The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 31: This Seat's Uncle

To show his loyalty before his master, the young lord cooked three servings of burnt tofu and vowed not to discard a single piece, promising to eat it all.

Chu Wanning was very pleased, revealing a rare expression of approval.

When Mo Ran saw this, he became unhappy. The Tyrant of Immortality had an inexplicable obsession with Chu Wanning's recognition, so he immediately ordered three servings of tofu as well. Chu Wanning glanced at him and asked, "Aren't you afraid of getting full from eating so much?"

Mo Ran competitively replied alongside Xue Meng, "Don't even mention three servings, I can even eat another three servings."

Chu Wanning said coolly, "Alright then."

He gave Mo Ran six servings of tofu and said, "The same goes for you. Don't waste any."

Mo Ran: ".................."

Since the other two had ordered, Shi Mo naturally followed suit, smiling as he said, "Then... Master, I'll have three plates too."

Thus, on the first day that Elder Yuheng's isolation ended, his three disciples all fell ill from food poisoning. The next day, the Elder in charge of discipline approached Chu Wanning and tactfully expressed that the Lady Mengpo's Hall didn't lack helpers. He requested that Chu Wanning move to the Bridge of Helplessness to assist in sweeping fallen leaves and wiping pillars.

The Bridge of Helplessness served as a connection between the main district of the immortal realm and the disciples' resting area, wide enough for five carriages to pass side by side. Its pillars were adorned with white jade beasts, symbolizing the Nine Sons of the Dragon, accompanied by 360 shorter columns topped with lion heads, exuding grandeur.

Chu Wanning swept the ground silently. After finishing, he meticulously wiped the jade beasts clean.

Half a day of work passed, and as the sky darkened, rain began to fall.

Most of the disciples, having dismissed their classes, didn't have oil paper umbrellas and splashed through puddles, chattering as they hurried back to their dwellings. Raindrops pattered noisily against the stone steps. Chu Wanning watched from afar, seeing the carefree smiles on the young men and women's faces as they braved the downpour with bright spirits.

"..." Chu Wanning knew that if they saw him, that brightness and ease would vanish. Therefore, he considered his options and took shelter under the bridge arch.

As some of the leading disciples approached the bridge, they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"A barrier?"

"Why is there a barrier on the Bridge of Helplessness?"

"Perhaps Elder Xuan Ji set it up," speculated one disciple. "Elder Xuan Ji is always so kind to us."

The translucent golden barrier enveloped the upper part of the Bridge of Helplessness, stretching out powerfully to cover the main pathway leading to the disciples' resting area, shielding the remainder of their journey.

"It must be Elder Xuan Ji who set this up. Isn't this area under his jurisdiction?"

"Elder Xuan Ji is truly kind."

"What a beautiful barrier. The elder is indeed formidable."

The disciples, with their damp hair fluttering, playfully nudged each other as they entered the barrier, chattering all the way to the resting area.

Chu Wanning stood beneath the bridge arch, listening to the clamor on the bridge until silence returned and the returning youths had gone far. Only then did he slowly dismantle the barrier and walk out of the bridge tunnel with unhurried steps.

"Shifu."

He was abruptly startled by someone calling him.

Chu Wanning lifted his head sharply, but saw no one on the shore.

"I'm here."

Following the voice, he looked up to see Mo Ran lounging on the white jade bridge, clad in a light silver-blue armor, with his legs casually propped up on the railing.

The young man's eyebrows and eyes were an astonishingly deep black, his eyelashes resembling two tiny fans, fluttering before his eyes. He held an oiled paper umbrella, gazing at him with a smile that was not quite a smile.

One stood upon the bridge, amidst rustling pine leaves, while the other was beneath it, amidst a cold rain that connected with the river.

Like this, they gazed into each other's eyes, neither of them speaking for a moment.

Amidst the misty rain and fog that veils the heavens and earth, tender leaves and slender bamboo sway gently with the breeze and rain, cascading down between the two figures in a mesmerizing dance.

Finally, Mo Ran chuckled, a hint of mischief in his voice. "Elder Xuan Ji, you're all wet."

Chu Wanning also spoke coldly almost at the same time, "How do you know it's me?"

Mo Ran pressed his lips together, his eyes curving into a smile, revealing deep dimples, "With such a massive barrier, Elder Xuan Ji couldn't have set it up, right? If it's not Master, then who else could it be?"

Chu Wanning: "..."

Realizing that Mo Ran knew he wouldn't bother casting a rain protection spell for him, the younger disciple cleverly threw down his umbrella.

"Here, catch this," he said.

A crimson parasol twirled down, and Chu Wanning caught it. The smooth bamboo handle still held a hint of warmth, and translucent droplets trickled down the surface of the umbrella. Looking up at him, Chu Wanning asked, "What about you?"

Mo Ran smiled mischievously. "Master, with just a slight touch of your magic, I can return clean and dry, right?"

Chu Wanning huffed but gently waved his sleeves. Immediately, a translucent golden barrier sprang open above Mo Ran. He looked up and laughed. "Haha, how beautiful! It even has peony patterns. Thank you."

Chu Wanning glanced at him. "Those are crab apples. They only have five petals."

With that, he left gracefully under the red umbrella, leaving Mo Ran standing alone in the rain. Counting the petals, he muttered, "One, two, three, four, five… Ah, indeed, there are five petals…."

When he lifted his gaze again, Chu Wanning had already vanished into the distance.

Mo Ran narrowed his eyes, standing beneath the barrier. The childish smile on his face faded, replaced by a complex expression.

Suddenly, he was unsure of what he was truly feeling.

If one's emotions toward another were purely affection or pure loathing, that would be much simpler.

The rain lasted for four days before ceasing. When the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, a convoy of carriages and horses approached, their bells ringing merrily as they splashed through puddles and pools of light, stopping at the entrance of the Peak of Life and Death.

A bamboo curtain was lifted, revealing a folding fan adorned with a crimson tassel at its edge.

Following that, a pair of blue-soled silver-trimmed combat boots stepped out, planting themselves heavily on the carriage's frame with a thud, stirring up dust in their wake.

It was a robust man with thick brows and large eyes, broad shoulders, and a sturdy waist. He wore a blue-silver light armor and had a well-groomed beard. He appeared to be around forty, with an imposing presence. Despite his rugged appearance, he held a delicately crafted scholarly fan in his giant hands, creating an odd contrast.

With a snap, the fan opened to reveal one side bearing the words,

"Xue Lang is exceptionally handsome."

The other side, facing him, read,

"The world is comparably ugly."

This fan was renowned throughout the martial world. Its fame stemmed not only from the exceptional martial skills of its owner but also the awkwardly worded phrases inscribed on its surface.

On one side, it boasted of the owner's self-admiration, while on the other, it ridiculed others.

A gentle sway of the fan could spread the scent of its owner's narcissism for miles around; it was a fact well-known to all in the cultivation realm.

Who was the owner of this fan? None other than the Master of Death and Rebirth Peak, who had been away for over two months: Xue Meng's father, Mo Ran's uncle, Immortal Xue Zhengyong.

As the saying goes, "Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and rats' sons dig holes."

The same logic applied in reverse. If the son was a peacock, the father must know how to display his feathers.

Although Xue Meng had a delicate appearance, completely different from his robust and powerful father, they shared similarities at their core—

Both believed that "Xue is beautiful, but the world is ugly."

Xue Zhengyong stretched, flexing his muscles and twisting his neck before saying with a smile, "Oh dear, sitting in this carriage has worn me out. Finally, we're home."

Inside the Danxin Hall, Madame Wang was mixing powders while seated between Mo Ran and Xue Meng.

She spoke softly, "Four ounces of Staunching Blood Grass and one stalk of First Yang Ginseng."

"Mother, I've measured them out," Xue Meng said, sitting cross-legged beside her as he handed her the herbs. Madame Wang took them, sniffed the Staunching Blood Grass, then said, "No, this herb has mixed with the scent of Galangal. The medicinal properties will be weakened when made into a decoction. Fetch some fresh ones."

"Alright, Mother." Xue Meng got up to search for new herbs in the inner chamber.

Madame Wang continued, "Three taels of Five Elemental Wax, and one tael of Dodder Seeds."

Mo Ran promptly handed her the ingredients. "Aunt, how long does this medicine need to be boiled?"

"It doesn't need boiling, just mix it with water," Madame Wang replied. "After I grind the powder, can Aran deliver it to Elder Yu Heng?"

Initially, Mo Ran didn't want to do it, but upon catching sight of Xue Meng's retreating figure, he knew that if he didn't, Xue Meng would end up doing it.

For some reason, he disliked the idea of Xue Meng being alone with Chu Wanning, so he said, "Sure."

Pausing for a moment, he asked, "Oh, right, Aunt, is this medicine bitter?"

"It has a bit of a bitter taste. Why do you ask?"

Mo Ran smiled. "Nothing." But as he spoke, he casually grabbed a handful of candies from the fruit tray and stuffed them into his sleeve.

Everyone in the hall was engrossed in preparing the medicine when a hearty and uninhibited laughter suddenly echoed at the entrance. Xue Zhengyong strode in, looking radiant and joyful as he exclaimed, "My dear wife, I'm back! Hahahaha!"

The sect leader's unannounced arrival startled Madame Wang, who nearly spilled the powder in her mortar. Her beautiful eyes widened in surprise. "Husband?"

Mo Ran also rose to greet him. "Uncle."

"Ahh, Ran-er is here too?" Xue Zhengyong was a towering figure with an imposing presence, but his speech was warm and affable. He patted Mo Ran's shoulder forcefully. "Good lad, I haven't seen you in a while, and it seems you've grown even taller. How was your trip to Butterfly Town? Smooth sailing?"

Mo Ran smiled. "It went well."

"Good, good, very good! With Chu Wanning around, I knew there wouldn't be any problems. Hahahaha — by the way, where's your master? Is he up on the mountain again, tinkering with his trinkets all alone?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Ran felt somewhat awkward. "Master..."

His uncle had a fiery temper and was prone to impulsive actions. A large part of the reason for his uncle's death in his previous life could be attributed to this personality trait. Mo Ran certainly didn't want to tell him directly that Chu Wanning had been sentenced to two hundred cane strokes and three months' confinement. Just as he was pondering how to bring it up, a cry of "Ah!" came from behind.

Xue Meng emerged, holding a bunch of hemostatic herbs, and seeing his father, he couldn't contain his delight. "Father."

"Meng-er!"

Mo Ran secretly let out a sigh of relief. When these two met, they would engage in flattery and mutual praise, giving him time to think about how to broach the topic of Chu Wanning's punishment.

Sure enough, the peacock father and son were already preening their feathers and effusively complimenting each other without reserve.

"Two months apart, and my son has become even more handsome. You're starting to resemble your father more and more!"

Despite not resembling his father at all, resembling only his mother, Xue Meng took the compliment with pride, responding, "Daddy, you've also become much more robust!"

Xue Zhengyong waved his hand grandly, laughing. "During my time at the Treading Snow Palace in Kunlun, I've come to believe that no other young men in the world can compare to my son and nephew! Oh dear, those chattering women have worn me out. Meng'er, do you remember Mei Hanxue?"

An expression of disdain immediately appeared on Xue Meng's face. "That tubby fellow who secluded himself for over a decade and is said to be the senior disciple of the Treading Snow Palace? He's out of seclusion?"

"Ahahaha, your memory is excellent. It's him. When he was little, he stayed with us for a while and even shared a bed with you."

".... How could I forget? Fat as a dog, and he kicks people when sleeping. I've been pushed off the bed by him multiple times. Did you see him, Daddy?"

"I did, I did." Xue Zhengyong stroked his beard, seemingly lost in reminiscence. Xue Meng was a natural-born prodigy with a competitive nature, so he couldn't wait to ask, "So how was he?"

Xue Zhengyong laughed. "In my opinion, he doesn't hold a candle to you. A fine young man, yet his master taught him to play the zither and dance. He even uses his lightness kung fu to fly petals – it amused your father to no end, hahahaha!"

Xue Meng's nose twitched, seemingly repulsed.

A plump little boy playing the zither, dancing, and making petals fly...

"And what about his cultivation?" After all, Mei Hanxue had been in seclusion for over a decade and had only recently emerged, not yet showcasing his skills in the martial world.

Since "appearance" was already surpassed, Xue Meng intended to compete with "cultivation."

This time, Xue Zhengyong didn't answer promptly. He pondered for a moment before saying, "We haven't seen much of his combat skills, but it doesn't matter. When the Spirit Mountain Sword Debate comes, Meng'er will naturally have the chance to compete with him."

Xue Meng raised an eyebrow. "Hmph, that dead fatty might not even be worthy of a match with me."

Madame Wang had just finished adding the last pinch of medicinal powder. She stood up and affectionately patted Xue Meng's head, smiling. "Meng'er, you mustn't be arrogant or overconfident. Always maintain an open mind and hold a heart of reverence."

Xue Meng said, "What's the point in being humble and open-minded? That's what those without abilities do. I want to be as straightforward as my father."

Xue Zhengyong laughed heartily. "Look, can a tiger father have a dog son?"

Madame Wang was displeased. "You, teaching him all these bad things instead of good ones. How is that proper?"

Seeing the trace of annoyance on her face, Xue Zhengyong realized she was genuinely upset. He reined in his laughter, scratched his head, and said, "My dear, I was wrong. You teach him however you see fit. You're always right. Please don't be unhappy."

Mo Ran: "............"

Xue Meng: "............"

Madame Wang was once a disciple of Solitary Moon Night in her early years. It was rumored that she had been abducted by Xue Zhengyong, though the truth of this tale remained unknown. However, Mo Ran was well aware that his uncle's love for his aunt was deep and sincere, turning even the toughest of men into someone gentle. Unlike her husband, Madame Wang didn't have the same passion towards him. She was an incredibly gentle person, but often displayed minor irritations towards Xue Zhengyong.

Over the years, their marriage had its ups and downs, and it was clear to all who cared to see which spouse held deeper feelings for the other.

Xue Meng, naturally uninterested in witnessing his parents' affectionate display, felt slightly disgusted. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned away impatiently.

Madame Wang felt quite awkward and hurriedly called out, "Meng'er?"

Xue Meng waved his hand dismissively and strode out of the room.

Mo Ran didn't wish to intrude on their reunion, and it was also a convenient excuse to avoid his uncle's questioning. Let Madame Wang deal with the matter of Chu Wanning's punishment; he couldn't handle it himself. Thus, he gathered the potions on the table, chuckled, and left, making sure to close the temple doors behind him.

Carrying the medicinal remedies, he swayed gently towards the Red Lotus Water Pavilion.

Chu Wanning, having sustained injuries, had been weak these past few days. The protective barriers around the water pavilion were down, so he was unaware of any visitors.

Thus, by chance, Mo Ran stumbled upon this scene...

At this moment, Chu Wanning was bathing in the lotus pond.

One could overlook it if he were alone, but the key point was that Yu Heng, the Elder known for his impeccable propriety, had two other figures in his exclusive lotus pond...