Twilight Boundary

Hu Ma looked at Xiang's current appearance and felt an extremely strange sensation.

Just moments ago, when he had briefly entered the Ghost Cave, his entire body had turned cold, the yin qi like an icy wind blowing through his orifices. After sitting for only a short while, he had felt thoroughly uncomfortable, as if plunged into an ice cellar.

If even a Shousui man's body couldn't endure it, what would it be like for a living person to stay inside that cave? Even Old Master Li needed to lock himself inside, yet this girl actually kept wishing to go in sooner?

Was it the so-called Yin Talisman that influenced her, or was there some deeper reason at play?

If the Ghost Cave Li Family were all people who owed a debt and had no choice but to repay it, why did Xiang seem as if she were born to bear such a debt?

Her father doted on her, actually hoping she, as someone beyond the seventh generation, could escape this fate. But one had to wonder if the Old Master at the Li Residence truly cared for his own daughter, or if he had ever asked her what she wanted...

...The mental health of children is truly important!

Perhaps if he had truly talked with Xiang, her wandering off to Mingzhou might never have happened.

He sighed softly. Looking at the bowl of noodles and cup of tea on the table, and then at Xiang standing beside him holding a tray with a smile, he was momentarily unsure how to express his feelings.

After a long silence, he suddenly smiled and asked Xiang, "Can you raise little ghosts?"

Xiang paused for a moment before looking up at Hu Ma. "That's something I don't know how to do," she replied with a smile. "But if I enter the Ghost Cave, these servant ghosts will all listen to me. And all the dead in Anzhou can help me, serving as my ghosts."

"That's impressive," Hu Ma said with a smile. "In that case, you can do whatever you like."

"But if one day you get tired of it and want to go out, to see the world of the living," he continued, "just have a ghost notify me, and I'll come to fetch you."

Xiang's eyes instantly brightened, her voice filled with joy. "Alright, Young Master! That really puts my mind at ease!"

"Before, even though I wanted to go into the Ghost Cave, I was still a bit worried and scared. I thought that once I went in, I'd never have a chance to come out again."

"But now that you've said that, I have no regrets!"

Her words inexplicably brought a touch of bitterness to Hu Ma. He wasn't the type to push the virtuous into troubled waters or coax the wicked onto shore. If there was an issue, he preferred to ask first and understand the other person's wishes.

Seeing that Xiang genuinely wanted to go in, he didn't press further. Instead, he tried to lighten the mood, remarking, "Hey, you really shouldn't use that form of address anymore, especially where others might hear."

"A young lady of the Ghost Cave Li Family calling a little shopkeeper from the Blood Food Gang like me 'Young Master'—it just isn't appropriate."

"Especially since we're on your family's territory. If someone decided to cause trouble for me, I wouldn't be able to handle it."

Xiang giggled. "Back then, that kidnapper hammered a nail into my head. When I thought of her, even knowing she was a bad person, I still had to call her 'Godmother.'"

"Now, I don't know why, but it feels like you've hammered a nail into my head too, Young Master. Whenever I see you, I just want to call you 'Young Master.'"

Her words sounded a bit strange, but Hu Ma understood her meaning.

It probably wasn't he who hammered that nail in, but rather that period of living a normal life in Mingzhou?

Hu Ma mused on this but had no intention of discussing it with her. With a helpless sigh, he picked up the bowl and ate the noodles, then gave the tea to Xiang. They chatted casually about their time in Mingzhou and the journey, and the atmosphere remained light and relaxed.

Xiang only left after an old nanny came from outside to remind them three times.

Lying in bed, Hu Ma sighed softly. Although there were obstacles on the journey, Xiang has returned. That major worry is finally resolved.

But... His brows gradually furrowed. What about my reward?

Why haven't the Li Family mentioned it proactively?

Could it be they thought it too trivial to mention? Or perhaps, despite the Ghost Cave Li Family's great fame, they're actually too poor to offer anything?

Darn it...

A flicker of worry surfaced, and he tossed and turned before finally falling asleep.

That night, he had no conversation with Miss Red Wine. Is the Ghost Cave Li Family truly guarding a channel for Reincarnators?

Hu Ma wasn't sure, but the more this seemed to be the case, the more cautious he needed to be.

Of course, Miss Red Wine didn't know about this specific concern. However, before they arrived, she had agreed with Hu Ma not to use Reincarnator communication methods in the vicinity of the Ghost Cave Li Family. It was a necessary precaution.

To this day, Reincarnators still didn't know exactly what kind of individuals could discover the secret of their connections, but they always remained vigilant whenever they encountered someone formidable.

Miss Red Wine might have a bold operational style, but that didn't mean she was reckless with her life.

When he awoke, someone from the Dongzi Li Family had already boiled water for his washbasin. After freshening up, he saw that a breakfast table had been laid out.

The person representing the Li Family to host them was not any of the three individuals who had appeared the previous day, but a mature and dignified-looking man of about forty.

He conducted himself and spoke with great propriety. Addressing the martial artists, he said, "To all our jianghu friends who escorted our young lady back, the Dongzi Li Family deeply appreciates your great virtue. We originally intended to ask you all to stay for a few more days to foster our jianghu ties, but...

"Alas, the Ghost Cave is different from other places. Living people staying too long may find it detrimental to their health, so we can only respectfully ask you to depart for now.

"The jianghu road is long, the mountains high, and the waters vast. Your kindness, the Dongzi Li Family will always remember."

The assembled martial artists all nodded.

Ordinarily, being asked to leave so early the morning after escorting someone back would be considered extremely impolite. However, after spending the previous night there, they had all sensed something deeply unsettling and were not inclined to linger.

Following his words, everyone took their seats at the table to eat and drink. After three rounds of wine, a few young members of the Dongzi Li Family carried a box forward.

Inside were several worn and ancient Copper Coins. The mature and dignified man—the Li Family's Housekeeper—took them out one by one with both hands and presented them.

He said quietly, "Everyone, this is a small token from the Dongzi Li Family. It may not be of great assistance.

"However, within the borders of Anzhou, if someone whose karma is not yet settled dies within three days, provided their vital organs and head are intact, this coin can extend their life by ten years.

"Of course, this item carries misfortune. We sincerely hope you all are blessed with good fortune and will never have a need for it."

"What?"

The martial artists had been carefully examining the unremarkable Copper Coins. Upon hearing his explanation, however, they were all stunned.

Wasn't this an item that could trade for a life?

They had escorted the young lady back hoping for some benefit, or at the very least, to become acquainted with the family.

But they had never expected the Dongzi Li Family to offer such a valuable item!

Within Anzhou, anyone could use this Copper Coin to gain another ten years of life. Didn't that mean they effectively had an extra life, no matter what dangers they encountered?

Alternatively, consider how many people in Anzhou were fated to die but desperately wished to live. If these Copper Coins were sold, how much would they be worth?

Everyone was utterly astonished and deeply agitated. Understanding the expected etiquette, they reluctantly offered polite refusals, all the while terrified that the Li Family might actually retract the offer.

"Lady Han is an old friend..." The Li Family's Housekeeper then approached Miss Red Wine, speaking softly with a smile, "We of the Ghost Cave Li Family have also heard of Lady Han, the skinning tailor's reputation. A truly admirable heroine.

"Some time ago, Lady Han came to Big Stone Cliff to plead for a young man who was not fated to die. Our Old Master agreed, primarily due to Lady Han's reputation for her righteous heart. We never imagined that this act would cultivate such good karma for our young lady, leading to your invaluable assistance during her moment of crisis.

"Here is a handwritten letter, please accept it as a token.

"In the future, if Lady Han feels anyone has been wronged, you are welcome to visit Big Stone Cliff as you please. We shall always receive you with tea and hospitality."

Those seated further away couldn't hear the exchange, but Hu Ma, being closer, heard everything clearly.

Hu Ma was instantly amazed. Miss Red Wine has truly profited immensely this time! Everyone else only received a single Copper Coin, enough to trade for one life.

But doesn't this mean Miss Red Wine has gained something akin to an infinite number of lives, and a genuine connection with the Li Family?

Especially since, from what Miss Red Wine had said before they came, it was clear she was curious about this place. As someone from the trick door, and with Lingshou Prefecture so near Anzhou, she was naturally inquisitive but had never had the chance to learn more.

Now, hasn't an opportunity presented itself?

Upon receiving the handwritten letter, Miss Red Wine—or rather, Lady Han—simply smiled faintly. "Please thank Old Master Li for me. He is too kind..."

"It is only right," the Li Family's Housekeeper said with a smile, then lowered his voice. "Besides, this isn't just about surface-level friendship. My Li Family has an extremely important matter for which we must request Lady Han's assistance..."

Lady Han smiled. "There's no need to speak of requests. Please, just tell me what it is."

Even Hu Ma became curious. The Ghost Cave Li Family is so self-contained. What could they possibly need from an outsider like Lady Han?

"Life at Big Stone Cliff is truly harsh..." The Li Family's Housekeeper's face suddenly twisted into a wry smile. "Our Li Family adheres strictly to the rules and dares not leave casually. Furthermore, the yin qi here is so heavy that outsiders don't dare to venture in.

"Yet, we have such a large family living here. The Li Family is accustomed to simple meals, so that isn't the issue. The problem is that life is monotonous and depressing. Our young people can barely endure it anymore. No matter how generous the betrothal gifts, no young women are willing to marry into our family.

"Lady Han, you are a highly respected expert from the trick door. The Li Family only asks that you speak a few words on our behalf. In the future, if there are performers skilled in singing operas, telling stories, or juggling, please bring them to visit us more often.

"Please make it clear to them: although Big Stone Cliff is uncomfortable for the living, as long as visits are scheduled properly, there shouldn't be any problems.

"Furthermore, although the Li Family is poor, we would never shortchange them when it comes to gold, silver, or other material rewards..."