CHAPTER 378: CHAPTER 375: SETTING UP THE ALTAR FOR GU REFINING

"The Ghost Moth Gu, the will of the Gu God?"

Listening to the righteous words of the Wugong Clan Chief, no one present dared to speak for quite some time. Earlier, their Gu had been sealed, and several people had died, leaving them in a state of panic. They simultaneously feared and loathed that person outside. Unexpectedly, the Wugong Clan Chief loathed that person even more than they did.

However, they were biological father and son, after all. To hate someone enough to refine the Holy Gu Egg specifically to kill him was unheard of.

Moreover, the gu people had always been secretive about gu refining. If anyone saw the process, they would be pursued and killed, even across vast distances, to protect the secret. Yet, here he was, openly discussing refining such a Gu?

"After receiving your message, I went to the Witch God’s Cave and petitioned for the Gu Refining Bowl that our tribe has worshipped for a hundred years. This vessel has been used by our ancestors for gu refining and is the most vital object in the process."

In the silence, the Wugong Clan Chief looked at Mine Chief Zhuang and said solemnly, "Passed down to the present, it has become our Holy Object. It would never be used unless it was a matter of life and death."

"Of course, the Ghost Moth Gu is too dangerous. Even with this Holy Object, once I refine it, I might still lose half my life here..."

...

As he spoke, Wuya, crouching on the ground and trembling incessantly, seemed to grow paler, her complexion faintly darkening. She lowered her head, not letting anyone see her expression.

The pale young man who had accompanied the Wugong Clan Chief took down the bundle he was carrying. In front of everyone, he unwrapped layer after layer of black cloth, revealing what was inside.

Everyone looked and saw a basin covered in verdigris. Numerous black substances, as well as claw marks, bite marks, inexplicable stains, and strange dents, were vaguely visible on its surface.

It appeared to be just a peculiar basin, but merely looking at it sent an inexplicable chill through one’s heart.

Like a sharp blade or a lurking venomous snake, this unremarkable copper basin seemed to exude a natural aura that inspired both awe and a desire to avoid it.

"This..."

Even Mine Chief Zhuang was momentarily taken aback by Clan Chief Wu’s attitude. Unsure of what to say, he felt he should perhaps offer a word or two against this kinslaying, but he understood in his heart that there was no better way than for Clan Chief Wu to deal with that terrifying fellow.

After all, what did other people’s family feuds have to do with him? With an awkward look, he simply said, "Upholding justice even at the expense of family, and safeguarding the lives of our fellow villagers—I, Zhuang Laoer, thank you, Brother Wu."

"It was us Witches who were wrong in the first place. How could I accept your thanks?"

Clan Chief Wu said with a grim face, "I will deal with this scourge for the clan, but let me be clear."

"If I truly fight this Madman, life and death will be left to fate. If I don’t succeed in refining the Gu and can’t defeat him, then I won’t survive."

"But if he goes berserk and is determined to harm people, then everyone in your valley, and perhaps even the people in our seven villages, might not survive..."

"He’s... truly mad..."

...

Mine Chief Zhuang’s heart skipped a beat. He focused on him and said, "Then... Brother Wu, how confident are you?"

"If I can refine the Ghost Moth Gu, I can certainly eliminate him."

Clan Chief Wu said in a deep voice, "It’s just a pity. This Gu is one that clan leaders from the south specialize in. When we migrated, we brought seven eggs from the Southern Border Witch God Temple. We have set up the altar six times before, but none succeeded. Now, only this last one is left..."

"If I want to succeed, it will require true effort. Apart from the Witch Gu Bowl I brought, many other things are needed. I have already prepared red-eyed vine, Earth Evil Ash, and the Heart Blood of thirteen Gu Masters..."

"But that’s still not enough. I’m afraid we’ll also need some Blood Tai Sui, the congealed cream from Black Tai Sui, green bones extracted from the mine, and even..."

"...we need to directly utilize the energy current of your blood food mine to complete this Gu Altar."

...

Saying this, he paused and added, "Of course, I would just be borrowing some of its malevolent energy and wouldn’t truly destroy your mine veins, so you don’t have to worry about being blamed by those above."

"Ah, this..."

Mine Chief Zhuang was initially filled with anticipation, but upon hearing Clan Chief Wu’s words, he was suddenly stupefied. "Borrow our blood food mine to refine Gu..."

"...This has never happened before!"

...

The blood food mine is their lifeline...

He truly seemed somewhat surprised. Normally, when Witches refined Gu, they preferred to cut out some Black Tai Sui or use leftover scraps. At most, he had thought they would allocate some Blood Food for their Gu refining.

Who would have thought he’d want to set up an altar directly on the blood food mine to refine that ominous-sounding Holy Gu? If an unforeseen accident occurred, who could bear the blame?

The Wugong Clan Chief noticed his hesitation and, after a brief silence, said in a low voice, "I have no other choice. If I had even a sliver of a chance of winning, I would have fought that Madman Wu Song already. But even so, I cannot beat him."

"Or, if you have any other methods, I will not force you. No matter who ultimately kills that Madman, they will be the great benefactor of our tribespeople."

...

These candid words immediately caused Mine Chief Zhuang to become conflicted and troubled. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He glanced at Hu Ma before turning to Clan Chief Wu, "Brother Wu, please don’t worry. Your reputation is well known to everyone; who would dare doubt you?"

"However, as I just mentioned, we now have someone from the Society here, and I am no longer the one in charge."

"This is Shopkeeper Hu, the new manager of our mine. If you want to use this Blood Food Mine vein to refine Gu, although it’s to save lives, you’ll still have to get his approval first..."

...

Upon hearing this, Clan Chief Wu was momentarily stunned and turned his gaze toward Hu Ma.

For a moment, it wasn’t just him. The people around the mine also looked at Hu Ma, their eyes filled with both anticipation and worry. All the invisible pressure that had been accumulating these past days now fell squarely upon his shoulders.

Hu Ma met everyone’s gaze. His mind raced. Then he smiled and said, "Of course. But besides what you’ve mentioned, is there anything else we can help with?"

"That’s wonderful! Thank you, Manager. With the mine’s help, I’m confident about this Gu!"

The Wugong Clan Chief, seeing Hu Ma’s ready agreement, showed a gratified expression and smiled. "The other things are simple. During my Gu refining process, Wu Song will likely detect it, and there might be some other troubles."

"At that time, we’ll need you capable individuals to help us fend him off. Once I refine the Holy Gu, everything will be settled!"

"As for the Gu refining itself, I’ll handle it myself and won’t require help. However, the preparations will still need the brothers in the mine to lend a hand."

...

Hu Ma smiled and nodded. "These things are to be expected. After all, it’s about saving our own lives, isn’t it?"

"Just tell us what you need."

...

The Wugong Clan Chief, seeing Hu Ma was so generous and courteous, felt greatly pleased. He himself was also a straightforward person. "Then I’ll speak plainly," he said.

"I need a place. Use old wood from this mine—the older the better—and build me a shed at the head of the valley, in an open, unobstructed spot. I need to use it as an altar to worship the Gu God and begin the Gu refining."

"Additionally, I’ll need you to prepare some Blood Food for me: ten pounds of Black Blood Food, including three pounds of skinless and two pounds of triple-striped... Also, fresh Tai Sui blood, delivered to me promptly."

"During the Gu refining, people in the mine who were born in the year of the Horse, Monkey, or Rooster must not approach my altar at night."

...

The Wugong Clan Chief had clearly thought it all through and listed everything methodically. However, outsiders listened in confusion, not understanding what any of it meant.

Hu Ma turned to Mine Chief Zhuang and smiled. "Is this manageable?"

"Manageable!"

Mine Chief Zhuang hurriedly replied, "There’s plenty of old wood in the valley. Many houses are already vacant and can be dismantled anytime. As for Black Tai Sui, we don’t usually need it anyway. We often just cut it out and throw it away, so there’s more than enough."

"The other things are just a matter of asking. The brothers in the mine all value their lives; everyone will listen."

...

Hu Ma nodded and smiled at him. "In that case, please assist Clan Chief Wu. I’m not well-versed in the ways of Witchcraft and Gu, so I’d best not get in the way and risk delaying important matters with my clumsiness."

"If anything is needed, just come to me."

...

...

After this was said, they spoke no more. People were assigned their various tasks. Hu Ma then returned to his residence, the earlier smile on his face now tightened. He looked up to see Calculation had been waiting for him there, bearing a similar grim expression.

He frowned and whispered, "What do you think of what that Clan Chief said just now? How much of it do you think is true?"

"Don’t speak yet."

Calculation, equally grave, gestured with his hand. He first placed an incense burner on the cabinet and lit three incense sticks. It looked as though he were preparing to pray, but there was no deity tablet on the cabinet.

He knelt before the incense burner, clasped his hands together near his nose, and muttered silently for a moment. Then, he opened his hands, and three copper coins jingled to the ground, some showing heads and others tails.

Hu Ma was immediately curious and watched from the side.

Calculation picked up the copper coins, muttered again, and tossed them to the ground. He repeated this three times before finally gathering them up.

"The myriad things in the universe, in their constant change and variety, are born from yin and yang through Tai Chi..."

After collecting the copper coins, Calculation recited these words for a while longer, his fingers moving rapidly as if performing complex calculations. When he finally opened his eyes, his face showed an unusual degree of surprise:

"Strange..."

"I was listening from the side earlier, and I also felt uncertain about the truth of the Clan Chief’s words. I was intending to consult the ancestral master..."

"...But the divination reveals that every word he said is true!"