Chapter 841: A Difficult Choice
Chapter 841: A Difficult Choice
This Master Ma is indeed suspicious. The sinister aura he carries seems to have been acquired on the Rouge Boat.
Could the "young master" that Hua Ruyu mentioned be this Master Ma? Mo Hua pondered for a moment and shook his head.
This Master Ma probably doesn't fit the bill...
Given his status, he likely doesn't hold a position worthy of the title "young master."
Elsewhere, after exchanging a few more words with Master Ma, Hua Ruyu nodded and headed off in the opposite direction.
After a moment of thought, she glanced around warily and proceeded cautiously in another direction.
The two of them were now moving in opposite directions.
Mo Hua pondered for a moment and decided to follow Master Ma instead of Hua Ruyu. He quietly trailed behind him.
Master Ma had a slender build and moved swiftly, but his vigilance was lacking as he didn't notice that someone was secretly tailing him.
He probably wouldn't have imagined that someone else could have sneaked aboard the Rouge Boat, shrouded as it was in thick fog and secrecy.
After walking for a while, Master Ma arrived at another secret chamber.
He paused briefly before knocking on the door.
A while later, the door opened, and after Master Ma entered, he closed it behind him.
Time was of the essence, and Mo Hua didn't have the chance to see who was inside the room.
However, this didn't pose a problem for him.
Climbing through windows and eavesdropping was something he had already done twice before, and he was now adept at it.
Mo Hua skillfully climbed to the window and applied his techniques once more. In no time, he could see and hear what was happening inside the room.
This secret chamber was quite different from the previous one.
The room where Hua Ruyu and Shallow Shimei had been held captive was filled with pink hues, clearly a boudoir.
In contrast, this chamber had an elegant layout and resembled a study.
The room was adorned with landscape and ink painting screens, blue and white porcelain, freehand brushwork paintings, and plain-colored velvet carpets. In the center stood a tea table.
Seated at the table was a man.
He wore a long, elegant yellow robe, had a tall and sturdy build, and possessed a handsome face with a sword-like brow and starry eyes. His demeanor exuded calmness.
Upon seeing the man, Mo Hua sighed inwardly.
He recognized this man.
He was a core disciple of the Tai'e Gate, held in high regard by his peers, and had a high standing within the sect. He was also the older brother of Little Wood...
Ouyang Feng.
Mo Hua had a close relationship with him and always addressed him as "Brother Feng." When he had first entered the Taihe Gate, Ouyang Feng, with his profound cultivation, had taken him under his wing for bounty missions to earn merits.
Mo Hua's feelings were complicated, and his gaze turned solemn.
"Brother Feng is also on the Rouge Boat..."
Master Ma entered the room and walked straight up to Ouyang Feng, taking a seat without invitation.
Ouyang Feng paid him no heed, and Master Ma didn't seem to mind.
A moment of silence filled the room. After a while, Master Ma spoke up, "Everything is arranged."
He placed a jade token on the table and slowly pushed it toward Ouyang Feng. "The person is in the room. This is the secret order to open the door."
Ouyang Feng didn't reach for the token or even glance at Master Ma. He continued sipping his tea, his expression indifferent.
Master Ma sighed, "Brother Feng, this is a good opportunity. We are fellow sect members with a close relationship. How could I possibly harm you?"
Ouyang Feng suddenly lifted his head, his eyes sharp as blades, and a cold smile curved his lips. "You still remember our sect ties?"
Master Ma said, "Brother Feng, this is for your own good. Others may yearn to board this boat, enter this circle, and join the 'Young Masters' Association,' but they lack the qualifications.
"No matter how desperately they plead, the young masters won't even spare them a glance."
"But Brother Feng, you are different. The young masters value you. They have gone out of their way to invite you, offering you this chance to enter their circle, join their association, and become one of them in the future."
Ouyang Feng's eyes showed disdain.
Master Ma sighed, "Brother Feng, I know you hold yourself to high standards, but what good does that do? Can high standards bring you spirit stones or revive our sect?"
"Others may not understand, but Brother Feng, you should know that this 'Young Masters' Association' is not just an ordinary organization formed by young scions of noble families and sect disciples for entertainment."
"This association has existed for a very long time. Almost every session, there are outstanding disciples from the Qian Xuezhou realm who become part of this 'association' and attain the status of 'young master.'"
"Many of these former 'young masters' have already left the sect, joining major noble families and sects, as well as the upper echelons of the Dao Court and even its core."
"Their cultivations are impressive—at least the Golden Core stage, with many having reached Feathering and some possibly even Cavernous Soul..."
"What a formidable force they are!"
Master Ma's voice turned solemn.
"Brother Feng, as long as you enter this circle, you will open a path to the true upper echelons of the cultivation world. The Tai'e Gate will also be considered 'one of them' by the young masters, and we will receive support from all sides. Both you and the Tai'e Gate will soar to new heights."
"With your current status, if you become the sect master of the Tai'e Gate in the future, by seizing certain opportunities and pushing our sect further, even elevating us to one of the Four Great Sects, it won't be impossible."
"The success of an individual, the rise and fall of a sect—it all rests on your decision, Brother Feng."
Master Ma's expression was earnest, and his tone held a hint of excitement.
Ouyang Feng remained unmoved.
Seeing this, Master Ma sighed and his tone turned colder, "On the other hand, if you refuse this offer, you will naturally be considered an 'outsider,' and the Tai'e Gate will suffer ostracism as well. Even if you become the sect master in the future, you will stand alone and face constraints in everything you do."
"Moreover, it won't end there. If Brother Feng insists on being stubborn, not only will you face consequences, but your loved ones and friends may also encounter unforeseen dangers..."
Ouyang Feng's eyes turned icy, "Are you threatening me?"
"This isn't a threat," Master Ma shook his head, "It's the truth. For example, your younger brother, who is slow to cultivate but easily influenced by others..."
Ouyang Feng's eyes narrowed, sharp as swords, and a hint of killing intent flashed within them.
"Was it you who made that move last time? Were you the one who sent Little Wood to the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons?"
"It seems Brother Feng has indeed seen through me," Master Ma said with a faint smile, not denying it. "But Brother Feng, you should also be aware that it's fortunate I was the one who acted. Because of our past connection, I was able to show some restraint. If it had been someone else, Wood Shidi would likely be in a much worse situation by now."
Ouyang Feng remained silent, his gaze icy as he stared at Master Ma.
Master Ma paused for a moment before continuing earnestly, "Brother Feng, the influence of the Young Master's Mansion is immense and shrouded in mystery. You have no idea who exactly is part of it. Any elder, official, inspector, or judge you encounter in the future might secretly be one of their people. If they truly target you, you won't be able to guard against them."
Ouyang Feng's expression darkened further. "So, you even dared to make a move against the legitimate direct descendant of the Hundred Flowers Valley?"
Master Ma sighed, "Her situation... is rather unique. We wouldn't have dared to act against her otherwise. But she brought this upon herself by falling into this quagmire, and we can't be blamed for that. Moreover, this actually has something to do with the bond between the two of you..."
Master Ma glanced at Ouyang Feng, "The two of you are acquainted, come from similar backgrounds, and are a talented and beautiful couple. This Rouge Boat can serve as your bridal chamber, facilitating your union."
"As for the formalities like 'parents' commands and matchmakers' words,' we can take care of those later."
"After tonight, the two of you will be a loving couple, and the Ouyang and Hua families will surely be pleased."
Ouyang Feng's expression remained indifferent. "Shimei Hua and I have known each other since we were young. I only see her as a little sister, and I don't want to harm her."
"How could this be considered harming her?" Master Ma frowned. "Having a husband like you, Brother Feng, she should be happy. How do you know that deep down, she doesn't want this?"
"Those who understand the times are heroes, Brother Feng. Why must you be so stubborn..."
However, no matter what Master Ma said, Ouyang Feng remained resolute and unmoved.
Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Master Ma sighed, "Fine..."
He shook his head and placed a pill on the table. "I know you have misgivings, so I've specially prepared this pill for you."
"Take this pill, and you will forget everything. You won't have any worries or concerns, and you can surrender yourself to your instincts and enjoy the night."
"When you wake up tomorrow, you will have a beautiful wife, a bright future, and many 'like-minded' friends..."
"Like-minded?" Ouyang Feng scoffed. "You mean, sinking to their level?"
"That doesn't matter," Master Ma said. "In this world, where is there any fairness or justice? When people come together, they only seek their private interests. So-called like-minded people are just those who 'sink to the same level.'"
Ouyang Feng's anger grew.
Seeing this, Master Ma lost patience and his tone turned cold, "Brother Feng, don't blame me for not reminding you. The Young Master values you, but he's not irreplaceable."
"The same goes for Shimei Hua. If you don't want to be the groom tonight, someone else will take your place."
"She is a direct descendant of a major sect, with exceptional talent and beauty, pure as jade."
"Such a beauty would attract countless suitors, and many young masters would break their heads to compete for her."
"Listen to me, take this pill, do what you should, and it will be for the best. Otherwise..."
Master Ma smiled coldly, "This delicate flower will be plucked by someone else, and who knows how much humiliation she will endure tonight."
Ouyang Feng's face paled.
"I'll give you half an hour to consider. Take the pill, and everything will fall into place. Otherwise, you will regret it for the rest of your life."
With that, Master Ma turned and left the room.
Ouyang Feng was now alone.
He sat stiffly in front of the tea table, staring at the pill on the table, his mind in a daze.
He knew that tonight's events were a form of initiation.
If he took this pill, he would step onto a different path from which he could never turn back.
It seemed glamorous, but it was rotten at its core.
It promised a bright future, but it meant losing his moral compass, betraying his true self, and becoming a lapdog for others, doing their dirty work for the rest of his life.
How could someone who had lost their moral compass hope to ascend the path of cultivation? Ouyang Feng's heart grew heavier.
But if he didn't take the pill...
There was the immense power of the Young Master's Mansion and all the unknown dangers that came with it. There was the revival of his sect, the safety of his loved ones, and Shimei Hua...
All these thoughts weighed heavily on Ouyang Feng's mind.
His face grew paler, and his once-straight back seemed to curve under the burden.
He was the pride of heaven, cherished by his sect and parents, and he had always played the role of the model senior disciple, caring for his fellow disciples.
From a young age, he had vowed to shoulder the responsibility of reviving his sect.
But he was just a young man in his twenties, burdened with too many expectations and responsibilities, and he, too, had his limits. Yet, he had no one to confide in.
The situation with the Young Master's Mansion was like the last straw that broke the camel's back.
Ouyang Feng's mental state began to crumble.
At the same time, the faint aura of the evil god that permeated the surroundings took advantage of his vulnerable state, infiltrating his mind and eroding his moral compass.
Unbeknownst to him, Ouyang Feng's eyes gradually reddened.
His expression was numb, but tears unknowingly fell from the corners of his eyes.
"It's hopeless... There's no escape..."
Perhaps this was fate...
Ouyang Feng sighed bitterly, his eyes tightly shut, his expression filled with despair. Then he opened his eyes, his hand trembling slightly as he reached for the pill on the table and slowly brought it to his mouth...
The redness in his eyes deepened.
His moral compass dimmed, and his mental state continued to crumble...
The evil god's desires gradually took root.
Just at this moment, a crisp voice rang out.
"Brother Feng..."
This voice was like a flowing stream, bringing a touch of clarity to his mind.
Ouyang Feng paused, his hand halting as he was about to take the pill.
He stood there, stunned for a moment, before looking around. But with no one in sight, his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"I think I heard someone calling me 'Brother Feng'?"
The voice was pleasant and familiar, somewhat like...
Mo Shidi? Ouyang Feng smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"At a time like this, I actually heard Mo Shidi calling me."
But now that I've chosen to fall into depravity and stray from the path, I no longer deserve for him to call me 'Brother' anymore.
Ouyang Feng's expression was bitter, and he continued to take the pill.
"Brother Feng!"
Mo Hua called out again.
But this time, his voice seemed to be blocked by the heavy mist, unable to reach Ouyang Feng's ears.
Ouyang Feng's ears seemed to be clouded by the evil god's whispers, and the redness in his eyes intensified.
Just then, a flash of sword light appeared in Mo Hua's eyes.
A pure golden light pierced through the mist, dispelling the evil thoughts, and reflected in Ouyang Feng's eyes.
Ouyang Feng felt as if his soul had been pricked by a sword, causing his scalp to go numb, but what followed was a sense of clarity.
It was as if someone who had been sleeping deeply had suddenly awakened.
The shadows in his eyes disappeared, and the haze in his ears faded away.
The crisp voice became clearer.
"Brother Feng, it's me!"
Ouyang Feng's heart trembled, and he stood up abruptly, looking around before turning to the window.
There was a small hole in the window, which had been enlarged.
Beyond the hole was a pair of sparkling eyes.
Ouyang Feng's heart stirred, and he exclaimed, "Mo Shidi?!".
Mo Hua quickly shushed him and said softly, "Open the door slightly and let me in."
Ouyang Feng was stunned for a moment before nodding slowly.
He went to the door and, seeing no one outside, quietly opened it a crack.
After a moment, the door opened wider, as if an invisible figure had slipped inside.
Ouyang Feng closed the door and turned around, only to see Mo Hua already seated at the tea table, pouring himself a cup of tea.
Ouyang Feng's thoughts were in a muddle, and he stood there, perplexed, trying to understand how Mo Hua could be here. But before he could ask, Mo Hua spoke up.
"I..."
"Brother Feng," Mo Hua interrupted, "there are times when one's strength is not enough, and there are some things that one simply cannot solve."
Ouyang Feng was taken aback.
"So," Mo Hua continued, "when you can't solve a problem, it's best to let it go for the time being and focus on your cultivation. When you become stronger, you can try to solve it again. Otherwise..."
Mo Hua's eyes turned solemn. "You will be crushed by a burden you cannot bear."
This was true for Brother Feng, and it applied to him as well.
He had many things he wanted to do, but with his meager cultivation, he could do nothing.
All he could do was put everything aside and devote himself to cultivation, waiting for the day when he would gain the power to turn the heavens and change his fate, and then he could attempt to do what he had wanted to do but couldn't.
Ouyang Feng understood Mo Hua's meaning and fell into deep thought, but his expression still showed confusion.
"I don't know..."
"Brother Feng," Mo Hua's eyes were clear and determined, "when you choose the right path, even if it's filled with obstacles, you just need to persevere and overcome them."
"But if you choose the wrong path, even if it's smooth sailing, it will be meaningless."
Ouyang Feng was stunned. These simple words seemed to cut through the confusion in his heart. He was both shocked and resigned as he sighed, "Shidi, you truly have an innate talent and a unique Dao heart. I, your senior by a few years, am far inferior to your insight."
High-grade spiritual roots are common, but a high-grade Dao heart is truly exceptional.
No wonder the old ancestor of the Taihe Gate values you so highly...
Mo Hua humbly replied, "It's easier for an outsider to see things clearly. If that horse-faced senior brother hadn't tried to bribe me, I might not have been able to resist the temptation."
Ouyang Feng smiled bitterly, "Mo Shidi, you sure know how to talk."
Mo Hua smiled wryly, "I try."
Ouyang Feng, who had felt isolated and on the verge of losing his way, now felt enlightened.
He breathed a long sigh of relief, his mind clear of confusion, and he couldn't help but feel grateful to Mo Hua.
Then he remembered something and frowned, "Shimei Hua is likely in danger."
"Yes." Mo Hua nodded and said decisively, "First, we save Shimei Hua, and then we'll figure out our next move."
"Okay." Ouyang Feng nodded.
The two discussed for a while longer, but then they heard movement outside the door.
Ouyang Feng and Mo Hua shared a glance and nodded. Mo Hua once again disappeared, his figure and presence concealed. It was as if he had never been there.
Ouyang Feng sighed inwardly and composed himself before opening the door.
(End of Chapter)
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