609 - The Quest for Immortality

Chapter 609: Kneel Down Life in the sect was uneventful, and before long, another eight days passed, leading to the next ten-day rest period. Given that Bìshān City was quite far away, necessitating more travel time, Mo Hua requested an additional day off. With Mr. Xun as his "backer," the elders of the sect were easy to persuade, granting him the extra day off without a hitch. In total, he had three days! Mo Hua packed his belongings, grabbed his storage bag, and cheerfully set out to find Senior Sister Murong. This time, the mission was initiated by Murong Caiyun, and Mo Hua was tagging along. Knowing that Mo Hua was accumulating merit points to exchange for formation diagrams, Murong Caiyun said, "This mission isn't hard. Including you, there are only three people, so you can get a larger share of the merit points." "Thank you, Senior Sister!" Mo Hua replied with a smile. The two of them headed out of the Tai Xu Gate together, Mo Hua walking with a spring in his step, chatting idly along the way. "Three people..." Mo Hua pondered, then asked, "Senior Sister, who else is going with us?" Murong Caiyun replied, "It's Brother Feng from the Tai Ah Sect." "Brother Feng..." Mo Hua nodded. Brother Feng was courteous and well-mannered, with profound cultivation. He seemed to hold a significant position in Tai Ah Sect, likely one of the predetermined inner sect disciples—a real "big shot." "What about Brother Xu and Qian Qian?" "Brother Xu needs to heal, and the task isn't hard with little merit involved, so there's no need for him to make the trip." "As for Qian Qian..." Murong Caiyun paused, "She's quite busy, so she's sitting this one out." "Oh," Mo Hua nodded. Murong Caiyun sighed lightly. Qian Qian had been pestering her, saying she wanted to go on missions with Mo Hua and even prepared "gifts" for him, consisting of feminine skirts, hairpins, and rouge. She wanted to dress Mo Hua up, thinking he would look splendid like a fine jade doll... Afraid Qian Qian might cause trouble, Murong Caiyun didn't invite her this time. Yet, after listening to Qian Qian's endless chatter, Murong Caiyun found herself daydreaming about Mo Hua dressed in a robe resplendent with floral embroidery. "Senior Sister?" Mo Hua noticed her daze and asked, feeling a bit puzzled. Murong Caiyun snapped back to reality, her cheeks slightly pink, and coughed lightly, "It's getting late. Let's hurry." "Okay..." Mo Hua looked at her suspiciously but asked no further questions. They soon met up with Ouyang Feng, who was clad in a Tai Ah Sect robe, hired a carriage, and left Qianxue Province, speeding along the wide mountain path towards Bìshān City beyond the borders of Qianxue. Outside the carriage, the sound of hooves beat a quick tempo, while inside, tranquility reigned. Mo Hua lay beside the window on a soft, plush carpet, watching the scenery go by while chatting with Murong Caiyun and Ouyang Feng. "We're heading out to capture a rebellious disciple..." Murong Caiyun explained. "About ten years ago, this disciple stole some teachings, murdered a fellow disciple, and fled the sect. He was hunted for a long time but never caught..." "Ten years ago?" Mo Hua was surprised. Murong Caiyun nodded. "He stole some minor teachings and killed a 'fellow disciple,' who was actually just a menial laborer, so it didn't escalate into a big affair." "And since then, this rebellious disciple has kept a low profile, completely vanishing without leaving any trace." "It seems the Dao Ting Department wasn't very interested in pursuing him either..." "Because there's no profit in it?" Mo Hua whispered mischievously. Murong Caiyun was momentarily speechless and gave Mo Hua a light, admonishing glance. "It's partly due to the lack of clues and partly because the Dao Ting Department's manpower is limited, so the matter was set aside." "Oh." Mo Hua "understood." Ouyang Feng continued, "Later, Bìshān City's Xia family had their stores burgled. While tracking the thief, the culprit was forced to use the 'Sever Gold Sect's' techniques, which revealed his identity..." "The Xia family of Bìshān City demanded an explanation from the Sever Gold Sect..." "When the Sect checked their records of stolen teachings, they found that this thief was indeed the rebellious disciple from ten years ago." Mo Hua furrowed his brow, "Sever Gold Sect?" Murong Caiyun explained, "It's one of the Twelve Streams Sects of Qianxue Province, specializing in metal-based sword techniques..." Mo Hua nodded. He vaguely remembered Auntie Wan mentioning the name "Sever Gold Sect" while introducing the Twelve Streams Sects of Qianxue Province, but beyond that, he had no interactions with them. Yet hearing the words "Sever Gold Sect" now, he felt that this sect might have some fate with him... Mo Hua questioned, "Shouldn't the Sever Gold Sect be the ones pursuing their rebellious disciple?" "They tried, but couldn't catch him..." "Couldn't catch him?" Murong Caiyun nodded, "That rebellious disciple is quite adept in his movements..." Ouyang Feng added, "Indeed, among the stolen techniques was a movement technique called 'Escape Gold Technique,' and he mastered it very well. Even the disciples of the Sever Gold Sect couldn't catch up to their rebellious member..." Ouyang Feng sighed wistfully. Proper disciples were outmatched by a rebellious disciple who stole his teachings... "The Xia family of Bìshān City grew dissatisfied, suspecting the Sever Gold Sect of being lenient, perhaps even shielding the thief, and thus issued a separate bounty to capture him." "Yet the Xia family isn't very powerful, so the bounty carries little merit." "Moreover, the Sever Gold Sect doesn't want their traitor to be captured by disciples from other sects, nor are they willing to reward others for it..." Mo Hua muttered, "The Sever Gold Sect... they're quite petty..." Ouyang Feng chuckled, "Indeed they are, but be careful not to let the Sever Gold Sect disciples hear you. Those with small minds can't stand being called 'small-minded.'" Mo Hua nodded with a smile. Half a day later, the three arrived at Bìshān City. True to its name, Bìshān City was steeped in grandeur, with towering, intersecting ridges and valleys. Most dwellings were built into steep cliffs, presenting a scene of breathtaking magnificence. However, the city was now sealed, permitting entry but forbidding exit. With the thieving Sever Gold Sect traitor stealing from the Xia family warehouses, the Xia family alerted the Dao Ting Department. The department sealed the city, undertaking a comprehensive search for the traitor, creating quite a stir. Mo Hua asked curiously, "What exactly was stolen from the Xia family?" Murong Caiyun shook her head, "It's unknown; the Xia family hasn't said, and it's not our place to inquire..." "To stage such an extravagant seal of the city and employ considerable manpower, yet offer such a paltry bounty, this Xia family is truly stingy..." Mo Hua remarked unhappily. He was quite short on merit points himself at the moment, so he felt aggrieved at the Xia family's "stinginess." Moreover, the Xia family seemed rather odd... You'd think losing a warehouse's contents and sealing the city for a search would be a "major affair," warranting a more generous bounty. Murong Caiyun said, "We earn merit points for our work, so it's best not to delve into other matters." Ouyang Feng added, "The sooner we complete our task, the sooner we can return." "Alright." Mo Hua nodded. Their goal was to assist the Xia family in capturing that Sever Gold Sect traitor. Though the Xia family was combing the city, their search merely entailed deploying family members to patrol the streets, scouring for any suspicious cultivators. They didn't dare, nor were they capable of, conducting house-to-house searches. Even if Bìshān City was just a minor immortal city, in Qianxue Province, you couldn't guarantee there wasn't a true adept sipping tea in some teahouse or a great master quaffing wine in a tavern... Murong Caiyun and her companions searched for a while with no luck, then split up to continue their search. Mo Hua wandered the streets of Bìshān City, discreetly extending his consciousness to survey his surroundings. He wasn't trying to pry into people's privacy; he was merely searching for anyone unusual. The types of cultivators in Bìshān City were diverse, ranging from all walks of life. With his consciousness refined to a higher state, Mo Hua could ascertain most cultivators' information. However, respecting others' privacy, he only probed briefly to determine whether someone was the traitor or not. Some auras were obscurely profound; whenever Mo Hua's consciousness brushed them, he immediately withdrew it. These were powerful cultivators, likely at least of the Golden Core stage, ones he wasn't ready to "challenge." But there were also some cultivators whose plain appearance belied an ineffable strength. Even with a mere brush and immediate recall of his awareness, they detected his probing. Their gazes were as sharp as swords, sweeping over Mo Hua. But seeing that Mo Hua was just a young boy, their expressions softened in confusion. Mo Hua respectfully bowed to apologize. Seeing this, they nodded slightly, letting the matter go. Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief, yet he couldn't help but marvel to himself, "The cultivation world indeed harbors hidden dragons and crouching tigers, especially here in Qian Province. Even in a small immortal city like this, you encounter so many experts..." After running into several figurative "walls," performing numerous bows, and offering frequent apologies, Mo Hua became adept at his approach. Even without using his divine sense, he could instinctively sense which cultivators were not to be trifled with. One glance, and he could gauge their depth. Having learned to use his divine sense wisely, Mo Hua avoided offending true or high-level cultivators... After searching for most of the day, using his profound divine sense to thoroughly scan most of Bìshān City, Mo Hua still found nothing. Left with few options, he decided to check untouched places... Pondering his next move, Mo Hua walked into a "brothel." Although it outwardly appeared to be an ordinary tavern, Mo Hua's single experience of visiting the House of Blossoms under Elder Su's guidance in Nanyue City allowed him to recognize it: This was not merely a tavern but a brothel! The front was a tavern, yet the back emitted an aura unsuitable for younger audiences. In this world, the Dao Ting prohibits dual cultivation and, more critically, prohibits energy absorption. In essence, the ban on "dual cultivation" is primarily to prevent "energy absorption," avoiding people using dual cultivation as a guise for such practices. Mo Hua learned this early on from Zhang Lan. Therefore, the Dao Ting monitors "brothels" rigorously. Of course, while the Dao laws are strict and the Dao Ting Department enforces them tightly, it's a different story on the local level. Circumstances change across different immortal cities, adding complexity. For instance, in Nanyue City, the Lu family utilized brothels to curry favor, earn spirit stones, exploit miners, and even tie down the Dao Ting Department. In such a setting, many Dao Ting Department cultivators themselves became patrons of these brothels, facilitating their implicit collaboration, rendering any form of regulation unlikely. However, Qianxue Province stands as an exception; within the entire province, brothels are strictly forbidden. Being a stronghold for cultivation, Qianxue Province gathers young geniuses from the Nine Provinces. The sects wish to prevent their disciples from indulging in sensual pleasures, which could corrode their foundations, squander their time, and tarnish their Daoist hearts. Furthermore, they fear demonic cultivators might lure sect disciples with carnal allure, leading them down a path of moral corruption and indulgence. Thus, not only within Qianxue Province but also in adjacent provinces and many immortal cities, brothels are banned. Nevertheless, the drive for food and procreation is a basic human desire, hard to eradicate. Hence, brothels masquerading as taverns have emerged, a business deceiving on the front and thriving illicitly in the back. Mo Hua snorted coldly, feeling such activities warranted criticism on his part. Moreover, brothels were notoriously squalid, and the traitor might be hiding within. Resolving to investigate, he strode into the tavern directly. The tavern's servant was visibly startled upon seeing Mo Hua. Such a clean, handsome young lad had never set foot in their establishment before. "Young Master, may I help you?" the servant asked. "I'm here to eat," Mo Hua replied matter-of-factly. "Oh, of course, to eat... please, come in." Mistaking Mo Hua's intentions, thinking he mistook their inn for a simple eatery, the servant welcome him warmly, leading him inside. The interior was lavishly decorated, a strong scent of rouge lingering in the air. The servant escorted Mo Hua to a table. Eyeing the menu, Mo Hua thought it was pricey—not just the dishes but even snacks and drinks were twice as expensive as outside. Yet, for the sake of "tracking the traitor," Mo Hua reluctantly ordered a tableful of food and wine. Having walked half a day, his stomach was empty, so Mo Hua, after ensuring through his divine sense that the food was safe and not drugged, began eating, drinking, and surveying his surroundings. The front of the tavern was "clean." Diners were dining, drinkers drinking, though a central stage with a pink curtain showed women adorned with flowers, dancing. Around the periphery, scantily clad women with seductive smiles entertained the patrons. Gnawing on a large chicken leg, Mo Hua's divine sense unfurled, taking in everything around him. Over time, Mo Hua pieced it together... The women dancing on stage were actually the "menu." After their performance, patrons would "order" any women they fancied. The chosen dancer would come down to serve drinks, sharing covert whispers with the customer—likely negotiating "meal costs." Once settled, they'd head to the back to "dine." After "dining," they'd "settle the bill." The pure Mo Hua was astounded. Such varied, creative schemes devised by these cultivators! Energy not channeled into cultivation instead manifested in devising wining-and-dining amorous endeavors... And with such exorbitant food costs! Mo Hua was furious. Gazing toward the dancing women, Mo Hua suddenly froze, his eyes narrowing. In the corner of the stage, among the accompanying dancers, was a plain-looking woman with a slim waist—and something about her movements was very suspect... A sweep of Mo Hua's divine sense confirmed his suspicion. This woman was actually a man! And inwardly, Mo Hua felt certain that this person was the traitorous Sever Gold Sect disciple, the very target of their mission! A man disguised as a woman in a place of such ill repute. Mo Hua snorted. Disreputable and disgraceful! He quickly used the Tai Xu Token to send a message to Senior Sister Murong: "Senior Sister, I found the traitor!" The Tai Xu Token allowed communication within the same sect members only. Senior Sister Murong had taught Mo Hua how to use it, though he hadn't much experience with it yet. In a flash, Murong Caiyun responded: "Where are you?" Mo Hua replied, "Brothel..." Murong Caiyun: "..." There was a long silence on the other side, as if Murong Caiyun was trying to comprehend how Mo Hua ended up in a brothel. But within ten seconds, she replied: "Where is there a brothel?" Mo Hua sent the name of the tavern over. Murong Caiyun said, "I understand. I'm on my way; make sure you stay safe." "Okay." Mo Hua nodded but felt a little puzzled. "Stay safe" felt a bit off... What danger did he face here...? About the time it took to burn two sticks of incense later, Ouyang Feng and Murong Caiyun arrived at the tavern entrance. Equally stunned as the servant, when they said they were here to find their junior brother, he hesitated for a while before allowing them in, though his eyes remained wary. The three spoke in hushed voices. "Junior Brother, how did you end up here?" Mo Hua waved it off. "That's not important." He pointed to the woman on stage with light makeup and a feminine gait, indicating the man disguised as a woman: "That one is likely the traitor." Although Mo Hua was nearly certain, he remained modest, not speaking too firmly. Both Murong Caiyun and Ouyang Feng were surprised, scrutinizing the "woman" with sharp eyes. "Disguising as a woman and dancing here is quite the way to hide in plain sight..." "And possibly not just a cover..." He might have a "side job" too. After all, a renegade disciple, even a wanted criminal, still needed to make a living... "What should we do?" "Should we arrest him directly?" "Won't that alert him and make him flee?" Ouyang Feng and Murong Caiyun were strategizing. Mo Hua said, "I'll 'order' him over." Murong Caiyun and Ouyang Feng were taken aback, "Order?" "Mm-hmm." Mo Hua nodded. "I can order him over to serve drinks, and then we can catch him!" Finally, Murong Caiyun couldn't hold back, "Junior Brother, do you... come here often?" Why did he look so much like a regular... Mo Hua maintained a stern face, solemnly saying, "I'm a proper cultivator! I never come to places like this! Only when absolutely necessary..." Murong Caiyun cast a skeptical glance at Mo Hua. "This is to complete the mission!" Mo Hua added. Ouyang Feng chuckled bitterly, "Capturing that traitor is crucial." "Brother Feng is right!" Mo Hua agreed, motioning to the servant, pointing towards the cross-dressing cultivator on stage: "I want 'her' to serve me drinks!" The servant hesitated, giving Mo Hua a somewhat different look before approaching the "woman" on stage to call her down. Being singled out, the "woman" displayed a look of shock. The waiter pointed towards Mo Hua and his companions, and the "woman's" eyes narrowed slightly before she came over with a submissive demeanor, though her steps slowed gradually. "He's about to run..." Mo Hua observed. Ouyang Feng immediately sprang into action, lunging forward to seize the "woman." However, anticipating this, the "woman" exhibited swift, gold-tinged movements to retreat rapidly. Ouyang Feng missed his grab, pursued quickly, but was blocked by a stranger. The man, with a frivolous air, smirked, "My dear friend, you seem quite the gallant figure, yet why lack mercy..." Without allowing him to finish, Ouyang Feng impatiently kicked the man aside and continued his chase. The "woman," now no longer feigning, demonstrated clearly male actions coupled with remarkable agility. Murong Caiyun unleashed a spectrum of spiritual lights to impede the "woman's" movements. Mo Hua raised his hand halfway but then paused, his mind turning, and switched his Water Prison technique to Fireball technique. Throwing precision to the wind, he hurled fireball after fireball toward the "woman." The fireball technique was executed with abandon. Most fireballs were dodged by the "woman," landing in the tavern instead, exploding into flames and chaos. A place of vice and deceit deserved no sympathy... Mo Hua resolved. With fireballs, he swiftly devastated a considerable portion of the tavern. Pink drapes burned, stages collapsed, and shouts from men and women erupted from the tavern's back. The tavern owner, pale with dread, had embarked on an illicit business, opening a clandestine brothel. With exposure, disaster loomed. Yet he dared not retaliate. With Ouyang Feng and Murong Caiyun showcasing profound cultivation and undoubtedly illustrious backgrounds, they might not be ones he could afford to antagonize. The tavern descended into chaos. Seizing the opportunity, the "woman" fled, sprinting north along the street. Ouyang Feng chased after. "Follow!" Murong Caiyun decided resolutely. "Alright!" Mo Hua agreed, following along in retreat. The commotion outside drew considerable attention, attracting cultivators from both the Xia family and the Dao Ting Department. Seeing scantily clad men and women inside the tavern, the Dao Ting Department cultivators immediately discerned the establishment's true nature. In broad daylight, they had to investigate. Moreover, the Xia family identified the fleeing "woman" as the Sever Gold Sect's traitor they pursued. Thus, both parties joined forces in pursuit of the cross-dressing traitor. Yet the traitor, engulfed in golden light, sped away with tremendous alacrity, proving difficult to capture. After several streets, the trail suddenly vanished. Xia family cultivators cursed in frustration. Ouyang Feng and Murong Caiyun frowned, but Mo Hua's eyes glinted with understanding. He had observed everything. The traitor had ducked into a shadowy alley, managing, in mere moments, to don a new disguise—appearing as an ordinary, inconspicuous male cultivator. "An illusion technique?" Mo Hua mused, intrigued, then subtly pointed it out to Ouyang Feng, "Brother Feng, that man!" Ouyang Feng hesitated, longing to ask how Mo Hua discerned it, but time was short. Trusting Mo Hua's judgment, he moved towards the male cultivator nonchalantly. Noticing Ouyang Feng within twenty meters, the male cultivator—a quick-witted one—abruptly fled. Glimpses of his golden-laden movement technique verified his identity as the traitor! Ouyang Feng drew his sword and resumed the chase. Thus continued the pursuit—the traitor employing his movement technique to escape while searching for chances to disguise and evade capture from Mo Hua and his companions. Mo Hua didn't rush to act. Instead, he guided the scene, covertly herding the traitor towards a deserted woodland east of Bìshān City. Capturing him within the city risked his seizure by the Xia family, preventing access to information. Everything transpired as Mo Hua intended. Surrounded by uninhabited lands. The traitor, now cornered by the trio. Now donned as a hulking figure, the traitor gasped for air, incredulously facing Mo Hua and his companions, "How did you... locate me?" Mo Hua chuckled, "Take a guess." The big man's face twitched, eyes ablaze with fury, followed by a sneer, "Even if you identify me, so what? Against my painstakingly honed Gold Dodge technique, you're futile. To catch me? Wishful thinking!" With a disdainful look, he spat contemptuously, and channeling golden light into his legs, made a bid for freedom. Mo Hua's finger flicked, summoning the Water Prison technique instantly. The smug big man was immediately ensnared, sprawling helplessly in the dirt. Mo Hua shook his head, "You boasted too soon..." Such petty tricks futilely showcased before true prowess... As Ouyang Feng advanced, the big man still struggled, but a slash to the shoulder and a kick grounded him. Boasting only agile movement, he stood no chance against Ouyang Feng in raw cultivation. Ouyang Feng confiscated the big man's storage bag and bound him tightly with a second-tier spirit lock from the Dao Ting Department. Gazing at Mo Hua, Murong Caiyun, impressed, couldn't resist asking, "Junior Brother Mo, why lure him here?" "Precisely," Mo Hua nodded. "It's secluded for some questioning." Murong Caiyun reflected, then nodded, "Alright, ask away." Capturing the target accomplished their mission technically. Here, Mo Hua's inquiry didn't hurt. Mo Hua faced the big man, "I have questions. Answer truthfully!" The big mouth, soiled with dirt, spewed, sneering, "Kid, dream on!" Ouyang Feng shook his head, "A hard mouth, he won't crack easily." Mo Hua inquired, "Is torture allowed?" Ouyang Feng paused, glancing at Murong Caiyun with complex emotions, as if questioning, "Do all Tai Xu Sect juniors conduct themselves this way..." Quick to consider torture at a standoff. Murong Caiyun sighed, "Don't overdo it... at least..." After pondering, she added, "Keep it discreet..." To the Dao Ting Department or Xia family, admitting to extrajudicial measures would cause issues. "Rest assured!" Mo Hua grinned, "I'm prepared!" "Prepared...?" Murong Caiyun queried. Mo Hua nodded, "Precisely!" Anticipating such scenarios, Mo Hua prepared in advance. Retrieving an iron slab from his storage bag, it was etched densely with runes that just screamed "pain." Ouyang Feng and Murong Caiyun could not help but twitch as he laid it down. Facing the big man, Mo Hua instructed, "Kneel on this!"