Chapter 179: Craftsmen_1
The young monk looked to be about ten years old, with a clean brow and handsome features, appearing obedient and cute. But as he lay sprawled on the ground, covered in dirt, he also looked rather filthy.
“Whose child is this, running around here to play?”
Master Ban was taken aback for a moment, then quietly walked over to follow the young monk’s gaze and discovered he was looking at the foundation stone below, which seemed to be reserved for Formation Painting.
What was a child doing looking at this foundation stone?
Master Ban didn’t quite understand and also peered down for a while, noticing nothing but soil and stone, and nothing particularly special. At that moment, he heard the child say:
“Is that Master Ban?”
Master Ban paused, “You know me?”
“Mmm, my name is Mo Hua, Elder Yu sent me here.”
Mo Hua stood up and dusted off the dirt from his clothes.
But he only brushed the front, his back still had some mud stains—he must have crawled somewhere dirty, and his short arms couldn’t reach.
Master Ban went over, gently patted his back, dusting off the dirt, while curiously asking:
“What did Elder Yu send you here for?”
“Elder Yu sent me to take a look.”
“Look at what?”
Mo Hua chuckled and did not reply.
He had come to check where the Formation needed to be painted, whether the planned Formation Diagram complied with standards, and whether the rooms being built by the Craftsmen would interfere with the Formation’s layout.
However, Elder Yu had instructed him not to tell others about his Formation Painting skill, to prevent those with ill-intent from taking advantage, especially for fear that the Qian Family might seek trouble and retaliate upon learning this.
Seeing that Mo Hua didn’t speak, Master Ban roughly guessed what was happening.
He supposed it was the child’s playful nature, seeing the hustle and bustle here, secretly running over to play, but also fearing reprimand, so he used Elder Yu as an excuse.
It was obvious, what could Elder Yu possibly expect a child to do here?
But from the child’s tone, he seemed very familiar with Elder Yu, if not a relative, probably the child of another Monster Hunter.
As long as he wasn’t from the Qian Family, that was fine.
Master Ban let go of his concerns, but kindly reminded, “Go back after you’ve played a bit; there’s not much to do here, and as a child, it could be somewhat dangerous for you.”
Mo Hua nodded and said, “I’ll just look around for a while, then I’ll head back.”
Master Ban stopped paying attention to Mo Hua who had a lot on his plate and didn’t have the energy to mind the boy. With so many craftsmen and Monster Hunters around, and so many watching eyes, it was unlikely that a child would actually encounter any danger.
Master Ban focused on his work, and after a while, he looked up to find Mo Hua was still there.
On a half-built wall, Mo Hua walked leisurely with his back hands clasped, scrutinizing his surroundings, while muttering about Patterns and Wood and Stone.
Several Monster Hunters were around, neither stopping him nor paying him much attention, as if they were accustomed to everything the child did.
Master Ban was puzzled; what on earth was the child doing…
…And why was no one looking after him?
Could it be he was Elder Yu’s own grandson? Which was why the Monster Hunters dared not intervene?
Master Ban speculated quietly to himself.
“Mo… Hua?” Master Ban remembered the name and called out to him.
Only after calling did he remember, with the surname Mo, the boy was likely not a grandson of Elder Yu.
Mo Hua heard Master Ban call and waved at him, then with a light leap, drifted down from the wall like falling leaves.
Master Ban was inwardly astonished—this movement technique was no ordinary feat.
“Aren’t you going home yet?” asked Master Ban.
“I’ll head back in a bit.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Master Ban nodded, picked up a few bricks from the ground, and without much care, sat down on them.
After being busy all morning, it was a good time for him to sit and rest as well.
Mo Hua followed his example and, holding a brick, he sat down on the ground next to Master Ban.
“Master Ban, would you like a drink?”
Mo Hua took out a bottle of fruit wine from his storage bag. It was not very strong, but it was refreshing.
Master Ban happened to be thirsty, but seeing that Mo Hua was just a child, he declined, “That would be too kind…”
Mo Hua said, “My family runs a food establishment, we have lots of drinks, and they’re all homemade. Do you want to try some?”
Hearing this, Master Ban was curious, so he took a sip and nodded in approval, “Rich in fruit flavor, crisp on the palate, perfect for quenching thirst!”
“Right?” Mo Hua said with a happy smile.
The wine was brewed by his mother, so of course, it was delicious. Mo Hua thought Master Ban must also be a connoisseur.
Elder Yu’s taste was less refined in this regard. Elder Yu only liked strong liquor and couldn’t appreciate the sweet goodness of this kind of fruit wine.