Instructor Yan poured out everything.
Mo Hua slowly nodded, "Now that you mention it, the Lu Family does seem to be the most suspicious."
Instructor Yan nodded slightly too, then his expression grew despondent:
"The Lu Family's power is too great, owning several mines, with multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed, engaging in mining, brothels, gambling dens, restaurants, occupying the majority of prosperous Jinhua Street. Their relationships in South Yue City are intertwined and complicated..."
"I don't have the ability to investigate the Lu Family, and even if I did, I'm afraid that..."
Instructor Yan heaved a deep sigh.
Mo Hua understood Instructor Yan's difficulties.
With the Lu Family being such a large local force, Instructor Yan, a cultivator from outside, even as a Formation Master, had no way to investigate.
And even if he found out anything, Instructor Yan, not being skilled in Taoist Skills, couldn't do much.
If he went to report to the Taoist Court, claiming that someone from the Lu Family betrayed their master and destroyed their lineage,
likely, the one being detained would be Instructor Yan himself.
Mo Hua then comforted Instructor Yan:
"Instructor, in fact, Manager Mo is right—you should consider your own lifelong affairs. It's time to find a partner, settle down, and live happily."
Instructor Yan stopped short, somewhat helplessly.
Mo Hua continued, "What goes around comes around. Maybe that person will meet his end on his own one day?"
"These days, just stay here with peace of mind, drink tea with Mr. Zhuang, chat, and discuss formations..."
"As for the rest, let nature take its course; don't take it too much to heart."
Although he said this, Instructor Yan's dilemma wasn't likely that easy to resolve.
But having heard Mo Hua's words, some warmth stirred in Instructor Yan's heart.
For many years, he'd been somber, his temperament somewhat frosty.
The care of others was something he seldom felt.
But almost immediately, Instructor Yan realized something was off and looked at Mo Hua with suspicion, "Are you... planning to do something?"
Mo Hua smiled and shook his head:
"Nothing much."
What he planned to do, he couldn't tell Instructor Yan just yet.
Later, he changed the topic and chatted with Instructor Yan for a bit before heading to the Taoist Court to seek out Situ Fang.
It was inconvenient to talk at the Taoist Court, so the two found a secluded teahouse.
Mo Hua whispered:
"Sister Situ, has your Court Leader ever taken bribes from the South Yue Sect?"
Situ Fang was taken aback, thought for a moment, and nodded.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
"Then, has he ever taken bribes from the Lu Family?"
Situ Fang nodded again.
Mo Hua fell silent. He changed his approach and asked:
"So, in South Yue City, is there a sect or clan that hasn't bribed him?"
Situ Fang hesitated and said,
"There might be some, but such forces likely no longer exist..."
Mo Hua found it hard to believe, "He's that greedy?"
Situ Fang said diplomatically, "After all, he is my immediate Court Leader; I shouldn't really judge his right and wrong."
Mo Hua understood.
It meant he was so corrupt that even she had nothing to say.
Mo Hua frowned, "He's so greedy, and nobody does anything about it?"
Situ Fang coughed twice, then said in a lowered voice,
"The Taoist Court has power, and where there is power, there is greed, it's only a matter of how much or how little."
"There are those who aren't greedy, but they're rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."
"Power and money beget each other."
"As long as you have power, people will bring Spirit Stones to your door, you won't even need to lift a finger, and they'll put those stones in your pocket."
"And as long as you have Spirit Stones, naturally, you can use them to exchange for power..."
Mo Hua nodded, then suddenly found something odd,
"Sister Situ, your tone, why does it sound so much like Uncle Zhang Lan..."
Situ Fang expressed disdain, "That's what he told me."