Chasing The Moon (Moonlight Mystique) - Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Fan yue suddenly reached out and grabbed Bai Shuo, then waved his hand, releasing a divine energy that swept up Hua hong. The three of them vanished on the spot.

Zhen Yu’s expression turned grim as he left with Chong Zhao in tow, his sleeves flaring in anger.

The grand wedding at Jingyou Mountain ended in a dismal conclusion.

Outside the Haoyue Palace, Long Yi pig was eagerly waiting when a flash of spiritual light appeared. Several figures materialized at the palace gates.

Fan yue looked pale, Hua hong was expressionless, Bai Shuo was dejected, and Long Er donkey, though full of energy, was supporting the unconscious Ah Yue, his face filled with dissatisfaction.

“Why do I have to guard this sickly woman? She’s weak and pretentious. I hate her…” Long Er donkey complained.

Fan yue shot him a cold glance, but Long Er donkey raised his chin defiantly.

“I said it, so what? Bai Shuo and Tianhuo risked their lives for you, and even I almost lost mine, all for this woman of unknown origin. Fan yue, are you stupid? I’m ashamed to share the same Bodhi lineage as you…”

For once, Fan yue didn’t reprimand Long Er donkey. He took Ah Yue from him and disappeared into the palace.

Long Yi pig leaped forward, gloating.

“Look at you all, so downcast. Did you fail to get the Demon Gathering Banner? By the way, how did your wedding with the little fox go?”

Hua hong’s already pale face turned even colder.

She silently walked into Haoyue Palace.

“Strange, she didn’t even scold me?” Long Yi pig scratched his head, puzzled.

Seeing Hua hong’s distracted state, Bai Shuo, full of concern, wanted to follow her but was stopped by Long Yi pig.

“What’s wrong with her? Last time, when she was nearly killed by the dragon’s slap, she didn’t look this bad. By the way, Bai Shuo, didn’t you run away? Why are you back? Could it be that you can’t bear to leave our palace master…”

Bai Shuo’s expression stiffened.

She strode into the palace, not wanting to hear another word.

“Hey, hey, hey! Why are you all so silent? Long Er donkey, what happened out there? Did you all turn mute?” Long Yi pig rubbed his chin, utterly confused.

Long Er donkey stared at Long Yi pig curiously.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Pig, how have you managed to survive with that mouth of yours in front of these deadly stars?”

In the garden, Bai Shuo caught up with Hua hong.

“Hua hong!”

“I’m fine, little half-immortal. I just want to be alone for a while.”

Hua hong looked exhausted as she bypassed Bai Shuo and walked alone into the palace.

Bai Shuo stood in the garden, at a loss.

As night fell, the cold wind howled.

Bai Shuo stayed in the alchemy room, idly fiddling with medicinal herbs.

The Demon Gathering Banner had been fully assembled.

The big demon must be in a hurry to save his Ah Yue.

Hua Hong had disappeared somewhere.

Apart from alchemy, Bai Shuo felt there was nothing else she could do.

What used to bring her joy now felt dull. She even felt that Haoyue Palace, which once gave her warmth and comfort, now had no place for her. Suddenly, a shadow fell on the ground. Bai Shuo turned, surprised.

Fan Yue stood behind her, having been there for who knows how long.

He gazed at her quietly, his thoughts inscrutable.

“…………” Bai Shuo’s words caught in her throat. She awkwardly stood up and bowed respectfully.

“Palace Master.”

Her formal and distant demeanor didn’t seem to bother Fan Yue.

“Why aren’t you resting?”

This abrupt question left Bai Shuo feeling listless.

She didn’t feel like playing dumb or trying to please him as she usually did.

She turned back to the herbs.

“I used up all the pills I saved to make mirage pills. I have no skills, no one to protect me. I need to make some pills to keep myself safe.”

“You are a member of Haoyue Palace. Under my protection, no one dares to harm you.”

“That’s hard to say. Even the guardians of Haoyue Palace can be sacrificed at any moment. How dare I speculate or rely on the palace master’s favor?”

Fan Yue suddenly pulled Bai Shuo around.

She stumbled but saw Fan Yue staring intently at her.

“Bai Shuo, what exactly is bothering you?”

This question infuriated Bai Shuo.

“I’m just a lowly immortal. Whether I’m happy or not is none of your concern. You’ve got all the Demon Gathering Banners. Shouldn’t you be healing Ah Yue instead of bothering with me?”

After her outburst, Bai Shuo immediately regretted it.

Bai Shuo, why are you so weak? That was utterly unreasonable and jealous!

Fan Yue, however, wasn’t angry. There was a hint of inexplicable pleasure in his eyes, though the furious Bai Shuo didn’t notice it.

“I’m injured and need to recuperate. It will take half a month before I can reassemble the Demon Gathering Banner and extract the demonic energy from Ah Yue,” Fan Yue explained.

“Oh, so that’s why you have time to wander around. Weren’t you so tense at Jingyou Mountain? Why aren’t you guarding her now?” Bai Shuo sneered.

The more Bai Shuo’s temper flared, the gentler Fan Yue’s expression became.

He even smiled slightly.

“I came here to get medicine for Ah Yue. Since you’re out of pills, I’ll leave.”

Bai Shuo bristled.

“Am I a medicine jar? Is Haoyue Palace so poor that it doesn’t even have a single pill?”

She grew angrier as she shouted.

“And don’t you feel any guilt towards Hua hong? She lost her close friendship with the fox because of you!”

Seeing Bai Shuo trembling with anger, Fan Yue sighed softly.

Just as he was about to comfort her, he suddenly looked towards the trees outside the alchemy room, his expression turning cold again.

“Did they really have a friendship?”

“Of course they did! The little fox only had eyes for Hua hong!”

“Did Mu Jiu and Tianhuo feel the same?” Fan Yue’s voice was mocking and indifferent.

Bai Shuo grew even angrier.

“Are you blind? If she didn’t care for Mu Jiu, would she be so heartbroken? Is Ah Yue really worth all this to you? You’re disregarding Mu Jiu and Hua Hong’s feelings, your own life, and the safety of Haoyue Palace!”

She could give up her life because she owed Fan Yue, and Fan Yue could risk his life for Ah Yue, but what did Mu Jiu and Hua hong do to deserve this?

Under the moonlight, Fan Yue stared at Bai Shuo for a long time before speaking.

“My affairs are none of your concern.”

“If your affairs are none of my concern, why did you save me on Wutong Island? Why did you bring me back to Haoyue Palace? Why did you go to Dragon Island to get the Biling Grass? If the person you care about is someone you can’t even remember, why did you do all this?”

Bai Shuo’s voice trembled as she questioned him, her eyes red, desperate for an answer.

“I became the master of Haoyue Palace only a decade ago. Bai Shuo, didn’t you start cultivating immortality to find the person who saved you? You joined Piaomiao to protect Chong Zhao. Now, who I keep by my side, what I do for them, and what I sacrifice—how is that any of your concern?”

Bai Shuo was left speechless.

Fan Yue turned to leave but stopped after a few steps. His voice carried back to her.

“Although I haven’t remembered Ah Yue, I am certain that she was the most important person to me in the past, and she is the most important person to me now.”

Bai Shuo watched Fan Yue’s retreating figure, then suddenly crouched down, covering her eyes, trying desperately not to let the tears fall.

Yes, she had stepped onto the path of immortality to find the person who saved her as a child.

She had joined Piaomiao to protect Chong Zhao.

But leaving Nanhai City was for Mumu, and going to Jingyou Mountain was for Fan Yue. Now, the person she cared about most was the master of Haoyue Palace, the very person she had once feared but who had protected her all along.

But when she finally understood her own feelings, Fan Yue’s eyes were only on Ah Yue.

Bai Shuo looked up, her face showing a smile uglier than crying.

Not far away, under the eaves, the wind blew, lifting a gauzy skirt.

It was Ah Yue, who should have been unconscious.

She looked at Bai Shuo, who was sobbing softly in the alchemy room, and smiled with satisfaction.

In the back hall of Cold Spring Palace, Zhen Yu fed the fish in the spring while Chong Zhao knelt on the ground, enduring a whipping. The whip was infused with spiritual energy, and soon Chong Zhao’s back was torn and bleeding, but he knelt straight, not making a sound.

Fu ling, heartbroken, stepped forward to plead for him.

“Palace Master, Chong zhao’s disrespect towards you at Jingyou Mountain is indeed a grave offense. But please, in light of his past contributions, spare him this once.”

Zhen Yu snorted coldly.

“You care deeply for him, but I doubt his feelings lie with you. Today, he dared to raise his hand against me for Bai Shuo. Who’s to say he won’t turn against me for her in the future?”

A flicker of pain passed through Fu ling’s eyes, but she continued to plead.

“He and Bai Shuo have a bond of mutual support. I swear on my life that Chong zhao is loyal to you and has no ulterior motives!”

Seeing Fu ling’s desperate pleas, Chong zhao, who had remained silent, was moved.

He bowed his head to Zhen Yu.

“This matter has nothing to do with Fu ling. I have offended you and am willing to accept punishment.”

Zhen Yu sneered at Chong Zhao’s defiant demeanor.

“Your offenses go beyond this one incident. Chong Zhao, do you really think I am so easily fooled?”

A palm-sized piece of Bodhi wood was thrown in front of Chong Zhao.

He looked up in shock, only to see Zhen Yu’s mocking eyes.

“……”

“You helped Fan Yue reassemble the Demon Gathering Banner for Bai Shuo. Now, no one in the demon world can match him. Such treasonous acts—how can I let you live?”

Fu ling was stunned.

Seeing the murderous intent in Zhen Yu’s eyes, she hurriedly knelt and begged.

“Palace Master! Please calm your anger! I am willing to go to Haoyue Palace and retrieve the Demon Gathering Banner for you. Please spare Chong zhao’s life!”

Fu ling kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead bleeding.

Chong zhao took her hands, his expression calm.

“My life was saved by you, Palace Master. I have betrayed your trust and am willing to die to repay you.”

Zhen Yu narrowed his eyes and swung his palm towards Chong zhao’s forehead.

Chong zhao closed his eyes, not resisting.

Fu ling cried out in panic, “Chong zhao!”

The palm strike stopped just before Chong zhao’s forehead.

He opened his eyes to see Zhen Yu turning back to the spring.

“If you’re not afraid of death, then killing you would be a waste of the effort I’ve put into you.”

“Thank you, Palace Master.”

“Follow me.”

Zhen Yu walked towards the inner hall, and Chong zhao, after a moment of hesitation, quickly followed.

In the inner hall, a black flame slowly burned. Within the flame, a black crystal flickered, exuding a destructive aura.

“Immortals, demons, devils—they are all the same to me. I only know that without you, I would have died on Phoenix Island.”

“Well said! Immortals, demons, and devils are all beings of this world. It is only the gods who divide us into good and evil, sealing our devil army in the Nine Nether Prison. Devils who wander the three realms are like stray dogs, hunted and killed wherever they appear. When the Dwvil God was alive, our devil race was glorious! But after the God-Devil War seventy thousand years ago, we fell into decline. As a devil, I refuse to accept this damned fate. Once the Devil God returns, our devil race will rise again!”

“The Devil God? Didn’t he perish in the God-Devil War?” Chong Zhao looked shocked.

Zhen Yu gave Chong Zhao a meaningful look, then turned to the black crystal.

“My lord’s soul is not so easily destroyed. Even the Chaos God, the source of devil power, could not annihilate it. After the God-Devil War, my lord’s soul was severely damaged and sealed in the Nine Nether Prison. Once we open the Nine Nether Purgatory and merge the source of devil power with my lord’s soul, he will return to the three realms.”

“But the Nine Nether Purgatory is in the god realm, guarded by the gods. How can we open it?”

“The Nine Nether Purgatory was created by the Demon God. It is not a fixed place but hidden within the Demon God’s source, Purple moon.”

“Purple Moon?” Chong Zhao suddenly understood. “The Nine Nether Purgatory is in Purple Moon Mountain! That’s why you want to seize the position of Demon Emperor?”

“Exactly. Purple Moon Mountain is where the Demon God cultivated in the lower three realms. Ten years ago, the Demon God appeared, and since then, the Purple Moon has hung over Purple Moon Mountain. But the mountain is sealed by the Demon God’s power. The Demon God once said that only when a new Demon Emperor is crowned will Purple Moon Mountain reopen.”

“But even if we enter Purple Moon Mountain, with the Demon God present, we still can’t open the Nine Nether Purgatory.”

“Don’t worry, the Demon God won’t appear. As long as we enter Purple Moon Mountain, I can open the Nine Nether Purgatory.”

Zhen Yu’s face showed a deep meaning.

Chong zhao, though still puzzled, did not question further.

Zhen Yu was pleased with Chong zhao’s reaction.

He looked at him and said, “Chong zhao, do you know why I told you this secret today?”

“I do not know. Please enlighten me, Palace Master.”

“With the gods of the god realm watching, you alone can never overthrow the Heavenly Palace and the immortal mountains. Only when the devil clan returns can your vengeance be fulfilled. Are you willing to help me open the Nine Nether Purgatory and welcome our lord’s return?”

Zhen Yu walked out of the inner hall.

Fu ling was waiting outside, and when she saw Zhen Yu alone, her expression tightened.

“……”

“He is in seclusion. I have matters to attend to in the next few days. Guard this place and do not let anyone approach.”

Fu ling relaxed slightly.

“Yes.”

Zhen Yu raised his hand and set up a barrier before disappearing.

In the formation beneath Tranquil Lake, Chang mei was using her divine energy to heal Mu Jiu. As the energy flowed into him, the wound on Mu Jiu’s chest slowly healed, but Chang mei’s face grew paler.

“Aunt, you’ve just used a forbidden technique. Your divine essence is unstable. Don’t waste your energy on me…”

“Silence!” Chang mei snapped.

“I embedded a fragment of the Demon Gathering Banner into your heart to aid your cultivation. Who knew you would be so reckless, willing to damage your own demon core to save someone from Haoyue Palace! If I don’t repair your demon core tonight, your cultivation will be ruined!”

Mu Jiu looked guilty and was about to speak when a burst of divine energy descended from above, striking directly at Chang mei.

Chang mei remained unmoved. With one hand, she continued to heal Mu Jiu, while the other set up a barrier to block the attack.

A black aura pierced through the barrier of Jingyou Lake, materializing into a human form on the ground.

It was Zhen Yu.

“Zhen Yu? It’s you!” Chang mei’s expression changed. “What do you want?”

“What do I want? To kill you while you’re weakened.”

“Don’t forget, Fan Yue now has two pieces of the Demon Gathering Banner. If I die, Cold Spring Palace will be left isolated!”

Zhen Yu laughed.

“Two pieces? Fox clan leader, let me tell you, the fragment from Cold Spring Palace is also in Fan yue’s hands.”

Chang mei was stunned. “How? With the Demon Gathering Banner, Cold Spring Palace will surely be destroyed by Haoyue!”

“Destroyed? That third fragment is the death warrant I gave him!”

Zhen Yu suddenly attacked, charging straight at Chang mei.

Despite the urgency, Chang mei did not stop healing Mu Jiu. Instead, she increased the flow of divine energy into him.

Mu Jiu’s face turned pale with fear.

“Aunt, stop! Don’t worry about me!”

In mid-air, Zhen Yu snorted.

“No need to rush. Today, I’ll send both of you to your graves!”

The divine energy struck, shattering Chang mei’s barrier. At the same moment, the wound on Mu Jiu’s chest finally healed.

Chang mei threw Mu Jiu out of Tranquil Lake and turned to face Zhen Yu.

“Aunt!”

Divine energy wrapped around Mu Jiu, sending him flying into the sky.

A black aura followed like a shadow, breaking through Chang mei’s divine energy and forming a giant hand that struck Mu Jiu’s chest.

A flash of light appeared as a thumb-sized jade token flew out from Mu Jiu’s chest, blocking the strike.

The token shattered, and Mu Jiu, severely injured, fell to the ground.

In the deep forest, Mu Jiu landed heavily, barely breathing.

Not far away, above Tranquil Lake, several beams of divine light clashed fiercely in the sky. The nine-tailed fox illusion reappeared, and giant hands struck down as lightning flashed and thunder roared.

The entire three realms were shaken by the immense divine energy. Countless beams of light flew out from the Heavenly Palace and immortal mountains, sensing the monumental battle.

In Haoyue Palace, Fan Yue and Hua hong sensed it simultaneously and appeared on the snow peak.

“Palace Master, such powerful divine energy. Could it be…”

“It’s Chang mei and Zhen Yu.” Fanyue nodded, frowning.

“Chang mei shouldn’t be this weak. I fear…”

Before Fan yue could finish, above Jingyou Mountain, Chang mei was pierced through the heart by a giant hand. She stared at Zhen Yu with unwilling eyes as the nine-tailed fox illusion dissipated, her soul extinguished.

“Aunt!” In the deep forest, Mu Jiu watched this scene and spat out a mouthful of blood before falling unconscious.

The sky returned to calm, and the divine light faded.

“Palace Master, the Fox clan leader…”

“Chang mei has fallen.”

Fan yue narrowed his eyes. “I never expected Zhen Yu’s divine energy to be so strong. He has already reached the peak of demigod. All these years, he has been hiding his true power.”

Hua hong was about to speak when the ring on her thumb, formed from the Yiwang Sword, cracked.

Her expression changed drastically.

“Mu Jiu is in trouble! I placed the sword spirit of Yiwang Sword on him. Palace Master…”

“Zhen Yu just fought Chang mei and must have expended a lot of divine energy. In two days, I can reassemble the Demon Gathering Banner. You go. Don’t worry about Haoyue Palace.”

Hua hong nodded and turned into a stream of light, heading towards Jingyou Mountain.

Above the clouds of the Heavenly Palace, Jinyao and Yufeng had different expressions.

“The Fox clan leader has fallen. The struggle for power in the demon world will begin. The three realms will be in turmoil,” Jinyao said solemnly.

“Isn’t it good that the demons are killing each other?” Zhiyang asked, puzzled.

“The three demon demigods kept each other in check, preventing them from attacking the immortal realm. Once the demons are united under a new emperor, the conflict between immortals and demons will inevitably erupt.”

 Yufeng shook his head.

He and Jinyao exchanged grave looks.

The battle between demigod was beyond the perception of ordinary people.

Bai Shuo, unaware of the events at Jingyou Mountain, had stayed up all night.

Early in the morning, with dark circles under her eyes, she wandered aimlessly around the palace and found herself outside Fan yue’s bedroom. The sound of a zither drifted from within. Peeking through the window, she saw Ah yue playing the zither, with Fan yue standing by her side.

Bai Shuo pouted and squatted under a tree in the courtyard, feeling a sour taste in her heart.

“I thought with your temper, you would have left for good. I didn’t expect you to come back.”

A figure landed beside her. Long Yi pig squatted next to Bai Shuo, looking at her curiously.

“What temper? It’s strange. Everyone says I have a temper, but when have I ever had one?”

Bai Shuo didn’t look up but suddenly turned to Long Yi pig.

“Pig, who was Fan yue before? Who is this Ah Yue?”

Bai Shuo’s sudden question caught Long Yi pig off guard. He laughed nervously.

“I’m just a pig. How would I know?”

“Fine, don’t tell me.” Bai Shuo smirked, not pressing further.

Long Yi pig scratched his head, afraid she might hold a grudge later. Hesitantly, he said, “Little half-immortal, who he was before his divine body separated, and who he cared about then, does it really matter? All I know is that now he is Fan Yue, the master of Haoyue Palace in the demon world.”

Bai Shuo was stunned. At that moment, the zither music stopped inside the room. She couldn’t help but look inside.

She saw Fan yue gently brush a strand of hair from Ah yue’s forehead. Bai Shuo had never seen Fan yue so tender and patient.

“Who is most important to him, only he knows. Pig, I miss home.”

Long Yi pig wanted to say something to comfort her, but Bai Shuo had already turned and walked away, her head down.

Before the sun set, Bai Shuo packed her small bundle and left Haoyue Palace through the back mountain. She had carried this bundle many times before, but never with such determination.

She had come in a daze and was leaving in despair—such was her current state of mind.

Chong zhao had become the third palace master of Cold Spring Palace, and the big demon now had someone else by his side. Fan yue’s words were clear. She had no reason to continue making a fool of herself.

She had been an immortal for many years, alone all this time.

Suddenly, she wanted to return to the mortal world, to the capital, to see her parents and Ah Xi.

At least that was her home, a place that wouldn’t abandon her like worn-out shoes.

Bai Shuo’s heart ached. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks.

Not far away, in the forest, Ah yue stood alone. In front of her floated a black mist.

Bai Shuo instinctively put on the Myriad Illusion Robe and hid behind a tree.

Thankfully, the stupid donkey had forgotten to take back its treasure.

“The Fox clanleader is dead. It’s time to act.”

A sinister voice came from the black mist.

This voice… Bai Shuo, hiding behind the tree, was shocked.

In the forest, Ah yue remained silent. A cold snort came from the black mist.

“What? Are you having second thoughts?”

“Of course not. I will fulfill my agreement with the master.”

Ah yue’s lips curled into a cold smile, her demeanor completely different from usual.

The black mist then turned into a wisp of smoke and dissipated into the air.

Ah yue turned and walked back towards Haoyue Palace.

Behind the tree, Bai Shuo took off the Myriad Illusion Robe, her brow furrowed.

Who is this master? And what agreement is she fulfilling?

Her concern had clouded her judgment, making her lose her basic reasoning.

Fan Yue had no memory of his time as the Bodhi Divine Tree. But if Ah Yue knew the Bodhi Tree from before, why had she never left the Yuanling Swamp to search for it all these years?