Chapter 843 – All Present
But at this moment, something was clearly wrong with Water Yama.
The Slaughter Qi around him was even heavier than before—his aura wild and brutal, his eyes burning with deep, carnal desire. Perhaps due to losing an arm and damaging his vital essence, the malicious energy he'd cultivated from killing had grown unstable.
And the thick mist around them exploited this weakness, luring out the evil lurking in his heart.
His expression turned ravenous as his serpent-like eyes slithered over Hua Qianqian's delicate form.
Hua Qianqian shivered under his gaze.
Ouyang Feng stepped in front of her with a grim expression, shielding her.
But his injuries weren't light. Blood seeped from his wounds, soaking the sword's hilt, and his hand trembled slightly from the numbness.
This strange and wicked cultivator was no ordinary enemy.
Until now, he had never faced a demonic cultivator with such overwhelming strength and cunning techniques.
Even in direct confrontation, he was being completely suppressed.
And this opponent had even lost an arm.
If not for that, his power would be even more terrifying.
Ouyang Feng's heart grew heavy.
Water Yama noticed Ouyang Feng blocking his view of the woman and grew irritated. But then he let out a strange chuckle.
"Excellent! A worn-down beauty and a gallant protector. Perfect! My favorite scenario."
"Torturing the man in front of the woman he loves... then defiling the woman before the man she loves."
"And finally, watching them die in despair—hearts broken, eyes wide in helpless agony..."
Water Yama let out a maniacal laugh, "A bit twisted, isn't it?"
"I can't help it. I cultivate demonic arts and nourish Slaughter Qi. If I don't find some amusement and vent this pressure by torturing others... I'll go mad myself."
As he spoke, bloodshot veins crept into his eyes.
"Things haven't gone well for me lately. This Slaughter Qi... it's been weighing on my heart for too long. You two dazzling, talented young lovers are just right to serve as my furnace to vent it all out."
"Especially..." Water Yama stared at Hua Qianqian's faintly visible silhouette behind Ouyang Feng, his heart itching like ants crawling under his skin, unbearable and maddening.
"Such purity... such delicate flesh..."
"If you must blame someone, blame your own ill-fated luck..."
His eyes turned crimson. With a ripple, his body turned into a shadowy water form—like a waterborne demon from hell—ferocious and terrifying as he lunged toward Ouyang Feng.
Ouyang Feng's expression tightened. He summoned his sword light and engaged in fierce battle.
It was their first encounter, and he was unfamiliar with Water Yama's strange tricks. On top of that, he had to protect Hua Qianqian behind him. Inevitably, he was stretched thin—relying solely on solid cultivation and precise swordsmanship to hold on.
Mo Hua observed everything, his gaze turning frosty. He thought:
"This Water Yama seems unhinged. I need to find a way to kill him…"
A trace of killing intent surfaced in his heart.
But the moment that thought arose, Water Yama—whose senses were now unnaturally sharp from being overwhelmed by Slaughter Qi—suddenly shuddered.
He abruptly halted and leapt aside, eyes glaring toward the spot where Mo Hua hid.
"Who's there?!"
Mo Hua was surprised.
This guy's reflexes suddenly got that sharp?
Naturally, he didn't reveal himself.
But Water Yama was relentless. He could clearly sense a faint but chilling killing intent just moments ago—like a needle stabbing his back.
He had suffered sneak attacks before and wouldn't take chances again.
Without waiting for Mo Hua to act, Water Yama pulled out a blood bead and crushed it.
Boom—a bloody mist erupted and filled the room, enshrouding Mo Hua's position.
Mo Hua, agile as water, swiftly retreated. But the mist was too thick—some still clung to his robe.
The blood mist had no killing power, but it stuck like glue, impossible to wash off quickly, exposing Mo Hua's location.
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
This blood bead seemed to be a special demonic tool.
Having suffered once before from stealth attacks—where his prized Water Prison Lockbox was snatched right from under his nose—Water Yama had clearly learned his lesson and specially prepared this tool to counter stealth cultivators.
And now, Mo Hua was caught in the net.
Left with no choice, he slowly revealed himself.
Seeing his trap succeed, Water Yama sneered as the hidden figure was forced into the open.
But when he saw Mo Hua's face, his pupils shrank.
Too young.
He looked like a teenager—barely twenty.
Experts in stealth were typically sly old freaks who had prowled the cultivation world for decades.
Why the hell did this brat look so... fresh?
And he didn't even recognize him...
Water Yama frowned. "Who are you?"
Mo Hua's expression turned a little odd.
This guy... didn't recognize him?
He'd led the Dao Court to wipe out Water Yama's entire water stronghold. He'd snatched his precious treasure, the Water Prison Lockbox. And yet this guy didn't know who he was?
Then he recalled—during their first encounter at the ferry, he had masked his face.
The second time, he had struck from the shadows, swiftly snatching the lockbox and fleeing under cover of darkness. The room had been dim. The attack swift. Water Yama never saw his face clearly.
But Water Yama wasn't dumb. After a brief moment, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"It's you!"
He recognized it!
Maybe not the face, but the build—the figure—etched into his soul with burning hatred.
The silhouette of Mo Hua gradually overlapped with that of the thief in his memories. The one he wanted to flay alive and grind into dust.
"It's you! That damn leftover from the Yin Water Sect—that cursed little thief!"
Water Yama roared with gnashing teeth.
Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian froze.
Wasn't Mo Hua the junior disciple of the Great Void Sect?
Why did he suddenly become a "Yin Water Sect remnant"?
And this twisted, vicious, one-armed lunatic... looked at Mo Hua as if he was facing his mortal enemy. Like this was a grudge of a slain father or a stolen wife.
What the hell had Mo Hua done?
The two of them were utterly baffled.
"Well, well! Never expected you'd dare show up in front of me…"
Water Yama's eyes were crazed as he demanded, "Where is it? My item—where is it?!"
Mo Hua feigned ignorance. "What item?"
Water Yama nearly burst a blood vessel from fury, then suddenly let out a chilling laugh.
"Very well, you little bastard. I'll cut off your limbs one by one—let's see how long you can keep that smart mouth of yours!"
Mo Hua glanced at his empty sleeve and chirped back crisply:
"Not sure about my limbs, but yours are already missing one. And judging by the way it's hanging there uselessly, I'm guessing it's not coming back."
"No wonder you're obsessed with cutting off other people's limbs. It's classic projection—your own got chopped, and you're too useless to get revenge, so now you take it out on everyone else."
Blood rushed up Water Yama's throat, nearly bursting from rage. The Slaughter Qi around him trembled uncontrollably.
He dared not waste another word.
With a vicious snarl, Water Yama drew his Bloody Water Whip, infused it with sinister water energy, and lashed it toward Mo Hua.
Mo Hua moved like water, calmly evading the strike.
Seeing Water Yama lunge at Mo Hua, Ouyang Feng immediately summoned his sword qi and rushed forward to support him.
Hua Qianqian, though shaken by all the recent chaos, saw that the great threat stood before them. Ouyang Feng was fighting with all his strength, and even Mo-shidi, who was younger than her, was holding his own against this terrifying monster. Her heart surged with courage as she activated her spiritual power and used the Embroidered Spirit Needles of Hundred Flowers Valley to harass Water Yama.
While dodging, Mo Hua also cast various spells to assist from the side.
His Water Prison Technique couldn't trap Water Yama completely, but it was enough to restrict him somewhat.
He would occasionally employ stealth techniques combined with his Fleeting Water Steps, making his blood-marked form flicker in and out around Water Yama. Though he didn't land any lethal strikes, the psychological pressure alone was immense.
Water Yama couldn't grasp the full extent of Mo Hua's strength.
But he remembered well the terrifying, killing-intent-laced flame hidden in the secret chamber on Water Isle—he dared not take this youth lightly.
Every time he acted, he had to be sure of Mo Hua's location and refused to expose a single opening.
Divided in focus, Water Yama's pressure on Ouyang Feng eased significantly.
Ouyang Feng, already intelligent and well-trained, had a strong foundation and impressive sword talent—his only weakness was lack of experience compared to Water Yama.
He had suffered in their initial encounter.
But now, with the pace slowing down and having fought for dozens of rounds, he began adapting to Water Yama's various techniques and handled them more skillfully.
Even more helpful was Mo Hua, who seemed to understand Water Yama's tricks inside and out.
The moment Water Yama's eyes turned red, Mo Hua warned, "Don't look into his eyes."
When Water Yama tried to use his Water Shadow Step, Mo Hua immediately fired a fireball at his real body, disrupting the technique.
With his signature moves nullified and restricted on all sides, Water Yama couldn't gain even a slight advantage in his fight with Ouyang Feng.
He was seething inside—especially toward Mo Hua.
"That damned little brat… When did he figure out all the skills I spent half my life mastering?!"
This brat could not be allowed to live!
If he survived, how could Water Yama show his face in the cultivation world again?
He had to die.
A sinister gleam flashed through Water Yama's eyes.
At the same time, Mo Hua was thinking the exact same thing.
"It's about time. I think I can kill him now…"
Someone like Water Yama—better dead than alive.
Though he appeared fearsome with his chaotic Slaughter Qi and deranged aura, to Mo Hua's eyes, he was all show and full of weaknesses.
One strike of the Divine Dread Sword should end him.
But Mo Hua hesitated slightly.
Ever since his spar with that huge white guardian dog in the Great Void Sect, he hadn't been quite as confident in the power of his Divine Dread Sword.
Never underestimate any opponent.
Especially when someone like Water Yama had cultivated his eye technique for over a hundred years.
Shortcut or not, demonic or not, that level of power couldn't be taken lightly.
Mo Hua paused again, then decided—it was time to test it out.
He'd use Water Yama as a test dummy for his sword.
As a cultivator who had forged his path through spiritual sense, how could his Divine Dread Sword be so weak as to lose to someone like Water Yama?
Even if it didn't achieve total victory, in this three-on-one chaos, just disrupting Water Yama a bit could be enough to shift the tide and decide life or death.
Mo Hua made up his mind.
But before that, there was one thing he needed to confirm.
He flung a fireball to distract Water Yama, then backed away and asked coldly:
"Senior Sister Ye Jin of Hundred Flowers Valley—was it you who killed her?"
Both Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian were stunned.
"Ye Jin?" Water Yama was confused at first, then sneered, "Women I've played with? Too many to count. Got bored and killed some of them—couldn't tell you which one you're talking about."
Mo Hua's gaze turned icy.
Hua Qianqian's shock turned to fury. She gritted her teeth and snapped, "So it was you… You killed Jin'er! I'll make you pay for her life!"
She flicked her sleeve—dozens of silver needles shone with rainbow light as they shot toward Water Yama's face.
Water Yama looked on with disdain, snapping his torture whip to deflect all the needles, and sneered:
"You still have time to worry about others? This is the Rouge Boat, surrounded by the Smoky Waters River. You won't escape. Sooner or later, you'll fall into my hands, and then… you'll learn what 'a fate worse than death' really means…"
Then, turning to Mo Hua, Water Yama gave a sinister smile:
"Oh, I nearly forgot—you're one of the last remnants of the Yin Water Sect. The Yu Family's Water Stronghold was full of your 'kin,' wasn't it? Don't worry, I'll do you a favor and send you down to join them."
He thought this would shake Mo Hua's will, giving him an opening to strike.
But Water Yama had guessed wrong.
Mo Hua remained perfectly calm—unaffected.
Because he wasn't a remnant of the Yin Water Sect at all.
The Yu Family's water village had nothing to do with him.
In fact, Water Yama's mention of the place made something click in Mo Hua's mind. He put on an angry act and growled:
"You heartless beast! I'll kill you and sprinkle your blood on the graves of the Yu family—to honor their dead spirits!"
Water Yama's face darkened as he laughed, "You ignorant brat. Do you even know where they died? Or where their souls went? No grave, no soul—what are you even honoring? Ridiculous."
He burst into mocking laughter.
But Mo Hua's eyes lit up.
As he thought—Water Yama knew where the altar was.
After slaughtering the Yu Family cultivators, he had likely offered them as sacrifices to some evil god.
However...
Mo Hua frowned slightly.
This meant Water Yama couldn't be killed just yet.
At least not before he spit out the altar's location.
"I'll use the Divine Dread Sword to scramble his soul, subdue him while his mind is in chaos, then break all his limbs—no, three of them. Then tie him to the torture rack and slowly interrogate him…"
"I'll just need to control the sword's power a bit…"
His plan made, Mo Hua's gaze sharpened, and golden light began to swirl in his pupils. He was just about to unleash the Divine Dread Sword to test its true strength on Water Yama.
But just then, he sensed something.
He paused, the golden light fading from his eyes as he turned toward the door.
Unnoticed until now, someone was standing outside.
A woman, gaudily dressed, heavily painted with rouge and powder.
It was Hua Ruyu.
She stood at the doorway, sneering.
"Well, well… gone for just a moment, and this room's already a full-blown circus."
Her voice immediately brought everything to a halt.
Water Yama's expression flickered, and he reined in his killing intent. "Miao'er, what are you doing here?"
"What?" Hua Ruyu shot him a cold glare and scoffed, "I can't come? Did I ruin your little game?"
She had been entangled with Water Yama for quite some time and knew his temperament all too well.
Given the current scene, she only needed a single glance to figure out exactly what filthy little scheme Water Yama was cooking up here.
"Just a moment ago you were whispering sweet nothings, and now you're sneaking behind my back to get a taste of someone else? What a rotten dog you are!"
Water Yama knew he was in the wrong, and he did have some feelings for Hua Ruyu. Even after being scolded, he didn't talk back—only gave an awkward smile and said:
"Miao'er, don't misunderstand. My heart has always been yours. It's just… you know how difficult it is to cultivate my high-level technique. It goes wrong every now and then, and I need an outlet… Since you're always so heartless and won't help me, I had no choice but to take this… less noble route. It's not what I wanted…"
Hua Ruyu sneered coldly. "So it's my fault now?"
"How could I ever blame you?" Water Yama replied softly. "All I think about is how to treat you well."
Hua Ruyu scoffed, "Men's mouths are full of lies and smooth talk. Nothing useful ever comes out of them."
After tossing that insult, she turned her attention to Ouyang Feng, letting out another sarcastic chuckle:
"Young Master Ouyang, you're no better. I went out of my way to create this perfect opportunity for you—a night of passion and earthly pleasure. But instead of appreciating my kindness, you deceived me. Slick words on the surface, sneaky tricks behind my back…"
She had immediately noticed—Ouyang Feng hadn't even touched Hua Qianqian. He clearly never intended to submit to Gongzi Pavilion.
Ouyang Feng had already come to a decision.
At this moment, his gaze was sharp like a sword, his aura solemn and unyielding. He said coldly:
"Our paths differ; there's no need to join forces. Gongzi Pavilion is far above me—I wouldn't dare aspire to it. But you…"
His eyes turned icy.
"As an instructor of Hundred Flowers Valley, someone meant to lead by example—you've done such vile and despicable things. Aren't you afraid of heavenly retribution?"
"Heavenly retribution?" Hua Ruyu looked surprised, then burst into laughter, her body trembling like flower petals in the wind. "Where is it? I've been an instructor in Hundred Flowers Valley for so many years, bringing countless girls onto this boat. Am I not still alive and well? What heavenly retribution?"
Hua Qianqian's face turned pale, her eyes reddening. Her voice trembled with fury and grief:
"Hua Ruyu! You deserve a terrible death!"
Hua Ruyu gave a light laugh, unconcerned, though she still avoided meeting Hua Qianqian's eyes.
Her gaze swept across the room and finally landed on the last person—Mo Hua. Her eyes lit up instantly, and she couldn't help but exclaim:
"Such a handsome, tender little gentleman. Just looking at you makes me feel pity…"
Mo Hua let out a cold snort, his face full of disgust.
But Hua Ruyu only grew more interested, her eyes practically rippling with desire.
Water Yama, standing nearby, felt like he had just swallowed a mouthful of flies. His heart churned with jealousy, and the look he gave Mo Hua was practically murderous.
"Wait…"
Hua Ruyu's smile froze slightly as she studied Mo Hua's face. Something about him felt familiar. A few seconds later, realization struck her, and she gasped in surprise:
"You're that little beauty who came to Hundred Flowers Valley the other day…"
Mo Hua's face turned black.
Back when he entered Hundred Flowers Valley to save time, he had simply put on a daoist robe—no makeup, no disguise. Just pure, natural beauty. So his current appearance was almost exactly the same as back then.
To make it worse, he was now standing next to Hua Qianqian, clearly helping her. Put two and two together, and of course Hua Ruyu figured it out quickly.
Even Ouyang Feng, though feeling this wasn't the time, couldn't help the jolt of shock in his heart.
He entered Hundred Flowers Valley?!
Mo-shidi actually went into Hundred Flowers Valley?!
Is that even allowed for men?!
Ouyang Feng glanced at Mo Hua with newfound respect—whether he wanted to or not.
Water Yama saw Hua Ruyu's eyes locked on Mo Hua and grew even more agitated. He said:
"Miao'er, it's getting late. We can't delay anymore."
Hua Ruyu gave him a chilly look and said icily:
"Fine. Let's take them down first. Then we'll settle our own accounts."
Water Yama nodded. "I'll do whatever you say."
With that, the two of them attacked together—once again clashing with Mo Hua's group.
This time, Mo Hua felt the pressure mount sharply.
Hua Ruyu was also at the peak of Foundation Establishment, not far from the Golden Core realm. Her Hundred Flowers Valley heritage made her especially tricky to deal with, wielding poisoned spiritual needles laced with fragrant toxins.
With her joining Water Yama, things were looking grim.
Mo Hua frowned.
"The altar clue will have to wait."
"Maybe… I should just kill these two scumbags right now?"
Given the current situation, with Hua Ruyu interfering, capturing Water Yama alive was almost impossible.
And they were still on the Rouge Boat—if this dragged on, things would only get worse.
Besides, not only was Hua Ruyu vicious and evil, she also now knew about his "black history."
She absolutely had to die.
Mo Hua made up his mind and was just about to act—when suddenly, his body froze.
He sensed a massive aura descending.
He wasn't the only one—everyone in the room felt the oppressive force. All hands froze, all eyes turned toward the door.
Standing there was a figure with a cold expression and an overwhelming presence—his cultivation deep and utterly unlike any ordinary Foundation Establishment.
Golden Core!
Mo Hua's pupils contracted.
The Golden Core cultivator on the Rouge Boat… he had arrived!
(End of this Chapter)