Chasing The Moon (Moonlight Mystique) - Chapter 83
Chapter 83
(T/N: this chapter is actually from the supeeeeer long chapter 9 from fanqie website, so I will break the chapter into several small chapters as it is easier for me to translate)
As soon as Hua Hong pushed open her door, a bundle came flying at her face.
“Big Iron Flower! Let’s go!”
Bai Shuo grabbed Hua Hong’s wrist and tried to drag her away, but Hua Hong planted her feet firmly.
“Little Half-Immortal, what’s gotten into you so early in the morning?”
A gilded red wedding invitation was thrust into Hua Hong’s face: “The Fox clan leader has sent out invitations across the demon realm. You and the little fox are to be married in three days!”
Hua Hong was momentarily stunned, then a smirk tugged at her lips.
“Chang Mei works fast.”
“How can you still laugh? This is your lifelong matter!”
“Don’t worry, don’t panic.”
Hua Hong patted Bai Shuo’s nearly bristling hair.
“It’s just a marriage. No big deal.”
Seeing Hua Hong’s indifferent attitude, Bai Shuo was furious.
“Are you really going to marry just for that so-called Demon Gathering Banner? That’s his person to protect, not yours!”
Hua Hong’s expression turned serious as she looked at Bai Shuo.
“Little Half-Immortal, in the Haoyue Palace, nothing and no one is more important than the palace master’s life.”
Bai Shuo fell silent, lowering her head, her voice muffled.
“I understand.”
Bai Shuo turned and left.
Hua Hong watched her lonely figure and sighed.
At noon, Bai Shuo, carrying a small bundle, found the young man sunbathing on the back mountain.
“Long Er donkey, I need your help.”
“We’re not close. Strangers, stay away!” Long Er donkey, seeing Bai Shuo, acted as if he’d seen a plague and bolted, but she grabbed his ear.
“You can’t just bully the weak now that you’re powerful. Don’t forget, we’ve known each other since humble beginnings and shared hardships!” Long Er donkey shouted.
“Quite the poet.”
Bai Shuo scratched her ear.
“Enough nonsense. Do you want to leave this place or not?”
“You have a way?” Long Er donkey instantly turned back, then scoffed.
“Don’t fool me. That’s a demigod barrier out there. If you had the ability, why would you still be here playing the obedient little wife?”
“That thing can’t stop me.”
Bai Shuo spoke calmly and succinctly.
“Are you coming or not?”
“Let’s go, let’s go.”
Long Er donkey wrapped an arm around Bai Shuo’s shoulder, looking touched.
“You really are a comrade in arms, not forgetting to take me with you when escaping this misery.”
Bai Shuo ignored Long Er donkey’s antics and walked off, with him quickly following.
The two figures trudged through the snow.
Long Er donkey looked back at the distant palace, his face full of curiosity and admiration.
“Little Half-Immortal, what method did you use to break Fan Yue’s demigod barrier?”
Bai Shuo paused, her gaze falling on the old pouch at her waist.
Her little disciple, before disappearing, had done one last thing for her—made her and Fan Yue sign a true soul contract.
Fan Yue’s barrier had never been able to stop her.
That day, when she had run into the barrier, it was simply… she hadn’t wanted to leave.
Bai Shuo didn’t answer and continued walking, soon disappearing into the snow.
The Haoyue Palace was unusually quiet that day.
For the first time, there was no sound of the medicine cauldron exploding.
Hua Hong thought Bai Shuo had been wronged and was hiding somewhere, brooding.
The next day, sensing something was wrong, Hua Hong turned the entire Extreme North upside down but found no trace of Bai Shuo or that fool.
Bai Shuo was now an immortal lord; few in the immortal and demon realms could harm her, so there was no immediate worry.
But that fool was one of the Bodhi trees.
If he fell into Zhen Yu’s hands, the consequences would be unpredictable!
Hua Hong hurriedly went to report this to Fan Yue.
At that time, Fan Yue was helping a girl named Ah Yue put on a fur coat.
Hua Hong, disregarding the inappropriateness, had just started speaking when Fan Yue’s cold voice cut her off.
“Those who want to leave need not be sought. The Fox clan leader’s invitation has arrived. We depart for Jingyou Mountain today.”
“You’re leaving?”
Ah Yue grabbed Fan Yue’s sleeve, her eyes filled with surprise and reluctance.
“We’ll go together.”
Fan Yue patted the girl’s hand reassuringly.
The girl was stunned, then smiled.
Hua Hong rolled her eyes and left.
The Haoyue Palace had a barrier set by the palace master.
How had Bai Shuo managed to leave?
Why had she taken that fool?
Hua Hong was full of questions.
She couldn’t quite fathom the palace master’s intentions, but with the journey to the Fox Clan imminent, she couldn’t ask more in front of this mysterious female immortal.
The two Fox Clan elders, their hair white, waited anxiously in front of the Haoyue Palace for half a day.
When the sun was high, they finally saw the Haoyue Palace master leading the Demon Lord Tianhuo and their own disappointing young clan leader appear, and they breathed a sigh of relief.
The invitations had been sent.
If they couldn’t bring the people back, Jingyou Mountain would lose face.
Chang Sheng looked around and asked, puzzled, “Why don’t I see Bai…”
“Palace master, the clan leader has been waiting at Jingyou Mountain for a long time.”
Chang Wu pulled Chang Sheng behind him, smiling as he spoke, then glared at Chang Sheng and subtly pointed beside Fan Yue.
Chang Sheng glanced at the snow-skinned girl beside Fan Yue and said nothing more.
Fan Yue, as if oblivious to their little actions, took Ah Yue’s wrist and flew straight into the sky.
Cangshan, ever the silent type, quickly followed Fan Yue.
Mu Jiu, who had been holding back all morning, finally spoke up indignantly after Fan Yue left.
“Little Hua, where did this woman come from? Why is Fan Yue taking her to the Fox Clan? Where’s Little Bai…”
“Shut up.”
Hua Hong, already irritated, snapped coldly.
“If they want to marry, let them. If not, forget it! Enough with the nonsense!”
Mu Jiu immediately covered his mouth.
Hua Hong turned into a streak of light and left, with Mu Jiu quickly following.
Chang Sheng stared at Chang Wu, his face full of anguish.
“Are you sure this marriage is to our Jingyou Mountain’s advantage? I feel like our Fox Clan is about to change hands.”
“Be confident. Remove the word ‘feel.'”
Chang Wu sighed deeply and pulled Chang Sheng to follow the others.
The snow was lonely, and in an instant, the once lively Haoyue Palace was empty.
Jingyou Mountain, called a mountain, was actually a vast valley, a hundred miles wide, filled with spiritual energy, towering trees, green grass, and small streams.
The Fox Clan’s dwellings were elegant, ancient tree houses.
The Haoyue Palace was cold and quiet, the Cold Spring Palace austere, but Jingyou Mountain was vibrant, like a paradise.
However, now the valley was draped in red silk, adding a touch of worldly festivity.
“It’s been a while since I last saw the palace master. I haven’t yet congratulated you on your ascension to demigod.”
In the grand tree house’s main hall, the Fox Clan hosted a banquet.
Chang Mei, leaning lazily on her throne, smiled at Fan Yue.
The Fox Clan leader, Chang Mei, was an extremely beautiful woman, her every move exuding laziness and casualness.
Hua Hong observed secretly.
Jingyou had always been low-key, and the Haoyue Palace rarely interacted with the Fox Clan.
Rumors said the Fox clan leader was indifferent to worldly affairs, but who knew if that was true.
As Hua Hong pondered, Mu Jiu’s weak voice sounded beside her.
“…”
“Shut up, stay aside.”
Chang Mei impatiently cut him off, her gaze still fixed unabashedly on Fan Yue.
Ah Yue, seeing Chang Mei’s undisguised interest in Fan Yue, lowered her eyes, a cold glint flashing through them, and anger rose within her.
“The Fox clan leader’s divine power has also reached new heights,” Fan Yue said indifferently.
“I merely rely on my long years of cultivation. When we first met eight years ago, the palace master was just a lower demon lord, a wandering cultivator in the demon realm. Now, your divine power is no less than mine, and your fame resounds across the three realms. Had I known, I would have brought you to my Jingyou Mountain back then.”
Chang Mei smiled charmingly, her allure boundless.
“The Fox clan leader remains as carefree and unrestrained as ever!”
A sudden laugh rang out outside the hall.
Fan Yue’s eyes narrowed, and everyone turned to see Zhen Yu striding in, followed by Chong Zhao and Fu Ling.
“I’m late. Fox Clan leader, please don’t blame me.”
Fox Clan maids hurried to seat Zhen Yu.
Chong Zhao sat beside Zhen Yu, and upon noticing Bai Shuo’s absence and that the mysterious woman from Yuanling Swamp was instead standing beside Fan Yue, his brows furrowed.
“How could I not come? With the Palace Master attending Little Jiu’s wedding, Jingyou Mountain is truly honored.”
“I never expected Demon Lord Tianhuo and the Young Clan leader to be joined in marriage—what a surprise indeed,” Zhen Yu remarked with a half-smile, his expression full of amusement.
“However… knowing the temperament of Demon Lord Tianhuo, this wedding seems rather rushed. I wonder—does this signify a deeper bond between Haoyue Palace and Jingyou Mountain, or is there more to it than meets the eye?”
Chang Mei seemed to ponder this as she glanced at Tianhuo, her gaze darkening.
Ever since the incident on Phoenix Island a year ago, Cold Spring Palace had been steadily eroding the demon clans, and there had been no shortage of conflicts with Haoyue Palace.
Zhen Yu’s words were laced with clear provocation.
Cangshan’s eyes widened, and he gripped his Zhan Shan Blade tightly, his expression murderous.
Mu Jiu also shot to his feet in fury.
“Ridiculous!”
“Little Jiu!” Chang Mei’s cold voice cut through the tension.
“Sit down.”
Zhen Yu, however, remained unbothered.
“Fox clan leader, I came to Jingyou Mountain for the wedding at your invitation, yet it seems I am not very welcome here.”
“Mu Jiu is the heir to my Fox Clan. His marriage is of the utmost importance to us. I trust that the Palace Master knows how to conduct himself,” Chang Mei said in a low voice, her words carrying a veiled warning.
“The Palace Master is my honored guest. Anyone who disrespects him disrespects my Fox Clan.”
“Cangshan.”
At Fan Yue’s command, Cangshan withdrew his Zhan Shan Blade and swiftly stepped back.
Zhen Yu smiled in satisfaction, but then his gaze suddenly fell on Fan Yue.
“Fan Yue, you don’t look as well as you did back on Phoenix Island. You should take care of yourself. After all, in just one year, the Purple Moon Summit will take place. If the Demon Emperor’s throne is only to be contested between myself and the Fox clan leader, it would be far too lonely.”
The damage to Fan Yue’s divine power was a closely guarded secret of Haoyue Palace.
At Zhen Yu’s words, the members of Haoyue Palace tensed, their faces darkening.
Sensing the rising tension, Chang Mei suddenly spoke.
“Young men indulging in pleasures of the flesh—it’s only natural that their vitality would be affected. No need to tease the Palace master about it.”
She chuckled and turned toward the woman standing beside Fan Yue.
“This must be the famed disciple of the Piaomiao Sect, the future Lady of Haoyue Palace—Lady Bai Shuo?”
The hall fell into immediate silence.
Except for Chong Zhao and Fan Yue, everyone’s expression turned strange.
Meanwhile, Ah Yue’s face turned pale, her figure trembling slightly as she stared at Fan Yue in disbelief.
As the tension in the hall thickened, Zhen Yu looked on with amusement.
Fan Yue, ever composed and aloof, took a sip of wine.
“The Fox clan leader is mistaken. She is not Bai Shuo.”
“Oh?” Chang Mei raised a brow in surprise before laughing lightly.
“I see. I wasn’t aware that the Palace master had yet another confidante by his side.”
“I also wasn’t aware that the Fox clan leader took such an interest in my personal affairs,” Fan Yue replied coolly, setting down his cup.
“You misunderstand, Palace master. I simply wished to see what kind of woman was worth stirring up such chaos on Phoenix Island—to the point that you were willing to offend both the Immortal Realm and the Heavenly palace for her.”
Ah Yue lowered her gaze, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Fan Yue frowned.
“Fox clan leader—”
“Ah, my memory fails me,” Chang Mei mused with an exaggerated sigh.
“But no need to ask the Palace master. I hear that Cold Spring Palace’s newly appointed Third Palace Master is none other than Lady Bai’s senior martial brother. The two grew up together, ascended to immortality together, and share a profound bond…” She propped her chin on her hand and looked toward Chong Zhao.
“I wonder—could there be any truth to this rumor?”
A cold chill swept through the hall at her words, and Fan Yue’s gaze turned toward Chong Zhao.
“The Fox clan leader is not mistaken,” Fan Yue said evenly.
“If you wish to inquire about Bai Shuo, you should indeed ask Third Palace Master Chong Zhao.”
All eyes turned toward Chong Zhao, but Zhen Yu merely continued watching the spectacle unfold.
“The Fox clan leader has asked the wrong person,” Chong Zhao finally spoke from behind the table.
“Oh?” Chang Mei arched a brow.
“I have long since abandoned the path of immortality and joined Cold Spring Palace. Whether Bai Shuo is a disciple of the Piaomiao Sect or a member of Haoyue Palace—it no longer has anything to do with me.”
Chong Zhao’s gaze met Fan Yue’s midair, both cold and emotionless.
The temperature in the hall seemed to drop further, the atmosphere nearly frozen solid.
“Gu Gu!”
Breaking the silence, Mu Jiu suddenly leaped to his feet, speaking rapidly.
“I know Little Bai pretty well! If you’re curious about her, I can bring her to see you some other time. It’s getting late—why don’t our esteemed guests go rest first? I’ve been away from the clan for so long, I haven’t even picked out my wedding attire yet!”
Mu Jiu was nearly at his wits’ end.
If he didn’t intervene now, his meddlesome aunt was going to provoke Haoyue Palace and Cold Spring Palace into an all-out battle right here in Jingyou Mountain—before he could even get married!
“Oh, how careless of me,” Chang Mei sighed in exaggerated regret, stretching lazily.
“Palace master, Palace Master, Jingyou Mountain has remained closed to outsiders for a hundred years. Little Jiu’s wedding is a grand event for our Fox Clan. Since you are both here, why not take the opportunity to admire the scenery?”
“Naturally,” Zhen Yu replied with a smile.
Fan Yue said nothing more and simply rose to leave.
As the feast ended and the last guest departed, silence fell upon the grand hall.
Then, in the corner, two branches rustled softly before transforming into human figures.
Long Er Donkey was unable to speak or move, his hands bound by a thick rope.
His eyes were wide with rage as he glared at Bai Shuo.
“Alright, alright, stop glaring. Your eyes are about to pop out,” Bai Shuo waved a hand, dispelling the restriction on him.
Gaining his freedom, Long Er Donkey’s legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground, face pale and eyes dull.
“I must have lost my mind to believe you, you living King of Hell! You tricked me into coming to this wretched place!”
Bai Shuo glanced in the direction Fan Yue had left, then shook out a green robe in her hands, clicking her tongue.
“Long Er Donkey, I must say—this thing of yours is actually quite useful.”
“Of course! This is my lifesaving treasure.”
“Where exactly did you get this thing? Just now, even a demigod couldn’t detect our presence.”
“No comment.” Long Er donkey stretched out his hand toward Bai Shuo.
“Now that we’ve entered the fox clan, I’ve fulfilled my promise to you. Give me my item back, and we’ll part ways.”
He turned to leave, but Bai Shuo instantly yanked him back and tossed the Myriad Illusions Robe over both of them, making them vanish into transparency within the hall.
Bai Shuo dragged Long Er donkey outside.
“What’s the rush? The real job hasn’t even started!”
“You dead girl! What exactly are you trying to do? There are three demigods in this mountain!”
Long Er donkey wailed but was immediately silenced by a slap from Bai Shuo.
Inside Fan Yue’s room, Cangshan silently returned and reported,
“Palace Master, aside from the secluded lake in the rear mountain, the fox clan’s defenses are not particularly tight. There doesn’t seem to be any treasure vault in the valley.”
“If it were that easy to find, the fox clan wouldn’t have stood strong among the demon clans for ten thousand years. The outer boundary of Jingyou Mountain is shielded by a guardian barrier left by the previous Demon Emperor, Hong Yi. No one below the god level can break through it. With such a barrier, why would the mountain need heavy defenses?”
Hua Hong frowned.
“So even if we find the Demon Gathering Banner, we won’t be able to take it out?”
“When all three pieces of the Demon Gathering Banner are combined, they can unlock Hong Yi’s barrier. This banner is a relic of the ancient demon gods—Zhen Yu will surely keep his piece with him at all times.”
Hua Hong’s face darkened. “Palace Master, are you planning to seize Zhen Yu’s piece by force?”
Fan Yue remained silent, but his answer was clear.
“No way!” Hua Hong grew anxious.
“We can steal the fox clan’s piece first, then deal with Cold Spring Palace afterward. Acting in both places at once means facing two demigods at the same time—it’s too dangerous!”
“The demonic energy has already invaded Ah Yue’s spiritual core. I can’t wait any longer.”
“But—”
“Tianhuo, my decision is final,” Fan Yue interrupted calmly.
Hua Hong could only lower her head.
“Understood, Palace Master. I will find out where the fox clan’s Demon Gathering Banner is before tomorrow’s wedding.”
Cangshan and Tianhuo departed, and Fan Yue, lost in thought, stepped outside.
As he pushed open the door, he saw Ah Yue standing under a tree.
Fan Yue strode over.
“Why aren’t you resting? The demonic energy in your body—”
“The Yuanling swamp are scorching all year round, filled with endless yellow sand. I lived there alone for a long, long time… It has been many years since I’ve seen such a warm scene.”
Fan Yue hesitated, a surge of guilt and regret welling up in his chest.
“I will gather all the Demon Gathering Banners for you and extract the demonic energy from your body. After that, you’ll be able to see all the scenery across the Three Realms.”
His voice was gentle.
But Ah Yue shook her head.
“I have seen a world far vaster than the Three Realms and lived through an existence far longer than most. Whether I can continue to live or not stopped mattering to me long ago. I came to see you only to ask you one thing…”
She turned to look at Fan Yue.
“That girl called Bai Shuo—is she… very important to you?”
Fan Yue was stunned, unable to answer.
“More important than me?”
Ah Yue’s expression had always been calm and indifferent, but now, her eyes held a trace of vulnerability and hope.
That hope in her eyes turned into disappointment, then finally, a bitter smile.
“Indeed, you’ve already forgotten me, and forgotten the thousands or even tens of thousands of years we spent together.”
Ah Yue turned away and started to leave.
Yet instinctively, Fan Yue reached out and held her wrist.
The young girl turned her head in surprise.
“Fan Yue?”
“I may not remember everything from the past, but I know one thing—I want you to live. Live well. I will definitely gather all the Demon Gathering Banners to ensure you survive.”
Fan Yue’s gaze was firm, without the slightest hint of hesitation.
The unease in Ah Yue’s heart melted away.
She smiled, tightened her grip on Fan Yue’s hand, and Fan Yue froze for a moment but did not pull away.
“Alright, then I’ll try. I’ll try living again for your sake.”
The two exchanged a smile, moonlight spilling over the land, carrying a unique warmth.
Ah Yue sat on the grass, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at the moon in the sky, replaying the scene from moments ago, her eyes filled with tenderness.
Suddenly, a demonic wind blew past, and a black shadow materialized in front of her.
The aura from the figure was overwhelmingly sinister and suffocating, obscuring its face.
Ah Yue’s expression suddenly changed, and she abruptly stood up.
“Fan Yue is right next door. Why did you appear so recklessly?”
“I have come to remind you not to forget the agreement between us,” a voice, ghostly and ominous, echoed from within the black mist, carrying a warning.
“I have my own way of doing things. I don’t need your guidance,” Ah Yue replied coldly, her tone entirely different from her usual indifferent softness.
“Sentimental affection? Can you still endure it? I never expected it—after all this time investigating Fan Yue’s identity, he actually comes from the god Realm.”
“Do you truly dare to make a move against a true god? If the god Realm comes searching and he perishes entirely, the god Realm will not let you go.”
“And what of true gods? Back when the god Realm was at its peak, those so-called high and mighty true gods weren’t immune to death. If they could perish once, they can perish again.”
Ah Yue was startled deep down but remained calm on the surface, her voice cold.
“What exactly are you? A mere demigod—how dare you provoke the gods?”
The figure within the dark mist let out a cold voice.
“Who I am is not for you to question. Don’t forget—it is because of my help that you are able to see the light of day again. The one-month deadline is approaching quickly. You should know that breaking your agreement with me will have consequences.”
The shadowy illusion in the dark mist dissipated, and in an instant, only Ah Yue was left in the room.
Her gaze was cold and heavy, and she slowly uttered a name.
“Bai Shuo.”
Ah Yue looked at the bright moon outside the window, her heart filled with resentment and anger.
“I’ve missed him and waited for him for tens of thousands of years. Who do you think you are, daring to fight me for him?”
At that moment, Bai Shuo was pulling Long Er Donkey, sneaking through the courtyard outside where a group of people from the Ghost Spirit Sect was resting.
“I’ve found out where Qiong Xiao is staying. Long Er, you stand guard here. I’ll be back shortly.”
Seeing Bai Shuo about to dash into Qiong Xiao’s courtyard like a reckless rabbit, Long Er Donkey quickly grabbed Bai Shuo and yanked him back.
“Little Bai, you’re not seriously planning…” Long Er Donkey asked with a dry tone, “to just walk in there and snatch something from a demigod, are you?”
“Do you even know what I’m about to do?” Bai Shuo squinted her eyes.
