The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 42: This Seat Is A Bit Confused

Chu Wanning said, "If it were the real God of Chou Chen, why would they only be able to control inanimate objects but not living beings? This person's power might not be bad, but it certainly cannot be compared to the First Deity."

This made sense, but Mo Ran still had doubts. "Did you realize that person was an impostor when you saw… that dead fox?"

Chu Wanning shook his head. "No."

"Then how did you figure it out..."

Chu Wanning: "Do you remember what this Chou Chen asked me when he appeared?"

Mo Ran thought for a moment. "He seemed to ask about your weapon, didn't he?"

"Correct," Chu Wanning replied. "My divine weapon aura hadn't subsided, so with just a little perception, one could detect it. But as the Master of All Weapons, he should have immediately realized I had two Jin Chengchis on me, not just one. I had my suspicions then, but since it concerned the quest for the sword, it wasn't appropriate to say anything. So I remained vigilant and didn't fall for his tricks."

"But…" Mo Ran said, "if he isn't the God of Chou Chen, how could he forge divine weapons?"

"Firstly, the legend of Chou Chen forging swords is just a rumor. No one truly knows why there are so many weapons at the bottom of the lake. Therefore, the divine weapons may not have been made by Chou Chen. Secondly, he merely presented you with existing weapons from the divine arsenal to choose from. Nobody knows if those items truly belonged to him. Moreover, I examined Xue Meng and Shi Mo's weapons closely just now — both of them were fakes."

Mo Ran was startled upon hearing this. "A fake?"

"Mm-hmm."

"..." Mo Ran was momentarily stunned before he realized the implications. "Then, damn it...?"

Chu Wanning said, "Damn it is true. But his goal wasn't just to give you the weapon."

"What did he want then?" Mo Ran asked, casting a disgusted glance at the bizarre fox corpse lying on the stone bed. "First, he went through great lengths to trap us in this secret chamber, and then he put this thing here to disgust us. What's the point?"

Chu Wanning replied, "The point is you."

"Huh?"

"Earlier, you were only half-right. That Gouchen didn't go through all that trouble to trap us. In the end, he wanted you."

"What does he want with me?" Mo Ran chuckled dryly. "I'm just a fool, after all."

Chu Wanning said, "I've never seen a fool cultivate a Spirit Companion within a year."

Mo Ran was about to say more when he seemed to realize something, and abruptly froze.

—Was Chu Wanning… praising him?

This realization caused his heartbeat to race, and he widened his eyes, staring at Chu Wanning. After a moment, he blinked slowly. His usually unyielding thick-skinned facade flushed slightly.

But Chu Wanning wasn't looking at him; instead, he was lost in thought. "Furthermore, it seems that Heavenly Questions and See Ghosts have some connection with the willow tree in the courtyard. I've read in ancient texts that when Gouchen Palace Lord descended to Earth, he brought three segments of willow branches from the Heavenly Court. However, those texts have been lost, so I've never known what Gouchen did with those divine willow branches."

He paused before continuing, "But if the rumors are true, perhaps Heavenly Questions, See Ghosts, and the old tree in the courtyard are those three segments. Two became divine weapons, while one was cast into the bottom of Jin Cheng Lake, becoming a powerful guardian of Gouchen's Armory."

Mo Ran asked, "But how does this involve me?"

Chu Wanning shook his head. "How is it not related? You awakened See Ghosts."

Mo Ran sighed. "I told you, it really was See Ghosts!"

"I speculate that what he ultimately desires is somehow connected to the willow tree in the courtyard. But based on what we know now, I can only infer this much. I can't think of anything more for the time being."

Although most of these were Chu Wanning's speculations, Mo Ran believed that with Chu Wanning's intelligence, his assumptions would likely be close to the truth.

As he pondered these thoughts, he hurried through the dimly lit underwater passageway. After navigating numerous twists and turns, they finally reached the exit. Seizing an opportunity when the patrolling water serpents were not looking, they managed to escape.

The entrance to the underground chamber was located in the courtyard where the giant willow tree stood. The moment Mo Ran emerged, he was startled by the scene before him.

Four coffins were parked in front of the willow, one of them empty, while the other three contained Chu Wanning, Shi Mo, and Xue Meng.

Mo Ran exclaimed, "What’s going on?!"

Chu Wanning explained, "These are Sacrificial Coffins. See that vine attached to the edge of the coffin? The other end is connected to the giant willow. False Gouchen only needs you. After drugging us, he had the water serpents take you to the secret chamber while placing us three in these coffins. Through the Sacrificial Coffins, he can transfer the entire spiritual cultivation of those inside to the willow, just like draining blood."

Seeing Mo Ran's ashen face, Chu Wanning added, "Don't worry. Shi Mo and Xue Meng are unharmed. I pretended to be unconscious and took the opportunity to eliminate the three water serpents guarding the coffins. The three bodies you see now are actually those monsters."

Though Chu Wanning spoke casually, Mo Ran couldn't help but steal a glance at him.

How powerful were the water serpents in Jin Chengchi? To "eliminate" them without making a sound, Chu Wanning must have had to take all three down in a single blow.

How skilled was this person...

It had been far too long since Mo Ran had engaged in a fair fight with Chu Wanning. Hearing those words, he momentarily felt disoriented, as if he saw a fleeting glimpse of the breathtaking figure from his past, standing resolutely in the midst of frost and snow, his face slightly tilted, eyes sparkling like stars.

Seeing Mo Ran lost in thought, Chu Wanning asked, "What's the matter?"

Mo Ran snapped back to reality and quickly replied, "Nothing."

"..."

"It's just that I find it strange. How did Shifu turn that Jiao person into that?"

Chu Wanning sneered. "It was merely a deception, a trick that an imposter would use. Don't tell me I, as your master, wouldn't know how to create such an illusion? I left behind a decoy to avoid being discovered by those eels. It's called returning their own medicine to them."

Mo Ran: "..."

The situation was perilous, and the two of them couldn't linger for long. After a brief rest, they immediately set off again. However, when they arrived at the spot where they had arranged to meet Xue Meng and Shi Mo, they found it deserted.

Mo Ran's face paled. "Where is Shi Mo?!"

Chu Wanning's expression shifted slightly, but he didn't respond with words. Instead, he lifted his ring finger, and a layer of golden light shimmered on its tip. Before ascending Mount Shangxu, he had placed a peach blossom on each of his three disciples as a tracking device.

After a moment, Chu Wanning cursed softly and extinguished the light. "Perhaps something has happened here too. To avoid the patrolling Jiaoren, they might have already fled this residence and headed towards the market. Let's go take a look."

Both of them were highly skilled, and they quickly evaded all the patrolling Jiaoren, leaping over the towering courtyard wall and dashing towards the market that the Chen Upper Palace had shown them during the day.

In the underwater world, there should be no distinction between day and night. However, Jin Cheng Lake was unique; it could sense the rise and fall of the sun and moon. At this moment, the long night had broken, and the sun was ascending in the east.

From afar, Mo Ran saw that the Jin Chengchi morning market was already bustling with activity, crowded with people. He couldn't help but feel slightly relieved. It seemed Shi Mo and Xue Meng were safe, otherwise this place wouldn't still be so peaceful.

For some reason, Chu Wanning didn't seem to be in the best of spirits, but he didn't speak. Instead, he pulled Mo Ran over without a word.

"Master?"

"Come here."

"What's wrong?"

"Don't wander too far." There was a hint of self-reproach in Chu Wanning's voice, despite his usual stoicism. "Xue Meng and Shi Mo are already lost. I'm afraid that if I'm not careful, you'll... "

Seeing Chu Wanning's pale complexion and that he seemed to be worried about him, Mo Ran was taken aback at first. Then, for some reason, something stirred within him, and he offered comfort, "I won't get lost. Come on, Master, let's hurry and find them."

As he spoke, he walked forward and casually linked his arm with Chu Wanning's, taking his hand.

"..." Chu Wanning's fingertips seemed to tremble slightly within his palm.

But the movement was too fleeting and subtle. With Shi Mo on his mind, Mo Ran dismissed it as a mere illusion.

"Fresh fish blood buns, just out of the steamer."

"Serpent of Lianran's shed skin – excellent fabric, only three feet left. Once it's gone, you'll have to wait for my next molt."

"Squid ink, freshly squeezed this morning by this young master – perfect for your cosmetic needs. Hey, missy, don't go just yet."

The marketplace echoed with cries of merchants, and the array of fantastical sights was overwhelming.

Mo Ran tugged at Chu Wanning with a grin, but suddenly realized something amiss. He abruptly stopped, eyes widening in alarm as his blood seemed to run cold.

Something's wrong!

Something's very wrong here!

He scanned his surroundings, and indeed...

A headless ghost sat before a stall, selling combs and cosmetics, his long nails lacquered with bright red henna holding a horn comb. Resting his bloody head on his knee, he gently brushed his hair while saying, "Fine bone combs, sir, take one for yourself."

Indeed!

Exactly like this! In this bustling market, every action, every word, every expression of each person was identical to when they were brought here by the God of the Universe Chen yesterday!

Mo Ran suddenly stepped back, bumping into Chu Wanning's embrace. He immediately looked up, his voice hoarse, "Master, what is this?"

Chu Wanning seemed to have already anticipated this, but upon seeing it with his own eyes, his heart still sank. He held onto Mo Ran tightly.

"How can this be? —— What is this? An illusionary city on the sea?"

Chu Wanning shook his head but after a moment of contemplation, he slowly said, "Mo Ran, have you ever considered that Jin Chengchi is home to many strange creatures, some of which may have seen the real God of the Universe Chen. So why can't they tell the difference between the imposter?"

Mo Ran's face was ashen, a chill running down his spine, "You're right... that's true."

Chu Wanning asked, "Let me ask you, if you were pretending to be the God of the Universe Chen, lurking in Jin Chengchi, how would you make others say what you want them to say, do what you want them to do, obey your every command, and act out your play?"

Mo Ran suddenly understood.

A game of Go, exquisite and profound!

Black and white stones fall, and the world submits. No one knew better than him the power of this forbidden spell. He almost blurted it out, but catching sight of Chu Wanning's gaze, he immediately held his tongue.

How could his sixteen-year-old self possibly make such an easy connection to the three great taboo arts?

So Mo Ran said, "This is very difficult."

"No," Chu Wanning replied, "This is actually simple."

He paused, then continued, "As long as they're all dead."