Chapter 620: The Five Hidden Gates - The Quest for Immortality

Chapter 620: The Five Hidden Gates Teeth as “storage bags,” sealing away an inheritance jade slip. Yin Lao Er was truly cunning and treacherous. Murong Caiyun and the others were shocked, and then they looked at Mo Hua, even more astounded. This junior apprentice brother of theirs seemed even more cunning than Yin Lao Er... He could even discover and retrieve the jade slip hidden within someone’s tooth. Yin Lao Er was shocked and found it incredible. The location of this jade slip was hidden with the utmost secrecy. In over a hundred years, nobody but himself had ever known about it. How did this brat “see” through it? Yet watching Mo Hua, who was smiling gleefully while holding the jade slip, Yin Lao Er’s heart was filled with resentment and he sneered, “Kid, don't... get too excited...” He mumbled, having lost some of his teeth, causing his speech to be slurred. “This is an inheritance jade slip, sealed with runes. Without knowledge of these runes, you’ll never be able to access the Small Five Elements Stealth Art inside…” “The runes on this jade slip are known only to a descendent of the Five Hidden Gates like myself!” Yin Lao Er grinned maliciously. Ouyang Feng raised an eyebrow, pointing his sword at him, “Hand over the runes, and you can avoid suffering…” Yin Lao Er spat out a mouthful of blood, forcing a smile onto his face, “Mere physical pain doesn’t bother me…” Ouyang Feng frowned, “What do you want?” “What else could it be?” Yin Lao Er’s eyes revealed a cunning glint, “Naturally, my life…” “I’ll give you the runes, and you let me go!” Yin Lao Er grinned maliciously. Ouyang Feng shook his head, “You're dreaming.” “Then forget it,” Yin Lao Er sneered, “Kill me, and the jade slip becomes useless.” Murong Caiyun frowned, glancing back at Mo Hua. Seeing Mo Hua focused entirely on fiddling with the jade slip, looking eager to uncover the hidden techniques within, she felt a twinge of compassion. After some thought, she said to Yin Lao Er in a threatening tone, “Sealed jade slips aren’t impossible for an array master to unlock…” “Precisely!” Yin Lao Er mocked, “There are indeed array masters who can decode it…” “But those proficient in the geomagnetic arrays are incredibly few. Even fewer can reverse the array to decipher the runes…” “To construct a geomagnetic array, apply the sealing runes and patterns is entirely different from deciphering or decoding them.” “Not every artist is a solver…” “Even if they could, would such esteemed array masters deign to handle a minor foundational legacy?” Murong Caiyun’s expression grew solemn. Others, too, hesitated. Indeed, they wanted to help Mo Hua obtain the technique for the Small Five Elements Stealth Art, but they couldn’t agree to Yin Lao Er’s demands. Yin Lao Er was notorious for his misdeeds. Even disregarding reward and recognition, they couldn't let him escape to cause more harm. Inviting other seasoned array masters to decrypt the jade slip would incur a cost far exceeding any merit from this mission, making it unfeasible. Seeing the group waver, Yin Lao Er grinned wider and continued, “Moreover, decoding isn’t entirely safe; if you err and damage the magnetic patterns, the jade slip becomes void.” “Then there would be no hope of acquiring this legacy from the Five Hidden Gates again.” Ouyang Feng’s eyes pierced like blades, huffing coldly, “What nonsense? The true legacy is with the Five Hidden Gates. As long as they remain, the legacy continues. You are merely a rogue disciple.” Yin Lao Er’s smile twisted, verging on madness, his voice fluctuating. “The Five Hidden Gates are there?” “Heh, the Five Hidden Gates still exist?!” “It’s all gone, completely gone!” Yin Lao Er laughed, stained with blood, “This jade slip holds the final legacy; the Five Hidden Gates will be erased…” Murong Caiyun and the others exchanged glances, their brows knitted tighter. “Yin Lao Er, stop your nonsense, what are you talking about?” Yin Lao Er grinned grimly, his words laced with profound meaning, “Believe it or not, I’ll tell you this is likely the only jade slip from the Five Hidden Gates you’ll ever see. If it’s decoded incorrectly, thus ruining the magnetic patterns, then forever will you be clueless…” Before Yin Lao Er could finish, a clear voice sounded: “It’s done!” Everyone was taken aback, turning to see Mo Hua with his forehead pressed against the jade slip, smiling broadly, utterly absorbed in reading something. Murong Caiyun and the others gaped, faces showing disbelief. It was done… Had he really unlocked the sealing runes? “Impossible!” Yin Lao Er’s face changed drastically, eyes wide with fear. He scrutinized the situation, lashing out angrily, “No! Impossible!” “You deceitful brat, feigning ignorance, you cannot fool me!” “How could you possibly unravel the unique sealing runes of the Five Hidden Gates?” Seeing his disbelief, Mo Hua pondered and then began reciting from the jade slip: "The Small Five Elements Stealth Art, a forbidden technique of the Five Hidden Gates, not to be shared..." "Attune to the Five Elements, merge with the world, conceal oneself..." "The minor concealment blinds within the leaf, the grand concealment resides within the world's Five Elements." "Its meaning profound, its use expansive..." "Can attack, can defend, can live, can kill, can hide, appearing shapeless yet visible..." "A true cultivator doesn’t deceive in secrecy..." “Those who conceal themselves, hidden in the shadows, shall not rely on such powers to commit acts of malice, invade others' privacy, threaten lives, rob and plunder, polluting the reputation of their peers and disgracing their sect…” “Any who violate this, shall have their magic abolished and be expelled from the sect…” … With each line Mo Hua read, Yin Lao Er’s face turned a shade paler. By the time Mo Hua finished, he was paper-white, devoid of any color, his eyes filled with disbelief. “You…” “How can this be…” Mo Hua sighed, “You’ve violated the Five Hidden Gates’ ancient teachings...” He became adept at the Small Five Elements Stealth Art, yet used it to assassinate by stealth, his methods exceedingly cruel. Beyond that, invading privacy or engaging in thieving deeds likely wasn’t uncommon for him. Some are always prone to wickedness when given the chance. Not everyone possesses a gentle soul and steadfast resolve like mine! Mo Hua nodded affirmatively. With the Small Five Elements Stealth Art now in hand, Yin Lao Er was of no further value. The task was simply to hand Yin Lao Er over to the Dao Court, claim the merit points, and everything would be settled. “Enjoy your last meal as the Dao Court deals with you!” Mo Hua stood above contemptuously, speaking to the kneeling Yin Lao Er. Yin Lao Er still glared at Mo Hua with malice, seemingly intending to remember this forever, seeking vengeance even in the afterlife. Mo Hua wasn’t bothered by his animosity. If he wanted to become a “ghost,” all the better. However, seeing Yin Lao Er's sinister stare, Mo Hua wasn’t particularly benevolent. Following Mo Hua’s “friendly” suggestion, Yin Lao Er’s arms were broken, his right hand’s tendons severed, and his meridians crippled … With this, he could cause no more disturbances. Ouyang Feng seized Yin Lao Er by the collar, dragging him from Canglang Mountain, through the Luopan Mountain route, to the Dao Court in Qianxue Prefecture. The handover at the Dao Court proceeded smoothly. Maimed and toothless, the practically “disabled” Yin Lao Er was temporarily jailed, pending the court’s ruling and sentencing. Everyone could then return to the sect, await the mission’s completion, and receive their merits. Mo Hua had wanted to meet Inspector Gu, but after searching around, he didn’t find Gu Changhuai’s tall and elegant, somewhat proud, and slightly flamboyant figure. Upon inquiring with a steward, Mo Hua learned that Gu Changhuai was on a mission, temporarily away from the Dao Court. Being a third-ranked inspector, he certainly was quite busy. Mo Hua felt a bit disappointed. He had hoped to discuss some matters with Uncle Gu… … With matters here concluded, everyone prepared to return to their sect. On the journey back, Murong Caiyun arranged a carriage, stocked with sweet fruits and fragrant tea. Everyone felt quite relaxed. This journey, which they originally thought would take a long time with much effort and inevitable danger, turned out to be unexpectedly smooth. No one was injured, not much time was wasted, and within just a day, they had completed their mission and could return to the sect. As a result, the atmosphere in the carriage was relaxed and leisurely. Murong Caiyun and Hua Qianqian were sipping floral tea, whispering to each other, laughing behind delicate hands. Shangguan Xu was polishing his heavy sword. Mo Hua, holding a large melon in his hands, was enjoying the sweet fruit as he gazed at the scenery outside the window. Among them, only Ouyang Feng seemed preoccupied, occasionally glancing at Mo Hua, wanting to say something but holding back. Just as he wore a conflicted expression, a red spiritual fruit appeared in front of him, accompanied by a clear voice. "Brother Feng, have some fruit." Ouyang Feng was momentarily surprised, then chuckled as he accepted the fruit from Mo Hua, saying warmly, "Thank you." Mo Hua nodded, took another bite of the melon, and with his cheeks full, said, "Senior Brother, is there something you want to ask me?" Ouyang Feng looked slightly taken aback, fell silent for a moment, and then sighed, "There’s something a bit intrusive, but I must ask..." He paused before he spoke in a serious tone, "Junior Brother Mo, how did you unlock that sealed rune?" The carriage grew silent. Shangguan Xu stopped polishing his sword, and even Murong Caiyun and Hua Qianqian stopped their whispering, turning to look at Mo Hua. Clearly, they all wanted to know about it too. Yet they hesitated, fearing it might involve some secretive cultivation matters and dared not broach the subject lightly. Mo Hua calmly replied, "I was just lucky and guessed." Ouyang Feng took a bite of the spiritual fruit, watching Mo Hua in silence. Murong Caiyun and the others squinted, obviously dubious. Mo Hua elaborated, "I’ve memorized some secondary thunder patterns, similar to 'encryption patterns,' and during the unlocking, I just tried my luck, experimenting with them piece by piece." “With a bit of luck, I managed to unlock it…” Indeed, there was an element of fortune in Mo Hua deciphering the runes on the jade slip of the Small Five Elements Stealth Art. Yin Lao Er was one of the names on Jiang Laoda’s list. With a stroke of luck, Mo Hua used the secondary thunder patterns he had accumulated from Jiang Laoda’s jade slip to attempt unlocking the jade slip of Yin Lao Er. After about ten attempts, he succeeded. It was indeed fortunate, a guess that worked out. However, this bit of luck required substantial cognitive power, a solid foundation in formations, and strong capability in formations. These deeper aspects, Ouyang Feng didn’t grasp, and he was just astonished, "You’ve learned the Geomagnetic Array?" Mo Hua didn’t hide it and nodded, "Just a little." Ouyang Feng was inwardly impressed. The true Geomagnetic Array involved principles of geomagnetism, required drawing multiple layers of array patterns, and was vastly different from the simplistic Small Geomagnetic Array. He thought he had already held Mo Hua’s formation skill in high regard but underestimated his junior brother after all. "So, then..." Ouyang Feng murmured, "You’ve learned to unlock them?" Mo Hua said, "I’ve just started learning. It doesn’t mean I can unlock everything. Mostly it’s still reliant on luck.” Mo Hua magnified the aspect of “luck” to cover his “ability.” "Relying on luck..." Ouyang Feng let out a sigh of relief. No wonder... He initially thought that Mo Hua could reliably decode seals purely based on his formation prowess... That would be far too incredible. And too dangerous… Since it was a matter of “luck,” they all slightly nodded, dropping the topic. Mo Hua suddenly remembered something, dug out the jade slip of the Small Five Elements Stealth Art from his storage bag, and asked, “Senior Brother, Senior Sister, would you like a copy of this stealth technique?” Yin Lao Er was captured as a group effort. They shared the merit, so it seemed reasonable to share the technique, too. They paused, then shook their heads. Ouyang Feng said, "We don’t practice stealth techniques, and it would be of little use if we did. You keep it." “Alright.” Mo Hua put away the jade slip, then asked, “By the way, if I submit this technique to the sect, can I earn merit?” Murong Caiyun pondered briefly and nodded, “Yes, but it’s a bit complicated…” “Complicated?” “Hmm,” Murong Caiyun explained, “The sect’s catalog of techniques is already extensive. If you submit it, the elders must compare it with existing techniques to decide if it should be included…” “That’s not the issue…” “The real problem is that many techniques have significant ties with other sects…” “Certain techniques, especially if deeply connected to other sects, aren’t suitable for inclusion in the Taixu Sect’s library.” “Carelessly including them might sometimes spark disputes…” “Although if you submit one, as long as it’s not too common or its origins are clear, the sect will always offer some merit.” “However, the merit is often not substantial…” “In general, the sect encourages disciples to earn their merit through quests and tasks rather than submitting legacies…” “Exactly!” Hua Qianqian’s voice was clear as she nodded, imparting some gossip to Mo Hua: “It’s said that ‘Stingy Sect,’ which is really Duanjin Sect, once had an incident like this…” “Some disciples, to earn merit, stole techniques from their families to submit to the sect in exchange for merit.” “The Duanjin Sect, greedily accepting them, shamelessly claimed them as ancestral teachings…” “Later, when families confronted them, the sect didn’t admit it, leading to disputes and causing quite a spectacle…” “Since then, when accepting submissions, the sect has become more restrained, offering much less merit…” Murong Caiyun sighed, casting a disapproving glance at Hua Qianqian, “Qianqian, be careful when you speak ill of the Duanjin Sect…” Hua Qianqian laughed cheekily. Mo Hua gave a slight nod, another question coming to mind: “Senior Sister Murong, hypothetically…” Mo Hua blinked, pausing to emphasize: “I mean ‘hypothetically’…” “If I ‘accidentally’ came across a few techniques from other sects in Qianzhou, can I learn them?” Murong Caiyun looked at him thoughtfully, asking softly, “Are they high-ranked?” Mo Hua shook his head, “No, they’re low-ranked…” Higher-ranking techniques, he couldn’t afford to use anyway… “Then it’s fine…” Murong Caiyun reassured. “They won’t give me trouble?” Murong Caiyun shook her head: “Unless you acquired them through ‘murder and theft’ and fear exposure… Normally, with low-ranked techniques, it’s not an issue to study or use them.” Seeing Mo Hua’s lingering confusion, Murong Caiyun further explained: “Low-level techniques see widespread use among cultivators. Their numerous variations often make it difficult to pinpoint any single lineage.” “Look at something like a fireball technique…” “If you use it, he uses it too; at a glance, it’s just a fireball. Even if there are slight differences, most cultivators can’t discern nuances, leaving no grounds for complaints.” “But high-tier techniques are different…” “These tend to have unique characteristics. When used, others can easily identify them, which makes disputes inevitable.” “So, in Qianxue Prefecture, as long as it’s low-ranked technique and of clear origin, feel free to study them.” “However, for high-tier techniques, unless they’re from your sect, they should be returned or submitted to the Dao Court.” “Otherwise, it could lead to significant trouble…” “Thank you, Senior Sister,” Mo Hua nodded, “I understand now!” In essence, he could casually exploit low-grade techniques. But for mid to high-tier techniques, especially high-tier ones, reckless study and use were ill-advised. Take the Duanjin Sword Technique for example. If he wanted to learn it, he’d need to be cautious. Either don’t use it recklessly, or never let others “see” it used… Just like Jiang Laoda. Understanding this eased Mo Hua’s mind considerably. As they returned to Qianxue Prefecture, Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian bade their farewells one by one. When Ouyang Feng got off the carriage, he gave Mo Hua a long look, as if something still weighed on his mind, but he left it unsaid. Hua Qianqian, looking at Mo Hua with bright eyes, found her junior brother’s combination of innocence, a hint of cunning, and an occasional fierce streak made him even more endearing. Upon returning to the Taixu Sect, Shangguan Xu had some matters to attend and departed first, leaving Mo Hua to walk with Senior Sister Murong for a while. As they parted, Murong Caiyun thoughtfully reminded Mo Hua: “It's best not to casually mention the unlocking incident to others…” “Alright,” Mo Hua nodded, then asked in confusion, “Is there a taboo about such things?” Mo Hua was aware that geomagnetic arrays are difficult to master and unlocking such seals could be rather remarkable. However, these were only his assumptions, and he wasn’t fully informed about the specifics. Murong Caiyun sighed, “Deciphering a seal is quite challenging…” “In the Qianxue Prefecture, there are numerous sects, and most of their legacies are documented in jade slips, sealed by array patterns…” “Unlocking such seals is notoriously difficult, which is why inheritance jade slips are widely used to securely store techniques and create a barrier for the legacy…” “If everyone could unlock them, the vast legacies across Qianxue Prefecture would mostly be at risk of theft…” “So…” Murong Caiyun gave Mo Hua a knowing look, “Regardless of whether you unlocked it by skill or sheer ‘luck,’ don’t divulge it too freely…” “Even if you unlocked it by ‘skill,’ say it was by ‘luck’…” Mo Hua understood and smiled, “Thank you, Senior Sister. I'll remember!” Murong Caiyun watched him, her smile gentle and warm. … After they parted ways, Mo Hua returned to the disciples’ quarters and eagerly began to study the revered Five Hidden Gates legacy, the “Small Five Elements Stealth Art,” which blends with the Five Elements and conceals within the world. This stealth technique far surpassed his current abilities in terms of effectiveness. While Yin Lao Er was experienced, his spiritual insight wasn't strong enough to fully utilize the stealth technique’s potential. Moreover, his malicious use of stealth further obscured the brilliance of the technique in his hands. Mo Hua pulled out the jade slip, ready to examine it closely when suddenly, memories of Yin Lao Er's words echoed in his mind... At the time, with a bloody grin, Yin Lao Er had mentioned the Five Hidden Gates… "Already gone..." "This jade slip is the last of the legacy; the Five Hidden Gates will be erased..." Mo Hua’s brow furrowed slowly. Could it be that the Five Hidden Gates, forced out of the Qianxue Prefecture due to poor management, had been... exterminated? Were Yin Lao Er’s words truth or deceit? If he deliberately lied, then it’s a relief… But if it were true, what exactly transpired within the Five Hidden Gates? (End of Chapter)