Mo Hua let out a faint sigh.
"Let's just take it one step at a time…"
"First, I need to find a way through Uncle Gu to get involved with the Taoist Court, gather clues, and pursue the Fire Buddha…"
"Then I'll see how things go. If I can follow behind Uncle Gu and fish in troubled waters, I might be able to get my hands on the spell of the Meteor Fire Skill…"
For now, that was all he could do.
Afterward, Mo Hua continued to attend classes, cultivate, help Yu Er with her homework, draw Formation Paintings, and, when he could find the time, inquire about the Fire Buddha.
But Senior Sister Murong was right.
The Taoist Court indeed would not assign the task of pursuing the Fire Buddha to Sects.
For most Sect Disciples, the term "Fire Buddha" was almost just a rumor, a topic of conversation after classes.
In their lifetime, they would likely never come into contact with it.
Mo Hua had no choice but to take the time to visit Uncle Gu at the Taoist Court Official's office.
However, the Taoist Court was heavily guarded, and the Court Official's chambers were not a place one could simply wander into.
Relying on the route he remembered and his own wit, Mo Hua managed to deceive the Enforcement Leaders on the way and arrived at Gu Changhuai's Court Official's chamber, only to find it a wasted effort.
Gu Changhuai had gone out to capture a Sin Cultivator.
Mo Hua didn't know whether Gu Changhuai was after the Fire Buddha, and he couldn't find anyone to ask, ultimately returning empty-handed.
"It's really inconvenient to do anything in the Taoist Court without knowing anyone…"
Mo Hua lamented.
He would have to think of another way.
During the ten-day break, Mo Hua took the opportunity to accompany Yu Er back to the Gu Family.
This was Yu Er's first visit home since entering the Taixu Gate.
At the entrance of the Gu Family, Wenren Wan was waiting early, her face full of anticipation.
Sending Yu Er to the Taixu Gate had been her idea, but a mother's heart is connected to her child's, and she worried about Yu Er day and night...
Worried about how Yu Er's cultivation was progressing, whether he was eating well, whether he was happy, and more importantly…
Whether he could sleep well without being troubled by nightmares.
Soon, the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Gu Family.
Yu Er jumped down from the carriage, called out "Mother" crisply, and ran on her little legs straight into Wenren Wan's embrace.
Wenren Wan hugged Yu Er and saw his skin was fair, his cheeks rosy and full of life, and when she picked him up, he seemed heavier as if he had regained his Vital Energy and even gained a little weight. She couldn't contain her joy.
This meant that Yu Er was happy and healthy at the Taixu Gate.
And not troubled by any terrifying nightmares.
Wenren Wan glanced at Mo Hua and felt grateful.
That night, Wenren Wan prepared a table full of rare delicacies from the sea, foods Mo Hua had never tasted before.
Mo Hua enjoyed the meal immensely.
Yu Er also sat beside him, holding her small bowl, trying to mimic Mo Hua's manner, her cheeks bulging with food.
Wenren Wan sat to the side, resting her cheek in her hand, looking at the two children, one big, one small, her gaze filled with a gentle smile.
After a while, Gu Changhuai arrived.
He seemed to have just come back from the Taoist Court, his face covered with dust, but upon hearing that Yu Er had returned, he still came to see him.
As soon as he entered, however, he saw Mo Hua sitting next to Yu Er, and his expression became complicated, feeling his scalp tingle slightly.
He felt trouble was surely on its way…
"Changhuai, you've just come back, just in time to join us for a meal…" Wenren Wan said warmly.
Yu Er, a bit reserved, greeted formally, "Hello, Uncle…"
Hearing the young and tender voice calling him "Uncle," Gu Changhuai's heart melted, but his expression was still as rigid as ever, clumsily trying to convey kindness but failing to express it.
Mo Hua watched and shook his head.
Wenren Wan glanced at Mo Hua and then at Gu Changhuai, understanding the situation, and said with a smile:
"I'll take Yu Er outside for a walk, to help digest the food…"
"Changhuai…" Wenren Wan gave Gu Changhuai a sharp look, "Please take care of Mo Hua."
Gu Changhuai felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
Wenren Wan then led Yu Er away.
Gu Changhuai sighed, sat down opposite Mo Hua, poured himself a cup of wine, drank it in one gulp, and then said helplessly:
"You didn't come here specifically to find me, did you?"
Mo Hua replied honestly, "Not entirely…"
He had brought Yu Er back for a few reasons. Firstly, to let Yu Er see her mother and alleviate Aunt Wan's worry.
Secondly, to avoid having Yu Er return alone and be troubled by Demon Monsters in the middle of the night, robbing him of sleep.
And for himself, not to miss out on a serving of "food" for his Divine Sense.
The last goal, of course, was Gu Changhuai.
"What is it?" Gu Changhuai asked, sighing.
There was no escaping this little troublemaker.
Mo Hua blinked his eyes and said in a low voice, "Uncle Gu, the Taoist Court is pursuing the Fire Buddha—can you take me with you?"
Gu Changhuai knew he would say this, and rejected him righteously:
"No!"
"Why not?" Mo Hua pressed on.
Gu Changhuai glanced at Mo Hua and sighed, "You're too young, your cultivation too weak, newly entered, and most importantly, you're not a Taoist Court member…"
Mo Hua asked curiously, "If I were a person from the Taoist Court, it would be okay?"
Gu Changhuai snorted internally.
Someone from the Taoist Court...
It wasn't easy to get into the Taoist Court.
From the lower-ranking Enforcement Leader and Supervisor to the higher-ups such as the Deputy Court Leader and Court Leader—all had to pass assessments to be appointed.
The exams were strict, the categories numerous, considering Spiritual Roots, Cultivation Techniques, Martial Arts or Spells, family background, absence of criminal records, whether there were Direct Lineage relatives who have been imprisoned or fallen to demons within three generations...
The Taoist Court's scrutiny was extremely strict, the requirements extremely high.
Moreover, you're a Loose Cultivator, without status or background, how could you possibly get into the Taoist Court...
Gu Changhuai replied evasively, "Well, if you were from the Taoist Court, I might consider it…"
Mo Hua silently took out a Bronze waist badge.
Its design was simple, rather low-tier, but very familiar...
Gu Changhuai froze for a moment, his brow twitched uncontrollably.
Mo Hua's gaze was cunning, but his face remained serious as he said:
"Uncle Gu, actually... I do have an identity in the Taoist Court…"
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login