Now, regarding the families safeguarding these mysterious caves, Hu Ma was still utterly ignorant, and what had happened to Xiang was only partially understood. Bringing her to see a doctor was primarily for Miss White Wine's sake. She was one of their own, and whether Xiang should be treated, and how, was all up to her, so Hu Ma didn't have to worry.
He just silently thought this. Meanwhile, the old housekeeper, seeing that Grass Heart Hall had agreed, was overcome with gratitude, repeatedly expressing his thanks.
Unexpectedly, even though Hu Ma had used the name of Ghost Cave as leverage, Grass Heart Hall hadn't seemed to care. In the end, their agreement to treat Xiang appeared to be a favor to the Blood Food Gang's little Shopkeeper...
To him, it was unclear if this represented some complex sentiment.
"You two should return before midnight. Since I need to burn incense and bathe, I won't keep you for dinner," Five Ghosts Shopkeeper said, making a joke. Hu Ma understood this was a polite way of showing them out. Seeing Xiang settled at Grass Heart Hall with a Soul Calming incense stick lit beside her meant the hall was protecting her and outsiders couldn't approach. Hu Ma felt at ease and walked out.
He first sent Zhou Datong and the others back to the Manor, then headed toward the Red Lantern Society. After all, having entered the city with a whole day ahead, it would be inappropriate not to pay a visit. Especially since he had met Manager Xu... No, it was Incense Master Xu now, he corrected himself. But regardless of the title, he still had to press for the payment.
"Oh, this debt is tricky to calculate..." Incense Master Xu was pleasantly surprised to see Hu Ma. Putting on a bit of a show, he said, "Nephew Hu, come take a look at the mess Mr. Zheng left me, will you?"
Incense Master Xu said, "...That's precisely why a difficult task requires someone as capable and dependable as you, Nephew Hu, to take charge!"
"Still talking rules with me? Isn't that being overly formal?"
"Truth be told, I've been thinking of you for this good opportunity from the start. I've even found an accountant for you. Remember old Calculation who once saved your life? A truly reliable old fellow. I'll send him to your Manor when the time comes."
"..."
Hu Ma murmured, almost in disbelief, "He's even got the accountant planned out? Is it really possible they'll arrange it for me?"
Hu Ma recalled that old fellow who owed him sixty Blood Food Pills, and his heart leaped with joy. He hastily said, "For such a large organization like the Red Lantern Society, the incense master handling finances really needs to be someone trustworthy. Uncle Xu, you've done an excellent job..."
"Let's talk more over drinks tonight?"
"..."
Having agreed with Manager Xu to drink in the evening, Hu Ma left and went looking for Yang Gong.
Unexpectedly, Yang Gong had just finished his duties and was in his courtyard teaching the limping little ghost how to pass messages, deliver items, and recognize his handwriting. Suddenly, a cold draft swept through. Yang Gong looked up to find his limping little ghost was nowhere in sight.
Shen Bangzi, standing nearby, remarked, "Brother Yang Gong, this little ghost of yours is becoming quite a handful."
"Its master hadn't even finished speaking, and it ran off."
"..."
Yang Gong was momentarily stunned, then immediately laughed. "Go inform the Chunhe Building. Tell them my brother Hu Ma has arrived."
Sure enough, when Yang Gong went out to look, he saw the limping little ghost kneeling before Hu Ma, shouting, "Good fortune, Old Master Hu!"
That evening, Yang Gong hosted a dinner. He invited Incense Master Xu, several devotees, and even old Calculation, who owed Hu Ma sixty Blood Food Pills. Along with a few Red Fragrance Disciples, they all sat down together.
These Red Fragrance Disciples could still dine with these Shopkeepers and managers. However, once they rose a level to become Incense Burners by the Lady's side, this type of socializing would cease.
After three rounds of drinks, Hu Ma, driven by curiosity, asked Incense Master Xu, "What exactly does Grass Heart Hall do?"
"That place is anything but simple..." Incense Master Xu, hearing this, began to boast to Hu Ma and Yang Gong, whom he considered newbies. "You are, after all, inexperienced. You only see how our Red Lantern Society is becoming more glorious."
"But always remember, even though our Lady has built a temple, we still must not provoke Grass Heart Hall, Plum Blossom Lane, and the government office."
"Of course, they won't provoke us either. We all give each other face, and that's that."
"..."
Yang Gong quickly said, "I know about Plum Blossom Lane. Our Red Fragrance Disciples don't even patrol that alley during their night rounds. Last time, they sent a servant over wanting to buy a few Blood Food Pills, and an Incense Burner had to deliver them personally. But what's the story with Grass Heart Hall?"
Hu Ma listened with a bit of curiosity. Yang Gong had previously been straightforward, acknowledging only the Red Lantern Lady. Had he grown now?
Incense Master Xu said, "Our Red Lantern Society relies on Blood Food to survive and also serves the Lady. Therefore, most of us are Shousui who carry Negative Spirits, and the few Ghost Walkers we have are also to better assist the Lady in her affairs."
"But do you know that among those traveling doctors who practice medicine and gather herbs across the lands, there's actually a Path?"
"Their Path is called Si Ming."
"..."
"Si Ming?" Hu Ma asked.
Hu Ma quietly pondered. He then asked, "What's so special about this Path?"
"Oh, its significance is vast." Incense Master Xu laughed. "Outside the Path, they treat illnesses; within the Path, they govern life."
"Ordinary traveling doctors use herbal medicine and silver needles to diagnose illnesses and treat injuries. If the medicine cures the disease, they're considered good doctors. But once you enter the Path, things become mystical."
"It's said they possess the ability to forcibly extend a person's life. They can cure strange illnesses that ordinary doctors can't, and even for those who appear to be at the end of their lifespan, destined to die—if they intervene, they can prolong their lives."
"Within the Path, there's even a saying that a Si Ming person can alter the Book of Death, preventing King Yan from claiming a person's soul!"
"..."
"They have such great abilities?" Hu Ma listened, his heart stirring with interest. "Then I must hurry and go see," he said.
This is rather unsettling.
Everyone was gaining much insight and listening patiently when the Red Fragrance Disciple Shen Dabang, who was beside them, spoke up: "In the past, when our Red Lantern Lady hadn't built a temple, we felt fearless in Mingzhou Prefecture. Only the Green Clothes Gang dared to oppose us, and we chased them down."
"Now that the Lady has a temple, why do we suddenly have to be cautious everywhere?"
"..."
This statement instantly garnered agreement from several Red Fragrance Disciples. Only Yang Gong remained contemplative, not joining in.
"Hehe, this is actually a good thing..." Incense Master Xu, usually impatient with these unlearned Red Fragrance Disciples, now knew that since the Lady had built a temple, this batch of disciples might be the last. So he patiently composed himself and explained with a smile:
"We've always been here serving the Lady and seldom venture into the jianghu, so you're not quite aware of these things."
"In reality, before, we were just making a living within the Blood Food Gang."
"The Blood Food Gang merely harvested Blood Food and fought over resources. We gained benefits, yes, but our reputation in the jianghu was only so-so. If you went outside and mentioned you were a Red Fragrance Disciple or a Shopkeeper from the Blood Food Gang, some might show you respect, but many might not even acknowledge you."
"But now it's different. When we go out now, we're not just someone from the Blood Food Gang; we are disciples serving the Red Lantern Lady of the Fire God Temple. This carries prestige."
"Even those unfamiliar with us will feel a sense of connection due to the incense among fellow jianghu practitioners. And even those who don't follow the way of incense, people from other Paths, will show some respect for our status."
"..."
Whether these Red Fragrance Disciples understood the distinction was unclear to Hu Ma. Personally, he felt a moment of enlightenment.
Is this the difference between Shaolin Emei and a regional Salt Gang?
In simple terms, the Blood Food Gang previously had no grand reputation in the jianghu...
No wonder that old housekeeper from Xiang's family, despite his impoverished state, always managed to project an irksome arrogance...
Ultimately, it was a matter of jianghu identity.
His identity as a Shopkeeper of the Blood Food Gang was truly insignificant in the eyes of others. Perhaps, instead of being a boon, it was a hindrance.
Of course, with the Red Lantern Lady's temple, things would change over time. But this would take a while. For now, others still saw him merely as a Shopkeeper of the Blood Food Gang.
Having gleaned some understanding of his own jianghu standing, Hu Ma felt more at ease.
He then joined them for drinks. When everyone was thoroughly inebriated, he politely declined Incense Master Xu's invitation to the city's pleasure district to listen to songs. Instead, he left alone and headed toward Grass Heart Hall.
Though considerably intoxicated, with each step closer, he grew more sober. A Shousui man who had trained his Five Organs could drink arsenic by the bowlful without even needing sugar, let alone mere alcohol.
When he reached the vicinity of Grass Heart Hall, he lit a few more incense sticks to dispel the lingering scent of alcohol from his body before going upstairs. The old housekeeper from Li Residence was already waiting by the stairs. Upon seeing Hu Ma arrive, he immediately bowed deeply.
Yet Hu Ma now kept a certain distance from him, merely nodding coldly as he looked ahead.
The stance he should maintain must be adhered to. Understanding his perceived position in the old housekeeper's eyes did not mean Hu Ma accepted it.
Are you subconsciously thinking that because a mere little Shopkeeper from the Blood Food Gang saved your young lady, I'd try to learn too much and then demand repayment for the favor, or something of that sort? he thought, looking at the old man.
I'm not that kind of person. Even if I wanted something, I'd make you offer it willingly!