The White Bone Eye Demon Head's mind churned with uncertainty.
If this Young Master Mo had really killed the Ghost Child Hermit back then, he would have undoubtedly killed him yesterday as well.
But he hadn't struck the killing blow; instead, he had stood by and watched.
Why?
The White Bone Eye Demon Head considered two possibilities:
Either this kid was a bluffing fraud, and all his achievements were fabricated to inflate his own reputation.
Such things had precedents.
Some prodigies from noble families, seeking fame, would loudly claim to have slain infamous demon lords to flaunt their strength.
But it was all false. The demon lord was killed by someone else; the prodigy merely borrowed the title for self-aggrandizement.
If this Mo Hua truly had a powerful background with a patriarch-level figure backing him and fabricating achievements, it wasn't impossible.
A senior master could have killed the Ghost Child Hermit and then given the credit to Mo Hua, elevating him as a righteous prodigy.
This Mo Hua was someone who "plucked the fruit."
The second possibility was that Mo Hua indeed possessed an incredible, terrifying inheritance that allowed him to kill across realms.
This fearsome inheritance likely came from an elder of the Taixu Sect.
But even so, it probably wasn't Mo Hua's own power; he relied on some treasure or legacy of the elder.
Such a powerful, cross-level killing method surely came at a great cost and had many restrictions; it couldn't be used casually.
Even if he had truly killed the Ghost Child Hermit, he must have paid a grievous price.
Perhaps he was severely injured, lost part of his cultivation, or suffered backlash.
That would explain why Mo Hua dared not act recklessly.
Although this Young Master Mo had appeared "fierce" the day before, in the end, he could only scare people with his reputation and authority, not truly strike to kill.
The White Bone Eye Demon Head's eyes flickered with ghostly light, and the more he thought, the more plausible it seemed.
If that were the case, it might not be impossible to try setting a trap to kill this Young Master Mo.
One of the Skeleton Cave's Three Great Hermits, the Ghost Child Hermit—a late Gold Core demon lord with a fearsome reputation—how could he be slain by a righteous early Gold Core youth?
The Skeleton Cave could not tolerate such humiliation.
Kill this Young Master Mo, devour his soul, skin him, carve holes and patterns into his bones to forge evil artifacts—that would be a fitting vengeance.
The White Bone Eye Demon Head pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked Elder Lu, "Is the Earth Sect's great marriage alliance about to begin?"
Elder Lu's expression shifted. "Why do you ask that?"
The White Bone Eye Demon Head said, "Is it or not—"
Elder Lu looked displeased. "It's just about to start—"
This was no great secret. The Earth Sect had been laying the groundwork for a long time, and various factions had some inkling.
The White Bone Eye Demon Head suddenly understood and made a rough inference.
This Young Master Mo was likely more about seeking fame than substance.
His appearance in Kun Prefecture, his eagerness to compete and show off, probably related to the Earth Sect's marriage alliance.
In such marriages, reputation was crucial. Whoever had the louder name held the advantage.
Men relied on strength; women on beauty.
And both could be boosted by "publicity" and hype.
A righteous youth, full of vigor, who wouldn't want to marry a noble, beautiful Dao partner from a great family, enjoying eternal bliss and soaring to success?
This Young Master Mo was surely no exception.
Having made up his mind, the White Bone Eye Demon Head didn't want to delay further. "I'll take my leave now, Elder Lu. Take care of yourself—"
Elder Lu nodded but then suddenly added, "Next time you kill someone, be thorough. Don't leave loose ends."
"Your Skeleton Cave can't even kill cleanly, leaving a Foundation Building kid to drag karma on yourselves?"
The White Bone Eye Demon Head, who had been about to leave, was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
Elder Lu frowned. "What do you mean, 'what do you mean'?"
"What Foundation Building kid?" the White Bone Eye Demon Head asked.
Elder Lu frowned. "Thirty-seven refugees, thirty-six dead, one still alive—your Skeleton Cave cultivators can't even finish the job. And you ask me what I mean?"
The White Bone Eye Demon Head was perplexed. "Impossible. We drew out their souls and refined them. All were killed. How could anyone be alive?"
Elder Lu's pupils contracted. "Then—what about that kid?"
Seeing Elder Lu's expression, the White Bone Eye Demon Head's heart jumped. "Are you saying there's a youth whose soul was drawn by my Skeleton Cave, but he's still alive?"
A thought struck him, and his heart roiled like a stormy sea.
But he held his emotions in check, speaking as calmly as possible. "Where is the youth now?"
Elder Lu, a shrewd old hand, sensed something off but couldn't pinpoint the cause.
He simply said, "Sent away."
The White Bone Eye Demon Head's pupils shrank. "You didn't keep him?"
Elder Lu sneered. "That Young Master Mo wanted him. Could I have held him back?"
"This Young Master Mo again—" the White Bone Eye Demon Head ground his teeth. "Sent where?"
Elder Lu said, "Young Master Mo took him. How would I know?"
The White Bone Eye Demon Head's gaze darkened.
Elder Lu asked indifferently, "Is there something wrong with that youth?"
The White Bone Eye Demon Head shook his head. "Nothing. Just asking. Perhaps my Skeleton Cave's dark art has some flaw—drawing souls and refining them still leaves a stray."
Elder Lu inwardly cursed the demon's cunning, but said sternly, "Then forget it. Remember our agreement: keep to your own path. If something like this happens again, I won't be lenient—"
Having said that, Elder Lu lit another incense stick at the Earth God Temple, made a brief bow, and took his leave.
The White Bone Eye Demon Head stayed behind, staring at the statue of the Earth God with his half-rotten eyes. He muttered in disbelief, "It can't be this coincidental—did I really run into such a case?"
Three days later, Houtu City.
After a swift carriage ride, the vermilion carriage finally stopped within the Zhu family estate.
Stepping down from the carriage, Tusheng looked up at the tall red buildings that rose like mountain ranges, with glazed tiles and jade, luxurious and imposing.
Born and raised in the Great Spiritual Field Realm, he had never seen such a grand, wealthy scene from a noble family. For a moment, he was completely stunned.
Zhu Muchen asked Mo Hua, "Little Senior Brother, would you like to rest at the Zhu residence?"
Mo Hua said, "No need. There are things to do."
Zhu Muchen looked disappointed but said, "Then, Little Senior Brother, come visit the Zhu family when you have time."
Mo Hua nodded. "Okay."
Zhu Muchen glanced at Tusheng and asked, "Little Senior Brother, where are you taking Tusheng?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment and sighed. "Sorry, I have to keep it a secret for now—"
Although Mo Hua didn't explain, he was straightforward.
Zhu Muchen didn't mind. He understood that revealing Tusheng's whereabouts might not be wise.
"If someone asks you about Tusheng's whereabouts—" Mo Hua put his arm around Zhu Muchen's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Remember, tell them you don't know—"
Feeling trusted by his little senior brother, Zhu Muchen quickly nodded. "Mm, I won't say a word."
Mo Hua smiled and patted Zhu Muchen's shoulder.
To maintain secrecy, Mo Hua didn't take the Zhu family's carriage. Instead, he led Tusheng out of the Zhu estate and into the streets of Houtu City, melting into the crowd. After a few twists and turns, they vanished.
When they reappeared, Mo Hua had led Tusheng into a small alley.
After walking along the alley for half an hour, Mo Hua calculated that they had shed all karmic traces.
Reaching the end of the alley, he entered a stable and hired an ordinary carriage.
Mo Hua drove the carriage with a bewildered Tusheng through the streets of Houtu City, circling several times before subtly turning the carriage toward the Dao Court Department's outpost.
At the outpost, Mo Hua got off the carriage, led Tusheng, and navigated to Gu Changhuai's building with practiced ease.
This was the confidential building where Dao Court-appointed officials worked.
But upon entering, Mo Hua didn't find Gu Changhuai. Instead, he unexpectedly encountered another person—a Demon Suppression Department expert, Yu Cangming.
Yu Cangming, a Gold Core apex expert and vice-director of the Demon Suppression Department, was skilled in assassination Dao techniques and extremely powerful. Ordinary cultivators trembled and paled at the sight of him.
Yet such a formidable figure, upon seeing Mo Hua, was the first to bow with cupped fists, quite politely. "Young Master Mo."
A bit surprised, Mo Hua quickly returned the bow. "Greetings, Director Yu."
"Vice-director," Yu Cangming corrected.
"A vice-director is still a director," Mo Hua said.
Yu Cangming sighed inwardly. This Young Master Mo's way with people sometimes felt like a spring breeze.
Mo Hua asked, "Where's Uncle Gu?"
Yu Cangming said, "Director Gu is handling a case."
What case was a Dao Court Department secret; Yu Cangming couldn't disclose it, and Mo Hua couldn't ask.
Yu Cangming glanced at Mo Hua, then at the obviously fearful youth Tusheng behind him, and asked, "Did Young Master Mo come for something?"
Mo Hua nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Can we talk somewhere else?"
Yu Cangming, showing respect for Mo Hua, nodded. "Sure."
He then led Mo Hua to the sixth floor of the Dao Court Department, to a heavily fortified secret chamber guarded by layers of formations, with a thick, grim atmosphere. He entered one of the side rooms.
Inside the room, Yu Cangming said, "This is Demon Suppression Department territory. It's safe."
Mo Hua surveyed the surroundings and nodded inwardly.
Although the overall atmosphere was dark and stern, with various torture instruments set up, the security was indeed extremely tight, giving a special sense of safety. Truly worthy of the Demon Suppression Department.
Mo Hua had long heard of the "Demon Suppression Department's" reputation.
The Dao Court Department, the Supervisory Department, and the Demon Suppression Department were the three departments of the Dao Court.
Most cultivators only ever dealt with the Dao Court Department, which was the most widely established institution of the central Dao Court.
The Supervisory Department's main duty was monitoring officials, so it seldom involved ordinary cultivators.
As for the Demon Suppression Department, it was secretive and harsh, existing almost only in rumors. A normal cultivator might never encounter a Demon Suppression Department cultivator in their lifetime.
Even Mo Hua was visiting the Demon Suppression Department for the first time, so he couldn't help but feel curious.
On the other hand, Vice-Director Yu Cangming of the Demon Suppression Department was even more curious about this mysterious Young Master Mo.
But given his cautious nature, he refrained from prying into secrets and simply asked, "What has brought Young Master Mo here?"
Mo Hua pushed Tusheng in front of Yu Cangming and said, "This child's name is Tusheng. I would like the Dao Court Department to take him in."
Tusheng's expression showed surprise.
Yu Cangming frowned. "Take him in?"
Mo Hua nodded.
Yu Cangming shook his head. "The Dao Court Department's positions require examinations. There are no exceptions—"
"Not that kind of taking in—" Mo Hua said.
"Then what does Young Master Mo mean?" Yu Cangming began to understand.
Mo Hua sighed softly. "This child is from the Great Spiritual Field Realm. A few days ago, his parents and relatives—all died at the hands of demonic cultivators. He is now an orphan, and he can no longer stay in the Great Spiritual Field Realm—"
Yu Cangming's expression turned grim upon hearing this.
As a Demon Suppression Department member, he abhorred such demonic atrocities.
He looked at Tusheng again. The youth was not old, yet had lost all his family. Even Yu Cangming's usually cold demeanor showed a trace of melancholy.
But—
Yu Cangming frowned. "The Dao Court Department isn't really a good place to settle—"
The Dao Court Department was chaotic, with complex situations and hidden dangers.
Mo Hua said, "He actually carries some other karma. There are probably many who want to harm him. If he falls into the hands of demon lords again, the consequences could be severe."
"I understand the situation in the Dao Court Department, but even so, this is the only place where he can find refuge."
Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land wouldn't work either.
Rong Zhenren had already taken him in as a special favor to Little Junior Sister.
Moreover, Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land wasn't exactly a "safe" place.
Though called a "Blessed Land," it had unique karma that outsiders couldn't touch, inviting deadly consequences.
Mo Hua had a hard fate, was well-versed in karma, and had some connections, so others couldn't easily harm him. Plus Rong Zhenren turned a blind eye, allowing Mo Hua to stay.
But the place was safe only for Mo Hua, not for Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land.
Yu Cangming fell into thought.
All things considered, Mo Hua's request wasn't unreasonable.
He himself felt it was only right to take in an orphan made homeless by a demon sect.
But by the rules, it was a bit improper and could bring trouble.
After a moment, Mo Hua said, "How about this: I'll leave him here at the Dao Court Department for now, let him stay close to Uncle Gu and do odd jobs. Just give him food and some spirit stones for cultivation."
"In half a month, I'll come back to check. If he's too much trouble or causes problems, I'll find somewhere else for him."
Yu Cangming didn't refuse further and nodded. "That's reasonable."
Mo Hua turned to Tusheng and asked, "Do you want to stay at the Dao Court Department?"
Tusheng was silent for a moment, then muttered, "The Dao Court Department is full of lackeys and hounds—none of them are good—"
Mo Hua was taken aback.
Yu Cangming was also surprised, then nodded with a faint smile. "This kid has some backbone. Let him stay."
Mo Hua shook his head and told Tusheng, "The Dao Court Department has both good and bad people. The official I'm sending you to is a good one."
Tusheng wasn't convinced but didn't dare defy Mo Hua's wishes. He knew Mo Hua meant well, so he nodded. "Yes, sir."
Yu Cangming then clapped his hands and summoned a clerk-like cultivator. "Find a room near Director Gu and settle this kid in."
The clerk bowed. "Yes, sir." Then he led Tusheng away.
Tusheng glanced back at Mo Hua but didn't resist much, obediently going to see his room.
Now only Mo Hua and Yu Cangming were left in the secret room.
Yu Cangming poured a cup of tea for Mo Hua. "Young Master Mo, have some tea."
Mo Hua nodded, took the cup, and sipped it. Then he suddenly looked at Yu Cangming and said, "Director Yu—your surname is Yu?"
Yu Cangming nodded, thinking this was obvious. What was Young Master Mo getting at?
Mo Hua asked again, "The Yu meaning 'surplus'?" (Adding: referring to the character 余)
Yu Cangming nodded again. "Yes."
Mo Hua let out a slight sigh of relief. "So it's that Yu. I was afraid it was the other 'Yu' (於)."
Yu Cangming's expression shifted. "Which Yu?"
Mo Hua dipped a finger in tea and wrote the character '於' on the table.
Yu Cangming's expression remained calm. "It's not that Yu. Young Master Mo must have been mistaken."
Mo Hua nodded. "That's good—"
Yu Cangming paused, then couldn't help asking, "Does the Yu Young Master Mo mentioned have any special significance?"
"Oh, nothing special," Mo Hua said slowly. "That Yu—is the Water Prison Sect's direct lineage Yu—"
The words "Water Prison Sect" struck like a blade piercing the heart.
Yu Cangming's right hand suddenly lost strength, shattering the table beside him. His normally steady eyes blazed with icy killing intent as he stared at Mo Hua. "You—who exactly are you?"