When Mo Ran woke up the next day, he didn't remember clearly what happened after he got drunk.
But even if he didn't remember, Chu Wanning wouldn't.
After that day, he confirmed that Mo Ran really did lose his memories of the past, so he became more and more uneasy. He spent a long time and finally found a record of this array in a book of the medicine sect in the library of the Peak of Life and Death.
Light shone in from the window, "Eight Bitter Everlasting Regrets …"
His fingertips rubbed the dark lines on the book, then Chu Wanning took out the talisman drawn by the little dragon. When he compared the two, they were exactly the same.
It was a black heart. At first glance, it was easy to recognize that it was the Love Spell, but the Love Spell had a sesame-sized white space on the left side of the heart, but this one was reversed, on the right side.
The talisman traces shown by the little dragon corresponded to the effect of the spell, so it seemed that this was a flower spell similar to the Love Spell, but with the opposite effect?
In the empty library, the ancient book was mixed with ancient demonic characters, so it wasn't easy to understand. Although Chu Wanning had dabbled in demonic characters, it still seemed very difficult to understand.
He read slowly, word by word, but each time he understood a sentence, the astonishment in his heart increased.
"Eight Bitter Everlasting Regrets Flower, demonic seed." Chu Wanning's thin, watery lips opened slightly, and said in a low voice, "Legend has it that thousands of years ago, the North Star Palace brought it from the demonic realm to the human world."
On the book, there was a strange looking seed, next to it was a drop of blood and a thin wisp of smoke.
"This kind of cultivation is very difficult, it needs to be watered with demonic blood for ten years, and then mixed with a strand of the owner's soul, before it can sprout and bloom."
Chu Wanning muttered, "It needs demonic blood and the owner's soul to grow? But in this world … there are no pure demons. "
But the records might not be completely correct, so there was no need to investigate.
He continued to read, only to see a heart drawn on the silk book, and on the right side of the heart, there was a double-petal flower in full bloom. Next to the illustration, there was a passage of complex demonic words: "This demonic flower cannot be nurtured by the earth, nurtured by water, seen by the sky, seen by the earth, and seen by the human heart."
Chu Wanning was shocked. This was a flower that could only bloom in the heart?
Looking further down, it was even more shocking.
What was written on the book was that once the Eight Bitter Everlasting Regret Flower was planted in someone's heart, they would go through three stages.
In the first stage, the host was not much different from the past. The only difference was that the host would gradually become irritable and prone to maliciously speculate about others. Furthermore, the host would gradually forget some of the good memories. At this stage, although the Eight Bitter Everlasting Regret Flower was difficult to remove, as long as it was discovered in time, its effects could be slowly suppressed. If the situation was good, the Everlasting Regret Flower would eventually go into hibernation, and it would be difficult for it to take effect again.
But if it was not discovered at this time, then depending on the host's situation, the Eight Bitter Everlasting Regret Flower would grow to the second stage after eight to ten years.
At this stage, the host would begin to rapidly forget all the pure memories related to "pure", "gentle", and "hope". Instead, they would repeatedly recall the frustrations, setbacks, malice, and bullying in their lives.
The eight hardships of life, birth, old age, sickness, death, resentment, love, separation, and the five Yin flames would all be engraved in the host's mind.
Deep into the marrow.
When Chu Wanning read to this point, his face was already as white as snow.
Mo Ran … wasn't that the case?
He had forgotten the wishes of his youth, forgotten the letters he had written, and even his own mother was not as clear as before.
He continued to read. At the third stage, the host would become bloodthirsty, violent, and irrational …
They would take revenge for the sufferings they had suffered in the past a thousand times over.
Chu Wanning seemed to recall Mo Ran's sinister smile in the sea of blood of the Confucian Wind Sect. One of his hands was filled with spiritual power, and he fiercely pierced it into a cultivator's body.
His fingers were covered in blood. He forcibly pulled out the heart and crushed it.
Many people cried and begged for mercy. The ground was littered with corpses, but Mo Ran only laughed loudly. His eyes flashed with an excited and crazed luster. He kept muttering the same sentence:
"Hit by three feet, you can't ask for ten feet … you can't ask for ten feet!"
Ruthless, crazy, evil, and ferocious.
Why did Mo Ran become like this?
At that time, it was not that he did not have the slightest suspicion, but the effects of the Eight Bitter Everlasting Regret Flower would gradually increase, and the most important point was — it was also written in the silk book — that this kind of demonic flower would not produce violence for no reason. Instead, it would expand the host's hatred and desire.
In other words, this hatred and desire really did belong to Mo Ran. No one had wronged him.
Mo Ran had indeed thought about slaughtering the entire Confucian Wind Sect. He had indeed thought about becoming unrivalled in the world. He had also hated and resented Chu Wanning. However, these emotions might have only lasted for a moment, or perhaps they were just wild thoughts buried deep in his heart that even he had almost forgotten.
However, the Eight Bitter Everlasting Regret Flower would dig out all the hatred in his heart and put it into practice.
In this way, in the eyes of outsiders, although the host of the Everlasting Regret Flower was deranged and crazy, their hatred was justified. They would not suddenly have a great change in temperament and become a completely different person. People would think that "he slowly became like this because of hatred", and would not think that "he slowly became like this because of the curse".
It was precisely because of this that practically no one was able to easily discover the Eight Bitter Everlasting Regret Flower in Mo Ran's body, and by the time it was discovered, it would usually be at the second or third stage, and it would be absolutely impossible to remove or contain it.
After Chu Wanning finished reading this record, he was actually unable to come back to his senses for a long time.
What kind of feeling did he have in his heart?
Surprise? Regret? Anger? Fear? Or perhaps regret …
He did not know.
He sat on the floor of the library that was slightly dilapidated due to years of disrepair. It was currently afternoon, and the sun was still warm. However, when it shone on his body, it did not bring back the slightest bit of warmth.
Chu Wanning sat idly in the library for a long time. He felt as if there was an invisible and untouchable person standing behind him. That person smiled faintly and sat there like a malicious spirit, spying on their every move and every word from behind the curtain.
He lowered his head again and looked at the words written on the silk —
"In the first stage, if discovered in time, although the Everlasting Regret Flower is difficult to remove, it can be contained. In the end, the host will not lose his mind."
Chu Wanning repeated this sentence over and over again, repeating it countless times.
In the end, he was stunned to find that there were droplets of water dripping and slowly spreading out on the silk book. He stretched out his cold hand and tried to wipe away the water stain.
However, before his hand touched the surface of the silk, he instinctively turned to his face, covering his wet eyelashes and trembling eyelids.
It was his fault, his fault. He was the one who had always been arrogant and valued his face more than anything else. He was the one who was unwilling to speak openly and honestly about anything he wanted to say.
If discovered in time …
He would not lose his mind.
However, after so many years, he did not discover anything. The so-called Wanye Yuheng, the Northern Dipper Celestial Venerable, did not even realize that his disciple had become the host of the Devil Flower. It was his solitude and ineloquence that caused Mo Ran to embark on the road alone, walking into the boundless night and involving himself in a sea of blood and deep hatred.
How could he have the face to hold the position of Venerable? How could he have the face to accept Mo Ran calling him "Master"?
If discovered in time.
This sentence was like a nightmare, like a curse lingering in his ears. He felt like a thorn in his back, like a fish bone choking him, and was extremely shocked — he was a teacher in vain.
At this time, when he looked back, how long had Mo Ran been acting strangely? It wasn't just one or two years. They had spent so many years together. Mo Ran was a shy and brilliant young man at the beginning. Bit by bit, he was swallowed by darkness and soaked in blood.
And as his master, until today — until everything was irreparable, and it was difficult to look back, only now did he realize … his insides were muddled, his body was like a floating boat, he was in extreme pain and hatred — he was a teacher in vain!!
That day, Chu Wanning did not know how he tidied up his emotions, how he slowly walked out of the library and into the empty bamboo forest at the peak of life and death.
He also did not know how he returned to the Red Lotus Pavilion. Under the Chinese wisteria, everything was in chaos. He sat there alone, from the brilliant sun to the dusk.
Then, a person walked into his field of vision.
That person had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and a dignified appearance. He stepped on the ground full of sunset, and in his hand was a goblet of floating light, slowly walking towards the pavilion.
Chu Wanning was in a daze, and for a moment he could not react to who this person was, or what year it was. That tall and handsome man overlapped with the young man in his memory.
He remembered that it was a month after he became his disciple. Mo Ran carried a small clay pot wrapped in bamboo vines, and excitedly ran to the Red Lotus Pavilion to find him.
The youth ran too fast. His cheeks were slightly red, he was panting, and his eyes were astonishingly bright.
"Shizun, I tasted a very good wine at the foot of the mountain. I bought a little, I'll treat you to it."
Chu Wanning asked, "You haven't accepted a mission yet, where did you get the money?"
Mo Ran grinned, "I borrowed it from Uncle."
"… … Why waste money?"
"Because Shizun likes me." Mo Ran smiled, holding the wine pot with both hands, and handed it to Chu Wanning, "I also like Shizun."
Chu Wanning still remembered his embarrassment and shame at that time.
The youth's goodwill was too strong, and he felt like a hot potato, unable to hold it.
He flicked his sleeve and reprimanded, "Nonsense, what do you mean like or dislike? Don't talk about it in the future. "
"Oh … … Okay then." The youth scratched his head, "But when I eat good food, drink good wine, I will definitely think of Shizun. I want to taste it with Shizun."
"… … I have never drunk wine."
Mo Ran smiled, "Then you should at least try, right? Maybe Shizun has a good tolerance. "
Chu Wanning pursed his lips, took the wine pot, opened it, and tried to smell it. His eyes slightly widened.
"Is it fragrant?"
"Yes."
"Haha, quickly drink some and see."
Chu Wanning drank a mouthful. Although it was strong, the taste was mellow, and his mouth was immersed in a strong fragrance. Chu Wanning could not help but drink another mouthful, "It is not bad, what is it called?"
Mo Ran grinned brightly, "This is called Pear Blossom White."
This was the first time he had drunk wine in his life. He muttered and repeated, "Pear Blossom White … … it is a good name."
Mo Ran was very happy, "If Shizun likes it, when I can take on assignments in the future and earn money, I will buy it for Shizun to drink every day."
Chu Wanning drank another mouthful and looked at him with his phoenix eyes, the expression on his face was still indifferent, "Then I'm afraid you won't be able to save your money."
Mo Ran was all smiles, "No need to save it, I will use the money I earn to buy things for Shizun, Uncle, and Auntie."
Chu Wanning did not say anything, but he faintly felt that there was a crack in his heart, and there were traces of sweetness seeping out. In order to not let Mo Ran see his joy, he did not want him to think that "So Elder Yu Heng can be bribed with just a cup of wine." He continued to hold the wine jug without batting an eyelid, coldly and indifferently drinking.
Beside him was his newly accepted little disciple, who was talking endlessly. Chu Wanning sometimes found it very surprising that his indifference was like a wall to anyone.
Only this guy happily flipped over the wall, and even rubbed the back of his head and looked around as if nothing had happened.
He was afraid that he was an idiot.
On the other side, Mo Ran was thinking about what to buy for Shizun in the future, so he asked, "Does Shizun like to eat osmanthus jelly?"
"En."
"Lotus jelly?"
"En."
"Osmanthus jelly and lotus root?"
"En."
Mo Ran's dimples became deeper and sweeter. He smiled, "Shizun really likes sweet things."
Chu Wanning did not respond this time. He probably finally realized that sweet things did not match his usual icy appearance.
He drank another mouthful of wine. Because he was vexed, this mouthful was rather bold. Although this wine was mellow and sweet, it was still a bit strong, and he choked.
Helpless to save face, Chu Wanning felt that it was very embarrassing to choke on wine, so he forced himself not to cough. As he endured, the spiciness in his throat became more intense, and the corners of his eyes and the tip of his nose couldn't help but turn a little red.
The youth beside him was still talking about his grand ambitions, and his not so grand future. He was a bit short of breath. "Then I'll buy them all back for Shizun. In the future, I'll collect good food from all over the world and compile it into a book. Then I'll accompany Shizun to eat all over the world, and then …"
He turned around with a smile, and suddenly jumped in fright.
"Shizun, you, what's wrong with you?"
Chu Wanning, "… …"
As a master, if he choked on wine brought by his disciple, wouldn't that be the biggest joke in the world?
Hold on, don't cough.
So the corners of his eyes turned even redder, and a layer of mist even appeared in his eyes.
Mo Ran was a bit at a loss. "Did I say something wrong? Shizun, why are you crying? "
"… …"
Chu Wanning glared at him, his long eyelashes trembling slightly, and he was a bit angry.
Mo Ran didn't sense his anger, and stared blankly for a while before he seemed to understand. His tone became very gentle in an instant. "Is it because no one bought it for Shizun before?"
Chu Wanning became even angrier.
Mo Ran continued, "Actually, there was a time when I couldn't eat anything, and I was about to starve to death. Then I met a little brother on the road, and he gave me a pot of sweet rice porridge to drink … … I also like sweet things, but no one could buy it for me before. "
This youth had a talent for comparing himself to others, and in the end, he firmly believed that Chu Wanning's eyes were red because he was moved.
He pulled on Chu Wanning's hand.
This was truly unexpected. Chu Wanning had only ever held his hand in her entire life, other than teaching others magic spells by hand, when Huai Sin was the only time she had ever held his hand. He felt very surprised that a newly accepted disciple would so rashly pull on his hand without following the rules.
He was about to get angry, but when he looked up, he saw that this little accident was looking up at a handsome young face that still had some childishness. He said seriously:
"Shizun, when I'm successful, I'll buy candy for you."
The youth's eyebrows and eyes were full of gentleness.
"I'll buy you the best candy, as much as you want. My mother taught me to repay a debt of gratitude. "
He didn't go to school properly, and had been in the brothel for a long time, so his speech was always strange, and it was always funny that his words didn't convey his meaning.
However, Chu Wanning knew that he had been scalded at that time. He stared at Mo Ran for a moment, then suddenly lowered his eyes and didn't say anything.
After a long time, the alcohol finally subsided. Chu Wanning coughed uncomfortably and said lightly: "Don't speak nonsense in the future. Also … "He suddenly became curious and asked:" There's something I want to ask you. "
"Shizun, please speak."
Chu Wanning hesitated, and finally asked a little awkwardly: "At that time, there were so many people in front of the Tower of Babel, why did they worship me?"
The youth Mo Ran opened his mouth to speak —
But at this time, the memories were suddenly interrupted.
The Emperor Ta held a wine jug and stood in front of Chu Wanning, who had been in a daze. He raised a finger and poked his forehead.
"What's wrong?"
Chu Wanning's eyes slowly focused at this time. He looked at Mo Ran in front of him.
His face was pale, and his expression was gloomy. Although he was still handsome, it couldn't hide the violence in his bones. A pair of beast-like eagle eyes.
He was no longer the fiery youth of the past.
It was all in the past.
He suddenly felt very tired, very very tired. It was an extreme loss and pain that he had never felt before after being under house arrest for so long.
He was so conflicted that he didn't even know how to face the man in front of him.
Chu Wanning turned his face.
A slightly cold hand pinched his chin and turned his face around. Light and shadow flowed in the phoenix-like eyes, reflecting the last trace of red in the sky. In the thick darkness, the Emperor Ta's slightly gloomy face: "Are you still angry?"
Chu Wanning closed his eyes. After a long time, he said in a hoarse voice: "No."
"Your fever has subsided?" Before Chu Wanning could answer, Mo Ran let go of his chin and touched his forehead. Then he said to himself: "Yes, it has subsided."
He sat down and opened the seal of the wine jar while saying: "Since your illness has been cured, your anger has also subsided. Today, accompany me to drink wine. "
"…"
He knew that there was an invisible mastermind behind the Emperor Ta. He knew that the seemingly peaceful peak of life and death was actually full of dangers. He knew that he shouldn't act rashly and alert the enemy. He shouldn't act strangely.
But when the wine was poured out, Mo Ran said lightly: "Pear Blossom White, your favorite wine." He was still dazed.
The aroma drifted out, as if it was separated from the world, like an illusion.
That was also the first wine he drank in his life.
He would never forget it in his life.
Chu Wanning raised his eyes and looked at the person who poured the wine. He knew that Mo Ran must have forgotten this past. Suddenly, he felt a dull pain in his heart and throat, so he picked up the wine cup and drank it in one gulp.
The wine was too strong. If he drank like this, he would choke.
But this time, Chu Wanning didn't have any scruples. He even coughed violently as if he was holding on to a piece of floating grass in a torrent. His eyes were red, his eyelashes were wet, and finally, tears flowed down.
Mo Ran was slightly startled, and his eyes seemed to be in a trance for a moment.
However, he quickly narrowed his eyes and grinned: "What's wrong with Shizun? Why are you crying? "
Chu Wanning endured. Even if it was heartbreaking, even if it was extremely torturous, even if the truth was known, he couldn't do anything.
Or pull out the Everlasting Regret Flower.
Or find out the mastermind behind the scenes.
Or die himself.
Before that, he knew that he had to endure.
Pretending that he didn't know anything, pretending that he was extremely angry, Chu Wanning closed his eyes and tried to straighten his back. He said hoarsely: "Wine."
Mo Ran said slowly: "Is the wine too strong?"
Chu Wanning didn't answer. He filled another cup and drank it into his lungs, burning it all the way.
"Why did you worship me?"
He opened his misty eyes and looked into the distance. In the evening mist, the Tower of Babel was still standing solemnly. But the young man who said with a smile: "Because I like you and feel close to you," would never come back.
There were eight hardships in life.
Birth, old age, sickness, and death. Love and separation. Can't ask for it. Resentment. Five Yin.
It was called Everlasting Regret.
There were so many opportunities to discover the truth, but he missed them all. When he finally discovered the real reason for Mo Ran's twisted nature, he was already a cripple, and couldn't do anything.
At night, Chu Wanning looked at Mo Ran sleeping soundly beside his pillow. That once pure face was covered with a layer of coldness, and his face was as white as paper.
He hated, he resented.
When Mo Ran cut off all ties with him, he was also bitterly disappointed. When Mo Ran forced him to submit, he was also disheartened.
But in the long night, in the mournful curtain.
He was lying beside the Emperor Ta. Chu Wanning, who finally knew the truth, only felt that the past hatred, resentment, disheartened, and disheartened were all so ridiculous.
Mo Ran had been poisoned by the Gu long ago. Everything he did was not his original intention at all.
That all-powerful Immortal Trampling Monarch had long been imprisoned and chained up by iron chains. He was the Master, but he couldn't do anything.
Because he didn't know how many pairs of eyes were watching him, he couldn't tell the truth to anyone.
He couldn't even show the slightest bit of compassion and gentleness to Mo Ran. He could only hate, resent, disheartened, and disheartened.
Only in the dead of night, in this Wu Mountain Palace, when Mo Ran was asleep, Chu Wanning could get up and caress Mo Ran's pale face.
Only then could he gently say: "I'm sorry, Master didn't protect you well."