CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 76: THE STOLEN BLOOD FOOD (THANKS TO MY SILVER LEAGUE MEMBER, J)

After Hu Ma handled this small matter and inquired about his family situation, the Shopkeeper seemed even more at ease.

All significant and minor affairs were entrusted to Hu Ma. He was tasked not only with arranging the nightly patrols and clearing nearby evil spirits but also with managing the monthly donations from the surrounding villages, distributing Blood Food to the Manor’s outer courtyard servants, and handling the accounting of funds and provisions.

During this period, the Shopkeeper only made one other brief appearance. This was when he arranged for relatives from the Xu Family in town to pick up Xu Ji, with whom he exchanged a few words. The person who came seemed to be just a distant relative, completely unaware of the competition between Hu Ma and Xu Ji. They happily left with a packet of silver coins given by the Shopkeeper, not even mentioning the red wooden sword.

It wasn’t until after this matter that Hu Ma finally relaxed. He put away the red wooden sword and went to the village to buy a fat-combed rooster, an old hen, seven or eight eggs, and a packet of brown sugar. He packed Little Hongtang’s basket to the brim and, hanging it around his own neck, delivered it. According to Little Hongtang, that family was pressing them relentlessly, threatening to charge interest if the payment wasn’t made soon.

But Hu Ma also thought this family had a lot of nerve, not worrying at all about the old Shopkeeper seeking revenge. Of course, looking back, the old Shopkeeper clearly had no such intention. His earlier claim to Xu Ji—that he couldn’t help with revenge because the Yellow Immortals’ family had fled into Old Yin Mountain—now seemed like a mere pretext.

This actually made Hu Ma curious. This Shopkeeper seems a bit too nonchalant, doesn’t he?

With some doubts in his mind, he temporarily put aside other thoughts, focusing instead on the cultivation of the Shousui dharma method, which was most important.

By dealing with the evil spirits plaguing Shiya Village, Hu Ma had gained an initial understanding of the power of a Shousui man’s dharma method. The old woman, whose resentment had bred an evil spirit, was an entity of pure malevolence. Once it possessed a living person, even three to five strong laborers armed with tools would likely be unable to subdue it. Yet, his left hand, though not yet fully refined, already had the ability to resist yin qi and send such an opponent tumbling. What would it be like once it was fully refined?

This confirmed for him that the dharma method the old Shopkeeper had taught him was indeed genuine.

However, there was just one problem: his cultivation progress seemed a bit too fast.

When the old Shopkeeper transmitted the dharma method to him, he had said he only hoped Hu Ma would be able to refine one hand and one leg before the next spring. But in reality, after only seven or eight days, his left hand already possessed some cultivation. Thinking about this progress, it likely far exceeded the old Shopkeeper’s expectations.

However, analyzing the reasons, it seemed logical. Most Shousui men typically began practicing this dharma method with only one Column of cultivation. In contrast, Hu Ma had started with Three Column Tao. Consequently, his speed in Wash Veins and Refine and stimulating vital energy was far faster than others. Additionally, his body was originally lifeless, which saved a step in the process. He also possessed the Lifebound Divine Statue to illuminate his own cultivation and prevent mistakes.

Of course, these three reasons were tied to his secrets, which he couldn’t let the Shopkeeper find out. Therefore, even though his progress was extraordinarily fast, he not only couldn’t mention it to the Shopkeeper but also had to carefully ensure the Shopkeeper didn’t find out.

And then there was another problem... Hu Ma sighed deeply. He was running out of Blood Food!

The jar of Blood Food Pills Granny had given him was now almost empty. Only three pills remained. Hu Ma knew eating them would no longer make much difference, so he carefully saved them, partly as a memento and partly to preserve these valuable items for future needs.

But now, despite his rapid progress with the Shousui man’s dharma method, his consumption of cultivation was just as swift. As his cultivation of the Shousui man’s dharma method progressed, his body’s internal consumption of life essence would steadily decrease. The Three Life Incense should have been enough to sustain him until he completed refining life for his body. But was he really going to rely solely on these Three Life Incense and just endure it?

That’s no way to live! Only a reckless spendthrift would burn through savings like this! Hu Ma only wanted to accumulate more, not expend what he had; any loss pained him.

Besides, a fundamental aspect of the Shousui man’s dharma method, leveraging his unique advantages, was clear: the more abundant the Blood Food, the faster the refining life process.

But where could he get another jar of Blood Food Pills?

As he pondered in silence, he suddenly thought of the Manor. By next spring, those warehouses would be filled with Blood Food...

"No, no..." Hu Ma was startled by his own thought, deeply reproaching himself. My abilities are still far too lacking... It’s not time to entertain that idea yet!

Then he had to think of other ways. As a Shousui man, surely I can secure a bit of Blood Food? If Granny could do it, so can I!

With these thoughts, he wiped his face, washed his feet, and lay back on his bed.

He quietly calculated in his heart. Today was the twentieth, a day ending in zero. It was time to thank Brother Er Guotou. After receiving so much help, how could he not even offer a word of thanks in the end?

"Congratulations, congratulations..." Brother Er Guotou, upon hearing Hu Ma had learned the Shousui man’s dharma method, immediately congratulated him repeatedly, though he wasn’t surprised.

"You’re a Reincarnator, after all, and I helped you. It would have been a joke if you hadn’t obtained it." As he spoke, he asked about Hu Ma’s progress and whether he had used the Lifebound Divine Statue to verify the authenticity of the dharma method.

Hu Ma then realized that the insights his Lifebound Divine Statue provided, which had surprised him, were actually normal for other Reincarnators; everyone instinctively did this. By honestly explaining this, he could avoid arousing suspicion in certain future matters.

"You’re only just beginning now. To truly learn the skills of a Shousui man, you’ll likely have to endure hardship for a while," Er Guotou said with a smile. "However, now that this day has finally arrived, we brothers can discuss a business deal."

Hu Ma was somewhat surprised. "Business deal?"

"Getting some Blood Food!" Er Guotou grinned. "How can we cultivate these various dharma methods without Blood Food? Especially you Shousui men; you naturally have to live by Blood Food."

The name ’Shousui man’ doesn’t seem to mean ’guardian of Master Tai Sui’... Hu Ma thought to himself, but he couldn’t be bothered to argue. He quickly asked, "It sounds like you’ve had an idea for a while?"

"Of course," Brother Er Guotou said. "I’ve had this idea ever since I knew you went to that Manor in Green Stone Town. Brother, have you forgotten I told you that something happened at that Manor last year?"

"Something happened?" Hu Ma suddenly reacted, his heart stirring slightly.

Normal Green Incense Disciples, upon entering the Red Lantern Lady’s Club, would have a chance to learn the true skills of a Shousui man if they worked diligently and caught someone’s eye. But this was undoubtedly a difficult and long process. Even the lucky ones might have to endure it for over ten years. Yet he had the chance to learn it in a short time. Wasn’t it precisely because something had happened at that Manor?

Shopkeeper Wu Hong had initially been sent there by the Lady’s Club with some trusted confidants and familiar servants. But last year, for some unknown reason, they were plagued by evil spirits. This resulted in the deaths or departures of many around him, leaving him with only his old retainer and a young servant.

So, there’s still something suspicious about this matter?

"It’s just speculation," Brother Er Guotou chuckled softly. "The incident occurred last year. Our Red Lantern Lady’s Club was lucky enough to find a new blood food mine, excavating a Thousand Jin of Green Tai Sui and even a considerable amount of Blood Tai Sui. This was a huge windfall, and they were eager to transport it back to the city. However, it was precisely when that batch of Blood Food was resting at his Manor that the evil spirits stirred, causing a massive commotion!"

"It’s said the chaos lasted all night. Many people died, many were injured, and that batch of Blood Food vanished without a trace."

"Of course, according to Wu Hong, it was robbed by evil spirits and opportunistic demon people during the chaos. These culprits supposedly retreated into Old Yin Mountain. However, neither the incense master of the Red Lantern Society nor the managers had the capability to verify his claims across the vast Old Yin Mountain. Moreover, many people had died, and his close associates, even his own daughter, were injured. Thus, others found it difficult to suspect him. But the doubts never completely disappeared."

Daughter? Hu Ma’s heart stirred at the mention. Could that be the gaze that secretly watched me from the courtyard?

He focused as Brother Er Guotou continued, "The primary suspicion arises from one point: Blood Food is difficult to transport. You’ve heard about this, right? In our Red Lantern Society, many know some transportation dharma methods. However, Blood Food, especially in large quantities, is notoriously difficult to transport using Spells. That’s why we have to meticulously transport it by manual labor, step by step. Those evil spirits are the same. If they caused trouble, broke into the warehouses, consumed some, spoiled some, or even carried off a portion, everyone could understand that. But for such a large batch of Blood Food to simply disappear without a trace naturally aroused everyone’s suspicion. Even if, for argument’s sake, some opportunistic demon people had managed to transport that batch of Blood Food, wouldn’t some trace of the transport have remained? Yet, there was none."

"So..."

Hearing this, Hu Ma understood. So, it’s most likely that the old Shopkeeper embezzled it himself?

"Anyway, that’s what everyone thinks," Er Guotou smiled. "After all, things like this haven’t been uncommon."

Hu Ma asked, "Didn’t anyone investigate?"

"They did. Red Fragrance Disciples and managers went down there," Brother Er Guotou said. "However, no evidence was found. Besides, Shopkeeper Wu truly did suffer significant losses in this incident. If he were pressed too hard, it might dishearten other shopkeepers, and no one would be willing to serve our Red Lantern Lady’s Club. Later, Shopkeeper Wu went around pulling strings and asking for favors, adamantly refusing to retire. He insisted on staying to rebuild the business there. Your opportunity to learn the Shousui man’s dharma method came about precisely because of this."

Hearing this, Hu Ma finally understood. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "You mean..."

"Just like everyone else," Er Guotou chuckled. "I also suspect that batch of Blood Food ended up in Shopkeeper Wu’s hands. This is a perfect opportunity for you. If you can find it, we’ll take him down, split the spoils fifty-fifty. Wouldn’t we both make a fortune?"