Every now and then, people would come through Mo Shan to request Mo Hua to draw array patterns. More often than not, they asked for the Iron Armor Array to be inscribed on rattan armors.
This was always arranged by Mo Shan, and for Mo Hua, drawing array patterns was not too troublesome and did not require much ostentation.
The Iron Armor Array contained only six array patterns, which for Mo Hua was no longer challenging, and he could complete them quite swiftly. Occasionally, when asked, he would draw the arrays without it taking up much of his time.
For each set of the Iron Armor Array, he would receive five spirit stones along with half a bottle of spirit ink.
After drawing for a while, Mo Hua had accumulated some spirit stones and spirit ink, albeit all of the ink was of the metallic attribute, which limited him to drawing only metal-based arrays; he couldn’t use it for other types of arrays.
The Iron Armor Array, containing only six array patterns, was intended for mid-stage artifact-refining cultivators, typically only used by novice demon hunters.
For a late-stage Qi-cultivating practitioner like Mo Shan, it was practically useless. In front of high-grade demonic beasts, even rattan armors inscribed with the Iron Armor Array were as fragile as paper mache, offering little enhancement.
However, among demon hunters, those in the mid-stage of Qi cultivation made up the majority, and with new cultivators becoming demon hunters every year, these were precisely the ones who needed the Iron Armor Array the most.
While the Iron Armor Array could only provide minimal protection against a demonic beast's attack, that slight deflection could mean the difference between a minor and a severe injury, and sometimes even between life and death.
For ordinary wandering cultivators, a light injury was bearable, but a severe injury could mean struggling to survive daily, and a death could be a disaster for their entire family.
In Tongxian City, demon hunters with whom Mo Shan had a relationship were few, and most demon hunters would not specifically ask someone to draw arrays because arrays were difficult to draw, and array masters were hard to hire due to their high cost. So, the number who actually came to Mo Hua for Iron Armor Arrays was not large.
One evening, after dinner, while Mo Hua was browsing through an array manual at home, he heard someone arriving. Mo Shan greeted the guest enthusiastically, a level of enthusiasm that Mo Hua saw from him for the first time.
After a while, Mo Shan called Mo Hua over to meet the guest.
As Mo Hua lifted the door curtain, he saw a bearded, elderly cultivator sitting upright in the middle of the room. The old cultivator, dressed in the common garb of a demon hunter, had a serious demeanor and an imposing presence, seemingly not very approachable.
Mo Shan introduced, "This is Elder Yu. Hua, greet Elder Yu."
Elder Yu? An elder from the demon hunters' council?
Politely, Mo Hua greeted him and then noticed that Elder Yu possessed a profound aura, emitting a subtle oppressive force. Mo Hua discreetly scanned him with his spiritual awareness, but found that he couldn’t discern much, barely sensing someone sitting there.
When Mo Hua was using his spiritual sense, Elder Yu's eyes flickered with a sharp light as he glanced at Mo Hua.
A Foundation Building cultivator! And not just any ordinary one at that! His spiritual sense was much stronger than Mo Hua's!
Mo Shan patted Mo Hua’s head and said, "Hua, Elder Yu has something to discuss with you. Have a chat. I'll go help your mother tidy up in the front."
"What could Elder Yu possibly want from me?" Mo Hua wondered aloud but nodded in agreement.
After Mo Shan left, Elder Yu got straight to the point:
"I heard from Mo Shan that you can draw the Iron Armor Array?"
"Yes," Mo Hua replied.
Elder Yu nodded slightly, "Good, I have a matter to discuss with you."
"Please speak, Elder," Mo Hua said.
Elder Yu nodded again, having previously heard from multiple sources about Mo Shan's son, who, despite his young age, was already an array master. He hadn't believed it at first, thinking it was preposterous.
Eventually, as more people mentioned it, he started to believe it a bit, but deep down, he felt that those who were talented at a young age tended to be arrogant, especially array masters. The array masters he had encountered, regardless of their skill level, tended to have quite the temper.
At first, he did not have a good impression of Mo Hua, but upon seeing him now, young and polite, his demeanor softened.
"I plan to
have you draw a batch of arrays, all Iron Armor Arrays, on rattan armors. At the upcoming demon hunting ceremony, we'll distribute a set to each of the young demon hunters. This way, they'll have some protection when they venture into the mountains to hunt demons."
Mo Hua suddenly understood; the demon hunting ceremony was coming up soon, and a new group of young cultivators would become demon hunters.
Elder Yu was an elder of the demon hunters' council, responsible for maintaining the rules for demon hunters and ensuring their safety, especially the young ones who had not yet seen the ferocity of demonic beasts. They were the newcomers needing protection now, but in twenty or thirty years, they could potentially be the backbone of the demon hunters.
"How many sets do you need?"
"About a hundred," Elder Yu said.
"A hundred sets..."
Mo Hua was taken aback; that would keep him busy for quite a while.
"Is that possible?" Elder Yu asked tentatively.
Mo Hua hesitated, "When do you need these arrays?"
Elder Yu thought for a moment and replied, "Before the demon hunting festival is fine, which gives us about three months."
Three months was plenty of time. Mo Hua nodded, "That's no problem."
Elder Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He was concerned that with Mo Hua’s low cultivation level and limited spiritual sense, his resolve might not hold to complete so many arrays in three months.
Seeing Mo Hua’s confident response, not seeming like he was lying, eased Elder Yu's concerns somewhat.
Even if Mo Hua couldn't complete all of them, having seven or eight out of ten done would still be good.
After a moment of hesitation and some thought, Elder Yu said:
"I heard from Mo Shan that you charge five spirit stones for drawing an Iron Armor Array for others. These cultivators have a relationship with your father, so charging them less is understandable and reasonable. However, for these hundred sets of arrays, let's not consider these personal connections. I'll pay you eight spirit stones per set as remuneration. How does that sound?"
Eight spirit stones was not a lot, especially considering that an array master's spiritual sense is limited and the number of arrays they can draw per day is finite; naturally, they would want the highest price possible for their work.
Normally, this price would not be enough to hire an array master to draw arrays.
But this was already Elder Yu’s limit. The demon hunting business was extensive, but every family involved was poor and scattered, relying on him for everything. Eight spirit stones were the most he could offer.
"Eight spirit stones..." Mo Hua furrowed his brow.
Seeing Mo Hua's expression, Elder Yu’s face remained unchanged, but his heart felt a bit cold.
Array masters are indeed difficult to deal with, he thought to himself silently.