Twilight Boundary

His name having been mentioned, Hu Ma had no choice but to step out.

Upon reaching the Manor gate and seeing the situation, he was slightly surprised. Quite a few people had come from the city: three or five individuals who looked like managers, accompanied by several Red Fragrance Disciples. Not only were they riding horses, but they also led several more by the reins.

He was startled and then realized this meant they didn't plan on staying at the Manor overnight; they intended to return to the city before nightfall and offer it to the Red Lantern Lady.

The Manor was a two-hour ride on horseback from the city. Departing now, they would probably reach the city by dark.

Normally, for safety's sake, they wouldn't rush like this. However, with sufficient manpower, taking this risk wasn't a major issue.

"It's all thanks to the bravery of Yang Gong and his companions. I merely fulfilled my duties at the Manor and assisted them a little," Hu Ma said modestly, greeting the managers from the city outside the Manor.

Whether or not he claimed the credit, it was his. Since that was the case, there was no need for his words to be overly boastful.

"Heh, bringing back such a batch of Blood Food, you don't need to be so modest," a man on horseback laughed. It was Manager Xu, with whom Hu Ma was quite familiar. Manager Xu had sent Hu Ma to the Manor and, in essence, promoted him. Furthermore, having now established a good rapport with the Second Master in the village, Manager Xu regarded himself as Hu Ma's elder.

Seeing Hu Ma achieve such a great feat so unexpectedly, Manager Xu's smile spread wide as he said, "I'm truly delighted. I always knew you were capable, but I didn't expect you to accomplish so much."

"We need to return to the city early today to put the Lady's mind at ease. We can talk properly when we get back!"

Everyone understood the urgency and quickly dismounted, bringing forward two fine horses for Yang Gong and Shen Bangzi. The others formed a protective circle around the two, especially Yang Gong who carried the Blood Food, and nodded at Hu Ma.

With a whistle, they spurred their horses on, a large contingent heading towards the city.

Hu Ma watched them depart, feeling relieved. Although he had a share in the credit for this batch of Blood Food, seeing it taken away didn't make him feel as if he were losing something precious.

If only I could...

No, no, I can't think like that.

This batch of Blood Food was indeed valuable, but exchanging it for Yang Gong's friendship and this achievement wasn't a bad deal.

He originally needed a place where he could be his own master, convenient for his Cultivation, due to the many secrets he harbored. Thus, the position of Shopkeeper was still on his mind.

Previously, due to his lack of experience, it was impossible even if a Shopkeeper was willing to recommend him. Now, perhaps, there was a glimmer of hope.

With the credit for protecting the Red Lanterns last year and the credit for helping reclaim the Blood Food, it should counterbalance my lack of experience, right?

He silently thought to himself as he turned and reentered the Manor.

A significant event had just occurred, with several important figures from the city visiting. Despite this, the Manor's attendants seemed distracted. They were crowded around the small hut next to Hu Ma's, craning their necks to peek inside, holding their breath as if afraid to disturb something.

"Move along, move along..." Zhou Datong's voice soon echoed from inside, shooing them away. "Don't just stand here, and don't look..."

"This is Brother Ma Zi's mistress! If you stare, we'll all be in for it!"

"What's all this nonsense?"

Hu Ma found it both amusing and irritating. He would have to have a word with Zhou Datong eventually.

Zhou Datong was clearly a virgin who had never been with a woman, yet his mouth was full of vulgar talk. Of course, tracing this back, it was still the Second Master's fault.

Zhou Datong had been trying to shoo them away for some time, but no one budged. However, as soon as Hu Ma approached, the attendants quickly made way, pretending to busy themselves with other tasks.

Hu Ma arrived at his room, shooed Zhou Datong out as well, and then looked at the yellow-haired girl lying on his kang bed. She was still in the same clothes, which had dried by now, and she appeared to be sound asleep.

Standing before the bed, Hu Ma observed her for a moment and said, "Since you're awake, don't just lie there."

A Shousui man could keenly sense vital energy, so whether she was truly asleep or merely pretending was clear to him.

Yet, even after he spoke, she kept her eyes tightly shut, her slender body trembling slightly.

Hu Ma furrowed his brows and said, "I just happened to pull you out of the water. A life is a life, after all. I'm not asking for any reward. This Manor is full of men, so it's not convenient to keep a young girl like you here. You should get up and go home soon!"

Saying this, he turned to leave.

But no sooner had he turned than he heard a rustling sound behind him.

The yellow-haired girl on the bed, hearing Hu Ma's words, suddenly slid off the bed and knelt, kowtowing.

"Kind sir, I beg you, please don't send me away..."

"What do you mean, 'send you away'?"

Seeing her frightened look, Hu Ma asked, "Where are you from? What's your name? Are you from Niu Family Bay?"

"I... my surname is Li, and my name is Xiangyu. My... my home is at Big Stone Cliff..."

The yellow-haired girl shivered even more as Hu Ma spoke seriously. She said, "I was with Grandpa Steward watching the lantern festival when I met my godmother. My godmother said my family didn't want me anymore and that she would take me to see flowers. She led me on a long journey and taught me many rules."

"She said that whoever bought me, I should serve them well. If I see someone handsome, I should call him 'Sir.' If I see someone well-off, I should call him 'Young Master.' And if... if someone takes my body..."

"...then I should call him 'Husband.'"

Saying this, she peeked at Hu Ma, as if trying to determine if she had addressed him correctly, then hurriedly kowtowed again. "Sir, please don't send me away! I've learned to cook, I can sew, and I can sweep the courtyard..."

"You met your godmother during the lantern festival?" Hu Ma frowned, a suspicion forming in his mind. This girl had likely been abducted.

When he pressed for details about her home, she seemed confused. She only remembered Big Stone Cliff but couldn't recall the specific state or county. It was unclear whether she had been abducted a long time ago or had been subjected to some Enchanting Spell in the interim.

After a brief contemplation, he said, "You don't need to call me 'Husband' or 'Young Master.'"

"I won't send you away, but I can't let you stay in the Manor. First, I'll find you a place to stay outside. Then, I'll ask someone to inquire about this Big Stone Cliff. If we can find your family, I'll have a message sent for them to come and bring you home."

Hearing this, the yellow-haired girl was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude.

Hu Ma sighed inwardly, knowing this was the most he could do.

Forcing her out wouldn't be right. This world was already harsh for grown men to survive alone, let alone a young girl like her.

Miss White Wine had once said this was a Chaotic World, a Demon World, an Evil World. Situations like this girl's were not uncommon.

In fact, they were exceedingly common.

He wasn't so kind-hearted as to meddle in bad things that didn't happen right before his eyes; he would just pretend not to know.

But ultimately, he wasn't so indifferent that he could witness such a pitiable event unfolding before him and still pretend not to see.

He certainly had no intention of keeping her by his side. Although he also possessed a child body and had long been unacquainted with carnal pleasures, he wasn't so desperate as to pick up a girl just to warm his bed.

Especially someone with a questionable identity and unknown background; keeping her around would be asking for trouble.

To take a step back, if he really were tempted, he could just prepare several taels of Silver and go to a broker. What kind of girl couldn't he pick out then?

In this Chaotic World, human life was cheap; such yellow-haired girls were less valuable than sheep.

It was better to treat it as a good deed: find out her origins clearly and send her home.

He led her out of the room. The attendants outside all stared at her intently. She kept her head bowed, her body trembling, not daring to look at anyone. This continued until Hu Ma led her out of the Manor and to a tavern in the nearby town.

Hu Ma told the tavern's Shopkeeper, "A relative from my village has come, hoping to find work with a prominent family in the city. There's no place for her to stay at my Manor, so I'll place her with you for now."

"Here is some Silver. Please arrange for her meals each day, and find some of your wife's clothes for her to change into."

Hu Ma had frequently bought wine from him. Moreover, even a junior manager from the Red Lantern Lady's Club was considered an influential figure in the surrounding towns and villages. How could this tavern Shopkeeper refuse? He immediately agreed and called his wife to lead the girl away, even declining the Silver.

But Hu Ma still pressed the Silver into his hand and instructed the yellow-haired girl to stay quietly here, not to cause any trouble, and to try harder to remember details about her home.

Once everything was settled, he casually bought two pounds of wine and returned to the Manor.

Helping Yang Gong this time was undoubtedly a great merit. Zhou Datong, who had led men out to support him, also deserved credit for his hard work.

He definitely had to treat him to a good meal.

Back at the Manor, the attendants looked disappointed to see Hu Ma return alone.

They've been holding it in for too long... Seeing their expressions, Hu Ma couldn't help but snicker inwardly. It's not easy for any of them!

No wonder those who learned skills from the Second Master could only last a few years if they didn't learn the Shousui man's dharma methods.

He had to find a way out for them soon. Otherwise, his Manor might not even be able to raise sheep in the future.

Zhou Datong and the others could be considered for learning the Shousui man's dharma methods, he mused upon returning to his room. But as for the other attendants, if they can't restrain themselves and end up frequenting the alleys, as long as the Red Lantern Lady's Club continues to supply them with Blood Food, they can still work even if their vital essence is spent.

But speaking of it that way, what's the fundamental difference between them and human candles?

He sighed silently, not dwelling on it further. It was already good enough if he could manage his own affairs. At most, he could consider Zhou Datong and his group.

As for the other attendants, joining the Red Lantern Society was their fate.

Three to five days passed uneventfully. The expected news from the city hadn't arrived yet. However, an old servant from the inner courtyard suddenly came out, arranged for a table of food and wine to be prepared in town, and then approached Hu Ma, saying,

"Little Master, the Old Master is waiting for you inside. He wants to invite you for a drink..."

Why the sudden invitation for drinks?

Hu Ma's mind raced as he quickly stood up and went into the inner courtyard. There, he saw the old Shopkeeper and Sister Wu He already seated at a table laden with food and wine.

The old Shopkeeper had an air of irremovable exhaustion. He sighed and said to Hu Ma, "We're about to leave!"