Chapter 1506: Dao of All Living Beings

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Chapter 1504: Dao of All Living Beings

True Person Rong sternly refused. Bai Zixi pursed her lips and looked at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua understood immediately and promptly stated, “If Senior Sister isn’t going, then I’m not going either.”

True Person Rong said, “Well… you could go.”

Mo Hua replied, “I could not go.”

True Person Rong rarely persuaded others and seldom bothered with these messy affairs. But now, because of the matter of Zixi’s affections, she was being roasted over the fire and had no choice but to persuade Mo Hua.

Feeling helpless inside, True Person Rong pointed at the invitation adorned with a large gilded peony and asked, “Do you know how valuable this invitation is?”

Mo Hua didn’t quite understand. “How valuable?”

True Person Rong sighed. “Although I look down upon the vulgar and sordid affairs of the pleasure district… I do know that an invitation to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion’s courtesan banquet is priceless.”

“Throughout the entire Houtu City, countless factions, countless young masters, would seek such a courtesan invitation to attend the banquet at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, hoping to catch a glimpse of the courtesan’s breathtaking beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall…”

“This isn’t even something that can be bought with Spirit Stones. In previous years, there have even been cases where lives were lost over such invitations…”

Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. “This invitation is actually that valuable?”

Just to see a courtesan once… these people are crazy, right?

Mo Hua looked at the priceless invitation in his hand and suddenly had a brilliant idea: “How about I sell this invitation? How many Spirit Stones do you think it could fetch…”

True Person Rong felt a tightness in her chest, as if ten thousand horses were galloping through her heart.

Truly, that’s just like you.

An invitation countless men dream of, granting them a chance to attend the courtesan’s banquet, and you’re thinking of selling it for Spirit Stones?

Do you have any common sense at all?

True Person Rong was momentarily speechless with anger.

Bai Zixi also looked at Mo Hua with a strange expression, thinking to herself that this was an invitation to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion’s courtesan banquet. Even she wanted to go see it, yet Little Junior Brother only thought about selling it for money.

Bai Zixi asked, “Little Junior Brother, are you that short on Spirit Stones?”

Mentioning Spirit Stones, Mo Hua sighed. “It’s alright.”

Of course, he was extremely, extremely short on Spirit Stones, but he couldn’t ask Little Senior Sister for them. Otherwise, he’d truly become a freeloader—although he was already freeloading quite a bit.

Moreover, his Spirit Stone deficit was too large. Even Little Senior Sister probably couldn’t satisfy his needs.

It was best to earn Spirit Stones by his own abilities.

Mo Hua then asked, “Can this invitation really not be sold?”

If sold, it would likely bring in a huge sum of Spirit Stones.

True Person Rong sighed. “Try to be a decent person.”

Mo Hua sighed, feeling somewhat regretful.

Even True Person Rong was somewhat puzzled at this point and asked, “That’s a top courtesan. Do you really not want to go see her?”

Mo Hua thought seriously and said, “A banquet with ulterior motives… Jade Fragrance Pavilion is the stronghold of the Joyous-Union Sect, probably a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den. If I go, I’m afraid there might be danger.”

True Person Rong was speechless. You, of all people, think there are dangerous places? Why didn’t you think it was dangerous last time?

True Person Rong persuaded, “It’s fine. If you go, I’ll ensure your safety?”

Mo Hua asked in surprise, “Really?”

True Person Rong nodded.

Mo Hua found it strange. “True Person Rong, why are you so eager for me to go see that courtesan?”

Naturally, True Person Rong wanted it in her heart. She wished that enchanting courtesan would capture Mo Hua’s attention. With this Karmic Obstruction gone, Zixi’s heart would be at peace.

True Person Rong said slowly, “The chance to see the courtesan might only come once. Besides… don’t you want to know why, of all times, the courtesan of Jade Fragrance Pavilion has invited you to a banquet?”

Mo Hua was taken aback by her words and found them reasonable.

Why, of all times, had this Yu Nujiao sent him an invitation to Jade Fragrance Pavilion?

That place was a den of demons.

Did they intend to set a trap to kill him, or did they have other schemes?

The situation in Houtu City remained unclear, and the Earth Sect’s schemes were still hidden…

If he went to Jade Fragrance Pavilion and met this Yu Nujiao, might he uncover something?

Lost in thought, Mo Hua looked at Bai Zixi.

Bai Zixi seemed to understand his meaning and nodded, saying, “Then go ahead.”

True Person Rong was momentarily stunned.

But Mo Hua shook his head. “If you’re not going, then I won’t go either. Jade Fragrance Pavilion isn’t a good place, and courtesans aren’t much to look at…”

Bai Zixi said gently, “Go ahead.”

Mo Hua insisted firmly, “I won’t go.”

True Person Rong was truly a bit exasperated by these two junior siblings—all this affectionate bickering, who were they putting on a show for?

Bai Zixi spoke again, “The opportunity is rare… go if you must, but that place isn’t good, so be careful.”

“While you’re there… see what the courtesan looks like and tell me when you return.” There was a hint of curiosity in Bai Zixi’s tone, as if she was also somewhat interested in this courtesan.

Seeing that his Little Senior Sister had said this, Mo Hua could only nod. “Alright then… I’ll see what the courtesan looks like and tell you if she’s pretty or not.”

Bai Zixi nodded. “Mm.”

True Person Rong, standing nearby, didn’t know what to say about these two.

“Oh, right,” Bai Zixi thought for a moment and added, “You can’t go alone.”

Mo Hua was slightly taken aback. “Can’t go alone?”

“Mm,” Bai Zixi nodded. “You need someone to go with you…”

Her newly held Little Junior Brother couldn’t be snatched away by someone else.

Mo Hua couldn’t help but ask, “Who should go with me?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he instantly understood who his Little Senior Sister was referring to.

Who else could go to a brothel?

—

Three days later, at the Eastern District gambling den.

As soon as Mo Hua entered the gambling den, he spotted Bai XiaoSheng from afar, mingling in the crowd and excitedly placing bets.

But when Mo Hua took a few steps closer and looked up, he found that Bai XiaoSheng had vanished from the crowd.

Scanning the surroundings, the entire gambling den was bustling, but there was no sign of Bai XiaoSheng.

Mo Hua shook his head helplessly.

Less than ten breaths later.

In a corner of a teahouse ten miles away, Bai XiaoSheng poured himself a cup of tea while muttering in frustration:

“I really can’t believe it. That jinx just won’t leave me alone, always coming to find me. I must have owed him in my past life…”

Fuming, Bai XiaoSheng tilted his head back and gulped down the tea. Just as he was about to pour a second cup, he saw a cup being handed over beside him, accompanied by a casual request: “Pour me a cup too.”

Startled, Bai XiaoSheng turned his head and saw that the “jinx” had somehow already taken a seat beside him, holding out a cup and waiting for him to pour tea.

Bai XiaoSheng remained silent for a long while before finally saying helplessly, “Are you a ghost or something?”

“How could I be a ghost…” Mo Hua retorted. “Why did you run off for no reason?”

Bai XiaoSheng sneered, “What a stupid question.”

Bai XiaoSheng glanced at Mo Hua again, his expression wary, and asked with a furrowed brow, “I move so quickly and keep my whereabouts so hidden—how did you manage to find me?”

Mo Hua replied, “It’s nothing special, just fate. I had a feeling you’d be here.”

Bai XiaoSheng seethed inwardly. That Mo fellow’s mouth was full of lies—not a single honest word ever came out of it.

Bai XiaoSheng turned to leave again, but after walking a short distance, he circled back, sat down once more, and sighed.

Mo Hua asked curiously, “Why aren’t you running anymore?”

Bai XiaoSheng snorted coldly, thinking to himself, “As if I could escape?”

Once a person is haunted by a ghost, how could they ever break free?

Seeing him so compliant, Mo Hua nodded. “Good that you’re not running. Perfect timing—I have something to discuss with you.”

Bai XiaoSheng said, “I’m not doing it.”

Mo Hua looked puzzled. “I haven’t even said what it is yet.”

Bai XiaoSheng replied, “Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with me. I won’t get involved, and don’t ask me about it.”

Mo Hua said, “It’s a good thing—my treat.”

Hearing this, Bai XiaoSheng grew furious and snapped: “Wasn’t it enough that you tricked me last time? You said you’d treat me to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, but in the end, I ended up paying all the bills.”

“Not only that, but I also spilled all my secrets in front of Little Grandaunt and True Person Rong, completely losing face. Ever since then, True Person Rong has been looking at me with disdain.”

“All of this is thanks to you, Young Master Mo!”

“From now on, let’s go our separate ways and never interact again!”

“You’re too much for me to handle—if I can’t deal with you, can’t I at least avoid you?”

Bai XiaoSheng grew angrier the more he spoke.

Hearing this, Mo Hua poured Bai XiaoSheng a cup of tea and tried to soothe him: “Calm down, calm down. You’re over a hundred years old—how can you be so impatient, picking a fight with a mere Golden Core cultivator like me?”

Bai XiaoSheng grew even angrier at this and slammed the table: “What’s wrong with being over a hundred? Is that old? A Late Golden Core Stage cultivator at over a hundred is a genuine genius, even in the great clans!”

“In another ten or twenty years, if I achieve Feathered Ascension, I’ll be a peerless prodigy!”

Mo Hua sighed. “Alright, alright, you’re a clan genius, a peerless prodigy.”

Hearing Mo Hua say this, Bai XiaoSheng finally calmed down a little and sat to drink the tea Mo Hua had poured for him.

Mo Hua added, “This time, it really is a good thing.”

Bai XiaoSheng said, “Don’t even start.”

Mo Hua insisted, “I’m not lying.”

Bai XiaoSheng retorted, “What good could possibly come from anything involving you?”

Mo Hua said, “This time, I’m inviting you to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion again—”

The moment Bai XiaoSheng heard “Jade Fragrance Pavilion,” he felt a trap looming and immediately wanted to leave. Mo Hua quickly grabbed him, “—to meet the top courtesan.”

The words ‘top courtesan’ made Bai XiaoSheng pause. He was somewhat surprised. “Meet the top courtesan?”

Mo Hua nodded.

Bai XiaoSheng didn’t believe him. “You?”

Mo Hua took an invitation from his sleeve and handed it to Bai XiaoSheng.

Bai XiaoSheng took the invitation and glanced at it, then froze. He examined it carefully from top to bottom, his expression turning to shock: “Where did you steal this from?”

Mo Hua was speechless and pointed to the words “Respectfully Inviting Young Master Mo” at the top.

Bai XiaoSheng scrutinized the words “Young Master Mo” over and over, still finding it hard to believe: “Something as rare as this—how did you manage to get your hands on it?”

Mo Hua nodded. “It’s nothing special, really. I didn’t even want it that much—it was just sent to me, and it wouldn’t be right not to go.”

Bai XiaoSheng thought to himself, speechless: “Can your face get any thicker?”

This thin invitation, worth a thousand gold and hard to come by, something countless men dream of but can’t obtain—and someone is giving it to you for free?

The implication being, you still don’t want it?

Mo Hua patted Bai XiaoSheng’s shoulder and said earnestly: “Last time we went to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, I really did shortchange you. I’ve been feeling guilty about it and wanted to make it up to you.”

“Just now, this opportunity to attend the courtesan’s banquet came up—a once-in-a-lifetime chance—and I immediately thought of you.”

Mo Hua said, “I always think of you when something good comes along. Aren’t you touched?”

Bai XiaoSheng sneered coldly to himself.

Touched, my foot.

There’s definitely a trap here.

Bai XiaoSheng asked, “Does my Little Grandaunt know about this?”

Mo Hua nodded, “It was your Little Grandaunt who told me to bring you along. Like her, I want to look out for you.”

Bai XiaoSheng always felt there was something off about Mo Hua’s words, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.

Mo Hua asked again, “Are you going or not?”

Bai XiaoSheng initially wanted to say no. Past experience told him that getting involved with Mo Hua never ended well.

But if he really could see the top courtesan, this opportunity was indeed precious.

After all, the top courtesan was the most stunning beauty among all courtesans, not someone just anyone could see anytime.

Bai XiaoSheng frowned and asked, “Is this invitation real?”

Mo Hua said, “Why would I forge one? I’m not that bored.”

Bai XiaoSheng asked again, “You’re really not tricking me?”

Mo Hua replied with a half-smile, “If seeing the top courtesan counts as a trick, then I don’t know how many men in Houtu City would kneel down, crying and begging to be tricked by me.”

Bai XiaoSheng was taken aback and actually found this quite reasonable.

Mo Hua said, “Let’s go. If we don’t leave now, I might change my mind. You’re not the only person I know in Houtu City.”

After much hesitation, Bai XiaoSheng ultimately decided that seeing the courtesan was more important.

Once bitten by a snake, you shouldn’t fear the well rope for ten years. Even if he was tricked, it wouldn’t be a total loss.

Bai XiaoSheng nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll trust you one more time.”

Mo Hua said, “Then you lead the way. I’m not familiar with it.”

Bai XiaoSheng had no choice but to call for a carriage himself, plan the route himself, and then, with Mo Hua as his esteemed passenger, drive toward the Jade Fragrance Pavilion deep in the pleasure district of Houtu City.

The clip-clop of horse hooves echoed, and the carriage was quiet.

Without his Little Grandaunt accompanying them and only going with Mo Hua to see the courtesan, Bai XiaoSheng felt much more relaxed.

Still, he wasn’t too keen on talking to Mo Hua. Sometimes, conversing with him was downright infuriating.

After the carriage had been moving for a while, Mo Hua looked at Bai XiaoSheng and suddenly felt a hint of doubt: “You spend all your time fooling around like this—is that really okay?”

Bai XiaoSheng was taken aback, “What do you mean?”

“Well…” Mo Hua pondered for a moment before slowly saying, “I’ve never seen you cultivate, nor have I seen you do anything serious. You just hang around in market brawls, brothels, and gambling dens all day. Is that really okay? What about your cultivation?”

Bai XiaoSheng said, “Who says I’m not cultivating? This is my cultivation.”

Mo Hua frowned slightly.

Bai XiaoSheng’s gaze grew serious as he said, “I told you before, didn’t I? I cultivate the Dao of All Living Beings.”

Mo Hua nodded slightly, “You did mention that.”

Bai XiaoSheng’s eyes deepened. There were some things he didn’t like discussing with others, but Mo Hua was an exception. Even though this kid could be quite irritating.

Bai XiaoSheng said, “Cultivation is about cultivating the ‘Dao,’ not the artificially defined realms.”

“Qi-Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Feathered Ascension… these are all man-made cultivation realms. If one could truly ascend to immortality by following these realms step by step, then immortals would be abundant under heaven.”

“But clearly, that is not the case. For countless years across the Nine Provinces, not a single immortal has emerged.”

“This indicates that our cultivation is flawed. Following the prescribed steps, pursuing realms, and enhancing cultivation may very well not lead to immortality.”

“However, this cultivation framework has been passed down for tens of thousands of years, forming the foundation of cultivation for all cultivators in the Nine Provinces. It has never failed, nor have any issues been identified, so it is revered as the ‘orthodox’ path.”

“Even so, not all Dao traditions cultivate in this manner.”

“What I cultivate is somewhat different. The Dao transforms all things, the Dao transforms all beings, thus all beings are the Dao. By comprehending the principles of all beings, one finds the gateway to the Dao. Therefore, observing all beings is comprehending the Dao.”

Bai XiaoSheng’s expression turned solemn, carrying an indescribable depth.

Mo Hua’s pupils trembled, his heart roiling with shock, and he asked, “Did you… comprehend all of this yourself?”

Bai XiaoSheng paused for a moment, then suddenly resumed his lazy demeanor, reverting to his unscholarly, ruffian-like appearance.

“How could that be… This was told to me personally by an Ancestor of the Bai Clan whom I encountered during my childhood cultivation enlightenment…”