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

The narrative stretched from the initial clues discovered at Solitary Mountain to subsequent clashes with tomb raiders, the infiltration of the Shen Family's ancestral graves, a gruesome corpse plague, and the thousand-corpse coffin seal. It involved a gathering of monsters—the Prince of the Great Wilderness, the Sovereign of the Demon Sect, their Second Elder, monstrous late Golden Core stage cultivators, and the young master of the Mystic Demon Sect, among others.

The truth behind the Shen Family's actions, the genesis of the ten-thousand-man pit, the true intent of the burial rites, and the restoration efforts of the Great Wilderness royalty were all laid bare.

Except for specific enigmas concerning the Evil God and the Divine Way of Lord Yellow Mountain, which Mo Hua kept concealed.

Mo Hua recounted the remaining events to Master Xia with meticulous detail.

Even an official as highly placed and knowledgeable as Master Xia found the report nearly impossible to credit upon hearing it.

A pit of ten thousand, massacres orchestrated by an aristocratic family, the Demon Sect's "dragon nurturing" schemes, and the Great Wilderness insurrection...

The web of cause and effect surrounding these events was far too tangled.

The implications were also grave.

Particularly "dragon nurturing" and "rebellion"—these were acts that directly crossed the ultimate red line drawn by the Taoist Court.

If such things remained buried, all was well; however, once brought to light, any significant public outcry would surely shock the Taoist Court, inevitably leading to a violent and bloody purge.

Master Xia felt a wave of secret apprehension.

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

In a chaotic environment swarming with demons and late Golden Core stage battles, how could this youth survive completely unscathed, even appearing so composed as to drink tea within the Taoist Court?

Master Xia’s brow furrowed.

The geniuses of the Xia family might possess superior talent, higher Cultivation, and grander ambitions, but very few could match this boy’s practical capability and steady temperament.

Master Xia remained silent for a long duration, mentally processing the revelations provided by Mo Hua.

A moment later, his eyes sharpened as he spoke slowly: "Little brother, by telling me this, are you asking me... to move against the Shen Family?"

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

Master Xia replied: "The Shen Family detonated half of Solitary Mountain, reducing everything within to dust and burying it deep in the earth. Even if evidence once existed, it is likely obliterated. Without concrete proof, convicting the Shen Family is an impossible task."

Those were his words, yet Mo Hua understood that even with evidence, Master Xia might not necessarily strike the Shen Family down.

Aristocratic families are driven by interests.

The Taoist Court balances the scales of power.

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

Master Xia was no exception.

He wasn't necessarily a villain, but he wasn't a saint either; in all his dealings, he first calculated the gains and losses to secure the maximum benefit.

He would recruit those he found useful, but he would just as easily discard them once their utility vanished.

The Shen Family situation was no different.

If Master Xia held "evidence," his first instinct would certainly be to use it as leverage to extract the greatest possible advantage for the Xia family and himself.

Mo Hua never truly expected Master Xia to dismantle the Shen Family.

His goal was simply to place a "blade" in Master Xia's hand, providing him with an opening to carve a piece of profit from the Shen Family’s hide.

Master Xia represented the influential Xia family and the supreme authority of the Taoist Court; his mere involvement would exert immense pressure on the Shen Family.

The Shen Family would be far too occupied to focus on anything else.

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

The price for "bribing" a Taoist Court inspector would be staggering.

The Shen Family would have to suffer a significant loss and bleed resources heavily.

As long as the Shen Family’s power was eroded, it was a victory.

As a fifth-grade aristocratic family, the Shen Family was a colossus within the Qian Learning State Boundary; Mo Hua, a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, could never hope to topple them alone.

Though the Solitary Mountain affair was out in the open, the schemes of the Shen Family’s Old Ancestor meant the final outcome might still be underwhelming.

Therefore, Mo Hua’s strategy was to create as much chaos as possible.

If the Shen Family was exhausted by these distractions, they wouldn't be able to turn their sights on him.

Furthermore, once enough of their interests were devoured by others, the Shen Family’s Vital Energy would be damaged, triggering internal conflicts.

A centipede may die, but it does not easily topple.

The ruin of an aristocratic family rarely happens overnight.

This was the extent of what Mo Hua could currently achieve.

While Mo Hua wasn't certain exactly how much the Shen Family would lose this time, he had full confidence in the avarice of aristocratic families and the political maneuvers of the Taoist Court.

Other concerns were beyond his scope.

Mo Hua spoke with apparent sincerity to Master Xia:

"I have no fondness for the Shen Family, but the Solitary Mountain matter is too vast. I must concentrate on my Cultivation and lack the capacity to manage such affairs."

"Furthermore, it is the duty of the Taoist Court to uphold Taoist Law and enforce public order. As a simple Sect disciple, I have fulfilled my obligation by exposing the Shen Family's secrets. The resolution of the Solitary Mountain case can only be led by you, Inspector Master."

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

The following steps were the Taoist Court's burden.

Inspector Xia studied Mo Hua intently. "Is that truly all?"

"Yes," Mo Hua nodded.

"You have no other requests?"

Mo Hua pondered for a second before saying: "Just one. Please do not mention my name. If the Shen Family learns I was your source, they will surely stop at nothing to harass me. I only wish to cultivate in peace at Taixu Gate."

Inspector Xia gave a solemn nod. "That goes without saying. You have my word."

Whistleblowing actions were strictly protected under Taoist Court protocol.

Moreover, Mo Hua's status was unique.

Had he not come forward, it would be one thing, but since he had personally shared this information, the Taoist Court was bound by both pragmatism and sentiment to guard his identity.

Failing to do so would alienate Taixu Gate and destroy the inspector's own professional reputation.