“It’s fine for demons to enjoy it; it’s part of their nature. But we’re immortals, and the path is arduous. We shouldn’t indulge too much,” Bai Shuo said seriously, clearing her throat.
“Master…” her disciple’s tone was slightly petulant, his face full of discontent. “You just said it was great to be a demon.”
Bai Shuo nearly choked on her candied fruit, grinding it between her teeth as she tugged on his sleeve, dragging him away. “There are things you shouldn’t look at! You’re still young. Let’s go, I’ll take you to find something delicious to eat.”
As she stormed away, clearly treating the pavilion as something forbidden, Fan Yue’s eyes sparkled with laughter. He let her drag him along, disappearing into the crowd together.
The full moon hung high, bathing Bu Ji City in its soft glow. Though it was deep into the night, the entire city was alive with laughter, song, and the intoxicating aroma of wine. Bai Shuo, determined to keep her disciple's "wicked thoughts" at bay, had dragged Fan Yue through half the city’s eateries until finally, leaning against the pillar of a tavern, she waved her hand.
"Enough! I can't eat another bite," she declared.
"Master, now that you're full, shall we go…"
"I can still fight on!" Bai Shuo declared, sucking in her stomach and standing up straight with newfound vigor. "Where? Is there more food?"
Her voice rang out with fierce determination, though her fluffy fox ears trembled slightly. Unable to hold back his amusement any longer, her little disciple gently wrapped an arm around her waist and whisked her away.
When Bai Shuo felt solid ground beneath her feet again, she looked around to find herself at the edge of a tranquil lake. Soft grass cushioned her feet, and the air carried a refreshing, clean fragrance. On the water’s surface, a small, curved moon shimmered, despite the full moon above.
The world around her had quieted abruptly. Bai Shuo took in the sight of the lake, then whirled around to face Fan Yue in surprise.
"Mumu! Is this Purple Moon Lake?" she asked excitedly.
Fan Yue nodded.
Long ago, when the ancient Divine Realm was still sealed, the Demon God Tianqi had once resided here in the Demon Realm as the Silent Abyss Demon Lord for a thousand years. Back then, much of the Demon Realm was barren, far from the splendor of the Divine Realm. Wherever the Demon God stayed, he left traces of divine power, creating countless lakes bearing purple moons as a result. The legend held that these purple moons were imbued with the essence of divinity.
"How did you know Bu Ji City has a Purple Moon Lake?"
"When I bought the osmanthus cake for you earlier, the little rabbit demon owner told me," Fan Yue replied.
"Just for buying a cake, she told you about Purple Moon Lake?” Bai Shuo was speechless.
"I gave her a spirit stone. I imagine she was quite pleased."
"A spirit stone?!" Bai Shuo’s eyes widened, feeling a pang in her heart. Without another word, she bent down, scooped up some lake water, and took a few gulps.
As the water flowed down her throat, Bai Shuo felt a deep sense of clarity and rejuvenation, as if her mind had been wiped clean. Even the pain she’d been carrying since she’d sacrificed her heart’s blood back in the other city seemed to dissipate entirely.
As expected of a divine gift! Bai Shuo beamed and was about to plunge her head fully into the lake to drink her fill when a pair of hands gently lifted her up.
The disciple looked at her with gentle exasperation. "Master, the divine aura left behind by the Demon God… You’re only a half-immortal. Two sips are more than enough."
"But we spent a whole spirit stone!" Bai Shuo muttered. "Just two sips—that’s hardly fair."
Seeing the disapproving look on his face, she pouted, "Alright, alright. Just two sips, then."
With a final wistful glance at the lake, Bai Shuo turned and pulled her disciple down to sit beside her on the shore. Fan Yue was slightly surprised but settled comfortably at her side.
They gazed out over the lake together, the purple moon floating on the surface, casting ripples of light that danced alongside the stars above—a scene that felt boundless, ancient, and endlessly intertwined.
After a while, Bai Shuo looked over at her disciple.
"Mumu."
"Hmm?"
"When the Great Feast between the two realms is over, let’s go back to Nan Hai City. You don’t know it yet, but while you were gone, our house collapsed. But don’t worry, your master is very capable! I’ve already fixed it up again…"
Fan Yue turned to her, his gaze lingering as if he were seeing something beyond her words.
Bai Shuo, oblivious to the subtle change in his expression, rummaged through her storage pouch and pulled out two items, offering them to him eagerly. "Look what I brought for you!"
In her palm lay a pouch of dried flowers and a small jar of Yaochi Spring Water.
"These are the treasures you gathered for me, Mumu. I’ve kept them safe, just as you left them."
Fan Yue looked down at her offerings, his eyes softening as they settled on her face.
"Master, you’re taking me home?"
"Yes!" Bai Shuo nodded firmly.
"But…" Fan Yue’s gaze drifted back up to her face, his mouth slowly curving into a smile, cold and laced with sarcasm.
"What if I don’t want to go?”
0 Comments