The White Moonlight Disdained by the Male Protagonist of Redemption - Chapter 13.2

Feng Jingzhuo’s heart sank. So, they really did use the Nine Yin Cold Spirit Mushroom Herb on him.

He muttered, “This is a very precious item…”

Ning Yao grinned. “That’s right. And your life is even more precious. What could be more valuable than life?”

Feng Jingzhuo looked at her—at the red mark between her brows, at the dimples on her cheeks.

Completely unaware of his emotions, Ning Yao continued to smile. “No matter what, you have to drink this soup. Otherwise, it’ll go to waste. And I don’t like mushrooms.”

Chu Xiao added, “I don’t like milk.”

Ning Yuzhu followed up, “I can eat mushrooms, and I can drink milk, but put them together, and just the smell makes me want to throw up.”

Seeing that no one else would drink it, Ning Yao shoved the bowl into Feng Jingzhuo’s hands. “Drink it.”

Feng Jingzhuo held the bowl in silence for a moment. Then, without another word, he lifted it to his lips and drank it all in one go.

There were things more precious than life.

Everyone in this room was more precious than his own life.

That was fine. Born in Luoxiang Mountain, he would give back to Luoxiang Mountain.

He had always thought that he would protect this place and its people with his life. But his life had always been too fragile—he feared that even if he gave everything, he wouldn’t be able to protect them.

But now… now, he finally had the strength to protect his family.

The Nine Yin Cold Spirit Mushroom Herb worked immediately.

After just one night, Feng Jingzhuo could already feel his dragon marrow regenerating.

His once dried-up spiritual core was finally nourished, producing a faint trace of spiritual energy. In just one night, he had gained ten years’ worth of cultivation progress.

Ning Yao was overjoyed and decided to hold a meeting.

Feng Jingzhuo had never heard of such a thing before, and when he was told he had to attend, he wasn’t sure if he should. He cautiously went to confirm with Ning Yao.

“Yao Yao, if I’m there… will it make things inconvenient for you?”

Ning Yao had stayed up late the night before and had just washed her face. While tying her hair in front of the mirror, she answered, “Why would it? We’re all family. Why would we hide anything from you?”

Feng Jingzhuo gave a soft “Oh” and then asked, “Do I need to prepare anything for the meeting?”

“Nothing at all. Just sit there.”

“…And what will we talk about?”

Ning Yao finally realized—this was his first meeting ever, and he was actually excited about it.

She casually tied her hair with a wooden pin, letting the rest fall over her shoulders, and then grabbed his hand. “Come, I’ll show you something first.”

Back in her room, she led him straight to the bed. She crouched down and peeked underneath. Then she waved him over. “Look here.”

This was… the forbidden area under her bed.

Now that she had given permission, Feng Jingzhuo followed her lead, sticking his head under the bed as well.

There, he saw several large burlap sacks.

“What’s this?” he asked.

Ning Yao gave him a mysterious smile, a little proud of herself. She reached out, untied one of the sacks, and yanked it open in a bold gesture.

Clink, clink, clink!

The sack spilled over, revealing countless tightly strung copper coins.

She grinned. “What do you think? A lot of money, right?”

Feng Jingzhuo blinked. “…Yeah, it’s a lot.”

“This has been saved up since my grandfather’s time. It took years to collect!”

Half of her body was still under the bed as she lovingly touched the money. Feng Jingzhuo, on the other hand, watched her instead of the money.

Holding back a laugh, he asked, “Yao Yao… Did you not let me see under your bed before because you were afraid I’d steal your money?”

Ning Yao scoffed. “Of course not! Back then, you were new here. As the mountain lord, I couldn’t let people think I was poor. First impressions matter, you know? If you thought I was stingy, how could I ever make you like me?”

She then emphasized, “I’m not stingy at all! I just spend responsibly. I manage our family’s finances wisely—that’s called being responsible!”

Feng Jingzhuo nodded. “I understand.”

Then he said, “Yao Yao, you’ve worked hard as the mountain lord. From now on, let me make money for our family.”

Ning Yao was so touched she immediately hugged him. “Jingzhuo! You speak way better than those heartless idiots in the mountain! Can you say it again?”

Feng Jingzhuo stiffened, his heart pounding like a drum.

“I—I will… I’ll say it more often from now on,” he stammered.

Fortunately, her little Bodhisattva didn’t mind at all. With a slight curve of his brows and eyes, he decisively agreed, “Jingzhuo, pack up. Tomorrow morning, we’re going down the mountain together! ”

…

Ning Yao was very satisfied with this outcome.

She had already decided on this trip down the mountain, but if she went alone, she would lose the opportunity to spend time with Feng Jingzhuo. So, he had to accompany her.

Of course, the prerequisite for going was at least having a healthy body. Fortunately, he had absorbed the Nine Yin Cold Ganoderma well. It wouldn’t take long before he could start cultivating again.

In the end, she didn’t even need to use any of her prepared plans—Feng Jingzhuo was surprisingly cooperative. So far, everything was going smoothly.

Under the quiet night and dim moonlight, Ning Yao sat on the front steps, gazing up at the sky.

The vast sea of stars above was said to be the gate to the Nine Heavens Mystic River, the entrance to the Divine Realm. Without achieving godhood, even someone of her high cultivation level could never cross the Nine Heavens Mystic River.

Resting her chin on one hand, Ning Yao silently watched.

—There wasn’t much time left for her.

On one hand, she had to fend off the ever-looming threat of the Cangyuan Dragon Clan. On the other hand, she had to make great strides toward her goal of ascension. There was no time to handle things one by one; she had to push both forward at the same time.

Fortunately, her progress with Feng Jingzhuo wasn’t going too well—compared to her eldest sister and brother-in-law back then, they were far behind. It was probably because of the group of clueless fools on the mountain being too distracting, delaying things.

That’s why alone time was necessary.

Alone time was good.

That way, she could finally put her plans into action.