Just asking for advice…

Hu Ma saw that the old gentleman was unhappy and felt a little awkward.

He had just been curious about these things, so he asked casually. In this world, there are living souls and evil spirits, as well as the Li family named "Wuchang" (Impermanence), so theoretically, the underworld should also exist.

But he had been in this profession for some time and had never seen anything like it.

This old zouguiren (soul escort) said that the underworld was closed, and his attitude was very calm when he said it, as if he were talking about a generally accepted thing. Hu Ma thought there was some secret that everyone knew.

It turned out it was just a generally accepted rumor…

Then, Hu Ma couldn't understand it even more. Generally speaking, these generally accepted rumors have two origins.

Either something like this really happened, so it was passed down by word of mouth and everyone knew about it.

Or, it was because everyone was curious as to why there were evil spirits everywhere, why there was no underworld to guide these living souls down, and why there were no ghosts and gods to restore peace to this world.

Everyone was curious and wanted an answer, but they didn't know the reason, so they made random guesses, which could be considered a psychological comfort.

But now, it could only be a guess after all. This world was too chaotic, with evil spirits rising together, which had made many people lose the ability to think. They just wanted to survive first.

And for himself, thinking about these questions might be too early.

The *Zhen Sui Shu* (Talisman Age Book) involved some secrets, but now he could only chew through a tiny bit of it.

The emperor who was skinned alive, the collectively invisible government, the underworld that was said to be closed, and the unattainable ten prominent families who seemed to have discussed some major event in the stone pavilion…

…Perhaps, he would only understand these things when he was qualified to meet with the ten families!

"Old sir, don't stay out too late. I'll ask you for advice again tomorrow."

Hu Ma couldn't ask any more questions, so he had to talk to the old zouguiren (soul escort) with a smile. Seeing that the old man seemed to dislike him, he didn't disturb this ancient tradition. After returning, he prepared to set up another banquet the next day to entertain them.

But what he didn't expect was that when he got up early in the morning, he went to Yellow Dog Village to make arrangements, and Yellow Dog Village, which had been recovering for a day, had already taken the initiative to do this.

Even many neighboring villages, whose families had received help, came to送米面 (sòng mǐ miàn - send rice and flour) and send eggs.

But very few zouguiren (soul escorts) came to eat this meal.

Most of the zouguiren (soul escorts) had quietly left after comforting the亡灵 (wánglíng - the dead) last night.

This profession of theirs also had its own rules and traditions. It didn't matter how they did things normally, but they had to follow the rules when it came to serious matters.

This time, the disturbance of evil spirits was not a matter for one family or one household, but a disaster.

So, when they received the news, they all came, but after helping, they didn't accept offerings and just left silently.

"Then let the villagers eat it. Don't waste it."

Hu Ma stood at the entrance of the village, watching the figure of a zouguiren (soul escort) who was carrying a load and walking away. He didn't try to keep the other person.

He just bowed slightly to their backs and then walked back.

"Take good care of the zouguiren (soul escorts) who are recovering from their injuries. If you lack anything, go to the village to get it."

He instructed one by one: "Use good wood to make coffins for the three who died, collect their remains, offer incense to them, and wait to send them home."

Only after he had done all this did he return to the village again.

He had clearly slept for several hours last night, but for some reason, as soon as he lay down on the bed now, as if he really knew that this matter was finally over, his eyelids felt heavy again.

The fatigue that seemed to have been hidden in his body for several days suddenly surged up, and he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Until, he was awakened by a voice: "Brother Lao Baigan, are you there?"

"The Transcenders are finally going to have a meeting?"

Hu Ma immediately reacted and found himself in his Natal Spirit Temple.

He felt a little relieved in his heart.

As soon as the Meng family came, the Transcenders immediately decided to lie low. It just so happened that during this period of time, he had faced the most powerful opponent and the most complicated situation since his transmigration.

At that time, he thought that it would be good to communicate with the Transcenders and ask for some advice, but he couldn't break the decision made by the four of them together just because of himself.

Now that the Meng family had left, they had all become active.

"Brother Lao Baigan has also seen it, right? That person from the Tongyin Meng family has already left Ming Prefecture."

Erguotou's voice didn't sound relaxed, but rather more suppressed than before. He said in a low voice, "But this doesn't mean that we're all right. I... I think that our situation looks even more dangerous than before?"

"Hmm?"

Hu Ma's mood had already relaxed, but he never expected him to say that.

Startled, he quickly said, "What's wrong?"

"Because that person from the Meng family didn't leave voluntarily, but was frightened away by someone in this Ming Prefecture…"

Miss White Wine's voice rang out faintly: "And the Green-Clad Evil Ghost was also directly killed by someone in Ming Prefecture using a magic altar."

"To be able to frighten away someone from the Tongyin Meng family and kill the Green-Clad Evil Ghost so easily."

"Think about it, what level should this person be at?"

"…"

"Is there even a need to think about it?"

Erguotou's voice sounded a little low, even a little flustered: "To be able to kill a dog of the Ten Families and scare away someone from the Ten Families, they must also be at the level of the Ten Families."

"But the most important thing is that, judging from the fact that the Meng family came to look for someone and used this method to force someone to show up, that person has always been staying in Ming Prefecture…"

"Speaking of which, the things we've been cooperating on were all carried out under their noses. Aren't you afraid?"

"…"

Listening to his complaining and worried voice, Hu Ma also understood the situation and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

This time, he had no choice but to do it, but he had scared the Transcenders?

"Senior, senior, I'm here…"

Just as he was thinking, a crisp voice suddenly rang out, and another wisp of smoke separated from the incense on his life and connected to another person through the dark red mist.

Sweet Potato Liquor came a little later than Hu Ma. As soon as he arrived, he was very excited: "Have you all seen what's been happening recently? My God, the Green-Clad Evil Ghost was actually killed, and the Meng family has also left…"

"This shows that there's an expert in Ming Prefecture, and they must be involved with the Meng family and the Ten Families."

"What do you say, if we cooperate and dig this person out, how much would it be worth to sell this information?"

"…"

"?"

As soon as these words came out, Erguotou, Miss White Wine, and Hu Ma were all startled.

Then, they spoke in unison: "Shut up!"

This Sweet Potato Liquor was really too bold…

Hu Ma was startled by this guy. Everyone else was afraid of him now, even Red Lantern Niangniang (Red Lantern Goddess) was so afraid that she had reformed. Brother Erguotou's voice was trembling with fear, but how could you, you reckless fool, not be afraid, and even want to find me?

It's a good thing I'm not really from the Hu family, otherwise, I would have拘 (jū - arrest) you to the altar!

"Hey…"

Sweet Potato Liquor was scolded by the three of them at the same time and immediately cowered: "Hehe, I'm just making a suggestion…"

"If you make this kind of suggestion again, you will be kicked out of our circle."

Miss White Wine said faintly: "Erguotou is right, with such a person in Ming Prefecture, we do need to be vigilant."

"Of course, there's no need to be so afraid. We have been cooperating for a long time, and we are still fine until now, which shows that the person in Ming Prefecture is not paying attention to our Transcender matters."

"Or, they are also in a difficult situation themselves and are hiding here. The Meng family spent so much effort to find them because it was not easy to find them…"

"…"

Erguotou said worriedly: "Even if they are hiding here, it's not impossible that they have discovered us."

"We were too careless before. I can't chat with you anymore in the future…"

"…"

"I thank you."

Miss White Wine said faintly: "However, it is a fact that the Ten Families once purged the Transcenders, but this does not mean that everyone in the Ten Families has the ability to find the Transcenders from the crowd."

"In fact, until now, we don't know if the Ten Families have the ability to see through our dreams. We just don't know the reason for the last purge."

"But since we have confirmed that there is someone here who is on par with the Meng family, or even at a higher level, we do need to be cautious."

"So…"

She pondered for a moment and then said, "Let's show our cards…"

Hu Ma was slightly stunned as he listened, not quite understanding what Miss White Wine meant by showing their cards.

Then, he heard her say, "Mr. Erguotou, if it were you, how many evil spirits of the level of the Green-Clad Evil Ghost or your Red Lantern Niangniang could you斩 (zhǎn - slay)?"

"…"

"?"

Hu Ma was dumbfounded when he suddenly heard this. Sweet Potato Liquor was also obviously stunned.

Was this the wrong way to put it? Was Miss White Wine joking? Erguotou was just a Dharma Protector beside Red Lantern Niangniang…

"Ah?"

Erguotou was also obviously frightened by Miss White Wine's words. He also had a feeling of having his underwear exposed in public, and he said in a panic, "What are you talking about? I am loyal to our Niangniang (Goddess), and I will not hesitate to die for her. I will give her my life and my body…"

"I believe you."

Miss White Wine said faintly: "So, if you really let go and fight, how many evil spirits like Red Lantern Niangniang could you除 (chú - eliminate)?"

"…"

"How could I eliminate her…"

Erguotou was already terrified and repeatedly said: "What kind of person is Niangniang? Her magical power is overwhelming, and she cuts off people's lives. In front of her, I…"

"…I can't bear to."

"…"

Hu Ma and Sweet Potato Liquor were both stunned at once. What was going on with this conversation?

(End of this chapter)