Twilight Boundary
Chapter 59: Power Seizure Duel

Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Power Seizure Duel

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit oppressive. The nearby companions were somewhat scared, watching them anxiously.

The richly-dressed youth, Xu Ji, wasn’t the manager yet, but in the eyes of the workers, he wasn’t much different. Usually, the Shopkeeper didn’t like to show his face, so in this entire Manor, for any matter important or trivial, didn’t he call all the shots?

How could anyone dare offend him? Weren’t they afraid of being sent back?

Whether they came from the town or the village, to enter the Red Lantern Society for a living and to learn skills, their families all had to make significant efforts.

If they were sent back, they might not even want to live anymore.

Besides, this Xu Ji himself was very skilled; he understood all the techniques taught by the Shopkeeper, far surpassing the other workers. If it really came to blows, they would surely suffer...

"Grandpa, it looks like a fight is about to break out..."

At that moment, while tension was high outside the courtyard, in the inner courtyard where the old shopkeeper resided, an oil lamp was lit on the square table in the main hall. In a large vat filled with herbal medicine, a pale-faced girl sat, only her head exposed, speaking anxiously.

"Hmm, let them fight!"

The old shopkeeper held a strange lump of meat, squeezing out blood bit by bit, his expression cold.

"Sooner or later, they’ll fight. They’re young and full of vigor. If they don’t have a scrap, I’d think the workers we recruited this time have no backbone!"

"Let them fight well and show their skills. Only then will we know who can be relied upon!"

...

...

Hu Ma had prepared to make his move, his eyes intentionally or unintentionally scanning the other’s waist.

He knew this Xu Ji’s most formidable asset was that old artifact he carried.

During this time, he had also found out that old artifacts were treasures for those who dealt with evil spirits year-round.

The Shousui man, the Ghost Walker, or other masters with unique skills, when dealing with evil spirits and demons, besides using their own cultivation to confront them directly, often used tools or weapons. These tools, once used by them, became old artifacts.

This was because these items were chosen precisely for their ability to restrain evil spirits. Coupled with years of use, they became imbued with their users’ aura, making the artifacts even more spiritual.

Simply put, the longer an item was used, and the more powerful the Mage who used it, the stronger the item became.

Of course, the strength of old artifacts was primarily against evil spirits; their effect on humans was limited. This was also why he dared to challenge Xu Ji.

In terms of cultivation, he far exceeded Xu Ji. His strength was robust, and he had thoroughly practiced the techniques taught by the Second Master. Even if he had to suppress some of his cultivation to fight, he wouldn’t necessarily be at a disadvantage.

Who would have expected that just as he was ready, even beginning to secretly channel his energy, Xu Ji merely stared at him fixedly? After a long moment, seeing Hu Ma had no intention of backing down, Xu Ji suddenly sneered coldly, "Coming from some rundown village, yet you’re quite arrogant."

"You’re asking for a beating? I’ll grant you that."

"But don’t alarm our old shopkeeper, and don’t delay the patrol for the Red Lantern Lady."

...

As he spoke, he flicked the hem of his long robe and turned to leave, but then turned back to Hu Ma. "If you truly have the guts, tomorrow afternoon, we’ll go out of town together. We can have a proper match under the poplar tree by the ditch over there. You can use whatever skills you have."

The workers heard this and looked at each other in disbelief. So, they weren’t going to fight now?

This guy is a paper tiger, more useless than I thought.

Hu Ma thought to himself. Seeing Xu Ji about to leave, he spoke up directly, "I have no intention of arguing with you. But all of us struggled to get into the Red Lantern Lady’s Club to gain some knowledge, learn some skills, or at least earn a few Silver Coins."

"You’ve been here a few days longer and are organizing guard duties and practices, we have no objection. But at least you should be fair, so everyone can accept it."

"We’re all the same workers. Why do we have to buy you wine and meat just to get a turn on the night patrol?"

...

The workers listened, somewhat surprised, stunned into silence.

At first, hearing Hu Ma’s words, they thought he was backing down. But as they listened further, they realized his words resonated deeply with them.

Not only those from Dayang Village, but those from other places too, had suffered no less from their exploitation.

Even though they dared not speak out, how could they truly accept it in their hearts?

"Hmph!"

Hearing this, Xu Ji’s expression turned fierce, and he glared at Hu Ma intently. "Just make sure you don’t chicken out tomorrow."

With that, he suddenly turned and shouted at the others, "What are you standing around for?"

"Whoever’s on patrol tonight, hurry up and go!"

...

The workers were startled. They hastily grabbed their lanterns and hurried off.

「...」

Hu Ma then dropped his aggressive stance and returned to the Manor. According to the original schedule, he was supposed to feed the horses that night, but he went straight to his room, ignoring the duty completely.

This provocation and challenge were all well-considered. Er Guotou’s faction had already decided to make a move. He could have waited until Xu Ji lost his backing to do this, but by then, the impact would be greatly diminished.

He had to make his stand while the other side was at its peak and say some impressive things to achieve his goal.

"Brother Hu Ma, are you confident you can beat him?"

Zhou Datong also came scurrying back, asking with concern.

Hu Ma laughed. "You dared to go stir up trouble without even knowing if I could beat him?"

"What’s there to be afraid of?"

Zhou Datong said, "Before I came, my grandfather told me that although I also make trouble, I’m just a brainless troublemaker. You’re different. You’re cunning, lazy, and greedy, with a malicious streak; you’d never let yourself be taken advantage of."

"Though you look just as bad on the surface, you’re bad, but you’re the smart kind of bad."

"So he warned me repeatedly that after we came out here, I should listen to you. Whatever happens, we brothers would face anything together..."

...

Why can’t I tell if that’s a compliment or an insult?

Hu Ma shook his head and looked at the other two, Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu.

These two workers from Dayang Village were usually simple and honest and didn’t say much, but earlier, they had also stepped forward with him.

Seeing his gaze on them, the two said, "We don’t care about anything else. We’re all from the same village."

Simple lads from the village...

Hu Ma couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He smiled and said to the two, "Right. If there’s trouble, we carry it together. If there’s good fortune, we share it together."

"Brother Hu Ma, you... you won’t be able to beat him..."

Just then, a hesitant, stammering voice came from outside the door. It was Li, leaning against the doorframe, speaking cautiously.

Zhou Datong became furious upon seeing him and shouted, "Get out! Aren’t you quite friendly with them?"

"Grab your bedding and go sleep in their room!"

...

Li’s eyes immediately welled up with tears, and he was unable to speak.

But seeing him like this, not only Zhou Datong but even Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu ignored him.

The lads from the village were simple and direct.

One night passed. After the workers got up, they went about their tasks according to Xu Ji’s arrangements, but their minds were all on the confrontation between Hu Ma and the richly-dressed youth, all somewhat absentminded.

In their hearts, they all thought Hu Ma would surely lose. The gap was just too great.

The few lads from Dayang Village were indeed poor; the group of them had barely managed to scrape together one knife.

Meanwhile, Xu Ji not only wore fine clothes and carried old artifacts, but even his two attendants were quite well-off.

Yet, they also felt that since Hu Ma dared to issue a challenge, he must have some real confidence. Besides, he was speaking up for everyone.

Amidst these undercurrents, Xu Ji became even stricter with the workers, loudly scolding them that this place wasn’t clean, or that task wasn’t done properly.

But Hu Ma was an exception. He didn’t show his face all day. Only after lunch did he get up, borrow a knife from Zhou Datong, tuck it under his arm, and walk straight out of the Manor without a word to anyone.

"He really dared to go?"

The workers were suddenly excited, exchanging glances, all somewhat surprised.

And Xu Ji, watching Hu Ma’s retreating figure, merely sneered. He leisurely finished his meal, chatting and laughing with his two attendants, and even went into the inner courtyard to speak with the old shopkeeper for a while, seemingly unconcerned. His composed demeanor, ironically, made people even more worried for Hu Ma.

With this confrontation on their minds, the workers couldn’t focus on their work.

They quickly finished their assigned tasks, afraid of missing out, and then stealthily slipped out of the Manor.

Upon reaching the edge of town, they saw Hu Ma from afar, holding the knife, standing under the poplar tree.

His calm composure earned him a measure of their admiration, and inexplicably, they felt a bit more confident in Hu Ma.

Gradually, as the sun moved west, most of the workers had gathered, eagerly waiting for the agreed-upon showdown.

Unexpectedly, they waited for an hour, yet Xu Ji did not appear.

They waited for two hours; still, no one came from the direction of the Manor.

As the sun was about to set, the workers grew impatient. Finally, a worker who had secretly run back to check on the situation came running over, out of breath, an indescribable look of surprise on his face. "Xu... Xu Ji isn’t coming..."

The workers were stunned. Even Hu Ma, under the distant poplar tree, looked over.

That worker spoke hurriedly, "He said something urgent came up, directly asked the manager for leave, and went back to the city..."

"Ah?"

Everyone was dumbfounded. "What could be so important? The duel was already agreed upon..."

"He didn’t say. He just seemed extremely anxious, then he ran off..."

...

At this, the surroundings suddenly fell quiet. The workers exchanged incredulous glances.

"If he isn’t coming, then let it be."

And Hu Ma, still carrying the knife, walked back only then. He said to the dazed workers, "There’s still so much work waiting at the Manor. Don’t just stand around gawking."

"Datong, Zhao Zhu, Zhou Liang, and you, you, and you as well, will patrol with me tonight."

"You, you, and you, will chop grass and feed the horses tonight, and sweep the courtyard clean."

"You few will handle the kitchen duties. The old shopkeeper’s medicinal brew needs to be prepared on time. Make sure it’s neither too cold nor too hot."

...

Seeing him start assigning tasks, the surrounding workers were momentarily stunned, unsure how to react.

After a while, Zhou Datong was the first to shout his agreement. The other workers suddenly seemed to realize something, nodding repeatedly, having no objections to Hu Ma’s arrangements.

Hu Ma led the way back to the Manor, thinking quietly to himself, With this lantern lifted, I’ve taken one step closer to becoming a Shousui man.