The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 103: Master, I've Come to Find You

So... it's like this...

Apprentice...

Mo Ran never would have imagined that the monk standing before him, indistinguishable from a ghost, was actually Chu Wanning's mentor. He was momentarily speechless.

In contrast, Shi Mo reacted quickly. Immediately, he bowed solemnly and said, "I had no idea that Master was connected to my late master in such a way. This junior has come to pay respects to Ancestor Huaiwei."

Master Huaiwei replied, "There's no need to call me Ancestor. Chu Wanning was long ago expelled from my sect by this humble monk."

"Ahh!" Shi Mo's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "This...?" He was naturally cautious. Though startled, he noticed a faint wistfulness in Master Huaiwei's expression and knew not to pry further.

But Mo Ran's mind was elsewhere. His heart was seething with anxiety as he asked urgently, "Master, you said you came for my Master. Then... do you have a way to bring him back?!"

"Aran..."

"Tell me, do you have a way to revive him? Don't lie to me! Are you... are you..." Filled with excitement and exhaustion, he felt lightheaded and could only manage half his question before his voice faded away, his eyes already reddening.

Master Huaizui sighed. "Venerable Mo, you should prioritize your own well-being. Yes, that is indeed the reason for my visit."

Mo Ran's face, already as pale as paper, suddenly flushed with color. He stared fixedly at Master Huaizui, his lips turning pale and trembling as he spoke, "Y-You… Could it be… You're… serious?"

"I wouldn't make such a late-night visit just to play tricks on the two of you," Master Huaizui replied.

Mo Ran tried to say more, but his Adam's apple moved, and all that came out was a hoarse, choked sound.

After a long silence, Master Huaizui continued, "The art of reincarnation defies fate and is an arduous endeavor. If not for the great debt I owe Master Chu, I would not have dared to attempt it. The decision to visit the Peak of Life and Death was made after much contemplation these past few days."

"Defying fate…" Mo Ran muttered, repeating the words, savoring them between his teeth. Then, with a pained expression, he said, "Defying fate… Even someone as wicked as me has a chance to defy fate. How can someone as good as him not have one?"

In his near-delirious state, he revealed his own "defying fate," but fortunately, his words were vague enough that no one picked up on the implication that he, too, had been reincarnated.

Shi Mo asked, "Grandmaster, since it involves defying fate and is a forbidden technique, it must be incredibly difficult to perform, and… perhaps not guaranteed to succeed… right?"

"That's correct," Master Huaizui answered. "This technique involves not only the caster and the deceased but also requires someone to gather the departed soul. The journey of reincarnation is fraught with challenges; a single misstep could result in eternal damnation, the dispersal of one's soul."

Shi Mo: "…"

Therefore, the old monk has come here without bothering others. I only need to ask Master Chu's three disciples. If you're not willing to risk your lives for him, then even if I activate the Rebirth Technique, Wanning cannot return."

In fact, before Venerable Huaiwei spoke, Mo Ran had already guessed most of it.

The reason why these three forbidden arts were prohibited was that they required sacrifices and risks beyond those of ordinary spells.

He had long made up his mind. In his previous life, he would give up his own life for Shi Mo; in this life, he wouldn't hesitate to repay Chu Wanning's kindness.

Mo Ran had a heart, but in his past life, he had never been willing to share it with Chu Wanning, not even a little.

By the candlelight, he looked at Venerable Huaiwei's face and said, "Master, there's no need to ask Xue Meng. My master died because of me; this matter shouldn't involve anyone else. If there are any obstacles during the ritual, I, Mo Ran, am willing to bear them alone."

"Aran..." Shi Mo murmured, then turned to Huaiwei. "Grandmaster speaks too seriously. What kind of ordeal are we talking about?"

Huaiwei replied, "Although Patron Mo is willing to take full responsibility, the first step of this technique is more likely to succeed with more people willing to sacrifice themselves. Let's wait for Patron Xue to arrive before I explain further. When I came up the mountain, I already sent someone to invite him."

He paused and smiled at Shi Mo.

"Also, remember not to call me Grandmaster again. As I mentioned earlier, I no longer hold the position of Master Chu's master."

Mo Ran had finally calmed down and asked, "Master, why did you expel my Shifu back then?"

Shi Mo was speechless. "Aran…"

"Never mind, it's not something that can't be talked about." Huaizui sighed. "When I was young, I was taken care of by a benefactor. Unfortunately, they had a short life and were scattered to the winds while protecting others during a great calamity. A hundred years have passed, but I still feel uneasy whenever I think about it. That's why there's a strict rule in our sect. The most important one is that disciples must focus on their cultivation and not get involved in mortal affairs until they attain enlightenment, lest they jeopardize their own lives."

Mo Ran thought about it for a moment before saying, "Shifu couldn't do that."

"Yes," Huaizui said with a bitter smile. "My young disciple had the same character as my benefactor. He grew up in the temple, inexperienced in the world yet highly talented. He could have safely cultivated until ascension. But when he turned twenty, he went down the mountain to collect minerals and coincidentally encountered refugees seeking shelter…"

Shi Mo sighed. "If that's the case, Shifu wouldn't have stood idly by."

Huaizui nodded. "Not only did he not stand by, but after settling the refugees, he left the mountain without permission to investigate the Lower Cultivation World."

"…"

At that time, the Summit of Life and Death had just been established, and the Lower Cultivation World was even more chaotic than it was now. It goes without saying what Chu Wanning would have seen.

"After he returned, he told me that he wanted to temporarily suspend his ascetic practice to help the injured and save lives in the mortal world," Huaizui said.

Shi Mo asked, "Did you agree to it?"

"No."

"..."

"He was only fifteen at the time, innocent in nature and fiery in temperament, easily misled by others. How could I have allowed him to leave the mountain on his own accord? Besides, despite his high cultivation, his physique was weak. The world is full of dangers and skilled martial artists abound. As his master, I couldn't bear to let him go."

Mo Ran said, "But he didn't listen to you in the end."

"That's right. After hearing me out, he had a fierce argument with me. He said that the sufferings of the mortal world were right before his eyes, so why did his master remain seated all day, closed-eyed and detached from the world?"

"Ahh!" Shi Mo was startled.

Even if someone else had said such harsh words to Huai Wei, it would have been cutting. But Chu Wanning was his most cherished disciple, making those words utterly rebellious.

Huai Wei's expression was calm, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Back then, my mind was neither empty nor serene. In a fit of anger, I told my young disciple, 'If you can't save yourself, how can you save others?'"

"What did your master say in response?" Shi Mo inquired.

"He who does not understand others cannot understand himself."

Upon these words, the grand hall fell utterly silent.

For these eight characters were not spoken by Master Huaizui, but rather whispered softly by Mo Ran. Hearing him utter the phrase that Chu Wanning had once said, Master Huaizui's gaze burned bright as he silently regarded the young man before him. After a long moment, he let out a deep sigh.

"He still teaches you this? He... ah, he truly remains... unchanged, unwavering even in the face of near-certain death."

Huaizui's emotions were conflicted, and Mo Ran was no less at peace than he.

For he had once scornfully dismissed the very name Chu Wanning as mere hypocrisy and empty rhetoric. Yet now, as those same two characters left his lips, he felt his heart ablaze with torment.

After a long while, Huaizui's ethereal voice resounded again within the Core Heart Palace.

"To be honest, I was so frustrated that day that I told him if he insisted on his own path and stepped out of the temple, our master-disciple relationship would come to an end, and our bond of gratitude and affection would be severed." He paused, as if that past memory was stuck in his throat. He seemed torn between elaborating and keeping it to himself. After several moments of hesitation, he eventually shook his head.

"Now you are aware that Chu Wanning ultimately severed ties and left his master. Many years have passed, and our pursuits have diverged. Though we both dwell amidst the bustling mortal world, we have never crossed paths again."

Shi Mo remarked, "This isn't... It's not Master's fault either."

Huaisui said, "Right and wrong, truth and falsehood — these are not matters one can easily comprehend. But Chu Wanning and I were master and disciple. Hearing that he perished in a bloody battle the previous night, I couldn't help but think back on the past, and I found myself unable to sleep day or night. That's why I came here, to do what I can, to test my luck, and see if there's any way to save Master Zongshi's life."

"Clang!"

The vermilion door with intricate carvings was abruptly pushed open.

Xue Meng was standing outside, seemingly having arrived some time ago and overhearing the crucial part of the conversation. He had only known that Venerable Huaisui had come, not the purpose behind the old monk's visit. Thus, he had been listlessly carrying a vat of herbal medicine, sipping it slowly as he made his way over.

Upon hearing Huaisui's words, the vessel in his hands shattered into pieces, splashing hot broth all over him.

But Phoenix didn't seem to feel the heat as he gasped, "Save him? Save him? Can... Can Master come back?!"

He rushed into the room, grabbing onto Huaisui.

"Bald donkey, what are you saying? Are you joking?"

Shi Mo hurriedly interjected, "Young Master, he is..."

"No... It's me, I lost my composure, I lost my composure." Though Xue Meng didn't recognize the man before him as Chu Wanning's mentor, the thought that this person had come to save his master's life made him quickly release his grip. "Venerable One, if you can bring Master back, Xue Meng will go through fire and water, risking death a thousand times over, without hesitation. I only beg of you... I only beg of you not to deceive me."

Huaizui said, "Venerable Master Xue, there's no need for such formality. My late-night visit is specifically for your master."

He turned his face to gaze at the moon outside the window. "The time is almost right. Since all three of you young masters are here, let me explain in detail the method of reincarnation and its challenges."

Shi Mo pleaded, "We earnestly request Venerable Master to enlighten us."

But Xue Meng rushed to say, "What else is there to explain! Save him first! Save him!"

Huaizui replied, "Venerable Master Xue is indeed hasty, but you must understand that if anything goes wrong, not only will your life be lost, but Chu Wanning's soul might dissipate as well. At that point, he wouldn't even be able to enter the six realms of reincarnation. Can you bear that?"

"I... " Xue Meng's face flushed red as he clenched his sleeves tightly, only to loosen them slowly after a while. He said, "Fine, I'll listen to Venerable Master..."

Huaizui took out three plain white silk lanterns from his storage bag. The silk was interwoven with golden threads, and in the center were thirteen vibrant silk embroidery spells, intricately woven in loops and turns, resembling a spider's web to capture a departing soul.

"These are Soul Guiding Lanterns," Venerable Huaizui distributed the lanterns to the three young men. "Hold onto these carefully. You must pay close attention to what I'm about to say next."

Mo Ran received the lantern and held it gently in his hands.

"Humans have three souls and seven spirits. The three souls are the Earth Soul, the Spirit of Awareness, and the Human Soul. After death, these three souls descend into the abyss and separate. You are familiar with this, but I suspect you don't know where each spirit goes after a person dies."

Shi Mo said, "Please enlighten us, Master."

"The Earth Soul and Human Soul descend into the Netherworld, while the Mind Soul lingers within the corpse. When people talk about the seventh day of the deceased's return, it is actually only the Human Soul that can come back to the mortal realm to reunite with the Mind Soul. The Human Soul returns often due to unfinished business. Once its matters are settled, it merges with the remaining Mind Soul within the corpse, then returns to the Netherworld to rejoin the Soul Embryo and await reincarnation. Many people, having a shallow understanding, seek methods of rebirth, but in the end, they can only summon a fragment of their soul, which naturally dissipates quickly."

In his previous life, after Shi Mo's death, Mo Ran had also attempted to summon his soul. However, as Huaizui had mentioned, there was only a faint shadow of the man in the moonlit white banners, which promptly transformed into flickering fireflies.

Mo Ran murmured, "So that's how it is..."

Huaizui said, "Chu Wanning's Mind Soul is still within his corpse. There's no need for all of you to concern yourselves with that. What's crucial is finding his Human Soul and Earth Soul."

Xue Meng hurriedly asked, "How do we find him?"

Huai Zui explained, "With this Soul-Seeking Lantern. This lamp can only be lit by spiritual energy. After you both infuse it with your individual flows, carry it throughout the Peak of Life and Death. If Chu Wanning doesn't resist your presence, the lantern's flame will illuminate his soul."

Upon hearing this, Mo Ran couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. "Then, what if Master doesn't want to see us?"

"This is the first challenge, and also why the more people willing to look for him, the higher the chance of success," Huai Zui said. "If he has no attachment to the world and his departure is determined, the Soul-Seeking Lantern won't reveal his figure. Thus, for the Rebirth Technique to work, the right time, place, and people must all align. If the deceased has no longing for those seeking them or has no desire to return to the mortal realm, no one can force it."

"..." Mo Ran couldn't help but grip the lantern tightly in his hand.

Xue Meng exclaimed anxiously, "Master is always the one who cares for us the most. How could he not want to come back? Master, after using this Soul Summoning Lamp to locate Master Chu's soul, what should we do then?"

"When you find his human soul, you will need to go to a certain place."

"Where?" Xue Meng inquired.

"Hell," Huaizui replied.

None of the three had expected that they would actually have to journey to the Underworld, and they were all startled.

Shi Mo let out a soft "ah," slightly widening his beautiful eyes as he asked softly, "This... how can a living person enter Hell?"

"I have a way to handle that. You don't need to worry, patron."

Huaizui glanced at him calmly and continued, "But whoever among the three of you finds Chu Wanning's human soul first must earnestly hope for his return to the mortal world, willing to seek him from the highest heavens to the deepest underworld. If your intentions waver, Chu Wanning's soul will dissipate along the way and can never be gathered again."

Shi Mo said, "This..."

Xue Meng declared, "Master has shown me great kindness and loyalty. Even if I had to search for him in the most torturous hell, I wouldn't hesitate."

"…It was because of me that Master perished," Mo Ran lifted his gaze and replied. "I owe him much, and there's nothing more to be said."

Hua Zui said, "Very well. Then you must remember this: once Chu Wanning's human soul is found by the first person, the others who go after will not be able to see him anymore. And the one who finds him must ensure that the guiding lamp remains lit before dawn and keeps shining on his soul."

Xue Meng asked, "What's so difficult about that?"

"Hard," Hua Zui replied. "After the three souls separate, each one often lacks something. It could be their sense of hearing, their mind, or their memories… In short, if luck isn't on your side, the Master you see might not listen to you easily. You'll have to find ways to coax him."

Xue Meng: "…"

Mo Ran's heart tightened with unease. "…Coax him? But what if… I say the wrong thing? It was already hard to guess his intentions when he was alive, let alone as a ghost."

He had genuinely been worried, but since Xue Meng had long held a grudge against Mo Ran, he assumed Mo Ran was mocking Chu Wanning and glared at him angrily. He then turned to say, "What's so hard about coaxing? Just remember to keep Master from leaving the vicinity of the guiding lamp."

Shi Mo asked, "What happens after dawn?"

"After dawn, Chu Wanning's human soul will float into the guiding lamp. By then, this poor monk will prepare a bamboo raft and wait for you two at the bridge. This place is at the entrance to the Realm of Ghosts, and the rushing waters under the Bridge of Helplessness connect directly to the Yellow Springs. The bamboo raft will carry the one who has found the fragmented soul to the Realm of Ghosts."

Xue Meng: "Take a bamboo raft to the Realm of Ghosts?"

Shi Mo asked, "Can only one person go? Is there no way for anyone else to help?"

"The answer is no. Whoever finds Chu Wanning's human soul must venture alone into the Ghost Realm to search for his earth soul. If that person gives up halfway or chickens out, Chu Wanning's human soul will be devoured by the Soul Guiding Lantern and can never reincarnate."

Xue Meng was startled and immediately turned to Mo Ran, saying, "You shouldn't go! I don't trust you!"

Mo Ran remained silent, allowing the accusations without disputing them.

Seeing this, Shi Mo tried to mediate. "Young Master, Ah Ran isn't someone who would desert in the face of danger. You... "

"So what if he isn't?!" Xue Meng shouted. "He's already killed our Master once. Why should I believe he won't do it again? He's a bringer of disaster!"

Shi Mo spoke softly, "Master is still here. How could you say such things?"

"Why can't I say it? Isn't it true? Every time our Master gets hurt, it's because of him! Whenever he's around, nothing good ever happens." As Xue Meng said this, his eyes reddened, his lips trembled, and he began to lose control. Reaching out, he grabbed at the Soul Guiding Lantern in Mo Ran's hand. "Give me the lantern. Stop bringing bad luck to our Master."

"..."

"Give it to me!"

Xue Meng cursed, but Mo Ran didn't retort. For the first time in his life, he felt that Xue Meng was right.

Whether it was before the Ghost Conductor or at the bottom of Jin Chengchi Lake, how many times had Chu Wanning been injured because of him? How many scars on Chu Wanning's body were left for him?

A plague god...

Huh...

Yes, that was true.

But even so, even knowing that he had wronged his master and was unworthy of begging for his return from the Underworld, he still refused to let go of the Soul-Luring Lamp. Stubbornly, he clutched the pale lantern tightly, enduring Xue Meng's scolding and tearing at him. His hand was scratched and bleeding, yet he remained motionless with his head lowered.

In the end, Xue Meng panted heavily, finally releasing him with bloodshot eyes. "Mo Weiyu, when will you stop harming him..."

Mo Ran didn't look at him, only lowering his head to stare at the empty lamp in silence.

Silent for so long that others assumed he wouldn't respond, he suddenly whispered softly, "I want to take him home."

His voice was too low.

Burdened with guilt and embarrassment so profound, he had stooped so low, so humbly.

At first, Xue Meng didn't quite catch what Mo Ran had said. It took him a moment to realize the words spoken. He scoffed derisively.

"You're taking him home?"

"..." Mo Ran closed his eyes.

Xue Meng spat out each word, tearing them to shreds between his teeth. "How dare you."

"Master—"

"Don't hold me, let go!" Xue Meng yanked his sleeve from Shi Mo's grasp, his eyes shimmering with sorrow and wrath. He glared at Mo Ran, his voice hoarse. "Who do you think you are?"

Mo Ran's hand seemed to tremble slightly, and his eyelashes drooped even lower.

In that instant, a strange illusion emerged, as if Chu Wanning were still alive, ready to say, "Xue Meng, stop your nonsense."

It turned out that he had always been the one shielding him from life's storms.

Mo Ran was at a loss for words. He held the Soul Guiding Lamp as if it were his last lifeline.

Lowering his head, he repeated, "I want to take him home."

"You only know how to say that, don't you? I think you—"

"Enough, Daoist Xue."

Master Huaiwei finally couldn't bear to watch any longer. He sighed and said, "If Daoist Mo is determined, let him have his way. If there's truly harm involved, we can deal with it later. For now, everything is uncertain, so why must Daoist Xue press the matter?"

Xue Meng wore a sullen expression, wanting to say something but ultimately held back out of respect for Master Huaiwei.

After a moment of restraint, he added, "If anything happens to my master, I swear I'll kill you in his honor."

Master Huaiwei sighed. "Let's settle your grievances another day. There isn't much time left. Finding the person's soul is our priority."

Mo Ran said, "Please, Master, perform the ritual."

"Holy Master, the spell on the Soul-Seeking Lantern is already cast," Hua Zui noticed as Mo Ran was about to infuse it with spiritual energy to ignite the lantern. He held out his hand to stop him. "Patron, please wait."

Xue Meng asked anxiously, "What else is there?"

"I'd like to reiterate that if anyone finds Chu Wanning's human soul, they will have no choice but to venture into the Underworld," Hua Zui explained. "Although I will place protective spells on them, it's still an incredibly perilous journey for the living to enter the domain of the dead. The slightest misstep could lead to their demise." The monk looked meaningfully at the three of them in turn.

"Danger isn't just an empty threat. Finding Chu Wanning's earth soul in the Underworld might not be too difficult, but the challenge lies in braving the unknown alone. If fortune favors them, they'll locate the soul swiftly, but if not, and an accident occurs, they'll…"

"Die?" Shi Mo inquired.

"Death would be the least of their worries. By then, both Chu Wanning and the patron may be reduced to ashes, with no chance of reincarnation," Hua Zui warned. "So, if any of you patrons are hesitant, it's best to return the lantern to me. No one owes anyone else their life, and valuing one's own life is not a shameful thing. It's not too late to change your minds now."

"I have no regrets," Xue Meng declared, fueled by youthful bravado and passion. "Whoever regrets it can go to hell." With that, he glared fiercely at Mo Ran.

But Xue Meng didn't truly understand Mo Ran. His cousin was fundamentally different, perhaps due to the hardships he had endured since childhood. Mo Ran's love and hate had been honed into razor-sharp claws; if someone harmed him, he would tear them apart, but if someone showed him even a small kindness, he would never forget it.

Mo Ran glanced at Xue Meng before turning back to Huai Zui. "I have no regrets either."

Huai Zui nodded and continued, "Very well, once we arrive in the Realm of Ghosts, find his lost 'Earth Soul' as soon as possible. When the Human Soul and Earth Soul merge within the lamp, the Guiding Soul Lamp will illuminate the path back to the living world. After that, leave the rest to this old monk."

It sounded relatively simple when he put it that way, but those listening knew that each step was fraught with danger and uncertainty. Especially in the Underworld, if they failed to locate Chu Wanning's Earth Soul or if his soul lacked consciousness or memory, refusing to merge peacefully, then whoever ventured down to search for him might not return.

Thus, before the three lit the Guiding Soul Lamp, Huai Zui asked them one last time with a solemn tone.

"The moment the lamp is lit, there will be no turning back. This is no trifling matter. Venerable one asks again, do any of you harbor any regrets?"

All three replied in unison, "No regrets."

"Hmm... Good... Good..." Huaizui's smile gradually formed, bittersweet yet relieved. "Chu Wanning, you... You've done a better job as a master than I have..."

He murmured an incantation, and the Soul Lamp flickered twice before illuminating. They saw two tongues of scarlet flames burst forth from the lanterns in Xue Meng and Mo Ran's hands, drenching the white silk in hues of red. Moments later, the lamp under Shi Mo's control also faintly lit up, casting a blue glow from the water-based spiritual current.

"Go on," Huaizui instructed.

"The outcome, whether we succeed or return, will be decided tonight. If we fail... sigh..."

Mo Ran thought of all the kindness Chu Wanning had shown him in life, and his heart ached. He couldn't bear to hear more from Huai Wei and interrupted, "Master, no need for further words. I'll crawl on my knees, scrape my liver and brains across the ground, just to bring my Shifu back to this world."

As long as he's willing.

As long as... he's willing to come back with me.

The three beams of light emerged from the Heart of Danxia Hall but were swiftly swallowed by the vast darkness, vanishing without a trace.

Author's Note: Today, the hospital was packed, and I didn't make it home until six o'clock at night, hiding my face...

Lately, it often takes me an hour or two to reply to comments, and work is busy, so sometimes I can't respond to them all. Please don't think I'm being careless; I bow in apology.

Also, there are some things I can't reveal when replying, making it challenging to respond. Although my skills are limited, I still don't want to write a shallow and sweet story, so the process might seem painful. Sorry about that, 23333.

In any case, some truths in this story run deep, and some characters wear more than one mask. When you think, "Ah, finally, this little rascal's true face is revealed," it might just be their second disguise. So, I hope you, my fellow readers, will have patience and wait for each character to wash away their disguises, revealing their true selves and uncovering every secret.

With the end of the year approaching, if I don't reply to comments sometimes, it's likely because I'm genuinely overwhelmed, t t, or I've reached a crucial turning point in the story, and I fear being influenced by the emotions in the comment section. In those instances, I won't respond, so please bear with me! Thank you!

The second matter is that yesterday, it seems some ladies didn't understand why Dogzi still has feelings for Shi Mo. Actually, it's quite simple.

First, Shi Mo's death had nothing to do with his master.

Second, Dogzi only knew that his master treated him well, not that his master loved him.

Third, regardless of how Shi Mo truly is, at present, Dogzi doesn't perceive any change in him.

Think about it, given his character, would he question his feelings for Shi Mo under these three conditions? The answer is clearly no.

If the story were to portray Dogzi falling in love with his master after the latter's death, then the character would be completely ruined, turning into someone who loves whoever dies for him. What does Dogzi feel? Guilt, regret, belated respect and affection – anything but love at this stage.

In other words, his love for his master can't stem from the master's death. If that were the case, wouldn't he love anyone who dies for him? That would be an insult to his master.

Dogzi is fixated on the idea that he likes Shi Mo. With no changes in Shi Mo and no other reference points, how could he comprehend that his feelings aren't love?

The variable brought by his master's death will impact his worldview and future actions, making him view his master as the closest person to him, but not evoking romantic love. At this moment, he finds his past actions, like imprisoning his master, utterly disgusting. Therefore, associating his master with love and desire at this time is something he's unwilling to do, especially without knowing his master's true feelings. For this phase of Mo Weiyu, such thoughts would only be a desecration to his master.

Moreover, consider this: his master died for him, and the truth of his past life is revealed. What would be the biggest shock for the protagonist? It's realizing that he utterly misunderstood a genuinely kind master who treated him well. The protagonist should be in a state of extreme mental chaos and collapse, with the only clear realization being "I did such a thing", "I messed up big time", "My master truly cared for me, yet I misunderstood him – it was my fault", "What insane things did I do in my past life?"

He wouldn't entertain the delusion at this moment that "Why did my Master save me? He must like me, be obsessed with me, and admire me, so he rescued me." ——That couldn't be. If he thought that, his line of reasoning would be peculiar, indicating an absurd level of narcissism.

In the aftermath of his Master's death, with his worldview shattered and overwhelmed by self-blame, how could he possibly leap to the idea of love, speculating whether his Master loved him, fantasizing that "since my Master died for me, it must be because he secretly had a crush on me"? Instead, he would only think, "My Master died for me; he was the best Master, and I'm the one who wronged him."

As for severing ties with Shi Mo, that wouldn't happen either. Shi Mo had wisely distanced himself from the conflict; no matter how one viewed the situation from an omniscient perspective, his Master's death was unrelated to him, directly or indirectly. In other words, no matter how much Mo Ran now regretted and grieved, it remained an issue between him and Chu Wanning, not involving any third party.

"The reason Mo Ran suddenly realized he loved his Master was because of the latter's death, bidding farewell to Shi Mo" ——this... this is utterly toxic = = Hahahaha! If handled this way, the character would be written solely through the lens of an omniscient narrator, no longer autonomous but a mere puppet acting out a scene from the sidelines.

So I understand some friends might be frustrated, but there's nothing I can do. Respecting readers and their opinions is crucial, but respecting the characters is the first priority for a writer, alas. So apologies, apologies...

Now, Mo Weiyu's other beliefs were already shattered, but his concept of love still needed a decisive blow.

I've tried my best to put myself in Mo Weiyu's shoes and make him react accordingly. Perhaps this explanation won't satisfy everyone, but... explanations are still necessary, eh? Nose scratch.

Patience! Patience! Patience!

This story is full of plot twists!

How many of you rooted for Huai Zui and the Master yesterday? You got slapped, didn't you? 233333333, Huai Zui is the most predictable wildcard and the fastest to reveal his hidden side, whereas each character in the main and supporting casts holds more than one card, waiting eagerly to play them, ahahaha.

Well, that's all the rambling. Thank you for enduring this old auntie's incessant chatter. I'll sneak away quietly to continue working on my backlog of chapters.