Chapter 706: The Young Master
Chapter 706: The Young Master
Over-the-River Dragon's scalp tingled, and he gritted his teeth, "If I don't deliver the message, I might not die, but if I do, death is certain."
Mo Hua replied coldly, "Whether you deliver it or not, you will still die... Anyway, you're of no use to me now. I'll tie you up, pierce a few holes in your body, and throw you into the Misty River to feed the water demons."
"If you deliver the Elixir Pill, you might not die just yet," came the reply.
A chill ran down Over-the-River Dragon's spine.
He knew that this young master, with his gentle face and malicious heart, was not joking.
The young master was ruthless, and if he said he would kill him, he would surely show no mercy.
Over-the-River Dragon struggled internally for a long time before finally speaking, "Alright, I'll do it! But I..."
Mo Hua's expression turned cold, and he interrupted, "Don't try to negotiate with me. If you deliver the pill, I'll let you enter the Dao Prison alive. If you don't, you'll go to the Underworld right now."
Over-the-River Dragon's face turned pale, and with no other choice, he reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"Where should I deliver it?" Mo Hua asked.
With a sigh, Over-the-River Dragon replied, "Downstream of the Misty River, there's a small ferry crossing that has been abandoned for many years, rarely visited by anyone..."
"At the hour of the dog tonight, an unmanned small boat will pass through the ferry crossing..."
Mo Hua nodded slightly, but before Over-the-River Dragon could finish, he asked, "And then?"
"Then," Over-the-River Dragon smiled bitterly, "I don't know..."
Mo Hua's expression turned displeased.
Over-the-River Dragon quickly explained, "Every time I get on the small boat and let it drift on the river surface for less than an hour, it brings me to a different destination."
"But I don't know where it is because the destination is always different..."
Mo Hua frowned, "Will you encounter other cultivators along the way?"
Over-the-River Dragon shook his head, "No."
Mo Hua thought for a moment and then said, "Then you lead the way."
Over-the-River Dragon nodded.
The group then split into two, with Gu An and Gu Quan following Mo Hua, while Over-the-River Dragon led the way to track down the legendary "young master."
The other Gu family cultivators took Xi Daoshi and the other black-robed men to the Dao Prison.
Mo Hua just wanted to know who the so-called "young master" or "young masters" were and might not take any action.
If a fight did break out, Gu An and Gu Quan, being second-grade state cultivators, would be more than enough to handle the situation.
If they couldn't win, then the presence of the others would be meaningless.
Mo Hua took out one of the storage bags from Xi Daoshi and threw it to Over-the-River Dragon. Inside were the evil "human pills" that Xi Daoshi had refined earlier.
These human pills were to be used as bait.
If the opponent had weak cultivation, they could be caught red-handed with the pills.
But if the opponent had high cultivation and they couldn't win, the pills would simply be used as bait to see what kind of "fish" took the bait.
Before they parted ways, Mo Hua gave Xi Daoshi a dangerous look, warning him to be honest and keep his mouth shut, or else he would be sealing his own fate.
Xi Daoshi felt bitter inside.
He, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, a second-grade evil pill master, and a second-grade evil array master, had fallen to the point where he was being threatened by a young boy.
However, he dared not show any dissatisfaction.
This little monster with his divine sense was truly terrifying, and he might have even killed the River God. Xi Daoshi didn't dare to offend Mo Hua in any way.
Xi Daoshi kept his eyes and nose down, behaving obediently.
Then, the two groups went their separate ways.
Over-the-River Dragon led the way, with the binding spirit lock removed from his body and his clothes changed to those of an ordinary fisherman cultivator. No other restraints were placed on him, and he appeared to be free.
However, Mo Hua secretly slipped a Fire Array Disc into his pocket.
"If you don't behave, I'll blow you up!" Mo Hua threatened.
Over-the-River Dragon felt like crying but had no tears.
And so, the group set off.
Gu An and Gu Quan activated their Water Hiding Jade, while Mo Hua used the Small Five Elements Concealment Technique to hide their presence as they followed closely behind Over-the-River Dragon.
Over-the-River Dragon, with the array disc in his pocket, dared not have any other thoughts. He obediently led Mo Hua and the others to the remote and long-abandoned ferry crossing downstream of the Misty River.
The water algae were a lush green, and the river sparkled in the light.
Over-the-River Dragon sat at the ferry crossing, waiting, while Mo Hua and the others kept a close eye on him.
Time passed, and as the sun set, dusk fell, and the night deepened.
Around the hour of the dog, a small, abandoned boat indeed drifted towards the lonely, abandoned pier from a distance.
The boat was not large, made of wood, and could only accommodate four or five people.
Over-the-River Dragon glanced back and then silently boarded the small boat.
Mo Hua pondered for a moment and then said, "Let's go too."
Gu An and Gu Quan nodded.
The three of them, concealed, quietly boarded the boat as well.
The boat rocked slightly, sinking a little deeper into the water, and then drifted along with the river.
The cool moonlight shone on the lake, creating a serene and beautiful atmosphere.
However, the people on the boat were apprehensive, their senses heightened, and they were fully alert, anticipating any surprises.
No one spoke, and the only sound was the gentle flowing of the river.
After drifting for an unknown duration and distance, Mo Hua suddenly paused, sensing the surroundings, and his expression turned grim, "Third-grade state realm!"
The small boat had brought them to the river domain of the third-grade state realm.
As an array master who had witnessed the Heavenly Dao Grand Array and was sensitive to state realm auras, Mo Hua immediately felt the profound change in the surrounding aura. His own cultivation and spiritual power seemed insignificant in comparison.
This was because the Heavenly Dao's rules had raised the realm's restrictions.
This was already the third-grade state realm where Golden Core cultivators could exert their full power!
Gu An and Gu Quan's senses were not as sharp, but they also realized something was amiss after Mo Hua's reminder.
Over-the-River Dragon looked flustered, "I... I don't know anything..."
The small boat was beyond his control, and he had no say in where it drifted.
Gu An asked in a low voice, "Young Master Mo, do you want to go back?"
The third-grade state realm was beyond their cultivation range, and if something unexpected happened, they might not be able to protect Mo Hua.
Mo Hua frowned.
Going back... was an option.
The small boat had water-based guidance and cruising arrays drawn on it, and by modifying the arrays, they could drift back the way they came.
However, Mo Hua was reluctant.
The fish was about to take the bait, and he didn't want to reel in the line just yet.
More importantly, despite being in the third-grade state realm, Mo Hua's heavenly machine omen did not indicate the sense of crisis and impending doom he usually felt before a life-threatening situation.
"Let's see first..."
Mo Hua said.
Although Gu An and Gu Quan felt uneasy, they could only nod in agreement.
This place seemed inhabited, contrary to his expectations of it being remote and secluded.
"Be careful," Mo Hua cautioned.
"Yes," Gu An and Gu Quan replied in low voices.
The small boat rocked gently as it slowly approached the shore and docked at the ferry crossing.
A man was already waiting at the crossing, and upon seeing Over-the-River Dragon, he asked, "Were you fishing?"
Over-the-River Dragon glanced back and then replied in a coarse voice, "Give me the spirit stones first, and then I'll give you the fish."
The man frowned, "Let me see if the fish are fresh first, then I'll give you the spirit stones."
"They were just caught, so they're definitely fresh," Over-the-River Dragon assured him.
The man asked, "How many spirit stones do you want?"
Over-the-River Dragon quoted a price.
The man shook his head, "That's too high. I'll have to ask my boss."
"I'll come with you so that you don't complain about the freshness of my fish behind my back," Over-the-River Dragon said.
The man nodded, "Follow me."
Over-the-River Dragon hesitated for a moment, then jumped off the boat and followed the man to a nearby tavern.
Once the two had walked away, Mo Hua, Gu An, and Gu Quan disembarked and discreetly followed from a distance, all the way to the tavern.
The tavern was open-air and spacious, enclosed by bamboo fences. There were tables set up in the courtyard for traveling cultivators to rest and drink. A few more tables were scattered outside the courtyard, albeit much simpler in appearance.
At that moment, there were a few people drinking outside, including one man in coarse cloth and a straw hat, drinking strong liquor.
Mo Hua's gaze lingered on this man for a moment before moving away. He then stepped into the tavern's courtyard with Gu An and Gu Quan.
Inside, Over-the-River Dragon stood respectfully across from a table of four cultivators. Their attire was modest, but their accessories and jewelry were luxurious and expensive.
Among them, Mo Hua recognized one person.
It was the "Golden Young Master" with whom he had a brief encounter and who also had a secret connection with Over-the-River Dragon.
Over-the-River Dragon placed the storage bag containing the "human pills" on the table.
The Golden Young Master, without any hesitation, opened the pill bottle and sniffed it, nodding in satisfaction, "The quality is good, and the potency is sufficient."
Over-the-River Dragon bowed and said, "I'm glad you like it, Young Master Jin."
The Golden Young Master neither agreed nor disagreed. After a moment, he sighed, "I told you to sell fish in peace and guaranteed your cultivation without worries, yet you've attracted a few flies here. Why?"
Before the Golden Young Master could finish his sentence, Mo Hua realized their cover had been blown. Without hesitation, he ordered, "Attack!"
Gu An instantly broke his concealment and slashed at the Golden Young Master with his blade.
The Golden Young Master coldly smiled and pointed his finger, forming a golden sword light that rushed towards Gu An.
The clash of blade and sword sent shockwaves, shattering a nearby table into pieces.
However, Gu An showed no signs of retreat. As a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, his cultivation was higher than that of the Golden Young Master.
Moreover, he practiced the Gu family's Twin Linked Blades technique, which, although not as powerful as the Severing Gold Sword Manual, was augmented by his profound cultivation, making it no less formidable.
On the other hand, the Golden Young Master was overwhelmed by the blade's force, his face paling.
Gu An pressed forward and slashed again.
This strike was even faster.
The Golden Young Master couldn't gather his sword qi in time and had to retreat.
But Gu An's blade still grazed his cheek, slicing off a few strands of hair as it moved from top to bottom.
The Golden Young Master looked disheveled and extremely displeased.
Mo Hua shook his head slightly.
So incompetent, yet he insists on showing off, pretending to be a skilled expert. In the end, he couldn't even withstand two moves from Little An.
The Golden Young Master seemed to realize that he was no match for Gu An.
"Everyone, attack together!" he ordered.
The other disciples, dressed in fine robes, sneered and formed golden sword lights of their own. Apparently, most of them were disciples of the Severing Gold Sword Sect.
The tavern, which had been filled with drinking guests, suddenly emptied as the casual drinkers scattered like birds and beasts, sensing the impending deadly battle.
The tavern erupted into chaos as the fight began.
Gu An and Gu Quan worked together, employing the Gu family's Twin Linked Blades technique, engaging the Golden Young Master and his companions in a fierce battle.
For a moment, the air crackled with sword lights and killing intent.
The Golden Young Master had six companions, most of whom were at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Only one was at the late stage, but his cultivation was far shallower than that of Gu An and Gu Quan, and his combat experience paled in comparison to the Gu brothers, who were both officers of the Dao Court.
Thus, despite being outnumbered, Gu An and Gu Quan held their ground.
The battle raged on without a clear victor.
Just then, a tall disciple of the Severing Gold Sword Sect said to the Golden Young Master, "Hold them off for a bit. I'll use the Severing Gold Sword Manual and end this quickly!"
The Golden Young Master, struggling against the relentless blade strikes, gritted his teeth and agreed, "Good!"
The disciples of the Severing Gold Sword Sect adjusted their positions, altering their offensive.
The tall disciple retreated to the back, using the others as cover while he began to manipulate his golden sword, gathering sword qi.
Mo Hua immediately recognized the technique as the Severing Gold Sword Sect's true legacy, the Severing Gold Sword Manual.
However, whether due to panic or overconfidence in his sword skills, the disciple forgot to activate the Golden Body Technique or use a Golden Body Talisman beforehand.
"Too careless..."
Mo Hua shook his head.
Then, as the tall disciple channeled all his energy into his sword, pushing his spiritual power to the limit and concentrating his sword qi to the extreme...
Mo Hua lightly tapped with his finger, and three fireballs whistled out in succession.
One aimed for the head, one for the heart meridian, and one for the dantian.
These three fireballs were extremely fast and launched from tricky angles.
The tall disciple, completely focused on wielding his sword, was unprepared and was struck by the fireballs on three vital points.
His sword technique was disrupted, and his spiritual power went into chaos.
The Severing Gold Sword Sect disciple spat out a mouthful of blood.
Gu An and Gu Quan, who had been dividing their attention between the battle and vigilance, breathed a sigh of relief and felt grateful to Mo Hua.
If the Severing Gold Sword Manual had been fully unleashed, the situation would have become unfavorable.
The expressions of the Golden Young Master and his companions turned grave.
"There's another one!"
Both sides paused momentarily, and the Golden Young Master, standing firm, scanned Gu An and Gu Quan with a cold gaze and asked, "Who are you, rodent-like beings?
"Killing a few insignificant ants and refining a few pills, what's the big deal?" The golden young master's eyes were filled with a twisted light, his expression ugly.
Mo Hua's brows furrowed, and his face gradually turned cold. "Little An, Little Quan, he's admitted to his crimes. Cripple his limbs and take him back to the Path Court."
Gu An and Gu Quan also wore angry expressions.
The golden young master was taken aback for a moment, but instead of anger, he laughed. "Are you serious?"
Gu An and Gu Quan gripped their blades, their blood boiling as they prepared to use all their strength to take down the golden young master and his companions.
However, just as they took a step forward, a substantial, crystal-clear water-shaped sword qi appeared, slicing in front of them.
This sword was refined in its spiritual power and incredibly formidable.
With just a slight movement, it carved out a several-foot-wide gully in the ground.
Gu An and Gu Quan were intimidated by the sword's intent, their faces turning pale.
A sword cultivator in the Golden Core realm?!
From behind the golden young master, a figure slowly stepped forward. He wore a water-blue daoist robe, had fair skin, and exuded a profound aura.
Gu An and Gu Quan had not even noticed this person before, and now the atmosphere in the tavern became tense.
Gu An and Gu Quan's expressions turned solemn as they pushed their blades to the limit, silently protecting Mo Hua behind them.
The water-blue-robed sword cultivator looked down at them with contempt and said with an air of superiority, "Kneel down and kowtow three times, swearing to keep what you saw and heard today a secret, and I'll let you leave."
Before Gu An and Gu Quan could respond, the golden young master sneered, "No! Kill them! They must die, especially that insolent brat!"
The water-blue-robed sword cultivator frowned slightly.
Gu An and Gu Quan also felt a chill in their hearts.
They didn't mind their own fate, but they couldn't let anything happen to Little Mo.
Gu An said in a deep voice, "We are members of the Gu family!"
"The Gu family?!" The golden young master scoffed. "The Gu family must die too!"
The water-blue-robed sword cultivator's eyes flickered, and he said in a low voice, "Let's not make things more complicated..."
"Kill them!" The golden young master's eyes were filled with cruelty. "I'll bear all the consequences!"
A hint of displeasure flashed in the water-blue-robed sword cultivator's eyes, but he didn't go against the golden young master's wishes.
A strand of refined and substantial golden core water-attributed spiritual power gathered at his fingertips, forming a sharp sword qi.
The water-blue-robed sword cultivator looked at Mo Hua and said indifferently, "Golden Core sword qi. Killing you will only take an instant, and it won't be too painful."
Before Gu An and Gu Quan could react, the water-blue-robed sword cultivator pointed, and the sword qi tore through the air.
The water-blue sword qi was like a real spiritual sword, slashing out a dazzling streak of water light that aimed straight for Mo Hua's heart meridian.
Gu An and Gu Quan were shocked and horrified.
However, Mo Hua remained calm, his gaze indifferent.
Just as the sword light approached within ten feet of Mo Hua, a dazzling and colorful light suddenly rose, and wind blades appeared in pairs, forming a barrier like a peacock spreading its resplendent feathers, exquisite and beautiful, protecting Mo Hua in the center.
The sword light couldn't break through the wind blades, and it dissipated on its own.
The water-blue-robed sword cultivator's pupils constricted, and he glanced outside the tavern.
A cultivator wearing coarse clothes and a straw hat slowly stood up. He had a tall and slender figure, a handsome face, a cold demeanor, and an air of arrogance as he looked down at the water-blue-robed sword cultivator with disdain.
"Vile creature, who do you intend to kill?"
(End of Chapter)
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