Chapter 43: The Daughter-in-law He Could Not Face

Mo Bufan stood dumbfounded for a long while before deciding to speak honestly. After a lengthy silence, he carefully gathered his thoughts and finally said, "If I told you it was the Dragon Ancestor who forced me, would you believe it?"

Wei Wuwei, calm and serene as ever, nodded without betraying any emotion. "I believe you."

"Uh..." Mo Bufan was at a loss for words.

Wei Wuwei regarded the anxious Mo Bufan and finally broke into a smile. "Don’t worry, I’m not going to kill you."

Mo Bufan’s facial muscles twitched, and he managed a dry laugh. "Thank you, elder."

"Call me Master. The rice has already been cooked," Wei Wuwei said, a trace of resignation appearing on his face. Clearly, he wasn’t entirely pleased about what his young apprentice had endured.

"Yes... Master!" Mo Bufan hesitated for a moment before respectfully addressing him.

Another silence settled between them.

Wei Wuwei said nothing, seemingly lost in thought.

Mo Bufan had no idea what to say and dared not interrupt him.

A full quarter of an hour passed. Sweat beaded on Mo Bufan’s brow before Wei Wuwei finally spoke, his voice soft and thin, "You really are lucky, boy."

"Huh?" Mo Bufan looked at him in astonishment, not understanding what he meant.

Wei Wuwei glanced at him and continued, "In all of Eastern Divine Land, there are few who have met the Dragon Ancestor. Especially among the sects’ prodigies, current leaders, and grand elders. But you’re the first to encounter him at the moment his soul fragments dissipated during the surge of demonic energy."

Mo Bufan gave an awkward smile, listening as Wei Wuwei went on.

"That old dragon always tries to lure the prodigies, then reveals his last wishes, hoping someone will free the beasts trapped in the Fallen Dragon Abyss. You, however, are the first to actually fulfill his wish," Wei Wuwei said. "With his soul fragment gone, the benefits you’ve gained must be considerable."

Mo Bufan scratched his head and nodded.

There was no way to hide it, and if Wei Wuwei wanted to take those treasures, Mo Bufan wouldn’t stand a chance of keeping them.

Wei Wuwei looked at Mo Bufan, his eyes complicated, but at last he sighed, "Ah, cultivate well. Don’t let down that old dragon."

After speaking, Wei Wuwei rose to his feet and looked at Mo Bufan again. "My previous words still stand. If you cease to be as interesting as you are now, the old man won’t let you off."

Mo Bufan was taken aback, but relief soon washed over him. It seemed his master had decided to spare him this time. Yet Wei Wuwei’s complex expression lingered in Mo Bufan’s mind; he knew he’d have to prove his worth, or who knew what the old man might do in the future.

As Wei Wuwei was about to leave, Mo Bufan knelt and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Master."

Wei Wuwei paused, looking at him curiously. "Thank?"

Mo Bufan quickly replied, "I will strive to do my best and never let you down, Master. And for the task the Dragon Ancestor entrusted to me, thank you for not blaming me."

Wei Wuwei glanced at Mo Bufan again, and said casually, "To think you take the old dragon’s matters so seriously. Seems that dragon truly chose wisely. Haha..."

With those words, his figure flickered and disappeared.

Mo Bufan watched his master depart, letting out a long sigh. He’d worried he wouldn’t be able to explain himself upon returning, but things had resolved unexpectedly easily—it was almost unbelievable.

He was also surprised to learn the old dragon had met so many prodigies of Eastern Divine Land.

Yet now his visit to the Fallen Dragon Abyss had been exposed, and thanks to Qian Yuanzi’s meddling, everyone believed he possessed the old dragon’s treasures. He’d have to avoid venturing out for a while.

Thinking this, Mo Bufan glanced toward the distant Fairy Maiden Peak where he resided, inwardly groaning. With his current cultivation, reaching the peak would take an hour at best.

"Ah, if only my cultivation were higher," Mo Bufan muttered, shouldering Little Fire Mink and the big orange cat as he made his way toward Fairy Maiden Peak.

Descending the mountain, he took rare pleasure in admiring the sky’s scenery, and finally arrived at the familiar foot of Fairy Maiden Peak.

But as he prepared to ascend, he felt a pang of anxiety.

His wife lived atop the mountain—a wife he’d barely met before, yet had somehow... taken her. If she got angry...

"Well, if it’s fate, it’s unavoidable; if it’s trouble, there’s no escape." Mo Bufan steeled himself and marched up the mountain.

An hour later, he nervously reached the summit. Old Wu and two immortal cranes were already waiting at the entrance to welcome him.

"Young master, you’ve finally returned!" Old Wu exclaimed, helping Mo Bufan remove his bamboo basket. He glanced at the orange cat and Little Fire Mink inside, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

Most people brought back spiritual herbs or artifacts from their journeys, but this one had returned with a cat and a fire mink.

Such creatures were usually favored by female cultivators, and yet his young master—an unmarried man—had brought them home. Did he have peculiar tastes?

Mo Bufan ignored Old Wu’s expression, stretched his limbs, and surreptitiously glanced toward the mountain top. He whispered, "Old Wu, has my wife... the young sect leader, come down the mountain in these days?"

Old Wu was momentarily stunned, then shook his head. "Young master, you’re asking the wrong person. With her formidable strength, even if she had, I wouldn’t necessarily know."

Mo Bufan thought that made sense. He glanced at the peak a couple more times, then finally decided, "Never mind, I’ll rest for now."

He turned to Old Wu, saying, "Old Wu, please take good care of them for me. I need to rest."

Old Wu nodded quickly. "Rest assured, young master."

Mo Bufan greeted the two immortal cranes, then entered his room and collapsed onto the bed.

The past month had exhausted him. Now, back home and free from threats, he slept as if the world itself had faded away.

...

At the mountain’s summit, Song Yuxuan, who had wiped her tears for several days, had of course noticed Mo Bufan’s return.

From the moment he began climbing, she watched him, her mind swirling with countless thoughts. None settled, and she simply observed Mo Bufan, who seemed absent-minded as he ascended.

But when she saw him plunge straight into bed and fall into a deep sleep, anger finally flared within her: "That scoundrel! He hurt me—even if it wasn’t intentional, how could he be so heartless?"

Impulsively, she flashed down the mountain, instantly appearing at Mo Bufan’s side, her eyes shining coldly—a truly frightening sight...