Rewritten version (The Husky And The White Cat With Their Baobei)/ A Thread Between Two Worlds
Mo Ran x Male Reader x Chu Wanning
Present looking at the past.
“Why did you leave so quickly at the sight of Miss Eighteen’s corpse? Did you have a guilty conscience perhaps?”
The two guards tasked with the questioning asked (Y/N) in the morning of the second day of the incident. The rice porridge was left untouched on the wooden table as (Y/N) spoke out a lie of having hemophobia. The fear of blood scares him, and that was why he left instead of staying. The guards exchanged glances as if pondering whether or not to let this issue drag further.
“Hemophobia, huh…?” Guard A is not convinced at all.
“How could a cultivator in the Attack category be afraid of blood?” Guard B does not believe that lie at all.
“Where were you before we found Miss Eighteen dead?”
The male disciple under Xuanji Elder answered truthfully this time, “In my assigned room.”
“Was there anyone with you to prove that you were in your room?” Guard A continues to pester the man.
A soft female voice came and interrupted the trio.
She got placed in the same area as he did. He remembers getting a glimpse of her leaving her courtyard; however, they never interact.
Wan’er, a shimei of Kunlun Taxue Palace, spoke out the lie to get (Y/N) out of the situation. Robes made from frozen mist silk fit around her curves perfectly, as her peach blossom eyes show the innocence of a virgin maiden.
Guard B stares too long, only to snap out of it when Guard A smacks him in the head.
“A man alone in a room with a female is improper.” Guard A firmly stated. “But I suppose that you're off the hook for now.”
With that, Guard A and Guard B left the premises. Leaving the previously questioned man with the female that got him out of the situation. (Y/N) stares at the backside of the guards, watching to ensure that the guards truly left. If even one were to secretly stay and listen in, his lie might be exposed even with the help of the stranger. When the shadows of the guards are gone, he breathes a sigh of relief before he stares at the shimei who saved him.
He gives a slight bow to the female in gratitude for her saving him.
“Thank you.” If not for Wan’er, he might have already gotten locked up without any ability to explain himself further.
“There’s no need to thank me, sir. This is the least I could do for what you did for me back then.” (Y/N) lifts his head and looks confused. “And you are…?” He has no recollection of interacting with anyone from the Kunlun Taxue Palace.
“Have you already forgotten our near-death experience in the cave, disciple of Sisheng Peak?”
One high-A-rank vengeful spirit chased a female disciple into the deepest part of the forest. Branches stepped and tripped Wan’er in the process. When death approached her, a clang of a sword echoed and slashed an energy wave at the spirit. It injures the spirit that growls at the new presence. The boy snatches the wrist of Wan’er, pulling her up from the ground and running with her.
At that time, (Y/N) had only been a disciple under Xuanji Elder for two years. No holy weapon to aid him. That sword that he used as a distraction was the one that was distributed to all Sisheng Peak disciples on his 10th day of becoming a disciple for self-defense.
A spirit of that rank shouldn’t be in the Basin Evergreen Broadleaf forest of Sichuan Province at all. Defeating a spirit of that level at their current state is a death sentence. The only option that they have is running away.
Little Wan’er let the strange boy lead her further into the forest. The screeches from the spirit persisted on their trail. The sounds of trees being slammed down as the spirit forced its way through the forest. There seems to be no way out of the situation. The forest stretched for miles and miles. Every tree replicates the others; it felt as if they had been going around and around in circles without knowing. Little Wan’er and the boy run out of stamina.
The boy’s grip remained on the female’s wrist; it weakened from tiredness before he regained his grip and pulled the female into hiding within a cave.
The moment that they stepped into a cave, a blue barrier formed surrounding the cave, trapping them inside. They were safe from the spirit at the expense of being trapped inside.
The boy signals with his free hand for silence.
The spirit paused near the entrance of the cave. The spirit roamed the entrance of the cave back and forth. The scent of the two people ended near the entrance. The spirit’s eyes sharply noticed the two people within the cave, and it charged forward.
The two quickly backed off out of instinct.
The shadowy spirit slams itself against the barrier. The barrier bounces the spirit back. The spirit charges again; the barrier emitted a dazzling light, blinding the two inside the cave. Once the light dims, the spirit is no longer there. No sight of the barrier at all. No screams of agony. Nothing.
Did the spirit finally run off?
(Y/N) and little Wan’er’s naive mindset during that time was relieved, as they were safe, or so they thought. (Y/N) proceeded to head out of the barrier only to find that it was blocked off. Little Wan’er gives it a try, and the barrier does not budge either.
“Let’s see if there's another way out.” The boy uses his fire spiritual element to create a ball of fire in his palm. Bringing a small light to the cave. At least they could see where they're heading. Little Wan’er trails behind the boy until they suddenly stop.
The boy and the little girl paused. Little Wan’er behind him looked at the boy, confused and oblivious to what he had seen.
The boy has stepped onto a human bone.
Memory of the past incident in the cave flashed through (Y/N)’s mind as he recollected it. “You’re her?”
“Correct.” Wan’er, the disciple of Kunlun Taxue Palace, nodded.
The man stares at her, examining her features that have matured over the years to the point that he couldn't recognize her at a glance. They have gone through life and death together, yet he so easily moved on with his life. Drifting ashore and growing his power. His journey does not stop after one danger.
He has sacrificed half of his lifeblood to create a way of escape for the two of them. The carved blood spell on the walls of the cave. He has changed and uses his blood as a sacrifice to pave the way. The spell of the barrier weakened and soon collapsed, allowing him and her to escape.
Wan’er has to assist him along the way as his bloody self gets escorted to Sisheng Peak. Wan'er left after he reached the entrance. The Xuanji Elder, his Shizun, Shu Yunjia, got his wits scared out of him at the sight of the bloody disciple of his. The last time Shu Yunjia saw his disciple was when he asked him what place is the best for meditation, and he gave the response “Basin Evergreen Broadleaf Forest.” For the forest has an abundant supply of spiritual qi and lowlife spirit animals roaming around, good for meditation without interruption.
In the end, he sent his own disciple to a jaw of a gaping tiger, for this was the first time that Shu Yunjia saw anyone return this bloody.
Wan’er told the Xuanji Elder and the sect leader present at that time about the barrier and the sacrificial 10-year lifeblood. The elders of Sisheng Peak have not much faith in his recovery, even predicting the possibility that he might be crippled for the rest of his cultivation life. Unable to cultivate. Forever
Fortune and luck were on his side, as after 3 months of recovery, (Y/N) went back to his usual cultivation self.
What Wan’er never knew was how that ended up turning into that boy’s lifelong regret.
His lifelong regret was saving her. For if he had not saved her, he wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state at that time. He shouldn’t have intervened and let her suffer her fate of being torn apart by the spirit.
Indeed, how his mindset has changed as he grows. He does not care about the lives of others. Only himself and his survival. His younger self would have been disappointed by how heartless the older self has become. But that’s another issue for another time.
“You looked tired, Brother Lin. Have you not been sleeping well?” Wan’er supposed that now he has remembered her, she could call him by the nickname of their time. Lin was the last name of (Y/N) for in this life and the past, he was born a part of the Lin clan.
“Never could get a good rest.” The dark bags under his eyes were the evidence. They have been there for God knows how long. Those nightmares of the past life pestering him till no end. Only in his death could he find peace.
The diary is still missing. He was certain that he had brought it with him. He worried that the diary had gotten into the wrong hands.
Wan’er looked concerned at the male disciple of Sisheng Peak before she remembered, “The Kunlun Taxue Palace has a lot of pills for good sleep. Next time, I’d ask someone to deliver it to Sisheng Peak.”
The Kunlun Taxue Palace is stocked to the max with such pills that regard sleep and beauty. Sleep is crucial to the development of a cultivator and for keeping up the reputation of Taxue Palace. There has been quite a popular book among the cultivation realm listing which sect has the most beautiful group of cultivators. Kunlun Taxue Palace is among the top three. The cultivators take great pride in enhancing and maintaining their beauty.
“No need.” (Y/N) declines the offer. He has tried all the sleeping and good dream pills on the market. Not as effective as he wished they could be. He believed that there is no difference between the pills he brought and the ones specifically prescribed to the Kunlun Taxue Palace.
Wan’er remained polite even with the decline of her kind offer. It has been so long since they last saw each other. “Brother Lin, how have you been?”
For the next few days, (Y/N) has been guilt-ridden for his actions. He has heard from Wan’er and the others that Miss Eighteen died. That he has wronged Mo Ran. Fallen into the illusion trap set by Hua Binan. Reacted according to Hua Binan’s plan. He was aware that it was an illusion to harm his relationship with Mo Ran; even so, at the sight of it, it sent a haunting chill down his spine.
Why was Hua Binan specifically targeting him in the illusions? Why didn’t anyone else see the same thing as he did? What did Hua Binan benefit from doing that?
He wondered if Mo Ran felt deeply wronged at the sight of him leaving. Another part of (Y/N) contracted this idea, pushing forward the claim that Mo Ran was his past life’s murderer and doesn't deserve his support in this life.
Will he be willing to push away his past grudges so that he won’t become a pawn of Hua Binan’s plot?
To put your sword down in front of an enemy…
For he is not willing to forgive the man who killed him and become a haunting memory for the rest of his reincarnation so easily. Mo Ran will not be let off the hook. The mastermind knows that, and he knows it too. That’s why he has been dreading and unsure what path he should take. Would he still have to make these decisions if he had taken the path of becoming a disciple of another sect?
It was already too late. Now he could only make the decisions based on the consequences of his actions.
He silently cursed to himself. He needs to prioritize benefits over his internal conflicts. He has to work together with the man who killed him in his past life to end this game of pawn.
He couldn’t go empty-handed for his apology. He decided to purchase some meat buns as a form of apology. As (Y/N) paid for the bag of meat buns and the vendor handed it to him, he held the bag in his hand and walked in the direction of the prison. He has gotten some intel from others throughout these days, and he somewhat has an idea of where the prison is. He still hasn’t confirmed it himself, as during those past days, he did not have the courage to take the first step to visit Mo Ran and Xia Sini.
The meat buns are warm in the bag. It was odd. (Y/N) recalls his first meal in Peach Blossom Springs: three steamed buns brought by Mo Ran. He supposedly might as well pay Mo Ran back using the same food that Mo Ran offered him. However, wouldn't that be repaying Mo Ran for the meal rather than an apology for the quick leave?
(Y/N) decided to pick some milk candy from the candy stall nearby. He could offer some for Chu Wanning as well since he remembered reading something about how the Yuheng Elder loves sweets. He paused when he recalled that Mo Ran likes spicy food over sweet ones. He went through some back and forth with his internal self and gave in, deciding to buy one more thing before heading off.
That being two sets of scallion pancakes with chili oil.
His hands were filled with the bags of food and candy. His mind pondered how he would interact with Mo Ran.
Another dreadful thought came up: What if the feathered tribe guard guarding that place doesn't allow any visitors?
Wouldn't that mean he purchased it all for nothing? Why didn't he think of that sooner?
“Why are you still here?!” Somebody snapped him out of his daze.
(Y/N) turns around only to meet a feathered tribe guard. “I planned to visit a friend. Has there been any issue?”
“Everyone else is gathered around the Dewsip Pavilion to hear Miss Eighteen’s murderer’s explanation, and you’re out here visiting a friend?”
“Ah…” Before then, (Y/N) had been meditating and letting his spiritual qi circulate inside his room. He was oblivious to the meeting. Nobody informed him. His mind went back to hearing the footsteps of Wan’er outside his room; however, at that point, he could not stop at the most crucial point of the meditation due to the possibility of major backlash from the interruption. It appeared that Wan’er wanted to inform him about the Dewsip Pavilion, but she, noticing him in his qi meditation, decided to not interrupt. A smart choice on her part, as if she were to barge in, the circulation would break and his internal organs would have been damaged as a result.
That also explained how the usual busy streets have been nearly wiped clean of any pedestrians and most of the food vendors were gone.
“Apologies, I was meditating in my room and was unable to hear the outside news.”
He could hear the guard scoff at him. “You cultivators truly are doing the most random stuff at ridiculous timing. Go ahead to Dewsip Pavilion, young fellow.”
With that, the guard left him there.
He stood there, and he went ahead to ask, “Where’s the pavilion?” But by then, the feathered tribe guard that was previously talking to him was nowhere in sight.
No shadow. In a flash, he can’t find him again. How odd.
(Y/N) thought that they’re truly quick on their feet.
Now that he got told that Mo Ran was at the Dewsip Pavilion, what could he do?
He looks at the food stalls, deciding to ask the street vendors that he previously interacted with for the location.
Were the vendors not there just a few seconds ago? How did they disappear so quickly?
Bewildered, the man turns back around.
He ponders whether he should look around for somebody to ask for directions or just go back to his original plan of looking for the prison cave. His hands carried bags of food and candy. He would look like an idiot in front of others if he were to bring them to the Dewsip Pavilion.
He chose to play it safe and walk in the direction of the prison cave, planning to leave the bags there and wait if there was nobody.
Indeed. (Y/N) spotted Chu Wanning inside the cave. Chu Wanning’s 14 year old form next to a steaming pot of stew. The sweet, tingly aroma coming out of the pot drifted into the man’s nose. Strange. (Y/N) remembered that Chu Wanning can’t cook. That soup base must have been made by Mo Ran, and Chu Wanning is simply watching it.
Out of formal politeness and the awareness that Xia Sini is the Yuheng Elder, the words that he spoke at least a million times throughout his years as a disciple of Sisheng Peak slip automatically out of his mouth: “Present. Disciple (Y/N) from Xuanji Elder. Greetings to Yu—”
He corrected himself at the last second. “Xia Sini.”
Chu Wanning lets out a hum, not paying much mind to his presence. He observes the young man, wondering if Chu Wanning caught on. Fortunately, Chu Wanning’s eyes were glued to the soup. Like a cat watching a catnip ball. After a while, Chu Wanning turns to him, only to ask, “Why aren't you at the Dewsip Pavilion?”
He was embarrassed to admit that he doesn't have a sense of direction and does not know where the Dewsip Pavilion is. (Y/N) quickly changed the topic. “I bought some food and milk candy for you and Mo Ran.” (Y/N) put the bags on the table.
“Candy?” Chu Wanning’s interest piques at the mention of a sweet before he collects himself. “Which bag has the candy?” The diary’s mention of Chu Wanning’s love for sweets is truly on point. (Y/N) points to the bag with the milk candy. Chu Wanning’s hand reached in and grabbed a handful; only to realize how greedy he seemed, he let a few drops inside the bag before pulling back with two milk candies.
He quickly unravels the two and moves aside his white face mask, enough to expose just his mouth, and pops them into his mouth.
A thought pops up in (Y/N)’s mind as he watches it happen. How should he handle the situation once Mo Ran comes back?
