"I'm an honest man, plain and simple! Xiang asked me to bring these things. Even if I don't say anything, and Uncle Sun, Aunt Sun, and the workers at the Manor don't know, I still have to give the items to them, right? I was even worried it would be inconvenient for them, so I proactively exchanged the gifts for things that are easier to use."
And when Uncle Sun, Aunt Sun, and the workers at the Manor saw so many things, they were all so overjoyed their mouths hung open. They all praised how Xiang was truly a young lady from a prominent family, sending everyone so many gifts, including two taels of Silver each... It was simply astounding!
Especially Uncle Sun and Aunt Sun; they had worked in their small tavern all their lives but had never used such fine fabric to make clothes!
Not to mention, after they had a hearty meal, and before they left, Hu Ma secretly gave Uncle Sun and Aunt Sun twenty taels of Silver. He said it was a special token from Xiang to thank them for their care during this period. The old couple was so moved they were on the verge of tears.
As for the workers, Hu Ma was even more generous. He distributed everything Xiang had sent back in the two baskets—candies, meat, tobacco, cloth tigers, silver-plated trinkets, and the like—keeping nothing for himself.
He also told Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, and Zhao Zhu, "This trip, Xiang's family was very generous. They are also people of the Path and gave me some things related to abilities. As for how much oil lamp money you've earned, just hand it directly to me later. If it's not enough for now, we'll leave it at that. Once you have the skills, you can earn more."
...
Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu were deeply moved when they heard this. They envied Zhou Datong to no end, especially since Zhou Datong was always showing off in front of them, making them want to strangle him. Now, they finally had a chance to step onto the Path...
"Practice your techniques diligently. There's plenty of green food here, and I'll give each of you a Blood Food Pill." Hu Ma continued to instruct the two of them, "Improve your skills properly. Once your foundations are solid, I'll teach you how to enter the Path."
"As for the Manor's affairs, you two continue to help manage them for now. After this trip, I have many things to deal with, so I can't attend to these matters for the time being."
...
Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu were so excited they almost cried.
"That's no problem. Lately, there aren't many matters in the Manor."
Zhou Datong, listening, also said from the side, "But Brother Ma Zi, there's something else you need to decide!"
"In about another month, we'll be going back to the village for the New Year. How should our Manor's finances and provisions be handled?"
...
"Huh?" Hu Ma, hearing this, was taken aback. "Another year has passed already?"
He looked up. It was already winter, and the trees were bare of leaves. He suddenly realized it was indeed time for the New Year again.
As Hu Ma was contemplating, Zhou Liang at his side started counting on his fingers. "Actually, the profits weren't great this year. In the first half of the year, we were busy with the blood food mine, so we only received our standard wages and provisions."
"Later, when the village was plagued by malevolent spirits, the Manor's reserves were given to those Ghost Walkers who came to help. The Society did say they would clear the account and reimburse us."
"But the Society is also in a tight spot right now, and they haven't reimbursed us yet..."
...
"That's true..." Hu Ma only realized the full situation after hearing his words.
His own earnings had been quite good this year, but the Manor was indeed in a tight spot.
He recalled Incense Master Xu complaining about financial difficulties, and it seemed it wasn't an exaggeration. The Red Lantern Society needed to build a temple, pay tribute to their superiors, make thorough preparations to take over the green clothes gang's businesses, appease its members, and recruit new ones. How could their finances not be strained?
After thinking for a moment, he chuckled. "Let's keep things separate."
"We need to give the workers a sense that things are getting better every year. That way, they'll be more motivated in their work, right?"
"So, if the workers ask this year, just tell them they're guaranteed to take back more money and provisions than last year. You don't have to worry about this. If it's not enough, I'll cover it first and then find Incense Master Xu to settle the accounts."
...
Zhou Datong and the other brothers were deeply touched. Brother Ma Zi was truly great, always ensuring his brothers wouldn't suffer losses, even if it meant taking a hit himself.
"However, you must remember, when we return to the village this year, don't say I've become the Shopkeeper or anything like that."
Hu Ma recalled this serious matter and reminded Zhou Datong and the others.
Zhou Datong and the others were somewhat puzzled, staring blankly at him. Hu Ma sighed heavily and said, "It's too terrifying..."
"If we go back and say that, Second Master might think we've done something outrageous and wicked!"
"So this year, let's be low-key. We'll go back, have a meal with the family, burn some incense before the old fire pit, and then we must hurry back. There are so many things waiting to be done..."
...
When returning for the New Year this year, this matter had to be made perfectly clear.
Last year, when he became a junior manager, the people in the village thought he had made something of himself. They wanted him to kneel at the front during the worship at the old fire pit, made him offer sacrifices to the forest, and even arranged banquets to treat people.
If he went back this year and announced he had been promoted again to Shopkeeper, Hu Ma couldn't imagine what kind of commotion Second Master and the Old Clan Chief would stir up.
They might even parade around the entire forest, beating gongs and drums to announce it.
So, just saying he was a manager would be fine. That status was already enough for him to command respect in the village.
Having given these instructions, Hu Ma sent them off and returned to the inner courtyard, exhaling softly as he began to ponder.
Supporting these workers is exhausting...
I have to think about their Cultivation, and the money and provisions they'll take home for the New Year. This is unexpectedly costing quite a bit...
...It's going to use up about a tenth of my miscellaneous gains.
TSK!
After lamenting for a while, he carefully inspected the items under his bed. He took a deep breath, finding it difficult to describe his feelings at that moment.
Two large baskets of cured meat were hidden under his bed. How many large bundles would that make?
Besides, the Hu Ma of today was worldly. He usually treated white food like ordinary meat and green food as mere emergency rations. As for Blood Food...
...it was still a treasure, of course, but at least he no longer found it so astonishingly rare at first sight.
But now, what on earth were these things Xiang had asked him to bring back?
Although it had been smoked, he could still see the faintly red flesh beneath a layer of fat. Could this be Blood Tai Sui?
But upon closer inspection, it seemed somewhat different. Beneath the faintly red flesh, threads of golden radiance were subtly visible. This golden sheen was different from that of Golden Silk Tai Sui. Golden Silk Tai Sui had actual golden threads growing within its flesh and was specifically for healing Divine Soul damage.
However, the cured meat from Xiang's family had an overall golden aura, yet its fundamental nature seemed to be that of Blood Tai Sui. Just a glance at it caused his own qi and blood to faintly stir.
Could it be that Blood Tai Sui also comes in different grades?
Hu Ma mused internally. Or perhaps, this is something that has surpassed the quality of Blood Tai Sui in essence?
Unfortunately, such a good item couldn't be casually revealed. He could only reluctantly cut off a small piece for now, intending to show it to Incense Master Xu or an old, knowledgeable Worship from the Society for examination later.
SLURP...
As he was pondering, a cool breeze suddenly brushed past him. Little Hongtang had squatted down beside him, her eyes wide, silently staring at the pile of items. She didn't say a word, just kept looking. She was very well-behaved and sensible, but her saliva was, quite embarrassingly, dripping.
Hu Ma thought for a moment, then carefully pinched off an even smaller piece from the bit he had already cut and gave it to Little Hongtang. "This stuff is all very useful, you know..."
Seeing Little Hongtang gulp it down in one bite, looking as if she wanted more, he hurriedly put the lid back on the basket. He then said to Little Hongtang sternly, "You absolutely mustn't sneak any more of this, and don't tell anyone about it."
"Little Hongtang never steals food."
Hearing this, Little Hongtang pouted angrily and crossed her little arms. "Little Hongtang never steals food! Even when I was with Granny, I never stole food."
"Such a good girl."
Hu Ma quickly patted Little Hongtang's arm, then grabbed a large handful of green food jerky from a jar beside the bed and offered it to her.
Little Hongtang leaned her small head forward to sniff it, then wrinkled her nose in disdain and walked away.
This left Hu Ma standing there dumbfounded. This kid, she even looks down on green food now?
After settling everything, he brewed a cup of tea and sat quietly in the Taishi Chair, sipping it as he contemplated his affairs. Once he had a rough plan in mind, he spread out his bedding, climbed onto the bed, and lay down to rest.
Drifting into slumber, yet with his mind still aware, he soon arrived before his Lifebound Spirit Temple. He gazed at the incense table, and behind it, the shimmering golden limbs and the suspended organs that resembled golden threads.
Calming himself slightly, Hu Ma approached the incense burner and began to call out softly, "Bai... oh no, Miss White Wine, are you there?"
He had only called out twice when Miss White Wine's voice resounded, "You're back?"
"How was the journey this time?"
...
"Very smooth!"
Hearing Miss White Wine's voice, Hu Ma finally felt like he had truly returned. He smiled and said, "It went very smoothly! Thanks to Miss Red Wine from Anzhou, the Dongzi Li Family affair has been settled."
"And as for myself, I must say, I gained a lot of new experiences!"
...
"It's good that it went smoothly."
Miss White Wine also chuckled softly. "I am rather curious, now that you've made this trip, what do you think of those people in Anzhou?"
"They're very arrogant and very bold." Hu Ma replied, "But they're also very loyal to their own. Their way of doing things is vastly different from ours."
Miss White Wine didn't comment directly, but her voice seemed to carry a hint of amusement. "Then, what about Miss Red Wine herself? What do you think of her?"
"She..."
Hu Ma was momentarily taken aback. For a moment, he found it hard to define her. After a pause, he suddenly smiled. "She... asked me to pass on a verbal message to you."
Miss White Wine sounded slightly surprised. "What is it?"
Hu Ma had been preparing this message the entire journey. Now that it was time to say it, he felt a bit of pressure. He paused, then mustered his courage and said softly, "She said... she used a secret medicine from the trick door to concoct a special rouge for you."
"It's for beautifying the complexion, making it fair and radiant. It can even... enhance... enhance the bust..."
...
Miss White Wine's breathing suddenly seemed to grow heavier. Hu Ma felt a little scared listening to it.
Then, he suddenly heard her let out a cold laugh, her voice rising in pitch. "She actually has the mind to consider such things? She should worry about herself first!"
"Doesn't she even look at where that birthmark of hers is located!"