Chapter 1325: Situ Jian

Chapter 1324: Situ Jian

By nightfall, Mo Hua was in the guest room reading formation manuals, while Bai Zisheng sat to the side, cross-legged, regulating his breath.

Situ Fang knocked on the door and brought an elder inside, introducing him to Mo Hua. “This is Elder Jin. You should have met him before.”

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then nodded and greeted him with a smile. “Greetings, Elder Jin.”

A Foundation Establishment elder of the Situ family—Situ Jin.

Back in Nanyue City, when Mo Hua and his Little Senior Brother had captured the corpse cultivator Zhang Quan, Situ Jin had once stepped in to lend a hand.

More than ten years had passed, yet Situ Jin’s appearance had barely changed.

Mo Hua, on the other hand, had grown older and was now a refined young man.

Situ Jin glanced at Mo Hua. At first, his gaze was cautious, but after scrutinizing him for a while, he froze, disbelief written all over his face. Shaking his head, he sighed,

“Truly, heroes emerge from the young… When Fang’er told me, I didn’t believe it. Who would’ve thought that in just a little over ten years, in the blink of an eye, you’d already reached… the peak of Foundation Establishment. This is… inconceivable… truly inconceivable…”

Situ Jin kept shaking his head, filled with both amazement and a sense of shame.

In over ten years, his own cultivation had advanced only marginally.

Yet Mo Hua—the junior cultivator who had left such a deep impression on him back then—had already gone from Qi-Refining Ninth Layer to peak Foundation Establishment.

Such a cultivation speed would be outstanding even among the main lineage of the Situ family.

Back then in Nanyue City, he, an elder, had been required to intervene just to contend with the Foundation Establishment corpse cultivator Zhang Quan.

But now, times had changed. With Zhang Quan’s level of cultivation, this young man before him could probably crush him with a single finger.

Situ Jin was not a power-holding elder of the Situ Clan. On the contrary, as a Foundation Establishment elder, he mostly worked at the grassroots level. He had seen many people and possessed a keen eye.

When Situ Fang told him that Mo Hua had dispatched more than a dozen barbarian soldiers with just a few Fireball Techniques, he had thought she was joking.

Only now, seeing it with his own eyes, did he feel genuine awe.

Mo Hua said modestly, “You flatter me, Elder. It was merely good fortune. And back then in Nanyue City, it was also thanks to your timely assistance.”

Mo Hua’s temperament had always been this way, treat him politely, and he would respond with humility.

Treat him rudely, and his tongue would be the most poisonous.

Situ Jin looked at Mo Hua again, still unable to believe it, shaking his head in amazement. Then he asked, “May I ask where you’ve been cultivating and seeking the Dao these past years, young friend?”

Mo Hua didn’t hide it. “I went to the Qianxue Prefecture and joined the Fifth-Grade Great Void Sect…”

“Fifth-grade…” Situ Jin’s expression shook. He nodded repeatedly. “No wonder, no wonder… A famed master produces great disciples; a renowned sect produces exceptional talents.”

Mo Hua asked, “Elder Jin… you know of the Great Void Sect?”

Situ Jin said regretfully, “I’m ashamed. This old one knows little about matters of the Fifth-Grade regions…”

Doubt arose in Mo Hua’s heart.

If Elder Jin had never heard of the Great Void Sect, could it be that this Situ Jian of the Situ clan was not his Little Junior Brother Situ Jian?

After all, the Nine Provinces were vast, aristocratic clans numerous. Talents sharing the same name were not uncommon.

As Mo Hua pondered this, Situ Jin asked again,

“I’ve heard that you’re acquainted with our Situ family’s Young Master Jian of the sword lineage. How did you meet, and what sort of relationship do you share?”

Mo Hua wasn’t entirely certain and could only reply, “If it truly is the Situ Jian I know, then we should be… fellow disciples.”

He didn’t say that he was Situ Jian’s Little Senior Brother, that would feel like inflating his own status.

Most of the time, Mo Hua was quite humble.

Even so, Situ Jin was still greatly surprised.

In the cultivation world, the bond between fellow disciples from major sects was something truly precious.

Situ Jin nodded. “If that’s the case, then this old one might be able to find a way to take you to see Young Master Jian. But I won’t hide it from you…”

He sighed. “This old one doesn’t have the ability to arrange a private meeting. At best, I can only have you mix in with the retainers and go pay respects together. After all, that young master is the family head’s most favored son and the Situ clan’s most promising prodigy.”

Mo Hua nodded. “Very well. I’ll have to trouble you, Elder Jin.”

At this point, Situ Jin hesitated, as though he still had something to say. After thinking for a moment, he spoke to Situ Fang beside him,

“Fang’er, go check on your cousin. See how his injuries are doing…”

Situ Fang didn’t quite understand, but she didn’t refuse. She nodded and said, “Alright, Elder,” then left.

Mo Hua guessed that Elder Jin had something he wanted to say privately.

Situ Jin hesitated for a while longer, then glanced at Bai Zisheng.

Mo Hua said, “Elder, if you have something to say, please speak freely. This person is currently my prisoner; there’s no need to mind him.”

Bai Zisheng had already gone a bit numb. He continued meditating silently, not making a sound.

Only then did Situ Jin sigh softly and speak slowly,

“That child Fang’er—her nature is upright, and she’s always conscientious and responsible in what she does, perhaps even a bit… rigid. So within the clan, it’s hard for her not to be somewhat… out of place.”

Mo Hua asked, “Elder Jin, what do you mean?”

Situ Jin hesitated, then let out a deep sigh.

“This old one… isn’t afraid of losing face. I only ask that if you truly know Young Master Jian… that you might put in a few good words for Fang’er before him. That would be enough…”

Mo Hua paused slightly, understanding dawning on him, followed by an inexplicable sense of emotion.

In the eyes of outsiders, aristocratic clans all seemed the same.

But within them, hierarchy was just as strict.

For clan members far from the family’s core, striving for cultivation resources was extremely difficult.

Mo Hua had long understood Situ Fang’s character, from capturing the flower-picking bandit in Tōngxiān City to investigating the corpse case in Nanyue City.

With her disposition, she would never deliberately beg others or cling to connections, let alone trouble him personally.

Elder Jin knew this as well, which was why he had sent Situ Fang away and spoken up himself.

Mo Hua lowered his voice and asked, “Has your branch been having a hard time lately?”

Situ Jin’s expression was bitter. “Things used to be passable… but ever since the Great Wilderness rebellion and the outbreak of war in Li Province, much of our Situ clan’s foundations were affected. Clan income has become stretched thin, and the distribution of cultivation resources has grown increasingly harsh.”

“Our branch has never produced a True Person among our ancestors. In this generation, there aren’t many capable or responsible disciples either. Many matters can only be pushed onto Fang’er’s shoulders. But with her temperament…”

Situ Jin sighed.

Mo Hua, however, said, “Sister Fang’s temperament is actually quite good…”

Situ Jin was taken aback.

Mo Hua continued, “In this world, everything comes with gains and losses. Being upright may mean fewer opportunities to cling to others, but at least the people you befriend are trustworthy. Constantly currying favor may look glamorous, but in all that coming and going, how much sincerity is really there? When a strong wind blows, it all scatters…”

“So it’s best to act in accordance with one’s own heart.”

Situ Jin stood there in a daze for a moment, then couldn’t help murmuring with a sigh,

“Young friend, at such a young age, yet you possess such insight… indeed worthy of a disciple from a renowned sect. This old one… truly admires you.”

Mo Hua glanced at Situ Jin, knowing that many of these principles were not things the elder failed to understand.

It was simply that when the fate of one’s own branch of the clan was at stake, there were some things he truly couldn’t help.

In life, there are always too many things one cannot choose.

Feeling sympathy, Mo Hua said,

“Elder Jin, rest assured. If this ‘Young Master Jian’ truly is my fellow disciple, I will naturally put in some good words for Sister Fang.”

Upon hearing this, Elder Jin gave Mo Hua a deep bow. “Many thanks, little friend Mo.”

After thinking for a moment, he added solemnly, “While you’re in the Great Wilderness, if there’s anything this old one can help with, feel free to ask. Matters above Golden Core, this old one is ashamed to say I can’t help. But below Foundation Establishment, I still have a bit of standing. As long as you don’t mind…”

Mo Hua hurriedly replied, “Thank you, Elder.”

As they spoke, footsteps sounded outside. The two of them stopped the conversation.

Before long, Situ Fang returned and said, “My cousin is fine. No need to worry.”

Situ Jin nodded. “That’s good…” As he spoke, he rose to his feet and cupped his hands toward Mo Hua. “I’ll need to think of a way regarding this matter. Young Master Jian doesn’t appear often, so I may have to trouble you to wait a few more days.”

Mo Hua nodded. “Much obliged.”

Elder Jin left.

Concerned for Mo Hua, Situ Fang also stood to take her leave. “Then I won’t disturb you either. Get some good rest. If anything comes up, just come find me.”

Mo Hua smiled. “Thank you, Sister Fang.”

…

After that, Mo Hua and Bai Zisheng temporarily settled down at the Situ Clan’s encampment. They also took the opportunity to learn more about the situation in the Great Wilderness and make preparations for entering the Royal Court’s Dragon Pool to temper their grade and form a Golden Core.

Naturally, the planning was mainly done by Mo Hua.

Bai Zisheng’s primary task was recovering from his injuries.

As for Mo Hua, the things he needed to plan were indeed numerous.

He had to deduce cause and effect, judge fortune and calamity, study formation manuals, learn formations, and he couldn’t neglect the task of weaving straw dogs either.

As a result, he was almost constantly busy, day and night.

Every time Bai Zisheng finished cultivating and opened his eyes, he could see Mo Hua—either studying formations, weaving straw dogs, or jotting down miscellaneous notes on paper, drawing lines whose meaning no one could quite tell…

Judging by the look of it, this hadn’t been going on for just a day or two. Most likely, his Little Junior Brother had always been living like this, exhausting his mind and spirit.

Bai Zisheng couldn’t help but feel a bit heartache and softly called out, “Little Junior Brother…”

Mo Hua was completely focused and didn’t hear him at first.

Bai Zisheng called again, and only then did Mo Hua lift his head and look at him.

Bai Zisheng said gently, “Don’t overtax your mind…”

Mo Hua paused slightly, then smiled. “It’s fine. I’m used to it… Little Senior Brother, hurry and recover from your injuries. And also…”

Mo Hua lowered his voice mysteriously. “In front of outsiders, remember, don’t call me ‘Little Junior Brother.’ I’m afraid people might misunderstand…”

Bai Zisheng really had no way to deal with him and said helplessly, “Alright… whatever you say…”

…

Seven days later, Elder Situ Jin finally brought back clear news.

“Young Master Jian has been cultivating all this time and hasn’t had any free moments. Today, however, he will, as usual, meet with some retainers. Little Friend Mo, I can take you there, but you’ll only be able to see him from afar together with the other retainers. You might not even get a chance to speak,” Elder Situ Jin said.

Mo Hua nodded. “Alright.”

He only needed one look, just to confirm whether it was Situ Jian.

Elder Situ Jin glanced at Bai Zisheng again, somewhat troubled. “This old man can only bring one person…”

Mo Hua immediately put on an overbearing expression and “ordered” Bai Zisheng: “You’re my captive. Stay here obediently and don’t even think about escaping. If I catch you again, I definitely won’t spare you…”

Bai Zisheng closed his eyes to rest, feeling mentally exhausted.

Mo Hua nodded in satisfaction. “Good that you understand.” Then he looked at Elder Situ Jin. “Elder, let’s go.”

The look on Elder Situ Jin’s face was a bit strange, but he still nodded. “Alright, Little Friend Mo, please follow me.”

“Mm.”

Mo Hua followed Elder Situ Jin out of the guest room, along the main street, toward a remarkably grand hall at the center of the residence.

Outside the hall stood Situ clan guards at the Foundation Establishment realm, clad in armor and tightly disciplined.

The leading guard was even a Golden Core cultivator.

Only after Elder Situ Jin checked his token and explained their purpose were they allowed to pass.

Mo Hua followed Elder Situ Jin into the hall and saw that its interior was magnificent and resplendent, radiating luxury and grandeur.

As the local hegemon of Li Province, the Situ clan was clearly not short on money.

Passing through the lavish hall and continuing inward, they arrived at the reception chamber.

At this moment, quite a few cultivators had already gathered inside.

Most of them were well-dressed, with amiable expressions, standing together and speaking softly among themselves.

When Elder Situ Jin brought Mo Hua over, many people glanced at him. They were briefly surprised by his delicate, refined appearance and momentarily dazed, but soon looked away, not paying much attention.

Mo Hua also remained silent, standing quietly to the side and listening to their conversation.

After listening for a while, he learned that these people were all retainers, some from the Situ clan, others from different clans.

They had all come to see Situ Jian, each with their own purpose.

Some simply wanted to catch a glimpse of this Sword-Dao prodigy. Others hoped to build connections, some wanted to recommend themselves to serve under Situ Jian, and still others had come to seek a marriage alliance.

Certain large clans wanted to marry their clan’s legitimate daughters to Situ Jian, so they would first send retainers to see him, how he looked, what his temperament was like, whether he truly lived up to his reputation as a clan’s peerless prodigy…

With a daughter in the family, a hundred households come courting.

And if there is a young peerless prodigy, the same is true, countless clans rush forward to propose marriage.

So Mo Hua listened to gossip on one side while waiting for Situ Jian.

But this wait dragged on for a full hour and a half, without even a shadow of him appearing.

It was clear just how high Situ Jian’s status was within the Situ clan, seeing him even once was indeed difficult.

Mo Hua was starting to feel sleepy and had already begun silently “reviewing” formation manuals in his mind to pass the time.

Just then, a disturbance arose in the distance as a group of people approached.

Mo Hua looked up and saw a crowd of elders in splendid robes, dignified and imposing, walking over, and at their center, they escorted a single disciple.

That disciple wore a luxurious robe of gold and flame hues. His features were handsome, his bearing steady with a hint of nobility, unsmiling and commanding an impressive presence.

Walking among a group of Golden Core elders, he was the most eye-catching figure of all.

And this youth’s face was not unfamiliar to Mo Hua at all, it was indeed his Little Junior Brother, Situ Jian.

Only, that proud and commanding aura was completely different from how he had been back at the sect.

Mo Hua felt a moment of realization.

Qianxue Prefecture was a fifth-grade Great state, a flourishing land where cultivators from all under heaven gathered to seek the Dao.

Even during the era of the Eight Great Gates, the Great Void Sect was still considered a first-rate fifth-grade major sect.

The disciples of the Great Void Sect were all top-tier geniuses from various states and clans across the Nine Provinces.

But the problem was that when so many geniuses gathered together in Qianxue Prefecture, where prodigies were as common as clouds, distinctions naturally emerged. As a result, many geniuses appeared to fade into the crowd, or at least seemed less dazzling.

You may be a genius, but there is always someone more genius than you.

On the other hand, if those same geniuses were taken out of the Great Void Sect and returned to their respective state domains, then within their own clans, every one of them would be the most gifted and most brilliant existence.

Situ Jian was no exception.

In Qianxue Prefecture, he was indeed a genius, but compared to Linghu Xiao, Ouyang Xuan, and the very top prodigies of the Four Grand Sects, he was still a step behind.

But back in Li Province, within the Situ clan, he was the strongest one.

The Situ Jian before him now—escorted by a crowd of Golden Core elders—was completely different from the “Little Junior Brother” in Mo Hua’s memory.

In the brief moment Mo Hua was lost in thought, Situ Jian had already walked past him.

All the retainers bowed in succession and respectfully said:

“Greetings, Elders…”

“Greetings, Young Master Jian…”

“Young Master truly has an extraordinary bearing… a heaven-endowed talent…”

…

Amid the chorus of praise, Situ Jian gave a slight nod, his expression calm and even somewhat cold, as he walked past the crowd.

His gaze merely skimmed over the faces of the retainers like a dragonfly touching water. Naturally, he also glanced lightly at Mo Hua, then continued onward.

But after taking a few steps, Situ Jian seemed to see something utterly unbelievable and suddenly jolted.

Thinking he must have seen wrong, he hurriedly turned his head and looked at Mo Hua again.

Mo Hua smiled at him. “Situ—”

“LITTLE SENIOR BROTHER!!!”

Before Mo Hua could finish speaking, his vision blurred.

A figure whooshed over and pounced on him, hugging him tightly, as though afraid he might run away.

Situ Jian no longer had even a trace of his earlier dignified composure. The excitement on his face overflowed as he exclaimed joyfully:

“Little Senior Brother, it really is you?! You came to the Great Wilderness?!”

Held fast in Situ Jian’s embrace, Mo Hua could only laugh helplessly.

The turn of events was so sudden that the assembled retainers were all left staring in a daze.

Elder Situ Jin opened his mouth, unable to hide the shock in his eyes. The other elders of the Situ clan were likewise filled with astonishment.

Only within the crowd, the Situ clan’s Grand Elder—whose cultivation was the deepest and whose status was the highest—let a trace of cold, sharp light flash through his eyes.

(End of Chapter)