The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 286: "Summit of Life and Death" – Lang Bo's Profound Love

"..." A moment of silence ensued, as Jiang Xi almost scoffed, yet a flicker of horror shimmered in his eyes. "Wang Chuqing, have you lost your mind? Do you know what you're saying?"

Beneath his flowing sleeves, his hands had clenched into fists, as if mountains were crumbling within his skull. He felt dizzy and disoriented, on the verge of losing consciousness.

"What relation could he possibly have with me?"

Though Jiang Xi's demeanor was resolute, Madame Wang's words had startled him, then filled him with fear, doubt, and eventually anger. For years, he had believed himself to be utterly alone in the world, with no remaining family ties—now, at this moment, she was telling him that Xue Meng was his son? It was... utterly preposterous!

Bearing the surging blood in her throat, Madame Wang took a deep breath, seemingly feeling a profound sense of humiliation yet still insisted, "You, as my junior, are well aware of what transpired back then. As for Meng'er's connection with you, I would never deceive you about that."

"..."

Jiang Xi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. It was rare for him to indulge in such unrestrained mirth, and as he laughed, his eyes gradually filled with sarcasm and raging fury.

With clenched teeth, the words spoken were as cold as ice.

"My son? If Senior Apprentice Sister wishes to entrust her child to me, there's no need to weave such a comical tale. Why go through such trouble? In what way is your son's character, appearance, or temperament even remotely similar to mine?"

Perhaps due to the intense unease in his heart, he denied it fiercely, thrashing about like an enraged beast.

"You left this mess behind with Xue Zhengyong, and now you plan to use such despicable tactics to make me clean it up? How could Xue Meng or Xue Ziming possibly be my son?!"

His heart trembled violently. Deep within his consciousness, a cold voice seemed to whisper to him, Yes, he is your child. Think about his age, think about how Senior Sister Wang left Solitary Moon Night. Ask yourself, Jiang Xi, think carefully...

What was there to think about?

For over two decades, he had lived alone, only to suddenly learn that he had a son who opposed him at every turn, a son with a face he despised, and who had acknowledged another as his father for so long.

How absurd.

He, Jiang Xi, wasn't some overly compassionate fool. He would never act like a mindless idiot. He wouldn't fall for this trap, wouldn't believe this ridiculous tale, wouldn't...

"Snow Phoenix."

All sounds ceased.

It was as if all light had extinguished at this moment, leaving Jiang Xi in the midst of a pitch-black night, utterly lost.

This was his first time feeling so bewildered.

Madame Wang looked at him and said, "Snow Phoenix."

"…What do you mean?" His lips quivered, already turning pale.

Madame Wang spoke softly, "Junior Brother, you can't possibly be ignorant."

"…"

Indeed, there was no way he couldn't understand.

Snow Phoenix was his Divine Weapon, one that others could also wield but couldn't unleash its full power. Only his blood relatives from the Origin Blood Sect could make Snow Phoenix submit willingly.

Jiang Xi was rendered speechless for a moment.

With no need to attempt a defense, the fact that Madame Wang could speak so resolutely left no room for turning back. It seemed he had been pushed into a corner.

He was rendered speechless.

"…This matter…"

After a long while, Jiang Xi's face was ashen as he spoke in a hoarse voice. Following his initial frenzy, he sounded exhausted. "Does Xue Zhengyong… also know about this?"

Madame Wang replied, "He's always known."

"…."

When she said this, her gaze was tender yet pained.

—Xue Zhengyong met her when she was seventeen, at the prime of her youth, like a lotus blooming for the first time.

That day, he rode his donkey and casually passed by Yangzhou with a dogtail grass between his teeth. By chance, he spotted Wang Chuqing, who had come to the harbor to purchase cloth. Among Solitary Moon Night Sect's bevy of colorful female disciples, he didn't fancy any but was drawn to Miss Wang amidst the crowd.

Xue Zhengyong was a straightforward man, so he approached her with a grin.

Other female cultivators teased him for his flirtatious behavior, but Wang Chuqing, with her gentle nature, felt embarrassed and blushed as she softly scolded him before hurriedly lowering her head and leaving.

Struck by her beauty and grace, Xue Zhengyong fell for her at first sight. He started visiting Solitary Moon Night frequently, every third or fifth day, through the years, on Mid-Autumn, Dragon Boat, and Lantern Festivals. Eventually, rumors spread in Solitary Moon Night that she was involved with a petty ruffian. Even Wang Chuqing, with her patient temperament, could no longer endure it, and angrily chased him away.

Back then, Xue Zhengyong was also something of a rogue; he refused to leave.

Wang Chuqing said, "You should go. It's difficult for me like this."

Xue Zhengyong replied, "You don't have a sweetheart, nor do I. I just come to see you. If you ever marry someone, I'll vanish immediately."

Wang Chuqing was speechless.

Xue Zhengyong chuckled and said earnestly, "Really, I'll disappear faster than lightning."

Pausing for a moment, he asked her, quite concerned, "You... You don't already have someone you like, do you?"

Wang Chuqing's face turned red instantly. She lowered her head, like a delicate flower reflecting in water, and softly said, "No."

But it wasn't the truth.

Indeed, she had her heart set on someone, a man who wasn't just her love interest but also the dream lover of countless female cultivators in Solitary Moon Night Sect - she was particularly fond of Junior Brother Jiang Xi.

However, every disciple of Solitary Moon Night knew that Jiang Xi was a scoundrel.

He possessed the most handsome looks, the sharpest skills, and the most enchanting voice among his peers.

And the hardest heart to penetrate.

This man was aloof, his words sharp, yet he was powerful, ruthless, and breathtakingly handsome - such a charismatic figure easily captivated young maidens' hearts. But Jiang Xi treated their affection as swine's flesh, never cherishing anyone. Women offered him their genuine feelings, only to be dismissed as nagging; men did the same, only to be labeled as perverts.

Thus, Jiang Ye Chen lived in his own world, unaware of the hurt he inflicted upon others.

Like many of her fellow senior sisters, Wang Chuqing had secretly harbored feelings for Jiang Xi. However, aware that she wasn't a peerless beauty and older than him, she dared not confess. After all, Jiang Xi had never accepted any woman's affections. He was deaf to compliments, ungrateful for flattery, and would lash out at anyone who dared to express love for him, leaving them sobbing, not even recognizing their own mothers. In short, only heroes could bare their hearts to Jiang Xi.

Madame Wang didn't consider herself a hero, so she assumed this affection would fade with time, buried with her into the grave. But one day, the Sect Leader summoned them both.

The Sect Leader said, "Solitary Moon Night Sect is renowned for its cultivation methods to prolong life and nurture the primordial spirit. Most disciples live well over a hundred years. Moreover, successive Sect Leaders have dedicated themselves to researching methods of longevity, seeking a path to immortality without ascension, allowing them to roam the mortal realm freely."

It was true that in pursuit of immortality, the Sect Leaders of Solitary Moon Night had made various attempts, including the dual cultivation techniques left behind by the Nine Heavens Fairy.

She, Wang Chuqing, was an embodiment of pure water energy, while Jiang Xi represented the purest fire element. Both being inexperienced in worldly affairs, they were ideally suited to cultivate together. The Sect Leader had specifically paired them up for this purpose. Wang Chuqing, having long harbored affection for Jiang Xi, was thrilled. However, Jiang Xi didn't share her joy. His focus was solely on his spiritual path, and he detested entanglements of love, deeming them troublesome and futile. It bewildered him how there could be so many lovesick men and women in the world; it was simply beyond his comprehension.

"Love is a disease. Best to treat it early."

——Such words, spoken by the peerless beauty Jiang Xi, Solitary Moon Night's most enchanting male, have undoubtedly broken countless female cultivators' hearts.

In Jiang Xi's eyes, even the secret arts of the Mysterious Women should not be tainted with any emotions; dual cultivation is simply dual cultivation. Since the sect leader had requested it, he did not hesitate to engage in the practice. Following the instructions outlined in the ancient scriptures, he and his senior sister entered a period of secluded cultivation.

However, the affection in the maiden's eyes was undeniable, and over time, Jiang Xi came to understand the feelings that his senior sister held for him.

This agitated him greatly and filled him with unease.

He practiced with her solely due to an order, without any personal intentions. Besides, the Dual Cultivation technique they engaged in demanded the suppression of mortal desires. The union of man and woman was intended for the harmonious fusion of spiritual currents, not for amorous longing or lust.

Due to this reason, Jiang Xi had earnestly brought up the matter with his senior sister on multiple occasions, urging her to focus and reflect inwardly, to refrain from entertaining unnecessary thoughts.

"If your heart is clouded with distractions, and you proceed with dual cultivation in such a state, you risk succumbing to spiritual deviation, leading to a tyrannical rampage of your spirit core."

But how could Miss Wang possibly restrain her emotions? Eventually, during one cultivation session, her unstable mood disrupted her spiritual flow, clouding her divine sense. Jiang Xi had to exert immense effort to suppress her Flaming Sun Spirit Core. Enraged, he asked why she consistently ignored his advice and indulged in reckless thoughts all day long.

"If this continues, forget cultivation altogether. It'll kill you."

Back then, she was heartbroken to the extreme. Summoning an indescribable courage, she asked through her tears, "Yichen, do you cultivate solely because of the Sect Leader's orders?"

Jiang Xi's expression was exceptionally grim as he countered, "What else could it be?"

Despite already knowing that Jiang Xi was as cold as a mountain spring and his heart as hard as iron, hearing him say those words still made her tears flow uncontrollably. Ashamed, she wiped her face hastily, but the traces of her tears only embarrassed her more. She hurriedly rose to her feet, choking back sobs as she said, "I'm sorry."

Then, she turned around and left without looking back.

After that, Jiang Xi didn't come to find her for several days. When they crossed paths, he no longer spoke to her.

Some of Solitary Moon Night's junior, beautiful female cultivators who had picked up on the situation gathered behind her back to mock her. "Back then, she eagerly approached him, thinking she could climb up to Senior Brother Jiang. How could that be possible?"

"Sure, dual cultivation is fine, but she's just being overly sentimental. If she ends up cultivating until she goes mad, she'd only burden our Senior Brother Yichen unnecessarily. She's truly harmful."

"Forget about dual cultivation. When Senior Brother does these things with her, it's for the sect's benefit. But when she does them with Senior Brother, it's for her own selfish desires. Everyone knows what she's thinking. Haha, I think she just wants to take advantage of Senior Brother for free."

"Sister Wang is older than us and has a thicker skin, huh."

These words eventually reached the ears of Xue Zhengyong, who, as per tradition, had come to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with Miss Wang.

Xue, the valiant but not foolish young swordsman, soon grasped the entire situation. Filled with righteous anger, he promptly reprimanded those gossiping maidens before seeking out Miss Wang. However, when he found her, he was at a loss for words, only staring blankly at her. "You...," he stammered.

Wang Chuqing lifted her tear-stained gaze, her eyes reddened from recent weeping.

Xue fumbled, trying to console her. "Don't cry, don't let those people's idle talk bother you. You, you... I think you're wonderful. I... I..."

Standing by the willow tree, Wang Chuqing redirected her gaze to the shimmering lake. "I didn't tell you the truth before. I have someone I like."

"..."

"Why haven't you left then?"

Xue Zhengyong scratched his head. "But he doesn't like you... Since he doesn't like you, I... I should still be able to have a conversation with you, right? He can't stop that, can he?"

"..."

Noticing her silence, Xue Zhengyong grew uncertain. "Can he really control that?"

Miss Wang lowered her head and whispered, "He won't care."

What was Jiang Xi to her? He had always been nothing more than a duty assigned by her sect, a one-sided affection she had harbored.

Everyone in the sect labeled Jiang Xi as scum, but Wang Chuqing believed that if a man was deemed despicable merely because he refused someone's affections, it was too harsh an assessment.

Jiang Xi had never deceived anyone's feelings nor given anyone false hope. It was they who, like moths to a flame, pursued him despite knowing his cold-hearted nature.

At this point, she felt embarrassed and wanted to let go. But by a twist of fate, perhaps due to a disciple's mistake in preparing medicinal herbs or some other reason, Miss Wang discovered that she was unexpectedly pregnant.

She felt panic and helplessness, unsure how her fellow disciples would gossip and mock her when they found out. She also didn't know how Jiang Xi would react. Torn and restless, she eventually decided to seek out the sect leader.

But standing outside the sect leader's residence, before she could knock, she heard a detached voice inside – it was Jiang Xi speaking.

"Senior Apprentice Sister's mortal heart is unstable, causing her spirit core to become increasingly violent. Now, even minor spells prove difficult for her to control her spiritual energy. If this continues, it may harm her. I humbly request the sect leader to revoke the dual cultivation order. I can no longer practice with her."

"Sigh, Xi'er, why don't you talk to her again? Perhaps you could..."

"No need to elaborate. I've told her many times, but she's not suited for this path," Jiang Xi said. "Chuqing's resolve is too easily swayed; it's futile."

The sect leader asked, "…Then what are your plans now?"

Jiang Xi replied, "If no one can attain clarity and sever attachments, then I won't cultivate this path."

The sect leader sighed. "…I understand. Go on. Clarity and severance of attachments is the most challenging obstacle in dual cultivation. Who knows if Solitary Moon Night will find someone as single-minded as you in the coming decades."

Jiang Xi didn't leave immediately. He stood there for a moment and asked, "Is it really that difficult?"

"Extremely so," the sect leader glanced at him. "You've been with Wang Chuqing for so long. Didn't you waver even once?"

Jiang Xi asked, almost puzzled, "…Why would I… waver?"

The sect leader stared at Jiang Xi for a while. In the young man's eyes, he saw no hint of pretense, which surprised him. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "Jiang Xi, what is Wang Chuqing to you?"

"Senior Sister."

"What about during dual cultivation?"

"...A cultivation partner."

"Nothing else?"

"No, nothing else."

"..."

Noticing the complicated expression on the Sect Leader's face, Jiang Xi furrowed his brows. "Should there be something else?"

"No," the aged Sect Leader with streaks of white hair sighed after a long moment. "For so many years, my disciples have always struggled to pass the emotional barrier in dual cultivation. You're the first. ...But alas, I wonder who will be able to complete this great task with you."

On that day, neither Jiang Xi nor the Sect Leader knew that their conversation had been entirely overheard by Miss Wang. If before, Miss Wang still held a sliver of illusion or hope, this dialogue left her feeling utterly humiliated and defeated.

It was too humiliating. She truly didn't know how she could continue to hold her head up high in the sect or face others. Her back had already been nearly broken by the taunts of her fellow female disciples. If it were discovered that she had accidentally conceived a child with Junior Brother Jiang...

Just the thought sent chills down her spine, and she dared not remain in the sect any longer. She fled Linling Island under the cover of stars and moonlight.

"...You didn't run away with Xue Zhengyong, did you?"

Madame Wang replied, "No."

Jiang Xi suddenly closed his eyes, at a loss for words.

Indeed, he was an indifferent person, with only his own path of cultivation in mind. In his life, apart from Madame Wang, he had never been close to any other women. Back then, he felt no emotions towards this senior sister. However, when he heard that Madame Wang had run away with Xue Zhengyong, he couldn't help but frown slightly.

He realized that emotions in this world were indeed fleeting compared to flowers and plants, and women were indeed unreliable. Even this senior sister who held deep feelings for him left with someone else just like that.

Since then, he grew even more disdainful of love and relationships, feeling a chill in his heart whenever the subject arose.

Twenty years had passed until today, when he finally learned the truth behind that past incident from his senior sister's lips. But the "Miss Wang" back then had now become "Madame Wang," and their best years were long gone.

After a long while, Jiang Xi said stiffly, "Then... why did you have to leave Solitary Moon Night?"

"I couldn't stay under the same roof as you, Junior Brother," Madame Wang said calmly after two decades. "Everyone has their dignity, and I had lost the face to remain in our sect."

"..."

"I wanted to end Meng'er's life in my womb, but I couldn't bear to do it," Madame Wang said indifferently. "So, I traveled alone to many places. Later, I gave birth to our child in White Emperor City. When Zhengyong found me and stayed by my side, Meng'er was already one year old. He always knew about his identity."

As she spoke, she began to choke on her own blood again.

Years ago, she had lost control while cultivating, resulting in a violent spirit core. Since then, she had always suppressed its power and refrained from using any spells. Now, with the Phoenix Fire igniting and flames soaring into the sky, her life was reaching its end.

Madame Wang gradually managed to stop her coughing fit; her breathing was already labored. She said, "Junior Brother, what Xue Zhengyong told the world about abducting me to the Peak of Life and Death for a wedding was just his way of saving face. He was always afraid of embarrassing me...and Meng'er."

Her gaze wandered for a long while before finally settling on Xue Zhengyong's lifeless body.

But only for a moment, before the pain pierced through her once more.

Recalling their wedding day, Xue Zhengyong had grinned at her and said, "Alright, from now on, forget about the past. Back in Solitary Moon Night, that rascal always made you lose face. Not with me."

"I'll make sure you're gloriously happy for the rest of our lives when you're with me."

"As long as I'm around, I won't let you suffer any more injustice."

Madame Wang turned her face away, her body trembling delicately.

A gentleman's promise is as solid as a chariot pulled by four horses, impossible to renege on.

Xue Zhengyong made it possible. When he was around, she never needed to show herself publicly nor suffer any humiliation. All her tears, indignities, and shed blood occurred after his departure.

"For so many years, he didn't mind my frail health that prevented me from bearing another child. He didn't care that Xue Meng wasn't his biological son, treating him as his own. Xue Meng... Xue Meng has grown up without much suffering..."

Closing her eyes, her face turned translucently pale.

"We can no longer protect him now."

Jiang Xi stood there, numb.

"Junior Apprentice Brother, you can consider these past twenty years as my revenge on you... If you have resentment, hatred, or disgust... blame it all on me alone."

Madame Wang's voice grew fainter.

"I beg you to help him... Don't let anyone harm him..."

In the end, her whisper was as light as a feather: "Night is deep... Please... please..."

The Phoenix Heavenly Fire blotted out the sun, and Jiang Xi stood amidst this sea of flames, with the heavens and earth bathed in a scorching scarlet glow. He looked at the woman seated high above. She had her eyes closed, her gaze lowered, seemingly asleep. He felt that she still had more to say, especially since she just promised Xue Meng they would meet at the Shuangtian Temple as mother and son—so he waited patiently.

He waited for her to rise and assure him that all of this was a fabrication, a jest, a farce.

He waited with great patience, until his expression darkened, his heartbeat grew solemn, and his blood turned icy cold.

Yet, she remained silent.

Madame Wang and Xue Zhengyong faded away together into stillness.

She had once been an esteemed female cultivator from a prominent family, gentle and virtuous. Later, it was rumored that she had been abducted by Xue Zhengyong to become his wife, while others claimed that they eloped and were married. Speculations abounded, but no one knew the truth. Over the years, many at the Peak of Life and Death believed that Madame Wang might not have been deeply fond of her husband; she simply lacked the courage to voice her discontent.

Yet, regardless of what others might say or think, the moment she learned of Xue Zhengyong's demise, she had already resolved to follow him. It was unclear whether it was a suicide out of love or some other form of devotion. Perhaps even she herself didn't fully understand the intricacies of her heart. Had her feelings for her husband been gratitude or true affection? Had her sentiments for Jiang Xi truly vanished with time? She could not decipher them.

Many things in this world never yield a clear answer.

In the end, what vaguely resurfaced in her mind was a poem she had read by the window many years ago:

"Only by keeping my eyes open all through the night can I repay the smile that never graced your brow during your lifetime."

Back then, she and Xue Zhengyong were newlyweds, and she would occasionally reminisce about her youth spent in Solitary Moon Night. Gazing out the window, the mists of Sichuan always seemed so dense, gathering and dispersing like untrodden white clouds across the ground.

Unknown whether in heaven or on earth.

Someone approached, and in her trance, she vaguely mistook them for Jiang Xi. But when a cold garment draped over her shoulders, she was snapped back to reality.

For she knew all too well that Jiang Xi would never be aware of her warmth or coldness.

Madame Wang turned around to find the western chamber's candlelight shining bright, just like the rainy nights on Bashan Mountain.

Her young and dashing husband looked at her with a grin, scratching his head as he said, "It's getting chilly; be careful not to catch a cold."

The Danxin Hall was carpeted with thick Du Ruowen rugs, adorned with the floral patterns Madame Wang adored the most. As Jiang Xi stepped out from among the sea of Du Ruowen flowers, his expression remained indifferent, even more so than usual.

Pushing open the temple door with a creak, he prepared to leave. However, in that instant, he caught sight of Xue Meng, pale as a corpse, motionless.