Chapter 800: Rouge Boat
Mo Hua quietly asked,
"When you say… 'debauchery'… what exactly do you mean?"
The shopkeeper was just about to answer when she looked up and saw Mo Hua's fair and delicate face. She shook her head and said,
"It's nothing good—definitely not for young ears.
You're a good kid. Don't go getting involved with that messy nonsense."
"Oh."
Mo Hua didn't look too pleased but still pressed on,
"Then… how did this Young Master Ye die?"
"How else?" the auntie scoffed.
"They say the boat sank. Six people on board—all drowned.
The water demons chewed them up so badly you couldn't even recognize their faces…"
Mo Hua's eyes narrowed slightly.
As expected.
"A perfectly fine boat—why would it suddenly sink?" he asked.
The auntie hesitated for a moment, looked around, and then lowered her voice.
"It's not that simple. These circles of noble sons… they're a mess."
"This Ye fellow was a rich and rotten playboy.
Slept around, flaunted his wealth, acted like he owned the world.
This time, I heard he got into a fight with another young master over a woman.
That guy held a grudge, hired someone in secret to sink the boat—drowned the whole lot of them."
The auntie rambled on, voice full of disdain.
"Who did he offend?" Mo Hua asked.
"Who knows," she shrugged.
"Ye family didn't even follow up?"
"They wouldn't dare," she snorted.
"Ye family might be hot stuff here in Smokewater City,
but in the wider Qianxue Prefecture, they're nothing.
"That Ye kid could act like a 'young master' around here,
but compared to the true sons of great clans—
the kinds you only ever hear about, never see—he's not even fit to carry their sword bags."
Mo Hua fell silent, feeling a faint wave of melancholy.
The world is a web of status and cruelty.
Those who trample others will one day be trampled in turn.
The Ye family was a perfect example.
Without realizing, he had finished his bowl of noodles.
Nothing more could be gleaned, so he paid his bill—and even slipped her two extra spirit stones.
The auntie tried to refuse, but Mo Hua insisted.
She eventually gave in and sent him off warmly, blessing him all the way out the door.
Afterward, Mo Hua wandered around the area a bit and found a small inn for the night.
He picked up a few bits of gossip here and there, but most were just rumors—not worth trusting.
The next morning, after scarfing down a few big meat buns, Mo Hua hired a carriage and left Smokewater City.
His ten-day rest only allowed two days off, and time was tight—he had no choice but to return to the sect.
But before heading back, he decided to make a slight detour—
to the small fishing village.
Since the Blood Mist Fishing Village incident—tearing down the River God Temple, slaying the corrupted river god, and swallowing an incarnation of the evil god—Mo Hua had never returned.
He had no idea what the village was like now.
It was mid-morning, with warm sunshine overhead.
The Smokewater River sparkled with light, the grasses lush and green.
The river flowed gently toward the horizon like a long emerald ribbon.
The scenery was beautiful—but Mo Hua couldn't shake a faint unease.
As if something filth-ridden was lurking beneath the picturesque surface.
After an hour or so, he arrived at the small village.
The moment he stepped in, several fishing cultivators greeted him:
"Young master! Good to see you!"
"It's been a while!"
Mo Hua smiled and greeted them back.
Before long, Old Yu also came bustling over.
Seeing Mo Hua, he was full of gratitude and called him "benefactor" nonstop.
"Almost noon already," he said.
"If Benefactor doesn't mind, come have some fish soup at our place."
Fish soup…
Mo Hua's feelings were a bit complicated.
Still, he didn't decline. He'd come to the village specifically to ask Old Yu a few things.
Old Yu's home was still the same run-down courtyard.
But the whole family was gathered, lively and warm. The atmosphere was full of that humble but comforting "smoke and fire" of everyday life.
The moment they walked in, Old Yu called over his two grandsons:
"Little Shunzi! Little Shuizi! Come give thanks to your benefactor!"
The two boys didn't hesitate at all—
thump! They dropped to their knees and gave Mo Hua two solid kowtows.
He barely had time to react.
"No need for all this…" Mo Hua said helplessly.
But Old Yu was stubborn.
"You saved their lives.
Their cultivation is low.
They have nothing to repay you with—what's two kneels in return?"
The boys stood up, their bright eyes fixed on Mo Hua.
Mo Hua looked them over.
He had first met these two during a stakeout at the riverbank, trying to catch Guo Jianglong with Cheng Mo and the others.
Children of poverty grow up fast.
Though still young and only at the Qi Refining stage, they'd already been helping out the adults.
Back then, the two had nearly been used as sacrifices—offered to the evil god.
When rescued, they were pale and weak, barely clinging to life.
Now, over a year later, their vitality had clearly returned.
Their faces were sun-darkened but spirited, and with Mo Hua's gifted White Wave Technique, they were already circulating watery spiritual force and refining their qi with decent progress.
They'd grown much faster than Mo Hua had expected.
Pleased, he pulled two small gifts from his storage pouch and handed them over.
A pair of water-repelling jade pendants.
These were New Year gifts from some elder of the Gu family—Mo Hua had no use for them.
When Old Yu saw the exquisite jade pendants, he was startled and quickly tried to refuse.
"We can't accept this—how could we take more from our benefactor?"
"It's fine. Just take them," Mo Hua said.
Anyway, he normally didn't have much use for them.
Little Shunzi and Little Shuizi scratched their heads and tried to refuse as well.
"Benefactor, we're good swimmers—we won't need them..."
But Mo Hua advised seriously,
"It's because you're good swimmers that you need to wear water-repelling jade pendants—as a precaution."
"There's a saying: 'The ones who drown are the ones who know how to swim.' The more confident you are, the more likely you'll lose your respect for the water."
"And water—like fire—shows no mercy."
"A lifetime spent battling the elements, and even a single slip can cost your life. You won't even get a second chance…"
He didn't sugarcoat it.
The two kids were shaken, their expressions sobering.
Old Yu looked at his two beloved grandsons. In the end, he couldn't refuse, and relented:
"Alright then—give your benefactor two more kowtows."
The boys made to kneel again, but Mo Hua quickly pulled them up.
"Okay, okay, that's enough already…"
Old Yu dropped the formality and went to prepare lunch.
Living by the water, living off the water.
As expected, a fisherman's lunch was mostly fish.
"A few days ago, I caught a jade-scaled flower fish—tender meat, rich broth, and rare to find.
Usually, you'd be lucky to catch one in a whole year.
Most folks don't even recognize it, so it doesn't sell for much."
Old Yu grinned.
"I was wondering why my luck was so good lately. Turns out it was because a noble guest was visiting today! The River God must've sent this fish so I could properly entertain you!"
Having spent his whole life depending on the river, Old Yu still liked to invoke the "River God" in everything, even after all that had happened.
Not long after, Yu Dachuan—who'd been out fishing—came back.
When he saw Mo Hua, he bowed over and over with heartfelt thanks.
Everyone gathered around the table, and Mo Hua was pushed into the seat of honor.
A bowl of jade-scaled flower fish soup was brought out—its meat tender, the broth thick and fragrant.
Mo Hua stared at it for a long time, confirming that there were no suspicious red fish, no signs of evil taint, before finally letting down his guard.
He took some bites of meat and sips of soup.
Old Yu's whole family took turns offering him drinks.
The wine wasn't anything fancy.
Fishermen couldn't afford the good stuff.
But the family's warmth and hospitality made it all taste just fine.
Though the alcohol was a bit harsh—it burned the throat going down.
After they were full, Yu Dachuan had to head back to the river.
The two boys, Shunzi and Shuizi, sprawled under the eaves, fast asleep.
Old Yu brewed a pot of tea and sat with Mo Hua inside for a chat.
After a bit of small talk, Mo Hua used the moment to ask:
"Grandpa Yu, that 'young master' who drowned in the Smokewater River… do you still remember that?"
"Which young master?" Old Yu was momentarily puzzled.
"The first time we met, I said I was fishing.
You told me to leave quickly because someone had recently died at the riverside—
the body was chewed up by water demons and unrecognizable…"
"Ah…" Old Yu recalled.
"Yeah, I remember now. That happened."
Mo Hua asked,
"Do you know who that young master was?"
Old Yu shook his head.
"No idea.
I just heard he was from Smokewater City.
A scion of a third-rank clan—but I don't know his name."
"Stuff like that—too shameful to say out loud.
I doubt his clan made a fuss over it."
Mo Hua nodded slightly. His eyes narrowed as he asked softly,
"Grandpa Yu… didn't you also mention… the Rouge Boat?"
Old Yu froze, his gaze toward Mo Hua suddenly becoming complicated.
He looked serious, hesitated for a long while, and finally said, earnestly:
"Benefactor, I know you're young and curious about these things.
But you're still full of youthful vigor—beware of lust.
Those brothel-like places are not to be touched.
They'll ruin your cultivation foundation…"
"When you're older, and properly engaged, married to a good wife—then you can think about that sort of thing…"
He spoke with the tone of someone who had "been there, done that."
Mo Hua was momentarily stunned and didn't know how to respond.
He could only say helplessly,
"Grandpa Yu, you misunderstood. I'm asking about something official."
"Official?" Old Yu blinked.
Mo Hua lowered his voice.
"It's a case—under investigation by the Dao Tribunal."
Old Yu immediately tensed up.
"I'm only telling you this in secret. Please don't mention it to anyone else."
Old Yu had a natural awe of the Dao Tribunal.
Sure, he often cursed them behind their backs—calling them corrupt and useless.
But when faced with anything involving the Tribunal, he was full of respectful fear.
"Of course! I won't say a word!"
He nodded so hard it looked like a bobblehead.
Mo Hua then asked,
"So… what exactly is the Rouge Boat?"
Old Yu looked left and right. The adults were out fishing, the two boys were sound asleep, and no one else was around.
He whispered:
"It's a flower boat."
"Flower boat?"
"Not flowers as in plants—flowers as in people.
Beautiful young female cultivators.
A flower boat is a pleasure boat full of such girls… doing, well… the flesh trade."
Mo Hua suddenly understood.
"So… a brothel on the water?"
"Exactly," Old Yu nodded.
Mo Hua frowned.
"But isn't Qianxue Prefecture filled with sects and disciples?
With a strong scholarly and spiritual tradition?
Aren't brothels strictly banned?"
Not just Qianxue—even surrounding prefectures had laws against such establishments.
Old Yu sighed.
"Human nature is what it is. No ban can stop it…"
"So this flower boat," Mo Hua asked, "Grandpa Yu, have you ever… been on one?"
Old Yu waved his hands frantically.
"A place like that? No way someone like me could set foot on it!"
"Then how do you know it's for that kind of business?" Mo Hua asked.
Old Yu chuckled,
"This old man may be slow at cultivating, but I've lived a long time.
Seen enough to know what's what."
"They hang a few flowers, throw up some curtains, thinking it hides the truth— but the more they cover it up, the more obvious it becomes. These 'cat-and-fish' things always carry the stench of fish. Can't hide it…"
Mo Hua couldn't help but regard Old Yu with newfound respect.
Mo Hua couldn't help but regard Old Yu with a bit more respect.
Everyone walks their own path in life.
Even ordinary, nameless folks had their unique experiences and insights.
He asked again,
"Grandpa Yu, have you ever seen the Rouge Boat with your own eyes?"
Old Yu nodded solemnly.
"A few times…"
"Each time, it was when I stayed too late out fishing.
I'd just pulled up the nets and hadn't even rested yet—
then I'd look at the time and realize it was already past midnight…"
"That's when a thick fog would rise over the river.
So dense you couldn't see a thing.
Then slowly, red and green lights would glow in the mist,
and flower boats would glide down from upstream."
"Curtains hanging, lanterns glowing, all luxurious and dazzling—
and you'd hear men and women laughing aboard, the kind that stirs the heart…"
"Even from the riverbank, you could smell that strong perfume in the air—
that's why they're called Rouge Boats."
"The boats never stop. They just sail further and further downriver.
No one knows where they finally dock…"
Mo Hua was a little surprised.
"Wait… more than one?"
Old Yu nodded,
"That's right. Always several.
When I saw them, there were usually seven or eight, all sailing in a line through the mist."
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
What Old Yu described… was a bit different from what he had seen.
That night in the Smokewater River, he too had seen a flower boat.
The night had been thick, the river dark and heavy.
Yet the boat had shimmered with dazzling light, veiled in hazy mist and seductive music.
But—it had been just one boat.
And aboard… there had been the shadowy outlines of several young masters.
He even remembered, through the black fog, making faint eye contact with one of them—
a pampered figure surrounded by others like stars around a moon,
whose eyes glowed blood-red like a demon…
That scene floated back into Mo Hua's mind, and for a moment, he drifted into thought.
"Benefactor? Benefactor?"
Old Yu called out to him several times before Mo Hua snapped out of it.
Seeing Mo Hua's grim expression, Old Yu grew nervous and asked quietly,
"That Rouge Boat… does it have something to do with a murder case? Is it serious?"
How could Mo Hua know?
He'd just made something up on the spot.
"Hard to say right now…"
Mo Hua noticed Old Yu's unease, so he added,
"But it likely doesn't involve you or your village. I was just asking casually."
Only then did Old Yu finally relax.
Mo Hua had planned to ask more, but then he saw Shunzi and Shuizi under the eaves, rubbing their eyes and stretching—they'd woken up.
Some things, he thought, really weren't suitable for children to hear.
By then, the afternoon heat had faded, and the sun was tilting westward.
Mo Hua stood up to leave.
Old Yu tried hard to get him to stay the night.
"We didn't prepare much for lunch, but I've already told Dachuan to catch a big fish from the river.
Tonight we'll have a full fish feast just for you, Benefactor!"
A full fish feast…
Mo Hua was definitely tempted.
But he really didn't have the time.
The two-day rest period was ending.
He needed to return to the sect, or risk traveling in the dark.
"Thank you, Grandpa Yu. I truly appreciate it. Let's save it for next time…"
Mo Hua politely declined.
Old Yu insisted a few more times, but seeing it was no use, he packed a few silverfish into a basket and gave them to Mo Hua to take with him, even escorting him personally to the gate.
Just before leaving, Mo Hua spread his divine sense across the small fishing village, scanning for any trace of evil god aura. Confirming there was none, he finally felt at ease.
But just as he retracted his divine sense and turned to go, he suddenly sensed something—his expression shifted slightly.
He turned and asked,
"The village… is still offering incense?"
"Yes," Old Yu nodded sincerely.
"A few days ago, we started offering to a little Celestial Attendant—asking him to keep everyone safe."
"A little Celestial?" (A little Immortal)
Mo Hua froze.
Who the heck is that?
(End of this Chapter)