Chapter 1674: Chapter 863: True and False (Part 4)
At dawn the next day, the Spirit Boat docked at the port.
Mo Hua hadn’t slept all night, looking somewhat fatigued, but with no other choice, he just sighed and decided to return to the Sect first.
After greeting Master Xia, Mo Hua followed Gu Changhuai and the others off the Spirit Boat and onto the dock.
Xiao Tianquan was also following along.
Furthermore, it seemed that Master Xia might have told him something yesterday, as his expression was even more satisfied, and he was even more attentive to Xia Canonical Official, showing great concern for his well-being.
Xia Canonical Official remained cold in expression.
Gu Changhuai observed all of this, his gaze equally cold.
Thus, they all disembarked.
Just upon reaching the shore, Mo Hua saw a familiar face.
Ye Hong.
The Elder of the Ye family, a Third Grade family in Mistwater City, and also the father of Ye Xiu, who died on Mistwater River, and Ye Jin, who died in Hundred Flower Valley.
He seemed to have been waiting at the dock for a long time, looking somewhat haggard.
Upon seeing Mo Hua, he approached immediately, his expression full of emotion, and tremblingly asked, "Young Master, I... Jin Er’s revenge..."
In his eyes, there was hope, but also a hint of fear.
The matter of revenge, he couldn’t achieve himself, so he could only place his hopes on Mo Hua.
Yet he also knew this was due to his own incompetence, thus feeling ashamed in his heart.
Mo Hua’s expression was somewhat complicated, not knowing what to say, finally just nodding, "The Rouge Boat has already been destroyed, those who deserved death are all dead."
Upon hearing this, Ye Hong’s eyes reddened, and he was about to kneel before Mo Hua.
Mo Hua quickly stopped him.
Gu Changhuai and Xia Canonical Official, witnessing this, also seemed somewhat moved.
Ye Hong repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Mo Hua and the others, "Thank you all, though I am merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, with little ability, in the future, should any of you need anything, I will go through fire and water without hesitation..."
"Elder Ye, you speak too highly." Mo Hua said.
Ye Hong wanted to host the group at a nearby inn, but Mo Hua politely declined.
Uncle Gu and the others had official duties, and he himself needed to return to Taixu Gate as soon as possible.
Ye Hong, knowing his place, did not insist and again expressed his deep gratitude.
Afterwards, the group prepared to leave. Mo Hua took a few steps, then turned back to see Ye Hong still standing there blankly, so he couldn’t help but ask,
"Elder Ye, aren’t you going back?"
Ye Hong looked somewhat sorrowful, "I want to conduct another ritual at the Mistwater River for my ill-fated children."
Mo Hua stopped walking.
He pondered for a moment and said, "I’ll also pay my respects to Senior Sister Ye."
Just a simple tribute wouldn’t take much time.
Ye Hong appeared grateful, then found a secluded spot by the river and set out incense burners, liquor, offerings, paper money, all prepared for the ritual.
In addition, there were Ye Jin’s favorite daffodils.
Ye Hong burned the incense, poured the wine, and looking at the daffodils on the ground, tears of bitterness streamed down his face.
"Jin Er, Xiu Er, your father was incompetent, unable to avenge you with his own hands."
"If not for those benefactors, imparting justice and avenging you, I would have no face to meet you in the Underworld one day..."
Ye Hong’s eyes were slightly red as he mumbled to himself nearby.
Mo Hua looked at the ground covered in daffodils, feeling somewhat conflicted.
There were things he left unsaid.
The name of Shui Yan hadn’t been eliminated, and he wasn’t even sure if he truly avenged Senior Sister Ye Jin...
But Ye Hong knew none of this.
After the ritual was completed, the group was about to set off.
Gu Changhuai and the others were returning to the Taoist Court, and Mo Hua also needed to return to Taixu Gate.
Only Ye Hong remained by the river, mourning his ill-fated children.
As the group departed, Mo Hua, preoccupied, walked a bit slower, and thus he noticed, with an indifferent, even slightly disdainful look, Xiao Tianquan.
Xiao Tianquan regarded Ye Hong with such a gaze, then followed the group, turning away.
But as he left, he suddenly took it upon himself to stamp on a daffodil at his feet, crushing the pure white flower into the dirt.
The white petals, stained with dirt, scattered into the earth.
Mo Hua saw this and was startled, suddenly saying, "Brother Xiao..."
Everyone halted.
Ye Hong also looked towards Mo Hua.
Mo Hua slowly raised his head, staring at Xiao Tianquan, his eyes sharp, "Actually, you are the real... Shui Yan, aren’t you?"