290 Concern_1
Mo Hua traveled silently and swiftly.
Finally, he could return home, and his mood lightened somewhat.
The deep mountains of Big Black Mountain were much like they were on the way there, still lush with vegetation and shrouded in thick mist, making it difficult to distinguish directions.
But unlike before, now every blade of grass, every tree, and every rock in Mo Hua’s Divine Sense became increasingly clear.
His Divine Sense was stronger, his sight reached farther, and his perception was more subtle.
The Fog Formation laid by the third Householder of the Monster Hunters in the Foggy Forest was now like a marker, clearly guiding Mo Hua along the path.
Through the naked eye, it all appeared as a blur of fog, but in Mo Hua’s Divine Sense, the paths were distinct, with clear and sharp boundaries.
After traveling for half an hour, Mo Hua neared the edge of the deep mountains.
Mo Hua stopped and furrowed his brows.
This was not the cliff he had come by, so he was less familiar with the path; there were many forks in the road before him, and for a moment, he didn’t know which way to go.
Just then, some voices seemed to echo from the distant fog.
The voices were mixed, sounding like several people shouting, and they were very anxious. It seemed they were calling for “Mo Hua”…
Mo Hua was stunned. He recognized them, they were the voices of Monster Hunters.
Using the Water Passing Step, Mo Hua quickened his pace and headed towards the source of the voices.
In the dense fog, a group of more than ten Monster Hunters formed a search net, scouring the deep mountains with anxious expressions, while shouting Mo Hua’s name.
It was at that moment that they noticed a figure in the fog.
The Monster Hunters stiffened their expressions, drew their Pu Blades, and prepared for what might come.
The figure approached gradually, appearing small and slender, resembling a young Cultivator.
A few Monster Hunters looked visibly pleased, while the rest also showed anticipation.
As the figure drew closer and the fog dissipated, a clear view revealed a delicate face with a pair of bright, spirited eyes.
It was then that they confirmed the person was indeed Mo Hua.
Mo Hua greeted them.
The Monster Hunters, hearing Mo Hua’s voice and seeing that he seemed unharmed, were all visibly glad and let out deep sighs of relief.
“We’ve found Mo Hua!” shouted a Monster Hunter with joy.
The others passed the message along.
Before long, in the thick fog, the voices of the Monster Hunters rose and fell in waves.
“We’ve found Mo Hua!”
“Mo Hua has been found!”
“He’s been found!”
…
Mo Hua stood rooted to the spot, feeling both touched and guilty.
So many people cared for him, they even ventured deep into the mountains to find him.
It seemed he had caused everyone trouble…
Mo Hua also remembered what the old Evil Cultivator had said to the third Householder that night:
“There’s something happening with the Monster Hunters…”
“…There’s trouble in the Inner Mountain…”
He had been curious about what trouble had befallen the Inner Mountain.
It turned out that the biggest incident in the Inner Mountain was his own disappearance.
When the Chief Elder of the Qian Family disappeared years ago, the entire Qian Clan deployed all their Disciples to form a search net, venturing into the deep mountains despite the dangers in search of him.
Now, the Monster Hunters were doing the same for Mo Hua.
Mo Hua’s eyes grew sore, and he felt a complex mix of emotions.
After a while, Mo Hua saw Elder Yu and, feeling sorry, was about to say something, but Elder Yu cut him off.
“We’ll talk when we get back,” said Elder Yu.
Elder Yu had a complex expression. Although he was worried about Mo Hua and felt that Mo Hua’s trip had been rash, he also knew why Mo Hua had ventured into the deep mountains and thus refrained from criticizing or saying something that might hurt him.
Not everyone has the kindness, nor the courage, to take such risks for the Loose Cultivators of Tongxian City.
Fortunately, Mo Hua had returned safely and soundly.
Elder Yu maintained a composed exterior, but deep down, he was genuinely overwhelmed with relief.
No matter what Mo Hua had discovered in the depths of the mountains, they would discuss it upon return.
Elder Yu instructed everyone to head back.