CHAPTER 445: CHAPTER 439: THE MYSTERY OF THE GU INSECT

"Sect Hierarch, Senior Sister, Immortal, my Immortal Grandma..."

When Hu Ma calmed his thoughts, pondering how he could learn the skills of the Great Mighty Sky General Seal for himself, the entire town was filled with unrest and could barely contain the rising panic.

Even leaving aside the ordinary folk—who were already shocked and questioning after seeing several altar deities suddenly die in broad daylight and turn into foxes and hedgehogs from the countryside—the people of the Path were all scared to death.

Those were Guests who, although self-proclaimed by the One Coin Sect, had enjoyed untold incense offerings alongside the One Coin Sect.

When seen at a Shousui event, they had to be respectfully addressed. Yet, outside, without even a word of greeting, they were pressed to death?

The most representative among them were Old Master Sun, the old altar master of Great Shanbao, and others. They gathered and deliberated over and over, saying, "The Great sword catching sect is here, and I’m afraid none of us in this town will fare well..."

"But they said they’d leave no living thing alive, yet they gave us three days. What does that mean?"

Everyone was experienced in the jianghu and naturally understood. Though it was inappropriate to speak explicitly in this town, a mere exchange of glances made it clear they all thought the same thing: Could it be they’re giving us time?

These three days aren’t what they demand; they’re given to us. Are they suggesting we bind this Sect Hierarch ourselves and send him out to plead for forgiveness?

Everyone was experienced in the jianghu and understood this implication well.

Understanding this was easy, but when it came to actually doing it, the pressure doubled. Binding the One Cent Sect Leader would be easy. The One Coin Sect only had him as its Sect Hierarch, one Altar Protector, and four formidable Magic Kings. But with the altar deities dead and their Dharma Forms broken, the four Magic Kings were also crippled.

If we were to act, how could Immortal Miaoshan and Bai Shanzi possibly be our rivals? Besides, considering Bai Shanzi’s cunning, he might preemptively strike at that One Cent Sect Leader if he saw the situation was unfavorable...

"But the key question is, how do we explain this to those not eating beef?"

The more they thought about it, the more the pressure on their hearts increased, especially for those with higher status and greater abilities. Their concern grew: We all received benefits from those not eating beef, people who showed us a way to live. We joined the One Coin Sect because of the reputation of those not eating beef.

If we do this, even if we survive at the hands of the Great sword catching sect’s Swordsmen outside, don’t those not eating beef have the means to kill our entire families?

Precisely because everyone worried about this, although the town was filled with unrest, it had not yet descended into complete chaos. Instead, the pressure fell on Immortal Miaoshan. People incessantly sought her out, almost begging her to provide some reassurance.

However, to be fair, Immortal Miaoshan acted with remarkable composure amidst this chaos. When Old Master Sun and others approached her multiple times, she simply sneered, "I’ve already said there’s no need to fear, so why worry?"

"A mere sword-catching hall officer? How could he be a match for the senior brothers in our sect?"

"Just make sure to keep an eye on your men. Don’t let panic disrupt the formations we have in this town. When our senior brothers arrive, it won’t be that Hall Officer outside sealing us; it will be our senior brothers cutting off his escape route!"

Hearing her say this, they found themselves unexpectedly hopeful as they considered the future.

Everyone in town was afraid of the sword-catching hall officer’s men. But if experts from those not eating beef truly came to help, perhaps it wouldn’t be so clear who would win and who would lose...

The Hall Officers were all appointed by the Ten Surnames; they were mighty figures who held down entire regions. But those not eating beef were precisely the ones most disdainful towards the Ten Surnames and the court—great demon indeed...

And that was just telling them their senior brothers would come to help... After sending them away, Immortal Miaoshan sneered to herself, If I let them know that even our Sect Hierarch is here, wouldn’t each of them have their tails in the air?

At that moment, Bai Shanzi hurried over to report that the little ghost had been caught. Immortal Miaoshan’s previously raised tail instantly clamped down with a SWISH! Her pretty face turned pale as she quickly stood up. "The message can’t get out?"

"Who has such power? To block even the path of the underworld?"

"The Shousui man definitely doesn’t have this ability..."

Bai Shanzi also said anxiously, "This matter seems deeper than we imagined. Most crucially, if the senior brothers can’t arrive in time to help, relying only on the few small fry in this town, I fear there’s no way out at all!"

Immortal Miaoshan was stunned for a long while, then said urgently, "Don’t worry, don’t worry! There are still ways, there are ways..."

She urgently looked towards the guest inn, deciding to pay another visit. The situation is critical, and the senior brothers can’t come. Doesn’t that mean we have to seek this Sect Hierarch’s help to save us?

If I truly relied on this method, the Great Mighty Sky General Seal wouldn’t be impossible to cultivate. It even seems tailor-made for me...

In the guest inn, Hu Ma had just discussed the topic of fate and numbers with Calculation. He had some ideas about cultivating the Great Mighty Sky General Seal, but time was tight, and there was much to consider.

He first took a deep breath and looked outside. The sky was already dusky, nearing twilight. The entire day had passed. Calculating the time, shouldn’t there be news from the senior brothers of those not eating beef, whom the One Coin Sect messaged?

Just as he was preparing to continue studying the cultivation method of the Great Mighty Sky General Seal, he heard Little Hongtang let out a surprised, "Eh?"

Turning his head, he saw Little Hongtang peeking down from the rafters. She was staring at a small insect that had flown into the room, her eyes almost crossing, her small face very puzzled.

This small insect also appeared strange. At first glance, it looked no different from an ordinary insect. Yet, once it flew into the room, it began circling the oil lamp continuously, unlike a moth, which would actually dive into the flame.

The first task I assigned to Monkey Wine, accomplished so quickly?

Hu Ma felt a stir in his heart. He followed the method Monkey Wine had previously told him, watching the insect. It circled the oil lamp three times one way and then three times the other. Feeling assured, he gently opened his hand to receive the insect.

The insect seemed to sense Hu Ma’s aura. It slowly flew toward him, hesitated briefly, then landed on his fingertip.

Then, it bit down.

He felt no pain. Hu Ma did not use Death Transformation to fend off the insect’s venom; instead, he deliberately experienced it. Soon, he felt a momentary daze.

Vaguely, strange hallucinations appeared, as if he had transformed into a tiny insect. He seemed to be fluttering in a deep night forest, flying slowly, passing through clusters of trees, and entering a desolate village devoid of any living souls.

Is this the method Monkey Wine used to help me scout out who sealed the town?

Hu Ma deliberately relaxed his mind to perceive these changes more clearly, becoming increasingly fascinated.

Witchcraft was a grand path, and Monkey Wine had mastered its skills to an impressive degree, rivaling even the trick door in its mystery and flair.

The sensation now truly felt as if he had become a character from a myth: transformed into an insect, infiltrating an enemy camp to gather intelligence.

He vaguely followed this insect into the dilapidated Ancestral Hall within the village.

There, he saw many silent men dressed in iron armor. Each exuded a concentrated aura, standing like stone statues, lined up on either side. The area was surrounded by torches and oil lamps, illuminating it as bright as day.

But in the wild countryside, insects were numerous. It was late summer, early autumn, so insects were still everywhere. Thus, this particular insect went unnoticed as it flew into the main hall. It spotted the candlelight on a table and rows of neat chairs.

At the foremost position, on the left Taishi Chair, sat an older man in iron armor. He was not very tall, but his head appeared particularly large. He looked to be about forty or fifty years old.

On the right Taishi Chair sat a man in a blue robe and cloth shoes. His hair was neatly combed, and a delicate porcelain bowl rested at his side.

The two were conversing with smiles by the light of a nearby oil lamp.

"The Young Master of the Meng family has come to us with a task. We have no reason not to help, but we must also ask the Young Master to understand our situation a little."

The man in iron armor said, "I am a Hall Officer of the Zhou Family. I was taught skills and live off their pay and grain. Since the Zhou Family has given the order, I must naturally come and serve immediately to wipe out this group of rebels."

"Shousui people are efficient when they act, especially those bearing the title of sword catcher. For us to take more than the time it takes for One Incense to burn to deal with this group of rebels would be laughable."

"But Young Master Meng wants me to stall for three days. If Old Master Zhou blames me afterward, I fear I’ll be labeled ineffective..."

"The Hall Officer speaks the truth..."

The man in iron armor was courteous to the man in the blue robe. The blue-robed man, in turn, held no airs before the armored man, addressing him as "Master" with great respect. He bowed first before smiling and speaking,

"All the great Hall Officers in various regions bear the responsibility of clearing out rebels and stabilizing the land. Even the Ten Surnames greatly admire and respect you all, with no intention of imposing. I come seeking your help, Master, simply to use this opportunity of you clearing out these rebellious traitors to additionally set up an altar. That is all. This matter has already been communicated in writing to the Zhou Family, so you need not worry, Master."

"Young Master Meng, you are unpretentious, but please do not say such things again."

The man in iron armor smiled wryly. "Young Master Meng, you are the young master of the Meng family, and I am a disciple of the Zhou Family. How could I dare to accept being called ’Master’ by you? I cannot disobey your orders, but without the Zhou Family’s permission, I dare not involve myself in other karmic ties."

"On the other hand, while the One Coin Sect might have the shadow of the Beef-eating Demon People, they are just a few small fry. For me to come all the way from West Ridge, Jiao State, to deal with them is already laughable."

"As for you, a direct descendant of the Meng family, running to this desolate land to erect some ghost platform is even more unfathomable..."