The White Moonlight Disdained by the Male Protagonist of Redemption - Chapter 14.1

Xuanlan Mountain was located at the south of the mountain and north of the river. The area was surrounded by tall peaks, full of spiritual energy, with drifting mist floating through the mountains. It looked like a perfect place with great natural energy.

Being there, Ning Yao realized just how flashy and materialistic the Fengxie Dao Sect really was.

Simply put, the Fengxie Dao Sect liked to show off their wealth with gold and silver everywhere. In contrast, the Xuanwu Clan lived deep in the forest, using no gold or jewels. It looked plain, as if they were poor, but in reality, everything was carefully designed and elegant.

Unlike her own home—she also lived in the mountains, seemed poor, and truly was poor.

On the way up the mountain, Ning Yao asked Feng Jingzhuo, “Say, when we have money in the future, how should we decorate our mountain? Do you like something flashy and full of gold? Or do you prefer something simple but classy, like this place?”

Feng Jingzhuo replied, “What’s classy about this?”

Ning Yao said, “Isn’t it obvious? Look at these trees, these flowers, this little bridge and flowing water… this… this rock!”

Feng Jingzhuo looked around but didn’t think it was any better than Luoxiang Mountain.

Ning Yao looked at him. “Jingzhuo, don’t be biased just because you like Luoxiang Mountain. I’m not the kind of leader who needs others to flatter me. I’m fair. If there are problems, we should face them.”

Feng Jingzhuo looked down, smiling lightly as he walked. “Then we just have different tastes. I simply like Luoxiang Mountain.”

Yeah, right. He just liked whoever treated him well—what taste?

Ning Yao casually kicked a small stone. “Forget it. Who knows when we’ll have money? Even if we buy a mountain like this, we’d probably still live in a straw hut.”

Feng Jingzhuo hesitated. “Yao Yao, can I ask you something? Please don’t get mad.”

Ning Yao was generous. “I won’t get mad. Ask whatever you want.”

“Why is Luoxiang Mountain so poor?”

Even though there were no magical tools on Luoxiang Mountain, it had many rare herbs. Other sects would pay a lot for them.

Ning Yao wasn’t mad, but she felt a bit hurt. She sighed. “I know what you’re thinking. If we could make money from herbs, I would’ve been born with a silver spoon in my mouth. But we can’t. It’s the rules—set by our ancestors.”

She began counting on her fingers: “We can’t sell anything from the mountain, can’t accept gifts from friends, can’t take advantage of favors, can’t charge for healing, and if someone gives us mountain treasures, we can’t return the favor… Basically, everything is forbidden. Sometimes I do think about breaking the rules, but then I remember—our ancestors lived this way, my father and grandfather endured it, and if I start selling our heritage now… Haha. I don’t really mind, but I’d feel bad for them. I’d be enjoying life up here while they’re being rebuked by our ancestors down below. I can’t do that to them. So I’ll hold on.”

Something that sounded normal turned into a heartfelt sacrifice when she said it.

Feng Jingzhuo smiled as he listened. Even a simple mountain path felt lively with her around.

He asked, “Then how does your Bodhi Clan make money?”

Ning Yao replied, “We pick seashells and conches. There are lots in Lake Zansnow. We can’t sell things from the mountain, but nobody watches the lake.”

“And then?”

“We sell them, of course. Ten shells for one coin. Kids love them. You can tie them together and wear them as a necklace. They look so nice.”

Alright then, ten shells for one coin. The bags of money under her bed had been saved bit by bit over generations.

Feng Jingzhuo didn’t know what to say. He looked at her, and he kind of wanted to laugh.

“Yao Yao, let me do that job in the future. I’ll go pick shells and give you the money.”

Ning Yao was confused. “Why, would the shells you pick sell better than mine“? ”

Feng Jingzhuo said, “Either they sell the same, and your clan can rest a bit—or they sell better, and we make more money.”

That actually made sense.

Ning Yao was getting excited and was about to ask how he could sell them better, when suddenly, someone appeared on the path ahead and said, “Please stop, both of you.”

Ning Yao quickly moved in front of Feng Jingzhuo, half-blocking him. Although she had heard good things about the Xuanwu Clan, she didn’t want any surprises.

The person was a young man, probably younger than them. He wore a pine-green robe embroidered with turtle-and-cloud patterns. The embroidery was high quality, clearly expensive even to someone who didn’t know fabrics.

His face was plain, his skin fair, and he had a round face and squinty eyes. He smiled politely. “Mountain Lord Ning, this is our first time meeting. Please forgive me if I’m being rude.”

Ning Yao was surprised. “Am I that famous now?”

The round-faced man replied, “Not really. No matter how famous you are, you’re still not as well-known as Young Master Feng Jingzhuo.”

Ning Yao’s face turned serious. “What do you mean by that?”

If it was just a comment, she could ignore it. But if it was meant to insult someone unfairly, she didn’t care if they bought this mountain or not—she’d fight him first.

Feng Jingzhuo whispered, “Yao Yao…”

But Ning Yao ignored him and stepped forward. “Speak clearly. What do you mean?”

The round-faced man looked embarrassed. It didn’t seem fake. “It didn’t mean anything. I was just making conversation. Really, no bad intentions. Please don’t be mad.”

Ning Yao smiled. “I’m not mad. I just want to clear things up.”

He smiled too. “Mountain Lord Ning, then let’s stop talking here. Our master says he cannot agree to your request today. Please return with Young Master Feng.”