Chapter 353: Weight
“If you donate Spirit Stones, once the grand array is completed and the beast Feng Xi is suppressed, we’ll erect a large Demon-Subduing Monument…”
Mo Hua gestured with his hand, showing just how big this monument—no, this stele—would be, then said to Elder An:
“At that time, we’ll carve your name in the first position, make it bigger, outline it in gold, so everyone can see it at a glance!”
Erecting a Demon-Subduing Monument was a tradition among demon hunters.
Whenever a powerful beast terrorized a region, the hunters would forge a monument and engrave the names of the cultivators who participated, commemorating their contributions.
However, no one had ever slain a great demon before, so naturally, no monument for subduing one had ever been made.
Elder An asked calmly, “And if it can’t be killed?”
Mo Hua replied honestly: “Even in business, there are losses. Demon hunting can also fail, let alone when it comes to slaying a great demon. The risks are enormous.”
“If it can’t be killed, then it can’t. We’d have to find another solution, and your Spirit Stones would have been donated in vain.”
Elder An frowned. “So, I’m donating my family’s wealth just for a title that isn’t even guaranteed?”
“This is real fame, not a hollow title,” Mo Hua corrected.
“How is it not hollow?”
Mo Hua explained: “Once the great demon is slain and the Demon-Subduing Monument is completed, it will become the most important commemorative stele in the history of Tōngxiān City.”
“As long as Tōngxiān City stands, the monument will stand, your name will stand, and the An family will always be remembered by the cultivators of Tōngxiān City.”
“This honor is once-in-a-millennium. If you miss this opportunity, no amount of Spirit Stones in the future can buy it.”
Elder An was somewhat moved, frowning as he pondered.
Seeing this, Mo Hua quietly added, “Elder, if I may speak bluntly…”
Elder An was slightly startled, then nodded, “Go ahead.”
Mo Hua blinked and lowered his voice:
“The An family is still prosperous now, everyone knows you’re the second great family of Tōngxiān City. But if in the future your family declines, and the family fortune is gone, who will remember who you were?”
“At that time, the An family will be like all the small families in this world—forgotten, no one will mention you, and even your own descendants may not take pride in the family name.”
Elder An’s expression remained calm, but his gaze lowered; he knew Mo Hua spoke the truth.
This was the fate of most small families in the cultivation world.
Where there is prosperity, decline inevitably follows.
Small families have shallow foundations; once they decline, their members scatter, making resurgence nearly impossible.
Even large families, once fallen, can gradually fade, eventually disappearing from the history of cultivation.
Seeing Elder An’s interest, Mo Hua’s eyes brightened slightly and he continued:
“But if your name is engraved on the largest Demon-Subduing Monument in Tōngxiān City, that changes everything. All cultivators in Tōngxiān City will remember your name, the history of the An family. Even if, hundreds of years later, the An family disappears…”
Elder An’s heart skipped, his gaze tinged with sorrow as he looked at Mo Hua.
“Disappears…”
Mo Hua awkwardly smiled and rephrased gently, “Even if, hundreds of years later, the An family declines, isn’t as wealthy, the people of Tōngxiān City will still remember your virtues…”
“At that moment, Spirit Stones are insignificant. This fame, however, is real and lasting.”
Mo Hua spoke fluently and persuasively.
Elder An’s frown deepened as he pondered for a long time, unable to make a decision. Finally, he sighed and said slowly:
“Let me think it over.”
Mo Hua was merely seeking Elder An’s opinion and had no intention of forcing him. He had other ways to gather Spirit Stones.
But the An family’s current situation was indeed difficult.
Whether to donate or not, both options were problematic.
Thus, he suggested that Elder An donate some Spirit Stones to secure a good reputation for the family’s descendants.
Ultimately, the decision was up to Elder An.
“Take your time. I’ll take my leave for now.”
Mo Hua bowed politely, then walked out of the An estate with small, quick steps.
Elder An watched Mo Hua’s retreating figure, lost in thought.
After a while, the folding screen moved slightly. An Yonglu, the current head of the An family, quietly approached his father, respectfully poured him a cup of tea, and cautiously asked:
“Father, what did you decide?”
Elder An recalled Mo Hua’s composed manner and now saw his son’s meek demeanor, which irritated him.
“You—you’re the head of the family! For such a major matter, you can’t even face it openly!”
“Mo Hua, a child of barely ten, could come to me openly, reasonably negotiating.”
“And you, the head of the family, can’t even speak a word, hiding behind and eavesdropping!”
“If the An family is truly in your hands, it’s doomed!”
…
An Yonglu was scolded soundly, feeling wronged:
I do want to step up, but isn’t it that you don’t trust me…
Yet he dared not retort.
After venting, Elder An’s anger subsided. He sighed deeply:
“Donate.”
An Yonglu said, “Don’t be swayed by that kid Mo Hua…”
Elder An replied: “Mo Hua has his personal motives, but what he said is true. In the face of great danger, our family fortune cannot be preserved… Better to trade it for a good reputation.”
An Yonglu objected, “How can we not preserve it?”
Elder An said coldly: “With what?”
An Yonglu wanted to argue, but stopped, too timid to speak.
Elder An, seeing this, looked weary and slowly said:
“I’ve thought long and hard these days, and there’s no better solution.”
“There are only two paths for the An family: leave or stay.”
“If we leave, we can move to another immortal city, but every city has its own powers. They may not accept us, and we can’t expect to claim any portion of influence there.”
“Our family’s banquet hall has been around a long time. We’ve always believed in harmony to generate wealth. There’s no ruthlessness among our descendants. If we move elsewhere, within three generations, the family will decline.”
“If we move with scattered cultivators, the An family will just be a piece of juicy meat; anyone can bite.”
Elder An recalled the past.
Years ago, a trade caravan escorted by his direct disciples was completely devoured by evil cultivators secretly dispatched by the Qian family in the Great Black Mountain. Not a single survivor.
Even thinking about it now, Elder An felt lingering fear.
On the way to relocate, who knows how many more mountains, how many more black-mountain strongholds they would encounter.
The An family would be traveling with their bones gnawed away by enemies.
“If we stay, then we must stay to build the grand array.”
“Since we’re staying to build it, we must unite. Even the struggling scattered cultivators have donated Spirit Stones; how can the An family be selfish and allow others to look down on us?”
Elder An had a private motive as well.
His lifespan was limited, and his cultivation couldn’t advance. He was at the peak of his life with nothing more to achieve. As the head of a Foundation Establishment family, he appeared prominent, but had accomplished little.
He wanted to leave a legacy, a good name for himself and the An family.
Once he made up his mind, Elder An felt much lighter. “Donate.”
An Yonglu was startled. “Donate everything?”
Elder An’s temper flared again. “Are you an idiot? Donate everything? Do you think we’d starve? Can’t you think before speaking?”
An Yonglu hesitated, “Then how much should we donate…”
Elder An rubbed his forehead, patient but firm: “Seventy to eighty percent.”
“Oh.” An Yonglu cautiously asked, “Should I count it and give it to Chief Zhou?”
Elder An shook his head. “No. Count it, make a list, and personally deliver it to Mo Hua.”
An Yonglu frowned, feeling it overstates Mo Hua’s position… He’s just a ten-year-old kid, after all.
He wanted to protest, but saw Elder An’s eye twitching, a sign he might get hit, so he quickly shut his mouth.
Elder An sighed:
“When you go to Mo Hua, remember to bring Xiao Fu. Except for necessary matters, say as little as possible and be respectful.”
An Yonglu lowered his head obediently, though still a bit puzzled.
Elder An sipped his tea, pondered, then spoke earnestly:
“These Spirit Stones are to trade for a reputation.”
“If we succeed in killing the great demon, the An family descendants will all gain renown.”
“If we fail, the scattered cultivators will still remember our virtues. Especially Elder Yu; befriending him ensures that if the An family encounters trouble, the demon hunters will lend aid.”
“Most importantly, these Spirit Stones are to repay Mo Hua a favor.”
“This child, Mo Hua, understands favors.” Elder An exhaled lightly, feeling relieved, then said with emotion:
“If the grand array is completed, Mo Hua will be the thirteen-year-old chief array master of a first-rank grand array. No fame compares to a favor from him.”
An Yonglu blinked. “Really that important?”
Elder An shook his head, murmuring: “You don’t understand the weight of the title ‘chief array master.’ Especially at thirteen—it’s terrifying…”
An Yonglu shivered and nodded solemnly.
If the elder says so, then the chief array master must indeed be stronger.
But whether first-rank array master or chief array master, he thought it was essentially the same…
Seeing his expression, Elder An sighed deeply again.
Two days later, An Yonglu counted the Spirit Stones and some array materials, made a list, and personally delivered them to Mo Hua with An Xiaofu.
Mo Hua was delighted: “Thank you, Uncle An. Please also tell Elder An that I’ll remember this favor!”
An Yonglu nodded, satisfied the task was done. He followed Elder An’s instructions, said nothing extra, exchanged a few polite words, then left.
An Xiaofu, however, stayed behind.
He had no ulterior motives and didn’t care about donating Spirit Stones. But upon hearing about the task and that it involved Mo Hua, he eagerly followed, and of course, got a free meal before leaving.
After all, in his mind, Mo Hua’s meals were the best.