Chapter 1098: Take Care
After signing the sect's jade token, Mo Hua carefully and respectfully stored it in his spatial ring.
This jade token was not just a "recommendation letter" or a "business card"—it represented the esteem and goodwill of the sect's Patriarch, Sect Master, and many elders. Mo Hua treasured it deeply.
There were still some small matters to attend to.
Since he had already "graduated," his fellow disciples had left the sect, and there were no more classes to attend, Mo Hua now had much more freedom in his schedule.
He made a list, jotting down place names and people he wanted to visit before leaving the Qianxue Prefecture.
He had already said his goodbyes to most of the seniors and friends within the Great Void Sect.
The rest were, for the most part, outside the sect.
The next day, Mo Hua first visited Gushan City.
Master Gu led Mo Hua on a stroll around Gushan, showing him the large-scale spiritual machinery and formations on the mountain, as well as the artifact-refining furnaces in the artifact workshop.
He also updated Mo Hua on the current state of Gushan City.
"During the blood sacrifice calamity, Gushan City was lucky and remained untouched. The spiritual machines and formations on the mines were preserved, and the artifact workshop stayed intact."
"Now that there's industry, the rogue cultivators in the city have food and clothes, can support themselves, and use the remaining spirit stones to cultivate. Life is much better than before."
"As for the orphans in the city, we've taken them in under the artifact workshop. Those with good spiritual roots were sent to small sects to cultivate. Those with strong physiques were taught artifact refinement. And the clever ones are learning formations."
"Of course, we've explained everything to them."
"All their cultivation, body training, artifact forging, and formation studies are funded by the Gushan Artifact Workshop. Once they succeed, they're expected to return and contribute to Gushan City—help it grow, and ensure that the rogue cultivators here can live better lives in the future…"
Master Gu explained everything to Mo Hua as they walked.
As Mo Hua walked through the streets of Gushan City, he indeed no longer saw orphans carrying heavy bamboo baskets everywhere.
Instead, there were noticeably more cultivators coming and going.
Occasionally, he saw some children with smiles on their faces.
This once desolate immortal city was slowly becoming vibrant with life.
Though most of the cultivation ores in Gushan had already been over-exploited by noble families and clans, leaving very few resources behind and making the city still relatively poor overall—
Because people were now living better, had purpose, and could hope for a future, they were willing to work hard. As a result, the entire Gushan City radiated a growing vitality and spirit.
Mo Hua felt deeply moved.
The most precious resource of any immortal city… was its people.
With people, there is a city.
Without people, even the most prosperous immortal city would eventually fall into decay.
And the most important thing about people… is their hearts.
If the hearts of the people are uplifted and united, even if life is bitter and exhausting, they can build a foundation.
But if people's hearts are corrupted, then no matter how much wealth there is, it will only breed greed and mutual exploitation, leading to collective ruin.
After strolling through Gushan City, Mo Hua returned to the artifact workshop and personally inspected the refining furnaces—
Most important of all was the Magnetic Ink Furnace.
Mo Hua collected all the secondary thunder patterns that had emerged from its operation over the past period.
Seeing that everything was in order, he prepared to leave.
Master Gu was reluctant.
"Young Master Mo, why not stay one more day? Many masters in the workshop want to thank you in person, and the orphans in Gushan City also remember your kindness."
Mo Hua shook his head.
"No need. As long as everyone can take steady steps toward a better life, that's enough."
Master Gu sighed deeply.
"To handle things and leave quietly, seeking neither fame nor reward… Young Master Mo, your noble character truly commands respect."
Mo Hua blushed slightly.
In truth, he simply wanted to avoid trouble—but with such praise, he felt too embarrassed to deny it.
"Oh, right," Master Gu remembered something. "Inspector Fan Jin has been promoted. He's no longer in Gushan City. Before he left, he asked me to pass along his gratitude if I saw you. He said you're his benefactor. His status is still low, so he dares not speak of repayment. But if he ever makes something of himself, he'll repay your kindness with his life."
"Inspector Fan is being too polite…" Mo Hua shook his head.
Inspector Fan had helped him once, and he had merely put in a good word for him before Supervisor Xia—a minor effort.
As for the future… the Dao Court was a place of fame and power.
Fan Jin came from a humble background. If he wanted to rise, it would take great effort. How would he have the energy to repay others?
Mo Hua didn't think much of it.
Having confirmed that Gushan City was safe, that the lives of the rogue cultivators were improving, and having said farewell to Master Gu, Mo Hua departed.
Just as he came quietly, he left just as silently.
Master Gu stood before the city gates, watching Mo Hua's carriage disappear into the distance, filled with emotion.
Mo Hua was Fan Jin's benefactor—and also his own, as well as the greatest benefactor of the Gushan Artifact Workshop and even all of Gushan City.
Looking back now, he truly hadn't misjudged. He had indeed held onto the right thigh.
But in the end, all people must part.
Young Master Mo has his own future, his own path to walk.
"May you live in peace and safety for the rest of your life… and ascend to immortality…"
Master Gu bowed deeply toward the departing carriage, his heart solemn and sincere.
The whole world seeks immortality.
But whether immortals truly exist, whether anyone can truly become one—Master Gu did not know.
Yet if immortals did exist, he imagined they would do what Young Master Mo had done.
And if anyone in this world were truly to become immortal and live forever—
Then Master Gu hoped that person would be the kind-hearted, compassionate Young Master Mo…
…
After leaving Gushan City, Mo Hua visited a small fishing village on the banks of the Misty River.
Old Yu was overjoyed to see him and eagerly used his prized fish fry to cook a small fish soup for Mo Hua.
He didn't really know who Mo Hua truly was.
After leaving Gushan City, Mo Hua went to a small fishing village by the Yan Shui River.
Old Yu Tou was overjoyed to see Mo Hua and busied himself preparing a small fish soup using his treasured fish fry for Mo Hua to drink.
He actually didn't know Mo Hua's true identity.
He had no idea that Mo Hua was the junior senior disciple of the Taixu Sect, the "Crown Prince" of Taixu Sect, a prodigy of the Qianxue Sword Forum, and the dual leader of Qianxue's formation arts.
All he knew was that Mo Hua was his "little benefactor."
Mo Hua drank the fresh and delicious fish soup and casually asked about the village's recent situation.
Old Yu Tou wore a face full of lingering fear and said, "These days, strange things have been happening too much."
"First, there was a strange phenomenon at the horizon, five golden statues hovering in the air, their presence terrifying; then the Milky Way descended from the sky, a great formation shaking the heavens…"
"Then Xuantian Peak collapsed; not long after, the sky turned blood red — it must have been some world-shaking great demon manifesting."
"That blood color covered the sky and earth for months. The Yan Shui River's water almost turned into blood."
"Everyone thought it was the end, but somehow, the world suddenly went dark and silent. The mountain peaks turned into piles of black powder; those countless demons burned into ashes like paper — it was terrifying beyond words…"
Old Yu Tou was animated, telling the story vividly.
The lower-level cultivators had limited cultivation and understanding, so they only saw the surface scenes, knowing almost nothing of the real situation.
But that didn't stop him from talking about it enthusiastically — obviously, these stories had become his usual tea-time gossip, repeated countless times.
Old Yu Tou was also curious: "Benefactor, you say it was the golden statues in the air, the inverted galaxy, the blood-red tide, and the silence of heaven and earth... whose handiwork among the Daoist ancestors is this exactly?"
Mo Hua was drinking the fish soup and choked a bit, coughing twice:
"I... don't know either..."
Old Yu Tou glanced at Mo Hua and nodded, "That's true. Benefactor has only just laid foundation; it's not likely you'd know such secrets."
The two then chatted about some trivial matters.
Suddenly Mo Hua asked, "What about Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuizi? Why haven't I seen them?"
When this was mentioned, Old Yu Tou expressed endless thanks to Mo Hua again:
"It's all thanks to benefactor's great fortune. Those two kids have really hit the jackpot. Because they showed some talent and learned cultivation techniques, they've already been accepted into a major sect for training."
"A major sect?" Mo Hua was a bit surprised, "Which major sect?"
"Seems to be called... the Guishui Sect," Old Yu Tou said.
"Guishui Sect?" Mo Hua was stunned. He hadn't expected Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuizi would, by chance, be accepted into Guishui Sect.
"Were they accepted, or was someone there to take them?" Mo Hua asked.
Old Yu Tou said, "An elder surnamed Yu, passing by, said my two kids had good talent, and since they also share the surname Yu and are relatives, it was fate — so he took Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuizi with him."
"Is that really an elder of Guishui Sect?" Mo Hua frowned.
Old Yu Tou pondered, "Yes. Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuizi were indeed sent to Guishui Sect by me. The two kids also respect Elder Yu a lot."
"Elder Yu..."
Mo Hua thought for a moment, then nodded, "Got it..."
After finishing the fish soup, Mo Hua went to the back mountain to check on the little silverfish.
Because of guarding the dragon bone statue and the villagers' incense offerings, the little silverfish had obviously grown somewhat, and its scales faintly showed the pattern of "dragon scales."
When it saw Mo Hua, the little silverfish was extremely happy, wagging its little tail and circling Mo Hua closely, acting very affectionately.
Mo Hua tapped its forehead with his finger, smiling: "I'm about to leave; for a long time, I probably won't be able to come see you."
The little silverfish's happy tail immediately stopped wagging.
It hung its head, looking very forlorn.
Mo Hua sighed lightly and said:
"Divine beings have long lifespans. You just need to concentrate on cultivation, eat the incense offerings, protect the believers; sooner or later, we will meet again."
"And also, that... statue — just consider it a gift from me. You must guard it well."
The little silverfish nodded repeatedly and seemed a bit more spirited.
Mo Hua stayed with it a while longer before leaving.
Old Yu Tou saw Mo Hua off at the village entrance, cupping his hands in gratitude:
"This old man isn't good with words, only wishing benefactor smooth sailing and all wishes fulfilled."
Mo Hua smiled back and wished Old Yu Tou "favorable weather and abundant fish every year."
Afterward, Mo Hua rode his carriage out of the fishing village and followed the riverbank southward.
After a while, Mo Hua's expression froze slightly. Lifting the carriage curtain, he saw a silver little fish on the shimmering Yan Shui River, following him.
Only when the carriage moved far away, leaving the Yan Shui River region, did the little silverfish fail to keep up, wandering alone and hesitant for a long time before finally returning home reluctantly and alone.
...
After leaving Yan Shui River, Mo Hua traveled along the mountain path and visited Ku Mountain to see Huang Shanjun.
Huang Shanjun was an "old friend" he had met even before entering the Qianxue State Realm.
After leaving the Smoky Water River, Mo Hua followed the mountain path and made another trip to Withered Mountain to visit Huang Shanjun.
Huang Shanjun was an "old friend" he had met before entering the Qianxuezhou domain.
During the blood sacrifice disaster, Mo Hua didn't know what had happened to Huang Shanjun.
Had he been affected? Contaminated? Fallen again...
Mo Hua felt some worry and concern.
Previously, Mo Hua had committed a fatal crime and was locked by Elder Xun in the back mountain. Later, he was busy with his graduation and many trivial matters.
Now having some free time, Mo Hua specially came to Withered Mountain to see his old friend.
Entering Withered Mountain, climbing the stone steps, the path was rugged with jagged rocks and dry leaves scattered on the ground. At the mountain peak, with a slight glance upward, he saw Huang Shanjun's ruined temple.
Huang Shanjun's broken temple had become even more dilapidated.
Three of the four walls had collapsed.
Half of the roof had caved in, letting wind and rain in.
Inside, the clay statue was broken halfway through its body, the altar was gone, and there were no offerings left—not even spoiled steamed buns to eat.
There were even many bloodstains on the ground.
Mo Hua's heart turned cold.
"Huang Shanjun… he can't be gone, right?"
Mo Hua entered the shrine and unleashed his divine perception. Before he could search carefully, Huang Shanjun slowly rose from the half-broken clay statue and cupped his hands toward Mo Hua, saying:
"Young friend, long time no see."
Mo Hua sighed in relief and asked, "Mountain Lord, are you alright?"
Huang Shanjun's face looked pale. "I'm alright."
Mo Hua felt a bit sorry, pointed his finger, and used a Clear Wind Technique to sweep away the dust, clearing a clean spot to serve as an altar. He placed an incense burner, some chicken, duck, fish, meat, steamed buns, and fresh fruit as offerings, and poured a cup of wine.
Huang Shanjun felt a warm current surge in his heart.
Then Mo Hua and Huang Shanjun sat on the ground—one mortal, one god—eating the offerings while chatting.
"How did your broken temple end up like this?"
"That's a long story..." Huang Shanjun sighed. "Several months ago, the blood sacrifice formation was opened wide, demons ran rampant, and this desolate mountain range became crazed and chaotic."
"Every few days, displaced cultivators would come here to the temple for refuge."
"But within two days, demon cultivators would ambush and kill them, skinning them alive, leaving no bones behind."
"At night, I could only send dreams to warn them, but as a fallen mountain god, my power is less than one percent of what it used to be. I couldn't change their fates. Moreover, this broken temple couldn't withstand the calamities between righteous and demonic forces."
"Fortunately, this great disaster didn't last long and strangely dissipated. But…"
Huang Shanjun frowned deeply, his expression serious.
"Earlier, I clearly sensed a terrifying and evil divine aura."
"The evil god of the Great Wilderness must have descended. But why did all the disasters then subside? Why did the primordial aura disappear?"
"Where did the Great Wilderness evil god go?"
Mo Hua nibbled on a chicken leg, glanced at Huang Shanjun, and quietly asked, "Do you want to know?"
Huang Shanjun was stunned, "What?"
Mo Hua said, "Where the Great Wilderness evil god went."
Huang Shanjun nodded blankly.
Mo Hua then took an ancient tooth talisman from his neck and said to Huang Shanjun:
"It's here."
Huang Shanjun froze like a stone carving.
At first, he thought Mo Hua was joking.
"The evil god is hanging around your neck?"
But when he looked closely at the tooth talisman and sensed it carefully, he felt a majestic and powerful divine beast aura. Beneath it was a faint but extremely fierce ancient evil thought suppressed by this aura.
Huang Shanjun almost scared his soul to shatter.
The evil god that had hidden for nearly a thousand years was now by my side?!
Huang Shanjun stumbled and fell to the ground, struggling back into a corner. Trembling, he pointed at the talisman and stammered:
"This… you… this…"
Mo Hua comforted him: "It's fine. I chopped it in two. I can't tell you about one half, but I kept the other half."
"Kept… kept it?"
"Yeah," Mo Hua nodded, "If I can't kill it, I'll keep it for now. Sometimes I'll take a bite for 'nourishment'…"
Huang Shanjun's pupils violently contracted.
That's the evil god! The evil god!
Do you think it's a pig you're raising?!
Then he looked at Mo Hua and found that Mo Hua's aura was profoundly deep, mixed with countless causes and energies. Though physically fragile, he was unfathomable like chaos.
He also faintly emitted an aura that even made this god feel fear.
This aura wasn't new.
Huang Shanjun had sensed it before.
But as Mo Hua "devoured" more of some existence, the aura grew stronger and made Huang Shanjun uneasy.
For a moment, Huang Shanjun felt like his "mouse" was dining at the same table with the "cat."
Huang Shanjun's mood was extremely complicated. In the end, he sighed:
"This matter must never be told."
Mo Hua nodded, put away the talisman, and said, "I only told you this because you're a mountain god. Others wouldn't understand even if I told them."
Huang Shanjun bitterly smiled.
He didn't want to understand at all.
Mo Hua said, "The evil god can't be killed, so I will take part of its power and leave the Qianxuezhou domain. If there's a chance later, I'll completely eradicate it. If I can't, I'll… use it to feed on…"
Feed on...
Huang Shanjun's mind briefly froze.
He felt what Mo Hua said couldn't be human speech.
But it also wasn't "god" speech.
Because even gods wouldn't say such ruthless words.
"Forget it..."
Huang Shanjun sighed.
Gradually he digested this unbelievable truth in his heart.
Heaven and earth were born, all things created, sometimes indeed gave birth to some defying natural order beings.
"Young friend, be careful. Evil gods are not easy to deal with," Huang Shanjun sincerely said.
Mo Hua nodded, "I know."
He understood the evil god fairly well and gave it enough respect, never letting his guard down to be exploited.
After that, the atmosphere relaxed a bit.
Huang Shanjun breathed easier.
Mo Hua looked at Huang Shanjun again, feeling somewhat wistful:
"I won't be able to visit you again. After I go down the mountain, I'll spend some spirit stones to hire someone to rebuild your temple. And someone will burn incense and make offerings for you on festivals."
Huang Shanjun was taken aback, a little ache in his heart. For a moment, he couldn't tell if Mo Hua was a terrifying "monster" or a sincere and kind youth.
He sighed deeply and sincerely said, "Thank you, young friend."
Their time together was short. After chatting and eating the offerings, Mo Hua stood and said goodbye, "Mountain Lord, until we meet again."
Huang Shanjun watched Mo Hua's figure, thinking that this "little ancestor" wouldn't come to see him again, and the evil god would leave the Qianxuezhou domain with him. His first reaction was relief.
But then, thinking that Mo Hua really wouldn't come again.
No more chatting with him, no more offerings brought, no more questions asked.
From now on, in this desolate mountain range, there would be no chatting friend, no caring young boy thinking of him.
Huang Shanjun's heart instantly felt empty again.
He could only watch Mo Hua leave, seeing his figure gradually disappear among the mountain forest, murmuring:
"Take care…"
(End of this Chapter)