Chapter 393: Self-Rescue

Mo Hua decided to use the Thick-Earth Array to reconstruct the spiritual fields of Qianjia Town.

But this was not something he could decide on his own.

The spiritual fields weren’t his, and he wasn’t even from Qianjia Town.

The elder of Dongshan Village, though not highly cultivated, was elderly, experienced, and held considerable prestige.

His actual power was limited, but usually, any major matter required his decision.

Mo Hua went to ask him:

“Elder, do you want to redraw the array formations for the spiritual fields?”

The elder of Dongshan Village had expected this, but still found it hard to believe. His voice trembled:

“Redraw… the array formations?”

“Yes,” Mo Hua nodded. “The same type of array that the Sun family’s old ancestor laid down back then.”

The elder’s pupils contracted in shock.

The Sun family’s old ancestor, a second-rank array master, held a high position in Qianjia Town and had always been a legendary cultivator.

To recreate the old ancestor’s array…

The elder’s tone grew even more respectful:

“The Sun family’s old ancestor’s array… young sir, you’ve learned it?”

“I’ve learned some of it. I wouldn’t dare claim ten out of ten mastery, but I can do seven or eight.” Mo Hua replied modestly.

The elder was momentarily stunned, murmuring to himself:

“The Sun family’s old ancestor… a second-rank array master…”

Mo Hua explained: “He is indeed a second-rank array master, but the arrays he laid are effectively first-rank. Otherwise, the Qi-refining cultivators’ spiritual stones couldn’t support a second-rank array.”

The elder understood.

Mo Hua further explained the situation:

“Drawing the arrays requires reconstructing parts of the spiritual fields and redrawing formations on the ridges.”

“I learned the Sun family old ancestor’s array, and consider myself indebted to him. So I can draw the arrays for you without taking your spiritual stones.”

“But the arrays themselves still require a lot of spiritual ink, many spiritual stones, and manpower to reclaim and organize the fields.”

“All these materials and manpower must come from you yourselves.”

The elder understood and slowly nodded.

Mo Hua concluded: “I can draw the arrays, but whether or not to do so ultimately must be your decision.”

The elder pondered for a long while, then cupped his hands:

“Young sir, may I have some time to discuss this with everyone?”

“Of course,” Mo Hua nodded.

This was not a matter one elder could decide alone; discussion with others was necessary.

Mo Hua did not push.

If they agreed, he would draw the arrays for them.

He could also put what he had learned into practice, deepening his understanding of arrays.

It was for himself, for the cultivators of Dongshan Village, and for the land of Qianjia Town.

If they refused, he would not force it.

He would just wait for another opportunity to rebuild the Thick-Earth Array and further his comprehension of the arrays…

…

After Mo Hua left, the elder summoned the spiritual farmers of Dongshan Village.

He conveyed Mo Hua’s intentions.

The villagers exchanged glances.

Most found it hard to believe:

“This young sir has really learned the Sun family old ancestor’s array?”

“Impossible…”

“How old is he?”

“Qi-refining, seventh layer, and he can master such an array? I’ve seen other array masters with white beards galore.”

“You don’t understand. Mastery knows no age; talent is what matters.”

“This young sir is young, but I think his array skills surpass the current head of the Sun family by far.”

“Indeed. Though I don’t understand it, his arrays are drawn quickly and perfectly.”

“Better than anyone in the Sun family.”

“Then why is he helping us?”

“Right, he gains nothing and doesn’t take our spiritual stones…”

“If he wanted spiritual stones, could you even afford it?”

“We’re too poor…”

“The Sun family old ancestor’s arrays aren’t ordinary formations. To draw them, how many spiritual stones would it take?”

“Even if the whole village pooled all its assets, it wouldn’t cover the cost…”

“I just think it’s odd. This young sir is too kind-hearted.”

“Isn’t that being noble? If he were like the Sun family, riding over us, then that would be just.”

“Drawing this array requires reconstructing the spiritual fields, but these fields are ancestral and cannot be disturbed.”

“Why not?”

“Because ancestral means cannot be disturbed…”

…

The villagers debated, some in favor, some opposed, others hesitant and worried.

They were spiritual farmers; their livelihood depended on the spiritual fields.

Any matter involving the fields touched their foundation, so they were cautious and slow to decide.

The elder listened to their disputes, contemplated, then said slowly:

“This array, we shall build.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

One spiritual farmer frowned: “But Elder, this carries considerable risk.”

The elder shook his head: “I do not wish for the descendants of Dongshan Village to continue suffering hunger.”

“Yes, there is risk, but what is without risk? Would the good fortune of the riskless ever come to cultivators as poor as us?”

“If we don’t take this risk, future generations will have to.”

“But our descendants may not even have this chance.”

The elder’s cloudy eyes shone with resolve as he gazed at the villagers, speaking solemnly:

“This young sir is small in age, but a master in arrays.”

“He is willing to help us; this is our opportunity.”

“Once he leaves, who else can master such profound arrays? Even if someone could, who would be willing to draw them for us?”

“Do not assume future opportunities will be better.”

“If we don’t seize it now, it will only be worse later.”

“This is our only hope.”

“If we do not grasp this chance, our descendants will continue to starve!”

The elder’s voice was hoarse and heavy. He then coughed violently, old ailments flaring.

The villagers were silent.

Some were still hesitant, but most grew resolute.

…

The next day, the elder found Mo Hua and conveyed the villagers’ decision.

“Everyone has agreed. Those with spiritual stones provide them; those with strength contribute labor. We will rebuild the arrays in the spiritual fields.”

The elder then solemnly bowed to Mo Hua:

“Young sir, save the cultivators of Qianjia Town from famine!”

Mo Hua could not bear such reverence and quickly helped the elder up.

The elder looked at him with expectation.

Mo Hua shook his head: “I cannot save you.”

The elder’s expression froze in shock.

Mo Hua sighed: “I can only draw the arrays. But if the arrays alone could save you, the Sun family old ancestor’s arrays would have already done so.”

“But they didn’t…”

“For all these years, you have still lived in hunger.”

The elder trembled at this and fell silent, thoughts churning.

Mo Hua continued:

“I can draw the arrays so the soil is fertile, the spiritual fields abundant, so everyone can eat their fill.”

“But then what?”

“The Sun family still exists, and they will still oppress you.”

“The rebuilt fields will still be destroyed.”

“The drawn arrays will still be dismantled.”

“If you cannot master the arrays, you will remain under others’ control, exploited by the Sun family.”

“Even if arrays are established in the fields and the land is fertile, maybe for a year or two, or even five or six, life will be better, meals more plentiful.”

“But ten, twenty, even a hundred years later?”

“Will it not return to how it was?”

The elder’s expression darkened into deep bitterness, then into unrelenting sorrow.

Helplessly, he said: “But the Sun family has Foundation Establishment cultivators…”

Mo Hua shook his head: “Only early-stage. He is half an array master and rarely engages in combat. His Dao skills are weak.”

“Generally, ten or so ninth-layer Qi-refiners, if desperate, can make him cautious.”

Mo Hua continued: “The Sun family bullies because the spiritual farmers are weak and complacent.”

“If you truly unite as one against them, they would not dare act recklessly.”

The elder hesitated, sighing:

“But… this will likely cause bloodshed and death…”

Mo Hua said solemnly:

“If you spill blood, your descendants can eat their fill. If you starve to death, your descendants will starve as well.”

The elder was struck dumb.

Mo Hua reassured:

“In fact, the Sun family won’t dare go too far.”

After all, the Dao Court Division of Shangtai City was there.

Though such local divisions rarely intervene outside Xian City, if conflicts escalate, they must step in.

The Dao Court Division acts under the Dao Law.

At least in appearance.

With the Dao Law restricting them, the Sun family cannot act recklessly.

The Sun family is unlike the Qian family, or the Black Mountain Band of the Qian family ancestor.

They are merely parasitic enjoyers, not mass murderers.

“So I can only help you, not save you…”

Mo Hua’s eyes were clear as he spoke honestly:

“The only ones who can save you are yourselves.”

The elder frowned, thinking deeply. After a while, he exhaled and bowed solemnly to Mo Hua:

“Thank you, young sir. I understand.”