Rong Zhenren sternly refused, and Bai Zixi pursed her lips, looking at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua understood immediately and quickly stated, "If Senior Sister doesn't go, then I won't go either."
Rong Zhenren said, "Well—you can go."
Mo Hua said, "I can choose not to go."
Rong Zhenren rarely persuaded others, nor did she bother with such messy affairs, but now, due to Zixi's emotional issues, she was caught in a bind and had to convince Mo Hua.
Rong Zhenren sighed inwardly, pointed at the invitation decorated with large golden peonies, and asked, "Do you know how valuable this invitation is?"
Mo Hua didn't quite understand, "How valuable?"
Rong Zhenren sighed, "I look down on those sordid matters of the pleasure quarters—but I do know that an invitation to the Flower Queen Banquet at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion is worth a thousand gold and hard to come by."
"In all of Houtu City, countless powers and young masters long for such a flower queen invitation to attend the banquet at the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, to catch a glimpse of the flower queen's breathtaking beauty—it can't even be bought with spirit stones. In previous years, there have been cases where people killed over this invitation—"
Mo Hua was a bit surprised, "This invitation is that valuable?"
Just to see a flower queen? Are these people insane?
Mo Hua looked at the invitation, worth a thousand gold and hard to obtain, and suddenly had a brilliant idea: "How about I sell this invitation? I wonder how many spirit stones it could fetch—"
Rong Zhenren felt a blockage in her chest, her mind racing.
As expected of you, kid—
While countless men dream of an invitation to the flower queen banquet, you're thinking of selling it for spirit stones?
Don't you have any common sense?
Rong Zhenren was momentarily speechless.
Bai Zixi also looked at Mo Hua oddly, thinking, This is an invitation to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion's flower queen banquet. Even I want to go see it, but Little Junior Brother only thinks of selling it for money—
Bai Zixi asked, "Little Junior Brother, are you that short on spirit stones?"
At the mention of spirit stones, Mo Hua sighed, "It's okay—"
He was indeed very, very short on spirit stones, but he couldn't tell Little Junior Sister; otherwise, he'd really be living off her—though he already relied on her quite a bit.
Moreover, his shortage of spirit stones was too great; even Little Junior Sister couldn't satisfy his needs.
It was better to earn spirit stones by his own ability.
So Mo Hua asked, "Can't I really sell this invitation?"
If he sold it, it would be a large influx of spirit stones.
Rong Zhenren sighed, "Be a decent person."
Mo Hua sighed regretfully.
Even Rong Zhenren was a bit puzzled and asked, "She's the flower queen. Don't you really want to go see her?"
Mo Hua thought seriously and said, "A feast is never a good feast. The Jade Fragrance Pavilion—is the lair of the Union Sect, probably a dragon's pool and tiger's den. If I go, I might be in danger."
Rong Zhenren was speechless. You, kid, think there are dangerous places? Why didn't you think it was dangerous last time?
Rong Zhenren urged, "It's fine. If you go, I'll ensure your safety."
Mo Hua was surprised, "Really?"
Rong Zhenren nodded.
Mo Hua found it strange, "Rong Zhenren, do you really want me to go see the flower queen that much?"
Naturally, Rong Zhenren did. She eagerly hoped that enchanting flower queen would capture Mo Hua's heart.
With this troublemaker out of the way, Zixi's heart would be at peace.
Rong Zhenren said slowly, "This chance to see the flower queen might come only once. Besides—don't you want to know why, at this particular time, the flower queen of the Jade Fragrance Pavilion invited you to the banquet?"
Mo Hua was taken aback and found it reasonable.
Why, at this particular time, did this Nian Nujiao send him an invitation to go to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion?
The Jade Fragrance Pavilion is a great demon's den.
Do they want to scheme to kill him, or do they have other intentions?
The situation in Houtu City is unclear now, and the Earth Sect's schemes are not yet apparent—if he went to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion to see this Yu Nujiao, might he learn something?
Mo Hua pondered and looked at Bai Zixi.
Bai Zixi seemed to understand Mo Hua's thoughts and nodded, "Then go."
Rong Zhenren was startled.
But Mo Hua shook his head, "If Senior Sister doesn't go, then I won't go either. The Jade Fragrance Pavilion isn't a good place, and the flower queen isn't worth seeing—"
Bai Zixi said softly, "Go ahead."
Mo Hua insisted, "I won't go."
Rong Zhenren couldn't stand the two of them being all lovey-dovey like this. Who are they putting on a show for?
Bai Zixi added, "It's a rare opportunity—go if you want. But it's not a good place there, so be careful."
"And while you're at it—take a look at what the flower queen looks like and tell me when you come back." Bai Zixi's tone carried a hint of curiosity, as if she was also interested in the flower queen.
Since Little Junior Sister had said so, Mo Hua could only nod, "Alright—I'll take a look at the flower queen and tell you if she's pretty when I get back."
Bai Zixi nodded, "Mm."
Rong Zhenren, standing by, didn't know what to say about the two of them.
"Oh, right," Bai Zixi thought for a moment and added, "You can't go alone."
Mo Hua was taken aback, "Can't go alone?"
"Mm," Bai Zixi nodded, "You need someone to accompany you—"
She didn't want her newly hand-holding little junior brother to be lured away by someone else.
Mo Hua couldn't help asking, "Who should accompany me—"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he immediately knew who Little Junior Sister meant.
Who else but someone who frequents brothels?
Three days later, at the East City Gambling House.
As soon as Mo Hua entered the gambling house, he spotted Bai Xiaosheng from afar, mingling in the crowd and excitedly placing bets.
But as Mo Hua took a few steps closer and looked up, Bai Xiaosheng had vanished from the crowd.
Looking around, the entire gambling house was bustling, but there was no sign of Bai Xiaosheng.
Mo Hua shook his head helplessly.
Less than fifteen minutes later.
In a corner of a teahouse ten li away, Bai Xiaosheng poured himself a cup of tea and couldn't help grumbling, "I'm so done. That jinx is like a haunting ghost, always coming after me. I must have owed him in a past life—"
Bai Xiaosheng was resentful. He tilted his head and gulped down a cup of tea. Just as he was about to pour a second cup, a cup was handed over beside him, and a natural voice said, "Pour me one too."
Bai Xiaosheng was startled. He turned his head and saw that the "jinx" had somehow already sat down beside him, holding a cup, waiting for him to pour tea.
Bai Xiaosheng was silent for a long time before speaking helplessly, "Are you some kind of ghost?"
"How could I be a ghost—" Mo Hua retorted, "Why did you run off for no reason?"
Bai Xiaosheng sneered, "Obviously."
Then Bai Xiaosheng looked at Mo Hua warily, frowned, and asked, "My escape technique is so fast, and my whereabouts are so hidden. How did you find me?"
Mo Hua said, "Nothing special. Just by fate. I felt you were here."
Bai Xiaosheng secretly cursed. That Mo guy's mouth is like a ghost's tongue. Not a single honest word comes out of his mouth.
Bai Xiaosheng turned to leave again, but after walking a bit, he turned back, sat down, and sighed.
Mo Hua asked curiously, "Why aren't you running anymore?"
Bai Xiaosheng snorted coldly, thinking, "Can I escape?"
Once a person is haunted by a "ghost," how can they get away?
Mo Hua saw that he was being sensible and nodded, "Good that you're not running. Just in time, I have something to discuss with you."
Bai Xiaosheng said, "Not doing it."
Mo Hua was puzzled, "I haven't even said what it is yet—"
Bai Xiaosheng said, "Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with me. I don't care, and don't ask me."
Mo Hua said, "It's a good thing. My treat."
Bai Xiaosheng got angry at that and fumed, "Wasn't it enough that you tricked me last time? You said you were treating me to a visit to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, but in the end, I paid all the bills."
"Not only that, but I also revealed my background in front of Little Grandaunt and Rong Zhenren, losing all face. Since then, Rong Zhenren looks at me with disdain—all thanks to you, Lord Mo!"
"From now on, we'll keep to ourselves and never cross paths again!"
"You're a big shot I can't afford to offend, but I can still avoid you, can't I?"
The more Bai Xiaosheng spoke, the angrier he got.
Mo Hua heard this and poured a cup of tea for Bai Xiaosheng, trying to calm him down, "Calm down, calm down. You're over a hundred years old, why can't you be more composed? Why bother arguing with a mere Golden Core cultivator like me—"
At that, Bai Xiaosheng grew even angrier and slammed the table, "What's wrong with being over a hundred? Is that old? A late-stage Golden Core at over a hundred is a solid genius even in the great clans!"
"Give me another ten or twenty years, and if I cultivate to Feather Transformation, I'll be a peerless prodigy!"
Mo Hua sighed, "Alright, alright, you're a clan genius, a peerless prodigy—"
Hearing Mo Hua say this, Bai Xiaosheng cooled down a bit and sat down to drink the tea Mo Hua had poured for him.
Mo Hua added, "This time it's really a good thing."
Bai Xiaosheng said, "Don't give me that."
Mo Hua said, "I'm not lying to you."
Bai Xiaosheng said, "What good could possibly come from anything involving you?"
Mo Hua said, "This time I'll treat you to a visit to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion again—"
As soon as Bai Xiaosheng heard the words "Jade Fragrance Pavilion," he immediately sensed a trap and wanted to leave, but Mo Hua quickly pulled him back, "—to see the flower queen."
The words "flower queen" made Bai Xiaosheng pause. He was a bit surprised, "See the flower queen?"
Mo Hua nodded.
Bai Xiaosheng didn't believe it, "You?"
Mo Hua took an invitation from his sleeve and handed it to Bai Xiaosheng.
Bai Xiaosheng took the invitation and looked at it, stunned. Then he carefully examined it from every angle, looking shocked, "Where did you steal this?"
Mo Hua was speechless. He pointed to the words "Cordially Inviting Young Master Mo" at the top.
Bai Xiaosheng stared at the words "Young Master Mo" repeatedly, still finding it hard to believe, "How did you get your hands on something so rare?"
Mo Hua nodded, "It's nothing special. Actually, I didn't really want it, but someone sent it to me. It wouldn't be appropriate not to go—"
Bai Xiaosheng thought, "Can you be any more thick-skinned?"
This thin invitation, worth a thousand gold and hard to come by, is something countless men dream of, and you're saying someone gave it to you?
And you're implying you didn't even want it?
Mo Hua patted Bai Xiaosheng on the shoulder and said sincerely, "Last time we went to the Jade Fragrance Pavilion, I feel I let you down. I've always felt sorry and wanted to make it up to you."
"And just this once, there's a chance to attend the flower queen banquet, a rare opportunity, so I thought of you."
Mo Hua said, "Whenever something good comes up, I think of you. Aren't you touched?"
Bai Xiaosheng sneered.
Touched, my foot.
There's definitely a trap here.
Bai Xiaosheng asked, "Does my Little Grandaunt know about this?"
Mo Hua nodded, "It was your Little Grandaunt who told me to bring you along. She and I both want to look after you."
Bai Xiaosheng felt that something about Mo Hua's words was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Mo Hua asked again, "Are you going?"
Bai Xiaosheng initially wanted to say no. Historical experience told him that getting involved with Mo Hua never ended well.
But if he could really see the flower queen, this opportunity was truly precious—
After all, the flower queen's beauty surpasses all others. It's not something anyone can see anytime.
Bai Xiaosheng frowned and asked, "Is this invitation real?"
Mo Hua said, "Why would I make a fake? I'm not that bored."
Bai Xiaosheng asked again, "You're really not tricking me?"
Mo Hua said with a faint smile, "If the chance to see the flower queen counts as a trick, then countless men in Houtu City would kneel and beg to be tricked by me."
Bai Xiaosheng was taken aback and found that quite reasonable.
Mo Hua said, "Let's go. If we delay any longer, I might change my mind. I don't only know you in Houtu City."
Bai Xiaosheng hesitated repeatedly but ultimately felt that seeing the flower queen was more important.
Once bitten, twice shy can't last forever. Even if he was tricked, it wouldn't be a loss. So Bai Xiaosheng nodded, "Fine, I'll trust you one more time."
Mo Hua said, "Then you lead the way. I'm not familiar with the area."
Bai Xiaosheng had no choice but to call a carriage, set the route himself, and then carry Mo Hua, the big shot, toward the Jade Fragrance Pavilion deep in the pleasure quarters of Houtu City.
The horse's hooves went clip-clop, and it was quiet inside the carriage.
Without Little Grandaunt accompanying them, just going with Mo Hua to see the flower queen, Bai Xiaosheng felt much more relaxed.
But he still wasn't willing to talk much with Mo Hua. Talking with Mo Hua sometimes really pissed him off.
After the carriage had gone for a while, Mo Hua looked at Bai Xiaosheng and suddenly felt a bit curious, "Is it really okay for you to be fooling around all the time?"
Bai Xiaosheng was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
"I mean—" Mo Hua thought for a moment and said slowly, "I never see you cultivating, nor do I see you doing anything serious. You just hang around in market arenas, brothels, and gambling houses. Is that really okay? What about your cultivation?"
Bai Xiaosheng said, "Who says I'm not cultivating? This is precisely my cultivation."
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
Bai Xiaosheng's expression turned a bit serious and said, "I told you before, I cultivate the All Beings Dao—"
Mo Hua nodded slightly, "You did say that."
Bai Xiaosheng's eyes deepened. There were some things he didn't like to discuss with others, but Mo Hua was an exception.
Even though this kid could be annoying.
Bai Xiaosheng said, "Cultivating the Dao means cultivating the 'Dao,' not the stages set by men."
"Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Feather Transformation—these are all cultivation realms set by men. If following these realms step by step would lead to attaining the Dao and becoming an immortal, then there would be plenty of immortals under heaven."
"But clearly, that's not the case. In the nine provinces of this world, for who knows how many years, there hasn't been a single immortal."
"This shows that our cultivation methods are flawed. Following the steps, seeking realms, and increasing cultivation levels is likely not the way to become an immortal."
"But this cultivation framework has been followed for tens of thousands of years, forming the foundation of cultivation for all cultivators in the nine provinces. It has never been wrong, and no flaws have been found, so it is regarded as orthodox."
"But even so, not all traditions practice this way."
"The Dao I cultivate is different. The Dao transforms into all things, the Dao transforms sentient beings; thus, sentient beings are all the Dao. Understanding the principles of sentient beings opens the gate to the Dao. Therefore, observing the myriad forms of sentient beings and understanding their joys and sorrows is also a form of cultivation."
Bai Xiaosheng's expression was solemn, with an indescribable depth.
Mo Hua's pupils shook, his mind stirred with waves, and he asked, "Did you figure all this out yourself?"
Bai Xiaosheng paused, then suddenly became lazy again, reverting to his usual good-for-nothing demeanor.
"How could that be—I heard this from an ancestor of the Bai family when I was a child, during my initial cultivation enlightenment—"