Chapter 17: Surprise! Is Brother Actually a Fan of Emperor Song too?_1

Sitting next to the stone table, Chen Chang’an made himself at home, lifting the chopsticks and picking up some vegetables to eat.

Huh??

Originally, Chen Chang’an didn’t hold high hopes for the food Mao Ruxue had prepared.

Regardless of any angle, his younger disciple must have been the precious daughter of a wealthy family, a maiden of a noble house before she came up the mountain!

She could even have originated from a cultivation family, a princess or noble lady of an Imperial Cultivation Dynasty.

In a nutshell, she has an extraordinary status, having been raised in comfort and luxury.

The food prepared by such an individual is generally deemed satisfactory as long as it is edible.

Pursuing taste? That’s nonexistent!

However, as soon as the vegetable entered his mouth, Chen Chang’an was instantly startled!

The texture, the combination of spices, it’s simply incredible!

Although it cannot rival the chefs from his past life, it is definitely not too far behind!

With every bite, it delivers sheer indulgence!

"Did you cook before, sister?"

After eating, Chen Chang’an curiously asked.

At this point, Chen Chang’an looked into Mao Ruxue’s eyes, both of their eyes shining brightly.

Originally when he had descended the mountain to recruit disciples, all he thought about was to casually find someone to fill the count.

Hence, when he found Mao Ruxue, he did not give it much thought and just took her up the mountain.

The only requirement was that they were human!

But now it seems like he found a bloody gem!

No!

More than just a gem, it’s a goddamn treasure!

Not to mention her beauty and sweet voice, she’s also intelligent, frugal, and domestically-skilled.

This is...

Could it be that in my previous life, I saved the world, hence I could meet such a sister!

"When I was home, I saw my sisters cooking, so I learned a little bit."

Mao Ruxue honestly replied.

And then, she asked:

"How is it, brother, does the taste suit you?"

"In recent years, my mother won’t let me touch these in order to encourage me to concentrate on cultivation."

"I haven’t cooked for years, and may be rusty, does it matter, brother?"

"Hmm, it’s fine, the taste is quite good, almost as good as mine."

Chen Chang’an nodded in response.

"Let’s sit down and eat."

[Old man, how is it? Didn’t I do you justice and find you a decent disciple?]

Of course, Chen Chang’an wouldn’t admit he’s over the moon simply because there’s finally someone to cook on the mountain.

But it’s certainly worth rejoicing about!

If having someone to cook isn’t something worth celebrating, then what is! FG

In a short while, the table of food was cleared by the pair.

Watching Mao Ruxue clean up the dishes, Chen Chang’an chimed in:

"It’s been more than ten days since you came to the mountain, hasn’t it?"

Mao Ruxue nodded and replied:

"Yes, brother. It’s been twelve days since the day we set off."

"Are you accustomed to living here?"

"Brother, if I say I’m not, will the living conditions improve in the future?"

"Silly child, don’t think too much."

"So, will they improve?"

"No."

"..." Mao Ruxue didn’t want to talk anymore.

Chen Chang’an said:

"There’s going to be a big Sect competition in three months."

"Each peak must send at least one disciple to compete."

"If you’re free, you may participate."

"Oh, I understand, brother."

Mao Ruxue nodded her head.

"Remember to participate on your own. I might not be there." Seeing Mao Ruxue nod her head, Chen Chang’an added.

With Mao Ruxue’s abilities, she wasn’t initially qualified to participate in the Sect Conference.

But there’s no other way, she’s the only one on the mountain, so it’ll have to be her going.

"By the way, what cultivation techniques are you practicing lately? Have you encountered any difficulties?"

Being her senior brother, Chen Chang’an planned to give Mao Ruxue some guidance.

Hearing Chen Chang’an’s words, Mao Ruxue thought for a moment,

"Brother, I’m currently practicing the Sect’s heart method, the ’Purple Sun Heart Scripture,’ and the ’Past Life Sutra’ from the mountain. I haven’t really encountered any problems."

Mao Ruxue was telling the truth; she did not encounter any problems while practicing the ’Purple Sun Heart Scripture’ and the ’Past Life Sutra’.

’Purple Sun Heart Scripture’? ’Past Life Sutra’?"

Hearing Ruxue’s words, Chen Chang’an was taken aback.

He did not expect that the techniques she chose were these two.

One Buddhism, one Dao!

This is not a simple matter at all.

"When you were practicing, did you go to the waterfall?"

"Huh? Brother, how did you know?"

Mao Ruxue was instantly startled, slight confusion washing over her at Chen Chang’an’s words.

Indeed, she did go to the waterfall at the waist of the Daozang Mountain during her cultivation.

Chen Chang’an slowly said,

"In the past, it is said that when Emperor Song, one of the four Hall Masters of the Hall of Reincarnation, first stepped onto his path,"

"He mastered a Buddhist divine skill and a Daoist divine skill."

"One was named the ’Daluo Illusion’ and the other divine skill was called ’Bodhi Rebirth’."

"These two divine skills were only abandoned after Emperor Song became the Earth Bodhisattva and took up two other stronger divine skills."

"When asked how he managed to cultivate these two different attribute Daoist and Buddhist divine skills in one body, the Earth Bodhisattva replied,"

"Every time I cultivate, I must find a place where Yin and Yang merge and conduct my cultivation in an environment of half sun and half water mirror. In this way, after seventy-seven ninety-one days, I will be successful."

"In later interpretations, it is believed that the sun represents sunlight, and the water mirror represents the waterfall formed by the gathering of spiritual springs."

"Half sun and half water mirror, meaning to expose half your body to the waterfall’s force and the other half to the air."

"Once you practice this way for seventy-seven eighty-one days, you will succeed."

"Is this correct?" After speaking, Chen Chang’an looked at Mao Ruxue, his shining eyes reflecting a sea of stars.

"Huh? Brother... You! You! Are you a fan of Emperor Song too?!"

Mao Ruxue stood up in surprise, looking at Chen Chang’an in disbelief, her mouth wide open.

In her shock, there was also a joy of a wanderer finding a kindred spirit.

Um...

A fan of Emperor Song?

Seeing Mao Ruxue’s reaction, Chen Chang’an felt that she seemed to have misunderstood something.

"Well, of course."

"A remarkable man like Emperor Song, with talents unmatched throughout history."

"Though I cannot cultivate, I certainly admire a character like that."

Chen Chang’an added again.

"Wow, brother, I’m a fan of Emperor Song too."

Upon hearing this, Mao Ruxue was even more excited. It was like finding a kindred spirit.

In the past, she didn’t dare to tell others that she admired Emperor Song. After all, no matter how you look at it, Emperor Song was an unparalleled great demon.

A person born on the righteous path admiring an unparalleled great demon. If this got out, she’d probably be the laughing stock of everyone.

But now, she wasn’t afraid anymore because it seems that her brother also admires Emperor Song.

As expected of Emperor Song, even my brother has been won over by him.

Awesome!

However,

"Remarkable man?"

"Brother, how do you know that Emperor Song is male?"

Mao Ruxue voiced out her doubts.

"I guessed." Chen Chang’an responded.

"Based on Emperor Song’s actions over the years, I concluded that he should be a male."

"Oh, so that’s what it is,"

Mao Ruxue nodded as if she understood, but not really.

"Then I was wrong before."

"I thought Emperor Song and Meng Po were both females."

"Brother, do you think I should apologize to Emperor Song?"

"I...." said Chen Chang’an.