The Qian Family applied pressure, forcing Instructor Yan to leave, and Tongxian Gate no longer taught formations.
In this way, the Qian Family could monopolize formations, and the Black Mountain Stronghold could also use formations to cover up their misdeeds.
The loose cultivators of Tongxian City, because they did not understand formations, would never know what the evil cultivators had done with them…
The more Mo Hua thought about it, the colder his heart felt, and a flicker of hesitation stirred within him.
Could the Qian Family’s conspiracy really be so far-reaching?
Walking along, Mo Shan saw Mo Hua suddenly stop as if struck by a thought, his expression growing increasingly solemn, even revealing fear, which prompted him to ask with concern:
"Huar, what’s wrong?"
Mo Hua snapped out of his reverie, pondered for a moment, then said solemnly, "Dad, let’s go find Elder Yu."
Mo Shan didn’t know what Mo Hua had realized, but guessed it must be some discovery, so he nodded and said:
"Alright."
Mo Hua followed Mo Shan to the Yu Family.
Elder Yu had just returned and was leisurely drinking tea in the hall. When he heard Mo Hua had come, he got up cheerfully, just about to say something when he saw Mo Hua’s grave expression, with Mo Shan also looking very serious beside him.
Elder Yu was taken aback, and his smile gradually faded as he asked:
"What’s happened?"
Mo Hua gathered his thoughts and shared his speculations
The Qian Family forced Instructor Yan to leave and stopped Tongxian Gate from teaching formations so that Black Mountain Stronghold could use formations to hide deep in the mountains, committing numerous evil acts undiscovered.
Elder Yu frowned, tapping his slim fingers against the table surface, deep in thought, before slowly saying:
"It’s quite possible, but still somewhat far-fetched..."
It might simply be that the Qian Family monopolized formations to make a profit, not necessarily to cover for Black Mountain Stronghold.
This was merely a clue, not conclusive evidence.
Mo Hua nodded and said, "I know it’s far-fetched, that’s why I came to ask you."
Elder Yu asked, "What do you want to know?"
"During the attack on Black Mountain Stronghold, you fought with the evil cultivators. Were there really no cultivators from the Qian Family inside?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Yu’s gaze sharpened, pondered carefully once again, but still shook his head and said:
"At least those few householders were not from the Qian Family."
Mo Shan also added, "The other Qi Refining Realm evil cultivators, I also did not notice anyone from the Qian Family."
"What about the head householder? Do you know his identity?"
Elder Yu shook his head, "He was masked with a black cloth, his face was unseen, and his aura was very unfamiliar, even not resembling that of a local Foundation Building Cultivator of Tongxian City."
Mo Hua scratched his head, feeling uncertain again, "Could I have guessed wrong?"
"The problem is precisely here."
Elder Yu sighed, "If the Qian Family were indeed the Black Hand behind the scenes and had ties to Black Mountain Stronghold, there would be no way the evil cultivators wouldn’t include cultivators from the Qian Family, and among those householder positions, there would certainly be one from the Qian Family with a Foundation Establishment!"
"There couldn’t be any exceptions?" Mo Hua asked.
Elder Yu let out a sigh, "I’ve dealt with the Qian Family for so many years; I’m well aware of their modus operandi. If they were colluding with Black Mountain Stronghold, they would definitely try to infiltrate people, gradually permeate, and consume the stronghold for themselves."
"And if the Black Mountain Stronghold was indeed established by the Qian Family, that head householder, even if not Qian Hong, would be some elder from the Qian Family."
Mo Hua asked, "Could it involve disguising or changing appearances"
Elder Yu shook his head and said, "No matter the disguise or transformation, the spiritual power and aura remain the same. I’m very familiar with those few Foundation Builders from the Qian Family; just by them opening their mouths, I would know what they are up to, there’s no way I could be mistaken."
Mo Hua felt somewhat disheartened, as he had thought he had discovered a connection between the Qian Family and Black Mountain Stronghold…
Elder Yu patted his shoulder encouragingly and said:
"Your line of thinking is good, but we need more evidence. I’ll have someone keep a closer watch on the Qian Family to see if they show any unusual behavior."
"Alright," Mo Hua nodded.
On the way home, Mo Hua asked Mo Shan:
"Dad, do you think it’s the Qian Family?"
Mo Shan nodded, "It does seem like it."
"But, it seems like there really isn’t any clue…"
Mo Hua sounded a bit despondent.
Mo Shan pondered and said, "Truth cannot be hidden forever; there’s no wall in the world that doesn’t have cracks. If the Qian Family is really involved with Black Mountain Stronghold, they will eventually show their trails."
He then touched Mo Hua’s head and said gently:
"Some things, it doesn’t matter if they don’t make sense at once, just keep an eye out and eventually the day will come when it all becomes clear."
Mo Hua’s mood improved slightly, and he silently nodded.
In the following days, as Mo Hua practiced cultivation and drew formations, he considered this issue but made no progress.