. No wonder the upcoming duel was so sudden and mysterious. Initially, he thought it was just about the Red Lantern Lady and the Green-clad Evil Ghost fighting over territory and the blood food mine. Now, it appeared that it was much more than that. As his curiosity grew, Hu Ma restrained himself, not wanting to appear ignorant, and simply said, "Is it their ti to build a temple?"
"The senior is curious too..." Sweet Potato Shao chuckled and replied, "Could it be that you want to make another deal?"
Hu Ma neither affird nor denied, saying, "Just gathering information, since information is the most valuable thing."
"That's true." Sweet Potato Shao's voice deepened. "I also heard this from our Master. He's an old Worshipper of the Green Clothes Gang, but he's too old to help. Currently, outsiders don't know about the Incense Order. They think that the Green Clothes Gang genuinely wants to duel with the Red Lantern Lady to determine the ownership of several large blood food mines. But in reality, it's just a pretense. Just think about it, they've coexisted peacefully for so many years. The Green Clothes Gang is a weaker force, struggling for survival. Why would they suddenly want to provoke the Red Lantern Lady? Ultimately, it's because the ng Family of Tongyin showed up and graciously granted this Incense Order. With this decree, both the Red Lantern Lady and the Green-clad Evil Ghost are eager to risk their lives to fight, hoping to win. However, the ng Family won't allow them to fight directly, disturbing the peace and disrupting order, as it could affect next year's blood food tribute. So, they have to restrain themselves and opt for this jianghu duel to decide the winner and claim this order."
Listening to her relate this matter as if it were a curious tale, Hu Ma refrained from interrupting. But silently, a storm was raging in his heart.
The ng Family of Tongyin? Is this the shadowy force behind the Red Lantern Society that requires annual tribute? And Granny had been urging him to be cautious, to quickly learn skills to deal with the ng Family. Could this be that very ng Family? Casually issuing a so-called Incense Order, they could make two Great Evil Spirits, occupying the land of the Prefecture, fight to the death and decide their fate—whether they could build a temple... How powerful must they be?
He montarily felt his palms trembling slightly. Fortunately, he was conversing with Sweet Potato Shao through the incense burner, so there was no fear of her seeing it. He also made an effort to calm himself, slowly saying, "This ng Family of Tongyin truly has... great influence..."
"Heh, after all, they're one of the Ten Families." Sweet Potato Shao explained, "When Master Tai Sui erged, the Yi Dynasty crumbled, plunging the world into chaos. Even the Emperor was skinned alive. The governnt of each state is now in constant danger. So why can many places still have the most basic order? It's said that these Ten Families help maintain order. Before they select a new emperor, all the Great Evil Spirits across the land have to behave."
Hu Ma, feigning nonchalance, suddenly asked, "Who are in these Ten Families? I've only ever encountered soone from the Divine Hand Zhao Family; there was once a friend afflicted by the Beast Creation Technique who sought their help."
"Oh my, senior, you must have been reincarnated into a prestigious family if you know people from the Divine Hand Zhao Family!" Sweet Potato Shao exclaid in amazent. "I'm far off. I've only heard our Master ntion a few nas, like the ng Family of Tongyin, the Impermanence Li Family, and possibly surnas like Hu and Chen... They're too formidable, so even people in the Path don't casually ntion their nas for fear of bringing trouble upon themselves. It's only us who dare to chat about them. But Miss White Wine has also advised to avoid provoking them. After hearing their nas, it's best to steer clear of them. Quite a few Reincarnators have lost their lives at their hands."
While discussing this matter with Sweet Potato Shao, Hu Ma maintained an air of casual indifference. Yet, in truth, he ticulously recalled every word.
If this ng Family of Tongyin is indeed one of the Ten Families and is also the enemy Granny ntioned... Could the Hu Family, which his previous life belonged to, be sohow connected to the Ten Families? It wasn't that Hu Ma lacked courage; the idea was just too far-fetched. If the Hu Family truly had such a background, why would they have hidden in a remote place like Dayang Village for twenty years? Nonetheless, regardless of his reluctance to overstate the matter, he couldn't help but contemplate so peculiar factors: one being the all-powerful Granny. Secondly, the Age Suppressing Book he held possessed astonishing dharma thods. Perhaps only those within the Ten Families are entitled to such a trump card? No, he couldn't reveal anything, absolutely not.
As Hu Ma's curiosity intensified, he warned himself repeatedly that he mustn't entertain such thoughts. Based on Sweet Potato Shao's comnt, if even nurous Reincarnators had t their demise at the hands of the Ten Families, it could only hint at their imnse power. Were his identity truly confird, it would not only cause an uproar in the real world but also ignite the Reincarnator circles.
"Given all this..." He slowly echoed Sweet Potato Shao's words in a soft voice, "Why would you still choose to participate in this duel? If the Green Clothes Gang loses, won't you be in trouble?"
"Why would I be in trouble?" Sweet Potato Shao asked curiously. "I'm rely there under the guise of the Green Clothes Gang's Worshipper, helping in the duel. I haven't hard anyone from the Red Lantern Lady's Club, so why would they trouble ? In my view, the Green Clothes Gang is bound to lose. But even if they do, the Red Lantern Lady's Club won't eradicate the Green Clothes Gang. If they did, who'll manage the blood food mines? Who'll handle next year's tribute? So, if the Red Lantern Lady's Club wins, they'll recruit mbers from the Green Clothes Gang, and the more skilled they are, the more they'll want them. If I win a match in this duel and the Green Clothes Gang wins, I'll be a hero. If the Red Lantern Lady's Club wins, they'll still regard highly and offer a good price. Moreover, with a reputation, even if I don't join the Red Lantern Lady's Club, there are still plenty of other opportunities. Of course, the choices lie with us Worshippers and Shopkeepers. The Green-clothed Child of the Green Clothes Gang and the Red Fragrance Disciples of the Red Lantern Society don't have such choices. Once the outco is decided, both sides will undoubtedly slay these core disciples."
Listening to this, Hu Ma had a mont of clarity. The Red Lantern Lady's Club and the Green Clothes Gang didn't seem like factions with an irreconcilable blood feud. Or rather, it was the ones at the top who had grudges, not the ones below just trying to make a living.
Still, his curiosity was piqued. Why didn't the duel involve the Green-clothed Child and Red Fragrance Disciples? These individuals had more at stake and should've fought more fiercely. Why were Shopkeepers the ones stepping up for the battle?
Yet he realized he'd asked too much and rely chuckled, "I really don't know much about these things."
Sweet Potato Shao laughed. "That figures. Senior, you sound like soone reincarnated into a wealthy family, probably not familiar with the ways of the jianghu. It's lucky for that Miss White Wine put in a good word, or else I don't think I could've enlisted your help."
"COUGH." This person's flattery was so over the top that Hu Ma almost couldn't keep a straight face. He silently calculated in his mind, realizing that there was much more to this duel—all these intricacies and complex rules—particularly involving the mysterious ng Family of Tongyin. It seed he should figure out a way to take a look...
Having thought of one last thing, he said, "There's sothing else I want to ask you. Towards the end of last year, at the border of the two prefectures Gunzhou and Mingzhou, a family nad Shen was annihilated. Yellow paper was pasted on the faces of the dead, and it seed a bit like your senior's handiwork. Do you know who committed this cri?"
"I know about this; it was indeed my senior who did it." Sweet Potato Shao imdiately answered, laughing. "He planned to capture a few more martial artists, firstly to compete with for treasure, and secondly to control them, planning to gain fa during the duel. But that Yellow Official Paper trump card of his requires preparation. He slaughtered that family first to refine the paper. With those vindictive souls as a foundation, he could use his trump card to control others."
Indeed... Hu Ma felt enlightened; he had unexpectedly solved the case. Unfortunately, claiming credit for it didn't feel quite right. Considering he was just a Little Shousui, suddenly returning with the solution to this case was bound to arouse suspicion... Well...
He made up his mind, whispering, "There's still one thing. Now that everything's clear, I'll need to visit you again tomorrow, just to make it look more plausible to others."
"Huh?" Sweet Potato Shao was surprised. "You still want to give another cut?"
"No." Hu Ma sighed softly. "This ti, I'm going over to take a hit from you. After all, if you're going to put on an act, you have to see it through."
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