When the White Moonlight Holds the Script - Chapter 32

“You’re saying you’re the disciple taken in by my future self?”

Little Luan Wu frowned, instinctively denying it: “I would never take a disciple.”

Her tone was resolute.

Miss System quietly added from the side: [This is the seventeen-year-old Luan Wu. Her memories only extend to this age.]

Seventeen? So, that’s how it is?

Zhu Zhihan looked at the young version of her master before her.

Her face was stern, feigning a maturity beyond her years, but the look in her eyes hadn’t yet been tempered by time. Compared to the future Luan Wu, she still seemed somewhat naive.

Zhu Zhihan wasn’t sure how to approach her.

“But I really am your disciple,” Zhu Zhihan thought for a moment and confessed. “My life tablet is under your name, I’ve already drunk the apprenticeship tea, and it was witnessed by Aunt Tu Meng.”

Hearing Tu Meng’s name, Little Luan Wu’s expression sharpened slightly: “You know my junior sister?”

Zhu Zhihan let her stare after all, she wasn’t lying.

Little Luan Wu studied her for a while but saw no signs of guilt in the young woman’s demeanor, which left her somewhat uncertain.

Could this person really be her future disciple?

“What was my future self thinking?” she muttered under her breath.

Zhu Zhihan overheard her complaint and couldn’t help but feel amused.

Ever since taking her as a disciple, Luan Wu had shouldered quite a bit of blame.

In truth, Luan Wu was quite innocent. Before meeting Zhu Zhihan, she had always adhered to the principle of not taking disciples and remained a lone wolf through and through.

But everyone has their weaknesses, and Zhu Zhihan had managed to grasp Luan Wu’s.

Of course, she wouldn’t mention any of this to Little Luan Wu.

The night breeze blew past, bringing a chill that helped Zhu Zhihan clear her mind.

Now that Luan Wu’s memories were faulty, she needed to figure out how to make Little Luan Wu trust her. They didn’t know what they might encounter in this secret realm or if there were any dangers, so they couldn’t afford to separate.

Miss System reminded her: [The sword.]

The sword?

Zhu Zhihan reached to her waist and untied the long sword Mu Xue hanging there.

Little Luan Wu noticed her movement, her gaze sharpening.

A moment later, the two long swords were placed side by side, identical in every way.

Little Luan Wu: …

Zhu Zhihan suddenly understood.

Right, it was said that this was the sword Luan Wu carried in her youth. Who else but her future disciple would possess an identical Mu Xue?

She praised inwardly, “Miss System, you’re so clever!”

Miss System: [Ahem.]

Meanwhile, Little Luan Wu muttered, “This is really, really.”

With the ‘evidence’ right before her eyes, she had no choice but to believe.

She looked quite agitated, raising a hand to scratch her hair, messing up her high ponytail a little.

It was hard to tell whether ‘a person from the future appearing beside her’ or ‘her future self taking a disciple’ was more unsettling to her.

Zhu Zhihan suppressed a laugh and advised, “It’s fine, just treat me as an ordinary companion.”

Little Luan Wu glared at Zhu Zhihan.

Her eyes hadn’t fully matured yet, and when she glared, they looked somewhat round.

Like a cat’s eyes. The comparison involuntarily popped into Zhu Zhihan’s mind.

She shook her head, quickly dismissing the thought.

Such a description was too irreverent for her master even if it was the younger version.

Little Luan Wu walked past her.

Was that a yes or a no?

Zhu Zhihan hesitated, unsure whether to follow.

But then she saw that Little Luan Wu, who had already walked some distance ahead, stopped and turned to look at her still standing in place, her expression seeming to say: Why aren’t you coming?

Zhu Zhihan smiled faintly: “I walk slowly, Master, you’ll have to wait for me!”

Little Luan Wu: “…”

She didn’t respond to her, but she didn’t deny it either.

Soon, Zhu Zhihan noticed that Xiao Luan Wu seemed to genuinely be growing into the role of a master. As they searched for clues on the forest battlefield, she would pause from time to time and deliberately explain things to her as if she truly wanted to teach her something.

A flicker of remaining conscience made Zhu Zhihan hesitate for a moment.

But when Xiao Luan Wu shot her a stern “strict teacher” look, Zhu Zhihan said, “So, that’s how it is! Master, you know so much!”

She added an adoring gaze for good measure.

Xiao Luan Wu snorted softly and turned her head away slightly. “I don’t have a disciple. Don’t call me that.”

Zhu Zhihan replied, “Understood, Master Senior.”

Once Xiao Luan Wu looked away, Zhu Zhihan let out a long sigh of relief.

She sincerely hoped that after they left this illusion, Luan Wu would forget all of this and not beat her to death. She had already realized that her master was someone who valued face!

They continued their search.

And indeed, they managed to uncover some clues.

It seemed that a fierce battle had taken place here a few hours earlier. No one had survived, but there were traces that the battlefield had been cleared.

“There are still humans nearby,” Xiao Luan Wu remarked.

“Why not demons?”

Xiao Luan Wu answered calmly, “Demons are monsters whose minds are filled only with slaughter. They don’t care about the lives of their comrades, nor do they care about the state of the battlefield after a fight.”

Zhu Zhihan was a good student and continued to ask questions, “I remember that high-ranking demons, both celestial and terrestrial, possess intelligence. Are they the same?”

Xiao Luan Wu’s eyes flashed with disgust. “Demons are demons.”

Just as Zhu Zhihan was about to ask more, a rustling sound came from deep within the forest.

Xiao Luan Wu moved a step ahead of Zhu Zhihan, drawing her blade and positioning herself protectively in front of her.

Zhu Zhihan was momentarily stunned.

She turned to look at Xiao Luan Wu’s profile. The still somewhat youthful girl wore a stern expression, her face serious. Though her cultivation had not yet reached the unfathomable heights it would in the future, she exuded a strong sense of security.

Snapping back to reality, Zhu Zhihan also drew her blade.

The pine needles rustled as they were disturbed, and moments later, several tall figures clad in animal hides appeared before them.

These people seemed equally surprised to see them.

“Outsiders? Cultivators?”

The leader was a man with a small braid and a scar running across his face.

His accent was thick, and it took Zhu Zhihan a while to understand him.

Xiao Luan Wu raised an eyebrow. “And who are you?”

Even though she was the outsider, she somehow gave off the impression that she was the master of this place.

Zhu Zhihan quickly tugged at Xiao Luan Wu’s sleeve.

“What is it?” Xiao Luan Wu frowned.

Zhu Zhihan whispered, “Senior, look their cultivation levels are higher than ours, and this is their territory. Shouldn’t we…”

Xiao Luan Wu’s frown deepened. “Is this what the future me taught you?”

Zhu Zhihan felt she couldn’t let Luan Wu take the blame for this anymore. “I’ve only been your disciple for a little over a month. The future you hasn’t had time to teach me anything yet.”

Xiao Luan Wu let out a soft humph. “Fine.”

“Since you’ve entered my school, you must discard all the bad habits you learned outside. A blade-wielder must press forward without hesitation, how can you shrink from drawing your blade just because the enemy is strong?”

After saying this, Xiao Luan Wu looked at Zhu Zhihan.

Zhu Zhihan hurriedly replied, “Senior, your lesson is well taken.”

Xiao Luan Wu nodded with restraint, then reluctantly added, “What you say isn’t without reason. As guests, we ought to be more courteous, if they are indeed the true hosts.”

Her eyes were dark and bright, sharp as a blade.

Zhu Zhihan couldn’t help but recall the Luan Wu of the future. That Luan Wu was much the same, only more restrained, like a famed sword sheathed.

The people across from them exchanged glances. The man with the small braid spoke up, “We are the Deer Cloud tribe, living in seclusion here. My name is Daiyang.”

Zhu Zhihan thought to herself, so it really is the Deer Cloud tribe.

After a difficult exchange, Xiao Luan Wu reluctantly acknowledged their identities, and the Deer Cloud tribe tentatively deemed the two harmless. Eventually, they reached a friendly consensus.

The two were led to the Deer Cloud tribe’s encampment.

Upon entering, Zhu Zhihan saw many tribespeople moving about, their thick fur coats stained with blood and grime, looking both busy and exhausted.

A faint atmosphere of oppression and sorrow hung over the entire camp.

A few children hid behind the tents, watching the two strangers with curious eyes.

Zhu Zhihan smiled at them.

Daiyang led them into the largest tent to meet the current chieftain of the Deer Cloud tribe, a beautiful and formidable woman.

The chieftain had long, raven-black hair that reached her ankles, with two silver-adorned ruby earrings. Unlike the gentle and serene young chieftain they had met earlier, this chieftain was more like a blooming rose stunning, yet thorny.

“Wu Beiya,” she introduced herself.

“I heard from Daiyang that neither of you knows how you ended up here?”

Xiao Luan Wu spoke candidly, “I was training with my master and junior sister, and it seems as though we fell asleep and woke up here.”

Zhu Zhihan nodded along, as if she had arrived with Xiao Luan Wu, she planned to feign ignorance for now and gather information.

“That is strange,” Wu Beiya mused, resting her chin on her hand. She was a straightforward person and, after a moment’s thought, said, “The world is full of wonders. How about this until you find a way back, you may stay in our encampment.”

The two expressed their gratitude.

Just then, a maid entered the tent and whispered something into the chieftain’s ear.

Wu Beiya’s delicate brows furrowed, her temper flaring. “Damn cowards! Fine, stop sending messages! Do they really think I need their paltry reinforcements?”

Zhu Zhihan: …

She nearly choked on her own saliva.

Hadn’t Chieftain Wu Beiya seemed quite composed earlier?

After her outburst, Wu Beiya seemed to remember the two guests in the tent. Noticing the maid’s hesitant expression, she cleared her throat and straightened up, putting on a dignified air. “My apologies for the scene.”

She waved her hand, dismissing the maid.

At that moment, a mechanical voice suddenly rang in Zhu Zhihan’s ears: [Ding! Side quest issued. Host, please uncover the truth of the past.Quest reward: Health Points limit x5, Growth Points x1000.]

A random quest!

And one that offered such a significant boost to health points at that!

Zhu Zhihan was tempted.

Looking more closely at the quest requirements, she found it odd uncover the truth of the past?

Wasn’t it common knowledge that the Deer Cloud tribe had exhausted their entire strength fighting the demon race, only to be nearly wiped out because the Immortal Alliance’s reinforcements arrived too late? Why did it need investigating? Could there be more to the story?

Over there, Wu Beiya seemed overwhelmed by the news and was preparing to send them away.

Since there was now a mission, their strategy had to change. They could no longer remain in the shadows. Without hesitation, Zhu Zhihan tentatively asked, “Chief, is there something troubling you? Perhaps we can offer some small assistance?”

Wu Beiya frowned, remained silent for a moment, then shook her head and adopted a lighter tone. “The affairs of my tribe cannot be resolved by one or two people alone. Since you two esteemed guests have come from afar, you should simply enjoy your stay.”

Zhu Zhihan understood this was a polite refusal.

That made things rather troublesome. If they couldn’t participate, it would be difficult to gain the trust of the Deer Cloud Tribe and even harder to find an opening to proceed with their mission.

Just then, Xiao Luan Wu spoke up, “Is the Chief troubled by the demons outside?”

Wu Beiya wasn’t surprised she had guessed. “Indeed.”

Xiao Luan Wu said, “Demons are enemies of all. I, too, have a grudge against them. Though my cultivation is still shallow, I am willing to lend a hand.”

Zhu Zhihan was slightly taken aback and looked at her.

Wu Beiya also fixed her with a somewhat oppressive gaze.

Xiao Luan Wu’s expression remained calm, but a flicker of fire burned deep within her dark eyes.

Outside the large tent, faint flames flickered. Zhu Zhihan and Xiao Luan Wu sat inside, sensing the faint, oppressive atmosphere lingering around the camp.

Earlier, for reasons unknown, Chief Wu Beiya had ultimately agreed.

When the next wave of demons attacked, Xiao Luan Wu would join the battle along with Zhu Zhihan. She had also requested to go, and Wu Beiya had consented.

Afterward, they were brought to this large tent to rest.

All was silent.

Zhu Zhihan asked, “Senior, do you hold a grudge against demons?”

Xiao Luan Wu looked suspicious. “You claim to be my future disciple, yet you don’t know?”

Zhu Zhihan coughed lightly.

“I know a little, but not much. I thought Master was sensitive about this matter, so I never asked.”

Xiao Luan Wu let out an “Oh.” “Indeed, it is a sensitive topic.”

“…”

Zhu Zhihan swore she saw Xiao Luan Wu suppressing a laugh!

She felt frustrated: Little Master may seem straightforward, but she has a mischievous streak too.

Just as Zhu Zhihan thought the topic was over, she heard Xiao Luan Wu say calmly, “I do hold a grudge against demons.”

“My mother died because of them.”

Zhu Zhihan froze.

“Is this something I should be hearing?” she stammered.

What if Luan Wu regained her memories of this time? She was curious and had intended to probe a little, but she hadn’t planned on delving this deep!

Xiao Luan Wu, who had initially worn an expression of cold detachment, laughed at Zhu Zhihan’s reaction. “That’s all there is to it. Nothing major.”

Zhu Zhihan: “Really?”

“Mm. I’ve never actually met the woman who gave birth to me, let alone developed any deep attachment. So there’s nothing to avoid discussing.”

Zhu Zhihan was momentarily confused by her logic and nodded blankly.

Only after a moment did she realize: If she truly didn’t care, how could it be called a grudge? Or perhaps there was something hidden beneath, something Xiao Luan Wu hadn’t spoken of.

But by then, the two had already moved on to other topics.

“She doesn’t trust us,” Xiao Luan Wu said.

The “she” referred to Chief Wu Beiya.

Zhu Zhihan followed her lead. “After all, our identities are rather suspicious.”

Xiao Luan Wu: “I’m not suspicious. You’re the suspicious one.”

“Right, right…”

Xiao Luan Wu fell silent.

The tent grew quiet once more.

“You really shouldn’t follow me,” Xiao Luan Wu suddenly said.

She paused, “You’re so weak.”

Zhu Zhihan thought Xiao Luan Wuprobably meant to say “overestimating yourself,” but held back out of consideration for her disciple’s self-esteem.

Though there wasn’t much difference between the two.

Zhu Zhihan didn’t feel discouraged: “I have reasons I must go.”

Even if it was just for the mission, she couldn’t allow herself to be excluded.

“You told me we shouldn’t hesitate to draw our blades just because the enemy is strong. I believe that’s right.”

She had been stuck at the peak of Qi Refining for a long time. The Blade Sect’s techniques differed from what she practiced in her previous life, and she had been unable to find that crucial moment for breakthrough. Perhaps only by burning her bridges could she find that opportunity.

“And…” Zhu Zhihan paused here, “Isn’t there still you, Senior?”

Xiao Luan Wu hadn’t expected her own words to be used to lecture her back. She fell silent, but hearing Zhu Zhihan’s following words, her rising irritation was suppressed again.

She turned away: “Forget it. I won’t let anything happen to you anyway.”

After speaking, she probably felt embarrassed. She got up and went to the compartment on one side of the tent. A muffled voice came from inside: “I’m sleeping.”

Zhu Zhihan chuckled softly.

With nothing else to do, she also went to lie down in the other compartment.

“Sweet dreams,” she whispered.

There was no response perhaps the other had already fallen asleep.

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