The White Moonlight Disdained by the Male Protagonist of Redemption - Chapter 17.1

Ning Yao came to one clear conclusion after all that had happened: her low alcohol tolerance was truly a weakness.

She had slept well, but it was a pity—she couldn’t even remember much, let alone flirt or act bold. Honestly, she hadn’t performed well at all. She was nowhere near the “slightly tipsy” state her older sister had described—it was more like worlds apart.

After thinking it over, Ning Yao realized she couldn’t copy others directly. Her sister was naturally sweet and charming, but compared to that, she was a bit rigid. It was better to focus on her own strengths and find her own path.

But at least now, she no longer had to worry about whether her heart had moved. The confusing part was… if Feng Jingzhuo liked her, why didn’t he want to marry her?

***

Before entering the Zansnow Lake region, they had to pass through the southeastern wild forest. Once they got through, it would basically feel like going home.

After dragging things out for so long, Ning Yao had no more tricks up her sleeve.

When they got home, she figured she should at least keep some dignity. But maybe, just maybe, she could use this last bit of time to act spoiled and clingy, and make Feng Jingzhuo carry her or get physically close?

Then again, why bother thinking so hard about the reason? Who cared? No matter how hard she thought about it, she wouldn’t find an answer. It was better to just wear him down—act spoiled and keep clinging to him until he gave in and married her once they reached home.

As she was considering throwing away her pride, her expression suddenly changed. Her brow furrowed, and her eyes turned sharp.

“Jingzhuo,” she grabbed his arm, “something’s wrong.”

The surroundings were unnaturally quiet.

Feng Jingzhuo immediately moved in front of her to shield her. “Someone set a barrier in the forest?”

Ning Yao shook her head. “No, someone is coming from the north.”

She said, “They’re probably not a friend.”

Feng Jingzhuo looked north. The wind rustled through the trees, and there seemed to be a strange energy in the air.

After a moment, his expression changed slightly. He whispered, “Yao Yao, I smell perfume.”

As he spoke, a blurry figure appeared ahead, walking slowly toward them with hands behind his back.

The man wore black robes. His skin was pale like a corpse, and the heavy scent of makeup around him was nauseating. His thick eyebrows framed a pair of calm, smiling eyes. He looked directly at Ning Yao and greeted her without a care, “Mountain Lord Ning.”

Ning Yao thought to herself—maybe she’d gotten too famous. Now anyone on the road could recognize her.

Since the man didn’t seem eager to fight right away, she decided to be polite. “And you are? ”

The man raised an eyebrow. “Mountain Lord Ning, so many people know you—you’ve forgotten me already? I’m Wan Dongze.”

Wan Dongze? She didn’t recognize the name, but it felt rude to ask directly, so she waited.

He pretended to be hurt. “Alright, I guess you did forget me. A few months ago, you broke into the FengJie Sect, took thirteen dragon scales from the Cangyuan, and rescued a male servant.”

Ah, Ning Yao remembered now. “Oh, it’s you.”

She gave him another look. In her memory, Wan Dongze was a bit gloomy, but not this strange and creepy. “Didn’t you go home? Or… did you go back to Fengxie Sect? ”

Wan Dongze said, “Yeah. I begged you to take me in, but you refused. How does it feel now?”

Ning Yao answered honestly, “It doesn’t feel like anything.”

Wan Dongze went quiet, then looked at Feng Jingzhuo with a strange expression—part smile, part mockery, and full of judgment.

Soon, he turned back to Ning Yao. “You’ll regret not taking me in back then.”

Ning Yao laughed. “Well, hearing that, I think if I had taken you in, I’d be regretting it now.”

Something about that seemed to trigger Wan Dongze. He laughed out loud.

With his laughter, the wind in the trees behind him suddenly roared, and a heavy, sweet perfume filled the air. A richly dressed, older woman walked out slowly. Her gown shimmered with gold, her makeup thick, but her skin showed signs of age even though she clearly tried hard to maintain it.

As soon as she appeared, Feng Jingzhuo’s expression completely changed.

The woman looked at Feng Jingzhuo and said, “Long time no see. You’ve gotten better at serving people.”

Her eyes swept over Ning Yao’s face and paused for a second—clearly surprised by her beauty—then turned cold. “Mountain Lord Ning… truly a rare beauty. How’s my man working out for you?”

Ning Yao asked Wan Dongze, “Is that your mother? ”

Right to the point—saved a lot of talking. Murong Lianzhen instantly exploded with anger. “You little witch! If I don’t scratch that pretty face of yours today, it would be an insult to the FengJie Sect’s name!”

Ning Yao was about to ask what kind of reputation the FengJie Sect even had when Feng Jingzhuo stepped forward.

He was already half in front of her, but now he completely blocked her from view.

Murong Lianzhen looked at him like he was some kind of filth. “Move.”

Feng Jingzhuo didn’t move. He hated how they looked at Ning Yao.

Murong Lianzhen sneered. “Even if Mountain Lord Ning likes your… skills, there’s no need to show off so eagerly. A fight is about to start—don’t go crawling around like a dog and embarrass yourself.”

Ning Yao stayed still, but her voice came calmly from behind him. “You say that to someone from Luoxiang Mountain, and to me—that’s a crime worthy of death.”

Murong Lianzhen said, “Why? You’re still young, Ning Mountain Lord, you don’t understand. Jingzhuo likes this kind of thing. It’s what he needs.”

Behind Feng Jingzhuo, Ning Yao gently tugged on his sleeve.

Suddenly, the thick, foul energy around them split open slightly, letting in a clean breeze. Feng Jingzhuo’s heart softened in that moment.

He turned his head slightly and whispered, “Wan Dongze is stronger than Murong Lianzhen.”

Ning Yao whispered back, “I know. You’re no match. Hide somewhere—I don’t want to worry about you.”

Then she pushed him aside and stepped forward to fight Murong Lianzhen head-on. She struck first, and Murong Lianzhen blocked her with a wave of spiritual power. The energy shook the trees around them.

But right after the first move, Ning Yao knew something was off.