The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 253: The Scoundrel from Dragon Blood Mountain

"I've been waiting for you a long time. You finally woke up."

In the quiet room, this voice sounded strange and distorted. If Chu Wanning could open his eyes, he would see that his junior sister was sitting by the bed, staring at him with a smile, like a spider eyeing its prey in a web.

"How was your sleep? Was it comfortable?"

Chu Wanning didn't answer immediately. He shifted slightly and realized that his spiritual energy had only recovered to less than twenty percent. Moreover, his hands were bound with Immortal Binding Rope, and his eyes were covered with black silk.

"..."

Panicking was useless now. Chu Wanning had always been fearless. He knew what outcome he desired, so he also knew how to handle this calmly. In both his lifetimes, he had only felt lost before one person.

No one else could cause such chaos within him.

So Chu Wanning remained silent, slowly piecing together his fragmented memories and the events leading up to his unconsciousness. As his consciousness drifted in and out earlier, he had caught snippets of the surrounding sounds. Now, he tried his best to connect those scattered words.

Just then, the secret chamber's door slammed open, and Nan Gongliu returned. He carried a pile of fresh, juicy oranges and announced as soon as he entered, "Brother Zhiyou, I've picked some oranges for you. I chose ones with little rings at the bottom; they're especially sweet..." His words trailed off when he saw Chu Wanning on the bed. "Ah? Brother Concubine is awake?"

Hearing such an address, Chu Wanning's already pale complexion turned even more grim.

A favorite concubine... the Chu Concubine?

Then who was this so-called intimate friend, brother?

Shi Mo took the orange offered by Nan Gongliu and playfully patted his head, saying with a smile, "You've done well. But I have something to discuss with this esteemed Chu Imperial Consort. You should go out and entertain yourself for a while."

"Can't I stay here and play? I can help peel the oranges for you."

"Best you don't stay," Shi Mo said. "There are some things that adults can hear, but not children."

Nan Gongliu mumbled in confusion before turning and leaving the room.

The interior of the house fell into a tranquil silence, punctuated only by the sounds of breathing and the occasional crackle of candle flames.

Shi Mo picked an orange and skillfully peeled it, removing the white threads within. As he did this, he engaged Chu Wanning in casual conversation. "Did you recognize who that person was just now?"

"..."

"You should be familiar with his voice."

Peeling an orange, he offered it to Chu Wanning's lips. "Try it. These oranges from Dragon Mountain were planted by Xu Shuanglin himself. He's quite skilled in this, so they should be sweet."

Chu Wanning turned his face away.

Shi Mo spoke leisurely, "Look at you, throwing a tantrum as soon as you wake up."

After a moment of silence, Chu Wanning said coldly, "Where is he?"

"Who?"

"You know who I'm talking about."

Shi Mo raised an eyebrow slightly. "You want to ask about Mo Ran?"

"..."

Seeing his silence, Shi Mo smiled gently. "You truly care about him. Your first words upon waking up were to look for him, without even asking who I am. It's not worth it for someone who has mistreated you for half your life, is it?"

The blindfolded man's lips pressed together, making his slender jawline appear even more delicate and vulnerable.

Shi Mo gazed at him for a while, feeling the flames of desire intensify within his chest. Yet, he prided himself on composure and never acted impulsively.

One should eat with grace, not revealing teeth or allowing any residue to drip. The way Heaven-Stepping Lord devoured flesh and bone in one go was too hasty; the flavors were not savored before the bowl was left empty.

That was the manner of a starving dog, something Shi Mingjing would never approve of.

So, despite the fire burning below, Shi Mo leisurely drizzled fresh juices over his beloved's dish, tenderizing the meat's texture. He would only cook it to a fragrant crisp before savoring it in small bites.

"By the way, I have another question. Are you really unwilling to eat the orange that's right in front of you?" Shi Mo chuckled. "With your stubbornness, how did you serve Emperor Heaven-Stepping in the past?"

"Remove it."

"I think it would be better if you ate it. You haven't had a drop of water these past few days, and your lips are already cracking."

But Chu Wanning only gritted his teeth. "Where is Mo Ran?"

Shi Mo studied him for a moment, his smile slowly fading away.

"In this life and the last, with or without memory, your eyes have only ever been on Mo Ran. Sh—” The honorific title was left unspoken, for he knew he had lost the right to it, and so he stopped himself there.

But he missed the tremor that passed through Chu Wanning.

Shi Mo narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, what is it exactly that's so good about Mo Ran?"

He looked down at Chu Wanning, witnessing the last vestiges of color draining from his lips.

"That man acts on impulse, lacks wisdom, has naive and laughable notions, and his character is far from commendable. What could it be that you see in him?"

"..."

"Face? Spiritual energy? A sweet tongue?"

It was as though the repressed bestial desire had been accumulating for far too long; the more he spoke, the more pronounced the raw edge in his tone became.

Especially when he saw Chu Wanning bite his lip, seemingly trying to suppress certain emotions, Shi Mo found his throat growing parched.

Their conversation took on an increasingly intimate and suggestive tone.

"Is it his prowess in bed?"

Chu Wanning's pale cheeks flushed with anger. "Stop talking."

Shi Mo had no intention of ceasing. A man he had finally obtained, why should he not enjoy him to the fullest? He said with a grin, "I doubt you know that after your previous life, Mo Ran gave you the posthumous title of Qingzhen."

He watched Chu Wanning's face intently for any subtle change in expression, his smile growing wider.

"It does sound a bit amusing, but it's quite fitting. In this life and the last, you were indeed untouched by anyone except him. But then again, there's nothing to compare it to." Shi Mo spoke leisurely, "Since you've never experienced others, naturally, you would only think he's the best."

His fingertips slowly slid downward.

Over the tip of the nose, lips, chin, and Adam's apple.

Chu Wanning trembled slightly, veins bulging in his wrists as he struggled against the Immortal Binding Rope, but ultimately, he could not move.

"Don't waste your energy. Whether it's freeing you, or revealing Mo Ran's whereabouts, I can satisfy your desires." Changing the subject, "However, you are, after all, my spoil of war. You must entertain me first, don't you think?"

"…What do you want?"

Shi Mo smiled. "I want you to divert some of your thoughts away from that person. Stop thinking about him so much and think about me instead, how about that?"

"You were the one who cast the spell in my past life. There's nothing more to ponder."

If one listened carefully, they could detect the stifled pain in Chu Wanning's voice.

It seemed as if Chu Wanning was struggling to suppress a certain emotion, but it was on the verge of erupting.

Shi Mo chuckled. "Yes, it was me. But why doesn't Chu Fei guess who my true identity is?"

"Say it if you want, or don't if you don't wish to."

"Sigh, when will you ever stop being fierce?" Shi Mo sighed. "In that case, let's put it this way: Empress Chu once said that big bets hurt the body, while small ones delight the heart, but we should go for the harmful ones. Why don't we make a bet?"

"..."

"However," Shi Mo paused, "before we start, I have to ask for your pardon as I take a look at how many layers of clothing you're wearing."

Upon seeing that although Chu Wanning didn't respond, the contours of the lower half of his face involuntarily tensed up, Shi Mo's expression softened even further. He counted each layer, eventually concluding that there were five pieces in total—the robe and its sash.

"I'll give you five chances. If you can answer correctly within these attempts, I'll tell you where Mo Ran is." Pausing for a moment, he continued, "However, each time you answer incorrectly, I'll remove one of your clothes. If all five garments are gone and you still haven't answered correctly, then..."

He didn't finish his sentence, only smiling as his pale pink tongue subconsciously licked his lips. Then, he sat quietly, awaiting Chu Wanning's guesses. If Chu Wanning remained silent, he wasn't in a hurry; he patiently waited.

At this moment, he had plenty of leisure time, and he had all the time in the world.

But as the seconds ticked by, Chu Wanning still gave no response. Shi Mo's eyebrows lifted—he might have time, but that didn't mean he had endless patience.

"Go on, take a guess."

Finally, Chu Wanning spoke: "Get lost."

Shi Mo's expression darkened. "…You're the one in my hands now. You should know what you can and cannot do."

"…"

"Chu Wanning, you don't have any leverage to negotiate with me. The Immortal Emperor might be mentally unstable and thus let you get away with things sometimes, but I'm not like him."

Shi Mo said coldly, "While you're in my grasp, it would be wise to behave yourself."

He waited a while longer, but seeing that Chu Wanning still remained silent, his tone grew even harder. "Don't think you can avoid the consequences by staying quiet. Don't believe that I won't be able to do anything to you just because you refuse to speak."

As he spoke, his slender and icy fingers reached out and brushed against Chu Wanning's waistband. Then, with deliberate slowness, he stroked the ribbon, his fingertips gliding over like a blade slicing through fish flesh.

"Listen, I'll count to three. If you don't speak up by then, you'll have to bear the consequences yourself," Shi Mo said, a faint glint passing through his eyes.

In truth, he was unsure if he hoped Chu Wanning would guess or not. But at this point, it no longer mattered whether Chu Wanning guessed correctly or not. There was no turning back now, and all he could think about was how to reveal his true face in the most compelling and striking manner.

It had to be thrilling, soaked in blood, for this man before him had been his adversary across two lifetimes. Now that he had emerged victorious, he intended to savor the fruits of his triumph thoroughly.

"One."

A shimmer of victory seemed to dance before his eyes.

"Two."

How would Chu Wanning react? With anger? Grief? Terror?

Eagerly, he watched and spoke with a soft parting of his lips.

"Three... Alright, Empress Chu is indeed resolute and loyal. No wonder Heaven-Stepping Lord can't get enough of you." Shi Mo's tone was half-teasing, half-serious. "Since you're not guessing, let's be more straightforward. You..."

"Hua Binan."

The voice was icy cold.

Shi Mo's fingers paused slightly, halting his movement to unfasten Chu Wanning's sash. Then, he smiled. "Half-right. Want to continue?"

"..."

There was a cunning in his expression akin to that of a fox. On someone else, it might have seemed sleazy, but Shi Mo carried himself with such elegance, like a lotus reflected in water at all times.

He was confident that Chu Wanning would never guess the final truth. He was brimming with anticipation, he—

"I'd rather you were truly dead."

The smile on Shi Mo's face froze. After a moment, he asked, "What did you say?"

The person lying on the bed spoke with an icy coldness, devoid of any warmth.

"In my past life, during that tear in the heavens and the heavy snowfall, I would have preferred it if you had truly died."

Shi Mo gazed at him, his rehearsed speech suddenly without a target, leaving him struck dumb.

His half-raised hand hung suspended in mid-air, unsure of where to go, suddenly at a loss.

"Shi Mingjing," a soft sigh, like a bee sting piercing through the daze, "is it really you?"

"..."

Though it was a question, there was not a hint of inflection to raise the tone.

Lowering his eyelashes, Shi Mo's expression became indiscernible for a moment. After a while, he chuckled softly, "I didn't die, and I'm afraid I've let you down."

He didn't want to admit defeat, but his tone already held a trace of waning enthusiasm.

Shi Mo continued, "Indeed, I am the Shi Mingjing from your past life, from the world of the Heaven-Stepping Lord. I am not the same person as the young one who has been with you all this lifetime." Pausing briefly, he added, "I keep my word. I'll untie you."

With these words, he untied the Immortal Binding Rope, then placed his hand on the silk covering Chu Wanning's eyes and gently tugged it off.

Their peach blossom eyes met with phoenix eyes, locking gazes, yet both remained calm as an ancient well.

"Wanning greets Master."

Chu Wanning was already prepared; his mood only darkened further. He looked at Shi Mo and said, "You still know I'm your master."

Upon hearing this, Shi Mo smiled gently. Only now did one realize the sharp dagger concealed beneath his warmth.

"Mm, of course I do. You held an umbrella for me, and I haven't forgotten."

Chu Wanning appeared weak, but it couldn't disguise the innate stubbornness in his gaze. He stared at Shi Mo for a moment, his lips parting to deliver a biting response, "You scoundrel."

Shi Mo chuckled. "My apologies." He paused before asking, "But when did Master guess my true identity? In our previous life?"

Chu Wanning didn't answer, only gazing at him coldly.

There was indeed anger in those eyes, but the most abundant emotion was disappointment.

Shi Mo pondered, "No, it can't have been in our previous life. If you knew then that I was Hua Binan, you should have told Huai Wei when you tore through the spatial rift."

He lifted his eyelashes. "In this lifetime. Or perhaps not too long ago? ... When you were at Dragon Blood Mountain, did you overhear any of my conversations with Mo Ran?"

"..."

"Sigh, never mind. It doesn't matter now." Shi Mo smiled. "Regardless, you're in my hands now, and there's no escape."

Chu Wanning fell even more silent.

In truth, among his three disciples, he found Shi Mo the most enigmatic. He had taken Shi Mo as his disciple because of his humility, gentleness, and his ability to empathize with others' troubles and worries. He treated people kindly with a soothing demeanor – qualities that greatly impressed Chu Wanning. Since he himself was unable to embody such virtues, he admired them all the more and thus took Shi Mo as his disciple.

However, at times, he sensed something off. For instance, Xue Zhengyong claimed that Shi Mo was an orphan he had picked up during wartime, but occasionally, Shi Mo's recounting of his own background seemed inconsistent. The mannerism suggested someone was lying and had forgotten the details.

Other times, Shi Mo's attitude toward things would abruptly become peculiar – like a tamed fierce dog, seemingly obedient but ready to bare its fangs at the scent of blood.

After observing him for several years without witnessing any dishonorable actions, Chu Wanning began to think it was his own misperception, his own tendency to see sinister intentions where there were none.

Shi Mo was like a hedgehog, sharp all over, except for his soft underbelly.

He hid his disciples, along with everyone who treated him well, beneath that vulnerable spot.

Regarding Shi Mo, he had once oscillated between trust and distrust, holding back and testing the waters. In the end, he chose to trust. And so the dagger pierced through the hedgehog's belly, spilling its blood on the ground.

Shi Mo interrogated, "How much of the past have you recalled?"

"..."

He continued, "Didn't you stand idly by back then? Why did you have to hinder me?"

"..."

There were too many grievances from their previous life, and now, Shi Mo was relentless in seeking answers. "Why didn't you kill the Deity of Trampling Immortals in the end? Why did you help him reincarnate?"

Upon hearing the last question, Chu Wanning finally lifted his gaze. "He is not like you."

Shi Mo paused slightly. "What makes him different? If I'm considered wicked, wasn't his hands just as stained with blood?"

Chu Wanning stared at him. "The curse you cast, you know it well."

"So what?" Shi Mo countered. "Even if it was my curse, weren't those people still killed by him?" He reminded, "In our previous life, you saw it with your own eyes. Half the kingdom's lives, Xue Zhengyong, Wang Chuqing, Jiang Xi, Ye Wangxi... who was responsible for their deaths?"

He lifted his hand leisurely, examining his slender fingers with their rounded nails.

What a delicate and clean pair of hands, fragile yet refined, free from the slightest dust.

Shi Mo glanced at him with a hint of amusement and said, "Could it be me?"

"..." Fury flared up, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"I have no desire to massacre the Confucian Wind Sect, nor do I plan on killing Xue Zhengyong," Shi Mo continued. "So, you shouldn't come looking for me if you want to settle scores or seek revenge." He added, "What have I done? Merely planted a gu flower on him. In all my years, I've never taken a life myself."

Shi Mo continued with his smirking tone, "So, in the end, he was the one who took the knife and stabbed the person. It has little to do with me; the Eight Sorrows Long Hate Flower won't bring any new resentment upon him. All his desires belong to himself, and the curse merely amplifies them. If you want to blame me for this, I feel so wronged."

With each word Shi Mo spoke, disgust grew within Chu Wanning's heart. Hearing that Shi Mo felt wronged, Chu Wanning suddenly lifted his gaze, his eyes cold as ice, "What do you have to be wronged about?"

"It was him who struck the blow. Why should my Master blame me?"

"Didn't you know what kind of person he was!"

Shi Mo replied, "I am well aware of what kind of person he is; it seems it's Master who is unclear."

A strand of white thread was stuck between the orange's segments, and Shi Mo found it distasteful. He carefully wiped his fingers with a clean handkerchief before listing his points: "Why did Mo Ran go on a massacre at the Confucian Wind Sect? Because he had hatred in his heart. Why was he able to kill Xue Zhengyong? Because he had fear. Why did he humiliate you? Because he had desire."

As Shi Mo spoke, he lifted his gaze to glance at Chu Wanning. "When someone stabs him, he can't forgive. When someone offers him benefits, he can't refuse. In front of a beauty, he can't control his desires—this is his nature."

Chu Wanning gritted his teeth. "Shi Mingjing. You erased his purest benevolence and amplified his hate and desire a thousandfold. Then you say that his actions stem from his own desires. Don't you find yourself ridiculous? Who wouldn't wreak havoc when their hatred reaches its peak? You?"

"Then who made him have hatred in the first place? Who planted ambition in his bones? Who gave him desires?" Shi Mo chuckled. "If he could remain innocent with no ill intentions, the Long Hate Flower wouldn't have caused any chaos. So it's still his fault for having impure thoughts. He's just an ordinary person after all."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanning's expression turned grim. Just as he was about to speak, Shi Mo added another sentence.

"One must take responsibility for their desires. There's nothing to argue about there."

"..."

If Chu Wanning had wanted to engage in conversation earlier, now he suddenly felt that there was no need or point in saying anything more. He turned away.

Seeing his expression, Shi Mo shook his head. "Master, you're being too biased towards him."

"..."

"In your eyes, he has reasons and is understandable for everything he does."

"Then tell me, whom should I understand?" Chu Wanning's voice was as cold as ice. "You?"

"..." Shi Mo fell silent for a moment before replying with a smile, "So, does that mean Master still has feelings for him?"

Chu Wanning's gaze was like the moon reflected in an icy lake.

"Therefore, across past and present lives, I've competed with Master for two lifetimes. Even if I won, I still can't surpass him."

Chu Wanning responded coolly, "What do you have to compare with him?"

Shi Mo narrowed his eyes. "Is that truly all you have to say about me? Nothing else?"

Chu Wanning didn't reply immediately. He seemed to ponder seriously for a moment, then lifted the veil of his eyelashes, revealing an icy stillness.

"There is something."

This made Shi Mo smile. "What is it?"

With an emotionless face, Chu Wanning said, "There's no need for you to compare yourself with Mo Ran; you can't even hold a candle to Xu Shuanglin. He at least has feelings and owns up to his actions. Unlike you, Hua Binan."

In the end, he didn't even address him as Shi Mingjing anymore.

Chu Wanning continued, "You're nothing but a scoundrel."