Red Lantern Goddess Society

After a conversation with this fellow Erguotou, Hu Ma's understanding of this world deepened a bit. He pondered these questions silently, but regardless of anything else, becoming a true Night Watcher was more important.

Having received the fellow Erguotou's promise, he waited patiently.

But within the village, things gradually became busy. The reason? The Steward Lord from the Blood Food Gang's Red Lantern Society had arrived at the lower village.

Worship Taisui, to put it plainly, was about cutting flesh, a major event for the village and a major event for the Blood Food Gang.

Every year before spring, they would send stewards down in advance to survey the meat mountains, estimate the quantity, then decide where to recruit how many workers, where to set up camp, and confirm the return transport routes. They would repair roads and fix bridges in advance.

With each step, every link was closely related to the surrounding villages. After all, while not everyone could cut flesh, helping to transport goods, sell grain, and gather mountain herbs were all ways to earn money.

So every year, when the Blood Food Gang's stewards came down, the surrounding villages would vie to host them.

In recent years, the ones harvesting the meat mountains around Great Sheep Village were a Blood Food Gang called the Red Lantern Goddess Society. The villagers, accustomed to the name, simply called them the Goddess Society.

When the steward arrived, there was a set date. A few days prior, the Clan Leader busied himself urging people to tidy up empty rooms, set up tents, and give the sheep a bit more grass.

On the day the steward descended to the village, all the important figures of the village eagerly awaited.

As darkness fell, torches were lit throughout the village. When the steward arrived with two attendants, the Old Clan Leader hastily led the village's prominent figures forward to greet him.

Beneath the tent, a sheep had already been slaughtered, and jars of the village's rarely opened wine were prepared.

"Steward Lord, please eat and drink well."

The Old Clan Leader's face, wrinkled like an orange, beamed as he offered his service. He then instructed, "Send for Widow Sun."

"Prepare hot soup tonight to serve the Steward Lord's feet."

"..."

"No need..."

The Steward Lord smiled politely. "I've never been one for such fuss. That the Red Lantern Society entrusted this task to me means they have faith in me. I only wish to complete this job well and return to report. That would be satisfaction enough."

"Indeed, indeed."

The Old Clan Leader smiled. "Within ten miles, there's no one we don't know. Please, just give any command you need."

As he spoke, seeing that three rounds of wine had been served, he tentatively asked, "This time, how many people do you plan to recruit?"

Other matters were minor. After Worship Taisui, the main concern was how many youths in the village would be selected to cut flesh.

In Great Sheep Village, there were over a dozen or twenty people who had learned this skill under Second Master. However, how many of them would ultimately be chosen for the mine was up to this Steward Lord.

Of course, the Steward Lord wouldn't dare speak carelessly. Recruiting those with poor foundations would be a small matter if it delayed the harvest. But if they were invaded by Evil Spirits and caused trouble later, it would be a significant problem for those working properly.

"Alas, this year is a lean year."

The Steward sighed. "I estimate we'll only recruit about a hundred people for Worship Taisui."

The Old Clan Leader's face fell upon hearing this. "Ah?"

The harvest of Taisui had lean years and abundant years. This was due to the different growth and recovery cycles of White Ganoderma, Green Ganoderma, and Blood Ganoderma. If the four types of Taisui—White, Green, Blood, and Black—were all in a period of vigorous growth, then more would need to be harvested, and naturally, more flesh-cutting workers would be recruited.

If it was a lean year, the scale would be small, and naturally, fewer people would be needed.

The Steward also said with a wry smile, "There's nothing to be done about it. Green Ganoderma was harvested last year, so there isn't much this year. What's most infuriating is the Blood Ganoderma; I searched for days and didn't see any at all."

"I estimate only White Ganoderma is still around, but it doesn't require such careful attention."

"..."

The Old Clan Leader listened, feeling some regret but helpless.

If there were only a hundred people in total, divided among these ten villages, the quota for each village would likely be no more than eight or ten. With over twenty people waiting in Great Sheep Village, wouldn't half of them be disappointed?

The Old Clan Leader was already calculating in his mind. He would slaughter another sheep later, and tonight, he would have Madam Li give the Steward Lord a foot bath.

Could he get a few more spots?

As he pondered, he suddenly heard the Steward lower his voice and smile, "Old brother, don't worry too much about recruitment yet. Fewer miners are being recruited this year, but there's something else."

"This year, our Red Lantern Society is preparing to open an altar."

"..."

"Ah..."

The Old Clan Leader was initially incredulous, then overjoyed, his hand trembling as he held his wine cup.

The others accompanying him were even more surprised, their eyes shining brightly.

"Slaughter a sheep, slaughter a sheep! Slaughter that old mountain sheep! Bring the ten-year-old sheep essence to the Steward Lord..."

"Bring the wine, bring the wine! Bring out that jar saved for Datong's wedding..."

"..."

"..."

The village was filled with the clamor of gongs and drums, a lively scene. But Hu Ma was already lying in bed, quietly cultivating, preparing to sleep.

The liveliness of this village had little to do with the Hu family.

His grandmother had passed away. To the people of this village, he was merely an orphan with no ties to the village, an outsider among outsiders. Or perhaps...

...even when his grandmother was alive, the Hu family was actually on the fringes of this village?

He had already intended to leave, so he never made an effort to socialize with the people in the village, just minding his own business.

"Dong! Dong! Dong!"

Unexpectedly, while he was half-asleep, his small wooden door was slammed open with a thunderous noise.

Hu Ma had no choice but to get up, put on his clothes, and turn up the oil lamp by his bed before going to the main room to open the door.

As soon as he opened it, he saw Zhou Datong standing at the entrance, looking anxious and excited. "What time is it? You're still sleeping?"

Hu Ma stepped aside in surprise, letting him in. "What's wrong?"

Zhou Datong eagerly moved to enter the house but stopped just before stepping in, saying cautiously, "Your pet ghost isn't here, is it?"

Hu Ma glanced up at Xiao Hong Tang, who was rubbing her eyes sleepily on the beam above, and replied, "No."

"Good, good. Let's talk inside."

Zhou Datong hurried into the house, closed the door behind him, and then excitedly said to Hu Ma, "Good news..."

"Brother Hu Ma, a manager from the Blood Food Gang is coming down. They're recruiting workers in our village this year!"

"..."

This statement made Hu Ma pause slightly. "Don't they recruit every year?"

"This is different."

Zhou Datong rubbed his hands and stomped his feet excitedly. "In previous years, they only recruited people to Worship Taisui for short-term jobs of two or three months. This year, they're recruiting workers to officially join the organization..."

"We've struck it lucky! We have a chance to go to the city!"

"Second Master specifically asked me to come and tell you. You absolutely must go to the manor early tomorrow and wait."

"If you miss this opportunity, you might never get another chance in your life!"

"..."

"Hmm?"

Hu Ma was slightly taken aback and vaguely understood. "Is this the opportunity Brother Erguotou told me about?"

Well then...

Since Reincarnators are cautious and afraid of arousing suspicion with real-world contact, he didn't dare to help him out of the blue. So, he decided to create an opportunity like this, directly recruiting a large group of young people from the village?

How to put it...

...A good method, and it even carried a hint of willfulness!

After making sure for the third time that Hu Ma wouldn't be late and telling him to assure Second Master not to worry, Zhou Datong carefully left a bowl of sheep trotters he had hidden in his embrace for Hu Ma before excitedly running back to freeload food and drinks.

Hu Ma looked at the bowl of meat, feeling a mix of laughter and tears. This little fatty was truly loyal. As the Clan Leader's Grandson, he could use the opportunity of entertaining the manager to get some meat.

And he even thought of him.

He wasn't craving it. He gave the sheep trotters to Xiao Hong Tang to gnaw on and then went back to sleep.

The next morning, he woke up, put on his coarse cloth tunic and straw sandals, tied up his hair, and walked out of the village on foot.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he left the village, he found that men and women from the village had all come out. They were heading towards Second Master's manor in small groups, some carrying shoulder poles, others carrying stools. It looked as lively as a temple fair.

"Brother Hu Ma, over here! Hurry!"

As soon as Hu Ma left the village, he saw Zhou Datong waving at him from the edge of the nearby woods.

Hu Ma walked over, surprised. "Why are there so many people?"

"Just here to watch the fun..."

Zhou Datong said, "The Red Lantern Society is holding a ceremony. It's a big event."

"In our village, following the Blood Food Gang to Worship Taisui, how much money can we earn in a year? But this time, if a manager picks you and you become a worker in the Goddess Society, you'll get paid every month. Plus, you can learn skills and be supplied with Blood Food."

"If you save up for a few years, you can buy a house in the city and get married. Wouldn't that be a success?"

"..."

"This Red Lantern Society..."

Hu Ma was slightly surprised. "Is it recognized by the authorities?"

He himself had decided to join long ago, but he was a bit surprised by the excitement of the villagers.

Perhaps influenced by memories from his past life, he always felt that the Blood Food Gang, the Red Lantern Society, and the like were more like illegal organizations. Although this village was poor, they wouldn't be this happy just for the chance to send their sons into the underworld, would they?

"Recognized by the authorities? What are you talking about?"

Zhou Datong, with a simple-minded expression, praised what he had heard last night. "They are legitimate providers of livelihoods."

"The workers of the Blood Food Gang, big and small, in the city, which one doesn't return to the village with prestige?"

"..."

Hearing this, Hu Ma gradually understood the positioning of these Blood Food Gangs in this world and said no more.

So, it was going to the city to work, not joining the underworld...

He took a deep breath and, together with Zhou Datong, walked towards the hope of his Night Watcher.