Chapter 1480: Who Is It?
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Chapter 1478: Who Is It?
True Person Rong stood there in a daze, silent for a long time. Only her constantly shifting gaze revealed the turmoil in her heart.
“True Person Rong, is this acceptable?”
Upon hearing this, True Person Rong was startled. She turned to look at Mo Hua, only then noticing him as he asked her with a puzzled expression.
Although Mo Hua had some confidence in his own Formation, the Divine Concealment disguise he had designed also contained extraordinary and mystical techniques.
However, he wasn’t entirely certain about the final effect, whether it could truly deceive everyone.
Thus, he needed True Person Rong to take a look and see if she could recognize Little Senior Sister.
If even True Person Rong, who spent every day with Little Senior Sister, couldn’t distinguish the truth from the illusion, then generally speaking, going out for a stroll or shopping shouldn’t pose any problems.
Seeing Mo Hua’s question, True Person Rong turned to look at Bai Zixi again.
Or rather, she gazed at the ‘young master’ before her, who appeared transcendent and jade-like, and the more she looked, the more astonished she felt.
Because it truly was difficult to tell the difference.
Using “nonexistence” as the foundation and “illusion” as the existence.
Bai Zixi’s true form had already been concealed by Divine Concealment, equivalent to a state of ‘nonexistence.’
What was displayed on the outside was merely a ‘facade.’
Even if one saw through the facade, the essence was ‘nothingness,’ making it impossible to discern the true form.
Mo Hua’s mystical techniques, combined with some treasures Zixi herself possessed to conceal her aura and confuse perception, layered together like this…
If they were strangers meeting by chance, True Person Rong would never have imagined that the jade-like young master before her was Zixi, whom she guarded day and night.
Even if the aura felt somewhat similar and she harbored some suspicions, she had no way to verify them.
True Person Rong frowned deeply.
She very much wanted to ask Mo Hua whether this application of the Laws—concealing existence and nonexistence, exchanging reality and illusion, and using truth and falsehood as appearances—was something he had intentionally designed after comprehending the Laws, or if it had emerged unconsciously, almost instinctively.
If it was intentional, it would be terrifying for a Golden Core cultivator to have grasped the Laws to such an extent.
But if it wasn’t, if he had created it unconsciously, naturally, without deliberate thought, then it might be… even more terrifying.
True Person Rong gave Mo Hua a deep look, but in the end, burdened with concerns, she didn’t voice her question.
Mo Hua, unaware of True Person Rong’s many thoughts, was only concerned about Little Senior Sister. Seeing that True Person Rong seemed lost in thought, he asked again: “True Person, is this acceptable?”
True Person Rong didn’t want to tell the truth, but she couldn’t lie either. After a moment of silence, she sighed and said: “It is… convincing enough to pass for the real thing.”
Hearing this, Mo Hua’s expression brightened with joy.
Even Bai Zixi, after a moment of slight surprise, had a gleam in her eyes.
She hadn’t expected that Little Junior Brother’s methods could truly deceive True Person Rong.
“No,” True Person Rong still shook her head.
Bai Zixi remained silent, her expression cold and clearly unhappy again.
True Person Rong sighed, her tone softening as she persuaded: “Even if you can disguise yourself and no one recognizes you, there’s still great danger. Not to mention going to such a filthy, chaotic place like that.”
Bai Zixi looked at Mo Hua, as if asking, “Then, are you going?”
How could Mo Hua not go?
He sighed and said to True Person Rong, “True Person, I’ll take care of Senior Sister. I’ll stay with her the whole time and definitely won’t let her come to any harm.”
Bai Zixi was at the Golden Core middle stage, while Mo Hua was only at the Early Golden Core Stage.
Yet these words were spoken as if they were entirely natural.
True Person Rong frowned, still hesitant, and asked Mo Hua again, “Are you absolutely determined to go to that place?”
Mo Hua nodded. “The Jade Fragrance Pavilion has some shady dealings, and there’s a four-million bounty criminal involved. I must go and investigate. It’s truly serious business, not for amusement.”
True Person Rong had nothing more to say.
If Mo Hua insisted on going, Zixi would most certainly follow. Trying to dissuade her would be futile.
If this Mo Hua were her own nephew, it would be simple—she could just give him a beating, lock him up, and be done with it.
But Mo Hua was not. Though his cultivation was not particularly high and he was still young, there was an air of strangeness about him everywhere. True Person Rong truly did not dare to lay a hand on him.
After much deliberation, True Person Rong sighed helplessly. “Fine, do as you please.”
The children had grown up, their hearts had grown wild, and they were beyond control.
“However,” True Person Rong added, cautioning Mo Hua, “remember, you must take good care of your senior sister. Stay by her side at all times, and don’t let anything happen to her.”
Mo Hua nodded. “Don’t worry, True Person Rong.”
True Person Rong then turned to Zixi and sighed. “You… keep a low profile, don’t cause trouble, and be careful.”
“Mm,” Bai Zixi nodded, her eyes gleaming brightly, like a stunning phoenix about to break free from its cage.
True Person Rong watched her, feeling even more helpless.
Afterward, True Person Rong gave the two some calming pill medicine, protective talisman seals, an Earth Sect token, and a jade slip inscribed with her own handwriting to ward off any unnecessary trouble.
Once these preparations were complete, True Person Rong reluctantly summoned a carriage, allowing Mo Hua and Bai Zixi to leave the Little Luan Mountain Blessed Land discreetly.
After all this, True Person Rong stood on the high mountain pavilion, watching the carriage carrying Mo Hua and Bai Zixi gradually fade into the distance.
Mo Hua and Zixi, two grown children fooling around, was one thing.
But how had she herself…
True Person Rong couldn’t help but sigh again: “Everything’s in chaos.”
…
Inside the unassuming yet luxurious and comfortable carriage.
Mo Hua occasionally glanced at the ‘Young Master Bai’ sitting beside him, feeling a slight sense of strangeness and even more disbelief.
He had actually… really brought Little Senior Sister out with him.
Mo Hua gently pinched his own arm. It hurt a little, so it probably wasn’t a dream.
Lost in thought, Mo Hua suddenly heard a clear, moon-like voice, slightly androgynous and somewhat magnetic, whisper in his ear: “Junior Brother Mo.”
Mo Hua was startled and turned to look at the handsome and carefree Little Senior Sister beside him.
“What about Xiao Ju?”
They had never told Xiao Ju about their plan to disguise themselves and visit the brothel from start to finish.
Xiao Ju spent her days tending to her precious orange tree, completely unaware. She was probably still watering it right now.
Mo Hua sighed. “There’s no other way. We couldn’t bring Xiao Ju along.”
They were going to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, a place of ill repute, filled with all sorts of people, unclean and potentially dangerous.
Bai Zixi said, “Xiao Ju will be angry, won’t she?”
Mo Hua replied, “It’s fine. We’ll bring her some treats when we return and coax her a bit.”
He had some experience with this sort of thing.
“Mm,” Bai Zixi nodded softly.
After that, the two fell silent, and the carriage grew inexplicably quiet.
Sitting in the carriage, Bai Zixi looked at the Little Junior Brother before her, her heart stirring with a strange sense of novelty, anticipation, and even a forbidden dissonance.
Having been in Kun Province for so long, this was the first time she had ventured out on her own—and with her Little Junior Brother, no less.
Before this, it was something she had never even dared to imagine.
The sky was high, the clouds distant, and the joys and sorrows, partings and reunions of the human world were unpredictable, with fate uncertain.
After parting at Cloud Sea back then, for a long time, Bai Zixi had thought she might never see her Little Junior Brother again in her lifetime.
A farewell in youth could very well be a farewell forever.
Yet she never expected that, with the world changing so unpredictably, her Little Junior Brother would now inexplicably be taking her out to “play.”
In a daze, Bai Zixi also felt as if she were in a dream.
The scene before her seemed both real and illusory, as if she had returned to her childhood, cultivating with her Little Junior Brother in Tongxian City, carefree and untroubled.
It was nearing evening, the setting sun sinking, its brilliant afterglow shining through the carriage window onto Mo Hua’s bright and handsome face.
Just like back then, when she first saw the sunset spreading across the sky at Forgetful meditation abode Mountain in Tongxian City, and the childhood Little Junior Brother with his bright eyes and gleaming teeth.
Bai Zixi’s feelings grew deeper in her heart, and she became somewhat lost in thought.
Mo Hua also felt an inexplicable tremor in his heart and turned to look at his Little Senior Sister.
At this moment, his Little Senior Sister was disguised as ‘Young Master Bai,’ wearing a Painted Skin Mask crafted by Mo Hua, making her expression unreadable. Only her eyes, like water, shimmered enchantingly.
Mo Hua suppressed his stirring emotions and asked with some confusion, “Little Senior Sister? What’s wrong?”
Bai Zixi collected her thoughts, her gaze turning serious as she said, “It’s nothing.”
However, she still instinctively averted her eyes, avoiding Mo Hua’s gaze.
Seeing that Mo Hua seemed lost in thought, as if pondering something, Bai Zixi asked him, “Are we going directly to Jade Fragrance Pavilion?”
Mo Hua was pulled from his thoughts and, after a moment’s consideration, said, “I’ve never been to Jade Fragrance Pavilion. I’m not familiar with it.”
Bai Zixi silently watched Mo Hua.
Mo Hua insisted, “I really haven’t been there. I really don’t know it.”
Bai Zixi replied, “Mm.”
Mo Hua sighed helplessly, “So, I need to find someone familiar with it to guide us.”
Bai Zixi was somewhat curious, “Who?”
Originally, Mo Hua had planned to have Iron Mountain Tiger guide him, while he would appear at Jade Fragrance Pavilion under the identity of “Black-Faced Fiend.”
It would be Black-Faced Fiend visiting Jade Fragrance Pavilion, having nothing to do with him, Mo Hua.
But now, with the situation changed and his Little Senior Sister accompanying him, Mo Hua had no choice but to alter his plans temporarily.
Mo Hua said, “An acquaintance. You’ll know in a moment.”
“An acquaintance?” Bai Zixi’s eyes flickered slightly, and she roughly understood, nodding in acknowledgment.
The carriage traveled all the way to the eastern part of the city, stopping in front of a gambling den.
Mo Hua counted on his fingers and said, “This is the place.” He then jumped down from the carriage, turned around, and extended his hand to help his Little Senior Sister alight.
As soon as he reached out, Mo Hua paused, realizing that his Little Senior Sister possessed exceptional talent and practiced Dual Cultivation of Spiritual Power and Body, making her physique far stronger than his own.
Mo Hua hesitated, wondering if he should withdraw his hand.
But Bai Zixi glanced at Mo Hua’s hand, hesitated for a moment, then extended her slender palm and placed it in his.
Mo Hua held his Little Senior Sister’s hand as if holding a piece of fine jade or smooth silk—soft, tender, and delicate. His heartbeat quickened slightly, and even his face flushed a little.
Fortunately, the sky was growing dark, with the afterglow of sunset hanging in the air, making it unnoticeable.
Bai Zixi’s eyes also flickered briefly.
Mo Hua helped his Little Senior Sister down from the carriage, and the two entered the gambling den.
Inside the gambling den, although it was grand and opulent, with gold and silver covering the floors, it was also crowded and noisy. Many were immersed in the fluctuations of gains and losses, their emotions rising and falling intensely.
Mo Hua slightly furrowed his brow. As a cultivator of the Divine-Sense path, he disliked such places of chaotic thoughts.
Bai Zixi, however, looked quite intrigued, watching the hall full of gamblers as if observing a group of “monkeys.”
With a sweep of his gaze, Mo Hua spotted a carefree and unrestrained-looking white-robed cultivator at a corner gambling table, boasting loudly while gambling heavily.
This person was none other than Bai XiaoSheng.
Mo Hua made his way through the crowd, stepped forward, and patted Bai XiaoSheng on the shoulder.
Bai Zixi silently followed behind Mo Hua but remained quiet.
Bai XiaoSheng was in the midst of enjoying his gambling when he suddenly felt someone pat his shoulder. Annoyed, he turned to look and found it was that troublemaker Mo Hua, which only deepened his displeasure.
“What is it? Don’t disturb my cultivation.”
Mo Hua glanced at the dice in his hand and said calmly, “Do the elders in your family know you cultivate like this?”
Bai XiaoSheng rolled his eyes. “What’s it to you?”
Mo Hua replied, “I have serious business with you.”
Bai XiaoSheng frowned. “You? Serious business? With me?”
Mo Hua nodded.
“What is it?” Bai XiaoSheng asked.
Mo Hua looked around and said, “It’s not convenient here. Let’s talk somewhere else.”
Bai XiaoSheng glanced at the cards in his hand, clearly reluctant.
Mo Hua gave him a sidelong glance. “That’s enough. If you keep gambling, you’ll lose.”
Bai XiaoSheng sneered. “Are you the heavens? If you say I’ll lose, I’ll lose?”
With that, he slammed his cards onto the table and pushed his chips forward.
But halfway through, Bai XiaoSheng suddenly shuddered and pulled his chips back, thinking to himself:
This Mo Hua is a bit of an odd one. A wise man knows when to yield; there’s no need to argue with him.
Bai XiaoSheng said, “Fine, no more gambling. Let’s talk somewhere else.”
Mo Hua nodded and led Bai XiaoSheng to the carriage.
Bai Zixi still followed without a word.
Inside the carriage, Bai XiaoSheng glanced at this ‘Young Master Bai’ with some surprise.
But considering Mo Hua’s mysterious background and extensive connections, it wasn’t strange for him to know some handsome young masters.
Bai XiaoSheng didn’t pay it much mind and instead asked Mo Hua, “What is it?”
Mo Hua said, “Take me to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion.”
Bai XiaoSheng felt a headache coming on. “Why are you bringing this up again?”
Mo Hua replied, “It’s serious business. I must go.”
Bai XiaoSheng sighed helplessly. “Can’t you go by yourself?”
Mo Hua said, “I’m not familiar with the place. I need someone who knows the ropes to guide me.”
Bai XiaoSheng’s face darkened, and he quickly said, “I’m not familiar with it either.”
Mo Hua sighed. “Don’t be modest. You even compiled the Kun Province’s Top Ten Beauties list, and you’ve shown me portraits of the courtesans.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Zixi’s gaze sharpened, and she couldn’t help but glance at Bai XiaoSheng.
Bai XiaoSheng inexplicably felt a bit of pressure, his heart slightly uneasy, though he couldn’t pinpoint where the pressure came from. He could only sigh and say, “Find someone else… You’ve been in Houtu City for so long; it’s impossible you only know me who’s been to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion.”
I originally wanted to find someone else, but…
Mo Hua sighed. “The situation is special. Right now, I can only ask you.”
Bai XiaoSheng was about to refuse again.
But Mo Hua added, “I’ll pay.”
Bai XiaoSheng was taken aback. “You’ll pay?”
Mo Hua nodded. “I’ll pay.”
Bai XiaoSheng probed, “No matter how much?”
Mo Hua nodded, confirming, “However many Spirit stones you spend tonight, I’ll cover it.”
Bai XiaoSheng asked, “What if I want to see the courtesan…”
Mo Hua said, “Even if you want to see the courtesan, I’ll foot the bill.”
Bai XiaoSheng was stunned.
Had the sun risen from the west? Was Mo Hua out of his mind today?
Why was he being so generous?
Was he trying to trick me?
Bai XiaoSheng asked timidly, “Really?”
Mo Hua nodded. “A man of honor stands by his word.”
Seeing Mo Hua like this, Bai XiaoSheng felt somewhat tempted.
He had already gone this far, refusing would seem a bit…
After a moment of thought, Bai XiaoSheng gritted his teeth and said, “In that case, fine, I’ll take you there!”
Mo Hua nodded. “Good!”
Once they reached an agreement, things became much easier.
And the thought of going to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion with Mo Hua footing the bill, allowing him to freeload, made Bai XiaoSheng feel inexplicably pleased. He turned to look at the young man beside Mo Hua, feeling a bit puzzled, and asked: “Will this young master… also be joining us at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion?”
Bai Zixi nodded. “Yes.”
Bai XiaoSheng didn’t mind. After all, Mo Hua was paying, one guest or two, it made no difference.
He casually asked, “May I ask your surname, young master?”
Bai Zixi replied, “Bai.”
“Bai?” Bai XiaoSheng was taken aback, thinking to himself:
What a coincidence? Also surnamed Bai? Just like me?
Who is he… and how did he end up hanging out with that scoundrel Mo Hua?
Bai XiaoSheng was puzzled, but it wasn’t appropriate to ask further since they weren’t familiar with each other.
Besides, they were heading to a place like the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, it wouldn’t be right to pry into someone’s privacy.
So Bai XiaoSheng politely smiled and didn’t ask any more questions.
But after a moment, he seemed to be struck by lightning, his expression suddenly freezing.
With Mo Hua?
So handsome?
Bai XiaoSheng’s lips twitched, and he suddenly couldn’t bring himself to smile.
He turned his head again, taking another look at this handsome ‘Young Master Bai,’ and finally realized something. His face instantly changed, his pupils dilated, his expression shifting step by step from shock to sheer terror. His voice began to tremble:
“No way… no, you… you can’t be…”
(TN: So much for the Divine Concealment.)