Chapter 342: Xue Meng's Blind Date: Xue Meng Finally Seizes Total Victory

As Chu Wanning had also succumbed to the Scroll Monster, he was inevitably cursed temporarily into a snow-white feline.

When the silver light dissipated, the white cat sat majestically on the floor of the annex, its beautiful eyes slightly raised as it glared fiercely at everyone present.

Despite having anticipated this outcome for five days after their defeat, the spectators fell into an apprehensive silence.

Honeybee Ma Fangzhi.

Divine Bird Jiang Yechen.

White Cat Chu Wanning.

What was going on here? Were they supposed to collect all seven grandmasters to summon the divine farmer, Shennong?

Chu Wanning's gaze was even more terrifying than Jiang Yechen's, probably because one was a cat and the other a bird – birds didn't have much facial expression, but cats could convey great anger. Mo Ran felt both sympathy and affection, yearning to crouch down and embrace him. However, the cat flattened its ears, puffed up its white fur, baring its sharp fangs as it let out an indignant roar:

"Meow-ha-aooww!"

A female disciple couldn't resist exclaiming softly, "So adorable!"

"I even think Grandmaster Mo did it on purpose to turn him into a cat..."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanning's eyes widened abruptly as he glared fiercely at Mo Ran, growling threateningly.

Mo Ran hurriedly raised his hand and swore, "I didn't! I swear I didn't!"

Chu Wanning narrowed his eyes, hesitantly lifting his claw tip as if he wanted to summon Tianwen for an interrogation. However, with a sharp cry, only a gentle golden glow emerged from his round, snowy paws, accompanied by the little pink, cool nose of the white cat. It seemed more like the big white cat was playfully performing a magic trick while coquettishly raising its paw.

Mo Ran felt a thud in his chest and couldn't resist kneeling down to stroke the fluffy snowball, his eyes shining brightly. "Shifu..."

"Meow!!"

In response, he received a fierce scratch from the snow-white paw. Mo Ran sucked in a sharp breath, and Chu Wanning angrily leaped over Mo Ran's outstretched hand—he and Jiang Yechen were indeed equally incapable of bearing humiliation.

After Jiang Yechen transformed into a celestial bird, he immediately flew away. Similarly, after Chu Wanning turned into a white cat, he also intended to leave quickly.

Xue Meng felt guilty and worried that Chu Wanning, unable to fly, might run off without proper arrangements and not make it safely back to Nanshan. He hastily tried to stop him.

"Shifu, please calm down first. If I don't arrange for someone to escort you, it might... Ah!"

The white cat descended like a fierce tiger, forcefully knocking aside Xue Meng's reaching hand. Upon seeing Xue Meng attempt to embrace him, the feline spared no politeness in biting down on the tip of the other's finger.

Xue Meng: "Master!"

Mo Ran: "Master!"

There, now both disciples had been wounded, truly fair and just.

After his assault, Chu Wanning ran away without looking back. His snowy tail swished as he vanished around the corner of the Chu Guan, leaving behind only the memory of his prowess. Xue Meng, nursing his sore hand and about to voice his complaints, was interrupted as Mo Ran rose to chase after their fleeing master—

"Hey, don't go home by yourself! What if someone catches you and boils you for a dragon-tiger dish?!"

Xue Meng also wanted to pursue, but Mei Hanxue held him back. Xue Meng glared at him. "What are you doing?!"

"Can't you tell that he's angry with you?" Mei Hanxue said. "Let Grandmaster Mo handle it alone. When he recovers in five days, you can always find him again at Nanzhiling Mountain."

"You're talking nonsense! Master loves me the most, how could he be angry with me?!"

Mei Hanxue gave Xue Meng a cryptic glance. "Are you sure you were truthful about your criteria for a partner, and didn't lie to gain his praise?"

"..." Xue Meng instantly felt guilty.

Mei Hanxue approached with a smile, leaning next to his brother. "I told you not to be two-faced and to speak the truth. Now look where it got you?"

Xue Meng wanted to argue, but he knew he was at fault. After stuttering for a moment, he reluctantly admitted, "I-I didn't do it on purpose. Well, I do genuinely think that our Master is perfect in every way..."

"Understood, my deepest sympathies." Mei Hanxue patted his shoulder with a grin. "But now, both Master Chu and Lord Jiang have been defeated. There's no one else who can help."

A premonition of great calamity washed over Xue Meng, and he looked up nervously.

Their eyes met—Mei Hanxue's jade-like green gaze held a knowing smile. "The only one left to step up now is you, Sect Leader Xue."

Xue Meng was startled. "Why me? Why not you?!"

Mei Hanxue touched his nose and chuckled. "Because the Scroll Monster's aesthetic preferences shifted based on your appearance. And you've seen me in women's clothing before; you didn't seem too fond of it."

Xue Meng protested, "But I...?"

"Or perhaps you actually like my disguise very much, but are just too shy to admit it. In fact, you might already be secretly captivated?"

Xue Meng's face turned ashen. "You're lying!"

Mei Hanxue burst into laughter. "If you admit that you like my appearance, I'll take care of the Scroll Demon. But if you don't, then you'll have to do it yourself—so which will it be? Will you praise me or catch the demon yourself?"

This was an excruciating choice for Xue Meng. Luring the Scroll Demon wasn't entirely out of the question, considering Jiang Xi, Ma Yun, and Chu Wanning had all done it before. It wouldn't be shameful for him to be the fourth.

But what if he failed and ended up turning into a bird just like Jiang Xi? Not only would he draw suspicion, but Mei Hanxue might pluck his feathers!

Mei Hanxue seemed to sense his inner turmoil and smiled understandingly. "Wouldn't it be easier to just compliment me? If you say 'Mei Lang is very handsome,' I'll help you."

Xue Meng hesitated for a moment, staring at Mei Hanxue's smiling face. With a grimace, he clenched his teeth and fists, declaring, "Very handsome? I think you're the one with kidney deficiency! Mei Lang has kidney deficiency!!"

"..." Mei Hanxue sighed. "This is blatant slander and defamation."

After refusing the compliment, Xue Meng continued fiercely, "I'll catch the demon, what's there to be afraid of? I don't believe I can't handle myself! Just watch!"

Pushing aside the Mei brothers blocking his way, he stomped down the creaky wooden stairs in frustration.

Xue Meng was dead set against dressing up as a woman, so he chose the same option as his master: wearing the Illusion Incense Pouch. Taking a deep breath, he stood in front of the copper mirror and slowly opened his eyes while holding his fists.

In the mirror was none other than the female version of himself he had seen years ago within the Wine and Color Gourd.

Xue Meng found it extremely awkward no matter how he looked at it, turning left and right. To be honest, he thought the person in the mirror was beautiful, but there was an air of foolishness in her gestures—of course, he referred to it as an aura of dominance. With this, he would likely have to remain silent when he met the Scroll Monster, pretending to be a wooden statue or clay sculpture.

Otherwise, with his own aesthetic, he would absolutely not fancy such a girl if he were to speak or move.

As he was examining his ears, another reflection suddenly appeared in the mirror.

Xue Meng immediately turned his head. "What are you doing here?"

Mei Hanxue crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, his tall figure exuding elegance as he said indifferently, "To guide you out of confusion. After all, if you fail too, it'll be extremely difficult to subdue this monster."

Though Xue Meng wasn't pleased, he couldn't chase Mei Hanxue away given the seriousness of the matter. He finally frowned and asked, "Are you capable?"

Mei Hanxue raised his eyebrows slightly. "Hmm?"

Xue Meng queried, "Haven't you never even touched a girl's hand?"

"…You aren't qualified to comment on me."

Xue Meng grumbled, "I simply wasn't interested!"

Mei Hanxue replied coolly, "I just found it troublesome."

Pausing for a moment, Mei Hanxue added indifferently, "On the busiest day, I rejected seventy-three female cultivators on behalf of Hanxue."

"..." Xue Meng was left speechless.

H-how many?

Mei Hanxue challenged, "Why don't you try it?"

Xue Meng's lips twitched dryly, and for some reason, he suddenly felt a deep sympathy for Mei Hanxue.

Despite being in the prime of his life, the man spent his days reluctantly cleaning up after his twin brother's romantic entanglements that didn't concern him. It would be no surprise if this took a toll on his mental health.

Seeing that Xue Meng was silent, Mei Hanxue entered the bedroom and closed the door behind him.

"Come here."

Xue Meng cautioned, "W-What are you doing?"

Not waiting for a response, Mei Hanxue strode forward with his long legs, stopping at an uncomfortably close distance that imposed immense pressure. His eyes, as cold as a frigid pool, lowered, and his pale golden lashes remained still.

---

"I'll teach you how to respond without getting rejected by men," he said, a hint of narrowing eyes and provocation in his gaze, mingled with an innate coldness and mockery.

This expression of Mei Hanxue's was particularly irritating to Xue Meng, who immediately raised his hand, ready to strike, only to have his wrist seized effortlessly by Mei Hanxue without even being looked at.

Xue Meng's eyes widened in anger. "W-What the hell do you think you're doing? Get lost!"

"Something like this is absolutely unacceptable," Mei Hanxue replied, exerting force in his grip. With incredible strength and agility, he flipped Xue Meng over his shoulder, sending him crashing onto the ground.

"Damn it!"

"Using such vulgar language is also out of the question," Mei Hanxue remarked as he approached, looking down at the shocked and flushed Xue Meng on the floor. "Get up. If you don't want to turn into a bird with your feathers plucked by Hanxue tomorrow night—"

Pausing, he tugged at the neatly folded collar of his garment, assuming a stance as if preparing for action. He then said nonchalantly,

"You have one night to be properly trained by me."

Xue Meng glared at him with humiliation, his eyes rimmed with red.

Mei Hanxue seemed oblivious to Xue Meng's anger, as if he couldn't see it. He unfolded his slender fingers and offered them to the Sect Leader. "Please, Sect Leader Xue."

The next day.

Chen Xuyuan of Peach Bud Manor arranged to meet the Scroll Demon once again at a brothel in the East Market. The Scroll Demon wasn't particularly clever; it repeatedly forgot the dangers of attending a 'banquet' like this and happily agreed.

Xue Meng looked down on it. "Its intelligence is certainly not inherited from me."

Seeing that Xue Meng was preparing to leave for the rendezvous, Mei Hanxue approached with a smile, intending to give some advice. However, Xue Meng angrily shouted, "Stay away! Your face just infuriates me!"

With that, he led the people of Peach Bud Manor away in a grand procession, leaving Mei Hanxue standing there, bewildered, wondering what he had done wrong this time.

As Xue Meng sat alone in the pre-arranged private room, waiting for the Scroll Demon, he remained extremely unhappy. The previous night, Mei Hanxue had criticized him the entire evening, first saying that his responses were inadequate, then that his actions were inappropriate.

After all that, Mei Hanxue concluded that Xue Meng lacked innate talent and could never grasp the so-called technique for avoiding rejection by men.

As dawn approached, Mei Hanxue straightforwardly said to him, "Forget it. Don't bother learning. If you can't manage it, just heap compliments on the scroll monster for the duration of a cup of tea."

Xue Meng was practically beyond irritation. Lying on the bed with an incredulous expression, he weakly said, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Did you have to torment me all night?"

Mei Hanxue glanced at Sect Leader Xue, who was slumped on the bed with feeble energy, and didn't respond. He coldly averted his gaze.

While recalling the events and cursing Mei Hanxue's eccentricities, the door creaked open.

Xue Meng immediately tensed up.

He knew that the scroll demon had arrived.

Sure enough, from behind the shadows of the intricately painted red door, a familiar yet unfamiliar figure appeared. The flickering light revealed "himself" strutting into the room.

Then, with an incredibly annoying gesture, the figure waved brightly and said, "What a pleasant surprise, Miss! I am Xue Meng, also known as Xue Ziming. My apologies for the intrusion!"

"..."

Xue Meng felt that it was nothing short of a miracle that he hadn't leaped up to commit murder.

Next came the idle chatter with the Scroll Monster. Before this conversation began, Xue Meng had thought he was thoroughly prepared to answer in a way that would please "himself."

However, it wasn't long before he realized how mistaken he had been.

Scroll Monster: "Do you usually wash your clothes yourself?"

Xue Meng, playing along: "Yes, I do."

"But your hands don't look like they've done any laundry."

Xue Meng: "..."

Scroll Monster: "Do you practice martial arts?"

"I... practice a bit, I guess. It's not really proper for girls to be too violent, but you can't be completely helpless either."

"I meant practicing dance, as in dancing. What kind of lady are you, thinking about martial arts? You're not at all gentle and refined!"

Xue Meng: "..."

"Will you see me off standing, and welcome me back kneeling?"

Looking at his reflection across the table, Xue Meng usually didn't feel anything when speaking this way. But now that the roles were reversed, and considering how he would feel in the other's position, he suddenly found himself to be incredibly deserving of a beating — standing to see him off and kneeling to welcome him back? Why didn't he just fly up to the heavens? Did he really think he was Fu Xi reincarnated or Shennong reborn?

But for its happiness, Xue Meng still forced himself to say, "There's nothing I wouldn't do."

"That answer sounds reluctant and lacks sincerity and enthusiasm."

"..."

"You should say, 'Of course I'm willing!'"

Despite their exchange, the Scroll Monster still stood up before the hourglass ran out. It said to Xue Meng, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I want to continue this conversation."

Xue Meng was stunned!

He had followed all of his criteria for a partner and the tips Mei Hanxue had taught him the day before. Why couldn't they keep talking? In his desperation, he recalled Mei Hanxue's last piece of advice, "If all else fails, praise them." So he quickly shouted, "Stop right there!!"

The Scroll Monster was taken aback and turned around. "What?"

Xue Meng hurriedly adjusted his tone, suppressing his discomfort as he forced a smile. "Um... Sect Leader Xue, with your dashing good looks, charisma that rivals the wealthiest, and power that reaches the heavens, you shouldn't be too self-absorbed or waste your charm. Allow me to praise you instead..."

It was too awkward.

Flattery truly required a natural talent.

Sure enough, the corner of the Scroll Monster's mouth twitched. After a moment, it said, "No need. I admit you're very attractive, but not to the point where I'd fall for you at first sight. Besides, I can tell that you're desperate to climb the social ladder, constantly trying to please me. Young lady, honesty is crucial. Girls like you, who approach me just to become the Sect Leader's wife and bask in wealth, aren't what I'm looking for."

Xue Meng: "????"

"I hope you'll realize soon that true love is the only thing worth relying on, and not become a shallow, greedy, and status-seeking woman. Goodbye!"

Xue Meng was instantly furious! What was all this nonsense!

How dare it speak to him like that! How audacious!

As expected, he had learned from Chu Wanning and Jiang Yichen. Xue Meng couldn't contain his anger either. In a fit of rage, just like his master and father, he lost control, letting out a loud cry that shattered the illusionary sachet hanging at his waist. Drawing his Dragon City sword, he charged at the Scroll Monster.

The Scroll Monster panicked. "Oh no! Another murder!"

"I'll kill you! Who do you think you are, making all these demands?!"

The Scroll Monster, flustered, retorted loudly, "You shrew! How can you threaten to harm me just because your desires aren't fulfilled? You, you, you—"

Dodging the blade, the lamp flickered.

The Scroll Monster narrowly escaped and turned to continue its scolding. However, upon seeing Xue Meng's original appearance after he removed his sachet, it was left speechless.

Noticing its peculiar gaze, Xue Meng instinctively grew wary, suspecting a trap. He retreated with his sword, holding it across his chest as he raised an eyebrow and sternly asked, "What are you up to?"

The Scroll Monster clicked its tongue, still in disbelief, "Y-You're actually a man?"

"Of course!"

Xue Meng was about to strike again when he heard it exclaim, "And such a dashing, handsome, and straightforward man at that!!!"

Xue Meng: "???"

The Scroll Monster's eyes sparkled as it cried out to the heavens, "Ah! Finally! I've found my true love!!!"

Xue Meng: "........."

.

"So it turns out that the most narcissistic Xue Ziming only needed Xue Meng to perform his sword dance in front of the Scroll Monster as he normally would, and it would have realized that there are handsome men in the world without the need for all this trouble of dressing up as a woman..."

After the matter was settled, Elder Chen Xuyuan stood in the flower hall of Peach Bud Manor, watching as Xue Meng angrily conversed with the now-cursed-free and restored-to-his-original-form Master Ma.

With his immediate crisis resolved, Master Ma didn't mind Xue Meng's scolding at all. He chuckled apologetically, not caring that the whole mess had been caused by Xue Meng in the first place.

"Never sell such a harmful scroll again!" Xue Meng concluded with an angry demand.

Master Ma repeatedly agreed, "Yes, yes! I don't want to turn into a tiny bee ever again. To be honest, when I saw Sect Leader Jiang turn into a bird and Grandmaster Chu turn into a cat, I was terrified; they could've eaten me. No more playing around, no more."

Xue Meng rolled his eyes but reluctantly agreed not to pursue the matter further.

As for the tamed Scroll Monster, Ma Yun recast a spell on it, refining it into a small wooden doll barely the size of a palm. She gave it to Xue Meng as a token of gratitude for subduing the monster.

Initially, Xue Meng had no intention of accepting such a trifle, especially since the doll would immediately exclaim, "Sect Leader Xue is handsome, debonair, and unparalleled in charm!" In the past, such flattery might have hit Xue Meng's sweet spot, but after his encounter with the Scroll Monster, he was still on edge. Hearing such praise, he surprisingly didn't feel much joy at the moment.

Frowning, he said, "Alright, alright, that's enough. I'm not that fond of hearing compliments. Don't need it, not taking it, this thing isn't sincere at all."

The tiny puppet panicked at the response and quickly added, "Xue Lang is so handsome! So very handsome!"

"Madame Wang is the most beautiful lady!"

"Master Chu is the greatest!"

"..."

"Don't leave me, sob sob, Headmaster Xue is so handsome and kind-hearted, sniffle sniffle..."

Well, old habits die hard. No matter how sarcastic the words were, they still sounded pleasing to Xue Meng's ears. Thus, he reluctantly accepted the wooden puppet and placed it in a box, taking it back to the Edge of Life and Death.

Before leaving, Mei Hanxue smiled warmly and said, "Headmaster Xue, I just thought to ask... Were you satisfied with my portrayal of Empress Shou? If you were, I would appreciate a positive review—"

"Hell no!" Xue Meng interrupted him impatiently, glaring at both Mei Hanxue and Mei Hanxue. "I've noted down what you two owe me! I'll have Bright Moon Building deal with you later!"

Mei Hanxue chuckled softly and replied gently, "I'm so scared."

Mei Hanxue, on the other hand, spoke coolly, "Master has recently gone into seclusion, so I am temporarily managing the affairs of Treading Snow Palace. Headmaster Xue is welcome to report any grievances to Kunlun at any time. We will be honored to receive you."

Xue Meng was taken aback, and then burst out, "Mei Hanxue!—You, you are shameless!—Is there anyone in your Treading Snow Palace on Kunlun who can speak for justice?!"

The morning sun spilled like golden threads from a loom, cascading upon the pink walls and dark tiles, casting its glow over the peach-blossom estate's barrier adorned with silhouettes of nocturnal cats in motion. It also touched upon the boisterous group of young men and the woeful face of Ma, the estate's master, who stood with arms raised, caught between laughter and tears in his futile attempts to mediate their dispute.

This minor disturbance in the peaceful world has thus passed by uneventfully.

A month later, Lord Ma announced the winner of the Scroll of Distress Relief event's grand prize. Yielding to Xue Meng's intimidating pressure, Manager Ma manipulated the results behind closed doors, awarding the luxurious gift box to the top guest, "Wang Xiaoxue," in a sorrowful and reluctant manner. All those gold and silver treasures, diagrams of magical artifacts... they were all carried back to the Peak of Life and Death.

As for the five hundred copies of the rare and erotic Spring Palace Illustrations, they were naturally intercepted halfway by the Heaven-Stepping Lord hailing from Nanping Mountain.

"Heaven-Stepping Lord shamelessly sent a message to Xue Meng, saying that if you give him those books, he'll forgive you for lying to him," the message on the telepathic crane conveyed.

Xue Meng, who was in the Heart's Core Pavilion on the Summit of Life and Death, dealing with sect affairs, saw this and angrily crushed the paper crane into a flat mess with a punch.

"How can he be so shameless! Master would never read such things! Besides, he forgave me long ago! He wrote to me over ten days ago. You, Mo Ran, you despicable dog, are trying to sow discord again!"

Not content with just that, he turned to a junior disciple standing below and barked, "You! Lead a team to Southern Screen Mountain and retrieve those five hundred erotic rare books! Burn them all!"

"The... uh..." The young disciple looked terrified, his distress hidden in his heart.

Sect Leader, that's Heaven-Stepping Lord we're talking about! Attempting to snatch the Yellow Book from under his nose is no less than plucking a tooth from a tiger's jaw – it's a suicidal mission!

Xue Meng glared at him. "What are you still standing there for? You can't let Mo Ran use that shameless artifact to deceive Elder Yu Heng! Hurry up!"

"..."

The young disciple could only go with a long face, secretly hoping in his heart that he would encounter Grandmaster Mo. Perhaps there would still be a chance of survival...

He pushed open the door, and the dazzling sunlight reflected on the newly renovated jade plaque of the Pill Heart Hall. The four characters "Pill Heart Reflects True Intent" were freshly inscribed by Xue Meng. The calligraphy was elegant and vigorous, radiating with an ethereal luster that, though not overly blinding, exuded a gentle and crystalline charm.

The wounds of past departures were slowly healing. A year or two after the great battle... those left behind in this mortal world had finally relearned merriment, squabbles, compromise, adaptation, and silent longing. Youth gradually supplanted the old, vitality supplanted sorrow, light triumphed over darkness, and stability replaced uncertainty.

Look, no matter how long the darkness lingers, even the most prolonged polar night will eventually pass.

Merriment and laughter will bloom once more.

Just like today.

— The End of the Extra Chapter, "Xue Meng's Blind Date" —