Chapter 152: Shizun, Look! It’s Mei Hanxue!

The shopkeeper was preparing to open for the day and had just

released the door bolt with a yawn and a languid stretch. Her bleary eyes

beheld a tall, handsome stranger standing at the entrance to her store,

bathed in the light of the morning's brilliant sun.

An individual of such elevated bearing, tall and straight as a mighty

pine, ought to be carrying a blade and walking coolly through the city

streets, heedless of all around him. But this dashing man was smiling

brightly, all soft dimples and gentle, thick eyelashes. In his arms was a

bamboo basket, filled not with spiritual stones or cultivation scrolls, but

fresh fruits and vegetables—vibrant red apples, plump white radishes, and

verdant green celtuce, leaves dew-laden as they peeked over the rim. Light

danced off the crystalline droplets and reflected onto his handsome face.

The shopkeeper froze mid-yawn as she stared blankly at this vision of

tender masculinity standing before her. She blinked, but stood dazzled for

some moments.

"Ma'am?"

"Yes! Hello, what would you like?"

"These." Mo Ran picked up a pair of pale red crystal pendants. "How

much?"

"Gongzi has fine taste; these pendants are made using top-grade

dragonblood crystals and crafted by artisans at Kunlun Palace.

The materials may not be the most precious, but the pendants themselves

are quite special. The red color of dragonblood crystals, as I'm sure you

know, becomes more vibrant as the wearer's body temperature rises…"

The shopkeeper paused to smile before continuing, "Since Xianjun

picked out a pair, one must be for your dual cultivation partner? Aiyo, I

wonder what lady was so lucky as to claim your affections. Definitely get

these, I guarantee you won't regret it. It'll certainly spice things up if you

both wear one while dual cultivating."

Mo Ran had been drawn to the pendants because dragonblood crystals

had a warming property excellent for people predisposed to catching cold;

such a thing would be perfect for Chu Wanning during the winter. But his

heart skipped a beat at shopkeeper's words. He imagined how Chu Wanning

would look, dazed by pleasure with that pendant swinging from his neck,

glowing scarlet from the heat of its wearer's body, red as a bead of blood

quivering at the tip of a blade.

He cleared his throat. "I'll take the pair. Please wrap them up for me."

In order to not arouse Chu Wanning's suspicion, Mo Ran bought gifts

for Xue Meng, Xue Zhengyong, and Madam Wang as well. When he

returned to the inn, he put down his bundles and withdrew the small paper

packet holding the dragonblood crystals from inside his sleeve. The dropletshaped pendants had already turned crimson from the heat of his body. He

picked one to leave in the package and hung the other around his neck.

Then he straightened his collar, making sure the pendant wasn't visible, and

re-wrapped the other. As he patted at his lapels, he noticed his heart was

beating a little fast. After all the preposterous things he'd done in his past

life, he was surprised to find himself flustered over a small secret hidden

under his clothes.

"For me?"

Over breakfast, Xue Meng held the sword tassel Mo Ran had given

him, looking like he'd seen a ghost. "What're you giving me this for?

Trying to make up for yesterday?"

Unaware that Chu Wanning had been awake and overheard last

night's exchange, Mo Ran remained perfectly calm, not batting an eyelid.

The same could not be said of Chu Wanning. He grabbed his cup and

gulped down a few mouthfuls of cold tea in an effort to cover his unease

while he schooled his expression into one of neutrality.

Mo Ran replied with a grin, "What d'you mean? You're the one who

started it. I grabbed the tassel because it looked nice and I thought you'd

like it." He paused, then added, "We rarely travel together like this, so of

course I gotta buy some souvenirs. I got things for Shizun, Uncle, and Aunt

as well. Just some trinkets, nothing expensive."

"Us too?" Madam Wang seemed quite surprised.

"I got Aunt an agarwood cosmetic box, and a pendant for Uncle's

fan." Mo Ran handed out their gifts as he spoke. "And this, for Shizun." He

handed Chu Wanning the dragonblood crystal pendant.

Chu Wanning eyed the red crystal. "What is it?"

"A pendant." Mo Ran's palms felt hot and sweaty. "Dragonblood

crystals are a product of Linyi and have warming properties, so I got one for

Shizun to keep warm."

The crystal was inexpensive but useful, so Chu Wanning accepted.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it. Won't Shizun put it on?"

Chu Wanning glanced over at Mo Ran but did not see through his

disciple's selfish, intimate motive. He put it around his neck without a

second thought. The pale red crystal glistened brilliantly. Xue Meng,

watching all this, piped up, "That looks nice, better than my tassel. Where'd

you get it? I want to buy myself one too."

"They don't have any left," Mo Ran replied. "They only had one in

stock, I couldn't even get one for myself."

Disappointed, Xue Meng picked up his sword tassel and looked it

over, then turned to look at Chu Wanning's pendant once more, mumbling,

"No way, this stuff's supposed to be common in Linyi. I'm gonna ask

Nangong Si when we get to Rufeng Sect, I bet he has a whole mountain of

it…"

Mo Ran paid him no mind; he was too busy watching Chu Wanning.

He was antsy; Chu Wanning hadn't tucked the pendant inside his clothes

next to his skin but left it hanging on the outside instead. After biting his

tongue for a while, he said, "Shizun, the pendant isn't meant to be worn

over your clothes."

"Hm?"

"You have to put it inside." He leaned over to tuck the pendant in for

Chu Wanning. But he moved too close, too fast; the heat of his breath

burned Chu Wanning's ear, and he was unceremoniously shoved away.

Chu Wanning's features were cold and stern, lashes lowered over

downcast eyes. But Mo Ran had gotten a close look this time—

Chu Wanning's ears were pink as a haitang blossom, pitiful and adorable.

Mo Ran wanted to kiss one, to put that trembling petal between his lips and

suck. But he was also somewhat surprised: Why was Chu Wanning

blushing? He hadn't done anything inappropriate; was arranging the

pendant for him such a big deal?

As he mulled it over, he suddenly remembered the words he'd just

spoken. You have to put it inside.

Mo Ran momentarily froze, and his face turned red as well. If not for

his tanned complexion, he'd probably be even redder than Chu Wanning.

He swore he hadn't meant anything suggestive when he'd said that…

Then astonishment set in. If even his mind hadn't gone to the gutter,

then how had Chu Wanning's, with all his propriety? No matter how he

thought about it, he couldn't figure it out. Even when Chu Wanning, ears

pink and face glum, stuffed the pendant into his clothing without a word,

Mo Ran was still none the wiser.

That wooden wall, no thicker than the width of a few fingers, had

blocked Taxian-jun from so much the night before. He'd missed the

ripening of the first haitang fruit of spring, missed a Chu Wanning made of

flesh and blood, who'd stumbled into the muddy swamp of carnal desire.

He knew nothing of what had happened on the bed on the other side of the

wall; he didn't know that this morning's Chu Wanning was still caught in

yesterday's mire, heart throbbing with his love-born desire and filled with

shame because of it, overly sensitive because of it. Still haunted by his

dream and the filthy words contained therein, still desperate to suppress

evidence of that vision, Chu Wanning had uncharacteristically read dirty

thoughts into such a simple sentence.

Chu Wanning looked up and shot Mo Ran a quick glance. His chest

felt a little hot; he must still have an excess of internal heat from yesterday.

He reached for the handle of the teapot, only to be beaten to it by Mo Ran.

"Don't drink so much cold tea; it's bad for your stomach."

Chu Wanning said nothing, but stared at him with his hand

outstretched, indicating that he'd like the cold tea anyway, thank you.

"I'll get you a cup of hot tea instead."

"There's no need…"

But Mo Ran had already gone to find the shopkeeper, returning after a

few minutes with a pot of fresh-boiled tea which he poured into a cup for

Chu Wanning. "Here you go, Shizun."

"He's right, Yuheng, you should drink your tea hot. Cold tea really

isn't good for your health," said Xue Zhengyong.

Chu Wanning had no choice but to accept the steaming cup of tea. He

blew on it a little, then set it down without taking a sip. His insides were hot

enough. Any warmer and he feared that last layer of thin ice in his gaze

would melt and allow his unrestrained lustful feelings to overflow. He

feared that, if their eyes were to meet, there would be no way to hide his

embarrassing thoughts. And if that were to happen, how could he, the

Beidou Immortal, face anyone ever again?

As they finished breakfast and got ready to leave, a new group came

in. At their head was a man wearing a thick, sky-blue cloak with a

scrollwork pattern, his face hidden under the hood, inconspicuous within

the group. As he set foot inside the inn and saw Xue Zhengyong, however,

he broke away from his party and came over to make a formal salute.

"Greetings, Uncle Xue."

"Who…"

The man pushed back his hood. Xue Meng let out a small sound of

surprise and took a big step back. Xue Zhengyong laughed. "Aiya, if it isn't

Hanxue!"

Mei Hanxue lifted his face. His skin was fair, and with his high nose

bridge and defined brows framing deep-set eyes, he possessed an exotic

handsomeness that set him apart from the rest. His skin glowed even in this

dimly lit space. He had been raised in the frigid lands of Kunlun, and his

features carried the chill of frost and snow, giving him an air of cool

detachment and keen intelligence.

Simply put, based on looks and mannerisms alone, no one would

believe this was the infamous philanderer, Mei Hanxue.

"There were some matters to take care of back at the sect, so I've

only just arrived at Linyi. I didn't expect to see Uncle Xue here."

Mei Hanxue's looks were so naturally cold that his eyes were frosty even as

he smiled politely, and his gestures of respect had a coolness to them. "So I

came over to greet Uncle and Aunt."

"Very good, very good. Aiya, if only Meng-er had your manners."

Xue Meng was less than pleased to hear this. He glared daggers at

Mei Hanxue from where he stood at the back, the venom in his gaze only

growing.

This damnable Mei Hanxue! Xue Meng thought to himself. So

freakin' two-faced! This sleazy scoundrel would do anything and anyone,

male or female, dead or alive. He had even tried to grope Xue Meng back at

Peach Blossom Springs. But look at him now, acting prim and proper like

some enlightened monk in front of his elders. What a poser!

Mei Hanxue didn't glance even once at his childhood playmate. His

gaze remained fixed, and his lips barely moved as he spoke, the very image

of propriety. "Uncle jests. Xue-gongzi is the darling of the heavens and the

winner of the Spiritual Mountain Competition. I'm sure he is outstanding in

other respects."

"That's right, Dad, I beat this guy before, you know—"

"Meng-er…" Embarrassed, Madam Wang tugged at Xue Meng's

sleeve. The irascible little phoenix reluctantly subsided, though he

continued to mutter under his breath, puffing fire from his nostrils.

Mei Hanxue asked, "Is Uncle heading up to Rufeng Sect?"

"Well, it's about time. There's no harm getting there a little early; if

nothing else, Nangong Liu has an abundance of rooms to spare. Didn't he

say something about turning the whole city into guest lodging for the

months before and after the wedding?" Xue Zhengyong said with a laugh.

"We're gonna head over first. That way the youngsters can spend some time

getting to know each other too." At that, he glanced over at Xue Meng, his

matchmaking intentions none too subtle. Xue Meng abruptly went quiet. "Is

Hanxue not going straight to Rufeng Sect?"

"I have some errands to run for the sect master and I need to purchase

a considerable number of spiritual stones, so I'll be staying in Dai City for a

few more days. It won't be too late to arrive the day before the wedding."

Xue Meng muttered under his breath, "Yeah, right. You're just afraid

of arriving early and getting beaten like a dog by all the girls from every

sect whose hearts you've played with."

"What was that, Mengmeng?" Mo Ran, who had been listening,

teased. "Something about a dog?"

Xue Meng hmphed and crossed his arms. "Nothing, I was reciting

cultivation scripture."

"Pfft, sure, the Mei-be-gone scripture."

"You shut up!"

At the sound of their bickering, Mei Hanxue finally deigned to glance

over. Their eyes met, and Xue Meng paused.

Something was off about Mei Hanxue; he was acting completely

weird. When last they'd met, it'd been at Peach Blossom Springs, and that

sleazy playboy had been shooting seductive glances in every direction. His

eyes had seemed like they'd smile even when angry. But the eyes of the

person in front of Xue Meng now had not even the slightest inclination

toward flirtation, much less any seductive glances to shoot. His gaze was

icy cold, logical, and admirably restrained. These eyes seemed like they'd

be angry even when smiling.

Xue Meng blinked, rooted in place as he recalled how Mei Hanxue

had led the disciples of Taxue Palace in battle at the Heavenly Rift, the way

he had acted so serious in front of everyone. He couldn't help the flash of

anger that burned through him. How was this guy so good at pretending?

How did he fake it so well? This duplicitous beast! This scum in

gentleman's clothing!

"Hey, Meng-er, where are you going?"

"It's too stuffy in here! I'll wait outside; don't come out till you're

done chatting!" With this, Xue Meng strode toward the door, flipped the

curtain, and left in a huff.

The poor darling of the heavens was far too vexed. He really didn't

get it—the whole damn room had that sleazy stink. How come no one else

could tell? Infuriating!