Chapter 517: The Little Zombie

These wooden oxen and gliding horses are only simple puppets.

Their structure is also very simple; they can't do too many movements, only mechanically advance, retreat, and turn.

They're not even as complicated as Mo Hua's little tiger, but they're enough to transport ore.

Because the structure is simple, they only need the most basic Spirit Pivot Array.

There's no need to draw complicated sequence array patterns like the Corpse King did, constructing hundreds or thousands of Spirit Pivot layers, controlling them level by level.

Therefore, Young Master Yun, who was just beginning to learn the Spirit Pivot Array, could also draw them.

And with Young Master Yun's help, the progress was much faster.

But after drawing them, it wasn't that simple either.

These Spirit Pivot Arrays and ox-horse puppets still needed to be actually used and debugged.

Mo Hua took the opportunity to go to the mine and try them out, to see if these wooden oxen and gliding horses could be used normally.

Debugging wasn't hard, but it was rather tedious.

Mining and transporting ore during the trial required manpower to help.

Debugging the arrays, modifying the arrays, and repairing these wooden ox and gliding horse puppets also required "people" to lend a hand.

Mo Hua decided to use zombies to do the work instead.

Mo Hua again drew a batch of zombies from the corpse mine, had them dig ore, then load it onto mine carts, which the wooden oxen and gliding horses would pull outward.

Among this batch of zombies, there was one little zombie.

Short in stature, with a pale white face.

It was precisely the little zombie in the Ten Thousand Corpse Array whose sequence array patterns Mo Hua had modified earliest, and who secretly opened the door for Mo Hua every night.

Part of the corpse mine had collapsed, and the Ten Thousand Corpse Array had also been destroyed.

When clearing the zombies and coffins in the array, Mo Hua discovered this little zombie was still there.

Because it was too small, its strength was relatively weak.

Lu Chengyun hadn't sent it out to fight as a Dao soldier.

So during the surging corpse tide and the fierce battle between both sides, it had quietly stayed in its own coffin the whole time.

This little zombie was about ten years old, probably older than Mo Hua, but it was likely also from a poor background with a bad family situation, so it grew up thin and small, and didn't look much bigger than Mo Hua.

It was just unknown how, at such a young age, it had died, and how it had fallen into Lu Chengyun's hands and been refined into a zombie.

Ten years old, life had just begun.

With a bad family situation, it probably hadn't even enjoyed much happiness.

Mo Hua felt some sympathy, and also some regret.

When debugging the wooden oxen and gliding horses, he deliberately kept it by his side.

The other zombies mined, dug ore, and transported ore.

It, however, followed Mo Hua around, carrying things, sweeping the mine tunnels, and scouting the mountain paths.

Or, when the wooden oxen and gliding horses broke down, it would listen to Mo Hua, take the puppets apart for Mo Hua to inspect, or hand him brush and ink so he could repair the arrays...

These not-too-heavy physical tasks were all done by the little zombie.

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zi Xi also saw this little zombie, and were both somewhat astonished.

Bai Zisheng was mainly angry:

"That bastard Lu Chengyun, he wouldn't even let go of a cultivator this young. I should have stabbed him a few more times back then!"

Bai Zi Xi, however, looked at the little zombie and frowned slightly.

Mo Hua asked in confusion, "Senior Sister, is something wrong?"

Bai Zi Xi pondered for a moment, then said slowly:

"This little zombie only has corpse Qi on its body, no blood Qi."

No blood Qi?

Mo Hua was slightly startled, thought about it, and then understood.

Only corpse Qi, no blood Qi, meant that it had merely died and been refined into a corpse, but hadn't had the chance to eat people or drink blood yet.

But this wasn't really unexpected.

This little zombie was somewhat weak; it probably couldn't kill people.

Even if it had the chance to eat meat and drink blood, it couldn't snatch it away from the other zombies.

It could only rely on the evil Qi in the corpse-nurturing coffin to nourish its corpse Qi.

Bai Zisheng glanced at Mo Hua and asked in confusion, "You're not thinking of keeping this little zombie by your side the whole time, are you..."

Mo Hua sighed and shook his head:

"Dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth. Since it has become a zombie, it has found its final resting place."

Bai Zisheng curled his lip and muttered:

"So young, yet so old and pompous."

Mo Hua snorted, "Tonight's beef, you're not getting any!"

Bai Zisheng immediately backed down:

"Little Junior Brother, I was wrong. What you just said was right, absolutely correct, very reasonable!"

Bai Zi Xi sighed slightly, looking at Bai Zisheng with a hint of disdain in her gaze.

After a while, Bai Zisheng asked again:

"Then what do you plan to do with this little zombie? Burn it? The Dao Court's corpse-burning array seems to be almost built..."

Mo Hua was somewhat conflicted. After pondering for a moment, he sighed:

"I've drawn arrays on its body, and it has helped me. It can be considered fate. Once things are settled, let it rest in peace in the earth..."

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zi Xi both nodded.

……

More than ten days later, the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse mechanisms had been fine-tuned.

All the ox and horse puppets had also been inscribed with the Spirit Pivot Array.

Just as Mo Hua had predicted, they consumed little Spirit Stone, were simple to operate, the wood was durable, and their strength was considerable—more than sufficient for transporting ore.

The only problem was that no one could repair them if they broke.

Repairing these puppets required mastery of the Spirit Pivot Array.

Once Mo Hua and Young Master Yun left, no one in Nan Yue City would know the Spirit Pivot Array, and thus no one could repair these Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse mechanisms.

Therefore, during regular use, care and maintenance must be observed.

As long as they are used reasonably and suffer only normal wear, the lifespan of these ox and horse puppets will still be long.

Mo Hua instructed the newly arrived Zhou Zhangsi of Nan Yue City on this matter.

The Dao Ting Si of Nan Yue City had almost entirely been purged and replaced from top to bottom.

The new Zhou Zhangsi was from the Situ family, surnamed Situ, named Shen, and appeared to be a brother from the same lineage as the former elder Situ Jin.

Perhaps due to family instructions, or perhaps having learned of Nan Yue City's many affairs from Situ Fang, the Foundation Establishment cultivator Situ Shen treated Mo Hua with great courtesy, even bordering on reverence.

His attitude was solemn.

Nan Yue City was his opportunity, and also a chance for the Situ family.

The Corpse Mine matter was of great importance.

All factions were watching; if he failed, the Situ family would lose face.

Likewise, if he handled the aftermath properly, it would be a great achievement, earning him a favorable reputation within the clan and accumulating substantial merit for future promotion within the Dao Ting Si.

And Mo Hua was an Array Master, and the "master" of the Corpse King.

Dealing with the Corpse King and the corpse hordes required Mo Hua's approval.

Constructing new mine shafts and improving the future living conditions of Nan Yue City's cultivators also depended on Mo Hua.

Thus, he was willing to grant Mo Hua virtually anything he requested.

Whatever Mo Hua said, he agreed immediately and carried it out with full effort.

Mo Hua sighed inwardly.

It seemed internal family competition was indeed fierce, and the pressure immense.

If you don't give your all, if you don't put in thought, you won't even get a sip of broth from the same pot.

……

The Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse mechanisms were built, and the mine shafts were completed.

Next came the commencement of operations.

Situ Shen organized the mine cultivators to resume work.

The mine cultivators hesitated, and were uneasy.

The incident of the corpse tide surrounding the city still haunted them.

Though the corpse tide had receded, remnants were inevitable—especially within the mine shafts, deep and filthy, ideal for zombies to hide.

They were reluctant to begin work.

They were both terrified of poverty and hardship, and afraid of encountering zombies and losing their lives.

But they dared not refuse to work.

They were simply too poor; without Spirit Stone, they could not even eat.

If they worked and zombies appeared in the mine, at most only they themselves would die.

But if they did not work, their entire families would starve.

Their hearts were anxious and unsettled.

Yet only after entering the mountain did they realize everything was different.

The mine shafts had grown larger, wider, brighter, and there was wind—neither cold nor hot, cool and refreshing.

The sense of gloom and oppression was gone.

The foul and noxious odors were no longer heavy.

Staying inside was far more comfortable.

It was no longer as grueling as before.

And arrays were everywhere—even arrays designed to ward off demonic beasts, which gave them great peace of mind…

"Is this really Nan Yue City's mountain mine…?"

The mine cultivators found it hard to believe.

Afterwards, they gathered together and kowtowed in gratitude to the Zhou Zhangsi.

Since Nan Yue City's founding, these mine cultivators and their ancestors had never entered a mine shaft as safe as this one.

In hundreds or even thousands of years, the total number of arrays ever placed in the mountain for these mine cultivators combined was less than the number now present in this single mine shaft.

They were deeply grateful.

The Zhou Zhangsi told them to rise, then said:

"Don't thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Little Master Mo—he quelled the corpse plague and built this mine shaft for all of you."

The mine cultivators again kowtowed and thanked:

"Thank you, Little Master Mo!"

Yet they did not know who this "Little Master Mo" actually was…

Afterwards, Situ Shen established several regulations.

For example, mining cultivators descending into the mines must not work more than four hours per day.

Their daily wage must not be less than one spirit stone.

No local family or force may, under any pretext, withhold the spirit stones of mining cultivators…

In addition, Jinhua Street has been abolished.

All establishments for drinking, eating, gambling, and prostitution have been shut down.

The female cultivators from the brothels have all been released from their contracts and allowed to return to virtuous lives.

Those who forcibly bought or sold cultivators, coerced virtuous people into prostitution, or caused deaths shall be punished severely.

Situ Shen and Mo Hua stood atop the city wall, watching Jinhua Street being torn down.

Some shopkeepers, gamblers, villains, madams, and enforcers who had the Lu family's backing and committed unspeakable crimes were escorted by the Dao Ting Si to the Dao Prison, met along the way with public spitting, thrown stones, and rotten vegetables.

Some people, freed from their suffering, embraced their relatives and wept bitterly.

Others, alone and without support, wept silently.

Most people were filled with righteous indignation and cheered loudly.

Jinhua Street, which had flourished for decades under Lu Bopi, glittering on the surface but hiding blood and tears beneath, was entirely demolished in broad daylight.

Situ Shen sighed:

"Under the clear sky and bright sun, filth and darkness have nowhere to hide."

But Mo Hua caught the unspoken meaning in his words: "Are places untouched by sunlight still the same?"

Situ Shen was slightly startled.

He had not expected Mo Hua's mind to be so perceptive.

Mo Hua had sensed his subtle thoughts.

Mo Hua's gaze was deep and his mind clear, and he had even, one could say, repaid a debt to Situ Shen's family; thus, Situ Shen decided to speak frankly, to share his true feelings.

"Young Master Mo," Situ Shen sighed, his voice low and heavy:

"Since I was thirty, I have served in the Dao Ting Si, starting as a lowly Zhishi, rising to Diansi, then Vice Zhangsi, and even serving as Zhangsi in several small Xiancheng…"

"I've seen this sort of thing… many times."

"Or rather, across the entire cultivation world, such things are commonplace."

"This matter was resolved only because it was brought into the open."

"Things brought into the open are always righteous, noble, and respectable—but if they remain hidden, the scene is entirely different."

"Let me say something harsh…"

Situ Shen looked at Mo Hua and whispered:

"Today, as Zhangsi of Nanyue City, I can openly stand up for these suffering cultivators, sweep away these brothels and gambling dens, and appear utterly righteous."

"But if I had come here as Zhangsi before this…"

"I very likely would have done the same as the previous Zhangsi."

"I would have frequented brothels, gambled away fortunes, used the bodies of these suffering women for amusement, and drowned myself in this decadence."

"I would have joined the Lu family in oppressing, exploiting, and playing with these cultivators…"

Situ Shen's gaze grew dim, then he changed tone:

"Of course, I'm only saying this…"

"The Situ family has its ancestral precepts—I'll only protect myself, never truly sink into corruption."

"But most people, even if they speak of justice loudly, once they reach that position, end up doing the same as Zhangsi Qian…"

"Had this matter not exploded, and had the regional Dao Ting Si not protected one another, the Lu family's crimes would likely have been buried."

"The world alternates between light and shadow; human hearts are complex…"

"Those standing in the light often appear radiant—but step into the dark, and who knows what they truly become?"

"There is not always light. You too may inevitably walk in darkness…"

Situ Shen looked at Mo Hua earnestly:

"Young Master Mo, you must be careful in the future."

Be careful of others—and of yourself…

Situ Shen could see these things clearly, but he could not fix them.

He did not want Mo Hua's pure Dao heart to be dragged into the muddy swamp of fickle human nature, drowned in the dark tide of base desires, and thus suffer confusion and pain.

Mo Hua pondered, then nodded solemnly.

"Thank you, Zhangsi Situ!"

Situ Shen speaking these heartfelt words was also for Mo Hua's own good.

Mo Hua understood this in his heart.

Situ Shen smiled and nodded.

He turned again to look at the demolished Jinhua Street below, feeling a quiet sigh within.

This once glittering, golden-lit street, dazzling at night, had revealed its true face under daylight—exposing filth and ruin.

Even in this cultivation world, most places still harbor darkness and injustice.

But at least, a ray of light has reached here…

With Jinhua Street destroyed, many cultivators regained their freedom.

Sister Qinglan came specially to thank Mo Hua, bringing handmade Hundred Flower Cakes.

In Nanyue City, she had no family left.

Sister Qinglan was alone and helpless; though she could support herself, life remained hard.

Situ Fang decided to take her along—she could teach Sister Qinglan cultivation, and Sister Qinglan could prepare meals and care for her daily needs.

Sister Situ, as Gu Diansi, was very busy daily and had no time to care for herself.

And behind Sister Situ stood her family's support.

With her, Sister Qinglan would be more stable, no longer like a floating duckweed, drifting with the current.

Mo Hua, Bai Zisheng, and Bai Zi Xi sat in the courtyard, eating Hundred Flowers Cake, chatting with Sister Qinglan.

Bai Zi Xi gave her a cultivation technique.

It wasn't rare in the Bai Clan, but it was precious to Sister Qinglan.

Before leaving, Sister Qinglan bowed deeply and thanked them:

"If ever I can help Young Master or Miss Bai, Sister Qinglan will not hesitate to die a thousand deaths!"

Mo Hua waved his hand. "Sister Qinglan, you're being too formal."

……

After seeing off Sister Qinglan, the next day Elder Su came to visit.

Elder Su brought some fine tea for Mo Hua to taste.

The two sat in the courtyard drinking tea; a gentle breeze blew, mist rose, and the tea's fragrance filled the air.

Elder Su apologized:

"Young Master, I'm sorry—I didn't know Lord Lu… Lu Chengyun was so ambitious and reckless, leading you to be tricked by him…"

"It's nothing, it's nothing." Mo Hua didn't care.

If Lu Chengyun hadn't targeted him, he wouldn't have learned the Ling Shu Array, wouldn't have finished the Visualization Diagrams, couldn't have fully resolved the corpse plague in Nan Yue City, and couldn't have helped them rebuild the mine.

The cultivators in Nan Yue City lived hard lives too.

Mo Hua himself came from a cultivator's background; he still remembered his mother's words.

If you meet a cultivator struggling in life, help them if you can, within your means.

Elder Su sighed: "Young Master, truly your heart is vast…"

Though Elder Su's flattery was always a bit awkward, Mo Hua still found it pleasant to hear.

Mo Hua smiled warmly, yet humbly replied:

"Oh, not at all."

Seeing Mo Hua bore him no grudge, Elder Su finally relaxed.

The atmosphere grew much more harmonious.

The two resumed their usual talk of arrays and trivial matters.

As they spoke, the conversation turned to Jin Hua Street and the Hundred Flowers Pavilion…

Elder Su thanked him:

"Thank you, Young Master, for what happened on Jin Hua Street."

Mo Hua nodded, then frowned slightly. "Jin Hua Street was torn down—how can you go to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion to listen to music now? Why thank me for that?"

Elder Su's face turned red. "No, no, I'm not familiar with it…"

Mo Hua clearly didn't believe him.

Seeing Mo Hua's piercing gaze, Elder Su knew he understood everything, so he stopped hiding—only his expression grew wistful:

"The music is pleasing to the ear; the beauties are pleasing to the eye."

"Not hearing it, not seeing it—of course it's regrettable."

"But these are merely small personal desires, nothing significant."

"What I truly wish for is a world where no one falls into the brothels, and no girl suffers like Sister Shuixian…"

Mo Hua froze, then lifted his teacup and clinked it clearly:

"I toast you with tea, Elder."

Elder Su laughed and cried at once, yet raised his cup and drank tea with Mo Hua…

……

Affairs in Nan Yue City were nearly settled.

The mine was built; the arrays were perfected.

The miners of Nan Yue City could now earn Spirit Stones through their own efforts, make a living, and live solidly, peacefully.

In addition, countless zombies had to be burned.

The Dao Court's Corpse-Burning Array had been constructed.

The Corpse-Burning Array was a compound array, built atop Grave Hill, composed of countless fire-element single arrays, covering a vast area; when activated, flames surged, turning the entire Grave Hill crimson, as if it had become a Mountain of Fire.

All zombies in Nan Yue City lined up for cremation.

Mo Hua guided the animated corpses, batch by batch, into the Corpse-Burning Array, burning their bodies, dissolving their corpse qi, and purging all corpse poison.

Every zombie had to be cremated.

This process was lengthy.

The only one not burned was the little zombie.

It had never shed blood, caused no evil, and had even helped Mo Hua.

Mo Hua felt sympathy for it, so he set up an array to drain its corpse qi and buried it on a quiet, secluded hilltop on Grave Hill.

The hill was barren, but peaceful, undisturbed by anyone.

Every evening, as the sun set, the afterglow would spill over the hill, and over the small grave Mo Hua had built for it…

(End of Chapter)