Chapter 77 A Corner of the Answer

Such an oddball, so out of sync with everything, held such an extraordinary position within Bu Shi Niu.

I should have realized it earlier…

Just now, when I was immersed in the truth of my own destiny, I still felt a sense of shock and doubt. Why would Lao Junmei, such a capable person and a celestial being, be willing to bet on me? Why would he leave his legacy behind…?

I didn't expect to glimpse a corner of the answer upon returning.

Hu Ma wasn't sure how much this blood connection contributed to the real reason, but he figured the proportion must be high.

He turned his head to look at the delighted Miao Shan Xiangu, who was winking and circling around Zhou Si Guniang, whispering and only asking about new things, and thought with a wry smile.

Earlier, he thought she was unbelievably pure, not someone who could shoulder great responsibilities, and his evaluation wasn't high. But now he suddenly understood that perhaps her current appearance was what Lao Junmei wanted to see most.

What great responsibilities to shoulder? Just live a carefree, blessed, and happy life.

He took a low breath and subtly adjusted the small wings on Dou Guan's hat, signaling that he understood.

He would also help conceal this answer; it was the most basic kindness.

Little Dou Guan breathed a sigh of relief, gave Hu Ma a formal salute, and then hurried over to help Miao Shan Xiangu tidy up the memorial tablets. Hu Ma also took incense and came before the coffin of his biological father, respectfully and earnestly bowing a few times.

This is my biological father…

No, there's no "biological" about it. He truly is my father, the only one.

My memories of him are almost nonexistent, but the connection between our bloodlines surfaced as I understood my destiny.

He had already shielded me from one disaster before I was even aware.

Then, using the remaining karma, he blocked the Da Luo Faction's attempt to change my fate more than a decade later.

But what exactly happened between the Hu family and Lao Junmei?

Why did both my father and Lao Junmei, using the remnants in this karmic soul, unanimously choose me to block the Da Luo Faction's means of changing fate?

Why did the Hu family, who should have been mortal enemies with the previous reincarnated being, achieve some kind of complex and ingenious cooperation in me? As Hu Ma resealed his father's coffin, his eyes deepened, and he had specific questions.

After offering incense, the arm that his biological father extended from the coffin slowly lowered.

Hu Ma resealed the coffin and looked back to see that this battlefield had become deathly silent.

He performed a hand seal, urging the rolling Yin soldiers (ghost soldiers) that had spread across the battlefield to return to Yin Jiangjun's body. Earlier, when facing the Guanzhou Hungry Ghost Army, Yin Jiangjun had already gained nearly 100,000 Yin soldiers. This time, the number of Yin soldiers was clearly even greater.

Watching the Yin troops automatically jump back into the iron coffin and sink into the ground with it, Hu Ma narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Let's go, let's go."

Over there, Little Dou Guan helped Miao Shan Xiangu pack her bags and called the workers and cart drivers.

"The stench of blood is too heavy here; we'll rest after we pass this place."

"It's still early; we can get half a night's sleep. After waking up, if we hurry a bit, we'll reach Shangjing…"

"..."

The carriages were readied and slowly started moving.

As they traveled through this devastated battlefield, they saw some dazed and hunched figures slowly appearing in the battlefield, some coming from inside the city and others from outside.

These were the people who had been raised by the Food-Seeking Army, existing as food. They were still in a daze, and only after a long time did they realize they had been rescued. They rushed into the granaries, stables, and camps like madmen.

It was almost a joke. The Panshan military camp, which had been using people as military rations, actually still had food.

There were also black beans, wheat bran, millet, and even eggs.

But these were used to feed the mules and horses. People were directly eating people instead.

Hu Ma didn't leave his name here, nor did he gather these people. They should be able to survive for a while with these leftover rations and mules and horses, but it's only early spring now, and there's still the scorching summer in between before the autumn harvest…

Hu Ma couldn't find an answer to these problems himself, only a kind of invisible urgency.

"You… broke free?"

As the carriage slowly began to move forward, Old Suanpan patted his donkey's head and quickly walked a few steps to keep up with Hu Ma's carriage.

Hu Ma looked at him through the curtain and said, "Why don't you calculate it?"

"I did…"

Old Suanpan said with a bitter face, "But I didn't understand it. You must have done something just now, right?"

"I saw some things more clearly."

Hu Ma said slowly, "And there is indeed an opportunity to cut ties with your Da Luo Faction and jump out of this cage."

Old Suanpan was shocked, "Then you…"

Hu Ma said, "I didn't jump out, but instead took a step further."

"If the order you received was to lead me onto the Yangguan Avenue (a path to success) and take on the position of chief priest of your Da Luo Faction, then I am now closer to that goal. I have indeed vaguely seen the opportunity for transcendence in the mortal realm that you spoke of."

"I must admit, old brother, you helped me a lot. Your guidance is a great kindness, and I have deeply remembered this karma."

"Where, I was just ordered to be a mouthpiece…"

Hu Ma was too serious, which made Old Suanpan nervous, and he subconsciously wanted to decline, but stopped halfway through.

An old man becomes a sage, and he could taste the meaning. Little Shopkeeper would rather remember his kindness than the Da Luo Faction's?

Then he didn't need to decline.

The Da Luo Faction didn't pay wages and wasn't as particular about loyalty as ordinary sects…

But thinking carefully, he still couldn't help but say, "Then aren't you afraid…"

"People are afraid of not knowing their fate. Now that I know my destiny, what is there to be afraid of?"

Hu Ma actually smiled and said, "I don't need to hide from the Da Luo Faction anymore. I don't even reject the chief priest you mentioned."

"I should say that when I took that step forward, I officially entered the game."

"It's just that I'm not being pushed, but I'm voluntarily entering this game."

"Thinking about it, the two sides have been arguing about this game for so many years; it's time for a third person to enter."

"..."

Old Suanpan quietly fell silent, pressing down on the donkey's head, letting himself fall behind in the line.

A bright moon in the sky had emerged from behind the dark clouds. Everything was quiet, only the faint sound of Miao Shan Xiangu's teasing laughter and Zhou Si Guniang's shy scolding could be heard from the carriage behind, mixed with the helpless sigh of a little ghost messenger.

Hu Ma sat quietly in the carriage, closed his eyes, and quietly sank into his long-lost Natal Spirit Temple.

The nail of the Great Might Heavenly Duke General Seal was removed, and the door of the Natal Spirit Temple opened again.

In this deathly silent Spirit Temple, Hu Ma looked at the row of nine incense sticks placed on the altar before him, pondered for a long time, took one, and inserted it into the incense burner. Then he took a step back.

Watching the dark red mist rise and surge around him, he held his breath slightly. In his own Natal Spirit Temple, there was only a strange silence, and he couldn't hear anyone speaking.

He slowly stepped forward, placed his palm on the Natal Spirit Temple, and said softly, "Er Guotou (a type of strong liquor), old brother…"

"There's no need to rush to answer me. I know we both have questions, but I thank you for being willing to trust me."

"And those two ladies as well."

"I have reached the final step and will soon understand the answer to everything."

"I believe you will too."

"I would like to invite you to do something fun. I left something in the village behind that battlefield."

"After you get it, you will understand what I mean."

"I will figure out these things after I get to Shangjing and meet you to explain everything."

"But before that, I would like to ask you to pass on a message to Miss White Wine and Miss Sweet Potato Liquor."

"The message to Miss White Wine is to thank her."

"And for Sweet Potato Liquor, please ask her: Do you want to see the entire city of Shangjing submerged in a sky full of paper money?"

"..."

Even he couldn't help but purse his lips at this point. Then, he gently took back that stick of incense.

Er Guotou would hear his words; after all, he hadn't gone far yet.

Awakening from his trance, Hu Ma looked up in the direction of Shangjing, his eyes cold.

...

...

"National Preceptor, just now you…"

At the same time, in Shangjing City, everyone heard the sigh of the long-dead Mr. Hu Shan and saw the scene of the peach wood sword in the National Preceptor's hand breaking.

The next moment, they saw the five lamps in front of the National Preceptor suddenly flicker at the same time. The flames grew strong. Not only that, but even the four lamps that he had deliberately placed behind him suddenly ignited.

Two rows of lights shone brightly in all directions, making it seem as if the National Preceptor was sandwiched between these two rows of lights.

"As expected, they are all extraordinary people. I can't calculate it accurately…"

The National Preceptor held the broken sword, his expression dark and uncertain in the light of the oil lamps.

After a long time, he actually smiled and suddenly threw the broken sword in his hand aside, laughing softly, "It's getting interesting."

"The descendants of the Hu family really have an extraordinary ruthlessness."

Then he walked around the incense table, quietly looked at the complex and probing figures before the table, and smiled, "Everyone, the Hu family is not so easily persuaded, but he is still willing to give us a chance to see what our purpose is…"

"Then, it's time to welcome the person in charge of the Zhenchui Hu family into the capital."

"The Zhenchui Hu family, one of the prestigious Ten Clans, the second person on the Ascension List, the chief priest of the Da Luo Faction…"

"It should be us, the lazy ones, who make up for the etiquette and respect that the Hu family should have enjoyed."

"..."

Everyone listened, looking at each other. After a long time, someone suddenly laughed and said, "What the National Preceptor said is correct…"

"As members of the same Ten Clans, we should welcome the person in charge of the Zhenchui Hu family into the capital…"

(End of Chapter)