Chapter 448: Deep Waters

Chapter 449: Deep Waters

Mo Hua searched the Walking Corpse Stronghold from top to bottom again.

All formations were dismantled, not a single one left; all storerooms were opened, nothing overlooked; all secret chambers exposed, every corner checked.

Mo Hua unearthed quite a lot of items.

Spirit stones, spiritual tools, and pills—most of these he left untouched.

These were considered spoils of war, meant to be shared with everyone.

Besides, some spiritual tools and pills were tainted with evil energy, impure, useless in Mo Hua’s hands.

The spoils collected from the Walking Corpse Stronghold would be counted by the Situ family, then reported to the Dao Court, which would determine the rewards.

In the end, some would definitely end up in Mo Hua’s hands.

Although much would be deducted along the way, the spirit stones he received would at least be legitimate.

Plus, he would earn merit points.

Merit points from the Dao Court were often more valuable than spirit stones.

But aside from spirit stones and pills, Mo Hua was less polite about rare or peculiar items.

Especially those related to formations.

Better to kill the wrong one than let them slip—Mo Hua collected everything.

The Corpse Stronghold contained absolute formations.

Mo Hua suspected they were drawn on the corpse-control bell.

Now that the bell was in his hands, he hadn’t yet examined it carefully.

He didn’t know if the bell truly contained an absolute formation.

But just in case, he prepared thoroughly.

Even if the absolute formation wasn’t in the bell, it had to be somewhere in the village.

So Mo Hua went through all items in the village that bore formation markings, ensuring that when he later derived the absolute formation, nothing would be overlooked.

Besides that, there were other formations in the village.

For example, the withered ink folding screen—its formation transcended the Five Elements, entering a field Mo Hua was unfamiliar with.

There were many similar objects in the village.

The formations on these objects were all distinct in style.

Clearly, they weren’t drawn by Instructor Yan, but their creator was unknown.

To broaden his formation perspective, increase experience, and deepen his knowledge, Mo Hua decided to take these items back and dismantle them for careful study.

He gathered them as he searched.

However, his storage bag was too small, and after a while it was full.

Mo Hua frowned.

Bai Zixi took out a brand-new storage bag embroidered with auspicious clouds and phoenix patterns and said crisply, “This bag is bigger.”

Mo Hua’s eyes lit up, and he smiled warmly, “Thank you, Little Senior Sister!”

With that, Mo Hua had no more worries. He released his divine sense, searching the village and picking out items with formations.

The chosen items went into Bai Zixi’s storage bag.

Thus, Mo Hua selected, and Bai Zixi stored.

After circling the village, they filled a high-grade storage bag to capacity.

Meanwhile, Situ Fang and the Situ family cultivators had nearly finished collecting the rest of the spoils.

Mo Hua left the spirit stones for them.

The Situ family had mobilized many people, which required spirit stones.

Although the battle went smoothly, some cultivators were inevitably injured or killed, and they needed compensation.

Later, everyone gathered together.

Situ Fang and two Situ elders thanked the three of them.

Without Mo Hua’s help, casualties would have been higher, and whether they could even capture the Corpse Stronghold was uncertain.

After all, the village’s formations were dense, iron corpses impervious to blades—fighting head-on was difficult.

Mo Hua waved his hand, “No need to thank me.”

Then he asked, “What happens next?”

Situ Jin stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and spoke honestly: “After we finish counting, we won’t report through the South Yue City Dao Court. Instead, using the Situ family’s connections, we’ll report under the neighboring Nan Shan City Dao Court.”

“Nan Shan City Dao Court?”

Situ Jin nodded. “The head of Nan Shan City Dao Court—his wife is surnamed Situ.”

Mo Hua understood.

Situ Jin continued, “The merit will be credited to Miss Fang, bypassing South Yue City Dao Court.”

“Of course,” Situ Jin looked at Mo Hua, “you, young sir, will also be credited. Besides spirit stones, you’ll gain merit points from the Dao Court. How much merit depends on their internal calculations.”

After all, wherever there are people, there are divisions of reward.

The Dao Court was like clear water—three layers of scum still scraped off everything.

Situ Jin added, “The Situ family also has a small gift for you…”

Thanks to Mo Hua, they had this opportunity to earn merit.

Merit sometimes could not be bought with spirit stones.

With this merit, Miss Fang would gain the family’s recognition.

There weren’t many promising members in this branch, and Situ Fang’s diligent cultivation and responsible nature made her stand out.

Situ Jin was grateful to Mo Hua.

“No need, elder, you’re too polite…”

Mo Hua spoke humbly, but curiosity got the better of him, “What’s the small gift?”

Situ Jin was momentarily surprised and chuckled.

This young man’s open nature made him truly genuine.

Situ Jin smiled, “Spirit stones and mundane items may not appeal to you. The Situ family will prepare some family-heritage formation manuals, as a gesture of goodwill.”

Mo Hua wanted to say that he did like spirit stones and such, but it would sound embarrassing.

He didn’t.

Still, he was pleased with formation manuals.

He didn’t know what the Situ family would send him.

Mo Hua thanked them, “Thank you, elder, and thank you, Miss Situ!”

Situ Fang smiled, acknowledging Mo Hua’s acceptance of their kindness.

Later, Zhang Quan was taken by Situ Jin to the Dao Court.

The corpses and coffins were also counted and handed over to the Dao Court.

Corpse-refining coffins were demonic items and had to be destroyed.

Zombies were highly dangerous; if uncontrolled, they would run rampant, devouring the living.

Corpse toxins could also trigger other cultivators to become zombies.

Therefore, zombies were usually burned by the Dao Court to prevent harm.

These matters were no longer of concern to Mo Hua.

Situ Fang had finishing matters to attend to and awaited Nan Shan City Dao Court to handle the handover—she would be busy.

Instructor Yan had already been sent back to South Yue City by the Situ family.

With the Corpse Stronghold settled, Mo Hua bid farewell and returned with Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi.

The sun had risen, and morning glow painted the path.

The three walked side by side, stepping over stones, bathed in light, taking in the barren yet wild scenery.

On the way, Bai Zisheng sighed, “It’s a pity we didn’t kill Zhang Quan…”

He had wanted to finish him while he was unconscious, but Mo Hua had stopped him.

“Zhang Quan has people behind him. We need him alive to find out who,” Mo Hua said.

“He won’t tell, right?”

“Then it’s out of his hands.”

Bai Zisheng asked, “You intend to interrogate Zhang Quan yourself?”

Mo Hua nodded.

Bai Zisheng hesitated, “Better not…”

Mo Hua frowned, “Why?”

“You got him so angry, even if he were tortured to death, he wouldn’t tell you anything.”

Mo Hua paused, “His tolerance can’t be that low…”

Bai Zisheng rolled his eyes, “I think he’s tolerant. If he were any less, he’d have choked on his anger already…”

Mo Hua frowned, whispering, “Am I really that infuriating?”

He hadn’t noticed.

Bai Zisheng sighed, “It’s that innocent face of yours that makes it most infuriating.”

Mo Hua didn’t believe it and asked Bai Zixi, “Little Senior Sister, am I annoying?”

Her beautiful eyes flickered. She said softly, “Not really.”

Mo Hua nodded, thinking she was right.

Bai Zisheng shook his head helplessly at his sister.

They walked on. Bai Zisheng suddenly asked, “How many zombies were in the village?”

Without hesitation, Mo Hua said, “Five iron corpses, six hundred thirty-seven zombies.”

“You actually counted?”

“Of course,” Mo Hua nodded.

He probably knew the village’s numbers better than Zhang Quan.

Bai Zisheng clicked his tongue, “So many…”

Mo Hua shook his head, “Not enough…”

Bai Zisheng blinked, “Not enough?”

Mo Hua nodded, “Not enough!”

Bai Zisheng was puzzled.

Mo Hua explained, “Zhang Quan’s corpse-refining technique is ancestral. He buys and refines corpses, taking decades or even centuries. The number of zombies he’s made over the years can’t be just these…”

“Moreover, he’s not alone. With the Corpse Stronghold, bandits killing, miners buying corpses, one or two hundred corpse cultivators refining daily—the accumulated zombies would be far more than a small number.”

Bai Zisheng frowned, “Does he have other corpse storage?”

“Maybe not hidden, perhaps sold.”

Mo Hua recalled Zhang Quan mentioning ‘sending corpses.’

He couldn’t be refining just to send them. Some transaction must exist.

For now, these matters remained a mystery.

Bai Zisheng sighed, “The waters are deep…”

Mo Hua nodded, glancing to the other side.

They had reached South Yue City. Across the road was the mine.

It was morning, the sunrise gone, the sun heating the land.

The miners worked under the scorching sun.

Head under fire, feet on hot stones, their whipped, scarred bodies blackened by sun, hands cracked, backs bent, they toiled under supervisors’ shouts, laboring with fatigue and numbness.

Every breath was a struggle.

Like drowning in deep water, gasping for air.

Mo Hua’s eyes flickered, murmuring, “South Yue City’s waters are very deep…”

“So these miners live in such harsh depths…”