Nightmare Suppression Method

That day, Hu Ma stayed at the manor, had a meal with Second Master, and returned to the village before dusk.

He lit an oil lamp and read for a while before going to bed early.

Now, with the help of that Erguotou fellow, the path for the Watchkeepers had become clear. The rest was just a matter of proceeding cautiously and planning step by step.

But Hu Ma, sleeping soundly and without dreams, didn't know that within the village, in the Cui Family's eldest brother's residence, the Cui brothers, along with Cui Xie'er's mother and sisters-in-law, had already gathered around the Eight Immortals table.

Only one oil lamp was lit on the table, casting shifting shadows on their faces. Cui Xie'er had been sent outside, while the Cui eldest brother, with a cold expression, slammed his fist on the table.

"The Clan Leader sent his own grandson away, and now he's pretending to be a good person."

"Take that Hu kid down and let our Xie'er take his place. It's a simple matter, but he flat-out refused to agree."

"..."

The others chimed in with their own grievances.

The Cui Family had already agreed to pay a hefty price, but that senile Clan Leader still hadn't agreed in the end.

"Heh, their Zhou family is also afraid of us..."

At this moment, the Cui grandmother, sitting on the nearby bed with messy white hair, let out a cold laugh and said, "Our Xie'er is a sensible child. If he joins the Red Lantern Society, he'll definitely perform better than his grandson. He'll at least be a steward, or even a manager, in the future."

"Their Zhou family is only the Clan Leader because the second elder is capable and they have many clansmen. Our Cui family is no worse."

"He's worried that our Cui family will eventually overshadow his Zhou family!"

The Cui brothers were initially confused. The Old Clan Leader had clearly been tempted, so why did he refuse in the end?

After hearing the Cui grandmother's words, they suddenly understood: "That old geezer was actually plotting this? Shameless..."

After cursing him, they looked at each other, feeling that the matter had become difficult. They hesitated and asked, "Then what should we do?"

"A bunch of useless people. I still have to step in, this old woman."

Seeing that they, as adults, had no ideas, the Cui grandmother became angry. She slammed the bed frame and said, "Eldest, don't just stand there stupidly. Come here and help me move that black-wrapped box from under the bed."

"Huh?"

The Cui eldest brother was stunned for a moment, then understood, his excitement growing.

He was the oldest and remembered most clearly. His own mother knew some things and had been quite prominent in her youth. But later, when the Hu family arrived in the village, for some unknown reason, she put those things away and stopped using them.

When Cui E had an accident earlier, it was also the old grandmother who spoke up, which was why that small gold nugget was kept. She said it was fine and could be kept for Xie'er to use when he got married.

It was a pity that the Hu family later caused trouble and killed the woman.

The box was pulled out. The Cui grandmother found a key from under the head of the bed and opened it.

Inside were red paper white talismans, as well as some strange objects, some resembling bones, others like hair.

Seeing these things, the Cui grandmother's eyes deepened. She slowly scanned the items in the box, her demeanor taking on a certain authority.

After a long period of contemplation, she took out a black, jerky-like object and said to Cui Xie'er's mother, "Second wife, aren't you pregnant again? Tomorrow, go to the Old Fire Pit to burn paper and thank the ancestors... Burn this along with it."

The second wife didn't understand but took it with trembling hands, agreeing repeatedly.

"Eldest, Third..."

The Cui grandmother took out paper figures and hair from inside, saying, "You two, go bury this under the crooked-neck tree behind the Hu family's house. Remember to go after the second wife burns the paper, and don't let anyone in the village see you..."

The eldest and third sons quickly agreed.

The Cui grandmother then looked at the Cui fourth son beside her, "You, stop dawdling. Don't you like drinking and playing cards? Go play. It's fine even if you get agitated and cause a scene."

The Cui fourth son was surprised to have such a good deal and nodded excitedly.

After giving all the instructions, the whole family felt a slight tension: "After doing this, will our Xie'er be able to go?"

The Cui grandmother glared at them: "If you had a way, would you need me, this old woman?"

Silence fell in the room.

Hu Ma tidied up his room and packed his belongings, preparing to go to the city. Everything else was fine, but the pouch containing the ashes from the Old Fire Pit had to be kept close to his body.

Simply and neatly packed, ready to leave at any moment, he unexpectedly woke up one morning and suddenly felt dizzy and parched.

His throat felt like he had swallowed a burning coal, dry and painful. When he touched his forehead, it was alarmingly hot.

"I have a fever?"

He was slightly surprised, even feeling a bit speechless.

Well, when he didn't eat enough Tai Sui Meat, his body was always cold, unable to generate any heat.

Now, perhaps because of sufficient Blood Food, he had actually developed a fever...

Drowsy, he struggled to get up, wanting to scoop a ladle of water to moisten his throat, but he felt his body heavy and couldn't even walk steadily.

It seemed his body wasn't just sick, but quite seriously ill.

After drinking water, he wanted to cook some porridge, but he had no appetite at all, so he lay down to rest.

By noon, Zhou Datong arrived. As soon as he opened the door, he said, "Brother Hu Ma, Grandpa wants us all to have dinner at our place tonight."

"He's going to tell us the rules for when we go to the manor..."

"...Huh? Why aren't you up yet at this hour?"

"..."

Hu Ma weakly waved his hand and said, "I think I'm sick."

"What a convenient time to get sick, with the manor visit just a few days away."

Zhou Datong came over and felt his forehead. It was indeed a bit hot, so he hurried out. Before long, the Clan Leader came to check on him, and Second Master also arrived, looking quite worried. However, after examining Hu Ma, they found no signs of evil spirits and concluded it was just a common cold.

They figured since the Old Woman had entered the Old Fire Pit, no evil spirits in the village would dare to bother Hu Ma, so they just sighed and offered him some comfort.

"Your Old Woman is gone, and you're just a half-grown boy. You really don't know how to take care of yourself."

"We'll find someone to get you some herbs. Drink them hot, and you'll be fine."

"..."

So, Zhou Datong ran errands and got Hu Ma some herbs. He also brought two steamed buns from his own home for Hu Ma.

After drinking the herbal medicine, Hu Ma felt a bit better. Thinking about going to the Clan Leader's house to learn the rules, he got up in the evening.

But just as he was about to go out, he was suddenly struck by a wave of dizziness.

For some reason, he felt the air coming from his throat was scorching hot. Stars flashed before his eyes. He forced himself to stand, but after just a few steps, he nearly fell.

He looked up. Night had fallen, and the trees around the village were uneven. The world spun around him like dancing, clawing ghosts.

Strange laughter echoed in his ears, chilling him to the bone.

In a daze, he suddenly saw Xiao Hong Tang jump in front of him, baring her teeth at the dark night.

A bad feeling suddenly washed over Hu Ma. He quickly asked Xiao Hong Tang, "Who are you growling at? Is there something over there?"

"I don't know."

When asked, Xiao Hong Tang seemed confused. She shook her little head. "But Xiao Hong Tang feels..."

"...There's something."

"But I don't know what it is."

"..."

"Something?"

Hu Ma's heart tightened. "Am I really sick, or is it... something else?"

He tried his best to stand up, but his body was weak, and he collapsed, falling unconscious.

Xiao Hong Tang became anxious and dragged Hu Ma into the house. The village was quiet, and the deep night seemed to writhe around them, concealing unknown things.

Everyone in the village had gone to bed early, unaware that beside the Old Fire Pit, the Cui Family's second daughter-in-law, who had come to burn paper for the ancestors during the day, still had black smoke drifting from her home, as if concealing something.

After the Old Woman passed, the old villagers had arranged for strong laborers to patrol the village when necessary. But today, their attention was diverted. They heard that a fight had broken out in someone's house due to gambling.

The entire village failed to notice Hu Ma, who had fallen unconscious in this small hut.

"Hurry, go to the Clan Leader's house to learn the rules."

Meanwhile, at the Cui Family's house, the old grandmother was scolding Cui Xie'er. "If you don't learn the rules properly, how will you know who to provoke and who not to provoke when you get to the city?"

Cui Xie'er pouted. "I wasn't chosen, so why should I listen?"

"You still have to listen."

The Cui Family grandmother sneered. "What if the person chosen in advance can't go? Wouldn't you have to take their place?"

"Listen to Grandma and go!"

"..."

Seeing his grandmother angry and being kicked by his uncle, Cui Xie'er reluctantly went. At the Clan Leader's house, Second Master was explaining things to Zhou Datong and a few other children. When he suddenly saw Cui Xie'er arrive, his expression faltered.

The Cui Family's second son, who brought Cui Xie'er, quickly said with a smile, "We know you're here to learn the rules, so we let Xie'er listen too. What if he also has a chance to go to the city?"

Upon seeing this, Second Master couldn't help but frown slightly, a vague sense of unease growing in his heart.

In the Cui Family now, the eldest son was also worried. Seeing no one around, he cautiously asked, "Mother, will there be any trouble? Don't let Second Master find out..."

"..."

"Even a rotten apple has more guts than you."

The Cui Family grandmother cursed angrily, snorting, "With you two being so timid, what can you possibly accomplish?"

"Rest assured, your mother has taken strong measures. By the time they realize, it will be too late..."

"..."

"..."

At the same time, as Hu Ma fell into unconsciousness, he felt groggy, on the verge of sleep. He felt his body was like a ball of fire, as if his furnace had broken and the fire inside had erupted, burning him in a daze.

But just then, he felt a slight coolness emanate from his chest.

In a trance, he seemed to see the figure of the Old Woman appear beside him, looking at him with affection. "Grandson, my good grandson, don't sleep."

"Get up and go find that crooked-neck phoenix tree behind the house. Chop it three times."

"Get up!"

"Chop it three times, and you'll be well."