"This is..." Hu Ma listened, a wave of excitement rising in his heart. "This senior has promised to intervene when necessary?"
Ever since the people from the Tongyin Meng family arrived, he had indeed been a bit uneasy. Now, hearing the senior's words, he finally felt somewhat relieved.
However, on further reflection, this senior mentioned he couldn't leave Old Yin Mountain, yet also said he would come if necessary.
Could it be that if he wants to come over, he also has to pay a certain price?
Though an explanation had more or less been given, Hu Ma's curiosity grew even stronger. He didn't want to leave just yet. After a brief moment of pondering, he suddenly said to the old tree stump, "Senior, I have one more question."
"I know our Hu Family must have some grudges with the Meng Family, but I'm just confused."
"I want to ask, when will I be able to understand all this?"
Hearing Hu Ma's inquiry, the figure on the old tree stump fell silent for a moment, as if a heavy gaze had fallen upon Hu Ma.
After a short pause, he said softly, "In the past, you wholeheartedly avoided becoming part of the Hu Family. Your Hu Family once fell to the point of relying on a daughter-in-law from the Bai Family to preserve its last wisp of incense; even outsiders like us pitied her."
"You now seem to finally understand some things. However, to understand these matters, or to take the burden from your Granny's shoulders, you first need to become a true Hu Family member."
"Become a true Hu Family member?"
Listening to the old tree stump's words, a peculiar thought once again occurred to Hu Ma.
Leaving aside his biggest secret, his surname was already Hu, and even Granny acknowledged him. So why would he say such a thing?
After a brief hesitation, he replied, "Senior, I hadn't learned the Hu Family's Magic before, but now I've been trying to understand it, and I've even used it once."
If not learning the Hu Family's skills meant one wasn't a Hu Family member, then surely he had at least stepped through the door now, right?
"I can see that," the figure on the old tree stump said softly. "But you are still not considered a Hu Family member yet."
Hu Ma immediately frowned. "Then what does it take to be considered one?"
The old tree stump listened and suddenly chuckled. "I don't know, because I'm not a Hu Family member."
Hu Ma was momentarily stunned and cursed inwardly, All riddlers deserve death...
The old tree stump said indifferently, "I can sense the good and evil in people's hearts, and I can also sense if you're cursing me in your heart..."
Hu Ma silently thought, The old tree stump senior is invincible...
"In short, the Hu Family's situation is indeed dire, and your Granny's burden is heavy. She married into the family as an outsider, so a great deal of hope rests on you."
The old tree stump ignored him, sighed softly, and said, "It's right for you to want to understand the Hu Family's affairs, but you need to realize that understanding means it's time to take the burden from your Granny's shoulders."
From his plain words, Hu Ma felt an immense, unspoken pressure.
But there was one thing he heard very clearly.
Yes, the Hu Family was also one of the Ten Families.
Like the Tongyin Meng family, wielders of the mysterious Red Light Green Clothes, and the Divine Hand Zhao Family, they too were one of the Ten Families.
One of the ten most mysterious families in this world.
Such deep-seated grudges were bizarre and terrifying. How could a mere Shousui man like him, who had only just entered the Path, possibly bear such a burden?
Reincarnators liked to make a silent fortune. However, the Hu Family identity seemed to pull him right into the eye of the storm. He had always been subconsciously curious about the Hu family feud, but such a significant grudge was, on an instinctive level, repulsive to him.
"It seems you're not ready."
The senior on the old tree stump seemed to discern Hu Ma's thoughts from his expression. Sighing lightly, he said, "To be honest, I advised your Granny earlier not to cling to such a name. If the Hu Family was gone, it was gone.
"But your Granny, though her maiden name was Bai, is more of a Hu Family member than anyone actually surnamed Hu.
"She refused to listen to me, so it all falls on you.
"If you are willing, then indeed, there is still one last Hu Family member in this world. If you are unwilling…
"…then the grudge would also be settled."
Listening to these words, Hu Ma felt an inexplicable heaviness. After a moment of silence, he smiled and said, "I understand what Senior is saying. For now, let's talk specifics."
"It's best not to provoke the Meng Family members, and there's no need to meet them. However, they're searching each manor, using mirrors to examine people. I can't avoid it, can I? Shouldn't I prepare some measures?"
With a faint smile, the figure on the old tree stump said, "Here's what you do: after I leave, dig a handful of the earth from beneath my feet and take it back to the manor."
"When they come, smear this earth over your heart, and their mirrors should not be able to reveal you..."
Hu Ma had words he dared not speak: Senior, for such matters, shouldn't your tone be a bit more certain?
As if seeing through Hu Ma's thoughts, the old tree stump chuckled lightly and said, "The Tongyin Meng family has many methods. How could I dare give you an absolute guarantee?"
Hu Ma felt a bit helpless and quickly asked, "Then what exactly can this earth guard against?"
The old tree stump seemed somewhat stumped by this question. After a pause, he said, "Theoretically, it can guard a little against all kinds of Magic."
Hu Ma's heart stirred; he felt somewhat tempted.
He glanced slightly downward. Earth that could guard against anything was surely far better than yin bone jade or the like...
"If you like, you can take it all back. Though, only the first handful you dig will be effective."
The figure on the tree stump chuckled softly, already beginning to fade. "In short," he said, "what needed to be said has been said. I won't say much more. Just remember, no matter what the Meng Family does, don't lose your own footing."
"To be scared before they've even done anything… that's truly… pathetic."
Hu Ma listened and had more questions, but as the old tree stump spoke, it quietly vanished, as if merging into Old Yin Mountain. It left behind an empty patch of ground that bore no sign a tree stump had ever been there.
No matter what the Meng Family does, I must hold my ground first...
Hu Ma thought quietly, then crouched down. He brushed aside the weeds at the spot where the old tree stump had appeared and rolled up his sleeves.
Curious: it's clearly all the earth at his feet, so why is only the first handful effective, and the second not?
If this first handful is a bit larger, does it mean all the earth gathered is effective? If a bit slips through the fingers and is picked up again, will it still be effective?
He couldn't figure it out for a moment; many matters in this Path seemed somewhat inexplicable.
Though perplexed, he was still cautious. He made his hands as if dead, thrusting them forcefully into the earth and solidly scooping up a large handful.
He wrapped it in his outer robe, shouldered it, and then furtively left Old Yin Mountain under the cover of night, making his way back to the manor.
He stuffed the earth, along with the robe, under his bed and asked Little Hongtang to keep an eye on it, only then feeling slightly relieved.
At least this old tree stump senior has promised to help when necessary.
He thought silently, Of course, no matter what, I have to bear the burden myself first. I can't waste Granny's favor with the people at Old Yin Mountain for no reason.
He also speculated internally about what level of cultivation this old tree stump possessed.
Listening to his words, it seemed he wasn't particularly afraid of the Tongyin Meng family, just somewhat reluctant to get involved.
Although Hu Ma had never seen him perform Magic, and couldn't sense any oppressive aura from him due to the vast difference between them, he vaguely remembered that in their few encounters, this old tree stump felt different from other evil spirits.
Other evil spirits often appeared accompanied by a gust of cold wind, sometimes mixed with a foul, eerie stench.
But this old tree stump always seemed to be accompanied by a waft of fragrant air...
It was hard to describe the feeling. It wasn't the fragrance of perfume, but more like the scent of burning incense and joss paper—heavy, yet dignified and proper.
After all, this was an existence whose mere appearance somewhere meant the earth beneath its feet would be imbued with a certain amount of Mana...
...though only the first handful.
His mind settled, he quietly focused on the unfolding events.
He knew that the green-clothed child had started visiting each manor of the Red Lantern Society to find people. So, Hu Ma was also cautious, paying close attention to news in this regard.
This matter was handled quite openly. Hu Ma used the pretext of his existing enmity with Great Incense Master Zheng and his unease from just becoming Shopkeeper to thoroughly investigate the green-clothed child's actions.
He learned of their conduct in each manor and also knew that after their examinations, they would indiscriminately take some people away.
This disturbance caused the Shopkeepers of each manor great distress, yet they had nowhere to turn to reason with them.
The green clothes and Red Lanterns were already at odds. The green-clothed children, granted the authority to inspect members of the Red Lantern Society, seemed to take this opportunity for revenge. They offended quite a few people but were suppressed by the left and right protectors.
Furthermore, Incense Master Zheng, in his capacity as an incense master of the Red Lantern Lady's Club, acted as a guide for the green-clothed child in this affair, which further damaged his reputation.
Things are probably not that simple...
After some probing, Hu Ma had a clear idea: they would arrive at his manor sooner or later, though he didn't know why they were taking so long.
It's unavoidable, so let them come!
Thus, after another seven or eight days, his manor finally received a notice from a little ghost. It instructed the people of the manor to gather and wait early in the morning. Hu Ma took a deep breath and ordered the staff:
"Call everyone back! Prepare food, wine, and incense candles. Guests will be arriving tomorrow. Take good care of them!"
Though the guests were unwelcome, the necessary formalities couldn't be skipped.