Twilight Boundary Chapter 109

Chapter 109 Sacrifice to Huotangzi

 The longer he has been in this world, the more Hu Ma respects this world in his heart.

It's not about respecting a certain person, but knowing that being able to survive in this treacherous world means that the human group itself deserves respect.

 Because of this, he knew that this village valued Lao Huotangzi's sacrifices.

In his previous life, Hu Ma also knew about these things, but at that time, he didn't really believe in these things. Sometimes he saw elderly people always taking such trouble to prepare, and always paying so much attention to these frivolous things. , will also find it difficult to understand.

 Even thought that they were wasting energy and money on these illusory things, but now, they gradually understand.

 Showing respect for unknown things is itself an attitude towards life.

 In this world, these rules and rituals are even more mysterious and rigorous.

Especially, why does the mother-in-law have to stay in Laohuotangzi when she is so capable?

 Did she really just want to be protected by Lao Huotangzi and have a handful of protective pond ash?

 Not necessarily.

Having gained experience outside and learned the skills of a night watcher, Hu Ma already knows that there are many ways to survive in this world, such as the towns and villages around Zhuangzi. They do not have old fire ponds, but they rely on worshiping the red light. My dear, you can also avoid evil spirits.

 Laohuotangzi seems to be an ancient and traditional way to ward off evil spirits and worship ancestors in this world...

 The more she learned her skills, the more Hu Ma discovered that her mother-in-law was unfathomable.

 Huma also maintained deep respect for every decision she made, so Hu Ma also took the matter of offering sacrifices to the fire pit very seriously.

 Fortunately, my second master taught me and helped me prepare.

Sacrifice at the fire pit is a major event in the village. Every household must prepare well. Of course, the second master also has his own things to be busy with.

However, the second master is from the Zhou family, and the leader of the Zhou family who leads the sacrifice to the fire pit is the clan leader, so the second master has a chance to teach Hu Ma one by one what to prepare, when to go to the old fire pond, and what to wear when the time comes. , and what should I say.

Hu Ma wrote down everything one by one and prepared everything that the second master mentioned.

 In a few days, it was the New Year's Eve, and the people in the village drinking and playing cards suddenly disappeared, and their faces showed a solemn and serious look.

Just after noon, the people in the village all brought their bags, carried their own dolls, and carried their elderly people, silently walking towards the old fire pond in the middle of the village. Looking from a distance, there were so many people, and there was something mysterious about it. And the breath of silence.

The old patriarch stood next to the old fire pond, lowering his voice and ordering the people in the village to kneel down according to the rules of the past and not to fight.

　In order to be closer to the ancestors, there were many fights over space.

 “Little Huma, come forward.”

Looking at the people kneeling by the pond, the old patriarch shouted in a low voice when he saw Hu Ma coming over with a bag on his back.

So Hu Ma squeezed through the crowd, and an old man kneeling in front of him signaled his family members to step back, leaving room for Hu Ma.

Hu Ma nodded gratefully to the other party, saying nothing.

 The ones who gave up the place were the Cui family.

The Cui family was originally one of the four surnames in the village, and could be regarded as the second largest family. However, Mrs. Cui's family was expelled for causing harm to others, and the entire Cui family could not hold their heads high.

This time the dolls from the Red Lantern Festival came back, and the flowing water mat was so lively that no one from the Cui family had the nerve to come.

Afterwards, everyone asked how to send their own dolls in, but they couldn't ask.

But when it comes to worshiping ancestors this time, as usual, people have to kneel in front. The only difference is that this position used to belong to the Cui family's grandma and her four strong and arrogant sons. This year, another elder from the Cui family will take the place. .

 But this is according to the rules of previous years, but this year there are differences. First, a Hu Bai family's mother-in-law entered the pond, and secondly, a young steward came out of the Hu family.

It is difficult to change the position. If you change the position, you will get into a fight.

 But under special circumstances, it should be changed so that Hu Ma comes to the front. Not only to respect Hu Ma, but also to respect the mother-in-law and the Hu family.

Of course, Hu Ma's identity as the manager played a big role.

Of course, the Cui family could refuse to give in, and it would not be an exaggeration to take the opportunity to cause trouble, but this senior Cui family member directly gave in.

Even the old patriarch's decision to ask Hu Ma to come over was intentional.

 Just take this opportunity to ease the relationship with the Cui family and resolve their grudges.

Even though the Cui family just moved back one position, this kind of thing is already a big deal in the eyes of the people in the village.

 No matter how powerful Hu Ma is in the future, it will be difficult for him to cause trouble for the Cui family again.

The Cui family was finally able to take advantage of this opportunity to clear up their relationship with the Cui family's grandma and avoid their involvement.

 “Please open your eyes...”

Right in front, closest to the old fire pond, the old patriarch gave a long shout. The people in the village who were already kneeling all over the hillside, mainly the head of the family, took off their baggage and put it on the ground. Incense, bowls, paper threads, etc. were produced.

They all lit the three sticks of incense in their hands, and then raised them high in the direction of the old fire pond. The aroma filled the hillside. The old patriarch waited for a while and saw that everyone was lighting up the incense. Then he raised the incense in his hand and shouted:

　　"One bows to the ancestors to protect one's peace, and the evil spirits and evil spirits will not touch one's body."

 “Secondly, I pay homage to my ancestors to protect their houses and fields, and to build high fences and strongholds to keep out evil spirits.”

 “Three bows to the ancestors will bring blessings, and the grain will be abundant and the jar will be full of money.”

“Four worships, my ancestors will be immortals early, and my descendants will be safe, and our ancestors will feel at ease…”

Every time the old patriarch shouted something, he held three sticks of incense and bowed to Lao Huotangzi.

Behind him, people all over the hillside also bowed down with the old patriarch. For a moment, smoke curled up all over the mountains and fields. The wind did not blow, and the sounds of animals could not be heard. Even the children in the crowd seemed to be attracted by the thick and solemn atmosphere. Infection, no crying at all.

 There are three gods and four ghosts. Even if you are worshiping the ancestors in Laohuotangzi, you still have to worship them four times.

Hu Ma followed several elders around him and the old patriarch in front of him one by one, thinking silently in his heart.

“Did the old patriarch think about what he prayed to because of his own sincerity, or was it passed down from generation to generation?”

“Everything in this ancient rule is straightforward and simple, but it seems to contain some thoughts and blessings..."

 After worshiping Lao Huotangzi, it is time to offer sacrifices.

Following the old patriarch's order, the crowd all took the fish, meat, rice and grain they had prepared first, walked towards the old fire pond, put down the offerings they had prepared, and then returned to the crowd. .

 For a time, the area around the old fire pit was filled with bowls and plates full of food that had been saved by each family member who was usually reluctant to eat.

“My ancestors, please rest assured that there will be no disasters in Dayangzhai this year, and our children and grandchildren will be safe..."

After placing the sacrifices, the old patriarch straightened his back again and told Lao Huotangzi. The fragrance was floating around him, and he could only be heard. He seemed to be talking about some important events in the village, and even Hu Ma and others He also talked about people becoming successful.

 “Burning paper…”

The old patriarch didn't kowtow again until he finished speaking, and shouted loudly behind him.

For a while, the silent and solemn crowd became busy again. The families who had just offered their offerings rushed up and went back to get the sacrifices they had prepared.

 The ancestors only enjoyed the sacrifices, but did not actually eat them. Each family had to take them back.

 It's just that the rules in Dayang Village have their own characteristics. When you take them back, you won't distinguish between what you see and what you take.

 But the people in the village don't mind either. You take what's mine and I take what's yours. They were all rewarded by our ancestors.

 The pig heads prepared by me were taken away by others, and I only took back three steamed buns from others, so I didn't mind.

On the contrary, I think this is a good thing.

At the same time, some people took the sacrifices, and the heads of various families began to burn paper. At this time, paper scraps were flying everywhere, the fire was spreading, and some people's eyes were red from the smoke.

The patriarch had already arranged for people to stand around to prevent the flying sparks from attracting the firewood pile, but those people seemed to be standing there in vain, because the paper burned this year seemed to be particularly effective.

A gust of wind swirled around and swept back all the flying sparks.

It's like the ancestors in the old fire pond are narrow-minded and don't want to be robbed by others when their children and grandchildren burn it.

“Okay, it's time to invite our ancestors to go home for the New Year!”

After burning the paper, the atmosphere became a little more relaxed. The old patriarch also turned around and smiled at the villagers in the village.

The villagers still didn't say much. They just carefully picked up the incense burning in front of them and muttered words such as "Dad, Aunt", "Grandpa, Grandma", "Big brother, little brother". , ask them to follow the incense and go home to celebrate the New Year.

While thinking, he scattered around the old fire pond. From a distance, he could only see little incense flying to each house beside the old fire pond.

On this day, every household in the village put delicious food on the table, and wiped the Eight Immortals table and the Taishi chair.

　　However, no one would sit on the Taishi chair, and the tables were all empty.

 Food and wine were served, but no living person was served.

Hu Ma also followed the rules, holding three sticks of incense that had not yet been burned, and invited his mother-in-law to come back to celebrate the New Year. Because he knew that her mother-in-law's situation was different, he didn't know whether he could really invite her to come.

But the rules were not wrong at all. In the same small house at home, he set up wine, food, a chair for the imperial master, and inserted the three sticks of incense into the incense bowl on the table.

He glanced outside and saw that it was already dark.

Everyone is staying at their own homes. Even the second master cannot come to his home today. There are only himself, Xiao Hongtang and Xiao Hongtang here.

Looking at the empty Taishi chair and the burning incense, he wondered if his mother-in-law was back.

But just as he was carrying a portion of dumplings and preparing to put them into the pot, he suddenly saw Xiao Hongtang sitting on the threshold, as if waiting for something, and suddenly looked out the door.

With a naive smile on his face, he shouted to Hu Ma crisply:

 “Mother-in-law is back for dinner…”

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