THE WHITE MOONLIGHT ONLY HAS A HAPPY ENDING - CHAPTER 42

Aura and momentum are things that wax and wane; as one side falters, the other flourishes.

She had only meant to divert the subject, but who would have thought the demon would seize upon her words? Now, with his phoenix eyes narrowed and his formidable aura in full bloom, the Great Demon Lord stared at her with practiced ease.

He looked exactly as he did in the past whenever they were at loggerheads, as if he had finally caught her in a compromising position.

In the past, she would have been quick-witted and sharp-tongued, rebutting him point by point and debating him back and forth. She would never have allowed this demon to gain the upper hand in a war of words.

But now, she truly had a guilty conscience. Her courage faltered instantly. The black-haired girl bit her lip, momentarily at a loss for words.

What did he mean by "purity is gone"? What was this about "kissed and slept together"? The way he phrased it made her sound like some heinous bully who had defiled a perfectly innocent demon and then wiped her mouth clean of responsibility. Now that the victim had come knocking, she was arguing back, making her seem not only wicked but utterly shameless.

Yet, as she reflected on it, that did seem to be exactly how things had played out.

The demon narrowed his beautiful eyes. "Speak! Are you a mute now?"

Sui: "..."

What could she say? I defiled you, I'm truly sorry?

In the end, she could only try to change the subject. "Yanyan, stop using such... colorful language."

What was all this "defiling" talk? This demon was truly crude to the extreme.

Hearing this, the handsome demon raised an eyebrow with sheer malice:

"Oh? You didn't find it crude when you were doing it, but now that I'm talking about it, you find it crude?"

Sui: "..."

"Did you not have your way with me?"

"Did you not strip off my clothes?"

"Did you not…?"

Her ears burned hotter and hotter. She reached out and covered his mouth directly, pleading, "Yanyan, it was my fault. What exactly do you want?"

The demon looked down at the hand covering his mouth, gave a huff, and pulled her hand away.

Actually, he had only intended to sneak a kiss tonight, but she had caught him. He had been a bit guilty at first, but a sudden stroke of inspiration had allowed him to turn the tables and even reap unexpected rewards.

He immediately pushed his luck. "I want to kiss you."

Sui: If I don't let you kiss me, won't you just do it anyway? You even do it in secret!

He leaned his beautiful face closer once more.

Sui: "?"

Demon: "When you were having your way with me…"

Sui: "..."

She had no choice but to lean in and press a kiss against his cheek, light as a dragonfly skimming the water.

The world went quiet.

The demon was satisfied, and the crude remarks ceased. Breathing in her scent, he lazily pulled her into his embrace, nuzzling against her hair.

The night was still long.

In the end, she still hadn't asked her question. But she knew that eventually, she would have to give him an answer.

Early the next morning, she received a letter from Ling Yun. It was delivered to her by Ran Yang.

The letter had been sent to a demon outpost in the human realm. She had borrowed one from the demon lord so that Ling Yun could send messages back directly. After all, transmission talismans could only carry a sentence or two, fine for emergencies, but inconvenient for daily correspondence.

Ling Yun wrote that she had reached the Five Poisons Valley. The Valley Master had agreed to help search, though it would take some time. Ling Yun planned to wait until the information was found and then return with the news.

Additionally, Ling Yun briefly mentioned the situation in the cultivation world.

When a massive sect like Taixuan Wuji explodes into ruins overnight, it naturally causes a massive sensation, especially given its heavyweight status. Before the destruction, the conflict between Chao Jinsui and the sect was known to the entire cultivation world. As a formidable Nascent Soul sword cultivator, she instantly became the prime suspect.

If those were merely rumors, the stance taken by the Kunlun Sword Sect a few days ago had hammered the final nail into the coffin.

Chao Taichu publicly announced to the entire cultivation world that "Chao Jinsui" was expelled. He claimed she had colluded with demons and betrayed the sect. Furthermore, he was not only removing her from the sect but also disowning her from the Chao family.

This move essentially erased her identity within the cultivation world. Her biological father's actions had pushed her directly into the center of a raging storm.

By the time Ling Yun arrived at the Five Poisons Valley, the news was already spreading like wildfire. Colluding with demons, a traitor to the human race... it was only because Chao Jinsui was currently in the Demon Realm that she hadn't heard the noise herself.

No, perhaps she was meant to hear it.

She asked Ran Yang, "Does your Lord already know what is happening outside?"

Ran Yang remained silent, but she already had her answer. The Demon Lord’s intelligence was well-informed; if he hadn't told her, it was likely because he feared it would hurt her.

She burned the letter before the Ever-Night Candle. In the firelight, her dark eyes reflected the flickering flame.

The System couldn't help but whisper, "Host, are you alright?"

After all, in her past life, the Host had died on the front lines protecting the human race from demons; she had worked for them her entire life. Even in this life, she had never wavered. Yet, even without Taixuan Wuji's bounty, she had still become a "traitor" to her kind.

She replied, "I expected this long ago. I'm fine."

She carried the Kunlun Sword toward the Myriad Demon Cave, though a sense of gloom seemed to settle in her chest.

The System comforted her:

"Host, don't be sad. The place where the Sky-Mending Stone resides is prone to breeding wicked and evil thoughts. Since you must retrieve the Stone, you inevitably have to act against people. Just think of it as enforcing justice on behalf of Heaven. You haven't done anything wrong."

She stopped in her tracks.

Enforcing justice on behalf of Heaven? In this world, everyone has their own logic. Who can truly claim to act for Heaven?

Seeing her somber expression and fearing she might drop the mission, the System racked its brain to provide some soul-soothing words.

"For those in high positions, it is common to be both praised and reviled, and to be misunderstood. In matters of reward and punishment, as long as you have a yardstick in your heart and remain impartial, that is enough."

The System observed the Host’s expression, only to hear the black-haired girl suddenly ask in a low, eerie voice:

"Those in high positions? Reward and punishment? Why does it sound like you're teaching me how to be the Heavenly Dao?"

System: "!!"

The System immediately fell silent, not daring to utter another word.

Chao Jinsui had always kept a question buried in her heart: since the last person to mend the heavens was Nuwa, the second Heavenly Dao, then the question followed.

She whispered, "Since the last one to mend the sky was the Heavenly Dao, what about the next one?"

You couldn't just find any random person to mend the heavens; that didn't fit the common knowledge of the cultivation world at all.

The System was as quiet as a winter cicada, refusing to speak. Chao Jinsui knew she wouldn't get anything more out of it regarding the Heavenly Dao, so she didn't press further. She stood there lost in thought for a moment before temporarily setting the suspicion aside.

The idea was a bit too bold.

Before entering the Myriad Demon Cave, Chao Jinsui was suddenly called out to. She turned around and saw the Great Demon Lord. Beside him was Mo Xie. Mo Xie stood like a small mountain, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, though he looked a bit dim-witted.

She said, "Yanyan? Why are you looking for me?"

The Demon Lord tilted his chin, and Mo Xie stepped forward. "Miss Chao, at the borders of the Demon Realm lately, there have been people looking for you. Another group arrived today, saying they are from the Kunlun Sword Sect."

Normally, when people came looking for someone at the Demon Realm's borders, Mo Xie would have sent his demons to make them get lost. But as soon as he heard the name, he immediately informed the Demon Lord.

Chao Jinsui: "What did they say?"

Mo Xie glanced at his Lord. Seeing no reaction, he continued, "They said... they said for us demons to hand over the human traitor..."

She almost laughed with anger. "What, if you don't hand me over, are they going to attack the Demon Realm?"

Mo Xie scratched the back of his head. "Well, no."

If they had dared to say that, would they still be alive to shout outside?

The Great Demon Lord extended his hand to her. "Come with me to take a look."

They landed together atop the battlements of the Demon Realm's border city. Not far outside the towering walls, Chao Jinsui spotted familiar sect robes. The person leading them was none other than the Grand Elder of the Kunlun Sword Sect.

The Grand Elder had always been Chao Taichu's pawn, acting as a sort of head butler for the Kunlun Sword Sect. His arrival now was likely on orders. Beside him were several disciples, watching from a significant distance beyond the walls.

Chao Jinsui had just been wondering what they were there for. From a distance, as soon as her figure appeared, the Grand Elder shouted:

"The Sect Leader said that if the Young Sect Leader returns and admits her mistake, he will still allow her back into the Kunlun Sword Sect. You don't have to be reduced to associating only with demons."

As his voice fell, Mo Xie’s eyes bulged. What do you mean, "reduced to associating with demons"?!

The Demon Lord also narrowed his eyes dangerously. However, the Grand Elder clearly didn't realize exactly what level of demons were standing on those walls. In their eyes, although Chao Jinsui had colluded with demons, she had probably only hooked up with one or two demon generals.

The Grand Elder had come on Chao Taichu’s orders to test the waters.

"Young Sect Leader, you should know that there are survivors from Taixuan Wuji. Your collusion with demons to destroy a sect is proven beyond doubt. A few days ago, the major sects gathered to discuss this matter, and the Sect Leader even spoke up for you!"

"If you turn back now, the Sect Leader can still mediate for you. If you insist on staying with the demons, you will soon be hunted by all sects as a traitor! We will avenge Taixuan Wuji!"

This matched the news from Ling Yun. The Grand Elder continued his alarmist talk:

"Do you think the Demon Realm will still have a place for you then?"

"Do you think the demons would be willing to go to war with the human race for your sake?"

In Chao Taichu’s eyes, even if she had colluded with demons, her status wouldn't be very high, and her situation in the Demon Realm must be difficult. Being an intelligent person, she ought to know that bowing her head and choosing Kunlun's protection was her best option.

After all, the current situation was fueled by Chao Taichu’s influence behind the scenes, he knew her predicament all too well and assumed she had no place left among humans and was barely hanging on among the demons. Thus, he sent the Grand Elder to act as a lobbyist. He wanted to drag her back at the smallest possible cost.

After listening, Chao Jinsui simply said:

"Tell them to get lost."

The Great Demon Lord looked coldly at the people below. Before the Grand Elder could say another word, the Lord flicked his sleeve. A surge of demonic qi swept out, violently flipping the humans below over a great distance, the Grand Elder bore the brunt of it, being slammed hard against a massive boulder.

His phoenix eyes narrowed as he said coldly, "She told you to get lost. Did you hear her?"

Realizing the command, Mo Xie didn't dare delay. He immediately led the demons guarding the gate, turning into a cloud of black mist as they lunged toward the Grand Elder and his group.

Yan Xueyi said, "You needn't worry. As long as I am here, you will remain safe in the Demon Realm."

The words were extremely arrogant, yet they were also the truth.

She shook her head. "I don't believe his words for a second."

"The human and demon races... how could they go to war over a single person?"

Given the current state of the human race, a loose pile of sand that had taken her decades to pull together into a front line in her past life, if they suddenly became united because of her alone, it would be a joke. The Grand Elder's words were meant for the demons here to hear; to put it bluntly, he just didn't want Chao Jinsui to have an easy time in the Demon Realm.

The Demon Lord hesitated for a moment before asking:

"Then... are you truly breaking with the human race?"

Even this lawless Great Demon Lord found it hard to believe. A sword cultivator so kind and powerful, who had always been the strongest and most steadfast warrior of humanity, she was breaking away just like that? If he had such a subordinate under him, what would it matter if she touched Taixuan Wuji? Even if she poked a hole in the heavens, he would never let her go.

The Demon Lord fumed, "A bunch of blind fools who can't recognize a treasure!"

Hearing him curse, she suddenly felt like laughing. When she left Taixuan Wuji, she knew this day would come; she just hadn't expected it so soon. Chao Taichu had likely recovered his strength, and with him fanning the flames, this break was expected. After all, this biological father of hers wished she were dead.

The black-haired girl looked up and suddenly smiled:

"Yanyan, I have nowhere else to go now. Are you willing to take me in?"

Demon Lord: "With the greatest pleasure."

"With me, you can do whatever you wish."

In his eyes, she was a peerless treasure. He had wanted to snatch her away to the Demon Realm for many, many years; it was his obsession. How could he not be willing? Those fools didn't want her, but he had been waiting for a long time!

The demon snorted again. "It’s not that you have nowhere to go, or that you can’t survive among humans. It’s that you don’t want them anymore. Don't act like those idiots are so important; you’re the one who followed me to the Demon Realm first!"

She couldn't help but laugh. "Right, I don't want them anymore."

They stood on the wall for a while longer before returning. After the Demon Lord escorted her back to the capital, he vanished. He seemed very busy lately; even taking her to the border today felt like he had specifically carved out time.

On her way to the Myriad Demon Cave to practice her sword, her expression gradually turned cold. The System was increasingly worried she would quit, because the current cultivation world really seemed quite wretched.

She looked toward Kunlun and said softly, "System, do you know what I'm thinking?"

The System asked cautiously, "What are you thinking?"

She said, "Did I do something wrong?"

No, she hadn't.

"I thought about it. If I had done what I did in my past life, returning to the human race, fighting for higher status and a voice, being a perfect person, and becoming a leader, I would inevitably spend my days in intrigue, maneuvering between people like Elder Ping and Chao Taichu."

"Under those circumstances, obtaining the Sky-Mending Stone would be absolutely impossible."

"So I took a path completely different from my past life."

"But what if this path leaves me with no place among humans?"

The System listened with trepidation, fearing her next sentence would be: I’m quitting.

Instead, she suddenly said softly, "Then, why don't I look up?"

System: "?"

She whispered, "If there is no place on earth, then what about the heavens?"

The System almost knelt before her. When others faced setbacks, they were either beaten down or grew stronger through adversity. But when she faced a setback, she simply decided to stop being human.

She thought: Since I will be misunderstood, rejected, and branded a traitor regardless; since this mortal world turns black to white and moral principles have collapsed, why shouldn't I become the sky above their heads?

Taixuan Wuji had made countless misjudgments, created who knows how many wrongful cases, and taken so many lives in error. They had gone back on their word and tried to hunt her down. If she struck back, it would be seen as disloyal and unrighteous; trying to punish them would be incredibly difficult as a human.

But the Heavenly Dao is different. Look at that heavenly lightning, it strikes whomever it wants! All those disloyal dogs and hypocrites would be charred to a crisp in a single earth-shattering bolt!

Why be a person? Better to be the Heavenly Dao. No matter if you are a Nascent Soul or a Golden Core, you'll get your head split open by lightning. All those petty schemes and intrigues would be sent to the afterlife together.

She said softly, "If I were the Heavenly Dao..."

The System trembled.

"One bolt for Kunlun."

"One bolt for Chao Taichu."

"One bolt for the shameless people of the world."

As her words fell, a sudden crash of thunder tore through the night sky! The flash of lightning illuminated her face, the sharp edge in her clear eyes momentarily blinding.

A long while later, the thunderclouds dispersed, and total darkness returned.

She asked, "System, what was that?"

The System, feeling even smaller and more helpless, let out a weak sound: "A coincidence."

It didn't dare let anything slip!

She repeated softly, "A coincidence?"

Just now, she had clearly felt a very mysterious connection between herself and the heavenly lightning. But when she tried to trace it, the sensation vanished instantly. She looked toward the horizon for a long time, thoughtful.

Perhaps because of this discovery, she didn't practice her sword until late but returned to the Demon Palace early. Because of the farce earlier today and being branded a "human traitor," she actually felt a sense of "coming home" when she saw the blooming Demon Vines of the palace.

The Demon Palace had changed significantly; it was now covered in the fox-fur rugs she liked, hung with delicate gauze curtains, and organized into a study, a bedroom, a tea room, and a room specifically for displaying weapons. Combined with the vibrant Demon Vines, it no longer looked like a haunted house but felt much more lived-in.

However, even by the time Ran Yang served dinner, the demon had not returned. Knowing he was the Demon Lord and likely had many trivial matters to attend to in the capital, she simply took a book from the shelf to read. Lighting the Ever-Night Candle, she and Little Eyes waited for the Great Demon Lord to come home.

She waited until the dead of night.

When the Great Demon Lord returned like a black ghost, treading through the dew, he saw a dim, yellow light from afar. He froze. This scene looked too much like someone waiting for him to come home.

The Demon Realm had only the pitch-black eternal night and mists that made demons lose their way. Many demon families would hang Ever-Night Candles at their doors to wait for loved ones; he often saw his subordinates find their way home by following the lights.

But the little demon lord had been raised by nature; he never had family or kin. When he returned to the Demon Palace, it was always empty. He thought her simply being in the palace was enough, good enough to be a dream. But when he saw her waiting for him with a light, he realized it was even better than a dream.

Just the thought of her waiting for him made that little bit of yellow light look incredibly pleasing, making his heart warm slightly.

He pushed open the door and saw her reading under the lamp, with Little Eyes sprawled across her lap. Hearing the noise, they both looked toward him.

Like a silent black ghost, he stood at the door watching the scene for a long moment before walking over. He leaned down and embraced her, his voice a bit hesitant. "You were waiting for me?"

She smiled. "Who else would I be waiting for?"

Finally certain of it, he couldn't help but let out a muffled laugh. His chest vibrated as he laughed; held in his arms, she could almost hear his heartbeat.

She asked him, "Yanyan, has something big happened in the Demon Realm lately?"

He said lazily, "Why ask that suddenly?"

She said, "Why are you back so late?"

The Demon Lord thought: Is she already worrying about me when I'm only a little late? What a worrywart! But the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

"No need to worry, all is well."

She caught a pleasant scent on him, something like the fragrance of soap used for bathing. She suddenly realized: he had bathed before coming to see her. She leaned in and sniffed carefully; sure enough, she detected a faint trace of blood.

"Yanyan, why did you bathe before coming back to the palace?"

He stiffened. He immediately said, "I didn't want to wake you."

She looked at him. There were no wounds on his hands or face. She reached out to feel his waist, but the demon tripped her up, and she fell onto the bed. He pressed down on her, narrowing his phoenix eyes as a warning. "No touching."

Smelling the increasingly obvious scent of blood, she didn't dare move.

The handsome demon said fiercely, "You haven't finished paying your debt yet. No touching for now!"

The moment he mentioned the debt, she went silent. She knew that if this demon wanted to keep something from her, he would never let it slip.

She suddenly remembered something. That day, after the soul-mending session, he had said to her: "I will never hurt you."

She had been too unsettled at the time, her mind occupied by the fact that she had once stabbed him, so she hadn't thought deeply about it. But now that she looked back, she was stunned, a demon had no way of guaranteeing they would "never" hurt someone. When the demonic qi invaded, they simply couldn't control themselves.

But he had spoken with such conviction, as if he already had something to rely on. The Great Demon Lord was a demon of his word; he never made promises he couldn't keep.

She realized, in hindsight, that this demon had been leaving early and returning late for a long time. It was only because she had been avoiding him lately and going to sleep early after training that she hadn't noticed. She realized she had not only been avoiding him but had ignored him for quite a while.

Thinking of that faint scent of blood, she felt uneasy. She couldn't keep running away like this.

The next morning, after the demon had left, she went straight to find Ran Yang.

"Take me to see your Lord."

Ran Yang: "Now?"

Ran Yang immediately began looking around, craning his neck to find an excuse to slip away.

Her almond eyes narrowed. "If you don't take me, I'll use meat to force the truth out of Little Eyes."

Ran Yang: "..."

He had forgotten about Little Eyes, that Snake dragon who would call anyone "mother" as long as they had milk.

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