Chasing The Moon (Moonlight Mystique) - Chapter 84
Chapter 84
“There are only so many people coming and going in the Haoyue Palace. What secret could Long Yi pig possibly be hiding?”
“True.”
Bai Shuo nodded and was about to head further into the courtyard.
“Little Half-Immortal, have you lost your mind, thinking you’re the second to heaven? Even if you’ve eaten the Bi Ling Grass, at best you’re just an immortal lord. Zhen Yu could crush you with a finger, your little tricks are useless against him.”
“Who said I was going to compete with him in spiritual energy? I’m not that foolish.”
Bai Shuo took out a pill from the storage bag at her waist.
“This is something new I’ve refined—a Mirage Pill. It can cloud one’s mind. If Zhen Yu eats it, maybe he’ll obediently hand over the Demon-Gathering Banner.”
“Th-That’s your plan?” Long Er Donkey stuttered.
“Do you have a better idea?”
Bai Shuo asked with a serious expression.
Long Er Donkey was speechless.
“Little Half-Immortal, I admit you’re a genius in alchemy, but trying to use this stuff against a demigod—isn’t that a bit too far-fetched?”
“That’s why I said… maybe.”
“What exactly did you use to refine this Mirage Pill?”
“Three hundred and forty-five Grade One pills, two hundred and seventy-eight Grade Two pills.”
Long Er Donkey was dumbfounded.
“You melted down an entire year’s worth of elixirs that you’d been tinkering with in the Haoyue Palace?”
“And more—my blood, too.”
Long Er Donkey lowered his gaze and only then noticed a winding wound on Bai Shuo’s palm.
Bai Shuo stroked the pill in her hand and spoke in a light tone.
“I don’t know if this Mirage Pill will work, but this is everything I have. If I don’t try, I won’t even have a maybe.”
Long Er Donkey was so enraged he almost jumped, blurting out, “He’s doing all this just to reassemble the Demon-Gathering Banner for another woman! Why are you getting yourself involved for no reason? Don’t forget how you survived all this way!”
Seeing Bai Shuo’s face turn pale, Long Er Donkey realized his words had gone too far.
He fumbled for words to comfort her, “Little Bai, I didn’t mean—”
“My life was exchanged by Mumu’s in the Yi city and saved by Fan Yue on Phoenix Island.”
Bai Shuo looked up.
“He does what he does. I do what I do. It was never related in the first place.”
Long Er Donkey fell silent, staring at Bai Shuo before composing himself.
He waved his hand, releasing a stream of spiritual energy onto the Myriad Illusions Robe, which changed from a dull gray-green to a shimmering jade-green, radiating a dazzling glow.
“Before, you could only use it to hide your presence. Now, when you put it on, you can transform into anyone. I reckon that even a demigod wouldn’t be able to see through your true form.”
“Reckon?” Bai Shuo curled her lips.
“Can’t you be a little more reliable?”
Long Er Donkey rolled his eyes.
“Do you have a better artifact?”
“Well… no.”
Seeing Bai Shuo’s doubtful expression, Long Er Donkey raised his chin.
“The name Wanxiang Robe was given by me. In reality, it’s not a robe at all—it’s a Bodhi Leaf.”
As he spoke, the Wanxiang Robe in Bai Shuo’s hand transformed into a vibrant green leaf. The leaf’s core was a translucent jade, exuding a faint divine aura.
Bai Shuo was stunned.
Bodhi trees were divine wood, but she had encountered so many Bodhi trees—Fan Yue, Long Er, and even the corrupted Bodhi on Fire Ice Island—yet none of them had emanated a divine presence.
But now, this small Bodhi Leaf did.
Could it be… because this Bodhi Leaf had been following Long Er Donkey all along?
Was that why Fan Yue, despite being divine wood, ended up taking a demon form and cultivating demon power?
“Ever since I landed on Muxiao Mountain, this Bodhi Leaf has been by my side, always protecting my life. What’s the Palace Master of Haoyue compared to that? I’ve told you before—I am the true chosen one of the Eight Bodhi Wood. Little Bai, if you switch sides now, it’s still not too late.”
Long Er donkey paused, his face slightly red, and shouted: “Who’s helping you? Fan Yue and I share a body, if he dies, I die too.”
The young man added, “When he gathers the remaining three Bodhi woods, I’ll swallow him whole!”
Bai Shuo laughed and patted Long Er donkey’s head: “I believe you can do it.”
As Bai Shuo was about to enter the courtyard again, Long Er donkey, still uneasy, asked: “What exactly is your plan to make Zhen Yu take that mirage pill of yours?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
Bai Shuo waved, donned the Myriad Illusions Robe , and sneaked into the courtyard where Cold Spring Palace was resting.
Hua Hong, carrying two jars of wine, lingered outside Mu Jiu’s door for half an incense stick’s time, took a deep breath, and kicked open the treehouse door.
“…”
The room was pitch black and empty.
Hua Hong paused, then sighed in relief, only to turn around and meet Mu Jiu’s sparkling eyes.
“Little Hua, you’re looking for me?”
“No.”
“Then what’s this?” Hua Hong turned to leave, but Mu Jiu lifted the wine jar from her hands.
Hua Hong coughed dryly, not having time to speak, as Mu Jiu took her hand: “Come, I’ll take you somewhere.”
In a quiet valley behind the mountain, beside a serene lake, stood tall phoenix trees with several adjacent treehouses beneath them.
The treehouses were lush with foliage and rich in spiritual energy, also constructed from phoenix wood.
“What is this place?”
Mu Jiu smiled mysteriously and led Hua Hong to push open the first treehouse.
Several beams of spiritual light greeted them, and Hua Hong instinctively closed her eyes and summoned the Burning Heaven Staff, but Mu Jiu held her hand.
“Little Hua, don’t be afraid!”
The young man’s hand was long and dry, unexpectedly strong.
Hua Hong opened her eyes and was slightly stunned by the scene before her.
In the room, there was a table and a rack, from which hung dozens of magical tools: long swords, short blades, silver spears. The tools were cold and sharp, yet emitted a soft glow.
“Kunlun Snow Sword, Fang Tian Halberd, South Sea Pestle…”
Hua Hong couldn’t help but step forward to touch these legendary first-grade magical tools.
“Do you like them?”
Seeing Hua Hong’s eyes light up, Mu Jiu relaxed and asked.
“I like them…” Hua Hong answered instinctively, then turned suspiciously.
“These are either the treasured artifacts of the Demon Sect or first-grade magical tools lost for hundreds of years. Where did you get them?”
“Never mind that, as long as you like them. This is the dowry I’ve prepared, from today on, they are all yours.”
Hua Hong paused: “To obtain these magical tools, one must offer treasures of equal value. Even with Jingyou Mountain’s deep reserves, the cost must be significant. Mu Jiu, I can’t accept these…”
“No matter how precious the magical tools are, they are just inanimate objects. As long as you like them, they are worth it.”
Mu Jiu interrupted Hua Hong, his usual slyness gone, replaced with seriousness.
Hua Hong’s voice caught, and before she could speak, Mu Jiu pulled her out of the treehouse and into the second one.
This treehouse was ordinary, so ordinary it was simple, with nothing but festive red silk adorning the room, no rare treasures filling the space.
Hua Hong, who had felt some inexplicable pressure, relaxed at the sight.
The little fox, though noisy and meddlesome, was still just a young boy.
She, being a thousand years older, felt a bit guilty for deceiving him too much.
She needed to find a good opportunity to coax the location of the Demon Gathering Banner out of him…
Hua Hong was deep in thought when Mu Jiu pulled her to the window and tugged on her sleeve, pointing outside.
“little Hua, look.”
Half-heartedly, Hua Hong followed Mu Jiu’s gaze.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Behind the treehouse, at the back of the valley, grew a vast expanse of red plum blossoms.
Under the moonlight, the blossoms glowed a deep crimson, as vivid as blood.
Since Hua Hong had left the Yi City years ago, she had only seen red plum blossoms twice—once in the small courtyard of the Yi Palace a year ago, and now here.
Hua Hong frowned and turned to leave, but Mu Jiu caught her wrist and led her up the trunk of the wutong tree.
“Come, sit here. Let’s drink!”
Mu Jiu pulled Hua Hong to sit on the tree trunk and handed her a jar of wine.
Feeling restless, Hua Hong tore off the seal and took a large swig.
“Little fox, I’m not one of those women who enjoy flowers and makeup. Stop wasting your time.”
“little Hua, I think you actually like red plum blossoms,” Mu Jiu said unexpectedly.
Hua Hong replied with indifference, “I don’t like them.”
“Liar. When you left the Yi City, you left a trace of spiritual energy on the red plum tree in the Yi Palace, ensuring that it would bloom for a hundred years.”
Hua Hong froze mid-drink, as if her secret had been exposed.
She became inexplicably annoyed.
“You, the grand heir of the fox clan, did your aunt only teach you to spy on people’s secrets and reveal their pasts?”
Mu Jiu fell silent for a moment before saying, “Many years ago, during the great war between immortals and demons, my parents died in Luocha Lands. My aunt raised me.”
Hua Hong had heard of Mu Jiu’s tragic background and felt a pang of guilt. Just as she was about to say something, Mu Jiu looked at her and continued:
“My aunt wasn’t harsh with me. Even though I am from the nine-tailed fox bloodline, she never forced me to take on the clan’s responsibilities. She only told me one thing: if I ever met a woman I truly liked, I must treat her well.”
Mu Jiu gazed steadily at Hua Hong.
Hua Hong coughed lightly, avoiding his eyes, and took a long drink from her wine jar.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“little Hua, I know you’ve been through a lot in the past—things so long ago that I can’t begin to understand or be part of them.”
Hua Hong looked up at Mu Jiu.
“But it’s all in the past. You see, no matter what has happened in this world or how many years have passed, some beautiful things still remain—like these red plum blossoms. little Hua, there are countless centuries and millennia ahead. My life might not be long enough to span them all, but I will take you to see every red plum blossom in all three realms.”
“I’ll protect you, love you, and be the best husband I can. Believe me.”
For once, the mischief disappeared from Mu Jiu’s face, leaving only sincerity and determination in his eyes.
Hua Hong’s heart skipped a beat as if it had been clenched.
She tightened her grip on the wine jar and slowly nodded.
“Alright, Mu Jiu, I believe you.”
Joy burst from Mu Jiu’s eyes as he hugged Hua Hong tightly, so overwhelmed with happiness that he was at a loss for words.
“I liked all the artifacts in the house, but unfortunately…”
Still held in Mu Jiu’s embrace, Hua Hong felt his excitement but heard her own cold voice speaking.
“Unfortunately what?” Mu Jiu released her, noticing the regret on her face.
“Ever since the Demon Emperor ascended to the divine realm, there haven’t been any divine artifacts in the demon realm. I’ve never had the chance to see the legendary power of the Wheel of Destruction.”
“What’s so difficult about that? The fox clan has one,” Mu Jiu said with a grin.
“The fox clan has a divine artifact?” Hua Hong’s surprise was perfectly timed.
“It’s not exactly a complete divine artifact,” Mu Jiu said, scratching his head as he noticed Hua Hong’s anticipation.
“After the Chaos Tribulation, the Demon God secluded himself in the third heaven of the demon realm to cultivate and bestowed the Demon Gathering Banner to Emperor Senjian to protect the demon clan. Later, when the tiger clan declined, the banner was lost during a conflict with the immortals…During the Great Demon War, the Demon Gathering Banner was destroyed. My granduncle Hong Yi obtained a fragment of the banner. When he ascended, he left the fragment with the fox clan. Although it’s just a fragment, it still possesses immense divine power. I’ve seen it from afar. In a few days, once I inform my aunt, I’ll take you to see the artifact!”
Hua Hong shook her head. “The Demon Gathering Banner is a divine artifact of the Demon God and the fox clan’s greatest treasure. Let’s just forget about it.”
“What’s the big deal? After tomorrow’s wedding, you’ll be part of the fox clan. My aunt definitely won’t refuse.” Mu Jiu gestured toward the center of the lake.
“The Demon Gathering Banner is beneath the still waters of the lake. If my aunt hadn’t placed a seal on it that only a demigod could break, I would’ve taken you to see it right now.”
“Take this.”
Hua Hong suddenly pulled something from her robe and tossed it to Mu Jiu, who fumbled to catch it.
He looked down at the thumb-sized jade token in his hand, puzzled.
“What’s this?”
“I saw it at the market on the way here. It reminded me of you, so I bought it on a whim. It’s nothing special.”
“I love it! I love it! Whatever you give me, I’ll cherish it.”
Mu Jiu happily tied the jade token to his waist, his face beaming with joy, his eyes filled with anticipation for tomorrow’s wedding.
Hua Hong lowered her gaze, looking at the red plum forest beneath the wutong tree.
Though Jingyou mountain was spring-like all year round, red plums only bloomed in ice and snow.
Nurturing an entire valley of red plums required a vast amount of spiritual energy.
All those rare artifacts—every single one was hard to come by, yet Mu Jiu had given them all to her just because she liked them.
Hua Hong, you’re truly unworthy.
Her lips curled into a bitter smile as she silently berated herself.
Meanwhile, Zhen Yu’s thoughts had just returned from visiting Ah Yue when a voice sounded at the door.
“Palace Master Zhen Yu, the wine at the banquet is strong. The clan leader has sent me to serve you tea.”
Raising an eyebrow with interest, Zhen Yu waved a hand, and the door opened.
A slender, alluring figure carrying a tea tray gracefully entered the room.
“Yun Xi greets the Palace Master.”
The fox woman’s pale skin and natural beauty exuded charm.
“The fox clan’s number one beauty. Having you serve tea, the Fox clan leader is certainly considerate.”
Using his divine power to probe, Zhen Yu confirmed the woman before him was indeed from the fox clan before speaking indifferently.
“At tonight’s banquet, the young clan leader acted impulsively and offended you. With tomorrow’s grand wedding approaching, we hope the Palace Master will overlook his transgressions.”
With the struggle for the position of Demon Emperor looming, the union between Jingyou Mountain and Haoyue Palace was a significant disadvantage for Cold Spring Palace.
If not, Zhen Yu wouldn’t have deliberately sown discord at the banquet earlier.
Sending this woman was not only an apology but also a reminder—typical of Chang Mei’s usual tactics.
“I understand the Fox clan leader’s intentions. The young clan leader is still immature. I won’t hold it against him,” Zhen Yu said calmly.
“Yun Xi will relay the Palace Master’s sentiments to the clan leader. It’s late, so I shall take my leave. Please rest well.”
Yun Xi poured a cup of hot tea, offered a graceful smile, and bowed as she exited.
Zhen Yu released a thread of divine sense, watching as the fox woman made her way to Chang Mei’s residence before withdrawing it.
Both Fan Yue and Chang Mei were present, so even he had to tread carefully.
Zhen Yu picked up the teacup and drank casually.
The moment the tea entered his stomach, his gaze became slightly dazed.
Meanwhile, Yun Xi, walking along the path, suddenly froze, joy flickering in her eyes.
With a surge of spiritual energy, she disappeared on the spot.
At the same moment, Fan Yue, who was about to rest, sensed the fluctuation of spiritual energy.
His brows furrowed sharply as he looked in the direction of Zhen Yu’s residence.
A flash of light struck, and Yun Xi appeared in Zhen Yu’s room, now taking on Bai Shuo’s appearance.
Seeing Zhen Yu standing still, tea cup in hand, with his eyes clouded by a misty haze, Bai Shuo’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Bai Shuo, you’re truly a genius!” Unable to hold back, she praised herself and quickly approached Zhen Yu.
“Is the Demon Gathering Banner with you?”
“Yes.”
“Take it out and give it to me.”
Zhen Yu raised his hand, and a fiery red fragment of the Demon Gathering Banner appeared in his palm.
The more tense the situation, the calmer Bai Shuo became.
She swiftly took the banner fragment, tucked it into her storage bag, and then pulled out a piece of phoenix tree wood, transforming it into a replica of the Demon Gathering Banner, placing it into Zhen Yu’s hand.
“Put it away.”
With a flick of his palm, Zhen Yu was about to store the transformed banner when a surge of powerful demon energy sliced through the air from behind, aimed directly at Bai Shuo’s back.
Bai Shuo’s face turned pale, and she turned to defend herself, but when the attacker saw her face, they forcibly retracted the deadly blow with all their might.
“Ah Zhao!” Bai Shuo’s expression lit up with joy as she withdrew her spiritual energy and took a step toward Chong Zhao.
“When did you come to Jingyou Mountain? What have you done?” Chong Zhao’s cold voice rang out, stopping Bai Shuo in her tracks.
“Why is the Palace Master under your control?”
“I tricked Zhen Yu into drinking a Mirage Pill. Its effect will only last for the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense…”
Chong Zhao’s gaze shifted to the Demon Gathering Banner in Zhen Yu’s hand, radiating spiritual energy, and then to the overwhelming demonic energy emanating from Bai Shuo’s storage bag.
His expression darkened.
“You swapped the Demon Gathering Banner?”
“Yes,” Bai Shuo admitted without hesitation.
“Ah Zhao, let’s leave first. Zhen Yu is about to wake up.”
“You stole the Demon Gathering Banner for Haoyue Palace?” Chong Zhao interrupted, suddenly questioning her.
Bai Shuo hurriedly explained, “Yes… but also no. I did it for…”
“For Fan Yue? Bai Shuo, are you willing to risk your life for him?” Chong Zhao’s voice grew heavy with anger, his overwhelming fury finally breaking free.
Perhaps the sorrow and rage in his question were too overwhelming, as Bai Shuo’s lips parted, but an ache swelled in her chest.
His words were a reflection of the very question she had once angrily asked Fan Yue back in Haoyue Palace.
“Return the Demon Gathering Banner,” Chong Zhao said, extending his hand toward her.
Bai Shuo abruptly stepped back, clutching the storage bag tightly. Chong Zhao noticed her instinctive reaction, and a shadow of sadness crossed his eyes.
“Ah Zhao, I didn’t take the Demon Gathering Banner for Haoyue Palace. It concerns Fan Yue’s life.”
“Fan Yue’s life?” Chong Zhao frowned in confusion.
“My life was saved by him on Phoenix Island. Returning this fragment of the Demon Gathering Banner is repaying him for saving my life.”
Chong Zhao suddenly raised his eyes.
“You’ve done all this… just to repay a debt?”
Bai Shuo hesitated for a moment, then nodded emphatically as though convincing herself.
“To repay a debt.”
Chong Zhao’s expression suddenly shifted.
Looking past Bai Shuo, his face turned anxious.
“The Palace Master is waking up! Quickly, go find Fan Yue. The phoenix tree is divine wood—it won’t deceive the Palace Master for long. Only Fan Yue can protect you now…”
“If you know you can’t protect her, then why waste time with so much talking?”
A cold, detached voice interrupted as divine light flashed, and Fan Yue suddenly appeared in the room.
“Fan Yue!”
Chong Zhao’s voice was equally icy and stern.
“If you truly cared about protecting her, why would you let her take such reckless risks with her life?”
Fan Yue’s expression turned cold, but before he could respond, Bai Shuo quickly interjected, “Zhen Yu is waking up!”
