"You're going with them?"
Both the Clan Leader and the Second Master were clearly surprised upon hearing what Hu Ma said.
The situation with Hu Ma had already been heard of by the people in the village. The last incident had occurred in the forest, and later, Granny had eagerly sought the ancestors in the old fire pit to recognize Hu Ma, but they ultimately did not, nor could they provide the protection of the forebears.
It was said that Hu Ma was going to learn some skills from the Second Master, but it had only been a few days.
Now, entering the forest, how was that different from courting death?
"Don't you go with them, be careful not to disrupt your Second Master's matters!"
The Old Clan Chief, realizing the situation, immediately and sternly advised Hu Ma, "Leave the task of finding Granny to the village."
"It won't disrupt anything, and besides, the place these city people are headed is in the same direction Granny went missing, no?"
Hu Ma had already figured it out, insisting as he spoke.
Granny must have encountered some trouble, or she wouldn't have forgotten to burn incense for Little Hongtang.
The trouble Granny faced was either something she could solve without the village's help, or something only the Second Master could lend a hand with, so I must go with him.
As for the dangers in the forest...
Hu Ma had realized early on that, with his now considerable skill in practicing, ordinary Wandering spirits couldn't get near him.
And those that dared to approach him could end his life whether he stayed in the village or not.
Rather than staying in the village, unprotected by the Second Master and anxiously awaiting an unknown fate, it was better to go into the forest as well. In this way, he'd receive the Second Master's protection and have the opportunity to look for Granny.
Even if it turned out to be a false alarm, when Granny returned to the village and Little Hongtang was back, both sides could be at ease.
"Ah... right, let Little Huma come along then."
The Second Master had initially intended to persuade Hu Ma to stay, but as the words reached his lips, he suddenly understood.
This reasoning was sound; having Hu Ma accompany him was indeed the best choice.
He also came to this realization, though a bit slower to react.
"I say, in a village as large as yours, is it this difficult to find someone to guide us?"
At that moment, the long-sleeved old man, who had been standing at a distance with his hands behind his back observing the scenery, approached with a smile and said, "We're in a hurry to head for the mountains. If your Dayang Village doesn't have anyone familiar with this old forest, we still have time to find someone from another village."
"Yes, yes."
The Clan Leader quickly replied with a laugh, "Didn't I just call for someone? Let me explain the rules to him, so he doesn't offend our distinguished guests."
"I'll guide you into the mountains. I'm familiar with all eight hundred li of Old Yin Mountain surrounding Dayang Village."
The Second Master also turned to the long-sleeved old man, saying, "But I must take this lad, have him assist me."
"Does guiding require extra hands?"
The long-sleeved old man cast a sidelong glance at Hu Ma with a smile and said, "Fine, bring him along, but we won't cover his expenses."
"His expenses weren't going to be covered to begin with..."
The Second Master muttered, heading back into the village, "I'll go prepare some provisions."
"No need. We have everything here; we won't be short on food and drink for you both. Don't waste time; let's head into the mountains sooner!" the long-sleeved old man said, raising his hand to stop Second Master. He then waved to the people behind him. "Unload the things!"
It seemed that those who looked like porters and guards were very efficient. Upon hearing the command, they immediately opened the large cart, which was packed full of boxes and luggage.
They unloaded all the bags, selected a few essentials, tied them with thick ropes, and each person shouldered one.
The largest one was tossed nonchalantly to the Second Master.
Even Hu Ma was not spared; a pack was thrown his way. "Wild boy, you do some work too."
Hu Ma received it silently, without resistance.
Currently, with his short hair, coarse linen clothes, and cloth shoes on his feet, he indeed resembled a wild boy.
Beyond finding Granny, he was also curious about these people. Perhaps through them, he could learn more about this world.
"It's almost noon."
The long-sleeved old man took a grass rope handed to him and tied the hems of his garment around his waist. Clad in silk pants, his legs were also neatly bound with leggings. Only then did he respectfully address the sedan chair with its black curtain, "Shall we set off now?"
"Yes."
A cold voice from within the sedan chair quietly responded.
Two robust men, one in front and one behind, approached the sedan chair, placing the ropes on their shoulders.
They're actually going to carry the sedan chair into the mountains?
Hu Ma, observing from the side, was quite surprised.
In the forest, the terrain was difficult, and carts could not enter, so all the luggage had to be unloaded and carried on human backs.
But the person in the sedan chair needed bearers to carry them into the forest?
Of course, whatever arrangements they had were pre-discussed, so nobody objected. Once prepared, they set off.
Hu Ma retracted his gaze and silently followed beside the Second Master.
The group left the village, walking straight west, towards the densest, most desolate part of the Old Yin Mountain forest.
Hu Ma had been in this world for quite some time now and had gradually come to understand its basic situation.
He knew that this mysterious region of intertwined mountains and forests was the eight hundred li of Old Yin Mountain—deep and perilous, the most dangerous. At the same time, it was where Master Tai Sui grew, holding endless treasures.
Although he often slacked off during his usual mountain runs, Hu Ma's stove fire was now abundant, and his stamina remarkable, making carrying this pack in the forest quite manageable.
However, the oppressive silence of the forest inevitably brought an undertone of desolation.
After only a few steps, a red shadow flickered by, and Little Hongtang came over, holding onto the corner of his coat, cautiously walking with him.
Hu Ma noticed that this group of people was unaware of Little Hongtang's presence, so he kept quiet, leading her along silently.
Perhaps it was because the Second Master was with him, or because the last time he left the village, it was due to Granny's identity as a walking ghost that attracted many evil spirits. This journey, however, proved to be astonishingly smooth.
Apart from occasionally difficult paths that needed cutting through with sickles, or encountering some snake bugs, the rest of the time was spent steadily and quietly, gradually delving deeper into the woods.
"There's fog ahead; we can't go on."
The Second Master, acting as a guide for these city folks, wasn't as talkative as he was at the Manor.
He quietly carried his large pack forward, saying nothing until they reached a barely visible fork in the overgrown path where he halted.
Addressing the long-sleeved old man, he said, "We need to detour along the river; it will be a bit farther."
"Fog ahead, what's the problem?"
The long-sleeved old man stopped, looking up at the thick fog swirling ahead.
"That fog is unusual, possibly indicating the old toads from the river have come ashore."
The Second Master explained, "If we accidentally trespass into it and unnecessary conflict arises, even if we manage it, it would delay us."
The old shopkeeper-like man raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, smiling as he said, "Dusk splits the yin and yang; humans and evil spirits each take their own path. Looking at the light now, it's still far from dark..."
"It's different."
The Second Master replied earnestly, "The forest of Old Yin Mountain is unlike any other place. It's full of heavy yin qi, making it twilight, day or night."
"A human entering the forest crosses the boundary."
"..."
The old shopkeeper listened, seemingly intrigued and without fear. However, he still looked toward the sedan chair behind him.
Inside the sedan, after a while, a faint voice responded, "Listen to the guide."
The group refrained from further conversation, following the Second Master on the detour. Seeing this, the Second Master sighed in relief and quietly spoke to Hu Ma.
Guiding these city folks, he most feared those who, confident in their skills and knowledge, refused to heed warnings.
This forest, eternally shrouded without sight of the sun and close to Master Tai Sui, is full of unknown evil spirits, spirits, and wandering gods. No matter how skilled, one must hold respect for this forest to ensure safety.
A single moment of carelessness, and you might not even know how you died.
Hu Ma noted the Second Master's words and watched his every move carefully.
Currently, with his strong stove fire and experienced guidance from the Second Master, venturing deeper into the forest should allow them to manage the risks to a degree.
Yet, this ancient forest, deep and silent, lacked any signs of human presence.
Just wandering like this, could he truly find Granny?
Maybe only Little Hongtang can help; she is Granny's little ghost. If we get close, she might sense her.
Thinking this, he glanced at Little Hongtang, who appeared listless, merely holding onto his sleeve and keeping close.
It seemed as if, with Granny gone, she was even more afraid of losing him too.
As they ventured deeper into the woods and dusk approached, the Second Master called for a halt, finding an open spot near a stream to rest.
He took Hu Ma and gathered some branches, not only to build a fire but also to plant them around as fencing, creating a courtyard wall. He even placed a thick branch at the entrance, calling it a threshold.
Spending the night in the forest meant trespassing into the domain of evil spirits.
But with the courtyard wall and threshold, they had built a Yang Mansion for themselves.
Humans reside in Yang Mansions, and none may enter without invitation. If any evil spirit intruded, it could be dealt with immediately without inciting the wrath of the deep forest's multitude.
This group of distinguished city folk found it novel and went along with it, stopping the sedan inside the "courtyard," clearing the weeds, and lighting a fire to roast their dry provisions.
They were generous, sharing their dry provisions and salted meat with Hu Ma and the Second Master. However, upon tasting, Hu Ma realized it was only salted meat, not Tai Sui meat.
Hu Ma noticed that the person in the sedan, even at this time, had not stepped out.
Even during meals, no one brought anything for her, making him wonder if she had sustenance in the sedan or if she had transcended the need for earthly food.
Yet, now filled with his own worries, other matters slipped from his mind. Having eaten the provisions given to him, he embraced Little Hongtang, lay beside the Second Master, and fell asleep in his clothes.
In no time, he drifted into a dreamlike state. In the haze, he suddenly heard a hoarse voice call out,
"White Wine calling in Old Yin Mountain, is there a Reincarnator who can hear?"