Chapter 336: Moon in the Human Realm

Chapter 336: The Moon of the Mortal World

With Ye Wuzong’s help in delivering the message, there was nothing else to do but wait for Yuxu Zhenren’s reply on whether to meet or not.

The young couple took their leave, carrying the gourd and the Mo Yu token. Looking back at the Yukun Gang’s house, Zhao Changhe murmured, “A Daoist, no matter what his Dao is, has a bearing unlike ordinary people.”

Xia Chichi nodded. Ye Wuzong was a thief who had transcended base interests. His true intent in secluding himself in Kunlun, though he claimed it was to avoid Xia Longyuan, carried a very clear subtext—he would surely seize the right moment to deal a critical theft to Xia Longyuan.

What to make of such an ideal... Ordinary folk might find it laughable or baffling, but in Ye Wuzong’s heart, it was likely a sacred endeavor.

Though called thievery, it was actually a martial artist’s pursuit and challenge of his own Dao.

Zhao Changhe wondered if his golden foil had been sensed by Ye Wuzong. Perhaps because it was still sealed, it emitted no aura, or perhaps the man had already detected something—but what he sought might not necessarily be the treasure itself... The key lay in who possessed it.

He suddenly felt that Ye Wuzong might have also broken through to the Third Secret Vault. His way of thinking was not that of the Earth Ranking; it was at least a whole dimension above He Lei, and even Wang Daoning, the so-called tenth of the Heaven Ranking, seemed far inferior in comparison...

Cui Wenjing was not his father-in-law, so he refrained from speaking ill of him, but in terms of martial heart, Cui Wenjing also had little to commend.

The Chaoshu Chronicle only spoke through battle records; rankings were for reference only... Perhaps even Zhuque and Xuanwu had already broken through, yet no one in the world knew.

Speaking of Zhuque, if she really had broken through, things would become even more troublesome... With his relationship with Huangfu Qing, would Zhuque acknowledge it or not?

Just as he was thinking this, Huangfu Qing appeared before them, adopting the demeanor of a subordinate reporting to Xia Chichi: “No unusual circumstances in the vicinity.”

Xia Chichi said, “We thought too ill of the Thief Saint. His bearing is different; no need to overthink... Well, the sun has set. Let’s go back and rest first, and wait to see what Yuxu Zhenren says tomorrow.”

“One must never be without caution against others.” Huangfu Qing instinctively lectured: “What the Saintess thought before was correct. In Kunlun, don’t let your guard down.”

Xia Chichi gave her a strange look. Lecturing me now? Do you think this is your imperial palace, training maids?

Huangfu Qing came to her senses and coughed dryly: “I just mean that Yuxu Zhenren might not necessarily be judged by Ye Wuzong’s example... In fact, the Holy Sect has no connection with Yuxu Palace. I suggest we don’t meet.”

Xia Chichi said, “I’m not necessarily set on meeting... We’ll see what the reply is tomorrow.”

In her heart, she felt that Huangfu Qing was looking for an excuse to run, not wanting to stay here, so she added, “The Thief Saint has an agreement with us. We can send someone to copy the *Baicao Du Jing*. Since Liu Tu Zhang is not here, I’ll trouble you to do the copying? The booklet isn’t thick; you can finish it tonight.”

Zhao Changhe raised a hand: “Hey, don’t—”

Xia Chichi said expressionlessly: “Just copying a scripture, and you’re already feeling sorry for her? Can’t I send my own subordinate to do work?”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Huangfu Qing’s fingers crackled. You’re enjoying ordering me around, aren’t you?

She hadn’t thought that Xia Chichi was deliberately keeping her for another night; instead, she felt this was a deliberate attempt to send her away so she could steal the man.

Even more infuriated.

But no matter how angry, she had to play the role of Yi Huo She. Openly defying the Saintess’s orders would not only make Xia Chichi suspicious but might even make Zhao Changhe doubt if something was off about her identity—look at how he was already trying to stop her out of concern.

Forget it, she had to keep up the act. Huangfu Qing lowered her head, putting on a pitiful, bullied expression, and said softly, “Don’t say that, Changhe... As a subordinate, this is my duty. The Saintess is doing this for the sect...”

Xia Chichi’s hairs stood on end. She grabbed Zhao Changhe and leaped over the eaves to flee. This imperial-level coyness was truly unbearable.

At least you’re staying.

Zhao Changhe was also a bit helpless: “You’re deliberately making her work, aren’t you? Why do that...”

“You’ll understand later. Besides, isn’t doing some work only right?” Xia Chichi directly changed the subject and urged, “Never mind her. Hurry up and swap the gourds. Let me see if it looks good?”

Zhao Changhe took off the old, worn-out wine gourd. They exchanged glances and both smiled.

Xia Chichi’s expression softened again. Through all the storms and snows of the martial world, he had suffered countless injuries, yet the gourd had remained intact. This couldn’t be mere luck; it proved he had consciously protected it, willing to take a hit rather than let the gourd be cut. With such sentiment, Xia Chichi felt everything was worth it.

The new gourd was an ancient treasure used for storing elixirs, not easily damaged, and might even serve as a protective tool to block attacks... It seemed to symbolize how their once uncertain and fragile relationship had grown as solid as metal and stone, from their early days of drifting weakness to their current dominance under heaven.

“It’s quite nice.” Xia Chichi touched the new gourd at his waist, feeling the cool metallic texture. She hugged his neck happily and murmured, “Take me back... I deliberately sent her away, so what? I just want to be intimate with my man. Who wants a snake-shaped lantern hanging around?”

Over there, Huangfu Qing walked stiffly into the Yukun Gang. Ye Wuzong, as expected, hadn’t left. He sat quietly drinking tea, as if waiting for her.

Outside the Kunlun Mountains, the fiery energy could burn even bones to ashes—that wasn’t something Yi Huo She could do. The old man didn’t need to think twice to know who this really was. Though the young couple thought he had dignity, his dignity wasn’t limitless. The presence of Zhuque could make the Thief Saint weigh many things.

Huangfu Qing, wearing a snake mask, sat down across from him and said flatly, “The Saintess sent me to copy the poison manual.”

Ye Wuzong tilted his head to look at her, utterly baffled yet highly amused. He barely suppressed his laughter.

Venerable Zhuque, rest assured, you don’t have to act so hard. Those who can guess probably don’t want to expose this—not out of fear of offending you...

The Heavenly Dao is dead. This mortal world has no justice; might makes right. The cruelty of martial arts, the bloody chaos, the stench of selfish desires... Who wouldn’t want to see a joyful smile in this prison-like world, like trudging through Kunlun’s snow and spotting a flower blooming on a cliff?

The strong seek the path of gods and demons, one after another losing their humanity.

Flames burning Kunlun, blood still fresh on their hands—the lofty Zhuque was divine, not human. When the flames turned into passion, and the bloody hands washed to make soup, the demonic Zhuque began to take on a human flavor.

Look at her quietly copying the manual... She had stepped onto the path of gods and demons this time, yet instead fell back into the mortal world.

It was good. Better than Xia Longyuan, better than Yuxu... That old Daoist was too pretentious, thinking himself transcendent, but he too was inhuman.

...

In Huangfu Qing’s heart, there was none of the serene, flower-like calm Ye Wuzong perceived. What she wanted most now was to finish copying quickly and leave.

Playing Yi Huo She was becoming harder and harder to sustain, mainly because Zhuque’s pride was at stake.

The Four Symbols Sect’s tasks were already done. Xia Chichi had no reason to linger here. Huangfu Qing could only interpret it as the little wench wanting to cling to her man and not go back.

She herself had no desire to cling to a man—not to that extent. She had long wanted to leave. If it weren’t for the awkwardness of the “already departed” Zhuque suddenly reappearing, she would have switched back to Zhuque and dragged the little wench away by the ear.

She thought about letting the little wench play here while she left first, but Xia Chichi wouldn’t allow it, finding various reasons to keep her... You want to cling to your man, why keep me here? Just to get back at me for kissing him in front of you earlier?

Such a childish temper.

But this child was doing quite well in sect affairs now. The cooperation proposal with the Thief Sect was commendable, including this poison manual copying, which was very beneficial to the sect. From Zhuque’s standpoint, she was still gratified. She had to finish these things first.

Huangfu Qing suppressed her temper and finally finished copying the poison manual. When she left the Yukun Gang, it was already dark.

Frustrated, Huangfu Qing returned to Liu Tu Zhang’s cloth shop. The main room was brightly lit. Bracing herself for something unpleasant, she peeked inside—Zhao Changhe wasn’t there. Only Xia Chichi sat alone at a desk, writing a report. Huangfu Qing knew this report would eventually land on her own desk.

The little wench was still serious about her work.

Huangfu Qing steadied herself and knocked on the door: “Saintess, the poison manual has been copied.”

“Oh, put it there.” Xia Chichi didn’t look up. “You’ve worked hard today. Go take a bath and rest. I’ve already told the shop servants to prepare your room.”

Huangfu Qing said helplessly, “I really should go back, Saintess.”

Xia Chichi sighed. “Come back with me tomorrow... Sister Snake, even though we’re at odds, we should understand better: when a woman likes a man, she always wants to spend more time with him. This chance meeting is rare. Once we return to the sect, who knows how long it will be before we see each other again?”

Huangfu Qing was silent for a moment, then said nothing more. She asked, “Where is he?”

“He’s in his own room, seems to be pondering something about martial arts.” Xia Chichi looked up warily. “Don’t you dare go steal him again while I’m writing my report!”

Who’s stealing him back and forth with you? Keep him as your treasure!

Huangfu Qing turned away in exasperation: “I’m going to rest.”

Watching Huangfu Qing leave, Xia Chichi quietly adjusted her clothes, unable to hide the spring in her eyes. The battle earlier had been intense—she wondered if that woman had noticed... Fortunately, she seemed distracted, probably not...

The shop servant led Huangfu Qing to the guest room. Hot water was already prepared, flower petals scattered in the tub, the fragrance pleasant, steam rising, making one’s heart itch.

Huangfu Qing couldn’t help but be tempted. During the day, she had only changed clothes, unable to bathe properly. Now with the conditions, who wouldn’t want a good wash?

She gently closed the door, walked toward the tub, and let her mink coat fall to the floor.

Her white body, with each step, gradually revealed itself in the dark room, like moonlight emerging from behind clouds, radiating a sacred and soft glow, beautiful as a dream.