When Situ Fang and Situ Jin came to present gifts, Mo Hua took the opportunity to subtly inquire about some information.
The gifts from Situ Fang were Formation Diagrams and some Formation Books.
This was previously agreed upon.
It was both an expression of Situ Fang's gratitude and the Situ Family's goodwill.
One can accept rewards for their services.
He had indeed been a great help with the Corpse Walking Stronghold.
Not to mention that the gifts were related to formations.
Mo Hua thus accepted them with peace of mind.
In addition, there were some brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, specialties of the Situ Clan's Spirit Fruits, as well as various types of Spiritual Meat.
They weren't particularly valuable, but they were thoughtful.
Mo Hua accepted those as well.
The Spirit Fruits could be made into cakes for Junior Sister to eat.
The Spiritual Meat could be stewed for Master and Junior Brother to enjoy.
There were also some odd fruits, with unknown flavors, but looking crunchy and crisp, which Mo Hua planned to fry and let Old Kui try...
After receiving the gifts and offering tea, exchanging a few polite words, Mo Hua asked:
"How are things with Zhang Quan?"
Situ Jin hesitated somewhat.
After a moment's hesitation, Situ Fang shook his head and said,
"We haven't gotten anything out of him..."
"Have you used torture?"
"We have," Situ Fang sighed, "We've broken five or six sticks on him, but he just won't speak, not a single word."
Mo Hua wondered, "Doesn't he feel pain?"
Situ Jin frowned and explained:
"It looks like a special cultivation technique that can make the flesh as stiff as a zombie and the senses numb, impervious to pain,"
"What about using other methods?" Mo Hua thought for a moment, then said:
"I remember Uncle Zhang telling me that the punishments of the Taoist Court are plentiful, ranging from pinching fingers to cutting meridians to poisoning eyes..."
"What on earth are you talking about that Zhang Lan told you..."
Instructor Yan grumbled in her heart.
She noted down what Mo Hua said.
Next time she visited the Zhang Family to complain, there would be another "crime" to add to Zhang Lan's list of offenses.
After that, Instructor Yan said helplessly, "We tried, but none of them worked."
"Alright then..."
Mo Hua felt somewhat regretful.
"I will think of another way and ask about it. If Zhang Quan says anything, I will tell you," Instructor Yan said.
"Mhm, thank you, Sister Situ!"
Mo Hua nodded and responded.
After Instructor Yan and Situ Jin left, Mo Hua began to wonder:
"How can we make Zhang Quan confess?"
He wondered if formations could be used for torture...
Before Mo Hua could think of anything, chaos erupted in South Yue City two nights later.
The streets were bustling, sprinkled with light from fires.
There were also noisy shouts from cultivators and dense fluctuations of spiritual power.
Mo Hua heard the commotion, but he was busy catching zombies in his Sea of Consciousness and couldn't afford to be distracted, so he didn't pay it any mind.
The next day, Instructor Yan arrived.
She was injured and looked haggard.
Mo Hua asked with concern, "Sister Situ, what happened?"
Instructor Yan regretfully said, "Zhang Quan is dead."
Mo Hua was startled, "Dead?"
Instructor Yan sighed, "Last night at 1 a.m., some cultivators broke into the prison wearing black robes, moving stealthily. By the time the Taoist Court noticed, it was already too late..."
The Taoist Court had indeed been negligent in its defense.