The Evil Ghost that crawled out of hell, concealed in the human world...
Hu Ma was momentarily stunned by the strange words from the other person. Ever since he woke up, he had been guarded by this eerie Granny, only thinking about how to avoid those evil spirits constantly watching him, while knowing nothing about anything else. Unexpectedly, through a dream with an unknown brother, he found out that he was actually an Evil Ghost himself, also a type of evil spirit?
How could I be an evil spirit?
I was clearly just a college student living in a normal world, at most a transmigrator...
But as he thought about it, he suddenly froze.
Yes, in his past life, he distinctly remembered dying in that explosion. He even vaguely recalled drifting for many years until he heard that strange spell, which attracted him to this body. Granny originally intended to call back her grandson's soul, but inadvertently summoned him instead.
So, in Granny's eyes, what exactly am I?
A terrifying truth gradually presented itself before him. "So..."
He voiced his horrifying realization, "Am I an evil spirit?"
A crackling silence followed before the voice from the other end of the incense returned, urgent, "My incense is about to burn out, and that thing is also about to find me..."
The person "connected" at the other end of the incense sounded anxious. "Brother, it's the responsibility of the elders to tell newcomers the survival rules, but I really can't spare any time for you right now. I can only tell you that our current situation is extremely dire. Whether it's the evil spirits or the people of this world, they are all eager to kill us. Remember, identity is crucial. Never let others know your identity."
"We once had a companion who was only five years old in this world. Because she accidentally let a word slip, her biological father in this world ground her into bits with a millstone, obliterating her Divine Soul. The people of this world wouldn't hesitate to strike you down out of familial sentiment. They would only think of you as an Evil Ghost that possessed their child, hating you even more..."
The voice trailed off.
"You..." Hu Ma started, his mind racing with countless questions, but he also noticed the incense smoke was fading, becoming disordered.
"I don't have time to say more. I can only tell you..." the person on the other end said urgently, "Tai Sui is the most crucial thing. I don't know your current situation, but you must find a way to get Tai Sui meat. It's the best thing; it can save me, and it can help you. Green Tai Sui is the best, but if not, White Tai Sui will do. Of course, if you can find Blood Tai Sui... Alas, that's almost impossible, unless you're one of those reincarnated into noble families. In any case, you must obtain these things by any means necessary."
Listening to his anxious voice, Hu Ma didn't dare to interrupt, just tried hard to distinguish the somewhat unclear words, memorizing them firmly. "Oh no, that thing got in here... I have to use the Life Sealing Technique to seal myself up, brother. I can hold on for at most two months. If you have the chance to meet others, tell them to go to Fox Coffin Village... under the east bridge... There's... the Hundred Corpse Tomb..."
The voice trailed off again.
"I remember!" Hu Ma hurriedly shouted as the voice grew faint, almost inaudible. He hoped his response could give the other person a bit more confidence. For some reason, even though he had only exchanged a few sentences with this stranger, a strong sense of concern arose in his heart.
The surroundings fell silent; all sounds disappeared. Hu Ma saw that the incense stick in his incense burner—or rather, the incense itself—was no longer a straight wisp. It had dispersed again, swaying erratically as if blown by an invisible wind, much like before the connection, seemingly searching everywhere.
So, I'm not the only one who has come to this world and is struggling so hard? The realization hung in the air as he subconsciously took a few deep breaths and tried to gather the information this person had left him. As he thought carefully, a growing sense of horror washed over him.
Keeping his identity secret is the most important thing, or he'll face a fate worse than death...
So, what about Granny?
He had an uncertain feeling in his heart, Granny's occasionally eerie gaze flashing intermittently in his mind.
Don't panic. At least Granny hasn't discovered my identity yet. Otherwise, with her abilities, why would she keep me? She probably just thinks I was recently rescued and have forgotten many things!
Feeling a bit nervous, he further comforted himself. Since I'm not the only one with this fate in this world, perhaps I can find others and get some help from them?
He glanced down at the incense in the burner; it was still about a finger and a half long. However, the smoke it produced was unstable, merely drifting and dispersing.
Hu Ma suddenly realized. That brother seemed to have been calling continuously for a long time but only got my response.
Does this mean there really aren't any others around...? After considering this, he no longer waited. He pulled the incense out of the burner and set it aside. Even with such a hurried conversation, he realized it was a precious resource.
Old Yin Mountain? Fox Coffin Village? He repeated the place names the brother had mentioned.
It sounded like the brother was in a very dangerous situation, but he seemed to have some method of self-preservation and could last for about two months. However, his incense had already burned out, meaning he couldn't reach out to others for help during this time.
Perhaps I'm the only one who could save him? For a moment, Hu Ma felt moved, but then he shook his head in frustration.
Who can I save now? I can't even leave the village, and I don't dare to leave Granny and Little Hongtang's side. Even that Er Guotou brother only said that if I had a chance to meet other companions, I should bring them to save him. He'd been calling for so long without finding anyone; how could I possibly find someone with my limited abilities?
A shadow seemed to fall over his heart. Hu Ma quietly woke up, his back drenched in cold sweat.
A little light filtered in from the small window above. The sky wasn't yet bright, but Hu Ma could already see some light seeping in from outside through the crude wooden door of the side room. Granny seemed to be up, tidying things.
Little Hongtang, who was gnawing on something, suddenly shouted, "Brother Huma is awake...!" Then she continued gnawing.
Hu Ma paused, processing the shout. He had initially wanted to pretend to sleep a little longer to calm his emotions, but hearing her, he could only slowly fumble his way up. He tried hard to pinch his cheeks, making his behavior in front of Granny his top priority.
Slowly getting out of bed, he walked to the door. As he pushed it open, the oil lamp on the square table in the main room flickered lightly. Granny, who was sitting on a small stool sorting things, slowly turned her head to look at him.
Just as Hu Ma managed to put on a smile, Granny suddenly said, "Did you sleep uneasily last night? I covered you with a quilt during the night and saw you looked very nervous, muttering some incomprehensible words."
"Eh?" Hu Ma felt his hair stand on end, his heart about to leap out of his chest.
Before he could say anything, Granny withdrew her gaze. "Did you have a nightmare? Eating too much Tai Sui meat is like that. Although it can cure illnesses, it also has some effects, like causing strange dreams. Some people even go crazy after eating it...
"But only this kind of meat can heal you."
Hu Ma, drenched in cold sweat, hesitated. "Uh, I understand," he finally managed, his voice barely a whisper. He had no choice but to agree ambiguously. After a brief hesitation, he bravely squatted down to help her tidy up.
Realizing the connection between Tai Sui meat and the incense, he felt less resistant. On the contrary, having organized his thoughts, he now felt a little curious.
While pretending to act nonchalant, he packed the cured meat, brown sugar, dry tobacco, and quilts Granny placed aside into their bundle, carefully pondering how to ask, "Granny, you've always asked me to eat this meat, saying it can ward off evil spirits, but what exactly is this meat?"
As soon as he spoke, Granny looked at him with her deep-set eyes. Little Hongtang, who was gnawing on chicken feet in the corner, also suddenly turned to look at Hu Ma.
Hu Ma felt deeply nervous, yet he consoled himself inwardly.
I've just died and been resurrected, and I don't remember anything. Asking such a question is reasonable, isn't it? Eating this strange meat every day without asking a single question would actually be the odd thing to do.
After what felt like a long wait, though it might have been a mere illusion due to his excessive tension, he heard Granny sigh gently. "Master Tai Sui can ward off all evil spirits. You were severely harmed before, so I had to go to Master Tai Sui every day to get a bit of meat to help you recover. It's not just you eating it; the Clan Leader and the elders in our village also eat Tai Sui meat for longevity.
"However, they all eat White Tai Sui, and they don't dare eat too much of it.
"Something slightly better than White Tai Sui is called Green Tai Sui, but all of that is taken by people from the city..." She paused.
Hu Ma listened, his heart stirring slightly. "And me?"
Granny slowly stood up. "You are seriously ill; ordinary ones won't do. What you're eating is specially acquired for you by Granny.
"Called Blood Tai Sui!"