Chapter 1444: Hidden Secrets
https://c10.patreonusercontent.com/4/patreon-media/p/post/153522958/f0c44bf3b25e441fbb5733d5052c761e/eyJ3Ijo2MjB9/1.png?token-hash=38kP0RmDZcbXdBLLI8swuazUMjZ_wey8Ib9G0He7U%3D&token-time=1787356800
Chapter 1442: Hidden Secrets
The moment Mo Hua’s Divine-Sense perceived that Feathered Ascension figure, the black mist-like Feathered Ascension seemed to slowly turn around, looking toward Mo Hua’s direction.
At the same time, an icy Divine-Sense imperceptible to ordinary people shot toward Mo Hua like a sharp sword.
Mo Hua’s pupils contracted, and he immediately held his breath, focusing his mind, retracting his Divine-Sense to its utmost limit.
The icy Divine-Sense lingered for a moment before slowly withdrawing.
The Feathered Ascension figure opposite once again merged into the darkness, showing no further movement.
But Mo Hua still dared not let his guard down. He continued to suppress his breath and calm his mind, remaining motionless, as quiet as a stone.
After an unknown length of time, the tension and oppressive feeling faded.
In the darkness, the number of “surveilling” figures grew, even appearing somewhat chaotic.
The Feathered Ascension’s attention seemed to have shifted elsewhere.
Only then did Mo Hua slowly let out a sigh of relief.
Feathered Ascension realm cultivators were still beyond his ability to provoke.
At this stage, he truly had no means to deal with a Feathered Ascension realm True-Person.
Thus, it was best to avoid them when necessary. Otherwise, if an unknown Feathered Ascension True-Person were to forcefully kill him with Feathered Ascension realm Dao Arts, his life or death would be uncertain.
Mo Hua knew his strength lay in his Divine-Sense, but his physical body was not strong.
During the Great Wilderness War years ago, he had personally witnessed Feathered Ascension cultivators soaring through the sky, unleashing large-scale Dao Arts to indiscriminately bombard the battlefield. Therefore, he dared not underestimate the lethality of Feathered Ascension cultivators in the slightest.
He might not fear the Divine-Sense of Feathered Ascension cultivators as much, but their physical bodies and killing power were something he absolutely did not dare to underestimate.
Mo Hua became even more cautious.
But at the same time, his heart grew increasingly puzzled.
Feathered Ascension True-Persons held extremely high status, each guarding a region. Even in a fifth-rank city like Houtu City, it was difficult to encounter one. Yet now, in the middle of the night, a Feathered Ascension True-Person was wrapped in black mist, surveilling the Tian Residence from outside?
Who was this Feathered Ascension?
What matter was important enough for a Feathered Ascension to personally monitor?
What was he plotting by surveilling the Tian Residence?
Tián Mùshēng… wasn’t he already dead and buried?
Mo Hua’s gaze sharpened.
But many doubts remained only in his thoughts; not a trace of emotion or aura leaked on the surface.
He continued to quietly observe the solemn Tian Residence draped in white cloth from the shadows.
And so, he observed throughout the entire night, but nothing unusual occurred within the Tian Residence.
As dawn approached, many of those surveilling in the shadows gradually left.
The aura of that Feathered Ascension cultivator had also disappeared at some point, unnoticed.
But Mo Hua was not certain whether the Feathered Ascension had truly left or was quietly lurking somewhere, just undetected by him.
Regarding the perception of Feathered Ascension realm cultivators, Mo Hua had no confidence.
Given his cultivation level, being able to detect the presence of a Feathered Ascension in the darkness was already incredibly remarkable.
But that was all; he could not conduct deeper surveillance.
He certainly dared not openly release his Divine-Sense to probe the Feathered Ascension’s details.
Therefore, he could only “sense” that the Feathered Ascension was absent but could not definitively determine whether the Feathered Ascension was truly gone.
After pondering for a long time, Mo Hua decided to remain inactive for the time being.
The others, coming and going, had likely long been exposed in the sight of that black mist Feathered Ascension.
But he was different; he should still be in the “shadows” for now.
Now that Feathered Ascension is somewhere unknown, if I rashly leave and expose my presence, it would be very easy for Feathered Ascension to discover any slip-ups.
Once exposed, things would become quite troublesome.
Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then settled his mind and decided to stay where he was, keeping watch over the Tian Residence.
He only quietly used the Message Transmission Token to send a message to his senior sister: “Senior Sister, the situation has changed. I need to secretly keep watch and will be delayed for a few days.”
Not long after, Bai Zixi replied via the token: “Mm.”
She didn’t seem the least bit surprised by her junior brother’s actions.
Mo Hua waited for a while, but when he realized his senior sister had nothing else to say, he couldn’t help but mutter a few words to himself. Then, he put away the Message Transmission Token and continued with his task.
The position he had chosen offered an excellent view. Although he couldn’t see the entire Tian family estate, he could still observe the figures coming and going along some corridors, as well as the faces of a few distinguished guests.
Real secrets always unfolded at night.
In broad daylight, there wasn’t much to see in terms of secrets.
All Mo Hua could do was memorize “faces.”
He committed to memory every face of the people coming and going within the Tian Residence.
After memorizing for most of the day, until the afternoon, a dignified-looking man suddenly appeared in the Tian family’s corridors.
This man was also a Golden Core cultivator, estimated to be over a hundred years old, with a square face that bore some resemblance to Tián Mùshēng’s appearance.
Mo Hua recalled that Bai XiaoSheng had mentioned to him that Tián Mùshēng had a son named… “Tián Jìzhī?”
Mo Hua’s gaze flickered as he imprinted both the name and the face into his memory.
Tian Jizhi seemed to have said something to the steward.
After receiving instructions, the steward nodded, cupped his hands, and left.
Tian Jizhi continued walking alone. After a while, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply, looking up at the sky with an expression of indescribable sorrow and anger.
He and his father had relied on each other for survival.
Now that his father was dead, leaving him alone in the world, his heart was naturally filled with desolation and grief.
Moreover, there was something suspicious about his father’s death. As a son, he felt powerless, which was why he was so angry.
This was Mo Hua’s guess based on Tian Jizhi’s expression at a glance…
In the past, Mo Hua would have felt sympathy.
But now, the more he delved deeper and uncovered the hidden truths within, the more complicated his feelings became.
Tian Jizhi only showed himself this once before disappearing.
Until nightfall, as darkness descended, Tian Jizhi did not appear again.
The other people Mo Hua was monitoring, who knows which factions they belonged to, also resurfaced one by one. The aura of that Feathered Ascension cultivator reappeared as well.
In the night, aside from Mo Hua, no one else could detect that Feathered Ascension.
Mo Hua quietly observed for a while, and the aura of that Feathered Ascension also seemed to relax slightly. It seemed this Feathered Ascension cultivator’s Divine-Sense wasn’t as strong as he had imagined.
He couldn’t completely evade Mo Hua’s perception either.
During the day, he wasn’t here—probably busy with other matters—only coming at night to spy on the cultivator’s movements inside the Tian Residence.
“My Divine-Sense really does seem quite strong…” Mo Hua thought silently to himself. Of course, while that might be the case, he still didn’t dare to be careless in the slightest.
A Feathered Ascension cultivator could afford to be negligent; given their strength, even if discovered by someone like him, it wouldn’t matter much. After all, he currently have no means to secretly eliminate a Feathered Ascension cultivator.
But Mo Hua couldn’t afford to be negligent. If he slipped up and was discovered by the Feathered Ascension cultivator, that would be disastrous.
Therefore, Mo Hua continued to hold his breath, conceal his presence, and spy from the shadows.
Another whole night passed like this, and still nothing happened.
By daybreak, the cultivators that were monitoring the Tian Residence, along with that Feathered Ascension cultivator, had all disappeared again.
Mo Hua frowned, unsure whether he should continue watching. Keeping watch like this was truly a waste of time. He still needed to cultivate, to study Array Formations—his time was extremely precious.
But if he stopped watching, he couldn’t satisfy his curiosity, not knowing what secrets Tián Mùshēng’s death held, or what exactly that Feathered Ascension cultivator was spying on…
After pondering for a long time, Mo Hua ultimately restrained his impatience.
Back when he was in Tongxian City, his father Mo Shan had told him that as a Demon Hunter tracking prey, one must have patience.
This matter, if he didn’t get involved, that was fine, but since he had already stepped in, he might as well get to the bottom of it.
Mo Hua stopped overthinking it and, along with the others, continued his surveillance. However, to avoid boredom while monitoring, he took out the Formation Diagrams for the “Blazing Inferno Slaughter Formation” and the “Water Concealment Formation” and began studying them on the side.
Another full eight days passed, and Mo Hua’s understanding of the Blazing Inferno Slaughter Formation and Water Concealment Formation had indeed deepened. However, within the residence, there was still not the slightest sign of normalcy. It wasn’t until the late night of the eighth day, as Mo Hua lay on the rooftop holding a Jade Slip, silently tracing the Formation Patterns of the Blazing Inferno Slaughter Formation in his mind, that something changed.
The entire night was serene, with cold white moonlight hanging in the sky. Everything seemed as usual. Yet, Mo Hua suddenly felt a stir in his Divine Sense, his expression shifting slightly as he turned his gaze toward the western gate of the Tian Residence.
The western gate was a side entrance. At that moment, the area before the side gate was empty, with nothing in sight. However, reflected in Mo Hua’s deep eyes was a faint blue image. Within this image was a carriage, beneath which dense blue Formation Patterns spread like a spider’s web.
Mo Hua’s heart skipped a beat. It was here! There was indeed movement.
Mo Hua pondered inwardly, “What is the Tian family trying to transport inside with a concealed carriage?”
The Concealment Formation was exceptionally sophisticated, revealing almost no trace of aura, light, or shadow, and all sound was completely sealed.
Mo Hua had detected it instantly, and among the cultivators monitoring the scene, almost none could perceive it immediately. It wasn’t until the carriage had left the Tian Residence and traveled halfway down the alley that a few belatedly realized something had been transported out of the Tian Residence.
They hadn’t detected it through Divine-Sense but seemed to rely on some Spiritual Artifacts or treasure mirrors to observe the fluctuations. Gradually, six or seven cultivators discreetly followed the carriage.
Mo Hua’s curiosity surged, and he initially intended to follow and investigate. But just as he prepared to move, a sudden sense of unease washed over him, and he felt something was amiss.
Mo Hua turned his gaze to the other side. The Feathered Ascension cultivator, shrouded entirely in shadow and revealing nothing of his background, stood motionless in place. Mo Hua frowned slightly. He dared not underestimate the Feathered Ascension cultivator, nor was he arrogant enough to believe that he could detect something this figure could not.
Yet, this Feathered Ascension cultivator showed no sign of action… Realization dawned on Mo Hua, and he restrained his impulse, refraining from rashly pursuing the carriage.
After a while, behind the Tian Residence’s west gate, silence indeed returned. Another carriage appeared. However, this time, the aura emanating from the carriage was even more obscure. Beneath the carriage, the driver was a Tian family member, and the guard was also a Tian family member.
Mo Hua could sense that something was off about the carriage—its aura carried a gloomy, lifeless quality, as if it were carrying something. Moreover, the Array Formation used on this carriage was more complex, seemingly layered multiple times.
As a Formation Master, Mo Hua was particularly sensitive to formations. Thus, he could determine that this carriage definitely concealed something unusual!
The first carriage was merely a “decoy,” meant to draw attention.
The second carriage was the real one… And those who could detect these two carriages were even fewer, with only one or two people following it.
Mo Hua’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately felt the urge to follow, but he suddenly paused and glanced to the other side, frowning.
That Feathered Ascension cultivator remained motionless… Was this still a fake? Mo Hua could only suppress his impatience and continue waiting.
After all, in matters involving deep-seated secrets, he had to trust the judgment of the Feathered Ascension cultivator. The unseen dark hand of the Feathered Ascension cultivator was, to him, a “guiding light.”
And sure enough, before the second carriage had gone far, a third concealed carriage emerged. This time, Mo Hua was not impulsive. He could sense that this third carriage seemed somewhat “sloppy,” and its formation was not as refined.
Likely, the cost of the Concealment Formation had become unmanageable, leading to corners being cut.
(TN: Mo Hua you are a Taotie, trust your instincts.)
Thus, this third carriage was relatively the most “conspicuous.” Many black-robed cultivators secretly followed it. Mo Hua, however, showed little interest—he felt no “urge” from this third carriage.
Turning his head, he saw that the Feathered Ascension cultivator indeed remained in place, showing no intention of making a move.
After the third carriage came the fourth. The Feathered Ascension cultivator did not move, nor did Mo Hua.
Then the fifth, the sixth…
In this seemingly calm night, within the span of an hour, eight concealed carriages had quietly departed from the Tian Residence.
Most of the black-robed observers remained unaware.
Only a few clever, highly vigilant black-robed cultivators with surveillance Magical Treasures were drawn away by the carriages.
Throughout this process, the Feathered Ascension cultivator remained as steady as an angler on a fishing platform.
It was not until the eighth carriage departed that the Feathered Ascension cultivator’s Divine-Sense showed noticeable fluctuations.
The eighth carriage itself did not cause any fluctuations in Mo Hua’s Divine-Sense.
But the Feathered Ascension cultivator’s anomaly was captured by Mo Hua.
He instantly realized that the true “secret” had arrived.
Mo Hua held his breath and quietly released his Divine-Sense to spy on the eighth carriage.
Upon this inspection, he indeed discovered something.
“Tian Jizhi!”
Despite wearing a Night-Walking Robe and covering his face, the square forehead and that familiar aura revealed were unmistakably Tian Jizhi, whom Mo Hua had glimpsed before.
The only son of Tián Mùshēng.
“In the dead of night, the only son of Tián Mùshēng, driving a concealed carriage with something loaded on it, left the Tian Residence…”
Mo Hua’s thoughts stirred, but he still did not act rashly.
The Feathered Ascension cultivator in the black mist finally could no longer restrain himself this time.
Tian Jizhi drove the carriage away from the Tian Residence, heading eastward through the city for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
The Feathered Ascension figure flickered, white mist swirling, and then vanished without a trace, clearly having given chase.
Mo Hua did not move recklessly. Instead, he waited another half-quarter of an hour, estimating that the Feathered Ascension had been gone for a while, before finally setting out himself, following behind the Feathered Ascension.
After all, it was a Feathered Ascension, getting too close would be unwise.
Therefore, Mo Hua deliberately maintained a sufficient distance.
And so, in the deep night, on the main street of the Eastern District of Houtu City.
Two black-clad cultivators followed the concealed carriage of Tian Jizhi, moving steadily forward.
The Feathered Ascension trailed behind the black-clad cultivators .
Mo Hua, in turn, followed behind the Feathered Ascension all along.
Because of the distance, he had no idea what exactly had happened to Tian Jizhi’s carriage.
Mo Hua couldn’t do anything else either; the only thing he could do was not lose track.
This journey felt somewhat long.
Tian Jizhi drove the carriage, heading east the entire time, passing through the bustling market streets, leaving the Eastern District of Houtu City, and continuing eastward.
Until they exited the Eastern District’s main gate, traversed the chaotic and densely populated residential areas, along with some secluded alleys, then headed east again, passed through the border defense gate, directly left Houtu City, entered the earthen road, crossed some scattered farmlands, and finally arrived at a deserted village.
Mo Hua’s mind stirred—he knew they had reached their destination.
And sure enough, not long after, intense spiritual fluctuations erupted from ahead.
At first, it was only spiritual power.
It seemed Tian Jizhi was clashing with some unidentified cultivators.
After fighting for a while, a powerful surge of power suddenly erupted but dissipated in an instant.
Mo Hua understood—this was the Feathered Ascension taking action.
With the Feathered Ascension’s strength, quelling a spiritual power battle was but a moment’s work.
Mo Hua hesitated briefly but ultimately couldn’t resist. Concealing his form, he stealthily moved forward.
After advancing a distance, he could see the black-clad cultivators lying on the ground, subdued by the Feathered Ascension in a single move, blood trickling from their mouths.
Looking further ahead, he saw Tian Jizhi and the carriage.
By now, the carriage had been split apart, and the horse torn in two.
Tian Jizhi also lay on the ground, severely wounded.
The Feathered Ascension shrouded in mist pressed a sharp spiritual sword against Tian Jizhi’s throat and asked in a hoarse voice:
“Where is your father’s corpse?