Chapter 128: Mo Chuhan, You Bastard

Chapter 128: Mo Chuhan, You Bastard

After devouring a large steamed bun and a pack of beef jerky, Mo Chuhan finally felt a hint of strength returning.

He hastened his pace, hoping to reunite with his family sooner.

Arriving near the camp, Mo Jiuya deliberately did not hide from the night watchmen.

In the future, Eighth Elder Brother would be accompanying them on their journey to the northwest, so there was no need for concealment. As for those who sought their lives in secret, they would still make their move regardless of whether Eighth Elder Brother was present or not.

The trio made considerable noise as they walked. Even though the two night watchmen were somewhat drowsy, they could still hear them approaching.

It was too dark for the watchmen to discern the faces of the newcomers; all they could see were three figures.

"Who's there?" one of the watchmen called out loudly.

"It's us, Sir," He Zhiran replied.

He Zhiran's location was rather close to the Mo family's tents.

Upon hearing her voice, the female members of the Mo family, assuming something had transpired, emerged from their tents one after another to investigate.

"Madam He, what has happened?" asked the elderly Matriarch Mo, her tone tinged with anxiety.

At that moment, the night guards approached, inquiring, "Madam He, why are you up at this late hour? What are you doing?"

He Zhiran didn't immediately respond to the guard's question, as she noticed the Matriarch stumbling towards Mo Chuhan.

The Matriarch scrubbed at her eyes vigorously and scrutinized Mo Chuhan closely.

"Chuhan?"

Mo Chuhan knelt before his mother with a thud. "Mother, it's your unfilial son Chuhan."

By now, Eighth Sister-in-law had also recognized Mo Chuhan's voice and pushed past her sisters-in-law to stand before him.

"Husband, is it really you? You're not dead?"

Mo Chuhan beheld his emaciated wife and, with great effort, nodded. "Xianglan, it's me. I didn't die."

Eighth Elder Brother's wife burst into tears, ignoring the onlookers as she flung herself into Mo Chuhan's arms.

Simultaneously, her tiny fists pounded against his chest.

"Mo Chuhan, you bastard... Why didn't you come home if you didn't die... Waaaah...

Do you know that I was ridiculed by my two step-sisters for three whole years? They said I have a tough fate and killed my husband right after our marriage...

It's all your fault... All your fault... Waaaah..."

The other sisters-in-law also wept uncontrollably at this sight, though they were wise enough to remain where they were.

Mo Hanyue approached Old Lady Mo, gazing at the person in front of them who had become almost unrecognizable due to their extreme weight loss.

"Mother, is this really Eighth Elder Brother? How did he become so thin?"

From the moment Mo Chuhan knelt before her, Old Lady Mo had intended to go forward and help him up for a conversation.

Before she could react, Eighth Sister-in-law pounced forward.

As someone who had experienced the pain of separation between spouses, she naturally understood the ache and refrained from approaching, suppressing all her questions.

Only when she heard her sister-in-law speak did Eighth Sister-in-law realize that she might have overstepped just now.

She hastily disentangled herself from Mo Chuhan's embrace and turned to face Old Lady Mo.

"Mother, I'm sorry. I was too hasty."

Old Lady Mo patted her shoulder. "It's alright. We're no longer the strict, high-class family that we once were. There's no need to adhere to those formalities."

Speaking, Old Lady Mo reached Mo Chuhan and helped him up.

When her hand touched Mo Chuhan's arm, the tears she had just held back began to flow uncontrollably again.

"Chuhan, what did you go through these past three years? Why are you so thin?"

Mo Chuhan stood up with his mother's assistance.

"Mother, your son..."

Just as Mo Chuhan was about to explain, Mo Jiuya stepped forward.

"Mother, Eighth Elder Brother is still recovering from his injuries and is very weak. It would be better to ask these questions later, when he's stronger."

Of course, Old Lady Mo understood Mo Jiuya's intention – it was not appropriate to discuss such matters with so many people around.

She had been too concerned for Mo Chuhan earlier and overlooked this fact.

At that moment, Peng Wang arrived with a group of officials to assess the situation, while the Fangs and Xie families were also watching from nearby.

Having overheard their conversation, they now knew Mo Chuhan's identity. Though confused by his resurrection, they genuinely rejoiced for the Mo family.

Peng Wang, being the most perceptive, waved at the onlookers.

"The Mo family needs time to reconnect, so there's no need for you to stay. Everyone, please disperse!"

The crowd obediently dispersed.

Mo Jiuya glanced at the sky; there was still some time before dawn.

"Eighth Elder Brother, you go rest in my tent first. We can talk things through slowly."

Upon hearing this, Fifth Sister-in-law Zhao Jiajia stepped forward.

"Ninth Brother, I share a tent with Eighth Sister-in-law. I'll take my belongings and squeeze in with Mother and Hanyue, leaving Eighth Brother to be with Eighth Sister-in-law."

Before Mo Jiuya could speak, Old Lady Mo promptly agreed, "Mm, that's appropriate. Looking at how weak Chuhan is, it'll be convenient for Lady Zhao to take care of him."

As they spoke, Fifth Sister-in-law had already retrieved her luggage from the tent, making space for Eighth Brother and his wife.

Eighth Sister-in-law approached and supported Mo Chuhan's arm.

"Husband, let me help you walk."

Mo Chuhan gently patted the hand wrapped around his arm, filled with affection.

"Very well."

Eighth Elder Brother's wife cautiously supported Mo Chuhan into the tent, but she didn't draw the curtains closed.

She knew that Mother must still have many words to share with her husband.

Sure enough, Old Lady Mo followed them in.

Worried that Eighth Elder Brother might misinterpret their prepared explanation, Mo Jiuya quickly stepped forward and held back Old Lady Mo.

"Mother, Eighth Elder Brother is very weak. Ran Ran has asked him to rest more. If you have any questions, Son will tell you."

Old Lady Mo glanced at Mo Chuhan's slightly slanted figure sitting within the tent and addressed Eighth Elder Brother's wife, "Zhao, you should rest early. We can talk about anything else tomorrow."

With that said, she left with Mo Jiuya.

Of course, she would undoubtedly inquire thoroughly about Mo Chuhan's condition later.

The other sisters-in-law, in unspoken agreement, led Mo Hanyue back to their respective tents. They all understood that if Mother intended to inform them about Mo Chuhan's situation, she would do so tomorrow, and there was no need to rush.

Mo Jiuya recounted the story to his mother as previously discussed with He Zhiran, about Mo Chuhan's encounter.

"Mother, Eighth Elder Brother was among those black-clad men in the early morning. When I fought with him, I sensed something amiss and knocked him unconscious, hiding him in a nearby cave with Liang Hao and the others keeping watch.

After dark, I used my lightness kungfu to bring Ran Ran back with me to that cave to tend to Eighth Elder Brother..."

Old Lady Mo had already heard about Liang Hao and the others seeking refuge, so she didn't doubt Mo Jiuya's account.

He skirted around the details of treating Mo Chuhan's injuries but didn't conceal any other aspects of the story.

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Mo's tears flowed like rain again.

"Who could it be, who would torment my Mo family's sons like this?"

Seeing Old Lady Mo's distress, He Zhiran stepped forward to console her.

"Mother, what's done is done. The fact that Eighth Elder Brother has returned alive is already a blessing. As for his health, you need not worry. With me here, I promise to help Eighth Elder Brother regain his former strength."

Madame Mo nodded and then patted He Zhiran's hand affectionately.

"He Zhiran, ever since you married into the Mo family, Mother has been watching everything you've done. If not for you, our entire family might have perished long ago.

Now, you've also managed to lift the puppet curse from your Eighth Elder Brother. Mother will forever be grateful for this kindness."