Chapter 157: Shizun, That Wedding Night, Truthfully I...

Mo Ran took out a thin bracelet as he spoke. The bracelet was strung together with mother-of-pearl and xihe crystals from Mount Zhurong[14], and it shone with brilliance, clearly an invaluable item.

"Your previous letter requested for a carp crystal, but unfortunately I used that rock to forge a sword for my little cousin. I didn't have any other wedding gifts prepared, so I bought this bracelet of water and fire. It should suit you well."

"This…this is too precious, Qiutong can't possibly accept it…"

"What reason is there to decline a wedding gift?" Mo Ran chuckled. "Besides, the bracelet of water and help moderate his spiritual flow somewhat, so it's fairly practical."

Song Qiutong gazed back at Nangong Si, and only after she got a nod of approval did she then accept the bracelet with both hands. She bowed in respect and said gently, "Many thanks, Mo-zongshi."

The four drank tea and sat there chatting for a while.

Chu Wanning was worried about Nangong Si's wedding, and so he told him to be more mindful over the next few days to ensure all details of the ceremony were taken care of, so that no mishaps would happen at the last minute.

Nangong Si finished his tea in a couple of gulps and started to idly toss his empty cup in the air. He then laughed, "No need to worry, Zongshi, I go over every night to check up on things. I'm not the same kid I was before anymore, I know what to pay attention to. See? Yesterday I discovered that Qiutong's wedding gown was missing a pearl, so I immediately went and got that sorted out."

As he spoke of the wedding ceremony, some surprising shyness colored his usually unbridled expression.

He glanced at Song Qiutong and smiled. "When the time comes, Qiutong must look beautiful."

As these words dropped into the ears of Song Qiutong's previous life's husband, Mo Ran absent-mindedly poured himself another cup of tea. Of course he knew Song Qiutong was an ethereal beauty, that she possessed unparalleled grace, but so what?

That year upon Xuying Peak, at the Heaven Worship Ceremony, Taxian-jun had married the first empress of the Cultivation World. However, though the phoenix candles had burned brightly through the night of the grand wedding, he'd never set foot into the bridal chamber.

That night, he'd drunk too much; the air in the room room had been thick with the haze of red candles, the low-hanging curtains befuddling, and he'd lifted the bride's blushing, shy face to gaze upon it. Before grand rituals in life, it was often easy for people to marvel at the squandering of time and the vicissitudes of life, and not even Taxian-jun was an exception.

He had suddenly felt like it was unreal. It'd been as if his eyes had seen past the enchanting beauty and landed instead into a dreadful blizzard from many years past.

That time, in underclothes that barely covered him from the frigid winds…That time, when he'd been starving and thirsty, on the brink of death, and had won a stranger's pity, had licked gruel from that person's hand…That time, when he'd been full of trepidation upon his first arrival at Sisheng Peak…That time, when he'd picked haitang blossoms beneath the moonlight, standing on tiptoe…That time when he'd knelt before Chu Wanning to receive lashings of the willow vine…

It had never crossed his mind that he would one day trample all immortals and rule the world.

"Husband, what is on your mind?" Her red lips were delicately parted, her gaze fixed on him, and even the breath she exhaled was extravagant with sweetness, just like his eminent status of today.

It seemed as if he had gotten everything: beautiful women, status, power…

What was there left to be dissatisfied over?

He couldn't think of anything dissatisfying, yet he'd felt incredibly hollow, like he was standing at the frozen summit, surrounded by indistinct bowed head after bowed head.

As he crossed through these flattering and fawning faces, they'd sing his praises, compliment him, kneel to receive him, curry for his favor, one after the other, every single one exactly the same.

He heard someone calling him in the most sweet and charming way, her voice soft and delicate like the petals of a peony. "Husband… Husband…"

He felt disgusted, repulsed. He wanted to escape from this tide-like horde of supporters, but this overly sweet voice was like syrup, trapping him.

He shoved Song Qiutong away. Unable to bear the rough handling, the charming new bride fell over atop the red dragon and phoenix bed of the blood red bridal chamber, the adornments on her head trembling with her fall, her dangling accessories rustling. Amidst the illusion of resplendence, Mo Ran felt like everything was too contorted, too surreal, that the golden shimmering light was ghost fire and those vibrantly red candles were bloody tears.

He felt so disgusted…but he didn't know who he was disgusted with. Song Qiutong? Or himself, who had become thus.

He forced the door open and rushed away.

In the previous life, few had known that on Taxian-jun's grand wedding night, the empress Song Qiutong had been left neglected while Mo Ran, decked in lavish gold and red, had pushed open the door to the Red Lotus Pavilion.

He'd walked in, and soon after, the candlelights of the pavilion had been extinguished. Song Qiutong's new husband had spent an entire night there.

It wasn't until dusk the next day when Xue Meng charged up Sisheng Peak to cause havoc that Mo Ran finally lazily opened the door, fixed his disheveled robes and crown, and strolled to the front palace with a face full of satiated lust.

However, outsiders were completely ignorant of what had transpired at the Red Lotus Pavilion that night.

After bidding farewell to Nangong Si and Song Qiutong, Chu Wanning and Mo Ran returned together to the courtyard they were staying at.

Chu Wanning suddenly asked casually, "When Nangong Si was calling Song Qiutong beautiful earlier, what were you doing, spacing out and staring at her?"

"I was imagining what she'd look like in her wedding gown," Mo Ran replied.

A rush of jealousy flared in Chu Wanning, and he waved his sleeve, expression frigid. "Do not ponder over what is improper. What is there for you to be concerned about, over someone else's fiancée?"

Mo Ran chuckled. "Who said I'm concerned about her? I was just imagining what she'd look like in the wedding gown, and it wouldn't be anything extraordinary. Her looks would be nothing compared to shizun's."

"..."

He was originally just about to burst out in anger, but unexpectedly, had been caught off guard by a little wolfhound[15] licking his hand.

Chu Wanning paled and flushed in turn, unable to come up with a right response for the longest time. In the end, he waved his sleeve once more and said, "There is no need to mention that absurd incident with the Ghost Mistress' illusion ever again."

Mo Ran sighed inwardly. It wasn't that I wanted to mention it, you were the one who asked. I didn't want to lie to you, but I got yelled at anyway for complimenting your good looks.

But even when you yell at me, it feels incredibly sweet.

Remembering how I once lost you, having you scold me so spiritedly for the rest of my life would only feel like being soaked in a candy jar, Chu Wanning…

What can I do? I can't stop myself from desiring you.

The days passed rapidly, and soon it was only one more day before Nangong Si's grand wedding.

Guests from all over the world had come and filled Rufeng Sect. Whether they were young sect leaders of a major sect, or rogue cultivators of the Jianghu, or wealthy great merchants, everyone who had not already come gathered at the main city on this day, creating a scene of encapsulating splendor. Horse carriages weaved through the streets as an endless stream of lavishly dressed men and women arrived, the silk and jewelry adorning their bodies like a reflection of the milky way upon the streets of Rufeng Sect, like stars streaming across the sky.

Xue Meng was dragged by his father the entire way to greet female cultivators of similar age.

"Long time no see, Wang-xianjun, what a pleasure. Aiyah, isn't this Xiao-Mantuo? Look how you've grown, so beautiful and intelligent. Come, Xue Meng, come say hi to your Uncle Wang."

Xue Meng grudgingly shuffled over. "Hi, Wang-dabo."

Xue Zhengyong slapped him up the back of his head and said through a smile and gritted teeth, "It's Wang-bobo, not Wang-dabo[16]."

"Hahaha, all the same, all the same. The darling of the heavens really is so handsome, he looks like you, Lao-Xue, what good fortune."

Eventually, Xue Meng was pushed to go for a stroll in the gardens with "Xiao-Mantuo". Xiao-Mantuo was sixteen this year, a sweet age, but she appeared somewhat cold. After stopped. With a stormy face, he waited for Xiao-Mantuo to continue.

That little wildflower raised her chin, and quite haughtily and demonstratively stared at Xue Meng with narrowed eyes, her voice cool. "My heart is taken, so even if you fancy me…"

"Are you crazy?!" Xue Meng lost it. "Me?" He pointed at himself, horrifically stunned. "Fancy you?"

"Why did you drag me to this small remote path then? Don't you have ulterior motives?"

"Why don't you say instead it's your brain that has holes[17]!"

Xue Meng's violent temper flared instantly, and in spitting anger, eyes just about shooting flames, he repeated, "I like you? I like you?? I——"

"Why are you saying you like me so many times? You perv!" Xiao-Mantuo had a staunch character; she stomped her foot, looked up, and slapped Xue Meng's face soundly.

Xue Meng was already dizzy with anger, but now, receiving a slap from a lovely little hand for no reason, he was going to spit blood. If it hadn't been for Madam Wang teaching him to yield courteously towards women, he probably would've already pinned Xiao-Mantuo down on the ground and beaten her to a pulp.

Just then, from the distance came a man with light-colored eyes and a nose with a high bridge. The moment Xiao-Mantuo saw him, she froze, then in an instant, her eyes filled with tears, and in a coquettish voice, she called out, "Mei-gongzi!" and dashed straight for that man.  

The one who'd come was indeed Mei Hanxue. He'd never imagined he'd bump into others by taking such a small, remote path, and so he was obviously stunned for a moment. However, the moment he saw Xiao-Mantuo running towards him, he raised his hand, formed a barrier from thin air and dropped it between them with a bang, blocking her off. Caught off guard, that girl crashed right into the barrier that was coursing with lightning power, and fell to the ground with a sharp cry.

It didn't appear Mei Hanxue was going to help her to her feet. He only looked down and glanced over her before saying with a frown, "You've got the wrong person, miss."

"What do you mean? How could I be wrong…That year, you gave me a golden perfume pouch, you said I was unforgettable from the first glance, and that you would come ask for my hand in marriage when I turned 18. Have…have you forgotten?"

Mei Hanxue: "..."

"Mei-gongzi…"

"You've really gotten the wrong person." Mei Hanxue didn't explain any further. He shook his head, and walked by the tearful girl, leaving her with only those words.

Xue Meng watched this scene, feeling both infuriated and mollified.

Infuriated because Mei Hanxue, this promiscuous player, was truly heartless, pretending to be strangers once his pants were back on. So fickle and aloof, no wonder he only dared walk small, remote paths in such circumstances.

Mollified because he'd never thought that the one Xiao-Mantuo loved would be this Mei Hanxue guy. Mei Hanxue was like his name, unfaithful and cold[18]. Apparently his attitude before and after fooling with a woman was completely different. Xiao-Mantuo must've been cursed for eight lifetimes' worth, for having fallen in love with him.

Mei Hanxue approached him, and squinted his light, glaze-like eyes, casting him a sidelong glance.

What're you looking at, Xue Meng thought. How dare you look at me like this? Your playboy name is infamous, but my mighty name once shook the world, I won't lose in dominance.

And so he proudly looked up, swept a look at Mei Hanxue from the corners of his eyes like an idiot, ready to scornfully humph in dignity when the two cross paths.

"Why is your face swollen?"

Unexpectedly, Mei Hanxue stopped halfway, pausing in his steps to stand in front of him, staring at him apathetically from inches away.

"A fairly unique kind of swelling too."

Xue Meng's anger was stumped but he couldn't stop himself in time and humphed arrogantly.

Mei Hanxue: "..."

"..." Xue Meng's face reddened at a rapid pace, and he jerked his head away, his murderous aura brimming. "None of your business! I accidently fell when I was walking!"

"Then you best watch where you're going in the future," Mei Hanxue said calmly. "It's not easy to get hurt like this in a fall."

He left as soon as he finished talking, leaving Xue Meng standing there stunned for a moment before he stomped his feet in rage. "Mei Hanxue! You good-for-nothing cur! Just, just you wait! WE'RE NOT FINISHED!!"

Feeling awfully aggrieved, Xue Meng ran out of the garden with red eyes, and in his haste, ran into the arms of someone without warning.

Outraged, Xue Meng yelled, "Who the hell! Do you not use your eyes when walking?"

He looked up only to see a tall and poised man dressed in blue, his robes embroidered in a pollia pattern with gold thread, and a blue-jaded crown of Guyue'ye fastened on his head. His eyelashes, long and soft and curtain-thick, lowered before he looked up, revealing a gaze like the haze of Jiangnan's misty rain, and a truly bewitching face.  

The man pushed Xue Meng away before fixing his clothes, not appearing to be in a good mood either. His long fingers straightened the wrinkles of his lapels inch by inch. When Xue Meng noticed the silver ring on his finger, marked with the pattern of a Xuanwu's back, he stopped for a moment, then said with a jolt, "Jiang Xi?"

Guyue'ye's sect leader, the richest man in the world, Jiang Xi!

This man was about the same age as Xue Zhengyong, but his cultivation method was different, and Jiang Xi's appearance had stopped ageing in his twenties. This man was immensely wealthy and extremely beautiful, truly blessed, a clear favourite of the heavens.

During the Spirit Mountain Conference, Jiang Xi had been the only one of the ten great sect leaders who'd been absent, and Xue Meng had wondered back then what that absent guy looked like. Now that he'd seen the man for himself, he was thoroughly shaken by the man's affluence and refined taste, and he stared, transfixed.

Jiang Xi however, was gloomy and irritated. "Is the name of a sect leader one that can be called by the likes of you? Laughable."

When Xue Meng heard this, he felt even more humiliated than when he'd spoken to Mei Hanxue earlier, and he was instantly outraged. "What? So you're old now and no one is allowed to say your name? I have to tag a sect leader Xianjun in there too, do I? Not even Nangong Liu put on this many airs!"

"Such disrespect!" Jiang Xi said darkly. "Whose disciple are you?"

"Why do I have to answer your question? Who do you think you are? Those monkeys at Guyue'ye all heed your call, and I gotta respect that too, do I? Well I won't tell you! I think you're nothing but a——"

"Meng-er!"

The sudden gentle voice immediately shut Xue Meng up, and his eyes moved past Jiang Xi.

Madam Wang had come without their notice, and she'd probably heard Xue Meng's offensive words just now, which was why she appeared pale and somewhat anxious. She hurried to stop him. "Meng-er, stop now, come over here, back to mum's side."

Xue Meng shot another angry glare at Jiang Xi, then shook his hands out and walked to Madam Wang. He respectfully bowed his head, "Mum."

Jiang Xi stood there for a while, then slowly turned around as well. He narrowed his eyes, and those eyes that were so obviously born beautiful shone with a malicious light.

He watched the mother-child pair standing by the white walls and black tiled roofs from the distance, and said coolly through clenched teeth, "Oh, this must be the darling of the Heavens, the good son of Xue Zhengyong, Xue Meng?"

Madam Wang: "..."  

Jiang Xi's lashes trembled briefly, then he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his gaze was already filled with mockery. "As expected of Xue Zhengyong's seed, what an excellent upbringing."

"I won't allow you to insult my dad!"

"Meng-er!" Madam Wang immediately stopped him and pulled him behind her. Then with a blanched face, she cutsied respectfully at Jiang Xi. "My son Xue Meng, he is spoiled, please do not take offense, Sect Leader Jiang."

"Oho, Sect Leader Jiang…" Jiang Xi was like a venomous snake, slowly savouring those three words on his lush lips before swallowing them down slowly. "It's fine. Half of the blood in him is shijie's anyhow, so in terms of seniority, I could recognize him as a god-nephew…"

"Who wants to be your god-nephew! Why don't you take a look at your ugly ass face first, get outta here!"

"Meng-er…"

Jiang Xi sneered. His gaze rested on Xue Meng briefly before languidly moving to Madam Wang, who dropped her gaze immediately. "Please stop this jest, Sect Leader, this married one is no longer a disciple of Guyue'ye, so how could I possibly discuss seniority with the Sect Leader?"

"…Fine," Jiang Xi nodded and replied coldly. "Good. Excellent. Today I had the chance to meet an old friend and the son of an old friend, and it's truly opened my eyes. Who knows how such a filthy place like Sisheng Peak nurtures people, that a perfectly fine white magnolia can cover itself with dirt."

"Jiang Xi! Fucking say that again! I'LL RIP YOUR MOUTH OFF!"

When Xue Meng heard the man insult his mother right to his face, his blood instantly surged to his head, and he was ready to rush the man with abandon. Not even Madam Wang could hold him back. Just as the situation was going to get out of control, there was a sudden loud sound in the sky. A resplendent firework exploded with a boom, the gongs drummed, and the Master of Ceremony of the Rufeng Sect used a sound-amplification spell to simultaneously spread the news across all seventy-two cities.

"The Welcoming Reception will take place at You time[19] within Shile Hall. Every esteemed guest is invited to attend——"

Jiang Xi gave Xue Meng a cold look, then shook his sleeves out and turned, leaving with a glower.

[14] Zhurong [祝融] was the ancient God of Fire

[15] Little Wolfhound is also a net slang for younger men who are handsome, cool, and domineering, giving girls a great sense of security despite being younger.

[16] Bobo [伯伯] (uncle) is the father's elder brother, Dabo [大伯] (also uncle in English) is the father's eldest brother. Dabo denotes a much older age, so unless the person really is the eldest brother or is significantly older, it's not the politest thing to say.

[17] Brain hole is also a net slang for imaginative, since the bigger the hole in your head the more imagination is required to fill it. Xue Meng is saying XMT is both mentally deranged and thinking way too much.

[18] 梅含雪 means Snow Held in Plum [Blossoms]; Xue Meng was playing with the word [花] which means both Flower and Varying [of the Heart].

[19] 5-7pm