Chapter 1457: Your Mother?

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Chapter 1455: Your Mother?

Mo Hua raised an eyebrow slightly. “A deal? With whom?”

Iron Mountain Tiger, grateful for the life-saving grace of Mo Hua, their leading brother, said: “To be honest with you, brother, there are so many layers in between that I have no idea who the real employer behind the scenes is.”

“According to the rules, we were to dig up graves near Houtu City and search for the corpse of an Earth Sect elder—this elder, surnamed Tian, had just died recently. He violated some taboo, and his death wasn’t clean, so they didn’t dare bury him in the Earth Sect Ancestral Tomb. Instead, his clan secretly transported him out to find another place for burial.”

“If we could locate his corpse and hand it over to our superiors, we would receive…”

Iron Mountain Tiger took a deep breath. “A reward of a full fifty million spirit stones.”

Mo Hua was taken aback, finding it hard to believe. “They’d really give you fifty million?”

With fifty million spirit stones, he could nurture who knows how many more meridians of his Taotie Twelve-Meridian Spiritual Skeleton.

“Well…” Iron Mountain Tiger calmed down a bit and said slowly, “That’s what they say, but whether they’ll actually pay or how much they’ll give, we have no idea. Since word has been spread, they should… at least give something.”

“Then…” Mo Hua’s eyes flickered as he asked again, “Have you found that corpse?”

Iron Mountain Tiger felt his head heavy and throbbing with a slight ache. Frowning, he said, “To be honest with you, Black-Faced Fiend brother, just now underground, in this very tomb, I felt… I seemed to have seen Elder Tian’s corpse.”

Mo Hua asked, “You really saw it?”

Iron Mountain Tiger frowned and shook his head. “But… now that I think about it again, it feels like an illusion.”

“How could it be such a coincidence that we just happened to stumble upon a corpse worth fifty million spirit stones?”

“I suspect it was an illusion caused by having my divine-sense devoured by little ghosts while passing through the Ghost Gate and falling under the illusion of a scapegoat ghost.”

Iron Mountain Tiger sighed. “Having traveled far and wide, I still have some experience and judgment. Anyway, things in tombs are bizarre and unpredictable, with ghosts and spirits lurking unseen. Surviving without dying inside is already a great fortune.”

Mo Hua nodded slightly, thinking that Iron Mountain Tiger was quite sensible.

He was clever when he needed to be and knew when to play dumb.

Mo Hua glanced at him and asked, “Are you all cultivators from out of town?”

Iron Mountain Tiger replied, “Yes… I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, Black-Faced Fiend brother. We used to make a living in small places around Kun Province and were considered local bosses. But…”

Iron Mountain Tiger sighed.

Skinny Cicada chuckled awkwardly. “Business isn’t good. The tombs in small places have long been emptied. We drifted from place to place and ended up in Houtu City to seek a future.”

“Who would have thought we’d suffer such a major setback right from the start?”

Pangolin shook his head. “Smiling Face also fell inside.”

Mo Hua couldn’t help but ask, “That Smiling Face, was he part of your group?”

Iron Mountain Tiger said, “He joined halfway, but later, for some reason, he started acting strange… Actually, it wasn’t just recently. He’d been acting odd for a while, licking his lips whenever he saw blood. I suspect he might have encountered something sinister somewhere.”

Mo Hua frowned slightly.

According to what they said, did the Golden Core cultivator from the Earth Sect’s Shadow Division seize an opportunity to “parasitize” Smiling Face?

This method of “parasitism” isn’t a proper technique, is it?

Would the Earth Sect truly allow its Shadow Division to use such sinister means?

Just what has become of the Earth Sect’s internal affairs?

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then shook his head. The Earth Sect was so vast, with so many people—they couldn’t possibly manage their internal affairs.

He wasn’t the head of a fifth-grade Dao Court Division, wielding the authority of the Dao Court to oversee such a major sect.

“Let’s go, returning is the priority,” Mo Hua said. “This place is not safe to linger.”

Upon hearing this, Iron Mountain Tiger and the other two nodded repeatedly.

For some reason, they couldn’t shake a chilling feeling in their hearts, as if some “great demon” had been following them all along.

Afterward, the four of them retraced their steps and found the carriage they had tied up nearby.

Using the compass inside the carriage, Mo Hua set their destination as Manager Zhao’s private residence. He then took out a handful of spirit herbs and fed them to the horse.

After chewing the herbs, the horse regained its strength, let out a soft whinny, and carried Mo Hua and the others toward Houtu City.

As the carriage gradually moved farther away, Elder Tian’s tomb was left behind.

Mo Hua looked back and saw that Elder Tian’s burial site had once again merged with the aura of the earth.

The laws of the Heavenly Dao patrolled above the ground.

But the “dead” beneath the earth were secretly clinging to life, deceiving the Heavenly Dao.

“Life and death… Earth-Ground Formations…”

Mo Hua’s gaze sharpened slightly as he murmured inwardly, “Earth-Ground Formations truly are extraordinary.”

Tomb exploration, tomb searching, tomb breaking, tomb raiding, tomb hiding… and ultimately, the profound Earth-Ground Formations capable of deceiving the Heavenly Dao and evading life and death—all of these must be mastered, studied thoroughly, and the “Dao” of the earth fully grasped.

Mo Hua couldn’t help but clench his pale-white hand.

His thoughts were unknown to Iron Mountain Tiger, as the three of them were still immersed in the complex emotions of surviving a disaster.

The carriage sped along for half a day, leaving the tomb area behind as the sky gradually brightened. The atmosphere inside the carriage eased considerably.

Mo Hua took out some wine and meat and shared it with Iron Mountain Tiger and the other two.

After eating and drinking what Mo Hua offered, the three of them grew even more moved, repeatedly calling him “Big Brother.”

Despite being seasoned veterans of two to three hundred years old,

Mo Hua’s cultivation age was only over thirty.

However, the ghost mask he wore on his face made him appear quite intimidating.

After chatting for a while, Mo Hua gained some understanding of their situation.

But precisely because he understood, Mo Hua grew even more surprised. “You three don’t even have enough spirit stones to stay at an inn?”

Iron Mountain Tiger replied sheepishly, “That’s right.”

Mo Hua couldn’t comprehend it. “You’re Golden Core cultivators, after all. How is it possible you don’t even have spirit stones for lodging?”

Iron Mountain Tiger found it difficult to explain. “Our identities… aren’t exactly clean.”

The three of them were tomb raiders, newcomers without identity credentials or acquaintances, making it hard to find work.

Moreover, Houtu City was expensive in every way, and their spirit stones had long been nearly spent.

They had hoped to take a risk by raiding a tomb, thinking that if they found anything underground and could sell the loot, they’d earn a decent profit and live more comfortably.

Little did they expect to encounter Mo Hua, this “jinx.” Surviving the tomb was already a stroke of luck for them.

Mo Hua still found it hard to believe. “You can’t even scrape together a thousand spirit stones, yet you take on jobs worth ‘fifty million’?”

Iron Mountain Tiger said, “Actually, I’ve even taken on a job worth a hundred million.”

Mo Hua: “…”

Iron Mountain Tiger sighed, “When you’re out in the world, you have to give yourself face. Once you’re a Golden Core cultivator, who doesn’t talk about ‘small deals’ worth tens of millions or even hundreds of millions?”

“Yet their storage bags are cleaner than their faces?”

Mo Hua said helplessly.

Iron Mountain Tiger felt somewhat ashamed and chuckled awkwardly, “There’s no helping it—people are superficial these days. In this line of work, that’s just how the culture is. If you don’t boast big, you’ll inevitably be looked down upon.”

Mo Hua then asked, “What about that hundred-million deal of yours? What was the situation?”

Iron Mountain Tiger said, “They mentioned some damn big project, vague and unclear, and asked me to invite a ‘Formation Master.’ They promised me a hundred million once the job was done.”

Mo Hua raised an eyebrow, “Did you go invite one?”

Iron Mountain Tiger grew angry at this point, “Invite my ass… What kind of project is worth a hundred million? If there really was one, would it even come to me? Not to mention a Formation Master worth a hundred million?”

“The guy who passed me the message was a complete waste too. He had some distant connections with a few powerful figures in Kun Province, but he was just a lapdog at their doorstep—barely worth scraps.”

“Don’t even talk about a hundred million—if he could give me a hundred thousand spirit stones after the job, I’d be burning incense in gratitude.”

“And he’s not the only one. In the two or three hundred years I’ve been in this business, I’ve taken on at least twenty deals worth tens of millions, and not a single one has paid out.”

Iron Mountain Tiger sighed, “These days, it’s all fucking scammers.”

He looked up at Mo Hua and added, “Honest people like you, Brother Black-Faced Fiend, are far too rare.”

Skinny Cicada and Pangolin also nodded repeatedly, cupping their hands respectfully, “Brother Black-Faced Fiend, you’re truly decent.”

Mo Hua didn’t know what to say.

But thinking about it, he really was a decent person, so he nodded as well.

He then said, “When we arrive in Houtu City later, go find Manager Zhao. Each of you can draw two hundred thousand spirit stones for travel expenses, and put it on my tab.”

“Even a hero can be brought down by a single coin. When you’re out in the world, how can you manage without spirit stones?”

Iron Mountain Tiger and the other two were stunned for a moment, muttering, “You… you’re not joking, are you?”

Mo Hua said calmly, “I don’t like to boast.”

The three of them stood there dumbfounded, as if their brains had been eaten by Earth Ghosts, wondering if this Brother Black-Faced Fiend was also a scammer.

Two hundred thousand per person was no small sum. To give it away for no reason?

Though they suspected Mo Hua was tricking them, all three still forced smiles and said, “Thank you, Brother Black-Faced Fiend.”

Whether the spirit stones materialized or not, they still had to acknowledge the gesture.

Mo Hua didn’t say anything more.

The carriage continued into Houtu City, entered the Eastern District, followed the streets to the wealthy market district, and stopped in front of Manager Zhao’s private residence.

Mo Hua and the other three got out of the carriage and entered the courtyard.

Manager Zhao had already received Mo Hua’s message and was waiting there early. When he looked up and saw that all four of them had returned alive, the heavy stone in his heart finally settled.

He even felt a surge of emotion, thinking, “Finally, I see living people.”

Manager Zhao couldn’t help but sigh, “It’s good that you’re back, truly good.”

If they had all died again, his business would be completely finished.

Since they had just returned from Entering the Earth, it wasn’t appropriate to stay long. Iron Mountain Tiger and the other two exchanged a few brief words before standing up to take their leave.

Mo Hua waved his hand, instructing Manager Zhao to “advance” six hundred thousand spirit stones to the three of them so they could settle down first.

Manager Zhao didn’t understand Mo Hua’s intentions, but he didn’t refuse either.

After all, this Young Master Mo was a highly esteemed guest.

Manager Zhao had someone withdraw Spirit stones from Fortune Pavilion and then handed them to Iron Mountain Tiger and his two companions.

Iron Mountain Tiger and the other two never expected that Mo Hua would actually give them Spirit stones.

The three of them held the heavy Spirit stones in their hands as if in a dream, feeling both moved and bittersweet. They looked as if they were hesitating over whether to kneel and acknowledge Mo Hua as their sworn elder brother.

Mo Hua also gave them some medicinal pills to help them recover from their injuries.

Iron Mountain Tiger and the others were already on the verge of tears.

Manager Zhao watched from the side, utterly stunned. He couldn’t understand how these three Tomb Raiders, who were complete strangers and had such rough appearances, had become like this after just one trip Entering the Earth with Mo Hua.

It was as if they were long-lost nephews of this Young Master Mo.

After seeing off Iron Mountain Tiger and the others, Manager Zhao was still somewhat dazed.

It wasn’t until Mo Hua sat down, removed the mask from his face, and revealed his picturesque features that Manager Zhao snapped back to reality. He personally poured a cup of tea for Mo Hua and asked about the main matter: “How was the harvest from this trip Entering the Earth?”

Mo Hua shook his head. “A cursed tomb, an empty coffin, not a single gain.”

Upon hearing this, Manager Zhao’s heart tightened.

The combination of “cursed tomb” and “empty coffin” spoke volumes about the danger involved.

And “not a single gain” made it even more disheartening.

“What about the other person?”

“He died in the tomb, entered the empty coffin, and became a Scapegoat Ghost,” Mo Hua said.

Manager Zhao sighed. “This tomb-raiding business is no easy task—high risk, and not even guaranteed rewards.”

Different people met different ends.

But after a moment’s thought, Manager Zhao added, “Even though there was no gain, at least you returned alive. And three people came back at that—truly something to celebrate.”

Mo Hua retorted, “Am I not a person?”

Manager Zhao was taken aback, then laughed awkwardly. “Young Master Mo, how could you be compared to ordinary people? Your fate is so tough that even Ksitigarbha himself can only stare helplessly.”

Mo Hua didn’t dwell on such trivial matters. After thinking for a moment, he said seriously: “If those three encounter difficulties in the future, Manager Zhao, please lend them a hand.”

“Having Entered the Earth together, we’ve built some rapport. Next time there’s a job like this, calling on them will make things much easier.”

With Mo Hua alone and Iron Mountain Tiger’s group of three, that made four.

They only needed to find one more person to make a full team, greatly reducing the time spent organizing a trip Entering the Earth.

Being familiar with each other and with Mo Hua holding significant authority, it would be much more convenient for future tasks.

Manager Zhao was momentarily surprised. After a brief consideration, he understood Mo Hua’s intention and couldn’t help but nod in admiration: “As expected, Young Master Mo, you think things through thoroughly.”

Mo Hua gave a slight nod.

Afterward, he chatted with Manager Zhao for a while, discussing recent market trends. Seeing that it was getting late and the tea was finished, he changed into casual clothes, bid farewell to Manager Zhao, and vanished from the private residence. He moved through the bustling market district for a moment before reappearing and taking the familiar path back to Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land.

Upon returning to Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land, Mo Hua once again burned incense and bathed, washing away the Corpse Qi, decay, and blood from beneath the earth. Only then did he change into clean clothes, feeling refreshed, and went to see his little senior sister.

Amidst the gentle breeze and mountain charm, Bai Zixi, dressed in a moon-white gown, sat in the courtyard reading a book, her posture elegant and serene.

Seeing Mo Hua enter the courtyard, she finally lifted her gaze from the book and said: “You’re back?”

Mo Hua saw his little senior sister and, for some reason, felt exceptionally serene in his heart. He nodded with a smile, “Yes, I’ve returned.”

Bai Zixi remained silent for a moment, unable to suppress her curiosity, and asked, “What did you do this time? Why did it take so long?”

Mo Hua pondered briefly, then sat at the table and recounted some of his experiences from this trip, selecting those that did not involve secrets, and shared them with his little senior sister.

Mo Hua spoke clearly, and when telling stories, he naturally made them vivid and engaging.

Bai Zixi listened quietly, occasionally asking a few questions, and sometimes gazing at Mo Hua’s bright and clear eyes, like pure moonlight, she would momentarily lose focus.

After speaking for a while, Mo Hua suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, little senior sister, do you know about Fangcùn Mountain?”

“Fangcùn Mountain?”

“Yes.”

Bai Zixi nodded, “I know.”

Mo Hua curiously asked, “Senior sister, have you… been to Fangcùn Mountain?”

Bai Zixi shook her head, “I haven’t gone.”

Mo Hua asked again, “Then do you know where Fangcùn Mountain is?”

Bai Zixi still shook her head, “Fangcùn Mountain is a secluded place, and its gates are not open to outsiders. I have limited experience and don’t know much about Fangcùn Mountain.”

Mo Hua nodded. His little senior sister was extremely diligent in her cultivation, usually staying indoors and rarely venturing out, so it seemed unlikely she would have much interaction with Fangcùn Mountain.

“But…” Bai Zixi said, “My mother seems to be quite familiar with Fangcùn Mountain.”

Mo Hua was taken aback, “Your mother?”

Bai Zixi’s eyes shifted slightly and she gave Mo Hua a light glare.