Chapter 222: Chapter 221 Patrol (Fifth Update)_1
Mo Hua returned home, took out the gifts from his storage bag, and handed them to his parents to help keep safe.
Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua exchanged a glance, both somewhat astonished.
They didn’t know when it started, but the number of cultivators with whom Mo Hua was acquainted had grown so large, and most were figures of status in Tongxian City, like Court Leaders, Supervisors, Family Heads, Elders, Formation Masters, and the like….
To receive so many gifts for the New Year.
Whenever Mo Hua went out, he brought back some gifts, and when he didn’t, people would still deliver presents to his house.
The gifts, big and small, almost filled the house to capacity.
Mo Hua set the storage bag down, collapsed into a chair, and sighed like an adult, “So busy!”
Liu Ruhua watched and couldn’t help but smile.
Then Mo Hua said, “Mom, I’m hungry.”
“Save some room for dinner tonight. I’ll get you some osmanthus cake; just have a little bit.”
“Okay,” Mo Hua nodded.
Liu Ruhua brought Mo Hua some osmanthus cake and poured a cup of tea, asking,
“Have all the gifts from others been returned? Have you properly thanked them?”
Mo Hua thought for a moment, silently reviewed in his mind, and said,
“I’ve returned the ones that needed returning, and I’ve given thanks for the others. Now I can celebrate the New Year with peace of mind.”
Afterward, Mo Hua was much more at ease, and he didn’t have to run around anymore. He stayed at home, contentedly waiting for the New Year.
Mo Hua still woke up early each day to sit in meditation and practice cultivation, then spent some time drawing formations, reading Formation Books, and still practiced formations on the Taoist Stele at night.
With the rest of his time, Mo Hua kept his parents company.
On the day of the festival, the family joyfully had their reunion dinner.
Liu Ruhua made many delicious dishes, and sure enough, Mo Hua overate and then sighed, taking out two Digestion Pills given by Old Mr. Feng.
“Grandpa Feng truly is foresighted,” Mo Hua mused to himself.
The next day began with New Year’s visits, and then in the evening, they strolled through the fair, an event that continued up to the Lantern Festival. Each night, the entire Tongxian City would have a bustling fair to enjoy.
Normally, the fair wouldn’t last this long, but this year was special with the discovery of spiritual mines, and the establishment of Refinery Shops and Alchemist’s Businesses, as well as the Fulu Building.
The Loose Cultivators’ lives had improved, and they had more spirit stones to spare, so the New Year celebrations were drawn out a bit longer.
They no longer had to worry about hustling for their livelihood right after the New Year as before.
Mo Hua also took the chance to relax, strolling the streets aimlessly, and made time to visit the Fulu Building to see An Xiaofu.
The Fulu Building was packed during the festival, with An Xiaofu bustling about nonstop.
When Mo Hua saw him, he was sitting in the hall, holding a teapot, guzzling tea vigorously.
Despite being tired, he appeared much more spirited and cheerful.
However, he still seemed rather plump, not having slimmed down much.
It’s probably because even though he was busy, he also ate a lot.
After leaving the Fulu Building, Mo Hua ran into Zhang Lan on the street.
Zhang Lan, a member of a clan, didn’t take leave to go home for the New Year.
He knew some people here, but he didn’t have many friends; the only one he could really talk to was Mo Hua. So, seeing Mo Hua made Zhang Lan quite happy, and he pulled Mo Hua along to roam the streets.
“Take a look and see if there’s anything delicious or fun; I’ll treat you!” boasted Zhang Lan generously.
“Thank you, Uncle Zhang,” said Mo Hua, then added with some confusion,
“Uncle Zhang, you’re not that young anymore; isn’t it a bit inappropriate to be playing with a kid like me instead of settling down and starting a family?”
“It’s called maintaining the heart of a child,” Zhang Lan said.
“An undiminished childlike heart?”
Zhang Lan ruffled Mo Hua’s hair, “Whatever you say seems to lose its meaning.”
Mo Hua covered his head, somewhat displeased, “That’s called being annoyed into anger.”
“Fine, I can’t win against you,” Zhang Lan said helplessly, then sighed, “What’s so good about settling down and starting a family?”
Mo Hua’s eyes flitted about as she pondered, then asked, “Are you trying to avoid matrimonial matters?”
Zhang Lan was taken aback. “Why do you say that?”
“Xiaofu told me about the clan’s marriage arrangements. They emphasize matching Spiritual Roots—coercing, no that’s not right, forcing marriages without letting you have a say.”
Mo Hua looked at Zhang Lan and said, “You’ve run so far away and don’t want to go back; you must be trying to avoid a marriage arranged by the clan, to a woman you don’t like, doomed to a life of gloom and solitude.”
After saying this, Mo Hua nodded, thinking her speculation perfectly reasonable.
Zhang Lan sighed, “You’re partially right, but not entirely. I just don’t want to go back to the clan.”
“Not even for the New Year?”
Zhang Lan said seriously, “I am now a Supervisor of the Taoist Court, and it is my duty to maintain the stability of Tongxian City. On such an important day as the festival, how could I possibly go back?”
“Isn’t the Taoist Court busy? How can they afford to let you wander around ?”
Zhang Lan said displeased, “I am on duty, not wandering around aimlessly. The Court Leader knows and wouldn’t say anything.”
“Really?” Mo Hua was skeptical.
Mo Hua uttered an “Oh,” then pointed behind Zhang Lan, “The Court Leader seems to be calling you over. He appears unaware that you’re ‘on duty’.”
Zhang Lan’s body stiffened instantly as he slowly turned his head and indeed saw the Court Leader signaling to him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.
The inspection by the Court Leader was a routine of the Taoist Court.
On such important festivals, the Court Leader was also expected to take charge and inspect everywhere, to prevent Cultivators from gathering and causing trouble.
Zhang Lan, who had been sneaking around and loitering, was caught and could only offer a stiff smile in response.
Mo Hua felt a bit schadenfreude, and was just about to slip away when Zhang Lan caught her in one go, “Come with me.”
“Why should I go? I’m not from the Taoist Court.”
“You come with me to accompany the Court Leader on his inspection,” Zhang Lan didn’t want to let Mo Hua escape.
“Many Cultivators in Tongxian City dream of having this opportunity but can’t get it. You, at such a young age, should feel extremely honored to accompany the Court Leader on his inspection.”
“Then feel honored on your own.”
It’s not like he didn’t know the Court Leader. He even sent him gifts for the festival. At times , there was no need to push oneself forward unnecessarily.
Moreover, accompanying the Court Leader on his inspection was both dull and restrictive, nowhere near as relaxing as wandering on his own.
But before Mo Hua could slip away, he noticed the Court Leader also signaling him over.
Now Mo Hua had no choice but to follow Zhang Lan with a sigh of resignation and greet the Court Leader.
Court Leader Zhou himself found these inspections tedious too, with most of his company consisting of elders from clans and Sects, offering insincere platitudes with forced smiles.
Dreary and monotonous.
After all these years, Court Leader Zhou had gotten used to it, but then he saw Zhang Lan and Mo Hua wandering around jovially in the distance, free and unfettered, chatting animatedly about something.
A twinge of discontent suddenly struck Court Leader Zhou’s heart.
So he waved them over, calling for both Zhang Lan and Mo Hua, wanting their company during his rounds.
Joy can be shared, just as tedium can be divided.
With the younger man Zhang Lan and the child Mo Hua for company, the inspection naturally became much more interesting, or at least less dull than before.
Mo Hua glimpsed at Zhang Lan with a woeful look—had he not held her back, she would have already run off.
Zhang Lan winked at Mo Hua, as if to say, endure this for now, and I’ll apologize to you later.
Mo Hua had no choice but to accompany the Court Leader on his inspection.
Every now and then, Court Leader Zhou would ask Mo Hua about various things, such as Cultivator customs, Monster Beast materials, various pastries and snacks, and so on.
Mo Hua answered each question in turn.
Thus, Mo Hua ended up being forced to keep Zhang Lan and Old Court Leader Zhou’s company for a day, strolling through the streets without surprises or delights.
Court Leader Zhou was very satisfied, and Mo Hua could only sigh internally.