The Quest for Immortality

Taixu Gate.

Mo Hua, while cultivating and attending lectures, was silently waiting.

Waiting for Elder Xun to come look for him.

Logically speaking, about the matter of the demon cultivator, Mo Hua had informed Elder Song, who then passed it on to Elder Xun.

Elder Xun was the Elder on duty at Refining Demon Mountain.

Both emotionally and rationally, he should have come to question me and inquire about the specific details.

After all, the matter of the demon cultivator is no trivial matter, especially since it’s taking place within Refining Demon Mountain.

Yet Mo Hua waited for a long time, and still there was no movement.

The entire Sect seemed to act as if it wasn’t of any importance.

Elder Xun didn’t come to look for him either.

Mo Hua touched his chin, lost in thought.

The fact that he didn’t come to me indicates two possible reasons:

First, this Elder Xun might be a ”troublemaker,” neglecting his duties and completely indifferent to the affairs of Refining Demon Mountain, simply wanting to muddle through.

But that doesn’t make sense.

The matter of the demon cultivator is extremely serious—even if Elder Xun were to neglect his duties, it’s impossible that he wouldn’t recognize the severity of the problem.

Moreover, his surname is Xun and he’s a descendant of Elder Master Xun.

With Elder Master Xun’s strict nature, if this Elder Xun were truly so idle and lazy, he wouldn’t even qualify to be an Elder.

Then it must be the second possibility:

The matter of the demon cultivator, this Elder Xun must have already known long ago.

In fact... he could have been watching all along.

Because he already knows, there’s no longer any need for him to come ask me.

This, to some extent, confirms Mo Hua’s hypothesis.

Mo Hua’s eyes glimmered as his thoughts began to stir...

...

Refining Demon Mountain, the main hall at the mountain gate.

It was the time for the tri-monthly rest period, when disciples from various sects would hunt for monsters in the mountains.

Xun Ziyou had also arrived early for his duty.

As was customary, two hours later, Mo Hua would arrive at the mountain gate, and then either in groups of three to five or alone, idly head into the mountain.

Once inside, he might hunt monsters, practice sword techniques, or tinker with some strange and peculiar activities.

Before that, however, Xun Ziyou had some time on his hands to brew a pot of tea, enjoy the mountain scenery, and browse through the bulletins sent by the Taoist Court to check on the latest developments in the Barbaric Wilderness.

As Xun Ziyou entered the mountain gate, brewed his tea, and had just taken his seat, he glanced out of the window—and instantly his hand trembled, spilling tea all over the place.

A handsome face was suspended right outside the window.

Mo Hua was leaning on the windowsill, staring at him intently.

Xun Ziyou took a deep breath, his eyelid twitching, and snapped, ”You brat, what are you doing this early in the morning?”

He had just been brewing his tea, feeling relaxed and leisurely, completely unaware that there would be a Mo Hua at the window.

Mo Hua placed both hands on the windowsill, looking serious as he spoke:

”Elder Xun, I have something very important to discuss with you!”

Xun Ziyou was momentarily startled, then sighed lightly and beckoned him inside: ”Come in.”

Mo Hua promptly jumped off the windowsill and walked into the room.

”Tea?” Xun Ziyou asked.

Mo Hua nodded.

”Sit,” Xun Ziyou said, and then personally poured Mo Hua a cup of tea. ”Go ahead. What’s this important matter?”

Mo Hua sipped the tea, found it flavorful but a bit too hot, so he silently set the cup down. Then, with a solemn expression, he got straight to the point:

”Elder Xun, there’s a dangerous demon cultivator in Refining Demon Mountain!”

Xun Ziyou paused in disbelief.

Turns out it’s just this, making it seem so dramatic.

”Oh,” Xun Ziyou replied softly.

”Elder, you already knew?”

Mo Hua’s gaze was sharp, his eyes clear and piercing, staring directly at Xun Ziyou’s expression.

For some unknown reason, Xun Ziyou felt oddly uneasy under Mo Hua’s scrutiny, and reflexively responded:

”Not yet...”

”But,” Mo Hua’s eyes lit up. ”Didn’t Elder Song already mention it to you?”

Xun Ziyou froze.

Oh no, he had forgotten about that...

Elder Song had indeed mentioned it to him.

But since he had known about this long before, he had merely brushed it off and not given much thought to it.

Now, however, things looked contradictory.

He couldn’t reveal his covert tracking of Mo Hua, so he couldn’t admit he knew about the demon cultivator.

But Elder Song had said something to him earlier, so he ”should” already be aware of the demon cultivator.

Xun Ziyou’s head started to ache.

Great, I’ve been set up by this brat!

His mind raced, and he solemnly replied:

”Elder Song did mention it, but this matter is quite dangerous. It’s not something you disciples should concern yourselves with, so it cannot be disclosed to you.”

Xun Ziyou then glanced at the sky outside and said, ”It’s getting late. You’d best get into the mountain early and return early...”

Xun Ziyou wanted to quickly send Mo Hua away.

”Alright,” Mo Hua nodded, finished the tea in his cup, stood up, and left.

Xun Ziyou let out a sigh of relief.

This brat, so young, yet how is he like such a ”wise fox”? Talking to him always feels like walking on thin ice.

Anyway, I managed to bluff my way through it.

Xun Ziyou thought silently to himself.

But Mo Hua only got halfway out before turning back, his gaze deep and contemplative as he looked at Xun Ziyou.

Xun Ziyou tensed up and asked, ”What now?”

Mo Hua thought for a moment and asked:

”Elder Xun, the demon cultivator has burrowed into a nearby forest. Later, when I go there to have a look, will you join me?”

Xun Ziyou’s eyelid twitched. After hesitating for a moment, he finally let out a sigh.

”Alright.”

This brat is full of tricks—if he really decides to go, I won’t be able to stop him.

Rather than letting him go alone, it’d be safer to accompany him.

Besides, Mo Hua had formally invited him.

His participation would be in the capacity of Elder Xun, officially investigating the demon cultivator case alongside Mo Hua.

Not merely acting as a covert ”bodyguard.”

Therefore, it wouldn’t count as breaking the secrecy or violating the Ancestor’s orders.

Xun Ziyou justified to himself internally.

”Elder Xun, let’s set off then,” Mo Hua said and swaggered out in front.