CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 69: THE TIME OF TRANSMITTING MAGIC (THIRD WATCH)

"Take him down!"

The old shopkeeper looked on coldly, waving his hand.

With the shopkeeper nearby, the workers felt emboldened. They formed a human ladder and took the man down.

Hu Ma watched from the side, starting to have suspicions.

Originally, he thought the shopkeeper would handle the evil spirit that killed the worker, seeking revenge.

But unexpectedly, he had the worker taken down and then turned away without a second glance.

"It’s fate."

As if seeing through Hu Ma’s thoughts, the shopkeeper explained lightly, "The spirit is no longer here. He became the stand-in. If I remove the evil spirit here, I would only remove him."

"The workers must be careful if they pass by here in the future. He won’t remember past friendships."

Hu Ma understood, and his heart sank slightly.

A stand-in?

Something was definitely here, but last night, after the spirit harmed the worker, it gained freedom and left.

But now, this worker would replace it and remain here...

What torment.

The man was already dead, but the torment was just beginning.

While thinking this, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine, as if someone behind him was watching with malice. He turned abruptly, only to see nothing but empty space.

They divided into two groups, carrying the worker back to the Manor. The rest continued searching until they finally heard someone shouting from the front after searching for two two-hour periods.

The others hurried over, finding, near the foot of Old Yin Mountain, beneath a field terrace built on a slope, Xu Ji’s lifeless body in a pile of weeds.

They recognized him by his clothes, but his appearance was heart-wrenching.

His body curled amid thorny bushes, as if forced inside, and was covered in bite marks. Pond ash was scattered randomly around. His nearly unrecognizable face bore a terrified expression.

Witnessing this, not only did the workers feel a chill, but even Shopkeeper Wu furrowed his brows.

After a while, he sighed, "If I had known it would end like this, why be so harsh back then?"

Hu Ma inexplicably felt that upon seeing Xu Ji’s wounds, the shopkeeper seemed slightly relieved.

Did he worry all along that I killed Xu Ji?

This is outrageous...

If I had killed him myself, you wouldn’t find the body.

Hu Ma already understood that to ensure his own learning of the Magic, the safest option wasn’t winning this contest but forcing the old shopkeeper to make a single choice.

Given a chance, he might have taken action too.

Yet, Xu Ji had made many enemies and was caught by them first.

And the Yellow Immortals were quite crafty, killing him and dumping the body at the foot of Old Yin Mountain, as if to provoke.

We killed your worker and went into Old Yin Mountain. Dare to find us?

"Let’s go!"

The old shopkeeper sighed, glanced at Xu Ji’s body, shook his head, and gently sighed, "It’s not that we ignored your death, but those responsible have likely fled long ago. Even if I wanted to avenge you, I couldn’t find them."

"Tell your father the same!"

Saying this, he waved his hand, instructing the workers to take him back to the Manor, buy a coffin, and prepare his body.

Back at the Manor, the youths were all in low spirits, remaining silent.

Some felt heartache over their gnawed-to-the-bone fingers; others couldn’t believe Xu Ji was dead.

Still others, now deeply anxious, feared that working for the Red Lantern Lady’s Club meant dealing with such evil spirits for life, with no idea what fate awaited them!

"Go to Carpenter Liu at the town entrance, and have him come quickly to measure the body."

Shopkeeper Wu returned to the Manor and went into the inner courtyard. Hu Ma took on the aftermath tasks directly.

He asked Zhou Datong to bring out the black oil ointment the Second Master left and distribute it to the workers who had lost fingers.

This black oil ointment was great for external injuries, but with the muscles on their fingers gone, whether they would grow back was unknown.

Then he looked at Li but was at a loss.

At this moment, a servant from the inner courtyard came out and gave Hu Ma a pill.

Knowing this was the shopkeeper’s intention, Hu Ma diluted it with water and gave it to Li, who surprisingly woke up.

He just seemed dazed and out of it, as if he’d lost his soul out of fright.

Then Hu Ma personally oversaw Carpenter Liu measuring Xu Ji and the other worker’s bodies, urging him to quickly make the coffins. The bodies were temporarily stored in the warehouse.

He arranged tasks for the unsettled workers for the day and then returned to his room to wash his face. Taking the redwood sword, he went to the inner courtyard. He knocked lightly to report these arrangements.

"You’ve arranged everything well. Keep doing it like this."

The old shopkeeper said indifferently, "Cremate the worker. Keep the ashes and take them back to their town next spring. Xu Ji is not our concern; wait for his family to pick him up."

"...If anyone comes to pick him up, that is."

"..."

"Yes."

Hu Ma agreed and offered the redwood sword with both hands, "This is Xu Ji’s item. Last night, with evil spirits rampant, I was frightened, so I used it after finding it. Since his family is coming, this sword should be with the Shopkeeper for safekeeping."

"Keep it for now,"

the shopkeeper waved, "If his family wants it, give it to them. If not, consider it a reward for you."

Can such small details also earn favor?

Those Yellow Immortals knew to give me the sword, earning goodwill. This shopkeeper also casually did a favor.

He chuckled internally but still respectfully thanked the Shopkeeper. However, he remained in the inner courtyard, not in a hurry to leave.

"I know what you’re thinking."

The old shopkeeper sighed and told Hu Ma, "Since I’ve promised you, I will naturally teach you."

"Come to me after your night patrol tonight."

"..."

Hu Ma finally felt relieved when he heard this and bowed, "Thank you, Shopkeeper."

"You resolved the evil spirit. It’s only right to pass on the knowledge. Why thank me?"

The shopkeeper smiled faintly and then looked at Hu Ma with a slightly cold expression, "Moreover, you two made it publicly known. How could I go back on my word?"

Hu Ma blushed slightly and excused himself.

But although he feigned embarrassment, he felt no guilt inside.

Before going out earlier, he had deliberately made all the workers aware of the Shousui man’s test, fearing this shopkeeper would try something else. Since everyone knew about this challenge, the shopkeeper couldn’t easily find other excuses.

On this point, even Xu Ji had thought the same way. Of course, the difference between them was that both believed they themselves would get the opportunity.

As matters reached the most critical juncture, Hu Ma forced himself to remain calm.

Returning to the side room, he caught up on some sleep, leaving the redwood sword aside for Little Hongtang to grab and play with.

He awoke after two to three two-hour periods, and it was already afternoon.

As usual, he arranged for the workers to feed the horses and sweep, then took the Red Lantern for patrol. Once everything was in order, he headed to the inner courtyard.

When he pushed open the door, he was slightly taken aback.

He saw Shopkeeper Wu sitting in the courtyard, surrounded by various oil lamps.

With a cup of tea beside him, he looked quietly at Hu Ma and said, "Come over here."

Hu Ma took a deep breath and slowly stepped forward.

The ordinary little courtyard, now filled with all sorts of oil lamps, had an added touch of the bizarre. Hu Ma could also smell the various burnt odors emanating from the different oil lamps.

The strange atmosphere made it hard not to feel a subtle sense of hidden danger.

But Hu Ma knew he was now facing the key dharma method that could save his life, so he continued to walk slowly, step by step, into the courtyard.

He walked right to the middle of the oil lamps, beside the small stone table, and nothing unusual happened.

Shopkeeper Wu just sat quietly at the stone table, watching Hu Ma slowly walk in, his eyes flickering slightly, as if comparing him to someone.

"You’ve put so much effort into seizing this opportunity, and you walk to my side so calmly..."

He raised his hand, motioning for Hu Ma to sit beside him. The old shopkeeper said slowly, "But do you know what it is I can actually teach you?"

"I know."

Ever since joining the Red Lantern Society, Hu Ma had constantly longed for this day and had long ago mentally prepared for various situations. He said softly, "An elder in my family once told me that the Red Lantern Lady’s Club supports some people with great abilities."

"Long life into old age, abundant blessings and longevity, exorcism and curing disease, impervious to evil spirits—these people have a name: Shousui man."

"..."

"Long life into old age, abundant blessings and longevity?"

Shopkeeper Wu wasn’t surprised by what Hu Ma said.

The name Shousui man was known by few ordinary people, but it wasn’t a great secret either. Those old miners with years of experience, or those who had dealt with evil spirits, had often heard the name of this mysterious Path.

He just smiled, noncommittally, and said, "You’re right. This skill is indeed called Shousui man."

"I’ve been a Shousui man for thirty years. In this life, I don’t know how many evil spirits I’ve dealt with, nor how many times I’ve worshipped Tai Sui. Of course, I’ve also experienced some of the treacherous and unpredictable dangers involved."

"Now I’m old, and our Manor here has no assistant. It’s time to find someone to enlighten. Among you new workers, considering intellect and foundation, you are the most suitable."

"..."

Hu Ma was slightly moved. Should I get up and kowtow to him right now?

If I must kowtow, I will.

But unexpectedly, just as he was about to rise, Shopkeeper Wu seemed to have seen his intention and gently waved his hand, "Spare the formalities. You don’t need to call me Master either."

"After all, when it comes down to it, we both worship the Red Lantern Lady. The only difference is that I am the Shopkeeper, and you are a worker."

"That kowtow would just bind us with unnecessary obligations!"

"And I’m not teaching you this dharma method out of kindness. There are always important matters where I will need your help."

"..."

"Important matters?"

Hearing this, Hu Ma’s heart sank slightly, vaguely feeling that there was an underlying implication.