Chapter 1476: Archive Officer?

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Chapter 1474: Archive Officer?

Five days later, Mo Hua went to Fortune Pavilion again to take on some Spirit stone commissions.

Upon arriving, he found a young man drinking tea with Manager Zhao in the private room on the second floor.

This young man had eyes as dark as lacquer, wore crimson robes and a jade crown, and had a somewhat baby-faced appearance, it was Zhū Mùchén.

He was sipping tea when he looked up and saw Mo Hua walk in. Immediately overjoyed, he said, “Little Senior Brother, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!”

Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. “What brings you here?”

Zhū Mùchén smiled. “I inquired a bit and found out that Little Senior Brother was doing business with Manager Zhao. Since I happened to be visiting Chief Manager, I came by to see if I could run into you—and I really did!”

Zhū Mùchén was clearly delighted.

Manager Zhao glanced at Zhū Mùchén, then at Mo Hua, still unable to suppress his astonishment.

This young master of the Zhū Clan and Young Master Mo were actually this close?

Forget Little Senior Brother, even a blood brother might not be this affectionate.

Manager Zhao secretly clicked his tongue, but he wasn’t one to overstay his welcome. He said, “Young Master Chén, Young Master Mo, please chat first. I have some matters to attend to.”

Mo Hua nodded.

Manager Zhao then left, leaving only Zhū Mùchén and Mo Hua in the private room.

Zhū Mùchén grew even happier and hurriedly said, “Little Senior Brother, please sit, sit.”

He was naturally straightforward, wearing his likes and dislikes plainly on his face.

Mo Hua sat down and asked, “Mùchén, did you come looking for me… for something?”

Zhū Mùchén nodded repeatedly. “Little Senior Brother, over these past few days, I’ve been inquiring and found out that you’re actually making a living all alone here in Kun Province. Although you’re staying in Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land, which is relatively quiet, after all, you’re living under someone else’s roof—it must be uncomfortable. Feathered Ascension experts aren’t easy to get along with either, so there must be many difficulties.”

Zhū Mùchén then began pulling storage bags from his robe, one after another, stacking them into a pile. As he did so, he said: “These past few days, I’ve been thinking about whether there’s anything I can do to help you, Little Senior Brother.”

“Little Senior Brother, see what you’re lacking?”

“Spirit stones, Dao Arts, Formation Diagrams, elixirs… I have them all here… I just took them from the Zhū Clan’s treasure vault.”

Mo Hua looked at the table full of storage bags, momentarily stunned, then felt a warmth in his heart.

This Little Junior Brother Zhū Mùchén truly was a kind-hearted and warm young man.

As his Little Senior Brother, he had actually forgotten about him… how shameful.

However, Mo Hua still shook his head. “I appreciate your kindness, but I can’t accept these things.”

Zhū Mùchén was taken aback. “Little Senior Brother, don’t you need them?”

Especially Spirit stones and Formation Diagrams. Mo Hua urgently needed Spirit stones to feed the Spiritual Skeleton and Formation Diagrams to broaden his knowledge of Formations.

But he absolutely could not take these things from Little Junior Brother Zhū Mùchén. Otherwise, he would truly become a ‘villainous’ scoundrel who harbored ulterior motives and deceived his Little Junior Brother.

Mo Hua said, “You keep them for now. If I need anything, I’ll let you know.”

“Oh,” Zhū Mùchén felt a little disappointed for some reason but still urged, “Little Senior Brother, if you’re lacking anything, you must tell me.”

Mo Hua nodded. “Alright.”

Only then did Zhū Mùchén feel reassured.

Mo Hua picked up the storage bags from the table one by one and tucked them back into Zhū Mùchén’s robe, sighing inwardly. This child’s heart was too pure, he would likely be deceived by others in the future.

Having prepared all these things for so long only for Little Senior Brother to refuse every one of them, Zhū Mùchén felt somewhat dejected.

Then he suddenly remembered something and asked, “Little Senior Brother, what level have you reached in Formations now?”

Mo Hua replied vaguely, “Third-Grade.”

Zhū Mùchén asked, “Have you had it officially graded yet?”

Mo Hua said, “Not yet.”

Zhū Mùchén’s eyes lit up. “Do you need a grading quota?”

Mo Hua was slightly taken aback. “Does your Zhū Clan have an extra one?”

Zhū Mùchén nodded repeatedly. “Yes!”

Now Mo Hua couldn’t help but feel tempted.

In the current Kun Province, resources and upward paths were largely monopolized by aristocratic families and the Earth Sect. For a Formation Master, only by obtaining an official grade and gaining the Dao Court’s endorsement, along with a legitimate identity, could one enter the game and access some higher-level interests.

However…

Mo Hua asked, “Will the higher-ups of the Zhū Clan agree?”

After all, he was an outsider.

Moreover, even obtaining a quota from the Earth Sect or the Lu Clan would require paying a considerable price.

The Zhū Clan likely wouldn’t agree so easily either.

Zhū Mùchén said, “As long as you need it, Little Senior Brother, leave it to me. I’ll wear my father down until he agrees.”

“This…” Mo Hua hesitated.

Zhū Mùchén was still inexperienced in the ways of the world and might not fully understand the interests involved here.

This wasn’t a problem that could be solved simply by wearing someone down.

Even if the Zhū Clan Head doted on his youngest son, it was unlikely he would make any major concessions on this matter.

Still, Mo Hua didn’t want to outright reject Zhū Mùchén’s goodwill.

Besides, this quota was indeed very important to him.

Mo Hua smiled and said, “Then I’ll trouble you with it, but don’t force it—just let it happen naturally.”

Zhū Mùchén, however, looked enthusiastic. “Don’t worry, Little Senior Brother.”

Mo Hua smiled gently.

Afterward, the two drank tea for a while. As they sipped, Zhū Mùchén suddenly remembered something else.

“Oh, there’s one more thing.” He took a mechanical bird from his storage bag and gave it to Mo Hua.

“I made this myself. It’s a bit rough, but I hope you… won’t mind it…”

Zhū Mùchén seemed a little embarrassed.

Mo Hua took the mechanical bird and saw that it was exquisitely crafted, uniquely ingenious, and the joints were still new, likely having been made not long ago.

Mo Hua asked with some surprise, “You made this yourself?”

Zhū Mùchén nodded, then looked at Mo Hua expectantly.

Mo Hua smiled and nodded approvingly. “It’s very well made.”

Receiving his Little Senior Brother’s approval, Zhū Mùchén was truly overjoyed, his face beaming with delight.

Mo Hua looked at Zhū Mùchén and suddenly asked, “Mùchén, do you… like Mechanical Arts?”

“Yes!” Zhū Mùchén nodded. “To be honest with you, Little Senior Brother, nearly twenty percent of my Zhū Clan’s business involves mechanical constructs.”

“Since childhood, I’ve been exposed to many elders skilled in Mechanical Arts, so I’ve been very interested in them since I was young.”

“I don’t like fighting and killing, but creating these intricate mechanisms is fascinating. However…”

Zhū Mùchén sighed.

Mo Hua said, “Your father won’t let you learn it?”

Zhū Mùchén’s eyes lit up, and he nodded with a sigh. “Yes, my father says Mechanical Arts are just minor skills. The foundation of a cultivator lies in cultivation and Dao Arts. For business and establishing a family, strength is the cornerstone. He won’t let me learn these minor arts like Mechanical Arts, fearing I’ll become obsessed with trivial pursuits and neglect the Great Dao of cultivation.”

After saying this, Zhū Mùchén looked at Mo Hua. Though he didn’t say anything more, he seemed to be seeking Mo Hua’s opinion.

Mo Hua then said, “What your father said is actually right.”

Zhu Muchen’s gaze dimmed.

“But that doesn’t mean you can’t study Mechanical Arts,” Mo Hua added.

Zhu Muchen’s eyes lit up again.

Mo Hua’s Divine Thought shifted slightly as he spoke slowly, “All things in this world are born of the Dao. In other words, everything contains the Laws of the Dao. Whether it’s Cultivation Methods, Dao arts, Formations, alchemy, talismans, or artifacts—all these methods are the same, and Mechanical Arts is no exception.”

“If you enjoy Mechanical Arts, just devote yourself to studying it.”

“All paths in the world ultimately lead to the same destination. It’s perfectly acceptable to enter the Dao through Mechanical Arts. There’s no need to force yourself to follow the same path as everyone else.”

Zhu Muchen let out a long sigh of relief in his heart, thinking to himself, Little Senior Brother is truly Little Senior Brother—his words are always so profound.

Mo Hua thought for a moment and added, “When there’s a chance, could I ask you for advice on the methods of Mechanical Arts?”

Zhu Muchen was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes sparkled, “Really?”

Little Senior Brother, a genius in Formations, asking him for advice on Mechanical Arts?!

Mo Hua smiled, “Yes.”

Zhu Muchen was overjoyed and was about to say something more when footsteps suddenly sounded from outside, forcing him to hold his tongue.

Not long after, a knock came at the door. Zhu Muchen said, “Come in.”

A Dark-Robed Elder entered and said to Zhu Muchen, “Young Master Chen, it’s time for us to go pay our respects to the Chief Manager.”

“Oh.” Zhu Muchen understood what the real priority was and reluctantly stood up, cupping his hands toward Mo Hua, “Then, Little Senior Brother, I must take my leave.”

Mo Hua nodded, “Mm, go ahead and attend to your matters.”

Zhu Muchen glanced at Mo Hua somewhat reluctantly before gloomily following the Dark-Robed Elder out.

Before leaving, the Dark-Robed Elder turned back to look at Mo Hua, his gaze solemn and somewhat murky, but he said nothing and left with Zhu Muchen.

After the two had departed, Mo Hua remained where he was, sipping tea while fiddling with the mechanical bird Zhu Muchen had left behind.

Not long after, Manager Zhao returned and sat down beside Mo Hua, pouring himself a cup of tea.

Mo Hua glanced at Manager Zhao and suddenly asked: “What kind of person is your Chief Manager?”

Manager Zhao’s heart trembled, but he calmly drank the tea in his bowl and said indifferently: “The Chief Manager is the helmsman of Fortune Pavilion, a lofty Feather Ascension True Person of high status and authority. As an ordinary manager, I have little contact with the Chief Manager. How could I casually comment?”

Mo Hua asked, “Then what is your Chief Manager’s name?”

Manager Zhao shook his head.

Mo Hua asked again, “What about his surname?”

Manager Zhao sighed, “Once one’s cultivation reaches the Feather Ascension stage, to avoid the cause and effect in the unseen realms, they rarely reveal their name to others. Most go by their titles.”

“Fortune Pavilion deals in business, where interests are involved, ears are everywhere, and cause and effect become even more chaotic. Therefore, we only refer to him as ‘Chief Manager,’ and almost no one knows what his surname actually is.”

Mo Hua nodded.

Manager Zhao asked, “Young Master Mo, why are you suddenly asking about the Chief Manager?”

Mo Hua replied casually, “No reason, just asking.”

“Mm.” Manager Zhao silently drank his tea and said no more.

Mo Hua also took a light sip of tea, his gaze deep and unfathomable, lost in thought.

Seeing this, Manager Zhao felt uneasy and suddenly slapped his thigh, saying, “Ah, right, Young Master Mo, there’s something that might be a bit troublesome.”

Distracted by Manager Zhao’s interruption, Mo Hua was momentarily taken aback.

Manager Zhao asked, “That Zhou Jin… no, Lin Youfang, where is he now?”

Mo Hua didn’t answer but instead asked, “What’s the matter?”

Manager Zhao sighed, “A few days ago, the Dao Court Division came asking.”

Mo Hua’s mind stirred slightly, but his gaze remained calm as he said, “What did the Dao Court Division ask about?”

Seeing no one around, Manager Zhao lowered his voice, “Swallow Street, the Wú Clan’s son-in-law, the massacre case.”

“Oh,” Mo Hua said indifferently, “The massacre case, what does that have to do with your Fortune Pavilion?”

What do you mean, what does it have to do with our Fortune Pavilion?

Manager Zhao wasn’t sure if Young Master Mo was feigning ignorance, so he whispered: “That son-in-law of the Wú Clan, originally surnamed Zhou, had an ancestral tomb in his hometown that was robbed. The Dao Court Division investigated that tomb and followed the trail of the stolen goods… right to Fortune Pavilion.”

Mo Hua was somewhat surprised, “How did you get caught so easily?”

After all, he was an old hand in this business, with connections in both the underworld and the legitimate world. How could he be found out so quickly?

Manager Zhao also had a headache, “I’ve been as careful as I could be. In this line of work, after so many years, I’ve greased so many palms, and the path has always been smooth.”

“But no matter how careful you are, it’s still people doing the work. As long as it’s people doing the work, it’s impossible not to leave traces.”

Mo Hua’s gaze deepened, “It’s not that simple, is it?”

Generally speaking, an old fox like Manager Zhao would have surely greased the palms of the Dao Court Division.

Even if the Dao Court Division investigated, they shouldn’t have traced it to Fortune Pavilion—they also needed to make a living.

And besides…

“Wasn’t it said that the Dao Court Division in Houtu City is full of incompetents?” Mo Hua asked again, “How come their methods are so sharp this time, able to follow the clues all the way here?”

Manager Zhao said, “I heard… there’s been a change of personnel.”

“Change of personnel?” Mo Hua frowned slightly, “Who?”

Manager Zhao replied, “I don’t know. I only heard that a new Archive Officer was transferred from above, specifically to investigate these matters involving the clans.”

Mo Hua was taken aback, “Transferred from where?”

Manager Zhao shook his head, “How would I know? I’m not an insider of the Dao Court Division. But the Archive Officer who came to investigate last time was indeed formidable—cold-faced, tough methods, showing no mercy, sharp as a knife.”

“Oh?” Mo Hua asked, “What’s his name?”

Manager Zhao still shook his head, “Someone transferred from above—how could a mere manager like me know the details? I only heard he seems to be surnamed ‘Gu.'”

“Surnamed Gu…” Mo Hua nodded, lost in thought, then suddenly paused, “Surnamed Gu?”

Manager Zhao nodded, “What’s wrong?”

Mo Hua asked, “Which ‘Gu’?”

Manager Zhao said, “Which ‘Gu’ could it be?”

He dipped his finger in tea and wrote the character Gù on the table.

Mo Hua pinched his fingers, his heart trembling slightly, and muttered softly, “It can’t be… such a coincidence.”

Seeing Mo Hua’s unusual expression, Manager Zhao couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master Mo, what’s wrong?”

Then he paused, instinctively asking, “You wouldn’t happen to know this Archive Officer Gu, would you?”

Mo Hua shook his head, “How could that be? Don’t joke.”

Manager Zhao thought for a moment and nodded.

That seemed right.

No matter how extensive one’s connections were, they couldn’t possibly be that outrageous.

This was a tough character parachuted in by the Dao Court.

Mo Hua asked, “Did this Archive Officer Gu find out anything?”

Manager Zhao shook his head, “A strong dragon doesn’t crush a local snake. He was just asking routine questions. For now, it seems he won’t act without solid evidence.”

“But if he truly takes action, it might be difficult to explain,” Manager Zhao’s gaze turned icy. “At the very least, someone will have to bleed.”

This was a chain of interests. If the Dao Court Division dared to investigate, it would be cutting off someone’s source of wealth.

Cutting off someone’s source of wealth was equivalent to harming their parents, there was never any room for courtesy.

Mo Hua frowned slightly and nodded gently, though he couldn’t help but wonder in his heart:

Could this newly appointed Archive Officer Gù really be…

It probably wouldn’t such a coincidence.

…

Translator Notes:

The Dao Court Division ranks so far:

Qi-Refining = Law Enforcer

Foundation Establishment = Inspector

Golden Core = Magistrate

Feathered Ascension = Supervisor

…

Special ranks (depending on the division branch grade):

Head Law Enforcer (Zhang Lan)

Division Chief (Division Chief Zhou) — Tōngxiān City Division Chief, Foundation Establishment

Overseer Supervisor (Overseer Supervisor Xia) — Not yet confirmed whether this is a special rank, as there has only been one known instance of a Feathered Ascension Dao Court Division officer.

…

In addition, there are the Dao Soldier Division ranks (Soldier, Commander, General, General Commander), as well as Record Officers (Archive Officer, Administrator) and Honorary Consecrators.

…

顾典司

顾 (Gù) — Gu (surname) / look after / care for

典 (Diǎn) — archives / records / canon / ceremony

司 (Sī) — office / bureau / department / administrator

Archive Officer Gu

Records Administrator Gu

Canon Keeper Gu

Ceremonial Official Gu