After moving into the cave dwelling, Mo Hua had hoped for some peace, but within a few days, a stream of visitors began to arrive, presenting their calling cards.
The first was from the owner of a Housing agency, who was said to be a direct disciple of the South Yue Sect.
Mo Hua received him with simple hospitality.
This owner, surnamed Zheng, wasn't very old, with a Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivation, dressed in brocade robes and a jade pendant, looking every bit the dandy.
Mr. Zheng was very polite upon meeting Mo Hua, and after a brief conversation between them,
Mo Hua understood the general situation.
Mr. Zheng was a direct disciple of an Elder Lin of the South Yue Sect; his parents were in the Alchemy business and were quite wealthy, which helped him enter the Inner Gate of the South Yue Sect.
But inside the Inner Gate, fights among the direct disciples were common.
Worried about disadvantages befalling their son, his parents financed a Housing agency for him, so he could be the owner and make some Spirit Stones, which he could use to maintain good relations with the Sect and other local Tao Cultivation forces.
However, without powerful backing, a Housing agency is hard to establish.
His Dao companion came from the Lu Family, and a small part of this Housing agency also served as her dowry.
Seeing Mo Hua's young age, yet remarkable understanding of Formations, Mr. Zheng had the idea to build relations, and sold the cave dwelling to Mo Hua at a relatively low price.
Part of these matters Mo Hua learned from Mr. Zheng himself.
The rest he found out by spending two Spirit Stones to gather information from Housing agency workers.
Since Mr. Zheng didn't seem to have any ill intentions, Mo Hua treated him with likewise courtesy.
Mr. Zheng had no further business, and after a few cups of tea, he took his leave, saying before he left,
"I'll have my servant send over some fine tea to the young master later."
He probably thought the tea Mo Hua offered was not to his liking, but it would be impolite to say it outright.
The tea must have tasted bad indeed, as Mo Hua had bought it for only a fraction of a Spirit Stone.
Good tea is quite expensive.
He usually just "scrounged" for tea, seldom buying it himself.
Only after purchasing the cave dwelling, for fear of visitors, did he reluctantly purchase some tea leaves to serve guests.
Whether it tasted good or bad, it was all the same to him; Mo Hua wasn't picky.
But since Mr. Zheng intended to send tea, Mo Hua didn't want to be curt and thus replied with a smile and a cupped-hand salute,
"Then I must thank Mr. Zheng."
Mr. Zheng, seeing Mo Hua accept his gesture graciously, seemed very pleased and left with a smile and a salute.
Afterward, there were some other visits from Formation Masters, a bit of tea drinking, and some talk of Formation arts.
And some neighbors stopped by to offer welcome gifts.
Two days later, even Elder Su came by.
Mo Hua served the tea Mr. Zheng had sent to Elder Su.
After taking a sip, Elder Su commented,
"This is... our South Yue Sect's tea?"
Mo Hua asked in surprise, "You could tell?"
Elder Su chuckled, "I drink it every day; I know just by the smell."
Elder Su pondered for a moment before asking again,
"Who gave this tea to the young gentleman?"
Mo Hua replied, "A Mr. Zheng."
Elder Su frowned, "Mr. Zheng?"
"The one dressed extravagantly, wearing the jade pendant, and a tad chubby, who opened the Housing agency..."
"Oh," recalled Elder Su, "Zheng Yu, right?"
"He actually sent tea to the young gentleman?"
Elder Su seemed surprised but soon noticed that within just a few days, Mo Hua had already made quite a few acquaintances among the Cultivators in South Yue City.
When he entered, there were even many gifts piled up at the doorstep.
"Met them while buying the cave dwelling," Mo Hua said.
Elder Su nodded.
Mo Hua then inquired about Instructor Yan's matter.
Elder Su shook his head, "I sent people to investigate further, but we still have no leads on this Mr. Yan."
"I see..." Mo Hua nodded, "Thank you for your effort, Elder Su."
"It's a trifling matter, unworthy of mention," Elder Su replied politely.
Then, after pondering for a short while and hesitating, he still asked,