Chapter 76 Zhang Lan_1 Translator: 549690339 As long as I’m not interrogated by Mo Hua, there’s nothing to be afraid of. The man in green regained his composure and silently swore to himself that he wouldn’t show off when there was no need to do so next time. Especially before showing off to such a seemingly cute and well-behaved little cultivator who held a book in his hands, one should at least make sure to see what book he is holding. “Uncle, are you a Formation Master?” Mo Hua couldn’t help but ask. “No, why bother being a Formation Master if it’s not necessary?” the man shook his head. “You’re not a Formation Master, yet you know so much. You’re really amazing,” Mo Hua sincerely praised him. “It’s alright, these things are simple, they are not a big deal,” the man in green said, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “Then can I still ask you questions in the future?” Mo Hua asked. “No!” The man panicked inside and blurted out a refusal, then immediately feeling that it was inappropriate, he explained more earnestly, 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖 “Uncle is quite busy, too, and I might not always be available. Moreover, the path of Tao cultivation always values the transmission of knowledge, and knowledge should not be imparted lightly. As we are neither relatives nor friends, I’m not at liberty to discuss more about formation knowledge…” “Besides, I might not be able to answer your questions…” the man added silently in his heart. Mo Hua felt a little disappointed, but he could still ask the Bai siblings and Mr. Zhuang, so he didn’t mind too much. Mo Hua opened the “Initial Understanding of Compound Formation” and continued to read further. The man in green, fearing that Mo Hua might come across something he didn’t understand and ask him about it, made small talk, “Where is your father?” “He went up the mountain for monster hunting.” “Monster Hunting? Are there many cultivators nearby who live off monster hunting?” “That’s right. The land here isn’t fertile, and resources are scarce; only monster beasts run rampant, so most cultivators make their living by hunting monsters,” Mo Hua explained, then curiously asked, “Uncle, what do you do?” “I work for the Taoist Court,” the man replied. Mo Hua opened his mouth wide in surprise—it was the Taoist Court… The Taoist Court unified the Nine State and was the largest force in the Cultivation World, somewhat similar to the imperial court in a feudal dynasty, with the most powerful authority. The Taoist Court also gathered the most powerful cultivators of the Nine State. The Taoist Court was located in Taoist State at the center of Nine State, the hub of the Cultivation World. The rest of the state boundaries each had a Taoist Court, which managed specific affairs, including the Spirit Stone tax, Earth and Wood projects, Tao Cultivation industries, and law and order. In other words, it was a “secure job,” “eating the imperial grain!” The status of Taoist Court cultivators goes without saying, and even for those serving in a local Taoist Court, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime dream for many cultivators. Mo Hua’s astonished look somewhat flattered the man, making him feel he regained some of his dignity. “So, are you here drinking to slack off?” Mo Hua asked curiously. The man in green corrected him, “This is called inspecting the local geography and customs of the cultivators in this state boundary.” “Oh,” Mo Hua’s expression was a bit perfunctory, clearly not convinced. “Aren’t you afraid of the Court Leader from the Taoist Court scolding you?” The man chuckled softly, “No worries. Even if he says something, I’ll act as if I didn’t hear it.” Mo Hua nodded, “I understand.” “What do you understand?” the man wondered. After thinking for a moment, Mo Hua replied, “If I’m not mistaken, you must be a family disciple, right?” The man raised an eyebrow, and Mo Hua continued, “I guess the family isn’t small either. Coming to Tongxian City here, you’re either exiled for making a mistake, or you’re sent to experience life in our small place for a while, before going back.” The man in green was taken aback, “How can you tell all this?” Mo Hua smirked, pointing to the patrons nearby, “There are many who come from the north and south here, and with so many customers, all sorts of gossip can be heard when it’s bustling. As for the children from big families, there are only a few possibilities for their coming here.” The man in green gave Mo Hua a look-over, “You seem so behaved, yet you’re quite shrewd.” Mo Hua chuckled, then quietly asked, “What did you do wrong to be kicked out by your clan?” “What nonsense are you spouting!” The man was a bit miffed. “Then why is that?” Mo Hua inquired. The man sighed, assuming a rather self-indulgent air as he said: “I won’t hide it from you, I just happen to come from a good family, have higher talent, and look a bit more handsome. Some ladies from prestigious clans see me once and are smitten, insisting on marrying me to become my Tao partner. I find it bothersome, so I came out to hide and look for some peace…” Mo Hua looked at him with a face full of skepticism. “You don’t believe me?” “No,” Mo Hua nodded. “What part don’t you believe?” “That ‘one glance and smitten’ stuff; even the street storytellers don’t spin that kind of trite tale anymore, it doesn’t fool anyone. Erhu’s dad was deceived by a woman just like that, ended up abandoning his wife and children, got his kidneys removed, and no one knows where he’s buried now.” The man in blue: “…” “So if a lady tells you she’s smitten with one glance, she’s definitely tricking you, and you need to be careful.” The man in blue was left looking dumbstruck. “However, there’s another possibility,” Mo Hua said. “What possibility?” the man couldn’t help asking. “That you love ’em and leave ’em, toy with people’s feelings, then don’t want to take responsibility to marry them, so you ran off to hide away…” The man nearly spat out a mouthful of blood in frustration, “What ‘love ’em and leave ’em’? What ‘toying with feelings’? How old are you exactly? What’s filling up that little head of yours?” “Although my experiences are limited, I’ve read many stories,” Mo Hua insisted with conviction, “The Cultivation World is perilous; the more you know, the less likely you’ll be deceived in the future.” The man was both amused and irritated, “You’re quite an interesting talker for a little kid.” Mo Hua was quite serious, “Uncle, I’m just looking out for you, as the saying goes, ‘He who takes advice gets ahead.’” Zhang Lan had mixed feelings and didn’t know what to say for a moment. After a while, he suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, what’s your name?” “Mo Hua.” “Mo Hua?” The man glanced at Mo Hua’s fair face and delicate features, feeling that the name indeed suited him. “Uncle, what’s your name?” Mo Hua asked in return. “Zhang Lan.” “Scumbag?” Mo Hua repeated. Zhang Lan choked on his drink, coughed for a long time, and then, gritting his teeth, corrected: “Zhang! Lan! The Zhang from ‘to change,’ and the Lan from ‘against the wave’! Not ‘Scumbag’!” “If you say it’s not, then it’s not; why are you shouting?” Mo Hua muttered. Zhang Lan felt silly for having gotten worked up with a child, and from his Storage Bag, he took out a Jade Pendant and tossed it to Mo Hua, “Here, for you.” Mo Hua shook his head, “I can’t accept rewards without merits; I can’t take your things.” “You treated me to a drink; I’m giving you the Jade Pendant. Keep it, I’ll come look for you again to hang out next time.” Zhang Lan waved his hand, about to leave, then suddenly turned back and asked, “Just to confirm, what’s your Cultivation level?” “Qi Refinement, fourth layer!” Mo Hua was even a bit proud. Only Qi Refinement fourth layer, huh… Zhang Lan sighed. Thinking of the earlier Compound Formation, forget it, it gave him a headache just to think about it. Zhang Lan waved his hand and hastily left.