The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 33: This Seat Is Off to Find a Weapon

Chu Wanning was utterly stunned by that sudden kiss, his consciousness shattered. He couldn't make out a single word Mo Ran murmured; all he could hear was a buzzing in his ears, like a sudden downpour.

But Mo Ran seemed unfazed, muttering a few words before drifting back into a deep sleep.

"..."

Chu Wanning tried to rouse him.

Yet, by the bedside, a weeping cherry blossom tree outside was in full bloom. At precisely the moment Chu Wanning lifted his hand, a delicate pink blossom gently landed on Mo Ran's nose.

"..."

Mo Ran sniffled slightly, but slept soundly, not even stirring. As a result, the hand extended to push him changed course, and Chu Wanning plucked the cherry blossom, examining it between his fingers.

Lost in thought while gazing at the flower, memories gradually resurfaced.

He vaguely recalled that yesterday, it was Mo Ran who cleaned his wound and fed him medicine.

Later on, it seemed that Mo Ran had embraced him, gently stroking his hair and back in the depths of the night, whispering softly into his ear.

Chu Wanning was lost in thought for a moment. He supposed this must be a dream?

His ears, unbidden, turned crimson, like the blushing peony buds at the height of their bloom, radiant with vivid color.

The scolding words he intended to utter were swallowed back.

He truly... didn't know what to rebuke.

"How did you end up sleeping here?"

It sounded like a wayward young woman.

"Get off the bed, who allowed you to sleep in my place?!"

It sounded like a wayward shrew.

"You actually dared to kiss me?"

In truth, it was only their lips that brushed against each other; compared to the kiss in the illusion, this hardly qualified as one. If he were to dwell on it, he would only be drawing more attention to the matter.

"..."

Unable to decide how to react, Elder Yu Heng could only roll over half-heartedly and bury his face in the bedding. His slender fingers gripped the corners of the blanket, a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

Eventually, he chose to pry apart Mo Ran's limbs and sit up, straightening his clothes and appearance first, before shaking the other awake.

Thus, when Mo Ran opened his bleary eyes, he saw Elder Yu Heng seated by the bedside, his expression enigmatic and demeanor cold.

A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"M-Master, I—"

Chu Wanning spoke indifferently, "Did you break my Flower Soul Barrier yesterday?"

"It wasn't intentional..."

"Never mind." Chu Wanning waved his sleeve nonchalantly, "Get up quickly. It's time for morning lessons."

Mo Ran was on the verge of collapsing. Frustrated, he rubbed his hair. "Why did I fall asleep here…?"

"Exhaustion," Chu Wanning replied calmly. "From the looks of it, you were quite busy yesterday."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the medicine bowl on the table. "In the future, do not enter the Red Lotus Water Pavilion without permission. If there's anything, inform me beforehand."

"Yes, Master."

"You may leave now."

Feeling as if he had narrowly escaped death, Heaven-Stepping Lord hastily ran away.

Once he was gone, Chu Wanning lay back down on the bed. He opened his palm and gazed through the gaps between his fingers at the brilliant flowers outside the window. The petals swayed in the breeze, falling like fragrant snow.

The soft hue of the cherry blossoms resembled the scattered memories from last night.

They were light and ephemeral, yet difficult to discern as real or imagined.

He decided that he would never bring up what happened yesterday, no matter what.

How awkward!

Elder Yu Heng cherished his dignity more than his life. Hence, when Mo Ran met Chu Wanning again a few days later, Elder Yu Heng remained as unperturbed and composed as ever, exuding an aloof elegance in his white garments.

Neither of them mentioned that night's embrace. However, when their gazes occasionally crossed, Mo Ran's eyes would linger on Chu Wanning for a moment longer before instinctively chasing after Shi Mo once more.

As for Chu Wanning?

When he sensed Mo Ran's gaze, he would immediately turn away coldly. But in secret, when the other was unawares, he would steal a glance back, as if by chance.

Xue Zhengyong soon learned about Chu Wanning's punishment.

True to form, the Master of Death's Peak was fiercely protective of his disciple and flew into a rage. However, there was no one suitable to vent his anger at, so he could only sulk in solitude.

He should have added a rule back then: the law doesn't apply to elders.

Madame Wang brewed a pot of tea and spoke softly with him for a long time before Xue Zhengyong finally calmed down. Nevertheless, he still said, "Elder Yu Heng is stubborn by nature. If he behaves like this again, my lady must help me reason with him. He's a master that even the Upper cultivation world's sects can't beg to have, yet he's suffering like this under my roof. How can I live with myself?"

Madame Wang replied, "It's not that I won't persuade him; you know very well how Elder Yu Heng is. He's stubborn in his ways."

Xue Zhengyong said, "Forget it, my dear wife. Bring me some of those medicines you prepared for healing and pain relief. I'll go check on Yu Heng."

"Take the white one internally, and apply the red externally," Madame Wang handed him two small celadon vials and continued, "I heard from Rang'er that Elder Yu Heng has been cleaning the lions by the Bridge of Helplessness these past few days. You should be able to find him there."

Thus, Xue Zhengyong stuffed the vials into his pockets and hurried towards the jade bridge.

Sure enough, Chu Wanning was there. It was mid-afternoon, and most disciples were occupied with their cultivation practices, so few passed by the Bridge of Helplessness. Standing alone on the winding bridge, Chu Wanning's figure was upright, exuding an unwavering integrity.

The rustling leaves on both sides of the riverbank, paired with his white robe and bamboo-like demeanor, depicted the elegance of a nobleman.

Approaching him, Xue Zhengyong laughed heartily, "Elder Yu Heng, admiring the fish?"

Chu Wanning turned his face, "Master is jesting. This river connects to the ghost realm's Yellow Springs. How could there be fish?"

"Haha, just joking with you. You're quite refined but lack humor. You won't find a wife with this attitude."

Chu Wanning: "............"

"Here, some injury medicine, prepared by my wife. White for internal use, red for external. Very effective. It's for you."

"{...}" Chu Wanning originally had no intention of accepting it, but seeing Xue Zhengyong's evident pride, seemingly cherishing the medicine crafted by his wife, he didn't have the heart to refuse. Thus, he received it and said coolly, "Thank you."

Xue Zhengyong was a rough man, but in front of Chu Wanning, he was somewhat reserved and cautious, not daring to easily discuss many topics. After pondering for a moment, he chose a subject to talk about, "Yu Heng, there will be the Spirit Mountain Sword Discussion in three years. At that time, the young talents from various sects will gather to compete. What do you think are the chances of victory for Meng'er and Ran'er?"

Chu Wanning replied, "It's too early to tell about something three years from now. As for now, Mo Ran lacks ambition, and Xue Meng is overconfident and underestimates his opponents. Neither attitude is appropriate."

His words were straightforward and sharp, without any sugarcoating.

Xue Zhengyong's face fell, and he mumbled, "Ah, they're just kids, after all..."

Chu Wanning replied, "They're already of age, not so young anymore."

Xue Zhengyong chuckled, "That's true, but they're still barely in their twenties. As their father and uncle, I can't help but be a little biased, huh."

Chu Wanning countered, "If a child is not disciplined, it is the fault of the parent. If a teacher does not teach with rigor, it is the teacher's laziness. Should these two go down the wrong path in the future, it will be our responsibility. How can we show favoritism?"

Silence ensued.

Chu Wanning continued, "Does the Lord recall that the Confucian Wind Sect of Lin Yi once produced two exceptional prodigies?"

Upon his mention of it, Xue Zhengyong's heart couldn't help but sink abruptly.

Over two decades ago, in the Upper Realm's leading sect, the Confucian Wind Sect of Lin Yi, there were a pair of brothers who had achieved remarkable success at a young age, both possessing astonishing talents. At the age of ten, they could subdue powerful hundred-year-old demons on their own. By fifteen, they had reached a level where they could create their own spells and establish a new school of cultivation.

Yet, two tigers cannot share the same mountain. Both being exceptional individuals, they eventually fell out as siblings. During the Sword Discussion on Spirit Mountain, the younger brother had secretly observed his elder brother's mystical arts, earning him the disdain of various sects and the contempt of their elders. After the event, the father severely punished the younger brother, who, with his pride wounded, could not endure such a setback. From then on, he nurtured grudges, dedicating himself to devious paths, ultimately descending into a ruthless and deranged demonic overlord.

By bringing up this past event, Chu Wanning was undoubtedly telling Xue Zhengyong that while Xue Meng and Mo Ran were exceptional, what mattered more than their magical prowess was their character.

Regrettably, Xue Zhengyong was strict with himself and meticulous with his disciples, but he was blindly indulgent when it came to his son and nephew. Thus, he paid no heed to Chu Wanning's words, merely chuckling and saying, "With Elder Yu Heng guiding them, they won't follow in that pair of brothers' footsteps."

Chu Wanning shook his head.

"People are inherently stubborn. Without a firm resolution, change is hardly achievable."

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhengyong couldn't help but feel uneasy. He wondered if Chu Wanning was implying something else. After a moment of hesitation, he asked cautiously, "Yu Heng, are you... well, don't be angry, but do you perhaps look down on my foolish nephew?"

It wasn't what Chu Wanning intended, and he was caught off guard by Xue Zhengyong's misunderstanding.

Xue Zhengyong spoke with concern, "Frankly, I'm not overly concerned about whether they can make a name for themselves in three years. Especially Rang'er—he's had a difficult childhood, so his character might be a bit wayward. I hope you won't disdain him just because he grew up in the restaurant. Sigh, he's the only bloodline left of my elder brother in this world. I've always felt a sense of guilt towards him..."

Chu Wanning interrupted Xue Zhengyong, saying, "My Lord, you misunderstand. I don't look down on him. If I cared about Mo Ran's background, why would I have taken him as my disciple?"

Seeing his straightforwardness and the conviction in his tone, Xue Zhengyong was pleased. "That's good, that's good."

Chu Wanning's gaze fell once more upon the surging river below the bridge. He watched the turbulent waves rise and crash, falling silent. Unfortunately, their conversation on the bridge and Chu Wanning's confession were, just like in his past life, easily swallowed by the roaring tide.

His declaration of not disliking Mo Ran was heard by no one else but the two of them.

The three-month confinement passed in a blink of an eye.

On this day, Chu Wanning summoned his three disciples to the Red Lotus Water Pavilion and said, "Now that your spiritual cores have attained stability, I have called you here today to lead you to Xuying Peak, where you shall attempt to summon your own weapons."

Upon hearing this, both Xue Meng and Shi Mo widened their eyes, their faces blossoming with uncontrollable joy.

Xu Ying Peak is a sacred mountain in the Upper cultivation realm, soaring a thousand feet high with cliffs that stand ten thousand feet tall.

It was said that Xu Ying Peak was once the place where the Celestial God, Gou Chen Shangguan, forged his swords. Gou Chen Shangguan was the God of Arms, in charge of the celestial poles of the north and south, and ruler over all weapons in the world.

When the Celestial Emperor vanquished demons, Gouchen, the Exalted Palace in the Heavens, utilized towering mountains as its foundation, vast lakes and seas as its forging pool, and its own divine blood as a raging inferno. Thus was forged the very first "sword" in the mortal realm that held true significance. This sword pierced the heavens and cleaved the earth; with a single devastating strike, it sundered the Divine Land into fragments, causing seawater to surge in reverse, defying its natural course.

The Heavenly Emperor, wielding the "Sword," suppressed the demonic race beneath the earth with just two moves, preventing them from ever rising again.

Those two moves split the land, creating two terrifying ravines. Following that battle, grains rained from the sky, ghosts wept at night, and primordial thunder roared. For a thousand years, torrential rain filled the gorges carved by the divine swords, transforming them into the life-giving Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.

As for Xunying Peak, where the divine sword pierced the world, it became a sacred pilgrimage site for cultivators in later generations. The aura left behind by the ancient deities was still dense, and to this day, mysterious spirits and exotic plants thrived in the towering mountains. Countless cultivators had also glimpsed the Great Way on Xunying Peak, transcending tribulations and ascending to immortality.

However, for the general populace, the peak's most alluring feature remained its "Jin Chengchi."

It was an icy pool situated atop Xunying Peak, perpetually frozen.

Legend had it that Gouchen, the Supreme Palace Lord, had cut his palm to infuse his divine blood into the creation of the sword. One drop of his blood splashed onto a depression on the peak, and despite millions of years passing, the divine blood remained unfading, forming the clear Jin Chengchi, revered by generations to come.

Regardless of the truth behind the tale, the marvels of Jin Chengchi were no fiction. Despite being frozen year-round, a select few cultivators could, through the power of their spiritual cores, temporarily thaw the water. From the pool would then emerge an ancient mythical beast, bearing a weapon in its mouth, presenting it to those on land.

Xue Meng eagerly asked, "Master, what ancient mythical beast emerged when you claimed the Divine Weapon?"

Chu Wanning replied, "Kunpeng."

Upon hearing this, excitement flickered in Xue Meng's eyes. "Fantastic! I'll get to see Kunpeng!"

Mo Ran taunted, "Let's wait until you manage to thaw that lake first."

"What do you mean? Do you think I can't melt Jin Cheng Lake?"

Mo Ran chuckled. "Oh, don't be angry. I didn't say that."

Chu Wanning replied, "The creature that retrieves a weapon from the lake doesn't have to be a Kunpeng. It's said that there are over a hundred divine beasts residing in Jin Cheng Lake, guarding the spirit of divine weapons. As long as one of them takes a liking to you, it will fetch a weapon it can obtain and present it to someone on land. Moreover, these divine beasts have different personalities and might make various demands. If you fail to fulfill them, they'll carry the weapon back to the bottom of the lake."

Xue Meng was surprised. "Is that so? Master, what did the Kunpeng ask of you?"

Chu Wanning said, "It said it wanted to eat a meat bun."

The three disciples were momentarily stunned before they burst into laughter. Xue Meng cackled, "I was so scared for a moment. I thought it was something difficult."

Chu Wanning also smiled faintly. "I just got lucky. These divine beasts have peculiar requests, all sorts of things. I've heard of someone who summoned a Xi Mouse. That little rat asked the person to marry its wife, but the person refused. The Xi Mouse then carried the weapon back to the lake, and the person never had another chance to obtain the divine weapon."

Shi Mo murmured, "That's too bad..."

Chu Wanning glanced at him. "Why is it a pity? I respect him for being a gentleman."

Shi Mo hurriedly explained, "Master, you misunderstood. I didn't mean it that way. A wife cannot be exchanged for any weapon, no matter how powerful. I just feel sorry that he missed the opportunity to wield such a divine weapon."

Chu Wanning replied, "This is merely a legend, and unfortunately, I have never had the chance to meet such a person. Many years ago at Jin Cheng Lake, I witnessed firsthand the terror of human hearts, sullying my eyes."

He paused, as if recalling something, and a faint shadow appeared in his brows.

"Enough, let's not dwell on it. For thousands of years, who knows how many steadfast hearts have been tested by the shores of Jin Cheng Lake, or how much of the world's coldness has been revealed. How many people could abandon the opportunity to become an Immortal Venerated before the divine weapons...? Huh."

Chu Wanning laughed coldly, his expression gradually turning indifferent, as if something in his memory had triggered a sensitive nerve. His lips pressed together tightly, and he fell silent. His sword-like brows knitted slightly, revealing a hint of disgust in his expression.

"Master, they say that the divine weapons of Jin Cheng Lake have their own temperaments. Were you comfortable using it from the start?" Seeing that Chu Wanning was displeased, Xue Meng changed the subject and asked.

Chu Wanning lifted his eyelids nonchalantly, "I possess three divine weapons. Which one do you refer to?"

Author's Note: I received a drawing of little Wanning from Qingqiu's darling! So cute, I'm bleeding from adorableness! Happy!

At the end, there's a picture attached! However, mobile users might not be able to see it, so you can check out the Weibo account "Called Qingqiu"! I've also re-posted it on my Weibo. Muah~ Like a meat bun fueled by adrenaline! Thank you, dear!

Today's short play revolves around Mr. White Cat's last line, "I possess three divine weapons. Which one do you refer to?", with various adapted versions!

If this were a campus story:

Discipline Committee Member Xue Mengmeng: "Monitor Chu! I don't know how to correct this question T_T I remember you got full marks. Can I take a look at your paper?"

Monitor Chu Wanning lifted his eyelids slightly and said coolly, "I have three perfect-score papers. Which one do you mean?"

If this were a CEO novel:

Young Master Xue Mengmeng: "President Chu, my dad asked me to deliver this congratulatory gift to your beachside villa. Could you give me the address, please?"

Overbearing President Chu Wanning lifted his eyelids nonchalantly, "I have three beachside villas. Which one do you refer to?"

If this were a harem romance novel (Hey, hey, hey!):

Prince Xue Mengmeng: "Uncle King Chu qaq, your...your world-renowned queen. She, she, she bullied me! She scratched me with her nails when you weren't around!"

Playful Prince Chu Wanning lifted his eyelids slightly and replied calmly, "Oh? This king has three world-renowned queens. Which one did you mean?"

If this were the News Broadcast: (...)

CCGV reporter Xue Mengmeng asked, "Secretary Chu, under your governance, H City has seen remarkable improvements in its urban landscape and residents' well-being. The amount of sewage discharge has significantly decreased, and traffic congestion has been visibly alleviated. At the post-20th Congress commendation ceremony, Mayor Mo specifically praised your work, expressed his gratitude, and on behalf of the H City government, awarded you the 'Knight of Touching Fudom Medal.' Could you show us your medal?"

Party Secretary Chu Wanning lifted his eyelids slightly and said nonchalantly, "Comrade, I have three 'Knight of Touching Fudom Medals.' Which one do you mean?"

If this were...

Chu Wanning exclaimed, "F*ck! I quit!! Are you done playing? They haven't even fed me my lunch today!"

Meat Bun: "....Just one more, the last one."

If this were a food-themed novel.

Foodie Xue Mengmeng said, "Boss, boss! I heard your buns were featured on A Bite of China! They were even nominated by Judge Kunpeng as the 'Conscience Meat Buns That Move the Giant Birds' at the 69th Jin Chengchi Culinary Competition! Boss, could you tell me what filling is inside? How much does a steamer cost? Can I have one?"

Chu Wanning replied, "Human flesh, thirty thousand, not for sale."

Meat Bun: "....Hey, you should follow the script..."

Chu Wanning lifted his eyelids again, calmly saying, "I have scripts for campus romance, CEO dramas, harem stories, and CCJV. Which one do you refer to?"

Meat Bun: "..............."

Attached image of Little Wanning!