Twilight Boundary

Manager Xu waved his hand and lowered his voice, saying, "In theory, there is, but it's still too early."

"As for now, our Lady is planning to first build a Red Lantern Temple in Zhu Gate Town, allowing people from all around to come and Worship."

"If the people find it effective, and the incense offerings flourish, then temples will be built one after another in the surrounding villages and towns starting from Mingzhou City."

"However, this isn't something that can be achieved overnight. Protector and Incense Burner roles need to be considered."

"For us, it's still the same as guarding the Manor, patrolling every night, ensuring nothing happens around us..."

"... Of course, the necessary preparations must be made, because the Red Lantern Society is about to undergo a significant change!"

Hu Ma and Bald Shopkeeper listened intently, fully aware of the weight of this statement.

The Red Lantern Lady building a temple was actually an astounding event, a dramatic upheaval for the evil spirits.

But was it just her?

Even the Blood Food Gang, named after her, was likely to undergo a transformation, maybe even shedding its rogue origins and becoming a semi-official body serving incense with the Red Lantern Lady.

This was undoubtedly a rare opportunity, but with great changes, there might be some reckless ones who lose their lives.

As for what to do, it was naturally about everyone looking out for each other and taking care of each other.

These matters needed to be observed patiently first, and only after confirming some news would it be discussed behind closed doors, as it was something that couldn't be openly talked about at such banquets.

So Bald Shopkeeper chuckled and said, "Hehe, our Red Lantern Lady receiving incense offerings is only a matter of time; that green-clothed evil ghost is just wishful thinking."

At this moment, Bald Shopkeeper suddenly spoke up, a cold smile on his face, "But no one expected that after losing the duel, the green clothes gang would become rampant."

"This gang of Evil Ghosts used to not even dare to enter the gates of Mingzhou City, but now they are swaggering everywhere. Even when our Red Lantern Society people encounter them, we have to give way."

Hu Ma, hearing this, felt a stir in his heart and hurriedly said, "What do you mean?"

Manager Xu waved his hand helplessly and sighed, "It's all a matter of helplessness. Do you know why the reward from our Lady was only given to you now?"

"Things are too chaotic."

"We've taken over the green clothes gang's blood food mine, but many things that by rights we should've taken over are forcibly withheld by their people, and they just refuse to give way. We can't forcibly demand it now, so we can only endure it."

"That's not all. What's more troublesome is that the Evil Ghosts of the green clothes gang don't know whose backing they have, as they're stirring up winds and storms in the whole of Mingzhou City now."

"Honestly, we've been competing with the green clothes gang for so many years, and this time we won the duel but still suffered the biggest humiliation from them..."

Is the green clothes gang dealing with some individuals from certain Paths?

Hu Ma remembered these words in his heart.

Earlier, he had learned from Er Guotou that the green-clothed evil ghost, following the orders of the Tongyin Meng family, was looking for someone.

However, back then, Er Guotou didn't know much, and now the Reincarnator had cut off contact, and there has been no new information.

Now seeing Manager Xu and Bald Shopkeeper talking about this matter, he seized the opportunity, deliberately saying, "They already owe a lot of debts from the duel, what more do they want to do now that they've lost?"

"I don't know, and we don't ask anyway, as the Red Lantern Lady doesn't allow us to meddle in this matter," Manager Xu said.

"Actually, in this Mingzhou City, most of the experts from the Paths are on good terms with our Red Lantern Society and shouldn't be harassed by Evil Ghosts."

"But recently, two Dart Heads from Shunchang Escort Agency went missing, possibly related to the green-clothed evil ghosts, but they dare not provoke them."

"They came to us to uphold justice, but in the end, even the left and right protectors avoided it. Even the Lady only said we're not to handle these matters!"

Hu Ma smiled and asked, "The more victorious, the more dignified one must be. Perhaps the Lady just couldn't be bothered with them."

"And those two Dart Heads, did they ever return?"

"No," Manager Xu said. "Their life and death are unknown, but someone did see that they were taken away by the green-clothed child."

Bald Zhang said, "Ah, just talking about these matters is infuriating. Hopefully, they only cause trouble in the city and don't come to our Manor; otherwise, I'll break their legs."

"Yes, the situation is against us right now. What can we do but endure?"

The two men were deeply apprehensive about this issue, so after a few words, they stopped discussing it, urging to start the feast.

Hu Ma stepped outside for a moment, and seeing that things were about right, he invited the two to sit down, but he couldn't help but start pondering.

Indeed, the green-clothed evil ghosts had begun their actions, and from the looks of it, they were searching for someone?

But on what basis were they searching, and why were they causing trouble for those from the Paths, even abducting two Dart Heads from the escort agency?

There were quite a few Martial Artists making a living in the escort agency, but most capable ones had joined the Blood Food Gang; who would be mixed up in the escort agency?

Furthermore, he always couldn't be sure if they were looking for him.

If they were looking for him, wouldn't they just go directly to Old Yin Mountain for clues or search for anyone with the surname Hu to find him and chop him down...

... Ugh, that's a bit brutal, but that's not my nature; I'm just speculating on their actions.

All in all, no matter how you look at it, this matter exudes mystery.

In short, a word of caution... be careful and cautious...

At least now, it's clear that the green clothes gang had already begun to take action, and although not publicly, they were pretty reckless in their actions.

Even the Red Lantern Lady dared not intervene in this matter, which meant that once involved, there might be no one to call for help, no place to seek aid.

Thinking about it, he quietly called Manager Xu and Bald Shopkeeper to drink and eat.

Moreover, because Bald Shopkeeper had brought several companions, one table was no longer enough, so two large tables were set up. Zhou Datong, Zhou Liang, and Zhao Zhu accompanied Bald Shopkeeper's companions, along with the attendants brought by Manager Xu, and meat and wine were served freely.

While cooking, Li even remembered to boil a pot of sugar eggs and send them outside the Manor.

After all, it was a grand occasion with Hu Ma becoming the Shopkeeper, a joyful event, and good neighbors had to share in the joy.

The most exasperating thing was this bunch of folks; after eating and drinking for three rounds, they even started pondering finding women to drink with them.

Hu Ma had no experience with this, so he helplessly asked. The workers in the Manor, however, knew what to do and quickly ran out. Before long, they brought back a heavily made-up brothel owner, along with three to five women of indescribable quality, who joined the feast, accompanying a few men to drink...

This was a service specifically provided for all sorts of traveling merchants from the city to the town.

These people came in the spring, summer, and autumn, and in winter returned to the city to rest and recuperate.

This feast, however, lasted from noon to dusk, and everyone was drunk by the time they got up and dispersed.

Bald Zhang drank too much and slept in the Manor with his companions, but Manager Xu intended to take his attendants back to the city.

It was now getting dark. In the past, one would have had to stay overnight, as venturing out was a great taboo. However, with the Red Lantern Lady having built a temple and Manager Xu himself possessing some skills, he no longer cared much about these things.

Hu Ma settled each guest who was staying before returning to his room, brewing a bit of tea to slowly sober up.

He pondered for a while, uncertain about what the green-clothed evil ghosts intended by causing a storm in Man City.

And he was also uncertain whether he should go to Old Yin Mountain to consult the old tree stump.

After finishing his tea and intending to rest, he suddenly heard a pebble gently hitting the window, prompting him to become alert.

After staying silent for a long while, he stood up and went to the window to take a look, and unexpectedly saw a bald head.

He smiled at Hu Ma and said, "Shopkeeper Hu, may I ask for a cup of tea?"

This guy was dead drunk just a moment ago...

Hu Ma was clueless about what he was up to but hurriedly let him in, smiling, "Brother, you're in high spirits tonight."

"You think I'm sneaky like a thief, huh?"

Bald Shopkeeper then sat down on the other side of the Taishi Chair, smiling at Hu Ma, "Secrets aren't passed on to idle ears; even our own stuff needs careful handling."

"Huh?"

Hu Ma was startled by these words, almost unable to believe his ears, and stood up promptly.

"Hehe, I'm no fool. Seeing your demeanor, I already understand," Bald Zhang chuckled and said. "Shopkeeper Hu, we only just connected, but I've dealt with Wu Hong quite a bit, and I know what your situation is. That's why some things I must discuss behind closed doors."

"You did me, Zhang, a favor. I also know what you lack, but before that, I must ask you one thing."

"Did Wu impart all his skills to you?"

Hu Ma paused for a moment before realizing what he referred to, nodding, "The dharma methods I've learned now are all my own skills, and Shopkeeper Wu acknowledged it too."

"If that's the case, then it's easier to talk about, because I have heard of those matters before."

Bald Shopkeeper smiled and waved his hand, saying, "I actually came here today for this."

"To tell you the truth, I also have a trump card, the Five Thunders Golden Toad Roar. It's perfectly suited for a Shousui man who has refined their Five Organs. Wu once sought me out for a trade, but I didn't agree. So, young brother, are you interested in hearing the secret to this?"

"Huh?"

Caught off guard by Bald Shopkeeper's mention of this, Hu Ma couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

Earlier, he was already tempted after hearing Manager Xu's words, but since Bald Shopkeeper had remained impassive and shifted the conversation, he had taken it as mere courtesy, not daring to ask outright.

Who would have thought he'd come around at night?

Now that Shopkeeper Wu was gone and he had no Master to guide him, how helpful could this experienced Shousui man be?

Moreover, although Bald Zhang wasn't the one who fought in the final round of the duel this time, Manager Xu's flattering words weren't wrong. The Red Lantern Society had arranged for him to be in the last stand because they believed his skills could handle most difficult problems...

What weight would the trump card of such a person carry?