Too quiet, eerily so.

No one had expected that after Master Qingyi overturned the gambling table, preparing to fight Madam Hongdeng for real, such a mysterious sedan chair would appear.

Even more unexpected was the reaction of Madam Hongdeng and Master Qingyi, both in a state of extreme fury, upon seeing this sedan chair.

The two most prominent evil entities in Ming Prefecture were behaving so docile.

Outsiders didn't know what was happening inside the town. Only those closer by saw the sedan chair enter, followed by the appearance of Madam Hongdeng and Master Qingyi, kneeling respectfully before it. Some even saw the curtain of the sedan chair lift, revealing people inside chatting and laughing amiably with the two of them.

But what exactly was said, no one knew, and no one dared to listen.

They simply knelt down after the sedan chair entered the town, waiting anxiously outside for news.

Neither side was sure if the news would be favorable, knowing only that they would have to accept it.

"Madam has decreed that all stewards and managers in various locations are to return to their posts and await further instructions."

They didn't have to wait long. It felt like only the time it takes to burn an incense stick before the sound of urgent hoofbeats echoed from within the town.

Hu Ma, Steward Xu, and the others looked up to see a group of incense burners riding out on horseback.

They dispersed in all directions, announcing to the kneeling stewards and enshrined ones outside the town, "The esteemed guest wishes to rest in the town. Everyone must leave immediately."

"Leave quietly, so as not to disturb the esteemed guest."

"..."

"Huh?"

This order caught everyone by surprise.

With just a word, everyone was being told to return?

Leaving aside the Qingyi Gang, the Hongdeng Society had thought they'd won the competition and would celebrate and discuss how to take over the Qingyi Gang's blood food mine.

But unexpectedly, Madam Hongdeng sent back a decree telling everyone to leave.

"Let's go, let's go!"

Steward Xu spotted Hu Ma in the crowd and, fearing he wouldn't understand, waved his hands frantically.

"Don't ask who just arrived, and don't discuss them. Just listen to Madam's orders and return to the estate!"

"..."

Hu Ma did have something he wanted to ask, but seeing Steward Xu so anxious, he could only nod.

He glanced around and saw a Hongxiang disciple who had been drinking with Yang Gong the other night, now standing guard outside Zhu Gate Town. He approached and greeted him. The disciple, seeing him, hurriedly said, "Brother Hu, you're here! Your donkey and cart are here. I'll have someone bring them out for you."

Hu Ma hesitated. "Yang Gong..."

The Hongxiang disciple quickly said, "Senior Brother Yang Gong is on duty inside. He probably won't have time to talk today. Just return to the estate and wait!"

"Alright, I'll leave now..."

Hu Ma was helpless. He thanked the young Hongxiang disciple who brought back his donkey and cart and helped him harness them.

As he turned to leave, the young Hongxiang disciple quickly waved his hand. "Brother Hu, nothing is missing from your cart. We'll talk later!"

"I was going to ask how my winnings are calculated..."

Hu Ma thought to himself. Seeing how nervous they all were, he didn't dare ask and could only drive the donkey cart away.

It was night, and traveling with livestock at night was usually not peaceful, but for some reason, the surroundings were very quiet, and not even an evil spirit could be seen.

Hu Ma vaguely guessed that this might be related to the Tongyin Meng family. Feeling uneasy, he dared not linger.

Although he was anxious, he didn't go straight to Qing Stone Town but instead detoured to the village where he had stayed before.

Firstly, to guard against anyone ambushing him on the road, and secondly, because he had something else to do.

After traveling for most of the night, he arrived near the estate where he had rested before, around dawn. He had Little Hongtang go in and dig up the silver he had hidden earlier.

Little Hongtang, having eaten a large piece of qing shi (green food), was full of energy and rolled up her sleeves.

That night, the young couple who had let Hu Ma stay were frightened. They were sleeping soundly in the main room when they heard sounds of rummaging and digging from the empty side room, along with the giggling of a little girl. The couple huddled together, too scared to go and look.

They hurriedly burned incense and paper money, and after a long while, they threw away that bed, not daring to keep it.

Of course, although they had been scared, Hu Ma had given them money in advance.

Because of this delay, Hu Ma didn't encounter anything that night, but by the time he returned to Qing Stone Town, it was almost noon.

Only now did his heart, which had been restless for many days, finally calm down.

Although this town wasn't his home, returning to a familiar place made him feel lighter. Everything looked pleasing, and he even greeted the weasels by the roadside.

At the same time, Li Wawa, who was sitting on a small stool, dozing off against the kitchen doorframe in the estate, suddenly woke up with a start.

He hurriedly said to Zhou Datong and the others who were playing cards and drinking in the courtyard, "Quick, stop playing cards! Brother Ma is back."

Zhou Datong and the others were stunned, looking at Li Wawa with suspicion.

Ever since he fell into the well, he had become increasingly mystical, with a hint of precognition.

Although they were suspicious, they quickly cleaned up. They took the dishes and wine into the kitchen, wrapped up the dominoes in a bundle, and stuffed it under the bed. Then, one by one, they picked up knives, spears, and pitchforks, diligently practicing.

Hu Ma drove the donkey cart back to the estate. Before he even entered the gate, he heard shouts from inside.

Looking up, he saw Zhou Datong and the others stripped to the waist, waving knives and spears, practicing their stances. They seemed to be putting in effort, their faces flushed.

He felt a little gratified. "These guys are sensible, knowing to put in the effort to practice."

"This will be their own estate in the future, and there will be many times when I'll need them!"

"..."

"Oh, Brother Ma is back..."

Seeing Hu Ma, the group dropped their knives, spears, and pitchforks and rushed up to greet him joyfully.

"Be careful when you move it."

Hu Ma's cart was full of good things. Seeing them rushing to help, he reminded them. This cart was full of treasures he had gained on this trip!

But seeing them heading towards the small room, he thought for a moment and smiled. "No need to go there."

As he spoke, he patted the donkey's head and drove the cart into the inner courtyard.

"Ah?"

The workers were surprised and delighted, knowing what this meant.

It was a long-standing tradition in the estate that only the manager could live in the inner courtyard. So Brother Ma had finally secured his position as manager?

Zhou Datong was even happier. "Brother Ma has moved into the inner courtyard, so I don't have to squeeze into the communal bunk anymore?"

No one had any objections to this. Everyone now acknowledged him as Hu Ma's...

Maybe Zhou Liang too, since normal estates had at least two managers.

Hu Ma went into the inner courtyard and looked around, feeling satisfied.

The old manager's belongings had been moved out of this small courtyard. Sun Niuzi had lived here for a few days, but it hadn't been long, so he hadn't moved much in.

Hu Ma simply had someone tidy it up and put it aside, planning to return it to Master Zheng in the city later.

Then he unloaded the items from the donkey cart himself and had others move his bedding into the inner courtyard.

This way, he not only didn't have to sleep in the communal bunk, but he also got to sleep in his own courtyard.

Even Little Hongtang… got a bigger beam.

While Hu Ma was busy in the inner courtyard, the workers in the outer courtyard were not idle either. They were busy slaughtering chickens, buying tofu, frying peanuts, and arguing over who would go to Sister Xiangyu at the town tavern to buy wine, preparing to have a good feast in the evening, as a premature celebration for Manager Hu Ma.

Hu Ma, of course, didn't mind this. The workers were well-intentioned, and he knew the importance of team building.

However, he still had something on his mind and didn't dare drink too much, waiting to enter his natal spirit temple that night.

He had a feeling that with the sudden arrival of the Tongyin Meng family, there would be corresponding actions among the transmigrators, and tonight would be very lively.

After all, not only in their small circle in Ming Prefecture, but the Meng family's news was valuable anywhere.

Sure enough, after drinking a few cups that night, he lay down and connected smoothly with Erguotou, who had been waiting for him.

Even more surprising was that not only Erguotou appeared, but also Miss White Wine and Junior Sister Sweet Potato Liquor.

After he connected with them, because he had connected with White Wine and Sweet Potato Liquor before, the incense smoke in the incense burner naturally divided into three, passing through the dark red mist and connecting with the other three. The first thing he heard was Junior Sister Sweet Potato Liquor's sincere voice, "Thank you, seniors, for helping me, for bringing me along..."

"I've successfully switched jobs now, but I almost lost my life."

"Sister White Wine, do you have any medicine to treat flesh withering? I'm getting married soon, and I can't be limping..."

"..."

Miss White Wine said faintly, "I do, but it's very expensive, and I can't afford it."

"If you need it, go to the Grass Heart Hall. At most, it will cost you dozens of catties of blood food, and they will probably help you heal it."

"..."

"Ah?"

Sweet Potato Liquor was dumbfounded. "So expensive? I can't afford it right now."

"I wonder if Senior Laobaigan is so powerful that he can help me..."

"..."

"Cough..."

Hu Ma felt a little embarrassed listening. You can say that in private, but saying it now is going to make me die of embarrassment!

"Senior Laobaigan is indeed very powerful, but, Sweet Potato Girl, he can't help you right now."

But at that moment, Erguotou's voice rang out, first saying something frivolous, and then clearing his throat seriously, saying, "Everyone, the reason I urgently called you today is to tell you something important. Starting tonight, not only cooperation, but even dream calls, we have to temporarily stop."

"In other words, we need to lie low now."