Chapter 85: Healing Injuries

Zhang Lan frowned.

Though he didn't want to admit it, the more he resisted admitting it, the more likely it was true.

Could the array really have been drawn by Mo Hua? Then was this person also blown up by Mo Hua?

Mo Hua is only at Qi Refinement Fourth Layer, but since he's begun studying array restoration, his array skill isn't low—drawing an array to blow someone up shouldn't be hard for him.

Zhang Lan thought for a moment, then erased all traces of the array, and decided he'd find Mo Hua someday to ask for a bottle of wine, and clear things up then.

He felt no guilt at all about showing favoritism.

He came from a prominent family, raised around countless profligate young masters, so he despised men like Qian Xing who bullied others using their clan's name and abused their power—he thought they wasted their family's resources and ruined their family's reputation.

It was just a pity the array's power wasn't enough to kill that Qian family brat.

"This kid Mo Hua still hasn't mastered his art well…" Zhang Lan muttered.

In Xinglin Hall, Old Master Feng treated Chen Dazhu and the others' injuries.

Old Master Feng disliked children who caused trouble, and originally refused to treat them—until Mo Hua said he'd been bullied, and Chen Dazhu and the others had stepped in to help, which was why they got hurt.

Of course, Mo Hua, the one who claimed to be bullied, was perfectly fine, only scratched a little, while the ones who bullied him were now unrecognizable from being blown up… this matter was better left unsaid to Old Master Feng.

Old Master Feng had watched Mo Hua grow up, and still favored him; hearing this, he softened toward Chen Dazhu and the others, prepared some herbs for them to rub on their wounds, and gave them some internal pills to promote blood circulation and dispel bruising.

Chen Dazhu whispered: "Mo Hua, you've got serious clout—you actually got Old Master Feng to treat us. When I got hurt in fights before, no matter the reason, I never dared come to him—I was afraid he'd scold me."

Mo Hua said: "Old Master Feng has a kind heart—if you truly were hurt, he'd definitely treat you. If he refuses, it's because he knows you're not seriously injured."

Chen Dazhu nodded skeptically, but without Mo Hua leading them, they'd never have dared come to Old Master Feng.

After checking Chen Dazhu and the others' injuries, Old Master Feng looked at Mo Hua too, saw he had only minor external wounds, and finally relaxed.

"Your weak constitution is innate—you shouldn't fight others. If you absolutely can't avoid it, run away as soon as possible—don't risk your life."

Mo Hua sighed helplessly: "Grandpa Feng, I ran, but I didn't get away."

Old Master Feng frowned. "In Tongxian City, who has so little sense they'd bully a child like you?"

Mo Hua chuckled: "It's nothing big—let it go."

Seeing Mo Hua didn't want to talk about it, Old Master Feng didn't press him, only warned:

"I don't claim much influence elsewhere, but here in Tongxian City, I still have a little face—if someone really bullies you and you can't fight back, you must tell me."

"Mm-hmm, thank you, Grandpa Feng!"

Mo Hua said gratefully, touched his neck, and felt the ointment Old Master Feng gave him was cool and soothing—no longer painful—and took his leave: "It's getting late, I'll head home. Next time I'll bring you some osmanthus wine my mother brewed!"

Old Master Feng waved his hand: "Go home early—don't make your mother worry."

Mo Hua bid farewell to Chen Dazhu and the others, saw they looked gloomy, and asked: "Are your injuries very heavy?"

"Not too serious, but we're all bruised and won't heal in a day or two—Master Chen will definitely find out." Chen Dazhu said dejectedly.

"Master Chen?"

"Yes. Master has told us over and over not to cause trouble, not to fight—fights cause injuries, treating wounds costs spirit stones, and you have to compensate others too…"

"Exactly. So after every fight, no matter who was right, Master punishes us."

Several disciples chimed in.

Mo Hua felt guilty—Chen Dazhu and the others fought Qian Xing only because they helped him. If Qian Xing hadn't been so aggressive, it wouldn't have come to this.

Mo Hua said: "Qian Xing is bullying people with power—you fought only because you helped me. Master Chen isn't unreasonable—he won't blame you."

"Mm." Chen Dazhu nodded, but still looked uneasy.

"If Master Chen still blames you, tell him that from now on, if the forging shop needs any arrays drawn, I can help—with anything not too difficult."

"Really?" Chen Dazhu's eyes lit up—paying someone to draw arrays costs a lot of spirit stones, and Master always groaned about it. If Mo Hua could help from now on, Master would be delighted.

"But," Chen Dazhu hesitated, "won't you be at a disadvantage?"

"My father often tells me neighbors and friends should help each other—you helped me, so I help you—how could that be a disadvantage?" Mo Hua patted his chest.

Seeing Mo Hua draw arrays for others, Mo Shan was delighted and often told him this—within his ability, help when you can; low-level cultivators live hard lives, and survive only by helping each other.

When Mo Hua's family was struggling, many had helped them.

Chen Dazhu was thrilled: "Next time that little Wang Ba comes after you, we'll beat him up again!"

"Yeah, beat him up!" The other disciples echoed.

After parting ways, Mo Hua returned home, ate dinner, spoke a few words to his mother, then went to his room to continue studying arrays.

He didn't mention Qian Xing's incident, to avoid worrying his mother.

The Qian family's power was too great—avoid them if possible. If unavoidable, deal with it later. Fortunately, the Qian family didn't know it was him who blew up Qian Xing with an array—so for now, they wouldn't bother Mo Hua.

Liu Ruhua sat alone under the lamp, burdened with worries, sewing clothes, and when Mo Shan returned, she told her husband:

"Hua got hurt—he didn't say anything, hid his wounds, didn't want me to notice—but I'm his mother, how could I not see?"

Mo Shan comforted his wife: "Mo Hua is a boy—boys should carry responsibility. If he doesn't say anything, it means he can handle it himself—it's probably not serious. Don't ask him."

"Mm," Liu Ruhua nodded. "I'm still worried… Mo Hua has always been well-behaved—he wouldn't normally get into conflicts."

"I'll ask around tomorrow to find out what happened. Don't worry—even if something did happen, I'm still here."

Mo Shan spoke gently to comfort his wife, though a flash of sharpness passed through his eyes.

Meanwhile, in the forging shop, Chen Dazhu and the others were being punished, kneeling before the hall.

Master Chen held a stick, his face grim.

"Good. You've grown bold now, grown wings—fighting others, even drawing the attention of Dao Ting Si. If I hadn't heard about this from someone else, I'd still be in the dark—do you even respect me as your master?"