Chapter 15 Stone Horse Town

Hu Ma and Old Abacus quickened their pace, but it was nearly twilight before they finally caught sight of a town, nestled among the mountains and forests. It was a bustling place, with buildings and pavilions, and mules and horses weaving through the streets.

As they approached, they saw a stone horse standing atop a stone pedestal. The sculpture was lifelike and surrounded by a circle of broken stones, with signs of incense offerings on either side, as if the horse were worshipped as a god.

"This is Stone Horse Town," Old Abacus said, his spirits lifting as they reached the town after their long journey. "It used to be a big city, with quite a history!"

"Legend has it that a plague once ravaged this area, causing great suffering and death. A retired general from the previous dynasty, witnessing the devastation caused by the plague demons, rode his horse and wielded his sword to slay them. He vanquished the demons, but perished in the process."

"The people, grateful for his deeds, buried him near the village. His horse, loyal to its master, lingered by the grave and eventually turned into a stone horse."

"Over time, the general's tomb was lost, but the stone horse remained."

Hu Ma listened, finding the story interesting but difficult to verify. Such tales were common, and even with the presence of strange powers in the world, rumors and exaggerations were abundant.

As he listened, he looked up at the town and sighed softly, "This town is quite lively, even though it's in the mountains."

"Heh heh..." Old Abacus glanced around and whispered, "It was once an ancient city, but now it's a den of bandits. The One Coin Sect (Yi Qian Jiao) has become quite powerful, driving out the local government from the surrounding prefectures and looting the granaries."

"But they're also afraid that the government will send troops, so they rarely stay outside. They spend most of their time in the mountains, setting up altars, building wild temples, and gathering followers. The bustle here has attracted merchants and locals from the surrounding areas, all coming here to do business."

"There are no taxes or laws here, making it much livelier than the outside world!"

"Good heavens, are they really trying to rebel?" Hu Ma wondered. The government was already discreet enough.

They usually didn't interfere, only wanting to collect taxes. If people refused to pay, they generally didn't cause too much trouble. To drive out the government under such circumstances seemed like they wanted the reputation of rebels at any cost.

He understood the Red Lantern Mother Society's way of survival, but he didn't quite understand the One Coin Sect's methods.

This was a good opportunity to learn more.

"Let's go, I'm starving. Master Sun should have prepared the feast by now, right?" Old Abacus urged, leading Hu Ma into the town. "This place is large, with many capable people. Since it's beyond the law, all sorts of people gather here. Even though you're skilled, be careful."

Hu Ma replied, "I know."

He dismounted his donkey and led it into town. In the outer cities, one would be searched upon entering, but not here.

Old Abacus only gave a word of advice and didn't ask more.

He was good in that aspect. He had long discovered that Hu Ma had many secrets, and his ability to protect the mansion during the New Year was unlike anything a small Red Lantern Society manager should possess. However, although he was curious, he wouldn't ask or pry.

Of course, in return, Hu Ma didn't pry into his affairs either.

The two walked down the street, finding it bustling with activity. Even though night was approaching, the stalls showed no sign of closing. Instead, they lit lanterns and continued their business, making it seem more lively than the outer prefectural cities.

When they arrived at the Sifang Inn (Four Directions Inn), where Master Sun had arranged to meet, Old Abacus was stunned by the lights, seductive women, and green-hatted pimps at the entrance.

He sighed deeply, "This place may be lawless, but it's a good place. It's even better than the city."

Hu Ma glanced at him and asked, "How so?"

Old Abacus took a deep breath and said, "The ladies here wear shorter skirts and have whiter legs than those in the city."

"...And their rouge smells better than the ones in the city!"

"...Using the small to see the big, good reference!"

Hu Ma praised and led his horse to the front of the building. He smiled at the pimp soliciting customers and asked, "Big Teapot, is Master Sun of Willow County hosting a banquet here?"

The pimp hurried to greet them, first instructing someone to take the livestock they were leading and feed them well in the back, then bowing and leading Hu Ma and Old Abacus inside.

Along the way, they saw that the place was spacious. The rows of large houses were brightly lit, and they could see people eating and drinking inside. Most of them looked like merchants, but many also had a fierce air, showing the true colors of martial world heroes.

"Brother Hu, you've finally arrived. A table full of good friends is waiting for you to start the feast." Master Sun came out to greet them halfway, smiling. "I heard your footsteps from afar and came out to meet you."

He greeted Hu Ma and Old Abacus and lowered his voice, telling Hu Ma, "I've already passed the message. I got my martial sister's approval before inviting you."

"Tonight, I can introduce you, but you can't be looked down upon at the feast!"

"Hearing my footsteps from afar?" Hu Ma smiled and agreed, following Master Sun inside, feeling impressed.

He had heard Master Sun say during their drinking session at the mine that this was his unique skill, called the Art of Earthly Hearing. He had developed it after mastering his seven orifices.

Now, in this bustling and noisy place, he could accurately hear his footsteps. It was just a small demonstration. His real skill was listening to the ground, a skill passed down from the military camps.

It was said that by lying on the ground, he could hear movements from dozens of miles away and determine the type of people, how many were riding horses, how many were walking, and how much supplies they were carrying. Of course, Hu Ma had only heard Master Sun say this and hadn't had the chance to see it himself.

"So..." Hu Ma had already guessed after Sun had secretly delivered the message. Hearing Sun's words, he nodded and whispered, "The martial sister you mentioned who doesn't eat beef is also related to the One Coin Sect?"

"Guessed it?" Master Sun smiled and said, "It's more than just related. The martial sister I mentioned is actually the leader of our One Coin Sect, the Most Virtuous, Utmost Sincere, Profound and Mysterious Fairy."

"Otherwise, why would you think I, an old man, would join the One Coin Sect?"

"To be honest, we don't believe in them, but rather in the experts who don't eat beef. My senior brother instructed me back then, and now that I know the One Coin Sect is backed by those who don't eat beef, how can I not help?"

"...Of course, the One Coin Sect has a strong reputation. The deities they worship may not be as powerful as your Red Lantern Mother, but they are all responsive to requests."

"Good heavens..." Although he had guessed it, Hu Ma found it quite novel to hear that someone who didn't eat beef had become the leader of the One Coin Sect.

Or was the One Coin Sect secretly established by those who didn't eat beef?

Like a branch company?

If that were the case, then the leader of the One Coin Sect was even more likely to be a transmigrator...

Silently pondering, he followed Master Sun inside, smiling softly, "I had some unpleasantness with the One Coin Sect's Dharma King because of the mine..."

"It's okay." Master Sun said, "I'll explain it. I gave her a few pounds of blood food to nourish her body, and said it was from you. Why would she hold a grudge?"

"Now, she's just afraid that this matter will spread, ruining her reputation and that of the Lotus Virgin. As long as we don't mention it, why would she go around telling everyone? If she really made it known, the people above wouldn't spare her mouth!"

Hu Ma was touched by his words, "Brother, you're so thorough..."

But he also wondered, what did the old man mean by telling him not to be looked down upon at the banquet?

Could there be some kind of test at the feast?

As they spoke, Master Sun led him to a three-story building, which was facing a street, appearing lively. Master Sun led the way upstairs, where all three floors were filled with people.

Old Abacus waved his hand and sat down there, only letting Hu Ma follow them upstairs.

Upstairs, they saw a table of people sitting by the window facing the street, all rising and cupping their hands in greeting.

"Come, come, let me introduce you all. This is Brother Hu, whom I mentioned."

Master Sun led Hu Ma over, smiling and telling the others, "A manager in the Red Lantern Society, managing a blood food mine at a young age. What I value even more is that he's an expert in our Year-Keeping skills. His abilities are no weaker than mine."

He then introduced Hu Ma to the others, "This is the Old Altar Master of the Great Benevolence Treasure, that's the Manager of the Mule and Horse Business, this is the Second Leader of the Bamboo Gang, and this is the son-in-law of Granny Wu, who officially married Granny Wu's goddaughter as his wife..."

"...Oh, this one's the most powerful. All the coffins in Stone Horse Town are his business!"

Listening, Hu Ma felt that all sorts of people were present, including some ridiculous ones. Especially, what was up with Granny Wu's son-in-law?

He seemed untouched by lust, but why was his complexion so sallow?