The civilization of Huaxia has been passed down for five thousand years, and the "ox" has always represented loyalty, honesty, diligence, and capability in the hearts of the Chinese people. However, today I discovered that this "ox" in front of me felt more cunning than a fox and more sly than a rabbit, completely subverting my understanding of the world!
"A son must repay his father's debts; it is only right and proper. Doesn't your master also have the word 'father' in his name? You have no problem repaying the money your master owes."
"Brother Niu is right. If you don't repay the money this time, then your Yin Gua lineage can forget about asking us brothers for favors. We'll go our separate ways forever..."
Listening to their barrage of words, my head began to spin. I regretted not slapping myself twice, regretting taking on Wang Mazi's divination.
Wang Mazi's money was still a distant prospect, and I didn't even know how much he would pay me. Now, the debt collectors had already come knocking, and it was an undeniable debt.
Whether it was Niu Tou's 'son repays father's debt' or Ma Mian's threatening words, I saw no way to refuse. I could only pray in my heart that Master hadn't owed too much money...
I cleared my throat, interrupting Niu Tou and Ma Mian's continued onslaught. I said solemnly, "Two esteemed lords, may I know how much money my master owes?"
Niu Tou gave a cunning smile and said, "Not much, just ten million."
Ten million?
I breathed a sigh of relief. Money in the mortal world and money in the underworld were two different concepts. Ten million in the mortal world...
Niu Tou and Ma Mian paid no mind to my grim expression. Their eyes gleamed with excitement, as if the characters for money were practically written in them.
"Um, two esteemed lords, does my master have any receipts or IOUs for the money he owes you?"
"Are you doubting our words?" Niu Tou's smiling face suddenly changed. His ox-like eyes widened, and a chilling wind swept through the room, lowering the temperature by more than ten degrees.
Although Ma Mian remained silent, his face also turned grim, showing his displeasure at my suspicion.
The intense ghostly aura pressed down on me, making it difficult to stand upright. I felt as if I were carrying two mountains on my shoulders.
Hmph—
With a cold snort, the ghostly aura vanished instantly. The pressure on my shoulders eased, and Niu Tou and Ma Mian both took a step back, looking at Bai Ling'er with surprise.
"Chu Shi Xian?"
"A member of the Liu family?"
One ox and one horse exclaimed in succession, their expressions tinged with fear.
"You don't need to concern yourself with who I am. Debts must be repaid; it's only right and proper. If you have an IOU, then present it. If not, then quickly take your people and get lost, or don't blame me for being impolite."
Niu Tou and Ma Mian exchanged glances. After a brief communication, Ma Mian let out a crow-like laugh.
"Kid, I didn't expect your skills to be even greater than your master's, to be able to find a Liu family member to back you up. We brothers admit defeat this time. However, debts must be repaid; it's only right and proper. Even if you invite the ancestor of the Liu family out, it won't do any good. You want to see the IOU? Here, take it..."
As soon as Ma Mian finished speaking, he casually took out a book, flipped through it a couple of times, and handed it to me.
On a certain year, month, and day, Zhang Danian ferried seven souls, cost 250,000 yuan...
On a certain year, month, and day, Zhang Danian ferried one vengeful spirit, cost 600,000 yuan...
On a certain month, a certain day, Zhang Danian...
...
After looking at just a few entries, I was certain that these were the debts owed by my master. Each debt clearly stated the time and reason for the debt. Most importantly, at the end of each month, there was a cumulative debt, and above it was my master's signature, which was so distorted it was harder to read than a crawling earthworm. I had no reason to deny it.
Because my master's handwriting was so atrocious, it was harder than climbing to heaven to imitate it.
Seeing that I had finished reading, Ma Mian put away the ledger and said, "Kid, when do you plan to repay the money? Your master has owed us brothers for almost two years. This ten million is based on the fact that you just took over your master's dojo, so we gave you a 20% discount and didn't calculate interest. Otherwise, the amount would be even greater."
This time, Niu Tou did not chime in but merely watched coldly from the side, still displeased with my earlier suspicion.
I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead. I had intended to use Bai Ling'er's "snake prestige" to outright deny the debt if there were no IOUs. However, with my master's signature on the debts, there was no way to escape.
"Two esteemed lords, I acknowledge my master's debt..."
Before I could finish, Niu Tou interrupted me.
"It's good that you acknowledge it. Then, shall we settle the payment now? Seeing as you are quite honest, we brothers won't charge you for this trip."
I wanted to jump up and curse, but it wasn't me who invited you. You were supposed to escort Wang Mazi here yourselves, yet now you're asking me for money.
"Two lords, I have just taken over my master's dojo. Today is the first day of business. Could you grant me some time to repay the money later? What do you say?"
"That won't do... we still need to give the money to..."
"Brother Niu, be careful with your words." Ma Mian interrupted Niu Tou's unfinished sentence. Niu Tou shivered and looked around before sighing in relief and giving an awkward smile.
"We can give you some time to adjust, but it can't be too long. Considering you've just taken over your master's dojo, we'll give you three months. If you don't repay by then, don't blame us brothers for calculating interest."
Three months? I need to earn sixty million? Do I really have to rob a bank?
But I could only bite the bullet and agree. As for whether I could earn so much money, that would be up to fate.
Seeing my agreement, Niu Tou's smile returned. "You're always so straightforward. Unlike your master, who always puts off paying when the topic of repayment comes up. Do you have anything else? If not, we brothers will be going back to report..."
Seeing that they were about to leave, I quickly said, "Two esteemed lords, please take Hu Niang and Xiao Nuan with you as well. I won't be issuing the guiding talisman."
I had initially thought that issuing the guiding talisman would bring the underworld officials to escort the souls to the netherworld. But now, it seemed that every time I needed to summon underworld officials, it cost money, and I didn't have that much money to give them!
"Why are you just like your master? Every time, you make us brothers do business at a loss. Alright, so be it."
As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Mian took out two chains, bound Hu Niang and Xiao Nuan with them respectively, and turned to enter the Yin Gate.