After Faking My Death, I Became My Rival’s "White Moonlight" - Chapter 6

The sky grew dark as the moon climbed the branches, casting a clear light on the courtyard like stagnant water. Shi Qing opened his door and walked with a light step, treading on the moonlight cut into fine fragments by the shadows of the trees, following the mountain path toward the outer sect.

Shi Qing toyed with the jade plate in his hand. Fifteen minutes ago, he had received a message from Disciple Jiang asking him to meet them at the mountain gate.

Just as he left the inner sect, he ran into Senior Brother Chen waiting there. Shi Qing paused. “What a coincidence, Senior Brother Chen.”

Chen Shi gave a gentle smile. “Did Junior Brother Jiang not tell you I was coming along?”

Shi Qing narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Then let us go together.”

When they arrived at the mountain gate, no one was there. Senior Brother Chen said, “Perhaps they haven’t arrived yet. Let’s walk a bit further to meet them.”

As Shi Qing took out his jade plate to message Disciple Jiang, he said casually, “Let me ask first.”

The jade plate soon glowed with light. Disciple Jiang replied: Almost there. We have a lot of things; come help us carry them.

Senior Brother Chen could not see the contents of the jade. He asked softly, “Well?”

Shi Qing said, “Let’s walk a bit further then. They probably have too much luggage and got delayed.”

“Alright.”

The two walked slowly down the mountain road. The surrounding chirping of insects felt like the breathing of the forest, accompanied by dots of bioluminescence.

After walking a while longer, Shi Qing stopped. “Any further and we’ll be out of the Qingyun Sect’s territory.”

Looking at the man before him, Shi Qing said nonchalantly, “Senior Brother Chen, why don’t you just tell me where Junior Brother Jiang and the others are trapped? Or rather… are they already dead?”

the man in front stopped. He did not turn around; only a very low, faint sigh escaped his lips, quickly scattered by the wind. His voice remained gentle and pleasant. “When did you find out, Junior Brother?”

“I had my suspicions at the Qingyun Hall,” Shi Qing said. “Now I’m certain.”

“Suspecting me from the start… Junior Brother, you are truly… a very good actor. Just like that day in the forest; I was actually scared away by you.” Senior Brother Chen turned around, still looking like the modest gentleman. “Who exactly are you?”

“You were so anxious to find that sachet; I assume you put something in it that even I couldn’t detect?

Let me guess. To know our herb-picking route, it must be a listening device. You’ve visited often since you gave it to me. I suspect the range is limited?

That’s why you followed us on the day of the interrogation and waited outside—to eavesdrop on the content. As for my identity…”

Shi Qing paused, his tone slightly helpless. “Didn’t I make it clear enough at the Qingyun Hall?”

Senior Brother Chen showed no panic at being discovered, though the smile on his lips was slightly stiff. “Junior Brother is indeed clever. Where did you hide the sachet?”

Shi Qing looked at him with interest. “You care so much about the sachet; are you afraid of being found out after tonight? It seems I’m in big trouble… Do you intend to kill me?”

Chen Shi’s expression stiffened, his eyes flickering. “If I could, I wouldn’t want to…” Before he could finish, the communication jade in his hand lit up. He seemed to snap out of a dream, and his face returned to normal. He drew his sword and leveled it at Shi Qing’s neck, saying coldly, “If you don’t want anything to happen to Junior Brother Jiang and the others, come with me quietly.”

“Don’t be so excited. I’ve followed you this far, so naturally I can’t run. With my low cultivation, how could I be your match?”

Shi Qing said obediently, following his lead. “How are Junior Brother Jiang and the others? Did you kill them?”

“Your cultivation is low, but your formations are powerful. You can instantly kill a Soul Transformation stage avatar.”

With his other hand, Chen Shi pulled out an Immortal-Binding Rope and threw it to Shi Qing. “Junior Brother, you have a silver tongue; I don’t dare trust you easily now. Tie yourself up. Do not attempt a formation, or they will surely die.”

Shi Qing silently picked up the rope and wrapped it around his wrists. The rope glowed with golden light and tightened instantly, wrapping his hands like a cocoon so that even his fingers were immobile. It was clear how much Chen Shi feared his formations.

“All tied up,” Shi Qing said, showing no panic. He even flashed a smile at Senior Brother Chen, saying coaxingly, “Now you can tell me where they are, right?”

Chen Shi, looking at Shi Qing who still had the heart to smile, scanned the surroundings warily. “Junior Brother is truly kind-hearted, still worrying about your fellow disciples at a time like this. Don’t worry; as long as you are obedient, I won’t hurt them.”

Which meant the target tonight was only him.

Shi Qing asked, puzzled, “Why only me? Just because I know Immortal Lord Shuangyu’s formations?”

Chen Shi looked at him thoughtfully. “Do you not know yourself?”

“Is there any other reason to want my life? But I really only know those few formations. I already demonstrated them to the Sect Leader. I don’t remember any others.”

“It’s more than that.” Chen Shi shook his head, his sword never leaving Shi Qing’s neck as he pressed him forward.

“Senior Brother, since I’m going to die anyway, just tell me. Consider it letting me die with understanding. Why do they insist I must die?” Shi Qing had a sincere smile on his lips, and his handsome eyes held a trace of tenderness. His demeanor was not that of a man facing death, but rather someone acting spoiled.

The hand Chen Shi used to hold the sword tightened. Shi Qing’s gaze seemed like it could burn someone. He awkwardly looked away and said after a moment, “It seems you don’t know that your body absorbs demonic energy, yet Immortal Lord Ciyou couldn’t detect it on you. You are a variable; they won’t let you go.”

Shi Qing blinked. “Didn’t Senior Brother say he liked me? How can you bear to let me die?”

Chen Shi pursed his lips, his face turning slightly red. “That was just because I was afraid you were suspicious. I made it up on the spot to distract you.”

“Is that so? Senior Brother, you’ve learned to be bad, using such things to trick people.”

The black energy that had rampaged through his body after he fainted was indeed demonic energy. However, instead of being corrupted, Shi Qing felt his body suppress it. The suppressed energy then merged into his meridians, nourishing his narrow spiritual paths and damaged heart. Even his soul felt more stable.

Shi Qing continued to chat idly, being led further and further into a remote area, completely out of the Qingyun Sect’s range.

The light overhead grew dimmer. Perhaps because he couldn’t see clearly, Shi Qing stumbled and swayed. Chen Shi didn’t seem to want to hurt him yet; while pulling him, he had to be careful that the sword at Shi Qing’s neck didn’t cut him. Consequently, they moved slowly.

Eventually, they arrived in a patch of darkness where only a few slivers of moonlight reached.

Ahead, several people lay under a large tree. They appeared to be Disciple Jiang and the others. Shi Qing tried to move closer to see, but Chen Shi held him back, the sword pricking his neck. “What are you doing, Junior Brother?”

“I just want to look. Don’t be so jumpy; my fingers can’t move.” With that, he held up his cocoon-wrapped hands and shook them.

Only then did Chen Shi relax his grip slightly. Shi Qing slowly shuffled toward the tree and finally saw that it was indeed Disciple Jiang’s group. They seemed to be breathing normally, just unconscious.

“Come out. I’ve brought the person,” Chen Shi called out toward the forest.

Shhh! Suddenly, dozens of black shadows darted out, all shrouded in demonic energy. Here they were again. Shi Qing felt his body stirring under the stimulation of the demonic energy.

One of the black shadows spoke, “Fool. You didn’t even know you were being followed.”

Chen Shi was startled, and the sword at Shi Qing’s neck moved even closer. “What tricks are you playing?”

“It’s not me! I don’t know!” Shi Qing didn’t know, but he had expected it.

He had expected Xia Chan to follow him, which was why he had been so leisurely.

He had thought that with Disciple Jiang and the others in Chen Shi’s hands, he should cooperate to keep him calm. Xia Chan, watching from the shadows, would surely go for reinforcements.

He only needed to stall for time until the Qingyun Sect’s people arrived to catch them all. Having talked so much and walked so slowly, the reinforcements should be close.

“It’s fine. Only one person came. Chen Qi and the others have gone to intercept him. That’s enough respect for the Chaowu Gallery. I don’t believe dozens of dead-sworn warriors above the Nascent Soul stage can’t handle one Peak Golden Core,” the shadow said coldly.

What? Only one person! Xia Chan, that foolish child. He had wasted so much time for nothing.

Looking at the dozens of shadows, all at least at the Nascent Soul stage, Shi Qing felt his vision go dark. He roared in his heart, Xie Ciyou, your people are unreliable!

“Give him to me. I don’t believe he can hide anything under a soul-search,” the shadow signaled to Chen Shi.

“Wait,” Chen Shi turned to Shi Qing, his eyes showing a bit of pity and hesitation. “Junior Brother, you should just confess your identity. Otherwise, you’ll suffer the pain of a soul-search before you die.”

“…You’re surprisingly a ‘good’ person.” Shi Qing was almost laughing from anger.

“Enough talk. Don’t forget your sister is still in our hands. Once tonight’s matter is settled, go back to the Qingyun Sect and play your role as an inner disciple,” the shadow said impatiently.

Chen Shi stiffened at the word “sister,” but after hearing the rest, his aura changed completely. His previously calm face filled with disbelief. “What do you mean? You said if I helped you with one thing, you would let my sister return!”

“Last time you caused City Lord Dongfang’s divine sense to be damaged, and in the end, you were bluffed by this boy and failed to kill him on the spot. A fool like you should either be obedient and stay in the Qingyun Sect as an insider, or die here tonight.”

The shadow spoke with disdain. “But if you’re useless, your sister won’t escape death either.”

“Don’t touch my sister!” Chen Shi’s lip twitched, and two fires of rage burned in his eyes.

“Don’t worry. Your sister’s life depends on your choice tonight,” the shadow sneered, then grew impatient. “Hand him over and get out.”

“What about them?” Shi Qing tilted his chin toward Disciple Jiang and the others.

The shadow replied, “Just a matter of killing them on the way out.” Shi Qing felt the sword at his neck tremble. Then came Chen Shi’s stiff voice, “Didn’t you say you only wanted him?”

“What difference does it make? You betrayed the Qingyun Sect long ago. You can’t still be thinking you can lie to yourself and pretend nothing happened, can you?” The shadow was clearly losing patience and moved directly toward the two of them.

Shi Qing looked coldly at the approaching shadow. He had no intention of dying here via a soul-search.

Shi Qing suddenly turned his head and whispered to the emotionally distraught Chen Shi, “An eye for an eye. It’s my turn to use you.”

With that, his expression turned stern. He stared at the unreacting Chen Shi and barked, “Chen Shi! Look into my eyes!”

Startled by the shout, Chen Shi actually lifted his head and stared blankly into Shi Qing’s eyes.

The moment their gazes met, Chen Shi’s pupils constricted violently and then went hollow. The sword that was at Shi Qing’s neck flipped around and slashed toward the approaching black shadow. Simultaneously, the Immortal-Binding Rope on Shi Qing’s wrists was released.

At the same time, deep in another part of the forest some distance away, a large patch of trees crashed to the ground, cut cleanly by a single sword strike. Several black shadows lay on the ground, unable to move.

“Xia Chan” swept a gaze over them. Five Nascent Soul and five Great Completion stages—they had truly spent a fortune.

The last Great Completion cultivator was sent flying and slammed hard into the ground, clutching his chest and spitting out a large mouthful of dark red blood.

Too strong. Didn’t Chen Shi say the opponent was only at the Peak Golden Core stage? They had sent out half of their secret guards, thinking that even if it was a Peak Golden Core from the Chaowu Gallery, there was no way he could skip two realms to defeat them. They thought victory was assured.

Unexpectedly, they couldn’t even take a single strike. The newcomer was definitely not just a Golden Core!

The shadow thrust his sword toward the sky, intending to use his spiritual power to signal the distant forest, but his power suddenly stagnated.

This… Soul Transformation pressure. The opponent seemed to want to avoid alerting the others, so he only released a portion. But even that portion was terrifyingly immense. Who exactly was this person! The shadow’s pupils shrank, and the hand holding the sword began to tremble uncontrollably, an instinctive fear of powerful pressure. With a clank, the sword fell to the ground.

The shadow stammered, “Who exactly is your excellency…”

Before he could finish, he saw the white robes drifting toward him and the white feather floating in the person’s hand. His pale face looked as if he had seen a ghost. The scream died in his throat before it could even be uttered.

“Don’t be noisy. I still want to watch the show,” a voice rang out, colder than the moonlight.

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