Chapter 824: Xia Diansi

Gu Changhuai was speechless.

What exactly was this kid saying?

Get in touch with that woman surnamed Xia?

What kind of joke was this?

Women were all troublesome spirits. Out of sight, out of mind. How could he possibly take the initiative to approach one, unless there was something wrong with his brain?

Gu Changhuai silently criticized in his heart.

Mo Hua then brought out the "old excuse" again, "This is all for investigating the case, for the truth!"

Gu Changhuai: "Say something practical."

Having been with Mo Hua for a long time, he was now immune to these "grand and righteous" words.

"Alright," Mo Hua sighed, "I've discovered that relying on ourselves, we don't seem to be able to catch Shui Yanluo."

"This is in the boundary of Erpin state. Shui Yanluo is strong, his methods are strange, and what's more troublesome is that he is also proficient in water nature..."

Gu Changhuai furrowed his brows.

Although he was unwilling to admit it, he also knew in his heart that Shui Yanluo was possibly even more troublesome than Huofo.

Shui Yanluo's raw strength was not as good as Huofo.

In a frontal fight, Shui Yanluo was definitely not Huofo's opponent.

But wanting to catch Shui Yanluo, or wanting to kill him, was even more difficult than dealing with Huofo.

Huofo's strength lay in his surging and endless spirit power, like a demonic beast, and in his unbeatable fire-element forbidden techniques.

Under the same realm, in a frontal fight, Huofo was almost fearless of any cultivator.

While Shui Yanluo walked the "strange" path, his Dao methods were ruthless, his movement techniques were ghostly, and his pupil techniques were strange.

The most troublesome thing was that he was born near water.

If on land, it was still somewhat manageable.

But once Shui Yanluo swam into the Yan Shui River, with the addition of water nature, his strength could greatly increase.

He could use this to stir up wind and waves, coming and going freely, and no one could do anything to him.

Wanting to find a cultivator who cultivated water-element techniques, whose water nature and strength were comparable to Shui Yanluo, was almost impossible.

Gu Changhuai sighed.

Cultivators were just like this.

Cultivation was the foundation, but cultivation was not everything.

Even if one had a high level of cultivation, if their experience was insufficient, their schemes were not deep, they were not proficient in Dao methods, not skilled in many Dao paths, and had no means to utilize their cultivation, they would still be restricted everywhere when encountering matters, feeling helpless and tied up.

"So, you want to let Xia Diansi help?" Gu Changhuai asked.

Mo Hua nodded, "Yes."

"But she's from the Dao Court. Who knows what she's harboring?" Gu Changhuai was a little worried.

Mo Hua then said: "Uncle Gu, didn't you say before that Dao Court Si cultivators should follow the Dao laws, seek facts, catch when they should, kill when they should, act impartially..."

"Since that's the case, as long as we act according to the Dao laws, we can join hands to catch Shui Yanluo and remove this scourge. Why do we need to care about Xia Diansi's identity or what purposes she's harboring?"

Gu Changhuai was startled, thought carefully for a moment, and felt that it seemed a bit reasonable.

The Dao Court Si originally just belonged to the Dao Court.

While the Gu family was said to be a prominent family, it originated from officialdom, which was different from other industry families.

The Gu family's family motto had always emphasized following the Dao laws and acting impartially.

Since that was the case, no matter what the Dao Court's purposes were, he just needed to act according to the Gu family's family motto.

Gu Changhuai suddenly had some realization.

This was perhaps the "clear stream" path that the Gu family had taken.

Adhering to the Dao laws and acting by principles.

Like this, they neither mixed with other prominent families nor were they considered to be fawning over the Dao Court.

Because even the Dao Court might not necessarily adhere to the Dao laws...

Gu Changhuai furrowed his brows.

Such a "clear stream" would inevitably attract jealousy, and even enemies everywhere, which was also not impossible.

But this was the road the Gu family had taken.

If they persisted in walking down it, perhaps the obstacles would be heavy and the road ahead bumpy, but if they once abandoned it and lost their backbone, they feared that in the blink of an eye, there would be a disaster of "extermination."

He had occasionally felt before that the family head's actions were too pedantic, but at this time, after careful consideration, he slightly understood the family head's painstaking efforts.

Gu Changhuai pondered for a moment and said, "Good!"

Mo Hua was a little surprised.

He didn't expect Uncle Gu to agree so quickly.

He had prepared a speech but hadn't even started.

But it was good that Uncle Gu figured it out himself.

Although Mo Hua also didn't know exactly what he had figured out...

"Then, Uncle Gu, find some time to arrange a meeting with Xia Diansi," Mo Hua said, striking while the iron was hot.

Gu Changhuai didn't speak, still feeling some resistance in his heart.

"It doesn't matter, I'll go too at that time," Mo Hua said.

Gu Changhuai frowned, "What are you coming for?"

If I don't go, I estimate the two of you will just stare at each other with cold faces...

Mo Hua silently criticized in his heart.

"I also have important matters to discuss with Xia Diansi," Mo Hua said.

Gu Changhuai was silent for a moment, "Alright then..."

It was also good for Mo Hua to go. If he went alone, he really didn't want to see that person surnamed Xia.

Women were too troublesome.

"Only, I'll arrange it, but she might not be willing to come out," Gu Changhuai said.

"It doesn't matter, Uncle Gu, try to arrange it," Mo Hua said.

Mo Hua pondered in his heart and felt that there was a high probability that Uncle Gu could arrange a meeting with Xia Diansi.

From the perspective of identity, both were Diansi.

Uncle Gu had been Diansi in the Qianxue state boundary for two hundred years, and he was from the Gu family. He had handled who knows how many cases and encountered who knows how many criminals.

Although Xia Diansi had the Xia family and the Dao Court backing her, she was a newcomer and not so familiar with the internal situation of the Qianxue state boundary.

In this situation, she definitely wouldn't mind finding Uncle Gu to ask about some things.

On another aspect, just Uncle Gu, besides not talking, at least his appearance was still very handsome.

Men liked beautiful women.

And in this world, there was no woman who didn't like handsome gentlemen.

Therefore, Uncle Gu's face couldn't be wasted and had to be properly utilized.

Gu Changhuai didn't know that Mo Hua had so many little thoughts in his heart and only said, "Alright, I'll try..."

Thus, Gu Changhuai went to try a bit.

Several days later, Gu Changhuai sent a message to Mo Hua: "Xia Diansi has agreed, do you have time tomorrow evening?"

Tomorrow evening?

Mo Hua thought for a moment. He would finish class tomorrow. In the evening, he still had to teach Yu'er arrays, but teaching arrays wasn't urgent.

Mo Hua then said, "I have time."

"In Taixu City, there's a Gu family restaurant. Go there around You time," Gu Changhuai said.

"Gu family restaurant? Is it a Gu family business?"

"Yes."

"Good," Mo Hua agreed.

The next day, Mo Hua finished class, arranged some array homework for Yu'er, then left Taixu Gate and arrived at the Gu family restaurant inside Taixu City.

The restaurant was arranged in an antique style.

Elegant without losing luxury, luxurious yet restrained.

Mo Hua knew at a glance that this restaurant must be managed by Aunt Wan.

Entering the restaurant, a waiter came up to greet him. Before he could say two sentences, a surprised voice said, "Isn't this Young Master Mo?"

Mo Hua looked up and saw a smile amiable, slightly plump shopkeeper-like Golden Core cultivator cupping his hands in salute towards him.

He looked a little familiar, but Mo Hua couldn't remember who he was.

The shopkeeper then said: "I serve as a manager in the Gu family and also the shopkeeper of this restaurant. I have seen Young Master at the Gu family's family banquet."

Mo Hua then politely said, "Hello, Shopkeeper Gu."

Shopkeeper Gu smiled and asked, "Young Master, are you here to eat alone, or for a banquet?"

"Uncle Gu invited me," Mo Hua said.

Shopkeeper Gu was slightly startled, then nodded slightly, thinking in his heart that he truly was Young Master Mo. Even the always proud and distant Young Master Gu Changhuai would invite him to eat.

Shopkeeper Gu then said with a smile, "Young Master Changhuai did instruct me. A room has been reserved. I will take you there now."

Mo Hua cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

Shopkeeper Gu then led Mo Hua to a quiet and elegantly furnished private room on the second floor.

Mo Hua's divine sense swept over it slightly and discovered that arrays had been set up around the private room to prevent others from eavesdropping and disturbing.

At this time, the private room was still empty. Neither Gu Changhuai nor Xia Diansi had arrived, and no dishes had been served. The table was empty except for a pot of tea.

Shopkeeper Gu said, "Young Master, please sit for a while."

"Okay!"

Mo Hua nodded, then found a comfortable, cool, and "feng shui" good spot to sit down.

Shopkeeper Gu looked at Mo Hua, then at the somewhat empty table, and softly said, "How about I serve you some dishes first?"

"Let's wait for Uncle Gu," Mo Hua said.

"It doesn't matter," Shopkeeper Gu said, "Consider it my 'meeting gift' to Young Master. Don't be polite."

Shopkeeper Gu's hospitality was hard to refuse, and Mo Hua was indeed hungry, so he went along with it and said,

"Then I'll trouble Shopkeeper Gu."

Shopkeeper Gu smiled: "Young Master, wait a moment."

After he left, it wasn't long before people started bringing up the dishes.

He said it was a "meeting gift," but without exception, they were all colorful, fragrant, and flavorful big dishes.

When the cold-faced Gu Changhuai arrived with the ice-cold Xia Diansi, they saw a pile of dishes placed in front of Mo Hua, and he was already eating heartily.

Gu Changhuai couldn't help but say, "Why did you start eating first?"

"I was hungry," Mo Hua said righteously, "Besides, these are all treated by Shopkeeper Gu."

Gu Changhuai sighed.

This kid, he could make connections everywhere.

Even when coming to the Gu family's restaurant for a meal, the shopkeeper would give him special treatment.

Gu Changhuai shook his head, found a place to sit down, and poured himself a cup of tea.

Xia Diansi also sat down.

She was here to talk about serious matters, so she naturally didn't care about some wine and dishes.

Only...

She glanced at Mo Hua, then at Gu Changhuai, and doubts gradually arose in her heart.

She had some understanding of Gu Changhuai these days.

This person was cold, solitary, rigid, did not speak of favors, had very low emotional intelligence, poor interpersonal skills, a bad temper, was difficult to communicate with, and treated everyone with a cold demeanor...

Only his appearance could barely be considered pleasing to the eye.

Besides that, he was cold and hard, like a stone.

The only person who could truly make him angry, or even lose his composure a bit, was this young man sitting here, currently gnawing on a chicken leg.

And Gu Changhuai's attitude towards this young man was also very strange...

One could see that Gu Changhuai's attitude towards him was not friendly. Sometimes he was very impatient, and his words were not polite.

But even when Gu Changhuai was angry, he was very restrained.

Even when he was more impatient, he couldn't do anything to this youth.

He even seemed a little... afraid?

Xia Diansi frowned slightly, deep in thought.

"Sister Xia, this chicken leg might be delicious, you taste it..." Mo Hua handed a chicken leg to Xia Diansi.

One chicken, two chicken legs.

Mo Hua ate one, and there was one left for Xia Diansi.

Gu Changhuai watched silently from the side.

Xia Diansi appreciated Mo Hua's good intentions, but she was also a Diansi and had a somewhat cold temperament. She only said lightly, "Thank you."

"Also," Xia Diansi corrected, "Call me 'Xia Diansi'."

"Mm-hmm, Xia Diansi," Mo Hua said.

After they sat down, Shopkeeper Gu started serving the dishes.

These dishes were arranged by Gu Changhuai.

He was a young master from a prominent family. His food was not tired of being fine, not tired of being detailed, so the dishes arranged were exquisite and luxurious.

Of course, in Mo Hua's eyes, they were a bit "corrupt."

But food was innocent, so Mo Hua still ate.

Xia Diansi only tasted a few mouthfuls lightly, then put down her chopsticks and asked Gu Changhuai, "Gu Diansi, what matter did you invite me over to discuss?"

Gu Changhuai didn't speak, pouring wine for himself.

Xia Diansi's expression gradually soured.

Mo Hua sighed, somewhat helpless, then said:

"Xia Diansi, do you know about Shui Yanluo?"

Xia Diansi's expression moved slightly, but it was only for a moment, then she returned to normal, "What about Shui Yanluo?"

Mo Hua sized up her expression and guessed that she should know something, but he wasn't too sure exactly how much she knew.

Mo Hua then concisely said, "Uncle Gu also wants to catch Shui Yanluo. He wants to join forces with you."

Xia Diansi thought for a moment, choosing her words carefully, and said,

"Although it is said that Shui Yanluo is a scourge and should be executed for his crimes, the matters that the Dao Court Si is currently focused on are not on Shui Yanluo."

"Aren't you investigating Gui Shui Men? Shui Yanluo's relationship with Gui Shui Men is not shallow," Mo Hua said.

Xia Diansi was startled when she heard this, then her gaze turned slightly cold. She looked at Gu Changhuai and said with a cold laugh,

"Gu Diansi, you dare to casually reveal matters of the Dao Court Si?"

Gu Changhuai took a mouthful of wine and snorted coldly, "I may not have said it."

"If you didn't say it, how would this child know?" Xia Diansi's gaze was sharp.

Gu Changhuai said lightly, "Even if I didn't say it, he would still know. He probably knows more about the matters within this Qianxue state boundary than you, this Diansi..."

Xia Diansi first let out a cold laugh, then seeing that Gu Changhuai didn't seem to be lying, she was a little surprised. She turned her head and glanced at Mo Hua, unable to help but ask,

"You..."

Mo Hua said, "My surname is Mo, my given name is Hua. I am a Foundation Building mid-stage disciple of Taixu Gate."

"Surnamed Mo?" Xia Diansi was a little surprised, "Aren't you surnamed Gu?"

Mo Hua shook his head.

"Mo..." Xia Diansi pondered for a moment, puzzled, and said, "In the vicinity of Qianxue state boundary, there doesn't seem to be any prominent family surnamed Mo..."

"I am not a disciple of a prominent family. I am a loose cultivator," Mo Hua said truthfully.

"Loose cultivator!"

Even the always ice-cold Xia Diansi's expression changed significantly.

He was actually a loose cultivator?

She was from a true prominent family in Daozhou state. Although she knew that most people in this world were loose cultivators.

But she was born in Daozhou state, grew up in Daozhou state, and her associates were almost without exception disciples of prominent families or big sects.

There were loose cultivators.

But those who could rely on their own strength, without marrying in or relying on others, and who could get into the core of the Dao Court, were basically rare.

At least she had only heard of them and had never met one.

Not to mention Daozhou state, even here in Qianxue state boundary, there were few who could step over the threshold of sects with the identity of a loose cultivator.

Xia Diansi carefully sized up Mo Hua again and found that although his appearance and temperament were somewhat naive and lively, his bearing was absolutely not ordinary, and she was even more surprised in her heart.

"How did you, a loose cultivator, get into Taixu Gate?"

She remembered that Taixu Gate was, after all, one of the eight great gates of Qianxue state boundary.

"That's a long story," Mo Hua sighed.

If he really started explaining, he would have to talk about Yu'er's matters, so he didn't say anything.

Mo Hua immediately brought up the main point: "I have..."

He thought for a moment and brought Gu Changhuai in again.

"...I and Uncle Gu have clues about Shui Yanluo, but Shui Yanluo is at the peak of Foundation Building, proficient in water-element techniques, and he blends into the Yan Shui River, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, making him very difficult to capture."

Xia Diansi frowned, "How do you have clues about Shui Yanluo?"

Mo Hua's expression was humble, but his tone was a little "self-conceited" as he said,

"Sister Xia, to be honest, I can barely be considered a 'small local snake' in the vicinity of Qianxue state boundary. I know a bit about the local matters."

Xia Diansi looked blankly at Mo Hua.

When she met Mo Hua in the Dao Court Si before, she still thought he was just a pampered, naive and lively little young master of the Gu family.

How did he become a "local snake" in the blink of an eye?

Xia Diansi turned her head and glanced at Gu Changhuai, seeing his expression was light. She then knew that Gu Changhuai clearly approved of this sentence, and for a while, she found it even harder to believe.

But she still didn't quite believe it, so she asked,

"How much do you know about Shui Yanluo?"

Mo Hua knew that Xia Diansi was testing him to see if he really knew some inside information.

Mo Hua pondered for a moment and then said,

"Shui Yanluo, peak of Foundation Building, cultivates the techniques of Shui Lao Men, uses the Shui Xing Whip, is proficient in Shuiying Step, and his eyes can condense baleful qi and use strange pupil techniques."

"The Dao Court Si does not have many records on Shui Yanluo, but this person kills people like hemp and must have committed many killings very early on."

"And more than a year ago, the Yu family's water stronghold downstream of the Yan Shui River was exterminated, also by Shui Yanluo..."

Mo Hua picked out some of what he knew and said it.

Xia Diansi listened with growing alarm.

Among these things, she had known many beforehand, but there was still some news that she had not heard from any channel until now...

Xia Diansi looked at Mo Hua, her heart slightly shocked, and asked,

"How... how do you know this?"

Mo Hua had a face with narrowed, smiling eyes and did not answer.

Xia Diansi was silent for a moment and did not ask again.

Afterward, her expression became slightly serious and she said, "Then I'll ask you one last question... You and Shui Yanluo should have no grudges or hatred, right? Why do you want to capture him?"

Mo Hua's gaze flickered slightly.

No grudges or hatred, that wasn't quite right either.

At least Shui Yanluo should already hate him.

He probably still thought he was a "Shui Lao Men remnant," and therefore wished to kill him as soon as possible.

Of course, the most fundamental reason was not these.

Some things were not convenient to say.

Mo Hua then said with a serious face,

"I am a disciple of Taixu Gate, receiving the teachings of the sect. I should adhere to my original heart, wholeheartedly seek the Dao, and take slaying demons and devils as my duty. Shui Yanluo's evil is full, his death is not enough to regret. If he is not executed, more cultivators will surely suffer his poison."

"Therefore, capturing Shui Yanluo, sending him to Dao Prison, and having him bear the punishment he deserves, is the responsibility of every cultivator who holds righteousness in their heart!"

Mo Hua spoke passionately.

Gu Changhuai supported his forehead with his hand.

This kid, here he comes again...

On the contrary, Xia Diansi saw Mo Hua's righteous face and seemed somewhat touched in her heart.

She thought for a moment, nodded, and said,

"Alright, we can join hands and catch Shui Yanluo together!"

Mo Hua was greatly pleased, then poured a cup of wine for Xia Diansi and raised his cup, saying,

"It's a deal!"

Seeing his appearance, Xia Diansi also laughed and said, "It's a deal."

After the two raised their cups, they silently looked at Gu Changhuai on the side again.

Gu Changhuai had an impatient look on his face.

Mo Hua pulled his sleeve, "Uncle Gu, we're just missing you."

Gu Changhuai hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised his wine cup and clinked it with Mo Hua and Xia Diansi.

From this, the three reached an agreement.

Just as they finished eating and left the Gu family restaurant, Gu Changhuai didn't forget to pour a basin of cold water on Mo Hua.

"She's from the Dao Court, and even more so from the Xia family."

"The Dao Court is strict, prominent families are cold, everyone has their own agendas. Her agreeing to you doesn't necessarily mean she harbors good intentions."

Mo Hua nodded and said, "I know, Uncle Gu, don't worry."

Gu Changhuai glanced at Mo Hua, then said no more.

Afterward, for convenient communication, Xia Diansi also found time to give Mo Hua a message token.

Like this, Mo Hua now had two message tokens from Dao Court Si Diansi in his hand, one from Gu Changhuai and one from Xia Diansi.

Mo Hua used the message token to tell Xia Diansi some clues.

While Xia Diansi had the backing of the Dao Court and the Xia family, her power and abilities were not small. In just a few days, she found traces of Shui Yanluo again.

She also did not hide the news she had inquired about and told Mo Hua everything.

Mo Hua looked at the flow chart of the Yan Shui River, which was marked with circles and dots, and his gaze flickered slightly.

The plan to hunt Shui Yanluo could begin...