Chapter 137: The Immortal Elder Becomes Angry

[Page 1 of 3]

The Mo household was in turmoil again. When Master Mo returned and discovered that his son was missing, he stormed over to find Old Master Xian, apparently intent on making a scene. The way he rolled up his sleeves made it look as though he meant to beat the old man.

Mo Lan had just finished administering the medicine. Carrying the bowl, she saw Master Mo charging straight toward Old Master Xian’s courtyard. She quickly set the bowl down and hurried after him, grabbing his sleeve.

“Dad, where are you going?” she asked in confusion.

“Where’s Mo Fan? Where did he go?”

“Dad…” Mo Lan did not know how to explain. Was she supposed to tell him that they had rescued a fake Mo Fan? How could her father possibly accept that? She was utterly torn.

“If there’s something to say, then say it quickly! Your brother is in poor health. Don’t you care for him at all? Why do you spend all day looking after someone who will never wake up?” Master Mo was furious. He scolded Mo Lan, and when he saw her hesitating, his anger only intensified.

“Mo Fan was taken away. I don’t think he’s the real Mo Fan. He injured Old Master Xian, wrecked his courtyard, and hurt me.” Mo Lan was angry too, and her voice grew louder with every word. The servants glanced over at the quarreling father and daughter, but none dared intervene. One by one, they quietly withdrew.

“What nonsense are you talking about? He is obviously Mo Fan!” Master Mo shouted. He raised his hand as though he meant to strike Mo Lan. His son had been ill, and yet someone had managed to take him away from the house. What kind of elder sister was she?

Mo Lan stared at him in shock. She had never imagined that her father would hit her. If that slap truly landed, she suspected she would no longer want to acknowledge him as her father. Yes, she admitted that Mo Fan was more important to her than anything else—but she was his daughter too.

Hearing the commotion, Old Master Mo emerged from the study. He could not resolve the matter in Nanjing simply by talking about it. It seemed he would have to make another trip there.

The moment he stepped outside and saw what was happening, he flew into a rage. Why was this son of his still so thoughtless? He was always trying to lay hands on his granddaughter. Did he not realize how much Mo Lan had sacrificed for this family? Did he have no gratitude at all?

“Stop! What do you think you’re doing? Are you trying to rebel?”

Though Old Master Mo was advanced in years, he strode forward and slapped his son across the face. He struck so hard that Master Mo lost his balance and fell to the ground. He covered his cheek with one hand, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

“Dad.” Master Mo rose unsteadily, pressing a hand to his face. He did not dare say another word.

Mo Lan paid no attention to him. She immediately told Old Master Mo everything and left him to decide what should be done. After all, her father was hardly thinking clearly anymore. For the sake of his son, he was capable of doing anything.

As she spoke, Mo Lan also mentioned that she had been running a fever. She was not trying to gain sympathy; she only wanted them to know that she had failed to give chase because she was unwell, not because she had deliberately refused.

Old Master Mo said nothing. He took Mo Lan’s hand and led her toward Old Master Xian’s courtyard, not sparing his unfilial son even a glance. Seeing the sleeves Master Mo had rolled up reminded him of an old saying, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

Master Mo followed the two of them obediently, like a chastened child.

[Page 2 of 3]

Old Master Xian’s courtyard was in utter chaos. After waking up, he had been so furious that he smashed everything within reach before hurriedly packing his belongings. All the while, he cursed nonstop.

“That little bastard! He’s going to be the death of me! I’m not staying here another minute.”

“Why are you just sitting there? Go pack your things. We’re leaving at once!”

“Go gather Qianyin’s belongings too. We’re leaving right now!”

East, South, West, and North sat nearby, watching the spectacle with smiles on their faces. Little North had already recovered considerably after taking his medicine, so he simply sat there enjoying the commotion. They had long since taken a dislike to the Mo family. The sooner they left, the better.

Old Master Xian rushed about, occasionally going outside to gather his medicinal herbs, pulling them up one by one. The sight of the four little fellows sitting idle displeased him as well, and he pointed at them and began scolding them.

The four young men had not begun packing because they were wondering whether Old Master Xian was truly willing to leave Old Master Mo behind. The two old men had finally found kindred spirits in each other. Could they really bear to part so easily?

The courtyard became even more chaotic. Old Master Xian cared only about his herbs; everything else had either been smashed to pieces or flung carelessly across the ground.

The three people approaching at a brisk pace heard the noise and quickened their steps. With such a commotion, had thieves broken into Old Master Xian’s courtyard? Who could be bold enough to steal from this place?

The moment they entered, all three were stunned. The courtyard was a complete mess, filled with dirt, broken fragments, and weeds. In the middle of it all was a deranged old man throwing things everywhere and hurling furious curses.

[Page 3 of 3]

“Old Master Xian, what’s wrong?” Mo Lan quickly released Old Master Mo’s hand and hurried forward to seize Old Master Xian by the arm. Why was he so angry? Old Master Xian was extremely important now and played a crucial role. He could not simply leave the Mo household. If he insisted on going, he would certainly take Qianyin with him.

Old Master Mo was equally bewildered. He had been busy all day and had not had time to provoke the old man. Who else could have angered him? He glanced around the courtyard in puzzlement. Had Old Master Xian made this mess himself?

At the sound of that question, Old Master Xian came storming over and smacked Old Master Mo on the head. Summoning all the strength in his body, he shouted, “It was your unfilial descendant! He actually dared to hit me, and he even recklessly consumed my medicinal herbs! What did you promise me back then? It seems the Mo family truly cannot keep its word. I’m taking Qianyin away. Don’t try to stop us. We are leaving for good!”

Old Master Mo’s expression darkened. So Mo Fan had done this. Was that fellow intent on driving every capable person out of the household? No wonder Mo Lan had said that the man was not Mo Fan.

Following behind them, Master Mo heard every word and felt his heart tremble with fear. He could imagine how furious Old Master Mo would become. If Mo Fan had been there, Old Master Mo would probably have slapped him several times without mercy.

Mo Lan swallowed hard. She had passed out, so she still had no idea what had happened. She blinked at the wreckage around her, swallowed again, and looked toward Old Master Mo, uncertain how he would handle the situation.

When Old Master Xian saw that no one answered or apologized, he shook off Mo Lan’s hand and once again bent down, carefully pulling up his medicinal herbs while flinging mud everywhere.

The other four young men stood to one side, struggling not to laugh. None of this had anything to do with them—they had not been the ones stirring up trouble—so they could finally leave with a clear conscience.

Mo Lan immediately went forward. She began cleaning up while comforting Old Master Xian.

“That Mo Fan was acting strangely. He definitely wasn’t my brother, Mo Fan. Something must have gone wrong somewhere. In any case, I apologize to you on his behalf. I’m sorry about your herbs. I’ll have time tomorrow, so I can go up the mountain and gather replacements for you. Would that be all right?”

Old Master Mo glared at Master Mo and said angrily, “Look at what your son has done. I’m washing my hands of this. Deal with it yourself.”

With that, Old Master Mo turned and stalked away in a temper.

Mo Lan quietly continued tidying up, paying no attention to what anyone else might think. Lately, she had gone too far in many matters. She needed to make amends to the people around her, one by one. She had been far too selfish.

Whether they thought she was being overly contrite now or believed her efforts were pointless no longer mattered. She was doing this simply so that, afterward, she could sleep peacefully with a clear conscience.