The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 260: "Heavenly Sound Pavilion" Life Like a Furnace

In the Pill Heart Hall, the group of cultivators didn't know how to comment. Many of them kept their heads down, silent and grim.

Grandmaster Profound Mirror said, "Sigh... It's all karma, nothing but karma."

The leader of the Heavenly Sound Pavilion, Mu Yanli, spoke up, "Karma has its head and its tail. Many things in this world are interconnected, a cycle of cause and effect. But, Mo Ran, you must understand that suffering and hardship are not reasons for you to vent your hatred or take innocent lives."

"That's right."

An elder from the Phoenix Fire Pavilion sighed and added, "Lord Mo, it's true that you've been wronged, and that's pitiful. But it's also because of your unfortunate background and fate's whims. Everyone has their own destiny. You can't simply bully unrelated people just because you've been bullied."

"You have done good deeds and suffered injustices, but as far as we know, you've also taken lives. Each act stands on its own, and they all need to be accounted for."

Mo Ran remained silent.

But Jiang Xi suddenly asked, "How is it accounted for?"

"This..."

"Who can truly measure it all? Whose life isn't precious? Who can be the impartial ruler of justice?" Jiang Xi's impetuous nature showed as he didn't revere the Heavenly Sound Pavilion. "I have no intention of favoring Mo Ran, but I just want to ask: today, as we stand here demanding an accounting from him, making him pay for his deeds, what about the humiliation and injustice Mo Ran has suffered?"

"..." Nobody had expected that Jiang Xi, who had suffered the greatest losses in the recent massacre, would step forward to defend Mo Weiyu. Everyone was momentarily stunned.

Mu Yanli spoke up, "Patriarch Jiang, the Heavenly Sound Pavilion has always been just. My clan has guarded the Scale of the Deity for generations, and we will use it to weigh Young Master Mo's virtues and vices, determining his punishment. There's no need for you to worry."

"Strange, what does he have to do with me? Why should I worry?"

Jiang Xi had long been displeased with the Heavenly Sound Pavilion. His sect cultivated the Path of Medicine, which essentially meant that with excellent alchemy, mortals could enjoy a carefree life. Thus, Solitary Moon Night was the least superstitious when it came to divine descendants.

With narrowed almond-shaped eyes, he said coldly, "But I'm quite curious. May I ask the members of the Heavenly Sound Pavilion, after interrogating Mo Ran, will you also investigate those connected to the past incidents? Will you dig three feet into the ground to see if Nan Gongyan is still lurking in this world? Will you go to Xiangtan to find that wealthy merchant who assaulted Miss Xun back then? It's only fair for Mo Ran to pay for his crimes with his life, but who will account for his confinement in a dog cage, his brutal beatings, his lack of clothing and food, his benefactor being humiliated, and his mother starving to death?"

Master Xuanjing stammered, "Patriarch Jiang, why are you suddenly defending the culprit?"

"It's not about defending," Jiang Xi's thin lips moved. "I merely recalled how we treated Nan Gongsi and Ye Wangxi on Phoenix Mountain. I'm not keen on seeing history repeat itself."

Someone else said, "That was a different situation altogether."

"What's so different?" Jiang Xi asked. "Now that Nan Gongsi is dead, and Ye Wangxi remains bedridden in Solitary Moon Night, the circumstances have changed — but back then, weren't we the ones forcing them to repay the Confucian Wind Sect's blood debt with their lives?"

He spun around swiftly, his brown eyes sharp as an eagle's.

"What about then? Where was the Heavenly Sound Pavilion? Where was justice?"

Due to the sword manual incident, the people of Azure Pool Manor had a deep grudge against the Confucian Wind Sect. Zhen Congming, Li Wuxin's disciple, said, "Master Jiang, your words are one-sided. Nan Gongsi is the heir of the Confucian Wind Sect. There's always a reason for a grievance, and debts must be settled unless every member of the sect is wiped out. No one wants to bear the burden of injustice."

Jiang Xi sneered. "Yes, don't you understand that principle? No one wants to be the last one slapped without being able to retaliate."

Zhen Congming: "..."

"You think this way, Xu Shuanglin thinks this way, and Mo Ran can think the same," Jiang Xi waved his sleeves. "It's easy to say these things when they happen to others. But when injustice and cruelty befall oneself, one can only wonder why there are so many villains in the world, yet it's me who suffers."

Zhen Congming asked, "From what Master Jiang is implying, do you believe we've been too cruel and unjust towards Ye Wangxi and Nan Gongsi? Are we to drop the matter of the Azure Pool Manor sword manual?"

Jiang Xi replied, "Nan Gongsi is no longer here. Whom else do you wish to pursue?"

Zhen Congming suddenly burst with anger. "Then my master died in vain?! Even if Nan Gongsi is gone, there's still Ye Wangxi! She's the commander of the Dark City in the Confucian Wind Sect. Surely she has some knowledge about the sword manual!"

Silence fell upon the crowd.

It was well-known that Jiang Xi had an icy disposition, and Zhen Congming's name couldn't have been more inappropriate for him. Yet, he dared to confront Jiang Xi in public.

Jiang Xi gazed at Zhen Congming for a moment before saying, "Back on Dragon Mountain, Nan Gongsi fought against Nan Gong Changying and suffered severe injuries. ... At that time, he mouthed some words to me."

"What did he say?"

Closing his eyes, Jiang Xi saw in his mind's eye Nan Gongsi's last moments, the battle-worn man lying within a barrier, under Nan Gong Changying's sword, slowly uttering those words to him.

"I hope that the Confucian Wind Sect's hundred years of treasures can be dispersed to aid the poor scholars, with no reserves left behind."

"The... " The cultivators exchanged glances, their faces reddening with embarrassment. The monks from the Monastery of No Sorrow averted their eyes, clasped their hands together, and murmured Buddhist chants.

Zhen Congming's face alternated between shades of green and red. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "He doesn't even have a corpse now. The Confucian Wind Sect's treasures are in a secret chamber; who could possibly open it? He's just spouting empty words and pretending to be noble."

Jiang Xi replied, "Nan Gongsi didn't originally expect to end up without a corpse. Besides, I'd rather believe that a person's words are sincere when they're about to die."

Zhen Congming's lips quivered as if he wanted to refute something, but in the end, he kept silent.

After a long while, he said, "Is this why you, Sect Leader Jiang, are defending Mo Weiyu today? Hoping for leniency so that you won't meet the same fate as Nan Gongsi?"

Jiang Xi said, "This Jiang only believes that seeking fairness and justice is an immensely challenging task, perhaps even an impossible one. When you criticize others, do not place yourself on too high a pedestal, thinking that you embody righteousness and the will of heaven."

He glanced at the Heavenly Sound Pavilion, the descendants of the divine. "Even a public trial hall might not be entirely right."

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhengyong spoke up.

Xue Zhengyong seemed exhausted, unsure how to face Mo Ran. Yet, after much contemplation, he sighed hoarsely, "Master Jiang speaks the truth. Over these many years, the cultivation world has been in turmoil, with countless upheavals and mistakes made by every sect, large or small. Who can truly mete out absolute fairness and justice? Sigh, actually..."

He let out a sigh and closed his eyes.

"Indeed, does taking lives necessarily mean committing murder with one's own hands? The Confucian Wind Sect's price adjustment order back then led to countless innocent lives being lost without a single drop of blood shed. For over four decades, I, Xue, have lived in this world without significant accomplishments. My actions were not aimed at self-cultivation or ascending to immortality, nor did I seek fame and glory in history. My only desire was to alleviate the suffering in this chaotic world."

He spoke, his gaze somewhat unfocused.

Even the serene and composed Lord of the Peak of Life and Death could not help but be profoundly startled and bewildered when he discovered that the child he had nurtured for years was not his own nephew.

Xue Zhengyong murmured, "I just wish to lessen the suffering of others, even if it's only one person."

At that moment, Mu Yanli spoke up with a cool detachment. "Patriarch Xue is indeed kind-hearted, but have you considered that your leniency towards the guilty is a disrespect to the innocent civilians who lost their lives and those ordinary people who suffered as a result? The Heavenly Sound Pavilion may not have the power to mete out justice for every single wrongdoing or hold every culprit accountable, but we believe in making examples—since we have taken charge of Mo Ran's case, it will not be settled hastily. We hope Patriarch understands our stance."

Xue Zhengyong: "..."

After Mu Yanli finished speaking, she turned back to look at Mo Ran.

"Young Master Mo, you've now eloquently recounted your tragic backstory and have likely garnered enough sympathy. Why not discuss something else?"

Mo Ran looked at her indifferently. "What would the Pavilion Master like to talk about?"

"Before, you said that you weren't responsible for the girl's death in the tofu shop," Mu Yanli said. "I believe you. However, there is still another person's death that you can't escape being connected to."

Closing his eyes, Mo Ran replied, "Pavilion Master has truly investigated thoroughly."

Mu Yanli remained aloof. "Then, please explain how you killed Mo Nian – the true nephew of Supreme Commander Xue."

Her words were cut off by an enraged voice.

Tears and hatred shone in Xue Meng's eyes as he gritted his teeth and yelled, "Stop. Don't say any more!"

Mu Yanli glanced at him and commented, "To flee and avoid responsibility – so this is what the esteemed son of heaven is capable of."

In response was the roar of Longcheng, as if issuing a warning. The curved blade brushed past Mu Yanli's cheek, embedding itself in the beam, splintering wood in all directions.

Mu Yanli did not dodge; she didn't even blink. Her beautiful eyes were as cold as frost, gazing at Xue Meng.

Xue Meng gritted his back teeth, his facial muscles quivering with anger. "What about my nephew? What about occupying another's nest and reversing yin and yang... Are you done talking?"

He suddenly pulled back Longcheng, his chest heaving.

He no longer looked at Mo Ran or anyone else. He seemed like a trapped beast, driven mad and on the brink of collapse.

"Are you finished?! Have you had your fun? Were you entertained by this spectacle?"

Madame Wang said, "Meng'er..."

Xue Meng ignored his mother's soft words. His eyes were red-rimmed, holding up Longcheng as he surveyed their surroundings, a mix of self-mockery and disdain in his tone. "Seeing a great master turn into a killing fiend, brothers from the Summit of Life and Death turning against each other, family turning into foes—aren't you all having a grand old time?"

His voice was hoarse like a cracked flute, the end of his words trembling like quivering feathers.

"You came here for justice, didn't you? For the truth?" He paused, clenching his teeth. "Or were you here to cause trouble, seeking revenge?!"

Jiang Xi narrowed his eyes. "Young Master Xue, you're being far too inappropriate."

Xue Meng suddenly turned around, his gaze as fierce as lightning. "Who are you to tell me what to do?"

"Mon! ?"

Xue Zhengyong rose to grab Xue Meng's shoulder, but when he touched him, he froze. Although Xue Meng was howling with rage, his entire body was trembling ever so slightly.

Almost broken.

"I don't want to hear it," he enunciated each word, the bitterness growing with every syllable. "All lies. Deceit. ... A pack of liars!"

Xue Zhengyong tried to soothe him, but Xue Meng had already pushed past everyone and left the Heart of Pill Hall.

He never once looked at Mo Ran.

In fact, Xue Meng already knew who was lying and what the truth was. But many things in this world were easy to understand but difficult to accept.

For over twenty years, Xue Meng had enjoyed a smooth-sailing life, with the exception of Chu Wanning's death. It was precisely this unobstructed path that had kept him childlike until now. This was not necessarily a good thing. A child had an innocent heart, but also naivety, impulsiveness, and sharp edges.

Xue Zhengyong gazed at the spot where Mo Ran had disappeared, standing in a daze for a long while before he slowly sat down.

He was no longer young; nearly half a century had passed, and upon closer inspection, several strands of his hair had turned white. He didn't know if he could endure it. So he sat down.

At least this way, he could maintain some composure.

Mu Yanli's face seemed to be encased in a thin layer of ice, devoid of any warmth. She stuck to the matter at hand, thus she asked, "Mo Weiyu, do you plan on confessing yourself, or shall I summon witnesses to speak on your behalf?"

Mo Ran remained calm.

Calm like a prisoner awaiting execution.

"There's no need to trouble others," Mo Ran said. "If there are still any living witnesses connected to that incident, I don't wish to see a single one of them."

He lifted his head slowly.

Faint sunlight illuminated his somewhat pale face.

"I'll speak for myself."

Mu Yanli lifted her hand, and promptly, someone from the Heavenly Sound Pavilion brought over an empty chair. She sat down gracefully, resting her chin on one hand, ready to listen to a long tale: "Please proceed."

Mo Ran closed his eyes briefly before finally speaking.

"This story begins with a businessman."

"What kind of businessman?"

"… You all should be aware that in the cultivation world, there's a profession known as 'information brokers.'"

Master Ma Yun was well-versed in this matter and raised her hand, saying, "Yes, yes, our manor is very familiar with them. They often wander through various alleys, gathering rumors and old stories to gain some advantage."

Mo Ran nodded. "Indeed, that's why Uncle sought out an information broker back then to find Brother's posthumous child."

Xue Zhengyong: "…"

Of course, Xue Zhengyong remembered this incident. Mo Ran had found him thanks to the clue provided by that information broker. At that time, the Drunken Jade Tower was engulfed in flames, and it was said that only this child had survived. He could still vividly recall the excitement on the information broker's face, who kept exclaiming—truly, heaven's blessings had spared your brother's child, and he will have a fortunate future.

"The information broker, having accepted the assignment, conducted several inquiries and eventually caught a lead. Then, he went to the Drunken Jade Tower to look for someone. A woman with the surname Mo."

Someone inquired, "Who is she?"

"It's Elder Brother Xue's partner, known as Lady Mo. She was once a concubine's daughter from a wealthy family."

Someone caught on and exclaimed, "Lady Mo? Isn't that the name of the madam at the Drunken Jade Tower?"

"But from what we just heard, she seems like a wicked woman."

Mo Ran spoke calmly, "She wasn't born evil. From what my mother said, Lady Mo's story shares similarities with hers. She's also a pitiful person. When she was young, she had a lover who was an impoverished wandering cultivator. He told her he would go to the Lower Cultivation World to establish a prestigious sect. Lady Mo gave him all her wealth and jewelry, determined to aid him in fulfilling his ambitions."

Xue Zhengyong murmured, "It was my older brother..."

Mo Ran continued, "Before they parted, the wandering cultivator swore to Lady Mo that when he achieved greatness, he would come back for her with proper betrothal gifts, and marry her with great fanfare. He even composed a verse for her: 'On the misty river, in a painted boat, the fairy's lute sounds slowly, her beloved listens silently before departure.' This later became a way for Mister Gossip to identify her."

Matters of love and romance always piqued people's interest.

A female cultivator asked, "Could it be that the previous peak master of Death and Life Peak, like Nan Gongyan, abandoned his wife?"

Xue Zhengyong's eyes widened, and he immediately rebuked, "Nonsense! My brother isn't that kind of person! He... he never forgot about Miss Mo..."

Speaking of his late brother, the man couldn't help but feel sorrowful, the corners of his eyes turning slightly red.

Elder Xuan Ji added from the side, "Esteemed Fairy, please be cautious with your words. Our previous Sect Leader unfortunately perished in a fierce battle not long after founding the sect, not because he deliberately broke his promise. Before his passing, he often discussed that woman with Lord Zun, always saying he would go and fetch her once the sect was more stable. His case is entirely different from Nan Gongyan's."

"That's true," Mo Ran said softly. "She was still much luckier than my mother. Her husband passed away, yet there was still someone who remembered to bring her back. But Nan Gongyan is still alive, yet has never dared acknowledge me or my mother."

"Ah! Then I understand! It turns out you were jealous for this reason, so you killed Madam Mo, burned down the Drunken Jade Tower, and impersonated him!"

Hearing such malicious speculation, Mo Ran glanced at the "incredibly clever" cultivator before responding, "I never actively intended to impersonate anyone."

The cultivator remained unconvinced and sneered, "Then what was it? Did someone force you to become the young master of Death Peak?"

What was it, indeed?

Mo Ran couldn't help but ponder—there were many things in this world that had not started out as they eventually became. It only took a butterfly flapping its wings for a storm to brew, turning oceans into fields.

Just as he had never initially planned to take the place of Xue Zhengyong's nephew, Madam Mo hadn't been the notorious brothel matron in the past.

There had been a time when she was gentle and kind-hearted, standing by the window and hoping for her beloved to return soon. When she discovered she was pregnant, she joyfully wrote to inform her lover far away. She had also received his letter, the excitement of becoming a father overflowing on the paper.

Those beautiful years, she had experienced them all.

So what if she was a concubine's daughter? What if others ridiculed her lover as an insignificant nobody, or jeered at her for becoming pregnant before marriage? One day, he would fulfill his promise and bring her and their child into his home with great fanfare. She had believed in that with all her heart.

But as time passed day by day, the letters gradually slowed down from every three days to once every seven, then once a month, until they ceased altogether. Lady Mo's hope dwindled, and with her wild nature, she had concealed this relationship from her parents. After giving birth, she hesitated several times before finally bringing her infant back home. Her father flew into a rage, and the lady of the house cursed at her relentlessly. In a fit of anger, Lady Mo left. Through twists and turns, the former daughter of a prominent family eventually became the madam of the Drunken Jade Tower.

Life can be so unpredictable, like a smelting furnace that transforms you beyond recognition while you're caught off guard.

Mo Ran's life had been like that, and so had Lady Mo's.

When Mr. Gossip found her, fourteen years had already passed since her innocent days as a maiden.

The gentleman, entrusted with a message from Xue Zhengyong, sat down leisurely and opened his folding fan with a smile. "Where's your madam? Ask her to come over."

The madam arrived, wearing a peach blossom robe with a pale yellow shawl draped over her arm. She swayed her hips, carrying a water pipe, and lifted the tinkling curtain. With a coquettish smile, she said, "Oh, sir, you're here early in the morning to listen to some tunes? Do you prefer the pipa or the yangqin? My performers are skilled in every instrument, and for opening business today, I'll give you a discount."

This was life. Fourteen years ago, when her lover left, she had leaned against the beaded curtain, her expression sorrowful, her face exquisite, watching him depart.

Fourteen years later, her lover's younger brother had finally found her. The curtain of time, which had separated them, now lifted again. Brushing aside the crimson and emerald green, she revealed the marks of time on her face. The bashful young woman she once was, like a fawn, was long gone. Now, sitting in the Drunken Jade Tower, summoning winds and rains, was a mature woman with sultry eyes, puffing on a water pipe.

Mr. Bag of Gossip didn't have as many emotions; his eyes were set solely on profit. He shook his fan and chuckled. "No need to listen to a melody, I'm here actually to inquire about someone from Mother."

The smile froze on Mother's face, and her tone turned chilly. "Inquire about someone? Who?"

The gentleman spoke leisurely, "On the misty River Yanbo, in a painted boat, a fairy plays the pipa slowly, while her beloved listens silently."

Upon hearing halfway through, Mother's expression shifted. By the time he finished the verse, she had turned pale, her lips trembling. Her slender, sharp, and rather harsh eyebrows twitched. Pressing her handkerchief against her chest for a long while, she stammered out a question:

"Y-You... Who exactly are you?!"

Mr. Bag of Gossip smiled and said, "If I'm not mistaken, then I've found someone for Immortal Master Xue. Lady Mo, how have you been all these years?"

Lady Mo swayed and lost her balance, falling onto a round wooden stool. She gasped for air, her face alternating between red and pale. After a moment, she waved everyone else away, leaving only Mr. Bag of Gossip in the hall. She stared intently at the merchant's face, a tumultuous mix of joy, sorrow, and other emotions reflecting in her eyes.

Mr. Bag of Gossip remained composed, pouring her a half-cold, half-warm cup of tea. He handed it to her and said, "Have some tea first."

Lady Mo held the cup tremulously, taking a small sip, then another. After the tea was gone, she continued to pretend to sip, finally lifting her head.

"Did... Did Xue... Xue-ge send you to find me?"

Mr. Informant sighed and said, "To be honest, Lady Mo, the Immortal Xue you've been pining for has long passed away."

"Wh-what?!"

"It was his younger brother who entrusted me to search for his sibling's former love. Back then, the two brothers established their own sect in the Lower Cultivation Realm and flourished, no longer the lone wanderers they once were. But the Elder Immortal Xue, engrossed in building his sect, couldn't spare the time. Tragically, during an incident while he was slaying demons, he..."

Before Mr. Informant could finish, Lady Mo covered her face and broke into tears.

After much consolation, she finally managed to stifle her sobs. The informant continued, "Before Immortal Xue passed, he mentioned you to his brother. Thus, his brother has been searching for you all these years, hoping to find you and take you back."

Lady Mo murmured in disbelief, grabbing Mr. Informant's hand urgently. "Say it again, please! I can't believe it, I can't believe he's gone..."

As this was the crucial part of his assignment, he recited it flawlessly: "On the misty River Yanbo, in a painted boat, a fairy's pipa echoed slowly, while her beloved silently listened."

Lady Mo gasped softly, tears welling up in her eyes once more. "He... He didn't look for me all these years because... I thought... I even blamed him..."

Mr. Informant sighed. "Many years have passed, Lady Mo. Accept your loss and move on. Oh, by the way, did you have a son?"

"Yes... Yes, y-y-yes!" Lady Mo wept, wiping her tears as she called out to the upstairs chamber, "Nian, Nian... Mo Nian! Quickly, come down!"

The door to the warm chamber opened, but it was not Mo Nian who emerged but a frail child instead.

The child held a pile of laundry in their arms, their diminutive face peering out from behind the clothes, with bruised and purple scars on their cheeks, giving them a timid appearance.

Mr. Informant hesitated, "Is this… your son?"

"Oh, no, no," Lady Mo wiped away her tears, "This is just a young servant boy who helps me with the fire in my establishment."

Mr. Informant immediately relaxed and smiled in relief, "Oh, I see now."

Lady Mo turned to the child and asked, "Mo Ran, where has Lord gone?"