CHAPTER 479: CHAPTER 473 GOLDEN LIGHT GU

"How could it be like this?"

After the Chief Steward appeared, he remained indifferent and reserved. As an accompanying ceremony officer, he could not shout and lose his composure.

But at this moment, he saw Hu Ma’s Dharma Form, which unexpectedly manifested into Ragged Armor, and it shocked him. Armor was something for the military and could not be possessed without an official status. Moreover, this was condensed on the Dharma Form, as if it were arrogance ingrained in his bones.

And when Hu Ma borrowed the residual might of this broken armor, he stood up boldly, not only unaffected by the revered reputation of the Meng family but even drew his blade to attack, which already made the Chief Steward feel a bit overwhelmed.

The Tongyin Meng family, moving between the yin and the yang, the ceremony tent was not just a display of identity but also represented the Meng family name. This item wasn’t real, but in the Path, it held genuine weight, especially since it could be manifested through the Meng family’s Dharma Display.

The Ten Surnames all had ceremony tents. These tents weren’t just for scaring little ghosts at the roadside but had substantial weight. Therefore, when the tents appeared, even the ignorant wandering ghosts would be terrified and bow at the roadside, not daring to challenge them.

According to usual circumstances, only those who had gone Shangqiao or had some overt identity could withstand them. It had to be overt, recognized identity; even illegitimate children couldn’t do it unless they were officially acknowledged.

But how could this rural demon person have any public identity, directly ignoring this pressure?

Despite his shock, the Chief Steward reacted quickly, letting out a deep shout and meeting the oncoming threat head-on.

The hand hidden in a large sleeve slid out a black Iron Ruler, which looked like the kind used by arrest officers in the government to capture criminals, to meet the Evil Blade that was slashing towards him.

CRACK...

The Iron Ruler also seemed like an old object, a treasure from the Path, but it clashed with the fiercely menacing Evil Blade, immediately becoming covered in countless cracks and shattering apart.

Sharp fragments, swept up in a gust of wind, shot towards the face of the Chief Steward like a multitude of tiny knives.

CRASH...

The Chief Steward’s expression changed slightly. With a flick of his black sleeve, he swept all the fragments from the Iron Ruler to the side. The other sleeve, filled with Power qi, swooshed like an iron whip towards Hu Ma’s face.

"Even a mere servant has such skills?"

Hu Ma closed in aggressively, full of ferocity, yet all he saw was a dark cloud overwhelming him.

The Chief Steward’s skills were far superior to those of the Meng family’s offspring. Although Hu Ma couldn’t see the exact Path, the Chief Steward’s skills were at least at the top tier of Entering the Mansion.

However, he hadn’t gone Shangqiao. Those who had wouldn’t stoop to be servants.

Even if taken in by the Ten Surnames, at the very least, they would be at the House General level.

"This person received my bow, oppresses my fate, and yet disrespects the Meng family’s dignity. Too many oddities here, quickly capture him for me!"

Meanwhile, when Young Master Meng saw that Hu Ma wasn’t subdued and had even engaged the Chief Steward, he felt both astonished and furious. Instead of fleeing, he shouted fiercely at the maid beside him.

The maid was about to support the sedan chair and leave, but she, too, was startled by the change and quickly nodded.

The head maid of the underworld stood by the sedan chair, while she and the black shadows surrounding the sedan chair rushed forward simultaneously to assist.

WHOOSH...

A gust of ghostly wind swept up towards Hu Ma’s face. Although wary of the blade’s menacing aura, they dared not approach too closely, yet the chilling aura penetrated to the bone.

If truth be told, each of these ghostly figures that resembled servants had power no less than a green-clothed evil ghost. Damn it, this was simply outrageous.

If they were released, each one might wreak havoc in its area.

At this moment, Hu Ma was effectively surrounded by seven or eight green-clothed evil ghosts, plus a top-tier Entering the Mansion expert. The two maidservants, who also possessed Strange Skills, immediately lit incense, preparing to strike when the opportunity arose.

The danger at this point was unprecedented. Previously, Hu Ma had never imagined having to confront so many at once. Yet, with the broken armor on his body, a surge of ferocious intent filled him, and he wielded the Evil Blade fiercely against them.

The most crucial thing was that after several bouts, he did not seem to be at a disadvantage.

"This demon person, this demon person..."

Beside them, the Second Young Master Meng on the sedan chair, upon seeing Hu Ma’s fierce state, couldn’t help but feel his heart race in fear. It turns out he had been hiding his true skills all along, not using them...

Damn it, could it be that he planned to deceive me all along, to end my life while I was off-guard?

Thankfully, the Chief Steward arrived just in time. No wonder he immediately urged me to leave...

...

But now that he couldn’t leave, he widened his eyes, watching the fierce battle. He actually began to consider whether he should step forward to help.

However, constrained by his status as a noble Young Master of the Meng family, collaborating with servants to fight a rural demon person didn’t sound dignified.

Although this thought briefly crossed his mind, he immediately dismissed it, merely shouting and giving directions, "Don’t be scared by this demon person’s ferocity! He only has Three Column Tao! Seize his blade, break his Dharma Form, let a stream of yin into his body, and that will suffice to finish him..."

...

...

"Family-inherited skills, the name of the Ten Surnames, the noble identity, and these loyal house slaves..."

As Hu Ma brandished the Evil Blade, battling fiercely, he felt a certain sentiment spreading in his heart. Is this the prestige that people of the Ten Surnames should have? Is this the true gap between me and the scions of the Ten Surnames?

There was indeed a moment when, holding the position of the little shopkeeper of the Blood Food Gang, he felt the distinct disparity between himself and these nobles. But just when the Chief Steward led the crowd against him, a faint sigh suddenly echoed beside him:

"Step aside!"

This voice was extremely light and faint. Upon hearing it, a chill ran through Hu Ma’s heart. Instantly, he drew back his blade, retreated, and his form became a blur of shadowy figures as he leaped out of the fray.

It was a fierce battle. How could one so easily declare an exit?

The Chief Steward, along with the Meng family’s maidservants and various little ghosts, immediately pursued, ready to engulf Hu Ma in raging ghostly winds. They remembered Young Master Meng’s reminder, understanding Hu Ma’s weak points; these fierce ghostly winds were the best way to deal with him.

But at that instant, behind Hu Ma, a shadow suddenly appeared. The figure held a lamp, standing steadily within the ghostly wind, seemingly unaffected.

On the contrary, the lamp in the figure’s hand suddenly flared brightly, like a scorching sun, shining forward.

Where the golden light reached, the little ghosts wrapped in sinister ghost qi screamed as if scalded by boiling water, scrambling back in retreat.

Even the Chief Steward, whose large sleeve was brandished towards Hu Ma, had his sleeve suddenly wither. Greatly alarmed, he retreated several steps, tore his own sleeve away with a sudden rip, exclaiming in surprise, "Who goes there?"

...

...

"Why are you only coming now?"

When the lamplight appeared and repelled the ghosts, Hu Ma finally exhaled a long breath of relief. Yet, he couldn’t help but express some dissatisfaction as he turned to ask the person holding the lamp.

Our Little Hongtang over there on the mountain ridge was signaling until their arms were sore.

"I’ve been here for a while already."

In response to Hu Ma’s inquiries, the figure with the lamp remained calm and unhurried, slowly explaining, "I just noticed that the people you antagonized had some skills, so I adjusted my strategy accordingly."

"I specialize in gu for dealing with living beings, while the opponents you’ve encountered are mostly dead souls. Naturally, I needed a bit of time to prepare to treat the right symptom... After all, not every Path is like yours, where you can pick up a blade and slash immediately."

"?"

Hu Ma was speechless. Is this Path discrimination?

Feeling unconvinced, he said, "How is your preparation going? Also, isn’t Witchcraft supposed to hide?"

Monkey Wine’s voice sounded softly, "Just take a look, and you’ll know."

The two were having a brief exchange here, but on the other side, having been repelled by the sudden lamplight, the group of evil ghosts regained their momentum almost instantly. They became even more ferocious, lunging straight at Monkey Wine.

Eager to tear him and the lamp apart, yet facing this force, Monkey Wine only spoke slowly, while lifting his hand and gently flicking his finger.

The next moment, the lamplight grew even brighter, like a shower of golden light. The fierce ghosts rushing forward were immediately in great pain, as if exposed directly to sunlight. It became obvious that their shadows grew thinner, close to dissolving.

Amidst the fierce ghosts, however, was the Chief Steward. With a slight exclamation, he swung his hand towards Monkey Wine, but before he could reach him, he realized something was wrong.

Looking down, he found the hand he used to tear off his sleeve was already rotting away, with the bones almost exposed.

Shocked and furious, he hurriedly focused. Kicking up a piece of the shattered Iron Ruler from the ground with his foot, he then met it with his hand, cutting off his left hand with a HISS. However, when he severed the hand, the splattered blood fell on his body.

SIZZLE!

The spots where the blood splattered suddenly emitted white smoke, rapidly corroding into several holes, sending immediate, intense pain through his mind.

Damn...

Just a moment ago, Hu Ma had been complaining about Monkey Wine’s delayed arrival and the fact that he needed to prepare before acting, unlike them Shousui men, who swiftly draw blades and strike.

It’s not that we’re mocking your Witchcraft; the need to prepare before acting already deducts significant points. In a critical moment, who will afford you the time to prepare...?

...However, thankfully, I didn’t say it out loud!

Not only Hu Ma, but even the Young Master Meng in the back was startled, exclaiming, "Witchcraft?"

"Could it be that sect of Witches from the mountains?"

"Damn, they dare to join in this fray! Are they not afraid of bringing disaster upon their entire clan?"

...

Not far off, Hu Ma also heard this angry shout and inwardly sighed. Monkey Wine truly fears nothing...

...After all, his own clan is already wiped out!