Central Dao Court!
Mo Huaâs gaze hardened, asked: "Why would the Daoist Court come to investigate? What are they investigating? How are they investigating it?"
Wang Chenâs face was bitter, "This... you overestimate me, how could I possibly know..."
Mo Hua thought about it and agreed.
The Daoist Court intervening now must have deeper motives.
Wang Chen, a regular disciple of the Gui Water Sect, probably wouldnât know either.
"Then let me ask you again," Mo Hua pondered for a moment and continued, "What are these beautiful and fun things you mentioned? Where are they? What benefits do you gain by bringing us there?"
Wang Chen replied helplessly:
"I... I just took a job to earn some merit points."
"My senior brothers said if I bring disciples from the Eight Great Gates and Twelve Streams onto the ship, each head counted for two hundred merit points."
"Itâs just a flower boat, where people enjoy food, drinks, and games, nothing bad. Going there could even help form connections with fellow Daoists..."
Mo Hua sneered, "Itâs fine to fool others, but donât fool yourself."
Wang Chen said nothing.
But after a moment of reflection, his expression became cold, "You captured me... Do you have other motives? You donât truly want to board the ship."
Mo Hua was somewhat surprised.
This Wang Chen is not actually foolish.
Mo Hua then said calmly, "Do you dare to listen if I dare to tell you?"
Wang Chen was stunned.
Mo Huaâs voice was low, "In this matter, if you donât know, itâs fine. But if you do, it wonât be long before you find yourself in deep trouble, dying without knowing how."
Mo Hua wasnât lying to him.
Generally, someone like Wang Chen, once they learn a secret, they wonât survive for too long.
Thatâs how it always plays out in dramatic tales.
Wang Chen didnât dare question further.
He was born into the Wang family and grew up with Hao Xuan.
The Wang familyâs power isnât as great as the Hao familyâs. His status in the family is far from Hao Xuanâs, therefore he has always acted cautiously.
He is aware of certain taboo matters.
But although he stopped asking, itâs clear he doesnât want to say much either.
Mo Hua glanced at him and said calmly:
"Let me be honest with you, originally we intended to torture you, kill you quietly, and throw you into the river to feed the Water Demons, without anyone knowing, but Hao Xuan persuaded us otherwise..."
Hao Xuan was a bit shocked.
I persuaded them? How could I not know?
Mo Hua didnât blink, continuing to say:
"Hao Xuan said he grew up with you and couldnât bear to see you die tragically, buried in a demonâs stomach, and urged us to give you a chance, so we only knocked you out to ask questions. Otherwise, youâd be sunken in the river now..."
"Brother Xuan..."
Wang Chenâs gaze towards Hao Xuan was filled with a touch of gratitude.
Hao Xuan, however, was momentarily unsure of how to react.
"But..." Mo Huaâs face turned slightly solemn, "You should know what youâve been doing."
"If this continues, not only will you face bad consequences, but youâll certainly implicate the Wang family, bringing shame to your parents, dying disgracefully..."
Wang Chenâs face turned pale, "But, but..."
He lifted his head, glanced at Mo Hua, and chuckled bitterly, "The Sectâs atmosphere is like this, what can I do?"
Mo Hua shook his head, "The truth canât be hidden forever. If Gui Water Sect continues this way, it will end. You need to think carefully..."
Mo Hua quietly observed Wang Chen, "Once Gui Water Sect falls, surely a group of disciples will be purged. Do you think you can escape when that time comes?"
"This..."
Wang Chen lifted his head, looking at Mo Hua, discerning his voice and countenance.
Only then did he suddenly realize the person before him was the Taixu Sect disciple he saw earlier, looking attractive and youthful, feeling both surprised and puzzled.
"But... can you help me?"
Mo Hua said arrogantly, "I canât reveal my true identity to you for now. I can only say that behind me stands the Ancestor; among fellow disciples, my word is law; I have close ties with numerous Elders; and connections within the Taoist Court..."
Mo Hua exaggerated his influence, embellishing his own image.
But Hao Xuan and the others knew he was speaking the truth.
Wang Chen was also fooled by Mo Huaâs words.
"If you help me with something, in case Gui Water Sect gets exposed, I can protect you through the Taoist Court." Mo Hua stated firmly.
Wang Chen replied hesitantly, "Really?"
"Donât you trust me, but at least trust Hao Xuan?" Mo Hua said.
Hao Xuan finally came to his senses, nodded, and sighed, "We are saving you. If you get too deep, thereâs no turning back."
Wang Chen was somewhat swayed, "But, Iâm only an ordinary disciple, I canât do much..."
"No worries," Mo Hua said, "Itâs just some small matters, wonât trouble you."
Wang Chen was still torn, "Can I... go back and consider it?"
"Sure," Mo Hua said, "But you mustnât tell anyone about today, or it will leak, and no one can save you."
Wang Chen nodded.
Mo Hua gave Cheng Mo a glance, and Cheng Mo released Wang Chen.
Wang Chen found it surprising that Cheng Mo really let him go. He glanced at everyone, then nervously left, unsure of what he was thinking.
Watching Wang Chenâs departing figure, Situ Jian frowned and asked, "Junior Brother, do you think heâll really help us?"
"Doesnât matter," Mo Hua said.
Situ Jian was taken aback.
Mo Hua said, "If he agrees, itâll ease things with Gui Water Sect. If not, I have other ways, it might just be more troublesome."
"However, if he doesnât agree, when things get exposed, he can only hope for the best on his own."
Cheng Mo and Situ Jian nodded.
But Hao Xuan seemed a bit uneasy.