The bright sun blazed overhead.

     The vast domain of Sisheng Peak extended across hundreds of miles, with an abundance of platforms and pavilions. As a recently rising star among the cultivation sects, it was rather different from those prestigious high clans of the upper cultivation world.

     Take, for example, the most prosperous Rufeng Sect of Linyi. Their main hall was named “Six Virtues Hall,” showing the hope for disciples to practice the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, spirituality, righteousness, benevolence, and loyalty. The disciples’ quarters were named “Six Conducts Gate” to advise disciples to have filial piety, camaraderie, amity, marital harmony, a sense of duty, and compassion. The place classes were held was named “Six Arts Platform” to indicate that Rufeng Sect’s disciples must master the six arts of ritual, music, archery, riding, calligraphy, and mathematics.

     In short, there was an expectation of elegance.

     As for Sisheng Peak, it truly lived up to its humble origins. Their names were… hard to explain. “Loyalty Hall” and the “Platform of Sin and Virtue” could be considered good. However, perhaps because Mo Ran’s father and uncle hadn’t received much of a formal education and could later barely even toil to muster a few more decent names, they’d given up and started messing around, exhibiting a natural talent for designating names not much better than “Xue Ya.”

     Therefore, Sisheng Peak borrowed many names from the underworld. For instance, the room where disciples quietly reflected upon themselves was named “Yanluo Hall.”

     The jade bridge connecting the break and class areas was named “Naihe Bridge,” the dining hall was named “Mengpo Hall,” and the training grounds were named the “Mountain of Daggers and Sea of Flames”; meanwhile, the forbidden area of the back mountain was named “Ghost Zone,” and so on.

     These could also be considered good. But in more remote areas, there were other places simply named “This is a Mountain,” or “This is Water,” and “This is a Pit,” along with the famed “Aaaaah” and “Waaaah” Cliffs.

     The elders’ quarters also naturally had no luck escaping this influence, and each had their own nicknames.

     Of course, Chu Wanning’s quarters were no exception. He was a person who preferred peace and tranquility and had no wish to live amongst others. His residence was built on the southern mountain of Sisheng Peak, within an evanescing bamboo grove that resembled an ocean of green jade. Before the front courtyard, there was a pond covered with red lotuses that blocked the reflection of the sun. Due to the abundant spiritual energy, the lotus blossoms bloomed year-round, as resplendent as the crimson twilight sky, across all seasons.

     The disciples covertly called this graceful and beautiful place—Red Lotus Hell.

     When this thought came to mind, Mo Ran couldn’t help but laugh.

     Chu Wanning always had a derisive expression, from morning to night. When the sect disciples looked at him, it was as if they caught a glimpse of a demon or vengeful ghost. What else should they call the demon’s territory if not hell?

     Xue Meng interrupted his wandering thoughts. “You can actually still laugh! Hurry up and eat your breakfast. When you’re done, you have to come with me to the Platform of Sin and Virtue for Shizun to supervise your public punishment today!”

     Mo Ran sighed and gently touched the whip mark on his face. “Hiss… ow.”

     “Serves you right!”

     “Ah, I wonder if Tianwen has been fixed yet. He shouldn’t use it to interrogate me again before it’s fixed, or else who knows what other nonsense I might spout.”

     Faced with Mo Ran’s genuine concern and unease, Xue Meng’s face flushed, and he angrily said, “If you dare speak indecently to Shizun in public, I’ll rip out your tongue!”

     Mo Ran covered his face and waved his opposite hand as he said quietly, “No need for you to pull it out, no need. If Shizun ties me up with the willow vine again, I’ll commit suicide on the spot to prove my innocence.”

     When the time came, Mo Ran was brought to the Platform of Sin and Virtue in accordance with sect customs and gazed below, a blue sea of people extending as far as the eye could see. The disciples of Sisheng Peak all wore the sect attire—light armor of such a dark blue it almost seemed black, a lion’s head belt, wrist gauntlets, and robes trimmed with glittering silver threads.

     As the sun rose from the east, it reflected a sea of gleaming armor beneath the Platform of Sin and Virtue.

     Mo Ran knelt on the high platform, listening to Jielu Elder read the lengthy list of his crimes aloud.

     “Mo Weiyu, a direct disciple of Yuheng Elder, has displayed an arrogant disregard for our laws, disobeyed the teachings and precepts of the sect, and turned away from righteousness. He has violated the fourth, ninth, and fifteenth precepts of the sect and shall be punished with eighty strikes of the rod, copying the sect rules a hundred times, and confinement for one month, in accordance with sect customs. Mo Weiyu, would you like to argue in your defense?”

     Mo Ran glanced at the white-clad figure in the distance.

     This elder was the only member of Sisheng Peak who did not wear the silver-trimmed blue sect attire.

     Chu Wanning wore a snow-white satin robe with a thin outer cover of silver silk that appeared like a layer of clouds and mist, as if he were draped in pure frost of the ninth heaven. Yet the person himself seemed to be even colder than frost and snow. He sat quietly, some distance away, and Mo Ran couldn’t see his expression but felt that this person was completely unwavering.

     Taking a deep breath, Mo Ran said, “I have no argument.”

     Jielu Elder, following sect customs, then spoke to the disciples below: “If anyone is dissatisfied with the ruling or wishes to make an appeal, you may do so at this time.”

     The disciples below all began to falter, exchanging uneasy glances with each other. No one had ever expected that Yuheng Elder, Chu Wanning, could actually go as far as to send his own disciple to the Platform of Sin and Virtue for public punishment.

     To say it nicely, this could be called being strictly impartial and scrupulous. But to be frank, it was called being a cold-blooded demon.

     The cold-blooded demon, Chu Wanning, was aloof, sitting in his seat with his chin propped up on his hand, when someone suddenly shouted using the Voice Amplification Technique: “Yuheng Elder, this disciple wants to plead for leniency on Mo-shidi’s behalf!”

     “…You plead for leniency?”

     This disciple obviously believed that since Mo Ran was the sect leader’s nephew, even if he was making mistakes now, his future prospects were still bright. Hence, he was determined to use the opportunity to try and curry favor with Mo Ran and began spouting nonsense: “Although Mo-shidi is at fault, he’s always friendly towards his fellow disciples and aids the weak. Elder, please grant him leniency in consideration of his character.”

     Clearly, he wasn't the only one hoping to gain Mo Ran’s favor. More and more people began speaking up on Mo Ran’s behalf in short succession. There were all kinds of bizarre reasons, to the point where even Mo Ran himself was embarrassed listening to them. When had he ever been “of the purest heart” or “compassionate for the world”? Was this assembly for discipline or acclimation?

     “Yuheng Elder, Mo-shidi once helped me behead terrible beasts, willing to slay demons and defend righteousness. I would like to request recognition of Mo-shidi’s merits, because surely his merits will offset his demerits. I hope Elder will reduce his sentence!”

     “Yuheng Elder, Mo-shidi once helped me calm my demon of the heart when I suffered qi deviation. I believe Mo-shidi merely had a momentary lapse in judgment, so I ask Elder to reduce shidi’s sentence!”

     “Yuheng Elder, Mo-shidi once gifted me a miracle cure that saved my mother. He is an inherently benevolent and virtuous person. Elder, please reduce his sentence!”

     The final disciple’s pretense had been taken by the previous person, leaving the disciple momentarily speechless. Seeing Chu Wanning’s sharp gaze sweep over, the disciple had to think quickly to escape the predicament and heedlessly blurted, “Yuheng Elder, Mo-shidi once helped me dual cultivate—”

     “Pfftt—” Someone couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

     The final disciple immediately blushed up to the ears and sheepishly retreated.

     “Yuheng, calm your anger, calm your anger…” Jielu Elder hastily tried to placate him from the side, seeing the declining situation.

     Chu Wanning said coldly, “I’ve never seen a person so shameless. What is his name? Whose disciple?”

     Jielu Elder hesitated faintly, then steeled himself and said softly, “My young disciple, Yao Lian.”

     Chu Wanning raised an eyebrow. “Your disciple is named ‘Yao Lian’? As in ‘save face’?”

     Jielu Elder was acutely embarrassed, and his aged face turned red as he changed the subject. “His singing is quite good, and he’s helpful to have around during sacrificial offerings.”

     Chu Wanning scoffed and turned away, not wanting to waste any more words on this shameless Jielu Elder.

     Among the thousands of people of Sisheng Peak, it was to be expected for a dozen or so to be meager lapdogs.

     Watching his sect brothers speak with such conviction, even Mo Ran himself was nearly persuaded. How impressive. It turns out he wasn’t the only one skillful in shamelessly lying through his teeth; the sect was full of talented people!

     After being told “Yuheng Elder, please be lenient” several times, Chu Wanning finally addressed the disciples.

     “You plead for Mo Weiyu?” He paused, then said, “Very well. All of you come forward.”

     They obeyed, trembling with fear and trepidation, unknowing of what would happen.

     A golden light flashed in Chu Wanning’s palm, and Tianwen appeared as summoned. With a whoosh, the dozen or so people were tied up in a group and wrapped firmly in place.

     Not again!!

     Mo Ran was on the verge of despair, the sight of Tianwen alone causing his legs to weaken.

     Just the sight of Tianwen made his legs weak. Where the hell had Chu Wanning even obtained such a monstrous weapon?! Thank goodness he had never taken a wife in the previous lifetime. If a young lady were to marry him, she would likely be whipped to death, if not interrogated to death.

     Chu Wanning’s eyes had a trace of ridicule as he asked one of the disciples, “Mo Ran helped you slay demons and defend righteousness?”

     The disciple was unable to resist the torment of Tianwen and immediately cried out, “He didn’t! He didn’t!”

     He asked the next one, “Mo Ran helped you overcome your qi deviation?”

     “Ahh!! Never! Never!”

     “Mo Ran gave you a miracle cure?”

     “Ah—! Help! No, no, no! I made it up! I made it up!”

     Chu Wanning released the binding but then immediately raised his hand and fiercely brandished his weapon. Tianwen suddenly lashed out with a flurry of blazing sparks and ruthlessly whipped the backs of those few lying disciples.

     Miserable screams abruptly rang out on the platform, and blood splattered everywhere.

     Chu Wanning’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed in fury as he scolded, “What are you yelling for?! Kneel! Discipline attendant!”

     “Present.”

     “Deliver the punishment!”

     “Yes!”

     Not only did these people fail to gain an advantage, but instead each of them was punished with ten strikes of the rod for violating the precepts against deceit, as well as an additional lash of the willow vine viciously offered by Yuheng Elder.

     At nightfall, Mo Ran lay sprawled face-down on his bed, his entire back still covered in crisscrossing wounds despite having been treated with medicine. He was in so much pain that he was unable to even flip over and couldn’t seem to stop sniffling as his eyes filled with tears.

     Wincing and sniffling like this with such naturally charming features made him look like a soft kitten that had been beaten. It was a pity that his thoughts didn’t align with that likeness of a small kitten at all.

     He gripped the bedding and bit into the bedsheets, imagining that it was that son of a bitch, Chu Wanning. He bit! Kicked! Stomped! Ripped!

     His only respite was that Shi Mei came to visit him with a bowl of his handmade wontons. Being gazed at by his pair of gentle and compassionate eyes, Mo Ran’s tears fell even more fiercely.

     He didn’t care at all about the saying "men do not easily shed tears.” He delighted in acting pampered and would pout and plead sweetly with the person he loved.

     “Does it hurt that much? Are you still unable to sit up?” Shi Mei sat by his bedside and heaved a sigh. “Shizun, he… he was too fierce. Look at how badly you were beaten… There are so many wounds, and the bleeding still hasn’t stopped.”

     Mo Ran felt a warmth grow in his chest knowing that Shi Mei felt sorrow for him. He lifted his bright, glassy eyes from under the covers and blinked his lashes pitifully.

     “Shi Mei cares for me like this, so I… I’m not in too much pain anymore.”

     “Ah, look at you. How can it not hurt? You know Shizun’s temperament well. Will you still dare to commit misdeeds again?”

     Shi Mei looked at him with a mixture of helplessness and sympathy, his charming eyes gleaming in the candlelight like warm spring water.

     Mo Ran’s heart stirred, and he said obediently, “It won’t ever happen again. I promise.”

     “Which of your promises have ever been sincere?” But despite his words, Shi Mei finally smiled. “The wontons have cooled down. Can you sit up? If you can’t, just stay lying down, and I’ll feed you.”

     Mo Ran had already sat up halfway but immediately fell back down upon hearing this as if he were paralyzed.

     Shi Mei: “…”

     Whether it was this life or his previous life, Mo Ran’s favorite food had always been Shi Mei’s handmade wontons.

     The wonton wrappers were as thin as clouds, with tender filling on the inside. Each one was plump and crisp, so soft and savory that they melted in his mouth, leaving a lingering flavorful aftertaste.

     He especially loved the broth, which was simmered to a rich, creamy white consistency and sprinkled with chopped scallions and pieces of yellow egg, topped with a spoonful of chili oil made with minced garlic. It would make anyone who ate it feel as if they would stay warm for a lifetime.

     Shi Mei thoughtfully fed him spoonful by spoonful while chatting with him. “There’s no chili oil added this time. You have severe injuries, and eating spicy food isn’t good for recovery. Just settle for the bone broth, okay?”

     Mo Ran stared fixedly at him, unable to tear his gaze away, and said with a smile, “Whether it’s spicy or not, as long as you made it, it’s delicious.”

     “You’re such a flatterer.” Shi Mei also smiled and scooped up an egg lying in the soup. “Here’s a soft-boiled egg for you. I know you like them.”

     Mo Ran let out a cheeky laugh, a small tuft of untamed hair curling up from his forehead like a blossoming flower. “Shi Mei.”

     “What’s wrong?”

     “Nothing, I just wanted to call you.”

     “...”

     That untamed tuft of hair swayed slightly.

     “Shi Mei.”

     Shi Mei held back a smile. “Just calling me?”

     “Mhm. Just calling you makes me feel happy.”

     Shi Mei was bemused for a moment, then gently touched Mo Ran's forehead. “Silly boy. Could you have a fever?”

     Mo Ran laughed and rolled halfway over to cast him a sidelong glance, his eyes so bright that they seemed to be filled with magnificent stars.

     “How wonderful it would be if I could eat Shi Mei’s wontons every day.”

     This statement was not merely sweet words. After Shi Mei died, Mo Ran always longed to taste Shi Mei’s handmade wontons again, but the flavors and delight from that time could never return.

     At that time, Chu Wanning hadn’t yet fully severed all ties with him. Mo Ran didn’t know whether it was because Chu Wanning felt guilty, but seeing Mo Ran kneel unceasingly before Shi Mei’s coffin with a vacant expression, Chu Wanning quietly and sorrowfully went to the kitchen, kneaded dough, minced ingredients for the filling, and carefully wrapped several wontons.

     However, Mo Ran spotted what he was doing before he could finish wrapping them. After having just suffered the loss of the person he loved, Mo Ran simply couldn’t tolerate it. He only felt that Chu Wanning doing this was a mockery, a clumsy imitation intended to add insult to injury.

     Shi Mei was dead. Chu Wanning clearly could have saved him but was unwilling to help. Yet he then wanted to replace Shi Mei and make his own wontons for him to eat?

     He charged into the kitchen and toppled all of the utensils, the plump, snowy jade-white wontons tumbling and rolling across the ground.

     He’d shouted at Chu Wanning: “Who the hell do you think you are?! Do you really think you’re worthy of using the things he used? Of making the dishes he once made? Shi Mei is dead. Are you content? Or do you have to drive all of your disciples to death or madness before you’re satisfied? Chu Wanning! There’s no one left in this world who can make those wontons again. No matter how much you imitate it, you’ll never be like him!”

     Slowly eating this single bowl with such deep joy and emotion now, his eyes grew somewhat teary as he got to the last of it, though he still had a smile on his face. Fortunately, the candlelight was dim, so Shi Mei couldn’t see the subtleties in his expression clearly.

     Mo Ran called, “Shi Mei.”

     “Hm?”

     “Thank you.”

     Shi Mei was stunned for a moment, then smiled gently. “Isn’t it only a bowl of wontons? Why are you being so formal with me? If you like it, I'll make it for you more often in the future.”

     Mo Ran wanted to say, “The thanks isn’t just for the bowl of wontons.”

     “I also want to thank you, in both this lifetime and the last, for being the only person in my life who truly never looked down on me and didn’t mind my background or the fourteen years I spent suffering hardships to survive by any means, fair or foul.”

     “And thank you because if it weren’t for the fact that I suddenly thought of you after I was first reborn, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself from killing Rong Jiu. I would have made a grave mistake, leading me to once again walk the same path as before.”

     “Fortunately, in this lifetime, I was reborn before your death. I will definitely protect you properly this time. If you are harmed and that cold-blooded demon Chu Wanning is unwilling to save you, then I will.”

     But how could he possibly say these words out loud?

     In the end, Mo Ran simply gulped down the remaining broth, not even leaving a single scallion behind. He then licked his lips as if longing to have more, his charming, deep dimples making him look as lovable as a soft little kitten.

     “Will there be more tomorrow?”

     Shi Mei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Don’t you want to have something else? Won’t you get tired of it?”

     “I could eat it every day and never get tired of it. I just worry I’ll trouble you.”

     Shi Mei shook his head and smiled. “I’m not sure if there’s enough flour to make more. If there’s not enough, I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it. If that’s the case, what do you think about sweet egg soup? It’s still another of your favorite foods.”

     “Yes, yes. Anything is good as long as you make it.”

     Look at how thoughtful Shi Mei is. Chu Wanning, go ahead and whip me! In any case, I get to lie in bed with a beauty taking care of me, hahaha!

     Just thinking of his shizun lit a flaming anger amidst his feelings of tenderness. Mo Ran unleashed his pent-up resentment anew as he dug into the seams of the bedding and thought to himself.

     Yuheng of the Night Sky?! Beidou Immortal?! It’s all bullshit!

     Chu Wanning, just you wait and see what happens in this lifetime!