Twilight Boundary

This was a job he could take.

Miss White Wine wasn't interested in this small job; she just said a few words, and Hu Ma agreed readily as well.

Now he was looking to earn some Silver himself, but opportunities to earn big were scarce. Plus, he worried that his limited experience in the jianghu wouldn't be enough to handle the big tasks the old monkey trainer mentioned.

Partnering with a fellow Reincarnator and having Miss White Wine as a guarantor added a layer of security to the task.

The next morning, after waking up, he found a chance to discuss with Zhou Datong and the others. He told them he had matters to attend to and that they should take the Silver back to the Manor first.

This was also well considered. It was, after all, a secret concerning Reincarnators, so bringing them along would be inconvenient.

Moreover, the day before, Miss White Wine had brought news from the Red Lantern Society that Shopkeepers from all over had entered the city, essentially settling matters. Therefore, it would no longer be dangerous for Zhou Datong and the others to return to the Manor.

"Huh?"

But when Zhou Datong and the others heard that Hu Ma was leaving and they had to carry the Silver back to the Manor themselves, they felt a bit scared.

They had ventured from the village together and been through some things. However, they had gotten used to Hu Ma leading the way and giving advice. Now, he wanted them to hit the road alone, especially with such a huge amount of Silver, which made them even more nervous.

If Hu Ma could take the Silver with him, they might feel more at ease. But that was just joking. Hu Ma was going to handle dangerous tasks, and carrying Silver would be too cumbersome.

Noticing their concerns, Hu Ma smiled and said, "We've come out to the jianghu to make a living. If you're afraid of such small things, how are you going to manage in the future?"

"Take this Silver back to the Manor. Consider it a bit of training along the way."

"Of course, if nothing happens, all the better. But if you encounter trouble, just throw the Silver away. Remember, you can always earn more Silver, but you only have one life."

He wasn't trying to show off with this assertion. He simply knew the sincerity of the youth from the village, and they had never seen so much money. They might really risk their lives for Silver.

"Don't worry, Brother Hu Ma. If we can't handle such small matters, what else can we possibly do?"

Seeing Hu Ma had made up his mind, Zhou Datong drew out his knife, gritted his teeth, and said fiercely, "Anyway, we've learned enough martial skills. If we encounter thugs, we'll just chop them down with one swing."

"Relax, don't walk around with an 'I'm carrying Silver' expression on your face. Otherwise, even if ghosts aren't drawn to you, you'll attract trouble yourselves."

Hu Ma laughed and gave them some advice, specifically having a few words with Zhou Liang.

Out of this group, Zhou Datong was always the one causing trouble, full of mischievous thoughts, while Zhou Liang was relatively more level-headed.

Having settled this, they divided the luggage. Hu Ma was going on a task, so he needed to travel light. He carried only the redwood sword and borrowed Zhou Datong's waist knife. He left behind the weapons bearing the Red Lantern Lady's Club insignia.

If they really encountered trouble, showcasing these weapons could serve as a deterrent to ordinary bandits or even knowledgeable evil spirits who wouldn't dare provoke them.

He kept twenty taels of Silver for expenses along the way.

That was quite heavy; over a pound of metal. It jabbed uncomfortably when tucked in his chest and weighed down the pouch at his waist.

As for the horse, he let Zhou Datong and the others take it.

Though traveling by horse was faster, as a Shousui man, Hu Ma could travel by night. With a horse, he'd have to travel by day and rest at night.

Weighing the options, it turned out better to rely on his own two legs, allowing him to manage his travel time more effectively, day and night.

Having made their arrangements, Hu Ma sent them off. He stayed a while longer himself, then inquired with the Shopkeeper and traveling merchants in the inn about directions to Wutong Town before setting out ahead.

It was unlike being at the Manor, where he could consult surrounding maps. Outside the Red Lantern Lady's territory, he had to rely on asking for directions, like anyone else in this world.

And even then, the information he gathered wasn't detailed, just a general direction, so he had to continue inquiring along the way.

Having confirmed the directions, he stopped at a roadside eatery. He bought two pounds of noodles and had the innkeeper boil them. He also spent a few extra copper coins for a generous helping of lard drippings, which he poured over the noodles. He then enjoyed a hearty meal, accompanying it with the blue Tai Sui jerky he had brought along.

Once out the door, he headed westward, walking briskly.

Meanwhile, Zhou Datong and his companions, who had set out an hour earlier heading south, were extremely anxious.

The three of them took turns riding the horse; while one rode to rest, the other two jogged alongside.

Initially, they were jittery, suspecting every passerby of being a thief intent on stealing their Silver.

Zhou Liang realized this couldn't continue and said, "Datong, Zhuzi, we can't go on like this. Brother Ma Zi said not to let others see we've got something valuable on us."

"We're too tense; we might invite trouble."

"Just imagine that our bundle doesn't contain Silver, but sweet potatoes. This way, when we travel, we won't have to worry about others targeting us the moment they see us."

"That's a good idea."

Zhou Datong thought for a moment, hopped off the horse, and said, "Wait for me."

Saying this, he headed toward a nearby village and shortly returned with a basket, evidently having filched it from someone's home.

Gathering the other two, they found a secluded spot and divided the hundreds of taels of Silver into two portions. The larger share went into the basket. He then shed his coat, strapped the basket securely onto his back, and wore the coat over it.

This made him appear hunchbacked. The remaining Silver was placed in a saddlebag on the horse.

With a hunchback on horseback and two able-bodied men walking alongside, they maintained their speed while appearing less conspicuous.

Yet, as they traveled into the afternoon and neared a lodging place, they noticed someone. This person had been following them for some time, neither engaging nor hurrying, but steadily trailing them.

Zhou Datong and the others realized something was amiss. They huddled and whispered, "That guy from the dining place earlier has been following us. He even followed when we took side paths. He might be tailing us."

Zhao Zhu was taken aback. "Highwaymen? Based on Second Master's and Brother Ma Zi's methods, shouldn't we offer them something by now?"

"Timing is everything. This guy is clearly sizing us up, assessing if we're a worthwhile target..."

Zhou Datong lowered his voice. He peered ahead from his horse and continued, "In that large reed marsh up ahead, he might have accomplices lying in wait. Once we pass through, they'll block our path from both front and rear, and then they'll strike."

After some discussion, they slowed their pace. Sure enough, the man following them also slowed down, consistently maintaining his distance.

Thus, Zhou Datong simply reined in the horse, staring sharply at the follower.

The man couldn't just stop, so he had to saunter over, feigning nonchalance as he walked past them.

Suddenly, Zhou Datong shouted, "Hey, brother, come here."

The man jumped, paused, and eyed them suspiciously. "What do you want?"

Zhou Datong replied, "Meeting in this wilderness must be fate. Do you happen to have any Silver on you? Perhaps you could lend us some to spend?"

The man was taken aback. "What?"

Zhou Datong drew his knife. "My brothers and I are out of food. We're looking to borrow some travel expenses from you."

"You're borrowing expenses from me?"

The man burst into laughter. Facing three opponents alone, he showed no fear. He drew his own knife and retorted, "Do you have any idea whose territory you've crossed into?"

"Master Hua is waiting up ahead. On this road, only our Master Hua conducts business. You lot—a couple of brats and a hunchback—you really don't know your place. Do you think Master Hua's dozen men are pushovers?"

"Huh?"

Zhou Datong was startled. "A colleague?"

He quickly clasped his fists. "My apologies, brother. I didn't realize you were in the same line of work."

"Get lost!"

The man impatiently waved them off. At the same time, he pulled a willow whistle from his pocket and blew several sharp blasts.

Zhou Datong and his group scurried away. Sure enough, when they passed the reed marsh ahead, no one blocked them. However, they faintly heard chuckles from within the reeds, along with remarks like, "Heard Master Hua's name and got scared stiff!"

「An hour later, and tens of miles away」

If these guys really let loose, they'd be quite troublesome, Hu Ma mused.

He had lit incense and summoned Little Hongtang, asking her about Zhou Datong and company's journey over the past half-day. He found it rather amusing.

Initially, he had been somewhat concerned, so he had Little Hongtang accompany them. But seeing they handled things reliably, he wasn't worried anymore. He brought Little Hongtang along as he sped towards Wutong Town.

Traveling by day and well into the night, resting in a villager's woodshed when darkness fell, he actually made better time than when he had traveled with Zhou Datong and the horse. After two days and one night, he reached Wutong Town, a day earlier than Miss White Wine had estimated.

Seeing it was at least a small town with proper inns, he finally used some Silver to get a room and have a good rest.

At this inn, there was no need to sleep in a communal room; he had an upper-class room.

Moreover, he didn't have to heat his own water for a footbath; he could just ask the inn attendant to bring it.

He took advantage of the daytime to stroll around the county town, memorizing the main roads that crisscrossed it, before returning to the inn. He enjoyed a hearty meal and went to bed early. Around midnight, a voice suddenly rang out, "Gua Shao calling in Wutong Town…"

"Is there any Reincarnator who hears?"

"Gua Shao…"

Hu Ma took a deep breath. He saw himself standing before an incense burner, where a column of Life Incense was gently burning.

Quietly manipulating his lungs from a living state to a dead one, his voice became hoarse and unbearable. He slowly replied, "Old White is answering. I was introduced by Miss White Wine. Brother, is there anything I can assist with?"

As he responded, a wisp of incense perceptively slipped in from outside the mist. It connected with the fragrance rising from his Life Incense. Then, he heard a slightly surprised voice, as if echoing beside his ear, "So you were indeed waiting!"

"Your codename is Old White?"

"Geez… why are all your codenames alcohol-related?"

Hu Ma was stunned. "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?"