Chapter 1477: Immortality through Array Formations - Chapter 1475: Wanted
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Chapter 1475: Wanted
Officer Gu…
Mo Hua wanted to ask for more information, but Manager Zhao was also an experienced man of the world. Asking too much would surely make him notice something and become suspicious. In the current situation, with things unclear, it was better not to say too much. Mo Hua silently drank his tea, pretending nothing had happened.
After a while, the Dark-Robed Elder led Zhū Mùchén downstairs, having apparently visited the Chief Manager. Mo Hua glanced upstairs, feeling somewhat curious about the Chief Manager of Fortune Pavilion, but he didn’t act rashly.
Zhū Mùchén wanted to chat more with his Little Senior Brother Mo Hua, but with the Dark-Robed Elder present, many things couldn’t be said. His schedule was tight, and he couldn’t stay long. He could only greet Mo Hua reluctantly, saying: “Little Senior Brother, I have to go now. I’ll come find you next time.”
Mo Hua nodded gently. “Focus on your cultivation.”
“Mm!” Zhū Mùchén nodded.
Afterward, Zhū Mùchén left with the Dark-Robed Elder.
Mo Hua and Manager Zhao handled some Formation orders and settled the payments from the previous tomb-raiding activities, earning about three hundred thousand Spirit stones.
Manager Zhao handed over the Spirit stones readily because he and Mo Hua were essentially accomplices. Whether it was tomb-raiding or drawing Formations, Mo Hua’s earnings were equivalent to his own. The more Mo Hua earned, the more he earned as well. To Manager Zhao, Mo Hua, known in the underworld as the ‘Black-Faced Fiend,’ was undoubtedly a little god of wealth.
After finishing these matters, Mo Hua bid farewell to Manager Zhao. Manager Zhao respectfully escorted this “little god of wealth” out the door.
After leaving Fortune Pavilion and heading toward the Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land, the surrounding markets were bustling, but Mo Hua couldn’t help pondering: “This Officer Gu… Could he really be… Uncle Gù?”
Logically, it shouldn’t be such a coincidence. There were so many people with the surname “Gu” in the world. How could Uncle Gù just happen to be sent here?
But on the other hand, being ‘parachuted’ in at this time clearly meant he was here to ‘take the blame,’ offend people, and shoulder risks. This kind of dirty, exhausting, and dangerous assignment was quite fitting for Uncle Gù’s style.
Mo Hua felt like going to the Dao Court Division to verify it. However, the Dao Court Division in Houtu City was located in the northern part of the central city, relatively close to the Earth Sect but quite far from the Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land.
So far, Mo Hua had never interacted with anyone from the Dao Court Division in Houtu City. In other words, there were no allies of his in Houtu City’s Dao Court Division. Making contact rashly could easily lead to complications.
Moreover, Mo Hua was somewhat self-aware. He was currently considered part of Manager Zhao’s group, a minor leader in tomb-raiding, and somewhat involved in the Wú Clan son-in-law massacre case. He was entangled in unclean cause and effect, making him a figure in the gray underworld.
In such circumstances, it was best to keep some distance from the people of the Dao Court Division—even if this person really was Uncle Gù.
And if this Archive Officer really was Uncle Gù…
Mo Hua stopped in his tracks and looked up at the sky. The surrounding crowds were bustling, and prosperity was everywhere. Yet the white sun hanging in the blue sky seemed unnaturally pale.
Only the passersby, immersed in the worldly hustle and bustle, noticed nothing.
Mo Hua sighed softly.
“In Kun Province now, the Heavenly Secret is stirring restlessly. It’s truly dangerous.”
“Uncle Gù, I hope he doesn’t end up losing his life here.”
Returning to the Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land, Mo Hua consumed another three hundred thousand spirit stones, officially beginning the nurturing of the fourth Hand Yángmíng Meridian Life-Bound Formation.
According to Mo Hua’s estimation, once the fourth Hand Yángmíng Meridian was fully cultivated, he would be able to touch the threshold of the Golden Core middle stage. The Golden Core middle stage was now within reach.
However, three hundred thousand spirit stones truly only marked the beginning—merely a “taste” of what was to come. This spiritual skeleton required a full eight million spirit stones to consume. Even for aristocratic families, this was a substantial sum, let alone for Mo Hua, who was only at the Early Golden Core Stage.
But there was no other way. Mo Hua could only resign himself to it, and the only thing he could do was to seize every moment to earn more spirit stones.
…
A few days later, Mo Hua once again entrusted Manager Zhao to organize a team, joining Iron Mountain Tiger and the others for another tomb-raiding expedition.
Nowadays, his moniker “Black-Faced Fiend” had gained considerable renown in the underworld, carrying significant influence. The message Manager Zhao sent out in the morning had already garnered numerous responses by the afternoon.
Those who had previously raided tombs with Mo Hua, having tasted the rewards, hoped to follow Big Brother Black-Faced Fiend once more. Those who had never teamed up with Mo Hua wished to get acquainted with this leading figure, curious to see if he was as extraordinary as the rumors suggested.
Mo Hua casually selected one person based on his intuition, and two days later, they set off.
This time, the tomb they targeted belonged to another wealthy landlord. During his lifetime, this man was similarly miserly and harsh, despised by many. Fearing that his grave would be desecrated and his corpse whipped after death, he dared not be buried near the village. Instead, he chose a remote, small mountain valley with excellent Feng Shui for his burial.
To ensure peace in the afterlife, he had also set up numerous formations and Feng Shui arrangements outside to conceal traces. However, none of this could deceive Mo Hua.
Through his recent tomb-raiding experiences, Mo Hua had accumulated considerable expertise, further refining his mastery of Earth-Ground Formation techniques. When it came to formations, if Mo Hua couldn’t comprehend or learn them, remaining outside the threshold without finding the way in, that would be one thing. But once he truly glimpsed the path, crossed the threshold, and stepped inside…
With his current divine-sense and comprehension, mastering most formations became almost effortless, progressing by leaps and bounds. Even the profound Earth-Ground Formations were no exception.
Now equipped with his Earth-Ground Formation attainment, Mo Hua could see through ordinary Feng Shui arrangements at a glance. Coupled with the expertise of Iron Mountain Tiger and the other seasoned veterans, this tomb-raiding expedition proceeded just as smoothly as before.
However, this landlord was not as morally bankrupt as Old Rich Zhou and had indulged in extravagance during his lifetime. Thus, after excavating his tomb and plundering the burial goods, the total value amounted to only three to four million spirit stones.
After fencing the stolen goods and accounting for various deductions, each person was estimated to receive around five hundred thousand spirit stones.
Five hundred thousand spirit stones was already a considerable sum. Iron Mountain Tiger and the others wore expressions of delight.
But for Mo Hua, it still felt like a drop in the bucket, far from quenching his thirst. However, one couldn’t become fat with a single bite. Mo Hua could only settle his mind and patiently accumulate the eight million spirit stones bit by bit.
This tomb-raiding expedition concluded successfully. Though there were some dangers, everyone handled them adeptly, and there were no casualties, making it a joyous outcome for all.
Manager Zhao once again hosted a banquet at his private residence to welcome everyone back and celebrate. Manager Zhao still had business to attend to, so after sharing a few rounds of drinks and exchanging pleasantries, he took the stolen goods and returned to the Fortune Pavilion.
Mo Hua, Iron Mountain Tiger, and the others continued feasting, enjoying meat and wine together.
As they drank, Iron Mountain Tiger began toasting Mo Hua, repeatedly flattering him with phrases like “Thanks to you, big brother,” “Big brother’s fortune is boundless,” and “Without your help, we’d be so poor we wouldn’t even have a place to stand.”
Mo Hua listened while sipping his own wine.
Iron Mountain Tiger, thoroughly drunk, sighed casually, “If it weren’t for you, big brother, bringing me into this deal, I’d be Soil Tasting again.”
Mo Hua’s mind stirred slightly, somewhat surprised. “Didn’t you earn over a million before? How are you already Soil Tasting again?”
Iron Mountain Tiger froze, unable to find the words.
Skinny Cicada spoke up, “He spent it all.”
Mo Hua was taken aback. “Over a million, all spent? That fast?”
Truthfully, he himself spent Spirit stones the most extravagantly. But that was due to his Life-Bound Spiritual Skeleton—his Spirit stone consumption was like a bottomless sea. In daily life, Mo Hua was actually quite frugal. If left to his own devices, over a million Spirit stones would last him a very long time. Yet this Iron Mountain Tiger had also spent it so quickly.
Mo Hua stared at Iron Mountain Tiger.
Iron Mountain Tiger mumbled a few words, still unsure how to explain, when Skinny Cicada spoke for him: “He went to a brothel.”
Iron Mountain Tiger immediately flew into a rage, shouting at Skinny Cicada, “You and your big mouth! Exposing me in front of big brother.”
Ever since Mo Hua became their big brother, he was the only one they acknowledged as such. Iron Mountain Tiger no longer dared to claim the title big brother for himself.
Moreover, with everyone drinking, their tongues were even looser.
Mo Hua looked at Iron Mountain Tiger and asked, “Is that true?”
Under Mo Hua’s gaze, Iron Mountain Tiger grew uneasy. “Big brother, don’t listen to Skinny Cicada’s nonsense. It’s not like that.”
Mo Hua pressed, “Did you go or not?”
Iron Mountain Tiger sighed. “I… I wasn’t really going for that. I just happened to be passing by and went in to take a look. But then… that girl was too tempting…”
“That still doesn’t make sense…” Mo Hua mused. “What kind of brothel is so expensive? A million for one visit?”
“Not a million, just a hundred thousand…” Iron Mountain Tiger said.
“A hundred thousand?” Mo Hua was shocked.
Iron Mountain Tiger looked remorseful. “One visit only cost a hundred thousand, but afterward, that girl lay in my arms, her body smooth as silk, her voice soft and coquettish like a tickle. She said her parents were sick, she had a younger sister, life was hard, and she had no one to rely on, so she had to sell herself at the brothel… I thought she was truly pitiful, and in a moment of impulsiveness, I gave her all the Spirit stones I had.”
Mo Hua’s expression turned subtle. “You actually believed her.”
Skinny Cicada and Pangolin also looked disdainful.
Iron Mountain Tiger lamented, “It was only after I left the brothel, when my mind cleared, that I realized what had happened. But at the time…”
Iron Mountain Tiger sighed. “At the time, holding that girl, seeing her naked and pitiful, my mind felt like it had been eaten by a dog. I believed everything she said.”
“Men are just cheap,” Iron Mountain Tiger sighed.
Skinny Cicada retorted, “You’re cheap, don’t drag others into it.”
Iron Mountain Tiger snapped, “Don’t think you’re any better. You’re talking big now because no woman is lying in your arms. If someday a beauty lies in your arms, cooing sweetly to you, your mind will be eaten by a dog too.”
The two of them bickered.
Mo Hua shook his head, sighing inwardly. No wonder some people stay poor their whole lives.
Not being able to earn spirit stones was one thing—at least there was no way to squander them recklessly. But once they did manage to earn spirit stones, they would instantly be led astray by their desires. In a moment of impulsiveness, they would splurge every last spirit stone they had.
Mo Hua said, “Don’t go there next time. Save your spirit stones for making a living and cultivation—do something proper.”
Iron Mountain Tiger and Skinny Cicada could argue and make noise, but they dared not go against Mo Hua’s wishes.
Then, as if afraid of losing face in front of Mo Hua, Iron Mountain Tiger added: “Actually… Big Brother, it’s not that I’m lustful. I went to the brothel to investigate someone. It’s just that I slipped up, got dragged into it by women, and ended up with all my spirit stones drained.”
Mo Hua asked, “Investigate someone?”
“Yes,” Iron Mountain Tiger nodded. “I heard the Dao Court Division is offering a bounty for a thief, and that thief is hiding in a brothel. I wanted to inquire around—if I could find any clues and catch that thief, I’d earn a hefty reward.”
“How much?”
“Four million spirit stones.”
Mo Hua also showed surprise. “Four million?”
“I don’t know if it’s true or not… but that’s what the rumors say.” Iron Mountain Tiger looked at Mo Hua and sighed: “Big Brother, don’t laugh at me. My brothers and I have been taken care of by you, and I thought if I could really get those four million spirit stones, we’d have more to spare. I could even buy something to show my gratitude and repay your kindness.”
Mo Hua didn’t know what to say. No matter how he looked at it, Iron Mountain Tiger still had some good intentions. Of course, whether he was truly investigating someone and only pretending to visit the brothel, or truly visiting the brothel and only pretending to investigate someone—that was anyone’s guess.
Mo Hua said, “I appreciate your goodwill.”
Iron Mountain Tiger still wore a look of regret. Suddenly, a thought occurred to Mo Hua, and he asked, “Which brothel did you visit?”
Iron Mountain Tiger hesitated for a moment before answering, “Jade Fragrance Pavilion.”
“Jade Fragrance Pavilion?” Mo Hua was slightly taken aback. “Not Jade Spring Pavilion?”
Iron Mountain Tiger looked confused. “What’s Jade Spring Pavilion? I checked the entire street and didn’t see any Jade Spring Pavilion.”
Mo Hua frowned slightly. “No Jade Spring Pavilion?”
Iron Mountain Tiger wasn’t sure either and could only say, “Maybe I’m just not experienced enough.”
As an outsider, he couldn’t possibly be familiar with all the local brothels.
Mo Hua then turned to another person at the table. This person was a newcomer on this trip, a local cultivator and an experienced tomb raider. After following Mo Hua, the Black-Faced Fiend, on this venture, he hadn’t exerted much effort but still earned five hundred thousand spirit stones. Naturally, he was overjoyed and had been drinking heavily, now feeling a bit dizzy.
Mo Hua asked him, “Do you know Jade Spring Pavilion?”
The tomb raider was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. “Big Brother, I don’t visit brothels often either, but over all these years, I’ve only heard of Jade Fragrance Pavilion. I’ve never heard of any Jade Spring Pavilion.”
Mo Hua found this even more peculiar. He distinctly remembered hearing the name “Jade Spring Pavilion” from Old Mo and Scholar, those tomb raiders. Why did Iron Mountain Tiger and the others say there was no such brothel?
Seeing Mo Hua deep in thought, Iron Mountain Tiger couldn’t help but lean closer and whisper, “Big Brother, if you really want to…”
Mo Hua’s face darkened.
Iron Mountain Tiger immediately regretted his words. “It’s my fault. I spent all my spirit stones. Otherwise, what a perfect opportunity to flatter Big Brother, and now it’s gone.”
Skinny Cicada and Pangolin’s eyes lit up. “Big Brother, if you really want to…”
Mo Hua said coldly, “Drink your wine.”
Skinny Cicada and the others then looked embarrassed and dared not bring up the matter again.
However, Mo Hua still had some doubts in his heart, feeling that this matter carried a hint of strangeness, so he asked, “The wanted notice you mentioned… was it issued by the Dao Court Division?”
Iron Mountain Tiger nodded, “Yes, big brother.”
Mo Hua said, “What’s the name of the wanted thief?”
Iron Mountain Tiger took out a picture from his pocket and handed it to Mo Hua. The picture depicted a handsome man with a long face, an unfamiliar appearance, and a slightly frivolous look.
“The one I found out about is this person,” Iron Mountain Tiger said, “His real name is unknown, but his underworld alias is Liǔ Sān.”
“Liǔ Sān…” Mo Hua’s gaze darkened slightly, “An ordinary alias… What major crime did he commit for the Dao Court Division to offer such a high bounty for him?”
Iron Mountain Tiger shook his head, “I don’t know.”
He only cared about capturing the person and claiming the reward, and couldn’t be bothered to find out what Liǔ Sān had done.
Mo Hua nodded slightly.
Iron Mountain Tiger added, “Big brother, if you want it, this wanted notice is yours. However, I obtained it through underworld connections. Although it bears the Dao Court Division’s seal, it might not be genuine.”
Mo Hua was puzzled, “There are fakes?”
Iron Mountain Tiger explained, “This is a dark seal—a wanted document privately issued by the Dao Court Division, not through official channels.”
“Whether it’s real or fake depends entirely on the Dao Court Division’s word. Whether you can capture the person and, after capturing them, whether you can exchange them for spirit stones also depends entirely on your own capabilities.”
Mo Hua thought for a moment and nodded, “I understand.”
After that, Iron Mountain Tiger said nothing more. He operated through connections in the underworld and could occasionally get his hands on such wanted notices, but he himself had never cashed in a single spirit stone from them.
Now that Mo Hua wanted it, he naturally gave it to him. Being able to offer something to Black-Faced Fiend, even if it was just a wanted notice obtained through shady connections, was something Iron Mountain Tiger was more than willing to do.
Mo Hua, however, looked at the wanted notice, his thoughts racing: “The Dao Court Division, a dark order, Liǔ Sān, a four million spirit stone bounty… Jade Fragrance Pavilion.”
“Jade Fragrance Pavilion… Jade Spring Pavilion… only one character difference in the names.”
Mo Hua’s gaze sharpened, “I need to investigate this.”
Four million spirit stones, whether real or fake, were worth looking into. Not to mention, this likely involved the “Jade Spring Pavilion,” which he had been concerned about for some time.