Since it was Xia Jiancha’s boat, both emotionally and logically, everyone had to go and offer a greeting, say hello, and conveniently report back on the matters of Dao Ting Si.

Xia Diansi shouted several times, and someone on the boat then closed the array, opened the deck, and allowed the crowd to go up.

Upon arriving on the boat, Mo Hua looked around, and indeed it was worthy of being the Xia family’s monitoring spirit boat – solemn and luxurious, yet also low-key and restrained.

Not long after, a man wearing a white, gold-edged Dao Ting robe with jade patterns came out, escorted by several Xia family cultivators.

This man had a tall and straight physique, a cold and severe gaze, and a heavy presence. His whole body’s aura was like a deep pool and a stable mountain, profound and incomparable.

“Feathering…”

Mo Hua’s heart was secretly alarmed.

This man was the overall commander of the Xia family’s trip, the one who issued orders from behind the scenes and planned strategies – the Monitor.

The crowd stepped forward and bowed. Xia Jiancha nodded slightly, then looked at the crowd with an indifferent expression.

Especially when he saw Gu Changhuai, his attitude appeared very cold.

Towards Xia Diansi, he was still relatively gentle, but towards Xiao Tianquan, he unexpectedly nodded slightly.

As for Mo Hua, he only lightly swept a glance, completely disregarding him.

Mo Hua, however, breathed a sigh of relief. He touched the “Dragon Bone Statue” hanging on his body and thought that this Xia Jiancha was truly “blind with eyes open” and couldn’t recognize good things.

Xia Jiancha looked at the crowd again and said faintly: “You all worked hard on the Rouge Boat matter. I was just planning to return to the mansion and can conveniently give you all a ride.”

After finishing, Xia Jiancha then said to Xia Diansi: “Rong’er, come down with me.”

Xia Diansi bowed his hands and said: “Yes, uncle father.”

Afterward, Xia Diansi followed Xia Jiancha and went towards the ship cabin.

Mo Hua then secretly asked Gu Changhuai, “Uncle Gu, is Xia Diansi’s name ‘Rong’er’?”

Gu Changhuai frowned and didn’t pay attention to Mo Hua.

Instead, Xiao Tianquan, who was on the side, stared intently at Xia Diansi’s back, lost in thought.

In the elegant ship cabin.

Xia Jiancha sat in front of the table drinking tea, while Xia Diansi stood respectfully opposite him.

“Xiao Zhenhai is dead?”

“Yes.”

“The body?”

“His remnant soul couldn’t bear it, and his flesh and blood were blurred. Dao Ting Si has collected it and should be able to transport it back tomorrow…”

Xia Jiancha gave a faint “um” and after a moment said:

“Since he’s dead, then all of the Xiao family’s matters will be attributed to Xiao Zhenhai. All sins will be borne by him alone.”

Xia Diansi frowned, “Uncle father…”

Xia Jiancha looked at her.

Xia Diansi wanted to speak but stopped.

Xia Jiancha gently sipped a mouthful of tea, “If you have something to say, say it.”

Xia Diansi then said: “Uncle father, do you intend to heavily utilize the Xiao family?”

Xia Jiancha nodded, not concealing it, “The Xiao family is very perceptive. They have operated in Qian Xue state boundary for many years, and their influence, connections, and foundation are not bad. Since they are willing to rely on my Xia family, I can give them an opportunity.”

“But to do things for my Xia family, there cannot be stains. Therefore, the Rouge Boat matter can only be attributed to this greedy and blinded Xiao Zhenhai, who betrayed the Xiao family and betrayed Dao Ting Si.”

“But…” Xia Diansi hesitated.

Xia Jiancha knew what she meant and slowly said:

“If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. If people are too perceptive, there will be no disciples. Such a large family cannot be clean from top to bottom. The Xiao family is also like this. Sometimes, the perspective must be broad and some things must be tolerated.”

Although he said so, Xia Diansi still frowned, “Must it be the Xiao family?”

Xia Jiancha put down the teacup and asked faintly: “What do you mean?”

Xia Diansi said: “In Qian Xue state boundary, there are so many families. Do you have to find the Xiao family to cooperate?”

“Who do you want to find?” Xia Jiancha’s gaze was cautious.

“For example…” Xia Diansi lowered her voice, “the Gu family.”

Xia Jiancha decisively said: “The Gu family is not good.”

Xia Diansi’s face changed slightly: “Why?”

Xia Jiancha silently looked at her.

Xia Diansi then realized she had lost her composure somewhat, and then lightly explained:

“Uncle father… the Gu family is a clear stream, they act uprightly and sit straight. Generations of Gu family cultivators have served in Dao Ting Si for many years, always upholding justice. There are rarely any corruption and bribery incidents. The Gu family people, although somewhat obstinate, are upright in nature and have strong abilities. Isn’t this…”

Xia Jiancha shook his head, “Precisely because the Gu family is a clear stream, they are not good.”

Xia Diansi was startled, somewhat not understanding.

Xia Jiancha stared at Xia Diansi, sighed slightly:

“The Gu family is a clear stream and upholds justice, so they will not be used by my Xia family. They do not corrupt, do not bribe, and act openly and aboveboard. I have no handle in hand, how can I be at ease?”

“The Xiao family is different, their hands and feet are always unclean. If I want to investigate, I can investigate a pile of handles. It is precisely because of this that it is convenient for my Xia family to control.”

“And with their handles in my Xia family’s hands, they will naturally wholeheartedly work hard for my Xia family.”

Xia Diansi tightly pursed her lips and did not speak.

Xia Jiancha pondered for a moment, and then asked: “What do you think of that young master of the Xiao family?”

Xia Diansi said: “Uncle father, which young master are you talking about?”

“Who else?”

Xia Diansi lowered her head, not wanting to say too much.

Xia Jiancha looked at her faintly, “I didn’t tell you about this matter, but you are careful, you can more or less guess a bit, right?”

Xia Diansi remained silent.

“You should also consider your own lifelong matters…”

Xia Jiancha finished, sighed, slowly stood up, and with his hands behind his back, looked at the night outside the window, and said in a deep voice:

“For children of worldly families, marriage alliances are unavoidable.”

“Although you are a direct descendant, your parents did not strive, and they cannot speak in the clan. They also did not arrange your marriage early. Now that you are just considering it, it is actually a bit late.”

“Within large worldly clans, truly good marriages are all selected and arranged early on.”

“Your appearance, spirit root, and background are all not bad, but you are delayed for a long time, a bit old, and you serve in Dao Ting Si, accustomed to swiftness and decisiveness, so your temper is not very good either. Now, wanting to find a husband who can match the Xia family and has outstanding talent is basically impossible.”

“And Xiao Tianquan…”

Xia Jiancha paused for a moment and continued, “He is a core direct descendant of the Xiao family, young, with a good spirit root, and also very ambitious, with unlimited future prospects. He is not considered a humiliation to you. He happens to be somewhat different from you in all aspects, which is also just right for you to control.”

“Of course, I won’t wrong you either. A Gold Core of the Xia family marrying a Foundation Building of the Xiao family, what kind of appearance is this when said out?”

“I will tell him to give him twenty years. If he can form a Core within twenty years, this marriage will be finalized. At that time, you two will tie the knot, I will help him rise high, and the future head position of the Xiao family will also be his.”

“The head of a fifth-grade family as your husband, this is enough of a match.”

Xia Jiancha turned his head and silently looked at Xia Diansi, his gaze softening somewhat, “I am your uncle father. This marriage is not for the present, but for the future. I can only arrange it to this extent for you.”

Xia Diansi was grateful in her heart, but thinking of Xiao Tianquan’s conduct, her heart was still pricked like a thorn.

Her mood was all written on her face, and how could Xia Jiancha, who had seen countless people, not know?

“Is it that you have someone in your heart?”

Xia Diansi’s face turned slightly pale and she shook her head: “No…”

Xia Jiancha sighed and said earnestly:

“Matters between men and women seek long-term companionship, not momentary infatuation. As for childish affection, you are trapped within it and cannot see clearly yourself. What is good and what is bad, you don’t know at all…”

“Uncle father, I know…” Xia Diansi murmured.

Xia Jiancha saw her like this and slightly shook his head, his expression becoming a few points colder:

“I am your uncle father and will not force you, but some things, I still have to make clear to you.”

“Marriage alliance is both about your own happiness and the interests of the family. If you accept, the clan will benefit and will naturally promote you, give you opportunities, and let you rise step by step. If you refuse, then you are not putting the clan’s interests at heart and will only be marginalized step by step, excluded from the core of the family.”

“You should be clear about these things in your heart and think about it more yourself…”

After finishing, Xia Jiancha then began to close his eyes and rest.

Xia Diansi bowed and respectfully retreated, only between her eyebrows, after all, there was still some worry.

Back on the deck, Mo Hua saw Xia Diansi was somewhat absent-minded, and then asked: “Sister Xia, do you have something on your mind?”

Xia Diansi was startled and lifted her head. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Gu Changhuai.

Their eyes met, and Xia Diansi looked deeply at Gu Changhuai for a moment, then for some reason, her gaze became somewhat resolute, and then indifferent.

Gu Changhuai, however, always maintained a cold face.

Their relationship was just a little awkward.

Mo Hua silently sighed.

Fate was truly unpredictable.

Fortunately, not long after, Xia Diansi shifted her gaze and said to Mo Hua: “It’s getting late. We’ll take uncle father’s boat back. You worked hard on the Dragon King Temple matter. I’ll take you to a room so you can rest well.”

“Um,” Mo Hua nodded, “Thank you, Sister Xia.”

Xia Diansi smiled slightly, but this smile was still clearly a bit absent-minded.

Afterward, Xia Diansi led the way for Mo Hua and the others.

Xiao Tianquan did not follow. He went to find Xia Jiancha, not knowing if it was to flatter him or if he really had something to discuss.

The crowd was too lazy to care about him.

Xia Diansi brought Mo Hua and Gu Changhuai into the ship cabin and found two empty guest rooms:

“You will rest here temporarily for the night. The spirit boat will probably dock at dawn, and then we will return to Qian Xue state boundary.”

“If you need anything, just tell the Xia family disciples in the ship cabin.”

“Okay.” Mo Hua said.

Xia Diansi instructed a few more sentences and then prepared to leave.

This spirit boat belonged to the Xia family. She had her own room and didn’t need to stay in a guest room.

Mo Hua quickly said: “Sister Xia, I’ll see you off.”

Seeing that Gu Changhuai showed no reaction, Mo Hua quickly tugged at him.

Gu Changhuai was somewhat unwilling but also got up and, together with Mo Hua, saw Xia Diansi off.

The three of them walked to the corridor and just turned their heads when they bumped into someone.

As soon as they met, their expressions instantly changed.

Mo Hua’s heart was even more startled.

This person was a woman, with a weak aura, obviously seriously injured. She was wearing a hat that covered her face, and there were also some burn marks on her face, covered with thick powder.

Hua Ruyu!

Mo Hua was somewhat unbelievable.

And Hua Ruyu, seeing the crowd, was similarly surprised.

After a moment, she restrained her surprised expression, and her gaze swept over Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi for a moment, and she couldn’t help but say sarcastically:

“The men in this world are indeed all heartless. Diansi Gu was still discussing marriage with me not long ago, yet I didn’t expect him to be wolf-hearted. With a scheme, he harmed me so miserably. Now, in a blink of an eye, he loves the new and forgets the old, climbing onto another favorite…”

Xia Diansi frowned.

Gu Changhuai also had an ugly face, “Shouldn’t you be in the Dao Prison? Why are you here?”

“What Dao Prison?” Hua Ruyu sneered.

Gu Changhuai’s gaze was ice-cold, “You have committed a serious crime. Don’t tell me you don’t know about the Rouge Boat matter…”

Hua Ruyu said: “What does the Rouge Boat matter have to do with me?”

Gu Changhuai immediately wanted to make a move and take her down.

Hua Ruyu then sneered, “Don’t blame me for not reminding you. I am a guest of Xia Jiancha on this boat. If anything happens to me, you can think for yourself how to explain it to Xia Jiancha.”

As soon as these words came out, both Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi’s expressions changed.

Even Mo Hua frowned.

Hua Ruyu looked at Gu Changhuai’s stiff expression and couldn’t help but laugh charmingly, saying in a sarcastic tone:

“You don’t all think I’m just a simple sect instructor, do you?”

“For so many years, I have trained so many top-quality girls and served so many high-ranking and powerful young masters. Although some people are as cold as tea and heartless, eventually, there are a few who cherish old feelings and are reluctant to let me die…”

“They pity the fragrance and cherish the jade, not wanting me to wander in Dao Ting Si and suffer those physical pains, saying things that shouldn’t be said.”

“Xia Jiancha is also a person who does great things, broad-minded, and can pick up and let go. He won’t haggle with me, a mere woman.”

Hua Ruyu finished and looked at Gu Changhuai with some delight.

“Didn’t think so, right? That place in the Dao Prison simply can’t lock me up. You worked so hard to investigate for so long and still couldn’t do anything to me. Some things are fundamentally not something you, these errand-runners, can decide…”

Gu Changhuai was full of killing intent.

Xia Diansi’s eyes also contained anger.

Mo Hua couldn’t stand her arrogant appearance, so he said with a face of concern:

“Sister Hua, what’s wrong with your face? Why did it become so ugly? You didn’t get disfigured, did you?”

As soon as Hua Ruyu heard this, she immediately became like an exploded fox, her expression extremely ferocious, and she viciously pounced towards Mo Hua.

“Little brat, I’ll kill you…”

Before she approached Mo Hua, Gu Changhuai grabbed her with a large hand, twisted her arm, and pushed her back.

Although Gu Changhuai hated to kill Hua Ruyu.

But he also knew the rules. If he really killed Hua Ruyu at this time, both Xia Jiancha and Dao Ting Si would be unable to explain.

He, this Diansi, wouldn’t need to do it anymore.

Hua Ruyu staggered several steps and then stood steady, like a shrew.

She also knew she was no match for Gu Changhuai and the others, so she only looked at them viciously.

Especially the “vicious and insidious” Mo Hua, she hated him so much she wanted to swallow him alive.

Hua Ruyu smiled sinisterly:

“Good, good, I’ll remember this account. Don’t forget, behind me stands a young master.”

“In a hundred years, how many girls have I trained? So many noble young masters in Qian Xue state boundary, who hasn’t enjoyed the taste of ecstasy here with me?”

“Now they are one by one in high positions and with great power. How will they really abandon me? Sooner or later, I will make you all die without a burial ground.”

After finishing, Hua Ruyu sneered, then turned and left.

Mo Hua and the other two did not stop her, but just stood silently in place.

Gu Changhuai was silent for a moment, and then said coldly: “I’ll go find Xia Jiancha.”

Xia Diansi, however, grabbed him and shook her head: “No need to go.”

Gu Changhuai silently looked at Xia Diansi.

Xia Diansi sighed: “Uncle father always plans before he acts and thinks deeply. His decisions are useless for you to find him.”

Gu Changhuai looked at Xia Diansi, a trace of disappointment flashing in his gaze, and said faintly: “I know.”

Then he returned to his room without a word.

Xia Diansi looked at Gu Changhuai, her expression desolate, and also turned and left.

Mo Hua watched the two leave unhappily and couldn’t help but sigh again.

Back in his room, Mo Hua felt some regret.

“I actually didn’t blow up this Hua Ruyu, I miscalculated…”

If he had known earlier, he would have arranged more arrays to blow this Hua Ruyu, along with the Rouge Boat, to pieces, once and for all.

Since she was lucky enough not to die, she should have honestly acted like a turtle, yet she still dared to jump in front of me, truly tired of living.

He also didn’t know which young master was protecting her “paramour,” and what his identity and status were now.

In fact, even Xia Jiancha had to give him face.

Mo Hua shook his head, feeling somewhat emotional.

The water here was really too deep and too dirty…

“But, Hua Ruyu is not dead…”

Mo Hua flipped out the list from his storage bag. He saw that below Shui Yan Luo on the list, the name “Miao Furen” was indeed not dimmed, indicating that Hua Ruyu, as “Miao Furen,” was still alive and well.

“Pity…”

Mo Hua felt some regret.

Good people don’t live long, but scourges last for a millennium.

Mo Hua was just about to consider whether or not to kill Hua Ruyu when he suddenly noticed something was wrong.

“Shui Yan Luo…”

He looked at the list again, especially at the three words “Shui Yan Luo” on the list, and couldn’t help but feel shocked in his heart.

“Why is Shui Yan Luo’s name… still on the list?!”

“He’s not dead?”

“What’s going on?”

“Shui Yan Luo… he’s not dead?”

Mo Hua’s pupils contracted, then he shook his head.

No, impossible!

He was very sure that Shui Yan Luo was already dead.

He had personally shattered his divine soul with the Jing Shen Sword, suffered a backlash from his pupil technique, and was subsequently stabbed in the heart meridian by Senior Brother Feng’s long sword and hit in the forehead by Senior Sister Qianqian’s spirit needle.

Even Xiao Tianquan delivered a finishing blow.

Not only was his physical body dead, but his divine soul was also completely extinguished. He was absolutely certain he hadn’t seen it wrong…

“But why?”

“Why is Shui Yan Luo’s name on the list, not destroyed, not even a little dimmed?”

Mo Hua frowned tightly, his thoughts racing.

Perhaps… the “Shui Yan Luo” who died was actually not Shui Yan Luo, at least not the Shui Yan Luo who signed the “Soul Contract.”

The real Shui Yan Luo was someone else?

Who was that person?

Mo Hua felt a headache for a while.

Suspects floated in his mind one by one, but no matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t make up his mind.

He thought about this question all night, but he only had guesses in his heart and couldn’t think of an answer.

The next morning at dawn, the spirit boat docked.

Mo Hua hadn’t slept all night and looked a bit tired, but there was no way. He could only sigh and return to the sect first.

After greeting Xia Jiancha, Mo Hua then followed Gu Changhuai and the others, left the spirit boat, and stepped onto the dock.

Xiao Tianquan also followed.

Furthermore, he didn’t know if Xia Jiancha had told him something yesterday, but his expression was more complacent, and he was more attentive towards Xia Diansi, showing unlimited concern.

Xia Diansi’s expression was indifferent.

Gu Changhuai saw all this and his gaze was also ice-cold.

Just like this, several people went ashore.

But just as they reached the shore, Mo Hua saw a familiar person.

Ye Hong.

An elder of the third-grade family Ye family in Shui Yan City, and the father of Ye Xiu who died on the Shui Yan River and Ye Jin who died in Bai Hua Gu.

He seemed to have been waiting at the dock for a long time, looking a bit haggard.

Seeing Mo Hua, he didn’t say a word, his expression excited as he came forward, and he asked in a trembling voice: “Little young master, I… Jin’er’s enmity…”

There was expectation in his gaze, but at the same time, a trace of fear.

He couldn’t take revenge himself, so he could only place his hope on Mo Hua.

But at the same time, he also knew his incompetence, so he felt guilty in his heart.

Mo Hua’s expression was somewhat complex, not knowing what to say. Finally, he only nodded: “The Rouge Boat has been destroyed. Those who should die are all dead.”

Ye Hong’s eyes turned red when he heard this, and he immediately wanted to kneel to Mo Hua.

Mo Hua quickly pulled him up.

Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi saw the situation, their expressions also somewhat emotional.

Ye Hong thanked Mo Hua and the others profusely, “Thank you, benefactors. Although Ye is just a Foundation Building and my words are light and my strength thin, in the future, as long as the benefactors have needs, Ye will certainly go through fire and water, without hesitation…”

“Elder Ye, you are too polite.” Mo Hua said.

Ye Hong wanted to treat the crowd at a nearby restaurant, but Mo Hua politely refused.

Uncle Gu and the others had official business, and he himself also wanted to quickly return to Tai Xu Gate.

Ye Hong also knew the rules and did not force it, thanking them again and again.

Thereafter, the crowd left. Mo Hua walked a few steps and turned back to see Ye Hong still standing foolishly in place. He couldn’t help but ask:

“Elder Ye, aren’t you going back?”

Ye Hong’s expression was somewhat desolate, “I want to offer another sacrifice here by the Shui Yan River to my pair of unfortunate children.”

Mo Hua’s footsteps then stopped.

He thought for a moment and said: “I’ll also offer a sacrifice to Senior Sister Ye.”

Just offering a simple sacrifice wouldn’t take much time.

Ye Hong’s expression was grateful. Then he found a quiet spot by the river. He had prepared the sacrifice items long ago: an incense burner, wine, offerings, paper money, etc., all placed on the ground.

In addition, there were the daffodils that Ye Jin liked the most.

Ye Hong burned incense, sprinkled wine, looked at the daffodils on the ground, and two streams of bitter tears flowed down.

“Jin’er, Xiu’er, father is incompetent and cannot personally avenge you.”

“If it weren’t for the benefactors’ chivalry, who avenged you, I would have no face to see you two siblings when my soul returns to the underworld that day…”

Ye Hong’s eyes were slightly red, and he chattered beside him.

Mo Hua looked at the ground full of daffodils, his mood somewhat complex.

Some things, he didn’t say.

Shui Yan Luo’s name was not erased, and he was also not sure if he had truly avenged Senior Sister Ye Jin…

But Ye Hong didn’t know any of this.

After the sacrifice was finished, the crowd prepared to leave.

Gu Changhuai and the others wanted to return to Dao Ting Si, and Mo Hua wanted to return to Tai Xu Gate.

Only Ye Hong remained by the river, mourning his pair of unfortunate children.

As the crowd left, Mo Hua was preoccupied, so he walked a bit slower. Therefore, he happened to see Xiao Tianquan, who had an indifferent expression, even a contemptuous gaze.

Xiao Tianquan just looked at Ye Hong with such a gaze, then followed behind the crowd, turned, and left.

But as he left, he suddenly paused, stepped on the daffodil flower beside his foot, grinding the pure white daffodil flower into the mud.

The white petals, stained with dirt, were scattered into mud.

Mo Hua saw it in his eyes and his heart was shocked. He suddenly said: “Senior Brother Xiao…”

Everyone stopped.

Ye Hong also looked over at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua slowly lifted his head, stared at Xiao Tianquan, his eyes revealing a sharp light, “Actually, you are the real… Shui Yan Luo, right?”