Inquiries About Longevity Chapter 136: The Flower Thief (Part Four) - Novel Cool

Chapter 136: The Flower Thief (Part Four)

Chapter 136: The Flower Thief (Part Four)

Zhang Lan felt that his dark history as a cultivator had just been vividly embellished by Mo Hua, this child, with bold and dramatic strokes.

He had been on guard as if facing a formidable foe, only to find that his opponent was a mere Level 5 Qi Refinement cultivator.

How embarrassing!

Zhang Lan couldn't help but complain, "What are you doing here in the mountains, you little rascal?"

"I do lots of things in the mountains: drawing maps, setting up arrays, collecting demon blood, searching for spices, picking herbs, mining for ores..."

Mo Hua counted off his activities one by one on his fingers for Zhang Lan to hear.

Zhang Lan's head spun. "Alright, alright, I get it."

What a bunch of nonsense.

Zhang Lan didn't believe much of it. Was the Great Black Mountain a place that a child could venture into?

Even he, a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, had to be cautious when entering these mountains. How much more dangerous would it be for Mo Hua, a mere Level 5 Qi Refinement cultivator, especially given his understanding of the boy's frail constitution?

And now he was talking about setting up arrays and gathering herbs. This was pure nonsense...

Zhang Lan didn't buy it.

But he also knew that Mo Hua was a bit unusual and didn't always conform to the typical understanding of cultivation.

So, while he didn't believe it, he didn't say anything either.

The two people behind him were still immersed in their shock and had not paid attention to what Mo Hua was saying.

Their naive reactions made Zhang Lan feel a little better, feeling that he had regained some face.

Mo Hua glanced at the two behind Zhang Lan and asked, "Who is this sister?"

"You need to respect your elders," Zhang Lan said. "You should call her Aunt."

The female cultivator shot Zhang Lan a sharp look before turning to Mo Hua with a gentle smile.

"My surname is Si Tu, and my name is Fang. Ignore your Uncle Zhang. You can just call me Sister."

Zhang Lan was speechless.

Mo Hua sweetly called out, "Sister."

Si Tu Fang's face lit up with a smile.

The man next to her boasted, "I'm Si Tu Xiao."

Mo Hua nonchalantly replied with an "Oh."

Zhang Lan couldn't help but say to Mo Hua, "Go and wash your face. Look at yourself; you're covered in dirt and grime."

He had been startled by Mo Hua's disheveled appearance earlier, and he still felt a bit uncomfortable looking at him now.

Mo Hua found a nearby stream and washed his face clean.

His dirty face instantly transformed, revealing a porcelain-like complexion with red lips and white teeth.

Si Tu Fang took a few extra glances, unable to hold back her praise. "What a handsome boy! So beautifully-featured!"

"Thank you, Sister. You're pretty too!"

Mo Hua returned the compliment.

Si Tu Fang's smile widened.

Zhang Lan sighed and said to Mo Hua, "It's getting late. Why don't you head back first?"

Si Tu Fang nodded in agreement. "There are demons in these mountains. It's not safe for you here. Would you like Sister to escort you down the mountain?"

Zhang Lan glared at Si Tu Fang. "Have you forgotten why we're here?"

Si Tu Fang looked conflicted.

Mo Hua asked curiously, "What are you doing in the mountains?"

"It's a Dao Court secret; we can't tell you."

"You're looking for someone, right?"

Zhang Lan's head ached. "How did you know that?"

"I heard you talking just now."

Zhang Lan sighed again, finding Mo Hua impossible to deal with.

Mo Hua's dark eyes shifted as he said, "How about I help you look for them?"

Si Tu Fang smiled and said, "Thank you, little brother, but this matter is too dangerous. We can't let you take such a risk."

Zhang Lan stood silently by.

Mo Hua glanced at Zhang Lan and reminded him, "The Great Black Mountain is vast. If you don't know your way around, you could wander for ten days or half a month and still not find anyone."

Zhang Lan replied helplessly, "If he doesn't guide us, not only will we be unable to find that person, but we might also get lost in these mountains."

Si Tu Xiu, standing beside them, scoffed, "With this brat leading the way, how could we still get lost?"

"We will get lost, but he won't!" Zhang Lan asserted confidently.

"How can you be so sure...?" Si Tu Xiu challenged.

"If he could get lost, he wouldn't have come alone to these mountains," Zhang Lan explained, having figured it out. "Mo Hua is not the type to act recklessly. If he offers to help, he must be confident in his abilities."

Si Tu Fang and Si Tu Xiu fell silent, the image of Mo Hua silently appearing from the grass earlier replaying in their minds. The feeling of utmost vigilance and the chill in their hearts from before resurfaced.

Perhaps this young cultivator before them was indeed nothing to worry about. Instead, they should be more concerned about themselves...

"That thief is rather dangerous..." Si Tu Fang hesitated.

"With the three of us, can't we even protect a child?" Zhang Lan asked.

Si Tu Fang had no rebuttal to that, and Si Tu Xiu just huffed coldly without adding anything further.

Mo Hua then asked, "Who are you looking for? Do you have any leads?"

Si Tu Fang glanced at Zhang Lan.

Having come this far, Zhang Lan saw no point in hiding the truth anymore. "We're chasing a flower thief," he admitted.

Mo Hua was taken aback, "A flower thief?"

He had heard the term before, but not in the context of the cultivation world, so he was unsure of the difference.

"A flower thief is someone who uses evil cultivation techniques to forcefully absorb the essence of women, enhancing their own cultivation. These thieves are outlawed by the Dao Laws and are hunted by the Dao Court," Zhang Lan explained.

Si Tu Fang elbowed Zhang Lan gently and whispered, "That's enough detail. No need to tell a child about absorption and such." Her cheeks reddened slightly as she finished.

Zhang Lan hadn't thought much of it, but now that it was pointed out, he felt a bit embarrassed to continue.

Mo Hua looked a little disappointed, as he had wanted to learn more.

"So, do you have any clues?" he asked.

"We have a portrait," Zhang Lan said as he unfolded a painting.

The man in the portrait was young and handsome, but his eyebrows and eyes carried a hint of wickedness.

"So young?" Mo Hua remarked.

"He cultivates an evil art that keeps him looking young. In reality, he's over a hundred years old. If he doesn't absorb essence for more than a month, his appearance will wither..." Zhang Lan explained.

Mo Hua was astonished, "There's such a cultivation technique?"

"There are countless bizarre and evil techniques out there..." Zhang Lan said, and then added, "Just remember, you must never try to learn these evil or demonic arts. They are cold-blooded and cruel, and those who practice them lose their humanity..."

Mo Hua nodded vigorously, taking his words to heart.

Zhang Lan continued, "We received information that this flower thief, wanted by the Dao Court, has fled into the Great Black Mountain. He might not dare to venture into the inner mountains, so he's most likely hiding in the outer mountains, somewhere between Solitary Cloud Peak and Broken Cliff..."

Having heard Zhang Lan's explanation, Mo Hua had a general idea of the situation. "Don't worry," he assured them. "Since he's in the outer mountains, he won't be able to escape."

Seeing this, Si Tu Fang smiled and said, "Then we'll have to trouble you."

"Okay!" Mo Hua nodded.

A flower thief hiding in the outer mountains, cultivating an evil art, over a hundred years old, and the wanted Zhao uncle being pursued...

Could the cultivator chasing Zhao uncle be this flower thief?

Mo Hua was also eager to catch this thief and find out the truth.

(End of Chapter)

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