Chapter 641: Clues

These "spirit beasts" are actually people?

Chickens, ducks, cows, horses, sows, and celestial cranes—these are all codenames for different cultivators?

Mo Hua's pupils shrank slightly.

The transmission order was a ledger.

The ledger recorded a vast number of entries.

This meant that the Bald Eagle gang…

They weren't merely trafficking people—they were likely secretly running a large-scale trade in cultivators.

Selling people like "spirit beasts"!

Mo Hua's gaze turned icy; that damn Bald Eagle deserved to die painfully…

Looking at the long list of "spirit beast" ledger entries restored, Mo Hua frowned slightly, puzzled.

Although the Bald Eagle was strong, he wasn't strong enough to personally orchestrate such a massive illicit trade.

He was probably just a minor leader.

Just one link in the entire "trafficking chain."

There must be many more criminal cultivators along this chain.

Yet, despite such massive cultivator trafficking, everything on the surface remained calm, with no signs exposed.

This indicated that the Bald Eagle gang had a long-standing, stable criminal operation.

They had deep-rooted profit networks.

Perhaps even a hidden "black umbrella"…

Behind them, there might very well be some "great cultivator" shielding their heavenly traces…

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, sighed, and quietly tucked the transmission order into his Nanzi Ring.

This matter was beyond his control for now…

When he gained strength, connections, or uncovered its secrets, he would find a way to expose it fully.

Until then, this transmission order must not be known to anyone.

Otherwise, he would invite fire upon himself.

He was just a lowly cultivator, alone in Qianxue Province, with no support—if he overreached and recklessly meddled in this, the hidden "black hand" would surely target him, and he might not even save himself.

Even if Old Master Xun and Xu Wanyi wanted to protect him, they might not be able to…

He couldn't rely too much on others.

Nor could he burden them with too much trouble.

Mo Hua nodded slightly.

His master had warned him: the first protruding rafter rots first.

Even his master, whose heavenly calculations reached the Liu Ruhua realm, had been outmaneuvered, trapped in desperation, his fate unknown.

He was nowhere near his master's level—if he wanted to survive, he must learn to "hide."

Hide from cause and effect.

Even if he showed his face, he must place himself in an "insignificant" position.

Mo Hua made up his mind, secured the Bald Eagle's transmission order, and temporarily put it out of his mind.

For now, his priority was to capture Huo Fotuo.

…

The next day, a day off.

Mo Hua led Yu'er, escorted by Wen Ren, onto a lavish carriage and departed from the serene, ancient Grand Void Gate, heading for the Gu family in Qingzhou.

Upon arriving at the Gu family, Yu'er went to report her studies to Wen Ren Xu Wanyi.

Disciples of strict aristocratic families faced extremely rigorous cultivation demands.

Yu'er had previously been weakened by nightmares, her cultivation naturally falling behind.

But now, with Yu'er staying by Mo Hua's side, eating well, sleeping well, and brimming with vital energy, those missed cultivation tasks had to be made up.

Mo Hua greeted Wen Ren Xu Wanyi, exchanged a few pleasantries, then went to find Gu Changhuai.

A Gu family disciple led Mo Hua to Gu Changhuai's study.

Gu Changhuai's study was immaculate, spotless, refined and luxurious.

Clearly the study of a pampered scion of a prestigious clan.

On a nearby screen was embroidered a brilliantly colored Kong Que, neck raised, proudly fanning its tail—excessively flamboyant.

Perfectly matched Mo Hua's "stereotype" of Uncle Gu.

The Gu family disciple led Mo Hua only to the door, bowed, and withdrew.

Mo Hua stood outside, peering into the study, curious what Uncle Gu was doing.

Gu Changhuai, knowing Mo Hua had arrived, sighed:

"Come in."

Mo Hua walked in without hesitation.

Gu Changhuai sat before a redwood desk inlaid with gold.

Mo Hua glanced around, saw no seat at the desk, pulled over a stool from the side, placed it opposite Gu Changhuai, and sat down facing him.

Gu Changhuai sighed again.

This kid really didn't treat himself like an outsider…

Then Mo Hua got to the point.

"Uncle Gu, any leads on Huo Fotuo?"

Although Gu Shu's expression made it clear there were no leads and little progress, Mo Hua still asked as usual.

Gu Changhuai shook his head, but clearly had no desire to say more.

"Then…" Mo Hua asked again, "has the Flower Young Master's transmission token been restored?"

Gu Changhuai's face darkened. "No. It can't be restored…"

Mo Hua's eyes brightened, yet he still feigned regret.

Gu Changhuai stared silently at Mo Hua, frowning.

"Why do you seem… so pleased about this…?"

"No, no…"

Mo Hua was being insincere.

He studied the Magnetic Array precisely to "restore" the magnetic patterns and recover the erased text in the transmission token.

If someone else restored it, wouldn't all his learning be wasted?

Gu Changhuai was baffled and didn't know what to say.

Mo Hua ventured softly:

"Uncle Gu, how about letting me try?"

Gu Changhuai was startled. "Let you try what?"

"The transmission token!"

Gu Changhuai eyed Mo Hua skeptically. "Don't tell me you've already learned to restore the magnetic patterns of the transmission token in just a few days?"

Mo Hua nodded with restrained composure.

Gu Changhuai fell silent.

He wanted to believe, even wished to believe—but reason made it hard.

The Magnetic Array was a secret technique; ordinary cultivators wouldn't learn it, and even if they did, they couldn't master it.

Even those who mastered it mostly only built arrays.

Reverse-engineering an array was an entirely different matter.

Array disciplines were vast and countless; even great array masters couldn't master them all.

Each art requires specialization.

The same applied to arrays.

Mo Hua was too young; mastering basic arrays was already impressive.

Magnetic pattern restoration was a recondite, hyper-specialized array technique—where would he get the spiritual sense or time to study it?

Gu Changhuai shook his head.

"Uncle Gu, you don't believe me…?" Mo Hua said.

"Of course not…"

Mo Hua frowned. "Why is this so unbelievable?"

"You say something, and I believe it?" Gu Changhuai glared at Mo Hua. "Why don't you say you've even built great arrays yourself?"

Mo Hua's expression grew peculiar.

Gu Changhuai sneered. "Wait—you really have built great arrays?"

"If I say yes, will you believe me?"

Gu Changhuai stared at Mo Hua without expression. "I'm not proficient in arrays—I'm not blind to them."

Built great arrays…

What are you thinking, you brat?

You're blowing air so high it's ridiculous…

"I really learned magnetic pattern restoration!"

Gu Changhuai still didn't believe him.

Mo Hua sighed.

There was no help for it.

Facts speak louder than words—he'd have to show him.

Mo Hua took out the transmission token and handed it to Gu Changhuai:

"Uncle Gu, secretly send a message to this token using the transmission token—don't let me know what it is—then erase it. I'll restore it for you…"

Before Mo Hua finished, Gu Changhuai's expression changed drastically—he stared at the transmission token, utterly incredulous.

"This…"

"This is…"

Gu Changhuai pointed at the transmission token, its surface riddled with cracks and battered beyond recognition, his hand trembling, voice shaking with rage.

"This is the transmission token I gave you?"

"How could you break it so quickly?!"

Mo Hua felt a twinge of guilt but corrected him:

"It's not broken!"

Gu Changhuai stared coldly at Mo Hua, his face saying: "Go on, try to explain this."

Mo Hua blinked.

"I just… accidentally dismantled it by chance, and it got a few cracks—looks ugly, but I've already fixed it!"

"Though its exterior is damaged, its function is intact and unaffected."

Mo Hua said solemnly: "A cultivator must not be deceived by appearances—focus on the essential function of things…"

Gu Changhuai said coldly: "You know quite a bit—break something, then come up with a whole bunch of excuses..."

Mo Hua, seeing Uncle Gu was still angry, quickly said: "These aren't the point..."

"I was trying to learn magnetic pattern restoration..."

"The sacrifice of this transmission token is worthwhile!"

Mo Hua's expression was serious.

"Fine, fine..."

Gu Changhuai, still simmering with anger, took the transmission token, sent a few messages, then erased them himself, and tossed the token back to Mo Hua.

"Restore it. Tell me what words I just sent."

"Mm-hmm."

Mo Hua was confident.

He pulled out a compass, replicated the base pattern array markings, then used his spiritual sense to observe and record the secondary thunder patterns.

He then used the array plate, combining the base magnetic patterns with the secondary thunder patterns, to perform derivation.

Gu Changhuai watched as Mo Hua's expression remained calm, his movements skilled, drawing a host of array markings he had never seen before, performing complex derivations with convincing precision—his anger slowly turned to astonishment.

Though he couldn't understand it, he knew this method of derivation was no ordinary technique...

On the array plate beside them, magnetic ink coalesced, gradually forming and revealing several characters:

"Little rascal..."

Mo Hua's face lit up with joy, then froze—he glared at Gu Changhuai, displeased.

"'Little rascal'... you're not talking about me, are you?"

Gu Changhuai paid no attention to Mo Hua's displeasure.

He was utterly stunned, staring at Mo Hua with disbelief: "You... actually restored it?"

That's a technique only the great array masters of Tian Shu Pavilion can perform...

How could a Foundation Establishment cultivator like you learn it?

Seeing Gu Changhuai's exaggerated shock, as if he'd never seen the world, Mo Hua decided to overlook being called "little rascal."

Mo Hua said proudly:

"I'm studying array arts with Master Xun..."

"Master Xun..."

Gu Changhuai paused, then bowed his head in solemn respect.

Though he didn't know who exactly Master Xun was, anyone who taught array arts at Tai Xu Gate—one of the Eight Great Sects—and was respectfully called "Master" must have immense seniority and extraordinary array mastery.

With an array master like that teaching Mo Hua, everything suddenly made sense...

Gu Changhuai's gaze toward Mo Hua changed entirely.

Still, Gu Changhuai remained uneasy about letting Mo Hua attempt to restore Hua Langjun's transmission token.

Mo Hua seemed to read Gu Changhuai's thoughts and asked:

"Uncle Gu, where is Hua Langjun's transmission token now?"

After a moment's thought, Gu Changhuai said slowly:

"It was returned by Tian Shu Pavilion..."

Gu Changhuai frowned, "The array masters at Tian Shu Pavilion are either too high-ranking for me to summon, or too busy to help, or too lazy—none of them will take on this task from Dao Ting Si..."

"Then you've got no choice but to rely on me..."

Mo Hua's eyes sparkled.

Gu Changhuai choked, sighed, and helplessly said: "Come with me to Dao Ting Si. I'll give you the token—try it."

"Mm-hmm!"

Mo Hua nodded eagerly.

Gu Changhuai shook his head—he never imagined that he, a full Jin Dan cultivator and Gu Diansi, had sunk so low as to depend on a beginner cultivator for clues...

But when you're under someone else's roof, you must bow your head...

Gu Changhuai informed Wen Ren Wan, then set off with Mo Hua, returning to Dao Ting Si.

Gu Changhuai completed some formalities and retrieved Hua Langjun's transmission token.

It was a jade plaque, translucent white with hints of jade-green.

Mo Hua examined it, then sent his spiritual sense inside, finding the token's interior completely blank—every trace had been erased.

He scanned again, saw no signs of "sealing" or "encryption," then handed the token back to Gu Changhuai.

"Uncle Gu, could you help me open it..."

He feared he'd break it again if he tried himself.

Gu Changhuai wanted to open it, but hesitated before acting.

He worried Mo Hua's skill was insufficient and he'd damage the internal array.

Yet he reconsidered—even if Tian Shu Pavilion restored it, it would still be damaged.

There was no 100% safe method of "restoration."

If he didn't take this chance now, once Huo Fotuo fled, even if the token was restored, it would be useless.

With this thought, Gu Changhuai made up his mind.

He swiftly and skillfully dismantled the token, his movements precise and practiced.

Once opened, the base array markings beneath were revealed—he handed the token to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua immediately began replicating the base magnetic patterns.

The base magnetic patterns of transmission tokens are all different.

The fixed magnetic pattern on this transmission token differs significantly from the one on the eagle's token.

Mo Hua replicated the fixed magnetic pattern onto the array plate, then compared it step by step using his study of the "Annotations on Fixed Magnetic Patterns," gradually understanding the meaning of these magnetic lines.

The functional magnetic patterns are largely the same.

Only the habits of "writing" and engraving the magnetic lines vary slightly.

And the most significant difference is that this transmission token is one-way.

It can only receive messages; it cannot transmit text outward.

"Huo Fotuo and his people are still very cautious…"

Then Mo Hua followed the same method: using the fixed magnetic pattern as a baseline and the secondary thunder pattern as the "contract" trace of magnetic flow, he began to re-derive it.

Soon, text began to appear on the array plate…

Gu Changhuai's heart jolted.

"It really… was reconstructed…"

He glanced silently at Mo Hua, his emotions churning, then turned his gaze back to the text revealed on the array plate.

Because the secondary thunder pattern changed endlessly, even Mo Hua's keen observation inevitably missed some details.

Thus, the text contained errors.

And the order was jumbled.

But overall, it was still understandable…

…

"Flower the Sixth… where are you?"

"If you mess this up, we'll all die…"

"Wang Ba…"

"The first day of the eleventh month…"

"Your whole family wiped out…"

"Everything is ready—no one will know, not even ghosts…"

"Bishan City, rouge shop…"

…

"What's so fun about those faded flowers and fallen willows?"

"After the job's done, the Young Master will reward you with a top-tier piece—you'd never even dare to lick your lips for it in your whole life…"

"Flower the Sixth, don't miss the time."

"Flower the Sixth?"

"If you let your lust cloud your judgment again and ruin this mission, I'll castrate you myself…"

…

"Big Brother is furious—the consequences will be severe."

"You're dead…"

…

After reading these texts, Mo Hua and Gu Changhuai exchanged a glance, both frowning.

"This tone doesn't sound like Huo Fotuo…"

"It's possible it was sent by one of Huo Fotuo's subordinates…"

The clues inside seem few.

Mostly, they're information already known.

Flower Young Master and Huo Fotuo are allies; they agreed to meet in Bishan City and exterminate the Xie family.

Aside from that, two things caught Mo Hua's attention.

One was the "Young Master."

"After the job's done, the Young Master will reward you with a top-tier piece…"

Who is this "Young Master"?

Suddenly, Mo Hua recalled the reconstructed "account" text from the eagle's transmission token, which contained one entry:

"Twentieth day, Hundred Flowers, received one celestial crane, presented to the Young Master…"

One celestial crane, presented to the "Young Master."

Are these two "Young Masters" the same person?

Or is it just a coincidence?

After all, this is Qianxue Prefecture—there are too many aristocratic disciples here, and many are called "Young Master."

Even Mo Hua himself is called "Little Young Master"…

Mo Hua glanced at Gu Changhuai and asked softly:

"Uncle Gu, is there any notorious cultivator-criminal with the nickname 'Young Master'?"

Gu Changhuai frowned in thought, then shook his head. "I've never heard of one…"

Mo Hua nodded.

If Uncle Gu hasn't heard of him, then he's likely someone hidden in the shadows…

The only remaining clue is the other thing that caught Mo Hua's attention.

"Rouge shop."

It is the only explicit place name in the entire transmission token.

Either it's the meeting point.

Or there are hidden sentries.

It's even possible that this is where they're hiding…

Gu Changhuai clearly thought of this too.

"Uncle Gu, are there any rouge shops in Bishan City?" Mo Hua asked again.

Gu Changhuai paused, "There are a few…"

"Shall we go take a look?" Mo Hua ventured.

At this point, no matter what, they had to go take a look.

Gu Changhuai nodded, rose to leave, but hadn't taken a few steps before he noticed Mo Hua, like a little shadow, following closely behind him—clearly wanting to come along.

Gu Changhuai didn't want to take him, but knew he couldn't shake off Mo Hua, so he gave up the effort, merely emphasizing:

"Remember our three rules!"

"Mm-hmm." Mo Hua nodded.

Gu Changhuai sighed, about to walk away, when suddenly he remembered something, his expression solemn:

"Don't tell anyone about restoring the magnetic patterns."

"Especially not Dao Ting Si people…"

Mo Hua froze, then understood, giving a slight nod, "Don't worry—I've got a tight mouth."

Gu Changhuai finally felt reassured.

The two then took a carriage to Bishan City.

This trip was only for gathering intelligence; Gu Changhuai didn't summon anyone else from Dao Ting Si.

The carriage sped along, jolting over the road, and soon arrived at Bishan City.

Within Bishan City, there were four rouge shops.

Two of them were larger, lavishly decorated, heavy with the scent of powder, filled with couples coming and going, bustling with activity.

Another was failing, on the verge of closing.

These three seemed unproblematic.

The suspicious one was the last.

Its name was simply "Rouge Shop," tucked in a narrow alley, neither large nor small, with very few passersby and an eerie quiet.

The shop did display many rouge and powders, but all were old, clearly stale stock.

Moreover, the entire shop radiated a strange sense of wrongness.

Occasionally, cultivators entered, but after a while, they all came out again.

Mo Hua and Gu Changhuai sat in a nearby teahouse, sipped a pot of tea, and nibbled two plates of pine nuts, all the while watching the rouge shop's movements.

They didn't act rashly; they wanted to observe first.

After more than an hour, Mo Hua softly uttered, "Huh?"

Gu Changhuai raised an eyebrow. "What did you notice?"

Mo Hua lifted his teacup, sipped, then lowered his voice without revealing his thoughts:

"This shop has no customers…"

"Those people coming and going—though men and women, different appearances—all are the same person…"

Gu Changhuai showed slight surprise, then nodded.

Seeing Gu Changhuai's lack of reaction, Mo Hua grew curious:

"Uncle Gu, you noticed too?"

Gu Changhuai gave a light snort. "A mere illusion technique—how could it fool me…"

Mo Hua disliked his arrogant demeanor and asked:

"Then do you know who this cultivator pretending to be a customer is?"

Gu Changhuai paused.

How could he know?

Gu Changhuai glanced at Mo Hua. "Do you know?"

Mo Hua smirked, raising an eyebrow.

Gu Changhuai frowned in confusion. "How do you know?"

Mo Hua said: "Because not long ago, it was me who arrested him and threw him into Dao Prison!"

(End of Chapter)