"Mr. Hu, use this gourd to collect the spring water. Collect as much as you can."
Unable to resist the hospitality of the Li Family, Hu Ma, who acted purely out of righteousness without expecting anything in return, could only reluctantly agree. The Li Family's Housekeeper then handed a natural gourd to Hu Ma.
Seeing him point towards the spring water flowing from the mountain, Hu Ma was surprised. "This spring water is what you just mentioned..."
"Humans have three souls and seven spirits. After death, the seven spirits dissipate, and the three souls each have different paths."
The Li Family's Housekeeper looked at Hu Ma with a smile. "The three souls," he said, "are the Yuan Soul, the Sleeping Soul, and the Living Soul. These are further divided into the Rebirth Soul, the Karma Soul, and the Guardian Soul."
"After a person dies, each soul follows its own path."
"One soul reincarnates, one guards the corpse, and one supposedly goes to judge karma."
"Those who come to the Ghost Cave Li Family are all Living Souls. The Living Soul is aware of matters; the Sleeping Soul is aware of destiny. The Li Family fears the Living Soul will suffer in the Ghost Cave, so they serve them one last meal and help them with soul-washing."
"This spring water is the Netherworld Water that has washed souls."
"By using the Li Family's gourd to collect this soul-washing water, sir, you can naturally obtain what you desire."
"Well, what about this..."
Although inherently reserved, Hu Ma received the gourd and nodded silently. Then, out of curiosity, he asked, "After collecting it, how do you view it?"
The Li Family's Housekeeper smiled and said, "In a shady place, pour it on white paper. The heavier the yin qi, the better. When the yin qi dissipates, the words disappear..."
"Alright..."
Only then did Hu Ma agree. He took the gourd to the spring sourced from the mountain and started filling it, GLUG, GLUG, GLUG, until it was nearly two-thirds full. He stopped, plugged it, and held it in his hands.
The Li Family's Housekeeper seemed somewhat surprised but still smiled without saying a word, merely gesturing for Hu Ma to come and eat.
Having collected this much was enough, Hu Ma himself was quite satisfied. He tied a hemp rope around the waist of the gourd, keeping it with him so no one would notice.
As for the two large baskets, Hu Ma glanced at them—not to see what was inside, but to figure out how to carry them back easily. Indeed, with one glance, he confirmed they were full of Blood Food, definitely not the low-quality green or white foods...
Even more astonishing was that, as if concerned he might have trouble carrying them, they had been smoked...
Smoked...
Since my reincarnation, who hasn't considered Blood Food a precious treasure to be handled carefully, meticulously refined, and consumed like pills?
I've only come across two people handling Blood Tai Sui with such down-to-earth methods.
One was Granny in my home, who would cut ten to twenty pounds daily, cook it like pork, and force me to eat it in large mouthfuls.
The other is the Ghost Cave Li Family; they actually smoked it like cured meat...
The astonishment in my heart was growing, but I couldn't show it. If I revealed I knew its value, I wouldn't know how to respond to their kindness. Should I kneel and thank the Li Family for their overwhelmingly generous gift?
"There's one more thing."
At this moment, the Li Family's Housekeeper, upon ensuring no one else was around, stepped forward and produced a Copper Coin threaded with a red string.
It was different from those given to the Martial Artists before, appearing slightly larger and more ancient. In a low voice, he said, "This was personally instructed by the Old Master to be handed to you, sir."
"We Li Family members cannot easily leave; even watching a play becomes complicated."
"However, at times, someone is needed outside to lend a hand, perhaps to buy items from the outside world, or to deliver messages for Li Family members. Sir, as you are acquainted with Miss Xiangyu, the Old Master asks if you would help purchase some face powders and perfumes in the future."
"This Copper Coin can serve as a token, making certain dealings more convenient later on."
"Just to buy some face powders and perfumes, a token is necessary?"
Hu Ma took a deep breath, realizing this was merely an excuse. Besides, I'm usually in Mingzhou, and it's not easy to buy these things and have them delivered.
Thinking this way, could this Copper Coin be a sign of the Li Family's protection for me?
Since they had put it so delicately, he didn't press further but simply nodded in agreement. Then he asked, "What about Miss Xiangyu? Why hasn't she come out today?"
"She's preparing a thank-you gift for you."
The Li Family's Housekeeper smiled and said, "This spring water is the Li Family's thanks to you, sir. The items in the baskets are just some local specialties."
"Miss Xiangyu herself feels indebted to your noble actions and insists on preparing her own thank-you gift."
"That's not something we from the outer mansion can inquire about. When she has it ready, sir, you will see it."
Hu Ma nodded and said no more, following the Li Family's Housekeeper out.
"Young friend Hu has returned..."
Outside, the guests at the feast were drinking joyously. Being Martial Artists, it was quite normal for them to be red-faced from drinking even in the early morning.
Seeing Hu Ma emerge, everyone stood up and called him over.
Many also sneaked glances at Hu Ma, aware that he had just been inside with the Ghost Cave Li Family, receiving their gratitude. They themselves had merely tagged along and had each received a life-saving Copper Coin.
So, what would the Li Family offer this young man who had escorted their young lady back from so far away?
If he really can't carry it all, should I offer to help him? one of them wondered.
Amidst the enthusiastic gazes, Hu Ma sat down and had a few cups of wine. Before the other Martial Artists could start probing, Lady Han, from the opposite side of the table, suddenly spoke in a calm, quiet voice, "I gained such a great advantage from a small effort, all thanks to you, young man."
"Moreover, your ability to eliminate those demon people along Pingnan Road is truly admirable."
"Allow me to toast you first."
"When matters here are settled, why not return to my Manor with me? You could stay for a few days, and we can have a good chat."
Hu Ma knew Miss Red Wine was trying to help him out of a potentially awkward situation. He quickly smiled and said, "I would be honored. I've been hoping to seek more guidance from you, senior."
Seeing this, the surrounding Martial Artists immediately understood the situation and reined in their thoughts. Some, upon hearing that Hu Ma had eliminated demon people on Pingnan Road, realized his skills were significant and curbed their intentions. Others, hearing Lady Han invite him to her Manor, figured she was making the first move. Since she had effectively claimed him, they knew it would be difficult for anyone else to interfere.
The banquet continued, and by the time the sun was at its zenith, the guests began to depart, seen off by members of the Dongzi Li Family.
Just as they were approaching the "Humans Do Not Enter" Stele, Xiang, whom they hadn't expected to see again, rushed forward hurriedly, accompanied by an old nanny and a young maid of similar age.
She was out of breath as she anxiously handed a bundle to Hu Ma. Onlookers craned their necks, curious about its contents, but Hu Ma suddenly understood. He directly opened the bundle.
Inside were no strange treasures or sinister items, only a pair of shoes, freshly made.
"Thank you, Miss Xiangyu..."
Hu Ma sighed softly in his heart, then dismounted his horse. He looked at Xiang, who was blushing slightly under everyone's gaze but still solemnly handed him the shoes. After a moment's thought, he accepted the shoes with both hands.
As a Reincarnator, how could he not understand the young maid's feelings?
When did her feelings for me start to stir?
Back when we were in Mingzhou? Unlikely. Although she stayed there for a while and would help me with laundry and sewing, that wasn't romantic affection.
She was just an insecure young girl, instinctively seeking closeness, perhaps with a hint of trying to please.
If feelings could be kindled so easily, then such affection would be quite shallow.
And after her incident, when I helped pay the consultation fee and acted as her guarantor, she was unconscious. She couldn't have known, so there's no basis for gratitude developing into something more then.
So, could it have been during the journey from Dongchang Prefecture to Anzhou?
That's rather puzzling. I saved her, and she lived in Mingzhou with me for several months, yet no such subtle feelings arose. Unexpectedly, in these last short seven days, such a change occurred.
What a pity...
Hu Ma carefully placed the shoes into his robes. Then, he solemnly bowed to Xiang in farewell. "Miss Xiangyu, we part ways here. Please take good care of yourself."
Xiang's eyes immediately reddened, and she could only nod forcefully.
What else could be done?
This was all there was to it!
「...」
"He's ultimately not staying, but it's fine."
At the same time, inside the Ghost Cave, Old Master Li, knowing what his daughter was preparing, sighed gently. He rubbed his forehead; the iron chains entangled around him suddenly went CLANK, CLANK, and he had a somewhat forlorn appearance.
His gaze turned towards the depths of the Ghost Cave, as if he were conversing with someone. In a low voice, he said, "Before, I always felt this daughter of mine wasn't truly mine, but yours..."
"But looking at her now, it seems someone has finally given her a breath of true life..."
Inside the cave, a yin wind howled, whistling through the openings, as if something were whispering softly.
Old Master Li listened for a long moment, then chuckled softly. "Was it all just a futile scheme? Has nothing changed in the end?"
"The girl's fate is heavy. She ended up adrift in Mingzhou, yet she still managed to avoid all calamities and return safely to the cave. It must be that the ghostly gods are subtly protecting her. But no matter how much protection she receives, she was far from the Ghost Cave; how could there appear to be no change in her at all?"
"As I see it, there are only two possibilities."
"One is that the change has already occurred. Whether for good or ill, the seeds have been sown and are bound to sprout at some unknown time, causing turmoil."
"The second..."
He paused slightly before continuing, "It's less likely, but not impossible..."
"That is, the reason she returned safely is because the little shopkeeper who escorted her back has a fate even heavier than hers, one that suppressed all potential variables that might have arisen..."
"It's just that I hardly dare to entertain the thought. The girl is a born Yin Talisman bearer. In this world, how many could there be with a fate heavier than hers?"