CHAPTER 353: CHAPTER 350: KNOCKING THREE TIMES

That night was both lively and extremely quiet.

Hu Ma helped Aunt Zhang pack up the things for setting up the altar, bundling them up. Of course, these items were originally his, so he knew what was important. He only took the brazier, leaving the burnt scarecrow and spilled rice behind.

Then, he politely invited Seventh Aunt and Aunt Zhang to his manor for some food and to rest their feet.

It was getting late, and naturally, he couldn’t let Aunt Zhang walk the dozens of miles back on the mountain road alone. After all, the nights weren’t safe. What if Aunt Zhang encountered some evil spirit and got frightened?

Aunt Zhang hesitated for a moment before agreeing. On the way back to the manor, she kept glancing at Hu Ma. He noticed her gaze several times, smiled, turned to her, and said, "What’s wrong, Aunt? Is there something on my face?"

"No, no," she said. Aunt Zhang’s face turned red, and she seemed to be pondering something. After a moment, she whispered, "Thank you, little shopkeeper."

Hu Ma wasn’t sure if she was thanking him for inviting Seventh Aunt or for something else. He just smiled and said, "Why thank me, Aunt? You’re practically my Master. We’re family, no need for thanks."

"Ah?" Aunt Zhang exclaimed softly. At his words, she seemed to recall some incredible problem, and her pupils dilated. It was clear her legs were trembling as she walked, nearly causing her to stumble.

Back at the manor, only the attendants remained. Many villagers had heard the commotion of approaching bandits and had taken refuge in the manor. However, after the battle outside ended and the manor’s attendants had scouted the situation, the villagers had quickly returned home. Although it seemed the bandits hadn’t come too close, they still needed to hurry back and check on their homes, ensuring their chickens, ducks, and pigs were all accounted for.

"There’s no need to be so tense anymore," Hu Ma reassured the still-panicked attendants. "The bandits are gone. And over in Yellow Dog Village, Aunt Zhang also dealt with an Evil Ghost. Remember to go check on them tomorrow and see if they need any help."

"After all, we’re neighbors. If the villagers are in trouble, we must lend a hand." He then said, "Li, go prepare a feast. Tonight, we’re going to have a good drink with Seventh Aunt and Aunt Zhang!"

The attendants didn’t know exactly what had transpired, but hearing Hu Ma’s words, they felt somewhat relieved and quickly went to make preparations.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Just as they were about to help, someone knocked urgently at the door. When it was opened, they saw several tall horses outside, bearing riders drenched in blood. The sight terrified Zhao Zhu, who was on door duty, so much that he nearly lunged with his pitchfork.

"Don’t strike! It’s me!" one of the men on horseback shouted, wiping blood from his face as he dismounted. Only then did Zhao Zhu recognize him as Yang Gong and hurriedly let him in to see Hu Ma.

"Brother, just now you..." Yang Gong began, his mind reeling with questions the moment he saw Hu Ma. How had Hu Ma appeared in the slaughter field at that critical moment to save him? And how did he vanish right after giving him the sword? Wielding that treasure sword, he’d felt like a tiger that had grown wings, as if the world itself had shifted while he fought the bandits. All these questions made him feel things weren’t so simple, yet when he tried to voice them, the words wouldn’t come. Ultimately, it all felt like intuitive shifts. Thinking it over carefully, everything seemed to have a logical explanation; at most, there were just a few timely coincidences.

"Attend to your matters first. We can talk in detail when we have time," Hu Ma interjected, then asked, "Will you eat at the manor, or...?"

"No time," Yang Gong replied. "Hundreds of our brothers are waiting outside. We’ve dealt with those bandits, and now I need to lead the men back into the mountains. I’ve only known them for a few days, but they all trust me. Since I brought them out, I have to see them safely back."

"Besides, many are injured. Do you have enough black oil ointment and green food? I need two baskets full, urgently, for their wounds!"

"Plenty. It’s already prepared," Hu Ma replied. He had just instructed Zhou Datong to fetch the manor’s entire stock of black oil ointment, along with several dozen pounds of Blood Food. These expenses could be reported back to the Society, after all. Since a Red Fragrance Disciple was taking them, who in the Red Lantern Society wouldn’t authorize it? Of course, how many more days Yang Gong could remain a Red Fragrance Disciple was entirely up to the Red Lantern Lady.

"I..." Yang Gong began, taking the supplies. He held out the sword, intending to return it to Hu Ma.

But Hu Ma shook his head and smiled. "Keep it. I have a blade I’m used to. Just remember, no matter what fate has in store for you, don’t forget when I gave you this sword!"

"...Alright!" Yang Gong said, retracting the sword. He gave Hu Ma a profound look and then said suddenly, "Several prominent families in the mountains are waiting to reward us. You helped kill the bandits too; why not come for a few drinks?"

"No need," Hu Ma replied, shaking his head with a smile. "This is your accomplishment. Why should I get involved? Come find me when you’re finished."

"Alright," Yang Gong agreed. He took the black oil ointment and green food, mounted his horse, and rode out of the manor. As he departed, he kept looking back every few steps. He felt as if something was weighing on his mind, but he couldn’t quite grasp what it was.

After a long moment, he finally sighed, "A true brother indeed..."

Yang Gong didn’t know that after he left, Hu Ma also watched his receding figure and sighed softly. Zhou Datong, however, approached curiously. "Where did Brother Yang Gong just go? He was covered head to toe in blood..."

"Killing bandits," Hu Ma said, glancing at Zhou Datong with a smile. "The commotion you heard outside earlier? That was him leading his men into battle. Look at his bloodshot eyes; he probably hasn’t slept properly for days!"

Zhou Datong was stunned. He looked out of the manor gates and asked, "Was he ordered by the Red Lantern Society?"

Hu Ma shook his head.

Zhou Datong pressed, "Then did someone pay him to do it?"

Hu Ma shook his head again.

Zhou Datong was completely baffled. "Was it to protect some young lady in a village then?"

"Didn’t see any young ladies," Hu Ma chuckled. "It was just a bunch of men, the kind who probably only bathe a few times a year."

HISS...

Zhou Datong drew a sharp breath, completely perplexed. He walked away, muttering to himself, "Then what was he after?"

Hu Ma didn’t explain further to Zhou Datong. Seeing that Li had diligently prepared several dishes, he invited Aunt Zhang and Seventh Aunt to sit. At the small square table, Seventh Aunt naturally took the seat of honor.

Inhaling the aroma of warmed wine and the sweet fragrance of the sugar egg dish, Seventh Aunt took a deep breath and remarked, "Ah, it’s so much more comfortable eating at home..."

"The meat at that other banquet was practically raw, and so tough to chew..."

"A toast to you, Seventh Aunt," Hu Ma said, raising his cup with a smile. "From this day forward, I imagine every deity and spirit in the vicinity will know your name!"

As he smiled, Hu Ma wondered if Seventh Aunt’s newfound prestige meant Li would also rise in status, perhaps becoming an errand runner for that small hall officer. Could Li’s standing actually rival Miss Red Wine’s now?

KNOCK KNOCK!

Before they could finish a few cups, the manor door banged open again, this time seemingly pushed directly. A gust of wind swept in. Just as the attendants were about to shout curses, they saw the red lanterns outside.

The Left and Right Protectors, cloaked, masked, and riding tall horses, held Red Lanterns aloft. They led a large contingent of people and now stood just outside the manor entrance. Judging by their imposing aura, they seemed on the verge of commanding the manor’s Shopkeeper and attendants to hurry out and welcome the Red Lantern Lady. But then, they abruptly spotted Seventh Aunt seated in the courtyard, facing the manor gate.

A stunned silence fell as eyes met, and for a long moment, no one spoke.

Then, the imposing aura of the Red Lantern Society members outside gradually diminished. They had heard from the evil spirits forcibly brought to the earlier banquet about what had transpired in Yellow Dog Village, so they naturally knew of Seventh Aunt. Consequently, not only did the menacing air of the people outside dissipate, but the Red Lantern held by the Left Protector was also quietly extinguished.

The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward.

"Ah..." Hu Ma reacted, quickly rising to offer a bow.

But the Right Protector, the one with the smiling-face mask, swiftly raised a hand. "No need!"

"Please, continue!"

With that, they reined in their horses and slowly backed away from the manor. After retreating a few steps, they even dismounted to close the manor gate before the sound of galloping hooves quickly faded into the distance.

Within the Red Lantern Society ranks, many were puzzled. Why had the Red Lantern Lady departed without even entering the manor? What had they just witnessed?

The Right Protector, however, was deeply shaken by that brief glimpse. That associate of Old White’s... he’s truly capable! He actually managed to connect with that small hall officer?

The people in the courtyard were about to resume their meal when the manor gate was suddenly thrown open again. Everyone turned, annoyed and puzzled, to see a bloodied, listless horse standing at the entrance. It glanced at the dining group, lowered its head, walked into the courtyard, headed straight for the stables, and silently lay down.

The onlookers in the courtyard exchanged bewildered glances, unsure what to make of it. Hu Ma, however, sighed helplessly and said to Zhou Datong, "Take a pot of wine over and pour it into its trough. Judging by its state, it’s probably going to have a sleepless night..."

Tonight, I suppose it’s the only one who’s truly disappointed, eh?