The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 125: Master Doesn't Need a Dao Companion

The characters on the list were meticulously written and stood out prominently:

First Place: Nan Gongsi

Identity: Young Master of the Confucian Wind Sect

Second Place: Xue Meng

Identity: Young Master of the Peak of Life and Death

Xue Meng: "..........................."

He slammed the book shut, his facial muscles twitching as if he was barely holding back a torrent of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him, ready to burn books and bury scholars.

With a dark expression, Xue Meng slapped the startled vendor with the booklet, gritting his teeth as he spoke through clenched jaws.

"Wrap this book separately for me. I'll take it back and study it in detail."

Forcefully stuffing the "Incomprehensible Talk List" into his robe, Xue Meng clutched a large stack of scrolls and books that the vendor had picked out for him, staggering back up the mountain.

He was furious.

Fuming with anger.

Second place on the Arrogant Noble Sons List?

Pah! Whoever compiled that list must have been blind as a dog! If he found out who it was, he'd drag them out and beat them a hundred times to vent his frustration! Screw arrogance! Bloody nonsense!

This rage somewhat mitigated his overwhelming joy, and by the time he returned to the Red Lotus Water Pavilion, Xue Meng's emotions had stabilized. He wouldn't ignite at the slightest provocation or explode with fury. Although he was still agitated, his anger earlier had left him with a clear head, preventing confusion.

Two high-ranking disciples stood guard outside the pavilion, denying entry to all except for those with legitimate reasons, allowing the elders to rest undisturbed.

But Xue Meng was the young master. Who dared to stop him?

So, he entered without incident.

The sky had turned dark, and the windows of the main hall in the water pavilion were half-open, casting a honey-like glow into the room. Uncertain if his Master was awake, Xue Meng tip-toed in, holding the books and gently pushing the door open.

It was eerily quiet around him; he could hear the thumping of his own heart, like the fluttering of a bird perched on a branch.

For the moment, he pushed the 'Incomprehensible Rankings' out of his mind, focusing all his attention and holding his breath as he gazed intently at the bed with bright eyes.

"..."

A long silence ensued, leaving Xue Meng stunned.

"Huh?"

Why was no one on the bed?

Just as he was about to take a closer look, a cold hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

A voice, damp with moisture, whispered hauntingly from behind, "May I ask what brings you, Sir, to the Red Lotus Water Pavilion without permission?"

"..." Xue Meng turned his head stiffly, an incredibly rigid motion, to meet a pale face. The dim light didn't allow him to see clearly before he let out a startled scream, "Wah—", followed by a wild swing of his arm towards the other person!

To his surprise, the other person was faster, moving like a fierce wind and lightning. With a sudden strike to Xue Meng's neck, they then kicked him in the abdomen, forcing him to kneel straight down. The book in his embrace scattered across the floor, leaving him in a highly embarrassing state.

Xue Meng had initially been startled, but when he was kicked to his knees, he was genuinely astonished!

After all, he was no longer the same as before. After five years of diligent practice, not even Nan Gongsi was his match. Yet, this person whose face he couldn't even see had effortlessly overpowered him in just two moves. Who was this?

His head buzzed, blood rushing to his brain.

But at that moment, the man spoke with an icy tone, "I've been in seclusion for five years, and now anyone dares to barge into my residence. Whose disciple are you? Where's your master? Didn't he teach you any manners?"

As soon as those words were spoken, Xue Meng lunged forward, embracing the man tightly.

"Master! Master!!"

Chu Wanning: "..."

Xue Meng lifted his head. He had intended to hold back, but he couldn't resist the tears streaming down his cheeks. He choked back sobs, "Master, it's me... Look... It's me..."

Turned out Chu Wanning had just woken up and taken a bath, which explained why his body and hands were still cool with traces of moisture. Standing there, though the lighting was dim, it was now clear enough to discern.

Kneeling before him was a young man in his twenties.

His skin was fair, accentuating his dark and dense eyebrows, making his eyes and arching brows appear closer together than usual, giving him a profound and expressive face with a hint of sentiment in his gaze. His lips were full and well-defined, adding charm to his appearance. Even when he was angry, there was a touch of indulgence on such a face. In truth, someone with this kind of looks could easily be associated with the term "seductive," but not him.

The most captivating feature on a person's face is their eyes. Xue Meng's eyes resembled potent liquor, forever shimmering with fiery, passionate, and reckless radiance, truly mesmerizing.

With these pools of wine, one would never mistake them even if they were contained in a lustrous jade vase as white as ice.

Five years had passed since Chu Wanning's demise, and Xue Meng was only sixteen at that time. Now, he was twenty-one.

Sixteen or seventeen is the age when a man undergoes the most significant changes. Their appearance shifts every year, and their physique transforms every six months. Chu Wanning had missed out on five years, so it was no wonder he didn't recognize Xue Meng immediately upon their sudden encounter.

"…Xue Meng."

After a long moment, Chu Wanning gazed at him and slowly called out his name.

It was as if he was addressing him, yet also reminding himself.

This was Xue Meng, no longer the inexperienced youth from his memories. He had grown up, with broad shoulders and a height that...

Chu Wanning pulled him up without revealing any emotions.

"Why are you kneeling? Get up."

"..."

He was almost as tall as Chu Wanning now.

Time seemed to pass much faster for the young, carving a mature figure from a child in just a few strokes. When Chu Wanning first woke up, Xue Zhengyong was the first person he saw. He hadn't yet realized how long five years could be, but seeing Xue Meng now, he suddenly understood that time had flown by, and many people and things had changed.

"Mentor, at the Spirit Mountain Congress, I..." Xue Meng managed to calm down slightly and started chatting with Chu Wanning. "I came in first place."

Chu Wanning glanced at him, then a hint of a smile appeared on his lips. "As it should be."

Xue Meng's face turned red. "I... I fought with Nan Gongsi. He had a divine weapon, but I didn't. I..." As he spoke, he realized his intention to boast was too obvious, so he felt a bit embarrassed and rubbed the corner of his shirt.

"I didn't disgrace you, Mentor."

Chu Wanning smiled faintly and nodded. Suddenly, he said, "You must have suffered a lot."

"Not at all!" Xue Meng paused and continued, "It was sweet."

Chu Wanning reached out, intending to ruffle Mo Ran's hair as he had done years ago. But remembering that Xue Meng was no longer a child, he changed his mind mid-action and patted his shoulder instead.

Books were scattered across the floor. The master and disciple picked up each volume and placed them on the table.

"Did you buy so many?" Chu Wanning asked. "How long will it take me to read through all of these?"

"Not much at all, Master. You can read ten lines in a single glance; you'll finish them in one night."

"..."

Even after so much time had passed, Xue Meng's admiration remained undiminished. Chu Wanning, on the other hand, was at a loss for words. Not knowing what to say, he lit the candle and casually flipped through a few books.

"The Jiangdong Sect has a new leader?"

"Yes, they have. The new leader is a woman, and I hear she has quite a temper."

Chu Wanning continued reading. The page he was on detailed events within the Jiangdong Sect. He focused intently on the lengthy passage. As he read about the "Biography of the New Leader of the Jiangdong Sect," he suddenly asked nonchalantly, "Mo Ran... How has he been these past years?"

He asked with great restraint and subtlety.

Therefore, Xue Meng didn't find it too abrupt and replied honestly, "Not bad."

Chu Wanning lifted his gaze. "What does 'not bad' mean?"

Xue Meng deliberated on his words before saying, "He's more like a human now."

"Was he not human before?"

Before Xue Meng could respond, Chu Wanning nodded again.

"You're right, he wasn't very human-like. Continue."

"..." Xue Meng was best at stretching out stories about himself, while keeping others'—especially Mo Ran's—accounts brief and simple.

"He's been running around all these years and has matured a bit," Xue Meng said. "That's about it."

"He didn't attend the Spirit Mountain Assembly?"

"No, he was practicing in Snow Valley at that time."

Chu Wanning didn't press for more answers.

The two continued chatting about various topics. Xue Meng, concerned about Chu Wanning's exhaustion, held back his endless stream of words and bid farewell first.

After he left, Chu Wanning lay down on the bed fully clothed.

He still remembered everything that happened in the Netherworld, so he wasn't surprised by Mo Ran's transformation. However, life had been fleeting since their separation, and several years had passed. Xue Meng had grown so much that he almost didn't recognize him. He wondered what Mo Ran looked like now.

He recalled Xue Zhengyong's parting words: "Yu Heng, I'll hold a feast at the Lady Mengpo's Hall to celebrate your emergence from seclusion tomorrow. Don't decline; I've already sent a letter to Ran'er. It would be terrible if he traveled all this way only to find no food or drink waiting for him, right?"

So Chu Wanning didn't refuse. Though he disliked crowds, Mo Ran had always been his weakness.

According to Xue Zhengyong, when the sky tore in Butterfly Town last time, many villages at the foot of Whitehead Mountain were devastated. Now, the survivors were either injured or crippled, and the villages remained in ruins due to the severe damage. The entire snowy plain resembled a living hell.

Mo Ran had been helping rebuild the villages these days.

After reading for a while under the lamp, Chu Wanning couldn't resist getting up and summoning a voice-bearing peony flower with a wave of his sleeve. After some thought, he said, "Master, please write another letter to Mo Ran, telling him not to rush and to come back only if it's possible. If he can't make it, I won't blame him. The weather is turning colder, and Whitehead Mountain's winters are harsh every year. He must take good care of the villagers and not deal with things haphazardly."

With a sigh, Chu Wanning tossed away the peony flower and reclined on the bed, picking up the half-read chronicles of the cultivation world and continuing to read.

Though his vision was not as extraordinary as Xue Meng had described, allowing him to read through these voluminous texts in one night, he could still manage to peruse a few history books with ease.

As the night deepened, the candlelight flickered like a tranquil pool of water. Chu Wanning closed the book and narrowed his eyes slightly, his brows furrowed.

He had already scanned through the major events that occurred in the cultivation world over the past five years. At first, the contents were rather unremarkable, but when it came to the description of the second Heavenly Rift in Butterfly Town, there were abundant mentions of Mo Ran.

Originally lying on his side, Chu Wanning propped up his chin with one hand while lazily flipping the pages with the other. Upon reaching this part, he couldn't help but sit up straight and examine the text closely.

"Countless commoners from Lower Realm attempted to flee eastward to the border, only to be met with fortifications that refused them entry. For several days, the sky was shrouded in darkness, and fiends roamed the land. Thousands perished before the walls, their blood flowing like crimson logs. By September, supply routes were severed, leaving the people without food for seventeen days. Famine drove them to cannibalism..."

These lines recounted how the Lower Realm, plagued by malevolent spirits, saw many inhabitants attempting to seek refuge in the Upper Realm, only to be denied entry. Starving, they eventually resorted to consuming each other to survive.

The scene of widespread carnage and chaos was now condensed into mere words on paper. Reading it, Chu Wanning felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

"The Summit of Life and Death appointed Young Master Meng and Lord Ran as its leaders, with swords originating from Sichuan. Over a thousand demons were vanquished beneath Longcheng's blades, and ten thousand enemies were defeated, propelling Xue Meng to fame. Mo Ran alone sealed the Heavenly Rift, banishing ghosts and demons from the Netherworld. His boundary-creation technique, taught by none other than Chu Wanning, showed no discernible difference, astounding the world."

Although Chu Wanning knew that the described Heavenly Rift was not as devastating as the one from years ago, he was still surprised, his eyes widening slightly. "He managed to mend the rift on his own?"

Continuing to read, he encountered more tales of Mo Ran's exploits—defeating demons, suppressing evil, and stabilizing the world.

"...In the east beyond the river, a malevolent spirit plagued the Green Pond Manor, and they refused to deal with it. Upon hearing this, Mo Ran ventured forth and encountered the Yellow River ghost, battling for three days. He decapitated the ghost and burned its remains, thus eliminating the calamity. However, the young master was severely injured, pierced through the abdomen and ribs. Fortunately, he was rescued by the leader of Solitary Moon Night, Jiang Xi..."

Chu Wanning's fingertips turned cold.

The young master was severely injured, pierced through the abdomen and ribs.

Whose abdomen? Whose ribs? Mo Ran's?

He had always been meticulous with words, but at this moment, he refused to believe it and read the passage four or five times over. On the sixth reading, he placed his finger on each character, scrutinizing them one by one.

Hearing the news, Mo Ran ventured forth... to engage in battle for three days straight...

Before Chu Wanning's eyes, there seemed to appear a figure clad in black, his figure aloof and resolute. His long boots trampled upon the towering waves of the Yellow River, one hand behind his back while the other held a brilliant divine weapon, the Willow Vine.

Slaying the demon with the Flaming Demon Slaying Sword, the calamity was averted. Yet, the young master was severely wounded in the process.

His hand clenched tightly on the paper, his knuckles turning as pale as jade.

He witnessed Mo Ran drawing out the willow vine amidst the tumultuous waves, the fiery Ghost-Seeing Spray erupting in a mighty roar as it lopped off the Ba's skull, splattering blood in an instant. At the same time, the Ba's razor-sharp claws tore viciously into Mo Ran's flank!

The headless behemoth staggered before crashing to the ground, its colossal body severing the flow of the Yellow River. Mo Ran also fell to the riverbank, unable to regain his footing as his clothes were instantly drenched in blood...

Chu Wanning slowly closed his eyes.

For a long, long time, he did not reopen them. Only his quivering eyelashes betrayed a subtle moistness.

After that, all the books referred to Mo Ran uniformly as "Grandmaster Mo."

Upon seeing these three characters, Chu Wanning felt an inexplicable strangeness, an unfamiliarity that was hard to articulate.

He found it impossible to reconcile the image of that carefree, languid youth, always grinning with infectious delight, with the title "Grandmaster Mo." He realized he had missed so much about Mo Ran that he suddenly wondered if, should the man return tomorrow, he would still be able to recognize his disciple with ease.

The scarred apprentice became Grandmaster Mo's disciple.

With such thoughts in mind, an indistinct sense of unease began to stir within him.

He longed to see Mo Ran, yet he also dared not meet him.

Amidst such anxiety, Chu Wanning didn't fall into a vague sleep until the depths of the night.

Even someone who had died once still didn't know how to take care of himself. He was lying amidst a pile of documents, without a blanket to cover him. He was indeed quite weak, not having fully recovered his strength yet. Moreover, very few dared to intrude into the Red Lotus Water Pavilion; thus, no one had awakened him. When Chu Wanning finally awoke, it was already the evening of the following day.

Pushing open the window, Chu Wanning gazed at the setting sun outside and fell into a long silence.

"......................."

The crimson sky reflected on the lake, as a lone wild crane leisurely flew across the horizon, heading back to its nest.

It was already the hour of the Cock...

He had actually lain in bed for an entire day and night?

Chu Wanning's face turned ashen. Placing his hand on the window frame, he nearly snapped the wooden bar with a loud crack.

This was unacceptable. The feast that the Lord had specially arranged for him was about to begin, yet here he was, still groggy-eyed, disheveled, and with his hair in disarray... What was he supposed to do? What could he do, what could he do, what could he do?!

He fretted inwardly.

"Yu Heng!" At this moment, Xue Zhengyong unexpectedly came up the mountain. Pushing open the door, he entered the room and froze when he saw Chu Wanning sitting on the bed, his expression enigmatic.

"Why haven't you gotten up yet?"

"I'm up," Chu Wanning replied. If not for a strand of loose hair curling on his forehead, he would have looked quite imposing. "What is it, Lord? Why did you come personally?"

"There's nothing, really. I just haven't seen you come down for a day and got worried." Xue Zhengyong rubbed his hands together. "After you freshen up, let's go to Meng Po Hall for a meal. Master Huai Zui specifically said that we should wait twelve hours before eating. You haven't had anything since you woke up yesterday, and now it's been exactly twelve hours. I've had your favorite dishes prepared. Crab roe lion's head, osmanthus-sweetened lotus root... Let's go together."

"Thank you for your concern, Lord." Hearing the mention of crab roe lion's head and osmanthus-sweetened lotus root, Chu Wanning lost interest in grooming himself properly and decided to change clothes quickly to follow Xue Zhengyong downstairs.

After all, crab roe lion's head was best eaten hot; it would lose its flavor if it cooled down.

"It's my duty, my duty." Watching him get out of bed and put on his shoes, Xue Zhengyong rubbed his hands again and suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Chu Wanning wasn't skilled at managing daily life, and after five years of sleep, he was momentarily slow-witted. He put on the wrong shoes and socks without realizing it until he struggled for a while. He then changed them back without attracting attention.

Focusing on putting on his socks, he didn't lift his head and spoke casually, "What is it?"

Xue Zhengyong chuckled. "Ran-er sent an urgent message this morning, saying he'll definitely be back tonight. He even brought you a gift. This child is becoming more sensible as he grows up. I'm... Hey, Yu Heng, why are you taking off your socks?"

"Nothing, it's from yesterday."

Chu Wanning said, "It's a bit soiled. I'll change into a clean one."

"{Yu Heng}, why didn't you change it just now?"

"I didn't think of it at the time."

Xue Zhengyong was straightforward and innocent, not dwelling on other possibilities. He looked around the room and commented, "Speaking of which, you're no longer young, Yu Heng. I think it's about time you found a Dao companion. Look at this place. Master Huai Zui left it tidy, but as soon as you woke up, before you even settled in properly, there are papers scattered here and robes there... Should I keep an eye out for someone suitable for you?"

"Please, Your Excellency, leave."

"Huh?"

With a grim expression, Chu Wanning's temper was frayed. "I'm changing clothes."

"Haha, alright, I'll leave then. But what about that matter of a Dao companion...?"

Chu Wanning suddenly looked up, his eyes like an icy lake as he glared at the clueless Xue Zhengyong.

Xue Zhengyong finally caught on and forced a laugh. "I was just asking. With Yu Heng's standards, you probably wouldn't be interested in ordinary candidates."

Chu Wanning cast a disdainful glance at Xue Zhengyong, his eyelids drooping slightly.

Xue Zhengyong sighed and said helplessly, "Did I say something wrong? I know you're picky."

Chu Wanning replied coolly, "I just don't have the leisure for such matters. How does that make me picky?"

"Since you're not picky, then tell me, what kind of person would catch your eye? I'm not forcing anything, but at least I can keep an eye out for you."

Fed up with Xue Zhengyong's persistence, Chu Wanning was too lazy to engage in further conversation and casually dismissed him with, "Someone alive. A woman. Lord, please be mindful, no need to see me off."

Pushing Xue Zhengyong towards the door, Xue Zhengyong was reluctant to leave. After their recent brush with death, he genuinely cared about Chu Wanning's future.

When Chu Wanning had perished years ago, Xue Zhengyong had deeply regretted it. He had wished that if Chu Wanning had left behind a child, just like his brother, he would have had someone to hold onto, someone to take care of, as a way to make amends.

But Chu Wanning had neither children nor siblings, living a solitary life.

Xue Zhengyong had felt terrible and guilty back then, pitying Chu Wanning's loneliness.

"You're not really setting any standards with that requirement... Yu Heng, seriously, I mean it—ah!"

Xue Zhengyong attempted to resist, but Chu Wanning had already pushed him out and slammed the door shut with a loud thud.

In the process, he also cast a barrier that blocked Xue Zhengyong entirely from entering.

Xue Zhengyong: "…"

Author's Note:

Mini-drama Update: "The Main Lead and Supporting Leads' Standards for Daoist Partners"

The sect leader distributed a small questionnaire, asking each person to write down their requirements for a Daoist partner.

Chu Wanning: "Why again? As stated in the text, I seek a woman, a living one. That's all that's needed."

Mo Ran: (Sighs) "...Actually, I'm not too sure what the criteria for a Daoist partner should be. But considering my intelligence, I don't think I'm suited for romantic relationships."

Xue Meng (seriously pondering): "Height must not be shorter than my chin, weight cannot exceed mine, waist must not be thicker than my thighs, preferably almond-shaped eyes because I like them, looks shouldn't be inferior to Shi Mo's (Shi Mo: ...), martial prowess must not surpass Mo Ran's (Mo Ran: Hand in your paper, there's no such woman). Must be loyal and devoted, cooking skills are a plus, especially if they can handle spicy food – I can't tolerate a milder half-and-half pot. Although there's no throne for me to inherit at home, I don't consider myself an aging bachelor yet, so marriage isn't a pressing matter. After all, a man's career is more important. Hence, if any of these conditions aren't met, it's best not to approach me, to avoid wasting each other's time."

Shi Mo: "Kindness is all that matters; physical appearance is not crucial."

Nan Gongsi: First, honesty. Second, attractiveness.

Ye Wangxi: ...No interest.

Mei Hanxue: Could I find someone to enhance my role, please? Director, do the two male leads need stand-ins for their intimate scenes?