Immortality Through Array Formations

His attitude was very solemn.

In South Yue City, he found an opportunity for himself, as well as for the Situ Family.

The Corpse Mine incident was of significant importance.

If he failed to handle it properly, it would be the Situ Family's reputation at stake.

Likewise, if he managed to settle the aftermath properly, it would be a great accomplishment, earning him a good reputation within the clan and accumulating substantial Merit Points for a promotion within the Taoist Court.

Moreover, Mo Hua was a Formation Master and also the "Master" of the Corpse King.

Dealing with the Corpse King and its horde required Mo Hua's consent.

Constructing new mine shafts and improving the lives of South Yue City's Cultivators also depended on Mo Hua's support.

Therefore, to Mo Hua, he was almost beseeching and demanding.

Whatever Mo Hua said, he would agree without hesitation and spare no effort in executing.

Mo Hua felt reflective in his heart.

It seemed that the competition within the family was indeed fierce, and the pressure was substantial.

Eating from the same pot, if one did not make an effort or think things through, one might not even get to sip the broth.

...

The Wooden Ox and Flowing Horses were built, and so were the mine shafts.

Then, it was time to start work.

Situ Shen organized the Mining Cultivators to resume work.

The Mining Cultivators were hesitant and uneasy.

They were still scared from the previous Corpse Tide that had besieged the city.

Although the Corpse Tide had receded, there could still be remnants left behind, especially within the mine shafts—dark and polluted, the perfect hiding places for Zombies.

They dared not start work.

They were scared of poverty, suffering, and encountering Zombies, risking their lives.

But they dared not refuse to work either.

Because they were truly poor, without Spirit Stones even food was unaffordable.

If they started working and encountered Zombies in the mine, at most one of them would die.

But if they did not work, their whole family would starve to death.

Their hearts were filled with trepidation and insecurity.

Yet, it wasn't until they entered the mine that they realized everything had changed.

The mine shafts were larger, more spacious, brighter, and there was even a breeze—neither cold nor hot, just pleasantly cool.

Gone was the eerie atmosphere, gone was the sense of oppression.

The Filthy Qi was also much less intense.

Staying inside felt much more comfortable.

It was not as grueling as before.

And there were Formations everywhere, some even specifically designed to prevent Monster Beasts, which were very reassuring to see...

"Is this really the mine of South Yue City..."

The Mining Cultivators found it hard to believe.

Afterward, they gathered together, thanking the Court Leader profusely.

Since the founding of South Yue City, these Mining Cultivators, along with their ancestors, had never worked in such safe mine shafts.

In the mine, the Formations that had been set up for the protection of these Mining Cultivators over hundreds and thousands of years, if all combined together, would not amount to the number of Formations now present in this single mine shaft.

They were immensely grateful.

The Court Leader told everyone to stand up and said,

"There's no need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Little Mo Gentleman. It was he who quelled the Zombie plague and built these mine shafts for everyone."

The Mining Cultivators then thanked him in unison,

"Thank you, Little Mo Gentleman!"

But they did not know who this Little Mo Gentleman really was...

Afterward, Situ Shen set some new regulations.

For instance, Mining Cultivators could not work in the mines for more than four hours a day.

Their daily wages could not be less than one Spirit Stone.

No Clan or power in the locality could withhold Spirit Stones from the Mining Cultivators for any reason...

Moreover, Jinhua Street was also shut down.

All establishments related to eating, drinking, prostitution, and gambling were closed.

The female Cultivators from the Brothels had their contracts revoked and were allowed to start fresh.

Those who coerced Cultivators into selling themselves, causing them to lose their dignity and lives, were dealt with severely.

Situ Shen and Mo Hua stood on the city wall, watching Jinhua Street being demolished.

Some managers, gamblers, crooks, female brothel keepers, and thugs who had the Lu Family's backing and were notorious for their misdeeds, were escorted to the Taoist Prison by the Enforcement Leader of the Taoist Court, along the way facing public scorn, being pelted with stones and rotten vegetables.

Some broke free from misery and wept bitterly with their loved ones.

There were also those who were lonely and secretly heartbroken.

Most people, however, were righteously indignant, clapping their hands in approval.

For decades, the glamourous Jinhua Street, established by Capitalist Lu, glossy on the surface but concealing tears and blood, was now being torn down in broad daylight.

Situ Shen reflected,

"Under the bright sun, the filth and darkness have nowhere to hide."

Mo Hua, however, discerned the implications in his words, "Are places untouched by sunlight still the same?"

Situ Shen was somewhat surprised.

He had not expected Mo Hua to be so perceptive.

The subtle thoughts that he had harbored were captured by Mo Hua.

Mo Hua's gaze was profound, his thoughts penetrating, and he had even shown kindness to Situ Shen and the Situ Family. Thus, Situ Shen decided to be candid and share some heartfelt words.

"Mr. Little Mo," sighed Situ Shen, his voice growing somber,

"Since I was thirty years old, I have been serving in the Taoist Court, starting from a lowly Enforcement Leader to becoming a Supervisor, Deputy Court Leader, and I have also served as the Court Leader in several Little Immortal Cities..."

"This kind of thing... I've seen it quite a lot..."

"Or to say, across the entire Cultivation World, such things are all too common."

"This issue could be resolved, simply because it was brought into the open."

"Matters exposed to the public are always carried out with propriety and grandiosity, but if they are not brought to light, the scene is completely different."

"To put it in hurtful terms..."

Situ Shen looked at Mo Hua and said in a low voice,

"Today, as the Court Leader of South Yue City, I can act uprightly and advocate for these unfortunate Cultivators, sweep away these Brothels and gambling dens, appearing righteous and dignified."

"But if I had come to be the Court Leader of South Yue City before this..."

"It's very likely that I would have done the same things as the previous Court Leader."

"Frequenting Brothels, squandering thousands of gold, using the bodies of these unfortunate women for pleasure, and indulging in a life of luxury and debauchery."