Chapter 325: Disposal

The news that the Qian family's old ancestor was an evil cultivator quickly spread throughout Tongxian City.

People were surprised, yet not entirely. After all, the Qian family's reputation was truly terrible, and they had a lot of enemies.

Because of the Qian family's old ancestor, the Qian family was sealed off, and no cultivator was allowed to leave. Violators would be treated as if they were colluding with evil cultivators.

Once the Qian family's old ancestor was found, the Dao Court Department would determine the crime and then carry out the punishment.

"What will happen to the Qian family?"

In the Dao Court Department, Mo Hua and Zhou Chief Officer were drinking tea when Mo Hua couldn't help but ask.

Mo Hua had come to the Dao Court Department to help Zhou Chief Officer. The Qian family's old ancestor had escaped, but his cave mansion was still there. The Dao Court Department was clearing out his cave mansion and confiscating all items to see if there were any other clues or evidence.

Since this involved array formations, which Zhou Chief Officer didn't understand well, he invited Mo Hua to help him examine them.

Under the old Chief Officer's request, Mo Hua looked through everything one by one, identifying the evil arrays and finding some other clues that could prove the Qian family's old ancestor's connection to Black Mountain Stronghold.

With this, the report submitted to the Dao Court had conclusive evidence, making Zhou Chief Officer's document reasonable and factually based.

After being busy for a while, Zhou Chief Officer invited Mo Hua for tea. Mo Hua took advantage of the free time to ask Zhou Chief Officer this question.

Zhou Chief Officer's injuries hadn't healed yet, and his face was still somewhat pale. He coughed once and slowly said:

"The Qian family's old ancestor must be caught and executed no matter what, to uphold Dao laws and to warn others."

"As for the other Qian family disciples... it can be handled lightly or severely."

Mo Hua was somewhat puzzled. "How do you mean?"

"If we handle it severely, there's nothing more to say. I submit a report to the Dao Court stating that the Qian family colluded with Black Mountain Stronghold and evil cultivators, killing and robbing. Then most cultivators in the Qian family will be executed. Even if they don't die, their family property will be confiscated and they will be exiled, stripped of their surname, and banished from Tongxian City."

"If we handle it lightly, it's to say that the matter of colluding with evil cultivators was done solely by the Qian family's old ancestor, and the other Qian family disciples were completely unaware. This way, even if the Dao Court holds them accountable, it won't be too severe. At most, they will lose their family property, and most Qian family disciples' lives should still be fine."

Zhou Chief Officer explained patiently to Mo Hua with a kind expression.

Mo Hua was startled. "Is there so much room for maneuvering here? Won't this breed corruption?"

Zhou Chief Officer choked a bit and coughed violently twice, saying unhappily:

"You child, how can you say such things..."

Mo Hua smiled sheepishly.

Zhou Chief Officer had no way with Mo Hua and said somewhat helplessly: "Indeed, it will..."

Zhou Chief Officer sighed. "So in this world, some cultivators who have committed great crimes can get protection from the Dao Court Department and remain safe and sound, while some cultivators who have made small mistakes, because they offended the Dao Court Department, have their entire families confiscated and executed."

"I'm telling you this not to let you bribe or accept bribes, but to let you understand the inside tricks. In the future, when you encounter such situations, don't suffer losses in this regard."

"Some things, if you know the way, are actually very simple to solve. But if you don't know the path, even if you put in great effort, it's still possible to hit walls everywhere and make a mess."

Zhou Chief Officer spoke earnestly. Zhou Chief Officer had been involved in the Dao Court Department for the better part of his life and was clear about the inside tricks. These things weren't necessarily profound or too complex, but cultivators outside the Dao Court Department might never understand them without someone pointing them out.

Mo Hua felt grateful for Zhou Chief Officer's guidance and patted his chest, saying:

"Chief Officer, if you need to draw array formations in the future, just find me!"

Zhou Chief Officer cried and laughed, then immediately laughed, "Alright, then I'll entrust you, this little array master, in the future!"

Mo Hua nodded confidently. Within the scope of first-grade array formations, he was now fearless, with his hands in his pockets. Looking around, he could no longer see any opponents.

Of course, except for Mr. Zhuang.

Then Mo Hua asked again, "So how exactly will this matter of the Qian family be handled?"

"What do you think?" Zhou Chief Officer counter-asked, his gaze with some caution.

Mo Hua held his chin and thought for a bit, then said:

"I think treating it heavily or lightly is both not too good..."

"Treating it heavily means too many deaths and injuries. Even if there are many evil cultivators in the Qian family, there are always innocent people. It's not good to make a clean sweep."

"Treating it lightly is also not good. The Qian family won't learn a lesson and might even get worse later."

"It's best to go through the old records, kill a batch who have committed murders or have criminal records to warn others. Then confiscate their family property, and let the remaining cultivators live some difficult days, personally refining tools, pills, or hunting demons..."

"People easily give rise to evil thoughts when they are comfortable. If they are tired every day and just lie down and sleep, they won't have the heart to think of bad ideas."

Zhou Chief Officer's eyes lit up slightly as he listened. Neither seeking revenge nor being deliberately kind, with a clear distinction between good and evil in his heart, handling each case on its own merits.

Indeed, a good child...

Zhou Chief Officer laughed: "Well said, just a bit like a little old man who must speak in moderation and act without bias or partiality in mundane matters."

Mo Hua muttered: "Little old man is just a little old man..."

As long as things are done steadily, that's fine.

Mo Hua left the Dao Court Department and was just about to go home when he met Grandmaster Luo on the way.

Grandmaster Luo said with his mouth: "Little Mr. Mo, what a coincidence."

But Mo Hua saw his expression, which was clearly prepared in advance and not at all like a 'coincidence'.

"Grandmaster Luo, what can I do for you?"

"Meeting by chance is better than an invitation. My mansion has just obtained a cake of Tuan Long tea. I wonder if Little Mr. Mo would do me the honor and appreciate it together?"

Mo Hua, who had already drunk a belly full of tea, originally wanted to refuse, but Grandmaster Luo's enthusiasm was hard to decline, and he was indeed curious about what kind of 'Tuan Long tea' it was, so he nodded and agreed.

Grandmaster Luo personally led Mo Hua to his cave mansion, carefully took out the tea cake, personally brewed tea and handed it to Mo Hua.

"Please!"

Mo Hua glanced at the tea color, pale gold like dragon saliva, and tasted a mouthful of the tea soup, rich like dragon musk.

Much better than the tea Zhou Chief Officer had invited him to drink.

Mo Hua couldn't help but sigh, it seemed Grandmaster Luo lived a more 'corrupt' life than Zhou Chief Officer...

"Good tea!" Mo Hua praised.

Although he didn't know what was good about it, it was truly delicious.

Grandmaster Luo received Mo Hua's praise and was also pleased, looking as if bathed in a spring breeze.

Mo Hua took another small sip, then leaned closer to Grandmaster Luo and asked: "What is it?"

"Nothing," Grandmaster Luo said lightly, like clouds. "Just inviting Little Mr. Mo to taste tea."

Mo Hua looked at Grandmaster Luo with a face that said 'a ghost would believe you'.

Grandmaster Luo was helpless and somewhat embarrassed. He coughed gently once, then lowered his voice and said:

"Grandmaster Qian wants to see you."

"Grandmaster Qian?"

Grandmaster Luo sighed. "The matter of the Qian family's old ancestor has caused a storm throughout the city. The Qian family is now also sealed off. Grandmaster Qian is unable to go out and is worried, and doesn't know what the Qian family's fate will be. He entrusted someone to pass a message, wanting to see you."

"But why see me?" Mo Hua was somewhat puzzled.

Grandmaster Luo said: "The Qian family's relationships are not good. Although Grandmaster Qian is an array master and has a wider social circle, he is also helpless in this matter and finally entrusted you."

"What does Grandmaster Qian want to tell me?"

"I'm not clear on this, but it's nothing more than asking about how the Qian family will be dealt with and such problems."

Grandmaster Luo sighed slightly, lamenting: "Such a big Qian family, in an instant, will decline."

Mo Hua thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay."

Grandmaster Luo was greatly pleased. "Thank you so much, Little Mr. Mo!"

Afterward, Mo Hua went to find Zhou Chief Officer, asked for a token to enter the Qian family, then went to the Qian family and met Grandmaster Qian once.

Mo Hua first used his divine sense to confirm that there were no Qian family elders or Foundation Establishment cultivators around, indeed only Grandmaster Qian, and then began to talk with Grandmaster Qian.

Grandmaster Qian also didn't ask about others. As Grandmaster Luo said, it was nothing more than concerns about the Qian family's safety and how the Dao Court would handle the matter.

To Mo Hua, this was a small matter, but to Grandmaster Qian, it was a major matter concerning life and death.

However, this matter would ultimately be decided by the Dao Court Department, and Mo Hua couldn't overstep. He only mentioned a few sentences and said:

"The Dao Court Department is clear on right and wrong. Everyone won't add insult to injury. The Qian family has sins, but not to the extent of the entire family being confiscated and executed."

Grandmaster Qian then breathed a sigh of relief.

Mo Hua then asked: "Grandmaster Qian, do you know about the matter of Black Mountain Stronghold?"

Grandmaster Qian smiled bitterly and shook his head. He was just an array master who focused on researching array formations. Even if he had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare get involved in evil cultivator matters.

Mo Hua nodded and said: "As long as you don't know anything about it, you are safe."

Grandmaster Qian had the strength of a first-grade array master, and true first-grade array masters were scarce anywhere. Even if the Qian family were treated severely and their entire family confiscated and executed, as long as Grandmaster Qian was indeed unaware, the Dao Court Department would find ways to save his life. Simply because he was an array master.

Even if the Dao Court Department didn't say anything, relying on his connections as an array master, he would also ask the old Chief Officer to spare Grandmaster Qian.

Grandmaster Qian, hearing this, looked at Mo Hua gratefully.

Grandmaster Qian saw Mo Hua to the gate and said apologetically:

"Being a criminal, I can only see you this far. Little Mr. Mo, please don't blame me."

"Grandmaster Qian, you are too polite."

Mo Hua turned to leave but was called back by Grandmaster Qian.

Grandmaster Qian bowed deeply to Mo Hua and said solemnly:

"Great kindness needs no words of thanks. Little Mr. Mo, if you have any requests in the future, I, Qian, will not refuse, even at the cost of my life!"

"Grandmaster Qian, there's no need to be so polite."

Mo Hua also returned a bow, thinking in his heart that perhaps he really would need Grandmaster Qian's help in the future.