Mo Hua quietly shared her suspicions with Situ Fang.
Situ Fang was slightly stunned, then her brows furrowed tightly. She realized something was not right and, recalling the situation at that time, she slowly said,
"Those burly men, dressed in the miners' clothes with rough hands and dark skin, I thought they were the family of these missing miners, or at least relatives or friends."
"It was them who were causing trouble all along, demanding a huge compensation from the Lu Family."
"But now that the matter has settled and the Lu Family has given the compensation, they have suddenly disappeared. They didn't even show up for something like the burial, which is very strange..."
Situ Fang remarked after some thought, "I will ask the miners' families again."
Mo Hua shook her head, "They may not dare to speak."
Seeing their demeanor just now, all meek and compliant, they must be afraid of retaliation and hence don't dare to say much.
Situ Fang then said, "Then I'll ask the local miners about their identities."
"The miners might not tell the truth either," Mo Hua said.
After all, they don't hold much affection for the Taoist Court either.
"Then..."
Mo Hua's eyes flashed as she said, "Let me handle this, Sister Situ. You draw the portraits of those few burly men…"
"Leave it to you?" Situ Fang was astonished.
"Yes," Mo Hua nodded, "I know who to find."
Situ Fang hesitated, "You are here for the first time in South Yue City, right? How do you know so many cultivators?"
Mo Hua replied modestly, "I am quite well-received..."
Situ Fang was at a loss for words for a moment.
"Alright then."
Situ Fang sighed and, following her memory, drew the appearances of the few burly men, albeit a bit awkwardly with the brush.
Mo Hua took the drawing, and following her instructions, added a few touches.
Situ Fang's eyes brightened, "This is how they look; you are really good at this."
Mo Hua smiled.
As a Formation Master who deals with formation patterns every day, sketching portraits is quite simple.
Mo Hua carefully stored the portraits and then sneakily slipped away to the Lu Family mines. Hiding in plain sight, she sat on a boulder, waiting for the opportunity to arise.
As evening approached, there was a shift change for the overseers.
A Lu Family cultivator in the middle phase of Qi refinement walked out of the mine, full of arrogance.
Mo Hua called out, "Lu Ming."
The cultivator named Lu Ming paused, looking around; no one was in sight, and his expression was one of confusion as he muttered,
"Weird, who's calling my name..."
He continued walking.
Not far ahead, he heard his name being called again.
It was a young, clear, child-like voice.
Lu Ming was taken aback and looked around once more, but still, no one was there.
The arrogance on his face slowly faded, replaced by extreme solemnity and tension.
"Damn it..."
All the cultivators guarding the mine knew that the mine was dangerous and eerie at night.
But now it was only evening, not yet dark...
Could it be...
Lu Ming began to sweat with fear.
He was so scared that he turned to run, but after staggering only a few steps, he found himself immobilized.
Blue watery spiritual power chains wrapped around him, leaving him unable to move.
The feeling was familiar, and Lu Ming quickly realized what was happening.
He turned his head and, sure enough, saw a young cultivator sitting leisurely on another big stone.
The young cultivator was even waving his little hand at him.
Lu Ming felt like crying without tears.
He was only in the middle phase of Qi refinement, while this young cultivator was already in the later phase.
Not only that, this little cultivator also knew formations, and his spells were very peculiar.
Knowing he couldn't escape, Lu Ming had no choice but to reluctantly approach Mo Hua. As he came face to face with Mo Hua, he forced a smile and said,
"Young... Young Master, how come you're here?"