Chapter 623: The Little Neighbor

Before Gu Changhuai could react, Mo Hua took the initiative and asked:

"Uncle Gu, can you issue a task through Dao Ting Si?"

Gu Changhuai froze, displeased inside.

This brat is so overly familiar—it's like we've known each other forever…

Gu Changhuai looked at Mo Hua with wary eyes and said:

"What do you want?"

"I'm just asking," Mo Hua said casually, then flashed a fox-like glance, "Suppose…"

Mo Hua emphasized, "I'm saying suppose—I accidentally uncovered a lead on a criminal cultivator. Could you issue a reward through Dao Ting Si?"

Gu Changhuai frowned and refused:

"Dao Ting Si operates by its own rules. Rewards offered to sects must be carefully reviewed by Gu Diansi—how could they be issued arbitrarily…"

Mo Hua nodded, instantly understanding.

Careful. Considered. Not arbitrary…

In other words, it still comes down to personal discretion.

Whether it's careful or not, whether it's considered or not, whether it's arbitrary or not—all depends on Gu Diansi's subjective judgment, with no objective rules.

As Gu Diansi, if Uncle Gu decided, he truly had the authority to issue a reward!

Gu Changhuai stared at the clever, mischievous Mo Hua, unsure what the boy had figured out, and frowned:

"Why are you asking this…?"

Halfway through, he suddenly realized.

Wait—he hadn't answered my question yet…

I came here to investigate Mo Hua's connection to Jiang Laoda's death.

But before I knew it, Mo Hua led me off-topic with all his rambling…

Gu Changhuai's face hardened. "I asked first. You answer first."

"What was your question again?" Mo Hua blinked.

Gu Changhuai's head throbbed, so he repeated his question: "Can you cast Fireball Technique?"

Mo Hua didn't hide it—he nodded:

"Fireball Technique… it's pretty hard not to learn, isn't it?"

Fireball Technique is one of the most basic and widely used spells for cultivators.

Mo Hua looked perfectly calm.

Gu Changhuai glanced at Mo Hua; even with his experience as Dao Ting Si's Gu Diansi, he couldn't detect a single flicker of emotion or unease on the boy's slightly childish face.

In an instant, he judged:

This kid's a slick little operator—impenetrable, unanswerable.

Gu Changhuai thought for a moment, his gaze darkening, then asked outright:

"Did you kill the traffickers who kidnapped Yu'er?"

As he spoke, Gu Changhuai's gaze sharpened like a blade, fixed unblinkingly on Mo Hua.

Mo Hua considered lying, but decided: later, he'd need to rely on Uncle Gu as Dao Ting Si's Gu Diansi—they needed basic trust. Lying wouldn't do…

Mo Hua nodded. "Yes!"

Mo Hua admitted it plainly.

Gu Changhuai was stunned.

His thoughts froze for an instant.

He'd imagined many scenarios—but never expected that upon asking, Mo Hua would confess outright, leaving him speechless.

Gu Changhuai hesitated a long while, then asked: "How did you kill them?"

Mo Hua answered: "I used Fireball Technique to kill all those traffickers!"

Gu Changhuai thought: Just as expected.

This matched his expectations reasonably well.

But then he hesitated again, turning the words over in his mind for a long while, and finally shook his head: "Impossible…"

How could you kill them with Fireball Technique…?

This boy is only at Foundation Establishment early stage.

Those ten or so traffickers were all at least Foundation Establishment, with years of cultivation experience and far deeper cultivation than Mo Hua.

With Fireball Technique…

Gu Changhuai simply couldn't imagine how Fireball Technique could kill over a dozen cultivators of the same level.

Even killing one would be difficult…

Mo Hua looked exasperated:

"If I don't say it, you doubt me. If I tell the truth, you don't believe me. Uncle Gu, you're making this really hard for me…"

Gu Changhuai stalled, feeling slightly guilty, but still insisted:

"It couldn't have been just Fireball Technique."

Mo Hua thought for a moment, then said: "What if… I set up an array beforehand to severely wound them, then finished them off with Fireball Technique? Would that work?"

Gu Changhuai followed Mo Hua's logic and nodded approvingly:

"That makes more sense…"

"So that's it?"

Gu Changhuai nodded involuntarily—then halfway through, froze again, and muttered irritably:

"What do you mean, 'let's leave it at that'! You're at the early Foundation Establishment stage, barely ten years old — how could you possibly set up a killing formation with that kind of destructive power?"

Mo Hua spoke honestly again: "My formation skills are really amazing!"

Gu Changhuai clearly didn't believe him.

"When I entered the Grand Void Gate, my specialty was formations!" Mo Hua added.

Gu Changhuai didn't know what to say.

How could he not know that Mo Hua was Cousin Wenren's doing — she had spent a great deal of spirit stones and called in many favors just to get him into the Grand Void Gate.

Saying his specialty was formations was just for show, just an excuse.

A little brat from a remote, mid-low grade small Xiancheng in Lizhou, with a small five-element spiritual root — what formations could he possibly have mastered?

And yet he could set up a killing formation and trap-kill over a dozen slavers.

Even when bragging, one should at least draft something first.

Gu Changhuai gave a soft snort.

Mo Hua sighed, feeling quite helpless.

Every time he wanted to treat people with sincerity, others simply refused to believe him — there was nothing he could do about it.

"My formation skills really are amazing!"

Mo Hua emphasized once more.

"Oh," Gu Changhuai said flatly.

Don't believe it then, fine…

Mo Hua pursed his lips, too lazy to say more.

Gu Changhuai, however, thought of something else and asked again: "That Boss Jiang… before he died, he used a Sword Control Art with tremendous power — how could you come out completely unscathed?"

Mo Hua had just opened his mouth to speak when Gu Changhuai cut him off:

"Don't tell me you just got lucky and dodged it…"

Mo Hua said haltingly: "I… was about to say exactly that…"

Gu Changhuai rubbed his brow, feeling a splitting headache.

After asking all this time, he still had no idea which of Mo Hua's words were true and which were false.

Or which truths were laced with falsehoods, and which falsehoods contained a few words of truth…

He couldn't use torture either.

Maybe scare him a bit with the "Dao Ting Si"…

But seeing how familiar and at ease this kid was, he wasn't the least bit afraid.

Moreover, Cousin would definitely side with this little brat — if he went too far, he'd surely upset her.

It seemed he truly had no way to deal with this kid surnamed Mo…

"Forget it…"

Gu Changhuai thought it over and over, and finally sighed.

"About Boss Jiang — I won't ask anymore…"

Gu Changhuai's face took on a stern expression.

They were nothing but a bunch of utterly depraved slavers.

Even if others hadn't killed them, he would have.

Besides, the one they had kidnapped was Yu'er — he would never let them off.

Gu Changhuai actually didn't care whether it was Mo Hua himself who had killed those slavers.

He only wanted to use Boss Jiang's death to confirm one thing.

But from the looks of it now, Mo Hua might be young, but he was full of cunning — deep and calculating. Gu Changhuai couldn't see through him, couldn't guess his thoughts, so he could only ask directly…

Gu Changhuai's expression turned solemn, his gaze sharp as a sword, fixing Mo Hua with a stare:

"Did you… deliberately get close to Yu'er…"

"Do you… have some other scheme in mind?"

Mo Hua suddenly understood.

Only then did he realize that Gu Changhuai genuinely and sincerely cared about Xu Wanyi, and cared about Yu'er too.

Though they were cousins, it seemed their bond was no less than that of real siblings.

As for Yu'er's matter…

Running into Yu'er was indeed a coincidence — as for whether there were other karmic calculations behind it, he wasn't sure.

Yu'er was such a child — well-behaved, cute, and pure of heart.

Even without any karmic benefit, within his own capabilities, he would definitely have saved her.

Gu Changhuai's worry for Yu'er and suspicion of him were understandable.

As a "grown-up," he was magnanimous — he wouldn't bicker with him over this.

Mo Hua had just opened his mouth to speak when he suddenly heard a clear, childish voice, brimming with joy, calling out:

"Brother Mo!"

Mo Hua looked startled and turned his head.

He saw a child wearing an extra-small Grand Void Daoist robe in black and white, hair tied in a bun, arms spread wide, little legs trotting, running toward him happily.

Mo Hua was stunned for a moment. "Yu'er?"

Gu Changhuai, standing nearby, was also stunned.

But halfway through her run, Yu'er finally noticed Gu Changhuai across from Mo Hua — her smile vanished at once. She gave a polite, reserved bow and called out stiffly, "Hello, Uncle Gu."

"Mm…"

Gu Changhuai's expression was a little stiff; he wanted to show a kindly smile and get closer to Yu'er, but his usual habits held him back, and a cold sternness could not be hidden between his brows.

He looked... rather fierce.

Yu'er shuffled her little feet backward and turned her head to steal a glance at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua smiled and beckoned to her.

Yu'er's little face immediately lit up with joy; her small legs took a few quick steps forward, and she threw herself into Mo Hua's arms.

Gu Changhuai watched, his heart both sour and envious, his teeth nearly ground to dust.

Mo Hua patted Yu'er's head and asked, puzzled, "How did you get here?"

Yu'er showed her little face and said with a smile, "I'm entering the Grand Void Gate!"

"The Grand Void Gate?"

Mo Hua was very surprised.

Gu Changhuai, standing beside him, was even more incredulous.

Mo Hua was at the Grand Void Gate—if he truly harbored ill intentions, then Yu'er entering the Grand Void Gate would be... a lamb walking into a tiger's den?

Gu Changhuai's brows knitted tightly.

After a while, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a deep, steady aura and a square, composed face walked over.

He bowed to Gu Changhuai and Mo Hua.

"Young Master Gu, Young Master Mo."

Gu Changhuai, who was usually so proud, also wore a solemn expression and returned the bow.

Mo Hua returned the bow as well, but with a slightly puzzled look.

The big man then said in a deep, heavy voice:

"I am Wenren Wei, a guard of the Wenren family. I have come with the young master to enter the sect and look after his daily needs. I ask Young Master Mo to look after him."

Wenren Wei's manner was mild, yet neither obsequious nor overbearing.

Mo Hua said very politely with a smile, "Hello, Uncle Wei."

Wenren Wei's expression did not change, but his gaze could not help but soften a little.

Gu Changhuai, however, was quite puzzled. "Yu'er is so young—how could she possibly enter the Grand Void Gate? That doesn't follow the rules..."

Wenren Wei only said, "This is the Eldest Young Lady's decision."

The implication was that he could only obey orders and had no authority to decide.

Gu Changhuai frowned.

Wenren Wei remained silent.

Mo Hua pinched Yu'er's little cheeks to tease her. Yu'er clung to Mo Hua, staying by his side, her face full of contentment.

After a moment, Wenren Wan walked over arm in arm with a female elder wearing a Grand Void Daoist robe, her figure graceful and slender.

The two chatted and laughed all the way, clearly on very good terms.

When they drew near, Wenren Wan greeted Mo Hua, then introduced:

"Mo Hua, this is Elder Murong of the Inner Gate."

Elder Murong?

Mo Hua's thoughts stirred—surnamed Murong, could she be related to Senior Sister Murong Caiyun?

He respectfully bowed and said, "Greetings, Elder Murong."

Elder Murong smiled and nodded, saying in a gentle voice, "So this is the Mo Hua you mentioned..."

Wenren Wan said with a smile, "This child Mo Hua is well-behaved and sensible, and cultivates diligently. It's just that he comes from a loose cultivator background and has no family connections. Sister Murong, if you get the chance, look after him a little at the Grand Void Gate—don't let him be bullied..."

Elder Murong said with a slight smile, "Rest assured, sister."

She glanced at Mo Hua, her gaze somewhat meaningful and profound.

A child favored by Elder Xun—probably it wouldn't be her turn to look after him.

Gu Changhuai, standing to the side, looked even more complicated, helpless at heart.

This little brat was full of lies, utterly cunning, and extremely dangerous...

At his age and cultivation, having only just entered the sect half a year ago, he was already able to follow his senior brothers and sisters to capture a vicious and ruthless criminal cultivator like Yin Laoer.

If anything, he was the one bullying fellow disciples—how could anyone bully him...

Wenren Wan whispered a few private words with Elder Murong, then noticed Gu Changhuai standing nearby and said, somewhat surprised:

"Changhuai, when did you get here?"

Gu Changhuai's heart ached. "I've been here the whole time..."

Wenren Wan was puzzled. "You're a Gu Diansi—what are you doing here with nothing going on?"

Gu Changhuai sighed and said:

"I came to find Mo Hua about something."

Wenren Wan looked doubtful. "You're looking for Mo Hua?"

She suddenly thought of something, and her face darkened. "Someone bullied Mo Hua, and he went to your Dao Ting Si to file a complaint?"

"No..."

Gu Changhuai was weary at heart.

His elder cousin was fine in every way, except that sometimes she let her emotions rule her and couldn't see the facts clearly.

But he couldn't say more, so he could only say, "Just some small matter from the sect's bounty board—once it's clarified, it'll be fine..."

Wenren Wan didn't quite believe it, but she didn't press further.

After she exchanged a few more words with Elder Murong, Elder Murong took her leave, saying:

"I'll be going now. Everything regarding Yu'er has been arranged..."

"You bring him in, handle the formalities—he's already considered a disciple of our Grand Void Gate…"

"But the Grand Void Gate has never had such a precedent, and he's too young, so for now he'll stay in the disciples' quarters, under the care of your family's guards."

"As for cultivation…"

"After all, he's at the Qi Refining stage—he needs to nurture his meridians and solidify his foundation. We won't assign him anything; his studies are up to you to decide."

"Once inside the sect, if you have any needs, come find me."

"We've been sisters all this time—no need for formalities…"

Wenren Wan expressed her gratitude: "Thank you, Elder Murong. Breaking precedent to let Yu'er in has cost you much effort—I'll visit again soon to thank you properly."

Elder Murong shook her head. "Sister, you're too kind—I merely took advantage of the wind's current…"

Her peripheral vision flickered toward Mo Hua, who was speaking with Yu'er.

Indeed, the Grand Void Gate had never allowed a Qi Refining disciple to enroll.

If we're to break precedent, we need Laozu's approval.

Originally, the Laozus had refused.

But later, for reasons unknown, Mr. Xun heard of this matter, calculated something, and unexpectedly agreed—even opened the gates wide…

She only later learned of the bond between Yu'er and Mo Hua.

A flicker of understanding passed through Elder Murong's eyes.

"Mr. Xun says nothing aloud, but inwardly, he holds this child in extraordinary regard…"

This is unprecedented…

Elder Murong silently glanced once more at Mo Hua, then took her leave.

Mo Hua was returning to Yaohui Sect.

He still had some matters he wished to discuss with Uncle Gu.

Mainly, he wanted to convince him to become his "inside man" in Dao Ting Si—a tool to assign tasks.

But now isn't the time; he'd bring it up later if the chance arose.

Since Yu'er was also entering the sect, Mo Hua bid farewell to Wenren Wan, then walked with Yu'er into the Grand Void Gate's mountain gate.

Yu'er reluctantly said goodbye to his mother.

Wenren Wei bowed to Wenren Wan and Gu Changhuai, then silently followed Mo Hua and Yu'er into the Grand Void Gate.

He was a guard—he was to care for Yu'er's daily needs.

After the group parted, no one else remained.

Wenren Wan's gaze followed Yu'er's figure until it vanished into the forest, her expression tinged with melancholy.

Then she turned her eyes to Gu Changhuai and glared. "Speak—what are you plotting?"

Before Wenren Wan, Gu Changhuai lost his aloofness, sounding slightly guilty. "Sister, what are you talking about?"

Wenren Wan snorted. "I've watched you grow up since childhood—I know your every thought. Why out of nowhere did you seek out Mo Hua?"

"I…"

"Don't make excuses."

Gu Changhuai sighed. "I suspect he has ill intentions…"

Wenren Wan frowned, exasperated.

"You're just like your brother-in-law—too cunning, so you assume everyone else is scheming too…"

"The way you look at others, they'll look back at you the same way. If you play tricks on others, they'll play tricks on you."

Gu Changhuai gave a bitter smile.

Seeing his expression, Wenren Wan softened a little. "I know you care about me and Yu'er—but don't trouble Mo Hua."

"If Mo Hua needs help, lend it. He's just a child, with no family backing him—he struggles to cultivate within the sect."

Wenren Wan finished, adopting her "elder sister" demeanor and patted Gu Changhuai's shoulder. "If Mo Hua comes to you for help, help him. Don't brush me off. Don't try to deceive me."

Wenren Wan finished speaking, adopted the demeanor of an elder sister, and patted Gu Changhuai on the shoulder: "If Mo Hua asks you for help, help if you can—don't brush me off, and don't try to trick me."

Gu Changhuai hesitated, then reluctantly muttered, "I understand…"

Wenren Wan was satisfied, nodded, and said to Gu Changhuai:

"Come home during your leave—I'll make you jade dumplings."

Gu Changhuai sighed. As Wenren Wan turned to leave, he asked one final question: "Sister…"

His gaze darkened. "Sending Yu'er into the Grand Void Gate… are you truly at peace with it?"

Wenren Wan froze, her body trembling.

When she turned back, her once clear and gentle face had lost its color, veiled in reluctance, sorrow, and a trace of… fear.

When she turned back, her once fresh and gentle face had lost some of its luster, veiled in reluctance, melancholy, and a trace of… fear.

Gu Changhuai, unaware of what had happened, looked anxious.

Wenren Wan's slender face twisted into a bitter smile:

Wenren Wan's gaunt face revealed a faint, bitter smile:

"I… had nightmares…"

"In them, blood rained from the sky, demons danced wildly…"

"Yu'er stared at me coldly, eyes hollow, skin deathly pale—his blood drained, organs hollowed, his spirit utterly sapped…"

"He asked me in a voice devoid of feeling: why didn't his mother save him?"

Wenren Wan's chest tightened, her face contorted in pain. "It was only a dream—but even as I struggled, fought, screamed—I couldn't save Yu'er…"

"Under the tide of monstrous malice, human will is too weak…"

Under the overwhelming evil intent, human hearts are too weak...

"I can't save him…"

"So, I can only hope…"

Wenren Wan's voice murmured, fading until it was barely audible; finally, she looked up at Tai Xu Mountain, her beautiful eyes filled with humble hope—beautiful and fragile.

Gu Changhuai's spirit trembled violently.

Only then did he realize that there were things he had never known!

And his cousin was not, as he had assumed, merely acting on impulse…

Gu Changhuai sighed deeply, his expression solemn, and said:

"Sister, I understand."

…

Within Tai Xu Gate.

Yu'er knew nothing of these matters.

He was holding Mo Hua's hand, skipping happily forward, all the way to the Disciple Quarters.

Mo Hua swiped his Tai Xu Token and entered; then he noticed Yu'er pulling out a small token, swiping it, and following him in.

Mo Hua blinked in surprise. "Yu'er, you live here too?"

"Mm-hmm."

Yu'er nodded happily.

Mo Hua walked inside, then realized Yu'er was still following him, all the way to the door of his Tai Yi No. 50 room, where Yu'er finally stopped.

Mo Hua looked at Yu'er.

Yu'er pointed his small hand to the side. "Mo Brother, I live here."

Mo Hua looked up—and only then noticed that the empty discipled quarters to his right had been cleaned and the door plaque reactivated.

It read: Tai Yi, No. 51.

Mo Hua opened his mouth.

He hadn't expected Yu'er to truly enter Tai Xu Gate—and become his little neighbor…

Wenren Wei behind Yu'er also bowed his hands and said:

"Please, Young Master Mo, look after him."

Yu'er smiled brightly. "Mo Brother, look after me."

Mo Hua looked down at Yu'er's bright, shining eyes and smiled gently:

"Alright."

Because there was cultivation class in the afternoon.

To avoid disturbing Mo Hua, Wenren Wei led Yu'er into the adjacent Tai Yi No. 51 Disciple Quarters.

Yu'er waved at Mo Hua.

Wenren Wei followed him inside.

But Mo Hua suddenly called out to him: "Uncle Wei."

Wenren Wei stopped, turned around, and regarded Mo Hua with calm composure, speaking with great courtesy: "Young Master Mo, what do you require?"

Mo Hua shook his head. "I'm not a Young Master. Just call me Mo Hua."

Wenren Wei nodded silently.

Mo Hua paused, his gaze deep. "If Yu'er has another nightmare, Uncle Wei—remember to call me."

Wenren Wei's solemn expression flickered with surprise; then, as if understanding, a faint smile appeared on his face. He nodded.

"Alright."

(End of Chapter)