Twilight Boundary

"Ah..."

Hearing this voice so suddenly, Manager Xu instantly felt a bit flustered. Even Yang Gong suddenly clenched his teeth tightly, clearly feeling some pressure from this person's arrival. They had told Hu Ma all this to warn him just how terrifying the duel was. Yet, earlier, Hu Ma had secretly received a hint from Yang Gong and hidden away in advance, which was a fortunate turn of events. The Shopkeeper from their Green Stone Town had already been selected. However, novices and veterans participated on alternate days, and Sun Niuzi, who had replaced Hu Ma, had yet to fight a match. What if something went wrong…

Even so, they didn't dare do anything rash, like directly helping Hu Ma escape. The Red Lantern Lady took this duel very seriously; as soon as night fell, she would descend upon the town. Nothing could escape her notice. If the two of them urged Hu Ma to run at this time, they would inevitably have to forfeit two lives. Helplessly, they could only wait and hope that Incense Master Zheng wouldn't make any moves at this time.

Of course, this was mere wishful thinking. Not only did Incense Master Zheng come, but he also arrived quickly.

It was Hu Ma's first time seeing him. He was a man wearing a brocade robe, with a square face, and possessed a rather heroic aura. Looking to be in his forties, he had his hands clasped behind his back and brought several green clothes Disciples with him. Sun Niuzi followed behind, looking utterly tense and peering into the room repeatedly.

Incense Master Zheng walked to the door. Without greeting Manager Xu or Yang Gong, he only smiled faintly and asked, "I heard that Shopkeeper Hu Ma has returned. Which one is he?"

"..."

Damn it, there are only three people in this room, and it's not like you don't know the other two...

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

Hu Ma stood up and asked curiously, "Who might this be? And why do you call me Shopkeeper?"

"HMPH!"

Incense Master Zheng's face turned cold. "My surname is Zheng, and I am the green clothes incense master of our Red Lantern Society. When you first joined and performed the incense-burning, did you not see me?" he said.

"Don't play dumb with me. Previously, you made great contributions and were fully recommended by Wu Hong. Everyone in the Society nodded in agreement for you to become this Shopkeeper. But as the great event approached, you slipped away. You truly don't understand the rules."

"But now is a time when we need people, so I won't make things difficult for you. Just follow me and get your title settled!"

"If you can help the Red Lantern Lady win a match, all will be forgiven."

"..."

The moment these words were spoken, everyone in the room was shocked. Even Manager Xu couldn't help but stammer, his voice trembling, "Um..."

"...Hasn't the participant already been decided? Can it still be changed?"

"..."

"It was decided on our side, but the green clothes gang doesn't know. Isn't it better to choose someone with a higher chance of success?"

Incense Master Zheng looked at Manager Xu and snorted coldly. "Do you have an objection?"

Manager Xu wasn't one to stir up trouble, so he said nothing more. Although Incense Master Zheng wasn't popular within the Society, and even Manager Xu didn't particularly defer to him, the man's rank was higher, after all. He dared to help Hu Ma secretly and even secretly contend with Incense Master Zheng, but openly, he had to remain polite. Speaking up for Hu Ma when he shouldn't have was already a huge favor.

"Damn you!"

At this moment, Yang Gong, who was beside them, could no longer hold back and cursed directly, "Zheng, you've got quite a scheme! When my brother made his contribution, you had that opportunistic brother-in-law of yours snatch the position. Now that there's trouble, you want to swap your brother-in-law out again for him!"

"Can't you see how badly my brother is injured? How can he win this match?"

"..."

Incense Master Zheng didn't get angry at Yang Gong's cursing; perhaps he had been berated a few times before and was used to it. He merely replied coolly, "It doesn't matter if he's injured, as long as he can move. Haven't we already discussed a foolproof method?"

"I'm not making things difficult for him; I'm giving him a chance to earn merit..."

"..."

"That method..."

Upon hearing this, Yang Gong's expression changed dramatically; he even seemed somewhat fearful. He suddenly drew his steel knife and shouted, "Zheng, don't push people too far! My brother, Yang Gong's brother, will not be harmed by you!"

"Oh?"

Incense Master Zheng looked at the knife Yang Gong had drawn, merely furrowed his brows, and said with a half-smile, "Senior Brother Yang, you've earned great merit, but you don't seem to grasp certain principles."

"We are all working for the Red Lantern Lady. How can you say I'm trying to harm your brother?"

"Since you're so dissatisfied, let me ask you: is your brother more important, or are the Society's important matters more important?"

"..."

Yang Gong was both anxious and enraged by the retort, momentarily speechless.

Hu Ma stood by, silently observing. Yang Gong is impulsive, and this Zheng fellow seems to be his perfect counter, he thought. If Yang Gong hadn't risked his life to earn that great merit back then, he likely would have been slowly ground down to nothing under Incense Master Zheng's thumb...

But now, Yang Gong had managed to rise up, becoming a Three Fragrances Disciple after achieving great merit. Now, apart from the protectors and Incense Burners, everyone else in the Society—be they Worships, Shopkeepers, or managers—had to address him as Senior Brother Yang. In contrast, the enmity between him and this Zheng was too deep, and neither bothered to mend their relationship.

At the same time, a killing intent towards Incense Master Zheng had already stirred in his heart due to his actions. Previously, if Incense Master Zheng had targeted him and made things difficult because of Yang Gong, it might have been somewhat understandable. But now, at this juncture, for Zheng to still want to send him to his death... was he trying to push things to a point of no return, a path of unending enmity? The only thing unclear now was this "sure-win" method they mentioned. Yesterday, Er Guotou said these people were discussing matters. Did they really come up with a method that guaranteed winning a match? Judging from Yang Gong's earlier reaction, this method was probably not simple at all…

Though many thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, a smile remained on his face as he said, "So, it seems I really have become the Shopkeeper?"

"But I haven't received my Seal, funds, or provisions yet..."

"..."

Incense Master Zheng looked at him coldly and said indifferently, "That's hardly an issue. We can give them to you immediately."

"But let your subordinates handle these matters. You come with me to see the protector first. The arrangements for the arena must ultimately be decided by Lord Protector, mustn't they?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, both Manager Xu and Yang Gong couldn't help but be greatly alarmed.

Hu Ma, however, pondered for a moment and said, "Since Incense Master has said so, then I must make this trip."

"We live off the Red Lantern Lady's bounty; it's only right that we serve the Lady."

"..."

"You..."

Yang Gong was too nervous to speak. He reached out to grab Hu Ma's arm, but Hu Ma pressed his hand down and whispered, "Brother Yang, it wasn't easy for you to risk your life to carve out this path. Don't get yourself into too much trouble over my affairs and break the rules."

"Since I must go through this ordeal, I have to carve out my own path!"

"..."

Hearing Hu Ma's words, Yang Gong's eyes grew moist. He felt like punching Hu Ma a couple of times. Even at a time like this, he's still worried about me!

This Brother Hu Ma is too honest. In this world of deceit and betrayal, how can he possibly survive...

Manager Xu, on the other hand, didn't know what to say. He could only hope in his heart: Perhaps the two protectors won't agree to Incense Master Zheng's request to change participants at the last minute...

According to our prior discussion, this matter was supposed to be brought up only when we saw the protector. Otherwise, it wouldn't have enough impact, and I wouldn't be able to claim significant merit. He was even thinking about how to persuade Manager Xu to bring me. Now, this saves me the trouble...

Hu Ma thought silently to himself as he followed the clearly delighted Incense Master Zheng out.

Suddenly, he heard someone beside him laugh, "HEHE." Turning to look, it was Sun Niuzi, looking smug.

This brother-in-law of mine and I are really something, eh... Sun Niuzi thought with satisfaction.

Hu Ma also glanced at him with a smile. "You'll all get your just deserts..."

That glance actually startled Sun Niuzi. Why does his smile now feel like it's genuinely from the heart?

The last time I had this feeling, the outcome was... not very pleasant...

"Reporting to the two protectors, your subordinate has an urgent matter to report!"

Incense Master Zheng led Hu Ma, Sun Niuzi (who was there to enjoy the show), a few of his own subordinates, a worried Yang Gong, and other onlookers through several streets and alleys. They arrived at a relatively spacious residential house. Two large red lanterns hung at the entrance, clearly distinguishing it from other dwellings.

Inside, the courtyard featured a lantern so large it would take a full embrace to circle it, hung squarely in the center. It was currently unlit. Two individuals were seated on either side of it. Both wore bright red robes with their hair unbound, one wearing a crying-face mask and the other a smiling-face mask.

Hu Ma was momentarily stunned. I thought I'd see Er Guotou. Why are they wearing masks? Now it's a bit hard to tell which one he is, he wondered.

As Incense Master Zheng began his report, Hu Ma listened and thought, This fellow is quite skilled. He completely omitted the fact that I was forced to come. "Previously, Hu Ma, the newly appointed Shopkeeper of the Green Stone Town branch, learned his skills from former Shopkeeper Wu Hong. Before Wu Hong left, he recommended him, saying Hu Ma possessed the abilities of a Second Tier Shousui."

"Earlier, when selecting participants for the arena, he was supposed to be included. However, he happened to be away from the Manor and missed it. Now that he has returned and heard about the great duel in our Red Lantern Society, he has volunteered to participate. I request the protectors to report this to the Lady..."

By repeatedly saying I volunteered, he's making it even harder for me to argue. If I dare say I was coerced, he'd probably counter with, 'Aren't you willing to make contributions then?' Not only would that leave me speechless, but my behavior might also displease the protectors, making it even more likely I'd be chosen.

"Green Stone Town?"

Just then, the red-robed person wearing the crying-face mask said indifferently, "Hasn't someone already been chosen from there? Switching participants at the last minute is a major taboo!"

The voice was soft and delicate—definitely a woman's.

Hu Ma immediately confirmed it. Then the one wearing the smiling-face mask must be Er Guotou!

Incense Master Zheng quickly explained, "The one who came earlier wasn't the Shopkeeper from Green Stone Town, just a junior manager."

"This one is the actual Shopkeeper, who has just returned."

"..."

"Hm?"

At this moment, the protector in the red robe and smiling-face mask spoke softly, "From what you're saying..."

"...Are you implying that the Incense Burner made a mistake?"

"..."

"Huh?"

Upon hearing this, Incense Master Zheng's expression changed drastically. He shook his head repeatedly, not daring to affirm such a statement.

Hu Ma, standing behind him, felt a wave of relief wash over him. Even though I haven't seen his face, hearing that voice is enough. It's definitely him, my brother Er Guotou! Things are looking up!