Unlike himself, he was so endearing.
The Taoist Court office outside had a doorbell, ancient in style. Mo Hua shook it lightly, and a crisp sound emanated.
Then from inside the room, a cold and haughty voice spoke, "Come in."
The door opened, and Mo Hua walked in.
The room was simple and tidy, with furnishings that were both exquisite and elegant. Gu Changhuai sat at the desk, focused and intent, writing something unbeknownst to others.
As Mo Hua entered, Gu Changhuai looked up, paused for a moment in surprise, then frowned.
"Why is it you again?"
He glanced around the room and, seeing only Mo Hua, asked,
"How did you find this place?"
The Court Official's office within the Taoist Court was a Supervisor's workplace. Though it wasn't exactly fortified or restricted, it was off-limits to outsiders.
Mo Hua said, "A passing, kind-hearted Enforcement Leader brought me here."
He was loyal and did not disclose the appearance of the Enforcement Leader to Gu Changhuai.
Gu Changhuai sighed, somewhat helpless, and continued to look down and write, saying indifferently, "Tell me, what's the matter this time?"
"I encountered the Fire Buddha!"
Gu Changhuai's hand shook, and a long streak of ink marred the document. He looked up, incredulously, at Mo Hua.
"The Fire... Buddha?"
"Yes!"
"How did you run into him?"
"I was drinking tea at the teahouse, and I ran into him."
Gu Changhuai paused in speechless astonishment.
The Fire Buddha wasn't some peddler rushing to do business with you; you have a sip of tea at a teahouse, and you can run into him...
Or are you saying, young man, you truly have the "law following the word," proclaiming you can meet the Fire Buddha and actually encounter him upon leaving home...
Seeing Gu Changhuai's disbelief, Mo Hua earnestly said, "It's true!"
Gu Changhuai didn't disbelieve it; he just found it too preposterous.
The Taoist Court had been searching for so long with no results for this Sin Cultivator, and you, a minor Sect Disciple, go for tea and claim to have stumbled upon him?
Are you a Minor Religious Con Man or what?
Besides...
Their Taoist Court also demanded evidence; even if Mo Hua was a disciple from one of the Eight Great Gates, Taixu Gate, it wasn't like whatever he said could be taken as fact.
The Taoist Court didn't have that many personnel to waste.
Gu Changhuai sighed, "How do you know the person you encountered is the Fire Buddha?"
Mo Hua said gravely,
"He was tall and large, with a kind face, and spoke little. Under his ordinary clothes, he wore a kasaya. His hair was tied up, but it was fake, concealing several fiery scars from vows..."
"Accompanying him were three others. A burly man skilled with a bloody hatchet, called 'Qiao Laowu'—he could be the Sin Cultivator known by the nickname 'Blood Woodcutter'..."
"Another was a skinny man with a grim complexion, probably 'Yin Thunder Child.' And another large man, with a fierce and intimidating face, I suppose could be 'Ghost Face Sha'..."
Gu Changhuai's casual demeanor vanished, growing more solemn with each word.
What Mo Hua described didn't sound fabricated at all.
These people were indeed the notorious Sin Cultivators from within the Second Grade State Border.
But...
Gu Changhuai's gaze became stern as he looked at Mo Hua, "Where did you learn about so many Sin Cultivators?"
What "Blood Woodcutter," "Yin Thunder Child," "Ghost Face Sha"—you mention them as easily as if they were treasures in your home.
As if these Sin Cultivators were items on your "menu"...
With righteous indignation, Mo Hua replied earnestly,
"Although my cultivation is not high, I have always remembered my Sect's teachings—to uphold the Righteous Dao, to slay demons and eradicate evil, to despise wickedness like an enemy, and to detest Sin Cultivators. I long to catch them all in one fell swoop!"
"So I like to gather information about Sin Cultivators in my spare time; that's how I know just a little bit more..."
Listening, Gu Changhuai felt a headache coming on.
What nonsense are you spouting, kid?
What "upholding the Righteous Dao," "hating evil as you would a foe"...
"Is that you're talking about really you?"
"Even lies need a draft."
But in his heart, he also faintly felt that the Fire Buddha's involvement was very likely true.