"If it really doesn't work, we'll have to fight back..."
Upon hearing Hu Ma's words, everyone, including Aunt Zhang, was shocked. However, after some discussion, they all sighed, "If we can avoid it, let's avoid it."
"How could Godmother Cui, after operating on Pingnan Road for so many years, not have some tricks up her sleeve?"
"If this incident leaks out, her life is as good as forfeit. So, this old woman will surely bring out all her resources to fight us desperately."
...
After all this commotion, it was already daylight. Everyone was frightened and exhausted after staying up all night; now, they were incredibly fatigued.
So, they simply turned east and headed to a city adjacent to Dongchang Prefecture. After entering the city, they headed straight to the Mule and Horse Market, spent a large sum of Silver, hired four good horses, and also hired two large carts specifically for the tired ones to rest.
Knowing the situation was urgent, Housekeeper Zhou thickened his skin and borrowed one hundred taels of Silver from Hu Ma.
He hurriedly went out to prepare something, planning a big move.
Their trick door was like that; without adequate preparation, many of their abilities couldn't be used.
In about an hour, they had already left the city and were back on the road, trying to get as far away as possible. However, even while still in the city, they had vaguely felt something was amiss, and it became more obvious once they were outside.
"It seems like escaping is not going to be easy for us..."
Looking back from afar, they could see, from time to time, the figures of beggars appearing by the roadside.
Some of them squatted lazily under trees catching lice; some held dog-beating sticks and lazily watched them pass by.
As Hu Ma and the others drove the carriage away, these people ran after them on foot. When they stopped, these people also kept their distance. When looked at, they would turn their heads away. If one tried to speak to them, they would immediately run away warily, clinging like stubborn plasters.
Everyone knew well that although Godmother Cui had suffered a setback and retreated, her disciples and followers had all come along.
"The Beggar Gang is numerous and powerful, and extremely skilled at petty theft, casing locations, and spying. Now that they have their eyes on us, I'm afraid it won't be easy to get away..."
The beggars, whom usually no one would spare a second glance, now made them feel immense pressure.
Housekeeper Zhou also cast a cold glance at these beggars. Ever since joining the Li Residence, he had been a respectable man for decades, his hands unstained by blood. But now, murderous intent stirred within him. However, he also understood that even if he killed these spying beggars, it would be useless.
"Heh, if they won't let us have an easy time, we won't let them have one either."
Turning his head, he seemed to be venting his frustration, saying, "I just borrowed some Silver from our benefactor and also took the opportunity to visit an escort agency to have them deliver a letter to Big Stone Cliff, specifically addressed to the Old Master of the residence."
"However, I know the rules of the residence; even this letter will have a hard time reaching the Old Master directly. But, at the very least, it can distract them and make them uncomfortable for a while."
...
"The other side certainly wouldn't dare to let this letter actually be delivered; they have many disciples and followers, so they can probably handle it."
Hu Ma also spoke in a low voice, "It's just unfortunate that we are still quite a distance from Anzhou. Otherwise, if we could just blow this matter up, Godmother Cui would be in serious trouble. She seems terrified of this affair being exposed."
"It'll be alright once we reach Anzhou."
Housekeeper Zhou nodded and also whispered, "Once we get to Anzhou, close to Lingshou Prefecture, there will be many Methods!"
"But we have to reach there safely first!"
Hu Ma glanced at him and then stopped discussing it, turning instead to Aunt Zhang, "Aunt, what have you decided?"
"Is the Method I mentioned effective?"
...
Ever since Hu Ma had proposed this, Aunt Zhang had been deep in thought. Now, hearing Hu Ma's question, she said with some concern, "I've never encountered anything like this before. Are you sure you can invite that person over, and are you sure she's really willing to help you?"
Hu Ma nodded, "I'm sure."
Aunt Zhang thought for a moment more, then said, "She won't demand very high offerings from you, will she? These Great Evil Spirits..."
"...are not very reasonable!"
...
Hu Ma said, "No, that won't happen. Theoretically, I've already given the offerings. Besides, the one I intend to invite is currently very concerned about her reputation and prestige, so she wouldn't dare to act too willfully."
Aunt Zhang mulled it over for a long while before finally nodding. "Then, I suppose it's worth a try."
"But Shopkeeper, you must be extremely careful. This is your first time setting up an altar, and yet you're also inviting spirits; this is adding danger upon danger. If the entity you summon is agreeable and capable, then all is well."
"But if it has a bad temper, and you suddenly summon it, you might not deal with your opponent, and instead, you could become a human candle first."
...
"I'm aware of all this."
Hu Ma sensed Aunt Zhang's worry, likely stemming from her own bitter experiences of this kind, and smiled at her. "Just teach me the Method of setting up the altar and inviting spirits, Aunt; that will be enough."
This was essentially a solution born out of desperation.
Throughout this journey, he had followed Aunt Zhang, watched her perform exorcisms and dispel evil, inquired about various things, and learned quite a few methods.
To draw an analogy with other Paths, he was now like an apprentice who had learned many prescriptions from a doctor, or like a Stoker who had practiced several sets of routines with a Master. What he needed to learn now was the most crucial initial step in the Ghost Walker Path: setting up the altar and inviting spirits.
Time was certainly of the essence, as the first time inviting spirits was a significant event.
But I have the life-saving incense bestowed by the Red Lantern Little Girl... no, the Red Lantern Lady!
If I light this incense, inviting you to save my life, would you have the heart not to come?
Normally, lighting this incense should mean that the Red Lantern Lady would already be helping him deal with Godmother Cui and her followers. However, Hu Ma wasn't entirely confident in the Red Lantern Lady now.
Even though she has established a temple, she's essentially still just a little girl raised by Er Guotou...
Just using this half-stick of incense to invite her to descend, it was uncertain if she could handle these demon people of the wicked path on the ancient Pingnan Road.
Setting up the altar and inviting spirits, however, was different.
A Ghost Walker setting up an altar could not only invite spirits over but could also borrow the Magic Altar to better wield the power of the evil spirit.
If I set up the altar first and then light the incense, she shouldn't be so petty...
If that doesn't work, I'll have Little Hongtang raise her arm and show her the green cloth?
...Of course, this last method is an absolute last resort, a final trump card, not to be used lightly. It's better to try appealing to the Red Lantern Lady's sentiments first.
...
However, teaching someone to set up the altar, helping to guard the ritual, and preparing to connect to the altar—these are things a Master does for a disciple in the Ghost Walker Path, right?
Thinking about this... Hu Ma looked at Aunt Zhang and said sincerely, "Aunt, should I acknowledge you as my Master?"
His tone was lighthearted, but his words were very earnest.
If it truly came to pass, a descendant of the Hu Family acknowledging a Ghost Walker as their Master would create a significant karmic bond.
But Hu Ma didn't care about such things. Learning the skills was what mattered; acknowledging a Master was no big deal. Moreover, he knew about the problems Aunt Zhang was currently facing, and having a formal title beforehand wouldn't be a disadvantage.
"Goodness!"
Aunt Zhang, upon hearing this, immediately blushed and waved her hands repeatedly. "No, no, I don't have the ability to take in disciples."
"Teaching you to set up the altar is just a contingency. I'll teach you to set up the altar and the chanting, and you can seat the altar. But I'll be watching from the side. If it really doesn't work..."
...
She paused slightly, her dark reddish face faintly showing a hint of sorrow and determination. "I'll still have to invite him over."
"Anyway, it's my fate."
...
Her words cast a pall over everyone, leaving a heavy feeling in their hearts.
Only Hu Ma, after a moment's thought, came up with several countermeasures. He would deal with what he could, and if things became unmanageable, he could rely on the skills of the Shousui man. If he needed to escape, the enemy might not be able to stop him.
Claiming he was going to report to the Dongzi Li Family might also scare her a bit.
Of course, that was a last resort. It would be easy for him to leave, but Aunt Zhang, Xiang, the carters, and the others would likely suffer.
Even Housekeeper Zhou, after a moment of silence, turned to look at Hu Ma.
After some thought, he handed something over. "Benefactor, you are risking your life for our young miss. We will remember this kindness. You refused this item before, but now, please use it!"
"Your first time setting up an altar is too dangerous. This item can save your life at a crucial moment."
...
"A Life Substitute Coin?"
Hu Ma was taken aback. This was the payment Housekeeper Zhou had received when he pledged his life to the Li Residence, a treasure that could substitute for one's life in a fatal moment.
Earlier, when they were at the Manor, Housekeeper Zhou had tried to give it to him, but Hu Ma had refused. Now, he was offering it again.
This time, he accepted it without ceremony, taking it and saying with a smile, "Just this Copper Coin, old sir? I asked you about those other skills before, and you still haven't told me..."
"Ah..."
The old housekeeper looked a bit embarrassed again. "I've already told you about the Li Family's method of soul-piercing with silver needles. What more do you want to learn?"
"Disguise, ventriloquism, and how to prevent people from becoming ghosts, things like that..."
Hu Ma said, "When it comes to learning, who ever thinks they have too much?"
"Alright then..."
Housekeeper Zhou hesitated, finding it hard to refuse Hu Ma's sincere gaze, and eventually briefly explained those other skills as well.
Although everyone felt immense pressure from being watched by the Beggar Gang, they surprisingly appeared quite relaxed. Even the carters and their two helpers felt much more at ease.
However, just then, the drivers of the carriages they had recently hired from the city began to feel uneasy, noticing more and more beggars trailing them. With nightfall approaching, they hurriedly sent someone over to awkwardly tell Hu Ma and the others:
"Gentlemen, have you... have you provoked the city's Beggar Gang?"
"We've seen them following us all along, and it's a bit frightening."
"We're just helping people drive carriages, earning a bit of money for our labor. We daren't get involved in your grudges..."
...
Seeing their reaction, Hu Ma sighed. "If that's the case, you should probably get to safety for now!"
With that, he glanced at the beggars behind them, then at the surrounding hills and waters, and turned to Aunt Zhang. "Shall we face off against them here?"