Some women, however, were forced.
Their personal belongings were stolen or snatched by Flower Gentleman afterward, to be used for extortion and threats.
Such items weren't quite appropriate to hand over to the Taoist Court.
Thoughtfully considering the plights of these women, Murong Caiyun and Hua Qianqian returned these personal belongings privately to those oppressed, pitiful women.
Whether it was escorting them or returning their belongings, both tasks required a bit of time.
Everyone split up to handle their responsibilities and decided to reconvene outside Luan Mountain City before heading back to their Sect.
These affairs didn't require Mo Hua's involvement.
With nothing to do, Mo Hua looked at the scenery outside of Luan Mountain City, waiting for his senior brothers and sisters.
As he waited, Mo Hua grew hungry. He released his Divine Sense and spotted a teahouse not far away, nestled between the green hills and clear waters.
Mo Hua's eyes lit up and he sent a message to Murong Caiyun,
"Sister, I'll be at the teahouse outside the city waiting for you!"
He then used the Water Passing Step, nimbly leaping down mountain paths, and happily arrived at the teahouse.
The teahouse wasn't large, but they had erected a canopy and set up quite a few tables outside.
A few scattered Cultivators were there, nibbling on dry fruits and sipping cold tea, chatting sporadically.
The owner, an elderly man hunchbacked with age, asked with a warm smile,
"Young master, would you like some tea?"
Mo Hua, mainly hungry, inquired,
"Elder, do you have anything to eat?"
The old man regretfully replied, "I only have some dry fruits for tea, and some pastries, but not many order them. I'm afraid they might not suit the young master's taste..."
"No matter, give me a large bowl of noodles!"
"Very well," the elder replied with a smile, "Just a moment, young master."
Mo Hua chose a table with a pleasant view of the wind and water, and that looked clean to sit at.
Soon, the noodles were brought to him.
They looked decent enough. Mo Hua gave them a taste. While not exactly delicious, they weren't bad either. He wasn't particularly picky, so he focused and slurped up the noodles with gusto.
As he ate, Mo Hua's thoughts returned to the mission at hand.
Flower Gentleman...
If he remembered correctly, the name "Flower Gentleman" was also on Boss Jiang's "list."
So was Flower Gentleman a renegade disciple from a Sect in the Qianxue State Boundary?
Why had he suddenly appeared in Luan Mountain City?
Previously at the Taoist Court, Mo Hua had perused the dossier on Flower Gentleman.
Flower Gentleman was very cautious; he frequented Cities of Immortals outside the Qianxue State Boundary, in more remote areas.
The management from the Taoist Court in those cities was lax, the morals loose, with plenty of red-light districts.
A perfect hideout for rapists.
But why would he suddenly come to a place like Luan Mountain City to prey on female practitioners from minor families?
Was he overrun by his Evil Skills during Cultivation?
Had his cravings overwhelmed him?
Surely he didn't really believe that in a Second Grade State Border, no one would be able to catch him...
Mo Hua held the large bowl, slurping noodles thoughtfully.
Suddenly, voices arose. Mo Hua looked up and saw a group of Cultivators arriving.
The leader was tall with a kindly face, followed by two stout men and a skinny one.
"Two pots of tea, two plates of dried meat, and four plates of candied fruits..."
They ordered their refreshments and settled in a corner to talk quietly among themselves.
Mo Hua initially paid them no mind, focusing on his noodles, but his keen Divine Sense and hearing picked up, faintly hearing the words "Hua Liulang."
"Hua Liulang?"
Mo Hua paused, thinking he might have misheard, so he slowed his eating and perked his ears to listen more carefully.
After a while, the group mentioned again,
"Hua Liulang..."
"... why hasn't he arrived yet?"
"We agreed on..."
Something in Mo Hua's mind felt amiss.