When the White Moonlight Holds the Script - Chapter 11

Over the past few days, apart from listening to those people bicker endlessly, Luan Wu had also tasked someone to investigate the background of her so-called “disciple.”

Born into a merchant family, with generations of ordinary mortals, the only connection to cultivation was her running away from home to participate in this selection.

She wondered to herself: How could someone like this be tied to those old, unresolved matters?

The informant sighed and said, “The girl is quite pitiful. Her parents, knowing her illness was incurable, had another daughter the following year and locked her away in a remote courtyard for years.”

“But now, perhaps her fortunes have turned? With you as her master, her path forward will surely be smooth.”

Luan Wu remained silent.

The informant, observing her expression, rubbed his thumb and forefinger together. “I’ve told you everything I could find out. So…”

Luan Wu glanced at him, tossed over the spirit stones, and left.

It seemed impossible to uncover any clues from her background, the other party wouldn’t leave any traces there.

Luan Wu thought that once her current tasks were settled, she would have to question the girl personally.

If the girl cooperated and confessed, all would be well. If not, she might have to resort to some harmless methods.

As for what would happen after the questioning.

Fragments of the informant’s words flashed through Luan Wu’s mind. After some consideration, she decided: If the girl had no ties to demons, she would let her go.

Tu Meng was the first to notice Luan Wu standing in the shadows of the trees and exclaimed in surprise, “Senior Sister? You’re back so early?”

Luan Wu gave a noncommittal hum, her gaze fixed on the young girl not far away.

The girl seemed equally surprised by her sudden appearance and stiffened.

“Master,” the girl murmured, head bowed, not daring to look at her.

The girl had an innocent face, with snow-white cheeks and long eyelashes, the kind of child elders adored. Seeing her so dejected made one’s heart soften involuntarily.

But Luan Wu remained unmoved: So now she’s scared?

She sneered and was about to say something when Tu Meng stepped in front of the girl, looking at Luan Wu with exasperation. “Enough, enough. It’s not that big of a deal. Don’t be so harsh.”

Luan Wu: ?

Tu Meng continued, “Your little disciple just admires you a bit too much and spoke out of turn. How long are you going to stay angry?”

Luan Wu frowned. “It’s been half a month since I last saw you. What kind of bewitching potion have you drunk?”

Was it merely “speaking out of turn”? If she hadn’t intervened in time, the girl would have spilled all her secrets.

Tu Meng planted her hands on her hips. “My mind is perfectly clear! On the contrary, someone here has too much of a track record. This time, I’m keeping a close watch and won’t allow any reckless behavior!”

Luan Wu: “…”

Her cold gaze shifted to the girl hiding behind Tu Meng. The girl glanced up at her and offered a guilty smile.

Tu Meng tugged at Luan Wu’s arm. “There are no lasting grudges between master and disciple. Come, have a cup of ceremonial tea, and let bygones be bygones.”

Everyone knew that Luan Wu was the most powerful cultivator in the entire Blade Sect, leagues ahead of her peers.

But few knew that she was also the lowest in status within the sect, a spendthrift who couldn’t earn as fast as she squandered, adding to the sect’s mountain of debt every month. Such a person didn’t deserve status.

And so, the low-status Luan Wu, her face dark with displeasure, was dragged by Tu Meng to sit at the front of the hall.

She perched uneasily on the sect’s old, wobbly chair, one leg of which was broken, her entire demeanor screaming discomfort.

Tu Meng chanted the ceremonial verses loudly as the young girl solemnly performed three kowtows, poured a cup of tea, and raised it to her brow to present it.

She did not accept it.

Tu Meng grew anxious, “No way! We’ve come this far, don’t drop the ball now, Shijie.”

Luan Wu paid no heed, her gaze lowered as she observed the person before her. The girl’s snow-white hair cascaded with her movements, her eyelashes fluttering nervously, lips pressed tightly together, her back leaning forward in a posture of reverence and solemnity.

“Leave us for a while,” Luan Wu suddenly said. “I have something to discuss with this girl.”

Tu Meng was puzzled, “Now?”

Luan Wu remained silent.

Originally, she had intended to put on a show in front of Tu Meng after all, questioning could be done anytime. Once the tea ceremony was over, she could send Tu Meng away, finish the interrogation, and then erase the girl’s life token as if nothing had happened.

But…

The sight of the hall and the girl’s earnest, hopeful expression vaguely reminded her of her own initiation ceremony.

The tea she hadn’t yet accepted carried weight.

If she drank it, she would become the girl’s master, responsible for her.

She didn’t want to end up like her own despicable master.

So, this farce should end here.

Zhu Zhihan listened to the sound of Tu Meng leaving the hall and the door creaking shut, then let out a sigh.

As expected, it still wasn’t meant to be.

Setting the ceremonial tea aside, she calmly considered how to proceed.

Luan Wu gave her little time to prepare, cutting straight to the point: “How did you know those things?”

This time, Luan Wu didn’t unleash the pressure of a high-level cultivator, but under her sharp gaze, Zhu Zhihan felt an even greater sense of oppression than before emanating solely from the woman herself.

Zhu Zhihan thought to herself: You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you I learned it from something called a ‘system’, whatever that is.

“Unwilling to speak? Or haven’t thought of a good lie yet?”

“…”

To Zhu Zhihan’s surprise, Luan Wu’s tone softened slightly. “As long as you reveal who’s behind this, I can assure you no one will retaliate against you.”

She paused, then added, “I can even find you another suitable master. Resources, cultivation techniques, whatever you want, I can provide.”

This completely overturned Zhu Zhihan’s impression of Luan Wu.

She had always assumed this person was the cold, ruthless type. Speaking like this almost seemed as if, she was considering her feelings.

Honestly, if Zhu Zhihan’s goal weren’t to stay by Luan Wu’s side, the offer would have been tempting.

But in the end, she could only reply regretfully, “There’s no one behind me.”

Luan Wu tapped her fingers rhythmically on the armrest of her chair. “Still unwilling to talk, huh?”

“Then let’s start by guessing your motives.”

Resting her head on one hand, Luan Wu mused, “You know me well. So far, it seems you revealed those things just to become my disciple.”

“Why? Is there something you want in the Blade Sect? Or perhaps it’s something on me?”

“Maybe it’s not a tangible object but something more abstract.”

Her reasoning was clear and logical nothing like the madwoman who would draw her blade at the slightest provocation.

And she had guessed almost correctly.

Zhu Zhihan gained a new understanding of this person.

She knew she couldn’t let this person continue speculating. She had to disrupt their train of thought and demonstrate her value her unique value to secure her place here.

But aside from this person’s vague past, she had nothing.

No.

She did.

During the election, she couldn’t reveal too much under public scrutiny, but now was different.

Only she and Luan Wu were in the room. She no longer had to worry about outsiders overhearing and could speak of, deeper matters.

Of course, this was only possible if she truly “could.”

Zhu Zhihan tentatively asked in her heart, “System?”

To her relief, the system was still there and responded immediately: What is it, Host?

Zhu Zhihan shared her thoughts with the system.

After a moment of silence, the system replied: It’s possible, but…

“Is there a risk?”

The system said: The Heavenly Dao will not allow anyone to interfere with the ‘future.’ If you insist on doing this, I can help you bear some of the pressure, but there will inevitably be negative consequences. Do you understand?

“Will I die?”

No, but…

Zhu Zhihan let out a sigh. “I understand.”

Two paths lay before her.

One: She could come up with some excuse to deceive Luan Wu, then leave the Blade Sect and seek refuge with other villains. She might even manage to swindle some resources from Luan Wu for the journey.

Those villains might not be as formidable as Luan Wu, but they would likely suffice to deal with the female protagonist for the time being.

The other: Take a gamble. If she succeeded, she could stay, but there was a chance of failure and likely a significant price to pay.

Thinking it over, leaving seemed like a good option. She had been given a second chance at life, why not take an easier path?

But…

Her mind flashed to Tu Meng’s dry yet warm embrace, Elder Shi’s stiff but well-meaning smile, and Tu Meng’s worried plea in the ancestral hall: “If your master ever strays down another path, you must pull her back.”

The original story hadn’t mentioned what happened to the other members of the Blade Sect aside from Luan Wu in the future, but it wasn’t hard to guess the likely outcome in such tales.

Zhu Zhihan had alternatives, but these people did not.

If she did nothing.

Zhu Zhihan closed her eyes.

She felt like the world’s biggest fool!

She hadn’t even officially joined the sect, and this person was still trying to push her away, yet here she was…

The sound of fingers tapping on the armrest ceased. “Have you made up your mind?”

“Yes, I have.”

Zhu Zhihan opened her eyes, a resigned expression on her face as she met Luan Wu’s dark gaze. “Rather than explaining how I know these things, I’d like to tell you something far more important to you.”

Luan Wu remained unimpressed. “Bold words. I wasn’t aware I had any important matters.”

“You do,” Zhu Zhihan asserted firmly.

“I’ve seen your future,” she said.

“You will succumb to demonic cultivation, betray the Immortal Alliance, be condemned by all, and…”

Boom! A clap of thunder roared outside.

Almost as soon as she uttered the first word, Zhu Zhihan felt an invisible shackle—the restraint of the Heavenly Dao. The system had been right.

But she paid it no mind.

With each word she spoke, the pressure intensified, until blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

“We share a common enemy, the Dao Sovereign.” She smiled.

Luan Wu’s expression slowly shifted.

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