The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 52: It Seems Like This Seat Didn't Make an Appearance

Xue Zhengyong was practicing swordsmanship on the northern peak when a cherry blossom suddenly drifted down from the sky. He exclaimed, "Huh?" as he wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and caught the flower, muttering to himself, "A message from Yu Heng? Can't he come and say it himself if he has something to convey? When did he become so lazy?"

Despite his words, Xue Zhengyong plucked the golden thread from the cherry blossom's pistil and placed it in his ear.

From within came the unfamiliar voice of a child, "Master, please come to the Red Lotus Water Pavilion as soon as you have time..."

Xue Zhengyong didn't believe it at first, but when he landed in front of Chu Wanning's residence on his flying sword, he was completely dumbfounded.

By the lotus pond, a child of around five or six stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing gloomily at the sky-reaching lotus leaves. Seen from the side, his face was as pale as frost and his eyes as deep as black ice. He wore Chu Wanning's robe, but it was far too large for him, with the sleeves and hem dragging on the ground, making him resemble a pool fish sporting an elegant, trailing tail.

Xue Zhengyong: "..."

The child turned back, wearing a face that dared anyone to laugh, ready to take offense at the slightest mirth.

Xue Zhengyong: "Hahaha! Hoohoo! Hahahaha!!"

The child slammed the table in anger and declared, "What are you laughing at? Is there anything so amusing?"

"I'm not laughing at you — ahahaha, oh no, I can't take it anymore, Yu Heng, I told you to go see Elder Ta Lang and examine the wound carefully, but you wouldn't listen, hahaha, this is too hilarious." Xue Zhengyong held his belly, roaring with laughter. "I've never, I've never seen such a murderous child before, ahahaha."

This child was none other than Chu Wanning, who had woken up to find himself shrunk. The vine that Jin Chengchi had pierced through his shoulder and back carried some unknown spell, causing him to revert to the appearance and physique of a five- or six-year-old. Fortunately, his magical powers hadn't regressed; otherwise, Chu Wanning would have felt like he could truly die.

As Xue Zhengyong laughed, he fetched a disciple's robe for him.

After Chu Wanning changed into it, he didn't look quite as ridiculous. He straightened the blue gloves with silver trim and glared at Xue Zhengyong before fiercely declaring, "If you dare speak a word about this, I'll kill you."

Xue Zhengyong chuckled. "I won't say anything, I promise. But what are we going to do about this? I don't know any medical techniques; we have to get someone to take a look, right? Should I invite Elder Ta Lang over...?"

Chu Wanning angrily swept his sleeve, only to discover that the disciple's robe had narrow, tight cuffs, which made his gesture seem powerless. This only added to his annoyance. "Why invite him? To make fun of me?"

"How about I ask my wife to take a look?"

Chu Wanning pursed his lips and didn't respond, looking strangely aggrieved.

"Are you not speaking because you agree?"

Chu Wanning turned away, presenting the back of his head to Xue Zhengyong. Xue Zhengyong knew that the young man was upset, but the bizarre sight was too comical. After holding back for a moment, he couldn't resist bursting out in laughter again.

With a swoosh, the Heavenly Inquiry was summoned as Chu Wanning glared sidelong and sternly said, "Laugh again!"

"I won't laugh anymore, I promise. I'll go get my wife right away, ahahaha."

Xue Zhengyong dashed off quickly. Before long, he returned with a worried Madame Wang in tow. Upon seeing Chu Wanning, she was stunned, taking a long while before she could utter in disbelief,

"Senior Elder Yu Heng..."

Chu Wanning: "..."

Fortunately, compared to Xue Zhengyong, Madame Wang was genuinely compassionate as a healer. She didn't mock Chu Wanning but instead examined him carefully, then spoke softly,

"The elder's spiritual energy flows smoothly, and there seems to be nothing unusual about his physical condition. Apart from turning into a child, he appears no different from before."

Chu Wanning asked, "Does Madame know of any way to reverse this?"

Madame Wang shook her head and replied, "The injury Senior Elder sustained was caused by an ancient willow vine. There may not be another case like it in the world. Thus, I'm unsure how to approach this situation."

Chu Wanning's eyelashes fluttered down, casting a veil over his eyes. He was silent for a moment, seemingly dazed.

Madame Wang, witnessing this, couldn't bear it and quickly interjected, "Elder Yu Heng, from my perspective, your current state is likely due to the restorative sap from the vine tree infiltrating your wound, not a malevolent curse. Otherwise, it would have taken effect earlier. I suppose that the trace amount of sap was insignificant, but because you've been overly preoccupied lately, it has influenced your body's balance. Why don't you take some time to properly recuperate and see how things develop?"

After a moment of silence, Chu Wanning sighed and said, "That seems to be our only option. Thank you, Madame."

"There's no need to be formal."

Madame Wang scrutinized him carefully before continuing, "With Elder's current appearance, unless someone knew you well, they wouldn't be able to tell."

She had a point. Chu Wanning had long forgotten what he looked like at five or six, but gazing at his reflection in the lake, apart from some facial features, he didn't resemble his adult self much. Relieved, he looked up at Xue Zhengyong and said,

"Lord, I'll be secluding myself in the Red Lotus Water Pavilion for a few days. Please look after Xue Meng and the others for me."

"What are you saying? Meng-er is my son, Rang-er is my nephew, and Shi Mo is a disciple of Cliffs of Life and Death. Of course, I will take care of them," Xue Zhengyong chuckled. "You should focus more on yourself."

Despite meditating and cultivating for three consecutive days, Chu Wanning's body remained unchanged, causing his worry to deepen. He was far from the "proper recuperation" that Madame Wang had suggested.

At dusk, Chu Wanning, unable to tolerate his restlessness any longer, descended the southern peak. Seeking solace, he strolled around the mountain trails and pavilions, where disciples gathered in small groups between dinner and evening studies. No one paid much attention to him. After wandering for a while, Chu Wanning found himself near a bamboo grove close to the Stage of Good and Evil.

Each elder had their preferred training ground, often practicing with their disciples in a fixed location. Chu Wanning was accustomed to this bamboo forest.

Amidst the rustling of bamboo leaves and their myriad whispers, he plucked a leaf and pressed it to his lips, softly blowing a melody that soothed his thoughts. But before long, footsteps approached, stopping nearby.

"Hey, kid."

Chu Wanning opened his eyes.

Xue Meng stood tall and proud amidst the lush forest, holding his gleaming sword, Longcheng, as he spoke to him.

"I'm going to practice my sword here. Go somewhere else to blow your leaf."

"..." Chu Wanning's brows rose slightly. It was an odd feeling, Xue Meng actually ordering him around. After a moment's thought, he replied, "I'll play my leaf, you'll practice your sword. No interference."

Xue Meng said, "How can that be? Scram, scram. My blade might hurt you."

"You won't hurt me."

Xue Meng grew impatient, tsking. "Consider yourself warned. If you get injured later, don't come crying to me." With that, he drew his sword, and Longcheng let out a resonant roar, like a serpent rising from the depths, soaring through the clouds with a piercing cry.

In an instant, the forest was bathed in shifting light and shadows as sword qi arched like rainbows. Amidst the fluttering bamboo leaves, Xue Meng performed Longcheng Dance, leaving behind a fleeting trail of afterimages. With each slash, a bamboo leaf fragmented into ten pieces, and with every strike, the bamboo stalks remained upright while the leaves scattered. Each point, stab, slash, and horizontal cut was executed with grace, resembling the swirling snowflakes in a gentle breeze.

Such sharp and agile swordsmanship would have impressed not only a five-year-old child but also a fifty-year-old master cultivator.

However, upon completing his dance, the boy sitting on the stone continued to play his leaf unperturbed, seemingly unaffected by the display and unimpressed.

Feeling slighted, Xue Meng sheathed his blade and leaped down from the bamboo grove, landing softly in front of Chu Wanning.

"Boy."

"..."

"Hey, boy, I'm talking to you."

Chu Wanning put down the leaf, slowly opening his eyes to look at him expressionlessly. "What? Didn't your master teach you to be polite when speaking to others? Don't just address people as 'hey.' I have a name."

"I don't care what your name is," Xue Meng replied, initially intending to speak calmly but losing his temper at the boy's sarcastic tone. "Get out of the way. You saw how my blade moves blindly. Watch out or I might accidentally slice off your head."

Chu Wanning said nonchalantly, "If you can't even avoid my head, what's the point of your practice?"

"You!" Xue Meng had never been talked back to like this in his entire life, let alone by a junior disciple who barely reached his thigh. He was both embarrassed and enraged. "How dare you speak to me so disrespectfully? Do you even know who I am?"

Chu Wanning glanced at him nonchalantly. "Who are you?"

"… I'm the young master of Death and Life Peak," Xue Meng was almost suffocating. "You don't even know that?"

Chu Wanning smiled slightly. That smile would have appeared mocking on his original face, but on his current youthful and adorable countenance, it bordered on ridicule.

"It's just 'young master', not 'sovereign'. Why should it matter?"

"What did you say, you, you, you?"

"Put aside your pride and concentrate on practicing your swordplay."

Chu Wanning finished his statement and lowered his long eyelashes, gently blowing on the bamboo leaf, producing a serene melody that danced like dandelion fluff in the wind.

Xue Meng was truly furious. He let out an exasperated cry and, much to his own surprise, found himself competing with a child. However, no matter how angry he was, he refused to hit a child. Instead, he leaped into the air, slicing through the trees with swift and fierce strokes. In the midst of the tranquil melody, his violent and perilous sword technique left a trail of broken branches.

His blade was swift and ruthless; as it flashed, the tips of dozens of green bamboo shoots were turned into blunt spikes. If these were aimed at an enemy, they would have been razor-sharp needles capable of severing hair. But for disciplining his junior disciple, he held back, stopping just short of causing harm.

Hundreds of blunt spikes rained down upon Chu Wanning, seemingly about to strike him. Xue Meng dashed forward, ready to use his agility to whisk the naive young disciple away from harm.

He didn't actually intend to injure the child; he only wanted to scare him. But as he leaped into action, the boy ceased his flute-playing and flicked the tender green bamboo leaf between his fingers. The thin leaf instantly shattered into a hundred delicate threads at his touch.

In an instant, those hundred threads precisely intercepted the descending spikes.

The air seemed to freeze.

Chu Wanning stood up, and in that moment, the hundred spikes around him turned to dust.

Annihilated!

Xue Meng was stunned, standing rooted to the spot with alternating flushes of red and blue on his face, unable to utter a single word.

The child lifted his fluttering eyelashes, his silver-blue disciple's robe billowing in the breeze. He smiled at Xue Meng. "Want to try again?"

Xue Meng: "…"

"Your blade is fierce but lacks discipline. You're too impetuous."

Xue Meng opened his mouth but then closed it again.

Chu Wanning said, "Let's start again from the Spirit Crane Form. Follow my melody and dance through it once more. After I finish a section of the flute, you complete a move. Don't rush."

Feeling instructed by a child, Xue Meng's expression soured even more. He bit his lip, staying still. Chu Wanning didn't urge him, instead waiting patiently to see if Xue Meng would humble himself for cultivation, willing to listen to a young adolescent's advice.

After a moment, Xue Meng suddenly stomped his foot in frustration, threw away his sword, and turned to leave.

Seeing him storm off in a huff, Chu Wanning's expression darkened slightly. He thought to himself that it was truly regrettable that Xue Meng was so unwilling to receive guidance...

But before he could finish his thought, he saw Xue Meng pick up a stick from the ground and turn back, his tone sour. "W-Well, I'll use this stick then, just in case I hit you."

Chu Wanning paused, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He nodded. "Alright."

Xue Meng plucked a bamboo leaf, cleaned it, and handed it to him. "Here, little brother, take this."

So now he was "little brother"?

Chu Wanning found it amusing and gave Xue Meng a glance before taking the leaf. He sat back on the rock and began to play slowly. Xue Meng was impulsive, and there was a part in the saber technique where he needed to leap into the air, turn around, and strike six times in quick succession, followed by a powerful slash. However, Xue Meng always struggled with timing, often stabbing over ten times before delivering the slash, which was already too late.

For five or six consecutive attempts, Xue Meng failed to execute the moves correctly, causing his anxiety to grow, creasing his brows even tighter.

Just as he was getting frustrated, he glanced sideways and caught sight of the child sitting on a stone, blowing on a bamboo leaf. Despite the child's young age, he appeared calm and composed, without a hint of complaint. Xue Meng couldn't help but feel ashamed.

Determined, he rallied his spirits and practiced several more times. Gradually, he began to find the rhythm within the music. Xue Meng didn't let this newfound success go to his head, continuing to leap and slash with his blade. As the bright moon hung high in the sky, indicating it was late at night, he finally managed to perform the entire sequence of sword techniques flawlessly.

Beads of sweat gathered between Xue Meng's dark brows. He wiped them away with a handkerchief, beaming with delight. "I owe you big time today, little brother. Which elder is your master? You're so talented, how come I've never heard of you before?"

Chu Wanning had anticipated this. With Elder Xuan Ji having numerous disciples, even he might not remember all of them. Smiling slightly, he tucked the bamboo leaf away. "I'm a disciple under Elder Xuan Ji."

Xue Meng seemed to hold little regard for Elder Xuan Ji, scoffing. "Oh, that Trash King."

"Trash King?"

"Ahh, my apologies." Misinterpreting the surprise in Chu Wanning's eyes, Xue Meng assumed it was due to his disrespect towards the child's master, which had upset him.

He chuckled and explained, "It's just an informal nickname. Your master takes in so many disciples, accepting anyone who comes along. 'Trash' refers to those without any innate talent, not a reflection on Elder Xuan Ji himself. Don't take offense, little brother."

Chu Wanning: "...Do you often give elders nicknames behind their backs?"

Author's Note:

Xue Meng: Today I encountered a child, quite talented, but something just didn't feel right about him.

Xue Zhengyong: (feeling a sudden anxiety) What was off about him?

Xue Meng: The way he looked at me was off.

Xue Zhengyong: ...Maybe you provoked him... It's normal for someone to notice you...

Xue Meng (angrily flipping the table) No! There wasn't any admiration in his gaze! Do you know how it feels to be looked down upon by a child barely a meter tall in terms of aura?

Xue Zhengyong: .........................