"This wasn't the first purge faced by Reincarnators."
Amidst the widespread panic, Hu Ma tried to remain calm as he slowly continued, "Our predecessors, the previous generation of Reincarnators, encountered such an event. The ones who acted, it is said, were...
"The Zhen Sui Hu Family, one of the Ten Surnas!
"Part of the reason I got close to people from the Hu Family was this. I need to find out how the Hu Family managed to purge Reincarnators. Only by understanding this can I hope to live a little more safely in this world.
"Of course, I'm not that noble."
He paused, then went on, "I also made this decision because my identity in this world was awkward, so I had no choice but to enter the Zhensui Mansion. However, being around Young Master Hu, things went smoothly due to so special circumstances within the Hu Family. Using his na, I managed to accomplish quite a few things for myself.
"But I still haven't discovered how the Zhen Sui Hu Family carried out that first purge or how they identified Reincarnators. There's even a feeling that Young Master Hu himself doesn't know. It seems the flow of information about Reincarnators was severed for them, just as it was for the Hu Family.
"Naturally, there have been so gains. For example, I've already uncovered a few useful points."
He took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "First, the ones who initially discovered our existence as Reincarnators, and even labeled us evil spirits, were the Noble Zhang Family!
"Second, I'm very certain that not everyone among the current Ten Surnas has the ability to identify Reincarnators. This ans that, except when undergoing Shangqiao—when everyone must be careful not to be seen—at other tis, even if you et soone from the Ten Surnas face-to-face, they won't easily spot any signs of who we are. Moreover, the title of junior sword-catcher for the Zhen Sui Hu Family is extrely useful. At least in this world, no one would suspect a connection between the Zhen Sui Hu Family and Reincarnators.
"Third, the Zhen Sui Hu Family no longer intends to purge Reincarnators; their sole focus now is revenge against the ng family. However, the ng family and the Noble Zhang Family, for reasons of their own, have taken over this task and begun to act.
"Additionally, there's one more crucial, though yet unconfird, piece of information..."
Hu Ma spoke slowly, his mind flashing back to traces revealed during his conversations with Zhao Sanyi and Chen Abao. Although they hadn't stated it outright, and he hadn't yet verified it, the gravity of the matter compelled him to speak. Slowly, he continued, "In the future, everyone also needs to be careful. Among Reincarnators...
"...traitors may very well erge!"
BOOM!
Because what he said was so important, everyone had listened patiently to his account, not even interrupting with their doubts. But when he finally uttered his last sentence, a chilling air suddenly filled the Lifebound Spirit Temples, and sharp intakes of breath could be heard.
This gathering had already involved the sharing of much intelligence among Reincarnators, both good and bad. But all the information exchanged before could not compare to the importance of Hu Ma's words. Even though they were each in their own Lifebound Spirit Temple, a chilling sensation washed over them, as if a blade were at their throats.
"Traitors can erge even among Reincarnators?"
"What could they possibly gain?"
Although it was unclear and unconfird, such a possibility indeed warranted prior consideration.
Soone also exclaid, "Brother Old White, what did you do in your past life? Damn, are you always this fierce?"
Hu Ma faced these questions and could only sigh softly. "I'm used to it. In my past life, I worked in security, so I've always been a bit more aware of potential threats than others."
Hearing this, another stir went through the crowd. Amidst the chaos, Miss Red Wine said in a deep voice, "Is what you're saying reliable?"
Hu Ma candidly replied, "I haven't had this information for long and haven't had ti to verify it. But whether true or false, it's enough to warrant our serious attention, isn't it?"
"Naturally!" Laozao Wine from Dongzhou declared. "What the hell could be more important than this? We were just considering working together on sothing big, and now our escape route is being cut off?"
It was evident that this news was causing their suppressed frustration to boil over into anger. "We've lived like rats for so many years, and now we can't even do that anymore?"
"Damn it, then let's fight!"
Soone suddenly erupted in anger; it was the notoriously short-tempered Double Stead Wine, who roared, "They're pushing us this hard! Do they think we're easy to bully? With talent like my big brother, Monkey Wine, and a resourceful backer like Brother Old White, who is well-inford and wealthy, what's there to fear? Since the Ten Surnas want to purge us, then let's fight them openly and carve out a future for ourselves! Then we'll have no more worries, and Brother Stinky can openly sleep with his wife at night!"
Dazed Donkey also gritted his teeth. "I've been hiding for over twenty years! They always call us evil spirits. But since I ca here, apart from marrying ten wives, beating up a few dandies, beheading the Prefecture City's governor, and skinning a group of mountain bandits to hang them on the mountain... I've been pretty damn honest, haven't I? So why the hell do they call us evil spirits? Since they call us evil spirits, let's show them what these 'evil spirits' are capable of! Let's make a stand, openly and decisively!"
Eh?
This reaction was unexpected for Hu Ma. He had originally thought that revealing this news would make this group of Reincarnators tremble in fear, given that caution had beco ingrained in them.
Unexpectedly, they were enraged and wanted to fight? Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that they were just blowing off steam because there were many people around.
"Everyone, calm down..." Amidst the outburst, Miss Red Wine sighed softly and said, "It's not yet ti to completely fall out with this world! We also need to recognize the gap between us and the Ten Surnas. Too few Reincarnators have undergone Shangqiao. Moreover, even those who have are not yet powerful enough to do as they please in this world. The Ten Surnas all possess hidden thods; even those who have undergone Shangqiao cannot stand tall before them. Not to ntion the Eight Sceneries of the Underworld, and what we've seen this ti—the so-called 'Xian'er.' There are still many things in this world we don't understand. This first gathering of Reincarnators is for identifying and solving problems; that's the priority. We have too much to do. If a real fight breaks out, we won't be able to accomplish anything."
"Where's the ti..." soone lanted, their voice tinged with exasperation. "The second purge is coming! We can barely protect ourselves. How could we possibly have ti for anything else?"
"This is exactly what I plan to do."
Amidst the general panic, Hu Ma took a deep breath and slowly said, "I was the one who discovered this information, so I'm willing to shoulder the responsibility of investigating it and trying to find a way to stop it."
"Huh?"
His words astonished everyone present even more than when they had first heard about Monkey Wine's skills. The surrounding noise died down instantly.
"Seriously? They're researching ways to find Reincarnators, and you're volunteering to walk right into it?"
"Brother Old White, you're... truly righteous!"
Reincarnators had always avoided contact with the Ten Surnas. Now, with the Ten Surnas preparing their Demon Detection Mirror to deal with Reincarnators, Hu Ma's decision rely to investigate seed terrifying to the others.
In response, Hu Ma rely let out a light breath and said, "Soone has to do it, right? Besides, my work in my past life gives a slight advantage over you all. And in this world, I can use the na of the Zhen Sui Hu Family as cover, which will make things sowhat more convenient."
Seeing everyone fall silent, he paused for a mont, then slowly continued, "But I must also admit that among Reincarnators, my own abilities are limited. This matter concerns the safety of all Reincarnators. I don't have the ability to handle it all myself, so I need your help. For instance, I need soone to help investigate the backgrounds of Noble Zhang and Tongyin ng. I need to find a few skilled individuals who are daring enough to kill, who will have the courage to step forward and help at critical monts! Furthermore..."
He slowly brought up the problems he had previously considered. "Soone needs to make ti to go to Official Zhou and investigate the root causes of the natural disasters and man-made calamities there. It would be best to obtain evidence, as that would be of great use to ."
The crowd listened seriously. They found the tasks he described unusually simple and were sowhat perplexed. Even though these tasks involved contacting the Ten Surnas and long-distance travel, what did they amount to compared to stopping the second purge?
At this mont, Miss Red Wine also pondered and slowly spoke, "At this gathering, I had originally intended to ask everyone to voice their opinions and elect a General Captain. But now, it seems this empty title isn't important. Reincarnators don't have much contact with each other, so no matter who was chosen, no one would be truly convinced. However, Reincarnators have always used favors as a form of currency. Brother Old White, since you're willing to take this risk, we all owe you a significant favor. If you truly accomplish this, that favor will be so imnse that we might never be able to fully repay it. Therefore, I propose that to help you succeed, all Reincarnators vote to grant you the most practical support possible: First Priority among Reincarnators!"
Hu Ma listened, his heart unexpectedly trembling as he realized the profound weight of those words.
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