THE WHITE MOONLIGHT ONLY HAS A HAPPY ENDING - CHAPTER 48

"Can a Heaven-Mending Stone replace the Lanyue Sword?" she asked the system.

The system replied, "The power sustaining Water-Cloud Realm is currently exhausted. The Heaven-Mending Stone can mend the firmament itself; holding up this small realm for a time is no difficult task."

The system finally heard its host sigh in relief. "You are finally of some use."

The system felt a brief flicker of joy before asking, "Host, are you alright?"

Waves of searing pain radiated from her back. She had been enduring it, even donning a cloak before Yan Xueyi arrived to hide the wound.

She furrowed her brows. "It doesn't matter. We must find Chao Zhaoyue first."

She had always known how to prioritize. A wound like this could be endured. Silently, the system blocked her perception of pain. Chao Jinsui felt an immediate rush of relief.

There was no time to lose. They couldn't judge how much longer the Moon-Seizing Sword would hold. One after the other, they stepped into Water-Cloud Realm.

The moment she crossed the threshold, the world spun. The Great Demon reached out to grab her hand, but a massive suction force tore them apart.

In the next blink, she was falling through the sky of Water-Cloud Realm, plummeting toward a vast lake. She summoned the Kunlun Sword, her toes tapping the blade just before she hit the water.

Inside, the spiritual energy was so dense it felt like a shock to the spirit. The endless lake sat like a green emerald nestled in the forest, a terrestrial paradise found only in dreams.

From the outside, the Great Tree of Water-Cloud Realm looked delicate and beautiful. Now, standing beneath it, the Bodhi tree was gargantuan. Its canopy blotted out the sun, stretching far enough to cover the entire realm. It was a sight of staggering majesty.

Yet, in this place of supreme beauty, the sky was fractured. In the distance, the Moon-Seizing Sword stood like a pillar, propping up the heavens.

She looked around, but the demon’s figure was nowhere to be seen. Chao Jinsui didn't rush to find Yan Xueyi. He would undoubtedly head toward the Moon-Seizing Sword. As long as she flew in that direction, they would reunite.

She urged her sword forward, streaking toward the horizon where the giant blade held back the void.

Chao Jinsui had assumed the only inhabitants here were the young half-demons discarded by the Changming Sect. In reality, Water-Cloud Realm had become its own miniature world, home to many original residents.

Along the lakeshore, crowds fled in the opposite direction of the collapsing sky. Cries of "The sky is falling!" and "Run!" echoed alongside the weeping of children. She was the only one moving against the tide. The closer she flew to the Moon-Seizing Sword, the sparser the crowds became.

Eventually, she slowed to a halt. "System, how long have I been flying?"

"Two double-hours," the system replied.

Chao Jinsui looked up. The Moon-Seizing Sword was still a distant speck on the horizon. Had she not seen the shoreline moving, she would have thought she was flying in circles.

"A labyrinth haze," she realized.

As she delved deeper into the lake, the mist thickened. She could no longer see the banks. Surrounded by white fog, she could only see a faint shadow of the sword above; everything else was a blur.

If she kept flying like this, she would never escape the mist. After a moment of thought, she closed her eyes and focused on the sound of the water. Following the current, she sped forward.

"Watch out!" the system screamed.

From the calm surface, a massive ray leapt into the air. Its tail hooked sharply, aiming to swat both sword and rider from the sky. The Kunlun Sword ascended sharply, narrowly avoiding the beast.

Suddenly, dozens of giant rays breached the surface, their tails lashing out like whips. Chao Jinsui tapped the surface of her sword and leaped onto the back of a ray, moving like a lithe mountain rabbit.

Perhaps because the spiritual energy here was so rich, these rays possessed cultivation comparable to a human Golden Core. A common cultivator would have no hope of crossing this lake.

The massive tails wove a net of lashes in the air. She leaped lightly, the sword intent of the Kunlun Sword sweeping out to sever the trap as she charged forward.

She spent a full hour leaping among the rays. By the time she finished, she was drenched in their blood, a rare state of dishevelment for her. These rays had clearly overpopulated the lake over the centuries. While not difficult to handle, they slowed her down immensely.

Just then, a voice called out through the mist: "Is that the Young Sect Leader of the Kunlun Sword Sect?"

A small boat drifted through the haze. Chao Jinsui focused and saw a familiar face, the round-faced girl she had rescued at Madam Zi's, who had given her a Jade Sword Alliance token.

The girl waved frantically. "Quick, get on!"

Chao Jinsui landed on the boat. The girl, Yuan Xiangsi, niece of the Jade Sword Alliance Leader, explained, "These Spirit Rays mostly eat birds. If you fly above them, they treat you as prey."

Beside her were two other cultivators in the red robes of the Jade Sword Alliance. They smiled at her warmly.

"How did you end up here?" Chao Jinsui asked.

"Last month, we tracked a group of half-demons to the Changming Sect..." Xiangsi grimaced. "And then we were rounded up and tossed in here."

They had been trapped for a month, unable to find an exit or send word outside.

"And now?"

Xiangsi threw up her hands. "The sky is falling! We’re running for our lives!"

Chao Jinsui smiled thinly. "If Water-Cloud Realm collapses, there is nowhere to run."

"At least we can live a few days longer," one of the seniors sighed.

Chao Jinsui cut to the chase. "Do you know how to reach the end of the Water-Cloud Realm?"

"The end?" Xiangsi blinked. Then she gasped. 

"Young Sect Leader, are you Chao Zhaoyue’s sister? You came for him?"

"You've seen him?"

"Yes! He’s been at the Divine Tree Plains. It’s at the very end of this realm. A tribe there guards the tree. We fell into their lands when we first arrived, and it was Chao Zhaoyue who convinced them to save us." Her expression darkened. "This morning, when the plains began to collapse, the tribe sent us away. Are you going to save him?"

Chao Jinsui nodded.

"The Divine Tree Plains has a barrier," Xiangsi said. "You can't enter without a guide." She pulled a lamp from the cabin and handed it over. "We’re leaving anyway. Take this; it will grant you passage."

Time was of the essence. Chao Jinsui handed Xiangsi a paper crane. "When I find the exit, I’ll use this to contact you and bring you out."

Before they could thank her, Chao Jinsui vanished into the mist. Taking the lesson to heart, she expanded the Kunlun Sword until it was the size of a boat and let it drift on the water. As expected, the rays left her alone.

Guided by the flickering flame of the lamp, she drifted for a long time until a familiar, massive figure appeared.

It was Little Eyes. The serpent had grown huge, gliding through the lake like a night-stalker. Dozens of black snakes swarmed in all directions, seemingly searching for someone.

A melodic, albeit furious, voice rang out: "Useless fools! If you don't find her, I’ll stew you all!"

Chao Jinsui almost laughed. But then, the sound of the water changed. The lake ahead dropped off into a massive, thundering waterfall.

She tried to halt the sword, but the current was too strong. She and the blade were swept toward the precipice. Just as she was about to be flung over the thousand-foot drop, she stabbed the Kunlun Sword into the cliffside.

"Yanyan!" she shouted.

The irritable Great Demon whipped around and grabbed Little Eyes' horn. The serpent reacted instantly, swinging its tail toward Chao Jinsui. She caught it and was flung onto its back as the giant beast dived down the waterfall.

The demon pulled her into a tight embrace, shielding her from the crushing force of the impact. They plunged into the basin below together.

When they finally crawled onto the grass, Chao Jinsui exhaled. "We’re finally here."

Little Eyes shook its tail, drenching them both. The demon glared. "You’re a snake, not a dog. You don't even have fur, why are you shaking?!" He hauled the serpent out of the water. "I’m stewing you right now."

Little Eyes hissed pitifully and coiled itself up. Chao Jinsui laughed and looked toward the horizon.

The end of the lake met the Divine Tree Plains. The sky was filled with a glow that wasn't a sunset, but the light of the earth collapsing into the void. It was an apocalyptic scene, the ground tearing like burnt paper.

A giant sword held the rift apart. Beneath it stood a familiar figure.

Chao Jinsui moved to rush forward, but the demon caught her by the collar. He looked her over. She was a mess, blood from the rays stained her clothes, a far cry from her usual composed self.

He scowled, roughly wiping a dark smudge from her cheek until it was clean. Only then did he notice how pale she was.

"What do I do?" he asked.

"Take this stone," she said, handing him the Heaven-Mending Stone. "Replace the Moon-Seizing Sword with it and bring Chao Zhaoyue out."

He turned to Little Eyes. "Look after her." Then, he transformed into a cloud of black mist and streaked toward the horizon.

Chao Jinsui let out a breath. "How long has it been?"

"Eight hours," the system replied. She had been traveling for nearly an entire day. She had made it in time.

Little Eyes nudged her hand. She looked down to find a rug laid out with spiritual tea, snacks, and a basin of spring water. She stared, then laughed.

The serpent glanced at her and hissed, "Cunning human, why don't you use Master more? You’re so devious with others, why not be devious with him?"

Chao Jinsui blinked. Where was she devious?

The snake rolled its eyes. "You don't understand. The more you use him, the happier he is. You could have him wrapped around your finger, doing exactly as you say!"

She began to wonder if the snake was planning a rebellion. Before it could finish its "How to Manipulate a Demon" lecture, Yan Xueyi reappeared. Little Eyes immediately shut up and shrank, hiding in her sleeve.

In the distance, the Moon-Seizing Sword vanished. In its place, the Heaven-Mending Stone expanded to seal the rift, halting the destruction. Yan Xueyi approached, carrying a pale, unconscious Chao Zhaoyue.

Before she could reach them, a group of people surrounded Yan Xueyi. These were the people of the Divine Tree Tribe.

The demon stood there, his aura overwhelming and his broken horns making him look particularly savage. The tribe was instantly on guard.

"Put him down!" a youth shouted.

The demon’s face darkened. He rarely did good deeds; to be treated as a villain after finally doing one made his blood boil. His eyes narrowed, but Chao Jinsui stepped in front of him.

"Friends of the Divine Tree Tribe? I am Chao Zhaoyue’s sister. We mean no harm."

She offered a gentle smile. Usually, her smiles were disarmingly kind. But standing next to the Great Demon, the effect changed. They looked like a classic villain duo, one to do the killing, the other to do the talking.

The youth, Mu Yuan, recoiled. "Granny Shui! Come quickly! Someone has knocked Zhaoyue-ge unconscious!"

Chao Jinsui’s smile stiffened. Being around the demon was clearly starting to affect her "vibes." Yan Xueyi let out a mocking snort.

An elderly woman stepped forward. She was short and wrinkled, but her eyes were sharp. Her gaze locked onto Chao Jinsui.

"A-Pu? Is that you, A-Pu?"

She quickly corrected herself. The girl before her looked gentle but had the eyes of a sharpened blade, the polar opposite of the soft A-Pu. "Are you A-Pu’s daughter?"

The name "A-Pu" seemed to have a magical effect. The tribesmen lowered their spears.

"Granny, you knew my mother?" Chao Jinsui asked, then rushed on, "Chao Zhaoyue is exhausted and needs treatment. Is there a healer?"

A gray shadow hung over Chao Zhaoyue’s face, the mark of the dying. Granny Shui’s expression changed. She pressed a green Bodhi seed into his mouth. The gray tint began to recede.

She looked at the intimidating demon and sighed. "Follow me. Mu Yuan, Mu Che, go prepare two rooms for our guests."

The Divine Tree Tribe lived in a forest beneath the waterfall. Their village was a collection of exquisite wooden lofts, each adorned with a small lantern.

Chao Jinsui wanted to ask about her mother, but they reached the Great Priestess's residence. Granny Shui looked at her with maternal kindness. "Rest for the night. I will tend to your brother."

As she moved to enter her room, the demon grabbed her hand. He was staring at her sleeve. She looked down; the white fabric was soaked through with blood that had spread after being washed by the lake water.

She had forgotten about her back because the system had blocked the pain. She tried to pull away, but he dragged her into the room.

The moment the door closed, he tore off her cloak. The white robe beneath was crimson. The air in the room curdled with his sudden, violent rage.

"Yanyan, I’m fine," she said. "It’s a small wound. It doesn't hurt."

Her honesty only enraged him further. He threw her onto the bed, her face burying into the soft pillows. When she tried to sit up, he growled, "Stay down!"

He stormed out, terrifying Mu Yuan who was coming to deliver supplies. He returned a moment later with a bottle of spirit medicine.

She was sitting up, trying to peel the blood-stuck fabric from her skin. He sneered and pulled her toward him. His expression was furious, but his touch was unexpectedly tender.

He pressed her back down. "Don't move, or it will bleed again!"

With a sharp rip, he tore the fabric away from her back. She gasped. Now she had no choice but to lie flat, or her clothes would fall away entirely. Another rip, and the rest of the fabric was gone.

She gritted her teeth. Better a sharp pain now than a slow one later.

But the demon had frozen. Seeing the mangled flesh of her back, the veins in his neck bulged. He grounded his teeth, forcing himself to stay calm as he used a cloth soaked in medicine to clean the blood.

"Be gentle, Yanyan," she murmured.

"Gentle?" he sneered. "I think it would be better if you actually felt the pain!"

He hated this about her, how she would risk her life to get stronger, how she would ignore her own well-being to save others. She could endure the pain, she could throw away her life. He could follow her anywhere, but he couldn't stand her disregard for herself.

She hugged the pillow. "I'm already like this, why are you still scolding me?"

"Because you haven't learned your lesson!" he snapped. His words were harsh, but his movements became infinitely lighter. The man who possessed strength enough to shatter mountains was now terrified of hurting her.

Chao Taichu had been at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage; those whip strikes were meant to kill.

As he applied the medicine, his anger began to shift into something else. Her back was like white jade marred by cracks. Her shoulder blades were like the wings of a butterfly, and her waist was slender and supple. There was a resilient beauty to her, like a fine work of art.

The demon forced himself to look away, his throat working as he swallowed hard. He turned to drink two cups of cold tea to settle his nerves.

After a long silence, he asked hoarsely, "Does it hurt?"

Thinking he was still angry, she whispered, "Yanyan, it still hurts a little."

The demon’s eyes narrowed. She was acting spoiled again. Cunning human, she always did this. She would do something to infuriate him and then use a soft word to wrap him around her finger. He couldn't stand the thought of her hurting, yet she had endured it all this time without a word.

He realized then that this feeling was heartache. I am pained for her.

Sensing the turbulence in his energy, she tried to turn around to see if he had cooled off. Suddenly, large, calloused hands gripped her waist like iron bands.

His hot breath fell against her skin, sending a shiver through her. Her ears turned bright red. She tried to move, but he held her firm. He was massive compared to her, his strength easily pinning her to the bed.

The next second, a searing kiss fell upon her back.

She trembled. The violent beast was now pressing delicate, reverent kisses along her spine. It was a mix of pity and obsession, piety and madness. He traced the path of the whip marks with his lips, moving slowly up her vertebrae.

The "mad dog" melted her with his touch, his broken horn pressing against her as he whispered:

"Does it hurt here?"

"How about here?"

Note: A-pu is the mother's nickname, which is also Puniang

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