The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 292 - "The Apex of Life and Death": A Sea of Depth in the Ruler's Heart

Heaven-Stepping Lord turned around to see Song Qiutong, elegantly dressed and charming, approaching with a group of attendants.

His hand that was reaching for the curtain paused, and he discreetly drew the bamboo blind tightly shut. Then, he asked, "What's going on?"

"I had some leisure time, so I took a stroll to digest my meal," Song Qiutong said, folding her sleeves respectfully. Her gaze, soft and gentle, glanced at the carriage. "Is Yan going out?"

"To wander through the night market in Impermanence Town."

She beamed, her demeanor respectful yet affectionate. "Taking a carriage for such a short distance? You're not alone, are you?"

At that time, his patience towards her was still relatively good, so he returned her smile. "No, I'm not alone."

Song Qiutong's eyes swirled, her gaze landing on the yellow sourwood footrest. With a delicate woman's intuition, she quickly found an answer. Her expression stiffened slightly before a look of delight appeared. "Ah, could it be Young Lady Chu?"

"..."

One could almost picture Chu Wanning's reaction upon hearing this title in the carriage. Heaven-Stepping Lord suppressed a chuckle. "Mm. It's him."

The woman's face blossomed with even more radiance, stealing the limelight from the sky's own hues: "How wonderful! In the palace for three years, and I've only seen Princess Chu on our wedding day, with her veil covering her. What a fortuitous day it is to encounter her now."

She chuckled. "Would Ah Ran like to introduce us?"

Heaven-Stepping Lord shook his head. "His nature is aloof; he feels uncomfortable around strangers. And he's mute. Best not to meet."

Though Song Qiutong typically obeyed Mo Ran without question, she was now itching with curiosity. Besides, she had long held resentment towards Princess Chu. Ever since her wedding day when her husband had abandoned her without reason, she felt deeply humiliated. Afterward, she'd heard countless whispers from palace servants about how the Jade Emperor had spent the entire night in Princess Chu's chambers, not emerging until almost dusk the next day.

"Not a moment of peace the whole night. That commotion could kill someone."

"The guards on watch said they counted at least seven or eight times. His Majesty truly has endurance."

A giggling palace maid added, "Isn't it Empress Chu who has the endurance? Seven or eight times in one night, and soon there'll be an imperial prince!"

But what embarrassed Song Qiutong the most were the sotto voce remarks like, "Empress is so beautiful, yet she lost favor on their wedding night," and "This isn't proper at all. His Majesty shows no respect to Her Majesty."

It felt as if Princess Chu, whose face she had never even seen, had slapped her hard across the face, leaving a burning sting that intensified over the past three years.

Eventually, even her closest maid began to harbor resentment, gritting her teeth in frustration, "Who knows which mountain fox bewitched His Majesty into such a daze?"

She then tried to console her, "Empress, don't be too upset. Despite His Majesty spending almost every night with her, she hasn't conceived. It seems her health isn't suitable, and she might never bear children in this life. His Majesty is just playing with her; he'll eventually lose interest."

Song Qiutong managed a forced smile. How could she have the audacity to say such things?

During their intimate moments, he was always cautious, never wanting her to become pregnant. The only time he released his desires within her embrace was not long ago, after he got drunk and had a fierce argument with Concubine Chu. He came to her chambers in the middle of the night.

She was already asleep when the curtains were suddenly drawn back, revealing those bloodshot, irrational eyes. Before she could react, he flipped her over and tore off her inner garment, roughly entering her. In that reckless torment, her hair was fiercely pulled, and she heard him panting in her ear, "Who are you secretly writing letters to behind my back? Are you that concerned about him?"

Amidst their passionate encounter, she grew weak all over but heard him whisper behind her, "You can't see anyone... You can't go anywhere... You can only be my Concubine Chu... Even if you're unwilling..."

Song Qiutong pulled herself out of this humiliating memory. She composed herself, smiling gently as she said with her beautiful eyes, "Although His Majesty doesn't mind etiquette, we're still sisters. I've always wanted to meet her and give her a small gift."

Heaven-Stepping Lord's hand remained on the bamboo curtain, with no intention of letting go. "He has everything. He lacks nothing."

Since the conversation had reached this point, Song Qiutong had no choice but to softly speak a few more words to the emperor before watching him climb into the carriage, leaving with that vixen.

Deep within the bamboo curtain, on the soft cushion, Heaven-Stepping Lord held back his laughter until it hurt his ribs, yet he maintained his serious demeanor. "As an emperor, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to let you monopolize my affection."

"..."

Chu Wanning's face was somber as he gazed sidelong out the window, silent.

Golden sunlight filtered in through the fine bamboo blinds, casting layer upon layer of shadows on his thin, translucent cheeks. Heaven-Stepping Lord stared at him for a moment before leaning over and lying down on his lap.

Chu Wanning kept his back straight, not looking at him, but asked, "Aren't you hot?"

"I find your voice so cool that it's refreshing."

"…" Chu Wanning finally looked down at him, his gaze colder than his voice.

He was genuinely angry. No man wanted to become another man's concubine. The way Song Qiutong had addressed him as 'Sister Chu Concubine' stuck in his throat like a bone, and the corners of his eyes were red with humiliation.

When Heaven-Stepping Lord first bestowed the title of concubine upon him, it was to make him taste the indignity of being less than even a woman. Song Qiutong was his wife, while he, the mighty Grandmaster of the Northern Dipper, had been reduced to a concubine for a junior.

"Angry?"

"..."

"Heavenly Lord didn't even let her see you. What are you being aggrieved about now?"

Heaven-Stepping Lord had intended to tease the man further, but as dusk fell, the setting sun's glow seeped through the bamboo curtains, illuminating Chu Wanning's face. He noticed those eyes were so cold and distant that he moved his lips, yet ultimately said nothing.

Suddenly, it all seemed utterly meaningless.

Neither of them spoke again.

Upon arriving at Impermanence Town, they purchased a variety of items. Sugar paintings, flower cakes, candied haws on a stick, lanterns – they bought everything they could find, filling an entire carriage. However, Chu Wanning only gazed at the lively scene beyond the bamboo curtains, paying no attention to the treasures within.

Seeing no signs of Chu Wanning's pleasure, Heaven-Stepping Lord couldn't help feeling irritated.

"Forget it, we won't be returning tonight," he suddenly said. "We'll stay in the town."

He instructed the coachman to find an inn, then entered with Chu Wanning, who was now cloaked and hooded.

The innkeeper's boy was yawning but perked up at the sight of customers. Mid-yawn, he smiled and asked, "Are you guests looking for a room?"

"A top-class suite, please."

Although Chu Wanning's face was hidden beneath the hood, his posture and demeanor clearly indicated he was a man. The innkeeper's boy couldn't help but curiously inspect him.

Chu Wanning replied, "…Two rooms."

Upon hearing this, Heaven-Stepping Lord's pent-up anger couldn't be contained any longer. "What kind of relationship do we have that requires two separate rooms to hide our actions?"

If the waiter's gaze had been one of suspicion before, it was now one of realization.

Heaven-Stepping Lord was pleased with the waiter's expression, even deriving a malicious sort of pleasure from it. After securing the rooms, he dragged Chu Wanning along by his arm. As soon as they entered the room and the door was barely closed, he pressed his lips urgently and fiercely against Chu Wanning's, their tongues entwining in a passionate dance.

Outside the latticed window adorned with grapevine patterns, thousands of lamps illuminated the night, but none of that light pertained to them. He pushed Chu Wanning down onto the large bed. Amidst the creaking sounds, he heard a soft sigh from the man beneath him.

"Mo Ran, what's the point of you doing this?"

"…"

"What's the point of us doing this?"

This question was so cutting that even after all this time, the memory still left a pang in his heart.

Heaven-Stepping Lord opened his eyes.

Still standing at the Red Lotus Water Pavilion, he was immersed in those bygone events. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, a fleeting figure seemed to dance before his eyes, accompanied by the sound of torrential rain in his ears. He felt like a nocturnal specter, peering through the lattice windows of an inn.

He saw the same room, the same two individuals, but with a downpour outside and an atmosphere of intimacy on the bed that was unfamiliar. He witnessed himself entwined with Chu Wanning on that very mattress, the room dimly lit, yet he was certain he saw the desire clouding Chu Wanning's half-lidded eyes as they locked onto his own, filled with shame and passion.

In this hallucination, he gazed at the man beneath him with deep affection, pleading yet resolute: "Tonight, I only want to bring you pleasure."

Bending down, he kissed and tasted Chu Wanning's vulnerability, savoring the man's gasp. Chu Wanning's fingers threaded through his black hair: "Ah..."

Heaven-Stepping Lord suddenly pressed his hand to his forehead, overwhelmed by a splitting headache.

These two memories intertwined and clashed, each vying for dominance. Which was real? Which was a nightmare? He couldn't tell, nor did he dare to ponder further.

Regaining some composure, he fled from the Red Lotus Water Pavilion, making his way to the Sword Dancing Plaza. Standing before the white jade balustrade, he gazed at the distant, hazy mountains, his chest rising and falling gently. What was that sensuous recollection he had just experienced?

Could it be the life that another world's Mo Ran had experienced?

Once more, he involuntarily recalled Chu Wanning's moist and gentle gaze, his neck arched as he panted lowly on the bed.

Heaven-Stepping Lord suddenly clenched the railing.

—Could it be that Chu Wanning willingly shared a bed with that damned Grandmaster Mo? !

For some reason, despite them being one and the same, Heaven-Stepping Lord's anger still abruptly flared up, turning his eyes a bloody red.

If these truly were memories from another version of himself, then he suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of resentment and injustice.

Why? On what grounds?

After being resurrected by Hua Binan, he returned to this world like a mindless zombie, only to find the devastated Wu Shan Temple and a disgusting mess left behind.

What did he see when he frantically rushed to the Red Lotus Water Pavilion? Withered lotus stems after their spiritual energy was drained, fallen peonies scattered everywhere, and empty houses.

And a lotus pond devoid of its familiar faces.

He was dragged back to life by Hua Binan, but Chu Wanning's body had turned to ashes, leaving nothing behind, impossible to find once more.

He recalled how he slowly walked to the lotus pond, lowering his head without any expression as he gazed for a while. Then, he crouched down and dipped his fingers into the water, scooping up a handful. The cold pool was deep and chilled to the bone.

Unconsciously, he shivered, the water slipping through his fingers as he slumped to the ground.

So, what was left of him after returning to this world?

Each day, he despised living more and more, but he was bound by another's will, unable to act on his own. He had no choice but to obey Hua Binan's commands.

Later, Hua Binan discovered a rift in the Time-Space Door of Life and Death but refused to reveal who had left it behind. That fellow joyfully ventured into another mortal world, leaving him here to toil away. The only solace was that, to give him some sense of purpose, Hua Binan would occasionally send messages to keep him informed.

Thus, he learned that a part of his soul had been reborn in that era. He received news about Shi Mo, Xue Meng, Ye Wangxi, and Nan Gongsi—people who had long since passed away.

And he also received news about Chu Wanning.

Hua Binan's letters were always brief, sparing with words. He detested Hua Binan's handwriting too, sharp like the stinger of a scorpion.

Yet, those letters became the greatest hope for his undead existence, like a breath of air for someone drowning in the depths of the sea. He kept every letter, rereading them hundreds of times when there were no new ones, despite how much they disgusted him.

He must have lost his mind.

As night fell, servants brought in dinner, and he enjoyed the lively atmosphere. Just as he had since his rebirth, he commanded everyone to gather before the palace hall. Lying lazily on a cushion, he watched them eat and occasionally asked about the taste of their food.

Heaven-Stepping Lord was not fond of reading in the past. But with no one by his side in those endless nights, he resorted to scrolls for amusement. As he read, he discovered the joy of parsing words and phrases.

For instance, if he desired someone to munch on fried rice crackers, he would say, "Come, sample this bolt from the blue for me." If he wanted someone to chew on spinach, he'd say, "Try the red-beaked, green parrot in the bowl."

It was already challenging to get a illiterate to read; if that person found it delightful, it could only mean one thing: there were no other pleasures left in their life.

In the midst of the feast, someone reported, "Your Majesty, Venerable Sage-Hand has returned."

"Alone?"

"He's brought along Master Mu from the Heavenly Sound Pavilion. They said they need to arrange the sacrificial ceremony first and will come meet Your Majesty later when everything is settled."

Pinching a purple-skinned grape from a silver tray, Heaven-Stepping Lord's expression was indifferent. "Let them take their time. This Lord welcomes the respite."

The messenger continued, "Furthermore, Venerable Sage-Hand has a word of advice for Your Majesty."

"What?"

"Be cautious these days. The mortal world is in chaos, and 'He' will surely come."

"..." Heaven-Stepping Lord's gaze was deep and thoughtful for a moment before he chuckled. "Understood, this seat has taken note."

Of course, he knew that 'He' would come.

Two worlds intertwined, a million refugees wandering, Grandmaster Mo lost his life, and the Edge of Life and Death fell — Chu Wanning, just like himself, had nothing left. He might come with a death wish to confront him.

Heaven-Stepping Lord wasn't afraid; there was even a hint of hidden anticipation within him.

As night fell, the palace was illuminated by scattered candlelights, with nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine lanterns flickering in the Wu Mountain Hall alone, turning the darkness into an artificial daylight.

Heaven-Stepping Lord summoned Uncle Liu and said, "Go instruct them to extinguish half of the candles."

The lights were too bright, and he was worried that it would make it difficult for Chu Wanning to infiltrate. Thus, he lowered his guard.

Uncle Liu followed the order and stood still, waiting for Uncle Liu to return and report, "Your Majesty, half of the flames have been put out."

He gazed upon the dim, golden glow illuminating the entire courtyard, yet he remained unsatisfied. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Let's extinguish them all."

Uncle Liu: "…"

One by one, the candle lanterns in the Wushan Pavilion were snuffed out, but a spark was igniting within Heaven-Stepping Lord. He sensed that Chu Wanning's arrival was imminent. The man would probably still be dressed in white, with a scowl on his face and a mouth full of righteous rhetoric that grated on nerves. He might even attempt to avenge Grandmaster Mo.

The mere thought thrilled him, causing his tongue to glide over his sharp, white teeth and lips. He left only one bronze lamp with an intricate vine design standing in the depths of the silk canopy, a beacon for Chu Wanning, the desperate moth, to seek out his demise.

As the night deepened, a gentle rain began to fall outside the window.

Heaven-Stepping Lord donned the most solemn black robe with golden threads and personally arranged the bed, cushions, and pillows. Still, something felt amiss, so he instructed someone to bring a jar of aged pear blossom wine to warm it up by the water.

The man held the warmed wine, dressed elegantly, and stood by the window, watching the rain intensify. Throughout this, he never summoned his shadow, Not-Returning.

Yet, he persisted in deceiving himself, guarding the luxurious bed and wine while fiercely imagining, Hmph, when Chu Wanning arrives, I'll make him understand the ruthlessness of swords and blades!