Chapter 1431: Temp - Chapter 1429: The Wealthy Lu Clan
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Chapter 1429: The Wealthy Lu Clan
“You want me to go?” Mo Hua’s gaze flickered slightly as he looked at Lu Zhenlong and asked, “Is it an invitation, or a summons?”
Lu Zhenlong was furious, gritting her teeth as she said, “It’s an ‘invitation’! My father asked me to ‘invite’ you to the banquet.”
Her jade-like teeth seemed ready to grind the word “invitation” to dust.
Only then did Mo Hua nod and ask, “When?”
“Now,” Lu Zhenlong replied.
“Now?” Mo Hua was slightly surprised. “So urgent?”
“What else? Who knows when you’ll be free.” Lu Zhenlong’s expression turned stern again. “Hurry up, come with me.”
Mo Hua said, “I haven’t agreed yet.”
I, the young lady, have personally come to “invite” you, and you still won’t agree? What kind of airs are you putting on?!
Lu Zhenlong wished she could smash Mo Hua’s head in.
Just as Lu Zhenlong was about to say more, she suddenly heard the murmur of voices around them. A crowd had gathered and was whispering about her and Mo Hua. She said coldly: “This isn’t the place to talk. Get in the carriage first, and I’ll explain inside.”
Seeing the people around them pointing and staring, Mo Hua knew it wasn’t a good look, so he reluctantly agreed. “Alright.”
With that, Mo Hua boarded Lu Zhenlong’s carriage.
This was the carriage of the Lu Clan’s young lady. Outside, it was adorned with golden saddles and jade pendants, resplendent and magnificent. Inside, it was luxurious yet elegant, with warm jade emitting a faint mist.
The curtains resembled auspicious clouds, and the embroidered furnishings exuded opulence.
Mo Hua secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.
No wonder so many people in Qianxue Prefecture Boundary called Lu Zhenlong a wealthy lady, trying to curry favor with her for a comfortable life.
Lu Zhenlong said, “Sit.”
Mo Hua sat down opposite Lu Zhenlong.
The carriage was spacious, with a large redwood tea table between them.
Lu Zhenlong was accompanied by two maidservants, so there was no fear of gossip.
Mo Hua asked Lu Zhenlong, “Why are you suddenly asking me to attend a banquet?”
Lu Zhenlong snorted coldly. “How would I know?”
Mo Hua frowned slightly. “A banquet with ulterior motives? Then I’d better not go.”
Lu Zhenlong glanced at Mo Hua and said, “The Sword Debate Dao Arena in the Eastern District belongs to my Lu Clan. The Fortune Pavilion you often visit has a twenty percent stake owned by my Lu Clan. The Hongyun Pavilion where you ate last time is also my Lu Clan’s property.”
Mo Hua sighed deeply.
Wealthy clans and financial magnates were truly terrifying.
Mo Hua said, “Fine, you’re rich, you’re impressive. I’ll go.”
A hint of smugness flashed in Lu Zhenlong’s eyes.
Mo Hua said, “But I need to go back first and let my senior sister know.”
Lu Zhenlong couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Is she really your senior sister?”
“Yes,” Mo Hua nodded. Just as he was about to get off the carriage, Lu Zhenlong said, “No need. Write a letter, and I’ll have someone deliver it.”
“Deliver it?” Mo Hua was surprised. “You know where I live?”
“Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land…” Lu Zhenlong muttered.
Ordinary cultivators might not know about such a place or dare to inquire, but as the direct daughter of a major clan in Kun Province, Lu Zhenlong naturally knew.
However, they wouldn’t dare to disturb the place without reason. Now, if it was just delivering a letter for Mo Hua, it wouldn’t count as a disturbance.
Mo Hua nodded, took out a jade slip, recorded a message, and handed it to Lu Zhenlong.
Lu Zhenlong didn’t look at it, instead passing it to a maidservant beside her and instructing: “Take this to Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land, to True Person Rong’s residence. Be respectful and polite, don’t be rude.”
The maidservant accepted the order and left.
The carriage, warm and fragrant, fell silent once more.
Lu Zhenlong poured a cup of tea for Mo Hua, her tone indifferent. “Drink.”
Mo Hua glanced at Lu Zhenlong, then looked down at the cup of tea, his expression somewhat subtle.
Hua Ping had fed him melon, and now Lu Zhenlong was pouring him tea…
Mo Hua couldn’t shake the feeling that things in Kun Province were a bit off, as if the logic of cause and effect had gone awry.
Especially… this cup of tea…
Mo Hua stared at the jade-green tea but couldn’t bring himself to drink it.
Lu Zhenlong asked, “What? Afraid I’ll harm you?”
Mo Hua answered honestly, “A little.”
Hearing Mo Hua say “a little,” Lu Zhenlong was momentarily taken aback before she couldn’t help but sneer.
“Who would have thought that the esteemed Young Master of the Great Void Sect, the dual champion of Qianxue’s formation path, and the top contender of the Qianxue Sword Debate, would also know fear.”
Mo Hua sighed. “The circumstances are different.”
He wasn’t afraid of ordinary demons or malevolent spirits.
Because demons and malevolent spirits were easier to understand; even when they harmed people, they followed general patterns.
But women were another story—their emotions were unpredictable, and their thoughts were as elusive as finding a needle in a haystack.
One moment they might be smiling and laughing with you, and the next, they could harbor resentment and hatred, wishing you dead.
The human heart was more complex than ghosts.
Mo Hua shook his head.
Lu Zhenlong’s gaze sharpened, sensing that Mo Hua’s thoughts were far from complimentary.
After a moment of silence, she asked, “Why didn’t you stay in the Great Void Sect?”
Mo Hua replied, “I graduated.”
Lu Zhenlong said, “You didn’t enter the inner sect? With your talent… oh right, your talent isn’t great, your spiritual roots are too poor.”
“But with your sect contributions, entering the inner sect should have been more than enough.”
“At the very least, you could have pulled some strings,” Lu Zhenlong added. “Getting into the Great Void Sect’s inner sect through connections shouldn’t have been difficult.”
Mo Hua sighed. “I couldn’t enter the inner sect.”
“Why not?” Lu Zhenlong pressed. “Aren’t you the Young Master of the Great Void Sect?”
Mo Hua corrected her helplessly, “I don’t know where you heard these rumors, but I’m not some ‘Young Master.’ I’m just an ordinary outer sect disciple of the Great Void Sect.”
Lu Zhenlong sneered inwardly, thinking, Do you take me for a fool? Do you really think I’d believe that?
Who in the entire Qianxue Prefecture Boundary didn’t know that Mo Hua’s words were full of lies?
During the Grand Sword Debate Assembly, the first rule for the sword debate disciples of the four sects and eight schools was not to speak with Mo Hua during the debates, lest they be swayed by his deceitful words and fall into his traps.
But then again…
Lu Zhenlong’s thoughts shifted.
Mo Hua truly hadn’t stayed in the Great Void Sect.
Not only had he not stayed, but he was now wandering in Kun Province, drawing formations for the Fortune Pavilion and earning spirit stones by sparring with others… He looked utterly pitiful, a far cry from the arrogant and domineering demeanor of the Great Void Sect’s little senior brother from back then.
Lu Zhenlong found it suspicious.
But then again, Mo Hua himself was a suspicious person.
In any case, he was now in Kun Province, without the protection of the Great Void Sect, mostly keeping to himself. This was almost the perfect opportunity for her to exact revenge and control him.
Thinking this, Lu Zhenlong pursed her lips, her mind filled with various schemes to make things difficult and “torment” Mo Hua, nearly laughing out loud.
Mo Hua glanced at Lu Zhenlong and sighed inwardly.
This pampered young lady seemed cunning yet utterly clueless.
Mo Hua could almost read every thought on her face.
Lu Zhenlong’s carriage continued along the main street of the Eastern District, slowly making its way toward the Lu Clan.
—
At the same time, within the Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land.
A maid from the Lu Clan delivered Mo Hua’s jade slip to the entrance.
Xiao Ju took the jade slip and handed it to Bai Zixi, saying, “Sister Zixi, this Mo Hua is out eating, drinking, and having fun again.”
Bai Zixi took the jade slip and glanced at it, seeing the words written inside: Senior Sister, I’m going to the Lu Clan for a meal and will return later.
“The Lu Clan?” Bai Zixi asked softly.
“Yes,” Xiao Ju nodded. “It was delivered by someone from the Lu Clan. They said their eldest young lady invited Young Master Mo to a banquet.”
“The eldest young lady of the Lu Clan…”
Bai Zixi was momentarily stunned, her gaze turning peculiar as she murmured, “He knows quite a few women.”
Half an hour later.
Lu Zhenlong’s luxurious carriage, adorned with golden saddles and jade pendants, traversed wide avenues and dense crowds before arriving at a grand, magnificent estate and coming to a halt.
Mo Hua stepped out of the carriage and looked up to see towering pavilions shimmering with brilliant lights under the night sky.
Beneath his feet was a path paved with spirit stones mixed with gold dust. As far as the eye could see, the pavilions, terraces, and towers were either made of gold or jade, exuding an air of exquisite elegance.
Mo Hua was momentarily dazed.
His first impression was still, “Too rich.”
The great clans of Kun Province were far wealthier than those of Qian Province.
Even phrases like “flowing gold and pouring jade” or “so rich it drips oil” were not exaggerations but rather plain descriptions.
For a moment, Mo Hua couldn’t fathom how anyone in this world could be so wealthy.
Just as Mo Hua was lost in thought, an elder from the Lu Clan approached, cupping his hands in greeting: “Young Master Mo, greetings.”
Mo Hua returned the gesture, saying, “I apologize for the intrusion.”
The elder nodded slightly. “The clan master has been waiting for some time. Please, Young Master.”
Mo Hua nodded.
The elder then led the way, guiding Mo Hua and Lu Zhenlong through the jade towers and golden halls into a grand hall.
Inside the hall, the floor resembled glazed tiles, and the cups and vessels were like agate, radiant and dazzling.
There were also beautiful dancers with skin as fair as snow and waists as supple as willow branches, performing graceful songs and dances.
Many high-ranking members of the clan were already seated, raising their cups to drink and toasting one another.
As Mo Hua entered the hall, many paused their drinking and turned their gazes toward him.
From the high seat, Lu Chonglou, the clan master of the Lu Clan, slowly rose and beckoned to Mo Hua with a smile, saying, “Young Master Mo, come over here.”
Lu Chonglou spoke with familiarity, as if Mo Hua were a distant relative or old friend.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Mo Hua stepped forward and approached Lu Chonglou.
Lu Chonglou looked at Mo Hua, his eyes filled with admiration, and said: “This is a family banquet of the Lu Clan. There are no outsiders, and it’s not a formal occasion. There’s no need for formalities, Young Master Mo. Feel free to enjoy yourself, eat and drink to your heart’s content.”
Mo Hua cupped his hands and said, “Thank you, Clan Master Lu.”
Lu Chonglou said, “Young Master Mo, please take a seat.”
Mo Hua then sat in the seat to Lu Chonglou’s right.
Lu Zhenlong sat farther away, her seat slightly lower in rank than Mo Hua’s.
Clearly, in this banquet, Mo Hua, the “outsider,” was the true focus—the honored guest whom Lu Chonglou had specially invited.
However, Lu Chonglou emphasized that it was an ordinary family banquet, so the atmosphere was relaxed, and the rules were not overly strict.
Afterward, Lu Chonglou didn’t say much to Mo Hua, only urging him to eat and drink.
It wasn’t until after three rounds of drinks that the atmosphere grew much more familiar.
The others were either toasting each other, their faces flushed red, or whispering private conversations, or staring intently at the dancing courtesans.
The surrounding maidservants tactfully withdrew.
Only then did Lu Chonglou move closer to Mo Hua, raising his wine cup as he said, “Young Master Mo, I offer you a toast.”
Mo Hua also raised his cup. “Thank you for your hospitality, Clan Head.”
After they both drank, Lu Chonglou continued, “I hear that Young Master Mo is a distinguished disciple of the Great Void Sect, studying under Ancestor Xun?”
Mo Hua replied modestly, “You flatter me, Clan Head Lu. I can hardly be called a distinguished disciple.”
“Old Mister Xun did indeed teach me formations, but the vast majority of disciples in the entire Great Void Sect have been taught by Old Mister Xun.”
“Although Old Mister Xun is a venerable ancestor of esteemed status, he teaches without discrimination, treating us Foundation Establishment disciples all equally. To have received instruction in his presence is truly a blessing of three lifetimes.”
Mo Hua’s words carried genuine emotion.
He wasn’t just being polite; he truly felt grateful to Old Mister Xun. Moreover, thinking about how he had left the Great Void Sect and been traveling outside, not having returned for a long time, he felt a pang of guilt.
In Lu Chonglou’s heart, however, there was some astonishment.
He absolutely did not believe in such talk of “teaching without discrimination” and “treating all equally.”
For this Young Master Mo to have received personal instruction in formations from a Profound-Hollow-Void Ancestor, their relationship was certainly not shallow.
Even if one disregards the monk’s face, one must still consider the Buddha’s.
Lu Chonglou regarded Mo Hua with increasing seriousness in his heart.
There was just one matter that piqued Lu Chonglou’s curiosity: “Young Master Mo, I heard from my daughter… that during the Qianxue Sword Debate Assembly back then, you shone brilliantly and helped the Great Void Sect secure first place?”
Mo Hua corrected him, “It was the fellow disciples working together in unity that helped the Great Void Sect secure first place.”
Lu Chonglou nodded, thinking to himself that this Young Master Mo was indeed a master of diplomatic speech, worthy of being by an ancestor’s side—his words were very polished.
Lu Chonglou hesitated for a moment, then couldn’t help but ask, “Might I inquire, young master, what path of slaughter and combat do you cultivate?”
Formations are the foundation for establishing oneself, but slaughter and combat are the means for protecting oneself and establishing authority.
He didn’t believe that Mo Hua could travel the cultivation world without some lethal techniques at hand.
Mo Hua then said, “I have some slight understanding of spells.”
Lu Chonglou’s expression turned somewhat subtle.
How strong could the spells of an Inferior-Grade Golden Core cultivator possibly be?
How could a disciple who could only form an Inferior-Grade Golden Core have shone so brilliantly and taken first place at the Qianxue Sword Debate Assembly back then?
That place, Qianxue Prefecture Boundary, was truly where prodigies gathered like clouds.
A bunch of prodigies with top-grade Spiritual roots were no match for him? Wasn’t this a joke?
Lu Chonglou had asked his own daughter about this before.
But every time Mo Hua was mentioned, Lu Zhenlong would get angry, sometimes calling him a “despicable, rude, and treacherous villain who only knows the Fireball Technique,” other times a “terrifying formation monster,” and yet other times a “monster whose eyes can kill.”
Such incoherent talk sounded very mysterious.
So much so that Lu Chonglou occasionally wondered if he had spoiled his daughter too much, to the point of ruining her brain, making her unable to speak clearly.
What exactly did this Young Master Mo rely on for protection? And what did he use to engage in combat with others?
Surely it couldn’t really be the “Fireball Technique,” could it?
A Golden Core cultivator, claiming to be the number one in the Sword Debate, yet relying on the Fireball Technique to fight others—was that even proper?
Lu Chonglou frowned slightly, feeling somewhat confused by Mo Hua.
Mo Hua thought for a moment, then suddenly asked Lu Chonglou, “Clan Head Lu, you called me here, surely it wasn’t just for a banquet, was it?”
Lu Chonglou was taken aback, pondered for a moment, but did not deny it: “Yes… I wonder if Young Master Mo would be willing to become a ‘Guest Elder’ of my Lu Clan?”
Guest Elder?
Mo Hua’s eyes lit up as he asked, “What kind of Guest Elder?”
What else could it be? Surely not a Spell Guest Elder… to teach my Lu Clan disciples the Fireball Technique?
If that were the case, wouldn’t my daughter be furious?
Lu Chonglou replied, “Naturally, a Formation Guest Elder. Young Master Mo, you would serve as a Guest Elder for my Lu Clan, drawing formations for us, teaching some children about formations, and also exchanging insights on formations with other elders.”
Mo Hua couldn’t help but ask, “Then, if… I become a Guest Elder for your Lu Clan, could I also become a Guest Elder for the Earth Sect?”
Lu Chonglou was stunned, thinking to himself that this Young Master Mo truly had quite the thick skin.
He didn’t say anything, only smiled faintly.
Mo Hua understood.
Between the Earth Sect and the Lu Clan, he could only choose one, not both.
Mo Hua fell into thought, not answering.
Lu Chonglou glanced at Mo Hua, then suddenly his eyes flickered as he asked, “I wonder, Young Master Mo, if you are already married?”
Mo Hua was taken aback, “Married?”