Seeing the atmosphere quiet down, Gu Changhuai, Gu An, Gu Quan, and Yu Cangming were still standing there stunned. Mo Hua said, "Let's go quickly. What if those great demons come back? That would be trouble."
Gu Changhuai was still a bit shocked and asked uncertainly, "Are you really... Mo Hua?"
Mo Hua nodded.
Gu Changhuai took another look at the boy who had once been so familiar, but after ten years without seeing him, he suddenly seemed strange. His features had matured, elegant and handsome, and he exuded a rather eerie sense of oppression. Gu Changhuai opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.
Yu Cangming, on the other hand, stared at Mo Hua with narrowed eyes and said in an aged voice, "Young master... you killed the Demon Dragon Mountain Lord, the Silver Corpse Elder, and the Ghost Child Hermit?" His tone was incredulous.
Mo Hua said, "How could that be? I'm only at initial-stage Golden Core." He wouldn't take the blame for that, lest he attract a swarm of enemies.
Yu Cangming was taken aback and frowned. "Then... why did those demonic overlords retreat at just a few words from you?"
Mo Hua said, "I don't know. I just bluffed a bit to scare them. Who knew they'd be so easily frightened? It seems demons generally have something wrong with their brains." Yu Cangming's expression was priceless.
Gu Changhuai sighed, feeling a sense of familiarity. Yes, this habit of spouting nonsense was indeed Mo Hua. He had been like that since he was a child, lying without batting an eye and coming up with the most outlandish stories.
Yu Cangming also knew that Mo Hua was probably making things up, but he didn't care about that. What he cared about more was Mo Hua's true identity. Yu Cangming couldn't figure out what astonishing background this young master had that he could drive away five peak Golden Core demonic overlords with just a word. Was he a Demonic Holy Son? Seeing Madam Rui's fearful expression, could he be the direct-line Holy Son of the Union Sect? Or perhaps he was the Great Holy Son of the demonic path? That seemed unlikely. But aside from that, Yu Cangming couldn't think of any other reason why an initial-stage Golden Core cultivator could have such deterrent power. It couldn't really be because he was good at killing, could it? Yu Cangming's thoughts were chaotic.
Mo Hua pointed at Liu San and said, "Let's hurry. This man is about to die." Gu Changhuai and the others were startled. Yu Cangming frowned and sighed, "Let's leave this place first." Gu Changhuai nodded. Then he took out a robe and wrapped it around Liu San, who was emaciated and barely human. Gu An and Gu Quan supported Liu San, while the rest did not hesitate and immediately left the Union prison.
Leaving the prison, they leaped out of the cave entrance and found themselves in Miao'er's boudoir, which was still in disarray. Exiting the boudoir, they entered the corridor of the Flower Character Building. The commotion in the room had already caused a stir. Many people came to watch, including courtesans of the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, as well as some young masters, male cultivators, and wealthy patrons. One patron, seeing Mo Hua's group acting suspiciously and the big man Gu An carrying someone wrapped in a cloak—thin like a woman—thought they were stealing a beauty from the brothel. Indignant, he wanted to play the hero and block their way, shouting, "In broad daylight, you're abducting women from the Jade Fragrance Pavilion? Is there no law?"
Gu Changhuai couldn't be bothered to argue with him. He slapped the man, sending him flying. The other onlookers, seeing that this group was not to be trifled with, retreated to their rooms and minded their own business.
The group left the Flower Character Building, encountering a few cultivators who tried to stop them along the way, but they were all dealt with. As they left the building and entered the main hall, they ran into Bai Xiaosheng, who was about to rush in. Bai Xiaosheng hurriedly asked, "Are you alright?"
Mo Hua said, "I'm fine."
Bai Xiaosheng said irritably, "I wasn't asking you!" What could happen to you, Mo Hua? In fact, it would be better if something happened to Mo Hua, preferably that he got stuck in the Jade Fragrance Pavilion and never got out. Bai Xiaosheng quickly looked at his Little Grandaunt. Seeing her nod calmly, he finally relaxed. As long as Little Grandaunt was fine.
Mo Hua was helpless. "Let's go."
Bai Xiaosheng nodded repeatedly. "Let's go. This place is not safe to stay in." He had to get Little Grandaunt out quickly, or if something went wrong, he would be finished.
Gu Changhuai hadn't met Bai Xiaosheng before, but seeing that he was familiar with Mo Hua, he didn't ask. The group then hurriedly left the Jade Fragrance Pavilion with Liu San, crossing the long Drunken Flower Street, which was like a jade palace filled with singing and dancing beauties. Yu Cangming still looked worried, unable to believe that the demons would simply retreat, while Mo Hua looked relaxed and calm. Only when they left Drunken Flower Street and gradually distanced themselves from the luxurious, decadent world of brothels and songs, entering the quiet night of ordinary alleys and neighborhoods, did the stone in everyone's hearts finally settle.
At a fork in the road, Gu Changhuai looked at Mo Hua and asked, "Where are you going next?"
Mo Hua asked, "Uncle Gu, are you going back to the Dao Court Department?"
Hearing the term "Uncle Gu" after so long, Gu Changhuai was momentarily dazed, then nodded. Mo Hua looked thoughtful. He wanted to go to the Dao Court Department to handle Liu San's matter, but Little Junior Sister was still with him. It was better for her not to go to a place like the Dao Court Department, especially in Houtu City. Mo Hua turned to Bai Zixi, who seemed to understand his intention and was thinking. But Mo Hua's expression changed slightly as he looked into the darkness on the other side.
From the darkness, a figure in palace attire slowly emerged. She was dignified and elegant, her steps floating in the void as if walking on air without touching a speck of dust.
"Feather Transformation..." Yu Cangming and Gu Changhuai both tightened their hearts.
Mo Hua bowed to the woman. "Zhenren."
Rong Zhenren's eyes showed a hint of surprise. Mo Hua's calm expression indicated that he had known she was watching him all along. With such divine sense and perception, it was indeed an understatement for him to only be a Golden Core cultivator. Rong Zhenren looked at Mo Hua without saying much, only nodding slightly. Then she turned to Bai Zixi with a complex expression and asked softly, "Have you had enough fun?"
Bai Zixi slowly hummed in response.
Rong Zhenren could tell she was reluctant and could only sigh. "It's time to go back."
Bai Zixi gave another "oh."
Rong Zhenren was helpless, then turned to Mo Hua and asked, "And you?"
Mo Hua said, "I need to go to the Dao Court Department first. I have some matters to handle. After that, I'll go back on my own."
Rong Zhenren nodded. "Mm."
Mo Hua was different from Zixi. Zixi was a precious treasure to be kept at home without any mishap. Mo Hua was a wild monkey; he could go wherever he wanted as long as he didn't die. Rong Zhenren wouldn't give him another glance.
Bai Xiaosheng was afraid of Rong Zhenren, so he smiled awkwardly and said, "Rong Zhenren, I'll take my leave now."
Rong Zhenren glanced at him coldly. "Don't rush. Come with me first."
Bai Xiaosheng's scalp tightened. "I... I think I'd better not... I was dragged to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion by Mo Hua. It really has nothing to do with me."
Rong Zhenren stared at him silently, as if to say, "Do you think I believe that?"
Mo Hua, that damnable guy, I'm done for because of him—Bai Xiaosheng muttered inwardly, then resigned himself. "Fine..."
Rong Zhenren glanced at Gu Changhuai and the others but ignored them. She only said to the two of the Bai family, "Come with me."
Bai Xiaosheng trudged listlessly behind Rong Zhenren. Before leaving, Bai Zixi silently looked at Mo Hua. Their eyes met for a moment before they parted, pretending nothing had happened. This subtle exchange of gazes was brief, but Rong Zhenren, being experienced, caught it. Her heart sank as she sighed inwardly, "As expected... this is bad." She didn't call it out to avoid making things worse, just took Bai Zixi away.
Mo Hua, along with Gu Changhuai and the others, headed back to the Houtu City Dao Court Department. After about an hour's walk, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, Mo Hua saw the Houtu City Dao Court Department. Houtu City was a fifth-rank immortal city, so the Dao Court Department was extremely large and imposing, resplendent in gold and jade, but with a somewhat mixed style. Mo Hua had been to the Lu family and the Zhu family—the Lu family with golden halls and jade towers, the Zhu family with red walls and green buildings—all grand mansions. But this Houtu City Dao Court Department, in terms of architectural style, combined the luxury of gold and jade, the nobility of vermilion gates, and some other different styles. Mo Hua couldn't help asking, "Was this Houtu City Dao Court Department built with donations from the great families?"
Gu Changhuai glanced at Mo Hua, thinking that this child's insight was still sharp. He said, "The four great families, as well as the Earth Sect, funded the construction of the main hall of the Kun Prefecture Dao Court Department."
Mo Hua understood. The buildings of the Dao Court Department were built by the families, so it went without saying about the people inside.
Gu Changhuai led Mo Hua to a relatively remote building within the Dao Court Department. Mo Hua could tell at a glance that this building was different. The entire structure was sealed, and the formations had all been renovated and rebuilt. Moreover, the level of formation security was higher than elsewhere in the department. So this was the base for the personnel sent by the higher Dao Court to "work" in Houtu City.
Gu Changhuai ordered Gu An and Gu Quan to take Liu San away and lock him up. Before leaving, Gu An and Gu Quan nodded to Mo Hua. After a long separation, they wanted to chat with Little Mo, but the timing wasn't right. Mo Hua smiled back at them. Seeing his familiar smile, Gu An and Gu Quan felt a warmth in their hearts, said "Take care, Master Mo," and escorted Liu San away. Yu Cangming also followed to check on Liu San's injuries. Liu San seemed very important to him, so Yu Cangming was extremely attentive. Before parting, he solemnly bowed to Mo Hua and thanked him. "I am deeply grateful for your life-saving grace, young master. I am indebted to you."
Mo Hua returned the bow. "You're too kind, Senior Yu."
Yu Cangming gave Mo Hua a deep look and then took his leave.
Gu Changhuai led Mo Hua to a private study in the Dao Court Department and poured him tea. Mo Hua took a sip, and for a moment, it felt like the old days in Ganxue Prefecture, where he used to loaf around the Dao Court Department. Back then, Uncle Gu would also serve him tea and chat about various cases. In the blink of an eye, more than ten years had passed. Gu Changhuai was also filled with emotion. After a moment, he asked, "How did you end up at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion?"
Mo Hua said, "I went to find Liu San."
Gu Changhuai's pupils contracted. "You know the inside story again?"
Mo Hua asked, "What inside story?"
Gu Changhuai could tell that Mo Hua seemed unaware, so he frowned. "If you don't know anything, why did you go looking for this Liu San?"
Mo Hua took a wanted poster from his sleeve and handed it to Gu Changhuai. "I was after the bounty."
Gu Changhuai took it and was surprised. He couldn't help asking, "Just for this?"
What do you mean "just for this"? Mo Hua asked doubtfully, "Four million spirit stones—that's not a small amount, is it?"
Gu Changhuai sighed.
Mo Hua immediately sensed something. "So the secret behind Liu San is worth much more than four million spirit stones?"
Gu Changhuai remained silent. After all these years, Uncle Gu was still like this—whenever something hit the mark, he would keep quiet. Mo Hua understood at once. More than four million, and probably much more... Mo Hua's mind stirred. What he needed most right now was spirit stones. But he could deal with other secrets later. First, he had to solve the immediate problem. Mo Hua asked Gu Changhuai in a low voice, "Uncle Gu, can I get the four million bounty for Liu San?"
Favor was favor, business was business—each was separate. Since the Dao Court Department had issued a reward, and he had found Liu San and brought him out, he shouldn't be polite about earning the spirit stones. At most, he would give Uncle Gu a discount. Mo Hua said, "If not four million, three hundred fifty thousand will do. If that doesn't work, for your sake, Uncle Gu, I'll take three hundred thousand."
Gu Changhuai looked at Mo Hua and couldn't help asking, "Are you really that short of spirit stones?"
Mo Hua nodded honestly. The amount of spirit stones he needed would scare anyone to death.
Gu Changhuai sighed. "Alright... This wanted poster is an off-the-books operation, not exactly compliant. I'll make an application for you, but it will go through some procedures, which will be troublesome. It's hard to say how much will finally be approved."
Mo Hua nodded. The hardest money to earn was from the Dao Court Department. A process could take forever. He had encountered this before in Ganxue Prefecture, so he understood Uncle Gu's difficulties. He would take whatever he could get. Even if it was only half, two million spirit stones wouldn't be a loss. Going to a brothel to earn two million—though the process was a bit dangerous and he was almost surrounded by a bunch of demonic beasts—at least it ended without incident. Thinking about it, Mo Hua asked, "Is the Jade Fragrance Pavilion a stronghold of the Union Sect?"
Gu Changhuai nodded. "Yes."
Mo Hua asked, "Now that it's exposed, can we take it down?"
Gu Changhuai was silent for a moment, then shook his head with a sigh. "No."
Mo Hua thought for a moment and asked, "Is Department Officer Pu an informant for the Jade Fragrance Pavilion?"
Gu Changhuai nodded. "Sort of."
Department Officer Pu was Miao'er's lover and had fled with Hua Yinke and the other Union Sect demons. Mo Hua asked, "What will happen to Department Officer Pu? Will the Dao Court Department punish him?"
Gu Changhuai said, "Probably nothing... Most likely, there's no way to punish him."
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
Gu Changhuai said helplessly, "This matter is quite complicated. Department Officer Pu is indeed not a good person—he often stays overnight at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion and has improper conduct. But even so, he is one of the few in the Houtu City Dao Court Department who can still do some decent work. In his position, responsible for matters on Drunken Flower Street, it's impossible for him not to deal with the Union Sect. Moreover, whether out of men's nature or his official duties, he can't avoid going along with the tide. If he doesn't 'patronize,' how can the brothers under him? If he doesn't 'patronize,' how can the officers and directors above him? Everyone does it. If you don't, you're seen as above it all. Then do you still want your position? A director's post is hard to come by. Naturally, Department Officer Pu had no choice but to play both sides and get his hands dirty with shady dealings. Once you touch Department Officer Pu, it's almost like touching a whole string of 'grasshoppers.' You can imagine the danger."
Mo Hua thought about it and understood. The demonic Union Sect had long since secretly corroded the entire Houtu City Dao Court Department into a sieve...