Chapter 73: This Seat Is Confused (End of Inverted V)

Running into Mo Ran unexpectedly, Xue Meng froze for a moment. This was the first time they had met since Mo Ran's imprisonment.

Recalling Xue Meng's defense of him in front of everyone, Mo Ran couldn't help but flash him a smile. However, Xue Meng was startled by this smile and showed a disgusted expression, gritting his teeth as he said, "What are you doing? What are you looking at?! There's nothing to see! Why are you smiling?! There's nothing funny!"

"…I was just greeting you."

"Disgusting!"

Mo Ran: "…."

His arrival interrupted Mo Ran's words. Shi Mo fell into thought for a moment but didn't press further. Instead, he smiled at Xue Meng and asked, "Young Master, who has provoked you this time?"

"Who else could it be? Who else?! So shameless! Ignorant of shame! Vile and despicable, lowly and obscene!"

Mo Ran sighed. "That doesn't rhyme."

"Mind your own business! If you have the ability, come at me!"

"Useless, useless, not an educated man," Mo Ran chuckled. "Well then, who's the culprit this time?"

Shi Mo smiled. "I bet it's Elder Brother Deity again."

"What kind of Elder Brother Deity! A beast! A lecher! How can he be so casual and not catch any venereal diseases?! I'd gladly sacrifice ten years of my lifespan to curse him with sores on his head and pus flowing from his feet, with a rotten nose and eyes – let's see who would still find him attractive then! This despicable, shameless, vulgar scoundrel..."

Mo Ran: "......"

Seeing Xue Meng about to launch into another endless tirade, Shi Mo hastily stopped him and pointed behind them, shouting, "Shh, look, the female cultivators who fancy Elder Brother Deity are coming!"

"Ah!" Xue Meng was startled, a hint of panic appearing on his usually arrogant face. He muttered an insult, "sensual and filthy," before darting away without looking back, truly resembling a dog whose master had just died. As he fled, he tried to save face by yelling, "I suddenly remembered an urgent matter – I'll take my leave first!"

Watching him disappear in a flash, Mo Ran said in surprise, "Wow, this Elder Brother Deity is quite something to scare him like that."

Shi Mo held back his laughter. "Ever since he accidentally ran into the guy at a tavern two days ago and got into a dispute, he's been like this. Looks like he's met his nemesis."

"I'm impressed. I must meet this person someday." Although Mo Ran said this, he had a good idea of who the 'Elder Brother Deity' was. Whoever could make Xue Meng hide like this had to be the person he suspected.

But now wasn't the time to watch Xue Meng's antics. In the Drunken Dew Pavilion, Xue Zhengyong and Xuan Ji had already arrived and were discussing the case of the eighteen murdered people with the owner of Peach Blossom Spring, a celestial from the Feathered clan.

The Immortal Feathered was nearly divine, her form surrounded by a gentle glow of spiritual light. Though she appeared to be a young maiden in the bloom of youth, no one knew her true age.

She was leisurely recounting the details of the situation to Xue Zhengyong when a servant entered and whispered, "Immortal, the person has arrived."

"Ask them to come in," Xue Zhengyong replied.

Mo Ran followed Shi Mo into the warm chamber, scanning the room and spotting Xue Zhengyong holding his famous scholar's fan as he conversed with someone. Immediately, he called out, "Uncle!"

"Child, child," Xue Zhengyong turned at the sound of his voice, his eyes lighting up as he hurriedly beckoned him over, patting his shoulder. "Come, sit beside your uncle..."

"I didn't kill anyone..."

"Of course not, of course not," Xue Zhengyong sighed repeatedly. "Who knows how this misunderstanding came about? The Immortal just told me everything. I've come here to find a way to clear your name, ah, heavens have mercy, look at how disheveled you are."

He led Mo Ran over, and Immortal Feathered made no move to stop them, simply observing the pair with a faint expression.

Mo Ran also greeted Elder Xuan Ji, then sat down next to Xue Zhengyong. What puzzled Mo Ran, however, was that Xuan Ji didn't immediately notice the absence of his disciple Xia Sini, only nodding at Mo Ran naturally.

It was instead Immortal Feathered who asked, "Huh? What about the other child? The one with the surname Xia?"

"Oh, right," Xuan Ji came back to his senses. "…Where's my disciple?"

Seeing that Mo Ran didn't seem concerned about Xia Sini, he was a bit displeased. "My junior brother is still in the Heavenly Prison. He asked me to convey his greetings to you."

"Mm-hmm." Xuan Ji nodded. "Why isn't he here?"

Mo Ran replied sulkily, "Cooking."

"…"

Xue Zhengyong was taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Cooking is more important than clearing his name?"

Xuan Ji also smiled. "Truly impetuous and capricious. After the meeting, I'll go take a look at him."

"No need. We still have to eat after the meeting," Mo Ran said. "If you want to interrogate him, do it quickly."

Xue Zhengyong then said, "Immortal, let's continue where we left off. You see, our sect has another elder skilled in alchemy. Before coming here, I specially asked him to refine several Child's Truth Pills."

"Child's Truth Pills?" The Immortal was slightly startled upon hearing this, tapping his rosy fingertips against his lips. "Are these the pills that can make mortals speak the truth?"

"Indeed."

The Immortal was slightly surprised. "The ingredients for this pill are complex and extremely difficult to refine. Even in my Peach Blossom Paradise, it would take no less than half a month to concoct it. I never expected that Immortal Lord's disciple would have such a talented Medicine Sect expert. Why didn't you bring him along?"

Xue Zhengyong explained, "He has an introverted nature and prefers not to travel with others." "The pill is already being refined and can be delivered by carrier pigeon to Peach Blossom Paradise within ten days. When the time comes, please inspect the pill's efficacy and administer it to my disciples. The truth will then come to light."

The Immortal pondered for a moment before nodding. "This method is feasible."

Xue Zhengyong sighed in relief and smiled. "In that case, I'll go retrieve my other disciple from the prison cave right away."

"Wait."

"What's the matter?"

The Immortal said, "Before the truth is revealed, Mo Weiyu and Xia Sini are still suspects. Even with Lord Zun's guarantee, I cannot release them both without constraint."

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhengyong snapped his fan shut with a loud clap. A smile lingered on his face, but his gaze had turned chilly. "Immortal, your actions seem rather unjust."

The Feathered Immortal lifted his gaze, his scarlet eyes fixing onto him. "Does Lord Zun Xue have an issue with my decision?"

"Yes, since both my disciples have not been convicted and are under the watchful care of Elder Xuan Ji and myself, what is the reasoning behind Immortal's continued insistence on imprisoning them?"

"Not exactly imprisonment," the aloof Immortal corrected. "I haven't mistreated them; their daily provisions have never been interrupted. I've merely restricted their movements, which isn't excessive."

Xue Zhengyong's smile had turned cold.

"How is it not excessive? As far as I know, that dungeon lacks sunlight and moonlight, meant for confining convicted criminals. For Immortal to casually dismiss it as not excessive with a mere flick of the tongue, that takes quite some audacity."

A Feathered tribesman nearby immediately interjected sternly, "Lord Xue, please watch your words!"

"What's the matter? Have I said something inappropriate? I haven't insulted your esteemed Immortal, only spoke the truth without unnecessary courtesy. That's hardly excessive."

The Feathered Immortal grew more agitated at Xue Zhengyong's response. "You—!"

A delicate, jade-like hand reached out and halted him. The Immortal looked up, offering Xue Zhengyong a cold smile. "I've heard rumors from the mortal realm that Lord Xue of Death and Life Peak is a learned man, though perhaps lacking in knowledge and skilled in rhetoric. However, upon meeting you today, I find those rumors to be misleading. Lord Xue, your argument is quite compelling."

Xue Zhengyong returned a faint smile, devoid of warmth. "I'm just an unrefined person, Immortal. Please don't take offense."

The Feathered Immortal chuckled, picking up an orange and peeling it meticulously before holding it out to Xue Zhengyong. "Then let us compromise. It's impossible to grant them complete freedom, but it's indeed improper for them to remain in prison. I will have Xia Sini released immediately, while Mo Weiyu and Xia Sini will reside in the High Heaven Pavilion, a place for entertaining guests. However, I must assign someone to keep a close eye on them, ensuring they don't leave the pavilion. How does that sound?"

Xue Zhengyong fell silent for a moment before raising his hand to receive the orange that hung suspended in mid-air.

Despite being a place for guests, High Heaven Pavilion did not often see visitors. Thus, it had been deserted for a long time. Since the Immortal had agreed to let them settle here first, Mo Ran decided to tidy up the premises himself. Once he was done, he would fetch Chu Wanning.

Xue Zhengyong and Xuan Ji still had important matters to discuss, so under the watchful eyes of a few Feathered, Mo Ran accompanied Shi Mo to High Heaven Pavilion.

Located in the northwest of Peach Blossom Spring, the pavilion was surrounded by lush flowers and a picturesque landscape.

"It's a lovely place. Living here wouldn't be an injustice," Mo Ran said with a grin.

Shi Mo sighed. "How could it not be? You didn't kill those people, yet they're blaming the innocent. It's a shame Master can't come. If he were here, he'd use Heavenly Inquiry to question you, and there'd be no need for Red Child Pills to reveal the truth."

"Haha, Shi Mo thinks too simply. Heavenly Inquiry is a divine weapon, capable of extracting the truth, but its effectiveness depends on whether the user has the intention to interrogate. Do you think those bird people would allow my Master to question me? Would they believe him?"

"…That's true."

As twilight approached, Mo Ran started cleaning the house, with Shi Mo assisting him.

It was peculiar. After finishing the cleaning and taking a moment to rest with a cup of tea, Mo Ran realized that he wasn't secretly delighted at the chance to be alone with his junior disciple sister nor did he entertain any romantic thoughts.

This realization left Mo Ran momentarily speechless, almost causing him to choke on his tea.

His junior apprentice brother jumped in surprise. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing." Mo Ran waved his hands hastily, inwardly groaning.

Could it be that from practicing with Chu Wanning for so long, he had also become a paragon of self-restraint like Liu Xiaohui? Looking at this isolated High Heaven Pavilion, surrounded by no one but the swaying peach blossoms, if this were in the past, he would surely have first indulged in some affectionate moments with Shi Mo before getting down to business.

What was going on lately? He was so detached and devoid of desire. This wasn't normal...

Scratching his head, Mo Ran met Shi Mo's gaze.

Their eyes locked, and Mo Ran broke into an honest, dimpled smile, endearingly charming. "The peach blossoms outside look beautiful. I'll pick a branch for you to take with you."

Shi Mo replied, "Plants have feelings too. Let them bloom peacefully on their branches."

"Ah... You're right. Yes, yes, I won't pick them then!"

Sitting in silence for a moment, Mo Ran tried desperately to think of something else to talk about, but he realized that with fewer opportunities to meet, there was actually nothing new to bring up.

Lifting his gaze, he noticed the fine beads of sweat on Shi Mo's forehead from helping him clean the quarters. Filled with compassion, Mo Ran took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and offered it to him.

"Use this to wipe your sweat."

"..." Shi Mo glanced down, seeing Mo Ran nervously clenching the handkerchief. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he softly said, "Thank you."

He accepted the handkerchief and gently dabbed at his forehead.

The fabric felt soft and delicate, made from the finest silk of silkworms. After using it, Shi Mo commented, "I'll take this back with me, wash it, and return it to you."

"Sure, sure, sure," Mo Ran hastily agreed, his fawning towards Shi Mo now instinctive and deeply ingrained. "If you like it, you can keep it."

Shi Mo chuckled. "That might not be appropriate. Look how well-made this handkerchief is..." As he spoke, he unfolded the cloth, preparing to smooth out any wrinkles and fold it neatly again.

But as his slender, fair fingers brushed against the freshly opened fabric, Shi Mo froze and softly exclaimed, "Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

Shi Mo paused, lifting his gaze with a smile. "Are you really giving me this handkerchief, Ah Ran?"

"If you like it, just take it. What's mine is yours," Mo Ran said generously.

A hint of enigmatic amusement flickered in Shi Mo's eyes. "Offering someone else's flowers to Buddha, aren't you afraid your Master will find out and punish you?"

"Huh?" This time, it was Mo Ran's turn to be taken aback. "What do you mean by offering someone else's flowers to Buddha? What does that have to do with my Master?"

"Look for yourself," Shi Mo said, his tone carrying an indiscernible nuance. "Such a large peony blossom, when did your Master ever give you this handkerchief?"