THE WHITE MOONLIGHT ONLY HAS A HAPPY ENDING

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CHAPTER 33: She Cares

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Question: If you accidentally overhear something you shouldn't, how do you ensure you aren't silenced forever?

Answer: Pretend you don't exist.

The gathered demons shrank back, not daring to make a sound, lest their ill-tempered Lord remember their presence. Fortunately, the Demon Lord’s focus was entirely on the sword cultivator. Finding the crowd of demons an eyesore, he dismissed them to search the Treasure Pavilion.

The demons made their narrow escape, vanishing from his sight at light speed.

The Demon Lord clearly didn't realize he had just uttered a title that would shock the demon race for a hundred years,and even if he had, given his temperament, he wouldn't feel the slightest bit of embarrassment. After all, anyone who dared to mock him had already ceased to exist.

Before knowing her identity, the Demon Lord had been enraged, wanting only to tear the intruder into ten thousand pieces. But upon discovering it was the sword cultivator, he was gratified, wanting only to spend the night under the stars on the roof, discussing the meaning of life with her.

Thus, when the "little flirt" tried to let go, she found she couldn't.

Chao Jinsui: "..."

She initially wanted to ask why the devil had come to Taixuan Wuji, but remembering he was the Demon Lord and had no obligation to report his movements to her, she stopped herself. Then she realized they were clearly on a secret mission that she had just stumbled upon...

Sure enough, the Demon Lord narrowed his phoenix eyes and leaned in, his expression turning quite sinister. "You saw everything?"

Knowing how sensitive and suspicious he was, she offered a guarantee: "I won't say a word, nor will I investigate what you did today. We can act as if we never met tonight."

Generally speaking, as long as he wasn't here for a random massacre, she didn't intend to meddle.

To her surprise, the Demon Lord spoke unhurriedly: "Oh, there's no harm in telling you."

Chao Jinsui suddenly had an ominous feeling.

"I am here to rob Taixuan Wuji," the Demon Lord stated. "Specifically, the Scripture of the Clear Mind."

He continued, "Also, I was the one who raided the Taixuan City auction house yesterday. Tomorrow, I plan to break into their Forbidden Grounds."

It was very detailed; he even shared his future itinerary.

Chao Jinsui: "..."

No, why are you telling me all this?

The Demon Lord squinted lazily. "Now you know everything."

She asked, "Is it too late for me to give myself amnesia?"

The Demon Lord let out two mocking chuckles. "You know it all now, and you still want to run?"

Chao Jinsui: "..."

Perhaps because she had interrupted the Demon Lord’s business, her luck that night was exceptionally poor. She searched every corner of Taixuan Wuji but found no clues regarding the stone. She fell into thought: Could it be underground like the Su family's? But Taixuan Wuji only had a dungeon, and it was impossible for a Heaven-Mending Stone to be kept there.

She spent some time eavesdropping from Chao Xiaotu’s roof. Chao Xiaotu was in the middle of contacting Chao Taichu. Hearing this, Jinsui got a sense of her sister's bargaining chips. No longer worried and unwilling to waste more time, she returned to her room.

But this time, a persistent, lingering devil followed her back.

After their brief separation (three days), the devil felt that one day apart was like three autumns. In those short three days, he had grown unaccustomed to not seeing her and frequently regretted his "noble" act of letting her go.

Now, he had no intention of leaving.

"I’m changing my clothes," she said. The subtext: You can leave now.

"Go ahead," the Demon Lord replied. He crossed his arms and leaned against the screen, staring intently.

Chao Jinsui: "..."

Why did I think I could win a thick-skinned contest against a demon?

She tried another hint: "I'm going to sleep."

The Demon Lord: "Mm, sleep."

Realizing he was determined to stay, she stared into his beautiful phoenix eyes for a moment. He only stared back with more vigor. After a minute of staring, she eventually gave up. Fine, it’s just one night.

She closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

Sleep failed.

"Yan Xueyi, can you stop staring at me from the bedside?"

"Fine."

Ten minutes later.

She crawled out from under the covers, fuming. "Yan Xueyi!"

The Demon Lord leaned back, resting his chin on his hand. "I’m not staring at you from the bedside," he said leisurely.

Indeed,he was staring from the foot of the bed!

She took a deep breath, lay back down, and pulled the blanket over her head.

Jinsui: Out of sight, out of mind.

Yan Xueyi: Ha.

By the time she woke the next morning, the devil was gone. He was, after all, a busy man.

Ling Yun knocked on the door, looking surprised. "Sister Sui, did you not sleep well?"

Jinsui took a sip of tea to cool her temper, her forehead throbbing. She rubbed her temples. "The bed was too hard," she grumbled.

It was the first time Ling Yun had seen the Young Sect Leader like this. Usually cold and ethereal like an immortal, this flash of annoyance made her seem vivid and human. Ling Yun couldn't help but stifle a laugh.

Suddenly, Ling Yun chirped, "Huh? What’s that?"

Chao Jinsui followed her gaze. It was a map of Taixuan Wuji,a hand-drawn map signed with a pair of demon horns. The ink was barely dry.

She could almost see the Demon Lord from the night before, glancing at her one moment and then grabbing a piece of paper to diligently draw the map the next. He must have guessed she was looking for something.

She stared at the horned signature for a long time. She was annoyed, yet she couldn't bring herself to be truly angry with him. Finally, she tucked the map away.

The previous night, Taixuan Wuji’s Treasure Pavilion had been turned upside down. As expected, though the morning seemed calm on the surface, the security was three times stricter.

When Shi Chunqiu came to lead them to the Hall of Light, he looked at the composed, poised fugitive and couldn't resist a probing question. "Miss Chao, how did you sleep last night?"

He was testing to see if she was connected to the group that hit the Treasure Pavilion.

She didn't bat an eye, merely giving him a cool glance. "The couches of Taixuan Wuji are indeed a bit harder than those elsewhere."

Shi Chunqiu’s face immediately soured. He had realized yesterday that she truly lived up to her years as Kunlun’s Young Sect Leader. Her ability to dodge questions was masterful, and her skin was incredibly thick. She was essentially a little fox spirit who had cultivated for a thousand years; he wouldn't win any verbal spars with her. With a dark expression, he led the group away.

By this time, the Hall of Light was surrounded by onlookers. Taixuan Wuji’s Hall of Light was open to the public to demonstrate their impartiality and transparency. Since the news of Chao Jinsui, carrying a Scarlet warrant, storming the gates had spread, every available cultivator from the nearby cities had flocked to watch.

It was a rare spectacle! Moreover, the protagonist was no nobody. She was one of the most prominent figures in the cultivation world: a genius born with a Sword Bone, the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator, and the future leader of the Kunlun Sword Sect.

Wherever she went, she was the center of attention. Her fame had preceded her since her teens, and people were dying to see what kind of person she really was. The events of the past few months,betraying Kunlun, becoming a Scarlet fugitive, and challenging Taixuan,had added a legendary color to her image, making her the primary topic of post-meal gossip.

The Hall of Light was packed to the rafters. Taixuan Wuji’s twelve elders were present, led by Shi Chunqiu and Elder Ping, along with an elder from the Jade Sword Alliance acting as an observer.

Chao Xiaotu was already there, looking at Chao Jinsui with a smug expression. Behind her stood several Kunlun disciples who had gone to Mandarin Duck City with her, as well as the surviving members of the Su family. It was an impressive lineup of witnesses.

The hearts of Jinsui’s group sank at the sight.

"They’ve put on such a display," Hong Niang whispered. "It seems they are truly confident."

Taixuan Wuji couldn't afford to lose face, especially with the Jade Sword Alliance watching.

"Be extremely careful with your responses," Chao Jinsui warned.

Shi Chunqiu, walking ahead, overheard their whispers and sneered. "Ladies, please. Enjoy this chance to speak openly. Once you are locked away, life won't be so pleasant."

Ling Yun suddenly asked, "Sister Sui, are you scared? I heard Shi Chunqiu is Chao Xiaotu’s grandfather. Do you think he’ll be biased?"

She didn't exactly whisper. The noisy crowd went silent, their eyes snapping to Shi Chunqiu.

"What? Grandfather?"

"What’s going on?"

The crowd erupted in whispers.

"True," Ling Yun added fearfully. "The Su family was almost related to Shi Chunqiu through marriage. Sister Sui, with all these people here, I’m almost afraid to testify."

Shi Chunqiu froze in his tracks. Seeing the crowd’s suspicion growing, he prepared to glare at Ling Yun to shut her up, but Hong Niang ducked behind Jinsui and clutched her chest. "Oh, you've frightened me! He’s glaring at me! How terrifying!"

Shi Chunqiu, who hadn't said a single word yet: "..."

His face turned livid.

They finally reached the entrance of the Hall of Light. Chao Jinsui paused and gave Shi Chunqiu a polite smile, carrying the dignity of her former station. "Elder Shi, Ling Yun is young and blunt. Please do not take it to heart."

Blunt.

"Hong Niang is but a weak woman, easily frightened. Please be patient with her."

Weak woman.

Shi Chunqiu was so angry his fingers trembled. Meanwhile, the murmurs from the onlookers grew louder.

Elder Ping was forced to step in. She glanced at Shi Chunqiu. "Chunqiu, you are indeed Chao Xiaotu’s grandfather. You must recuse yourself. You shall only observe today."

With that, Shi Chunqiu was removed from the panel of judges.

Chao Jinsui’s lips curved slightly. "What is this? Is the observing elder going to block the path?"

Her eyes held no warmth despite her smile.

Shi Chunqiu’s earlier smugness had vanished like a fleeting bloom. He was filled with rage but couldn't show it in public. He retreated to the side, letting the three women pass. Just you wait, he sneered inwardly, don't get too ahead of yourself! He looked at Chao Xiaotu and remembered the evidence she held, and his expression gradually softened. Even if he couldn't participate, Chao Jinsui wouldn't be able to save herself!

As Elder Ping took her seat, the proceedings finally began.

Chao Xiaotu stepped forward and announced loudly, "Elder Ping, I wish to accuse Chao Jinsui of the murders of Su Liuyun, Lady Zi, Su Baishan, and Su Baiyin, and the extermination of the main branch of the Su family!"

She glared hatefully at Jinsui. "She even used cruel methods to destroy Senior Brother Su’s soul! My Senior Brother treated her so well, yet he suffered such torment that he cannot even find peace in death! I ask the Elders of Taixuan Wuji to uphold justice! This person’s crimes deserve double the punishment!"

The crowd and the elders alike began to whisper. To a cultivator, destroying a soul was a more heinous act than being drawn and quartered! They looked at the young woman standing in the center; her profile was calm and steady like a stalks of jade bamboo. It was hard to believe she could be so cold-blooded.

"Is there evidence?" Elder Ping asked.

Chao Xiaotu was prepared. she had her witnesses give their testimonies one by one. To add credibility, she produced a Memory Pearl. These pearls were expensive and widely used in Taixuan trials because it was nearly impossible for a cultivator to alter their own or another's memories. The elders nodded in approval.

Chao Jinsui remained expressionless, listening quietly until Chao Xiaotu held up a Communication Talisman. Chao Taichu’s voice rang out: "It was that rebellious child’s doing!"

Only then did Jinsui look up, staring at the talisman in her sister's hand.

Chao Xiaotu looked at her with triumph, her eyes mocking: Look, Chao Jinsui, even your own father won't defend you. How much of a failure are you?

Chao Xiaotu’s smile widened. In her previous life, Jinsui had died early, and Chao Xiaotu had spent her days mimicking her, wearing white, practicing the sword,until she nearly lost herself. In this life, she had planned everything perfectly, yet Jinsui had still ruined it. This woman was an unavoidable obstacle in her life. Now, that obstacle was finally being cleared.

She delivered the final blow: "Every word I have spoken today is the absolute truth. Chao Jinsui killed Senior Brother Su first, then destroyed the Su family! If there is a single lie in my words, let the heavens strike me down with lightning!"

The crowd gasped at such a heavy oath. Yet, no lightning came, nor was there any strange omen.

Everything was settled.

Chao Xiaotu wasn't finished. She pressed forward. "Do you dare swear that you didn't kill Su Liuyun?" she demanded. "Do you dare swear you have nothing to do with the deaths of Lady Zi and the Su elders? I dare to swear,do you?"

Her momentum was overwhelming. A heavy silence fell over the hall as everyone waited for the girl’s answer.

Chao Jinsui’s gaze swept over the room. She saw the Taixuan disciples' hands on their hilts; she saw the onlookers readying themselves; she saw Hong Niang quietly opening her fan and Ling Yun gripping her sword. Whether they were on her side or against her, the facts seemed clear to everyone. The air was so tense that a single spark could ignite it.

She was outnumbered. But as she looked up, she saw the roof opposite the Hall of Light.

Only from her angle could she see the wisps of black energy on the palace roof. A group of black-clad demons stood ready. They were taller than humans, exuding a fierce, bloodthirsty aura. Their leader, also in black, slowly looked down. His long hair flowed like water, and his broken demon horns were visible. He was calmly scanning the crowd below, and when he realized she was looking, he lazily arched an eyebrow at her.

That lawless aura suggested he might drop down at any second to snatch her away.

The coldness in her eyes began to melt. Whenever she was ready to gamble everything, he always appeared, standing not far from her. Fine, she thought, I'll forgive him for waking me up.

Others didn't understand why she was smiling. Then, they heard her speak softly:

"I killed them."

The people in the hall thought they had misheard. Even Chao Xiaotu, who was watching her closely, didn't react immediately. She had expected a desperate denial or a helpless rage. "You still want to argue?" she asked reflexively.

Chao Jinsui tucked her sleeves. "No. Are you deaf? I said, I killed them."

Seeing the stunned faces around her, she patiently explained her methods. "I killed Su Liuyun, and I ordered his soul to be burned. I was involved with Lady Zi, and Su Baiyin was too weak,he died by accident. As for Su Baishan..." she smiled, "I fed him to my snake. My snake said he tasted terrible."

What kind of madman’s confession was this? This was likely the first time in Taixuan Wuji’s history that a murderer had spoken so casually about their crimes. Her attitude was far too arrogant!

The crowd stared at her smile and saw a psychopathic killer. They all took a step back in unison. The demons surrounding the Lord, however, felt a surge of deep respect.

The triumph on Chao Xiaotu’s face vanished. "How can you even say that?!" she stammered in disbelief. "You actually admit it?"

She should have been happy about the confession, but Jinsui’s attitude was so strange and defiant that it robbed her of any joy, leaving her only with a sense of bewilderment.

Chao Jinsui even complimented her: "I did it. Your evidence was quite thorough."

Elder Ping and the other elders gasped. Chao Xiaotu hadn't gained the pleasure of crushing her enemy; instead, she felt a stifling sense of frustration. Even if Jinsui were executed today, Xiaotu felt like she would be too choked up to sleep.

"Elder Ping, she has confessed! Arrest her!" Chao Xiaotu cried. Shi Chunqiu also coughed to remind them.

Elder Ping immediately spoke: "Since that is the case, then,"

"No, I haven't finished," Chao Jinsui interrupted.

"You have confessed. What else is there to say?"

She spoke another sentence that made jaws drop. "I wish to confess to the extermination of the Hehuan Sect ten years ago."

What did this have to do with the Hehuan Sect? The crowd was utterly confused.

Chao Xiaotu sneered. "What's there to say about that? Everyone knows it was the work of the demons!"

Elder Ping acted decisively. "This has nothing to do with the current case. If there is an injustice, we will hear it next time." She wanted to end the trial right there and deal with Jinsui immediately.

Ping and Shi Chunqiu were veteran judges. Unlike Chao Xiaotu, they sensed something was wrong. They guessed Jinsui’s plan and shared a silent agreement: She must not be allowed to continue!

"Seize her! This case is closed!"

But before Taixuan Wuji could move, and before the devil on the roof could act, Chao Jinsui tapped her toe and floated out of the encirclement like a falling leaf. She leaped onto the massive stone Xiezhi statue among the crowd outside, standing tall as the people cried out in shock.

As Shi Chunqiu and Elder Ping rushed out in fury, Chao Jinsui produced another Memory Pearl. All noise ceased as the crowd went silent.

The image of Lady Zi’s distorted face appeared within the pearl. In the recording, Jinsui’s voice asked: "Lady Zi, do you know anything about the extermination of the Hehuan Sect ten years ago?"

Lady Zi’s piercing, chillingly soft voice responded: "Of course I know. I was there myself!"

The recording cut off. Those two sentences were like a massive boulder dropped into a still lake.

Shi Chunqiu’s face turned pale. Elder Ping froze, her expression grim. They both knew: it was over. She had seized the initiative.

Chao Jinsui never intended to play word games with Chao Xiaotu, nor did she ever intend to "prove her innocence." Proving one's innocence was the most foolish path in the world. Taixuan Wuji’s rule was a trap: it was easy to frame someone for a crime, but proving a negative was nearly impossible. That was why Taixuan Wuji was "always right."

She wasn't going to fall for that. To clear her name, she just had to prove that the people she killed deserved to die.

Standing on the stone lion, she gave the elders an innocent smile. Ten years ago, the Hehuan Sect massacre had been judged by Taixuan Wuji! Back then, they had seen demon energy and immediately pinned it on the Demon Lord, issuing a Scarlet warrant without a second thought.

How similar was that to today?

The elders realized this, but Jinsui was already in the spotlight. They were livid but powerless. The crowd erupted into a frenzy of discussion. Who could have imagined that this trial would drag up the Hehuan Sect massacre?

If Jinsui’s case was a personal dispute, the Hehuan Sect was the most horrific tragedy of the millennium. They weren't even in the same league. Shi Chunqiu’s personal bias in issuing the Scarlet warrant was now overshadowed by a case involving thousands of lives.

The massacre had terrified the world, making people think a serial killer was on the loose. Taixuan Wuji had investigated for a year before blaming Yan Xueyi. But Lady Zi’s voice was a loud slap to Taixuan Wuji’s face.

"Didn't you say the Demon Lord did it?"

"Didn't you say the evidence was undeniable? Why did Lady Zi admit to it?"

The situation was spiraling out of control. Elder Ping and Shi Chunqiu felt their hearts sink. Chao Xiaotu stood dazed, not understanding how things had reached this point, or how much trouble she had brought upon Taixuan Wuji.

The devil on the roof had a peculiar expression, glancing at her from time to time. He knew that if she only wanted to clear her own name, she didn't need to involve the Hehuan Sect. Doing so would deeply offend Taixuan Wuji and make her task much harder. They would likely deny everything to save face. She could have stuck to the events of Mandarin Duck City and kept it a personal grudge.

But she didn't. And she didn't even know anyone from the Hehuan Sect.

Who is she doing this for?

He felt a surge of joy, even as he thought this human was too impulsive and foolish for not weighing the consequences. He wanted to glare at her, but felt a bit like he was getting an unfair advantage. After all, who was she doing this for?

His lips curled upward uncontrollably. Ah, she’s doing it for Yan Xueyi.

Ever since she learned the truth about the Hehuan Sect, Chao Jinsui had been thinking: the devil was bad, that was true. But why should he take the blame for something he didn't do? She had truly believed Taixuan Wuji back then, treating him as a soulless monster and speaking many cruel words to him.

The whole world believed Taixuan Wuji was perfectly just. How could they be wrong? The devil was notorious; if they said he did it, who wouldn't believe it? But in reality, while he was crude and direct, he had no interest in massacres.

Deep in her heart, she felt a lingering guilt for having wronged him. She knew he didn't care. She could imagine him saying indifferently, "What demon cares about reputation?" Infamy might even be a badge of honor to him. He might even brag to her about how much he made people tremble in fear.

No one cared. He was already the villain; being a little worse made no difference.

But she cared. She cared that she had misunderstood and wronged him.

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