"If you donate Spirit Stones, once the Large Formation is completed and Feng Xi is slain, we will erect a grand Demon Suppression Monument..."
Mo Hua gestured with his hands to show just how big this pie...no, this stele would be and then said to Old Master An:
"At that time, we will carve your name in the first place, make it bigger, trace it in gold so that people can see it at a glance!"
Erecting a Demon Suppression Monument is a tradition among Monster Hunters.
Once they have slain a powerful Monster Beast that has been plaguing an area, the Monster Hunters would forge a Demon Suppression Monument and engrave the names of the Cultivators who participated in the monster hunting on it, to highlight their merits in monster hunting.
It’s just that no one had ever slain a Big Demon before, so naturally, no one had ever erected a Demon Suppression Monument for slaying a Big Demon.
Old Master An calmly asked, "What if it can’t be killed?"
Mo Hua candidly replied, "Even business ventures can suffer losses, and monster hunting can fail sometimes, especially when it comes to slaying such a Big Demon, the risk is indeed enormous."
"If it can’t be killed, then it just can’t be killed. We’ll have to find another way, and naturally, your Spirit Stones would have been donated in vain."
Old Master An frowned, "So, I’m donating family wealth for a fame that may not come to fruition?"
"This is real reputation, not just empty fame," Mo Hua corrected.
"How is it not empty?"
Mo Hua explained, "Once the Big Demon is killed and the Demon Suppression Monument is erected, it would be the most important monument of merit in the history of Tongxian City."
"As long as Tongxian City exists, so does the Demon Suppression Monument, and so does your name. The An Family will always be remembered by the Cultivators of Tongxian City."
"This honor is a rare opportunity that comes once in a thousand years. If you miss this chance, no amount of Spirit Stones spent later could buy it."
Old Master An was visibly moved and began to frown thoughtfully.
Seeing his chance, Mo Hua whispered softly, "Old Master, may I speak bluntly...?"
Old Master An was slightly startled, then nodded, "Go ahead."
Mo Hua blinked and said in a low voice:
"The An Family is still considered prosperous now, and everyone knows you are the second biggest clan in Tongxian City, but what if someday, the An Family declines, and the family wealth is gone—who will remember who you were?"
"At that time, the An Family will be just like any other small clan in this world, lost in the crowd, no longer mentioned, no longer thought of, and even the descendants of the An Family may no longer take pride in the clan."
Old Master An’s face stayed calm, but his gaze fell, knowing in his heart that what Mo Hua was saying was the truth.
This is the fate of many small clans in the Cultivation World.
What rises must fall.
Small clans, with their shallow foundations, once in decline and their people scattered, find it very difficult to rise again.
It’s not just the small clans; even the big Noble Clans could gradually decline and eventually disappear from the history of the Cultivation World once they fall on hard times.
Seeing Old Master An waver, Mo Hua’s eyes shone, and he took the opportunity to say:
"But if your name is carved on the largest Demon Suppression Monument in Tongxian City, it becomes a different story. All the Cultivators in Tongxian City will remember your name, remember the history of the An Family, even if hundreds of years later, when the An Family is no more..."
Old Master An’s heart quivered, and he looked at Mo Hua with a deep and resentful gaze.
What do you mean ’the An Family is no more’?...
Embarrassed, Mo Hua laughed sheepishly and rephrased his words tactfully, "Even if hundreds of years later, if the fortune of the An Family declines and is no longer as affluent, the common people of Tongxian City will still remember your good deeds..."
"At such times, Spirit Stones are but fleeting; this reputation is what truly endures."
Mo Hua, with his articulate speech, gently persuaded him.
Old Master An’s brow gradually creased as he pondered deeply, and after a long hesitation, he let out a sigh and said slowly:
"Let me think about it."
Mo Hua was merely seeking Old Master An’s opinion and did not want to force anything; he had other methods to gather Spirit Stones.
It’s just that the current situation of the An Family was indeed a dilemma.
To donate or not to donate was a tough choice.
That’s why he had approached Old Master An, to suggest donating some Spirit Stones to secure a good name for the family’s descendants.
But the final decision was up to Old Master An.
"Then take your time to think about it. I will take my leave now," Mo Hua said.
With a courteous bow, Mo Hua then took small steps out of the An Family residence.
Old Master An gazed after Mo Hua’s departing figure, lost in thought.
After a while, the screen stirred slightly and An Yonglu, the Family Head of the An Family came out from behind it. He approached Old Master An with light steps, respectfully poured a cup of tea for him, and asked cautiously:
"Father, what’s the decision?"
Old Master An, thinking of Mo Hua’s confident demeanor during their exchange and seeing his son’s timid appearance, bristled with anger.
"What’s the matter with you? You’re a Family Head after all—and can’t even handle a matter of this importance!"
"A child barely in his teens like Mo Hua could come to me openly and negotiate with sound reasoning."
"As for you, the Family Head, you can’t offer any help, can’t say a word, only know how to hide behind and eavesdrop!"
"If the An Family truly falls into your hands, it’s bound to be ruined!"