Twilight Boundary-Chapter 685 - 676 I Really Am

"Indeed, I can tell you really seemed surprised..."

Listening to Miss Red Wine's words, even though Hu Ma was prepared, he still found himself speechless at her perfunctory attitude. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

He paused, then said solemnly and earnestly, "Miss Red Wine, I don't know if you understood me. I am indeed a descendant of the Zhen Sui Hu Family."

"Yes…" Miss Red Wine replied, "I never said you weren't, so what about it?"

"No…" Hu Ma said, "I am a Hu Family descendant... Of the Ten Surnames, the one who slew the Five Evil Spirits, the one who beat the Lord of Official Zhou, the one who participated in the first great cleansing of the Reincarnators—"

Miss Red Wine interrupted him impatiently, "Didn't I already express my shock?"

Hu Ma deflated. Right, she has already been shocked...

He sighed softly and said, "Actually, it's because I'm the master of Zhensui Mansion that I was able to fend off the Meng Family's Ancestor down below. Of course, Mr. Longjing helped, and even the Lord of the Tongyin Meng Family..."

Before he could finish, Miss Red Wine sighed. "No need to say more, we already know."

"You know?" Hu Ma was genuinely surprised this time.

"Don't forget, I'm a small hall officer of the trick door," Miss Red Wine chuckled. "Half the people in this jianghu are my disciples or grand-disciples. When those Seven Arrows appeared and destroyed the Dragon Cave, the jianghu was thrown into chaos, with all sorts of news, true or false, spreading everywhere. Among all those rumors, one stood out as the most astonishing yet authentic: the descendant of the Ghost Walking Hu Family had borrowed the twenty-four flag altars and defeated the Lord of the Meng Family. This news shook the vast jianghu. From that point on, we knew the Hu Family descendant had appeared in the City of the Dead."

Hu Ma was somewhat surprised upon hearing this. This was true, but I only just returned to the mortal world. Er Guotou wasn't around, so who could spread the news this quickly? Not only did the news get out, but it was also confirmed to be true?

As Miss Red Wine mentioned this, she smiled with a hint of deeper meaning. "We from the trick door make our way in the jianghu primarily by our skills and our connections. Therefore, for such a significant event, I naturally pay close attention. Brother Hu, why don't you tell me how those twenty-four flag altars were set up, and how the Lord of the Meng Family was defeated? Perhaps I can go out and earn some broken silver to spend."

I really can't explain this... Hu Ma suddenly felt awkward.

Miss Red Wine wasn't surprised at all by his inability to explain. Relying on the intuition developed from her years in the jianghu, she could sense Hu Ma's embarrassment just from his silence.

So she chuckled and said, "Besides, during our last meeting, we all became aware that the Purple Tai Sui is currently the foundation of the Ten Surnames, as well as the key for the Reincarnators to Shangqiao. Can you be generous and give us some more?"

"Huh?" Hu Ma was embarrassed again. "I really don't have any at the moment..."

"That's it then." Miss Red Wine smiled. "You don't have any, but we already have some. Of course, safety is paramount. We haven't rushed to share it. First, we found Bai and had her examine the Purple Tai Sui for any issues. Once it's confirmed to be safe, do you realize what an entire gourd filled with Purple Tai Sui signifies?"

Without waiting for a response, she spoke softly, "It signifies that the foundation of the Ten Surnames is about to be broken by the Reincarnators."

Upon hearing these words, Hu Ma could feel their weight, and he remained silent for a moment.

Miss Red Wine sighed lightly as she reached this point. "For the Reincarnators, what an achievement this would be… Brother Hu, since you've told me your identity... Heh, let's just say you did… But you don't need to be so stressed, nor should you hide away from everyone. We haven't yet figured out the full story behind the first great cleansing of the Reincarnators. Although it is said to involve the Hu Family, there really is no tradition of enmity with the Hu Family among the Reincarnators. In the end, why there aren't any Reincarnators in the Ten Families Sect is a mystery in itself. After all, the Ten Surnames have been renowned for over a hundred years. They have large families and enterprises, with countless clansmen across generations. There was once a Reincarnator in the Noble Zhang Family, but the Zhang Family crushed them into mincemeat. So why haven't any new Reincarnators appeared within the Ten Families Sect? Or perhaps, they are just so cautious that even if reincarnated into the Ten Surnames, they dare not take the risk?"

Hu Ma was so taken aback by her speech that he didn't know how to respond, stammering, "I..."

Wasn't I planning to guide the conversation? Why does it seem like there's no need for guidance at all?

But with Miss Red Wine's significant gesture of "trust," he felt more at ease. In the future, wouldn't I be able to use this identity of the Zhen Sui Hu Family more freely in Reincarnator circles? If I kept being secretive like before, things wouldn't go smoothly, and the benefits couldn't be maximized. This connection was made at just the right time.

Thinking this, he let out a long sigh of relief. "Having said it, I feel much more at ease. By the way, Miss Red Wine, I heard someone kidnapped Eldest Granny Meng?"

"I am furious about that!" Miss Red Wine's voice suddenly took on an emotional tone, much more charged than her earlier perfunctory discussion about the Hu Family descendant. "Those people from the Laozao Wine group really know how to cause trouble! Why kidnap her for no reason? They even wanted to send her to me in exchange for Purple Tai Sui? If I don't punish them with twenty pounds of Blood Food, it would be a merciful act."

I was wondering who was so peculiar; turns out it was this old brother... Hu Ma couldn't help but sigh internally. "No need to worry. Send her to me instead!"

"?" Miss Red Wine suddenly became wary. "What are you planning? Although this world regards us as evil spirits, we should still have some bottom lines for certain things…" Miss Red Wine trailed off.

"?" Hu Ma was taken aback. He paused for a moment before realizing what she was implying and quickly said, "You've got the wrong idea; that's not what I meant. The main point is, Eldest Master Meng is already in my hands…"

A brief silence followed, then Miss Red Wine asked, "?" This time it was her turn to be stunned. "Did you two conspire to have them neatly reunited as a couple?"

Hu Ma chuckled. "I was just thinking, for the Reincarnators to rise, isn't the Meng Family a suitable target right now? Their Meng Family Ancestor suffered a setback and likely won't be able to show its face for a while. In addition, both their key leaders—the one in the underworld and the one in the Yang Mansion—have fallen into our hands. This is precisely the time to deal with the Meng Family. Furthermore, the Meng Family Ancestor is indeed terrifying, but…"

He paused, then continued, "Mr. Longjing told me its greatest weakness."

Miss Red Wine was slightly surprised. "Quickly, tell me."

Hu Ma knew the importance of this information. He explained the Meng Family Ancestor's weakness: it cannot focus on two people at once. He also detailed the Purple Tai Sui practicing method, the State Preceptor's betrayal, and even the matter of the ancestral altar in Shangjing. Each piece of this information was extremely valuable with far-reaching implications, leaving her stunned.

The Tongyin Meng Family had deep foundations. Furthermore, the Meng Family Ancestor was only injured, not fundamentally crippled, making it still extremely formidable. Yet, among the Reincarnators, there is never a shortage of miracle men. As long as this weakness is known, they can always find a way to counter it. Moreover, with the Meng Family having lost two key leaders, chaos was inevitable, presenting an opportunity for the Reincarnators.

During this process, Hu Ma wouldn't even need to do anything else; as long as the Meng Family suffered, the Hu Family would benefit.

Finally, he settled the handover details for Eldest Granny Meng with Miss Red Wine and added, "Also, I need a few methods to make yin souls speak obediently."

"Make yin souls speak obediently?" Miss Red Wine immediately understood Hu Ma's meaning and chuckled. "There are many methods. If we're talking about the most specialized, it would naturally be the Execution Soul Path. However, Meng Family members going down to serve their Ancestor has become a tradition; they've likely long been prepared against Punishment Soul. If you really want something reliable, I suggest you find a particular person and ask her for a method."

Hu Ma was slightly taken aback. "Who?"

Miss Red Wine laughed. "Of course, Bai. Whether it's saving or harming, nurturing or tormenting, the Siming Path always has its ways."

Originally, Hu Ma had only considered seeking an Execution Soul Path. He hadn't thought of Sweet Potato because Sweet Potato's current skills were still lacking, likely insufficient to handle someone like Eldest Master Meng. However, upon Miss Red Wine's reminder, Hu Ma's mind became clearer.

Only, asking a doctor for torture methods? It's odd, but indeed appropriate.

He had already planned to find Miss White Wine on this trip back, so Hu Ma agreed. After a brief discussion with Miss Red Wine to ensure all information and handover matters were settled, he cut the connection.

"A Hu Family descendant?"

After severing the connection with Hu Ma, Miss Red Wine pondered for a moment, then contacted Bamboo Leaf Green through her Lifebound Spirit Temple, sighing as she said, "That old brother really knew he couldn't hide his identity any longer, so he pushed this earnest young fellow under his command out to take the fall. His intentions are unclear. Although he has been guarded, he has consistently worked for the Reincarnators. Yet, he never discloses his background. Why is that?"

From the other end of the Lifebound Spirit Temple, Bamboo Leaf Green mused, "Could it be that he himself has things he doesn't understand?"

Miss Red Wine nodded. "Most likely. From Old White's proposal, it's clear they intend to use the Zhen Sui Hu name to bring Tongyin Meng down from the divine altar. We have no reason to refuse. The Reincarnators are just beginning to rise; it's impossible to allow such suspicions to breed discord. Since he's unwilling to speak, we can only pretend not to know for now. However, necessary caution must be taken. Spread the word: in the name of Zhensui Mansion, wound the Meng Family, distribute the Purple Tai Sui, and prepare to seize the bridge! Then, ask the House Beam God about that old brother's situation!"