The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 194: Master, Aren't I Your Beloved Rangmei Anymore?

Chu Wanning had eaten too much and said angrily, "Marry who? As a man, you should be ashamed to say such things!"

Mo Ran smiled even brighter. "So, if it's not you marrying me, does that mean I'm marrying you?"

Chu Wanning became even angrier, not just angry but also ashamed.

There was no way he could tell Mo Ran that the colorfully transformed spirit gourd resembled the Mo Ran he had dreamed of before, one with slightly pale skin.

He definitely wouldn't tell Mo Ran about the dream where they entangled and passionately made love until they were drenched in sweat.

After all, people need their dignity, just as trees need their bark. One of the most important things in the world was Elder Yu Heng's pride.

Thus, Chu Wanning waved his sleeves and said, "If you continue to speak nonsense, leave now. You're not allowed to stay here any longer."

Mo Ran finally quieted down, pressing his lips together as if feeling wronged, but still obedient. His dark, lustrous eyes looked at him, then he nuzzled Chu Wanning's cheek with his nose, acting coquettishly and warmly. "Oh, I won't ask anything then. Good Master, please don't chase me away."

"Master is just Master, don't add 'good' to it," Chu Wanning felt his heart melting from Mo Ran's words, struggling to resist but still pushing away the head that was rubbing against him. He sternly said, "Don't call me that randomly."

"But just calling you 'Shifu' doesn't sound intimate at all."

"Hmm? Does it?"

Mo Ran coaxed, "Look, I call you 'Shifu' in public, but if I were to do the same when we're alone, wouldn't that be dull? Don't you think?"

Chu Wanning wasn't fooled. "I don't."

"..." Seeing his plan fail, Mo Ran tried another approach, repeatedly addressing Chu Wanning as "Shifu" while holding onto him. Each time, he spoke with sugary affection, making Chu Wanning's spine tingle. Eventually, Chu Wanning couldn't bear it anymore and threw a book beside him at Mo Ran's face.

"Stop."

The book was thick, but its landing was gentle and didn't cause any pain.

Mo Ran chuckled as he removed the book, revealing his exceptionally handsome face. "I'm afraid that if I get used to this pet name, I might accidentally call you 'Shifu' in front of others. So, let's come up with something else."

Chu Wanning's brows knitted together. "Wouldn't you get used to any other name and end up shouting it in public?"

Mo Ran sighed. "Why won't you take the bait?"

"..." Stung by the metaphor of being hooked, Chu Wanning grew even more displeased. He lowered his head to organize his books, ignoring his disciple who was lying on the table, blowing at the loose strands of hair in front of his face.

For a while, things remained peaceful. With a disappointed tone, Mo Ran said, "I want something nice from you, Master."

"Hmm?"

"Shi Mo and Xue Meng both call you Master. I call you the same; there's no difference. I don't ask for much, really. Just something unique... that only I can call you."

Chu Wanning paused in his actions, straightening up to look at him.

"I wouldn't do it often," Mo Ran said, his thick, long eyelashes casting shadows on his nose. "Just sometimes... is that not allowed?"

"..."

"If it truly isn't possible, then forget it." Mo Ran appeared even more dejected. "If I can't, then I won't."

In the end, it was Chu Wanning who gave in.

Perhaps it was because he was ten years older than Mo Ran; he still couldn't resist the young man's persistent pleading and coquettish requests.

Gazing at the handsome man who had smiled radiantly after his nod, he suddenly felt as if he had been deceived.

He seemed to always be fierce and aggressive, yet in the end, it was he who compromised, acquiescing to Mo Ran's every wish.

After all this time, like a fish circling around, he had finally become dizzy and bitten onto the hook called Mo Ran.

"The question is, what should I call you?" the hook inquired.

Chu Wanning replied listlessly, "Whatever you want."

"How can I just choose anything? This is an important matter."

Mo Ran pondered deeply for a long while but, lacking inspiration and even a bit vulgar, could only suggest, "Darling?"

Chu Wanning immediately recalled that dream and found it unbearable. "Don't."

"Chu my love?"

Chu Wanning was genuinely disgusted, his face darkening as he asked, "...Should I then call you Yan Mei?"

"Ahaha, you're right, it's not that great." Mo Ran scratched his head and chuckled, then furrowed his brows in deep thought. However, his ideas were still too forceful, resulting in an even worse outcome. "Chu Darling?"

He couldn't bear to hear it himself and held his forehead, feeling somewhat hopeless.

Seeing him like this, Chu Wanning couldn't help but laugh. "Don't think too much about it. What's the point of pondering over it like this? It just sounds awkward."

Mo Ran agreed with him but was unwilling to give up. He finally smiled and said, "Alright, I'll put more effort into it later and come up with something perfect for you."

Pausing for a moment, he pulled the book-organizing Chu Wanning over and wrapped his arms around the back of his neck, making him sit on his lap. He gazed at Chu Wanning for a while.

Chu Wanning felt uneasy. "What are you doing...?"

Mo Ran sighed and muttered, "I can't help myself no matter how many times I see you."

"Wha-what nonsense... Mmm..."

Before he could finish his sentence, his lips were captured. Mo Ran's warm and slightly moist lips met his, carrying a sweet fragrance. He hugged the person on his lap as they kissed deeply in the chair. The pitter-patter of rain outside drowned out the sticky and shy sounds of their entwined tongues.

When they finally parted, Chu Wanning slowly opened his wet eyes, wanting to look at Mo Ran but also afraid to.

Mo Ran smiled, aware of his bashfulness, and couldn't help but draw him into an embrace, stroking his body as their hearts throbbed in unison.

"In truth, it doesn't matter what I call you."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing." Mo Ran chuckled and finally said, "Shifu is the best."

Chu Wanning nestled against his shoulder. The sensation was sweetly intoxicating yet left him at a loss.

Perched on Mo Ran's lap, he could clearly feel that hardened warmth. It made his mind spin with heat.

After a moment, he whispered softly, "Why are you...?"

"Cough, it's nothing."

"...I can help you..." Chu Wanning's face flushed feverishly as he spoke those words.

Mo Ran hurriedly replied, "No need, Shifu still has to attend the Elders' Council later."

Chu Wanning glanced at the hourglass. "There's roughly another cup of tea's worth of time left, so it should…"

Mo Ran said awkwardly, "That won't be enough."

"Hmm?"

"I… can't manage it."

Chu Wanning was taken aback for a moment, then blushed even more as he realized what Mo Ran meant.

He hurriedly got off Mo Ran and took a step back.

But then he felt regretful, perhaps thinking his reaction had been cowardly, so he stepped forward again.

Mo Ran found the situation amusing. Seated in the chair, he didn't bother to conceal anything. Even though their clothing hid it, the intensity of his desire was still menacing and could be deadly.

"I won't tease you anymore," Mo Ran finally said, taking hold of Chu Wanning's wrist. He had intended to pull him closer for another kiss, but Chu Wanning's allure was so captivating that he feared he wouldn't be able to restrain himself if he touched him. So, instead, he simply held Chu Wanning's hand.

He brought their hands to his lips, gazing at Chu Wanning. Lowering his eyelashes, he placed a gentle and sincere kiss on the back of Chu Wanning's hand.

Finally, he gently licked the back of Chu Wanning's hand.

"Shifu, you're so sweet."

The rain in Shu Province had come and gone for half a month, but finally, on this day, the skies cleared, revealing the sun once more. Mo Ran stepped through puddles of varying depths, walking amidst the bamboo grove. Morning practice had resumed, but Chu Wanning was absent. He'd apparently gone to the rear mountain to teach Xuan Ji's few clumsy disciples how to throw plum blossom darts.

Before reaching the target range, Mo Ran could already hear Chu Wanning's solemn, cold voice: "Loosen your grip. Hold the dart between the space of your index and ring fingers. Channel spiritual energy from your fingertips, allowing it to flow and dissipate at the tip. When the edges emit a golden glow, that's when you throw it towards your target."

"Splat—"

Merely by listening, Mo Ran knew that the disciples had missed their shots yet again, and each one of them sighed in disappointment.

"Oh, heavens, this is really difficult."

"Elder, can you demonstrate it for us once more?"

Chu Wanning replied, "When the dart glows golden, it will grow slightly warm. Pay close attention to this sensation, don't rely solely on your sight."

"Can you still hit the target without looking?"

Before Chu Wanning could reply, a voice laced with amusement sounded from behind him, "Of course I can."

Chu Wanning turned around. "Why are you here?"

The group of new disciples responded, "Senior Brother Mo."

Among them was an exceptionally charming and adorable female disciple who blushed at the sight of Mo Ran and hastily bowed with clasped fists.

Mo Ran didn't pay much attention to Xuan Ji's disciples but walked straight up to Chu Wanning, suggesting, "Shifu, why not blindfold yourself and show them how it's done?"

"…Alright."

With permission granted, Mo Ran untied his snow-blue headband, three fingers wide, and wrapped it around Chu Wanning's eyes. The headband was tied securely without causing discomfort. The silk felt like flowing water against the skin, and the ends of the headband fluttered gently in the breeze.

Chu Wanning said, "Plum blossom darts."

One of Elder Xuan Ji's disciples stepped forward and handed Chu Wanning their plum blossom dart.

Chu Wanning said, "Three."

"Oh?" The disciple was puzzled but still took out two more darts from his quiver and presented them to him. Chu Wanning's slender, pale fingers brushed against the cold metal of the plum blossom darts. He pursed his lips, then without a word or any hesitation, he flicked his finger. In an instant, the darts flew out between his fingers —

"Zing! — Clang!"

A crisp, resonant sound.

"Oh, you hit it! Right in the center of the target! But there's only one dart."

Chu Wanning remained silent, while Mo Ran said calmly, "The other two are embedded in the targets behind you."

The new disciples were skeptical when they heard this, so they all turned around to look. To their shock, they saw that the remaining two darts were deeply lodged in the opposite targets, both hitting the bullseye.

In the rustling bamboo grove, dawn was breaking. Xuan Ji's disciples were speechless, while Chu Wanning lifted his hand to remove the snowy blue blindfold, revealing his slightly raised phoenix eyes and fluttering eyelashes.

He handed the headband back to Mo Ran and explained, "The first sound you heard was the collision of the three plum blossom darts in mid-air. With precise control of spiritual energy, two of them can be deflected in the opposite direction, catching your opponent off guard and giving you the upper hand in battle."

The disciples exchanged glances. Suddenly, a younger one, full of admiration, exclaimed, "Elder, how do you practice this? Is there a trick to it?"

Chu Wanning said, "Mo Ran, show them your hand."

Mo Ran smiled and extended his hand. The young disciples gathered around, eager to discover the secret behind Mo Ran's hand. After staring for a while, they found nothing out of the ordinary. However, one female cultivator's heart raced as she gazed at him with sparkling eyes.

She and her sisters were recent initiates, their minds still restless. They often ventured down the mountain to purchase leisurely reads. Chu Wanning's previous reading of the "Incomprehensible Rankings" had also circulated among them. When they stumbled upon the measurements section, the young girls blushed, giggled, and playfully teased one another, but later whispered about it in their quarters.

"One rumor I've heard is that a man with longer fingers tends to have...a more impressive attribute," said a bold and forthright senior sister with a daring spirit. "Next time we have a chance, I'll dine at the Meng Po Hall and position myself behind Senior Brother Mo to see for myself just how large his hands truly are."

Eventually, that senior sister did manage to squeeze her way to the back of the line for food, hurriedly rushing so she could be behind Mo Ran. In her haste, she accidentally knocked over a soup bowl, splashing half its contents onto him.

The young lady's lips parted slightly, a blend of astonishment and awkwardness etched on her face. Uncertain of what to do, she witnessed a long, graceful hand take the steaming bowl from her, still overflowing with soup, and place it back on the table. A fresh bowl was then served in its place.

"Be more careful next time, it's not good to waste food."

Upon hearing his deep, mesmerizing voice, the senior sister didn't dare lift her head, her face flushing crimson like the boiling broth in the bowl, steam seemingly rising from her embarrassed state.

Throughout the encounter, she dared only to sneak glances at Mo Ran. She observed the contours of his waist, taut and defined, the breadth of his chest beneath his garment, and, most frequently, those exquisite hands...

"Exceptional."

Upon her return, she was overwhelmed with praise, but could only utter these two words to describe it all.

In the room, all the junior sisters fell silent, biting their lips. Each of them felt a warmth in their hearts, filled with fantasies and vivid imaginings.

Suddenly, a cold and stern voice interrupted her recollection:

"What did you observe?"

One disciple said, "Please forgive me, Elder, I am slow-witted and truly cannot tell."

"Does Senior Brother Mo's hand seem particularly strong?"

Amidst the chatter, it was her turn. Blushing, she was momentarily flustered and blurted out, "His fingers are very long."

"?"

Mo Ran was taken aback, unsure what exactly they were observing. He simply withdrew his hand, scratched his head, and turned to look at Chu Wanning.

Though Chu Wanning didn't know what long fingers signified, he was no fool. With a glance at the bashful junior sister, he vaguely understood that it couldn't be anything wholesome. His expression darkened as he waved his sleeves and coldly said, "What nonsense are you all looking at?"

Noticing the faint anger in his expression, the disciples were startled and instinctively lowered their heads.

Feeling the tension in the air, Mo Ran didn't want Chu Wanning to be labeled as cold-hearted later on. Thus, he smiled and took the initiative, saying, "It's from calluses."

After finishing his sentence, he glanced at Chu Wanning before continuing,

"Your fingertips must be rubbed raw, form calluses, then rub raw again—this cycle repeated nearly a hundred times—before you can master precise control over spiritual energy. There's no shortcut to it."

By noon, most of the disciples had grasped the basics. Chu Wanning didn't linger any longer. It was fine to give a few pointers to someone else's disciple, but too much attention might not sit well with Elder Xuan Ji. Chu Wanning was no longer a sixteen-year-old boy freshly out of seclusion; he understood the nuances of interpersonal relationships now.

Together, he and Mo Ran strolled out of the bamboo grove and approached the Bridge of Helplessness.

They walked closely, side by side, their sleeves brushing against each other's wrists, creating a subtle yet thrilling sensation that made their hearts flutter like sprouting spring buds.

With no one around, Mo Ran finally reached out secretly and laced his fingers with Chu Wanning's, though he quickly let go. Nevertheless, both their ears tinged with a light blush, and their throats burned with desire.

Since their intimate encounter during that rainy night in Impermanence Town, they had precious few opportunities to be alone.

Occasional trysts at the Red Lotus Water Pavilion were fraught with anxiety over whether Xue Zhengyong might unexpectedly drop by.

In truth, even the briefest touch of fingertips against fingertips was enough to ignite a fire within Mo Ran. He whispered, "Shifu, can we go... tonight?"

Before he could finish his sentence, a person hurriedly ran over from ahead. Mo Ran immediately straightened his tall figure, pressed his lips together, and stood silently by. The person didn't notice anything unusual and continued on, greeting them, "Elder Yu Heng, there's an urgent matter. The Venerated Master requests your immediate presence at the Heart-Devotion Palace."

Chu Wanning asked, "What happened?"

"The guest brought important news regarding Xu Shuanglin. Sect Leader Xue couldn't make a decision alone, so he called all the elders for a meeting early this morning. You're the only one left."

Upon hearing the name 'Xu Shuanglin', Chu Wanning no longer had time for tenderness and immediately rushed towards the Heart-Devotion Palace.

Mo Ran followed closely behind, saying, "Wait for me. I've fought with Xu Shuanglin before; I might be able to help."

The two of them swiftly glided through the air using lightness kung fu, and before long, they arrived in front of the Heart-Devotion Palace.

Pushing open the door, they found the hall silent except for Xue Zhengyong and the other elders. Two bloodied individuals stood in the grand hall as well.

Mo Ran's gaze fell on the sword case slung across one of their backs, finding it familiar. After a moment, his eyes widened in shock, his expression changing drastically. "Ye Wangxi?!"

Author's Note:

Short Scene: "I've Changed My Mind"

Chu Wanning: How do people in love come up with such greasy terms of endearment? It's unbearable.

Mo Ran: +1 (Agreed)

Chu Wanning: Just call me Shifu, or use my name at most. Aren't other nicknames awkward?

Mo Ran: I agree.

Chu Wanning: ...Are you really sincere about that?

Mo Ran: Yeah, I've changed my mind. Saying "Shifu, you're so tight," "Shifu, does it feel good?" or "Shifu, you're all wet" in bed sounds rather intriguing.

Chu Wanning: ...