Chapter 149: Restored Hope
"But think about it! Wang Hua is a martial king. What kind of anger would make him lose control to the point of knocking things over? Fu Qing, think carefully, what exactly did he knock over?" Hua Ge's eyes burned with intensity.
What seemed like a hopeless case now appeared to have a breakthrough because of this new line of thought.
Finally, he had another chance to catch his old friend.
Fu Qing scratched his head awkwardly. "To be honest, I didn't really pay attention to that at the time!"
"Think harder! You've been following him for so long; what have you noticed?" Hua Ge was getting anxious, grabbing Fu Qing by the collar and shaking him vigorously.
Hua Ge, who had been at a disadvantage in his secret battle with Wang Hua for a long time, was now seizing this rare opportunity for a turnaround. How could he not be excited?
Zheng Tao, watching Hua Ge's reaction, felt a sense of helplessness. He completely understood Hua Ge's feelings, but he also sympathized with Fu Qing. No one would have thought to pay attention to such details.
Just remembering the approximate quantities of the gifts Zhang the Benevolent brought was already quite attentive of Fu Qing.
But at this moment, Zheng Tao was more shocked.
Although Hua Ge usually acted arrogantly, he was the most meticulous among them. Seeing his reaction, it was clear that he fully believed in Mo Fan's method of transmitting information through gifts.
If Hua Ge could recognize the plausibility of this theory, then it must be quite reliable.
Zheng Tao couldn't help but admire Mo Fan. Just from his verbal description, Mo Fan could deduce such a hidden method used by the opponent. What incredible wisdom!
Who said that the War Emperor Mo Fan was just a powerful fighter? He was also a wise and far-sighted strategist!
Although Zheng Tao didn't know that Mo Fan wasn't guessing but had actually designed this Morse code scheme himself.
Zheng Tao stepped forward, gently prying Hua Ge's hands off Fu Qing, and comforted him, "Don't be anxious. In a few days, it's the Ghost Festival. Zhang the Benevolent will surely come again. This time, Fu Qing can take a closer look."
Hearing Zheng Tao's words, Hua Ge gradually calmed down. There was no use in rushing now. The situation was what it was, and impatience wouldn't help. He had to let it go for now.
Fu Qing nodded. "I'll keep a close watch on those items on the Ghost Festival. That clever old fox won't get away with it this time."
"Also, you need to follow Wang Hua and note down which books he looks at after driving Zhang the Benevolent away," Hua Ge reminded.
"Understood."
"As for Zhang the Benevolent, we can follow him. His cultivation isn't high; Zheng and I can handle it easily," Hua Ge continued.
Having worked together for many years, the three of them had a natural division of labor: Fu Qing controlled the general direction, Hua Ge handled the details, and Zheng Tao filled in any gaps.
Their personalities complemented each other, allowing them to play to their strengths and achieve great synergy.
After detailing the plans for tracking Wang Hua and Zhang the Benevolent during the Ghost Festival, Hua Ge turned his sharp gaze towards Zheng Tao and said something cryptic, "Old Zheng, you've got an expert by your side."
Zheng Tao was taken aback. "What are you talking about?"
Hua Ge chuckled, took a swig of wine, and said, "Old Zheng, it's not that I underestimate you. But with your mind, you couldn't have figured out what Wang Hua's game is."
"Come on, did you meet some expert recently? Or maybe that apprentice of yours gave you a lesson again?"
Hua Ge's guess was Mo Qingkuang, given that it was Mo Qingkuang who first suspected Wang Hua of being a spy. His debate at the banquet and analysis before the Empress had left a deep impression on Hua Ge.
That kid had a brilliant mind, with perspectives that were unconventional and ideas that were wild.
If Mo Qingkuang had deciphered Wang Hua's ploy, Hua Ge would find it believable.
Hearing Hua Ge's words, Fu Qing nodded as well. After being close brothers for a century, who didn't know who?
Zheng Tao wasn't stupid. He was just straightforward and fair in his dealings, not one for convoluted schemes.
Zheng Tao felt a sinking feeling in his heart. Earlier, he was only thinking about resolving the issue with Wang Hua as quickly as possible and had hurriedly pulled Hua Ge and Fu Qing out for a discussion.
He hadn't thought of a suitable excuse and had just claimed that he had a sudden flash of inspiration. He didn't expect his two old brothers to see through it immediately, knowing it wasn't his idea.
He forgot that these two were also among the smartest people in the Tianxuan Empire.
However, no matter how smart they were, they could never guess that the real help had come from a dream visitation by the War Emperor Mo Fan, who had fallen centuries ago.
Guessing Mo Qingkuang? Mo Qingkuang had some quick wit, but he still had a long way to go compared to his teacher. And compared to his ancestor Mo Fan, he was far behind!
But Zheng Tao believed that it was best not to reveal Mo Fan's existence. He wasn't sure if Mo Fan was real, or if he would appear in his dreams again.
Besides, talking about dream visitations would be too far-fetched. Hua Ge and Fu Qing would surely not believe it.
It would be better to go along with their assumption and credit Mo Qingkuang. Putting the credit on the younger generation should be acceptable to the elder Mo Fan.
Thinking about this, Zheng Tao nodded, "You caught me. It was that brat who came to me with the idea."
"I knew it! You couldn't have figured it out yourself! Where is he?" Hua Ge took three big gulps of strong wine and laughed.
"He didn't come with me. I sent him back to train," Zheng Tao made up an excuse.
"I think you just want to take all the credit for your apprentice's work! Ah, old Zheng, I didn't expect you to be that kind of person!" Fu Qing jeered, laughing.
Zheng Tao wasn't offended and spat on the ground, "Nonsense! Am I that kind of person?"
"When the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked. Your apprentice Mo Qingkuang is that kind of person, so the upper beam must be crooked too!" Hua Ge nodded seriously.
Zheng Tao felt speechless. I haven't even taught that kid much!
Is that kid really such a genius? Doesn't he need my guidance at all?
Watching the two of them laughing together, Zheng Tao felt helpless. The three of them had known each other for over a century, bickering for as long.
Every time they discussed something serious, no matter how serious it was, these two shameless old men would always turn it into this kind of scene.
Sighing, Zheng Tao disappeared into the night. "I'm not arguing with you anymore. I'm going back to cuddle my wife."
Hua Ge and Fu Qing exchanged glances and saw the envy in each other's eyes. They had been single for many years and had no one waiting for them at home.
"Old Fu, let's drink..."
"Cheers!"
***
"Achoo, achoo!" In a certain valley of the Fu Long Mountains, Mo Qingkuang sneezed several times.
"Did I catch a cold?" He looked at the cold waterfall in confusion, increased the amount of true qi protecting his body, and slowly walked back into the waterfall.
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