The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 26: When We First Met

As the sun rose higher, more and more people arrived at the inn for meals. Mo Ran found the downstairs too noisy, so he asked the waiter to bring their food to his room.

In the end, he invited Chu Wanning since Master was the most important. He was no longer the ruler of the Human Realm, but he still needed to abide by the rules.

On the elmwood square table were three steaming bowls of noodle soup. The noodles were homemade, different from those bought outside, with a firm texture and smoothness. Topped with thick slices of beef, fried intestines, tender peas, plump vegetables, and golden egg shreds, the vibrant colors made them visually appealing.

However, what made these noodles truly outstanding wasn't Ye Zi's cooking, the generous meat portions, or the luxurious ingredients. It was the bone broth simmered over low heat for four hours, poured over the noodles. The milky white soup with sesame red oil was accompanied by a spicy seasoning that Mo Ran had ground himself, infusing the broth with a mouthwatering aroma and rich flavor.

Considering Shi Mo enjoyed spicy food, Mo Ran had added ample amounts of red oil and chili pepper. Seeing Shi Mo enjoying his meal, Mo Ran's smile widened, stealing glances at him before asking, "Is it delicious?"

Shi Mo replied, "It's especially delicious."

Chu Wanning remained silent, his expression as gloomy as if the heavens owed him a hundred mountains of gold and silver.

Mo Ran's face lit up with pride. "Well, just tell me when you want it again, and I'll make it for you."

A thin veil of mist formed in Shi Mo's eyes from the spiciness, but he looked up at Mo Ran with a gentle smile. If not for Chu Wanning's icy presence beside them, Mo Ran might have been unsure whether to savor Shi Mo's beauty or the noodles in front of him.

Pea sprouts and sausage, Shi Mo didn't consume much of these, but the beef and vegetables disappeared quickly from the table.

Mo Ran, who had been quietly observing, reached for his chopsticks. He scooped the pea sprouts and sausage into his own bowl and then transferred several pieces of beef from his noodles to fill the gaps.

The disciples of Death and Rebirth usually dined at the Lady Meng's Hall, often exchanging dishes, so Shi Mo found nothing out of the ordinary. He smiled. "Aran doesn't like beef?"

"Mm, I prefer pea sprouts," Mo Ran replied, burying his head in his noodles. The tips of his ears were faintly flushed.

Without showing any expression, Chu Wanning picked out the bean sprouts from his bowl with his chopsticks, dumping them all into Mo Ran's bowl.

"I don't eat bean sprouts."

Then, he threw all the beef in his own bowl to Shi Mo. "I don't eat beef either."

After that, he frowned, staring at what was left in his bowl, pressing his lips together in silence.

Shi Mo ventured cautiously, "Master... is it not to your liking?"

Chu Wanning: "..."

He didn't respond, lowering his head instead to silently pick up a piece of green vegetable and take a small bite. His expression turned even more grim as he set down his chopsticks with a sharp "pat."

"Mo Weiyu, did you spill the chili sauce into the soup?"

Not expecting his hard work on breakfast to be met with such criticism, Mo Ran froze, lifting his head with a strand of noodles still hanging from his lips. He blinked innocently at Chu Wanning, hardly believing what he was hearing. Swallowing the noodle with a slurp, he asked, "What?"

This time, Chu Wanning showed no mercy. "Did you cook something fit for human consumption? Can anyone actually eat this?"

Mo Ran blinked several times before finally realizing that Chu Wanning was indeed insulting him. He retorted indignantly, "Why can't it be eaten by humans?"

Chu Wanning's brows knitted together, and he spoke in a stern voice, "It's truly unpalatable."

Mo Ran choked a little. After all, he had learned his cooking skills from the Drunken Jade Tower.

"You're... too picky, Shifu."

Shi Mo also chimed in, "Shifu, you haven't eaten anything all day. Even if you don't like it, please just have a bit."

Chu Wanning rose to his feet and said coolly, "I don't eat spicy food."

With that, he turned and left.

The two people left at the table fell into an awkward silence. Shi Mo was surprised. "Master doesn't eat spicy? I had no idea... Aran, you didn't know either?"

"I..."

Mo Ran stared at the noodles Chu Wanning had left on the table, untouched. He was lost in thought for a moment before nodding.

"Yes. I didn't know."

That was a lie. Mo Ran was well aware that Chu Wanning didn't eat spicy food.

He had simply forgotten.

After all, he had spent most of his previous life entangled with this man. He knew what Chu Wanning liked and disliked.

But he didn't care enough to remember.

Alone in his chamber, Chu Wanning lay down fully clothed, facing the wall with eyes wide open, unable to fall asleep.

He had lost much blood and expended a great deal of spiritual energy. He hadn't eaten a single grain of rice since the previous night, leaving his stomach empty and aching.

This person had no idea how to take care of himself. Whenever he was upset, he simply wouldn't eat, as if anger could fill his belly.

He didn't know what he was angry about, or perhaps, he didn't want to know.

In the silence, a face began to blurily materialize before his eyes, smiling brightly with curled lips and sparkling black eyes that shimmered with a gentle deep purple hue.

It seemed warm and slightly lazy.

Chu Wanning clutched the bedclothes tightly, his knuckles turning pale from the exertion. He refused to succumb to these thoughts and closed his eyes, hoping to banish the image of that laughing face.

Yet, upon closing his eyes, memories flooded back, surging like an unstoppable tide...

The first time he met Mo Ran was in front of the Tower of Heaven on the summit of Life and Death Peak.

That day, the sun was blazing high in the sky, and all twenty elders had gathered, conversing softly among themselves.

Elder Yu Heng was, of course, an exception; he wasn't foolish enough to bask in the sun. Instead, he had long hidden beneath a blossoming tree, absentmindedly lifting one finger to inspect the flexibility of the newly forged black iron fingernail guards he'd crafted.

Of course, he himself had no need for such guards; these iron-clawed gloves were specifically designed for the lower-ranking disciples of the Summit of Life and Death.

The Lower cultivation realm bordered the Realm of Ghosts, so dangers were common, and it wasn't rare for junior disciples to get injured or lose their lives. Chu Wanning, though he didn't speak of it, had been ruminating on a solution, striving to create a lightweight, agile, and easy-to-use weapon.

The others nearby were engrossed in conversation.

"Have you heard? The Lord's long-lost nephew was rescued from a sea of flames. In that burning building, everyone else perished. If the Lord had been a moment too late, that little nephew might have turned to ashes as well. He truly has great fortune!"

"It must be his father protecting him from beyond. Poor child, being separated from his family since birth and enduring so much hardship... sigh."

"That boy is called Mo Ran, right? He's around fifteen, isn't he? It's time for him to take a courtesy name. Does he already have one?"

"Elder Xuan Ji, you might not know this, but this child grew up in a pleasure house. Just having a given name is good enough; how could he possibly have a courtesy name?"

"I've heard that the Lord has proposed a few options and is currently selecting one. We'll see which he chooses in the end."

"The Lord really values his little nephew."

"Indeed, isn't that the truth? Not only does the Venerated Lord feel for him, but even the Lady is heartbroken. Heh, I suppose the only one unhappy on this summit is our very own favored child of heaven—"

"Senior Elder Greedy Wolf! You can't go around saying such things!"

"Haha, my apologies, my apologies! But that favored child of heaven acts with arrogance and disregard for his elders, indulging in reckless pursuits every day, displaying an air of innate nobility. It's true that he lacks proper guidance."

"Senior Elder Greedy Wolf, you've had a bit too much to drink today..." Those nearby shot him subtle glances, their chins gesturing towards the distant Chu Wanning. The meaning was clear.

Xue Meng, the favored child of heaven, was Chu Wanning's disciple. To say that Xue Meng lacked guidance was indirectly mocking Chu Wanning's poor teaching skills.

Elder Yu Heng might seem composed and otherworldly, like a transcendent being, but everyone knew he had a terrible temper. Should anyone inadvertently touch his sore spot, they'd better prepare for a brutal punishment.

Chu Wanning had long overheard their conversation, but he couldn't be bothered to care. His interest in how others perceived him was probably less than the intricate patterns on his fingernail guards.

Speaking of which, these guards were exquisite, but not quite durable enough. Against thick-skinned demons, they might not be able to tear through flesh with a single strike. Adding some dragon bone powder could enhance their effectiveness.

Seeing that Chu Wanning didn't react, the elders breathed a sigh of relief and resumed their hushed discussions.

"Lord, you summoned us today to choose a master for Young Master Mo, I presume?"

"How peculiar. Why doesn't Lord teach him personally?"

"It's said that the young nephew's bone structure isn't suitable for Lord's cultivation techniques," someone mumbled. "But is it necessary to gather all the elders and let the young master pick one?"

Elder Luchen let out a faint sigh, gently stroking his elegant, flowing hair, and lamented, "I feel like I'm a bargain cabbage right now, displayed on the table, waiting for Young Master Mo to make his choice."

Everyone: "..............."

So could this effeminate elder please refrain from voicing such blunt truths so candidly?

After an extended wait, the Lord finally arrived. He ascended a thousand steps and stood before the Tower of Heaven, accompanied by a youth.

Chu Wanning cast a casual glance but didn't even bother to see clearly before turning away, continuing to inspect his fingernail guards. He was too indifferent to spare another look.

When it came to taking on apprentices, no one could surpass Death Peak's unconventional and groundbreaking approach. In other sects, the master would tower above a new disciple, patting their head and saying, "Young one, I sense great potential in you. From this day forth, you shall be my disciple."

The disciple didn't have the chance to decline.

In other sects, the master would often dismiss potential disciples with a cold and disdainful expression, waving their sleeves as they said, "Young one, your skull is too high, your eyes lack spirit, and there's a rebellious bone at the back of your neck. These are not the features of my disciples. Our fates do not intertwine, I cannot take you as my disciple."

Then, before the disciple could even showcase themselves, the master would soar away on their sword, quicker than a fleeing dog.

But things were different on the Peak of Life and Death. The relationship between master and disciple was mutual selection.

What did that mean?

The Peak of Life and Death had twenty elders, and after a new disciple entered the sect, they would spend some time interacting with each elder. If they found an elder they wished to learn from, they would sincerely present a letter expressing their desire to be their disciple.

If the elder accepted, it would be a joyous occasion for both.

If the elder declined, the disciple could persistently persuade and plead until the elder relented, or until the disciple gave up.

Logically speaking, with Chu Wanning's exceptional skills and handsome appearance, his door should have been crowded with eager disciples trying to become his students. But in reality, it wasn't like that.

While Chu Wanning was indeed good-looking, his temper was notoriously terrible. It was rumored that when enraged, he treated female disciples as male ones, physically punishing them, and male disciples even risked being drowned in ponds. Very few had the courage to seek him out as a master.

As a result, Elder Yu Heng's stable of disciples remained sparsely populated.

Aside from the prodigy Xue Meng, there was also his close friend Shi Mo, whom he had never taken in as a disciple.

Everyone preferred to respectfully address him as "Elder" rather than affectionately call him "Master."

With an aloof expression, Chu Wanning claimed that he wasn't upset. He nonchalantly lowered his head and continued to tinker with the cold mechanical weapons. The quiver of wrist-mounted arrows, the alert whistles—these were all designed for others. The sooner they were completed, the sooner more people could be spared their suffering.

So he hadn't expected Mo Ran to choose him without any hesitation.

At that moment, he was frowning, running his fingers over the sharp spikes on the glove, pondering how to improve them. He didn't pay attention to what the Lord had said to everyone else.

Without realizing it, the surroundings gradually fell silent.

After Chu Wanning finished contemplating the modifications to the spikes, he suddenly noticed that the previously buzzing atmosphere around him seemed too quiet.

Finally, he tore his gaze away from the glove, lifting his eyelids with a mix of impatience and inquiry.

And then he saw a face.

Bathed in sunlight, it was almost blindingly radiant.

There stood a fair and handsome youth, gazing up at him. A hint of a nonchalant, elusive smile tugged at the corners of his lips, revealing deep dimples on his cheeks that exuded both a touch of earthly charm and innocence. His pair of dark purple eyes stared unwaveringly, filled with eagerness and curiosity.

Being new to the place, he was unaware of the etiquette. The proximity they shared could almost be deemed rude.

Chu Wanning was startled when someone suddenly appeared just an arm's length away, as if he had been burnt. He instinctively took a step back, only to bang his head against the tree trunk with a thud.

The youth widened his eyes slightly, "Oh dear..."

Chu Wanning: "..."

The youth: "..."

Chu Wanning: "What are you doing?"

The youth chuckled, "Immortal Lord, Immortal Lord, I've been watching you for so long. Why don't you acknowledge me?"

Author has something to say: Every day, I feel like Fei Yu is like a peculiar Husky, while Shifu is like a seemingly cold and reserved Samoyed with a warm heart inside...

Ah, suddenly, I really want to rename it to 'Husky and His Samoyed Shifu'.