Chapter 844 – Big Fireworks
"How dare you cause trouble aboard the Rouge Boat… You've got some nerve."
The Golden Core cultivator spoke with a frosty tone, his face expressionless.
The room fell silent in an instant. The air felt heavy and suffocating.
Even Water Yama and Hua Ruyu halted their attacks and respectfully cupped their fists.
"Elder."
A Yin Water Sect Elder?
Mo Hua's heart skipped a beat.
This Golden Core cultivator wore a water-blue daoist robe, his expression stern. Water-force rippled faintly around him, laced with sharp sword intent.
At a glance, he clearly had studied Yin Water Sect swordsmanship—an Elder who had inherited the sect's sword legacy.
"Trouble…"
Mo Hua frowned.
The Elder's gaze swept across the room: it landed first on the wounded but composed Ouyang Feng, then on Hua Qianqian, whose eyes held fear but remained defiant. Finally, it fell on Mo Hua—and suddenly, he froze.
Then, everything shattered.
The Elder's face twisted in shock. Gone was his calm and authoritative bearing. His finger trembled as he pointed at Mo Hua, roaring with fury:
"You?!"
Everyone in the room blinked in surprise.
Including Mo Hua himself.
"…Why is it me again?"
He furrowed his brow and looked closely at the Golden Core cultivator. A beat later, recognition dawned—and he was shocked to realize…
He actually knew this guy!
Xie Liu, a Golden Core sword cultivator of the Yin Water Sect!
Back then, during the theft investigation, Mo Hua had followed Guo Jianglong to a teahouse and uncovered incriminating evidence against Jin Yicai. That was when this Golden Core cultivator, Xie Liu, had appeared.
Xie Liu had tried to kill him, but was subdued by Uncle Gu.
Because his swordsmanship was frankly weak, he had stood no chance against Uncle Gu, who took him down effortlessly.
So Mo Hua hadn't thought much of him—and hadn't recognized him at first glance.
Now, Mo Hua quietly let out a breath of relief.
"Phew… I thought it was some bigshot from Yin Water Sect. Turns out it's just that guy Uncle Gu beat down. Came in acting like a master and scared me for nothing…"
With that realization, Mo Hua felt a bit more at ease.
But Xie Liu? He had completely lost his composure.
Pointing at Mo Hua with fury in his eyes, he snarled through clenched teeth:
"You little brat—I remember you! A disciple of the Great Void Sect, a lapdog of the Dao Enforcement Division, Gu Changhuai's errand boy! If it weren't for you baiting me into a trap, I'd have never fallen into Gu Changhuai's hands!"
"Because of you—and him—I was expelled from Yin Water Sect, reduced to doing dirty work in the shadows. I can never show my face again. All thanks to you!"
This outburst stunned everyone in the room.
Dao Enforcement Division's lackey? Gu Changhuai's sidekick?
This little brat had those kinds of identities?
And now he was on the Rouge Boat… which meant…
Hua Ruyu and Water Yama exchanged a glance, both going a little pale.
Even Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian were dumbfounded.
In the span of just a few minutes, Mo Hua's identity had swapped more times than they could count—first a Yin Water Sect remnant, now a Dao Division lackey…
How many secret identities did this guy have?
Mo Hua, meanwhile, was getting a headache.
"Damn it, all my disguises are falling apart!"
He never expected this Rouge Boat to be packed with so many familiar faces—all crashing into each other at once.
Before he could dwell on it further, Xie Liu drew his sword and shouted:
"Seize this brat!"
Now Hua Ruyu and Water Yama were truly panicking.
Mo Hua's identity clearly wasn't as simple as it seemed.
A disciple of Great Void Sect… a Gu Clan follower… a Dao Division mole…
Someone like him infiltrating the Rouge Boat meant…
The entire ship had been compromised!
Water Yama's eyes turned red. He raised his Water Punishment Whip and lashed out at Mo Hua.
Hua Ruyu's pretty face was twisted with malice. She activated her Hundred Flowers Spirit Formation and shot her venomous spirit needles straight at Mo Hua's heart.
Xie Liu also unleashed his Yin Water sword energy, targeting Mo Hua's spiritual center.
In an instant, Mo Hua found himself under enormous pressure.
Two peak Foundation Establishment cultivators plus a Golden Core— even if that Golden Core was currently suppressed to Foundation-level strength—was a lineup far beyond what Mo Hua could reasonably handle.
Sure, Xie Liu was weak—compared to Uncle Gu, who could use his full Golden Core power.
But to Mo Hua?
He was still a terrifying opponent.
Mo Hua's style leaned on unorthodox tactics—stealth, footwork, tricks. That bought him a few moves.
But Senior Brother Feng and Sister Qianqian were proper orthodox cultivators.
No stealth, no invisibility—only standard footwork. Against foes like these, they'd be overwhelmed in ten rounds at most.
Not good!
As he struggled under the relentless assault of the three cultivators, Mo Hua barely caught his breath before shouting:
"Stop!"
The three attackers paused slightly.
Mo Hua straightened his back and said solemnly:
"I advise you all to back off while you still can. Let's call this a draw—don't force me to get serious, or you'll regret it!"
The three paused… and then broke into laughter.
"You?" Hua Ruyu scoffed. "Make us regret it?"
Water Yama sneered. "Overconfident fool."
Even Xie Liu smirked like a cat playing with a mouse.
"Alright, I'd love to see how a Foundation brat like you could make me regret anything."
Mo Hua glanced at the badly wounded Ouyang Feng and the pale Hua Qianqian.
They were at the edge. Another few moments, and they'd fall into enemy hands.
And he couldn't risk using most of his tricks while protecting them.
Timing was bad. He didn't know where Uncle Gu or the Dao Division operatives were right now.
But at this point… all he could do was flip the table and find an escape route later.
Mo Hua snorted coldly, his tone arrogant:
"With a single word, I could turn this Rouge Boat to ash. You'd best be smart about this."
Xie Liu mocked, "Oh? Let's see how you, a Foundation brat, can turn this ship to ash."
Hua Ruyu smiled indulgently.
Only Water Yama's expression shifted slightly.
He was not like the other two.
Xie Liu had barely clashed with Mo Hua. Hua Ruyu only knew him as the 'junior sister' from Hundred Flowers Valley.
But Water Yama? He'd taken more hidden losses from Mo Hua than he could count.
He knew—this brat might look normal, but his skills were weird and dangerous.
No one knew what cards Mo Hua held.
Water Yama's tone darkened:
"Don't underestimate him. He's not simple. Keep tight on him—don't give him any room."
Xie Liu and Hua Ruyu exchanged glances, a bit surprised at Water Yama's caution. But they, too, quickly dropped their arrogance.
Mo Hua raised an eyebrow.
"This Water Yama… sharp as ever. But too late."
He smiled faintly.
Water Yama saw that smile and felt a chill run down his spine.
"Not good!"
With a flick, he cracked his long blood-colored water whip like a venomous serpent toward Mo Hua.
Mo Hua activated Flowing Water Steps, barely dodging.
But he hadn't even steadied himself before Xie Liu's sword qi and Hua Ruyu's spirit needles came flying in. No room to breathe.
Water Yama also used Water Shadow Step, attempting to close in.
Just then—a flash of light from the floor.
Several pale green beams formed into a Wooden Cage Array, briefly blocking the sword qi and spirit needles and slowing Water Yama down.
"A second-grade Wooden Cage Array? When did he set that?!"
Their faces twisted slightly in alarm.
Sure, it was a high-tier second-grade array, but it couldn't withstand three powerhouses for long.
Moments later—it shattered.
But those few moments were all Mo Hua needed. He reached Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian, pulled out a storage pouch, and tossed it to Ouyang Feng.
"Senior Brother Feng!"
Ouyang Feng caught the pouch, finding a shield forged from refined steel inside. Without hesitation, he planted it in the ground, shielding all three of them.
The enemies blinked in confusion.
"A mere shield? They think that'll stop us?" Xie Liu sneered.
But before he could finish the thought—
Mo Hua said softly:
"Explode."
—With a word, the array obeyed.
Suddenly, outside the ship, dazzling lights burst into the sky—crimson and green fireworks intertwining, vibrant and resplendent.
Xie Liu and the others froze, and then realization hit all at once.
Fireworks!
The brat was releasing fireworks—sending a signal!
The Dao Enforcement Division must be nearby!
Xie Liu was annoyed.
He knew that once the Dao Division arrived, there was no way this matter on the Rouge Boat would end peacefully.
Back when the Dao Division started investigating, he had already suspected that this day might come.
But he hadn't expected it to come so soon, so abruptly, leaving him completely unprepared.
In a moment of desperation, Xie Liu could only bark,
"Take these three as hostages—we'll deal with the rest later!"
At this point, he had no idea how many Dao Division agents were nearby, or where they were hiding.
All he could do was plan for the worst.
If things really went south, these three would be valuable bargaining chips.
With leverage, there might still be a way out.
Hua Ruyu and Water Yama thought the same.
But Water Yama, who understood Mo Hua's temperament a bit better, thought one step further.
"Why the shield?"
"To block fireworks?"
"No… That can't be it."
"Then what is it meant to block…?"
Beneath their feet, the deck began to tremble.
Water Yama recalled Mo Hua's earlier words—
"Turn this ship to ashes…"
His pupils shrank. He instinctively took a step back.
But Xie Liu and Hua Ruyu stepped forward.
At that moment—
A thunderous boom erupted.
Even more intense, more overwhelming array energy surged forth.
This time it wasn't fireworks.
This was a real, destructive, slaughter-infused second-grade Inferno Array!
Flames exploded upward.
The fire surged like a dragon, engulfing the entire vessel.
And because the spirit ship was embedded with other formations, the eruption of the Inferno Array caused internal formations to shatter, disrupting spiritual energy, which then ricocheted wildly—fueling an even greater chain reaction.
The outer layers of the Rouge Boat were obliterated.
Crimson fire surged skyward, spreading outward—like a fiery dragon roaring through the night.
The Rouge Boat, made of spirit ships linked by iron chains, was completely ablaze.
Mo Hua's array hadn't originally covered the whole ship.
But once it detonated, with the spirit ships ablaze and fire spreading fast, the entire Rouge Boat was caught in the inferno.
Even through thick mist, the blinding flames could be seen from afar.
Far away, on the Dao Enforcement Division's spirit ship...
Gu Changhuai and Magistrate Xia, who had been chasing the Rouge Boat in vain, stood in stunned silence as they watched the fiery explosion.
Even at this distance, they could feel the spiritual turbulence.
Fireworks had gone up—and then a beam of fire.
Waves of spiritual force swept over the area, with explosions echoing continuously.
The shockwaves from the chain explosions even rippled across the surface of the Misty Water River, reaching their ship.
The water stirred with waves, and the deck beneath their feet trembled slightly.
Magistrate Xia was momentarily dazed. He opened his mouth, unsure what to say. Eventually, all he could mutter was:
"That… that racket… was caused by Mo Hua?"
"Seems like it…" Gu Changhuai looked just as stunned.
"He said he'd give us a 'signal'…"
Magistrate Xia took a sharp breath.
"He's just a mid-Foundation cultivator! How the hell did he cause this much chaos?! That's… that's absurd…"
Gu Changhuai was silent for a moment before sighing helplessly:
"If he doesn't hold back… this is what happens."
Magistrate Xia: "…"
Now that they had a visual signal, the Rouge Boat's position was no longer a mystery.
With no time to waste, the two made a swift decision.
Magistrate Xia issued an order:
All Dao Enforcement Division spirit ships were to encircle the Rouge Boat from all directions. Everyone aboard was to be captured—dead or alive.
Anyone who resists—no matter their background—is to be executed without mercy!
On the Misty Water River, Dao Division spirit ships sliced through the fog, heading straight for the flaming Rouge Boat...
Meanwhile, on the Rouge Boat—chaos.
Mo Hua's array had exploded, tearing through the spirit vessel.
Those unlucky enough to be at the epicenter—right in the middle of "the act"—were blasted away mid-tryst by spiritual shockwaves.
Even those further away were caught in the aftermath, fleeing in a panic.
Countless men and women—some completely naked, others wrapped in bed sheets—ran screaming across the flaming decks.
In an instant, the Rouge Boat turned from a land of pleasure to a nightmare inferno.
And the culprit—Mo Hua—had already seized a small boat and, with Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian, paddled toward shore.
Everything had been meticulously planned.
The location they were in was the "Life Gate" of the explosion array—a safe path Mo Hua had prepared in advance.
When setting up a lethal formation, a formation master must always leave themselves a way out. It's professional ethics.
When the explosion triggered, he had Ouyang Feng raise a large shield.
This shield had been custom-made by Mo Hua for the Great Void Sect—designed for disciples like the burly Cheng Mo to use while hunting fire-type beasts.
The shield was inscribed with multiple fire-resisting formations, capable of withstanding both spiritual blasts and fire damage.
During beast hunts, a body cultivator would raise it to block fire-type beasts head-on.
Mo Hua had kept a spare—and now it had come in handy.
With the Life Gate at their back and the fire shield in front, Mo Hua's group emerged from the blast completely unscathed.
Now, with the Rouge Boat engulfed in chaos, it was the perfect time to escape.
Sure, the explosion had razed the ship, but it hadn't been powerful enough to kill a Golden Core cultivator like Xie Liu.
So if they didn't run now, they wouldn't get another chance.
Ouyang Feng, fully aware of the urgency, pushed their little boat hard to gain distance.
Along the way, some panicked cultivators who'd fallen into the river tried to hijack their boat, but Mo Hua and Hua Qianqian beat them back with fireball spells and spirit needles.
They had almost made it far enough to escape—when killing intent surged nearby.
A streak of water-blue sword light came slashing toward them.
Mo Hua immediately used his footwork to dodge the blow.
But the boat—unlike a cultivator—couldn't sidestep. It couldn't even turn fast enough.
The sword light tore a gaping crack into the hull.
River water began flooding in.
The small boat wouldn't last long—and they didn't have time to reach the shore.
Mo Hua had no choice. He and Ouyang Feng abandoned the little boat and jumped onto another nearby Rouge Boat.
This one had been further from the central flower boat and hadn't taken as much damage, but since it was chained to the others, it had still caught fire in places.
Just as the three of them landed on the deck— They saw someone standing across from them.
It was Xie Liu.
But not just him—there was a sudden splash from the river, and a white silhouette burst from the water—it was Water Yama, an expert swimmer.
The two of them had blocked Mo Hua and his companions' path.
Their expressions were anything but pleasant.
Xie Liu was bleeding, his once water-blue daoist robes torn to shreds, singed black and red in patches.
He had been caught squarely in the second-grade high-tier killing array and the spirit ship explosion that followed.
If not for the resilience of a Golden Core cultivator, he'd likely be half-dead by now.
Water Yama had also sustained injuries, but fared much better.
Sharp and cautious by nature, he had instinctively backed away a few steps the moment Mo Hua activated the formation.
And those few steps made all the difference.
If not for that, there's no way he'd be standing here in one piece.
As for Hua Ruyu, Mo Hua didn't see her.
But considering she was a peak Foundation cultivator and had charged forward alongside Xie Liu, she was probably either dead or half-blown to death.
Their three pursuers were now down to two—but the situation was still extremely grim.
Senior Brother Feng was injured, and Senior Sister Qianqian's cultivation level was far below Water Yama's.
The traps Mo Hua had prepared in advance had already been used.
And Xie Liu and Water Yama clearly wouldn't give him a second chance to set up new ones.
He might be able to escape using his stealth techniques, Deadwater Steps, and water evasion spells…
But Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian wouldn't make it out alive.
In the distance, Dao Enforcement ships were fast approaching—but that was too little, too late.
No help was coming.
Mo Hua's mind spun rapidly, assessing the situation. Then, with a casual wave of his hand, he said:
"We surrender."
That one sentence left Xie Liu and Water Yama completely stunned.
"What… what do you mean?" Xie Liu frowned.
Mo Hua replied,
"Didn't you say you needed hostages? We'll be your hostages. Otherwise, once the Dao Division arrives, with a Golden Core Magistrate leading them, they'll show no mercy—they'll slaughter you all."
Xie Liu's eyelid twitched.
"How thoughtful of you..."
Mo Hua sighed.
"Can't help it. I've got a kind heart."
Xie Liu stared at him, speechless. He glanced at the wreckage of the Rouge Boat, the blazing inferno, and the cultivators flailing in the flames—then back at the mastermind standing right in front of him, and his face spasmed.
Water Yama didn't buy it. His eyes narrowed.
"What are you really planning?"
"Nothing," Mo Hua replied matter-of-factly.
"I've used all my tricks. Can't beat you guys. So I surrender. What, you want me to fight to the death just to get cut down?"
He sounded entirely logical.
Water Yama's frown deepened.
"Of course," Mo Hua continued, "I do have one condition—"
"While we're your hostages, you can't harm a single hair on our heads."
Water Yama sneered.
"And why would we agree to that?"
Mo Hua answered firmly:
"Because I have the Abyssal Water Forbidden Casket in my possession!"
Water Yama's eyes turned bloodshot. Xie Liu, however, looked confused.
"What forbidden casket?"
Mo Hua gave him a strange look.
Even Water Yama, a peak Foundation cultivator, knew about it.
And Xie Liu, a Golden Core… had no clue?
Apparently, Xie Liu knew less about the Yin Water Sect's secrets than an outsider like him.
No wonder they had him doing the dirty work, despite being Golden Core.
When push came to shove, he was just the fall guy.
Mo Hua thought to himself.
While Xie Liu was clueless, Water Yama absolutely understood the significance of the Abyssal Water Forbidden Casket.
His face was still cold, but his eyes were clearly wavering.
The casket was critically important—perhaps even more important than killing Mo Hua.
But negotiating with Mo Hua was like bargaining with a fox. Water Yama didn't feel confident at all.
Mo Hua glanced behind them and said,
"You'd better decide quickly. The Dao Division's almost here—time is running out."
"If you accept my terms, you'll have hostages. With hostages, you'll have leverage. Maybe even a chance at getting the casket."
"Otherwise, we go down together."
"We die here. The Dao Division catches up and kills you both. And even if you somehow survive, you'll never get the Forbidden Casket."
Mo Hua's expression was calm, his reasoning airtight.
Xie Liu and Water Yama exchanged a look. Their faces were grim. Silence lingered—until Water Yama finally gritted his teeth and said:
"Fine. I won't kill you. But you'd better behave like proper hostages—or don't blame me for what happens next."
"Got it!" Mo Hua nodded.
Water Yama felt more and more unsettled.
Why was this brat suddenly so cooperative?
But with the Dao Division ships drawing closer, he had no time to overthink it.
"Let's move!" Water Yama barked.
"To where?" Xie Liu frowned.
Water Yama glanced at him, then lowered his voice:
"At this point… we've got no choice but to go to that place."
Xie Liu's eyes trembled. His face paled slightly—as if he greatly feared this so-called "place."
But with no better options, he gave a silent nod.
"That place…"
Behind them, Mo Hua, who had overheard, couldn't help but brighten slightly.
He also quietly nodded.
"Junior Brother Mo…" Hua Qianqian's voice was trembling.
"It's alright," Mo Hua reassured her.
"Senior Sister, trust me."
Hua Qianqian nodded, but her eyes still held deep concern—and guilt.
Ouyang Feng, too, looked ashamed.
He knew Mo Hua could've escaped alone—his stealth skills were unmatched.
But Mo Hua had stayed, risking his life to protect him and Hua Qianqian.
They were dragging him down.
Ouyang Feng sighed inwardly.
Then, Xie Liu used a token to open a storage chest hidden in the Rouge Boat. Inside was a brand new, compact spirit boat.
He boarded first.
Water Yama cast a dark glance at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua calmly said:
"Let's go."
Then he jumped aboard first. Ouyang Feng and Hua Qianqian followed.
Water Yama activated the boat, steering it away. Any cultivators who approached were swiftly driven off by Xie Liu's sword strikes.
And so, aboard this tiny spirit vessel, the group left the burning Rouge Boat behind—heading deeper into the dense mist.
Shortly after they vanished into the fog, the Dao Enforcement Division finally arrived.
Their blades were drawn, their Spirit Binding Chains ready.
The arrest of the Rouge Boat cultivators had begun.
(End of this Chapter)