Chapter 175: Returning Home
Elder Yu hurled several more scathing insults at Qian Hong.
Finally, Qian Hong—his composure shattered—seemed ready to attack regardless of the cost. Yet at that very moment, cultivators from the Dao Court Division arrived.
Elder Yu had already sent word to them beforehand, fearing precisely this situation: that the Qian Clan might act recklessly.
A dozen Dao Court cultivators came, led by the presiding Chief supervisor himself, along with the deputy supervisor and several Enforcers. Zhang Lan was among them as well.
The appearance of the Dao Court Division signified that the matter was settled.
Qian Hong could only withdraw with his disciples, his expression venomous, clearly unwilling to let things end so easily.
He cast Elder Yu a cold, lingering glance. His eyes then swept past Mo Hua, scanning over the other demon hunters with suspicion.
Among these demon hunters, who was the formation master who had caused him so much suffering?
Every one of them was a possible suspect, yet the ten-year-old Mo Hua was immediately ruled out.
In Qian Hong's perception, a formation master capable of drawing a first-grade formation, even if not gray-haired, would at least be middle-aged, and their cultivation would surely be at the ninth layer of Qi-Refining.
Mo Hua, both in age and cultivation, was beneath his notice.
Seeing that Qian Hong's attention had not lingered on Mo Hua, Elder Yu did not bother explaining. He only thought to himself:
'Go on and guess. If you can actually figure it out, I swear I'll become a gentleman and never curse anyone again in this life!'
Even now, though Elder Yu knew Mo Hua could inscribe first-grade formations, it still felt surreal to him. If Mo Hua had not drawn so many arrays right before his eyes, even he would have doubted it.
A first-grade formation master at such a young age was utterly inconceivable.
No matter how hard Qian Hong racked his brain, he would never guess the truth.
After the Qian Clan departed, Elder Yu discussed matters with the Dao Court Chief.
Zhang Lan's gaze drifted, and upon seeing Mo Hua again, he sighed inwardly.
"This child… wherever there's trouble, you're there too. You've never missed a single bit of chaos, have you?"
Mo Hua also noticed Zhang Lan and blinked playfully, his big dark eyes sparkling.
Zhang Lan shook his head helplessly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
When Elder Yu finished his discussion with the Chief, his expression was relaxed. He then instructed everyone to return home and rest; the remaining matters would be handled later.
Mo Hua and Mo Shan returned home together.
At the entrance of their little eatery, Liu Ruhua was tidying dishes, glancing anxiously toward the street every few moments, her face a mixture of anticipation and worry.
Before long, Mo Shan appeared at the corner, holding Mo Hua's small hand.
Liu Ruhua immediately set down her dishes and hurried out the door. She rushed to Mo Hua and swept him into her arms, hugging him so tightly it seemed she feared he might vanish if she let go.
Mo Hua blushed, embarrassed. "Mother, I'm fine."
Only then did Liu Ruhua pull back slightly to inspect him. Seeing no wounds and a healthy complexion—though he seemed a little thinner—she finally sighed in relief.
"You must have gone hungry staying there for so long," she said softly. "Did you finish all the food I packed for you?"
Mo Hua patted his now-empty Storage Bag. "All gone!"
She nodded. "You're still growing, you need to eat more."
"Mm-hmm!" Mo Hua replied enthusiastically.
Liu Ruhua looked him over once more, then smiled warmly. "You must be starving. I've made all your favorite dishes."
Mo Hua's eyes lit up. "Mother, you're the best!" he said, his voice bright and crisp.
With a beaming smile, Liu Ruhua led him inside.
Left standing outside, Mo Shan could only shake his head in resigned amusement.
After a hearty meal, Mo Hua bathed, changed into clean clothes, and promptly fell into a deep sleep.
Though he had avoided direct combat in the mines, he had spent days using spells, crafting and deploying formations, both body and mind exhausted.
Now, safe at home and free of worries, he could finally sleep soundly.
When Liu Ruhua later entered with a plate of fruit and pastries, she found her son fast asleep, cheeks puffed slightly as if chewing something in his dreams. Smiling, she set the treats on the table, tucked in his blanket, and quietly slipped away after watching him for a long moment.
When Mo Hua finally woke, he rubbed his eyes and realized night had already fallen. Hearing voices from the main room, he padded over and found Elder Yu and Yu Chengyi talking with Mo Shan.
Elder Yu waved kindly. "Come here, Mo Hua."
Mo Hua blinked curiously. "Elder, what are you talking about?"
"We're discussing the division of spirit stones," Elder Yu said.
"Can I listen too?"
"Of course. You have a share."
Mo Hua pulled up a small stool and sat down. Elder Yu continued,
"This time we've mined out the entire lode. The spirit stones inside are impure and irregular, so they must be submitted to the Dao Court Division to be refined into standardized Dao Court spirit stones, purified, properly graded, suitable for trade and cultivation."
"The Dao Court will, of course, take a portion as tax, and the Division will retain some for administrative use. Even so, what remains is an enormous sum."
"These will be distributed monthly to all demon hunters according to merit, divided into four ranks: A, B, C, and D. Mo Shan is ranked A, and Mo Hua, you are also A."
Mo Hua's eyes widened. "I'm A-rank too?"
Elder Yu nodded. "By right, you should receive even more. But since your household already has two A-rank shares, granting an extra would seem excessive."
In Elder Yu's estimation, Mo Hua's contribution far exceeded the A rank.
Whether it was his Fireball Technique repelling the Qian Clan cultivators, forcing hidden enemies to reveal themselves, or the formations that secured defense and retreat, his role had been pivotal.
However, tradition among demon hunters allowed no higher distinction than A-rank, and Elder Yu could not break precedent.
Mo Hua did not mind. Having an A-rank share already made him quite happy.
After all, while he had supported the battle with spells and formations, it was the others who fought on the frontlines, bleeding, suffering, and risking their lives.
He had only provided aid from the shadows.
Then a thought struck him, and his tone dimmed. "There must have been many casualties this time, right?"
Elder Yu patted his head. "Losses are inevitable. Do not dwell on it."
Mo Hua nodded silently, though sadness still lingered.
"Death comes to all," Elder Yu said softly. "Some by age, some by misfortune, some in battle. Those who died defending the lode ensured their families will be well compensated. It is, in truth, the best possible outcome."
Mo Hua lowered his gaze and nodded again.
Elder Yu sighed. "Hardship cannot be avoided. The life of a demon hunter has always been like this. Yet people must keep moving forward."
"I understand, Elder," Mo Hua replied quietly.
Elder Yu smiled faintly, comforted, and said no more.
Mo Hua, however, understood deeply that all suffering stemmed from weakness.
If he were strong enough, the Qian Family would pose no threat. If his formations were powerful enough, they would render such conflicts meaningless.
As long as his array formations became strong enough...
His eyes shone with unwavering resolve.
"One day," he vowed silently, "within my formations, no cultivator shall ever bleed or fall again."
(End of Chapter)