Chapter 622: The Little Neighbor - The Quest for Immortality

Chapter 622: The Little Neighbor Before Gu Changhuai could react, Mo Hua took the initiative and inquired, "Uncle Gu, can you issue tasks for the Dao Court?" Gu Changhuai was momentarily taken aback and felt displeased. This little rascal, acting so familiar as if we were close... Looking at Mo Hua, Gu Changhuai watched intently and with caution, "What do you intend to do?" "I’m just asking," Mo Hua replied casually, then his eyes glowed slyly like a fox. "Suppose..." Mo Hua emphasized, "I mean suppose, if I accidentally found clues about the Sin Cultivators, could you issue a task through the Dao Court?" Gu Changhuai frowned, refusing immediately, "The Dao Court operates by its own protocols. Issuing bounty tasks to sects requires careful deliberation by the Classic Department; it’s not something that can be issued at whim..." Mo Hua nodded, instantly grasping the core. Deliberation, caution, not capricious... In essence, it's at one’s discretion. Whether to be cautious or capricious depends entirely on the subjective judgment of the chief, with no objective criteria. Being the chief of the Classic Department, if Uncle Gu decided, he indeed had the authority to issue a bounty! As Gu Changhuai looked at the clever Mo Hua, he was at a loss as to what Mo Hua had understood and asked, frowning, "Why are you asking about this..." Only halfway through asking, he caught himself. No, I was supposed to investigate Mo Hua’s connection to Jiang Lao Da’s death. And now, I've let Mo Hua divert the topic... Gu Changhuai kept a stern face, “I asked first, so you answer first.” “What did you ask again?” Mo Hua blinked. Gu Changhuai felt a slight headache coming on and repeated his query, “Do you know how to use the Fireball Technique?” Mo Hua didn’t intend to hide and nodded, “It’s rather hard to not know the Fireball Technique…” The Fireball Technique is one of the most basic and widely used spells among cultivators. Mo Hua looked completely at ease. Even with Gu Changhuai’s experience as a chief of the Dao Court, he couldn't discern any guilt or unease on Mo Hua’s youthful face. Instantly, he concluded. This kid’s an old hand, unfazed, cannot be provoked easily. Pondering for a while, Gu Changhuai's gaze turned sharp as he asked outright, "Did you kill those human traffickers who kidnapped Yu Er?" He stared unflinchingly at Mo Hua as soon as he finished. Mo Hua considered dodging the question, but he also felt that since he needed to rely on Uncle Gu, the Dao Court’s chief, building a relationship founded on lies would not be wise... Mo Hua nodded affirmatively, "Yes!" His admission was direct. Gu Changhuai was momentarily stunned. His mind went blank for an instant. He had envisioned numerous scenarios but hadn’t expected Mo Hua to admit it immediately, rendering many of his prepared statements unsaid. After a long pause, Gu Changhuai questioned, "How did you kill them?" Mo Hua answered, "I used the Fireball Technique to wipe out all those traffickers!" Gu Changhuai thought, indeed. This matched his assumptions. But almost immediately he hesitated again, pondering deeply over this claim and ended up shaking his head, "Impossible..." Using the Fireball Technique... how could he kill? Mo Hua is at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Those human traffickers, at a minimum, should all be at the Foundation Establishment stage as well, with years of cultivation, richer in experience and deeper in cultivation than Mo Hua. Using the Fireball Technique... Gu Changhuai simply couldn't fathom how a low-level Fireball Technique could take down ten or so cultivators of the same rank. Even taking down one would be difficult... Mo Hua appeared somewhat helpless, "If I say nothing, you suspect me. If I tell the truth, you don't believe me. Uncle Gu, you're making it really difficult for me..." Gu Changhuai paused, slightly apologetic but insisted, "It can't just be the Fireball Technique." Mo Hua thought for a moment, then proposed, "What if... I set up an array in advance, heavily injuring them first, then used the Fireball Technique to finish them off. Would that make sense?" Gu Changhuai considered Mo Hua’s reasoning and found himself reluctantly agreeing, "That would indeed make more sense..." "So, shall we go with that?" Gu Changhuai reflexively nodded, then caught himself and retorted irritably, "What do you mean 'go with that’? At your early stage of Foundation Establishment, at the age of ten, how could you set up such a powerful array?" Mo Hua honestly remarked, "I'm really good with arrays!" Gu Changhuai was evidently skeptical. "I was admitted to the Taixu Sect because of my proficiency in arrays!" Mo Hua added. Gu Changhuai didn’t know how to respond. How could he not know that Mo Hua was brought into the Taixu Sect due to a not inconsiderable amount of spirit stones spent by his cousin, seeking favors everywhere? To claim his specialty was in arrays was merely for show, an excuse. A kid from a middle-to-lower-class sect with a low-grade five-element spiritual root from a remote Xiancity in Liao Prefecture, what genius in array formation could he possess? And to have laid a killing array that wiped out more than ten human traffickers. Even boasting should have its limits. Gu Changhuai scoffed lightly. Mo Hua sighed helplessly. Every time he tried to be sincere, others wouldn’t believe him, and there was nothing he could do. “My array techniques are truly superior!” Mo Hua reiterated earnestly. "Oh." Gu Changhuai responded indifferently. Fine, don’t believe it... Mo Hua curled his lips, unwilling to further explain. But Gu Changhuai was reminded of another matter and asked, “Jiang Lao Da... before he died, displayed a powerful Sword Command Technique—how were you unharmed?” Mo Hua was about to say something when Gu Changhuai immediately interjected, "Don’t tell me you were just lucky enough to dodge it..." Mo Hua stammered, “I... was going to say just that…” Gu Changhuai massaged his temples, feeling a headache coming on. After questioning for so long, he couldn’t decipher which of Mo Hua’s words were true and which were false. Or how much truth was in a lie, or how much lie was mixed with truth... And he couldn't interrogate him harshly. Trying to scare him with the "Dao Court"... Seeing his natural behavior, it’s clear he’s not the least bit afraid. Moreover, his cousin would obviously side with this kid. If he pushed too hard, it'd only upset her. Truly, he seemed to have no means to deal with this Mo kid... "Enough of this..." After thinking it through, Gu Changhuai sighed deeply. “I won’t probe further into Jiang Lao Da’s matters...” His expression turned serious. They were just a bunch of despicable human traffickers. If others didn’t kill them, he would have. Besides, they'd targeted Yu Er, making them unlikely to escape his wrath. In truth, Gu Changhuai didn’t particularly care if Mo Hua was the one who personally disposed of the traffickers. He only wanted to ascertain something through Jiang Lao Da’s death. Yet considering Mo Hua's young age, it was clear he had quite the share of cleverness and deep insight, making Gu Changhuai unable to discern, and he could only directly inquire… Gu Changhuai’s expression turned serious, his gaze sharp, "Are you deliberately approaching Yu Er?" "Do you have... ulterior motives?" Mo Hua understood. Only then did he realize that Gu Changhuai genuinely cared about his cousin Wan Aunt and also cared for Yu Er. Even though they were cousins, their relationship seemed as close as siblings. As for Yu Er’s matter... Encountering Yu Er was indeed a coincidence, but whether there were other karmic benefits or plots, Mo Hua wasn’t sure. Yu Er, this child, was kind and adorable, and even if there were no benefits, if it was within his ability, he’d definitely rescue her. Gu Changhuai’s worry about Yu Er and suspicion towards him was fair enough. Being the bigger person, he decided not to fuss over it. Mo Hua was about to explain when he suddenly heard a cheerful and childish voice call out, “Brother Mo!” Mo Hua looked bewildered, turning his head. He saw a child wearing a miniature version of the black-and-white Taixu robe, with hair styled into a bun, arms spread wide, running happily towards him. Mo Hua was stunned for a moment, “Yu Er?” Gu Changhuai, on the other side, was equally taken aback. Halfway to running, Yu Er noticed Gu Changhuai standing opposite Mo Hua, and her smile quickly faded. She stiffly bowed, addressing him formally, “Hello, Uncle Gu.” "Hmm..." Gu Changhuai's expression was slightly stiff. He wanted to present a kind smile to get closer to Yu Er but was hindered by his habitual demeanor, which couldn't hide the coldness in his brows. He ended up looking somewhat... intimidating. Yu Er shuffled her small feet back, glancing at Mo Hua secretly for reassurance. Mo Hua smiled and beckoned to her. Yu Er's face instantly brightened, and she hurried forward a few steps, throwing herself into Mo Hua's arms. Watching this, Gu Changhuai felt a mix of envy and bitterness, gritting his teeth all the while. Mo Hua patted Yu Er’s head, puzzled, "What brings you here?" Yu Er peeked up with a cheerful smile, "I'm joining the Taixu Sect!" "The Taixu Sect?" Mo Hua was genuinely surprised. Off to the side, Gu Changhuai was even more incredulous. With Mo Hua in the Taixu Sect, if his intentions were indeed nefarious, Yu Er joining would be like... a lamb to the slaughter, right? Gu Changhuai’s frown deepened. After a while, a tall, imposing man with a solemn aura and a steady, square face approached them, bowing in greeting to both Gu Changhuai and Mo Hua. "Young Master Gu, Young Master Mo." The usually haughty Gu Changhuai actually responded with a serious gesture of respect. Mo Hua followed suit in returning the salutation, though he seemed somewhat puzzled. The man then spoke with a deep voice, "I am Wenren Wei, a guardian of the Wenren family, accompanying the young master to the school. Please, Young Master Mo, look after him." Wenren Wei’s attitude was courteous but dignified. Mo Hua politely smiled, "Hello, Uncle Wei." Wenren Wei’s expression softened slightly, though unchanged. Gu Changhuai was quite perplexed, "Yu Er is so young; how can she be admitted to the Taixu Sect? Isn’t this against the rules?" Wenren Wei simply replied, "This is the eldest lady's decision.” Implying he was only following orders, unable to decide otherwise. Gu Changhuai knit his brows. Wenren Wei remained silent. Mo Hua continued to play with Yu Er, pinching her cheek. Yu Er stayed glued to Mo Hua’s side, beaming with contentment. After a while, Wenren Wan came along with a gracefully poised woman elder dressed in Taixu robes. The two were chatting amiably, displaying a close bond. Upon reaching them, Wenren Wan greeted Mo Hua, then introduced, "Mo Hua, this is Elder Murong from the inner sect." Elder Murong? Mo Hua's thoughts stirred—was she related to Senior Sister Murong Caiyun? He respectfully greeted, "Greetings, Elder Murong." Elder Murong nodded with a gentle smile, her voice soft, "So this is the Mo Hua you’ve mentioned..." Wenren Wan laughed, "Mo Hua is a well-mannered and determined child who diligently cultivates, but coming from a loose cultivation background, he lacks support. Sister Murong, if you can, please look after him in the Taixu Sect and prevent him from being bullied..." Elder Murong smiled faintly, "Rest assured, my sister." She glanced at Mo Hua, her gaze somewhat meaningful. Given Mr. Xun’s high regard for this child, it likely wasn’t her place to intervene. Gu Changhuai, standing aside, had a complex expression, feeling resigned. This little brat, full of lies and quite cunning—he's dangerous... At his age and level of cultivation, having been in the sect for just six months, he’s already capable of following senior brothers and sisters to capture such elusive and malicious rogue cultivators like the Second Shadow. It’s fortunate he doesn't bully his peers—certainly, no one would dare bully him... Wenren Wan exchanged some quiet words with Elder Murong before noticing Gu Changhuai and asked in surprise, "Changhuai, when did you get here?" Gu Changhuai felt a bitter taste, "I’ve been here all along..." Wenren Wan didn't understand, "What’s a head of section doing here on a typical day?" Gu Changhuai sighed and explained, "I came to see Mo Hua about some matters." Wenren Wan looked puzzled, "You're looking for Mo Hua?" Suddenly recalling something, her expression darkened, "Did someone bully Mo Hua, and he came to your Dao Court to complain?" “No…” Gu Changhuai was feeling exhausted. His cousin was good in many ways, except sometimes her emotions clouded her judgment. But unable to elaborate, he simply said, “It's just some minor matters from the sect’s bounty, nothing serious once clarified…” Though skeptical, Wenren Wan didn't press further. Exchanging a few more words with Elder Murong, the latter excused herself saying, “I’ll be off then, everything regarding Yu Er is settled.” “You just need to bring him in, complete some formalities, and he’ll be considered a disciple of the Taixu Sect in advance.” “However, the Taixu Sect has no precedent for this, and given his young age, he will temporarily reside in the disciples’ quarters under your family’s guardianship.” “As for cultivation…” “Since he’s in the Qi Refinement stage, it’s crucial to nurture his meridians and lay a solid foundation, so we won't arrange formal lessons for now. You’ll manage his studies.” “If any needs arise once he’s in the sect, feel free to seek me out…” “We’re sisters; no need for formalities…” Wenren Wan expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Sister Murong, for making an exception this time. I’ll visit to properly thank you later." Elder Murong shook her head, "No need for thanks, sister. I merely went with the flow..." Her gaze subtly flicked towards Mo Hua, who was chatting with Yu Er. Admitting a disciple in the Qi Refinement stage was certainly unprecedented for the Taixu Sect. Breaking this rule required the patriarchs' consent. Originally, they were opposed. Yet after Mr. Xun heard of it, for reasons unknown and calculations unbeknownst, he surprisingly agreed and even cleared the way... Only later did Elder Murong learn about Yu Er’s connection with Mo Hua. Elder Murong’s eyes conveyed an understanding look. “Though Mr. Xun doesn’t speak of it, he must value this child deeply…” Truly a rarity... After another silent glance at Mo Hua, Elder Murong bade farewell. Mo Hua also prepared to return to the sect. He had several discussions he wished to have with Uncle Gu. Primarily, he wanted to find a way to have him agree to be his “inside contact” in the Dao Court, essentially, a “task issuer”. However, now wasn’t the opportune time, and discussing it could wait for another day. Coincidentally, as Yu Er was also entering the sect, Mo Hua bid farewell to Wenren Wan and, together with Yu Er, headed towards the Taixu Sect's mountain gate. Yu Er waved goodbye to her mother, lingeringly. Wenren Wei paid his respects to Wenren Wan and Gu Changhuai before silently following Mo Hua and Yu Er into the Taixu Sect. As a guardian, it was his duty to care for Yu Er. Once the group dispersed, the surroundings grew quiet with no one else around. Wenren Wan’s gaze lingered on Yu Er’s form until it disappeared into the mountain forest, her expression tinged with a hint of melancholy. Retrieving her gaze, she gave Gu Changhuai a stern look, "Alright, out with it – what’s your plan?" Facing her, Gu Changhuai dropped his aloofness, revealing instead a slight sheepishness, "Sister, what are you talking about?" Wenren Wan huffed, "I watched you grow up—I know what you're thinking. What’s your real reason for seeking out Mo Hua?" “I…” “No excuses.” Gu Changhuai sighed, “I suspect he harbors ill intentions…” Wenren Wan frowned, helpless, "You, much like your brother-in-law, have too many suspicions, assuming others are equally scheming..." "The way you see others determines how they see you; if you plot against them, they will plot against you too." Gu Changhuai gave a bitter smile. Seeing his expression, Wenren Wan softened and added, "I know you care for Yu Er and me, but don’t trouble Mo Hua unnecessarily." "If Mo Hua ever has a request, do what you can to help. He’s a child without family support, and sect life isn’t easy." Finishing, she assumed the demeanor of the "eldest sister," patting Gu Changhuai’s shoulder, "If Mo Hua seeks your help, don’t dismiss him, and don’t try to deceive me." Wenren Wan met Gu Changhuai's eyes firmly. Gu Changhuai felt conflicted, finally conceding reluctantly, “I understand…” Wenren Wan seemed satisfied, nodding to Gu Changhuai, "Come home during your leave, and I’ll make your favorite jade pastries." Gu Changhuai sighed, noting her intent to leave, and asked one last question, "Sister..." Gazing gravely, “Are you sure about bringing Yu Er to the Taixu Sect? Are you truly at ease with it?” Wenren Wan paused with a tremble. Turning back, her usually elegant and gentle face was cast with shadows of reluctance, worry, and a flicker of... fear. “Sister…” Gu Changhuai was bewildered by her reaction, growing increasingly anxious. Wenren Wan’s slim face bore a wry smile, "Changhuai..." “I... had a nightmare…” "In my dream, there was a sky full of bloody rain, and demons danced wildly..." "Yu Er looked at me coldly, his eyes hollow, skin ghostly pale. All his blood was drained, his organs hollowed out, and his consciousness absorbed..." "In a cold voice, he asked me, this mother, why didn't I save him..." Wenren Wan clutched at her chest, pain etched on her face. "In the dream, no matter how I struggled, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't save Yu Er..." "Against such overwhelming evil, the human heart is too fragile..." "I couldn’t save him..." "So, all I can do is hope..." Her voice dwindled to a whisper, but she finally lifted her gaze to Taixu Mountain, her beautiful eyes filled with a humble wish, beautiful yet fragile. Gu Changhuai was deeply shaken. Only then did he realize there were things he was utterly unaware of! And his cousin was not merely acting on impulse as he had thought... Gu Changhuai drew a deep sigh, his demeanor solemn, "Sister, I understand." --- Inside the Taixu Sect. Yu Er knew nothing of these matters. He was gleefully holding Mo Hua's hand, hopping along happily until they reached the disciples' quarters. Mo Hua scanned his Taixu Token to enter, then watched as little Yu Er pulled out a small token of his own, scanned it, and followed him inside. Mo Hua paused in surprise, “Yu Er, you live here too?” "Uh-huh." Yu Er nodded happily. Mo Hua walked further inside and noticed that Yu Er continued to follow him all the way to the doorway of his room, Taiyi No. 50, where Yu Er finally stopped. Mo Hua glanced at Yu Er. Yu Er pointed with his tiny hand, "Brother Mo, I live here." Mo Hua looked up and saw that the previously vacant disciples’ quarters to his right had been cleaned and the placard unsealed. It read: Taiyi, No. 51. Mo Hua opened his mouth in surprise. He hadn’t expected Yu Er to actually join the Taixu Sect and become his little neighbor... Wenren Wei, standing behind Yu Er, also bowed and said, "I hope Young Master Mo will look after him in the future." Yu Er beamed, "Please take care of me, Brother Mo." Mo Hua looked down at Yu Er's bright, shining eyes and smiled warmly, "Sure." Since he had a cultivation class that afternoon, not to disturb Mo Hua, Wenren Wei led Yu Er to Quarters No. 51 next door. Yu Er waved goodbye to Mo Hua. Wenren Wei followed him inside. But suddenly, Mo Hua called out to him, "Uncle Wei." Wenren Wei paused and turned back, steady-faced, addressing Mo Hua graciously, "Young Master Mo, what are your instructions?" Mo Hua shook his head, "I’m not some master; calling me Mo Hua is just fine." Wenren Wei nodded in silence. Mo Hua paused, his gaze deep and meaningful, "If Yu Er has another nightmare, Uncle Wei, remember to call me..." There was a moment of surprise in Wenren Wei's solemn expression, but realization soon dawned on him. A slight smile crept onto his face, and he nodded, "Alright." (Chapter end)