Mo Hua silently took note in his heart.
After leaving the Taoist Prison, Gu Changhuai's face was as still as water.
He thought for a moment, then ordered someone to bring all of Flower Gentleman's personal effects, evidence, and Storage Bag to him.
Then, alone, he chose a quiet Court Official Room to sift through the items himself.
Mo Hua, at his side, craned his neck, also wanting to sneak a peek.
Seeing this, Gu Changhuai quickly covered the items and shook his head, "You can't look."
"You're still young…"
Mo Hua didn't understand.
Realizing that Mo Hua genuinely didn't get it, Gu Changhuai sighed and reminded him,
"Flower Gentleman was a rapist..."
Inside his Storage Bag were things like sexual manuals, erotic paintings, Replenishing from others techniques, and records of his conquests… a pile of vulgar and indecent things... Not suitable for children...
He definitely shouldn't let Mo Hua see them.
Otherwise, the boy would be led astray.
Mo Hua suddenly understood, also recalling how Senior Sister Murong hadn't allowed him to see these things when they caught Flower Gentleman.
"Fine, if I can't look, then I can't look..."
Mo Hua lay on the side, gazing at Gu Changhuai.
Feeling uncomfortable under Mo Hua's scrutiny, Gu Changhuai spoke with slight irritation:
"Why are you looking at me? Do what you need to, I'm working on the case..."
Mo Hua raised three fingers:
"Let's set three rules!"
"The third one, if we go out, I follow you closely, not leaving your side, not acting rashly or recklessly..."
"That was your own words!"
Mo Hua stated assertively.
Gu Changhuai felt a headache coming on.
He had been careless, inadvertently shooting himself in the foot.
This kid was too quick-witted...
Seizing even the slightest opportunity.
Gu Changhuai, resigned, ignored Mo Hua and continued rifling through Flower Gentleman's Storage Bag, looking for clues.
This Storage Bag had been sealed by the Dao Court Canon.
Cultivators outside had no access to it.
And if a Cultivator within were to tamper with it, they would certainly leave traces behind.
As far as he could tell thus far, no one had touched the contents.
Using his years of experience with Dao Court Canon investigations, Gu Changhuai meticulously examined each item, searching for any trace and usable leads.
But most of the items inside were distasteful.
The more he looked, the more annoyed Gu Changhuai became.
Finally, upon seeing a Jade Slip, his expression shifted, a glint of realization in his gaze.
Unable to look at the Storage Bag, but always watching Gu Changhuai, Mo Hua immediately caught the subtle change on Gu Changhuai's face.
Mo Hua's eyes sparkled, "Uncle Gu, have you found a clue?"
Gu Changhuai was about to nod, then hesitated and shook his head instead, putting the Jade Slip away and casually said, "No."
"I saw it!" Mo Hua insisted confidently.
"I saw your gaze change," Mo Hua said, "You must have discovered something!"
Gu Changhuai's scalp tingled, cursing inwardly:
This little devil Mo Hua, he must have been possessed by some ancient demon.
So cunning at such a young age, like a ghost.
But still, Gu Changhuai stubbornly insisted, "I said there is nothing."
"Fine." Mo Hua sighed.
What could he do after all? He was a mere Cultivator while Gu Changhuai was a Golden Core Realm Dao Court Canon, shamelessly playing dumb. There was little he could handle.
Mo Hua could only settle for the next best thing and asked:
"Uncle Gu, where are we headed next?"
Without hesitation, Gu Changhuai replied, "With Flower Gentleman dead, the lead is 'cut'..."
Then, noticing Mo Hua's doubtful gaze, Gu Changhuai coughed and averted his eyes, lightly saying:
"We can head back home now."
Mo Hua nodded, "Then Uncle Gu, you go back first."
"Hm." Gu Changhuai nodded, then suddenly paused, "You're not going back?"
"I've still got things to do."
Mo Hua didn't hide it, "I want to visit Bishan City, to see the fallen Xie family."
Gu Changhuai frowned, "Xie family's home is now ash, sealed by the Dao Court Canon, you won't be able to get in. And Bishan City is currently dangerous, you can't go."
Mo Hua quietly said, "Then how about you take me?"
"No," Gu Changhuai refused.
"Then I'll go on my own," Mo Hua said, "You go back, tell Aunt Wan, just say I won't be returning to Gu Family and after going to Bishan City, I will go back to the Sect myself."
Mo Hua's face was calm, but his eyes were sly.
Gu Changhuai was momentarily stunned, quickly grasping the situation.
This kid, Mo Hua, was threatening him.
Having taken the child out, if he didn't bring him back, he was bound to be blamed by his cousin, who would also be worried.
He surely needed to present Mo Hua safe and sound to his cousin.
Moreover, if Mo Hua didn't want to return, it wouldn't be right to force him.
Otherwise, forcibly taking him back would result in complaints, and he would have even more trouble explaining to his cousin.
After all, Mo Hua was considered a "little benefactor" of the Shangguan Family and deserved their respect.
So it seemed that he had no choice but to comply, to follow Mo Hua wherever he went...
Gu Changhuai was gritting his teeth in frustration.
Mo Hua waited calmly for Gu Changhuai's response.
After a long contemplation, Gu Changhuai finally compromised, "Fine, I'll take you, but we have an agreement. Once we get to Bishan City, you will return with me to the Gu Family and not entertain any other ideas."
"Mhm, mhm!" Mo Hua beamed, "It's a deal!"
It was late, not the time to set out, so the two of them stayed overnight at an inn in Luan Mountain City.
The next day at dawn, after a quick meal, they set out from Luan Mountain City, heading towards the nearby Bishan City.