The Demon Lord is My Dark Moonlight [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 13

In the midst of a boundless desert, it was impossible to tell North from South, or even how long they had been walking. It felt as though the trek would never end; after hours of walking, the landscape looked exactly the same.

The only change was the sun gradually dipping below the horizon, causing the scorching heat to recede slightly. Other than that, the sensory experience was identical.

However, the afternoon had been relatively lucky. At least they hadn’t encountered any trials yet, making the Desert Zone seem deceptively safe.

“Rest where you stand.”

Trekking through the burning sand required necessary breaks. The elites in the group carried storage artifacts filled with ample food and water, which they now put to use.

Gu Jinli, as a mere servant who had snuck in, obviously had no storage artifact. Aside from the clothes on her back, she had nothing. Her stomach had been growling for ages; she was famished.

“Big Sister.”

Somehow, Shen Chigui had procured a flask of water. She found Gu Jinli among the crowd. “Drink some.” She handed the flask over.

“?”

Is the sun rising from the west? The female lead was actually offering her water? Was it poisoned? Gu Jinli stared at her suspiciously, not saying a word.

“Relax, Big Sister!” Sensing her thoughts, Shen Chigui let out a scoffing laugh. She uncapped the flask and took a deliberate swig herself. “It’s not poisoned.”

“…”

I wouldn’t be afraid even if it was, Gu Jinli muttered internally. She licked her parched lips and stopped refusing. Since her special constitution meant she couldn’t die, why suffer the thirst?

Gulp, gulp, gulp—

The cool water sliding down her parched throat washed away most of her irritability. She let out a soft sigh, feeling the ache in her stomach subside.

“Big Sister.”

Shen Chigui shook the flask to confirm it was empty, a faint smirk playing on her lips. She leaned in and whispered, “Let’s slip away tonight. I know the way to the Central Tower. If we’re fast, we might be the first to arrive.”

“No.”

Why is she on about this again? Gu Jinli felt a headache coming on. Throughout the journey, the lead had been looking for every opportunity to suggest this, and every time, Gu Jinli had given her a firm “no.” But the girl was like a persistent cockroach, always coming back for more.

“I’ll make sure you come with me eventually~”

With an ambiguous smile, Shen Chigui didn’t push further. She took her flask and returned to the back of the group.

“…”

Watching her walk away, Gu Jinli suddenly felt an ominous premonition.

*****

The premonition came true. The moment her body began moving against her will, Gu Jinli knew she was doomed.

It was now deep into the night. The group had found a pile of rocks to camp in, planning to continue at dawn. The journey so far had been incredibly peaceful, which was something Gu Jinli hadn’t expected from the Desert Zone.

But when she found herself standing up and walking away from the crowd, everything went wrong.

Stop! Don’t go!

Her internal screams went unheard. Instead, she heard her own voice speaking perfectly normally: “I’m stepping away for a moment.”

She watched, horrified, as her own legs carried her away from the safety of the camp, circling around the rocks and into the darkness.

What is happening?! Why can’t I control my body?!

Stop! Stop it!

*****

The night wind was fierce, the sand-laden gusts cutting against her skin like knives.

Gu Jinli had no idea how long she had been walking. She had left the group aimlessly and trudged forward, over one dune after another, until she stopped in the middle of nowhere. The shifting sands quickly erased her footprints, taking with them any hope of finding her way back. In a desert where every direction looked the same, wandering off meant never being found.

“So this was your plan?”

When she saw Shen Chigui following behind her, Gu Jinli understood everything. This brat had definitely done something to make this happen.

“What did you do to me?!”

She mentally replayed the day’s events. There had been no obvious signs. Despite being so guarded, she had still been played.

Livid, the moment she regained control over her limbs, Gu Jinli lunged forward and grabbed the lead by her collar. “Was it the water?!”

She should have known! No wonder the girl had been so “kind” earlier and didn’t pester her after being rejected. It was a cold, calculated trap!

“Don’t be angry, Big Sister~”

Shen Chigui let her clutch her collar, smiling brightly. “I didn’t lie to you—it really wasn’t poisoned.”

It wasn’t poisoned, but that didn’t mean it didn’t contain something else. Regardless, she had achieved her goal.

“You brat! You… you…!!”

Gu Jinli was nearly exploding with rage. How could someone be this shameless?! And the worst part was, she was the one who wrote this personality! In other words, she had dug this pit for herself.

“How did you turn out like this?!” Gu Jinli was beyond disappointed. The cool, detached lead from her novel was worlds away from this person. Sometimes she truly doubted if this was her own creation.

“What are you trying to say, Big Sister?”

Shen Chigui’s gaze went cold instantly. She seized Gu Jinli’s wrist and yanked her hand away. “I suggest you hold your tongue.”

She tilted her chin up, a chilling sneer on her face. “I’m not in a very good mood right now.”

“…”

That was a threat. A blatant, naked threat. Gu Jinli bit her lip, but ultimately didn’t dare say another word. She had seen the lead’s methods; alone in the desert with her, it was best not to be impulsive.

But… god, it was infuriating! She couldn’t swallow this insult.

“Let’s go, Big Sister.”

Shen Chigui checked their position by the moon and pointed to the right. “This way.”

“…”

At this point, she had no choice but to follow. Truthfully, Gu Jinli was curious: if the lead wanted to reach the Tower early, why drag her along instead of just leaving? Did she have another motive?

She soon found out the reason.

They encountered a Desert Scorpion—a massive beast that prowled beneath the sand, lunging at prey when they least expected it. Judging by the demonic aura radiating from it, it was at least a Third-Rank beast.

“Big Sister, the tail of a Desert Scorpion is venomous! It loves to use its stinger when hunting.”

Blinking innocently from behind her, Shen Chigui’s intention was now glaringly obvious.

“Handle it carefully, Big Sister! I’ll find an opening to kill it for you!”

Gu Jinli, who had been shoved to the front: “???”

Excuse me?! So that was why this brat insisted on bringing her along? A mobile meat shield?!

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