Inquiries About Longevity Chapter 800: Zhu Yan's Boat - Novel Cool

Chapter 800: Zhu Yan's Boat

Chapter 800: Zhu Yan's Boat

Mo Hua asked in a soft voice, "What do they mean by 'flowery debauchery'? How flowery could it be?"

The shop owner was about to answer when he caught sight of Mo Hua's youthful and innocent face. He shook his head and said, "It's not something a child should hear. You're a good kid, so don't get involved with such sordid things."

"Oh," Mo Hua replied, sounding a little disappointed. He then asked, "Then... how did this Young Master Ye die?"

"How else could he have died?" The shop owner scoffed. "I heard his boat sank, and all six people on board drowned. They were eaten by the water demons and left unrecognizable."

Mo Hua's eyes narrowed slightly as he inwardly confirmed his suspicions.

"How did the boat suddenly sink?" Mo Hua asked, puzzled.

The shop owner, an elderly woman, hesitated for a moment and glanced around before lowering her voice. "It's not that simple. The circles these young masters from prestigious families run in are very chaotic..."

"This Young Master Ye was a profligate playboy who didn't watch his behavior. He was extravagant and lustful. This time, it's said that he got into a jealous quarrel with another young master, who then held a grudge against him. Someone secretly hired people to sink his boat and drown everyone on board." The shop owner gossiped endlessly.

"Who did he offend?" Mo Hua asked.

The shop owner shook her head. "Who knows?"

"Didn't the Ye family pursue the matter?"

"They didn't dare to," the shop owner said. "The Ye family has some standing in Yanshui City, but in the entire Qian Xue realm, they're not that significant. That Young Master Ye might be considered a 'young master' around Yanshui City, but compared to the celestial-like young masters from the other major aristocratic families, he's probably not even worthy of being a follower..."

Mo Hua couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion upon hearing this.

People in this world were divided into hierarchies of high and low, noble and humble, and they trampled on each other to climb higher.

Those who trampled on others would eventually be trampled on by those above them.

This was the case with the Ye family.

Before he realized it, Mo Hua had finished his noodles, and he couldn't get much more information, so he paid the bill and gave two extra spirit stones.

The shop owner couldn't refuse his generosity and enthusiastically saw him out, showering him with kind words.

After leaving, Mo Hua wandered around the area and stayed the night at an inn.

During this time, he also inquired about some news, but it wasn't very useful, and many of them were obviously rumors that couldn't be taken seriously.

The next morning, after eating several large buns, Mo Hua hired a carriage and left Yanshui City.

With only two days of the school break left, time was limited, and he couldn't afford any more delays. He had to return to his sect first.

However, before heading back, Mo Hua thought that he might as well make a detour to the small fishing village since it was along the way.

Ever since the incident with the Blood-colored Fishing Village, where they demolished the River God Temple, killed the fallen River God, and devoured one of the incarnations of the Evil God, Mo Hua hadn't returned to the small fishing village. He didn't know how the village was doing now.

It was already morning, and the sun shone brightly.

The Yanshui River sparkled with rippling waves, and the grass on its banks was lush and green. The river flowed gently into the distance, resembling an emerald ribbon.

The scenery was beautiful, but for some reason, Mo Hua felt a sense of unease as he beheld the river.

It was as if this seemingly pristine river concealed unseen filth.

After more than a watch's time, Mo Hua arrived at the small fishing village.

As soon as he reached the village entrance, several fisherman cultivators greeted him. "Hello, Young Master!"

"Young Master is here!"

"It's been a long time..."

Mo Hua smiled and returned their greetings.

Soon, Old Yu also came over. When he saw Mo Hua, he expressed his gratitude endlessly, calling him a savior and inviting him over. "It's almost noon. If you don't mind, please come to our house for some fish soup."

Fish soup...

Mo Hua's feelings were complicated as he heard those words.

However, he didn't refuse. This time, he had come to the small fishing village to ask Old Yu about some things.

Old Yu's house was still the same dilapidated courtyard, but fortunately, his family was reunited and lively, and the atmosphere was warm and bustling.

As soon as he entered, Old Yu called for his two grandsons. "Xiao Shunzi, Xiao Shuizi, come and kowtow to our savior."

Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuizi didn't hesitate at all. They immediately knelt down and knocked their heads twice, loud enough to be heard by everyone.

Mo Hua didn't even have a chance to stop them.

"You're too kind..."

Mo Hua said helplessly.

But Old Yu was insistent. "You saved the lives of these two children. They have low cultivation and are incapable of repaying you, so what's the harm in letting them knock their heads a couple of times?"

After the two children finished knocking their heads, they stood up, their bright eyes fixed on Mo Hua.

Mo Hua also looked them over.

The last time he had seen these two children was by the Yanshui River when he, Cheng Mo, and the others were ambushing the river dragon.

The children of the poor grow up fast.

Even though they were young and only at the Qi Refining stage back then, they were already sensible and helpful.

During the incident at the ruined temple, they had been offered as sacrifices to the Evil God.

After they were rescued, their vital signs were weak, and their faces were pale.

Now, more than a year later, the two children had clearly recovered their vitality. Their faces were tanned from the sun, but they looked more spirited. Moreover, they had cultivated the White Wave Art that Mo Hua had given them, and their bodies were filled with swirling water energy and refined spiritual power, indicating significant progress in their cultivation.

Their cultivation speed far exceeded Mo Hua's expectations.

"It's no trouble," Mo Hua assured him.

After all, he probably wouldn't have much use for them himself.

Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuizi scratched their heads, also declining, "Benefactor, we're good swimmers and don't really need them..."

But Mo Hua insisted, "Precisely because you're good swimmers, you should carry something to repel water, just in case..."

"As the saying goes, even those who are good swimmers can drown. The better you are, the easier it is to become complacent and lose your respect for the water."

"Water and fire are both merciless."

"If you spend your life on the water, even a small mistake can cost you your life, and there may not be a chance to recover..." Mo Hua spoke bluntly.

The two children's hearts stirred at his words.

Old Yu glanced at his beloved grandchildren and, unable to refuse any longer, finally said, "Alright, then give our benefactor two more kowtows."

Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuizi started to bow again, but Mo Hua quickly stopped them, "That's enough, that's enough... let's not overdo it."

Old Yu smiled and didn't press the issue further. Instead, he began to prepare lunch.

As fishermen, their midday meal naturally consisted mostly of fish.

"I caught a Jade-scaled Fish a few days ago," Old Yu said with a smile. "Its meat is tender, and the soup is delicious and rare. We usually only catch a few of them a year. Because they're so rare, others don't recognize their value, so they don't fetch a high price."

Old Yu's face was wreathed in smiles as he continued, "I was wondering why my luck had suddenly turned so good, but it turns out that the River God sent this fish to me so that I could properly host our benefactor."

Having made his living on the water for most of his life, Old Yu tended to attribute his good fortune to the "River God," especially when something unexpected happened.

After a while, Yu Dachuan, who had been out fishing, returned and expressed his gratitude to Mo Hua once again.

The group sat down to eat, and Mo Hua was urged to take the seat of honor.

A bowl of Jade-scaled Fish soup was served, its meat tender and the broth thick and fragrant.

Mo Hua stared at the soup for a long time, making sure there were no small red fish or other similar evil signs in it before he finally felt relieved and began to eat.

After eating the meat and drinking the soup, Old Yu and his family took turns offering Mo Hua cups of wine.

The wine wasn't of good quality, as fishermen like them couldn't afford such luxuries.

However, Old Yu and his family were so hospitable that Mo Hua enjoyed the wine anyway. It had a strong flavor that tingled his throat slightly.

After the meal, Yu Dachuan prepared to go back to the river.

The two children, Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuizi, lay sprawled out under the eaves, taking a nap in the afternoon sun.

Old Yu brewed a pot of tea, and he and Mo Hua chatted inside the house.

After a while, Mo Hua took the opportunity to ask, "Old Yu, do you remember that 'young master' who drowned in the Yanshui River?"

"Which young master?" Old Yu asked, unable to recall immediately.

"The one I mentioned when we first met," Mo Hua explained. "I was fishing, and you advised me to leave quickly because a person had drowned by the river recently, and their corpse had been gnawed beyond recognition by water demons..."

"Oh, yes..." Old Yu nodded, remembering. "That did happen."

"Do you know who that young master was?" Mo Hua asked.

Old Yu shook his head. "I'm not sure about that. I only heard that he was from Yanshui City and was the young master of a third-rate family. I don't know his name, though."

"That kind of thing would be embarrassing for the family if it got out, so they probably didn't make a big deal about it," Old Yu added.

Mo Hua nodded and then asked quietly, "Old Yu, didn't you also mention something about a 'Zhu Yan's Boat' before?"

Old Yu paused, his gaze toward Mo Hua becoming somewhat subtle.

With a serious expression, he hesitated for a moment before finally speaking earnestly, "Benefactor, I know you're young and might be curious about such things, but you must be cautious when it comes to women and pleasure. Those places of indulgence can ruin your foundation for cultivation..."

"Wait until you're older and have a proper marriage arranged. Then you can consider such matters," Old Yu advised, sounding like a seasoned veteran.

Mo Hua's expression froze, unsure how to respond.

Finally, he said helplessly, "Old Yu, you've misunderstood. I have important business."

"Important business?" Old Yu was taken aback.

Mo Hua lowered his voice and said, "It's a murder case from the Daotinsi."

Old Yu's expression immediately turned serious at the mention of the Daotinsi.

"I'll only tell you, but you mustn't tell anyone else," Mo Hua said.

The words "Daotinsi" naturally invoked a sense of awe. Although people often complained about its corruption and inefficiency behind its back, when faced with it directly, they became respectful and dared not slack off.

"Of course, of course!" Old Yu's head bobbed like a drum.

Mo Hua asked, "So, what is Zhu Yan's Boat?"

Old Yu glanced left and right, ensuring that the adults were out working on the river, his two grandchildren were sound asleep, and no one else was around. Then, he lowered his voice and said, "It's a pleasure boat.

Mo Hua's eyes widened as he understood, "So it's a floating brothel?"

"Yes." Old Yu nodded.

Mo Hua frowned, "But the Qian Xue State is filled with sects, and their disciples are numerous. Their purpose is to spread teachings and knowledge, fostering a thriving academic culture. Brothels and pleasure houses are prohibited, are they not?"

Not only within the Qian Xue State but even in the surrounding regions, such establishments were not allowed to exist according to the rules.

Old Yu sighed, "Human nature is such that it cannot be easily restrained..."

"That flower boat," Mo Hua asked, "Have you been on it, Old Yu?"

Old Yu quickly waved his hands, "That kind of place isn't somewhere I could afford to go."

"Then how do you know that they conduct such indecent business?" Mo Hua asked.

Old Yu smiled faintly, "I may be dull and slow in my cultivation, but I've lived a long time and seen a lot. Sometimes, you just know these things at a glance."

"They put up flowers and hang curtains, thinking they can hide their activities, but it only makes it more obvious. These illicit affairs are like a cat stealing fish; you can't hide the fishy smell..."

Upon hearing this, Mo Hua looked at Old Yu with newfound respect.

Everyone walks their own path in life, even those who seem like insignificant minor characters can have unique experiences and insights.

Mo Hua asked, "Old Yu, have you ever seen the Rouge Boat with your own eyes?"

Old Yu nodded solemnly, "A few times..."

"Those few times, I had been fishing late into the night. I had just finished pulling in my nets and hadn't had a chance to rest yet. When I checked the time, it had already passed midnight..."

"At that time, a thick fog would rise over the river, obscuring everything in a hazy mist. After a while, red and green lights would appear, and several flower boats would sail downstream. They were adorned with curtains and colorful lanterns, looking extravagant and glamorous, with the laughter of men and women echoing from within, bewitching the hearts of those who heard it..."

"Even from the riverbank, you could smell the strong scent of rouge, hence the name 'Rouge Boat'."

"These boats don't stop; they just keep sailing into the distance, and no one knows where they eventually dock..."

Mo Hua was a little surprised, "More than one?"

Old Yu nodded, "Yes, there are quite a few. When I saw them, there were usually seven or eight boats, shrouded in fog, sailing in a line."

Mo Hua furrowed his brows.

There seemed to be a slight discrepancy between Old Yu's description and what he had witnessed...

That night on the Yanshui River, he had also seen a flower boat.

The night was thick with darkness, and the river waters were murky, but that flower boat shone with brilliant lights, veiled in a romantic haze, with enchanting music floating in the air.

However, there was only one such boat.

Moreover, there was a group of "young masters" on board.

Through the dark mist, he had even locked eyes with one of them, a "young master" surrounded by a crowd, with eyes as red as a demon's...

The memory of that night flashed in Mo Hua's mind, and he fell into a brief daze.

"Young Master, Young Master..."

Old Yu called out several times before Mo Hua snapped back to attention.

Seeing Mo Hua's serious expression, Old Yu couldn't help but feel a little anxious, and he asked in a low voice, "This Rouge Boat, is it involved in some serious murder case?"

Mo Hua had no idea.

He had just asked casually.

"It's hard to say..." Mo Hua saw that Old Yu looked worried, so he reassured him, "But this case has little to do with you, I'm just asking casually."

Old Yu finally relaxed.

Mo Hua wanted to ask something else, but then he noticed that Xiao Shunzi and Xiao Shuizi had turned over under the eaves in the distance, rubbed their eyes, and seemed to have woken up, so he didn't ask any further questions.

Some things were not suitable for children to hear.

It was already past noon, and the scorching heat had subsided as the sun started to set.

Mo Hua bid his farewells.

Old Yu tried to detain him and invited him to stay for the night, "I don't have anything special prepared for lunch, but I've already instructed them to have Dachuan catch a big fish from the river for dinner, so we can have a whole fish banquet for you to taste..."

A whole fish banquet...

Mo Hua was indeed a little tempted.

But he really didn't have the time.

"Old Yu, I appreciate your kindness, but maybe next time..." Mo Hua politely declined.

Old Yu tried to persuade him several times, but seeing that he couldn't keep him, he put a few silver fish into a basket and asked Mo Hua to take them with him. Then, he personally saw Mo Hua to the door.

Before leaving, Mo Hua released his spiritual sense one more time to scan the small fishing village, making sure there was no trace of the Evil God's presence, which finally put his heart at ease.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, however, he suddenly sensed something, and his expression changed slightly. He turned back and asked, "Is there also an altar in the fishing village?"

"Yes," Old Yu nodded, his face filled with piety, "We recently started worshipping a little celestial boy to ensure everyone's safety."

"A little celestial boy?"

Mo Hua was puzzled.

Who was that?

(End of Chapter)

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