Chapter 220: Social Calls
Chapter 220: Social Calls
However, this would have to wait until after the new year celebrations.
Lately, things had been busy and chaotic, and drawing formations was tiring work. At the very least, during this new year period, Mo Hua could take it easy and not worry too much.
But Mo Hua soon discovered that even without considering cultivation and formation practice, there were still many things to do.
There were gifts to be given and returned.
And many of these gifts had to be delivered by Mo Hua himself, and he had to return them in person too.
Previously, he was just an unknown, ordinary little cultivator, so naturally, he didn't have to bother with such things.
But now he was a somewhat famous little formation master, and he knew quite a few cultivators, so some social obligations were inevitable.
For example, the old chief of the Dao Court sent him a jade pendant, and An Jia sent him some fine wine and spirit meat. Even some of the smaller families sent new year gifts of varying value.
None of them were too expensive, but they were all thoughtful gestures.
Mo Hua then visited some of the families and cultivators he was familiar with and had deeper relationships with to express his thanks in person.
For example, the old chief and Old Man An were both prominent cultivators in Tongxian City, and it would be rude not to return their gifts.
Mo Hua also brought some gifts with him.
These gifts were simple, just things he had casually bought with spirit stones, but the special thing about them was that he had inscribed formations on each one.
For instance, there was a paper lantern with the character for 'fortune' on it, and inside was a brilliant fire formation that illuminated the character with a dazzling light when lit. There was also a small screen inscribed with a cold qi formation, and a blanket with a warming formation, among other things.
They were neither extravagant nor plain, and although they seemed simple, it was clear that thought and effort had gone into them.
They were very fitting for his identity as a formation master, and most importantly, they suited his financial means—he didn't have enough spirit stones to buy expensive gifts for everyone.
The old chief and Old Man An were both delighted.
The other cultivators who received Mo Hua's gifts were already content, and seeing that the gifts included formations inscribed by Mo Hua himself, they were overjoyed.
Mo Hua also brought some things to Chen Laoshi.
As the new year approached, Chen Laoshi was still busy at the refining shop, and a group of refiners were also crafting spiritual tools. They would probably have to work until New Year's Eve before they could finish and then celebrate the new year properly.
Although it was tiring, the sale of spiritual tools would earn them a lot of spirit stones, so they didn't feel it was too much of a hardship.
Chen Laoshi had no children or grandchildren, only Da Zhu as his disciple, so he wasn't too concerned about the holidays.
Mo Hua brought Chen Laoshi a lot of delicious food and several jars of fine wine, leaving him beaming with joy.
"This wine is good. As long as there's wine, that's enough!"
Alone, with only wine and meat for company, he would still celebrate the new year.
This was how Chen Laoshi had spent many years, and he didn't feel lonely. Besides, after the new year, a bunch of disciples would come to pay their respects, and it would be lively then.
Mo Hua chatted with Chen Laoshi for a while before the latter asked,
"Do you want a spiritual tool?"
"What kind of spiritual tool?"
"Anything will do, preferably not a sword. Those are harder to refine, and I'm not very good at them."
"How about a spear or a staff?"
Chen Laoshi nodded, "Thanks to your refining furnace, my refining skills have improved a lot lately, and I can now refine first-grade spiritual tools. Choose one, and I'll help you refine it for self-defense."
Mo Hua thought for a moment but still didn't know what to choose.
"But I'm not a body cultivator, so these weapons won't be of much use to me..."
"It doesn't matter." Chen Laoshi smiled, "I just want to refine more spiritual tools to scratch the itch in my hands."
Mo Hua didn't know what to say...
"Then aren't you refining for others?"
"Some people have asked me to refine tools for them, but those aren't urgent. It doesn't matter when I do them. I want to refine one for you first."
Mo Hua really wanted to refine a 'Zhangba Pointing Steel Spear' or a 'Qinglong Yanyue Dao', but even if he refined these weapons, he wouldn't be able to use them since he wasn't a body cultivator.
Chen Laoshi said, "If it absolutely won't work, then I can refine a small knife for you. It'll be useful for cutting beef and peeling fruit."
Mo Hua's expression became complicated. "I'll think about it some more."
It was a rare opportunity to refine a first-grade spiritual tool, so he wanted to make something proper. How could he settle for a fruit knife?
Chen Laoshi nodded. "Alright, let me know when you've decided."
After bidding farewell to Chen Laoshi, Mo Hua paid a visit to Old Man Feng.
Previously, Old Man Feng only held consultations at Xinglintang and never went out, except for house calls.
Now that the Pill Refinery was established, Old Man Feng would come over whenever he had free time. Some ailing cultivators even sought him out at the refinery, requesting his medical expertise and pills.
Old Man Feng was next door at the refinery, inventorying pills, organizing pill formulas, and inspecting the quality of the refined pills.
Mo Hua presented his New Year's gift to Old Man Feng, who, in turn, gave him a large assortment of pills.
There were pills to cure fire and water poison, pills to dispel miasma, pills to calm the mind and focus the spirit, pills to stave off hunger, pills to stop bleeding, and even a few emergency life-saving pills.
Each type of pill was neatly categorized, labeled, and had its usage clearly stated.
Mo Hua expressed his gratitude to Old Man Feng. Just as he was about to leave, Old Man Feng called him back and handed him another bottle of pills.
Mo Hua sniffed at it and asked, "Grandmaster Feng, what kind of pill is this? It has a sweet and sour fragrance."
"It's a digestion pill to aid your stomach and improve digestion. Take a few after meals to prevent overeating and upsetting your stomach. You can also eat them as a snack when you're feeling peckish."
"Thank you, Grandmaster Feng," Mo Hua said happily.
After a busy round of gift-giving and returning gifts, Mo Hua finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just when he thought he was done, he received a New Year's gift from Master Luo, sent by one of his disciples.
It was a vermillion and gold storage box placed in Mo Hua's courtyard, exuding an air of opulence.
When Mo Hua opened it, he was surprised to find not only Master Luo's gift but also a gift from Master Qian mixed in, presumably sent together to avoid attracting attention.
Master Luo's gift was appropriate and conventional, mostly related to formations.
Master Qian's gift, on the other hand, was far more valuable and comprehensive, including items for daily life. It seemed like an attempt to make amends and express his sincerity.
Mo Hua thought about it and decided to accept the gift.
He had no direct conflict with Master Qian, and it was better to foster a positive relationship. Moreover, he anticipated that he might need Master Qian's help with some matters in the future.
Since Master Luo had sent a gift, Mo Hua prepared a return gift and personally visited Master Luo to express his gratitude.
This was a basic courtesy, as Master Luo was much older than him.
Master Luo's abode was one of the most luxurious in Tongxian City, exuding grandeur and opulence.
Numerous cloud chariots and horse-drawn carriages were parked outside, belonging to the young masters and managers of various families who had come to deliver gifts.
However, as a first-rate array master, Master Luo had a high status, so these visitors either couldn't enter or had to wait in line outside for their turn to be received by Master Luo.
The crowd and the extravagant display outside left Mo Hua awe-struck.
The status of array masters was indeed lofty, especially those who had attained the rank of first-rate through the Dao Court's assessment.
However, there were too many people outside, and Mo Hua doubted he would even be able to get through the door.
As Mo Hua contemplated whether to leave and come back another day, one of Master Luo's disciples spotted him.
(End of Chapter)
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