Essence Devouring Art

And that was the long and short of it.

All these circumstances had shaped the Mo Chen that Wu Dao saw today.

"Impressive."

Wu Dao nodded slightly after hearing his story.

"To endure such adversity and still shine with such tenacious life... just for that, you’ve surpassed many people."

"Heh, you can live your life crying or you can live it laughing. I just chose to make things a little easier on myself."

Mo Chen smiled brightly. It seemed to be the first time he had ever spoken of his ’tragic’ fate. After laying it all bare, his Essence, Qi, and Spirit seemed to shine much brighter.

’His parents died when he was four.’

’His grandmother passed away when he was ten.’

’At eighteen, the fortune of the Dragon Mud Cave Heaven was at its absolute peak.’

’It seems...’

’This is a merging of memories.’

’An imitation of the major turning points in the life of his predecessor?’

’To completely become a new Mo Chen.’

’After their fates have completely and indistinguishably merged.’

’Then, with a supreme destiny, he’ll plunder the largest piece of the Dragon Mud Cave Heaven’s fortune?’

’Truly...’

’They’re quite the schemers.’

From the information Mo Chen had revealed, Wu Dao vaguely pieced together the machinations behind his life’s trajectory. His gaze on Mo Chen turned speculative.

’Nineteen years of life, all of it arranged and calculated by others. It’s even possible the rest of his life will be the same.’

’More importantly...’

’Even his very sense of self was plundered from another’s destiny. He has never truly lived for himself.’

’If he were to find out about all this...’

’I wonder how this Mo Chen would feel.’

’I imagine...’

’It would be quite amusing.’

However, Wu Dao had no intention of telling Mo Chen any of this.

Given how much importance those schemers placed on Mo Chen, they would likely investigate his every word and action, as well as anyone he came into contact with.

If he were to reveal the details of what happened in Fulong Village, he would undoubtedly expose himself later on.

That was also why the story he’d told earlier about the ungrateful wretch was intentionally vague.

Causing endless trouble for himself later just for a moment of satisfaction was simply not worth it.

Compared to such petty amusement, he much preferred personally snapping an enemy’s neck, severing their head, and listening to the beautiful melody of their trembling soul as they struggled in despair.

’Now that was true pleasure!’

...

The shop may have been small, but the cook was skilled and the food came out quickly. Wu Dao and Mo Chen had only been chatting for a short while before an array of fragrant, mouth-watering dishes were set on the table.

GULP~

Perhaps because it had been a long time since he’d seen such a rich, meaty spread, or maybe because he was simply starving, Mo Chen couldn’t help but swallow hard as he spoke.

"Go on, eat. I’m not hungry. It’s all for you."

Wu Dao didn’t pick up his chopsticks. He simply poured himself another cup of tea and spoke nonchalantly, his eyes gazing at Mo Chen like a hungry lamb in a pen.

"Uncle Wu, you’re so good to me."

Mo Chen felt a sting in his nose and a warmth in his heart. His voice choked with emotion.

After years of experiencing the coldness of the world and being ravaged by hardship, beneath his tough exterior lay a soft heart that was easily moved.

For someone to suddenly treat him so well—even if it was a stranger, and even if he knew this kindness was just a casual, purpose-driven act that couldn’t even be called pity—still moved him.

"A good person? Perhaps."

Wu Dao raised a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching into a slight smirk. He remained noncommittal about Mo Chen’s praise.

’He calls me a good person after a single meal. If I were to truly pour my heart out for you in the future, would you not be moved to tears of gratitude?’

’Still, planting this seed of karma today... might it not prove useful in the future?’

SLUUURP~

"Are you sure you won’t try some, Uncle Wu? This shop’s fish ball noodles are the best in Dragon Sect. They aren’t fishy at all, they’re delicious."

Mo Chen slurped down a large mouthful of noodles. He seemed absolutely famished. His mouth stuffed, he looked up and asked again.

Wu Dao shook his head.

Having grown accustomed to the most exotic delicacies, he now had little interest in the mortal world’s cuisine.

"Hehe, well, don’t mind if I do then. Apologies in advance if I make a racket, Uncle Wu."

Seeing that Wu Dao truly had no appetite, Mo Chen stopped pressing and began to eat with abandon, wolfing down noodles and meat.

He truly was starving.

He had a gluttonous Little Ancestor at home.

On a normal day, he could only eat until he was half-full, and for the past few days, their food had all but run out. He had been so hungry on the street earlier that he was seeing stars.

If not for the few cups of tea that had sustained him, he likely would have fainted from hunger on the street.

It was for this reason that this meal held a truly special meaning for him.

Otherwise, with the cautious and shrewd personality he’d had since childhood, he would never have opened up to a stranger so easily.

Of course, what he didn’t know was that even if he had truly reached the end of his rope, and even without Wu Dao, all sorts of people in the town would have found reasons to lend him a hand. They would have done so to earn his gratitude and forge a karmic link to his limitless future.

After half a bowl of noodles was in his belly, some color finally returned to Mo Chen’s face. He slowed his eating, and the hand holding his chopsticks paused. He asked sheepishly:

"Um, Uncle Wu... could I take the leftovers home?"

"Do as you please."

Wu Dao replied casually. Then, as if remembering something, his eyes flickered. "I heard you mention there was someone else at home?"

’The predecessor’s fortune and true name were stolen. Those so-called childhood sweethearts connected to him must have been characters like the Sons of Revival from the great powers. They would undoubtedly be inserted in various ways into the life of this new ’Son of Celestial Mandate,’ so that when one person attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.’

’The one in Mo Chen’s home might be one of them.’

’If that person isn’t as clueless about their own origins as Mo Chen is, then I could use my status as a ’dying man’ from the Divine Wilderness to ask about their background. I’d probably learn something useful.’

’A pity...’

"Yeah, I do have a child bride... no, wait, a stinky maid!"

Mo Chen ground his teeth and said resentfully,

"Her name is Yaya. I don’t know her family name. Grandma found her outside as a baby when I was five and said she’d raise her to be my maid.

"When Grandma was alive, Yaya was well-behaved, obedient, gentle, and sensible. But after Grandma passed, she showed her true colors: she’s lazy, gluttonous, and a complete troublemaker. She argues with me every day and causes trouble by sneaking out to steal meat from other people’s houses.

"I wanted to kick her out, but before Grandma died, she told me that Yaya’s ancestors had shown our family a great kindness. She made me promise to take good care of Yaya no matter what, and never let her feel wronged. So I have no choice but to put up with it.

"Ever since then, Yaya, who was supposed to be the maid, became the master, and I became the servant who has to wait on her hand and foot. You have no idea, Uncle Wu. That little white-haired brat may be small, but she eats like a starving ghost—it’s a bottomless pit. A big part of the reason I’m so miserable is because of her..."

The moment he started talking about Yaya, Mo Chen was practically seething, pouring out all his grievances. It was clear he’d been suffering for a long time.

’Yaya... found when he was five, as an infant.’ Wu Dao was slightly disappointed to hear this unfamiliar name and origin story, as it didn’t match the information he had about the people from his dream.

And yet, for some reason, as he listened to Mo Chen recount all of Yaya’s terrible deeds, Wu Dao felt an inexplicable sense of closeness, a familiar stirring in his heart.

This inexplicable pull was exactly the same as what he’d felt earlier at the Rising Dragon Street Corner when he saw the word "Seas" on the inn’s "Blessings from All Seas" sign. In fact, this feeling was much stronger.

While it wasn’t yet an overwhelming compulsion, it felt like a vague but powerful omen, a premonition of great benefit to his future.

’This Yaya... she and I are fated to cross paths!’