Bab 343: Chapter 343: Fighting for Affection 1
It was Chu Wanning's second birthday since he had retreated from the world.
His first birthday, the previous year, had been rather absurdly regrettable.
For on that day last year, Mo Ran's body had been under the control of Heaven-Stepping Lord. Though in his state as Grandmaster Mo, he couldn't fully recall everything he had done as Heaven-Stepping Lord, he could still piece together some fragments of memory.
Heaven-Stepping Lord, a simple man who believed "gold represents my heart," knew nothing of romance or sentimentality. He sincerely thought there were only two ways to express affection:
One: Sleep with him repeatedly.
Two: Shower him with wealth.
On their own, these gestures weren't necessarily problematic. Repeatedly sleeping with him signified that only Chu Wanning could ignite his desires, while spending money on him meant that only Chu Wanning could touch his purse strings. Although somewhat crude, the Emperor had no other more refined ideas and could have made do.
But the issue lay in the timing of Heaven-Stepping Lord's gift of gold. After exhausting Chu Wanning all night on his birthday, he returned the next morning with nine massive baskets of gold bars, grandly displayed them at the entrance of their home, and expansively declared, "Chu Wanning! This is all a reward from me! Are you satisfied with what you see? If you are—"
Whatever came after remained unknown, for Heaven-Stepping Lord, along with his gold, had already been knocked to the ground by the celestial sword Tianwen summoned by an enraged Chu Wanning.
Poor Heaven-Stepping Lord couldn't comprehend why giving money after sleeping with someone would result in such a vicious beating. He truly had no ulterior motives; he just wanted to demonstrate his feelings. Was there something wrong with giving money after sleeping together? Should it be given beforehand? Or perhaps during?
Should he charge a fee for each action, fifty for a small gesture and eighty for a grand one?
Eighty... Eighty...
He sat silently on the log, lost in thought about what his alternate self would do in this situation. After much contemplation, he decided that he wouldn't give gold directly but instead exchange it for soft, comfortable clothing, exquisite dishes, novel and intriguing magical toys... Or, on Chu Wanning's birthday, he would distribute aid to the poor, surely earning his appreciation and praise.
Too cunning.
Heaven-Stepping Lord thought with resentment, secretly pounding his leg in frustration. How deceitful! How despicable! How fawning!
Chu Wanning still thought Grandmaster Mo was honest.
- Pah!!
Only he knew his true nature in this world!
Grandmaster Mo's seemingly noble demeanor, while harboring ulterior motives, truly disgusted him!! What was wrong with giving gold? Wasn't it sincere? Simple and genuine!
Why couldn't these people see his heart of gold?
With his back to the small cottage he shared with Chu Wanning, he sat on a tree stump with his chin in his hand and one leg crossed over the other, simmering in silent frustration for hours. Just as Chu Wanning was about to come out and talk to him, showing signs of reconciliation, Master Ma from Peach Bud Manor unexpectedly stumbled up the mountain, wailing and crying, breaking through the barrier, and clutching at Chu Wanning's thigh to complain:
"Grandmaster Chu, it's unjust! Lord Mo descended the mountain without reason and emptied two of my Peach Bud Manor's warehouses, saying that one smile from Bao Si is worth a thousand gold coins..."
Chu Wanning's recently softened expression turned grim once more.
That night, until Mo Ran switched back to his persona as Grandmaster Mo, Chu Wanning refused to let him enter the house. Mo Ran later wrote "I will never again go down the mountain to steal chickens or money, nor engage in any wicked deeds, not even on credit," three thousand times before the matter was finally put to rest.
Having learned such a bitter lesson last year, Mo Ran dared not be careless this time around.
Fortunately, when counting the days, on the day of Shifu's birthday this year, it would be his more normal consciousness in control of the body, so nothing untoward should happen.
Although in the memories of Heaven-Stepping Lord that he casually shared, he saw that Heaven-Stepping Lord still wanted to prepare some gifts for Shifu ahead of time, Heaven-Stepping Lord's nature wouldn't allow him to appear on that day, so he probably wouldn't cause much trouble. This was likely because, after being snubbed last year, he was afraid that Grandmaster Mo's presence would overshadow him, hence his desire to vie for favor.
Let him vie, then.
Thought Grandmaster Mo, unperturbed. The toughest opponent for anyone to overcome is oneself, and he had no fear.
Besides, to be honest, he was also quite curious to see which version of himself – in what state of mind – would prepare a gift most likely to please Shifu.
.
"A birthday gift?"
In the master's chamber of the Summit of Life and Death, Xue Meng looked at Mo Ran with surprise as the latter quietly paid him a visit. Mo Ran was sitting at a huanghuali wood table with a meandering branch support and a potted plum blossom design, fiddling with a teacup in front of him. He smiled and said, "Yes, what do you think would make the best gift to bring someone satisfaction?"
"To whom are you giving it?"
"To someone close."
Due to Chu Wanning's cold demeanor, he had never celebrated his birthday on the Summit of Life and Death before. He also never mentioned his birthdate to his disciples. Later, after Chu Wanning and Mo Ran retreated from the world, Mo Ran persistently nagged until Chu Wanning finally gave in, but on the condition that Mo Ran wouldn't tell anyone else, especially the younger disciples like Xue Meng.
So naturally, Xue Meng didn't expect it to be for him.
But after considering all possibilities, he couldn't think of another person who would warrant such thoughtful consideration from Mo Ran. As Xue Meng pondered, he suddenly realized that his own birthday was approaching. Could it be—
Xue Meng was startled, then a warmth surged through his heart. His gaze softened as he looked at Mo Ran.
Mo Ran: "???"
Xue Meng cleared his throat softly. Despite his joy, he maintained the aloofness and dignity of a sect leader, saying coolly, "For a birthday, it's the thought that counts more than the gift itself."
Mo Ran said, "I still have to send something. That person holds a special place in my heart. Not only do I have to send something, but it has to be the best."
"That would be too much. I don't lack any possessions either—"
Mo Ran was slightly taken aback. "What did you say?"
"Cough! What I meant was, he might not necessarily lack anything."
"He might or might not need it, but that's not the point when it comes to me sending him a gift."
Xue Meng felt a fluttering in his heart, secretly admiring how considerate Mo Ran had become, treating his brother with such respect and affection. It truly touched him. He summoned all his self-control to maintain a calm facade, pausing thoughtfully before saying, "In that case, let me... think about it for a moment."
"Alright."
"How about that new set of gold and silver thread embroidered with emerald feathers from the Jiangdong Sect? It's a soft armor."
"..."
That outfit shimmered with golden light and radiant hues, exuding an aura of opulence like a peacock's display. It was hard to imagine how it would look on Chu Wanning. After a moment of silence, Mo Ran weighed his words carefully and tactfully told Xue Meng, "It would actually suit you quite well." But not him.
Xue Meng rejoiced and said, "Then it's settled. Let's go with this one."
"…Think about it some more," Mo Ran hesitated, not wanting to criticize Xue Meng's taste. He suggested tactfully, "The Jiangdong Sect's attire is nice, but not exceptional. Can you come up with something more valuable?"
Xue Meng's eyes widened in surprise. He stammered, "H-How can I accept that? It's too much!"
"?"
"Cough… I mean, anything decent will do. There's no need to spend so much."
"Birthdays only come once a year. No need to scrimp and save."
Xue Meng was overwhelmed with emotion. After holding back for a moment, he lowered his head and patted Mo Ran's shoulder forcefully. "No need to say anything else, Brother. I'll remember your words today."
Mo Ran: "…???"
As Mo Ran left the Peak of Life and Death draped in his cloak, he still hadn't gained any inspiration from Xue Meng.
On the contrary, he found Xue Meng inexplicably strange that day, even abnormal. The young man seemed to be easily swept away by emotions like joy, excitement, and sentimentality, though he tried to suppress them. However, his efforts were barely effective.
Perhaps being the sect leader is too exhausting...
Should he write a letter to remind Elder Greedy Wolf to check on Xue Meng's health promptly, ensuring that any illnesses don't go unnoticed? Xue Meng truly has it tough, alas.
In the following days, Mo Ran secretly visited renowned buildings and shops across the cultivation world, perusing all manner of rare treasures. Not that these treasures were bad, but he found them either too vulgar, too gaudy, or simply too ordinary to rival the depth of his affection. He wanted to transform his boundless love into something tangible to present before Chu Wanning, yet he didn't know what could contain his profound feelings. His heart was like an ocean, but in the mortal world, there was only a spoon to hold it.
Why wasn't there anything in this world that could encompass the love he wished to bestow upon Chu Wanning?
His anxiety began to consume him.
He even managed to acquire a black market copy of the "Cultivation World Notables' Gift List." The diminutive bookseller boasted that it contained detailed records of gifts exchanged among prominent figures in the cultivation world over the past three decades.
Regardless of whether the vendor was exaggerating, Mo Ran believed him and immersed himself in studying the book for hours.
"Nan Gongsi once gave Ye Wangxi a handkerchief, with 'Si' embroidered in a corner."
"Rong Yan presented Nan Gongsi with a quiver, crafted by Lady Rong herself."
"..."
Seeing these accounts of old acquaintances, Mo Ran couldn't help but sigh, his gaze darkening slightly.
Over the years, Ye Wangxi had wandered the world alone, carving out her own path. She planned to travel the four seas, earn some money, and then reopen a small academy in Lin Yi at the former site of the Confucian Wind Sect.
It was said that long before Nangong Changying established the sect, there had been a noble in Lin Yi who opened a school, teaching students the Six Virtues, Six Conducts, and Six Arts. Changying, the Great Ancestor, was the last disciple of that academy. Later, due to unforeseen circumstances, the school declined, and Nangong Changying integrated what he had learned from his mentor into his own philosophy of the "Seven Precepts of the Confucian Wind," thus founding the Confucian Wind Sect and inaugurating hundreds of years of prosperity and glory for Lin Yi in the cultivation world.
Now, after all these twists and turns, the sect was destroyed, its splendor vanished. But Ye Wangxi had at least preserved the spirit of the Confucian gentleman, passing it on in the form of that original academy.
Perhaps in another thousand or tens of thousands of years, it would be a new cycle.
Mo Ran shook his head and continued reading:
"Nan Gongliu once gifted Qi Liangji with seven phoenix-adorned silk undergarments embroidered with peonies. Along the edges were profane phrases like 'You're so flirtatious,' and 'Why are you wearing Rong Yan's clothes' using golden threads to ward off evil..."
"..."
After reading every word, Mo Ran froze, then felt an intense wave of disgust. He made a sound of distaste, "Ew," and quickly turned the page on the "Confucian Wind Sect gift list."
"The gifts from Solitary Moon Night."
"Female disciple Zhao Tiantian offers a pair of jade buttons to Jiang Yichen."
"Female disciple Zhou Yanyan presents a phoenix feather folding fan to Jiang Yichen."
"Female disciple Zhang Chunchun bestows a golden earthen incense burner upon Jiang Yichen."
The list went on for nearly forty pages.
All entries recorded the gifts given to Jiang Xi before he became the sect leader, with a few instances of his thoughtful senior and junior male disciples joining in as well.
Mo Ran found himself lost in thought... Could it be that Jiang Xi had built his fortune through his charm?
He continued flipping the pages.
"All forty pages of gifts were discarded by Jiang Yichen."
Alright then...
...He had misunderstood him.
Jiang Yechen truly was an intriguing person.
After flipping through the pages for quite some time, Mo Ran failed to find any inspiration for gift-giving. Instead, he stumbled upon a recent incident where Mei Hanxue had gifted Xue Meng with a premium Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus, known for its remarkable brain-nourishing effects.
The Snow Lotus was indeed a precious treasure. Since his Master was already so wise, it wasn't necessary for him to consume it for cognitive enhancement. However, if they could cultivate a pond of such lotuses, it would be most appropriate.
It was regrettable that after Chu Wanning retreated from the world, he preferred the simple life of hearing dogs bark at the wooden gate and returning home on snowy nights. He disliked extravagance. Otherwise, if Heaven-Stepping Lord's whimsical ideas were carried out, the entire Southern Screen Mountain would now be dotted with numerous dwellings, instead of merely two small houses and a humble courtyard.
Mo Ran let out a sigh and closed the book.
Just then, the sun was setting, casting a gentle orange-yellow glow through the window's silk paper. Master had suddenly decided to make some dumplings, and they were now ready. The clinking of porcelain and jade-like sounds came from the small kitchen: "Mo Ran, come help."
"I'm on my way."
Mo Ran replied, and at that moment, the scent of his favorite food wafted through the bamboo grove of Nanchang, soothing his senses. Unlike the intense aroma of stir-fried hot pot, it always calmed his heart with its tender warmth, like still water.
In the kitchen, a little yellow and white mongrel dog they had adopted last year energetically ran out, seemingly urging Mo Ran on, circling around him with its tongue lolling, guiding him along the way.
"Move the dining table outside, wipe it clean, and fetch a small jar of wine."
Chu Wanning stood by the stove, the wooden lid lifted to reveal plump and round dragon dumplings bubbling within. The translucent wrappers concealed finely minced meat, awaiting retrieval to be drenched in a vibrant, aromatic sauce. Amidst the rising steam, he casually inquired, "What book were you engrossed in outside?"
"It was just leisure reading," Mo Ran smiled, rolling up his sleeves to move the wooden table.
His exertion accentuated the definition of his muscles and veins.
Chu Wanning frowned. "Read more meaningful books. I've heard there are many absurd storybooks circulating lately. Don't bring them back to Nanshui Mountain. There are many wandering wood spirits here, some still young. Such literature would not benefit them and might corrupt their minds."
Mo Ran chuckled. "Understood."
He carried the table out, accompanied by the joyful barking of the little earth dog.
During the meal, Mo Ran was lost in thought, nibbling on his chopsticks.
The little dog sat by their table, happily gnawing on an unsalted bone.
Chu Wanning glanced at Mo Ran, then at the dog, noticing their similarity, save for the difference between a wooden stick and a bone. He asked, "What are you pondering?"
Mo Ran snapped back to reality. "Ah... Master. I was thinking about..."
"Hmm?"
Mo Ran hesitated, unsure how to proceed.
Of course, he couldn't ask Chu Wanning what he wanted. For one, his Master would never tell him, and for another, if he did, the surprise would be ruined, and the gesture might not even measure up to Heaven-Stepping Lord's nine baskets of gold.
So Mo Ran found a more tactful approach and cautiously inquired, "I wonder if there's anything we lack at home... Does Master think we need anything else?"
"No, everything is already complete," Chu Wanning replied. "Ever since we got the dog, I've even found this place to be a bit too noisy and cramped. There's no need for more items."
The 'dog head' was the little mongrel, who had now finished gnawing on its bone and was now playfully nibbling at the corner of Chu Wanning's robe.
By nature, it was mischievous. Found nearly dead when it was brought back, Chu Wanning had saved its life, and so it had lived with them. Over time, it developed a habit of causing trouble, looking for scoldings and beatings. Chu Wanning often looked down on and disliked it, but in the end, he still spoiled it. Even when the dog chewed through his robe, he only scolded it for being noisy, never bothering to strike it.
The dog wagged its tail happily.
Mo Ran asked, "How about expanding the house then?"
"It would require a lot of effort, and I'm too lazy for that."
"..."
"Am I supposed to do it all by myself?"
"It's already noisy enough. You're just adding to the chaos." Chu Wanning lifted his phoenix-like eyes and glared at him. "Instead of building a house, why not donate your spare money to those in need down the mountain? Are we planning to have one room for the dog, one for you, and one for me?"
"Well, Master could share with me, and Doggy can have its own room."
"In that case, it might forget who it is."
"Ha." Mo Ran lowered his head, chuckling. "Doggy, do you think I'm treating you well? I'll share a room with Master, while you get your own separate space. Where else can you find such a caring owner?"
The dog with yellow and white fur tilted its head, giving him a look strikingly similar to a human's. It seemed to be saying, Don't you know why you're willing to squeeze with Chu Wanning? Have some self-respect.
"..."
His efforts were futile.
As the birthday approached day by day, Mo Ran couldn't fall asleep that night. After Chu Wanning had drifted off, he propped his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling in a daze for a long time.
Renovating the Southern Screen Cottage to make it even more beautiful and cozy for Master's birthday was a decent idea. But that would require more land, a bigger house, and the search for rare treasures, weapon blueprints, constructing a Book Collection Pavilion, an armory, and a treasury...
Ah, forget it. He could already imagine Master being displeased, believing he wasn't spending the money wisely and finding the maintenance troublesome.
Lost in thought, he suddenly detected an unusual sound outside.
Mo Ran picked up on it instantly.
A dog's head?
No, that wasn't right. His gaze shifted, noticing the sleeping yellow-and-white puppy nestled in a corner, and he quickly dismissed the notion.
...Could it be a thief?
Their retreat was protected by a barrier; only those with tokens like Xue Meng and Ma Yun could enter freely, while ordinary humans were forbidden from entering easily.
Unless the visitor wasn't human.
The sound was soft, but it didn't escape his senses. Something seemed to be stealthily approaching their residence. Mo Ran focused, holding his breath as he prepared to sit up quietly and peer through the window crack. Just then, the thing outside tapped gently on the cottage door three times, softly uttering "tuk tuk tuk."
?
In the dead of night, who on earth would venture up to Nanshan and knock on their door?
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Bettygift
Bettygift Chapter 343-350 translation credit to _snowflooks
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
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