Chapter 477 - When the Map Ends, the Dagger Appears

Chapter 477: Chapter 465: When the Map Ends, the Dagger Appears

How is that possible?

How could such a large family as the Lu Family allow a son-in-law who joined through marriage to become the family head?

And Mo Hua had never heard any rumors about this before.

Mo Hua asked, “How do you know this?”

Shuisheng replied, “My mother told me.”

Mo Hua felt a slight shock in his heart.

Shuixian knew about this…

“Does anyone else know?” Mo Hua quickly asked again.

After thinking for a while, Shuisheng said, “In the Hundred Flower Tower, Aunt Xuefang and Sister Danxiang seem to know as well.”

“Then they…”

Shuisheng sighed, “They are all dead.”

Mo Hua’s gaze slightly hardened, “Have you told anyone else about this matter?”

Shuisheng shook his head, “No. I don’t have many friends, and I’m not on good terms with my fellow sect members. I haven’t even mentioned it to my master…”

Mo Hua relaxed slightly, but then his expression grew serious again as he cautioned:

“Don’t ever talk about this matter with anyone else, it’s best to forget it and never bring it up again.”

Although Mo Hua was not very familiar with the clan, he knew that it is generally taboo for a family head to be someone who had joined the family through marriage.

Once this gets out, even Shuisheng could be killed to silence him.

Shuisheng didn’t understand, but seeing Mo Hua’s serious expression, he nodded earnestly.

Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he asked with a frown:

“Is my mother’s death… also because of this matter?”

Mo Hua shook his head, “Not necessarily…”

Though he said this, Mo Hua estimated in his heart that Shuixian’s death was very likely related to the Lu Family Head as well.

Mo Hua looked at Shuisheng and gave further instructions:

“During these days, stay at the mansion, follow your master, do not go out, do not speak indiscreetly, and concentrate on learning Formation techniques.”

“Mastering Formation techniques is the most important thing; your mother would be pleased at that.”

Shuisheng fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded his head.

However, Mo Hua’s gaze gradually turned colder, and his expression still showed some disbelief.

The Lu Family Head… Lu Chengyun.

Joining through marriage…

If it was true that he had joined the family through marriage, then this Lu Chengyun was very likely the traitor from the Minor Hidden Spirit Sect!

But the question is, how is it possible?

The Lu Family is so extensive, with numerous legitimate heirs, why would they do such a thing?

Let someone who joined by marriage become the family head?

Or perhaps…

What did Lu Chengyun do to be able to go against all opposition and successfully become the head of the Lu Family?

This matter is more complicated than previously thought.

If the traitor from Minor Hidden Spirit Sect were merely an Elder or a sponsored guest, once exposed by Mo Hua, he could even use Lu Chengyun’s hand to eliminate him.

But now, this traitor could very well be the Lu Family Head himself.

From what it looks like now, being enemies with Lu Chengyun is equivalent to being at odds with the entire Lu Family.

Being enemies with the Lu Family…

Should he take down the entire Lu Family?

Mo Hua furrowed his brow, “This is a bit troublesome…”

Mo Hua was lost in thought for a long time, then suddenly remembered that right now Lu Chengyun was at the Su Mansion, ahead, discussing affairs with Elder Su over tea.

“I need to run first!”

Mo Hua made a decisive decision in his mind.

Lu Chengyun’s cultivation was profound, barely short of the middle phase of the Foundation Establishment stage.

Not to mention he was the traitor from the Minor Hidden Spirit Sect, he also understood Formation techniques, and was the Lu Family Head. Even if his Cultivation Technique and Taoist Skills weren’t as sophisticated as those of his juniors born into noble clans, they certainly wouldn’t be lacking.

Being alone, it is better not to take risks when unnecessary; the best thing to do is to make a clean getaway.

But he must not appear too anxious, lest he raise suspicion from Lu Chengyun.

After reminding Shuisheng a few more times, Mo Hua got up and left, heading to the front courtyard, and took his leave from Elder Su with great composure:

“Thank you for your hospitality, Elder Su. I’ve had my fill of tea and should return to study Formation techniques, so I won’t disturb you any longer.”

Elder Su stood up and said:

“Gentleman, you may come and go as you please, I won’t see you out.”

Mo Hua bowed respectfully and said, “Elder, you may stay.”

He then bowed to Lu Chengyun and said, “Excuse me.”

Lu Chengyun also bowed with a smile, “Gentleman, you’re too courteous.”

So Mo Hua, pretending to understand nothing, left Elder Su’s dwelling.

Watching Mo Hua’s small figure leave, Elder Su couldn’t help but smirk and shook his head in jest:

“Although he’s already a First Grade Formation Master, he’s still a child at heart. He’s probably tired of playing and thinking about going back…”

Lu Chengyun smiled gently as well.

But halfway through his smile, his expression suddenly stiffened, the smile lingering on his cheeks, while his eyes had lost all traces of mirth.

Once out of Su Mansion, Mo Hua began his trek back.

Although it looked slow, he was moving quickly.

Along the way, Mo Hua started planning his next steps.

He needed to find a way to confirm whether Lu Chengyun really joined by marriage.

If he did, then he was certainly the traitor from Minor Hidden Spirit Sect.

Then, he’d have to think of a way to call forth people to take down the Lu Family.

From his side, his master and Old Kui would probably not make a move.

That left only him, his Junior Brother, and Junior Sister.

At the Taoist Court, there was also Situ Fang.

Behind Situ Fang, stood the Situ Family.

But to stand against a force as powerful and deeply-entrenched as the Lu Family, the Situ Family might not be willing.

Even if they were willing, it’s unlikely they could mobilize enough cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage within the second-grade Minor Wilderness State Boundary.

Besides, the Court Leader in South Yue City has been corrupted by the Lu Family, taking the same side as them.

If he acted, he would definitely face their obstruction.

Appealing to the Taoist Court to call upon Taoist Soldiers would be a good method.

But this was not Tongxian City.

The Court Leader wasn’t on his side, so he expected difficulties.

“If all else fails…”

Mo Hua glanced at the Lu Family and silently thought:

“Should I use Formation Collapse to send the entire Lu family to heaven?”

But Mo Hua shook his head again, feeling that this was also not an ideal solution.

Once the Formation collapsed and the spiritual power reversed, everything would be annihilated, and likely no one from the Lu Family would survive.

Such killing was too heavy a sin.

The Lu Family deserved death, but not every clan member did.

Besides, his master had instructed him not to collapse Formations unless absolutely necessary.

Even if he did use it, he should ensure no one saw.

Mo Hua heaved a sigh.

It seemed he could only go back and make new plans.

Find a way to investigate Lu Chengyun’s background, figure out how he rose to power, why he wanted to buy zombies, store corpses in the mines, and what his schemes were.

Then find a way to plot his demise.

Take the Spirit Pivot Formation Chart from his hands!

Fetch revenge for Instructor Yan, settle the grudge with the Minor Hidden Spirit Sect, learn the complete Spiritual Pivot Formation, and master the true First Grade Twelve Pattern Ultimate Formation, comprehend the central structure of spiritual power, and further enhance the prowess of Divine Thought Manifestation…

Mo Hua was making meticulous calculations, walking and pondering at the same time.

But as he walked, Mo Hua suddenly froze.

He hesitated for a moment, then took a different path, making a big detour.

After walking for a while, Mo Hua stopped short again.

Then he turned left and circled another big round.

But after several detours, Mo Hua realized that no matter how much he circled, there was a Foundation Building Cultivator waiting for him ahead.

And unbeknownst to when, an Expose Shadow Formation had been set up all around him.

In the spots without the Expose Shadow Formation, Foundation Builders blocked the way, holding a compass-like Spiritual Artifact.

Mo Hua was not familiar with such a Spiritual Artifact.

But he guessed it was probably used to detect Hidden cultivators.

Eight Foundation Builders, more than ten Expose Shadow Formations, six sets of detection Spiritual Artifacts…

Mo Hua, reading the situation, refrained from using the Concealment Technique.

The street remained lively, with the surrounding cultivators oblivious to everything.

Mo Hua gritted his teeth and continued walking forward.

After a while, he saw Lu Chengyun not far ahead, sitting at a roadside tea stall, dressed in fine clothes.

Lu Chengyun was calmly drinking tea, with two Elders standing behind him, both of whom were at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Mo Hua brazenly pretended not to see him and walked forward on his own.

Even as he passed by Lu Chengyun, he didn’t so much as glance at him.

Lu Chengyun put down his tea cup and said somewhat helplessly, “Young Gentleman.”

Mo Hua continued to pretend he hadn’t heard.

Lu Chengyun had no choice but to shake his head, and the two Foundation Builders behind him blocked Mo Hua’s path and politely said:

“Young Gentleman, the Family Head requests your presence.”

Mo Hua was startled, “Family Head?”

He turned around, pretending to have just noticed Lu Chengyun, and expressed surprise:

“Lu Family Head, what brings you here? Weren’t you having tea with Elder Su?”

The acting was somewhat clumsy.

Lu Chengyun didn’t quite know what to say.

Mo Hua must have noticed him a long time ago. That was why he had taken such long detours, forcing him to circle around several times and set up several Expose Shadow Formations.

Lu Chengyun didn’t make an issue of it but instead chuckled:

“Young Gentleman, you don’t want to see me?”

Mo Hua feigned confusion, “Why would the Lu Family Head think that?”

“You’re avoiding me.”

“How could that be? Didn’t we just meet?”

“Just now…”

“Oh, just now I suddenly remembered I had forgotten to buy some things, so I took a different route to go shopping.”

Mo Hua’s hands were empty, but he lied without even blushing.

Lu Chengyun gave up.

This young gentleman was very shrewd and a bit of a cheeky rascal.

Continuing this back and forth with him here, he probably wouldn’t get a single serious word until evening.

Lu Chengyun decided to be straightforward:

“I’d like to ask the Young Gentleman to do me a favor.”

Mo Hua tactfully said, “The Lu Family is vast, and you, Family Head, have considerable cultivation. I’m just a minor cultivator, I’m afraid I can’t be of much help to you.”

Lu Chengyun shook his head, “This favor cannot be done without the Young Gentleman’s help.”

Mo Hua knew he couldn’t dodge any longer, so he said:

“Alright, what favor would you like me to help with?”

Lu Chengyun’s gaze turned cold as he calmly said:

“I’d like the Young Gentleman to help me with Corpse Refinement!”

Mo Hua blinked, “Refine stone?”

He nodded immediately, “Sure, what kind of stones are there on the mountain that you need my help with using a Formation to refine?”

Lu Chengyun was taken aback.

He really hadn’t expected that Mo Hua, despite his young age, could be so impudent.

Lu Chengyun sighed, “Not refine stone, refine corpses.”

“Refine what?”

“Corpses.”

“Corpses?” Mo Hua continued to feign ignorance, “What corpses? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lu Chengyun said, “You’re being too modest, Young Gentleman. You stole an Iron Corpse, dismantled it to study the Formation, how could you not know what a corpse is?”

Mo Hua inwardly panicked, realizing Lu Chengyun knew everything.

He likely couldn’t bluster his way through anymore.

Mo Hua could only say, “I only learn proper Formations, I don’t know how to refine corpses.”

“No matter,” Lu Chengyun chuckled, “It’s easy to learn. With the Young Gentleman’s talent, you’ll get it in no time.”

Mo Hua felt helpless.

It seems having too much talent can be a nuisance too.

No wonder they say a person dreads fame as a pig dreads fattening; once you’re known, you become a target.

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then puzzled, “But if it’s an Iron Corpse, you, Family Head, can refine it yourself. You shouldn’t need my help.”

Lu Chengyun fell silent for a moment, his graceful demeanor suddenly twisted into a sinister smile, revealing a row of white teeth, his eyes gleamed with chilling ambition:

“Not an Iron Corpse…”

“It’s a corpse that stands above the Iron Corpse… a stronger Zombie!”