When the White Moonlight Holds the Script - Chapter 44
“Are you two a Daoist couple? Would you like to participate?” The duty disciple winked suggestively at them.
Hearing this, Zhu Zhihan silently glanced at Luan Wu, who also turned to look at her.
Zhu Zhihan was naturally someone who overthought things, capable of twisting a simple matter into endless complexities.
Now, with her identity as Luan Wu’s secret admirer and provoked by the term “Daoist couple,” her mind grew muddled. Receiving that glance, her thoughts spiraled wildly.
In her view, Luan Wu avoided matters related to Daoist couples like the plague, and the duty disciple’s question was likely testing Luan Wu’s patience.
She also considered that Luan Wu had a volatile temperament. Although usually restrained, having forcibly broken through seclusion might have unpredictable effects.
Since they were here in disguise, it wouldn’t do to cause a scene like “The Daoist Venerable Causes Chaos at the Joyful Union Sect.”
Thus, Zhu Zhihan thoughtfully whispered, “Master, should we consider another approach?”
As she spoke, she felt a mix of relief and an inexplicable melancholy.
Luan Wu looked at her and asked softly, “Can’t accept it?”
Zhu Zhihan: “…Huh?”
“Then let’s see if there are other options.”
Luan Wu told the duty disciple, “We’ll think it over a bit more.”
Zhu Zhihan, somewhat bewildered, was led aside by Luan Wu.
Recalling Luan Wu’s words, she felt something was off.
It seemed different from what she had imagined?
Luan Wu said, “Do you have any suggestions?”
Zhu Zhihan snapped back to attention and racked her brains. “Well, what if we participate separately in other events?”
Luan Wu pondered the feasibility. “We can’t join the spouse selection. Even if we secured a spot, we don’t know what schemes might be involved.”
Zhu Zhihan nodded.
Luan Wu continued, “As for the other competition, I could disguise myself as a man, but there’s only one spot.”
She looked at Zhu Zhihan. “The sacred land is dangerous. Why don’t you stay outside?”
Zhu Zhihan replied without hesitation, “No. Master, you’re not in your best condition now, and we don’t know what’s inside. I won’t feel at ease.”
She hated the feeling of being excluded.
Moreover, compared to before, her cultivation had improved significantly, and she was no longer a burden.
She thought, “As long as we reach the sacred land, the method doesn’t matter. Why not inquire about its location and sneak in?”
With that, she went to discreetly ask around.
The person she asked grumbled, “Ugh, I’ve asked too. But no one has come out of the sacred land, and the Joyful Union Sect won’t disclose its location. Who knows where it is?”
After the person was called away by a companion, Zhu Zhihan felt stumped.
Luan Wu approached. “We should stick to my plan.”
Zhu Zhihan interjected, “Then, Master, you join that competition, and I’ll find someone to pretend to be my Daoist partner?”
As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed a shift in Luan Wu’s gaze.
It held surprise and a hint of intensity.
Those dark, profound eyes stared at her, making Zhu Zhihan reflect: Had she said something wrong? This way, Luan Wu wouldn’t have to deal with matters related to Daoist couples, and both of them could enter. Wasn’t that ideal?
Just then, Luan Wu’s expression changed.
Zhu Zhihan tensed. “What is it?”
Luan Wu frowned. “The crack on Shi Yuanshui’s life tablet has grown larger.”
Shi Yuanshui was the name of their sixth junior brother. This meant his situation had become more perilous, and their time was running out.
From a distance, the duty disciple called out to them, “Are you two participating? The competition is about to start. If you don’t sign up soon, you’ll miss the chance!”
Zhu Zhihan felt her wrist being grasped.
Luan Wu pulled her along, leading her to the duty disciple. “We’ll participate.”
The duty disciple smiled cheerfully. “Alright. The registration fee is twenty top-grade spirit stones~”
Watching Luan Wu take out spirit stones from her storage pouch, Zhu Zhihan having experienced poverty before couldn’t help but marvel at the Blissful Sect’s methods. “No wonder the Blissful Sect has grown to such a scale!”
This was practically a business with infinite returns. If that so-called sacred ground turned out to be a fake trap, it would be even more amusing: I’m being sold by you, and I even have to pay you for the privilege!
After filling out the registration information, she and Luan Wu were led to another venue.
Many pairs of dao companions were already waiting inside some embracing, others holding hands and even some kissing!
She and Luan Wu stood half a foot apart, clearly separated from each other.
Compared to the couples around them, they stood out conspicuously.
Luan Wu seemed to notice this too and looked at her. “Should we?”
Zhu Zhihan’s heart tightened, yet she couldn’t help feeling a flicker of anticipation.
But just then, she suddenly sensed a pair of eyes watching her.
She subtly turned to glance in that direction, but all she saw were lush green trees standing quietly as part of the scenery, with no one in sight.
“What’s wrong?” Luan Wu asked.
Zhu Zhihan snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. “It’s nothing, probably just my imagination.”
Suddenly, her vision darkened.
Luan Wu had stepped in front of her, her figure casting a shadow over her.
Even though Zhu Zhihan had grown taller after her growth spurt, she was still a head shorter than Luan Wu.
Luan Wu leaned down slightly and raised her hand.
Zhu Zhihan didn’t dare look up, her heart racing uncontrollably.
Luan Wu’s warm fingertips brushed against her cheek, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Luan Wu’s voice was soft.
In that moment, Zhu Zhihan’s heart beat wildly, betraying her composure.
Help! This person is flirting recklessly again!
In the end, to avoid standing out too much, the two moved closer together. Though they didn’t hold hands, their arms were touching.
Through the thin fabric of their sleeves, Zhu Zhihan could almost feel the warmth of the other’s skin.
They waited in this tense state until the Blissful Sect disciple in charge of the competition finally arrived, followed by a man and a woman who also seemed to be participating dao companions.
Zhu Zhihan’s gaze swept over the woman in watery blue robes, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind: Why does her figure seem so familiar?
Time rewinds to one hour earlier.
Hua Wuying was summoned by the sect master.
The woman reclined on a couch, exhaling wisps of smoke. Separated by a cascading silk curtain, Hua Wuying knelt in the center of the hall, her eyes lowered, the layers of her robes spreading around her like flower petals.
“Do you understand?” Sect Master Ge tapped her pipe against the edge of the couch and asked.
Hua Wuying nodded obediently. “Yes.”
Her mask had been removed, revealing a face of flawless, pearly skin and ethereal beauty. If there was any flaw, it was her expressionless face and monotone voice, making her seem like an exquisitely crafted, obedient doll.
Sect Master Ge, however, was pleased. “Go on.”
Hua Wuying picked up the butterfly-shaped mask resting beside her, put it on, and withdrew.
When she reached a secluded spot, a wisp of black mist suddenly appeared in the air, coalescing into a human form.
It was none other than the black-robed figure who had spoken with Sect Master Ge earlier.
“What did she ask you to do?” the black-robed figure asked.
Hua Wuying lifted her gaze, a faint curve on her lips, her eyes clear and cold, a stark contrast to the exquisitely crafted but mindless puppet she had appeared to be moments before.
“It’s nothing. She just wants me to handle some matters for her.”
She briefly recounted the tasks assigned by Sect Leader Ge.
The black-robed man chuckled ambiguously, his laughter carrying an eerie chill. “She thinks you’re an easily controlled puppet, never imagining you’re a jackal hiding its fangs.”
Hua Wuying replied, “Perhaps. But that doesn’t matter. For you, I am a better partner to work with, am I not?”
“Right now, even during our cooperation, the sect leader remains wary of you all. Once she achieves her goals and obtains what she desires, she may not honor past ties. My stakes are not as high as hers, I won’t turn against you.”
The black-robed man stepped closer to Hua Wuying and gently touched her cheek. “How composed you are, Holy Maiden so composed it frightens me. I wonder if you might become the next Sect Leader Ge.”
“Even if that were to happen, it would be far in the future.”
Hua Wuying countered calmly, “In the end, you never exposed me to Sect Leader Ge, did you?”
“You are a bold woman,” the black-robed man sighed. “Pleasure working with you.”
With that, he released her and dissolved into a wisp of black mist, vanishing from sight.
Hua Wuying watched the spot where he had disappeared with a cold gaze before finally looking away.
She and the black-robed man were conducting a transaction right under Sect Leader Ge’s nose.
This arrangement had been going on for quite some time.
From the very day she first saw the black-robed man in Sect Leader Ge’s presence and learned of their plans, Hua Wuying knew it was a perfect opportunity.
She was an orphan, sold to the Joyful Union Sect as a young child. Thanks to her exceptional innate talent, she was neither made a disciple nor a cultivation vessel but instead chosen as a candidate for Holy Maiden.
“Holy Maiden” it sounded so glorious.
But in Hua Wuying’s eyes, it was worse than being the lowest-ranking ordinary disciple, or even a cultivation vessel.
Once she became the Holy Maiden, everything about her was dedicated to the Joyful Union Sect, controlled by the sect leader, a heavy mountain weighing upon her.
She had to learn many things: dual cultivation techniques, skills to please men, clever words, and relentless cultivation. Her first experience held value, so she had to achieve top-tier cultivation among her peers without relying on dual cultivation.
She was not allowed personal preferences or to do anything she truly desired.
If she failed to meet the sect leader’s expectations, the punishment would be far worse than physical pain.
One New Year’s Day, a minor sect sent over many gifts.
Among them, Hua Wuying spotted a yellow bird in a cage beautiful and adorable, singing when commanded, flapping its wings on cue, and even capable of breeding with other rare birds.
That day, she suddenly realized how similar she was to that bird.
She was a caged prisoner, stripped of freedom. Her body was not her own, nor was her will.
Ordinary disciples could at least choose their partners, and cultivation vessels had the chance to overthrow their masters and climb higher.
But the Holy Maiden.
Resisting the sect leader was far too difficult.
Yet the flame in her heart never died instead, it burned brighter and colder.
She had been waiting.
And finally, the opportunity she had been waiting for arrived.
The sect leader could not manage affairs without her. Like a patient hunter, she observed coldly and eventually discerned the black-robed man’s desires.
The black-robed man needed a useful pair of eyes and ears.
And so she sought out the man in black this required courage, and Hua Wuying was not lacking in that. Compared to death, living like a puppet, controlled by others, was far more terrifying.
Some disciples were approaching from this direction, their faint rustling sounds growing audible.
Hua Wuying smoothed her hair and returned to the main path.
Meeting the sect leader’s demands was not difficult. She arranged for an elaborate display, ascended the high pavilion, and effortlessly captured everyone’s attention.
When the timing felt right, she had her maid announce the conditions.
Everything was under her control.
But as it concluded, she withdrew her gaze and suddenly felt a flicker of irritation.
It was as if she had overlooked something.
She paused briefly, then left with her expression unchanged.
Perhaps it was because the Dao Lord was watching her from somewhere.
Leaving the pavilion, she headed to the place where the suitor selection would take place, lying in wait like a hunter with the mindset of someone as significant as the Dao Lord, he would surely come to such an obvious trap.
However, to give those people time to prepare, the suitor selection would not begin for a while yet.
Hua Wuying sat for a moment, yawned softly, and decided to find some entertainment elsewhere.
Coincidentally, the contests at Elegant Bamboo Pavilion were being held nearby. Changing her attire and concealing her appearance, she made her way to the competition grounds.
Standing behind an inconspicuous tree, she let her gaze wander idly over the crowd.
These couples certainly looked affectionate.
Tsk, who knew what that affection would look like once they entered the “Sacred Land.”
Why were those two standing so far apart? They didn’t seem like…
As she pondered this, her eyes fell upon a woman in white robes, and suddenly, her head throbbed with pain.
An unfamiliar, intense emotion surged within her.
She couldn’t let her leave, she couldn’t let her go.
Perhaps her gaze was too blatant, for the woman seemed to sense it and turned to look in her direction.
Startled, Hua Wuying swiftly hid elsewhere.
Fortunately, the interruption allowed her to break free from that overwhelming emotion.
This wasn’t right.
She considered herself an emotionally detached person, how could she feel this way about someone she had just met? And that person was even wearing a mask.
Calling it love at first sight was a stretch.
A moment later, she summoned a disciple of the Joyful Union Sect and revealed her identity: “Find me a partner. I’m joining this contest.”
The disciple: “…Huh? What?”
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