Chapter 1505: Top Courtesan
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Chapter 1503: Top Courtesan
True Person Rong realized something was wrong.
Things seemed to be getting out of control.
She had originally thought that with Zixi’s ethereal, unworldly temperament, she would never fall for anyone in her lifetime. It would be enough for her to simply accept her destined fate. Yet, she never expected there to be a freak like Mo Hua in this world.
The relationship between this senior sister and junior brother was clearly beginning to change.
On the surface, they still addressed each other as “senior sister” and “junior brother,” and for the most part, they observed the proprieties in their daily interactions, not doing anything too improper.
But True Person Rong could sense that the auras between the two were gradually converging, becoming one.
Their gazes were like milk and water; once they met, they fused together.
As someone who had been through it herself, True Person Rong’s heart raced the moment she saw it. She knew it was over.
She wanted to say something, to give them a warning, but she didn’t know how to broach the subject.
The nuance and degree of what to say were also difficult to gauge.
These two children were no ordinary individuals.
If she spoke too lightly, it would be like scratching an itch through a boot—ineffective and pointless. If she spoke too harshly, it might provoke their rebellious streaks, making things even worse.
True Person Rong, a Feathered-Ascension True-Person qualified to oversee a minor blessed land, found herself severely anxious because of these two troublesome senior and junior disciples.
Yet, doing nothing and letting things continue like this would surely make her culpable.
She would also have no way to explain herself to the Grand Matriarch.
…
True Person Rong replayed the recent events in her mind. After careful consideration, she sent a message to the Earth Sect, obtained an invitation, and then came to the small courtyard within the blessed land.
The courtyard was as peaceful and tranquil as ever.
Mo Hua and Zixi sat at the table, one gentle and handsome, the other pure and transcendent, like a perfect pair of jade. They were looking at the same formation diagram together, occasionally speaking softly about something.
Xiao Ju was holding a fan, a melon in her mouth, squatting by the stove nearby to brew tea.
The scene was so beautiful and heartwarming that True Person Rong felt almost reluctant to disrupt it.
Yet, this scene was also extremely perilous, and True Person Rong had no choice but to break it.
She sighed inwardly, then stepped into the courtyard.
Mo Hua and Zixi were somewhat surprised to see True Person Rong and stood up to pay their respects.
Xiao Ju was startled, pretended not to see True Person Rong, and continued to lower her head, munching on her melon.
True Person Rong glanced at Xiao Ju, then looked at Mo Hua. She handed him an invitation and said: “An invitation for you, from the Earth Sect.”
“The Earth Sect?” Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. He took the invitation, glanced at it, then looked up at True Person Rong. “A Lantern Festival?”
True Person Rong nodded. “The Earth Sect is hosting a Lantern Festival, inviting the high-ranking members of the major clans in Kun Province, as well as the talented young elites from each clan, to enjoy the flowers and festivities together.”
Mo Hua was a bit puzzled. “A Lantern Festival at this time of year?”
Back in Tongxian City, such grand lantern festivals were usually only held during the New Year celebrations, the Lantern Festival (Yuanxiao), or specific Demon-Hunting Festivals.
But now, it wasn’t yet the New Year, and there were no other festivals around this time. It didn’t connect to anything before or after. Why suddenly hold a lantern festival?
Mo Hua looked at True Person Rong with some suspicion.
True Person Rong then said, “This is the Earth Sect’s arrangement, it’s for…”
True Person Rong hesitated.
But Mo Hua suddenly understood. He wasn’t ignorant of the situation in Kun Province. He said, “For marriage alliances with the clans?”
True Person Rong knew she couldn’t hide it from Mo Hua, so she nodded. “You could say that.”
A thoughtful glint appeared in Mo Hua’s eyes.
He had heard too much about the various trivial matters surrounding the Earth Sect’s previous marriage alliances and knew that the scale of this particular matchmaking effort far exceeded those of the past.
It seems now that the Earth Sect’s grand marriage alliance plan is reaching a critical juncture.
The reason for holding this lantern festival is likely to allow the Earth Sect’s direct descendants and the talented young men and women from various major aristocratic clans to meet and socialize, thereby advancing the marriage alliance process.
Many previously arranged marriage alliances are set to be finalized through this event.
On the surface, this is a lantern festival ‘celebrating with the people.’
But in reality, it is a massive ‘marriage alliance gathering.’
Thinking it through this way, Mo Hua understood.
“But… why did the Earth Sect suddenly send me an invitation?” Mo Hua asked. “I’m not from a Kun Province aristocratic clan.”
True Person Rong countered, “What do you think?”
Mo Hua thought for a moment and said, “Because I’m a formation genius?”
Although True Person Rong felt that Mo Hua’s self-praise was a bit shameless, in terms of facts, it was undeniable.
As a direct disciple of the Great Void Sect and the two times Formation Dao Champion in Qianxue, if this didn’t qualify as a formation genius, how many people in the world would dare call themselves geniuses?
True Person Rong sighed, “You could say that.”
In truth, the Earth Sect hadn’t initially invited Mo Hua.
Firstly, because Mo Hua indeed wasn’t from a Kun Province aristocratic clan.
“Those not of our clans must have different intentions”—the local families in Kun Province were quite exclusionary.
Secondly, Mo Hua was too mysterious. The Earth Sect couldn’t figure out his background and didn’t dare provoke him recklessly.
This invitation was personally obtained by True Person Rong on Mo Hua’s behalf.
Mo Hua still had some reservations. “But I don’t want to enter a marriage alliance…”
True Person Rong said, “Even if you don’t form a marriage alliance, it’s still necessary to go to the lantern festival to relax, socialize, and get to know the Earth Sect’s direct disciples and the direct descendants of Kun Province’s major aristocratic clans.”
During the outing, it would be best to encounter a few beautiful young women from aristocratic clans, become enamored, and marry into their families—saving her the trouble of worrying about him.
Attending the lantern festival, befriending the Earth Sect’s direct disciples, and connecting with the direct descendants of Kun Province’s aristocratic clans…
It sounded quite reasonable.
Mo Hua thought for a moment, then turned to ask Bai Zixi, “Senior Sister, are you going too?”
Before Bai Zixi could speak, True Person Rong said, “Zixi isn’t going.”
Mo Hua asked, “Can Senior Sister not go?”
True Person Rong nodded. “Zixi has a special status and unique bloodline. In that kind of setting… it could easily cause trouble.”
Mo Hua asked, “What about using a disguise?”
True Person Rong shook her head. “No, there will be too many people and too many eyes, all from major aristocratic clans. Even with a disguise, she would stand out too much.”
Besides, sending you to the lantern festival is to prevent the two of you from falling in love. If I sent both of you together, wouldn’t I be aiding and abetting trouble?
True Person Rong thought silently to herself.
Mo Hua was also pondering.
Attending the lantern festival and befriending the direct disciples of major sects and aristocratic clans would allow him to understand the relationships and dynamics between the Earth Sect and the various major clans.
In fact, it sounded like a good opportunity.
But this lantern festival was organized by the Earth Sect for marriage alliances.
Going alone like this felt somewhat inappropriate.
Mo Hua wasn’t interested in marriage alliances, and he always felt that True Person Rong had ‘ulterior motives.’
Mo Hua shook his head and said, “Then forget it, I won’t go either.”
True Person Rong asked, “Are you really not going?”
Mo Hua nodded. “I’m not going.”
True Person Rong urged, “This is a great opportunity to befriend the Earth Sect’s direct disciples and the talented elites of aristocratic clans, expanding your network.”
Mo Hua shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. They’re just direct disciples.”
Whether he befriended them or not wasn’t a big deal.
Back when he was at the Great Void Sect, he had befriended countless direct disciples and talented elites from various provinces—he wasn’t lacking one or two more.
True Person Rong subtly advised a few more times, but truly could not persuade him. Mo Hua was also stubborn; no one could force him to do what he did not want to do.
In the end, True Person Rong could only give up, sighing, “Forget it.”
After that, True Person Rong said nothing more, glanced at Xiao Ju once more, then stood up and left.
…
Xiao Ju felt a chill down her spine. Only after True Person Rong had left did she let out a long sigh of relief. She quickly finished the melon in her mouth, picked up the teapot, and poured tea for Sister Zixi and Mo Hua.
At the same time, she muttered, “Mo Hua, you’re not going to the Lantern Festival?”
Mo Hua smiled and asked, “Is the Lantern Festival fun?”
Xiao Ju nodded, “There are flowers, lanterns, lots of people, and it’s lively—of course it’s fun.”
“Have you been before?” Mo Hua asked.
Xiao Ju shook her head, “True Person Rong wouldn’t allow it, and I couldn’t go out either… because I had to stay with Sister Zixi.”
Mo Hua thought for a moment and said, “Then next time, if there’s another lantern festival, I’ll take you.”
Xiao Ju’s face lit up with joy, but then her gaze dimmed slightly as she looked expectantly at Bai Zixi.
Bai Zixi then said gently, “I’ll go too.”
Xiao Ju immediately became happy again, her eyes sparkling brightly.
Mo Hua also smiled faintly, turned to look at Bai Zixi, felt a flutter in his heart, and couldn’t help but secretly take Little Senior Sister’s hand.
Bai Zixi’s soft, jade-like palm moved slightly but did not refuse. Instead, she relaxed her hand and intertwined her fingers with Mo Hua’s.
The two held hands, silently gazing at each other.
Beside them, Xiao Ju, somewhat oblivious, focused only on eating the fruits on the table.
…
Some things, though Mo Hua did not care about, others took extremely seriously.
Two days later, the Lantern Festival organized by the Earth Sect grandly commenced in the center of Houtu City in Kun Province.
High-ranking members of the Earth Sect presided over the event, with direct descendants of major noble families gathering in large numbers, and countless talented and beautiful individuals present.
Faces of nobility, handsomeness, purity, grace, elegance, and breathtaking beauty shone brilliantly together.
Beneath this splendor of appearances, human desires flowed subtly in the shadows.
Charming ladies admired the refined gentlemen, and graceful beauties were sought after by noble suitors.
The crowds surged like the sea, with spectators eager to catch a glimpse of the elegance of these gentlemen and ladies.
The dazzling lanterns, like sunset clouds, set the night sky ablaze with red. Even from the secluded minor blessed land, one could see the magnificent scene from afar.
This was a lantern festival that appeared prosperous and splendid on the surface, yet held profound significance beneath.
Mo Hua sat in the minor blessed land, gazing at the brilliant lanterns in the distant night sky, clearly sensing the grandeur of this event.
However, he was merely an outsider.
The alliances of noble families had nothing to do with him.
As for those beautiful ladies, whether plump or slender, he did not find them particularly beautiful—none could compare to even a single finger of Little Senior Sister.
Yet Mo Hua faintly sensed that a grand plan of the Earth Sect seemed to be taking shape.
As the Lantern Festival concluded, the atmosphere throughout Houtu City changed entirely.
On the surface, it still appeared bustling with crowds and vibrant with prosperity.
But his intuition regarding the Heavenly Secret constantly reminded Mo Hua that all of this was an illusion—the situation had already fundamentally changed.
Mo Hua frowned slightly, his mood heavy.
Yet, faced with the colossal entity formed by the union of major sects and noble families, he, with his limited strength, could not find a way to enter the fray for the time being.
He could only continue focusing on his own affairs.
And while the situation was not yet severe and the Heavenly Secret had not deteriorated, he would take more time to accompany Little Senior Sister.
The future is something no one can predict.
…
On the other side, True Person Rong was also troubled.
This kid, Mo Hua, was truly too difficult to handle.
Kill him? She couldn’t. Beat him? She couldn’t. Try to deceive him? He wouldn’t believe it.
Tempt him with other people or matters? He wasn’t swayed in the slightest.
Not to mention, this kid himself was proficient in cause and effect, his Causality Technique even more formidable than her own. Trying to scheme against him was futile.
But if she just let things continue like this, the situation would only grow worse and worse.
Because of Mo Hua, True Person Rong grew increasingly anxious.
Until three days later, she received another invitation.
This invitation was written on gilded paper, sealed with brocade, and on its surface was a jade-colored, gold-outlined, opulent, and luxurious peony—like the queen among flowers, proudly overlooking all others.
The moment she saw this invitation, True Person Rong’s expression darkened, her gaze turning cold as ice. She whispered softly:
“What kind of filthy, sordid business dares to send something like this to my tranquil minor blessed land… These wretched creatures grow more and more unruly by the day. Do they truly think I wouldn’t dare to slaughter them all?”
True Person Rong pinched the invitation between her fingers, intending to burn it to ashes. But then, glancing at the recipient’s name, she paused.
The invitation was addressed to: Respectfully Inviting Young Master Mo.
“It’s for Mo Hua…”
True Person Rong’s thoughts shifted several times, but in the end, she sighed, wrapped the opulent yet filthy invitation in white paper, held it in her hand, and took it to Mo Hua.
Inside the Bamboo Chamber, Mo Hua and Zixi were still studying the Formation Manual together.
Seeing the two like this, True Person Rong inwardly grumbled, “What’s so great about Formations? Studying day after day, endlessly…”
Of course, she knew this was prejudice.
For cultivators, aside from cultivation itself, studying Formations was the most important, the closest thing to comprehending the Dao.
Pretending not to notice their closeness, True Person Rong handed the invitation to Mo Hua and said, “For you.”
Mo Hua was taken aback. “For me again?”
True Person Rong nodded.
“Who sent it?” Mo Hua asked.
True Person Rong replied, “See for yourself.”
Mo Hua unwrapped the white paper and discovered an invitation of unprecedented luxury—jade patterns, gold engravings, silver threads—every stroke, every detail executed to perfection.
Amidst its beauty, there was a hint of alluring charm, and it emitted a faint, extravagant fragrance.
But what surprised Mo Hua even more was the content of the invitation.
As he read, Mo Hua’s brow furrowed.
Naturally, the invitation was to invite Mo Hua as a guest, its words respectful and courteous, its phrasing gentle and elegant.
However, the sender was someone Mo Hua never expected:
“Jade Fragrance Pavilion’s Top Courtesan, Flower Queen · Yu Nujiao.”
Beside him, Bai Zixi couldn’t help but glance over, taking a look at the invitation. Seeing the sender’s name, she turned to Mo Hua with a curious expression, her voice clear and crisp: “You… when did you get involved with a courtesan?”
Mo Hua sighed helplessly. “How could that be? How could I—”
How could I possibly get involved with a courtesan?
But halfway through his sentence, Mo Hua suddenly paused, as if recalling something from the past, lost in thought.
Bai Zixi keenly sensed Mo Hua’s shift in mood and asked with slight surprise, “You really did?”
Mo Hua felt inexplicably guilty. “Probably… not…”
Bai Zixi’s clear, crystalline eyes silently watched Mo Hua.
Mo Hua conceded defeat and sighed, “Well… it’s a long story… I’m not entirely sure either…”
Bai Zixi asked, “So, are you going?”
“I…” Mo Hua pondered, then suddenly asked, “Senior Sister, do you want to come along?”
“I…” Bai Zixi was about to speak, then glanced at True Person Rong.
True Person Rong shook her head. “No.”
Bai Zixi said, “I went last time.”
True Person Rong replied, “Last time was last time, this time is this time. You could go last time, but not this time.”
Bai Zixi clearly grew somewhat unhappy. “Why?”
True Person Rong sighed. “Last time, you were disguised and altered your appearance, so no one paid you any mind. But if you go again this time, it will be different.”
“Moreover, this time you’re going to see the courtesan. Don’t you have any self-awareness about yourself…?”
You two senior sister and junior brother are already treading close enough to ‘taboo’ as it is.
If by chance that courtesan, while entangled with Mo Hua, were to be drawn by the bloodline and fall for Zixi as well, then this relationship would be a mess beyond all measure.
Just thinking about it made True Person Rong’s head throb with pain.
“No, you absolutely cannot go!” True Person Rong said sternly.