When the White Moonlight Holds the Script - Chapter 20

With the most crucial destination settled, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The atmosphere relaxed considerably, and the discussion flowed more harmoniously.

Naturally, the next topic turned to the issue of raw materials.

Wan Mengchen pondered for a moment before saying, “I can ask someone to purchase the raw materials. I often ‘restock’ in large quantities, so they won’t suspect anything.”

No one raised any objections.

Even the usually silent eldest brother spoke up eagerly.

“I usually enjoy researching and cultivating spiritual herbs and flowers, and I’ve had decent results. I can manage to grow some low-grade spiritual plants without any issues,” the eldest brother said, scratching the tip of his nose sheepishly. “For the short term, it might not be necessary, but if we need it in the future, this task can be entrusted to me.”

Zhu Zhihan thought to herself, No wonder the eldest brother had given her two bags of spiritual seeds during her initial apprenticeship ceremony.

Wan Mengchen nodded. “That’s worth considering. If our junior sister doesn’t need them, any surplus can be sold for profit.”

The sixth brother happily counted on his fingers. “So, that means raw materials, production, and sales, all will be handled by our own people?”

Wan Mengchen tapped him lightly on the head. “Don’t celebrate too soon. These are just ideas. To make it work, we still have plenty of challenges to overcome.”

The sixth brother grumbled, “You’re hitting me again! I won’t grow tall because of this!”

Zhu Zhihan laughed. “But no matter what, having a plan is a good start.”

The group chatted and joked for a while.

“As for sales, we’ll need to head to the Snow Mountain Secret Realm ahead of time.” Wan Mengchen turned to Zhu Zhihan and asked earnestly, “How early should we go?”

Zhu Zhihan thought for a moment. “Generally, people start gathering about half a month before the secret realm opens. We can go ten days in advance. By then, there should already be quite a crowd.”

“Then ten days it is.”

Wan Mengchen wrapped things up. “We have twenty days to prepare. Our junior sister will handle the most critical part production. I’ll take care of purchasing materials. The eldest brother will start researching cultivation methods. As for the sixth brother, he can cheer us on.”

By the end, Wan Mengchen was the first to laugh, while the sixth brother made a playful gesture as if to hit him.

Wan Mengchen cleared his throat. “So, that’s settled? Is there anything else we need to add?”

Zhu Zhihan suddenly remembered something.

Their plan was meant to be kept secret from Tu Meng if she found out, their scheme would be doomed from the start.

Tu Meng had always insisted that they focus their time on practicing their swordsmanship, without diverting their energy to sect affairs or engaging in other “unorthodox pursuits.”

So Zhu Zhihan asked, “If we’re keeping this from Aunt Tu Meng, how are we going to get to the secret realm?”

This trip would take a long time, and leaving would require permission. Sneaking out wasn’t a realistic option.

Moreover, going to such a place without an elder’s supervision was out of the question.

Wan Mengchen also realized this and fell silent.

The eldest brother and the sixth brother followed suit.

They had completely forgotten about this detail.

Finally, the sixth brother slapped his forehead. “I’m on good terms with the Third Elder. Let’s go ask him!”

The Blade Sect had five elders in total.

The First Elder managed finances and rarely left the sect. The Second Elder, Tu Meng, was in charge of the disciples. The Third Elder guarded the main gate but was often elusive.

The Fourth Elder was away on a journey with other disciples, and the Fifth Elder was in seclusion, only emerging in times of grave danger to the sect.

So, the Third Elder was essentially their only option.

Wan Mengchen asked in surprise, “You know that elusive Third Elder?”

“Wow, what do you mean by that? You’re really underestimating your junior brother!” The sixth junior brother lifted his chin proudly. “I’m adored by everyone and beloved by flowers, what’s so strange about knowing the Third Elder?”

The sixth junior brother led them to the legendary Third Elder.

Zhu Zhihan tilted her head back and spotted a gaunt old man reclining among the lush tree canopy and branches.

The old man had his eyes closed, his right hand hanging naturally while holding a wine gourd that swayed back and forth, making it impossible to tell whether he was awake or had already drunk himself into a stupor.

The sixth junior brother cupped his hands around his mouth like a megaphone: “Hey, old man! We need your help!”

Zhu Zhihan was startled by the address was it really okay to call him that?

After a few moments, the Third Elder tilted his head and leaned backward.

Just as Zhu Zhihan worried he might topple over, the old man agilely performed a “monkey scooping the moon” move, hooking the tip of his foot onto the branch he had been leaning against.

Only then did he slowly open his bleary eyes. “What’s all this? Disturbing my peaceful dreams.”

The sixth junior brother explained their purpose: “Take us there.”

Hanging upside down, the Third Elder fully opened his eyes upon hearing this.

He didn’t ask what they were going to do or worry about the dangers. Instead, he simply asked, “Is there wine? If it’s not good, I won’t go.”

The sixth junior brother glanced back this had been discussed beforehand. The Third Elder was eccentric, and there would certainly be conditions for his help. The sixth junior brother’s role was only to lead them to him; fulfilling the conditions was up to the group.

Zhu Zhihan stepped forward. “Elder, there is. The snowy mountain secret realm we’re heading to has a unique deer wine, made with ancient methods using Tianshan snow water. It has a clear, fragrant, and mellow taste.”

The Third Elder’s eyes lit up slightly, clearly tempted.

Wan Mengchen seized the moment: “If you take us, we’ll buy you as much as you can drink!”

The Third Elder added, “And you have to bring back extra!”

Wan Mengchen: “Deal!”

By the time everything was settled, it was nearly midnight.

Wan Mengchen yawned, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. “Let’s go, it’s time to rest.”

He emphasized, “Especially you, junior sister. You were busy all last night, right? Making money isn’t as important as your health. Understand?”

Zhu Zhihan nodded.

With the matter settled and the excitement fading, she indeed felt a wave of exhaustion.

She knew her priorities as someone still at the Foundation Establishment stage, she needed sleep. Only with a refreshed mind could she accomplish more.

Thus, the next twenty days passed in preparation.

Zhu Zhihan didn’t forget her blade practice only by growing stronger could she protect herself, remain free from others’ control, and seek revenge.

During the day, she focused diligently on the techniques left in the Luan Wu Jade Pendant, sometimes sparring with Wan Mengchen and the others. As time went on, her blade skills grew increasingly fluid and seamless in her hands.

Evenings were reserved for alchemy for her, who had immersed herself in the art of pill-making in her past life, refining these low-level pills felt like a form of rest.

She perfectly managed her energy, pouring herself into these two pursuits.

Tu Meng occasionally watched them practice. Once, she remarked with a sigh, “It feels like you’ve all gotten along much better lately.”

At that, the group exchanged smiles. “Really?”

“Of course. Whether someone is open-minded or reserved outsiders can always tell.” Tu Meng clicked her tongue, reminiscing. “Back in the day, it took my senior sister and me quite a while to warm up to each other.”

Zhu Zhihan said, “Perhaps it’s because we share a special connection.”

Tu Meng had only been casually musing and didn’t press further.

The others secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

In truth, it was because they now shared a common secret and goal. Striving toward the same purpose had bound them together tightly.

Twenty uneventful days passed, and the time for departure drew near.

The Third Elder, carrying his worn-out wine gourd, approached Tu Meng and said a few words: “I’m taking these youngsters out for a stroll.”

“How long will you be gone?”

The Third Elder glanced at Zhu Zhihan and the others. Wan Mengchen gestured a “ten” with his fingers.

The Third Elder replied, “About ten days or so.”

Tu Meng didn’t notice Wan Mengchen’s subtle signal. She clearly held more respect for the Third Elder and hesitated. “But…”

In the end, she agreed. “I’ll allocate some funds from the sect’s account. Don’t go too far.”

The Third Elder said, “Naturally.”

And so, the Third Elder, who had promised not to go too far, took them aboard a flying vessel and journeyed all the way to the distant Northern Realm.

The Sixth Junior Brother leaned over the railing, gazing at the scenery below, and exclaimed, “Wow!”

Wan Mengchen and the Eldest Senior Brother also leaned over, quietly taking in the view.

None of them had ever ridden a flying vessel or traveled this far before.

Below, the ground appeared tiny yet vast.

The surrounding cultivators quietly distanced themselves, as if creating a vacuum around them, their group looked too impoverished and inexperienced, not even worth a second glance from swindlers.

“What a pity Little Junior Sister gets airsick and can’t enjoy this with us,” the Sixth Junior Brother clicked his tongue regretfully.

The Third Elder, dressed in tattered clothes, leaned against the railing not far away, drinking.

Hearing this, he chuckled drunkenly. “When you learn to control objects in the future, you’ll see sights like this every day until you’re sick of them.”

The three of them imagined that scenario, and their excitement waned somewhat.

Learning object control often involved falling from the sky, after all.

The Second Senior Brother, who had gone out to train, had the highest cultivation and was the first to learn object control. He’d broken a leg back then.

As their novelty wore off, the Sixth Junior Brother said, “Maybe we should head back. We shouldn’t have left Junior Sister alone in the cabin.”

The other two agreed.

The Third Elder waved a hand. “You three go ahead. This old man needs some fresh air out here.”

They started making their way back.

Wherever they went, the cultivators nearby would step aside, as if they carried some foul odor.

The Sixth Junior Brother, visibly annoyed, turned and stuck his tongue out at them.

Just then, a few people emerged from the cabin. Distracted, he nearly bumped into them.

The Sixth Junior Brother began, “Sorry!”

Before he could finish his apology, the other party lashed out, “Watch where you’re going! Do you have any idea who you almost ran into?”

The Sixth Junior Brother froze.

The person stepped back, positioning himself protectively around the one in the middle, and continued his performance: “This is the esteemed Alchemist, sir!”

The slightly plump man in the middle waved a hand, unable to suppress his pride, and feigned magnanimity. “It’s fine, it’s fine.”

The slightly plump alchemist waited for a moment, but received neither gasps of awe nor fearful reverence from the other side, which left him somewhat displeased.

The flatterer, adept at reading expressions, scolded them with exasperation: “Do you even know how remarkable an alchemist is?”

The sixth junior brother, slow to react, answered instinctively, “They earn a lot of money?”

The flatterer: “It’s about status, status!”

Finally catching on, the sixth junior brother retorted, “Wait, why did you just insult us?”

The flatterer: “…”

Seeing many people turning to look their way, the slightly plump alchemist suddenly felt embarrassed. He nudged the flatterer’s leg with his foot and said, “Enough. We have things to do. Let’s go quickly.”

The flatterer immediately returned to his place and fawned, “Yes.”

Wan Mengchen and the other two watched the group depart.

The sixth junior brother grumbled indignantly, “What’s so great about them? We also have…”

Wan Mengchen tugged at him, cautioning, “Watch your words.”

Gazing at the retreating figures, Wan Mengchen sighed, “The world outside isn’t like our home. It’s full of hidden talents. If they say so, perhaps they truly are formidable alchemists.”

The sixth junior brother thought it over and conceded gloomily, “Fine then, Hmph, we’ll become even stronger than them someday!”

The eldest senior brother patted his shoulder reassuringly.

Wan Mengchen smiled, “Yes.”

Northern Domain.

Across the boundless snow plains, hundreds of large tents stood tall, their tassels fluttering in the wind and snow.

The snow plains were so vast that these tents appeared tiny and isolated.

A woman wrapped in a heavy fur coat stood outside, staring fixedly toward the distant snow-capped mountains, unmoving for a long time.

Behind her, the tent flap was lifted.

An elderly man, also clad in furs, stepped out.

Hearing the movement, the woman did not turn around.

“Father.”

Her voice sounded hoarse from the cold.

The old man took out a fur cloak made of animal hide and draped it over her shoulders. “The secret realm is about to open. My child, Suchaya, why are you still worried? Everything will be fine.”

Suchaya shook her head. “Let’s just say I’m overthinking it.”

The wind and snow seemed to grow fiercer.

The old man walked to Suchaya’s side and gazed with her at the towering snow-capped mountains.

“Father,” Suchaya suddenly asked.

“What do you think we, the guardians of the secret realm, are truly meant to do?”

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