Zhang Lan furrowed his brow.
Although he didn't want to admit it, the more he thought, the more likely it seemed to be true.
Could it be that Mo Hua didn't create the formation? Was this person also blown up by Mo Hua?
Although Mo Hua was only at the fourth layer of Qi Refinement, since he had started learning complex formations, his skill in formations was not low. Drawing a formation to explode someone shouldn't be difficult for him.
After some thought, Zhang Lan wiped away all traces of the formation directly. He then planned to find Mo Hua later to share a pot of wine and clear up the matter.
He felt no guilt about showing favoritism.
Coming from a prestigious family, Zhang Lan had grown up seeing many idle and arrogant individuals. Therefore, he held disdain for the likes of Qian Xing, who relied on their family's reputation to bully others, feeling that they not only wasted their family's resources but also tarnished its reputation.
He was just a bit regretful that the formation's power wasn't sufficient to kill that kid from the Qian family.
"This Mo Hua is still not skilled enough..." Zhang Lan muttered.
In Wondrous Hall, Mr. Feng treated Da Zhu and the others for their injuries.
Mr. Feng didn't like troublemakers, and initially, he was reluctant to treat them. It was Mo Hua's claim that he had been bullied, and Da Zhu and the others had intervened to help, which led to their injuries.
Of course, Mo Hua, who claimed to have been bullied, was lively and had only suffered superficial injuries, whereas the one who bullied him had been blown into an unrecognizable state... This was something Mr. Feng didn't need to know.
Having watched Mo Hua grow up, Mr. Feng was partial to him. Upon hearing Mo Hua's account, his attitude toward Da Zhu and the others softened. He prepared some herbs for them to apply to their wounds and gave them some internal elixirs to promote blood circulation and dispel stasis.
Da Zhu whispered, "Mo Hua, you've got some nerve, actually managing to persuade Mr. Feng. When I got injured in a fight before, no matter the reason, I didn't dare come to Mr. Feng for fear of his reprimand."
Mo Hua replied, "Mr. Feng is kind-hearted. If you had a genuine reason, he would definitely have helped. If he didn't treat you, it means he knew you weren't seriously injured."
Da Zhu nodded skeptically, but if it weren't for Mo Hua's presence, they would never have dared to come to Mr. Feng.
After examining Da Zhu and the others' injuries, Mr. Feng glanced at Mo Hua. Seeing that Mo Hua also had only superficial wounds, he finally relaxed.
"Your constitution is naturally weak. You shouldn't engage in fights. If you can't avoid it, find a way to escape early instead of risking your life."
Mo Hua sighed helplessly. "Mr. Feng, I did try to run, but I couldn't get away."
Mr. Feng furrowed his brows. "Who in Tongxian City doesn't know their limits, bullying a child like you?"
Mo Hua chuckled. "It's nothing major. It's over now."
Seeing that Mo Hua didn't want to elaborate, Mr. Feng didn't press further. He just advised, "I won't speak of other places, but here in Tongxian City, I still have some influence. If anyone bullies you and you can't handle it, be sure to tell me."
Mo Hua gratefully nodded, touched his neck, and found that after applying the ointment Mr. Feng had given him, it was cool and no longer painful. He bid farewell, "It's getting late. I'll head home first. Next time, I'll bring you some osmanthus wine brewed by my mother to taste!"
Mr. Feng waved his hand. "Go back early and don't worry your mother."
Mo Hua bid farewell to Da Zhu and the others. Seeing their troubled expressions, he asked, "Are your injuries serious?"
"They're not serious, but they look bad. It'll take a day or two to heal. Master will definitely find out," Da Zhu said with a downcast expression.
"Master Chen?"
"Yes, Master has repeatedly warned us not to cause trouble or fight. Injuries from fights require spirit stones for treatment, and we have to compensate others with spirit stones..."
"That's right. So, every time after a fight, regardless of whether we're right or wrong, Master always punishes us."
Several disciples chimed in.
Mo Hua felt somewhat guilty. Da Zhu and the others had fought with Qian Xing's group because they were helping him. If it weren't for Qian Xing's aggressiveness, things wouldn't have escalated like this.
Mo Hua said, "Qian Xing bullies others. You fought because you were helping me. Master Chen isn't unreasonable. He shouldn't blame you."
"Okay," Da Zhu nodded, but still felt uneasy.
"If Master Chen still blames you, tell him that I can help with drawing any formations needed for the forge in the future, as long as they're not too difficult."
"Really?" Da Zhu's eyes lit up. Hiring someone to draw formations required a lot of spirit stones, and Master always felt distressed about it. If Mo Hua could help in the future, Master would surely be pleased.
"But," Da Zhu hesitated, "won't you be at a disadvantage?"
"My father often told me that neighbors should help each other. You helped me, and I'll help you. How could I lose out?" Mo Hua patted his chest.
Mo Shan knew Mo Hua was happy to draw formations for others, and often told him so. He also said that within his capabilities, he would help others as they struggled to make ends meet as low-level scattered cultivators.
Mo Hua's family had received a lot of help when they were in difficulty before.
Da Zhu was very happy, "If Qian Xing's bastard bothers you again, we'll help you beat him up!"
"Yes, beat him up!" Several disciples echoed.
After parting ways, Mo Hua returned home, had dinner, exchanged a few words with his mother, and then went back to his room to study formations.
He didn't mention Qian Xing's incident to avoid worrying his mother.
The Qian family had too much power. He would avoid trouble as much as possible. If he couldn't avoid it, then he would speak. Fortunately, the Qian family didn't know he had used formations to injure Qian Xing, so they shouldn't bother Mo Hua for a while.
Liu Ruhua, sitting alone under the lamp and sewing clothes with a heavy heart, waited until Mo Shan returned before saying to her husband, "Hua'er is injured. He didn't say anything and covered his wound. He didn't want me to notice, but I'm his mother. How could I not notice..."
Mo Shan comforted his wife gently, "Hua'er is a boy. Boys should take responsibility. If he didn't say anything, it means he can handle it. It shouldn't be a big deal. Don't worry and don't ask him."
"Okay," Liu Ruhua nodded, "I'm still a bit worried... Hua'er has always been obedient. He shouldn't have conflicts with others."
"I'll ask around tomorrow to find out exactly what happened. Don't worry. Even if something happened, I'm here."
Mo Shan reassured his wife in a gentle tone, though a hint of sharpness flashed in his eyes.
Meanwhile, in the forge, Da Zhu and the others were being punished by Master Chen, kneeling in front of the hall.
Master Chen held a stick in his hand, his face as cold as water.
"All right, now you have the audacity, and you've grown wings, picking fights with others, even alarming the Dao Court. If I hadn't heard about this from someone else, I would still be in the dark. Do you not regard me, your master?"
(End of the Chapter)