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Extra Chapter 2
Within the majestic confines of Mount Hua Peak, the gathering of disciples found themselves drawn to the great hall; their curiosity piqued as two figures made their entrance. Whispers rippled through the air as they peered from the corners, their eyes alight with intrigue and speculation.
"Who is that?"
"Where is he from?"
"The man in brown hair is so handsome!"
"Ningying! Go and ask for his name!"
"Ahahaha! Stop it~ Peak Master Mo will get angry if I go inside! That's disrespectful~"
"But with your beauty, he wouldn't be able to resist you!"
"What beauty?! Senior Sister Chen Yi is much more beautiful!"
"That's right! And she's strong, independent, brave, and smart! No one can compare to her!"
"Then what about the seductive woman beside her? The disciple of Peak Master Su Luxia?"
"You mean Senior Sister Shan Ling? Of course, she's a rare beauty too! I heard they are always together with Senior Sister Chen Yi."
"They must be good friends."
"That's not the case right now! Do you know who those two men are right there?"
"I don't really recognize them."
"I heard from someone that they are friends with Peak Master Mo."
"No, you're wrong! See that guy?" The disciple pointed to the beautiful man wearing a plain white robe. "That was Peak Master Mo's disciple other than the Autumn Fairy Juhua!"
(In case you forgot, Juhua means Chrysanthemum in Chinese.)
"Disciple, you mean—the Meihua Swan?!"
(In case you forgot, Meihua means plum blossom in Chinese.)
"Yes, that's right!"
"But I thought the Meihua Swan died in the battle three years ago?!"
"Yeah, he's right! I heard he was repeatedly stabbed to death!"
"So how could he live again?! That's unbelievable!"
"Unbelievable, you say—didn't you hear the case of Wan Zhan Peak Master Tian Lang?"
"Oh.......wait, what?!"
"Yes, that's it! Maybe he was given a second chance or met one of the Seven Deadly Sins from the demon realm!"
"What?! Isn't that so much luck?!"
"Maybe that's the case, so that man was really the Meihua Swan?"
Mo Xian and the others stood frozen, their expressions mirroring a mixture of shock and disbelief. Mo Xian's gaze lingered on the man in the plain white robe, his eyes wide as if beholding a ghost returned from the beyond.
Across the room, Chen Yi maintained a facade of composure, calmly sipping her tea beside Shan Ling, whose astonishment was evident in her gaping mouth. Yet, despite Chen Yi's outward calm, her trembling hands betrayed the turmoil within her, unable to conceal her true emotions upon seeing the man in white standing before them, whole and unharmed.
Bai Lan's reaction, however, was more palpable; his hands shook as he clutched his sword, a tension coiled in his muscles hinting at the urge to lunge forward and confront the newcomers with force. Yet he resisted the impulse, fighting to maintain his composure in the face of the unexpected revelation.
Mo Xian struggled to find words amidst the tumult of emotions swirling within him. "What... I mean, how... What's going on?" he stammered, his voice trembling with uncertainty.
Liu Xiao, concealed behind Wu Qingge, felt a pang of guilt at the sight of his friend's distress. Though hesitant to face them, Wu Qingge had insisted on revealing his survival. Now, Liu Xiao could only cower behind his protector, consumed by fear of their judgment.
"Liu Xiao, is that really you?" Mo Xian's voice was laced with disbelief as he peered at the figure hidden behind Wu Qingge. But Liu Xiao remained silent, sheltered by the protective stance of his companion.
Wu Qingge stepped forward, his voice steady. "Yes, it's Liu Xiao," he confirmed, knowing that his friend was unlikely to speak for himself.
Mo Xian's brows furrowed in confusion. "But... how is this possible? Are you playing some kind of prank, Wu Qingge?" he asked incredulously.
Wu Qingge shook his head firmly. "No, Master Mo Xian. This is no prank," he replied solemnly.
Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Bai Lan leaped forward, his fists flying towards Wu Qingge in a fit of rage. Gasps echoed through the hall as the punch landed, but before Bai Lan could strike again, Liu Xiao darted forward, shielding Wu Qingge from the blow.
In that fleeting moment, a gentle breeze brushed against Liu Xiao's face, followed by the sound of Bai Lan's labored breathing. Liu Xiao's eyes snapped open to find Bai Lan's fists halted mere inches from his face. Staring into the eyes of his former comrade, Liu Xiao felt a surge of conflicting emotions.
"You... after what you did to Liu Xiao, you dare show your face here?" Bai Lan's voice dripped with anger and accusation as he glared at Wu Qingge.
Liu Xiao's voice cut through the tension, filled with both frustration and disbelief. "What are you doing, Bai Lan? I've only just reincarnated a few days ago, and this is how you welcome me back?" he exclaimed, his words tinged with hurt and confusion.
Bai Lan glanced at him; he opened his mouth to speak but closed it again. He took a deep breath to calm himself before eventually speaking to Liu Xiao. "Liu Xiao, you... How are you not angry at him?! If you had just reincarnated, you should have come to us first! Why come to him?!"
Liu Xiao restrained his laughter. He was getting angry over that?! Pfttt——Bai Lan, how childish can you be?! You're getting jealous over something so small. How cute!!!
Liu Xiao snorted to stop himself from bursting with laughter and replied, "It was not Wu Qingge's fault at that time. He was controlled by the Old Palace Master, remember? And when I got reincarnated, I was thinking that I should see Wu Shidi first because he might be very guilty of killing me with his own hands."
As the door to the great hall swung open, Lan Yang's imposing figure strode into the room, his enormous sword slung across his back. His gaze fell upon Bai Lan, whose eyes were brimming with unshed tears, and Liu Xiao, who struggled to contain his laughter amidst the chaos.
With a heavy sigh, Lan Yang approached Bai Lan, effortlessly hoisting him up in his arms like a sack of feathers. Bai Lan squirmed in protest, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Let me go! What do you think you're doing, carrying me around like this in front of everyone?!"
Lan Yang met Bai Lan's glare with an amused twinkle in his eyes. "You're the one making a scene, not me. Come on, let's get you to your room," he said, ignoring Bai Lan's protests.
Peak Master Mo watched the exchange with mild confusion, nodding absentmindedly as Lan Yang declared his intention to escort Bai Lan away. "Yes, of course. Carry on," he replied, his voice trailing off.
"PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT! I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD FOR THIS, LITTLE BRAT!" Bai Lan roared, his face contorted with fury.
Lan Yang chuckled in response, his laughter echoing through the hall. "Oh, please, do try. I could use the entertainment!" he quipped, striding confidently towards the door with Bai Lan still thrashing in his arms.
Bai Lan looked at him with a soured expression. "You!——"
As Lan Yang closed the towering doors of the great hall with a resounding thud, a heavy silence descended upon the room, thick with tension and uncertainty. Liu Xiao steadied himself, taking a deep breath to muster the courage to face Mo Xian and the others. With a forced smile, he greeted them, hoping to ease the palpable awkwardness that hung in the air.
"M-Master Mo... this disciple greets his master."
As Mo Xian unexpectedly burst into tears, Liu Xiao's heart clenched with panic, his mind racing to comprehend the sudden flood of emotions. The disciples outside the hall stared in stunned silence, their eyes wide with shock at the unexpected scene unfolding before them. Chen Yi, unable to bear the embarrassment, closed her eyes, while Shan Ling watched with a hint of amusement playing on her lips, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Mo Xian spoke between his sobs, "Y-you——hik!——You're alive. Huu. I thought you left me. Tian Lang was gone. I thought Liu Xiao was also a sob."
"This is all your fault!" Liu Xiao whispered at Wu Qingge, who was looking away while whistling in a low tone.
"How is your body?" Mo Xian asked.
Liu Xiao smiled at him and replied, "My body is healthy and alright, Master. However, my spiritual core is gone."
"I see. It's fine if you don't have a spiritual core. You being healthy and alive is enough for me," Mo Xian said in a soft voice.
After Mo Xian composed himself, he extended an invitation to Liu Xiao, suggesting they retire to his chambers for a private conversation. Chen Yi cast a fleeting glance at Liu Xiao, her expression betraying a sense of longing, before the two of them made their way toward Mo Xian's quarters.
"How did you reincarnate?" Mo Xian asked.
Liu Xiao deliberated for a lengthy moment, weighing the consequences of revealing the truth about his extraordinary circumstances. Ultimately, he chose to offer a response that was a delicate blend of fact and fiction, carefully crafted to navigate the complexities of the situation.
"I met a god. He said he was my godfather, and I suddenly reincarnated."
Mo Xian nodded and smiled gently. "I see. It must have been tough."
Liu Xiao nodded and replied honestly, "Yes, Master, it was really tough."
As Liu Xiao dove deeper into conversation with Mo Xian, he uncovered the intricate web of decisions and arrangements made in the wake of the Old Palace Master's chaos. Mo Xian's role emerged as pivotal, as he had proposed the sealing of Peaks and Sects to rectify the aftermath of the former master's misdeeds. In a gesture of goodwill and solidarity, Mo Xian had taken Bai Lan under his wing, elevating him to the esteemed position of Wan Zhan Peak Master, filling the void left by Tian Lang's absence. Despite Bai Lan's newfound responsibilities, he remained steadfast in his commitment to both Wan Zhan Peak and Mount Hua Peak, showcasing his dedication to duty and loyalty to his comrades.
The relationship between Bai Lan and Lan Yang had blossomed over time, evolving into a bond of mutual respect and camaraderie. Their reconciliation was a testament to the power of forgiveness and understanding in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, Shan Ling and Lan Yang found themselves stationed at Mount Hua Peak by order of Mo Xian. With the Peak Masters of Tian Xian and Qian Zhang Peaks retreating into seclusion for cultivation, the responsibility fell upon Shan Ling and Lan Yang to maintain order and vigilance in their absence. However, Liu Xiao couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of "dual cultivation," a notion that seemed to linger in the air, unspoken yet detectable.
In a strategic move to safeguard Wu Qingge's well-being, Mo Xian advised him to remain within the confines of the underworld realm. Recognizing the potential scrutiny and probing from other Peak and Sect Masters, Mo Xian sought to shield Wu Qingge from undue interference, especially regarding personal matters such as his cultivation techniques.
Mo Xian poured Liu Xiao a cup of tea and handed it to him. "Are you going to cultivate again? You may not have a spiritual core, but we can make one. There are many ways to help you with your cultivation. Just say it, and this Master will support you."
Liu Xiao shook his head. "Master Mo, I'm thinking that I will go with Wu Qingge back to the underworld realm."
Mo Xian stared at him with his mouth slightly open and eventually understood his intentions. He smiled gently and replied, "I see. You made the right decision, Liu Xiao."
"Thank you for your understanding, Master." Liu Xiao bowed and cupped his hands.
Mo Xian chuckled and replied, "Don't be silly. I'm not your master any more."
"Of course you are!" Liu Xiao insisted. "And you will always be."
Mo Xian giggled. "You're so sweet. It's glad to have you back. Go on now; Chen Yi and the others also have something to say to you."
As Liu Xiao bid farewell to Mo Xian, he made his way toward the grand hall with purpose in his stride. Upon entering, he observed Chen Yi, Shan Ling, Bai Lan, and Lan Yang seated at the central table, engaged in conversation. However, he noticed the absence of Wu Qingge, causing a pang of concern to ripple through him. Determined to find his companion, Liu Xiao took a few decisive steps forward before addressing the group.
"Have you guys seen where Wu Shidi is?"
A surge of warmth enveloped Liu Xiao as he felt familiar arms encircle him tightly. Surprised, he glanced at Chen Yi, her eyes glistening with tears. With a gentle chuckle, he reciprocated the embrace, his smile softening the moment. "Alright, alright. No need for tears, Chen Yi! What if I suddenly vanished?"
Chen Yi swiftly pressed his acupoints, silencing his jesting words. Liu Xiao playfully pouted at her nostalgic actions, but his smile remained. As Chen Yi released him from her embrace, her tearful gaze met his. "Welcome back, Brother Liu."
Though rendered speechless by the acupressure, Liu Xiao conveyed his gratitude with a wide smile and a thumbs-up. Catching a glimpse of Wu Qingge in the corner, he returned the smile, whispering to himself in silent contentment.
It's good to be back...
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