Chapter 796: Fish Dragon Lamp

Xun Lao Xiansheng formally lifted Mo Hua's house arrest.

Mo Hua was liberated.

He no longer had to be trapped within the Qian Xue State boundary, playing with the sect's group of "little junior brothers" every day. From now on, like a fish entering the sea or a little tiger returning to the forest, the sky is high and the sea is vast, opening up a new situation.

Mo Hua's face was overflowing with an unstoppable smile.

"Thank you, old mister!"

Xun Lao Xiansheng saw his beaming appearance and couldn't help shaking his head, admonishing him,

"Be careful with yourself, and also, absolutely do not slack off on array methods."

"Mm mm, old mister, please rest assured!"

Mo Hua continuously nodded and guaranteed.

After bidding farewell to Xun Lao Xiansheng, Mo Hua returned to the disciple residence, still somewhat excited in his heart.

"Finally, I can go out..."

Being confined within the Qian Xue State boundary for too long, he almost forgot what the outside was like.

Now that he rarely had the chance to go out, he had to plan properly.

Mo Hua silently calculated in his heart.

First, he still needed to find a way to strengthen his divine sense a bit more.

Although his divine sense already had nineteen patterns and was very strong, it was obviously still far from enough.

Since he wanted to use divine sense to prove the Dao, the stronger the divine sense, the better.

With strong divine sense, he could go learn those more profound array methods.

Moreover, this was also Xun Lao Xiansheng's intention.

When Xun Lao Xiansheng said this, his expression was somewhat grave, and his gaze revealed anticipation, likely hinting at some major matter.

Although Xun Lao Xiansheng was strict, his heart was upright. The major matter he was worried about should still be related to the sect.

He was a disciple of the Tai Xu Sect and had always received too much care from the old mister.

Sometimes, Mo Hua even felt that Xun Lao Xiansheng was a bit biased towards him.

A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring.

This is what his mother had told him since he was young.

Mo Hua nodded.

Since Xun Lao Xiansheng hoped his divine sense could be "a bit stronger again," then he would make an effort and strive to become that "one" bit stronger.

He couldn't disappoint Xun Lao Xiansheng's expectation.

And a method that could make his divine sense stronger in a short time...

It seemed the only option was to go "order dishes" at the altar.

"Evil god's altar..."

Mo Hua pondered silently in his heart.

Currently, the only clue he knew related to the altar was "Shui Yanluo."

The chief culprit of the Yu Family Shuizhai extermination case, also on the blood oath list, who replaced Fire Buddha after he disappeared, the demon head—

Shui Yanluo.

The evil god's preaching was bloody and cruel, necessarily accompanied by large-scale slaughter, even extermination tragedies.

Extermination must involve an altar.

Shui Yanluo definitely knew the location of this altar.

He was a disciple of the Tai Xu Sect, one of the eight great gates within the Qian Xue State boundary, a righteous path cultivator who was upright and proper. Naturally, he must slay demons and eliminate evil, and eradicate evil spirits.

Of course, he was doing such hard work.

Eradicate the evil god's minions, destroy the altar, swallow the evil spirits, and nourish his divine sense.

"After my divine sense is a bit stronger again, I will then try to learn the true Divine Thought Transformation Sword and see if sword intent can externalize..."

Also, find time to go see his old friend, Huang Shanjun.

Thinking of Huang Shanjun, Mo Hua couldn't help sighing.

"I haven't been to see him for a long time, and I don't know if Huang Shanjun misses me..."

He was a fallen mountain god, living in a broken temple, with a leaky roof and drafty walls, eating spoiled steamed buns and drinking rootless water all day, with no incense offerings. His days were truly miserable.

Mo Hua sighed in his heart.

Who besides someone as kind-hearted as himself would think of going to see him for no reason, ah...

Before, he was under house arrest, with no way out. Now that the house arrest was lifted, he would naturally go visit his old friend and conveniently ask him for other clues about the Divine Thought Transformation Sword.

He had also experienced some matters, and Mo Hua had gained some insights and experiences regarding the knowledge of the god path. He also wanted to find Huang Shanjun, this mountain god, to verify them.

But there was no time now.

Wait until after the New Year...

Mo Hua decided in his heart.

Unknowingly, another year was almost over.

Ten days later was the New Year festival.

And as the year-end approached, it was naturally time for the sect examination again.

Before, Mo Hua had stayed in the Wan Mo Valley for a long time.

He had "eaten" a lot of demons, causing a slight problem with his divine sense. He then recuperated in the pill room for a few days.

Counting the time before and after, more than ten days had passed.

It was still easy to fool his fellow disciples.

Mo Hua used the excuse Xun Lao Xiansheng had taught him, saying he went out to draw array methods on the elder's command.

This kind of thing had happened before.

Almost every time he asked for leave, it was for this reason.

Cheng Mo, Si Tu Jian, and the others didn't suspect anything, they just sighed that their little junior brother's status in the sect was truly extraordinary.

The elder could actually allow him to take more than ten days of leave.

But in these more than ten days, he had indeed fallen behind a lot in his lessons.

Mo Hua had no choice but to supplement his lessons day and night without rest.

Even at night in front of the Dao Stele, he was reviewing some cultivation courses.

Soon, the sect examination arrived.

After the exam, the results were released.

Among the disciples, there were joys and sorrows, each different.

Mo Hua had worked tirelessly and finally preserved his "first grade six bing" results.

These days, if he had been slightly lax, like in the lessons of refining tools and pills, he might not even have been able to preserve the "bing" grade.

Fortunately, effort still had its rewards.

As for the "jia" grade in array methods, it was unnecessary to say.

With his current level of array methods, not to mention falling behind by a few days in the sect's array methods lessons, even if he fell behind by a few years, he could still get a "jia."

Just like this, another year passed muddledly.

The sect also went on holiday.

The mountain was far and the road was distant. Mo Hua was alone and still couldn't go home to visit his parents or celebrate the New Year with the neighbors, folks, and little companions in Tong Xian City. But he could go to the Gu Family to sponge a big meal.

Anyway, the Gu Family already had many people. One more or one less of him wouldn't make a difference.

His physical body's appetite wasn't as big as his divine thought's, and he wouldn't "eat" the Gu Family poor.

A few days later, Mo Hua packed up and bid farewell to Xun Lao Xiansheng. Then he set out with Yu Er and went to the Gu Family in Qing State City.

Yu Er was extremely happy.

"Going home!"

He spread open his arms like a little bird and ran back and forth on the road.

Around his neck was a jade pendant, given to him by Mo Hua. Inside the jade pendant, Mo Hua had painted a newly learned Divine Lock Array, which was a true "ward off evil" item.

These days, without evil spirits disturbing him, Yu Er almost never had nightmares.

Coupled with the jade pendant Mo Hua gave him, Yu Er was even more at ease.

He ate well, slept well, was in good spirits, and also followed Mo Hua to learn array methods every day. His whole person was full of vitality, his eyes blinked, and he looked even more lively and active.

The group entered Qing State City and arrived at the Gu Family.

Mo Hua said with a smile, "Thank you, Wan Yi."

He wasn't being polite either.

Before, he was soaked in Refining Demons Mountain hunting demonic beasts all day. Later, he entered Wan Mo Valley and dealt with ferocious demon cultivators. After returning to the sect, he had to review lessons for the exam again, always busy.

Rarely on the New Year holiday, Mo Hua decided to balance work and rest and exceptionally relax a bit.

He then took Yu Er and played for a day in the festive and lively Qing State City, which was decorated with lanterns and bustling with markets everywhere.

In the evening, he still took Yu Er and made a fish dragon lantern.

The lantern was made with the help of the Gu Family cultivators.

Mo Hua was responsible for painting the array methods and simultaneously for giving commands.

He had unintentionally flipped through the record of this fish dragon lantern from the Tai Xu Sect's New Year miscellany.

The 《Miscellany》 included the method for making a fish dragon lantern and a corresponding set of arrays named the Fish Dragon Bright Fire Array.

The main array was personally painted by Mo Hua.

But some fine detail array patterns were painted by Yu Er.

He followed Mo Hua to learn array methods and could now paint five or six array patterns.

Yu Er painted very seriously, very focused, and also very happy.

After night fell, the fish dragon lantern was ready.

Mo Hua lit the array and raised the fish dragon lantern.

The fish dragon lantern was a full three zhang long, entirely red, painted with fish scales and dragon patterns. After being lit, the Fish Dragon Bright Fire Array inside was stimulated, hot air rose, and the entire fish dragon lantern floated up into the night sky.

It was as if a red carp had turned into a wandering dragon, wandering in the pitch-black world where you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, gorgeous and beautiful.

Yu Er opened his mouth wide, his eyes bright and crystalline.

Wen Ren Wan, who was invited to watch beside them, also showed amazement in her eyes when she saw the red and bright "fish dragon" in the night sky.

Yu Er snuggled into Wen Ren Wan's embrace and said in a clear voice,

"Mother, I also painted arrays on it! Although most of it was painted by Elder Brother Mo, I also helped!"

Wen Ren Wan looked at Yu Er with gratification and praised with a smile,

"Yu Er is truly amazing!"

Yu Er was even happier, smiling on his face, his eyes bent into small crescent moons.

After releasing the fish dragon lantern, it was time for the evening banquet.

No tactless people came to disturb this evening banquet. The hosts and guests were all joyful, harmonious, and happy.

Mo Hua also ate very happily, his cheeks stuffed full.

But while eating, his gaze still looked around, and after a moment, he quietly asked Wen Ren Wan,

"Wan Yi, where is Uncle Gu? Why didn't I see him?"

Wen Ren Wan's expression was somewhat subtle, "He... the Dao Court Department there, possibly a bit busy. No need to mind him, you eat more..."

"Oh, oh."

Mo Hua put a spirit beast elbow of some kind into his mouth.

After finishing the meal, Mo Hua's belly was stuffed round.

He then strolled in the Gu Family backyard to digest his food.

The current Gu Family, except for some forbidden places like warehouses, back residences, and the old ancestor's cave mansion, he could basically go wherever he wanted, and no one would manage him.

Quite a few cultivators even proactively greeted him.

Some people would also lead the way for him.

He saw some elders along the way who would also nod friendly to Mo Hua. Some elders even gave him gifts.

"A small New Year gift, not very precious. Little friend absolutely don't dislike it."

The gifts were indeed not too precious.

They were all courtesy gifts exchanged among family juniors, but the workmanship was exquisite, very thoughtful, and probably not easy to buy.

Mo Hua felt that he shouldn't have such a big face.

These elders giving him gifts seemed to be for Xun Lao Xiansheng's sake.

But if he didn't accept this kind of small gift, he would be disrespecting them.

Therefore, Mo Hua accepted them.

At the same time, he would also smile and say some nice words, such as wishing male seniors "cultivation success," "early featherization," "cave void qualification," "long life hopeful," etc.

Or wishing female seniors "eternal youth," "beauty like flowers," "age forever fixed," and so on.

He flattered a crowd of Gu Family elders, making them smile with joy.

Therefore, Mo Hua strolled in a circle and stuffed a storage bag full of "small gifts."

He found a quiet place and looked through them one by one to see what these small gifts were and what fun things they contained.

Mo Hua raised his head and saw Gu Changhuai, who was tall and straight, with a handsome face, but an unhappy expression, as if someone owed him money.

"Uncle Gu?"

Mo Hua subconsciously wanted to put the storage bag away like a thief.

But half of it was put away, and he then reacted.

Gu Changhuai heard him and couldn't help but twitch his forehead.

This little brat, Mo Hua, was getting along better and better in the Gu Family.

Even better than himself, this direct descendant of the Gu Family, was getting along in the Gu Family.

At least, every New Year, he never received so many "gifts" from so many elders.

Gu Changhuai's mood became complex for a moment.

"What return? I didn't go out," said Gu Changhuai.

"Didn't go out?" Mo Hua was startled, "Then why didn't I see you during the evening banquet?"

"No appetite," Gu Changhuai said with an unhappy face.

Gu Changhuai's teeth itched as he listened. In a bad mood, he rubbed Mo Hua's head, "You, a little brat in his teens in cultivation age, know what?"

Mo Hua covered his forehead, tidied his hair, and muttered in a small voice,

"What teens? After the New Year, I'll be twenty!"

Gu Changhuai sneered, "I'm over two hundred years old."

"So you're over two hundred years old? Can you be a bit more mature like me..." Mo Hua said seriously.

Gu Changhuai choked.

If Mo Hua's physique wasn't too weak and he didn't have body refining, he would have to beat him once under the guise of "sparring."

Now he couldn't hit him, couldn't scold him, and his cousin was protecting him.

A group of elders from the Gu Family were also courteous to him.

Gu Changhuai's face was dark. He brushed his sleeve and said, "You play here by yourself. I'll leave first."

If I can't provoke him, can't I still hide?

Gu Changhuai turned to leave, and Mo Hua suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly shouted, "Uncle Gu, I still have a proper matter to tell you."

"Proper matter?" Gu Changhuai stopped in his tracks and frowned slightly, "What proper matter?"

Mo Hua looked left and right. Seeing no one else, he waved his hand at Gu Changhuai.

Gu Changhuai stood still, and after a long time, he reluctantly walked to Mo Hua's side and sat down.

The two sat side by side on the steps.

Mo Hua said in a small voice, "It's about the Yu Family Shuizhai."

Gu Changhuai's gaze slightly congealed.

Mo Hua said, "This case has been dragging on for a long time, right? What progress has the Dao Court Department made?"

"This is a matter for the Dao Court Department. You don't need to inquire too much," said Gu Changhuai.

Gu Changhuai's answer was within Mo Hua's expectations.

This person, Uncle Gu, was sometimes a bit pretentious. When you asked him questions, he would first cover up and might not be willing to tell you.

This personality was always troublesome.

Mo Hua said again, "What about that 'Shui Yanluo'?"

"This is also the Dao Court Department..."

"This one is not!" Mo Hua said.

Shui Yanluo was a name he got from the blood oath list when he was deriving karma.

He could confirm that this Shui Yanluo was definitely related to the Yu Family Shuizhai extermination matter.

But currently, on the surface, there was no obvious connection between the two.

This was also not within the scope of the Dao Court Department's investigation.

Gu Changhuai paused and said helplessly, "Regarding Shui Yanluo, I can only say a little..."

"Mm mm," Mo Hua nodded.

Gu Changhuai thought for a bit and then slowly said,

"In the past six months, outside the Qian Xue State boundary, the figure of 'Shui Yanluo' has indeed appeared in some small state boundaries."

"But this Shui Yanluo's whereabouts are also hidden, and his appearance and origin are unknown."

"But there are some clues..."

Gu Changhuai frowned and said, "There have been several murder cases where the deceased were drowned by unknown water system spells. Before death, they seemed to have suffered torture. At the time of death, they were also bound by unknown chains, kneeling on the ground, like guilty sinners who died..."

"This death appearance is very similar to the exterminated fishermen of the Yu Family Shuizhai."

"From this perspective, these several cases are very likely the work of that Shui Yanluo..."

Gu Changhuai's expression was somewhat grave as he said this.

Mo Hua said, "Then what?"

"There's no then."

Mo Hua was startled, "No then?"

Gu Changhuai sighed, "It's not through my hands anymore, how would I know 'then'..."

"Not through your hands anymore?" Mo Hua was a bit confused, "Uncle Gu, aren't you the chief officer?"

Gu Changhuai's face was ugly, and he said slightly angrily,

"Not removed from office!"

He hadn't committed any major mistakes, so it wasn't that easy for a chief officer to be "removed from office."

"Oh," Mo Hua understood, "Then you were just 'sidelined'!"

Gu Changhuai didn't want to admit it.

But strictly speaking, what Mo Hua said wasn't wrong either.

Mo Hua nodded, "Someone doesn't want you to continue investigating this case, or, it's purely targeting you and doesn't want you to continue in the Dao Court Department..."

Gu Changhuai's expression was icy cold.

Obviously, Mo Hua was right.

Mo Hua sighed and asked again, "If they don't let you investigate, who is investigating the Yu Family Shuizhai matter?"

Gu Changhuai was about to speak but suddenly realized that he had gone around in circles and was still led back by Mo Hua.

This child, he didn't know how his head was wired, so many twists and turns.

But since the matter had reached this point, Gu Changhuai was also too lazy to conceal it.

Gu Changhuai then said, "It's given to the Xiao Family."

"Xiao Family?" Mo Hua said, "That 'smiling tiger' and that 'barking heavenly dog'?"

Gu Changhuai said in a bad mood, "Don't casually give people nicknames!"

"Mm mm," Mo Hua promised wholeheartedly, then said, "What has the Xiao Family investigated?"

Gu Changhuai said, "I don't know."

It was possible that they had investigated something but didn't leak the news, so Gu Changhuai didn't know.

It was also possible that the Xiao Family was just going through the motions and didn't investigate anything.

Anyway, once this case was transferred to the Xiao Family's hands, Gu Changhuai temporarily couldn't intervene anymore.

What's more, he was now "sidelined."

Mo Hua sighed.

The clue was broken.

Uncle Gu couldn't intervene, and he had even less way to probe the Xiao Family's side. He could only think of other methods.

Mo Hua secretly looked at Gu Changhuai again and thought that it was no wonder Uncle Gu was in a bad mood and didn't even eat dinner. This couldn't be blamed on him.

He probably received more targeting within the Dao Court Department.

Only he didn't say it out.

"Uncle Gu, then you relax a bit, I won't disturb you anymore," Mo Hua said considerately.

At this kind of time, one wanted to be alone and quiet for a bit.

Mo Hua just stood up to leave when a clear voice suddenly rang out,

"Changhuai, why are you here? I've been looking for you for a long time..."

Mo Hua looked up and saw that the person who came was a female cultivator, dressed in red, with a fair face. Unexpectedly, it was Gu Uncle's aunt, Elder Gu Hong.

Elder Gu Hong said to herself, "This time you can't run away from me. You're not young anymore. After the New Year, you'll go on a blind date..."

(End of this chapter)