Chapter 325

The fact that the Qian family's ancestral elder was a cultivator of evil ways spread quickly throughout Xiancheng.

People were surprised, yet somehow not surprised at all.

After all, the Qian family's reputation was terrible, and they had too many enemies.

Because of the Qian family's ancestral elder, the Qian family was sealed off—no cultivators allowed to leave, violators to be treated as traitors colluding with evil cultivators.

Once the Qian family's ancestral elder is captured, Dao Ting Si will pass judgment, then decide his fate.

"What will become of the Qian family?"

As Mo Hua and Zhou Zhangsi drank tea in Dao Ting Si, Mo Hua asked.

Mo Hua came to Dao Ting Si to assist Zhou Zhangsi.

The Qian family's ancestral elder escaped, but his cultivation cave remained; Dao Ting Si searched it thoroughly, seizing all items to look for further clues or evidence.

Among the items, Zhou Zhangsi did not understand the arrays, so he asked Mo Hua to help examine them.

Mo Hua nodded and said: "As long as he knows everything, it's not dangerous."

"The Qian family's ancestral elder must be captured and executed, to uphold Dao law and serve as a warning to others."

Tang Tengtai choked, coughed violently twice, then said bitterly:

Zhou Zhangsi sighed, "So in this world, some cultivators commit minor offenses yet are shielded by Great Mo Sir and remain unharmed, while others commit grave crimes yet are executed along with their entire families simply for offending Great Mo Sir."

Mo Hua took another large sip, then leaned close to Qian Xiaoshi and asked: "What's the matter?"

"Tang Tengsi is fair-minded; no one will kick a man when he's down. The Qian family is guilty, but not to the extent of total annihilation."

To Mo Hua, this was a minor matter, but to Qian Xiaoshi, it was a matter of life and death.

As long as the matter is handled properly, that's enough.

Mo Hua glanced at the tea's color—pale gold like dragon's saliva—and sipped; the broth was rich as dragon musk.

Qian Xiaoshi, pleased by Mo Hua's praise, looked delighted, as if bathed in spring breeze.

These things aren't deeply complex, just not simple—but if someone in Great Mo Sir's office points them out, cultivators might never understand them in a lifetime.

Yet ultimately, Tang Tengsi will decide this matter; Mo Hua cannot overstep, so he only raised a few points and said:

"But why not see you?" Mo Hua asked, puzzled.

"If we go too lightly, too few die, and even if the guilty cultivators in the Qian family are few, there are still innocent ones—cutting everyone down is not acceptable."

Mo Hua nodded confidently.

"I tell you this not to have you bribe, nor to have me accept bribes, but so you understand the ways here—so when you encounter similar situations in the future, you won't suffer because of ignorance."

Tang Tengtai spoke gently, patiently explaining to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua rested his chin in thought and said:

"I think, going too lightly or too heavily are both bad..."

"Qian Xiaoshi, what did you want to say to me?"

Qian Xiaoshi beamed, "Thank you, Great Mo Sir!"

Mo Hua returned the bow, thinking he might indeed need Qian Xiaoshi's help someday.

Qian Xiaoshi exhaled in relief.

Qian Xiaoshi gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"As for the other Qian family disciples... it can be light or heavy."

"Qian Xiaoshi wishes to meet you."

"Going too lightly won't work—the Qian family won't learn their lesson and may escalate further."

"Qian Xiaoshi?"

Zhou Zhangsi had spent half his life in Great Mo Sir's office—he knew the inner workings inside out.

It was because he was an array master.

Better than the tea Tang Tengtai had offered him.

"Best to dig up old records—those with blood on their hands or prior convictions, execute some, arrest others, to serve as a warning. Confiscate their assets; the remaining cultivators must endure hardship—make them smelt weapons, refine pills, or hunt demons themselves..."

"Fine tea!" Mo Hua praised.

Qian Xiaoshi said: "Great Mo Sir, what a coincidence."

"Qian Xiaoshi, no need for such formalities."

Tang Tengtai had no way to deal with Mo Hua; he sighed helplessly: "Indeed, it won't..."

Zhou Zhangsi chuckled, then said: "Fine, then I'll rely on you, Great Array Master!"

Mo Hua couldn't help but reflect—by this appearance, Qian Xiaoshi's life was even more "corrupt" than Zhou Zhangsi's...

"Some matters, if you know the way, are actually simple to resolve—but if you lack the insight, no matter how hard you try, you'll hit walls everywhere and end up humiliated."

"As a criminal under sentence, I can only bring you this far, Great Mo Sir—please don't blame me."

Then Mo Hua asked again: "So how will the Qian family matter be handled?"

Mo Hua felt grateful for Zhou Zhangsi's guidance and patted his chest and said:

Qian Xiaoshi sighed, "The Qian family's affair with Tang Teng has stirred up the whole city; now the Qian family is sealed off. I cannot leave, deeply worried about the family's fate, so I sent word hoping to meet you."

"Going too lightly means claiming the entire collusion with evil cultivators was the work of only one person in the Qian family's Dao Ting—other disciples knew nothing. Then even if Tang Teng investigates, punishment won't be severe—at most losing their assets, but most Qian family disciples should still be safe."

"No need to thank me for such a great favor, Great Mo Sir—should you ever need me, Qian will gladly die for you!"

"Qian Xiaoshi, you're too kind."

Mo Hua carefully confirmed with his spiritual sense—no Qian family elders, no Foundation Establishment cultivators nearby—only Qian Xiaoshi alone—then he began speaking with him.

Zhou Zhangsi chuckled: "You're right—he's just like an old man who insists on moderation, never leaning left or right."

"Chance meetings are rare—I've just acquired a cake of Longlong tea. Would Great Mo Sir honor me with your presence to taste it together?"

Qian Xiaoshi was helpless, slightly embarrassed, cleared his throat loudly, then lowered his voice:

Qian Xiaoshi bowed deeply to Mo Hua and said solemnly:

I am merely a sectarian array master who studies in seclusion; even if you gave me ten more courage, I would not dare meddle in matters involving demonic cultivators.

It was deliberate revenge, deliberately cruel—clearly distinguishing good from evil, and meting out punishment accordingly.

Zhou Zhangsi's injuries had not yet healed; his face was still pale. He coughed once, then spoke slowly:

"Please!"

Mo Hua, entrusted by the old Zhangsi, examined each item carefully, extracted the demonic arrays, and uncovered other clues proving the connection between the Qian family's ancestral elder and Great Shanzhai.

As Mo Hua left Xiao Mo Si, preparing to return home, he encountered Luo Xiaoshi on the way.

Mo Hua had originally intended to agree—he'd already drunk a bellyful of tea—but Luo Xiaoshi's earnest invitation was hard to refuse, and he was genuinely curious what "Tuan Long Tea" tasted like, so he nodded in acceptance.

Upon hearing this, Qian Xiaoshi glanced at Mo Hua with gratitude.

Earlier, Mo Hua had visited Zhou Zhangsi and obtained a letter of introduction to enter the Qian household, then went to the Qian residence and met Qian Xiaoshi.

"I have business," Luo Xiaoshi said lightly, "not to invite Great Mo Mr. to taste tea."

Qian Xiaoshi saw Mo Hua to the gate and apologized:

"If judged by the strictest standards, this must be spoken: I will submit a memorial to Great Mo Si accusing the Qian family of colluding with Great Baishan, conspiring with demonic cultivators, murdering and plundering. Every senior cultivator in the Qian family will be executed. Even in death, their estate will be confiscated, their lineage stripped, and they will be exiled from Xiancheng."

"Luo Xiaoshi, do you have something to say?"

Mo Hua asked again: "Did Qian Xiaoshi know about Great Baishan?"

Luo Xiaoshi said: "The Qian family has poor relations; though Qian Xiaoshi, as an array master, has wide connections, he was powerless in this matter and could only turn to you."

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then nodded: "Alright."

Though I don't know why it's good, the tea is undeniably good.

With this written to the Dao Court, the evidence is solid, and Zhou Zhangsi's official documents will be well-founded.

Within the realm of a true first-grade array, I now have my hands in my pockets, unafraid—look around, and I see no opponent.

"I'm not unclear—I'm just not asking questions like how the Qian family will be punished."

But Mo Hua saw his expression—he clearly hadn't come by chance, not at all like "coincidence."

Mo Hua was startled: "With so much room for manipulation here, won't corruption fester?"

Mo Hua smiled awkwardly.

Mo Hua looked at Luo Xiaoshi with an expression that said, "Who the hell believes you?"

He really is a good kid…

"This kid of yours—how can he say anything so boldly…"

After a while, Zhou Zhangsi invited Mo Hua for tea, and Mo Hua took the opportunity to ask him this question.

Mo Hua turned to leave, but Qian Xiaoshi called him back.

Of course, Mr. Zhuang is an exception.

Mo Hua was puzzled: "How so?"

Mo Hua muttered: "Fine, old man is old man…"

Luo Xiaoshi personally led Mo Hua to his cave dwelling, took out a tea cake with cherish and value, brewed it himself, and handed the cup to Mo Hua with his own hands.

"What do you think?" Zhou Zhangsi asked in return, his gaze carrying caution.

Even if the Qian family is punished to the fullest extent—mass execution—if Qian Xiaoshi truly was unaware, Great Mo Si will still find a way to spare his life.

Luo Xiaoshi sighed faintly, lamenting: "Such a large Qian family, and in an instant, it is about to collapse."

Qian Xiaoshi possesses the strength of a first-grade array master; true first-grade array masters are scarce anywhere.

Qian Xiaoshi asked nothing else—just as Luo Xiaoshi said, nothing beyond the Qian family's safety and Great Mo Si's disposition.

Tang Tengtai spoke with gravity.

Even if Great Mo Si does not say so, I would still ask the old Zhangsi to spare Qian Xiaoshi out of respect for the array master's ties.

"Zhangsi, if you ever need an array drawn in the future, just come to me!"

Zhou Zhangsi's eyes brightened slightly as he listened.

"When people grow comfortable, they easily grow sickly; if one labors daily and collapses into sleep, one has no mind to devise clever ideas."