Chapter 177: A Grand Gift for Meng Hongshang, the Ginseng Doll - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 177: A Grand Gift for Meng Hongshang, the Ginseng Doll Danxia Mountain. Su Mo and Nangong Liuli stood behind a large boulder near the mountaintop, observing a massive celestial crane preening its feathers nearby. Perched atop Su Mo's head was a tiny spider, a manifestation of Yu Luoniang, watching the crane with curiosity. "How peculiar," she mused. "This crane has cultivated for over fifteen hundred years and yet hasn't assumed a human form. Truly strange. It deviates completely from the usual process." Hearing Yu Luoniang's remark, Nangong Liuli interjected, "Perhaps it's because of the ginseng doll. In my previous life, my master struggled considerably to slay this very crane. While I could defeat it, it would be quite taxing. You should keep some distance." As Nangong Liuli prepared to tackle the situation, Su Mo enveloped her slender waist with his arm. "Liuli, let me handle it. When it comes to dealing with demons, I'm quite adept." With that, Su Mo directed the Zhenwu Sword, channeling fierce Yang energy, and inscribed a large golden "Seal" in the air. In that moment, the surrounding elemental energy converged towards Su Mo's character, transforming it into a golden column of light that encapsulated the crane. The crane, attempting to react, found its demonic energy entirely dissipated. Even its basic muscle movements were immobilized, causing it to collapse. Yu Luoniang praised, "You grow more formidable by the day, my lord." Nangong Liuli was equally astounded. "Brother Su, your skill is beyond what I can contend with." Su Mo chuckled, approaching the crane, now reduced to a mere voice. From the crane emerged a serene voice, "Who are you? Why ambush me?" Realizing it was a female crane, Su Mo ignored her, moving towards the stone where she stood. The rock, as per the simulation, had begun to transform, resembling jade due to years of the crane cultivating upon it. Approaching, Su Mo's smile widened as he produced a pre-prepared red string. "What do you think I'm here to do?" he teased. The crane cried out, "Little one, flee!" Under the crane's urgent plea, a bump appeared on the ground, trying to escape. Nangong Liuli swiftly used her sword to expose its contents—a small doll in a red bellyband, now hanging from her blade, the ginseng doll from the simulation! Su Mo advanced, tying the doll’s hands and feet as it wailed, "Villain! Villain! Release me!" Yu Luoniang eyed it enviously. "Such a treasure, devouring it would save a millennium of cultivation." Su Mo shook his head adamantly. "Better to bleed it annually and refine it into elixirs. Since Taoshan isn't far, I'll fetch Hongshang for refinement." He then glanced at the crane. "Since you haven't taken human form, you might as well become my mount." "Never!" spat the crane, transforming into a beautiful young woman dressed in white. Although devoid of demonic energy, her transformation remained unimpeded—a testament to her nature. Devoid of any beastly traits, her human form was that of a cold, enchanting beauty. Captivated by her beauty, comparable to Fei Lingxue and Xu Miaoyin, a possessive desire surged within Su Mo. Even though his trait of lust had fused into a greater disposition, the allure of claiming all exquisite women remained. He knew the trait was troublesome, intending to rectify it with future adjustments to his attributes. The crane, noticing Su Mo's gaze, flushed with indignation, "Scoundrel! Brute! Close your eyes or I'll gouge them out!" Unsure how to win over the crane, Su Mo turned to Yu Luoniang for advice. "Yu Niang, how should we tame this crane? Using it as a mount would be splendid." Laughing at her lord's transparent intentions, Yu Luoniang offered, "You're heading to Taoshan, yes? Leave the crane to me and Liuli. We'll see her trained as your mount." Nodding, Su Mo agreed, recognizing he needed to approach Meng Hongshang alone. Her possessive nature meant she couldn’t accept rivals like Yu Luoniang and Nangong Liuli. For now, his task was to court her favor... --- Taoshan. Carrying the ginseng doll, Su Mo stood at the perimeter, observing the barren hills devoid of vegetation. He understood it was Meng Hongshang's illusion, the real Taoshan concealed behind a formation. Though capable of breaching it, Su Mo opted for a more traditional approach, calling out from the foot of the mountain. "Peach Blossom Fairy! Peach Blossom Fairy! Are you here? I've come to see you!" Within Taoshan, Meng Hongshang was focused on refining the Immortal Binding Rope, her red robes accentuating her graceful form. Despite days of toil, only one layer of enchantment had been unlocked. Even so, its power rivaled no common artifact. Distracted by Su Mo's calls, she employed the Blue Flower Manifestation technique to peer outside. Her heart fluttered at Su Mo’s unexpected arrival, suspecting him to reclaim the Immortal Binding Rope. But then, her gaze fell upon the ginseng doll in Su Mo's hand, and she recognized its immense value. A millennium-aged ginseng doll! Meng Hongshang’s heart raced, overwhelmed by Su Mo’s extraordinary fortune. Such a treasure could elevate a small sect over centuries. At that moment, Su Mo, aware of her surveillance, exclaimed, "Peach Blossom Fairy! I've acquired a millennium ginseng doll for you!" "To help you through your tribulations!" "Please, meet with me!" Startled by his words, Meng Hongshang's heart raced. Could it be true affection? No… that's impossible, she reasoned, those intentions must be deceitful. Nevertheless, the allure of the ginseng doll was undeniable, a swift route to transcending current limitations. Driven by temptation, Meng Hongshang lowered her guard, opening a gateway. "Master Su, you may enter." Facing the sudden portal, revealing a paradisiacal vista, Su Mo straightened, replying, "Thank you, Peach Blossom Fairy. I'm entering now." And with that, Su Mo stepped through the portal. As Su Mo stepped through the portal, he was greeted by the sight of Meng Hongshang, dressed in stunning red, gracefully approaching him. Faced with such an extraordinary beauty, Su Mo contained his excitement and walked towards her, holding the ginseng doll aloft. "This is for you, Fairy," he said, presenting the doll. Seeing the earnest and intense gaze of Su Mo, Meng Hongshang's thoughts became conflicted. She reminded herself that her heart belonged to her senior brother—how could she lightly entertain another's affection? "Master Su, this ginseng doll is far too valuable. I cannot accept such a generous gift without having earned it." Su Mo quickly responded with the reasoning he had prepared in advance. "Peach Blossom Fairy, I am not skilled in alchemy. The best use for this ginseng doll is to periodically draw some of its blood for refining elixirs, rather than harm it." "Treasure should be given to those who can appreciate it." "You are a master of alchemy, Fairy, and this is an offering of respect." "Please accept it. You can keep half the elixirs you make." "As for the ginseng doll, it can reside here in Taoshan, a place as serene as paradise, offering it refuge." Su Mo's words made Meng Hongshang's heart waver. The ginseng doll was too precious. With it, ascension seemed imminent. "Then, I thank you, Master Su," she finally relented. Su Mo handed over the ginseng doll to Meng Hongshang. The doll, petrified with fear, stood rigid and trembling. Meng Hongshang reassured it, patting its small head, "Don't worry, I won't harm you. Only a little of your blood will be taken each year. Behave, and perhaps I'll find more spiritual herbs for you." Hearing this softened the doll's stiff body, its eyes shifting from utter terror to slight unease. Seeing the doll's gradual acceptance, she comforted it, "That's a good child." Turning back to Su Mo, she said, "Master Su, why not stay here for a while? I can refine ginseng into a Nine Aperture Elixir, but it will take forty-nine days. When the first batch is ready, you shall have all of it." Su Mo shook his head in decline. "Refining elixirs depletes your energy. Please keep it for yourself. We have plenty of time ahead, and many opportunities to share your elixirs." Meng Hongshang's heart warmed, recognizing Su Mo's generosity. "Thank you, Master Su," she replied softly, handing him a peach-colored token. "Here, this is a pass to my sanctuary. If you wish to venture outside, feel free. I will be secluded in alchemy, unable to open the door myself." Su Mo gently took her hand as she handed over the token, feeling its softness and warmth. "Master Su!" Meng Hongshang blushed slightly, a mix of irritation and embarrassment. "I need to go. Conduct yourself properly while I'm gone." With that, she threw the token to him and retreated with the ginseng doll to the alchemy chamber. Su Mo chuckled, knowing Meng Hongshang required a firm approach to overcome her defenses. With time, her affection might grow more accessible. But not yet. Her patience with him, enduring so long primarily because of the ginseng doll, was not to be overstayed. Meanwhile, Meng Hongshang was both flustered and annoyed—no one, not even her senior brother, had touched her hand before. But Su Mo had breached that boundary. Yet, looking at the ginseng doll, her anger abated. First, the Immortal Binding Rope, and now this invaluable gift. Could he genuinely mean well? No, she dismissed these thoughts, focusing instead on her past memories of her senior brother. But those encounters were centuries ago, blurring into indistinct recollections. Oddly, Su Mo's image had taken the place of her senior brother's, standing on a sunlit meadow, smiling winsomely. Meng Hongshang shook her head, confronting a surge of sadness. Memories of her time with her senior brother, mingled feelings once shared within their sect, cascaded through her mind. But it was a past now distant. Her brother had never smiled at her so warmly, his true affection lay elsewhere, with another. Such reflections made her realize she had changed, no longer the carefree youth considering future dreams. Time, indeed, sculpted one into a form it favored. Holding the ginseng doll, she puzzled over Su Mo's intentions. Despite his lesser cultivation as a scattered immortal, he had entrusted her with a treasure like this without hesitation, even expressing concern for her alchemy exhaustion. Isolated for centuries, those were gestures she had not experienced. Yet, Meng Hongshang reminded herself, men are often driven by impulse. His fervor might fade, regret might lead him to reclaim the gifts. If he did, she resolved, she would return them. Throughout her life, she vowed never to owe anyone. (End of Chapter)