Chapter 8: This Seat Has Been Punished
byChapter 8: This Seat Has Been Punished
Mo Ran lay on his bed like a dead fish for three days. Just as his wounds began to heal, he received a message summoning him to the Red Lotus Water Pavilion for laborious tasks.
This was part of his punishment. During his confinement, Mo Ran was not allowed to leave the mountain but could not laze around either. He had to do odd jobs and assist with chores for the sect.
Typically, these tasks included scrubbing plates for Mother Naihe in her hall, cleaning the 365 stone lions on the pillars of the Bridge of Helplessness, or transcribing tedious archival documents, and so on.
But what was the Red Lotus Water Pavilion? It was the residence of that brat, Chu Wanning, a notorious arena known as the Red Lotus Hell.
Few people from the Summit of Life and Death had ever ventured there, and those who did came out either with broken arms or legs.
Hence, Chu Wanning's living quarters had an earthier nickname: the Broken Leg Pavilion.
There was a jest circulating within the sect: "The pavilion conceals beauties, beauties summon the heavens. Enter my broken leg gate, know my broken leg pain. Elder Yu Heng, your best choice for self-inflicted destruction of meridians."
Once, there was a fearless female disciple whose lust overpowered her fear. She dared to covet Elder Yu Heng's beauty and sneaked up to the southern peak under the cover of darkness, hiding on the roof eaves to spy on the elder as he bathed and changed.
As expected, the brave woman was beaten relentlessly by the Heaven-Questioning Sword until she cried out for her parents. She spent more than a hundred days bedridden and unable to move.
Moreover, Chu Wanning had even threatened that if anyone dared to do it again, he would pluck their eyes out.
See? What an uncouth remark! How unromantic an act! What an outrageous man!
Within the sect, there were originally some innocent and naive young women who, taking advantage of their gender, believed Elder Yu Heng would be considerate towards them. They would often jest around in front of him, hoping to catch his attention. But ever since the elder personally killed that female ruffian, no one dared to have any designs on him anymore.
Elder Yu Heng was an equal-opportunity punisher, with no gentlemanly demeanor to speak of. Apart from his good looks, there was nothing commendable about him—this was the consensus among the sect's disciples regarding Chu Wanning.
The junior disciple who had come to deliver the message looked at Mo Ran with quite a bit of sympathy. After holding back for a moment, he still couldn't help but say, "Senior Brother Mo…."
"Hmm?"
"…Elder Yu Heng has such a terrible temper. Nobody who goes to the Red Lotus Water Pavilion comes out standing. Look, why don't you just say your wounds haven't healed yet and beg Elder Yu Heng to let you wash dishes instead?"
Mo Ran was very grateful for this junior brother's kind heart, but he still turned down the suggestion.
Ask Chu Wanning for help?
Forget it. He didn't want to be interrogated by Tianwen again.
With great effort, he dressed himself and dragged his heavy feet, reluctantly heading towards the southern peak of Death and Life Peak.
The Red Lotus Water Pavilion, the Red Lotus Hell, was where Chu Wanning resided. For miles around, no living soul could be seen.
No one dared to approach his residence. Chu Wanning's terrible taste and unpredictable temperament had made everyone in the sect keep their distance.
Mo Ran felt a bit uneasy, unsure what punishment Chu Wanning would mete out. Lost in thought, he reached the summit of the southern peak, passing through dense groves of bamboo before being greeted by vast expanses of gorgeous red lotuses.
It was early morning, with the rising sun casting a brilliant glow across the sky, intertwining with the fiery red lotus leaves that stretched towards the heavens. The curved walkways and pavilions on the pond shimmered tranquilly, while a waterfall cascaded down the mountain, its crystal-clear droplets tinkling against the rocks, creating a mist that condensed into a deep pink hue. Amidst this serenity, there was an alluring charm.
Mo Ran's reaction was:
Ugh.
No matter how beautiful it was, he still found Chu Wanning's place disgusting!
Look at it, how extravagant, how wasteful! The disciples' quarters were tightly packed, each with a modest size, yet Elder Yu Heng had the audacity to occupy an entire mountain, digging three large ponds filled with lotuses. Alright, granted, these lotuses were special breeds that could be refined into sacred medicines, but...
It just grated on his nerves. He wished he could set fire to this crippled water pavilion right now!
Despite his inward grumblings, acknowledging that at sixteen years of age he was no match for the esteemed Master Chu in any contest of strength, Mo Ran made his way to the residence of Chu Wanning. He stood before the entrance, squinting playfully as he adopted a sickeningly sweet tone, feigning subservience like a well-behaved grandson.
"Disciple Mo Ran pays respects to Master."
"Indeed, come in."
The room was in disarray, yet the cold-blooded demonic cultivator Chu Wanning was clad in a pristine white robe, its lapels overlapping in a high and snug manner, exuding an air of asceticism. Today, he had his hair tied up in a high ponytail and wore black metallic bracers. Sitting on the floor, he was engrossed in tinkering with a pile of mechanical components, a pen clenched between his teeth.
Without any change of expression, he cast a glance at Mo Ran before biting down on his pen and uttering the word indistinctly, "Come here."
Mo Ran made his way over.
This was rather challenging, for there was hardly any space left to step on in the room; sketchpapers and fragments of metal and wood were scattered everywhere.
Mo Ran's brow twitched. In his previous life, he had never entered Chu Wanning's quarters. He had never imagined that this elegantly dressed, handsome man would live in such... indescribable disorder.
"What are you doing, Shifu?"
"The Night Wanderer."
"What?"
Chu Wanning sounded slightly impatient, possibly because he was holding a pen in his mouth, making it difficult to speak. "Night Traveler."
Mo Ran glanced silently at the pile of messy components on the floor.
His master was known as the Master of Chu, and this title was not without merit. Chu Wanning was an incredibly formidable man, whether it was his three divine-grade weapons, his barrier techniques, or his mechanical craftsmanship. All of these were worthy of the phrase "unparalleled excellence." This was also why, despite his bad temper and high demands, various immortal sects still fought tooth and nail for him.
As someone who had been reborn, Mo Ran was well aware of what the "Night Traveler" was.
It was a type of mecha created by Chu Wanning, sold at a low price but with formidable combat strength. It could protect ordinary people in the Lower Realms from ordinary ghosts during the night.
In his previous life, almost every household owned a fully functioning Night Traveler, priced equivalent to a broomstick, yet more effective than grimacing door gods.
After Chu Wanning's death, these Night Travelers continued to protect the poor families who couldn't afford to hire Taoist priests. Paired with Chu Wanning's cold treatment towards his disciples... Well, it truly made Mo Ran look down on him.
Mo Ran sat down and gazed at the pile of components that would become the "Night Traveler." Memories from the past floated up in his mind, and he couldn't resist picking up a finger joint of the Night Traveler and examining it closely.
Chu Wanning finished securing the joints with dovetail connectors, finally freeing his hands to remove the pen from his mouth. He glared at Mo Ran. "That just got tung oil on it, don't touch it."
"Oh…" Mo Ran lowered his finger joints, composed himself, and regained his harmless, charming smile as he asked, "Is Master calling me over to ask for my help?"
Chu Wanning replied, "Mm."
"What do you need help with?"
"Clean the house."
Mo Ran's smile froze as he gazed at the disaster zone that was the room. "………………"
Chu Wanning was a genius in the realm of immortal arts but a complete idiot when it came to daily life.
After picking up the fifth broken teacup that hadn't been swept away in time, Mo Ran finally couldn't take it anymore. "Master, how long has it been since you last cleaned this place? Goodness, what a mess!"
Chu Wanning, who was studying a blueprint, didn't even lift his head. "About a year."
Mo Ran: "………………"
"Where do you usually sleep?"
"What?" Troubled by the interruption, Chu Wanning appeared even more impatient than usual. Rubbing his hair, he answered irritably, "Of course it's a bed."
Mo Ran glanced at the bed, which was piled with half-finished mechas and a collection of saws, axes, and files, all shimmering with a deadly edge.
Amazing, how did this person manage to sleep without cutting off their own head?
After working tirelessly for half a day, three baskets were filled with wood shavings and dust from the floor, and over ten white cloths used to wipe the bookshelf had turned black. Yet, they had only managed to clean half the room.
Damn Chu Wanning, this person was more poisonous than a venomous woman.
Cleaning the room didn't seem like a severe punishment, nor would it be considered laborious if described to others. But who knew that it was a haunted place that hadn't been cleaned in three hundred and sixty-five days? Forget about his scars covering his body, even if he was in perfect health, such exertion could wear him out!
"Master..."
"Yes?"
"This pile of clothes..." They must have been accumulating for three months.
Chu Wanning finally finished attaching the arm of the Night Wanderer. Rubbing his sore shoulder, he lifted his gaze to the mountain of robes piled on top of the wardrobe and said indifferently, "I'll wash them myself."
Mo Ran let out a sigh of relief, thanking his lucky stars. Then, he grew curious. "Huh? Master, you know how to do laundry?"
Chu Wanning glanced at him. After a moment, he said coolly, "What's so difficult about it? Toss it in water, soak it, lift it out, and let it dry."
"..." Mo Ran wondered how the girls who were infatuated with Grandmaster Chu would react upon hearing this. He felt deeply that this handsome but useless man was truly despisable – how many maiden hearts would be shattered by this revelation?
"It's getting late. Come with me to the dining hall. We can sort the rest later."
The Netherworld Courtyard was bustling with people. The disciples of the Summit of Life and Death gathered in groups to eat. Chu Wanning picked up a few dishes on a lacquerwood tray and sat down silently in a corner.
A twenty-foot radius around him gradually emptied.
No one dared to sit too close to Elder Yu Heng for fear that he might become displeased and unleash his Heavenly Inquiry sword with a swing. Chu Wanning was well aware of this, but he didn't mind. A cold, beautiful figure sitting there, eating gracefully, was an acceptable sight.
But today was different.
Since Mo Ran had been brought along, he naturally had to stay by Chu Wanning's side.
Others feared Chu Wanning, and Mo Ran did as well, but since he had already died once, his fear wasn't as intense.
Especially after the initial fear had faded, the resentment he'd felt toward Chu Wanning in his previous life gradually resurfaced. So what if Chu Wanning was powerful? He still died at his hands in the end.
Mo Ran sat down across from him, calmly chewing on the sweet and sour spare ribs in his bowl with a loud crunching sound. Soon, a small pile of bones accumulated beside him.
Chu Wanning suddenly slammed down his chopsticks.
Mo Ran was taken aback.
"...Can you not smack your lips while eating?"
"I'm chewing on bones, how am I supposed to chew without smacking?"
"Then don't eat the bones."
"But I like eating bones."
"Go eat them somewhere else."
Their voices rose louder and louder, attracting the curious glances of some disciples.
Mo Ran fought the urge to slam the rice bowl onto Chu Wanning's head. Instead, he pursed his greasy lips and, after a moment, narrowed his eyes, curving the corners of his mouth into a sweet smile.
"Don't shout so loudly, Master. If others hear, won't they laugh at us?"
Chu Wanning was always sensitive about such matters, and indeed, his voice softened. He muttered, "Scram."
Mo Ran laughed until he stumbled.
Chu Wanning: ".................."
"Sigh, Master, don't glare at me. Just eat, eat. I'll try to be quieter."
Having had his fill of laughter, Mo Ran resumed his obedient act, and the sound of him gnawing on the bones was significantly subdued.
Chu Wanning was more receptive to kindness than force. Seeing that Mo Ran had acquiesced, his expression softened, no longer as bitter or resentful. He lowered his head and ate his vegetables and tofu with refined manners.
It didn't last long before Mo Ran started stirring up trouble again.
He couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong with him, but whenever he saw Chu Wanning in this life, he felt an irresistible urge to provoke him relentlessly.
Thus, Chu Wanning discovered that although Mo Ran had stopped making loud chewing noises, he had begun picking up the spare ribs with his hands, getting his fingers greasy with sauce that glistened under the light.
Veins popped on Chu Wanning's forehead, but he endured it.
Lowering his eyelashes, he refused to look at Mo Ran and continued eating on his own.
Perhaps due to his excessive joy and carelessness from enjoying his meal, Mo Ran accidentally tossed a cleaned bone into Chu Wanning's rice bowl.
Staring at the messy and menacing rib, the air around them visibly froze in speed.
"Mo Ran...!!!"
"Shifu..." Mo Ran appeared quite alarmed, though it was uncertain how genuine his fear was. "Uh, I didn't mean to..."
Not a chance.
"..."
"Don't be angry. I'll pick it out for you right away."
With those words, he actually reached out with his chopsticks and, with a swift swish, plucked the rib from Chu Wanning's bowl, snatching it away in a flash.
Chu Wanning's face turned ashen, as if he were about to be sick from disgust.
Mo Ran's eyelashes fluttered, and a pitiful, aggrieved look appeared on his delicate face. "Is Shifu repulsed by me?"
"..."
"Shifu, I'm sorry."
Forget it, Chu Wanning thought.
Why bother getting upset with a junior?
He suppressed the urge to summon Tianwen and use it to whip Mo Ran, but his appetite was thoroughly gone. He stood up and said, "I'm full."
"Huh? That's all? Shifu, you haven't even touched much of what's in your bowl."
Chu Wanning said coldly, "I'm not hungry."
Mo Ran's heart bloomed with joy, but his words remained sweet, "Then neither am I. Come on, let's return to the Red Lotus Water Pavilion."
Chu Wanning narrowed his eyes. "Us?" He mocked with his gaze, then stated, "Who are you referring to as 'us'? There's a proper order of seniority and respect. Mind your tongue."
Mo Ran responded obediently, his eyes curving into a charming smile.
Yet inwardly, he chuckled. Seniority and respect? Mind his tongue?
Haha, if Chu Wanning knew what had transpired in their past lives, he would understand – in the end, only Mo Weiyu held true authority.
No matter how noble, aloof, and untouchable Chu Wanning was, he would ultimately be nothing more than mud beneath Mo Ran's boots, relying on his mercy just to cling to life.
With a bright smile still on his face, Mo Ran hastened his pace to follow his master.
If Shi Mo was the moonlight in his heart, Chu Wanning was the damned fish bone stuck in his throat. He would either pluck it out and crush it, or swallow it down to be corroded by gastric juices.
In this reincarnation, he could forgive anyone – except perhaps Chu Wanning.
Yet, he would never let Chu Wanning off easily.
However, it seemed that Chu Wanning had no intention of forgiving him so readily either.
Mo Ran stood before the Book Collection Pavilion in the Realm of Crimson Lotus Hell, staring at the fifty rows of ten-story bookshelves, thinking he must have heard wrong.
"Shifu, did you say... what?"
Chu Wanning said indifferently, "Wipe all the books here clean."
"..."
"After that, compile an inventory."
"..."
"I'll be checking on your progress tomorrow morning."
"!!!"
What?! Is he really going to spend the night in the Crimson Lotus Hell?
But he had made plans with Shi Mo to have his wounds tended to tonight!
He opened his mouth, intending to negotiate, but Chu Wanning was in no mood to listen. With a flick of his wide sleeves, he turned and left for the mechanics room, coldly shutting the door behind him.
Mo Ran, now deprived of his evening rendezvous, fell into a deep loathing for Chu Wanning – he would burn all of Chu Wanning's books!
No!
An even more vindictive idea occurred to him as his mind spun...
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