221 Patrol (Fifth Update)_1
Mo Hua returned home, took out the gifts from his storage bag, and handed them to his parents to help keep safe.
Mo Shan and Liu Ruhua exchanged a glance, both somewhat astonished.
They didn’t know when it started, but the number of cultivators with whom Mo Hua was acquainted had grown so large, and most were figures of status in Tongxian City, like Court Leaders, Supervisors, Family Heads, Elders, Formation Masters, and the like….
To receive so many gifts for the New Year.
Whenever Mo Hua went out, he brought back some gifts, and when he didn’t, people would still deliver presents to his house.
The gifts, big and small, almost filled the house to capacity.
Mo Hua set the storage bag down, collapsed into a chair, and sighed like an adult, “So busy!”
Liu Ruhua watched and couldn’t help but smile.
Then Mo Hua said, “Mom, I’m hungry.”
“Save some room for dinner tonight. I’ll get you some osmanthus cake; just have a little bit.”
“Okay,” Mo Hua nodded.
Liu Ruhua brought Mo Hua some osmanthus cake and poured a cup of tea, asking,
“Have all the gifts from others been returned? Have you properly thanked them?”
Mo Hua thought for a moment, silently reviewed in his mind, and said,
“I’ve returned the ones that needed returning, and I’ve given thanks for the others. Now I can celebrate the New Year with peace of mind.”
Afterward, Mo Hua was much more at ease, and he didn’t have to run around anymore. He stayed at home, contentedly waiting for the New Year.
Mo Hua still woke up early each day to sit in meditation and practice cultivation, then spent some time drawing formations, reading Formation Books, and still practiced formations on the Taoist Stele at night.
With the rest of his time, Mo Hua kept his parents company.
On the day of the festival, the family joyfully had their reunion dinner.
Liu Ruhua made many delicious dishes, and sure enough, Mo Hua overate and then sighed, taking out two Digestion Pills given by Old Mr. Feng.
“Grandpa Feng truly is foresighted,” Mo Hua mused to himself.
The next day began with New Year’s visits, and then in the evening, they strolled through the fair, an event that continued up to the Lantern Festival. Each night, the entire Tongxian City would have a bustling fair to enjoy.
Normally, the fair wouldn’t last this long, but this year was special with the discovery of spiritual mines, and the establishment of Refinery Shops and Alchemist’s Businesses, as well as the Fulu Building.
The Loose Cultivators’ lives had improved, and they had more spirit stones to spare, so the New Year celebrations were drawn out a bit longer.
They no longer had to worry about hustling for their livelihood right after the New Year as before.
Mo Hua also took the chance to relax, strolling the streets aimlessly, and made time to visit the Fulu Building to see An Xiaofu.
The Fulu Building was packed during the festival, with An Xiaofu bustling about nonstop.
When Mo Hua saw him, he was sitting in the hall, holding a teapot, guzzling tea vigorously.
Despite being tired, he appeared much more spirited and cheerful.
However, he still seemed rather plump, not having slimmed down much.
It’s probably because even though he was busy, he also ate a lot.
After leaving the Fulu Building, Mo Hua ran into Zhang Lan on the street.
Zhang Lan, a member of a clan, didn’t take leave to go home for the New Year.
He knew some people here, but he didn’t have many friends; the only one he could really talk to was Mo Hua. So, seeing Mo Hua made Zhang Lan quite happy, and he pulled Mo Hua along to roam the streets.
“Take a look and see if there’s anything delicious or fun; I’ll treat you!” boasted Zhang Lan generously.
“Thank you, Uncle Zhang,” said Mo Hua, then added with some confusion,
“Uncle Zhang, you’re not that young anymore; isn’t it a bit inappropriate to be playing with a kid like me instead of settling down and starting a family?”
“It’s called maintaining the heart of a child,” Zhang Lan said.
“An undiminished childlike heart?”
Zhang Lan ruffled Mo Hua’s hair, “Whatever you say seems to lose its meaning.”
Mo Hua covered his head, somewhat displeased, “That’s called being annoyed into anger.”
“Fine, I can’t win against you,” Zhang Lan said helplessly, then sighed, “What’s so good about settling down and starting a family?”
Mo Hua’s eyes flitted about as she pondered, then asked, “Are you trying to avoid matrimonial matters?”
Zhang Lan was taken aback. “Why do you say that?”
“Xiaofu told me about the clan’s marriage arrangements. They emphasize matching Spiritual Roots—coercing, no that’s not right, forcing marriages without letting you have a say.”
Mo Hua looked at Zhang Lan and said, “You’ve run so far away and don’t want to go back; you must be trying to avoid a marriage arranged by the clan, to a woman you don’t like, doomed to a life of gloom and solitude.”
After saying this, Mo Hua nodded, thinking her speculation perfectly reasonable.
Zhang Lan sighed, “You’re partially right, but not entirely. I just don’t want to go back to the clan.”
“Not even for the New Year?”