Yang Jiyong submitted a report to the Taoist soldiers Court, while the others went to gather information on their own.
Mo Hua went straight to the An Family.
The guards at the An Family recognized Mo Hua, respectfully leading him to the An Family’s parlor. Someone presented a cup of high-quality tea, asking Mo Hua to wait for a moment.
Mo Hua took a sip of the tea and found it delicious, but couldn’t quite place why. He took a few more sips, still finding it utterly bewildering.
And whenever Mo Hua finished his cup, someone would come over and personally refill it for him.
After the second cup of tea was refilled, Old Master An finally came out and apologized:
"Busy with mundane affairs, I’ve made you wait for quite some time."
Mo Hua also performed a greeting, and said, "Old Master An, you are too polite."
Old Master An sat down and took a sip of tea before asking:
"For what matter does Mo Hua pay a visit?’
Mo Hua glanced around the room.
Old Master An understood and proceeded to dismiss everyone nearby, making sure there were no outsiders in or around the parlor. He then said:
"Now, we can talk."
Mo Hua nodded and asked, "Old Master An, are you familiar with the Patriarch of the Qian Family?"
Old Master An looked slightly taken aback, "You could say that, but our relations are not good. The confrontations between the An Family and the Qian Family, whether openly or in secret, are well-known in Tongxian City."
"Why has the An Family never beaten the Qian Family?" Mo Hua inquired.
A sour feeling arose in Old Master An’s heart.
He was unwilling to admit that the An Family couldn’t beat the Qian Family, even if it was indeed the case, nor would he swallow such pride.
On usual days, no other Cultivator dared to ask him such a question to his face.
But Mo Hua was an exception. If he asked, then he asked.
Old Master An sighed and said truthfully:
"The Qian Family is crafty and ruthless. Our An Family cannot bring ourselves to be as cruel, and so naturally, we cannot beat them."
"Is the Patriarch of the Qian Family also ruthless?"
Old Master An’s gaze turned icy, "The most ruthless of all, cold-hearted and vengeful, he has harmed countless lives... but heaven sees everything. He’s aging rapidly, his Blood Qi declining. Now, he’s doing well just to keep breathing."
There was a hint of schadenfreude in Old Master An’s tone.
Mo Hua thought to himself that, in all likelihood, he’s not only not aged, but his Blood Qi has not declined, and instead, his life has been extended; breathing just fine, indeed...
Mo Hua fell silent for a moment, then asked the question he cared about most:
"Old Master An, have caravans from your An Family ever disappeared in Big Black Mountain?"
Old Master An started, his eyes shone with incredulity as he looked at Mo Hua and said:
"How did you know?"
Seeing Old Master An’s expression, Mo Hua thought to himself that it was as he suspected, then said:
"Could you tell me the details of the incident? Afterward, I’ll tell you how I came to know of it."
Old Master An’s brow furrowed deeply, and after a long contemplation, he slowly exhaled:
"Very well, it’s all old history now, no harm in telling you...
Mo Hua cradled the teacup, listening attentively.