Chapter 1 Encounter

Having met the Li family and confirmed the identity of Xiang丫tou (fragrant girl), both Hu Ma and the other Jianghu (martial world) people felt relieved.

At the invitation of the Li family, they continued on their horses, slowly heading inward. The deeper they went, the more apprehensive they became. They had already entered the desolate mountains. Although the setting sun still hung on the mountainside, the surroundings were already dim, filled with a gloomy atmosphere.

Withered and tattered white banners and traces of burnt candle ash could be seen from time to time along the roadside.

Ancient trees towered into the sky, standing on both sides of the road, as if giants were watching the pedestrians below.

The desolate graves on both sides of the road became more numerous, scattered and uneven.

The group were all people who wandered the Jianghu. In this world, there were many evil things, but not everyone was good at dealing with them.

The Jianghu was mostly about making a living. Those who played the Jianghu well were mostly from the performing arts or the Shousui Ren (vigil keepers) who made a living by performing tricks and escorting goods and treasures. Even the Blood Food Gang could only be considered half.

Among the Jianghu people who came this time, not everyone was used to dealing with evil things. Seeing the ghostly environment of the Ghost Cave Li family, they couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

They continued until before dark, finally arriving at the village of Big Stone Cliff.

It was only here that everyone realized why there was such a strange name as Big Stone Cliff.

First, they saw a huge stone in the front, vaguely circular, located on the hillside. It didn't look like it was naturally formed, but rather like it was carved by someone. However, the stone was almost several *li* long and wide. Who could carve something so big?

Especially since it was located on the hillside, it looked like a well cover, as if it was covering something.

The village of Big Stone Cliff was built around this giant round stone, forming a circle with various houses.

Outside the houses were terraced fields, and cattle could be seen grazing in the fields.

Seeing the environment here, Hu Ma was surprised. The Ghost Cave Li family had such a great reputation, with butlers and servants. The master's family was indeed a young lady of wealth. Placed in the entire Anzhou area, she was famous and had status.

But now, it looked like a remote village, isolated from the world, a world of its own, comparable to the Big Sheep Village of Old Yin Mountain.

"Miss, quickly go wash up and go to the cave to see the master!"

"Since you had the accident, the master has been very worried. If there was no news, he would have come out to find you himself."

After bringing everyone here, the three elders of the Li family instructed Xiang丫tou (fragrant girl), and she was led away by several old women and maids who came up to her. These people were also very excited when they saw Xiang丫tou (fragrant girl), looking her up and down, and curious about how her hair was cut.

Xiang丫tou (fragrant girl) walked inside, looking back at Hu Ma. Hu Ma just nodded to her, signaling her to rest assured.

The two had been inseparable along the way, but now that they were home, they could no longer stay together.

On the contrary, they had to avoid suspicion.

Anyway, now that they were home, presumably even if those people were bold, they would not dare to do anything to Xiang丫tou (fragrant girl).

"Everyone, you've come from afar, you must be tired. Please enjoy the wine and food."

After taking Xiang丫tou (fragrant girl) inside, the three elders of the Li family were busy inviting everyone to the village for a meal. In a spacious courtyard, there were already more than a dozen tables, with chicken, fish, some fresh seasonal vegetables, and a jar of wine on each.

Although the level was obviously not low, Hu Ma felt a thump in his heart. This was not right. The level of the banquet was not high enough...

This was clearly the level of the Big Sheep Village when they entertained the Blood Food Gang managers from the city...

It was said that the Ghost Cave Li family had such a great reputation and was so powerful, so he wanted to come and plan something.

But now, why did it look so shabby?

Was it because the Ghost Cave Li family was stingy and reluctant to take out good things to entertain, or was it just that poor?

However, seeing that there was wine and food, some of the Jianghu people who were addicted to alcohol had not drunk at noon, so they could not hold back now, laughing and wanting to come over, but they were stopped by their companions.

Seeing that the wine and dishes were on the table, the Li family did not leave, but first carried one incense burner after another, placed them on the table, lit incense one by one, and kowtowed in the direction of the big stone.

This was not like it was for living people to eat, but for offerings?

Just as everyone was a little surprised, the three elders, after the younger generation had sacrificed and moved away the incense burners, turned to everyone and smiled apologetically, "This is the rule of our Big Stone Cliff. When we set up a banquet, we must first invite the ghosts and gods to enjoy it. Please don't blame us."

The Jianghu people felt strange. It was not a festival, so why was there such a rule?

But they all smiled and said it was okay, and then they all took their seats.

Hu Ma and the Fourth Master, Han Niangzi (Han Woman), of the three elders of the Li family, and several well-known figures on the Anzhou Jianghu Road sat in the chief seat, and were pushed to the right side of the west-facing table. This was the VIP seat, and even Han Niangzi (Han Woman) was sitting opposite him.

The elder personally poured the first cup of wine for Hu Ma, thanking him profusely, and then gave the task of pouring wine to the younger generation who poured wine.

Hu Ma measured the situation and was not overly active, but talked politely.

He suddenly felt that it was fortunate that Miss Red Wine had invited so many people to come together, otherwise the rules of this Ghost Cave Li family were so big that he might have been frightened.

In addition, the people of the Ghost Cave Li family were full of joy and gratitude, but Hu Ma knew what their true feelings were. Sitting here, he also felt one or two gloomy gazes from time to time, and secretly paid attention.

On the other hand, the people at this table were all smiling, saying only polite words of gratitude, and no one mentioned the awkward things.

The atmosphere was harmonious, as if the Li family's daughter had just been lost and sent back, without any of the dirty things.

The difficulties and insidious things he was worried about did not exist at all. With Miss Red Wine sitting opposite him, their people of the performing arts were sharp-eyed, and they could not hide anything from her eyes. But she did not remind him at all, and it could be seen that this was really just a banquet.

After three rounds of wine, everyone was full, and the Li family invited everyone to stay overnight.

Some Jianghu people who drank too much only said that they did not believe those things, and it would be okay to rush back at night.

The Li family only smiled and said, "Big Stone Cliff is different from other places, please do not refuse, just stay."

He also said, "But remember, after staying, do not go out at night, and do not open the windows."

"This is not because our Li family has too many things, it is the rule of the Ghost Cave."

"..."

Hearing them say this, everyone was silent for a while, and even those who had drunk too much woke up a bit.

Hu Ma was arranged in a clean farmhouse. Although it was a rough quilt and a wooden bed, it was simply cleaned up. He had been invited by people just now, and he had drunk a few more cups, but the physique of the Shousui Ren (vigil keeper) was there, so it was not too much. He silently thought:

"Once Xiang丫tou (fragrant girl) went in, she never came out again. Could something have happened? The master of the Li family has not shown up all the time. What is going on?"

"Even the Li family mentioned the Ghost Cave. It seems that the Ghost Cave is real..."

"I don't know what kind of place it is that is so rumored to be so mysterious?"

"..."

While he was curious, he suddenly heard a knock on the door. Hu Ma immediately woke up and got up and said, "Who is it?"

"Is benefactor not resting yet?"

Outside the door, a young voice sounded, "The master ordered that he wants to invite you over to thank you in person."

"Master?"

Hu Ma was stunned for a moment, then got up from the bed and opened the door.

Outside the door were two juniors from the Ghost Cave Li family. They were all wearing black cloth robes, and their hands and feet were strong. They seemed to be working in the fields all year round. Except for the faint Yin Qi (ghostly energy) on their bodies, there was no difference compared to farmers in other places.

Now they were carrying a white lantern to light the way, and behind them was the Big Stone Cliff, which was completely swallowed into darkness, without any light.

"Then please lead the way!"

Hu Ma was not without vigilance in his heart, but when he arrived at someone else's place, he had to show some composure.

The master of the Li family said he wanted to thank himself in person. Could it be that he had to call Miss Red Wine to accompany him?

Immediately, he straightened his clothes and followed them out, walking on the hard and rugged mountain road in the village. The two juniors of the Ghost Cave did not speak along the way.

Hu Ma did not speak either, but followed their lantern forward. The surroundings were as silent as death.

Seeing that they followed the small road in the village, turned inward all the way, and seemed to be heading into the mountains, where the big stone was located.

When passing an intersection, the two young people suddenly stopped.

Hu Ma also looked up and saw that the intersection ahead was filled with a circle of celadon bowls, filled with white rice with chopsticks inserted vertically, and a bonfire was burning in these celadon bowls.

No, it was a incense pile.

That was an unknown number of *su* incense, inserted together, burning with green smoke, and the dark red incense spots illuminated the surroundings slightly.

Looking at it in the middle of the night, it already made people feel hairy, but even more amazing was that on the other small road that intersected with the road they were walking on, there was the sound of iron chains, and then one by one, crooked figures walked over.

Hu Ma could actually see their faces clearly. They were all blank and godless, vaguely green, wearing either silk or coarse cloth, or even barebacked and barefoot.

Iron chains were tied to them, and they swayed as they walked.

When they reached the intersection, they all stopped, bent down, and took a few deep breaths towards the incense pile.

On their stiff faces, there seemed to be a trace of nostalgia, and then they reluctantly continued to move forward.

Some greedy people took a few more breaths, which blocked the way behind. The people next to the team pulled the chain hard, staggering him and stumbling forward a few steps. The people behind quickly followed, took a few deep breaths in front of the incense pile, and continued to move forward.

There were as many as dozens of people who passed by, and it was not until the incense pile was about to go out that they finished walking.

It was only at this time that the two guides whispered, "Let's go!"

Hu Ma couldn't help but be curious and whispered, "Those are..."

"Dead people captured from Yongle Prefecture."

One of the young men leading the way seemed to have a weird smile on his face and whispered, "Going to enter the Ghost Gate Pass."

"This is the last meal before entering the pass, of course, a dead man's meal."

(End of this chapter)