Chapter Seventeen: Moon Invitation Peak

The insect and Chang Daizi exchanged a knowing glance, then lifted the woman, one on each side, showing not a trace of compassion as they hauled her out of the dungeon.

At this moment, the iron-barred door had already been opened. The cook stood at the entrance with two maidservants, waiting. When they saw their charge being brought out, he hastened to flatter, "Many thanks for your hard work, honored immortals!"

Chang Daizi, in no mood for pleasantries, shoved the woman forward with a casual hand. "Enough, she's yours now. Just remember to lock the door."

With that, he glanced at the insect, then instantly vanished into the darkness.

“Would you not stay for a drink?” the cook called after them, grabbing the staggering woman and pushing her toward the waiting maidservant.

The insect folded his arms, gave the cook a look, then sauntered off without a word.

The cook, rebuffed, turned sharply to the maidservants. "What are you staring at? Hurry and take her away. If you’re late, you’ll be next."

The two maids shivered, then hurriedly led the woman out of the residence. They moved with such speed that, in the blink of an eye, they had reached the Solitary Shade Bridge.

Setting foot on that bridge again, the woman felt as if an entire lifetime had passed. She pleaded, "Where are you taking me?"

The maidservants did not reply. She tried again, "We are all women. Could you not show me mercy? I would never forget such kindness."

"You're the one the Demon Lord himself has chosen," said the taller, round-faced maid, flipping a red pill from her palm. "You are destined for great fortune. If we let you go, we'd be betraying our duty, wouldn't we?"

With a flick of her wrist, the swirling gales that had once raged around the bridge fell instantly silent. "Move along," she urged.

But the woman refused, suddenly lunging at the smaller maid. Caught off guard, the girl staggered, and in that moment, the woman broke free, leaping from the Solitary Shade Bridge.

The round-faced maid’s expression turned cold. With a flick of her sleeve, a thread of crimson shot out, snaring the escapee and returning her to the bridge.

“We’re all centuries old—what’s the point in seeking death? If the Demon Lord hears of this stunt, he might think we mistreated you. Who knows, one day you may thank us.”

"Wan'er, why bother reasoning with her?" said the round-faced maid—Shao'er—glaring fiercely at the woman. "She refuses kindness and thinks we're plotting her end."

“I…” The woman was at a loss for words. It was precisely because she knew what they were capable of that she sought to end her own misery. If immortality meant endless torment, was not death a release?

But she had forgotten—people like the insect knew countless ways to make her wish for death without granting it. Was leaping from the bridge really an escape?

"Sister, perhaps meeting the Demon Lord is a new beginning," Wan'er said gently, steadying her. She had intended for the woman to make her move, for only then would the prey willingly take the bait.

Moved by these words, the woman ceased her struggle and let herself be led swiftly across the bridge.

When they reached the misty barrier, Wan'er removed her wooden hairpin and traced a line in the air. Instantly, the clouds parted, revealing the path ahead.

"Who goes there?" Lin Mao asked, eyes full of confusion at the sight of the three. Could this be the guard the Demon Lord mentioned? But who was the strange woman? She looked unfamiliar, and yet something about her seemed known. But that was impossible—the person should be gone.

“Lin—”

“How dare you question the Demon Lord’s affairs? Do you have a death wish?” Shao'er interjected sharply, cutting off the woman’s words.

Lin Mao felt a chill down his spine. Forcing a laugh, he said, "Yes, yes. But does this lady know me? How else would she know my surname?"

The woman’s heart sank, recalling how he had struck her, plunging her into utter despair.

Wan'er cast a glance, her tone measured. "She is to be honored in days to come. We bring her by the Demon Lord’s command from Shadow Mountain Lake. Seeing the desolation here, she simply lamented it—nothing more."

Lin Mao peered at the woman, uncertain. The butler, Zou, stepped forward quietly. "Master, perhaps we should attend to business first. Other matters can wait."

Lin Mao nodded. "You’re right." Then, bowing, he said, "Please, after you."

The three beauties passed by, their graceful forms lingering in the mind.

"Master, shouldn’t we follow?" Zou ventured.

"Of course we should. Why wouldn’t we?" Lin Mao replied, hurrying after them. Despite his doubts, he was certain of one thing: if the guard had left and she had not returned, she was likely gone. So what was there to fear? Women—there were ways to handle them.

Zou kept his distance, observing everything closely. When they reached the foot of the mountain, Lin Mao ordered him to stay behind, under the pretense of “no merit, lest others take advantage.”

“Tch, just say you don’t trust me,” Zou muttered, leaping into a tree to feign sleep.

Meanwhile, in the waterside pavilion, the Demon Lord circled the woman several times before nodding in satisfaction. "Yes, quite the likeness. From now on, your name will be Xi Yuan. Remember that."

"Yes, Xi Yuan will remember."

"For now, you will eat and sleep with me. I will instruct you personally."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord," Xi Yuan replied, kneeling in reverence. Now she understood: the jade cicada had been a pretext. The true purpose—they needed a vengeful ghost as a vessel, and she had been chosen. She even doubted whether the box had ever contained a jade cicada at all. It had vanished while she was unconscious—likely taken by them.

"Rise. From this moment, you are my sworn sister," the Demon Lord announced. "You all must show her the same respect as you do me. Should any fail in this, drag them out and kill them on the spot."

The assembly bowed in unison. "Yes, we greet Miss Xi."

The chorus of greetings made Xi Yuan uneasy. Fortune falling from the sky was not always a blessing. She knew her luck too well. But when her gaze fell upon Lin Mao outside the door, her heart hardened to ice.

You showed me no mercy; do not blame me for what follows. You will repay your debt.

Lin Mao shivered, glancing up to see Xi Yuan standing shyly at the Demon Lord’s side, her eyes brimming with allure. He was so entranced he did not know when he had lost himself, standing there like a fool.

The Demon Lord turned to Qing Fu. "Take my sister to rest."

Qing Fu bowed. "Yes. This way, Miss Xi."

"Thank you," Xi Yuan replied with a nod.

Once they passed through the beaded curtain, Xi Yuan found herself in another realm entirely.

Shao'er and Wan'er did not linger, soon bidding the Demon Lord farewell. He nodded, leaving Lin Mao standing alone outside.

"Lin Mao, you have done well in this task, proving your loyalty," the Demon Lord said. "I now want you to return to the Xiaotong Domain and wait for this person to appear. When you see him, do as follows..."

As he spoke, a scroll flew to Lin Mao from the table. Opening it, Lin Mao was startled—wasn’t this the very scoundrel who had destroyed the goddess’s statue? So it was Bai Li Suhe. No wonder he could force the goddess’s effigy to shatter. No wonder that fool Zou Jiren had been outmaneuvered.

He rolled up the scroll and stowed it. "Understood. I’ll see to it at once."

The Demon Lord nodded, waiting until all had left before sitting down at the desk. He drew his skirt over his feet and, taking up a vermilion brush, began to paint with care upon white silk. "Suhe, will you be surprised? This is a gift I have prepared for you with great care..."

Meanwhile, Suhe and Huai Yin hurried out of the Xiaotong Domain as dusk began to fall.

At the foot of Moon-Summoning Peak, Huai Yin strode along, great saber in hand, hacking at the roadside undergrowth. "Hey, do we really have to go? It’s late—won’t it be awkward? After all, the young master of Shuxing Pavilion is still single."

"Indeed, I hadn’t expected you to be so considerate, Brother Huai," Suhe replied gravely.

“Oh, come on, I’m being serious. You know these days, Shuxing Pavilion is swarming like a nest of startled rats. You have business there, but those lustful types might see you as a threat. If they gang up on you at night, wouldn’t that be bad?”

He gestured animatedly, felling another row of shrubs.

After all, they were all immortals—each possessed their own powers, and in truth, were little different from ordinary folk. They just lived longer, were healthier, and never lacked for appetite. If someone wished you harm, it was still two fists against four hands.

Suhe stopped. "Your concern touches me deeply, Brother Huai. But we've already delayed too long—a further wait could bring trouble."

"Have you noticed something?" Huai Yin stopped, stabbing his saber into the ground.

"Don’t you find it odd how quiet it’s been on our way here?"

"Now that you mention it…" He had been hacking and slashing, yet not a single rabbit had darted out, nor a bird taken flight. He hadn’t thought much of it, just assumed the late hour made things quiet. But in truth, birds and beasts are the first to sense trouble.

Realizing this, he hefted his saber onto his shoulder. "What are we waiting for, then? Let’s go! If we’re late, the young master might be claimed by someone else."

Suhe couldn’t help but laugh, glancing at him. "Your feelings are sincere, Brother Huai. If you tidied up, you might just have a chance."

Huai Yin nearly choked, wanting to make a rude gesture but restraining himself, feeling suddenly self-conscious. Damn it—if you can’t comfort people, just say nothing. It’s not as if I’m that hopeless—maybe just a little too ordinary. Just a little…

"Are you coming, Brother Huai?" Suhe called back.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” Huai Yin grumbled, eyeing the towering Moon-Summoning Peak. “I don’t know why the ancestors of Shuxing Pavilion had to set such an inhumane rule. Any immortal who comes has to land, stow their treasures, and climb on foot. If only we could fly, my legs wouldn’t be cramping by the end.”

“Those with great ability are often eccentric. It’s both their nature and a mark of their power. Others respect them, so the rule stands.”

“Alas… my fate is bitter…”

Suhe turned, utterly serious. “If you’re tired, Brother Huai, I could carry you—as repayment for saving my life at Liu Xinzhai.”

Huai Yin looked as if struck by lightning, a shiver running through every meridian. “No need. I’ll walk myself…”

With that, he vanished in a puff of dust.

"Did I say something wrong?" Suhe wondered aloud.