"Senior Sister, why donât you tell me what happened first? Maybe I can give you some advice."
"This..."
Hua Qianqian pondered for a moment, and eventually nodded.
She had a lively nature, and her thoughts were shallow, so she couldnât hide things.
With this matter in her heart, she was restless and eager to confide in someone, but it was inconvenient for her to speak with fellow disciples of Hundred Flower Valley.
She thought of seeking Senior Sister Murong, but hesitated.
Mo Huaâs words brought her to this point where she couldnât hold back anymore.
Moreover, she was fairly acquainted with Mo Hua and knew that despite his young age, he was always intelligent, unflappable in crises, quite resourceful, and at times more reliable than even herself as a senior sister.
Hua Qianqian sighed deeply and then asked, "Do you still remember... that Senior Sister Ye?"
"Senior Sister Ye?" Mo Hua pretended not to know, recalled for a bit, and nodded:
"Is it the one with the oval face, fair and pretty, with a refined temperament, Senior Sister Ye? I remember... What happened to Senior Sister Ye?"
Hua Qianqianâs expression reflected pain, "She..."
Her voice choked slightly, she bit her lips and finally said, "...died."
A faint sadness appeared in Mo Huaâs eyes.
"Senior Sister Ye... How did she die?" Mo Hua asked softly.
"She committed suicide..."
Mo Hua feigned surprise, "Why would she commit suicide out of the blue?"
Hua Qianqianâs heart was suffering.
Some words, if kept in the heart, would never be spoken.
But once spoken, they cannot be concealed.
Hua Qianqian said, "The elders all claim that Jin Er sister died by suicide, but I feel thatâs not the case, at least not that simple..."
"Jin Er sister is... very introverted, not from a good background, but sheâs very kind. Although she seems cold, sheâs quite caring. She loves magnolia flowers, and occasionally, when she has free time, she bakes pastries to share with us."
"Everyone treats her well on a daily basis."
"How could someone like Jin Er sister commit suicide without reason?"
"I want to find out clearly how Jin Er sister really died..."
"But everyone is tight-lipped. The elders insist Jin Er committed suicide. I want to ask my fellow sisters for help with the investigation, but some are indifferent, others are perfunctory, and some even advise me not to get involved..."
At this point, Hua Qianqian looked somewhat saddened.
"So, you wanted to approach Senior Sister Murong to help you investigate this matter?" Mo Hua asked.
Hua Qianqian nodded, "I wanted to ask Sister Murong for help, but..."
Hua Qianqian sighed, "...Iâm afraid of disturbing her. Next year is the Dao conference, and Sister Murong is unlike me. She has great talent and is held in high expectations, expected to place in the Dao conference, and I donât want my matter to distract her..."
Dao conference?
Mo Hua was momentarily stunned, then recalled that Senior Sister Murong was a year ahead of him, and indeed, next year was the time for them to participate in the Dao conference.
Hua Qianqian appeared melancholic.
Mo Hua thought for a moment, then said, "Senior Sister Qianqian, why donât I help you investigate?"
Hua Qianqian was slightly taken aback, "How will you investigate?"
Mo Hua said, "Whatever clues you have, you can tell me. Whatever you want to investigate, you can tell me. To be honest..."
Mo Hua leaned close to Hua Qianqian and spoke in a lowered voice:
"...I have contacts in the Taoist Court. Whatever you want to know, as long as it doesnât break the Taoist Law, I can mostly help you find out."
Hua Qianqian was shocked.
Contacts in the Taoist Court?
Youâre just a mid-stage Foundation Establishment junior disciple, and you have contacts in the Taoist Court of the Fifth Grade Qianxue State Boundary?
"Really!"
Mo Hua worried she wouldnât believe him, so he secretly took out his Taoist Court badge from Tongxian City to "blend in" and also showed the letter token given to him by Gu Changhuai, which was exclusive to the Taoist Court.
Hua Qianqian stared blankly and nodded.
But she still had some concerns, "This matter might involve some trouble, you..."
"Itâs alright," Mo Hua said, "I have strong âconnectionsâ. Elder Master Xun told me that as long as I conduct myself righteously and donât do bad things, if anyone bullies me, he will back me up."
Besides, after the incident in the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons, heâs well acquainted with the likes of Xun Ziyou and Xun Zixian.
Some minor issues wouldnât even need to bother Elder Master Xun.
Hua Qianqian had also heard Murong Caiyun mention Elder Master Xun of the Taixu Gate, and she felt a shock in her heart, her gaze towards Mo Hua changed.
He never realized that Junior Brother Mo, who seemed harmless, actually had such capabilities and a deep background.
With a solemn expression, Hua Qianqian nodded earnestly, "Alright, then Iâll be troubling Junior Brother Mo!"
"No need to be polite, itâs what I should do." Mo Hua waved his hand, and then he laid out the plan he had already thought of:
"Senior Sister, when you return to Hundred Flower Valley, conduct investigations quietly without exposing your intentions."
"Note down discreetly all matters related to Senior Sister Ye Jin, including whom she interacted with, where she went, and what she said."
"Whether there are any enmities, any grudges with others, and so on..."
"Also..."
Mo Hua spoke fluently, listing a slew of details.
Hua Qianqian appeared somewhat dazed.
Junior Brother Mo, how is he so adept at this...
But then she thought, given his connection with the Taoist Court, his knowledge in investigating cases seemed quite fitting?
Hua Qianqian nodded, "Alright, Junior Brother Mo, I remembered it."
Mo Hua then arranged, "If we discover anything, weâll still meet here. If I find out anything, Iâll also inform you."
"Okay!" Hua Qianqianâs gaze was resolute.
She was determined to uncover the true cause of Jin Erâs death!
Afterward, Hua Qianqian returned to Hundred Flower Valley, and Mo Hua returned to Taixu Gate.
In Hundred Flower Valley, Mo Hua now had a "spy".
Days later, the two met as agreed at the foot of Taixu Gateâs mountain.
Hua Qianqian secretly conveyed the information she had gathered to Mo Hua:
"Just like other sisters, Jin Er sister usually interacted with the elders, instructors, or fellow disciples of the sect, and there wasnât anything special."
"I havenât heard of her bearing grudges against anyone either."
"Her words and deeds were as usual, except for one thing, which seemed strange..."
Hua Qianqianâs expression was puzzled, "According to one of my senior sisters, Jin Er previously asked her a very strange question."
"A strange question?"
"Yes," Hua Qianqian said slowly, "She asked... After a person dies, can they become a ghost?"
Mo Huaâs pupils involuntarily shrunk.
Ghost?!