Chapter 1122: Thank you

Dead silence surrounded them.

Everyone was shaken, unable to speak.

They hadn't expected that Elder Duan, a revered Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Canglang Sect, would be instantly killed by a fire-ball piercing his chest, almost in the blink of an eye, by this fair-skinned, pure, and seemingly harmless youth.

What terrifying cultivation!

What a dreadful fire-ball!

Who exactly was this youth?

Elder Sun of the Canglang Sect, who had not yet made a move, eyed Mo Hua warily and asked in a low voice, "May I ask your origins, sir?"

Mo Hua replied, "I am merely a kind-hearted cultivator passing by."

Elder Sun's gaze turned cold. He cursed Mo Hua's cunning inwardly, but fearing Mo Hua's fire-ball, he dared not act rashly.

He didn't even dare to blame Mo Hua for Elder Duan's death.

He was afraid that if he did, the young cultivator might grow resentful and decide to "silence him permanently."

Elder Sun simply cupped his hands and said, "This matter was originally just a misunderstanding. Now that the grievances are settled, let's go our separate ways and leave each other in peace."

He spoke casually, trying to make light of it.

Mo Hua, however, shook his head. "Are you planning to stabilize me first, make me complacent, and then report back to the Canglang Sect to send more cultivators to kill me?"

Elder Sun's heart skipped a beat, but he forced a calm expression.

"This matter has nothing to do with me. Why would I cause trouble for you—"

But as he spoke, he secretly palmed a wolf-claw dart. Seeing Mo Hua lost in thought, his eyes revealing contemplation, Elder Sun flicked his wrist, skillfully sending the poisoned dart towards Mo Hua's vital points.

"Young Master, look out!"

Head Escort Luo was aware of some of the Canglang Sect's insidious killing moves, so he immediately called out a warning as Elder Sun made his move.

But by the time he spoke, it was already too late.

The dart traced a purplish-black streak of light and was already at Mo Hua's chest.

"It hit?!"

Elder Sun's face lit up with joy, but in the next instant, it turned pale again.

He saw the youth's body ripple like water, with a gentle sway, dodging his venomous hidden weapon.

When he looked again, he saw the youth's face was indifferent, his pale finger pointed at himself, and he calmly asked, "You want to kill me?"

Elder Sun felt his soul flee. He hastily stammered, "A misunderstanding! This old man merely made a mistake. Please, don't blame me—"

As he spoke of "making a mistake," he had already turned to flee.

But he hadn't run far when he saw a crimson flash of fire in his peripheral vision. Then, a searing pain shot through his right leg, causing him to lose balance and fall directly to the ground.

Elder Sun looked down and found his right leg had been blown off by a fire-ball.

The wound was charred black, and a trace of malevolent energy made his heart grow cold.

This fire-ball was simply too fast and too powerful.

Seeing Elder Duan, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, dead, and the powerful Elder Sun also incapacitated by just one fire-ball, the remaining Canglang Sect disciples trembled and immediately fled.

Mo Hua glanced at Head Escort Luo.

Head Escort Luo was startled, then instantly understood, and urgently shouted, "Catch them! Don't let them escape!"

With that, he was the first to act, grabbing a broad-ringed saber from the ground and unleashing saber qi, felling one Canglang Sect disciple with a single strike.

The other escorts and guards, despite their injuries, also moved to attack the remaining Canglang Sect disciples.

Their cultivation was inferior, and they were no match for the Canglang Sect disciples, but delaying them for a short time was manageable.

During this delay, Head Escort Luo and Yingniang caught up. Their broad-ringed saber and soft sword flashed, bringing down all five remaining Qi Condensation Peak Canglang Sect disciples.

Even so, they dared not deliver a fatal blow.

The Canglang Sect was not an organization their small escort agency could afford to offend.

The several Canglang Sect disciples were tied up and thrown onto the ground.

Elder Sun, whose right leg had been charred to a crisp by the fire-ball, was also held by Head Escort Luo.

The situation was indeed secure.

But Head Escort Luo's heart was gripped with anxiety. From his years of experience navigating the treacherous world of Canglang City, he knew that the most difficult part was yet to come.

They couldn't kill these people; to do so would be to forge a mortal enmity with the Canglang Sect.

Nor could they release them; letting them go would be "releasing a tiger back into the mountains," and they would still face dire consequences.

Neither killing nor releasing was a viable solution.

Head Escort Luo was caught between a rock and a hard place, consumed by worry. He couldn't help but look at Mo Hua and asked in a low voice, "Young Master, what do you think we should do—?"

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then sighed, "I am not someone who indiscriminately kills the innocent—"

Head Escort Luo slowly nodded.

Mo Hua then continued, "Kill them all."

Head Escort Luo was stunned and asked, "Didn't you just say you don't indiscriminately kill the innocent?"

Mo Hua replied, "I don't indiscriminately kill the 'innocent,' but these people are not innocent."

Head Escort Luo was taken aback, then nodded.

The Canglang Sect was a local tyrant, acting extremely overbearingly, and its disciples had committed numerous misdeeds, so they certainly couldn't be considered "innocent."

Mo Hua pressed his fingers together to form a fire-ball, but the next moment, he extinguished the spell, lowered his hand, turned to Head Escort Luo, and slowly said, "I'm a bit 'soft-hearted,' and I don't really have the heart to kill people—"

Head Escort Luo instantly grasped Mo Hua's meaning.

Young Master Mo meant that they should "share the burden."

He had personally killed Elder Duan of the Canglang Sect, thoroughly offending them.

Given this, Head Escort Luo and his people would also have to spill the blood of Canglang Sect disciples to earn his trust.

Everyone had to be implicated in the killing.

Head Escort Luo felt a chill in his heart.

However, he considered that while Elder Duan died by Young Master Mo's hand, the root of the trouble still lay with his escort agency and his daughter.

In essence, Young Master Mo had intervened to help the Luo Family Escort Agency when he saw injustice.

Now, Young Master Mo had killed Elder Duan, thus offending the Canglang Sect.

How could he possibly remain aloof and put Young Master Mo in a disadvantageous position?

Moreover, the Canglang Sect members were utterly undeserving of mercy!

Head Escort Luo gritted his teeth, his eyes burning with anger, and advanced towards Elder Sun, gripping his broad-ringed saber.

Elder Sun was greatly alarmed.

Previously, as an Elder of the Canglang Sect, he held a high position and had always disdained Head Escort Luo, a "wild" Foundation Establishment cultivator who had risen through his own efforts, never giving him a kind look.

But now, Head Escort Luo was approaching him with a large saber. Elder Sun knew fear and hastily said, "Head Escort Luo, let's talk this over. If you kill me, you will have completely offended the Canglang Sect. Think carefully."

Seeing Head Escort Luo's murderous expression, Elder Sun secretly clutched a poisoned wolf dart in his right hand, intending to launch a sneak attack. However, Mo Hua rendered his right arm useless with another fire-ball.

Head Escort Luo had already approached Elder Sun, raised his large saber high, and, under Elder Sun's horrified gaze, severed his head.

Elder Sun died on the spot.

Head Escort Luo turned to the escort agency disciples and said, "Come here, each of you stab him once."

The disciples of the escort agency hesitated, but remembering the Canglang Sect's arrogance and the humiliation they had just endured, they drew their sabers and attacked Elder Sun.

Afterwards, the escorts killed the other Canglang Sect disciples as well.

Thus, the two Canglang Sect Elders and several Qi Condensation Peak disciples were completely "wiped out."

Bodies lay sprawled on the ground, blood soaking into the mud.

Head Escort Luo watched it all, his expression complex. There was the satisfaction of rising up against oppression, the shock and fear that followed the killings, and profound confusion and dread regarding the future.

Head Escort Luo sighed and cupped his hands towards Mo Hua, saying, "Young Master, we can only accompany you this far. We can't return to Canglang City. From now on, we will wander the world. We hope to meet again someday."

Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. "You're not returning to Canglang City?"

Head Escort Luo's expression was complicated.

This Young Master Mo seemed innocent, yet his actions were decisive and ruthless.

Despite his decisive and ruthless actions, when he spoke, there was a clear—innocence—about him.

"We killed Canglang Sect members; returning to the city would be walking into a trap, leading to our demise without even a burial place," Head Escort Luo explained.

Even if they reported this to the Dao Court Bureau, they would still be held responsible.

Moreover, the Dao Court Bureau couldn't even control the Canglang Sect. Mo Hua nodded, then asked, "What about your family business in Canglang City?"

Head Escort Luo felt a pang of heartache but was helpless. "We'll abandon it. As long as we're alive, we can rebuild our business elsewhere, slowly working our way up again."

Mo Hua nodded. Head Escort Luo was indeed a sensible person with good character.

Mo Hua then said, "It's fine, you can return to the city. It would be a pity to lose your family business; starting from scratch again is not easy."

Head Escort Luo looked at Mo Hua with a hint of resentment and repeated, "But we killed people from the Canglang Sect—"

Mo Hua waved his hand. "If you don't say anything, and I don't say anything, then no one will know. Besides—"

Mo Hua declared with conviction, "If no one knows we killed them, then we didn't kill them!"

Head Escort Luo was shocked.

How could this young man state such an absurd logic with such righteousness?!

However, Head Escort Luo thought it over carefully and felt that it — somehow — made sense?

"But," Yingniang hesitated, "we left so many clues—"

"No matter," Mo Hua said confidently, "'Destroying the evidence' will suffice—"

He was very familiar with such matters.

Mo Hua threw several fire-balls, simply "cremating" all the bodies.

Then, he set up a formation, turning all the surrounding soil into quicksand, burying the bloodstains and scorch marks.

He also melted the entire small hillside, artificially creating a "landslide" that pushed it down into the ravine.

Just like that, everything dissipated with the wind and sand.

The evidence and karmic ties were buried at the bottom of the mountain.

Head Escort Luo and the cultivators with him were all dumbfounded, completely bewildered by what they saw.

They had never imagined that anyone in this world would use fire-ball spells and formations in such a manner.

Fire-balls for cremation, formations for burial.

Head Escort Luo looked at Mo Hua with a gaze that was both "awe-struck" and "fearful," and quietly asked, "Young Master, if I may be so bold as to ask, what did you do before—?"

Mo Hua immediately said, "Nothing much. I have an uncle named 'Gu' who works for the Dao Court Bureau. I learned all these methods from him."

"The Dao Court Bureau—"

Head Escort Luo suddenly understood.

It was a family tradition, with a proper lineage.

Not because he was habitually murderous, which led to such hobbies and habits.

Head Escort Luo breathed a sigh of relief.

Mo Hua said, "Come with me into the city. Pretend nothing happened. As long as you don't leak any information, the Canglang Sect won't be able to trace it back to you."

Head Escort Luo's mind settled a little, but he still had some concerns.

He felt that swaggering into the city right after killing a Canglang Sect Elder and disciples was simply too audacious.

Mo Hua saw through Head Escort Luo's thoughts and said to him, "This is called doing the opposite. The most dangerous actions often imply the safest outcome. As long as you are meticulous enough and bold enough, there's nothing you can't do."

For some reason, Head Escort Luo always felt that no matter how absurd Mo Hua's words were, they somehow made perfect sense when he spoke them.

He couldn't help but nod.

"Furthermore," Mo Hua reassured him, "I told you I have acquaintances in the Canglang Sect. They cordially invited me to join."

"This acquaintance holds a high position and has strong connections."

"If you enter the city with me, you'll be considered half 'insiders' by the Canglang Sect, and they won't suspect you."

Only then did Head Escort Luo feel relieved, nodding, "Alright."

However, they didn't continue through the northwest gate, to avoid arousing suspicion.

Instead, they took a detour through the mountains, letting the mountain breeze cleanse them of the blood and aggression, calming their minds. Only then, pretending nothing had happened, did the group enter Canglang City through the north gate.

At the city gate, Canglang Sect disciples were still conducting checks.

The escort caravan was stopped.

Head Escort Luo was feeling uneasy, but Mo Hua had already adopted a different demeanor, holding his head high with a stubborn and arrogant expression. He casually tossed a token to a Canglang Sect disciple.

The disciple was initially annoyed, but upon seeing the token, his face immediately changed dramatically. He respectfully cupped his hands to Mo Hua and said, "We didn't realize you were a distinguished guest of the Sect Master. Please forgive us."

At these words, the crowd stirred in an uproar, and Head Escort Luo's scalp tingled.

A distinguished guest of the Sect Master?

Young Master Mo's "acquaintance" was actually the Canglang Sect Master.

Had the Canglang Sect Master personally invited Young Master Mo to take a position in the sect?

Did Young Master Mo actually have such powerful connections?

But—

Head Escort Luo's expression became incredibly complicated.

After a while, a Canglang Sect Elder personally came over and cupped his hands to Mo Hua, saying, "Young Master, please proceed to the hall behind for tea. The Sect Master will personally come to greet you shortly."

The Sect Master himself would come to greet him?!

Head Escort Luo's expression was horrified.

Mo Hua, however, looked indifferent, as if he was accustomed to grand occasions. He merely gave a slightly proud nod and then pointed to Head Escort Luo and his group. "These are all my friends; you must not neglect them."

The Canglang Sect Elder cupped his hands, "Yes." Then he extended a hand, "Please."

Mo Hua and Head Escort Luo's group then followed him into the city and were arranged to have tea in a large hall.

The Canglang Sect Elder merely exchanged a few polite greetings before excusing himself, not disturbing Mo Hua.

Seeing the hall empty and quiet, with no one else around, Head Escort Luo tried to speak several times but held back, apparently wary of something.

Mo Hua swept his spiritual sense around, then turned to Head Escort Luo and said, "There's no one else around, and no eavesdroppers behind the walls. Head Escort Luo, feel free to speak your mind."

Head Escort Luo hesitated for a moment, then slowly asked, "Young Master Mo, do you—know the Canglang Sect Master?"

Mo Hua nodded. "Their Sect Master invited me here."

Head Escort Luo's expression became indescribably strange.

Mo Hua then said, "Head Escort Luo, there's no need to worry. I know their Sect Master. Two Elders died, but as long as you and I don't speak of it, no one will blame us."

"No," Head Escort Luo whispered, "Do you know what the Canglang Sect Master's surname is?"

Mo Hua paused.

Head Escort Luo gave a bitter smile. "The Canglang Sect Master's surname is Duan. That Elder Duan from just now—he was his biological nephew."

Mo Hua's expression immediately became rather interesting.

"Why didn't you say so earlier—"

"You didn't ask earlier, and I didn't know about their relationship either—" Head Escort Luo's expression was bitter.

Mo Hua sighed helplessly.

The Canglang Sect Master had invited him to work for the sect.

But as soon as he arrived at the city gate, he had killed the Sect Master's biological nephew?

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then his face calmed down again. He said indifferently, "It doesn't matter. Anyway, we didn't kill them, so it doesn't matter who died—"

Head Escort Luo was at a loss for words.

He quietly looked up, giving Mo Hua a wary glance.

After killing the biological nephew of the Canglang Sect's Golden Core Sect Master, Young Master Mo had brazenly entered the city, was treated as an honored guest by the Canglang Sect, and was even about to meet the Sect Master.

Head Escort Luo was utterly shocked and filled with extreme admiration.

Most importantly, he maintained a calm composure from beginning to end, his expression unchanged, revealing not the slightest clue on his face.

He possessed a serene calm in the face of great events.

To have such a poised demeanor at such a young age, he was surely destined for greatness.

Head Escort Luo marveled inwardly.

What he didn't know was that Mo Hua had already discovered the method of "Dao Heart Demon Seed," which allowed him to manipulate not only the minds of others but also his own.

To deceive others, one must first deceive oneself.

As long as he believed he hadn't killed anyone, he genuinely would act as if he hadn't.

Though the karma existed, at least no emotional fluctuation could be seen on his face.

Mo Hua was completely calm, but Head Escort Luo was not.

He couldn't help but feel guilty, and the thought of meeting the terrifying Golden Core Realm Sect Master Duan of the Grade Three Canglang Sect, who was like a fierce tiger or greedy wolf and whose name struck fear into hearts, made his legs tremble and cold sweat trickle down his back.

Mo Hua then said, "Relax a bit, don't be nervous. This is a minor situation."

Head Escort Luo's expression was tense. "Young Master Mo, what should I say later?"

Mo Hua simply said, "You don't need to say much later. Just say that you escorted me all the way to Canglang City."

Head Escort Luo was still worried. "Will that really work?"

Mo Hua nodded. "Don't worry, he won't suspect you. He might even thank you."

Head Escort Luo could only smile bitterly.

And so, another half hour passed. Just as Head Escort Luo was on pins and needles, footsteps were heard from outside the hall.

A man draped in a large wolf-skin cloak, with profound cultivation, a formidable and somber expression, and eyes that scanned like a hawk or a wolf, strode into the hall.

The atmosphere throughout the hall immediately became oppressive.

Mo Hua rose and bowed, "Sect Master, long time no see."

The Canglang Sect Master revealed a stern yet amiable smile. "Brother Mo, I apologize for not coming to meet you sooner."

Mo Hua also smiled. "I apologize for the abrupt intrusion, Sect Master. I hope you don't mind."

The Canglang Sect Master shook his head. "Brother Mo, your personal visit is more than I could wish for. Tongxian City is too small a place. How can a dragon among men like you remain in such a secluded corner and waste your great talents?"

Mo Hua cupped his hands. "Sect Master, you flatter me."

The two conversed cheerfully, astonishing everyone present, including many Canglang Sect cultivators.

After all, the Sect Master was notoriously ruthless and rarely smiled.

Those he would treat with such courtesy were few and far between in all of Canglang City.

The Canglang Sect Master chatted with Mo Hua for a while longer, then took his seat at the head of the table, his sharp gaze falling on Head Escort Luo with a warning.

Head Escort Luo trembled all over.

The pressure of a Golden Core cultivator was more than he, a mere early Foundation Establishment cultivator, could withstand.

Not to mention, he had just killed an Elder and six disciples of the Canglang Sect outside the city.

The Canglang Sect Master calmly said, "Is this... Head Escort Luo of the Luo Family Escort Agency?"

Head Escort Luo immediately stood up, bowed, and replied, "Yes."

The Canglang Sect Master's gaze sharpened, a hint of doubt in his eyes. He asked, "Head Escort Luo, why are you with Young Master Mo?"

"Young Master Mo—he was unfamiliar with the route. By a stroke of luck, I encountered him in Xiaojie Jizhou, and he traveled back to Canglang City with our escort caravan."

Head Escort Luo felt a surge of unease in his heart, but he still followed Mo Hua's instructions.

The Canglang Sect Master swept his gaze over Head Escort Luo, finding his uneasy expression under his spiritual pressure normal. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded slightly and praised, "In that case—many thanks, Head Escort Luo."

He was—thanked—

Head Escort Luo's expression became blank, and for a moment, he didn't know how to react.