Chapter 1126: Scheming

Back at Canglang Sect, Mo Hua lay on his soft, luxurious bed, his mind restless for a long time. After a considerable while, he managed to push the day's events to the back of his mind and began to ponder matters concerning the Canglang Sect.

First, there was Elder Ji, whom he had met earlier that day. This Elder Ji was undoubtedly the Canglang Sect's professional matchmaker, skilled at using flattery and temptations to corrupt people and lead them astray. But Mo Hua was concerned about something else: there was a deep scar on Elder Ji's chest.

At first, Mo Hua hadn't paid much attention to it. It was perfectly normal for a cultivator to have scars, especially within a sect like Canglang, known for its "unorthodox" ways, where skirmishes were inevitable. However, Mo Hua later realized something was amiss. He actually detected a faint, familiar aura from the wound.

While at the Golden Casino, amidst the fluctuating desires and chaotic auras of the crowd, Mo Hua subtly performed a divination. In that instant, the Great Black Mountain appeared in his mind. Fragmented, black-and-white images flashed one after another. It seemed cultivators were hunting a demonic beast. The beast roared, tearing open a cultivator's chest. Then, angry shouts erupted, leading to a more intense battle between the two sides.

Mo Hua had remained impassive at the time, but recalling it now, his heart slightly trembled. "Was the scar on Elder Ji's chest left by my big tiger?" he wondered. "The Canglang Sect... captured my big tiger? Why?" Mo Hua frowned, sensing something was wrong with this.

Moreover, the timing didn't match. The Canglang Sect Leader's "courteous solicitation," inviting him to join the sect in Immortal City, had happened a month or two ago. But the big tiger's capture occurred a year ago. If it was truly Elder Ji of the Canglang Sect who had captured or hunted the big tiger, then it meant that a year ago, the Canglang Sect had already extended its predatory grasp towards Immortal City. Perhaps even earlier.

It was precisely because the Canglang Sect already had eyes and ears in Immortal City that, shortly after he returned to Immortal City from his studies at the Grand Void Sect and his reputation began to spread, the Canglang Sect, previously "isolated" by the Great Black Mountain, came to visit him. Mo Hua's expression showed sudden realization. This way, it all made sense.

"But why would the Canglang Sect get involved with Immortal City?" Mo Hua pondered. "Because Immortal City has become wealthy, with abundant resources?" In the Canglang State, the Canglang Sect was the "big fish," dominating everything. Now, it had almost devoured all the small fish and shrimp in the surrounding areas. To continue developing, it would naturally need to expand towards the more distant and prosperous Immortal City, to drain Immortal City's resources. Only then could the Canglang Sect grow stronger.

Mo Hua's expression turned thoughtful. It was a wolf's nature to eat meat, and this explanation was reasonable, but he vaguely felt that the Canglang Sect had other, deeper schemes.

Furthermore, there was another matter that Mo Hua found strange: the death of Elder Sun and the wolf-robed young man. These two—one a seasoned elder of a Grade 3 sect, the other even the Sect Leader's own nephew—should, by all accounts, cause a huge commotion within the Canglang Sect if they died, or even if they simply went missing. Yet, now, two days after their deaths, there was no ripple of news within the Canglang Sect. It was as if the incident had never occurred.

"Were these two imposters, not actually Canglang Sect elders?" he wondered. "Or was the Canglang Sect so vast that the deaths of two elders were insignificant, and no one cared at all? That's impossible..." Mo Hua's gaze deepened; he felt there was something very strange going on.

The whereabouts of the big tiger... the wolf howls within the Canglang Sect... and the deaths of these two elders... "This Canglang Sect certainly has many peculiarities..." Mo Hua murmured softly.

***

In a luxurious secret chamber within the Canglang Sect, wolf heads hung everywhere. A huge wolf pelt was draped over the central seat, and the Canglang Sect Leader sat upon it. Across from him, Elder Ji reported everything in detail:

"This young man is truly an oddity. He doesn't like women—innocent, seductive, mature, naive, plump, slender—he dislikes them all..." Elder Ji continued. "His eyes are ethereal and profound. He looked at those graceful women as if they were merely piles of withered bones and flesh, without a hint of emotion. He doesn't like men either. He dislikes gambling; he wasn't happy when he won, and he got angry when he lost. He also complained that other forms of entertainment were boring. He seems to have feelings yet is heartless, to have desires yet be devoid of them..."

Elder Ji looked puzzled. "Could it be, as the rumors in Immortal City suggest, that he's an immortal child reincarnated?"

The Canglang Sect Leader sneered, "Ignorant rogue cultivators from small places have narrow views, believing any rumor. Any random talent appears, and they hype them up, thinking they're some immortal reincarnation? Don't they know how vast the Nine Provinces are, where talents are as numerous as carp crossing a river? A talent from a small place is just average in a large state. If this young man named Mo can be a 'reincarnated immortal child,' then wouldn't all the prodigies from Grade 5 large states be descended immortals? Where would so many immortals come from in this world?"

Elder Ji mused, "That's true..." He glanced at the Canglang Sect Leader again and asked curiously, "Then is this young man just all show?"

The Canglang Sect Leader shook his head. "As I said, even if he didn't do well outside and had to return dejectedly to this tiny place, Lizhou, he still went out and saw the world. Even a fraction of the heritage from a Grade 5 great sect would be inexhaustible for our Canglang Sect. Furthermore, while this young man's great reputation is difficult to live up to, it doesn't mean he has no ability himself. How could someone who entered a Grade 5 great sect truly be an ordinary person? It's just that he's not as exaggerated as others claim..."

The Canglang Sect Leader pondered, "In any case, his vision, cultivation knowledge, and Grade 5 heritage are all genuine. His array formations are also said to be very powerful. Even if he were truly useless, his title as a disciple of a Grade 5 great sect, the so-called 'immortal child descended to the mortal realm,' would be of immense benefit to our Canglang Sect. No one is beyond exploitation. One must be good at discovering the value in others."

"Your wisdom is profound, Sect Leader!" Elder Ji bowed upon hearing this, then thought carefully and nodded in deep agreement: "Being good at discovering value in others... what the Sect Leader said is very true. I, for example, am good at discovering the value in women. I know which women have soft bodies, which are more alluring, which dress more tastefully, which..."

The Canglang Sect Leader stared at him coldly. Elder Ji dared not say more.

A moment later, he slowly asked, "Then... if this Young Master Mo doesn't like women..."

The Canglang Sect Leader said, "Keep sending women."

"Keep sending?" Elder Ji asked.

The Canglang Sect Leader nodded. "He's a man. No man dislikes women; if he doesn't like them, it's just because he hasn't found one he likes yet. As long as you keep sending them, there will always be one he prefers. And once a man falls for a woman, he becomes weak, acquiring weaknesses and vulnerabilities. No one is an exception. Once he's entangled by emotions, this genius from a great state will be like fish on a chopping board, completely at our mercy. One can't always be on guard against a determined thief. Human hearts are made of flesh; there will always be vulnerabilities."

Elder Ji bowed and said, "Understood..."

"And while you're at it, find him some tasks to do."

"Good."

The secret chamber fell silent for a moment. The Canglang Sect Leader's gaze turned cold as he asked in a deep voice, "Have you found out anything about Hong'er and Elder Sun?"

Elder Ji's expression also grew solemn. "I've investigated. Two days ago, after Hong'er and Elder Sun left the city with their group, they never returned. I didn't make a fuss. I only quietly sent people to search around Canglang City. We did find some scattered traces of terrain destruction, but not a single truly useful clue. From the current situation, they shouldn't have fled."

One was an elder of the Canglang Sect, holding a considerably high position on normal days. The other was the Sect Leader's own nephew, who usually wielded power tyrannically. Both relied on the Canglang Sect's protection to live well; there was no reason for them to run away. "Either they were abducted, or..." Elder Ji glanced at the Canglang Sect Leader, hesitated for a moment, and softly said: "Or they were... directly killed, and their bodies completely obliterated."

"If abducted... to abduct two Foundation Establishment elders without leaving a trace, the perpetrator's cultivation and methods must be extremely powerful. And if they were killed and their bodies destroyed... then the culprit must be a vicious and experienced practitioner who leaves no trace, otherwise it would be absolutely impossible for no clues to remain..." Elder Ji slowly laid out his thoughts.

The Canglang Sect Leader's gaze was gloomy, his face already somewhat sinister. Dark aura flickered around him, and a fierce wolf seemed to roar within his form. Elder Ji's face showed fear. He was merely at the late Foundation Establishment stage, while the Sect Leader was at Core Formation. A chasm separated Foundation Establishment and Core Formation, and the mere pressure made it difficult for him to breathe. However, there was no denying that attacking a Canglang Sect Foundation Establishment elder was a blatant provocation. Moreover, the Sect Leader's own nephew was involved. The Sect Leader had always doted on this nephew.

Inside the luxurious secret chamber, the atmosphere was heavy and exceptionally oppressive. Cold sweat had already seeped onto Elder Ji's forehead. A moment later, the Canglang Sect Leader forcibly suppressed the rage in his heart and asked, "Have you found out who did it?"

Elder Ji replied, "It's been too short; we haven't found out yet..."

The Canglang Sect Leader's gaze deepened slightly. Elder Ji hastily added, "Recently, no foreign Foundation Establishment cultivators have been seen in Canglang City. As for local cultivators, they wouldn't dare provoke our Canglang Sect, nor do they possess the ability..." At this point, Elder Ji's eyes flickered slightly. "The only outsider with considerable cultivation is... Young Master Mo."

The Canglang Sect Leader frowned, recalling Mo Hua's composed demeanor and relaxed expression after they met, and slightly shook his head. If he had truly killed someone and formed a mortal enmity, could he still be so leisurely, eating and drinking at the Canglang Sect? His audacity would be far too great... Furthermore, why would he kill someone without reason? A genius from Immortal City, a disciple of a Grade 5 great sect, coming to seek refuge with the Canglang Sect—would he first kill two Canglang Sect elders and form a mortal enmity before even entering the city? Was he out of his mind? Moreover, if he had truly killed Hong'er and Elder Sun, it would mean that escort leader Luo was also an accomplice, or even a participant. But that escort leader Luo looked cowardly; would he have the guts to lay hands on a Canglang Sect elder?

The Canglang Sect Leader pondered for a moment, then ordered, "Continue the investigation, but remember, do not publicize it, and certainly do not alert the culprit."

Elder Ji said, "Investigating this way is too slow, Sect Leader. Why not issue a Canglang Order and mobilize the Canglang Sect..."

"Absolutely not!" the Canglang Sect Leader sharply interjected.

Elder Ji was slightly startled. The Canglang Sect Leader's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said slowly: "This matter should not be publicized. Not a single rumor can be leaked, otherwise it will affect the prestige of our Canglang Sect."

Elder Ji thought for a moment and agreed, then nodded: "The Sect Leader is right."

The Canglang Sect Leader waved his hand. "Go and handle it."

"Yes."

After Elder Ji left, the secret chamber became empty. In the night, the candlelight flickered, casting a gloomy light, much like the Canglang Sect Leader's chilling, watery expression.

"Who was the perpetrator..." he murmured. "Could it be... because of that matter?" The usually composed Canglang Sect Leader's face actually showed a terrified and uneasy expression, and he said with a chill in his heart: "It must not be exposed, absolutely not... This is... a crime that could lead to the destruction of our entire sect and family..."

***

The next day, just as Mo Hua got out of bed, Elder Ji arrived again.

"Are we going out to play again today?" Mo Hua asked him.

Elder Ji chuckled, "Today, there are a few matters I'd like to entrust to Young Master Mo."

Mo Hua understood that he wasn't meant to play, but to work, so he nodded, "Alright." Anyway, there wasn't much fun to be had with those extravagant things.

"Young Master, please follow," Elder Ji said, leading the way.

After a few steps, Mo Hua suddenly spoke, "Elder Ji..." Elder Ji turned around. Mo Hua looked at the scar on his chest and said, "I wanted to ask yesterday, about your wound..."

Elder Ji replied, "It was torn by a beast. The injury itself is fine, but the scar takes a while longer to heal."

"A beast..." Mo Hua nodded, let out an "Mm," and asked no further questions.

Afterward, Elder Ji led Mo Hua to a rather large artifact refining workshop within Canglang City. "I've long heard of Young Master Mo's astonishing talent and unparalleled array formations. Today, the Canglang Sect's artifact refining business has encountered a very tricky problem, and we'd like to ask for your guidance, Young Master Mo," Elder Ji said as they walked.

Mo Hua nodded, "No problem at all."

The two arrived before a massive artifact refining furnace. This artifact refining furnace had ceased operation; its internal array formation had malfunctioned. It wasn't deliberately broken to test Mo Hua, but genuinely damaged. Furthermore, this array formation was a Grade 2 mid-tier array. In the Grade 3 Canglang State, a weaker Grade 3 state, Core Formation cultivators were few and far between. There were no Grade 3 Array Masters, and even among Grade 2 Array Masters, those reaching mid-tier proficiency were exceedingly rare. Most of the guest array elders employed by the Canglang Sect couldn't solve this problem either. Thus, Elder Ji sought Mo Hua's help.

When Mo Hua arrived, several Canglang Sect array masters, accompanied by their apprentices, were studying the array formation within the furnace. Seeing Mo Hua's arrival, a hint of apprehension flashed in the eyes of these array masters. They feared he was there to take their place, taking away the livelihood of these guest array masters of the Canglang Sect. Naturally, they harbored a certain degree of hostility towards Mo Hua. It was just that no one openly voiced it.

Elder Ji, however, paid no mind to this. He looked at Mo Hua and asked, "Young Master Mo, what do you think..."

With a single sweep of his spiritual sense, Mo Hua immediately knew where the furnace had gone wrong. He had already started dabbling with artifact refining furnace arrays since his teens. The Canglang Sect was known for its domineering nature, and its own industries were not particularly strong. The artifact refining furnaces used within their industries were quite mediocre, and still of older models. Mo Hua could spot the problems with such simple-structured, Grade 2 "old-style" artifact refining furnaces even with his eyes closed. Solving it would be merely a matter of lifting a hand.

But he didn't. One must learn to be modest and reserved. There was no need to appear overly talented, as it would only incite jealousy and attract unnecessary trouble. Mo Hua said, "Let me see," then leaned over the furnace, meticulously inspecting it left and right. Finally, he copied an array diagram and sat aside, pretending to study it intently. Seeing this, the other guest elders sneered inwardly, thinking that the so-called genius from a Grade 5 great sect, treated so highly by the Sect Leader, was nothing special.

A group of array masters, along with their apprentices, methodically flipped through array manuals, verified diagrams, checked array patterns, and discussed array principles, researching for most of the day. Mo Hua, meanwhile, sat beside them, staring blankly at the array diagram, pondering his own matters.

Until the sun set and dusk deepened. Mo Hua looked up at the sky, then rose, picked up a brush, dipped it in flint ink, and simply drew a few strokes inside the artifact refining furnace. Then he turned to the workshop master and said: "It's done. Give it a try."

The workshop master was stunned for a moment, then nodded and ordered, "Light the fire." The artifact refining furnace was reassembled, spirit stones were placed inside, and someone began to ignite the flames using fire-attribute magical arts. With a flash of red light and a low rumble, the artifact refining furnace started operating.

The workshop master was overjoyed and told Mo Hua, "Young Master, you are indeed remarkable! With just a few simple strokes, you repaired the furnace."

Mo Hua opened his eyes and bluffed, "Don't just look at these simple strokes; to draw them properly, I racked my brains for most of the day..." The workshop master, though not understanding, felt it was impressive and developed even greater respect for Mo Hua. Indeed, success was never easy.

"Let's go," Mo Hua told Elder Ji, then turned to leave, but was suddenly called out to by someone.

"Wait!"

Mo Hua looked back and saw, among the group of dispirited guest array masters who felt inferior, a tall, slender middle-aged man cupping his hands towards Mo Hua and praising him: "As expected of Young Master Mo. Your reputation precedes you."

Mo Hua was puzzled. "You are..."

The middle-aged man smiled, "My surname is Zhao, and I am an Elder of the Canglang Sect."

"Greetings, Elder Zhao." Mo Hua bowed.

Elder Zhao returned the bow. "If you have time in the future, I hope to exchange more knowledge on array formations with you, Young Master Mo."

Mo Hua nodded, "Alright."

"Then I won't disturb Young Master Mo," Elder Zhao said.

Mo Hua cupped his hands, "Farewell."

Afterward, Elder Ji led Mo Hua away from the artifact refining workshop. But throughout, he didn't speak to Elder Zhao at all. His gaze even showed restraint and a hint of apprehension, as if Elder Zhao's status was quite unusual. Before leaving, Mo Hua glanced back at Elder Zhao again, sensing the aura of his spiritual consciousness, and displayed a thoughtful expression.

***

In the following days, whenever Elder Ji had something to do, he would ask Mo Hua for help. He seemed to want to "make things a fait accompli," first accustoming Mo Hua to working for the Canglang Sect, and then giving Mo Hua a "proper title." Mo Hua, for his part, never refused. Basically, whenever Elder Ji sought Mo Hua's help, Mo Hua would appear to procrastinate, but after a day, he would always manage to solve the problem. Elder Ji also developed a degree of respect for Mo Hua. All professions in the cultivation world were heavily reliant on array formations, and an array master with true skill was an extremely rare talent anywhere. In this way, Mo Hua's status within the Canglang Sect rose steadily due to his array formation skills.

However, the things he truly wanted to do made no progress at all. The Canglang Sect's rules were strict and unyielding. Wherever he went, Elder Ji followed, so Mo Hua couldn't find any opening for his own investigations. Mo Hua felt a bit troubled.

Meanwhile, the Canglang Sect Leader was also feeling uneasy. His nephew and Elder Sun had been missing for half a month with no news; it was highly probable they were truly dead. If they had simply died, it would be one thing, but if not... Besides his anger, the Canglang Sect Leader felt a deep sense of unease. A terrifying feeling, as if his head hung by a thread, made it difficult for him to sleep.

That night, the wind howled under a dark sky. The Canglang Sect Leader, alone, made an exception and came to the Canglang Sect's forbidden ground. In an underground secret chamber, he met a person completely shrouded in a black robe. He knelt on the ground and said in a low, devout voice: "Sir, please divine a hexagram for me. Calculate who it was, precisely, who killed my nephew... Otherwise, my heart will not be at peace..."