The sun blazed down from above.
Sisheng Peak's veranda stretched out for a hundred miles.
As a newcomer among the cultivation sects, it was different from the other famed sects of the upper cultivation realm.
Take, for example, Rufeng Sect of Linyi. Their main hall was named "Six Virtues Hall", to encourage the disciples to be "wise, faithful, holy, righteous, benevolent, and loyal". The disciples resided in an area called "Six Demeanor Gate", reminding the disciples to be "filial, cordial, harmonious, martial, responsible, and compassionate" toward one another. And the area of study was named "Six Arts Platform", meaning that disciples were expected to be masters in "ritual, music, archery, riding, calligraphy, and arithmetic".
In other words, endless elegance.
On the other hand, Sisheng Peak came from an impoverished background, and its names were…hard to explain, to say the least. "Loyalty Hall" and "Platform of Sin and Virtue" were still acceptable. Perhaps it was because Mo Ran's father and uncle weren't exactly scholars and couldn't choke out that many decent names, but towards the end, they started to get nonsensical, assigning "Xue Ya"-esque names left and right.
Thus, Sisheng Peak had many names plagiarized from the underworld. For example, the self-reflection room was called Yanluo Hall.
The bridge connecting the recess and study areas was called Naihe Bridge. The dining hall was called Mengpo Hall. The training field was called Mountain of Daggers and Sea of Flames. The forbidden area behind the mountain was called Ghost Zone. So on and so forth.
At least these were relatively acceptable. The more out of the way areas were bluntly named "This is Mountain", "This Is Water", "This Is A Hole", as well as the famed "Aaaaah" and "Waaaah" cliffs.
The quarters of the elders naturally did not escape unscathed, and each had their own nicknames.
And naturally, Chu Wanning was no exception. He liked peace and quiet and did not want to live near others. His residence was located at the southern summit of Sisheng Peak, hidden in a bamboo grove like an ocean of jade. There was a pond before the main hall, covered in blooming red lotuses throughout the seasons thanks to a bounty of spiritual energy, resplendent as crimson clouds.
The disciples secretly called this elegant and scenic place——
Red Lotus Hell.
Thinking about it, Mo Ran couldn't help but snicker.
Chu Wanning wore a frightful and sour face day in day out. To the disciples, seeing him was like seeing the devil himself, and what should the home of the devil be called if not hell?
Xue Meng interrupted his daydream. "The hell are you giggling about! Hurry and finish your breakfast, I have to take you to the Platform of Sin and Virtue after this. Did you forget that Shizun is going to discipline you in public today!"
Mo Ran sighed, and gingerly touched the lash mark on his face. "Hss…...ow."
"Serves you right!"
"Sigh, I wonder if Tianwen has been fixed yet. Please don't interrogate me with it again if not, who knows what other nonsense I might spout."
Faced with Mo Ran's genuine worries, Xue Meng's face flushed with anger. He threatened, "If you dare to be im-improper toward Shizun in public, I'll rip your tongue out!"
Mo Ran covered his face with one hand and waved the other as he croaked faintly, "No need, no need, if Shizun ties me up with that willow vine again, I will just end myself on the spot to prove my innocence."
Early in the morning, Mo Ran was brought onto the Platform of Sin and Virtue in accordance with customs. He cast his gaze out; below, a sea of people stood, dressed in dark blue as far as the eye could see. The disciples of Sisheng Peak were all dressed in the sect uniform: light armor so blue as to be nearly black, lion head belt, wrist guard and clothing trimmed in sparkling silver.
The sun rose from the east; below the Platform of Sin and Virtue, a sea of gleaming armor.
Mo Ran knelt on the high platform, listening to the Jielu Elder read the lengthy indictment.
"Mo Weiyu, disciple of Yuheng Elder, disregarded commandments and ignored teachings, disrespected sect rules and abandoned morality. You have violated the fourth, ninth, and fifteenth mandates. As punishment, you will receive eighty strikes, copy the sect rules one hundred times, and reflect in confinement for one month. Mo Weiyu, have you anything to say in your defense?"
Mo Ran glanced at the white silhouette in the distance.
That elder was the only person in the entirety of Sisheng Peak who was not required to wear the standard silver-trimmed blue uniform.
Chu Wanning dressed in snow-white satin, with an outer drape of cloud-patterned silver silk, as if swathed in clear frost from the highest of the heavens, but the person himself seemed more frigid than even snow and frost. He sat calmly, too far away for Mo Ran to see his expression, but Mo Ran knew, without needing to see, that this person was probably entirely unperturbed.
Inhaling deeply, Mo Ran replied, "I have nothing to say in my defense."
Next, in accordance with custom, Jielu Elder asked the disciples gathered below, "If anyone disagrees with the judgement, or has any other appeals, you may now speak."
The disciples fidgeted, glancing at one another.
No one had thought that Yuheng Elder Chu Wanning would actually send his own disciple to the Platform of Sin and Virtue to be punished in public.
This… to put it politely, was strict and impartial; but to put it frankly, was called being a cold-blooded demon.
Cold-blooded demon Chu Wanning wore an air of indifference, sitting in his seat with his chin propped up. Suddenly, someone shouted, using an amplification technique, "Yuheng Elder, this disciple would like to plead for leniency on behalf of Mo-shidi."
"...Is that so?"
Mo Ran was the Peak Lord's nephew; the disciple clearly thought that, even if he blundered, his prospects were still bright and promising, and so he decided to seize the opportunity to win favor with Mo Ran. He started to babble nonsense. "Although Mo-shidi had erred, he is cordial with his fellow disciples and compassionate to the small and weak in his daily conduct, will Elder please grant leniency in view of his kind nature!"
He was not the only one hoping to curry favor with Mo-shidi.
More and more people began to speak on Mo Ran's behalf, on grounds fantastic and varied. Even Mo Ran himself was embarrassed listening to them——when had he ever been "pure and innocent, broad-minded and open"? Was this assembly for punishment or commendation?
"Yuheng Elder, Mo-shidi once helped me defeat demons and slay vicious beasts. I would like to request recognition for Mo-shidi's merits, merits undoing demerits, requesting Elder to lessen the punishment!"
"Yuheng Elder, when I experienced qi deviation, it was Mo-shidi who helped me dispel my inner demons; I believe Mo-shidi only erred due to a brief lapse in judgement, requesting Elder to lighten shidi's punishment!"
"Yuheng Elder, Mo-Shidi once bestowed me an elixir to save my mother, he is virtuous and benevolent by nature, Elder, please be lenient!"
The final person's pretext had been taken by the person before him, and he was left at a loss for words. Chu Wanning's frosty gaze swept toward him, and he rambled out in a panic: "Yuheng Elder, Mo-shidi once helped me dual cultivate——"
"Pfft." Someone failed to hold in their laughter.
That disciple blushed up to his ears, and withdrew in embarrassment.
"Yuheng, calm down, calm down…..." Jielu Elder, seeing this turn of events, hurriedly tried to soothe him.
Chu Wanning spoke coldly, "I have never seen a person this shameless. What is his name? Whose disciple?"
Jielu hesitated slightly, then forced himself to quietly respond: "My disciple, Yao Lian."
Chu Wanning raised his eyebrows: "Your disciple? Save face?"
This was acutely awkward for Jielu Elder, whose old face was bright red as he tried to change the topic. "His singing voice is not bad, useful to keep around when receiving offerings."
Chu Wanning hmph'd and turned away, not wanting to waste any more breath with this shameless Jielu Elder.
There were thousands of people in Sisheng Peak. A couple of sycophants here and there was nothing out of the ordinary.
Looking at the persistent conviction of his sect brothers, even Mo Ran himself almost began to believe them. Impressive, impressive. As it turns out, he wasn't the only one in this sect adept at spewing lies in broad daylight—this place was full of talented people.
After countless pleas of "Yuheng Elder please be merciful", Chu Wanning finally spoke.
"Pleading on behalf of Mo Weiyu?" He paused before continuing. "Very well. Come up."
Unsure what to expect, those people went up with fear and trepidation.
A golden light flashed in Chu Wanning's hand, and Tianwen appeared as commanded, wrapping the people, more than a dozen of them, into a bundle with a woosh, binding them firmly in place.
Not this again!!
Mo Ran was about to lose all hope. The mere sight of Tianwen made his legs go soft; where the hell had Chu Wanning even attained such a deviant weapon from; it was a good thing he'd never taken a wife in the previous lifetime. Pity the woman who'd get stuck with him, if she didn't get whipped to death, she'd probably be interrogated to death.
Chu Wanning's gaze was full of scorn, he asked one from the group, "Mo Ran helped you defeat demons?"
The disciple had no chance against Tianwen's torment, and howled immediately, "No! NO!"
Asking another one: "Mo Ran helped you break out of a qi deviation?"
"AAAH!! Never! Never!"
"Mo Ran gifted you an elixir?"
"AA——! Help!! Nonono! I made it up! I made it up!"
Chu Wanning loosened the bind, but immediately after, he raised his hand in a ruthless brandish. Sparks flew everywhere as Tianwen soared out to land brutally against the backs of those lying disciples.
Shrieks were heard instantly, blood splashing.
Chu Wanning frowned, berating, "What are you yelling for? Kneel! Discipline attendant!"
"Present."
"Deliver the punishment!"
"Understood!"
In the end, not only did these people not manage to gain any favor, they each earned ten strikes for violating the mandate against deception, plus a free bonus lash from Yuheng Elder.
Come nightfall found Mo Ran sprawled out on his bed. Even though medicinal ointment has been applied, his back was still covered in crisscrossing wounds, and it was impossible to even turn over. He let out a few sniffles, eyes watering from the pain.
With his cute looks, this kind of whimpering made him seem like a fluffy, abused kitten. Unfortunately his inner thoughts were nothing like those of a kitten.
He gripped the blanket and bit into the bed sheets, imagining that bastard Chu Wanning in their place. He bit! Stomped! Kicked! Ripped!
His only comfort was that Shi Mei came to visit him with a bowl of handmade wontons. Under Shi Mei's gentle, compassionate gaze, Mo Ran's tears poured even more fiercely.
He didn't care for concepts like "men do not cry". He loved to act spoiled in front of the person he liked.
"Does it hurt a lot? Are you able to sit up?" Shi Mei sat at the edge of his bed, sighing. "Shizun he...… his hand was really too heavy. Look at your wounds...… some of them are still bleeding."
Warmth rose in Mo Ran's chest, listening to these sympathetic words. He looked up with teary eyes, and batted his eyelashes.
"Since Shi Mei cares for me so much, I, I don't feel any pain anymore."
"Oh, look at your condition, how can it not hurt? It's not like you don't know Shizun's temperament; do you still dare blunder so in the future?"
Shi Mei looked at him with equal parts helplessness and sympathy, his expressive eyes gleaming in the candlelight like a warm spring.
Mo Ran's heart skipped a beat, he answered obediently, "Won't happen again. I swear."
"Who even takes your swears seriously anymore?" Shi Mei scolded, but he was smiling. "The wontons are getting cold, can you get up? Just stay put if not, I'll feed you."
Mo Ran was already halfway up, but at these words, he collapsed back down immediately.
Shi Mei: "...."
In both this lifetime and the last, Shi Mei's wontons were Mo Ran's favorite. With wrappers thin like clouds and fillings delicate as cream, every bite was moist and satisfying, soft and savory, melting in your mouth and leaving behind a delectable aftertaste.
Especially the soup, simmered to a rich milky consistency, sprinkled with bits of chopped green scallion and tender wisps of yellow eggs, and finally a spoonful of chili oil pepper stir-fried in garlic paste, warming you from the inside out when eaten.
Shi Mei fed him attentively, spoonful by spoonful, saying, "I didn't add any chili oil today, your injuries are too severe, and spicy food is not good for recovery. Settle for the broth, ok?"
Mo Ran stared at him, smiling, unable and unwilling to look away. "Everything you make is delicious, spicy or not."
"Flatterer." Shi Mei smiled back, and picked out the poached egg in the soup. "Here's a runny egg as a reward, I know you like those."
Mo Ran laughed mischievously, a silly tuft of hair curling up from his head[15], like a flower blooming. "Shi Mei."
"Yes?"
"Nothing, just felt like calling your name."
"..."
The hair tuft swayed back and forth.
"Shi Mei."
Shi Mei suppressed a laugh. "Just calling again?"
"Mhm, just calling your name makes me happy."
Shi Mei hesitated for a moment, then gently felt his forehead. "Silly child, do you have a fever?"
Mo Ran chuckled, and rolled over halfway to peek at him sideways, eyes brightly shining, like they were full of stars.
"I wish I could eat Shi Mei's wontons every day."
He meant every word.
After Shi Mei's death, Mo Ran had always longed to taste his handmade wontons again, but that flavor was gone forever.
At that time, Chu Wanning had not yet completely broken off all relations with him. Maybe due to a guilty conscience, seeing the way Mo Ran stayed kneeling in front of Shi Mei's coffin in a stupor, Chu Wanning had quietly gone to the kitchen, kneaded dough and chopped fillings, and carefully folded a few wontons. But Mo Ran had seen before he could finish. Mo Ran, who had just lost his true love, couldn't tolerate this at all. It had seemed to him as if Chu Wanning was mocking him, a clumsy attempt at copying, a deliberate stab.
Shi Mei was dead. Chu Wanning could have saved him, but had refused to help, and afterwards dared to try to make Mo Ran wontons in place of Shi Mei. Had he thought that would make Mo Ran happy?
Mo Ran had rushed into the kitchen and knocked everything over. Plump white wontons had rolled all over the floor.
He'd roared at Chu Wanning, "Who the fuck do you think you are? Do you have any right to use the things he used? To make the food he did? Shi Mei is dead, are you happy now? Or do you have to hound all your disciples to death or madness before you're satisfied? Chu Wanning! There is no one left in this world who could make those wontons ever again. No matter how much you imitate him, you'll never even come close!"
Eating this bowl of wontons now, he was overjoyed, and also deeply moved. He kept smiling as he ate, but his eyes grew slightly moist. Thankfully the candlelight was dim, and Shi Mei couldn't see such minute details of his expression clearly.
Mo Ran said, "Shi Mei."
"Mm?"
"Thank you."
Shi Mei paused for a second, then smiled gently. "Isn't it just a bowl of wontons? There's no need to be so formal, if you like it, I'll make it for you more often."
Mo Ran wanted to say, the thanks is not just for the wontons.
Thank you also, in both this lifetime and the last, for being the only person to never look down on me, who didn't mind my origins, who didn't care about the fourteen years I'd spent struggling to survive by any means, fair or foul.
Thank you also, because if not for the fact that I remembered you back then, when I was first reborn, I probably would have killed Rong Jiu, repeated a grave mistake, and walked the same bitter path as before.
Thankfully I was reborn before your death. I will definitely protect you this time. If anything were to happen to you, even if that cold-blooded demon Chu Wanning won't save you, I will.
But there was no way he could say any of this.
In the end, Mo Ran finished the soup without saying anything, leaving not even a scrap of chopped scallion. He licked his lips as if still wanting more, dimples deep and charming, looking cute as a fuzzy kitten.
"Can I have more tomorrow?"
Shi Mei didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Don't you want to try something else? Won't you get tired of it?"
"I'll never get tired of your wontons, as long as you don't get tired of me!"
Shi Mei laughed, shaking his head. "I'm not sure how much flour is left. If there isn't enough flour for wontons, how about egg in sweet soup instead? I remember you liked that one too."
"Okie dokie! As long as you make it, anything is fine."
Mo Ran was elated, so happy he could roll around hugging the quilt.
Look how kind Shi Mei is; Chu Wanning, go ahead and whip me! There's a beauty to take care of me if I'm laid out on the bed, hehehe!
Just thinking about that Shizun of his lit a flame of anger in the midst of his gentle sentiments.
Mo Ran dug resentfully into the crack between the bed and the headboard once again, cursing internally, what Yuheng of the Night Sky, what Beidou Immortal, all bullshit!
Chu Wanning, this lifetime, just you wait and see!!