Chapter 1473: Young Master Chén

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Chapter 1471: Young Master Chén

This young master dressed in crimson robes and a jade crown, with eyes as dark as lacquer, gazed intently at Mo Hua, his face filled with delight and anticipation as he called out, “Little Senior Brother!”

Mo Hua, however, froze.

His Sea of Consciousness began to race, his Divine Thoughts darting like shuttles. He even employed the Heavenly Secret Derivative Algorithm and the Heavenly Secret Deceptive Algorithm, hoping to trace back the past, recall the boy’s identity through subtle clues.

Unfortunately, nothing came to mind.

The boy clearly sensed something, and the smile on his face faded slightly.

“Little Senior Brother… you don’t recognize me?”

Mo Hua was about to offer a well-intentioned lie.

But while lying to others wouldn’t make him bat an eye, deceiving his own Little Junior Brother would weigh on his conscience and fill him with guilt.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, a voice suddenly asked, “Young Master Chén, who is this gentleman?”

Mo Hua turned toward the voice and saw a family elder with a shrewd gaze, sporting a mustache and dressed in dark robes, walking over slowly.

The jade-crowned boy glanced at Mo Hua and hesitated, “He’s… my Little Senior Brother… I think.”

The Dark-Robed Elder looked sharply at Mo Hua, scrutinizing him for a moment before suddenly realizing, “Could it be… Mo Hua, the esteemed disciple of the Great Void Sect who shone brilliantly at the Sword Debate Grand Tournament?”

Mo Hua cupped his hands in salute. “You flatter me.”

The Dark-Robed Elder put on a smile and praised, “Truly a handsome and remarkable talent. My family’s Young Master Chén often speaks of you, young master Mo, with nothing but praise, saying that you are a genius rarely seen in the world…”

Mo Hua humbly replied, “You overpraise me.”

The Dark-Robed Elder then glanced at Young Master Chén beside him, noticing his somewhat despondent expression and silence. He turned back to Mo Hua and said, “This old man has some trivial matters to attend to and won’t disturb you further, Master Mo. Another day, I must invite you to our residence as a gesture of hospitality.”

Mo Hua nodded. “Thank you.”

After that, the Dark-Robed Elder led the jade-crowned boy upstairs in the Fortune Pavilion.

The jade-crowned boy glanced at Mo Hua, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, but ultimately said nothing and left with the Dark-Robed Elder.

Mo Hua watched the boy’s retreating figure, sighed silently to himself, and gradually furrowed his brow.

“Which Little Junior Brother was that, exactly?”

“How could I not recognize him?”

All the way from leaving the Fortune Pavilion to returning to the Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land, Mo Hua pondered this matter, his brow remaining furrowed.

Even as he sat in the courtyard of Little Luan Mountain, Mo Hua still wore a look of confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

A voice, cool yet gentle, sounded.

Mo Hua looked up and saw a flawless, jade-like face and a pair of eyes as clear and shimmering as autumn water. He was momentarily stunned before sighing, “Hah.”

Bai Zixi didn’t press further. Instead, she sat down beside Mo Hua, poured a cup of tea, and sipped it gracefully and quietly.

Mo Hua looked at Bai Zixi’s demeanor, hesitated, but finally spoke up, “Today, I ran into a Little Junior Brother, but I didn’t recognize him.”

Bai Zixi glanced at him coolly. “You couldn’t recognize your own Little Junior Brother?”

In this world, was there anyone who couldn’t recognize their own Little Junior Brother?

Mo Hua nodded and sighed, “I have… too many Little Junior Brothers.”

Bai Zixi was slightly surprised. “How many?”

Mo Hua thought for a moment and said, “There are about a thousand proper little junior brothers. If we include those temporarily transferred from the Tài’ā Sect and the Chōngxū Sect, the total might reach four or five thousand.”

Bai Zixi’s eyes flickered with surprise. “You have that many little junior brothers?”

Mo Hua nodded.

After a moment of astonishment, Bai Zixi couldn’t help but glance at Mo Hua and said, “You’re quite impressive. I only have you as my little junior brother, yet you have several thousand.”

Mo Hua felt a hint of pride, but then his expression turned somewhat dejected as he sighed, “There are too many little junior brothers, so sometimes I can’t remember who’s who. When that happens, it gets really awkward.”

Bai Zixi could only sympathize helplessly.

She spent her days in seclusion, cultivating and rarely going out. The cultivators she occasionally met were mostly women, so it was impossible for her to know who Mo Hua’s little junior brothers were.

Bai Zixi glanced at Mo Hua again and said, “You can think it over slowly. I’m going to study.”

“Oh,” Mo Hua replied, looking rather troubled.

Bai Zixi shook her head, stood up, and left, leaving Mo Hua alone in the courtyard, still trying to recall who his little junior brother was.

The fact that he couldn’t remember who his little junior brother was weighed heavily on Mo Hua’s mind.

He decided to rely on himself to figure out the identity of this little junior brother.

With so many little junior brothers, he might encounter this situation again in the future. He had to find a way to solve this memory problem.

So Mo Hua spent another night thinking, but in the end, he still failed.

He still couldn’t remember who this little junior brother called “Young Master Chén” was.

Mo Hua had no choice but to admit defeat and go ask someone.

…

The next day, he went to the Fortune Pavilion again, pulled Manager Zhao—who was still busy with business—into a private room on the second floor, and asked, “Yesterday, I met a young master at your Fortune Pavilion. He was accompanied by a Dark-Robed Elder and was called Young Master Chén. Do you know who he is?”

Manager Zhao was taken aback. “Who?”

Previously, Manager Zhao had always escorted Mo Hua to the main entrance. But now that they were familiar, Manager Zhao no longer stood on ceremony and only saw Mo Hua to the staircase, just to show courtesy.

The same had happened yesterday. Manager Zhao had only escorted Mo Hua to the staircase and hadn’t gone to the main hall, so he hadn’t seen the ‘Young Master Chén‘ in person.

Mo Hua then described Young Master Chén’s appearance and the look of the elder accompanying him.

Manager Zhao frowned deeply. “This… I don’t really have any impression.”

Mo Hua said, “You’re the manager, dealing with guests all the time. How can you not have an impression?”

Manager Zhao sighed. “I’m just the manager. In this Houtu City, there are so many noble families, so many young masters, and some with prestigious identities rarely show themselves in public. How could I possibly know every single one?”

Manager Zhao also felt somewhat troubled.

Mo Hua nodded and added, “Can you make some inquiries, then?”

Manager Zhao looked suspicious. “You’re not planning to harm someone, are you?”

Mo Hua sighed. “Do I look like that kind of person?”

Manager Zhao muttered to himself, feeling it was hard to say. He had once thought that this Young Master Mo was an upright and kind-hearted young man, but now that perception was beginning to waver.

After all, someone who could go into a dungeon with five people and return alone, causing the deaths of many while remaining unscathed, and even making tough characters like Iron Mountain Tiger obey him—such a person couldn’t possibly be as simple as he appeared on the surface.

It’s just a pity that as the manager, he couldn’t enter the tomb himself, so he had no way of knowing the details or what exactly this Young Master Mo had done to make Iron Mountain Tiger and the other two, as well as that ambiguous figure Lín Youfāng, obey him so completely.

Manager Zhao then tentatively asked, “What is your relationship with this Young Master Chén?”

Mo Hua replied, “We can be considered acquaintances.”

“Acquaintances who don’t recognize each other? Isn’t that a joke?” Manager Zhao didn’t believe it.

Mo Hua glanced at Manager Zhao indifferently.

Manager Zhao felt a chill in his heart, realizing that Young Master Mo was growing impatient, and sighed: “Alright, I’ll go and inquire, but I don’t know every young master from noble families. I can’t guarantee I’ll find out anything.”

“Mm.” Mo Hua nodded.

Over the next two days, Manager Zhao indeed made inquiries and then sent a message to Mo Hua via the Message Transmission Token: “I’ve found out.”

Mo Hua asked, “Who is it?”

Manager Zhao replied, “It’s not convenient to discuss in detail through the Message Transmission Token. Come to Fortune Pavilion.”

So Mo Hua had to make another trip to Fortune Pavilion.

Because he was visiting Fortune Pavilion so frequently, it almost felt like his second home in Kun Province.

Upon arriving at Fortune Pavilion, Manager Zhao led Mo Hua into the secret chamber again, frowning as he said, “I’ve inquired. This Young Master Chén might be the youngest son of the Zhū Clan, named ‘Zhū Mùchén’.”

“Zhū Mùchén…” Mo Hua frowned, still having no recollection of the name.

During his time at the Great Void Sect, he didn’t seem to have heard this name.

Mo Hua asked, “You mean he’s the youngest son of the Zhū Clan?”

Manager Zhao nodded, “Yes, this Young Master Chén is the youngest son of the Zhū Clan’s patriarch, so he’s deeply doted on. He rarely appears in public and has little contact with outsiders, which is why most people don’t know him… It took me quite a while to uncover even a little clue.”

“Moreover, the Zhū Clan is located in the southern part of the city, while Fortune Pavilion is in the east. The southern district has its own markets, so generally, members of the Zhū Clan from the south rarely come to the eastern district.”

Mo Hua nodded slightly, “Then what was this Young Master Chén doing at your Fortune Pavilion a few days ago?”

Manager Zhao said, “How would I know?”

He then added, “And even if I did know, I certainly couldn’t say.”

After all, business matters were confidential, and Mo Hua understood this well.

Manager Zhao glanced at Mo Hua and asked quietly, “Young Master Mo, are you and Young Master Chén fellow disciples?”

Mo Hua was somewhat surprised and asked, “How did you know?”

Manager Zhao replied, “Some time ago, someone overheard Young Master Chén calling you ‘Little Senior Brother’.”

Manager Zhao naturally had ways of finding out such information.

Mo Hua nodded, “You could say that.”

Manager Zhao looked at Mo Hua, thinking to himself that this Young Master Mo’s background was truly mysterious—how could he be connected to such a variety of people?

But he couldn’t help reminding him: “Young Master Mo, don’t blame me for speaking out of turn.”

“Fellow disciples are fellow disciples, and noble clans are noble clans. When you’re fellow disciples, everyone is young, focused solely on cultivation, and relationships are relatively simple.”

“But once you leave the sect and step into the world of fame and fortune, many things inevitably change. That’s just human nature.”

“Young Master Chén’s status is unusual, and he’s no longer the same as before. If you interact with him, you must be cautious, especially since behind Young Master Chén stands the entire Zhū Clan.”

What Manager Zhao said was simply a reflection of human nature.

Moreover, among the great clans of Kun Province, although there are mediocre descendants, the higher-ups are each more astute than the last.

Mo Hua sighed, “I understand, thank you, Manager Zhao.”

This was all Manager Zhao could find out.

After returning to the minor blessed land, Mo Hua still felt somewhat concerned about this matter.

“Zhū Mùchén.”

In his memory, he seemed to have had little interaction with this junior brother named Zhū Mùchén.

He also did not know about this junior brother’s recent situation.

During their brief encounter that day, he had not recognized this junior brother. When he left, his disappointed expression clearly indicated that he was quite bothered by it.

Mo Hua sighed softly.

He hoped this junior brother would not hold it against him.

…

At the same time, in the southern part of Houtu City.

Within the Zhū Clan’s inner courtyard, surrounded by red walls and tall buildings.

In an elegant and luxurious study, a jade-crowned youth named Zhū Mùchén was being instructed by the Dark-Robed Elder:

“The Chief Manager of Fortune Pavilion, the Chief Director of the Dao Court Division, the Archive Officers with real authority, the leaders of various industries… all have been visited.”

“In addition, there are some clan heads and reclusive masters… these days, you must meet and pay respects to them one by one, so as not to be discourteous.”

Zhū Mùchén responded indifferently.

Seeing the still somewhat youthful face of Zhū Mùchén, the Dark-Robed Elder sighed: “These are all the clan head’s instructions, Young Master Chén. Please put in a bit more effort. You don’t need to excel in socializing, but at least leave a decent impression… This will make arranging a marriage alliance much easier later.”

Zhū Mùchén, however, said, “I will not arrange a marriage alliance.”

The Dark-Robed Elder replied, “Arranging marriage alliances among clans is customary; no one can avoid it. The clan head is doing this for your own good.”

Zhū Mùchén fell silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Seeing his displeasure, the Dark-Robed Elder did not press further, lest he provoke the young master’s resentment.

Many things were actually proceeding according to higher intentions; no one could change them, and saying more was meaningless.

Zhū Mùchén, clearly unconcerned with these matters, instead frowned as if preoccupied with something else.

The Dark-Robed Elder had seen this expression many times before. His eyes flickered, and he lowered his voice, “Young Master, are you thinking about that… Young Master Mo?”

Zhū Mùchén was taken aback, his expression turning displeased, but he did not answer.

Sensing something, the Dark-Robed Elder asked solemnly, “Is that Young Master Mo truly your… Little Senior Brother?”

Zhū Mùchén’s face instantly darkened further.

But he still replied, “Yes.”

The Dark-Robed Elder shook his head, his aged voice speaking slowly: “From what I saw of his demeanor, it seemed he did not regard you highly, Young Master. He might not even remember who you are.”

These words pierced Zhū Mùchén’s heart like needles.

These past days, he had found it difficult to sleep each night. Whenever he recalled how his Little Senior Brother, whom he genuinely admired, had looked at him with such unfamiliar, distant, and somewhat bewildered eyes, his heart ached, and disappointment overwhelmed him.

He recognized him as his Little Senior Brother.

But he… might not recognize him as his Little Junior Brother.

Sensing Young Master Chén’s thoughts keenly, the Dark-Robed Elder sighed and said: “After all, sects and clans are different.”

“The camaraderie within sects is sometimes just a beautiful yet fleeting illusion.”

“Once one leaves the sect and experiences the hardships and treacherous schemes of the world, people inevitably grow cold and distant without even realizing it.”

“It’s not that Young Master Mo’s fault. Human nature is just like that.”

“Young Master Chén, you shouldn’t take it to heart either. Don’t place too much importance on these people and matters.”

These words made Zhū Mùchén feel a bit better, and his gaze grew slightly colder.

Once he calmed down, Zhū Mùchén reflected on the past and couldn’t help but sigh, admitting: “Perhaps it really was me… overthinking things. Looking back now, when I was in the Great Void Sect, I actually didn’t have much interaction with Little… Senior Brother Mo.”

“When they went on missions to earn merits, I never followed along; when they ate and drank together, I only sat in the distance.”

“Even at the Sword Debate Grand Tournament, I didn’t perform well and was eliminated early… I could only watch from the corner.”

Little Senior Brother… was just what I thought of him. In reality, there was hardly any interaction between him and his “Little Senior Brother.”

Thinking of these past events, Zhū Mùchén’s heart grew even colder.