Chapter 430 - Displaying Dust

Chapter 430: Chapter 424: Displaying Dust

Bai Zixi directly said, “You’re not allowed to go.”

Mo Hua muttered softly, “I didn’t say I was going to go…”

Bai Zisheng frowned, “But if we don’t go, how can we investigate that grey-robed cultivator?”

“Right…”

Mo Hua looked at Bai Zixi, and Bai Zisheng also looked at her.

The corners of Bai Zixi’s eyes, which were as clear as autumn water, flickered slightly, “It’s alright, but I’m coming with you.”

Bai Zisheng quickly shook his head.

Mo Hua also said, “Junior Sister, it’s not appropriate for you to go.”

Bai Zixi said, “If you can go, I can too; we’re just going to sneak in anyway.”

“This…”

Mo Hua hesitated, about to say something, but when she caught Bai Zixi’s crystal-clear gaze, she could only sigh and say,

“Alright…”

So it came to be nighttime, at 22 p.m.

As night fell, lanterns hung up, Jinhua Street bustling with carriage and pedestrian traffic, resounding with the noise of prosperity.

The three, wrapped in cloaks, climbed to the building opposite the Hundred Flower Tower.

Hundred Flower Tower, which was a brothel, was also the place where Wang Lai confessed to have hidden the body after the murder, and where he met with the grey-robed cultivator.

Hundred Flower Tower was lavishly decorated.

Flowers and bright colors adorned the entrance, with no one outside to pull in customers.

But those who came to this place all knew why they were there.

Bai Zisheng quietly asked Mo Hua, “How are we going to get in?”

Mo Hua released her Divine Sense, scrutinized the situation for a while, and frowned, saying,

“A brothel has actually put up an Expose Dust Formation…”

“Expose Shadow Formation?” Bai Zisheng was slightly startled.

“Expose Dust Formation.” Mo Hua corrected.

Bai Zisheng was puzzled, “Is there a difference?”

“The principles of their Formation are different.”

Bai Zisheng was somewhat perplexed.

Mo Hua then explained, “The Expose Shadow Formation reveals things, rendering any Concealment Formations and Concealment Techniques within its range ineffective.”

“The Expose Shadow Formation works better but is a First Grade Formation with at least Nine Patterns, requiring high Divine Sense, more difficult to learn, uses special ink, and is expensive to set up.”

“The Expose Dust Formation is an Earth Series Formation, a First Grade Formation with Seven Patterns, which is easier to set up and more cost-effective.”

“Unlike the Expose Shadow Formation, the Expose Dust Formation doesn’t render concealment ineffective. Instead, it generates fine dust within the Formation. Once a cultivator under concealment passes through the Formation, they would get covered in dust, revealing their traces.”

“The Expose Shadow Formation nullifies concealment on a fundamental level,”

“While the Expose Dust Formation reveals the cultivator by indirect means, through an external substance.”

Bai Zisheng was somewhat astonished, “You’ve researched this so thoroughly?”

“Uh-huh.” Mo Hua nodded with pride, “The Dao of Formation is profound and intricate; naturally, I have looked into it thoroughly.”

Bai Zisheng opened his mouth to speak, then asked, “So, for a brothel to welcome guests and to use the Expose Dust Formation, making the guests dusty, doesn’t seem very good, does it?”

“Hmm…” Mo Hua looked closely at the Formation again and said,

“This dust is a kind of cheap spice. Ordinary cultivators, not versed in Formation, will only think they’ve gotten some makeup powder on themselves and won’t realize it’s the work of a Formation.”

“Moreover, the effectiveness of the Expose Dust Formation is limited, and this dust will only last the duration of a cup of tea before fading away…”

“A cup of tea…” Bai Zisheng frowned, “So it’s to prevent someone from sneaking into the brothel for voyeurism?”

“It seems so…” Mo Hua was then slightly puzzled, “Who would be so idle as to peep into a brothel…”

Bai Zisheng looked at Mo Hua, glanced at Bai Zixi, and then looked down at himself, saying weakly,

“Aren’t the three of us planning to sneak in and peep…”

Mo Hua froze for a moment, pondered with a frown, and then said seriously,

“We are going to check for clues; it is a serious matter, not peeping.”

Bai Zisheng nodded, “Makes sense!”

Bai Zixi looked at the two with a somewhat helpless expression.

“Now that there’s an Expose Dust Formation, how are we supposed to get in?”

Bai Zisheng asked again.

Mo Hua, too, found it tricky, “I could dismantle the Formation, but doing so without drawing attention is a bit difficult…”

“So what do we do now, go back first?”

After contemplating for a while, Mo Hua nodded,

“Let’s go back for now. There’s a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the brothel, and if we keep watching here, he might notice us.”

Mo Hua was not concerned about that.

An ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn’t see through his Concealment Technique.

But he couldn’t say the same for his junior brother and junior sister.

So the three of them sneakily left.

On the way, Bai Zisheng muttered, “A brothel even requires a Foundation Establishment cultivator to take a seat in power…”

If it weren’t for the presence of a Foundation Establishment, their actions would have been much more convenient.

He didn’t pay much mind to ordinary Qi Refining Cultivators.

Mo Hua said, “This indicates that the brothel deals with much trouble and also earns plenty of Spirit Stones.”

Bai Zisheng thought about it and nodded.

Mo Hua thought about the Mining Cultivators toiling in the mines, earning one Spirit Stone per day, and sighed softly.

The more disreputable the business, the more Spirit Stones seemed to be earned…

The grey-robed cultivator frequented the Hundred Flower Tower.

Mo Hua wanted to enter the Hundred Flower Tower to investigate, but due to the rush of time, he couldn’t immediately come up with a good method.

With so many people going in and out of the Hundred Flower Tower, it was difficult to subtly blend in.

The main problem was still the Expose Dust Formation.

Dealing with the Expose Dust Formation was easy, but dealing with it without anyone noticing was challenging.

What’s more, besides the Expose Dust Formation at the entrance, it was estimated that there were many minute Expose Dust Formations in the brothel—in the doors and windows, the corridors, and above the beams—to prevent peeping.

Mo Hua was somewhat disgruntled.

Surely some cultivator had used Concealment Techniques for misdeeds.

The result was that now, when he wanted to use Concealment Techniques to do something righteous and catch a wrongdoer, he found himself tightly guarded against.

In the attempt to guard against the villains, the gentlemen were also prevented…

Several days passed with no progress.

Mo Hua then thought to probe indirectly and see if he could gather some clues from other cultivators.

The best candidate was Elder Su.

Being a First Grade Formation Master and a Foundation Establishment Elder of the South Yue Sect, he undeniably had wide connections and was likely to have access to much information.

But Mo Hua wasn’t sure if Elder Su was involved in this matter, so he asked in an oblique manner, also being very cautious in his conversation.

“Elder Su, is there anything fun on Jinhua Street?” S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Elder Su wasn’t surprised.

Although Mo Hua was a First Grade Formation Master, he was still quite young; it was only natural for a youngster to be bit more fond of entertainment when in a new place.

Elder Su thus began to enlighten Mo Hua.

Jinhua Street was the busiest spot in all of South Yue City.

What festivals there were, what sights there were to see, where to find what delicacies…

Which Food Building’s dish is exquisite, which bar’s wine is the tastiest, which teahouse’s tea is the most mellow…

As the conversation deepened, Elder Su couldn’t help but digress.

Like which gambling house’s table was the easiest to win at, and which courtesan in a certain tower was the most…

Elder Su’s words stopped there.

“What is the most how?” Mo Hua asked.

Elder Su, sweating profusely, awkwardly said, “That’s not suitable for children, not suitable for children…”

Mo Hua, doubtful, said, “Elder Su, are you very familiar with this kind of thing…”

Elder Su was greatly alarmed, “No, that’s not it, I haven’t… Don’t slander a man’s clear reputation!”

“Oh…” Mo Hua obviously didn’t believe him.

Elder Su smiled awkwardly again.

Mo Hua was still curious and wanted to inquire more, but then he saw a disciple approach and whisper something to Elder Su.

Elder Su showed a troubled expression.

Mo Hua then tactfully said, “Elder Su, you’re busy, I’ll take my leave first.”

Elder Su also hastily stood up to return the gesture, “I have visitors, I’m truly sorry, another day I will prepare a feast and apologize to the young gentleman.”

Mo Hua waved his hand, “You’re too polite, Elder.”

His heart held curiosity, wondering what kind of feast Elder Su could prepare and if there would be anything delicious.

As Elder Su escorted Mo Hua out, they were met by a cultivator in gorgeous brocade clothing, of medium age, with a handsome appearance and elegant demeanor.

Mo Hua was somewhat surprised, “Lu Family Head?”

The person was indeed the Lu Family Head who had once met Mo Hua.

And the guest that Elder Su was about to entertain should be this very Lu Family Head.

Mo Hua had learned from Elder Su that the Lu Family Head’s name was Lu Chengyun.

When Lu Chengyun saw Mo Hua, he was not surprised and greeted him with a smile and a gentle tone,

“Mr. Little Mo.”

They greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries.

Mo Hua briefly made small talk and then planned to leave, but Lu Chengyun detained him.

“Little gentleman, you could join us for some tea.”

Mo Hua, puzzled, said, “Aren’t you and Elder Su discussing something important?”

Lu Chengyun said, “It’s not so much an urgent matter, just an exchange of Formation insights. And since you are a Formation Master yourself, with notable achievements in Formation, why not join the discussion?”

Mo Hua thought for a moment and agreed.

There must be something wrong with the mines of the Lu Family.

But he wasn’t familiar with the Lu Family.

Interacting with the Lu Family Head might provide some clues.

However, being a Family Head, Lu Chengyun was naturally very astute. Throughout the half-day conversation with Mo Hua, he didn’t mention a thing about the mines or Mining Cultivators; it was indeed just about Formation.

And Lu Chengyun’s Formation knowledge also surprised Mo Hua.

The head of a family would be busy with numerous affairs and might not have the time or inclination to delve into Formation, but Lu Chengyun’s Formation knowledge seemed even more profound than Elder Su’s.

No wonder he was so close with Elder Su.

After talking more about Formation, Lu Chengyun became even more amiable towards Mo Hua, and his gaze held unmistakable admiration.

Lu Chengyun paused for a moment, then suddenly asked,

“Mr. Little Mo, are you married?”

Mo Hua was in the midst of drinking tea, and he choked at the question, “Not… not yet…”

Lu Chengyun’s eyes brightened even more, “I wonder…”

Mo Hua coughed and said, somewhat awkwardly,

“I’m still young, I’m not considering it for the time being.”

Lu Chengyun showed no displeasure but rather seemed to understand, and he secretly slipped a booklet to Mo Hua.

“This is part of the Lu Family’s genealogy.”

Lu Chengyun didn’t say anything further and just gave Mo Hua a meaningful look.

Mo Hua cautiously flipped through the genealogy, noticing that it contained the Lu Family’s direct lineage, and all were suitable-aged women.

Further back were portraits of beautiful female cultivators.

Mo Hua felt somewhat helpless.

Lu Chengyun smiled nonchalantly, while Elder Su silently drank his tea, pretending to have seen nothing.

After finishing their tea and discussing Formation, Lu Chengyun stood up to leave.

Before leaving, Lu Chengyun patted Mo Hua and whispered,

“There’s no rush, take your time.”

Mo Hua didn’t know what to say.

As Lu Chengyun turned to leave, he seemed to suddenly remember something and turned back to Mo Hua, saying,

“I, Lu Chengyun, have a doubt, may I ask the young gentleman?”

Mo Hua, slightly startled, nodded, “Please ask.”

“It might be a bit presumptuous.”

“No problem.”

Lu Chengyun nodded and asked,

“Young gentleman, there is a concealed aura around you, making it impossible to probe with Divine Sense, could it be… you possess a Spiritual Artifact that hides your aura?”

Mo Hua’s gaze flickered, then sincerely he said,

“Yes, you have keen eyes, Family Head!”

Lu Chengyun sighed in relief, then with a cupped fist said, “I will take my leave. When time permits, I wish to discuss Formation with the young gentleman again.”

Mo Hua also cupped his fist, “Lu Family Head, take care.”

After Lu Chengyun left, Elder Su also slowly exhaled, turning to Mo Hua to say,

“He is the Family Head, after all, it is his duty and within reason, but…”

Elder Su hesitated.

“But what?” Mo Hua asked with curiosity.

Elder Su thought for a moment, then sighed,

“The Lu Family is associated with plenty of controversies; if you can avoid involvement, it would be better not to get involved at all.”

Mo Hua nodded.

Elder Su glanced at Mo Hua, his gaze intensifying slightly, his expression becoming a bit complicated as he slowly asked,

“Mr. Little Mo, you have come here with a purpose, haven’t you?”

Mo Hua was taken aback, “How did you know?”

Elder Su said expressionlessly,

“In the past few days, you have come here, beating around the bush. You must be wanting to ask something…

“But since the matter is somewhat secretive, not easy to talk about openly, you didn’t ask directly. Instead, you found various pretexts to chit-chat and tried to glean some information from me.”

Mo Hua was silent.

Elder Su’s gaze became colder.

He just knew that this Junior Formation Master must have had ulterior motives.

Elder Su picked up the teacup, skimmed off the froth, casting a look as elusive as the drifting tea:

“Mr. Little Mo, what exactly do you want to do?”

With the situation having reached this point, Mo Hua no longer needed to hide his intentions.

He said seriously,

“Elder Su, I want to go to the Brothel!”

Elder Su sprayed out a mouthful of tea.