Chapter 86: Healing
Chapter 86: Healing
Zhang Lan furrowed his brows. Though he was reluctant to admit it, he felt that the more he denied it, the more likely it was to be true.
Could the array have been drawn by Mo Hua? And if so, was it also Mo Hua who set off the explosion?
Despite only being at the fourth level of Qi Refining, Mo Hua had already started learning array restoration, indicating a high level of proficiency in arrays. It wouldn't be difficult for him to draw an array capable of harming someone.
Zhang Lan pondered for a moment, then erased all traces of the array. He decided that he would ask Mo Hua for a drink sometime and casually inquire about the incident.
He felt no guilt about showing favoritism. Coming from a prestigious family, he had seen his fair share of arrogant young masters like Qian Xing, who took advantage of their family's influence to bully others and act tyrannically. He despised how they squandered their family's resources and tarnished their reputation.
He just wished the array had been more powerful, enough to kill that brat from the Qian family.
"That Mo Hua, his skills are still lacking..." Zhang Lan muttered to himself.
At the Xinglin Hall, Elder Feng treated Dazhu and the others for their injuries.
Elder Feng disliked troublemakers and had initially refused to treat them. However, Mo Hua explained that he had been bullied and that Dazhu and the others had come to his aid, resulting in their injuries.
Of course, Mo Hua conveniently left out the part where he was perfectly fine while his bullies had been blown to bits by the explosion... It was best not to mention that to Elder Feng.
Elder Feng had watched Mo Hua grow up and had a soft spot for him. Hearing Mo Hua's explanation, his attitude towards Dazhu and the others softened. He prepared some herbal ointment for their wounds and even gave them internal pills to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.
Dazhu whispered, "Mo Hua, you really have a lot of pull. I never dared to come to Elder Feng for treatment, no matter how injured I was, for fear that he would scold me."
"Elder Feng has a kind heart," Mo Hua said. "If you were truly in danger, he would definitely help. If he refuses treatment, it's only because he knows your injuries aren't severe."
Dazhu nodded, still somewhat doubtful. However, if it weren't for Mo Hua bringing them here, they wouldn't have dared to seek Elder Feng's help at all.
After treating Dazhu and the others, Elder Feng turned his attention to Mo Hua, inspecting his minor external injuries. Only then did he feel relieved.
"Your weak physique is congenital. It's best to avoid confrontations. If you can't avoid them, make sure to find a way to escape and protect yourself."
Mo Hua sighed, "Elder Feng, I tried to run, but I didn't get away unscathed."
Elder Feng frowned, "Who in Tongxian City would dare to bully you, a child? They truly have no sense of propriety."
Mo Hua laughed sheepishly, "It's not a big deal. Let's forget about it."
Seeing that Mo Hua didn't want to elaborate, Elder Feng didn't press further. He simply admonished, "Aside from other places, I still have some standing in Tongxian City. If anyone bullies you and you can't fight back, you must come to me."
"Yes, thank you, Elder Feng!" Mo Hua expressed his gratitude, touching his neck. The ointment Elder Feng had given him had a cooling effect, and the pain had already subsided. He bid farewell, "It's getting late. I should head home. Next time, I'll bring some osmanthus wine brewed by my mother for you to taste!"
Elder Feng waved his hand, "Go home early and don't worry your mother."
As Mo Hua bade farewell to Dazhu and the others, he noticed their glum expressions and asked, "Are your injuries severe?"
"They're not serious, but we're bruised and battered. It'll take a day or two to heal, and there's no way we can hide it from our master," Dazhu replied.
"That's right. So, every time after a fight, regardless of whether we were in the right or not, Master would punish us," the other disciples chimed in.
Mo Hua felt a bit guilty. Dazhu and the others had gotten into a fight because they were helping him stand up to Qian Xing. If not for Qian Xing's aggressive behavior, things wouldn't have escalated to this extent.
Mo Hua said, "Qian Xing was bullying others with his powerful background. You guys fought because you were helping me, and Master Chen isn't an unreasonable person. He probably won't blame you for this."
"Hmm." Dazhu nodded, but still looked a little apprehensive.
"If Master Chen still insists on blaming you, just tell him that in the future, if the alchemy shop needs any arrays drawn, I can help out as long as they aren't too complicated," Mo Hua offered.
"Really?" Dazhu's eyes lit up. Commissioning someone to draw arrays could be very expensive, and their master always fretted about the cost. If Mo Hua could help out from now on, their master would surely be delighted.
"But... won't you be at a disadvantage?" Dazhu hesitated.
"My father always told me that neighbors should look out for each other," Mo Hua said, patting his chest. "You helped me, so I'll help you. How could I possibly be at a disadvantage?"
Mo Shan, Mo Hua's father, was pleased when he learned that his son was helping others by drawing arrays. He often encouraged Mo Hua, telling him to help whenever he could within his capabilities. Life was tough for low-level wandering cultivators, and they relied on such mutual support to get by.
Mo Hua's family had experienced difficult times in the past and had received help from many people.
Dazhu, however, looked delighted. "In that case, the next time that little brat Qian Xing causes trouble for you, we'll beat him up again!"
"Yeah, beat him up!" the other disciples echoed enthusiastically.
After parting ways, Mo Hua returned home, had dinner, and exchanged a few words with his mother before retiring to his room to continue studying arrays.
He didn't mention the incident with Qian Xing, not wanting to worry his mother.
The Qian family had too much influence, and it was best to avoid provoking them if possible. If a confrontation couldn't be avoided, they would deal with it then. Fortunately, the Qian family didn't know that Mo Hua was the one who had used an array to injure Qian Xing, so they probably wouldn't cause trouble for him in the short term.
Under the lamplight, Liu Ruhua sat deep in thought, her mind filled with worries. Only when Mo Shan returned home did she confide in her husband, "Our son was injured. He tried to hide it from me, but as his mother, how could I not notice?"
Mo Shan comforted his wife, "Mo Hua is a boy now, and it's good that he has a sense of responsibility. The fact that he didn't tell us means he can handle it, and it's probably not a big deal. Don't ask him about it."
"Mmm," Liu Ruhua nodded, "I'm still a little worried... Mo Hua has always been well-behaved, and he shouldn't be the type to pick fights with others."
"I'll ask around tomorrow to find out what happened. Don't worry, even if something did happen, I'm here," Mo Shan reassured her, his tone gentle, though a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
At that moment, in the alchemy shop, Master Chen was disciplining Dazhu and the others, making them kneel in the main hall.
Master Chen held a stick in his hand, his face stern and expressionless.
"You've really grown bold, haven't you? You've gotten too comfortable and caused a fight, even involving the Path Court. If I hadn't heard about this from someone else, I would still be kept in the dark. Do you take me, your master, for a fool?" Master Chen scolded angrily.
(End of Chapter)
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