Chapter 676: Past
Chapter 676: Past
"Master Gu?" Mo Hua was slightly taken aback.
Master Gu offered a benevolent smile to Mo Hua and bowed politely. "Young Master Mo."
"Aren't you at Gu Shan City?" Mo Hua asked.
"I had some temporary matters to attend to, so I had to make a trip to Qingzhou City," Master Gu explained amicably.
"Oh."
Mo Hua nodded.
Master Gu hesitated for a moment before continuing with a smile, "The last time at Gu Shan City, I fear I was not a gracious host. Our encounter this time is also quite a coincidence. I would like to invite Young Master Mo for a modest drink. I wonder if Young Master Mo has the time..."
Despite Master Gu's friendly demeanor, there was still a sense of dissonance as a Golden Core cultivator was smiling ingratiatingly at a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Mo Hua.
It was also evident that this kind of fawning behavior did not come naturally to Master Gu.
Mo Hua shook his head. "I don't drink alcohol."
Especially not the strong kind, it was too pungent.
He could manage fruit wine, but most cultivators didn't consider that as real wine.
A hint of disappointment flashed in Master Gu's eyes.
"But I can eat a meal," Mo Hua added.
Master Gu was taken aback for a moment, but then he heaved a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on his resolute face. "Good."
It was enough that Mo Hua agreed to something.
As it was still early in the day, Master Gu guessed that Mo Hua still had things to do, so he didn't want to disturb him further. They made an appointment:
"There's a restaurant called Xian He Lou in Qingzhou City that serves delicious spiritual fish. I'll prepare a feast there at noon and await Young Master Mo's arrival."
"Just call me Mo Hua, no need for the 'Young Master'," Mo Hua said.
Master Gu nodded. "Alright, Young Master Mo."
Mo Hua didn't know what to say.
After bidding farewell to Master Gu, Mo Hua went to greet Wan Yi as well.
Wan Yi was playing with Yu'er.
Yu'er's complexion was improving day by day, and she was becoming more and more lively. Before, she had been small and weak, eliciting heartache from others, but now she was full of energy and even a little mischievous.
Because of this, Wan Yi was incredibly grateful to Mo Hua and felt even more convinced that sending Yu'er to Tai Xu Men and having her follow Mo Hua was the right decision.
"If you encounter any troubles in the sect, and if it's difficult to resolve, go find Elder Murong. Murong and I are like sisters..."
"For matters outside the sect, go find Chang Huai."
Wan Yi pointed to Gu Chang Huai, who was sitting to the side drinking tea.
"He's a registrar, and although he's only a third-grade Golden Core cultivator, he still holds some prestige in the Da Ting Si."
"If he doesn't take care of you when you're in trouble, just come back and tell me..."
After Wan Yi finished speaking, she glanced at Mo Hua, feeling a pang of sorrow for no reason. She sighed, "In this entire Qian Xue State, with so many sects and disciples, there's no one like you, a child so young who's studying here alone. Your parents aren't by your side, you have no one to rely on, and no one to care for you..."
"I'm afraid that if you're bullied in the sect, you won't even dare to speak up..."
Wan Yi was still quite worried.
Gu Chang Huai sat silently to the side, his face expressionless as if he didn't want to join the conversation.
Who could possibly bully him? Huo Fo Tu, that vicious Demon Cultivator, had tried to chase down Mo Hua but ended up with a hole blasted through his chest.
There was no need to even mention the others.
In this Qian Xue State, aside from those sect elders, ancestors...
and within the Four Great Sects, those truly major clan lineages within the lineage, those with innate heavenly spiritual roots, the pride of the heavens among the prideful, who could possibly bully him?
Moreover, these major figures, true geniuses, lived high above, in a completely different world. It was possible that they would never cross paths with Mo Hua in their lifetimes.
Why would they go out of their way to bully a mere disciple of Tai Xu Men?
Gu Chang Huai let out a sigh.
He had previously tried to gently suggest to Wan Yi that Mo Hua might seem pure, but he actually had a belly full of bad water. He was narrow-minded and dark, so there was no need for her to worry about him.
However, he had failed to convince her, and instead, she had scolded him for having a narrow mind, speaking ill of a child behind his back, and being shameless.
People only believed what they wanted to believe.
Gu Chang Huai felt helpless, but he eventually gave up and stopped bringing up the matter.
Whenever Wan Yi showed concern for Mo Hua or worried that he was being bullied, Gu Chang Huai would pretend not to hear.
Mo Hua also felt a bit embarrassed, so he said, "Aunt Wan, the sect elders, senior brothers and sisters, and my fellow disciples have all been very good to me. You don't need to worry."
Only then did Wan Yi nod in satisfaction.
The two chatted for a while longer, exchanging gossip about the sect and asking about Yu'er's progress in her cultivation at Tai Xu Men.
Wan Yi was about to leave.
Even though she stayed in Qingzhou City, she wouldn't be idle. Aside from taking care of Yu'er, she also managed the businesses of the Shang Guan family, the Wen Ren family, and the Gu family in over ten large and small immortal cities nearby.
But before she left, Wan Yi's expression turned slightly solemn, and she instructed Mo Hua once more:
"That Master Gu... If you have any requests, you can ask him, but if he has any ulterior motives, you need not pay him any heed."
Mo Hua was taken aback.
Wan Yi then explained gently, "Some time ago, he asked around through some people to inquire about your identity from the Gu family."
Mo Hua understood, and he smiled. "Thank you, Aunt Wan. I'll keep that in mind."
Seeing that Mo Hua was aware and cautious, Wan Yi also smiled gently and got up to leave.
Only Mo Hua and Gu Chang Huai were left in the living room.
Gu Chang Huai sat in the corner, his face impassive as he drank his tea.
Mo Hua quietly moved closer and asked in a low voice, "Uncle Gu, why do you have free time today?"
Without lifting his eyelids, Gu Chang Huai used the lid of his teacup to skim the foam off the surface of his tea. "The cultivators of the Da Ting Si aren't donkeys pulling a millstone. We still get days off."
Gu Chang Huai took a sip of tea and put down his cup. "Speak. What did you want to see me about?"
Mo Hua was puzzled. "How did you know I wanted to see you for something?"
Gu Chang Huai glanced at Mo Hua. "Guess."
Mo Hua was stunned. "Uncle Gu, why are you talking like me now?"
Gu Chang Huai was speechless for a moment before he said, "Are you going to tell me or not? If not, I'm leaving."
"Yes, yes," Mo Hua nodded repeatedly, and then he didn't hide it anymore, speaking straightforwardly. "Uncle Gu, if I have information about a criminal cultivator, can you issue a bounty directly from the Da Ting Si?"
"Then I can accept the bounty, complete the task, earn merit, and the Da Ting Si will also capture the criminal cultivator. It's a win-win situation!"
Gu Chang Huai's expression froze, and he couldn't help but glance at Mo Hua. "You're quite the schemer..."
Mo Hua humbly said, "I'm just alright..."
Gu Chang Huai shook his head and refused. "That's against the rules."
Mo Hua pouted, his face full of disbelief.
He had compared his plan, and it was more or less the same as the Da Ting Si's procedure from start to finish.
There was no difference between the Da Ting Si obtaining clues elsewhere and issuing a bounty, and them obtaining clues from him and issuing a task.
Gu Changhuai's expression froze, and he stole a glance at Mo Hua. "You're quite the schemer..."
"I'm just alright..." Mo Hua humbly replied.
Shaking his head, Gu Changhuai refused. "That's against the rules."
Mo Hua pouted, his face filled with disbelief. He had compared his plan, and it was more or less the same as the Datingsi's procedure from start to finish.
There was no difference between the Datingsi obtaining clues and issuing a bounty or obtaining clues from him and issuing a task.
Gu Changhuai remained silent for a long while, deep in thought. But no matter how long he thought about it, he couldn't find a solution.
Moreover, Mo Hua was right; with his current proficiency in array formations, the Datingsi might indeed need his help with some difficult cases in the future...
Sighing, Gu Changhuai conceded, "Even if I issue a bounty, you wouldn't be able to accept it easily..."
"The bounty would be open to all sect members, not just you. Others could also take on the task, and there's no guarantee it would fall to you..."
Perplexed, Mo Hua asked, "Don't I need your approval first?"
"Bounties usually have requirements," Gu Changhuai explained. "If someone else meets those requirements, we typically can't refuse."
"Then what if we set stricter requirements?" Mo Hua suggested.
Raising an eyebrow, Gu Changhuai asked, "Such as?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment. "For example: early Qi Refining stage, knowledge of Concealment Techniques, proficiency in second-grade array formations, and Water Prison Technique..."
Expressionless, Gu Changhuai said, "Or, I could just specify that the bounty is only for a disciple named Mo Hua of the Tai Xu Sect, at the early Qi Refining stage."
Mo Hua hesitated, feeling that it might be a bit too obvious. "Isn't that... a bit too much?"
"You still know the meaning of 'too much'?" Gu Changhuai retorted, annoyed.
"Well, it's not like it matters anyway..." Mo Hua muttered under his breath.
Gu Changhuai was left speechless by Mo Hua's shamelessness. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Let me think of something. I'll get back to you in a few days."
Mo Hua was delighted. "Thank you, Uncle Gu!"
Gu Changhuai nodded slightly.
He considered the matter...
While it might seem like they were bending the rules a bit, it wasn't entirely "against regulations." Exchanging merit for accomplishments was, after all, a principle of the Datingsi.
Moreover, Mo Hua's expertise in array formations was... a bit frightening. In the future, the Datingsi might indeed need his help with some tricky cases involving intricate array formations.
This wasn't a matter of being blackmailed; it was a "mutually beneficial" collaboration between the Datingsi and a "special array formation talent."
Thinking along these lines, Gu Changhuai felt much more at ease.
He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and nodded slightly, feeling that the tea didn't taste as bitter as before.
With his objective achieved and the hour growing late, Mo Hua bid farewell to Gu Changhuai.
"Master Gu is treating me to a meal, so I'll take my leave now."
Gu Changhuai was slightly taken aback. "Master Gu?"
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded.
"Which Master Gu?"
Frowning, Gu Changhuai recalled the "Master Gu" that Wen Renwan had mentioned earlier. "Our Gu family's artifact refiner?"
"The third-grade artifact refinery of the Gu family in Gushan City. He's at the Golden Core stage!" Mo Hua nodded in confirmation.
Gu Changhuai looked at Mo Hua, his expression turning pensive.
Gushan City was a remote place, and the artifact refinery was only third-grade. The refiner, Master Gu, was at the Golden Core stage...
"He's treating you to a meal?" Gu Changhuai's expression became even more perplexed.
Mo Hua sighed. "Alas, I have no choice. Master Gu's invitation is hard to refuse."
Gu Changhuai was at a loss for words.
He couldn't understand it.
In the Gu family, Cousin Wan considered Mo Hua like her own child, and Aunt Hong often praised Mo Hua for being well-behaved, smart, and handsome. She had even said that when Mo Hua grew up, she would personally arrange a marriage for him.
Even Gu An and Gu Quan occasionally mentioned "Little Master Mo."
Now, even a distant relative, a third-grade artifact refiner from the Gu family, wanted to treat Mo Hua to a meal...
Gu Changhuai took a subtle breath, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
How long had it been since Mo Hua arrived? In just over a year, he had become so well-connected...
If this continued for another decade or so, would the Gu family change its surname to "Mo"?
Seeing the dejected look on Gu Changhuai's face, Mo Hua mistakenly thought that he was sad because he hadn't been invited to the meal. With a hint of guilt, Mo Hua quietly said, "Uncle Gu, why don't you come with me?"
"I heard they're serving spiritual fish at Xianhe Tower. It's supposed to be delicious..."
Gu Changhuai's face darkened at the suggestion.
Realizing his mistake, Mo Hua quickly stopped talking. However, he muttered under his breath, "If you don't want to go, then don't. Ungrateful..."
Gu Changhuai heard this and his face darkened even further.
Mo Hua stood up immediately and said, "I can't keep Master Gu waiting. I'll take my leave now!" Then, he quickly scurried out of the room.
The living room was now empty, leaving only Gu Changhuai sitting there alone. With a resigned sigh, he shook his head.
...
At Xianhe Tower in Qingzhou City, on the third floor, in a private room.
On the table was a delicious four-course meal with soup, all made from spiritual fish.
Mo Hua happily ate the tender fish meat and sipped the tasty fish soup, his eyes narrowing in delight.
Master Gu was relieved to see Mo Hua enjoying the food and quietly let out a breath.
As they ate, they exchanged pleasantries, and then Mo Hua brought up the main reason for their meeting.
"Master Gu, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
Far from being bothered, Master Gu was delighted and readily agreed. "Young Master Mo, please tell me. As long as it's within my ability, Gu will do my best to help."
Mo Hua smiled and asked, "Master Gu, can you help me refine some array mediums?"
"Array mediums..."
Master Gu was neither surprised nor did he ask further questions. Instead, he readily agreed. "Of course!"
Then he asked, "May I ask what kind of array mediums Young Master Mo needs?"
Mo Hua was well-prepared. He took out several drawings from his storage bag and handed them to Master Gu.
On the drawings were array mediums that Mo Hua had designed himself based on array structures and his own needs.
The array mediums were mostly basic, such as array flags and array plates.
At first glance, Master Gu thought they looked a bit crude, like they had been designed by a novice. However, he didn't say anything.
While they might be a bit rough and would require more artifact refining materials, they were fully functional and complete in structure. There shouldn't be any issues with using them.
Master Gu was a little surprised, as he rarely encountered young masters like Mo Hua who had such a down-to-earth style.
"If you want just a few dozen, then consider them my gift to you."
"But if you want more, hundreds or even thousands, I'll only charge you for the cost of materials..."
Master Gu looked over the blueprints once more, estimating their value: "Since they're all second-grade array mediums, and the materials aren't particularly expensive, the price won't be too high. I can make each array plate for about fifty spirit stones, and each side of the array flags will be sixty-five spirit stones..."
Mo Hua nodded slightly.
This was even cheaper than he had expected.
However, he hesitated.
He had only intended to forge a dozen or so array mediums to play around with, but since Master Gu was a third-grade Artificer, he felt a bit embarrassed to ask for such a small number.
On the other hand, if he asked for too many, it would be a waste of spirit stones, and he wasn't a scion of a wealthy family who could afford such extravagance.
Master Gu seemed to sense Mo Hua's dilemma and said thoughtfully, "How about this, I'll forge twenty of each type first. Then I'll bring them to you so you can inspect the quality and give me your feedback. Consider it an exchange of insights on array mediums..."
Mo Hua didn't have any insights to offer when it came to array mediums.
The blueprints he had were merely copies of designs from artificing books with some modifications of his own.
The only array medium he had any real experience with was the "soil" from the ground.
But he understood that Master Gu was trying to be friendly.
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you...?" Mo Hua asked softly.
Master Gu waved his hand dismissively. "What trouble? They're just a few second-grade array mediums. I'd be doing it anyway to keep my skills sharp..."
Mo Hua nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, Master Gu."
Master Gu bowed slightly. "You're too kind, young master."
The waiter then brought two more dishes, a steamed bighead fish and a fried big golden fish, both of which were new to Mo Hua.
"Please try them, young master," Master Gu invited.
Mo Hua took a bite and nodded in appreciation. "Delicious."
Master Gu smiled.
The two continued their conversation, with Mo Hua asking questions and Master Gu providing answers.
If Mo Hua didn't ask, Master Gu would serve him food, but he didn't ask or say anything else.
Mo Hua had initially thought that Master Gu had invited him for a reason.
But now, it seemed that he was just being hospitable without any hidden motives.
After they finished their meal, Mo Hua remembered another question and took the opportunity to ask, "Master Gu, isn't Gu Shan a third-grade state? Why does it seem so...?"
Mo Hua paused, then decided to be blunt, "...poor?"
Master Gu was taken aback, a bitter smile appearing on his face.
"Can't I speak about it?" Mo Hua asked.
Master Gu shook his head. "It's fine. If you're curious, I don't mind explaining..."
Master Gu sighed and slowly said, "It's actually quite a simple matter..."
"Hundreds of years ago, Gu Shan City was surrounded by continuous mountains, rich in mineral resources, and was quite prosperous."
"Moreover, the ores produced at that time had a high compatibility with spiritual energy, making them ideal for refining array mediums."
"As the saying goes, 'make use of the mountains and their resources'. The cultivators in Gu Shan City mostly relied on artificing, especially the crafting of array mediums, for their livelihood."
"While they might not have been wealthy, they lived comfortable lives."
"And then?" Mo Hua asked curiously, taking a sip of the fish soup.
"Then..."
Master Gu sighed, "Then, some of the powerful families in Qian State took notice of the abundant mines in Gu Shan City and wanted to purchase them to forge luxurious spiritual artifacts."
Mo Hua frowned. "Luxurious spiritual artifacts?"
Master Gu explained, "Things like glazed tiles, colorful lamps, golden and jade-like bricks, and gilded carriages..."
"These items are expensive to make and even more expensive to buy."
Mo Hua was puzzled. "Aside from looking nice, what other use do they have?"
Master Gu sighed. "They're status symbols. To some people, that's more important than anything else."
"Did the cultivators in Gu Shan City agree?"
Master Gu frowned. "Some agreed, some didn't. But those who disagreed were eventually forced to comply."
"In the face of such powerful families, the cultivators in Gu Shan City, including the solitary cultivators and smaller clans, had no choice but to submit."
Master Gu's expression turned bitter.
"Didn't the Dao Court intervene?"
Master Gu didn't want to say it directly, so he asked rhetorically, "Do you know where most of the cultivators working in the Dao Court come from?"
Mo Hua's eyes narrowed.
Master Gu sighed. "And on the surface, everything was done by the book."
"The powerful families did indeed 'purchase' or 'lease' the mines from the cultivators of Gu Shan City, with proper spirit contracts and spiritual imprints."
"The powerful families followed the rules, and the Dao Court enforced the laws. The cultivators of Gu Shan City had no recourse."
"After that, the powerful families established artificing shops in Gu Shan City and began extracting ores day and night using large-scale spirit artifacts and array formations."
"At first, the cultivators of Gu Shan City protested and caused some disturbances."
"But then the powerful families decided to only hire local cultivators for the mining, offering them decent wages."
"The local cultivators received spirit stones and gradually suppressed their dissatisfaction, settling into a peaceful life."
"However..."
Master Gu shook his head. "The powerful families were too aggressive in their extraction methods."
"In less than a hundred years, they completely depleted all the mineral veins."
"After that, the powerful families left, leaving behind only abandoned mines."
"The cultivators of Gu Shan City, who relied on those mines for their livelihood, were devastated, and the city gradually declined."
"Some of the smaller clans went bankrupt, and their members had to disperse and fend for themselves, becoming solitary cultivators once again."
"As for the solitary cultivators, they were left to fend for themselves."
"Those who could leave did so, and those who couldn't find other means of survival stayed in Gu Shan City, scavenging for scraps of ore in the abandoned mines and selling them to run-down artificing shops for a meager living..."
...
Mo Hua's expression turned solemn.
Even though he was in Qian State, he felt as if he had returned to Li State and those low-grade, struggling small state realms.
The way of the world was such that those who had plenty took from those who had little...
(End of Chapter)
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