Chapter 823: Xia Dianshi
Chapter 823: Xia Dianshi
Gu Changhuai's expression turned incredulous as he listened to Mo Hua.
What on earth was this kid talking about?
Get in touch with that woman with the surname Xia?
Was he joking?
Women were nothing but trouble, and he saw no reason to go out of his way to interact with them. Why would he willingly invite such complications into his life unless he had taken leave of his senses?
Gu Changhuai's thoughts betrayed his skepticism.
Mo Hua, undeterred, trotted out the usual excuse, "It's all for the sake of the investigation and uncovering the truth!"
"Give me a more practical reason," Gu Changhuai retorted, having grown immune to such lofty proclamations after spending so much time with Mo Hua.
"Alright," Mo Hua sighed. "I've realized that we might not be able to catch Shui Yema on our own."
"We're in a second-rate state domain, and Shui Yema is not only powerful but also cunning and adept in water-based abilities, which makes him even more troublesome."
Gu Changhuai's brow furrowed in agreement.
Though reluctant to admit it, he knew that Shui Yema might be an even more formidable opponent than Huo Fotuo.
While Shui Yema might not possess the sheer brute strength of Huo Fotuo, his unconventional methods, eerie movements, and bizarre eye techniques made him extremely dangerous.
Confronting him head-on would likely end in defeat.
Huo Fotuo's strength lay in his boundless, beast-like spiritual power and unmatched fire-based forbidden techniques. In a direct confrontation, he was virtually unmatched among cultivators of the same level.
Shui Yema, on the other hand, favored unconventional tactics, vicious techniques, ghost-like agility, and peculiar eye abilities.
The most troublesome aspect was his affinity with water.
On land, he was merely formidable, but once he entered the Yan Shui River, his water-based abilities enhanced his strength significantly.
He could create havoc and come and go as he pleased, leaving others helpless to stop him.
Finding a cultivator with water-based abilities and a cultivation level comparable to Shui Yema was next to impossible.
Gu Changhuai sighed. Such were the complexities of the cultivator's path.
Cultivation was the foundation of everything, but it was not the be-all and end-all.
Having only cultivation without sufficient experience, depth of strategy, knowledge of Taoist techniques, proficiency in various cultivation methods, and the means to utilize one's cultivation effectively would still leave one feeling constrained and helpless in the face of challenges.
"So, you want Xia Dianshi to help?" Gu Changhuai asked.
Mo Hua nodded, "Yes."
"But she's from the Daoting, and we don't know what her intentions are," Gu Changhuai said hesitantly.
"Uncle Gu," Mo Hua said, "didn't you say that Daoting cultivators should follow the Taoist laws, seek the truth, and act impartially? They should apprehend those who need to be caught and punish those who deserve punishment."
"If that's the case, why should we care about Xia Dianshi's identity or motives as long as we act according to the Taoist laws and manage to capture Shui Yema, ridding the world of this scourge?"
Gu Changhuai paused, considering Mo Hua's words, and found that they made a certain amount of sense.
The Daoting Division was, after all, a part of the Daoting.
And while the Gu family was a noble family, their background was in civil service, setting them apart from families with other areas of expertise.
The Gu family's code of conduct had always emphasized following Taoist laws and acting impartially.
Therefore, regardless of the Daoting's intentions, he only needed to act according to the Gu family's code of conduct.
Gu Changhuai suddenly felt enlightened.
Perhaps this was the path of integrity that the Gu family had chosen.
Adhering to Taoist laws and acting on principles.
By doing so, they neither sank to the level of other noble families nor were they considered sycophants of the Daoting.
Even the Daoting itself might not always abide by Taoist laws...
Gu Changhuai's brow furrowed as he considered the implications.
Following this path of integrity would undoubtedly attract jealousy and enmity, possibly leaving them with enemies on all sides.
But this was the path the Gu family had chosen.
To persist on this path might be fraught with obstacles and difficulties, but to abandon it and lose their moral compass could bring about the destruction of the family in the blink of an eye.
Occasionally, he had felt that the family head was too rigid in his ways, but now, upon deeper reflection, he began to understand some of the family head's intentions.
After a moment of contemplation, Gu Changhuai said, "Alright!"
Mo Hua was taken aback.
He hadn't expected Uncle Gu to agree so quickly.
He had prepared more arguments, but it seemed unnecessary now that Uncle Gu had come around on his own.
Though Mo Hua had no idea what had changed his mind...
"Then, Uncle Gu, please take the time to meet with Xia Dianshi," Mo Hua urged.
Gu Changhuai remained silent, still feeling resistant to the idea.
"Don't worry, I'll come with you," Mo Hua assured him.
"What for?" Gu Changhuai frowned.
"If I don't come, you two will probably just stare at each other coldly," Mo Hua thought to himself.
"I also have important matters to discuss with Xia Dianshi," Mo Hua said.
After a moment of silence, Gu Changhuai reluctantly agreed, "Fine..."
Mo Hua's presence would be a relief; otherwise, he really wouldn't feel like meeting this person with the surname Xia.
Women were just too troublesome.
"However, I might invite her, but she might not be willing to come," Gu Changhuai said.
"Don't worry, just give it a try," Mo Hua encouraged him.
Mo Hua had thought it through and believed that Gu Changhuai inviting Xia Dianshi would most likely be successful.
In terms of their identities, they were both Dianshis.
Uncle Gu had been a Dianshi in the Qian Xue State Domain for over two hundred years and came from the prestigious Gu family. He had handled countless cases and encountered innumerable sinful cultivators.
Although Xia Dianshi had the backing of the Xia family and the Daoting, she was new to the Qian Xue State Domain and lacked a thorough understanding of the internal situation.
In this situation, she would undoubtedly welcome the opportunity to seek advice from Uncle Gu.
Additionally, apart from everything else, Uncle Gu was undeniably handsome.
Men were attracted to beautiful women.
And in this world, no woman could resist a dashing young man.
Therefore, Uncle Gu's good looks could not be wasted and had to be utilized effectively.
Gu Changhuai was unaware of the myriad thoughts running through Mo Hua's mind and could only agree, "Alright, I'll give it a try..."
And so, Gu Changhuai decided to give it a shot.
A few days later, Gu Changhuai sent a message to Mo Hua, "Xia Dianshi has agreed. Are you free tomorrow evening?"
Tomorrow evening?
Mo Hua thought for a moment. He had classes tomorrow, and in the evening, he was supposed to teach Yu'er about formations, but that could wait.
"I'm free," Mo Hua replied.
"There's a Gu Family Restaurant in Tai Xu City. Go there around You time tomorrow evening," Gu Changhuai instructed.
"Gu Family Restaurant? Is it the Gu family's business?"
"Yes."
"Alright," Mo Hua agreed.
The next day, after finishing his classes and assigning some formation homework to Yu'er, Mo Hua left Tai Xu Gate and made his way to the Gu Family Restaurant in Tai Xu City.
The restaurant was adorned with an ancient and elegant aesthetic, luxurious yet understated.
From the ink paintings alone, one could guess that this establishment was managed by Aunt Wan.
Upon entering the restaurant, a waiter approached them, but before he could utter a word, a surprised voice piped up, "Is that Young Master Mo?"
Mo Hua looked up and spotted a friendly, slightly chubby-faced manager-like Golden Core cultivator bowing to him with cupped fists.
He seemed vaguely familiar, but Mo Hua couldn't quite place his face.
The manager introduced himself, "I'm the steward of the Gu family and also the manager of this restaurant. I saw you at the Gu family banquet."
"It's nice to meet you, Manager Gu," Mo Hua replied politely.
Manager Gu smiled and asked, "Young Master, are you dining alone or are you here for a gathering?"
"Uncle Gu invited me," Mo Hua replied.
Manager Gu was slightly taken aback but quickly nodded in understanding. He thought to himself that it was no wonder that even the usually aloof and unapproachable Young Master Gu Changhuai would invite this young man for a meal.
"Young Master Changhuai did indeed instruct me to prepare a room. Please follow me," Manager Gu said with a smile.
"Thank you for your trouble," Mo Hua replied with a bow.
Manager Gu then led Mo Hua to a quiet and elegantly furnished private room on the second floor.
Mo Hua's spiritual sense swept through the room and detected arrays surrounding the room, preventing eavesdropping and ensuring privacy.
The room was empty at the moment, as Gu Changhuai and Xia Dianshi had not yet arrived, and no dishes had been served. The table was bare except for a teapot.
"Young Master, please have a seat and make yourself comfortable," Manager Gu offered.
"Sure!" Mo Hua nodded and chose a spot that appealed to him—a cool and breezy location with good "feng shui."
Manager Gu glanced at Mo Hua and then at the sparsely set table, quietly suggesting, "How about I bring some dishes for you first?"
"Let's wait for Uncle Gu," Mo Hua replied.
"Don't worry, consider it a welcome gift from me to you, Young Master. There's no need to be polite," Manager Gu insisted.
Mo Hua couldn't refuse such hospitality, and indeed, his stomach was grumbling, so he graciously accepted, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
"Please wait a moment, Young Master," Manager Gu said with a smile as he retreated.
Soon after, dishes were served by the staff.
True to his word, Manager Gu sent out a variety of dishes that were not only delicious but also beautifully presented.
When the cold and aloof Gu Changhuai entered with the icy-faced Xia Dianshi, they were greeted by the sight of Mo Hua already feasting on the array of dishes before him.
Gu Changhuai couldn't help but ask, "How did you start eating without us?"
"I was hungry," Mo Hua replied unabashedly, "and these dishes are courtesy of Manager Gu."
Gu Changhuai sighed.
This kid could fit in anywhere.
Even in the Gu family's restaurant, the manager went out of his way to prepare a special meal for him.
Gu Changhuai shook his head and found himself a seat, pouring a cup of tea for himself.
Xia Dianshi also took her seat.
She had come here with a purpose, so she didn't bother with the food and focused on the matter at hand.
However...
She glanced at Mo Hua and then at Gu Changhuai, a seed of confusion taking root in her mind.
Over the past few days, she had gained some insight into Gu Changhuai's character.
He was cold, reclusive, rigid, unyielding, lacking in emotional intelligence, unpopular, and had a bad temper. He was difficult to communicate with and maintained a distant demeanor towards everyone...
The only redeeming feature was his physical appearance, which was passable.
Apart from that, he was as cold and hard as stone.
The only person who could truly rouse his anger and even make him lose his composure was the young boy sitting across from him, currently gnawing on a chicken leg.
And Gu Changhuai's attitude towards this young boy was peculiar...
It was evident that Gu Changhuai's attitude towards him was less than friendly, and he often seemed irritated. His words were not particularly polite either.
However, even when angry, Gu Changhuai exercised restraint.
No matter how annoyed he was, he couldn't bring himself to reprimand the boy.
In fact, he seemed to be... wary? Xia Dianshi furrowed her brows, deep in thought.
"Summer, try this chicken leg. It's delicious," Mo Hua offered, handing one of the chicken legs to Xia Dianshi.
One chicken, two legs.
Mo Hua had eaten one, and now he was offering the other to Xia Dianshi.
Gu Changhuai watched silently from the sidelines.
Xia Dianshi appreciated Mo Hua's gesture but, true to her nature as a Dianshi, remained aloof and merely said, "Thank you."
"Also," Xia Dianshi corrected, "call me Xia Dianshi."
"Sure, Xia Dianshi," Mo Hua acknowledged.
Once everyone was seated, Manager Gu began serving the dishes.
These dishes had been specially arranged by Gu Changhuai.
As a young master of a prestigious family, he had refined tastes, and so the dishes were exquisite and luxurious.
In Mo Hua's eyes, however, they were a bit "decadent."
Nonetheless, he didn't hold it against the food and dug in.
Xia Dianshi only tasted a few bites before setting down her chopsticks. Turning to Gu Changhuai, she asked, "Gu Dianshi, why did you invite me here? What is it that you want to discuss?"
Gu Changhuai remained silent and drank his wine.
Xia Dianshi's expression gradually turned less amicable.
Mo Hua sighed, feeling a bit helpless, and said, "Xia Dianshi, do you know Shui Yema?"
Xia Dianshi's expression flickered for a moment, but she quickly recovered her composure, "What about Shui Yema?"
Mo Hua studied her reaction, suspecting that she knew something but wasn't sure how much.
So, he cut to the chase, "Uncle Gu also wants to capture Shui Yema, and he wants to join forces with you."
Xia Dianshi considered his words for a moment before replying, "Although Shui Yema is a scourge and deserves punishment, the focus of the Daoting Division's current investigation is not on him."
"Aren't you investigating the Guishui Gate? Shui Yema has a close relationship with them," Mo Hua pointed out.
Xia Dianshi's eyes narrowed at his words, and she turned to Gu Changhuai, a cold smile playing on her lips, "Gu Dianshi, how dare you divulge the Daoting Division's matters so casually?"
Gu Changhuai took a sip of his wine and coldly huffed, "I didn't say anything."
"Then how did he know?" Xia Dianshi's eyes sharpened.
"Even if I didn't say anything, he would still know. I suspect he knows more about the affairs of the Qian Xue State Domain than you, a Dianshi," Gu Changhuai replied nonchalantly.
Xia Dianshi first scoffed and then, seeing that Gu Changhuai didn't seem to be lying, was taken aback. She turned to look at Mo Hua, her curiosity getting the better of her, "You..."
"My surname is Mo, and my name is Mo Hua. I'm a mid-stage Foundation Establishment disciple of the Tai Xu Sect," Mo Hua introduced himself.
"Mo?" Xia Dianshi exclaimed, a hint of surprise in her voice. "I thought your surname was Gu?"
Mo Hua shook his head.
"Mo..." Xia Dianshi furrowed her brows in thought. "I don't recall any prominent clans in the vicinity of Qian Xue State Domain with the surname Mo."
"I'm not from a prominent clan. I'm a rogue cultivator," Mo Hua replied honestly.
"A rogue cultivator!"
Even the usually stoic Xia Dianshi couldn't hide the astonishment that flashed across her face.
A rogue cultivator? She hailed from a prominent clan in Daozhou, and while she knew that most cultivators were rogue cultivators, her entire social circle consisted of those from prominent clans or major sects.
She had encountered rogue cultivators before, but to find one who had made his way into the heart of the Daoting without relying on connections or affiliations was exceedingly rare.
At least, she had only heard of such cases and had never met anyone like that in person.
Not just in Daozhou, but even in Qian Xue State Domain, it was incredibly rare to find a rogue cultivator who could cross the threshold of a major sect on their own merit.
Xia Dianshi studied Mo Hua more intently, noticing his youthful and innocent demeanor, yet his bearing exuded an extraordinary aura. She became even more intrigued.
"How did a rogue cultivator like you manage to join the Tai Xu Sect?"
She recalled that the Tai Xu Sect was one of the eight major sects in the Qian Xue State Domain.
"That's a long story..." Mo Hua sighed.
Indeed, it was a long story that started with Yu'er, so he decided to skip the details.
Mo Hua quickly shifted the topic to the matter at hand. "In my hands..."
He paused, deciding to include Gu Changhuai as well. "Uncle Gu and I have clues about Shui Yema's whereabouts, but capturing him won't be easy. He's at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, proficient in water-based techniques, and he moves stealthily along the Yan Shui River, leaving no trace."
Xia Dianshi's brows furrowed. "How did you come across clues about Shui Yema?"
Mo Hua's expression turned humble, but his tone carried a hint of pride as he replied, "Sister Xia, to be honest, I'm somewhat of a 'small fry' in the area around Qian Xue State Domain, so I tend to know a little about everything that goes on around here."
Xia Dianshi stared at Mo Hua, taken aback.
Previously, when she had met him at the Daoting Division, she had assumed he was just a pampered and playful young master of the Gu family.
But now, he was claiming to be a "small fry"?
Xia Dianshi turned to glance at Gu Changhuai, seeing the calm expression on his face, and she realized that he agreed with Mo Hua's statement. She found it even harder to believe.
However, she still had her doubts, so she asked, "What do you know about Shui Yema?"
Mo Hua understood that Xia Dianshi was testing him to see if he truly knew anything substantial.
After a moment of thought, he replied, "Shui Yema is at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. He cultivates the Water Prison Sect's techniques, wields the Water Punishment Whip, and is adept at the Water Shadow Step. His eyes can gather baleful energy, and he possesses an uncanny eye technique."
"The Daoting Division doesn't have much information on Shui Yema, but he's a mass murderer, and he must have committed countless atrocities in the past."
"Over a year ago, the Yu Family's water fortress downstream of the Yan Shui River was wiped out, and Shui Yema was behind that incident..."
...
Mo Hua shared some of the information he had gathered.
As Xia Dianshi listened, her expression grew more and more astonished.
Much of what he said was already known to her, but there were also details that she had not heard from any other sources...
Xia Dianshi's gaze fixed on Mo Hua, her eyes reflecting her inner turmoil. "How did you come across all this information?"
A mischievous smile played on Mo Hua's face, but he didn't answer.
After a moment of silence, Xia Dianshi chose to let it go and asked instead, "Then let me ask you one last question... You and Shui Yema have no grudge, so why do you want to capture him?"
Mo Hua's eyes flickered.
It couldn't be said that they had no grudge.
At the very least, Shui Yema must hate him by now.
He probably thought of Mo Hua as a "remnant of the Water Prison Sect" and wanted nothing more than to kill him.
Of course, there were more fundamental reasons that he couldn't disclose.
Mo Hua's expression turned serious as he replied, "I am a disciple of the Tai Xu Sect, and as such, I adhere to the teachings of my sect. I strive to cultivate my heart and seek the path of immortality. It is my duty to vanquish evil and protect the innocent. Shui Yema is a heinous criminal who deserves to die, and if we don't capture him, countless more cultivators will fall victim to his atrocities."
"Therefore, it is the responsibility of every righteous cultivator to apprehend Shui Yema, throw him into the Daoist prison, and ensure he receives the punishment he deserves!" Mo Hua finished with fervor.
Gu Changhuai pinched the bridge of his nose.
This kid was at it again...
However, Xia Dianshi seemed moved by Mo Hua's passionate words. She thought for a moment before nodding and saying, "Alright, let's join forces to capture Shui Yema!"
Mo Hua beamed with joy and poured a cup of wine for Xia Dianshi. Then, he raised his cup and said, "A deal's a deal!"
Seeing his enthusiasm, Xia Dianshi smiled and raised her cup as well. "A deal's a deal."
After clinking their cups together, they turned to Gu Changhuai, who sat beside them with an annoyed expression.
Mo Hua tugged at Gu Changhuai's sleeve. "Uncle Gu, it's your turn."
Gu Changhuai hesitated for a moment before slowly raising his cup to touch Mo Hua's and Xia Dianshi's.
With that, the three of them sealed their agreement.
However, after they finished their meal and left Gu's Restaurant, Gu Changhuai couldn't resist pouring cold water on Mo Hua's enthusiasm.
"She's a member of the Daoting, and she's also from the Xia family."
"The Daoting is strict, and prominent clans tend to be aloof. Everyone has their own agenda, and her agreement with you might not be out of goodwill."
Mo Hua nodded. "I understand, Uncle Gu. Don't worry."
Gu Changhuai gave Mo Hua a sidelong glance but didn't say anything further.
Later, Xia Dianshi gave Mo Hua a communication token for easier correspondence.
Now, Mo Hua had two communication tokens from the Daoting Division—one from Gu Changhuai and one from Xia Dianshi.
Using the tokens, Mo Hua shared some clues with Xia Dianshi.
With Xia Dianshi's backing from the Daoting and the Xia family, along with her own capabilities, it didn't take long for her to uncover more of Shui Yema's tracks.
She didn't hide anything and shared all the information she gathered with Mo Hua.
Mo Hua studied the map of the Yan Shui River, his eyes gleaming as he noticed the marked locations.
The hunt for Shui Yema was about to begin...
(End of Chapter)
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