Chapter 1 The Sound

"Ah..."

Hearing this voice out of the blue, Supervisor Xu immediately panicked.

Even Yang Gong suddenly clenched his teeth, clearly feeling pressured by this person's arrival.

They had told Hu Ma all that to illustrate how terrible the magic duel was. Fortunately, Hu Ma had secretly received a reminder from Yang Gong and had hidden himself away beforehand—a very good thing.

The shopkeeper from their Green Stone Town had already been chosen.

However, novices and veterans alternated every other day, and Sun Niu Zi, who had replaced Hu Ma, hadn't entered the formation yet. What if something went wrong?

Even so, they dared not do anything, like directly letting Hu Ma run.

Red Lantern Goddess valued this magic duel extremely highly, and would descend upon the town as soon as night fell.

Nothing could escape her notice. If they urged Hu Ma to run away now, they would have to sacrifice two lives. Helpless, they could only wait and see, hoping that Chief Incense Master Zheng wouldn't have any ulterior motives at this time.

Of course, that was just wishful thinking. Chief Incense Master Zheng not only came, but came very quickly.

It was the first time Hu Ma had seen him. He was a man with a square face wearing a brocade robe, quite heroic-looking, appearing to be in his forties. He carried his hands behind his back and brought a few disciples in green robes with him.

Sun Niu Zi followed behind him, looking nervous and constantly peeking into the house.

Chief Incense Master Zheng arrived at the door, didn't even greet Supervisor Xu and Yang Gong, and just said with a faint smile, "I heard that Shopkeeper Hu Ma is back. Which one is him?"

"..."

There were only three people in this damn room, and you know the other two...

...Besides, you're finally willing to call me shopkeeper now?

Hu Ma stood up, feigning surprise and asked, "Who is this? Why is he calling me shopkeeper?"

"Hmph!"

Chief Incense Master Zheng's face turned cold, and he said, "My surname is Zheng. I'm a Green Robe Chief Incense Master in the Red Lantern Society. Didn't you see me when you first joined the society and burned incense?"

"Don't play dumb in front of me. You performed a great service earlier, and Wu Hong fully recommended you. Everyone in the society agreed to make you the shopkeeper. Who knew that when the important event was near, you would run away? You really don't understand the rules."

"But now we need people. I won't make things difficult for you. Follow me and confirm your title!"

"If you can help the Red Lantern Goddess win a round, then everything will be forgiven."

"..."

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the room was shocked. Supervisor Xu couldn't help but tremble and said, "That..."

"...Isn't the person already decided? Can it still be changed?"

"..."

"We decided it, but the Green Robe Faction doesn't know. Isn't it better to change to someone more reliable?"

Chief Incense Master Zheng looked at Supervisor Xu and snorted coldly, "Do you have any objections?"

Supervisor Xu wasn't one to cause trouble, so he stopped talking. This Chief Incense Master Zheng wasn't well-liked in the society. Even Supervisor Xu didn't respect him much, but after all, his rank was higher than his own.

He dared to secretly help Hu Ma, and he dared to secretly compete with this Chief Incense Master Zheng, but on the surface, he could only be polite.

Helping Hu Ma by saying a word when he shouldn't have was already a great favor.

"Decided your ass."

At this moment, Yang Gong couldn't help but burst out骂骂, "Zheng, you have a good plan. When my brother performed a service, you found your cheap brother-in-law to snatch the position. Now that something's happened, you want to replace your little brother-in-law."

"Don't you see what kind of state my brother is in? How can he win this round?"

"..."

Chief Incense Master Zheng wasn't angry at being scolded by Yang Gong. Perhaps he had been scolded several times before and was used to it.

He just said coldly, "It doesn't matter if he's injured. As long as he can move. Haven't we already discussed a surefire way to win?"

"I'm not making things difficult for him, I'm still giving him the credit..."

"..."

"That method..."

Yang Gong's expression changed drastically when he heard this, as if he was a little afraid.

He suddenly pulled out his steel saber and shouted, "Zheng, don't bully people too much. My brother Yang Gong won't be harmed by you."

"Oh?"

This Chief Incense Master Zheng looked at the saber Yang Gong had drawn, but only frowned, and said with a smile that wasn't a smile, "Senior Brother Yang, you've performed a great service, but you don't seem to understand the reasoning."

"We're all putting in effort for the Red Lantern Goddess, so how can you say that I'm harming your brother?"

"Since you're so dissatisfied, then I want to ask, is your brother important, or is the society's important matter more important?"

"..."

Yang Gong was retorted by him and was both anxious and angry, unable to speak.

Hu Ma watched silently from the side and vaguely understood: Yang Gong was quick-tempered, and this Zheng happened to restrain him.

If Yang Gong hadn't risked his life to perform that great service, he would probably have been worn to death by this Chief Incense Master Zheng...

But now, Yang Gong had managed to make a name for himself. That great service made him a Third Incense Disciple.

Now, in the society, other than the Protectors and incense burners, other venerated positions, shopkeepers, and supervisors all had to call him Senior Brother Yang. On the other hand, this Zheng had too deep of a grudge against him, and they were too lazy to repair their relationship.

At the same time, he had already developed a murderous intent towards this Chief Incense Master Zheng's actions.

If he had retaliated against him earlier because of Yang Gong's matter, it would have been understandable. But now that it had come to this, he still wanted to send him to his death. Then he was trying to walk down a path of no return...

The only thing he didn't understand now was what this "sure win" method he was talking about was.

Yesterday, Er Guo Tou said that these people were deliberating. Could it be that they had really discussed a means to win a round for sure?

Judging from Yang Gong's reaction just now, this method was probably not simple...

Many thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, but he still wore a smile on his face and said, "It looks like I've really become a shopkeeper?"

"But I haven't received any seals, money, or food..."

"..."

Chief Incense Master Zheng glanced at him coldly and said lightly, "What is this? I can give it to you immediately."

"But let the people under me handle these things. You first follow me to see the Protector. The matter of the arena has to be decided by the Protector!"

"..."

Supervisor Xu and Yang Gong were shocked when they heard this.

Hu Ma thought about it seriously and said, "Since Chief Incense Master has said so, then I have to go."

"Usually, we eat the food rewarded by the Red Lantern Goddess. There's no reason not to work for the Goddess."

"..."

"You..."

Yang Gong was so nervous that he couldn't speak when he heard this. He reached out and grabbed Hu Ma's arm, but Hu Ma pressed his hand down and said to him in a low voice, "Brother Yang, it wasn't easy for you to risk your life to forge a path. Don't make things too difficult for my sake and break the rules."

"Since I must go through this calamity, I must forge my own path!"

"..."

Hearing Hu Ma say this, Yang Gong's eyes were slightly hot. He just wished he could punch Hu Ma a few times. How could he survive in this deceitful world if he was so honest?

Supervisor Xu didn't know what to say at this moment.

He could only hope in his heart that the two Protectors wouldn't agree to Chief Incense Master Zheng's request to change people temporarily...

"According to the discussion, this matter had to be discussed with the Protector to be effective, otherwise it wouldn't show strength, and I wouldn't be able to earn a great service. How else would I have persuaded Supervisor Xu to take me? Now it's easier..."

Hu Ma also thought silently in his heart and followed the delighted Chief Incense Master Zheng out.

He suddenly heard someone "hehe" smile beside him. He turned his head and saw Sun Niu Zi with a smug look on his face.

"This brother-in-law and brother-in-law are both good people..."

Hu Ma also smiled and looked at him, "You will be rewarded..."

This look made Sun Niu Zi's heart skip a beat again. "Why do I feel like his smile is from the heart now?"

The last time he had this feeling, the result wasn't very pleasant...

"Reporting to the two Protectors, I have something important to report."

Chief Incense Master Zheng brought Hu Ma, as well as Sun Niu Zi, who had come to watch the fun, and a few subordinates, along with Yang Gong and others who were worried. They passed through several streets and alleys and arrived at a seemingly spacious civilian residence. Two large red lanterns hung on the door, making it look different from the others at a glance.

When they entered the residence, they saw a lantern as big as a hug hanging in the courtyard. The lantern hadn't been lit yet, but two people were sitting on both sides.

They were all wearing large red robes, with their hair disheveled, one wearing a crying face mask and the other wearing a smiling face mask.

Hu Ma was stunned for a moment. He thought he would see Er Guo Tou, but why were they wearing masks?

Now he couldn't tell which one he was.

"Hu Ma, the new shopkeeper of the Green Stone Town branch, learned his skills from the former shopkeeper Wu Hong. According to Wu Hong's recommendation before he left, he also has the ability of the Shou Sui Second Stage (Night Watch Second Stage)."

"When selecting people for the arena earlier, he should have been there, but he happened to be out of the village and missed this matter. Now that he has rushed back, he has heard that our Red Lantern Society has this great magic duel, so he has volunteered. Please report to the Goddess, Protector..."

As he was thinking, Chief Incense Master Zheng had already reported.

Hu Ma felt that this person had some ability, and he didn't mention that he was forced to come at all.

He kept saying that he had volunteered, making it even more difficult for him to argue.

If he said that he was forced to come, he might add, "When it was time to perform a service, didn't you want to?" Not only would he be speechless, but his performance would also easily cause the Protector's dissatisfaction, and he might even be selected.

"Green Stone Town?"

As he was thinking, the red-robed man with the crying face mask said faintly, "Isn't there already someone? Changing formations temporarily is a big taboo!"

This person's voice was gentle and delicate, and was a woman.

Hu Ma immediately determined that the one wearing the smiling face mask next to him was Er Guo Tou.

Chief Incense Master Zheng, seeing the question, quickly said, "The one who came earlier was not the shopkeeper of Green Stone Town, but just a small supervisor."

"This is the shopkeeper, who has just rushed back."

"..."

"Hmm?"

At this moment, the red-robed Protector with the smiling face mask gently opened his mouth, "Listening to your meaning..."

"...Are you trying to say that the incense burner made a mistake?"

"..."

"Ah?"

Chief Incense Master Zheng's face changed drastically when he heard this, and he shook his head repeatedly. How could he dare to answer this question?

Hu Ma behind him was relieved when he heard this.

Although he hadn't seen anyone yet, he was stable after hearing this voice. It was his brother Er Guo Tou!

(End of Chapter)