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    Chapter 186: Master, Xue Meng is really easy to fool, hahaha!

    The newcomer had a wild and handsome appearance, with clear black and white eyes that were wide open. The lantern light illuminated his face.

    It was Xue Meng.

    Chu Wanning was momentarily speechless. He didn't know how much Xue Meng had seen or heard. After a few moments of silence, it was Mo Ran who broke the quiet.

    "I have something to discuss with Master," Mo Ran said.

    Xue Meng narrowed his eyes slightly. As he had walked over just now, he had vaguely heard low breaths coming from the woods, and he had assumed it was some reckless disciples engaging in improper activities in the restricted area of the rear mountain.

    In principle, Xue Meng had no right to intervene in such matters. Except for the Weibi Temple and Shangqing Pavilion, none of the Ten Great Sects explicitly forbade romantic relationships or dual cultivation. Although Death's Peak had a so-called "prohibition on lust," it referred to "not visiting brothels" and "relationships not violating human ethics."

    But who was Xue Meng?

    He was Chu Wanning's disciple, the top disciple.

    For many years, Xue Meng had always taken Chu Wanning's words and actions as his own benchmark. Since Chu Wanning disliked seeing others being intimate or holding hands, Xue Meng also looked down upon couples holding hands and despised those engaged in dual cultivation, regardless of the situation.

    The rear mountain was a crucial area where the ghost realm's barrier was prone to damage. How appropriate would it be for two people to engage in intimate behavior here? Xue Meng instantly became unhappy and approached with his lantern, seeking confrontation.

    He never could have imagined that the flickering light would illuminate these two individuals.

    Xue Meng was utterly stunned. He was so surprised that he didn't follow the usual etiquette of greeting Chu Wanning but instead blurted out, "Why are you two here?"

    The barrier in this place was unbroken and required no repair.

    There were no exotic fragrant flowers or appealing landscapes.

    It was an isolated area that casual wanderers wouldn't stumble upon.

    If someone had asked Xue Meng under normal circumstances, "Imagine two people, in the dark, in complete silence. They don't take the straightforward path, nor do they sit in a beautiful garden filled with birdsong and blossoms. Instead, they choose the most secluded spot possible to converse. What do you make of this, Young Master?"

    Xue Meng would undoubtedly sneer and respond, "What else could they be talking about there but sweet nothings? Lovey-dovey words?"

    If pressed further, "These two men have known each other for a long time, neither is engaged, and their appearance and status seem comparable. In your opinion, what kind of relationship do you think they share?"

    Xue Meng would roll his eyes and say, "What else could it be? A predilection for same-sex relationships, a fondness for pillow talk – utterly disgusting."

    At this point, to tell him, "Haha, Young Master, you're mistaken. Actually, these two are master and disciple. Please, Young Master, don't jump to conclusions..."

    Xue Meng would likely not even let the speaker finish before slamming his hand on the table in anger, declaring, "Nonsense! How proper is this? Which disgraceful beasts are they? I'll immediately expel them from the sect and banish them from the Summit of Life and Death!"

    But if one were to reveal that the master and disciple were Mo Weiyu and Chu Wanning, Xue Meng would undoubtedly, definitely, absolutely freeze in shock. A myriad of colors would flash across his face before he slumped into his seat, forehead in hand, and said, "Er, forget everything I just said. You, you, you... repeat that last part from the beginning. I think there must be another possibility."

    —That was how it was.

    Xue Meng would never, could never associate Chu Wanning with anything chaotic, improper, or immoral. Thus, he instantly believed he had misheard.

    Still, his mind was in disarray as he muttered to himself, "What could they possibly have to say here?"

    Just as Chu Wanning was about to speak, Mo Ran, under the cover of his wide sleeves, gently pinched his hand, signaling for him to remain silent.

    If this person lied, even a three-year-old child wouldn't believe it. It was better for Mo Ran to handle it himself.

    So Mo Ran said, "Before dusk, I found a sweet osmanthus rice cake here."

    Chu Wanning: "..."

    Xue Meng was confused. "What thing?"

    "It's a jujube cake that has become a spirit," Mo Ran said solemnly. "About a foot tall, it wears a lotus leaf on its head and has a tail. The tip of the tail is glowing with a blue lamp."

    "What kind of monster is this? I've never seen it in any bestiary."

    Mo Ran chuckled. "I've never seen one either. That's why I thought maybe when the Demon Suppression Pagoda of the Confucian Wind Sect collapsed a few days ago, some extinct monsters were released. I brought Master here to take a look."

    Upon hearing this, Xue Meng immediately relaxed. He didn't know why, but he felt much better. His previously tense expression regained its vitality. He carried the lantern over, looking around and asking, "Did you find the cake monster?"

    "No," Mo Ran replied.

    Xue Meng glared at him. "I wasn't asking you, I was asking Master."

    Chu Wanning said, "We didn't find it."

    Mo Ran laughed. "That sugar cake probably saw Master and feared being eaten as a dessert, so it hid right away."

    Chu Wanning was taken aback, then he angrily scolded, "Mo Weiyu! Are you thinking about going to the Book Collection Pavilion to copy books again?"

    After the commotion, Xue Meng's initial unease gradually dissipated. He secretly chided himself, thinking how ridiculous it was that he had just momentarily imagined there being some ambiguous connection between his Master and Mo Ran... How absurd, how could that be possible?

    His Master was the purest and coldest spring water in the world, untouchable by anyone, let alone defiled.

    At this moment, Mo Ran asked him, "After all that talk, tell me, why are you here?"

    Xue Meng mumbled, "I'm here to look for my mother's cat."

    Mo Ran raised an eyebrow. "The chubby orange cat you just found?"

    "Mm-hmm."

    "The one with a 'king' mark on its head who only eats fish but not meat?"

    "Exactly, did you see it?" Xue Meng sighed, appearing quite helpless. "So fat, yet so fast. I've searched from the front mountain to the back mountain, everywhere people can go, but there's no sign of it..." Suddenly, an idea struck him, and his eyes widened in alarm. "Ah! Do you think it might have been eaten by the rice cake monster?"

    "..."

    Mo Ran really wanted to laugh, but he managed to suppress it, instead disguising it as a light cough. "Well, I don't think Sugar Rice Cake is big enough to pose a threat, even if it is a monster. If Cabbage Bun encountered it, the one who should be worried wouldn't be the orange cat, but Sugar Rice Cake."

    Xue Meng stroked his chin, pondering the dumpling's physique, and concurred, "Indeed… you make a valid point…"

    Chu Wanning said, "The rear mountain is perilous. Don't venture any further. I'll assist you in searching for it."

    Xue Meng quickly waved his hands, "How dare I trouble my Master."

    Chu Wanning said, "Since there's nothing else to do, I'll help you look for a while. Then I have to attend the Elders' Assembly at the Heart of Pill Hall. Mo Ran, come with me; it'll be quicker that way."

    Mo Ran: "..."

    He truly admired Chu Wanning's audacity. Chu Wanning must have thought his body was like fire, able to be ignited or extinguished at will. Yet, he was actually asking him to stand up and look for the cat right now? ... His arousal hadn't subsided yet.

    Seeing that Mo Ran didn't move and had an unusual expression, Xue Meng asked, "What's wrong with you?"

    Mo Ran replied, "Nothing much, I've been feeling a bit unwell since earlier. You guys go ahead first, I'll join you shortly."

    Chu Wanning glanced at him and suddenly realized that Mo Ran's attire was different from his own. Mo Ran usually wore tight-fitting black-golden clothes, which made him look sharp and decisive, perfect for combat. However, there was a clear disadvantage – without a cloak to cover him, any strong physical reaction below the waist would be obvious.

    "..." Chu Wanning didn't say anything else. In the darkness, his typically aloof face flushed red, like the glow of sunset reflecting on translucent ice. The extreme cold and warmth intertwined, casting a lustrous sheen.

    From that day on, Chu Wanning refused to meet Mo Ran in secret on the Summit of Life and Death.

    Coincidentally, things became hectic around that time. The various sects felt that as long as Xu Shuanglin was alive, they couldn't rest easy. They sought help from the "Heavenly Sound Pavilion," an impartial judicial organization independent of the Ten Great Sects, skilled in investigating complex and hidden matters. However, Xu Shuanglin's actions had been too ruthless, leaving no traces behind, and the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Sound Pavilion expressed his inability to assist.

    By the end of the month, Li Wuxin grew impatient and issued a hero's invitation, summoning the heads and leading elders of all sects to convene on Spirit Mountain for discussion.

    Of course, Chu Wanning and Xue Zhengyong attended as well.

    The last time so many heroes gathered on Spirit Mountain was when Xue Meng and Nan Gongsi had their sword debate. In the blink of an eye, the landscape of the cultivation world had undergone a massive transformation. The seats that once belonged to the Confucian Wind Sect were now empty, and the Phoenix Fire Pavilion was in decline. The newly appointed leader was a young man who stuttered when he spoke, remaining silent and unassuming among the crowd. The monks of the Silent Sorrow Temple were cautious with their words, avoiding any mention of the disgraceful deeds of their previous abbot...

    Recalling that day when heroes had assembled, filled with harmony, Xue Zhengyong felt as if it were a lifetime ago. He couldn't help but sigh softly.

    Among the leaders, Jiang Xi was elected as the First Ruler, tasked with overseeing the investigation into Nan Gongxu's matter. He was a completely different kind of person from the previous First Ruler, Nan Gongliu. Nan Gongliu was always smiling, polite to everyone regardless of status, and avoided causing offense.

    As for Jiang Xi?

    The moment the sect leaders announced the results of their vote and asked him to take charge, he sat coldly and unceremoniously in the seat that Nan Gongliu had previously occupied.

    Before Nan Gongliu took that seat, he had persistently declined, only accepting after much persuasion, putting on a show of humility and modesty. Once seated, he spoke earnestly for half an hour, expressing gratitude for the honor, asking for guidance, and taking responsibility for any mistakes. His words were laced with saliva.

    Jiang Xi was just three simple words.

    "It should be mine."

    He actually said that this seat was meant for him.

    Master Jiang, indeed, was wealthy, arrogant, ill-tempered, and shameless.

    Xue Zhengyong suddenly recalled something and whispered to Chu Wanning, "He didn't attend the Spirit Mountain Summit, not just once."

    Chu Wanning, unfamiliar with such political strife, furrowed his black brows. "What do you mean?"

    "I mean, ever since Nan Gongliu became the First Ruler, and the Confucian Wind Sect was recognized as the top sect, Jiang Xi hasn't attended any summit of the sect leaders..."

    Chu Wanning observed Jiang Xi for a moment before commenting, "This man has a lofty spirit and clearly doesn't wish to be beneath a useless person."

    Xue Zhengyong felt somewhat wronged. "I wouldn't want to be beneath a useless person either."

    Chu Wanning smiled faintly. "A Ruler endures, so it's not considered submission."

    As they conversed, a servant from Solitary Moon Night suddenly approached them, stopping by their table and bowing respectfully before presenting a brocaded box.

    Xue Zhengyong turned back and asked, "What is it?"

    The servant shook his head, gesturing towards his ears and mouth, indicating that he was both deaf and mute.

    Chu Wanning studied the servant carefully and noticed that he was different from ordinary Solitary Moon Night disciples. Around his neck was a silver snake-shaped collar.

    "Hanlin Sacred Hand…?"

    The mute servant noticed Chu Wanning looking at his collar and nodded repeatedly, bowing again as he raised the box above his head to offer it to him.

    The box also featured an intricate snake emblem. Xue Zhengyong, upon seeing this, told Chu Wanning, "He seems to be directly under the service of Hanlin Sacred Hand."

    Looking over to Solitary Moon Night's table, Xue Zhengyong spotted the renowned Master of Medicine, Hanlin Sacred Hand, Hua Binan, wearing a veil and hat, his eyes quietly observing them through the disguise.

    Author's Note: I couldn't reply to many comments yesterday because the chapter was locked from around 9am until 4pm, so I couldn't access individual chapters to respond. Apologies for that, and thank you for your understanding! Muah!

    Today's short scene: "Locked Out"

    Second Dog: Why did you lock Chapter 185 yesterday? Was it because we kissed?

    Moderator: No, it was because you touched his waist.

    Second Dog: ...You take advantage of my honesty. Just you wait, next time I'll switch to the 0.5 set of equipment and promise not to kill you.

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