Chapter 1313: Slaughter Mo

Chapter 1312: Slaughter Mo

Inside the main command tent, which had been noisy just moments before, it suddenly became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Almost everyone’s gaze converged on Mo Hua.

Those gazes carried extremely complicated emotions.

Love and hate intertwined—anger mixed with resentment.

Even Mo Hua himself felt that something was a bit… strange.

He casually swept his eyes over the crowd and discovered that there were actually quite a few “old acquaintances” from his days in the Qianxue Prefecture Realm.

Shi Tiangang of the Vajra Gate, Feng Zichen of the Carefree Gate, and several other familiar faces among the Eight Great Gates, such as the Severing Gold Gate and the Purple Cloud Gate.

There were also many people from the Four Grand Sects—Ao Zheng of the Dragon Cauldron Sect, Xiao Ruohan of the Heavenly Sword Sect… Even Shen Cangfeng of the Shen Clan from the Heavenly Dao Sect was present, though his face was gloomy. While others argued noisily, he remained silent from beginning to end.

Besides them, there were many aristocratic disciples from Dao Province. Each was clad in fine robes of brocade and jade, giving off an air of superiority. Whether in terms of spiritual roots or cultivation methods, all of them were top-tier.

Most of the Dao Province aristocrats looked at Mo Hua with caution and doubt.

The gazes of the Qianxue disciples, on the other hand, were far more “enthusiastic.”

No one spoke. They simply stared silently at Mo Hua.

Being stared at like this made Mo Hua a little uncomfortable. He felt that in such a situation, he probably ought to say something, so he slowly said:

“Uh… long time no see…”

The moment he opened his mouth, an uproar erupted inside the tent once again.

“It really is Mo Hua!”

“Yes, that’s right, this voice of his, I’ll never forget it even if I die!”

“And that expression of his—bright clear eyes, an innocent-looking face, yet somehow infuriating… only he can pull that off… makes your teeth itch with hatred. Even if he turned to ashes, I’d still recognize him.”

“It’s definitely that brat Mo Hua!”

“This kid finally dares to show his face!”

…

Mo Hua’s expression darkened.

What kind of talk was this?

What did they mean by “innocent-looking yet infuriating”?

And what did they mean by “finally dares to show his face”?

After so many years apart, seeing “old acquaintances” again, Mo Hua had originally felt a faint trace of emotion. But now it seemed that once their wounds healed, they’d forgotten the pain, these people were once again in need of some “discipline.”

Inside the main tent, because of Mo Hua’s single sentence, the noise boiled up again like water in a cauldron.

After the clamor went on for quite a while, True-Person Huá finally couldn’t stand it anymore. He frowned slightly and said:

“That’s enough. Silence!”

The words carried some deterrence… but only a little.

This was a Second-Grade Mountain Realm. True-Person Huá couldn’t use the pressure of a Feathered Ascension cultivator, so a single sentence like this simply wasn’t intimidating enough.

The noise quieted briefly, then rose again.

True-Person Huá’s brow furrowed even tighter.

Mo Hua also found it hard to watch. These people didn’t even give True-Person Huá any face—truly lawless, utterly outrageous.

Mo Hua’s face turned cold as he said:

“Enough. Stop arguing.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried authority. The moment he spoke, the clamor filling the tent stopped instantly.

All the prodigies fell silent.

A young master from the Dao Province aristocratic Yuwen Clan looked displeased. He sneered at Mo Hua and said:

“Who do you think you are? You tell us not to argue, and we just stop?”

But after he finished speaking, he realized the air was terrifyingly quiet. Turning his head, he found that no one paid him any attention at all.

Especially the disciples of the Four Sects and Eight Gates from the Qianxue Prefecture Realm.

Whether out of instinct or habit, once Mo Hua spoke, these originally unruly Qianxue prodigies all shut their mouths.

Yuwen’s expression changed.

True-Person Huá and True-Person Zhuge both couldn’t help but look at Mo Hua again.

Huá Pīng also looked at Mo Hua, her brows slightly knitted.

Mo Hua was at a loss for words. He gave True-Person Huá a look.

The meaning was obvious: Why are you looking at me? If you have something to say, hurry up and say it.

I’ve already subdued the room for you, what are you dawdling for?

And this is supposed to be a True-Person? He couldn’t even control a bunch of Foundation Establishment prodigies.

Mo Hua complained inwardly.

True-Person Huá’s gaze flickered. He didn’t say much more, only slowly stated:

“Bai Zisheng of the Bai Clan in Qian Province has an unclear relationship with a Great Wilderness demoness. If this is allowed to continue, it will certainly hinder the Dao Court’s grand campaign to suppress the rebellion.”

“The purpose of this operation is to apprehend Bai Zisheng.”

“All of you are outstanding talents, descendants of noble clans, gifted beyond measure. You represent the honor of your clans and sects. You must work together with one heart, suppress the rebels, and serve the Dao Court. Under no circumstances should you engage in private conflicts that damage the greater situation and bring shame to your clans and masters.”

The words were lofty, dignified, and perfectly reasonable.

What’s more, Mo Hua was standing right behind True-Person Huá.

The assembled prodigies understood the stakes and all cupped their fists, saying:

“Yes, True-Person.”

True-Person Huá said flatly, “Disperse. Everyone return to rest.”

But no one moved.

The gazes of the Qianxue prodigies were still fixed on Mo Hua.

Mo Hua was speechless. He waved his hand and said:

“Alright, disperse. Disperse.”

Only then did the Qianxue prodigies leave, each full of thoughts and murmuring quietly among themselves. Once they were gone, the Dao Province geniuses had no one left to argue with, and they naturally dispersed as well.

True-Person Huá’s face was cold as ice.

Fortunately, he was a True-Person, his composure and self-control were still there. He wouldn’t truly lower himself to argue with Mo Hua or this group of “prodigies.”

Afterward, everyone went to find places to rest and recuperate.

Mo Hua also had his own tent.

He had just stepped into his tent when Huá Pīng followed him inside.

True-Person Huá grabbed Huá Pīng and asked, “Where are you going?”

Huá Pīng pointed at Mo Hua’s tent.

True-Person Huá took a deep breath and, suppressing his temper, said slowly, “Miss, this is a military camp, crowded and full of ears. Men and women should keep proper distance.”

“I just want to ask him something. I’ll be quick…” Huá Pīng said.

True-Person Huá’s expression was already turning ugly.

Huá Pīng knew that her uncle was truly angry this time. She smiled and said to Mo Hua, “I’ll come find you another time when you’re free.”

“I’m not free. Don’t come,” Mo Hua replied.

Huá Pīng ignored him entirely and followed True-Person Huá toward another tent.

Only after True-Person Huá left did True-Person Zhuge size Mo Hua up with a meaningful look. The more he looked, the more he felt that Mo Hua didn’t resemble an ordinary normal person at all, there was something inexplicably strange about him from head to toe.

However, with so many people around, True-Person Zhuge didn’t say much. He glanced at the Huá Clan’s eldest miss, then at Mo Hua, and reminded him:

“Be careful.”

After that, True-Person Zhuge left.

Mo Hua entered his tent and found it to be a single-occupant military tent. The furnishings were simple, but it was very clean. The surroundings had been sealed with formations, making it quiet and tranquil.

Mo Hua didn’t like sleeping inside someone else’s formations.

He dismantled part of the original formation, added several of his own layers, and only then lay down in peace, his mind calculating how the situation might develop next.

Ever since leaving the Desolate Wilderness, Mo Hua had felt that he was encountering more and more familiar faces.

Now that he had seen all these old acquaintances from Qianxue, his Little Senior Brother was probably not far away either…

Perhaps in just a few days, he would be able to meet his Little Senior Brother.

…

Within the military camp, the surface-level commotion caused by Mo Hua gradually subsided.

The disciples of the various sects returned to their quarters and no longer spoke of Mo Hua. The atmosphere grew quiet, but beneath the surface, undercurrents surged violently.

The “Slaughter Mo Token”.

Within this token, silent for a long time, a long-awaited message finally appeared:

“Mo Hua… has appeared!”

Like a single stone stirring up a thousand waves.

Within the alliance token, which had been as dead as a corpse, it was as though cold water had been poured into the hot oil , instantly exploding with hundreds, thousands of messages.

“What?!”

“Mo Hua??!”

“He’s not dead?!”

“Ten years, no news at all. He didn’t enter the Great Void Sect’s inner sect, didn’t teach in the outer sect, didn’t take a post at Qianxue, and there hasn’t been even a trace of him in any major clan or great sect… I thought he was already dead…”

“That resentment in your words runs pretty deep…”

“Nonsense. I dream about him all the time.”

“Where is he now? Where exactly?”

“The Great Wilderness…”

“He’s actually in the Great Wilderness! Good! Good! I happen to be training there too, give me the location and I’ll go find him…”

“What are you planning to do?”

“What else? Obviously kill him. Don’t forget our slogan: Vanquish Evil, Slaughter Mo, Vow to kill Mo Hua.”

“If we don’t kill Mo Hua, what kind of Slaughter-Mo Alliance would this be?”

Someone said helplessly, “Are you stupid? What era do you think this is? Ten years have passed, you’ve already graduated. This isn’t the Sword Debate Tournament anymore. If you dare kill Mo Hua now, believe it or not, the Great Void Sect will wipe you out.”

“Then what? We don’t kill Mo Hua anymore?”

“If we don’t kill Mo Hua, why keep the Slaughter-Mo Alliance? Might as well disband early.”

“It’s not that we won’t kill him, just kill him slowly, carefully, with a plan…”

“Come on, then—tell me how you ‘slow-kill’ him.”

“That Mo Hua kid is crafty as a fiend. To kill him, you have to catch him completely off guard and strike decisively. Even a moment’s hesitation—if he reacts, all of us combined might not survive his games…”

“Outrageous! You dare boost that Mo Fiend’s morale and undermine our own?”

“You talk tough, haven’t you been played by Mo Hua before?”

“I… I…” That person fell silent.

Someone else said, “By the way, what does Mo Hua look like now? Haven’t seen him in ages, I’m kind of curious…”

“What could he look like? Still about the same—eyes like stars, brows like painted lines, rosy lips and white teeth… pretty annoying, really…”

“What about his cultivation realm?”

“Foundation Establishment, peak.”

“What’s his Life-Bound magical treasure?”

“Who knows? No one’s fought him…”

“He looks rather ordinary, actually. His aura is much more restrained, seems like just an ordinary normal youth…”

“Normal youth? Don’t let him fool you. Don’t forget how terrifying he was ten years ago at the Sword Debate Tournament.”

“He’s always been good at playing the pig to eat the tiger. He never shows his hand, hiding his abilities deep. If you really get careless and underestimate him, you won’t even know how you died…”

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts.

Some disagreed. “As the saying goes, prodigies in youth don’t always shine in adulthood.”

“When he was in the sect, he relied on crooked tricks to dominate for a while, but those are just minor paths. Once you pass that age, graduate from the sect, and the Dao demands something greater, schemes and tricks stop working, and his true colors will be exposed.”

“So now he’s just ‘lost among the masses’?”

“Only saw him once, who knows?”

“Still… who knows what he’s been through these past ten years…”

“Maybe he tried everything to form a Golden Core and failed?”

“Not impossible…”

“Then him coming to the Great Wilderness, probably the same as us, plotting… that thing?”

“Of course. If we all know about it, with his cleverness, could he not know?”

“You can look down on his spiritual roots, look down on his cultivation, look down on his size, but never underestimate his scheming mind…”

“What about Bai Zisheng? Does he also want to capture Bai Zisheng?”

“Why would he capture Bai Zisheng?”

“Does he have a grudge against him?”

“Probably wants to suppress us all, or capture Bai Zisheng to earn merit and curry favor with the Huá Clan.”

“Curry favor with the Huá Clan?”

“That’s right. Didn’t you see that Huá Clan woman during the day? Dressed in golden-thread robes, very beautiful—supposedly the Huá Clan’s legitimate eldest daughter.”

“Mo Hua following beside her, he’s probably planning to capture Bai Zisheng, make a name for himself, win the Huá young lady’s favor, and then marry into the family.”

“So that’s how it is…”

“So that’s how it is—my ass. Is that something Mo Hua would do?”

“Aren’t you all underestimating him a bit?”

“Hard to say. Youthful arrogance, thinking the world is vast and free. But after failing Core Formation, hitting walls, suffering setbacks, you finally realize how cruel fate is, that it’s never truly in your control.”

“That little bit of talent, in front of the millennia-long accumulation of true great clans, is really nothing.”

“If that’s the case, might as well marry into the Huá clan and live off them.”

“You’re overthinking it… That’s the Huá Clan. Even if Mo Hua wanted to marry in, they might not even look at him.”

“And that Huá young lady, noble temperament, truly beautiful. If one could marry into the family, it really would be enviable…”

“No wonder Mo Hua stood behind True-Person Hua today—so he was planning to cling to the Huá Clan’s thigh…”

“Sigh. The reality of the cultivation world is just that cruel. Mo Hua, once such a lawless little devil, has now learned to bow to great clans and flatter the Huá Clan.”

“Growth always comes with worldliness…”

Someone said unhappily, “You people only dare gossip about Mo Hua behind his back. If you met him face to face, why wouldn’t you dare say a word?”

“Bullshit! Who says I wouldn’t dare? One day I’ll curse him to his face and show you.”

“Good. Leave your name, let everyone bear witness.”

“My name stays the same whether standing or sitting, Ye Zhiyuan, prodigy of the Great Luo Gate…”

Before he could finish, someone else in the Slaughter-Mo Token immediately roared:

“Bullshit! I’m Ye Zhiyuan! Did you think I wasn’t in the Slaughter-Mo Alliance?”

“You’re using my name to provoke Mo Hua, what are you plotting? Trying to get me killed?”

While they were arguing noisily, others couldn’t hold back anymore:

“I said it already, give the location! Hurry!”

“Tell me where Mo Hua is, exactly where in the Great Wilderness. I’ll resign my post tonight and rush over!”

“Hurry up! Don’t keep me waiting!”

“Yes, hurry up, give the location, I’m going too…”

Someone finally reported a position: “The Great Wilderness royal domain, two thousand li to the southwest, Second-Grade Qianrong Mountain Region, Dao Army ‘Blazing unit’ main camp…”

“Is that true?”

“It’s true.”

“Good. I’m heading over now…” That person fell silent, apparently packing up.

Others, seeing this, were stunned. “This works too? Fine—then I’ll ‘resign’ right now. I’m not being a commander anymore…”

“Hey, if you all keep this up, I’ll resign too.”

“I’m done. Going to kill Mo Hua.”

“Good, let’s all resign…”

“A bit of military merit, how could it compare to the merit of slaughtering Mo Hua?”

“Well said!”

“Let’s kill Mo Hua!”

…

Thus, in the dead of night, resignation letters flew about. Many talented disciples threw caution to the wind, mounted their warhorses, and rode through the night, heading straight for Mo Hua.

Inside the military camp.

Mo Hua, in the middle of drawing formations, suddenly sneezed. He muttered to himself, “Who’s thinking about me?”

He thought about it for a moment, found no answer, and simply lowered his head again, continuing his study of formations.

The next day passed peacefully.

The prodigies of Qianxue didn’t greet Mo Hua either; everyone minded their own business. Mo Hua himself was busy weaving straw dogs and didn’t meet with them.

But two nights later, deep into the night, someone knocked on his tent again, sneaky-looking.

Mo Hua became alert.

The person outside said, “Mo Hua, it’s me.”

A man’s voice.

Only then did Mo Hua relax.

Late at night, if a woman knocks on your door, she’s probably trying to harm you.

If it’s a man knocking, it’s usually serious business.

Mo Hua dispelled the formation, lifted the tent flap, and when he saw the visitor, he was startled. “Song Jian?”

Ten years had passed. Song Jian was taller now, his demeanor steadier, looking even more like a senior brother of the Severing-Gold Gate.

Song Jian’s eyes lit up when he saw Mo Hua, mixed with relief and emotion. “Long time no see…”

Mo Hua nodded, let Song Jian inside, and asked, “What brings you here?”

Earlier, he didn’t recall seeing Song Jian among the people in the main tent.

Song Jian said, “I just arrived.”

Mo Hua was surprised. “Just arrived?”

Song Jian replied, “Not just me. There should be quite a few others who got the news and came for you as well.”

Mo Hua froze. “For me? Why?”

Song Jian’s expression was subtle. Why? Don’t you know what you’ve done?

What you’ve done to others… don’t you have any idea yourself?

Mo Hua actually had forgotten a bit.

The matters of Qianxue were already quite distant, and on top of that, his divinity had once shattered and his humanity had faded; some things were indeed blurry in his memory.

Mo Hua thought carefully, then suddenly said in disbelief, “My popularity is really that good?”

Song Jian was a little speechless. But time was tight, so he didn’t dwell on it and instead asked, “Do you have any grudge with that Bai Clan fellow… Bai Zisheng?”

Mo Hua shook his head. “No.”

That was his Little Senior Brother, what grudge could there be?

Then Mo Hua asked curiously, “Why do you ask?”

Song Jian had asked out of habit.

After all, among an entire generation of Qianxue disciples, if you didn’t have some grudge or enmity with Mo Hua, you didn’t deserve to be called a prodigy, nor could you even squeeze into their ‘circle.’

Their ‘circle’s’ greatest common topic was discussing how to kill Mo Hua.

But Song Jian couldn’t really explain that in detail.

That wasn’t the point anyway.

“No grudge is good…” Song Jian pondered briefly, then asked seriously, “Then Senior Brother Mo, are you also planning to go to the Great Wilderness Royal Court?”

Mo Hua didn’t quite understand why Song Jian suddenly asked this.

But since he did, Mo Hua thought about it and nodded. “If there’s a chance, I’ll definitely go.”

Song Jian nodded. “I understand. I came to remind you, there will probably be many people coming for you.”

“As for other things, I can’t say much. Just be careful yourself.”

“And also…” Song Jian’s gaze dimmed slightly. He sighed softly. “My position in the Severing-Gold Gate is fairly high now. Some things, I might not be able to…”

He looked at Mo Hua, his eyes holding a trace of apology.

“It’s fine,” Mo Hua said, fully understanding. “Do what you should do. But if you run into a problem you can’t resolve, come find me. At heart, we help each other and share information. You’re not my subordinate, if there’s no real benefit, there’s no need to act according to my wishes.”

“You’re a senior brother of the Severing-Gold Gate after all. You should think about your own future first…”

“And if one day you really plan to kill me, just let me know in advance…”

Mo Hua said calmly.

The way he said it was as casual as saying: if it’s going to rain tomorrow, just tell me beforehand.

For some reason, Song Jian felt a complicated mix of emotions—admiration, along with an inexplicable sense of being moved.

He nodded solemnly. “Alright. Take care.”

Mo Hua nodded as well. “Mm.”

After a brief exchange, Song Jian left, his figure disappearing into the darkness.

No one else was around.

Mo Hua could guess that True-Person Huá and True-Person Zhuge probably knew Song Jian had come, but without understanding the inner workings of Qianxue, they likely just took it as a friendly visit.

As for what was actually said, true experts have their own sense of propriety, they wouldn’t casually eavesdrop.

Of course, if they really did eavesdrop, Mo Hua would have noticed.

After Song Jian left, over the next few days, more “newcomers” indeed arrived one after another.

The first thing these people did upon arriving was to take a look at Mo Hua.

Those in the know could tell they were locking onto an “enemy.”

Those not in the know might think they were junior disciples from some sect coming to pay respects to their “senior brother.”

Meanwhile, the pursuit of Bai Zisheng continued.

Just like that, three more days passed.

Suddenly, Bai Zisheng’s exact whereabouts were confirmed.

After days of relentless pursuit and interception, Bai Zisheng was finally cornered hundreds of li away, in a remote, rarely visited mountain valley within another Second-Grade mountain realm.

The situation was urgent and the opportunity fleeting. True-Person Huá did not delay, immediately mobilizing forces to begin the encirclement and capture of Bai Zisheng.

Most of the prodigies went, and Mo Hua blended in with the crowd.

With no one aware of the inside story, Mo Hua, full of anticipation, began participating in the “arrest” of his Little Senior Brother.