CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 81: CATCHING DOLLS AT THE FLOWER MARKET

When Hu Ma saw the peddler that afternoon, he felt something was off. How could someone be so kind in such a petty trade? Besides, as I quietly approached, I vaguely saw that when the peddler was giving candy to the children, his hand seemed to intentionally or unintentionally brush over a child’s head, as if he had plucked a hair. Although I was far away at the time and couldn’t see clearly, I’ve suffered from such tricks in the village before. One’s body, hair, and commonly used objects could all be used by others to cast spells; how could I not be cautious? It was just that I indeed hadn’t seen clearly; this person might really just be a peddler after all. If I hurried back to the Manor to call for people and caused a big scene, the other party might see the situation as unfavorable and withdraw. In the end, I would still be the one in trouble. So, I decided to quietly keep watch here first to see if there was truly something amiss.

Once he confirmed there was an issue, he would quickly send Little Hongtang back to report. Waking up Zhou Datong wasn’t to expect his help, but to have him quickly go to the inner courtyard to call the Shopkeeper.

One should intervene when witnessing injustice, but I didn’t plan to take action myself. Righting wrongs is a good deed, a merit; such merit is best earned by everyone together.

Once he confirmed the peddler was trouble, he didn’t rush to alert anyone but quietly followed the group of children. He watched their stumbling, wobbly gait as they left the Manor, appearing like clumsy little beasts under the dim moonlight.

After about the time it takes to burn One Incense, they had reached the dirt road outside the Manor. In the distance, a man-pulled, two-wheeled wooden cart was parked, with a figure standing beside it, shaking a rattle drum.

It was the same peddler from the daytime, but his face was painted a deathly white, a stiff smile plastered on it. In the silent, deep night, this sight carried an indescribable eeriness.

When he saw the children approach, the smile on his face grew more intense, and the rattle drum in his hand shook more vigorously. However, though the rattle drum clearly shook faster, the sound remained strangely muted, its operating principle a mystery.

Hu Ma watched from the shadows of a roadside tree. The peddler, while shaking the rattle drum, began to dance and prance around the cart, completing a full circle. The children seemed to mimic his actions, stretching out their small hands and following him in a circle.

After one round, the peddler stood aside, smiling as he watched the children climb onto the cart.

Hu Ma peered intently and vaguely discerned that what lay on the cart resembled a pitch-black coffin. Its lid was half-open, revealing a dark, gaping maw. The children, showing no fear, clumsily clambered onto the cart and began to crawl into the coffin.

I remember Second Master talking about the jianghu, saying there were demon people who posed as peddlers or Knife Salesmen. They would roam the streets, luring women and children, only to sell them to brothels or brokers for profit. Such demon people might not possess great skills, but they are adept at sinister methods, capable of performing enchantments and soul-stealing—they’re the most low-class scum on the jianghu. It seems the peddler I’ve encountered today is one of them.

He glanced towards the Manor; there was still no movement, and Little Hongtang hadn’t returned.

Logically, I shouldn’t rush to act yet. But I can’t guess what’s in that coffin, or what will happen once the children climb inside. Let’s stall him first.

Having made his decision, he suddenly cleared his throat and called out with a laugh, "Business is so good you’re busy stocking up in the middle of the night?"

SWISH!

In the dead silence of the night, Hu Ma’s voice was extremely loud.

The peddler, startled, immediately stopped shaking the rattle drum, and the children’s movements also ceased. After listening attentively for a moment, the peddler suddenly looked in Hu Ma’s direction and said, "Which friend from the jianghu is out there? Why not show yourself?"

He has some Path!

A chill went through Hu Ma. He spotted me at once from such a distance?

Growing cautious, he stepped out from the shadow of the tree, slowly moved forward, and said with a smile, "We just met this afternoon, have you forgotten already?"

The peddler had remained tense and still. Only when Hu Ma drew closer did his gaze flicker as he recognized him.

A smile spread across his face. "Ah, so it’s the young Manager from the establishment. You gave me quite a fright."

He continued, "You seem to be enjoying a stroll this fine evening. We have no quarrel. Your Lady provides your Blood Food, and I make my living off these children. Let’s mind our own business, like well water and river water, each keeping to our own course. How about it?"

"Mind our own business?" Hu Ma echoed, shaking his head with a smile. "Friend, now you’re going too far."

"The villagers trust our Red Lantern Lady, offering daily incense-burning and Worship. Am I supposed to stand by while you abduct their children? How is that acceptable?"

"Take my advice: leave the children, undo your evil skill, and be on your way!"

The peddler stared fixedly at Hu Ma. After a moment, he began to laugh. "Stealing someone’s livelihood is like murdering their parents—don’t you understand that principle, brother? If your Shopkeeper were here, I might show him some deference. But you? Forget it."

His expression seemed relaxed. As he spoke, he fumbled in one of the two baskets at the front of the cart and pulled out a cloth puppet, slipping it onto his hand.

He turned to Hu Ma and chuckled, "Worst case, we share the spoils. How about I leave a small silver coin for you?"

As he spoke, he raised his left hand, which now wore the cloth puppet. It was raggedly stitched but had distinct eyes and a mouth, and even seemed capable of expression.

His left hand, hidden inside the puppet, moved subtly. The puppet, now appearing vividly animated, giggled and even winked at Hu Ma.

"A small silver coin?"

Under the moonlight, the eerie puppet looked quite sinister. Hu Ma felt a chill, but he forced a smile and asked, "How many taels is it?"

Before his words even faded, Hu Ma suddenly drew his saber and lunged forward.

Since his hiding spot had been exposed, he’d immediately revealed himself and advanced for this very reason. He didn’t know what kind of evil skill these peddlers possessed, nor if this one, like Grandma Cui, had the ability to harm invisibly. But Hu Ma knew his own capabilities. A Shousui man’s true strength lay in direct, armed close combat. So, under the guise of conversation, he had edged closer bit by bit. Seeing the distance was now short, he launched a sudden, lethal attack, giving his opponent no time to react.

WHOOSH...

This lunging step utilized the "Mountain Opening" technique taught by Second Master. Though these three basic stances were simple, when mastered, they were filled with agile applications. This particular step was intended to rapidly close the distance to an opponent. As he lunged, his shoe soles scraped the earth, simultaneously kicking up a cloud of dust and dirt.

As his body followed through the lunge, Hu Ma flicked his foot, sending the cloud of dust straight into the peddler’s face. Using the dust as a screen, he swept his steel saber horizontally in a solid, powerful slash.

What in the world?

The peddler was stunned by the sudden attack.

He was smiling just moments ago! How could he turn hostile so quickly and strike so ruthlessly right from the start? The puppet I picked up has a hidden mechanism; I was planning to quietly use it on this reckless young punk. I didn’t expect this brat to be faster and more vicious than me! Before I could even make a move, his saber was at my face. Now I’m the one looking like a reckless fool!

In his haste, the peddler stumbled back towards the cart, simultaneously flicking the puppet in his hand, which seemed to spit something out.

TSK!

Hu Ma, saber in hand, exchanged a single blow with the peddler and then steadied his stance.

Under the dim moonlight, a streak of crimson was visible on his saber’s edge; he had clearly landed a hit.

However, he dared not be careless. He raised his left hand, frowning slightly; a few barely perceptible silver needles were embedded in it.

Although I struck quickly, his reaction was clearly not slow. It’s pitch-black all around, and I didn’t even see what he shot out. I could only hastily raise my left hand to block.

"Haha, haha! Let’s see if you die from this!"

The peddler leaned against the cart, drenched in a cold sweat from the pain. That unexpected slash... it caught my arm and chest! It was a solid hit. Lucky I have plenty of jianghu experience and dodged fast, otherwise I’d have been disemboweled!

Though terrified, seeing Hu Ma, he couldn’t help but curse hatefully, "No matter how savage you are, you’ll still end up on the ground before me!"

Even though I took a slash, the poison needle from the puppet’s mouth shot out. He’s clearly been hit too!

Poison?

Hu Ma felt a slight stinging pain in his arm. Hearing the peddler yell for him to "lie down," he immediately began to sway and stumble as if about to collapse.

But, taking advantage of this feigned forward lurch, he suddenly surged forward again, his saber whistling down.

"AAH—!"

The peddler had thought his poison was taking effect and had just begun to feel a sliver of relief when he unexpectedly saw the saber’s edge slashing towards his face again. He was horrified. He saw Hu Ma’s hand was steady, his saber swift, facial muscles clenched, and his eyes radiated a murderous ferocity. That savage look made his scalp crawl! There wasn’t the slightest sign of him being poisoned! Fear surged through his heart, and the blood rushed to his head, making his scalp tingle and feel like it was about to burst.

He had no time for further thought. Seeing the sharp blade about to strike, he recklessly spun around and thrust his hand into the coffin.

"Aunt Tan, save me!"

The Shousui man’s dharma method is truly remarkable!

Indeed, Hu Ma was inwardly ecstatic. Although his left hand had only recently been tempered, it already showed faint signs of being Immune to Hundred Poisons, fearless of water and fire, and impenetrable to weapons. Having caught his opponent off guard and gained an advantage, he was determined to see it through to the end.

He put his full strength into this slash, but abruptly, a gust of yin wind swept past him.

His saber, clearly aimed at the peddler’s neck, inexplicably missed its mark. Immediately, he felt a bone-chilling cold envelop him, and a deeply unsettling, sinister laugh seemed to echo in his ears. His hair stood on end, and without a second thought, he hastily retreated.

When he focused his gaze, he saw the peddler had reached into the coffin and pulled out a round, bulky object. It resembled a wine jar, the kind that could hold about thirty catties, and was covered with a red cloth.

The peddler’s left arm—its shoulder nearly severed, hanging by just a flap of skin—was forcefully swung up and draped over this jar. Gushing blood instantly streamed down, drenching the red cloth.

Hu Ma watched as the yin qi emanating from the jar grew steadily more intense. Strange, eerie swallowing sounds came from within it. All the blood, instead of dripping to the ground, converged at the jar’s mouth and seeped inside.