The Husky and His White Cat Shizun

Chapter 91: My Master is a Supreme Being

In the grand hall, this person stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in snowy garments that billowed like clouds with sleeves reaching the ground. His demeanor seemed dignified and solemn, but a slight lift of his eyes and a subtle droop of his eyelids revealed a hint of disdain and arrogance beneath his politeness.

Li Wuxin was startled to discover that Elder Yu Heng was actually him. "Chu... Chu..."

Chu Wanning spoke calmly, "Lord Li, I hope you've been well."

"How could it be you!" Li Wuxin, who had been so eloquent just moments ago, was left speechless for a while, his face as pale as wax. "After you left Confucian Wind Sect, we heard nothing from you. We thought you were traveling the world, but who knew you would... you would throw your talents away!"

Chu Wanning chuckled coldly. "Thank you for thinking of me as a precious gem."

"..."

"Well, let's not waste time with idle chatter. Let's get to the matter at hand. I've heard that you believe I killed five hundred residents of Butterfly Town for practicing dark arts. That wasn't me, but since Lord Li has come all this way, there must have been a misunderstanding. I have important business to attend to, so I won't accompany you to Heavenly Sound Pavilion. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them here."

With that said, he dismissed the formality of standing and waved his sleeves, seating himself on the elder's bench. Each elder in Wushan Palace had their own designated seat, and Chu Wanning's was to the left of Xue Zhengyong, adorned with a finely woven bamboo mat and half-drawn bamboo curtains. Compared to the flamboyant bench next to Elder Luchen, which was filled with fresh flowers, Chu Wanning's was much too plain.

Although Chu Wanning hadn't deliberately concealed his identity over the years, his actions had been low-key, and thus the younger generation at Green Pond Manor had only heard rumors about him without truly knowing his prowess. However, Li Wuxin was different. He had been a seasoned figure in the martial world for many years and was well aware of the formidable reputation of Night Jade Yu Heng.

His fist clenched within his sleeve, and his gaze involuntarily swept towards Young Master Chang.

If it weren't for the fact that he had accepted the Chang family's vast sum of money, why would he have taken on this troublesome task? He had originally thought that Elder Yu Heng of the Peak of Life and Death was just an unknown cultivator. Who knew it would be the long-absent Chu Wanning!

If he had known it was him, no amount of benefits could have enticed him into this mess. Now, trapped between a rock and a hard place, how should he proceed?

Li Wuxin maintained a calm expression, though inwardly, he was groaning in despair.

One of his direct disciples, however, didn't understand the situation. Believing that Elder Yu Heng was being unreasonable, the disciple thought his master was at a loss for a response and, acting out of turn, spoke up: "Elder Chu, did you recently visit Butterfly Town to subdue demons?"

Chu Wanning lifted his eyelids to look at him. "Indeed."

"Then, was it you who exorcised the ghost bride?"

"You're referring to Luo Xianxian?"

"I... " The young man was at a loss for words. He only knew that the rampaging evil spirit in Butterfly Town was a ghost bride, but he didn't know any more than that. Faced with Chu Wanning's subtle question, he could not answer and could only blush, stammering, "Well, she was a female ghost! Why are you asking so many questions? She was very young, around fifteen or sixteen years old. How many wrongfully deceased brides can there be in one town?"

Chu Wanning sneered. "Butterfly Town has a custom of ghost weddings. There could be fifty, if not a hundred ghost brides. I really am unsure which one you're talking about."

"You—"

"What are you babbling about? No manners. Impudent disciple, get out of here!"

After scolding his overly assertive disciple, Li Wuxin adopted a milder expression and spoke to Chu Wanning, "Grandmaster Chu, this is my disciple's first time leaving the mountains; he doesn't understand the rules. Please don't take offense at his words. He was indeed referring to Luo Xianxian as the Ghost Bride."

Chu Wanning's brow furrowed slightly. "Luo Xianxian's vengeful spirit has run amok?"

"Yes," Li Wuxin sighed. "The female ghost lost her senses and slaughtered the entire Chen family. She then wreaked havoc in the town. By the time I led my disciples to suppress her, there were hardly any living beings left in Butterfly Town."

Chu Wanning murmured, "How could such a thing happen…?"

"I heard that Elder Yu Heng from the Summit of Life and Death was somehow involved in this matter. It seemed suspicious, so I came to inquire. Additionally, while in Butterfly Town, I acquired two items. Grandmaster Chu, please examine them carefully and see if they have any connection to you."

As he spoke, Li Wuxin took out a blood-stained yellow silk scroll from his sleeve, intending to hand it over to Chu Wanning.

Unexpectedly, Xue Meng stepped forward and intercepted, saying sourly, "Give it to me!"

"This…"

"My master has an aversion to touching things that have been handled by outsiders," Xue Meng declared, not entirely accurately. In truth, Chu Wanning simply disliked coming into contact with objects tainted by those he despised, and didn't actually suffer from any obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, since Chu Wanning already had an issue with Li Wuxin, he allowed Xue Meng's antics to slide without comment, merely lowering his gaze to sip the hot tea offered by Shi Mo.

Fuming inwardly, Li Wuxin had no choice but to hand the yellow silk over to Xue Meng with a cold smile, all eyes on them under the candlelight.

Unfurling the scroll, Chu Wanning took one glance and his expression shifted.

"A Transmigration Curse..."

"Indeed. Master Chu, my investigation reveals that you temporarily sealed Luo Xianxian's vengeful spirit and, before your departure, entrusted a copy of the Transmigration Curse to the Chen family's only daughter, instructing them to recite it daily for ten years. Is this correct?"

"Yes."

"And this copy of the Transmigration Curse bears Master Chu's handwriting, does it not?"

"...That is indeed the case."

"But Master Chu, you must know the meaning behind that extra curse seal at the end of each section of your ferrying spell!" Li Wuxin's voice rose abruptly.

"Ten Thousand Waves Returning Tides Pattern – it’s a counter-curse! The Chen family, every time they copied the ferrying spell, would draw a counter-curse symbol, forcibly turning the benevolent spell into a malevolent one, hastening the breaking of the seal and causing Luo Xianxian's vengeful spirit to run rampant! No one in the Chen family understands Daoism, other than Elder Yu Heng who personally gave them this silk scroll. I can't think of another person who could have taught them how to draw such a powerful talisman!"

"Foolish old man, don't spew baseless accusations!" Xue Meng flew into a rage. "If my master wanted to kill them, why would he go through such lengths? Can’t handwriting be imitated? You suspect that my master drew it? I suspect that it was you, you bastard, who secretly added it to frame others!"

Li Wuxin forced a smile. "Young Master Xue Meng, how dare a junior like you interrupt when elders are speaking?"

Xue Zhengyong spoke up. "Village Chief Li, to accuse Elder Yu Heng based solely on a silk scroll is unfair. My son is right – handwriting can indeed be imitated. If someone wanted to implicate Yu Heng, they could just copy his rune style a few times and make it look convincing."

"In that case, we need to ask: who among Master Chu's formidable foes would go to such great lengths to harm him?"

Mo Ran, who had been silent for a long while, suddenly laughed softly.

Li Wuxin looked at him, remembering his crude remarks earlier, and frowned. "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing because you've all debated for so long but overlooked something important."

Xue Zhengyong was intrigued. "What is it? What did you realize, Ran'er?"

"I might not have read much, but I happen to know a thing or two about the Ten Thousand Waves Rebounding spell. As it turns out, I can draw it," Mo Ran said with a smile. "Take a look, does this resemble it?"

As he spoke, a crimson glow of spiritual energy condensed at the tip of his finger. Leaning nonchalantly against the pillar, he carefully traced the pattern in mid-air. Before long, a breathtakingly intricate Ten Thousand Waves Rebounding rune materialized before them, as dazzling as fireworks.

Xue Meng exclaimed, "Damn, that's impressive! When did you learn this?"

Mo Ran chuckled. "I found it in Shifu's book collection. It seemed interesting, so I memorized it."

With a casual flick of his finger, the vibrant red symbol ascended into the sky, hovering above everyone's heads. The red, swirling patterns shimmered and glowed with scattered sparks.

"Well then, why don't you all compare and see if the symbol I drew is identical in every stroke and structure to the one on the silk scroll?"

The disciples of the Peak of Life and Death were never afraid of a lively scene. Seeing Chu Wanning toss the silk scroll onto the table without any reaction, seemingly acknowledging Mo Ran's action, they immediately swarmed around to examine it closely.

At first, those from Jade Lake Manor maintained their composure, but curiosity eventually got the better of them, or perhaps they sought to find flaws; they too gathered around for a look.

After being scrutinized by such a large crowd for quite some time, they finally reached a conclusion.

Mo Ran's drawing was an exact replica of the talisman on the silk scroll, as if both were crafted by the same hand.

Just then, Li Wuxin's foolish disciple spoke up again, pointing at Mo Ran in shock, "Ah! Ah! You confessed without being asked! It looks like you killed that person!"

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

Chu Wanning suddenly said calmly, "Young Brother, what is your name?"

"Huh? You're asking me?" The foolish disciple was taken aback, then immediately puffed out his chest with pride, "Thirteenth direct disciple of Li Wuxin, Zhen Congming."

Mo Ran: "Pfft."

Chu Wanning had a rather indifferent reaction to the name "Zhen Congming," considering he himself had a name that meant "scare you to death." He merely said coldly, "When elders are speaking, juniors should learn to keep quiet."

This was clearly a mocking response to Li Wuxin's criticism of Mo Ran earlier. Li Wuxin's face turned purple with anger, but he could do nothing about it. He could only divert the topic with a huff, "Hmph, Master Chu's disciples truly are heroes at a young age. Such talent – this curse charm is drawn identically to Master's."

"Village Chief Li, it's not just me. If you knew how to draw this charm, it would be identical to my master's as well."

Li Wuxin glared at Mo Ran, "What are you implying?!"

Mo Ran smiled, "The waves return, the brushwork intricate, the strength of the strokes and the depth of the ink – all must be flawless. Thus, regardless of who drew it, there would be no difference from the original creator. This has nothing to do with individual handwriting. If there were even the slightest deviation, the counter-curse wouldn't work."

"Nonsense!" Li Wuxin, offended by the young man's public criticism, fumed with anger, his beard fluttering in all directions. "Which spell in this world demands such meticulous knowledge? Although I have not studied this technique, I know it's absurd. Don't you dare spread false rumors, boy!"

"He isn't spreading rumors."

Li Wuxin was losing control and retorted fiercely, "Chu Wanning, your words hold no proof! How could you possibly know? How would you know? Only the originator of a spell is most familiar with its traits and weaknesses. Do you dare claim to be the creator of Tidal Waves Returning Flow?"

Chu Wanning lifted his eyelids, gazing at him expressionlessly before sipping his tea. Then, he spoke slowly.

"Why wouldn't I dare? I'll tell you right now."

Li Wuxin: "????"

"The Tidal Waves Returning Flow spell was created by me."

Li Wuxin: "..............."

The author has something to say: "Here are the characters' quirky alter egos"

Chu Wanning: Xia Sini

Mo Ran: Zhong Quan Gong

Xue Meng: Bu Ziliang

Shi Mo: Zhen Bailian

Ye Wangxi: Nanhai Zi

Mei Hanxue: Bu Haosi