Elder Yu frowned and said, "When the Chief Elder of the Qian Family died, no, perhaps it’s more accurate to say feigned death, I was still young, and my cultivation was not high. I only saw him from a distance a few times, witnessing him exchange blows with the now-deceased Monster Hunt Elder a few times." "In everyone’s understanding, the Chief Elder of the Qian Family was dead, so when I encountered him at Black Mountain Stronghold, I didn’t think in that direction at the moment." "But if, as Mo Hua said, the Patriarch of the Qian Family is indeed the Camp Leader of the Black Mountain Stronghold, then this Householder, is very likely, the supposed dead Chief Elder!" Elder Yu paused to reflect, then continued: "Moreover, on the day we attacked the Black Mountain Stronghold, I fought with this Householder. He had one arm without spiritual power, like an iron limb fitted afterwards, and the Chief Elder of the Qian Family back then had lost an arm." Everyone’s faces looked as grim as water. The Patriarch of the Qian Family is the Camp Leader, the Householder is the Qian Family’s Chief Elder. That being so, everything made sense. The Qian Family concocted a deception, feigning the death of the Chief Elder to become the Householder of the Black Mountain Stronghold, recruiting sin cultivators, practicing evil skills, and refining Human Pills. The Patriarch of the Qian Family then used the substantial family resources to secretly support and establish the vast Black Mountain Stronghold, allowing it to grow stronger step by step. This matter was known to very few in the Qian Family, and not many evil cultivators in the Black Mountain Stronghold were aware either. The Patriarch of the Qian Family could thus stay hidden in the shadows, so that even if the Black Mountain Stronghold was eradicated and most evil cultivators were either killed or captured, no one would suspect him. Because most of the evil cultivators didn’t know he existed. And if the Black Mountain Stronghold wasn’t eradicated... Then the Patriarch of the Qian Family could use the Human Life Pill to extend his life, surviving in this world; meanwhile, the Qian Family would always have the support of the Black Mountain Stronghold in the shadows, establishing an undefeatable position. No matter how much loss the Qian Family suffered openly, with just a little endurance, they would always be able to rise again. Near Tongxian City, there were no forces capable of contending with the Black Mountain Stronghold. "What a profound scheme..." Elder Yu lamented. Yang Jiyong and Zhang Lan also nodded with serious expressions. Elder Yu sighed again, "The Patriarch of the Qian Family was eccentric and vengeful when he was young. In his later years, he became much more low-profile. I thought it was because he was nearing death, so his competitive spirit faded, but I didn’t realize that he was biding his time, playing such a long game." Mo Hua also pondered: "So is this why the Qian Family has endured so many losses these past years, with much uproar but little impact, and lightly glossed over it... all because they were afraid their secret would be exposed, so they remained low-profile and endured?" It began with Qian Xing getting injured by an explosion, which the Qian Family didn’t investigate thoroughly; Losing the competition for spiritual mines afterward; Failing in the competition with Refinery Shops and Alchemist’s Businesses; And lastly, failing to kill Mo Hua, with his exceptional talent for Formation... All of these setbacks were endured by the Qian Family. Because the foundation of the Qian Family wasn’t the cultivators, the Spirit Stones, Artifact Refining and Alchemy businesses, or disputes over Formation; it was the Black Mountain Stronghold, nourishing hundreds of evil cultivators. The most important thing for the Qian Family was to keep this detail concealed. Once they let the situation escalate, attracting more attention, someone with a keen eye might detect this clue, unravel the mystery, and draw out their connection with the Black Mountain Stronghold. The Taoist Court would surely dispatch Taoist soldiers to eradicate the Black Mountain Stronghold! And the Qian Family would be accused of collusion with evildoers, resulting in their assets being seized and their clan exiled, scattering to the winds! The hundreds of years of the Qian Family’s operations would all be destroyed in an instant! Everyone felt both shocked and fearful, a chill in their hearts. Yang Jiyong remarked, "This Patriarch of the Qian Family is fortunate to only be in the small place of Tongxian City, and also fortunate to only have reached Foundation Establishment. If he were in a higher-ranking state boundary, with a higher level of cultivation, I suspect he would be an inscrutable Demon Head." Mo Hua nodded in agreement. The cunning and shrewdness of the Patriarch of the Qian Family were far beyond what Qian Hong knew. In comparison, the only talent Qian Hong had was perhaps endurance, much like an old turtle... Mo Hua asked, "Uncle Yang, is it possible to mobilize the Taoist soldiers to deal with the Patriarch of the Qian Family?" Yang Jiyong contemplated for a moment, then slowly said: "Originally, according to the orders from the Taoist soldiers Court, we were to set off tomorrow, but now, given the urgency, I will write to the Taoist soldiers Court and request a delay of a few days." Mo Hua was overjoyed, and Yang Jiyong continued: "However, it’s best to confirm once more if the Patriarch of the Qian Family is indeed the Camp Leader of the Black Mountain Stronghold and if he truly has a relationship with it, to avoid any misunderstanding." Mo Shan thought for a moment, then said, "We could try asking that Second Householder." Zhang Lan shook his head and said, "He’s half mad, knows nothing at all." "We don’t need him to tell us much, just need to confirm whether Black Mountain Stronghold has a Camp Leader or not. If he reacts to the mention of ’Camp Leader,’ then it means Black Mountain Stronghold indeed has a Camp Leader, and the suspicion towards the Patriarch of the Qian Family grows stronger," Mo Shan explained. Zhang Lan’s eyes brightened, and he nodded, "That could work." Mo Hua thought for a while and then said, "Then I’ll go ask Old Master An. He’s been in both open and secret conflict with the Qian Family for so many years; he must know something of the inner workings." Elder Yu said, "I will also ask some of the elders in the city to see if there are any clues." After agreeing on their plan, everyone went their separate ways to carry it out. Yang Jiyong submitted a report to the Taoist soldiers Court, while the others went to gather information on their own. Mo Hua went straight to the An Family. The guards at the An Family recognized Mo Hua, respectfully leading him to the An Family’s parlor. Someone presented a cup of high-quality tea, asking Mo Hua to wait for a moment. Mo Hua took a sip of the tea and found it delicious, but couldn’t quite place why. He took a few more sips, still finding it utterly bewildering. And whenever Mo Hua finished his cup, someone would come over and personally refill it for him. After the second cup of tea was refilled, Old Master An finally came out and apologized: "Busy with mundane affairs, I’ve made you wait for quite some time." Mo Hua also performed a greeting, and said, "Old Master An, you are too polite." Old Master An sat down and took a sip of tea before asking: "For what matter does Mo Hua pay a visit?’ Mo Hua glanced around the room. Old Master An understood and proceeded to dismiss everyone nearby, making sure there were no outsiders in or around the parlor. He then said: "Now, we can talk." Mo Hua nodded and asked, "Old Master An, are you familiar with the Patriarch of the Qian Family?" Old Master An looked slightly taken aback, "You could say that, but our relations are not good. The confrontations between the An Family and the Qian Family, whether openly or in secret, are well-known in Tongxian City." "Why has the An Family never beaten the Qian Family?" Mo Hua inquired. A sour feeling arose in Old Master An’s heart. He was unwilling to admit that the An Family couldn’t beat the Qian Family, even if it was indeed the case, nor would he swallow such pride. On usual days, no other Cultivator dared to ask him such a question to his face. But Mo Hua was an exception. If he asked, then he asked. Old Master An sighed and said truthfully: "The Qian Family is crafty and ruthless. Our An Family cannot bring ourselves to be as cruel, and so naturally, we cannot beat them." "Is the Patriarch of the Qian Family also ruthless?" Old Master An’s gaze turned icy, "The most ruthless of all, cold-hearted and vengeful, he has harmed countless lives... but heaven sees everything. He’s aging rapidly, his Blood Qi declining. Now, he’s doing well just to keep breathing." There was a hint of schadenfreude in Old Master An’s tone. Mo Hua thought to himself that, in all likelihood, he’s not only not aged, but his Blood Qi has not declined, and instead, his life has been extended; breathing just fine, indeed... Mo Hua fell silent for a moment, then asked the question he cared about most: 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞 "Old Master An, have caravans from your An Family ever disappeared in Big Black Mountain?" Old Master An started, his eyes shone with incredulity as he looked at Mo Hua and said: "How did you know?" Seeing Old Master An’s expression, Mo Hua thought to himself that it was as he suspected, then said: "Could you tell me the details of the incident? Afterward, I’ll tell you how I came to know of it." Old Master An’s brow furrowed deeply, and after a long contemplation, he slowly exhaled: "Very well, it’s all old history now, no harm in telling you... Mo Hua cradled the teacup, listening attentively.