Reborn As The Short-Lived White Moonlight of the Tragic, Powerful Male Lead - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Gu Yunqi believed him; Nian Wan’er did not.

Facing a person in the midst of a breakdown, an outsider’s explanation never truly reaches the ears. Xie Lanting turned, grabbed Gu Yunqi’s wrist, and bolted. As he did, he smoothly swiped a black stone—the Skin-Peeler’s body had turned to ash upon death, leaving behind this object. Xie Lanting snatched it up without time to inspect it, tucking it away for later.

“Seize him! I want him to pay for Brother Wuhen’s life!”

Nian Wan’er held Baili Wuhen’s corpse, weeping hysterically. As Xie Lanting ran, he shouted back from a distance: “Young lady, if you don’t believe me, wait for your guard to wake up and ask him! See for yourself what the truth is!”

It would be best if Nian Wan’er could recognize the face of that scoundrel. He could only pray the guard was resilient enough not to die… If the man were truly unfortunate, Xie Lanting would have to find another way. After all, he had intended to kill Baili Wuhen; taking the blame wasn’t entirely unfair.

If it were just himself, it would be fine. He wore a mask, and no one knew his true identity; escaping would be easy. But he had the Foundation Establishment youth, Wenren Yun, entangled in this mess. He couldn’t just abandon him. Xie Lanting sighed inwardly; the kid was truly unlucky to have run into him while out on a journey.

Gu Yunqi felt his wrist held firmly. The wind whistled past his ears. The sky was pitch black now, but the moonlight tonight was exceptionally bright, casting a soft, silvery glow over Xie Lanting like a thin veil. Gu Yunqi felt the skin of his wrist grow increasingly hot where they touched, causing him to tremble unconsciously.

Unexpectedly, Xie Lanting misinterpreted the gesture. He tightened his grip like a blunt instrument and said in a tone used for coaxing children, “Don’t be afraid.”

Gu Yunqi snapped back to reality. He lowered his gaze to their joined hands and whispered, “Mmh. I’m not afraid.”

Xie Lanting didn’t look back, but his laughter drifted into Gu Yunqi’s ears on the wind. “Wenren, you were kind enough to help me out on the street, and now you’re being hunted with me. You’re terribly unlucky to have met me.”

Gu Yunqi smiled as well, dropping his false facade for a moment of genuine, heartfelt lightheartedness. “No. Meeting Senior is my good fortune.”

His smile would have been very much to Xie Lanting’s taste, but the Immortal Lord was too busy fleeing to witness it.

“Because it’s been an ‘eye-opening’ experience?”

Xie Lanting led him in a flight through the forest. Under the moonlight, he seemed as light as a celestial being. Facing the bright moon, Gu Yunqi had a brief illusion that Xie Lanting could ride the wind and carry him up to the highest heavens, where they could pluck the stars together.

The “Immortal” said, “Your attitude is quite good. And you have a kind heart.”

This sentence shattered Gu Yunqi’s daze. He relaxed his hand, which had been tempted to grip Xie Lanting back, not daring to cross the line.

—He was no broad-minded gentleman. His heart was narrow, barely the size of a sesame seed, filled only with thoughts of revenge. He wouldn’t dare dream of anything else in this lifetime.

The Immortal Lord… would only ever be a passing traveler in his life.

Hiding his identity, being cared for and worried about by someone wholeheartedly, regardless of his past or anything else—even running for their lives felt blissful. Gu Yunqi felt a rare sense of liberation. He thought: I’ll keep this memory for myself. When I return to the Gu family to face the schemes and plots, I’ll have a new memory to toast to when I’m drinking alone under the moon.

…

Xie Lanting led him toward Dongyang City. Gu Yunqi made a silent decision: he would help Xie Lanting shake off the pursuers. Once they were safe, he would bid farewell and part ways. Xie Lanting would continue his escape from the wedding, and Gu Yunqi would walk his own narrow bridge.

Xie Lanting’s goal was clear: he headed straight for the Dongyang Bookstore.

The moment they were chased, Xie Lanting thought of the fortune the shopkeeper had told him. He had to admit it was accurate. It hadn’t been lightning or choking on water; it was being hunted. Even if the shopkeeper was a quack, he was a quack with actual skill.

Dongyang City was quiet, with most households having extinguished their lights for the night. After entering the city, flying was too conspicuous, so Xie Lanting landed. He began weaving through the streets and alleys to lose their tail.

The plan was good—zig-zag through the backstreets to lose the pursuers before slipping into the bookstore. However, he overlooked one fact: he wasn’t familiar enough with Dongyang City to navigate its labyrinthine alleys successfully.

By the time they reached the fifth alleyway, Xie Lanting’s footsteps faltered.

Gu Yunqi had followed without question. He assumed Xie Lanting was confident and had everything planned out—otherwise, why would he walk with such righteous purpose, despite passing the same alley for the third time?

The Immortal Lord must be trying to confuse the pursuers, Gu Yunqi thought. Besides, he was perfectly happy to spend a little more time with Xie Lanting.

Xie Lanting stopped so abruptly that Gu Yunqi nearly slammed into him, stopping just inches away. His nose was filled with the scent of Xie Lanting’s medicinal herbs.

Xie Lanting pondered for a moment, then turned around with a solemn expression. Though his face was hidden, Gu Yunqi felt the gravity of the atmosphere and turned serious as well. “Brother Qu, what’s wrong?”

Xie Lanting spoke in a heavy tone: “Do you know the way to the Dongyang Bookstore?”

Gu Yunqi: “…”

In just a few days of knowing him, Gu Yunqi had learned that Xie Lanting was not only a drama queen but also had no sense of direction.

The roles reversed. Gu Yunqi led the way while Xie Lanting followed. Xie Lanting still tried to save face: “It’s mainly because I’m not familiar with Dongyang. I remember all the roads I’ve asked about.”

Gu Yunqi couldn’t help but smile, agreeing solemnly, “Mmh. Brother Qu is right.”

If you hadn’t circled the same intersection three times, I might actually believe you.

Seeing Gu Yunqi navigate the paths with practiced ease, Xie Lanting asked curiously, “You’re new to Dongyang too. How are you so familiar with it?”

Gu Yunqi: “I’m quite good at remembering paths. I wandered around these areas after arriving. As long as I have the general direction, I can usually reach my destination.”

Xie Lanting was puzzled. How come I never succeed when I try to follow the ‘general direction’? The Bookstore was a tall building; it should be easy to see the silhouette from the main roads. Xie Lanting had noted it when entering the city, yet he had successfully managed to lose himself in the tiny alleys.

The night was still, and there was no one to ask for directions. Xie Lanting had no choice but to trust Gu Yunqi. After turning a certain corner, the view opened up—the tall building before them was none other than the Dongyang Bookstore.

The pursuers hadn’t caught up yet, likely because Xie Lanting had successfully confused the enemies while confusing himself. Xie Lanting exhaled in relief and patted Gu Yunqi’s shoulder. “Thanks to you.”

Apart from a few inns, all the shops were closed, including the bookstore. However, a window on the second floor was wide open. Given the shopkeeper’s previous message, this was basically telling Xie Lanting: “I left the door open, get in here.” Xie Lanting raised an eyebrow, signaled Gu Yunqi, and the two performed a bit of window-climbing.

The Dongyang Bookstore had a hollow design that reached straight to the dome, giving it a very grand feel. Entering from the second floor, they could look directly down to the first. As soon as their feet touched the floor, the lights in the building ignited layer by layer. A giant pearl at the center of the dome glowed brilliantly, making the interior as bright as day. Xie Lanting, who had been running in the dark, squinted slightly.

In the center of the first floor stood a table that hadn’t been there during the day. The “shaman” shopkeeper had already brewed tea. A smile was plastered on his face that practically screamed “everything is under control.” Fanning himself, he looked at Xie Lanting and gestured toward two steaming cups of tea: “We meet again. Oh, did you two go off to get married?”

When they first met, Xie Lanting had been alone. Now, there were two cups of tea, as if he knew Xie Lanting wouldn’t be coming back solo.

Xie Lanting stripped off the red wedding robe, folded it, and put it away, changing back into his original outer coat. Gu Yunqi did the same. They sat down and checked the temperature of the cups; the tea was at the perfect temperature to drink. It seemed he had even calculated the exact time they would arrive.

Xie Lanting didn’t drink, and naturally, Gu Yunqi didn’t touch it either. From the moment he stepped inside, Gu Yunqi hadn’t relaxed his guard. His secret guards were perched near the windows, having not followed them inside.

Fifteen, clutching his notebook, quietly observed the bookstore’s interior. After a moment, his brow furrowed, and he looked at his companions. They shared the same grim expression—they couldn’t see through the cultivation of the man fanning himself.

Chu Yi, Chu Er, and Fifteen were the three top guards who followed Gu Yunqi; they were all at the Nascent Soul stage.

The shopkeeper of the Dongyang Bookstore is someone above the Nascent Soul stage?! The guards exchanged urgent glances and hand signals: Have we already been discovered?

Fifteen pondered for a moment and signaled for them to remain silent and observe.

The shopkeeper fanned himself, looking relaxed. “Does the honored guest believe me now?”

Xie Lanting pulled out the token the bookstore had given him earlier. “Sir… no, Fellow Daoist, your calculations are truly accurate. Why don’t you help me calculate how to get through this predicament?”

The shopkeeper snapped his fan shut against his palm. “That’s easy.”

With a wave of his hand, three copper coins fell onto the table with a series of clinks. They weren’t standard currency. They spun to a stop, all showing the pattern of “drifting clouds and a bright moon.” The shopkeeper interpreted: “The lucky person who can help you is favored by fate. Once he wakes up unharmed, those hunting you will naturally withdraw.”

Xie Lanting gave a half-smile. His voice remained the same, but the temperature of his words dropped several degrees: “Are you stalking me?”

The shopkeeper seemed to know everything that happened in Purple Flower Town. Xie Lanting was testing him; if a high-level master were following him, he might indeed fail to notice.

Gu Yunqi touched his nose guiltily.

Usually, Xie Lanting was casual, far from the stereotypical solemn sword cultivator. But Gu Yunqi had seen him draw his blade in the town; he knew this man was a “unsheathed treasure.” Once the sword was out, it was unstoppable.

Right now, though Xie Lanting didn’t move his hands, his aura expanded, pressing directly against the man before him.

Faced with the accusation, the shopkeeper didn’t get angry but laughed. He lifted his chin with a bit of pride. “If I want to know something, why would I need to stalk you? If the honored guest doesn’t believe me, I can calculate what happened to you three days ago, three years ago, or even thirty years ago. See if I’m right.”

Xie Lanting thought to himself: Thirty years ago, I was still waiting to be born. I wasn’t even air. Even if you’re right, that would be the business of the original Immortal Lord Lanyue, nothing to do with me.

But seeing the shopkeeper’s confidence, Xie Lanting’s interest was piqued. He relaxed his sharp aura and returned to his easy-going manner. “No need. I remember what you said last time. I think we can exchange names now. I am Qu Liushang.”

As soon as he spoke, he saw the shopkeeper wear an expression that said “I know that’s a fake name but I won’t call you out on it.” It was so vivid that Xie Lanting’s fingers itched—why did this guy seem so punchable?

The shopkeeper cupped his hands politely. “I am Xiao Qingfeng.”

Upon hearing the name, both Xie Lanting and Gu Yunqi froze.

Xie Lanting blurted out: “The ‘Qingfeng’ (Clear Wind) from the saying ‘Clear Wind brushes the Bright Moon,’ Immortal Lord Qingfeng, Xiao Qingfeng?”

Xiao Qingfeng: “That would be me!”

Good heavens, Xie Lanting leaned back mentally. He and Xiao Qingfeng—the two protagonists of the “romance novels”—were now both present!

If Gu Yunqi could hear Xie Lanting’s thoughts, he would probably try to correct him: No, this is a story of three people.

Before Gu Yunqi could properly examine his legendary “love rival,” Xiao Qingfeng dropped a thunderbolt with a calm expression:

“You… Fellow Daoist Qu, are you aware that poison has already seeped into your very bones?“