After Faking My Death, I Became My Rival’s "White Moonlight" - Chapter 5

“Regardless of their identity, kill them.”

On the night of the incident at the Qingyun Sect, inside a beautifully crafted wooden pavilion somewhere in the Western Province.

The clear moonlight shone upon the exquisite glazed tile eaves of the pavilion. As the night wind brushed past, the palace bells hanging from the hexagonal structure jingled softly.

Light filtered through the half-closed wooden lattice windows into the top floor of the pavilion. The room was shrouded in darkness without any candlelight, save for a single beam of moonlight illuminating a couch by the window. A figure sat there in deep meditation, surrounded by swirling black energy. Suddenly, the shadow shuddered, eyes snapping open as the person spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Two flickers of dark fire burned within his bloodshot eyes.

“Useless. To think you actually failed.” A gender-neutral voice rang out from the shadows of the room. It turned out there was someone else present, hidden in a corner where the moonlight could not reach.

“It was Xie Ciyou! He detected it so quickly,” the figure on the couch said with a hateful voice. It was Dongfang Yuqing.

“He possesses the Sinan of Heavenly Warning and acts upon its mandates. It was only a matter of time before he discovered it. That is why I told you to strike while Gu Zhanyue was away. Yet you could not even handle a few outer disciples.”

“They were not ordinary outer disciples. One of them could use Shi Shuangyu’s formations. His identity is suspicious.”

A sharp crack sounded, the sound of porcelain being crushed by hand. The person hidden in the darkness spoke each word through gritted teeth, “Shi Shuangyu?”

“Not only that, when the shard of the Demon God’s consciousness fled from my body, he actually absorbed a portion of it.”

“Useless!” With an angry shout, several cold glints flashed from the darkness toward Dongfang Yuqing. He hurriedly waved his hand to block them, but the impact sent him reeling, causing him to vomit more blood. The projectiles were shards of the porcelain cup that had just been crushed. They now lay scattered on the floor before the couch. Dongfang Yuqing did not dare to speak as cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

“First, you could not control the leakage of demonic energy, which drew the Chaowu Gallery to us. Now, this accident occurs!” The rage felt tangible, as if it could cut Dongfang Yuqing into a thousand pieces.

After a moment of silence, the voice from the darkness spoke again, its tone much more restrained, “Go and find out exactly who he is.”

With a clap, the pavilion door was thrown open. The night wind, carrying the chill of the moonlight, swept into the room. The figure hidden in the shadows finally revealed a tall silhouette against the moonlight. With their back to the room, they turned their head slightly and said coldly, “Regardless of their identity, kill them.”

“Yes!” Dongfang Yuqing hurriedly bowed in response. When he looked up again, the doorway was empty; not a shadow remained.

Shi Qing looked around the original owner’s simple room and found nothing worth taking. Senior Brother Chen was waiting for him outside. Ultimately, he left with nothing. He made a point to thank Disciple Jiang, who had spoken up for him that day, and said his goodbyes to the others before heading toward the inner sect with Senior Brother Chen.

Since the Qingyun Sect believed the lie he told, he was now considered the sole successor of Immortal Lord Shuangyu. Sect Leader Bai Ye would never allow him to continue living in obscurity as an outer disciple doing odd jobs.

Shi Qing was only seven when he transmigrated. The Old Ancestor Wuxu of the Qingyun Sect, who was at the Tribulation stage, had picked him up and brought him to the Qingji Peak to be his final disciple. Shi Qing actually ranked a generation higher than Sect Leader Bai Ye. While Shi Qing was being raised in a semi-feral manner during his teens, Old Ancestor Wuxu had entered seclusion. For a master at the Tribulation stage, a single seclusion could last for over a hundred years. The world outside could turn upside down, yet he still had not emerged.

Shi Qing did not dare to be arrogant enough to call himself the disciple of Immortal Lord Shuangyu. He played it safe by stating that his cultivation was too low and he did not wish to tarnish the name of Immortal Lord Shuangyu; he would simply remain in the Qingyun Sect as a seventy-eighth-generation disciple.

The Sect Leader was pleased with his humility and readily agreed. Considering his health, it was decided that he would move to the Qingzhu Peak of the Medicine Peak so that Elder Bai Yun could personally attend to his heart meridian issues.

Elder Bai Yun also readily promised that he would have access to any herbs he needed and that he would carefully research the heart meridian problem. This was fine with Shi Qing; he didn’t have to stress about finding herbs to nourish his body. At the very least, his identity was successfully covered for now.

Recalling the way Xie Ciyou had left with a cold face and a flick of his sleeves, Shi Qing could not help but smile.

However…

Shi Qing looked at the disciple from the Chaowu Gallery standing before him. He wore the white robes with ice-crystal cloud patterns and was the person who had stood behind Xie Ciyou during the interrogation in the hall. A new face he had not seen before, he heard the name was Xia Chan.

Why had he not left with Xie Ciyou? And why was he standing in the courtyard of Shi Qing’s new home on the Qingzhu Peak?

The day Xia Chan followed Xie Ciyou out, he had nodded and smiled at Shi Qing. He seemed cheerful and lively back then, quite different from the cold person standing there now. Was that friendly encounter just an illusion?

It did not matter, as long as it was not Xie Ciyou. He truly was a bit afraid of Xie Ciyou’s eyes, which seemed capable of piercing through everything and leaving one with nowhere to hide.

“Yo, Brother Xia, what brings you here?” Shi Qing said, casually throwing an arm over Xia Chan’s shoulder in a friendly manner.

The shoulder beneath his arm stiffened. Xia Chan turned slightly to dodge Shi Qing’s arm and gave him a cold look.

I must have been lightheaded from blood loss that day. The person before him did not show a trace of warmth or friendliness.

“I heard that Fellow Daoist Xia is a new disciple of the Chaowu Gallery, out in the world for experience. Immortal Lord Ciyou requested that he study at the Qingyun Sect, and Sect Leader Bai Ye agreed,” Senior Brother Chen explained. “From now on, the two of you will practice alongside the inner disciples.”

“Then why is he also at the Medicine Peak?” Shi Qing asked, puzzled.

“I heard Fellow Daoist Xia enjoys researching formations. Immortal Lord Ciyou specifically requested that he live and travel with you to facilitate learning and exchange,” Senior Brother Chen said.

So, it’s surveillance.

Shi Qing looked at this “ice-block” face that was a carbon copy of Xie Ciyou’s and felt it was a bit difficult. “This, Brother Xia looks like the moon above the clouds or snow upon a ridge. How can a commoner like me be worthy of an ‘exchange’ with him?” Translation: He’s too cold! We can’t communicate.

Senior Brother Chen laughed. “Not at all. You are too humble, Junior Brother. In my eyes, you are gentle, friendly, and poised. I believe you can get along well with anyone, regardless of who they are.”

“That is only in front of you, Senior Brother. You are so kind and gentle to your fellow disciples. Talking to you is like a spring breeze. I like it very much,” Shi Qing replied with a smile, offering a compliment.

Senior Brother Chen was stunned for a moment and lowered his head, appearing slightly embarrassed.

Xia Chan gave them a faint, indifferent look, completely unmoved by their mutual flattery.

Shi Qing and Xia Chan went to their respective rooms to unpack. Halfway through, Shi Qing turned to see that Senior Brother Chen had not left. “Is there something else, Senior Brother?”

“I noticed you are not wearing the calming sachet I gave you last time.”

As he spoke, Senior Brother Chen pulled out a new sachet and handed it to Shi Qing. “My sister embroidered a new one for me. I thought I would give it to you and replace the old one.”

“Ah, I put it away. My things are a bit messy right now. Are you in a hurry, Senior Brother? If not, I will find it later and return it to you.”

As Shi Qing said this, Senior Brother Chen looked at the pitifully few items in the room. It was clearly not messy at all.

Senior Brother Chen looked slightly awkward. “I’m not in a hurry. Then this sachet…”

“I really should not accept more things from you, Senior Brother. I did not know the previous one was embroidered by your sister. If I had known, I would have been too embarrassed to take it.”

Senior Brother Chen did not pull back his hand. His face turned slightly red, and his voice sounded urgent. “A sachet conveys intent. I thought… I thought that because you accepted my sachet before, you accepted my feelings. Did you not just say you liked…” He reached out, trying to grab Shi Qing’s wrist.

Shi Qing had only accepted the “calming” sachet because he thought Senior Brother Chen was being helpful. He had not seen a shred of “intent” in it.

As for what he just said, he had only said that to annoy Xie Ciyou’s spy! That “like” was not that kind of like!

Shi Qing dodged. “Senior Brother, you have truly misunderstood.”

“Junior Brother…”

While the two were in a standoff, a cold voice came from the doorway, “Pardon the interruption.”

Senior Brother Chen, with his back to the door, quickly tucked the sachet back into his robe. Shi Qing took the opportunity to slip away from him.

It was Xia Chan, looking at them expressionlessly.

“Then I will head back first. I will see you tomorrow,” Senior Brother Chen said before leaving. He gave a hurried bow as he passed Xia Chan, who only gave him a faint glance and a slight nod.

Once Senior Brother Chen was gone, Xia Chan shifted his gaze to Shi Qing’s still somewhat confused face. “You don’t like it anymore?”

“What?” Shi Qing was still a bit dazed.

Xia Chan repeated, “Gentle, friendly, and like a spring breeze. You like it very much.”

Shi Qing realized then that this Xia Chan was just as annoying as Xie Ciyou when he spoke!

Over the next few days, Shi Qing was busy staying out early and returning late to avoid Senior Brother Chen. Most inner disciples had reached the Inedia stage and no longer needed food. Although there was a dining hall with spiritual plants and meats not found in the outer sect, they only prioritized quality over taste.

Shi Qing sat in the dining hall, chewing as if he were eating wax. After eating at the inner sect hall for a few days, his handsome face had grown quite pale. In his past life, even at the Soul Transformation stage, he had vowed to taste all the world’s delicacies. Looking at the unpalatable food before him, he suddenly missed the roast chicken he used to make on the Qingji Peak.

With that thought, he took out his communication jade and sent a message to Disciple Jiang in the outer sect, complaining bitterly and saying he would sneak over that night for roast chicken.

Disciple Jiang replied: Buying supplies down the mountain. Will be back too late to cook.

Shi Qing completely wilted.

Then the jade lit up again: But I can buy one and bring it back for you.

Shi Qing bloomed like a dying flower brought back to life, his face instantly lighting up with a smile.

As he put away the jade, he saw the ice-block face across from him.

Shi Qing gave a friendly smile. “Are you free today? No one seeking a duel with you, Brother Xia?”

Xia Chan stared at him coldly, a visible chill radiating from him. “Thanks to you.”

Shi Qing gave an awkward laugh. He had indeed been going around telling everyone how amazing the Chaowu Gallery was, bragging that their disciples were the top of their generation.

Immortal disciples were naturally proud and had long been curious about the mysterious and powerful Chaowu Gallery. Under Shi Qing’s instigation, those in the Qingyun Sect who considered themselves strong were lining up to challenge Xia Chan.

At the time, Shi Qing had fled as soon as he saw Xia Chan knock back several Golden Core disciples. He did not enjoy the feeling of being watched.

He had not expected that after only a few days, Xia Chan would appear before him again. Shi Qing was puzzled. “There are many inner disciples in the Qingyun Sect, and many are quite arrogant. It’s only been a few days; have you defeated them all?”

“No,” Xia Chan said, glancing at the spicy spices scattered on Shi Qing’s plate. “I went to duel Chen Ji.”

“Did you win?”

Xia Chan asked back, “What do you think?”

It seemed he had won. Even if the Qingyun Sect disciples did not respect the Chaowu Gallery, they respected Chen Ji, the first disciple of Immortal Lord Zhanyue. Once Chen Ji was taken down, those weaker than him would naturally back off. However, Chen Ji was said to be at the peak of the Golden Core stage and on the verge of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. This man spoke as if it were an easy feat.

Shi Qing could not help but be curious. “I haven’t asked, how old are you, Brother Xia? What is your cultivation level?”

“Sixteen. Peak Golden Core.”

Good, good, he hasn’t surpassed me yet. At sixteen, Shi Qing was already at the Nascent Soul stage. The only one who could keep up with him back then was Xie Ciyou, who was a year younger.

The Chaowu Gallery was secluded, and no one knew its location, but Shi Qing’s Master knew. Old Ancestor Wuxu and the former Master of the Chaowu Gallery, Ning Yu, were close friends. Years ago, when Shi Qing was so bored on the Qingji Peak that he felt like he was growing moss, he told his rarely seen Master that he wanted to go down the mountain for experience. His Master said the people down the mountain were all unremarkable and instead took him to the Chaowu Gallery to duel his friend’s disciple.

His Master often praised him as a genius with unrivaled talent. That was until he met Xie Ciyou; the two were evenly matched and often fought to a standstill. In swordsmanship, Shi Qing was agile and fluid with a thousand variations, while Xie Ciyou was simple and direct, his strikes fast and lethal, just like the man himself.

Shi Qing stayed at the Chaowu Gallery for several months, dueling Xie Ciyou every day. Unable to gain an advantage in swordsmanship, the arrogant Shi Qing of that time could not help but be amazed by Xie Ciyou’s skill.

To defeat Xie Ciyou, he researched ancient texts in their library. It was said the ancestors of the Chaowu Gallery practiced the Way of Heartlessness. Over time, fewer people succeeded, and the lineage was nearly broken, leading to modifications of the techniques. However, they were still derived from the Heartless Dao and were best suited for those with cold hearts. It was said Xie Ciyou practiced the version closest to the original; a person without emotions or desires would naturally find cultivation twice as easy, and his high talent allowed him to leave his peers far behind.

Shi Qing, who was deeply connected to the mortal world, naturally did not find a suitable technique in the library. He firmly believed that the Way of Heartlessness, which required cutting off all emotions, was not a good thing, otherwise, why would the lineage have been broken?

Thinking back, before he and Xie Ciyou had their complete falling out, they had actually gotten along quite well for a time.

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