Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2043 - 977: Defying Fate (2)

The sequence of events was staggering: from the initial traces found at Solitary Mountain to the subsequent run-ins with grave robbers, the infiltration of the Shen Family’s ancestral tombs, the outbreak of corpse corruption, and the thousands of caskets used to seal the dead. Then came the swarm of malevolent forces, featuring the Prince of the Great Wilderness, the Demon Sect’s Sovereign and Second Elder, monster cultivators at the late Golden Core stage, and the young master of the Mystic Demon Sect.

The depths of the Shen Family's involvement, the true nature of the pit of ten thousand, the hidden intent behind the burials, and the restoration efforts of the Great Wilderness royalty...

Mo Hua kept a few secrets back, specifically those concerning the Evil God and the Divine Way of Lord Yellow Mountain.

Every other detail, however, was recounted to Master Xia with precision.

Despite his high-ranking position and vast experience, Master Xia found the narrative nearly impossible to fathom as he listened.

A pit of ten thousand, an aristocratic clan engaging in mass slaughter, the Demon Sect's "nurturing of dragons," and the Great Wilderness insurrection...

The web of cause and effect was far too tangled.

The implications were also dangerously grave.

Particularly acts like "nurturing dragons" and "rebellion"—these were direct violations of the Taoist Court’s ultimate taboos.

If such things stayed in the shadows, it was one thing; but once brought to light, any public outcry could potentially rattle the Taoist Court, inevitably leading to a violent purge.

Master Xia felt a surge of internal dread.

He cast another look at Mo Hua, his amazement growing.

In a den of demons where late Golden Core stage experts were clashing and chaos reigned, how could this boy emerge unscathed, without losing a limb, and sit here so calmly drinking tea at the Taoist Court?

Master Xia’s brow furrowed.

The young geniuses of the Xia family might possess superior roots, higher Cultivation, or loftier goals, but very few could match this boy’s sheer capability and mental fortitude...

A long silence followed as Master Xia processed the revelations Mo Hua had shared.

After a while, his eyes sharpened slightly, and he spoke in a measured tone: "Little brother, by telling me all this, are you asking me... to take action against the Shen Family?"

Mo Hua countered with a question: "Will you?"

Master Xia replied, "The Shen Family demolished half of Solitary Mountain, reducing everything within to rubble and burying it deep. Even if evidence once existed, it is likely obliterated. Convicting the Shen Family is nearly impossible without physical proof."

Though he spoke those words, Mo Hua understood that even with proof, Master Xia wouldn't necessarily move against them.

Great aristocratic families are driven by profit.

The Taoist Court is driven by the balance of power.

Neither places "fairness" or "justice" at the top of their list.

Master Xia was no exception.

He wasn't a villain, but he wasn't a saint either; in his dealings, he always calculated the gains and losses to find the most advantageous path.

He would recruit those he found useful, but he would just as quickly discard them if they lost their value.

The situation with the Shen Family was no different.

If Master Xia held "evidence," his first instinct would be to use it as leverage to secure the best possible outcome for the Xia family and himself.

Mo Hua didn't actually expect Master Xia to destroy the Shen Family.

His intent was simply to hand Master Xia the "blade," providing him with an opening to carve a piece of wealth away from the Shen Family.

As a representative of the powerful Xia clan and the authoritative Taoist Court, Master Xia’s involvement alone would place immense strain on the Shen Family.

They would be far too preoccupied to focus on anything else.

Even if he eventually reached a "settlement" with the Shen Family, it would only be after he had extorted a massive tribute from them.

The cost of "silencing" a Taoist Court inspector would be astronomical.

The Shen Family would be forced to bleed heavily, losing a significant portion of their resources.

As long as the Shen Family’s power was diminished, the goal was achieved.

The Shen Family was a fifth-grade aristocratic family and a titan within the Qian Learning State Boundary; Mo Hua, a mere Foundation Building Cultivator, couldn't possibly take them down alone.

Despite the Solitary Mountain incident coming to light, the schemes of the Shen Family’s Old Ancestor meant the final resolution might be underwhelming.

Therefore, Mo Hua’s strategy was to cause as much interference as possible.

By keeping the Shen Family exhausted and on the defensive, they wouldn't be able to target him.

Furthermore, as others feasted on their interests, the Shen Family’s Vital Energy would be damaged, leading to internal fractures and conflict.

A dying centipede struggles long before it stays still.

The collapse of a great family rarely happens overnight.

This was the extent of what Mo Hua could accomplish for now.

He wasn't sure exactly how much the Shen Family would lose this time, but he had full confidence in the avarice of the aristocratic clans and the maneuvers of the Taoist Court.

Everything else was beyond his concern.

Mo Hua spoke plainly to Master Xia:

"I have no love for the Shen Family, but the Solitary Mountain affair is too massive. I must focus on my Cultivation and lack the capacity or the power to handle this."

"Furthermore, it is the duty of the Taoist Court to uphold Taoist Law and ensure public order. As a mere Sect disciple, I have done my part by exposing the Shen Family’s secrets. The resolution of the Solitary Mountain matter can only be overseen by you, Inspector Master."

Mo Hua spoke with an air of righteousness while effectively washing his hands of the matter.

The burden now lay with the Taoist Court.

Inspector Xia gave Mo Hua a long, searching look. "Is that truly all?"

"Yes," Mo Hua confirmed with a nod.

"You have no other demands?"

After a moment of thought, Mo Hua said, "Only one: please keep my name out of this. If the Shen Family learns I was your source, they will move heaven and earth to make my life difficult. I just want to focus on my Cultivation at Taixu Gate in peace."

Inspector Xia nodded with gravity. "That goes without saying. You have my word."

Whistleblowers were granted strict protections under the regulations of the Taoist Court.

Moreover, Mo Hua held a unique status.

Had he kept silent, it wouldn't have mattered, but since he had come forward, the Taoist Court was obligated—both by logic and sentiment—to protect his identity.

Failing to do so would not only provoke Taixu Gate but also destroy the credibility of the Taoist Court’s inspectors.