Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Going Home _1 Elder Yu cursed Qian Hong out loud again. The emotionally unstable Qian Hong couldn’t hold back anymore and looked like he was about to lash out disregardful of the consequences. Just then, the cultivators from the Taoist Court arrived. Elder Yu had someone notify the Taoist Court in advance, fearing that the Qian Family would be reckless. The ten or so people from the Taoist Court were led by the highest-ranking Court Leader, along with the Deputy Court Leader and several Supervisors. Zhang Lan was also among them. With the Taoist Court’s intervention, it meant the matter was settled. Qian Hong could only lead the Qian Family disciples away resentfully. His expression was spiteful as if he had no intention of letting the matter rest. His eyes were cold as he glanced at Elder Yu, then they passed over Mo Hua and swept across the other Monster Hunters. He was continuously speculating in his heart. Which among the Monster Hunters was the Formation Master that had made him suffer so much? All the Monster Hunters present were suspects, but Mo Hua, who was in his early teens, was the first one excluded by him. In Qian Hong’s mind, a Formation Master capable of drawing a First-grade Formation would, if not white-haired, at least be well into his years and have a cultivation of no less than the Qi Refining Ninth Level. In terms of both age and cultivation, Mo Hua was not yet worth his attention. Seeing that Qian Hong’s gaze didn’t linger on Mo Hua, Elder Yu didn’t care and let him keep guessing. “Guess away. If you can guess this one, I swear, from now on, I will treat people with courtesy and will never curse again in my life!” Elder Yu inwardly declared. Not to mention whether Qian Hong could guess it or not, even now that he knew Mo Hua could draw a First-grade Formation, it still felt like a dream to him. If Mo Hua hadn’t repeatedly drawn formations before his eyes, he would hardly dare to believe it. A Formation Master in his early teens was simply inconceivable. Even if Qian Hong racked his brain, he would not be able to guess it. After the Qian Family left, Elder Yu discussed matters with the Court Leader of the Taoist Court. Zhang Lan glanced over and saw Mo Hua again, and couldn’t help but sigh in his heart. Mo Hua, how come you’re involved wherever there is trouble… So many spectacles, and you haven’t missed a single one. Mo Hua noticed Zhang Lan too and blinked at him, her bright, large eyes twinkling. Zhang Lan shook his head, somewhat helplessly. After Elder Yu finished talking with the Court Leader, his mood seemed pleased. He then let everyone go home to rest first and said they would deal with the rest of the matters later. Mo Hua then went home with Mo Shan. Liu Ruhua was tidying up the bowls and dishes at the entrance of the restaurant, her eyes occasionally looking towards the road with a mix of hope and anxiety. Soon, Mo Shan appeared at the crossroads, holding Mo Hua’s hand. Liu Ruhua hurriedly put down the bowls and plates, ran out of the restaurant, and embraced Mo Hua tightly, as if afraid that she would disappear in the blink of an eye. Mo Hua felt somewhat embarrassed and said with a blushing face, “Mother, I’m okay.” Liu Ruhua then carefully examined Mo Hua and, upon seeing that he was unharmed and his complexion was not bad, just a little thinner, her heart settled. She then felt a bit pained and asked, “Staying in there for so long, you must have not been able to eat enough. Did you finish all the food mother prepared for you?” Mo Hua patted his empty storage bag, “All finished!” Liu Ruhua then nodded her head, “You’re young; you need to eat more.” “Mhm, mhm,” Mo Hua agreed. Liu Ruhua took another careful look at Mo Hua, and then spoke softly with a smile, “Hungry, right? Mother has made you lots of delicious food.” Mo Hua’s eyes lit up, and she spoke with a clear voice, “Mother is the best!” Liu Ruhua’s smile bloomed like a flower as she led Mo Hua into the restaurant. Left standing on the side all this while, Mo Shan shook his head helplessly in place. Mo Hua ate heartily, took a bath, changed into clean clothes, and then lay on the bed and fell sound asleep. During the days he had guarded the mines, although he had not engaged in direct combat, he had used spells for sneak attacks and Drawing Formations to counter the enemy, which left him physically and mentally exhausted. Now that he had returned home and was free from worries, it was natural for him to enjoy a good sleep. Liu Ruhua brought some wild fruits and pastries for Mo Hua to eat. When she entered the room and saw Mo Hua sleeping soundly, his cheeks puffed out, evidently dreaming about eating something, she couldn’t help but smile and shake her head. She placed the wild fruits on the table, tucked in the corners of Mo Hua’s blanket, and couldn’t resist taking a few more glances at her son before quietly leaving the room. When Mo Hua woke up, he rubbed his eyes and realized it was already dark outside. Hearing voices, Mo Hua went into the living room and saw Elder Yu and Yu Chengyi discussing something with Mo Shan. Elder Yu saw Mo Hua, smiled warmly, and beckoned him over. Mo Hua was somewhat puzzled, “Elder, what are you discussing?” Elder Yu said, “We’re discussing the distribution of Spirit Stones.” “Can I listen too?” Elder Yu nodded, “You have a share in it as well.” Mo Hua brought over a small stool to sit on, and Elder Yu continued: “We’ve finished mining the Spiritual mines, but the Spirit Stones extracted are impure and irregular; they can’t be used directly. They must be handed over to the Taoist Court, and exchanged for standard Spirit Stones issued by the Court at a certain ratio. These Spirit Stones are pure and well-crafted, suitable for both circulation and cultivation…” “Of course, the Court takes a cut, and the Taoist Court needs to take some Spirit Stones for facilitation. Even so, the substantial amount of Spirit Stones that will be in our hands will be a huge sum.” “According to the contribution, the mined Spirit Stones will be distributed in four categories—Class A, B, C, D—and dispensed monthly to all Monster Hunters for their cultivation and daily needs.” “Among these, Mo Shan qualifies for Class A contribution and will thus receive Class A allocation of Spirit Stones, Mo Hua, you’re also Class A.” Mo Hua was slightly surprised, “I’m Class A too?” Elder Yu nodded and said, “In fact, you should have received more, but considering that your family already has two Class A shares, it wouldn’t be fair to give more.” In Elder Yu’s heart, Mo Hua’s contributions were far beyond Class A. Whether it was using the Fireball Technique to push back the Qian Family’s Spiritual Cultivators, forcing Hidden Cultivators out of hiding, or using Formations to aid their defense and escape, his actions were crucial to the battle. But according to the traditions of Monster Hunters, they could give no more than Class A share, and Elder Yu could not break the rule. Mo Hua wasn’t too concerned about it; he was happy to have the Class A share. After all, although he managed to cast Spells and draw Formations from the background, it was the others who fought directly and faced the battle head-on. The Monster Hunters bled, got injured, and fought desperately. Mo Hua had only offered help from the sidelines. Soon, Mo Hua’s thought shifted, and his face showed a hint of sorrow, “Many have sacrificed this time…” Elder Yu patted Mo Hua’s head, “Deaths and injuries are inevitable, you shouldn’t dwell on it.” While Mo Hua understood this, he still felt saddened. Elder Yu said, “Death is part of life; one may die of natural causes, misfortune, or hunting Monster Beasts. Comparatively, dying while defending the Spiritual mines means their families will receive more compensation. It’s the best outcome possible.” Mo Hua nodded silently. Elder Yu looked at Mo Hua and sighed, “Suffering is unavoidable. For many years, Monster Hunters have lived through it. As humans, we must always look ahead.” Mo Hua nodded, “Elder, I understand.” Elder Yu felt reassured and said no more. But Mo Hua understood that the root of all suffering came from weakness. If he were powerful enough, the Qian Family wouldn’t be worth fearing at all, and if his Formations were strong enough, the Qian Family would be no match for him either. If only his Formations were strong enough… Mo Hua’s eyes were firm, and he vowed silently in his heart: “One day, within my Formations, no Cultivator will ever bleed or die again!”