The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 301: The Past Repeats on the Edge of Life and Death

In the midst of a heavy rainstorm, a newly assembled rebel army stood before the mountain, comprising cultivators from various sects.

As the Gate of Time and Life had just opened, everything was still uncertain. Filled with danger at every turn, the nascent alliance was plagued by instability within its ranks. Each member had their own plans, and few were willing to take the lead. All were apprehensive about the treacherous game piece hidden on the Edge of Life and Death, and the ferocious army they had once encountered on Dragon Mountain.

They gazed into the distance, hearts filled with unease. In the hazy, rain-soaked halls of the Wu Mountains, might a devil be seated, waiting for the heroes to hesitate, ready to tear them all to pieces?

Someone raised a torch ignited by a spell, looking up at the towering peak and murmuring, "I never would have imagined... that the Heavenly Sound Pavilion would do such a thing... It still feels like a dream to me."

"Stop sighing," Zhen Congming of Biantang Manor said, patting the man's shoulder. "Instead of complaining, think about how we can scale the mountain and end this nightmare."

Another person spoke with a gloomy expression, "It probably won't be that easy. Mu Yanli is a divine-blooded being, Hua Binan is a Medicine Sect Master, and there's also that Heaven-Stepping Emperor... Mo Ran, that sinister fellow with immense magical power. We should proceed with caution, not letting our guard down for a moment."

This cultivator's words found much agreement among the others.

—If Xue Meng from his previous life were here, he would surely feel that life is a cycle, always returning to where it began.

The scene before him was eerily reminiscent of that night when the Ten Great Sects had surrounded the Edge of Life and Death, and Heaven-Stepping Lord had taken his own life.

Regrettably, the person in the crowd was not Xue Meng from his past life but the young man who had just lost his parents.

Though he had sharp features, his face appeared haggard. Out of respect for his mourning period, he wasn't wearing the silver-blue armor of the Peak of Life and Death. Instead, he was dressed in a simple blue robe, with his ponytail tied up with a white ribbon.

Xue Meng spoke, "Enough with the idle chatter. Continuing this will only make the situation irreparable. Talking about caution when dealing with cunning individuals... If you're afraid, then stay here. There's no need to go up."

Everything was repeating the events of his previous life. Just like before, at Xue Meng's words, the circle of people around him exploded in reaction.

Once again, he became the target of everyone's criticism—

"Young Master Xue, how dare you say such impertinent things? What do you mean by 'afraid'?" The female cultivator from the Jiangdong Sect raised her bushy eyebrows. "You aren't afraid, are you? You recklessly attempted to assassinate Heaven-Stepping Lord at the Wu Mountain Temple the other day. And what happened then?"

"..."

"In the end, didn't you still suffer defeat, dragging Senior Brother Mei into cleaning up your mess?"

"You—"

A slender, fair hand reached out just in time to block Xue Meng's path, adorned with tinkling silver bells on its wrist.

Xue Meng snapped, "It's none of your business!"

Mei Hanxue, on the other hand, spoke gently, "How can it be considered trivial when it concerns the son of someone who did us a favor?" He turned to the female cultivator whose face had flushed crimson inappropriately and smiled. "Moreover, such an attractive lady speaks unpleasing words. It's only right to point out her mistake so she can correct herself," he said politely. "Helping Xue Meng is a matter of friendship, not cleaning up after him. Heaven and Earth witness my sincerity; please do not misunderstand me, Miss."

Everyone in the martial world knew of Mei Senior Brother's charm. The female cultivator was momentarily at a loss for words, her face resembling a boiled liver.

Seeing her reaction, her partner felt a sudden chill on his head and taunted, "Interesting. If Young Master Xue is so valiant, why are we all cowering in fear? Why don't you lead the way up the mountain then? After all, you're most familiar with the Peak of Life and Death. I've heard that the Heaven-Stepping Emperor Lord was your cousin, Mo Weiyu, in his previous life. Even if he were to encounter you, he wouldn't take your life. That would be much safer, wouldn't it?"

At the mention of the Heaven-Stepping Emperor Lord, many faces displayed a hint of awkwardness.

Back when Grandmaster Mo had revealed the truth, they had thought he was scheming something and dismissed his words as nonsense. But now that everything had unfolded as Mo Ran had predicted, many felt a twinge of guilt.

Unfortunately, not everyone shared this sentiment. An elderly cultivator stroked his beard and coughed softly before speaking, "Actually, I think the identity of the Heaven-Stepping Emperor Lord still needs verification."

Xue Meng gave him a cold glance. "What kind of verification?"

The old man replied, "My point is, even though the Heaven-Stepping Lord looks identical to Mo Ran, it doesn't necessarily mean he's Mo Ran's past life, as he claimed. After all, there could be duplicates, chess pieces like Jolene, or any number of possibilities."

"Yes, I still believe that Solitary Moon Night was the one who killed Mo Ran himself. All this talk about past lives is just an excuse, a justification! "

Even in this dire situation, there were still some in the crowd who clung to the belief that Grandmaster Mo had lied, and they had not wronged him.

After all, some of them had once vociferously insulted him at the Heavenly Sound Pavilion. Others had thrown stones and vegetable scraps at him during the three days of public trial, mocking him. Admitting that Grandmaster Mo spoke the truth would mean acknowledging that they had defamed an innocent person, which was too humiliating for some to bear.

Acknowledging a mistake often requires more courage than making one, and these cowards clearly lacked such fortitude. To preserve their notion of being faultless, they were determined not to let Mo Ran's injustice be corrected. No matter how much he suffered, how much he was slandered, or how many crimes he carried on his back, they wanted him to remain guilty.

To these "gentlemen," other people's innocence was worth less than their own reputation.

Mei Hanxue listened with a chuckle, praising, "Master Sun, you truly have unyielding integrity."

The old man froze, pondering for a while before realizing Mei Hanxue was mocking him. Enraged, he rushed forward to confront him, but was stopped by an elderly monk.

Master Xuanjing intervened, "Enough, both of you, let's not argue. Listen to this old monk first. It doesn't matter who Heaven-Stepping Lord really is; what's important is how we should respond once we reach the mountain and how we should deploy our forces."

Turning to Xue Meng, he asked gently, "Young Master Xue, you've fought against this Heaven-Stepping Lord. In your opinion, how powerful is he?"

Xue Meng gritted his teeth for a moment before clenching his fists and declaring, "Even with the combined strength of all the sect leaders here, victory isn't guaranteed."

"Ho!" The Daoist Sun raised his white brows. "What an illustrious young man, borrowing others' strength to humble himself! How admirable!"

Master Xuanjing was somewhat surprised. "So this person's strength surpasses Master Chu's significantly. No wonder Master Chu was captured by him..."

"Captured? Who doesn't know about Chu Wanning and Mo Ran's filthy affairs by now? In my opinion, it wasn't a capture at all. Heaven-Stepping Lord isn't some past life. This entire situation is being manipulated by Mo Ran behind the scenes, and Chu Wanning is in cahoots with him! We'll see when we get up that mountain!"

Xue Meng's face paled. If it had been before, he would have rushed over in a rage to smash this old fool's mouth. But he had just learned the truth about his master and Mo Ran, and he was disgusted to the core. He stood frozen, his expression defeated, unable to utter a single word.

Just as he was feeling humiliated, a tall figure in a light blue robe nonchalantly stepped in front of him.

Jiang Xi said coldly, "Daoist Sun, you're so bold in your assumptions. If things aren't as you say once we reach the mountain, I don't think there'll be any need for that deceitful tongue of yours."

The old Daoist's facial muscles twitched, and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but after mumbling for a while, he couldn't muster the courage to spit out his words in front of Jiang Xi and fell silent.

Jiang Xi glanced at Xue Meng sideways, said nothing more, and instead lowered his head to ponder. Addressing the others, he continued, "There's no time to waste. Let's decide on our individual opponents for the final showdown once we're up the mountain, and then we'll act immediately." His gaze swept across the other sect leaders and elders for confirmation. "Aside from the Juenomino chess piece, who else do we know will be on the Summit of Life and Death?"

One by one, people around them answered, "We're bound to encounter Mu Yanli."

Jiang Xi asked, "Has anyone fought her before?"

A female cultivator raised her hand. "During the internal strife, I exchanged a few moves with her."

Jiang Xi asked again, "How about her agility?"

The female cultivator pondered and replied, "Sending three elders should be enough to keep her occupied."

"Alright, which three elders are willing to lock onto Mu Yanli once the battle commences?"

Those from the Peak of Life and Death had long regarded Mu Yanli as a thorn in their side. Immediately, three elders stepped forward: Xuan Ji, Greedy Wolf, and Luchen. These three were fellow disciples, each possessing exceptional skills in combat, healing, and support. Jiang Xi agreed without hesitation.

Jiang Xi continued, "Anything else?"

"There's also a group of attendants from the Heavenly Sound Pavilion. It's hard to estimate their numbers, but there are at least six or seven hundred. Their strength is also unpredictable."

Jiang Xi mused, "The fighting style of the Heavenly Sound Pavilion is most similar to that of the Monastery of No Sorrow..." He looked up at Master Xuan Jing. "Would Master be willing to have your monastery's disciples focus on those attendants from the Heavenly Sound Pavilion during the battle?"

Master Xuan Jing hesitated inwardly, weighing the pros and cons.

The drawbacks were clear: The number and strength of the Heavenly Sound Pavilion disciples were unknown. If they were weak, it would be ideal, but if strong, it could severely damage the Monastery of No Sorrow. However, the benefits were tempting, as they would not have to confront the terrifying Immortal Devouring Emperor.

He nodded solemnly. "This old monk will do my part for the world's sake."

"Then there's Hua Binan..." Jiang Xi sighed and closed his eyes. "There's no need to elaborate on this. Although Solitary Moon Night might not know all of his techniques, we share the same roots. During the battle, I request that our elders from the Confucian Wind Sect keep a close watch on him. There's no need to hold back or show mercy."

With these arrangements made, only the Precious Chess Piece and Heaven-Stepping Lord remained.

Jiang Xi scanned the crowd. Some cultivators eagerly volunteered, but many others seemed to suddenly develop neck problems, lowering their heads or even rubbing their necks as if in pain.

"Palace Lord?"

Bright Moon Building nodded. "Treading Snow Palace should contribute its strength."

Jiang Xi then asked the head of the Upper Clear Pavilion, who also nodded in agreement. "It's our duty."

However, apart from those, other sects either lacked courage or were truly unsuitable for combat. Their leaders hesitated, and some even muttered, "If Heaven-Stepping Lord can tear through the Door of Space, Time, and Life, the power of mere sect leaders won't be enough."

"Yes, he's like a suicide scout..."

Someone sighed. "If only the Confucian Wind Sect still existed. With the cultivators from the 72 cities and so many city lords... Ah, what a pity."

"Eh?" Suddenly, a cultivator from the Jiangdong Sect raised his voice. "What about Ye Wangxi? Wasn't she quite skilled in combat? Her strength could probably rival ten Nan Gonglius; she's definitely at the level of a sect leader. Where is she?"

The mention of this only darkened Jiang Xi's expression. He spoke with a stormy look on his face. "Before we set out, we settled a group of refugees in Solitary Moon Night. At that time, we said we needed a cultivator to stay behind and guard against an army of pawns – but no one volunteered. In the end, she was the one who stayed."

The cultivator let out an "Ah," looking awkward.

Jiang Xi continued gloomily, "All of you are true heroes. Why do you need a little girl everywhere you go?"

"..."

After waiting a while longer, there were still few willing to step forward. The young, handsome new leader of the Jiangdong Sect even hesitated, saying, "I think we should consider this carefully. After all, this isn't a game. Should we wait just a little longer?"

The moment he heard the word "wait," Xue Meng's lips turned blue from anger. He forcefully suppressed his emotions and asked, "Until when must we wait? How much safer will we be by waiting a bit longer?"

"But we can't just rush up the mountain to our deaths either."

"Our success or failure depends on this. Young Master Xue, please consider it carefully."

Master Xuanjing also advised, "Young Master Xue, caution is the better part of valor. The world has been turned upside down, and the Gate of Life and Death has appeared. No one knows what kind of changes lie ahead. All the most outstanding cultivators in the cultivation world are gathered here now. If everyone falls into the water, who will take responsibility?"

"Yes, what would we do if we ended up killing the Sect Leaders…?"

Xue Meng had been holding back, but he could no longer contain his emotions. He abruptly lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot. "You're already thinking about what to do if your Sect Leaders die, but what about the Peak of Life and Death?!"

"..."

At the mention of the Peak of Life and Death, everyone couldn't help but recall the tragic deaths of the Sect Leaders due to false accusations. Many averted their gazes, while others felt deep guilt and remained silent.

"The Peak of Life and Death has long given up on what to do," Xue Meng's voice was hoarse. "I have no elder brother, no senior apprentice brother, no mother, no father, and now not even a master..."

Xue Meng's eyelashes trembled as his Adam's apple bobbed, seemingly swallowing his pain with all his might. But the agony was too great, and in the end, he couldn't endure it. He closed his eyes, then opened them again. "All of you fear death because you still have attachments. I have none, so I am not afraid to die."

Mei Hanxue frowned and softly tried to stop him. "Xue Meng!"

But how could he listen?

No one in this world could hold him back anymore.

Xue Meng declared, "If you won't go, I will go alone."

"Junior Master!" The disciples of Life and Death Peak rushed forward, attempting to dissuade him, but Xue Meng's determination was set, his intent to kill made clear. He turned around, leaving everyone behind. The pent-up anger and injustice he'd endured turned into tears rolling down his cheeks, unnoticed by all.

Jiang Xi stood in the pouring rain, gazing at his retreating figure, "You..."

Upon hearing his voice, Xue Meng quickened his pace. His Dragon City was shattered, he didn't even possess a decent sword. Yet, he still strode resolutely towards the towering and rugged Life and Death Peak without looking back.

"Xue Meng!"

After much hesitation, a hoarse cry finally forced its way out of Jiang Xi's throat with great effort.

Jiang Xi approached, but before his hand could touch Xue Meng's shoulder, the young man abruptly spun around. His round, bird-like eyes blazed with fiery lightning as he bellowed, "Scram! Don't touch me!" With a fierce shake, he broke free from Jiang Xi's grasp, leaving no opportunity for anyone to respond before turning and departing.

Moss grows on the steps, and bamboo sways in the mountain breeze.

Xue Meng gasped and dashed through the torrential rain, his vision filled with a dreamlike, moist world.

Here, Madame Wang once tended flowers under the moonlight, witnessing a peony bloom. Over there, Xue Zhengyong had returned from a grand mission, majestic and proud, with his steed and spear at the ready. Xue Meng passed through the White Stone Gate and found Shi Mo lost in thought. Running past the Pillar of Heroes, he caught sight of Mo Ran gazing at the moon. Amidst the rain and wind, he saw the bustling disciples returning from their studies, laughter echoing through the corridors and bridges, just as it did in days gone by.

He hastened his steps as if fleeing for his life, resembling a fierce tiger bounding into the forest. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of an old peach tree. There, he saw his younger self kneeling before it in solemn obeisance, looking up with a bright smile and addressing the figure in flowing white robes—Chu Wanning—who stood before him.

"Pupil Xue Meng pays respects to Master," he murmured, suddenly closing his eyes.

The Summit of Life and Death held too many memories, each one searing his heart. The brighter the flames had once been here, the more desolate the ashes that remained now.

Xue Meng journeyed on, braving the tempestuous winds and rain, encountering old acquaintances along the way.

"Stop following me... Don't let me see any of this again..."

He muttered to himself, weaving through the shadows of lingering spirits, fleeing from the remnants of his once-vibrant youth. By the time he reached the mountain peak, he was drenched, soaked through with rain. Like a phoenix with withered wings, he trembled in the cold.

It was freezing.

His bones felt as if they were turning to ice.

Through his thick eyelashes, he gazed at the distant palace, its grandeur somber and candlelight dim. This was the Summit of Life and Death from his past life, a place he had never truly observed during his previous assassination attempt...

Suddenly, he noticed three graves standing before the nearby Tower of Heaven.

This was something he had never seen in his own sect. He couldn't help but approach for a closer look. There were three graves, one engraved with "Deep-Fried Empress," another flattened with the stone tablet leaning to one side.

The last one looked very old and worn.

In front of that grave, there was a faint, solitary figure standing.

The person wore a blood-stained robe with wide sleeves reaching the ground, standing before the tombstone as they reached out to caress the engravings on it.

Xue Meng was suddenly startled, feeling as if an arrow had pierced through his skull. All the blood in his body rushed to his head, and he yelled, "Mo Ran!" He wanted to draw Longcheng and slash at the figure, but his waist was empty.

Only then did he remember that Longcheng was already broken. Shattered during his previous clash with Heaven-Stepping Lord.

The man with his side facing Xue Meng seemed deaf to all sounds. He slowly bent down in front of the tombstone, as if a journey of extreme exhaustion had finally come to an end. Xue Meng saw him press his forehead against the cold stone, gently rubbing against it.

Flames burst forth in Xue Meng's palm, scattering orange light.

Without hesitation, he slashed towards Heaven-Stepping Lord's back, attacking with all his might—

"Bang!"

A deafening crash echoed, but the fiery light didn't harm anyone; only that old, moss-covered stone tablet shattered into pieces.

Xue Meng was startled, looking around. But there was no sign of the Heaven-Stepping Lord or the black figure—nowhere to be found.

Rain poured down heavily around him, and the multitude of trees bowed east and west, leaving him feeling utterly alone as if he were the only one left in this world. Yet, the swaying tree shadows and whispering winds hinted at an invisible army lurking in the dense forest, ready for battle at any moment.

"Heaven-Stepping Lord! Heaven-Stepping Lord!!"

He shouted, but his voice was instantly drowned out by the roaring thunder.

Did he see wrong?

How could it be a mistake? That clear silhouette, standing right here just now, reaching out to touch the stone tablet—the very one on which...

He froze abruptly.

Xue Meng crouched down, lifting his hand to gather the shattered remains of the tablet slowly. Halfway through, he felt a chill run down his spine!

Engraved on the tablet were the stark words:

The Tomb of Master Chu Wanning

Whose tomb? What tomb?!!!

Xue Meng shot up, stumbling backward. The flash of lightning illuminated his stricken face. He shook his head and muttered, "No… No… How can this be… It’s impossible."

Swallowing hard, he tried to compose himself. Squatting where he was, he caught his breath for a moment before mustering the courage to take a closer look at the gravestone.

The stone was worn, clearly more than a decade old, not freshly carved. There were uneven indentations on its surface, suggesting that something had initially been inscribed there before being erased, replaced by these seven characters.

Master.

The Tomb of Chu Wanning.

Was this the grave of his former master from his past life?

Xue Meng's lips turned blue, and his entire body trembled. A jumbled mix of sorrow, anger, fear, or perhaps something else churned within him. Hiding his face in his palms, he wiped away the wet rain, his thoughts in disarray.

So, in that unknown future, what kind of love, hatred, and vendettas had transpired?

He could not know, just as he was unaware of what had once been inscribed on this stone tablet and who had altered its words for what reason.

It was all lost to him now.

Xue Meng took a moment to recompose himself, but when he opened his eyes again, he saw that the black-golden phantom had reappeared. This time it was closer, so close that the intricate golden threads depicting majestic mountains, rivers, dragons, and tigers on the figure's robe were clearly visible.

The person seemed like a being suspended between a soul and a living being, neither entirely alive nor entirely a spirit. Gazing at the Tower of Heaven, Xue Meng thought he heard the figure whisper softly, "Master, please... pay attention to me."

The voice was ethereal, like a dream.

"I'm going home. I'm going home," the figure said, his tone tinged with confusion and bewilderment. "I'm going back home..."

"Master..."

A thunderclap boomed, as if a hammer of lightning had shattered the earth. The mountains and rivers trembled, and Xue Meng's organs felt numb.

"But I don't have a home anymore..."

The black-gold figure suddenly turned around. Amidst the tumultuous downpour, Xue Meng could see his face—Mo Ran's face—crystal clear.

Mo Ran seemed to ignore him, muttering to himself, "No home... I have to go back... I have to go back!"

In a panic and desperation, he cried, "Let me go back, let me go back! I want to see him... I need to see him!!"

Amidst the thunder and lightning, the black shadow soared into the air. Xue Meng was caught off guard by the cold, violent gust of black wind, which passed through him, leaving a chill that was even colder than the rain. His eyes instantly blurred, and he stumbled to the ground.

"I can't die... I have to see him!"

Xue Meng heard Mo Ran's low growl clearly. The black shadow swirled like a tornado towards the rear mountain of the Peak of Life and Death. By the time he regained his senses, there was no trace of the eerie shadow, but a crimson beam of light split the sky above the rear mountain!

...

What had just happened? What was that shadow?

A ghost?

With a deathly pale face, he sat stiffly in place—until someone tapped him on the back.

Xue Meng was already at the end of his rope. At the touch, he sprang up wildly, his voice filled with madness and despair, "Who?! Who!!"

Mei Hanxue held him back, hastily saying, "Don't be afraid, it's me."

From the woods behind them emerged a very ugly Treading Snow Palace disciple, but with a pair of light green eyes that Xue Meng recognized. It was Mei Hanxue's cold and aloof elder brother, who wore a human skin mask.

Big Brother Mei Hanxue stepped out from the forest, holding two swords – one was his own divine weapon, Shuafeng, and the other was...

"Snow Phoenix."

Mei Hanxue approached the shivering Xue Meng and handed him Jiang Xi's sword.

"Master Jiang asked me to give this to you. He said you would need it and not to refuse for certain reasons."

The younger brother was still curious. "May I ask what your relationship is with Jiang Xi?"

"Let's go." His elder brother interrupted without mercy. "First, let's check on Master Chu's condition at the Wu Mountain Hall."

With that, Mei Hanxue glanced at Xue Meng, tapped his shoulder with the hilt of Shuafeng, and plunged into the downpour without another word.

His twin sighed, patted Xue Meng's head, and followed his elder brother towards the swaying Wu Mountain Hall in the storm.