CHAPTER 352: CHAPTER 349: FAMILIAR SHADOW

For a moment, the world fell silent. Not even the sound of breathing could be heard.

When the call to battle faded and the Headless Divine Statue fell from the sky, it was as if all of Mingzhou had suddenly grown quiet.

Aunt Zhang looked toward the altar before her, seeing the few pieces of black bone that had fallen after the Five Evil Ghosts were slain. She was at a loss for a moment before she suddenly snapped out of it, hastily bowing toward the shadow of the Zhensui Mansion behind her.

By now, the Golden Armored Warrior had returned to the Zhensui Mansion, and its shadow was rapidly fading, disappearing. Yet the black Token she had thrown out earlier had not been retrieved.

As the shadow of the Zhensui Mansion vanished, Aunt Zhang vaguely, through a narrow crack in the mansion’s opening door, seemed to see a figure standing within the fading image, looking at her. She couldn’t make out the person’s features clearly, but they felt very familiar.

Beside her, Seventh Aunt, now wiser, also hurried to kowtow. Her small eyes, however, darted around, glancing at the few pieces of black bone. She seemed doubtful, muttering to herself,

"It looked so fierce, but it wasn’t very strong. To be slain just like that..."

"..."

Since Seventh Aunt took charge of their family, the only thing she had witnessed with her own eyes that truly scared her was this Five Evil Ghost. Yet, unexpectedly, such a fierce creature had lost its head so easily.

Seventh Aunt seemed to suddenly understand some truth, though she was unsure of how it would affect her in the future.

"Is it resolved?"

At this time, the Mountain Lord of Yellow Dog Village smiled faintly and gently raised his hand. The green barrier interwoven across the village quickly retracted, floating back onto Little Hongtang’s arm and tying itself once again into the shape of a butterfly knot.

He seemed quite satisfied with this outcome, murmuring to himself, "They never pay attention until they’ve tasted the sweetness. Now that it’s been borrowed this once, it should be returned soon, right?"

As he murmured, his form gradually disappeared, transforming into a fragrant breeze that drifted toward Old Yin Mountain.

On the Red Lantern Society’s side, as the Five Evil Ghost’s head fell, the Red Lantern Lady slipped out from Er Guotou’s clothes with a SWOOSH, her shadow manifesting as she knelt on the ground.

Under the gloomy lantern light, her face appeared pale, her body trembling incessantly. "Another one killed... another one slain..."

"The esteemed person in Mingzhou Prefecture... he doesn’t care much for people, but he loves killing them..."

"..."

Outside Green Stone Town, the contingent from Mingzhou Prefecture who had hurried out saw the Five Evil Ghost being slain. They trembled all over, utterly at a loss, not even daring to mount their horses. However, the surge of yin qi that rushed towards them seemed to be met with a cold and dissatisfied gaze.

In that majestic and solemn residence, a figure stood with hands clasped behind his back. They couldn’t see the figure’s face, yet they felt his eyes turn toward them, hearing a cold laugh:

"You, Hall Officer... I see you’re not doing a very good job."

"..."

Old Master Mei hurriedly knelt, shivering, feeling as if the sky had fallen. He didn’t dare utter a single word.

"Lady, please get up. That esteemed person has already left. Seeing how you helped this time, perhaps there will be rewards in the future..."

The Right Protector of the Red Lantern Society helped the Red Lantern Lady, who was kneeling and couldn’t be budged, to her feet. His eyes flickered slightly as he looked at the fallen Headless Divine Statue in the distant slaughter field, sighing inwardly, With the Walking Ghost Path, it seems things are only going to get livelier...

It’s just a pity. I originally wanted to steal something. Now it’s hopeless. Since their descendant has acted, it seems I can’t be so careless anymore. What a wasted opportunity...

If I had acted sooner, perhaps I would have already obtained it...

"..."

"..."

"Young Master, just now, what was that commotion?"

On the fringes of Old Yin Mountain, in Yuqian Village, the Young Master of Grass Heart Hall had recently brought a doctor and disciple of the Siming Path to treat baleful influences. Lodging in the mountains, they had avoided the chaos outside.

They knew nothing of the battle between bandits and village protectors in Green Stone Town, yet they had felt the shout and sensed the enormous Headless Divine Statue falling from the sky, its impact dissipating the surrounding baleful qi into nothingness.

Even the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper was startled by this commotion. Not understanding what had happened, he hurriedly sought the Young Master’s insight.

"The Zhensui Mansion opened. It killed a Hall Officer."

The Young Master spoke blandly, her face seemingly expressionless. The white cat she kept sat on her knee, the fur on its neck standing on end, its pupils narrowed to slits, like needles.

"Huh?"

The Young Master spoke casually, as if describing a trivial matter, but the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper felt his scalp tingle. "The Zhensui Mansion? The one that exorcises spirits and fiends by imperial decree?"

"Wasn’t it shut down for twenty years?"

"..."

"If it hadn’t been shut down for twenty years, how could things have gotten this chaotic?"

The Young Master let out a cold laugh. "Indeed. And now that it’s reopened, it seems this world is only going to get more chaotic."

The Five Ghosts Shopkeeper was truly frightened by this news, unsure how to respond. Discussing this topic was already making him uneasy. Suddenly, the Young Master’s expression changed slightly, and then the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper also seemed to hear something.

They hurriedly looked outside, only to smell a fragrant breeze wafting through the courtyard. An ethereal, mystical tune drifted on the air, and a certain authoritative and profound aura descended from above.

"Prepare the incense table! Offer the three types of sacrificial animals!"

The Young Master suddenly thought of something and quickly instructed the Five Ghosts Shopkeeper, "A great Mountain Lord is returning to his mountain and is passing by our location!"

The Five Ghosts Shopkeeper rushed to prepare. Since they were in the mountains for dispelling baleful influences, all necessary items were readily available. They quickly set up the incense table and presented the offerings. The Young Master led them to the incense table to burn incense, respectfully worshipping toward the sky.

The Young Master made a soft sound of surprise.

Normally, during such worship, the deity would become aware, and blessings would naturally descend.

But this time, perhaps because they were so close to this entity, they distinctly heard a warm, deep voice say, "While there’s chaos outside, you still think of eliminating baleful influences and bringing benefit to others. Truly commendable. Considering that your Cultivation hasn’t been easy, I shall grant you this karmic boon!"

The Five Ghosts Shopkeeper and the others dared not raise their heads, not knowing what was happening. They could only sense the Young Master’s body trembling slightly; she seemed extremely thrilled.

「Miss White Wine had made the boldest move since her reincarnation, perhaps fulfilling a long-cherished wish.」

At the same time, far from Old Yin Mountain and far from Green Stone Town, someone felt the Five Evil Ghost being beheaded and was terrified into trembling like a sieve.

He was originally an incense-burner for the Five Ghosts Master, responsible for managing the Evil Altar.

Yet, precisely because he was harboring a special treasure, he had a premonition, suddenly realizing that misfortune was looming. He made a crucial decision: using the excuse of being pursued, he avoided Green Stone Town. Instead, he fled far away and hid in a farmer’s chicken coop, not daring to show his head.

When the Headless Divine Statue fell from the sky, he was so terrified his mind went blank. At the same time, he deeply felt how fortunate he was to have been holding onto his treasure, allowing him to narrowly avoid disaster. He resolved that when he returned, he would properly venerate this treasure, cultivate blessings, and nourish his destiny.

Then, amidst his mingled fear and joy, he suddenly heard an "EH!" Turning sharply, he saw a pretty little head peeking into the chicken coop, its eyes wide as it stared at him.

"GAH!"

As the Luck Evil Envoy yelped in fright, the small head retreated. Its owner was limping but had a face full of delight. "Finally found you!"

"It wasn’t in vain, chasing you for hundreds of miles with this limp!"

"Hurry and return my treasure!"

"..."

"..."

Finally resolved...

Near Green Stone Town, Hu Ma saw the Five Evil Ghost’s head fall and felt a wave of relief wash over him.

He watched as the two Golden Armored Warriors carrying the chest silently picked up the heavy mace and returned it to the chest. The chains on the chest then automatically locked. The Warriors turned and headed toward Old Yin Mountain, their figures growing fainter as they walked.

Hu Ma didn’t dare stop them from taking the item. He only bowed deeply as they departed, his mind a tumult of emotions.

Sooner or later, it will be mine. I should retrieve it then.

Consoling himself thus, Hu Ma took out a Blood Food Pill. He turned his back, tore it in half, kneaded it for a moment, then turned back and handed it to Little Hongtang as a reward for her hard work that night. He then led her toward Aunt Zhang’s altar site.

"Aunt, are your worries finally settled now?"

Aunt Zhang was still at the altar, perhaps too frightened to dismantle it just yet.

As Little Hongtang approached, she saw the black bones scattered within the altar. Her eyes immediately brightened, and she went over to pick them up, placing them in her basket.

Seventh Aunt, noticing them as well, wanted to pick them up but hesitated. What kind of status do I have? How can I compete with a little girl over such things? she thought.

Hu Ma, of course, didn’t stop Little Hongtang. He glanced at the bones, then looked toward Aunt Zhang. At that moment, she was tearful and nodding forcefully. Suddenly, she turned and knelt before Seventh Aunt.

Seventh Aunt was just turning with a cheerful smile. She felt quite good after having enjoyed a feast, cursed someone out, and watched an exciting spectacle that night. But when she suddenly saw Aunt Zhang kneeling before her, her expression turned awkward.

"Hey, hey, why are you kneeling again?"

"I didn’t bring any wedding money for rewards..."

"..."

"I brought some, I brought some!"

Hu Ma quickly took out the Copper Coins he had earned from his work as a walking ghost guide, handing them to Seventh Aunt to give as a reward to the kowtowing Aunt Zhang.

When Aunt Zhang, confused, received the few Copper Coins still carrying Hu Ma’s faint warmth, she held them in her hand. She looked up at Hu Ma, who stood beside Seventh Aunt smiling at her. Suddenly, her heart stirred as if she recalled something.

Vaguely, she seemed to remember the little shopkeeper once saying to her, "Aunt, don’t be afraid. In our Path, there will always be someone to manage things."