Twilight Boundary

What could Hu Ma say? Of course, he had no objections.

The meal was indeed satisfying. This host was truly generous, providing a feast with chicken, duck, fish, and meat in abundance.

After everyone was full of food and drink, each person was given two hundred taels of silver to carry with them in a heavy bundle, making them feel secure and safe.

As for Young Master Lu, he said, "Tonight, those who have nothing else to do should go back and rest first. Since you've all promised to help me, all your expenses in Wutong Town will be on my account."

"You can take this silver back and handle it as you see fit. However, the major bank is seventy miles away in the city, so it's better if you don't leave town. There is an escort agency here, though."

"If you want to send it home in advance, you can do that too."

"..."

Everyone nodded, each with their own plans, not needing to trouble Young Master Lu.

Honestly, the escort agency charged a ten percent fee, taking twenty taels right off the top. It did sting a bit.

Moreover, for those who lived nearby, two people could simply deliver it. For those who lived far away, the two hundred taels wouldn't even be worth the effort for the escort agency, considering the travel and fatigue involved.

As for Hu Ma, who had already been assigned a task, he waited until the others left before sitting with Old Monkey to discuss matters further, arranging the time and place to meet that evening. He then took the two hundred taels of silver back to the inn and tossed them directly onto the table.

He silently reviewed the plan arranged with sweet potato, comparing it point by point to this Young Master Lu.

Although sweet potato had been forthcoming, and Miss White Wine had vouched for him, he still had to be cautious.

He patiently waited until it was about the right time before stepping out.

He wore a straw hat and a raincoat. As he passed the counter, he tossed one tael of silver before the Shopkeeper.

The Shopkeeper was startled at first, recalling what Hu Ma had said to him that morning. He then forced a smile, cupped his hands, and said, "May you find fortune."

After Hu Ma left, the Shopkeeper gazed at his departing silhouette, sighed softly, and swept the tael of silver into the drawer, whispering, "Probably another one who won't come back."

At the agreed-upon town entrance, he indeed saw the old man already waiting, chuckling. The monkey squatted on his shoulder, holding a white lantern of a very peculiar shape.

Though night had fallen, the lantern remained unlit.

Hu Ma looked up at the dark, overcast sky and smiled. "Looks like you're planning to use the cover of night. Aren't you going to light the lantern?"

"This isn't for illumination," Monkey Master chuckled. "Besides, a fellow like you who can battle a drought ba at night, are you afraid of walking in the dark?"

Hu Ma laughed. "Just used to following the rules."

They talked as he followed Old Monkey out of the town, groping their way in the dark. On the way, the two chatted in low voices. When Old Monkey asked about certain Paths and inheritances, Hu Ma was vague, clearly not wanting to answer.

In reality, it was all a fabrication. He had made it all up but kept it to himself, waiting for the right moment to casually let slip a hint or two.

If he were asked suddenly and spilled everything, others might immediately see through his lies.

In Old Monkey's eyes, apart from Hu Ma's name and his Path as a Shousui man, nothing else could be gleaned.

Moreover, his Path was one Old Monkey himself had witnessed and recognized previously. His name was also something Old Monkey had inquired about the last time they met. Consequently, Hu Ma's background remained a mystery.

But Old Monkey didn't mind, chatting and joking with Hu Ma as they walked further and further into the wilderness.

After about an hour, they finally stopped. Hu Ma looked up and saw several dark, imposing houses ahead—they had arrived at the edge of a village.

He was about to step forward, but Old Monkey pulled him back, smiling. "Wait a little longer. It's still early."

Seeing Old Monkey already seated on the ground outside the village, Hu Ma had no choice but to squat down with him.

The two continued their sporadic conversation as the night grew later and a deep silence enveloped them.

I suddenly sense something is off.

As a Shousui man, I know how to ward off evil spirits, but why isn't Monkey Master attracting any?

We've walked through the night and lingered here for so long, yet we haven't encountered any evil spirits.

"Let's go!"

Just as Hu Ma was pondering whether to ask, Monkey Master, having seemingly calculated the time using some dharma method, stood up and dusted off his trousers.

Hu Ma had no choice but to follow. As they reached the village's edge, a sudden burst of barking erupted from within, rising and falling in waves. The village dogs were highly alert. Despite their quiet steps, the watchdogs had still been alarmed.

"Such a bother..." Monkey Master frowned, then turned to the monkey on his shoulder and said, "Go!"

The monkey SQUEAKED, leaping off his shoulder. It darted and climbed into the village; in the darkness, even its shadow was invisible.

The dogs, which had just been barking wildly, went even crazier, HOWLING and yelping, their cries echoing through the village. Several families were awakened, lighting their oil lamps to peer outside. Seeing nothing, they gave their dogs a solid kick or two before returning to their rooms to sleep.

But as soon as the dogs quieted down, the monkey would start scrambling around the village again, provoking them into another frenzy of barking, which earned them more kicks.

After this happened several times, Monkey Master chuckled softly. "Alright, that's enough."

He took out a small pouch from his robe. The monkey darted back onto his shoulder from the shadows. He opened the pouch, revealing it was full of red beans.

He had the monkey take them and return to the village. Soon, a few whimpering sounds from the dogs were heard, but no one paid them any mind.

After waiting a moment longer, Monkey Master took out a Fire Stick and lit the white lantern.

Yet, it was unclear how this lantern was made. Even when lit at night, it provided no illumination, only emitting a faint, hazy white glow that wasn't enough to see the road clearly. Monkey Master held it and, without explaining anything to Hu Ma, simply meandered into the village.

He first arrived at a courtyard with a proper wooden door, carefully examining the markings in front of it.

He swung the lantern up and down.

The faint light flickered, like a white soul-summoning banner waved in the dead of night. He faced the courtyard, his voice trailing eerily as he called softly, "Heavenly Darkness Ghost Banner, Lord Impermanence is at the door..."

"Zhang Daquan, Zhang Daquan, your father is here to take you to a feast..."

"..."

His voice was so low it was nearly inaudible in the night wind, and no more barking came from the village.

Hu Ma felt a chill creep over him at this bizarre behavior, his eyes wide as he watched intently. He heard Monkey Master call out three times. Suddenly, the surrounding temperature dropped, and unexpectedly, a fluttering sound came from within the white lantern in Monkey Master's hand.

Looking closely, he saw that a moth was now inside the lantern. It was unclear when it had flown in. It darted frantically left and right, its panicked shadow flickering on the lantern's paper walls.

"Got it." Monkey Master glanced at the lantern with satisfaction, lowered his voice, and said, "Let's go!"

Soon, they approached a courtyard enclosed only by a hedge. Again, he checked the markings and called towards the yard:

"Heavenly Darkness Ghost Banner, Lord Impermanence is at the door..."

"Niuzhang Clan, Niuzhang Clan, your mother calls for you; she wants to take you to see the rouge..."

"..."

Just as before, after he called out three times, another moth appeared inside the lantern, fluttering restlessly.

Following this Monkey Master, Hu Ma felt waves of an eerie, chilling wind, an indescribably strange sensation. Seeing the moths enter the lantern made his scalp tingle with unease. Once they were a little distance from that house, he couldn't help but ask:

"Old sir, what is this Method of yours? It's really creeping me out."

"..."

"Heh heh..." Monkey Master chuckled softly. "You have your skills, and I have my Paths."

"This soul-calling trump card... young brother, you haven't seen it before, have you?"

"..."

So it's soul-calling...

Hu Ma's heart tensed. He asked quietly, "How do you know these people's names?"

"Heh, the real work happens where you can't see it," Monkey Master chuckled softly. "I came here during the day. I even put on a good monkey show for them. I talked with them, told their fortunes, interpreted their dreams."

"I found out that Zhang Daquan had an unforgettable feast with his father once as a child, and that the Niuzhang Clan's only trip to the city to buy rouge was with her mother. So, when I call out like this at night, wouldn't they come out?"

"..."

Hu Ma pondered this carefully, a chill running down his spine. He asked, "What happens to these people after their souls are called?"

"Not much. At most, they'll be dazed for a few days," Monkey Master said. "Rest assured, young brother. No one will die from it, and in time, they'll recover."

Recover my foot!

In my heart, I don't believe a word he says!

Although I don't understand the Execution Soul Path, once a soul is called out, how could it grow back like flesh?

I don't fully understand this world, but in my past life, there was always talk of the three souls and seven spirits. If even one soul or one spirit was missing, a person was no longer whole.

Yet here he is, spinning tales that a person's soul can actually grow back?

"This is truly one of the best things in the world..." As Hu Ma's thoughts grew more troubled, Old Monkey, watching the two moths fluttering in the lantern, became increasingly pleased. "When others speak of good things, they only know of Master Tai Sui. They don't realize there's something even better: people."

"In our eyes, people are even better than Master Tai Sui. To get Tai Sui, you have to compete, fight, transport it, refine it, and if you're not careful, you might lose your life."

"But people... people are everywhere. Each one has flesh, a soul, and a life, useful to countless dharma methods."

"..."

Listening to him muttering softly in the night, Hu Ma felt a cold dread wash over him.

Evil Cultivator, Evil Cultivator!

When I first met this Monkey Master, although I was wary, I didn't actually dislike him. But now, after witnessing his actions and hearing his words, a murderous intent is stirring faintly within me.

Yet, recalling sweet potato's warning, I can only grit my teeth and hold back. He then discreetly glanced into the night.

My guess was correct. It seemed like it was just Old Monkey and me out here. But not far from us, at the other end of a dirt road, two men with yellow paper stuck to their faces were standing silently.

Old Monkey and I can't see them in the darkness, but they seem to be able to see me, watching silently.