The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 54: Snatching Desserts to Eat

"Shifu?" Xue Meng's expression instantly became more solemn. "He's the only one without a nickname. No one on the Peak of Life and Death dares to joke about him."

"Nonsense. That's just because they all know you have a crush on Shifu, so they don't tell you the truth." Mo Ran rolled his eyes and pulled Chu Wanning closer, whispering loudly, "Don't listen to him. Let me tell you, Elder Yu Heng has the most nicknames on the entire Peak of Life and Death."

"Oh, really?" Chu Wanning raised his eyebrows slightly, appearing intrigued. "Like what?"

"Well, for example, some people, out of politeness, might call him White Longevity."

"…Why is that?"

"Because he wears white clothes all day long."

"…Anything else?"

"Little White Cabbage."

"…Why is he called that?"

"Simply because he wears white clothes all day long."

"And what else?"

"Majestic Steamed Bun."

"Why?"

"Simply because he wears white clothes all day long."

"And what else?"

"Little Widow."

Chu Wanning: "???"

"Do you know why?" Oblivious to the fleeting hint of lethal intent that flashed across Chu Wanning's eyes, Mo Ran chuckled foolishly, "It's because he wears white clothes all day long."

"..."

If not for Chu Wanning's exceptional composure, he might have lost control: "Is there... more?"

"Ouch." Mo Ran glanced at Xue Meng's expression and whispered, "If I continue, I suspect my cousin might try to use the bottom of the pot as a hat for me."

Xue Meng slammed the table, his teeth gritted in fury. "How dare they! Who gave them permission to slander our Master like this? Talking about 'white cabbages' and 'big buns,' even mentioning a 'young widow'? Have they grown tired of living?"

"Ahh," Mo Ran chuckled, "and this upsets you? You should hear what some of the female disciples call their Master – it's incredibly cloying."

Xue Meng's eyes widened. "What did they say?"

Mo Ran said nonchalantly, "What else can I say? Girls tend to speak in poetic language, mentioning delicate apricot moons, pure snow in spring, Lining Chu's elegance, or West Lake lotus blossoms. My heavens."

Chu Wanning: "..."

Xue Meng: "..."

"That's still mild compared to someone like Elder Greedy Wolf. With his average looks and terrible temper, his nickname is much more unpleasant."

Elder Greedy Wolf was one of the twenty elders with whom Chu Wanning had the worst relationship. Chu Wanning asked, "What's his real name?"

"Pickled mustard greens or snow cabbage, due to their darkness," Mo Ran explained with a smile. "Mengmeng, don't make that face. You're included too."

Xue Meng seemed to have swallowed an egg whole. "What? I am?"

"That's right," Mo Ran chuckled.

Xue Meng appeared nonchalant, clearing his throat before asking, "Then what do they call me?"

"Bingbing."

"…How is that so?"

"What explanation is needed for something like that? Isn't it obvious?" Mo Ran shrugged his shoulders as he spoke these words, and finally couldn't hold back, slapping the table and bursting into laughter. "It's a peacock spreading its feathers, hahaha—"

Xue Meng leaped to his feet, fury igniting his words. "Mo Ran! I'll kill you!"

Having eaten their fill and quenched their thirst, the trio returned to Summit of All Ends well into the Hour of the Ox. Chu Wanning first allowed his two foolish apprentices to escort him to the domain under the jurisdiction of Elder Xuan Ji, bidding them farewell there. Before parting, Xue Meng proposed they meet again in the bamboo grove the following day, but Chu Wanning, uncertain when he might revert to his former self, dared not commit. Instead, he said he would come if time permitted.

Only when his disciples were out of sight did he spring up with light footwork, stepping on the roof tiles and eaves as he made his way back to the Red Lotus Water Pavilion.

The next morning, Chu Wanning woke up to find himself still in his child's body, feeling utterly frustrated.

With a stern expression, he stood on a stool and glared at his reflection in the copper mirror for a long while, losing all motivation to even properly comb his hair. After much contemplation, he realized that he couldn't continue like this. Thus, he went to seek Xue Zhengyong.

"Wait, what? You met Meng'er and Yan'er yesterday?"

"Yes, I claimed to be an apprentice of Xuan Ji, and they didn't suspect a thing," Chu Wanning replied. "If Xue Meng comes to ask you about it, remember to cover for me. Putting that aside, I've been cultivating for over ten days, but there hasn't been any improvement. I can't keep going like this. I'll have to visit Tai Lang and see what he thinks."

"Huh, our Yu Heng is usually so shy, but today he's not afraid of losing face?"

Chu Wanning cast him a cold glance, but such a gaze, when coming from a child, appeared vastly less intimidating and instead resembled a child throwing a tantrum.

As a child, he was charming and adorable, which made Xue Zhengyong unable to resist the urge to touch Chu Wanning's head affectionately.

Chu Wanning suddenly said, "Master, when my body recovers, could you ask the Washed Silk Pavilion to make me a garment of the Peak of Life and Death? But not in white."

Xue Zhengyong was utterly stunned. "Aren't you not fond of wearing light armor?"

"Occasionally, a change of appearance is in order." Chu Wanning said with a darkened face before striding away.

Despite his animosity towards Chu Wanning, Elder Greedy Wolf had to restrain himself in the presence of the Venerated Lord. Thus, he didn't mock Chu Wanning directly, but instead conveyed his ridicule through his eyes.

Chu Wanning lifted his gaze, his expression unreadable as he looked at Elder Greedy Wolf.

The elder's eyes gleamed, as if fireworks were bursting inside them.

Chu Wanning: "..."

"Madame Wang's diagnosis was generally accurate," Elder Greedy Wolf said after finishing his pulse diagnosis. He released Chu Wanning's wrist, who promptly pulled it away and lowered his sleeve.

"Why hasn't there been any recovery after ten days?"

Greedy Wolf replied, "The sap from the ancient divine tree may be a small amount, but its effects are potent. It seems that you'll need quite some time to recover."

Chu Wanning casually asked, "How long?"

Greedy Wolf answered, "I'm not certain, but perhaps around a decade."

Chu Wanning's eyes widened momentarily. Though Elder Greedy Wolf was still trying to maintain his composure, the smirk of schadenfreude in his eyes was barely contained. "Yes, you might need a decade to regain your original appearance."

Chu Wanning stared at him intently before stating in a grim voice, "Are you deceiving me?"

"Hardly, hardly," Greed grinned. "You're Elder Yu Heng, after all. I don't see anything wrong with this. It's just your body shrinking and your mind slightly regressing, but the difference is negligible. Besides, your magical powers are still intact. Why rush to recover?"

Chu Wanning's face turned ashen, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Greed continued, "But during these ten years, you won't always appear as a child. The fluid's movement is intertwined with your spiritual energy. If you abstain from using any spells for three to five months, you'll return to your original form."

Xue Zhengyong's eyes lit up. It seemed like there was hope after all.

However, Greed smiled faintly again and said, "Why is Lord so anxious? I haven't finished speaking. Even after Elder Yu Heng recovers, he mustn't use too many spells. Once his spiritual energy is significantly depleted, the fluid will take over again, reverting him to a child."

"How much is 'too much'?" Xue Zhengyong demanded.

"Well, the tree sap has permeated his entire body," Greed explained. "No more than two spells per day."

Chu Wanning's voice was as cold and hard as steel. "The Ghost Realm's barrier often has gaps, and forging spirit armors requires magic. If I'm limited to two spells a day, wouldn't that render me useless?"

"I can't help you then," Greed replied sardonically. "After all, if the Celestial Ruler of the Northern Dipper were to disappear from the human realm, the sun might not rise tomorrow."

Xue Zhengyong interjected anxiously, "Tlang, don't just make sarcastic remarks. Your medical skills are among the best in the entire cultivation world; you must think of a solution. Although Yu Heng's powers remain unaffected, he's still in a child's body and won't be as capable as before. Besides, if other sects learn about his injury at Jin Chengchi's hands, who knows what malicious schemes they might cook up. Ten years is far too long. Can you find any potent medicine that could...?"

Elder Tlang interrupted him with a mocking tone, "Your Excellency, the Divine Immortal of the Northern Dipper was contaminated by the sap of an ancient divine tree, not some ordinary poison. Do you honestly expect me to come up with a solution on the spot?"

Xue Zhengyong: "..."

"Tang, I'm going to start alchemy," Tlang said leisurely. "Both of you should leave now."

Xue Zhengyong: "Tlang!" He wanted to say more, but Chu Wanning tugged on his sleeve and said, "Your Excellency, let's go."

As the two reached the door, Tlang's voice echoed from behind them.

"Chu Wanning, if you were to humbly beg me, I might consider preparing the medicine for you. Although I've never encountered a situation like yours, it doesn't mean there's no solution. Think about it."

"..." Chu Wanning turned back. "What would you consider humble begging?"

Leaning casually against the couch, Tlang was lazily organizing a silver needle cushion on the table. Lifting his eyes slightly, a hint of mockery flashed across his gaze. "When others are desperate, they kneel and plead for help. Since we were colleagues, I'll spare you the kneeling. Just get down on your knees and say a few flattering words, and I'll assist you."

Chu Wanning remained silent, gazing at him coldly.

After a moment, he said, "Winter-pickled vegetables, I suppose you're still half-asleep."

With that, he swept his sleeves and left, leaving Greedy Wolf sitting there in a daze, unable to comprehend the meaning behind winter-pickled vegetables.

Days passed slowly. Elder Yu Heng announced that he was in seclusion, but in reality, he was trapped within the body of a child. The matter was eventually discovered by Xue Zhengyong, Madame Wang, and Elder Greedy Wolf. To avoid suspicion, Elder Xuan Ji also learned of this peculiar situation.

Several months flew by swiftly. With the Red Lotus Water Pavilion closed to visitors for so long, Xue Meng and the others grew worried.

"Our Master has been in seclusion for over seventy days. Why hasn't he come out yet?"

"Perhaps his spiritual power is advancing," Shi Mo sipped at the Spirit Mountain rainwater in his teacup, gazing at the dark clouds outside the window. "It's going to snow soon, and we'll soon be in Minor Cold. I wonder if our Master will emerge before New Year's Eve."

Mo Ran, lazily flipping through a sword manual, commented, "I doubt it. He used a peach blossom to send us a message a few days ago, didn't he? Saying there's still more time to go. I think it's quite uncertain."

That day happened to be a leisure day on the Peak of Life and Death, with the disciples free from their usual practice. Mo Ran, Xue Meng, and Shi Mo gathered to brew tea and wine. Half-drawn bamboo curtains and light drapes in the small courtyard pavilion allowed a hazy mist to seep through.

Recently, a young disciple of Elder Xuan Ji named Xia Sini had started spending more time with them.

Ever since he met Xue Meng that day, Xue Meng would often invite him over to train and play together. As time went by, Xia Sini became inseparable from the trio.

Originally, Yu Heng's three disciples had inexplicably gained a younger sibling.

At that moment, Chu Wanning, now going by the alias Xia Sini, was sitting at a table, enjoying pastries. Although his eating manner was refined, his pace was anything but slow.

Xue Meng glanced over inadvertently and paused, his gaze then returning to the plate, astonished. "Wow, little junior brother, who did you inherit your appetite from?"

Chu Wanning slowly chewed on a osmanthus cake, savoring its deliciousness. He didn't bother responding to Xue Meng; after all, someone was competing with him for food.

Both Mo Ran's hand and Chu Wanning's reached for the last lotus cream pastry at the same time. Their eyes met, sparks flying between them.

Chu Wanning: "Let go."

Mo Ran: "I won't."

"Release it."

"You've had eight already. This one is mine."

"I'll give you anything else, but not the lotus cream pastry."

Mo Ran glared at the youngster for a moment before pulling out his ultimate weapon: "Junior Brother, if you eat too much sweet stuff, you'll get cavities."

"Calm down," Chu Wanning replied coolly. "I'm only six. It's not embarrassing."

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

With a slap, Xue Meng complained as he struck: "Mo Weiyu, how annoying can you be? You're already so old, yet you still compete with Junior Brother for food."

While Mo Ran yelped and clutched his head, Chu Wanning, expressionless but quick-eyed, seized the lotus cream pastry and took a contented, small bite.

"Junior Brother!!!”

Chu Wanning ignored him, focusing intently on savoring his dessert.

Amidst their lively chatter, a shrill whistle suddenly pierced through the heavens, echoing throughout the summit of Life and Death Peak. Chu Wanning's expression darkened slightly. "A signal?"

Xue Meng lifted the half-curtain and peered out the window. The disciples walking outside also stopped to look, all showing rather surprised expressions.

Upon the sounding of the assembly whistle, all disciples of Death's Peak must assemble in the plaza outside the Inkbrush Hall. This signal indicates an urgent matter, and it is only blown when there is a critical situation at hand. Before Chu Wanning joined the sect, this whistle often sounded when the barrier between the human and ghost realms was compromised. However, since Chu Wanning's arrival, the assembly whistle has not been heard for quite some time.

Shi Mo laid aside his book and walked over to Xue Meng's side. "How strange, what could be so urgent?"

"I have no idea. Let's go take a look first."

Only Mo Ran remained silent, pressing his lips together. His eyelashes fell, hiding the hint of unease in his eyes. He knew what this whistle signified, but the timing didn't match his expectations – he hadn't thought it would come so soon...

The four arrived at the Peak of Life and Death, where the other disciples were also gradually assembling. Soon, all the elders and disciples gathered in the enormous Heart Pill Square.

When everyone was present, Xue Zhengyong emerged from the tightly-shuttered Heart Pill Hall, standing before the jade railings. Below him were tiered steps of green stone. Following him were six striking women. Each had a unique beauty, whether charming or aloof, and they stood gracefully against the wind, clad only in thin veils despite the chill. At a glance, their red dresses were like a rosy dawn, their eyes ablaze like flames, with silk ribbons fluttering around them. A flame-like mark adorned each of their foreheads.

Xue Meng was immediately stunned.

He wasn't the only one; nearly everyone present had a dramatic change in expression upon seeing these six women.

After a long moment, Xue Meng stammered, his voice trembling, "Feathered Folk Ambassadors... They, they're from the Vermilion Bird Paradise?"

Author's Note:

Mini-drama: How to Make You Happy

A new initiate on the Summit of Life and Death, Apprentice A, aspired to become a disciple under Chu Wanning. However, he heard that the elder was very strict, so he decided to seek advice from three senior disciples.

Apprentice A: Hi, Young Master! I'm Apprentice A! Can you tell me how to please Elder Yu Heng?

Xue Meng: First, you must be disciplined, waking up with the morning bell and retiring at dusk with the drum, working diligently. Then, you must endure hardships without changing your determination. Lastly, you need to be resilient; if Master strikes your left cheek, offer him your right one too. If he wants to saw off your left leg, remember to extend your right one willingly.

Apprentice A felt hopeless and turned to Shi Mingjing for help.

Shi Mo: Want to make Master happy? It's simple. Just remember he prefers pear blossom white wine with his fish, especially Jianglu fish soup and precisely three fish balls. Ten bowls of fermented rice wine won't be too much, and in winter, he likes to steep tea, with plenty of rose petals. For grilled meat, cumin is a must, but no chili seeds allowed...

Apprentice A: ...

He had only one hope left, Mo Weiyu.

Apprentice A: Senior Brother Mo, what they said is too long and complicated. I'm not clever enough to remember, QAQ.

Mo Ran: Oh, don't worry. My method is quite straightforward.

Apprentice A: What is it?

Mo Ran: Seduce him.

Disciple A: ...

Mo Ran: If once isn't enough, do it twice; if twice isn't enough, do it ten times...

Disciple A: I'm afraid after just one night, he'd be drowned in a pond or locked in a pig cage the next morning.

Mo Ran: ? Who said anything about letting him get out of bed the next day? Didn't you understand the frequency I meant when I said if twice isn't enough, do it ten times?

Disciple A: W, what frequency?

Mo Ran: All in one night.

Disciple A, thus, gave up on treatment.