The White Moonlight Disdained by the Male Protagonist of Redemption - Chapter 19.6

Following her gaze, Tu Manxing saw that Ning Yao’s fingertips had a few strands of spiritual energy twirling together.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

Ning Yao rubbed her fingers. “Someone is attacking the barrier around Zansnow Lake. Their spiritual power is strong, and there are many of them.”

The barrier around Zansnow Lake was created by all of them together, but Ning Yao was the one who sealed it. That way, she could sense anything that happened to it first.

Tu Manxing put down her wooden comb. “Ugh, how annoying. These bastards really know how to pick the worst time. Why do they have to mess things up when we’re already busy?”

“They came earlier than I expected, and they’re also stronger,” Ning Yao looked at herself in the mirror. It was like she was speaking to herself. “The barrier won’t last as long as planned. At the latest, they’ll break through by midnight.”

Tu Manxing asked, “What are you planning to do?”

Ning Yao looked down and picked up a pair of silver earrings from the table. “We’ll do what we have to. There’s no other choice.”

There was no hope of winning if they fought them head-on. More importantly, she didn’t want anyone around her to get hurt—especially not when they didn’t even know how bad the damage could be. “Let them fight. We shouldn’t lose our rhythm.”

She stood up and grabbed Tu Manxing’s hand. “Senior sister, after the wedding ceremony, I’ll be alone with Jingzhuo. Take everyone to the back mountain and wait for my orders.”

She gave a gentle smile. “When Jingzhuo ascends to godhood, he’ll be fine. As for me, I’ll give up my life and wait to be reborn. Everyone in our Bodhi Clan is connected by the heart. You’ll all return to dust with me, and one day, we’ll rise again. We’ll meet again in the god realm. No one in our family should get hurt.”

***

The Bodhi Clan’s wedding ceremony was simple. After bowing to the ancestors, they signed the marriage scroll and buried it under the Tree of Fate.

Jingzhuo had finished getting ready. Together with Chu Xiao and Ning Yuzhu, the three of them urged each other to hurry to Ning Yao’s place.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw Jie Zhongyi sitting outside Ning Yao’s room. He was wearing a dark red outer robe, fitting for the joyful occasion.

Jingzhuo bowed respectfully. “Great Master.”

Jie Zhongyi stood up in surprise.

When he saw Jingzhuo, he almost thought he was looking at Ran Qing. Ran Qing had the same beautiful appearance, otherworldly features, and elegance. Wearing the same robe, it was hard not to feel a moment of confusion. “…Jingzhuo, come here.”

Jie Zhongyi smiled and waved him over. “Let me take a good look at you. Mmm, very nice. The robe fits perfectly, and the color suits you well.”

Jingzhuo smiled softly.

He walked closer and spoke in a low voice, “Great Master, about what I told you yesterday…”

Jie Zhongyi nodded. “I remember. That’s why I’m here waiting for you.” He turned slightly to block the view of the other two and took a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve. He poured out a pill. “I made this medicine for you. Take it, and you’ll be fine.”

Jingzhuo received it with both hands. “Thank you, Great Master.”

Jie Zhongyi mumbled a reply and didn’t dare look at him directly.

Jingzhuo swallowed the pill. The last trace of worry between his brows disappeared. At this moment, his heart was calm, and his eyes were filled only with the light of waiting for his bride.

Jie Zhongyi couldn’t stand the way he looked—so bright and full of hope. He found an excuse and said, “Why is Yao Yao taking so long? I’ll go check on her.”

Jingzhuo said, “No rush, Great Master. Don’t hurry her.”

Jie Zhongyi muttered, “Still, she’s too slow.”

Jingzhuo said softly, “I’m willing to wait.”

Chu Xiao added from the side, “Exactly! Don’t rush her. Otherwise, you’ll stay single forever! ”

Back when Jie Zhongyi was young, he also wanted to contribute to the clan’s rise to godhood. But he was too blunt and couldn’t find a wife. He had stayed single ever since.

That was an old wound for him—it still stung.

Jie Zhongyi grumbled, “Chu Xiao, today’s a happy day, so I’ll let you live. Otherwise, I’d give you a beating.”

Chu Xiao laughed and slung an arm around him. “Old Jie! Don’t worry. I’ll stay single with you.”

Jie Zhongyi: “Get lost.”

He smacked Chu Xiao on the head. Chu Xiao held his head and gave an exaggerated yelp, using his hand to secretly wipe away a tear from the corner of his eye.

Ning Yuzhu wasn’t so good at hiding his emotions. He lowered his head and wiped his face again and again.

Jingzhuo noticed and asked gently, “Why are you crying?”

Ning Yuzhu whispered, “My sister is getting married. I feel sad.”

Jingzhuo said, “Yuzhu, I promise I’ll take good care of Yao Yao.”

Ning Yuzhu looked up. His eyes were slightly red, and his feelings were too deep to put into words. Anyone who didn’t know might think his sister was marrying off to the ends of the earth—or that her husband didn’t have much time left.

“Zhuo-ge, actually…” he began to say, then paused and patted Jingzhuo on the arm. “Look, Yao Yao’s coming out.”

Jingzhuo turned around.

The winter sunlight was soft and hazy, warming the heart. It felt like he was walking on clouds, light and dreamy.

At the end of the dream, his girl appeared. Her wedding robe was as bright as fire, and her face looked like it came from a painting.

He walked toward her step by step.

The dappled light and shadows danced on his red robe. The red and gold shimmered together, washing away the darkness of his past.

She reached out her hand, and he immediately held it. He gently turned his fingers, interlocking with hers.

“Yao Yao,” he said, and the moment their hands touched, his heart felt full. “Yao Yao, you… you look so beautiful.”

Ning Yao laughed and tapped his forehead. “It’s just a wedding. Why are you acting so silly?”

Jingzhuo smiled and looked at her with all his heart.

She was truly beautiful. Her fair skin, dark hair, and red mark on her forehead made her look like a goddess. Her beauty could shake the hearts of everyone who saw her.

That first arrow he saw when they met had finally found its target—it went straight into his heart. It was then that he realized he had truly met his Guanyin.

One moment ago, he was smiling. The next, it felt like someone had punched him hard in the chest.

The sharp pain spread across his body like wildfire. Something inside him was waking up, crawling out. And with it came a dark, terrifying feeling that slowly pushed away all his love and joy.

Feng Jingzhuo clutched his chest and stepped back.

Ning Yao frowned. “Jingzhuo…”

Feng Jingzhuo whispered, “Yao… don’t come near…”

She didn’t hear clearly and walked toward him. “Jingzhuo, you—”

He suddenly looked up. His face was blank, confused, almost afraid. His voice cracked, full of fear. “Don’t come near… stay away…”

He kept stepping back, eyes searching for Jie Zhongyi. “Master… help me, something’s wrong with me…”

Jie Zhongyi ran to support him, the others followed, worried. The old master’s voice shook, trying to calm him down. “Jingzhuo, it’s okay. Don’t be afraid. It’s alright.”

“No, no…”

Feng Jingzhuo shook his head. His eyes were full of desperation and trust as he looked at everyone. “I didn’t want this… please help me…”

It felt like darkness was swallowing him whole. No matter how hard the light tried, it couldn’t stop the darkness from taking over.

“Master, please…” All his hope was in Jie Zhongyi. “Give me another pill…”

Jie Zhongyi’s heart ached. “I… I don’t have any more…”

Feng Jingzhuo’s eyes dimmed. Still, he quickly twisted his hands together, shaking. “Tie me up. Tie my hands!”

No one reacted. They were too shocked. But he couldn’t take it anymore.

He turned around and with all his strength, transformed into a dragon and flew away. The sky changed its color. His dragon tail swept through the clouds, leaving behind killing intent so strong it turned the air heavy.

—

Ning Yao stepped forward, looking in the direction he flew.

“I know where he went. I’ll go after him.”

She turned and looked at everyone, her eyes looked serious. “Wan Dongze’s people will break through the barrier soon. All of you must hide. Wait for me. Do not fight them directly.”

Everyone nodded. At that moment, their hearts were one.

“Yao…” Jie Zhongyi called her softly.

She smiled at him and nodded, as if telling him not to worry.

There were no words like “take care” because they didn’t feel right now. His eyes turned red, but he still smiled. “Yao, we’ll see each other again.”

—

Ning Yao arrived at a hidden cave.

Just as she thought, Feng Jingzhuo had sealed the entrance with spiritual power. The energy was like a spiderweb, strong and tight. When she touched it, the power felt soft like cotton and didn’t hurt her.

It didn’t hurt her, but it wouldn’t let her in either.

She raised her hand, and light gathered in her palm. She pressed it against the seal. Her power slowly mixed with his, melting the barrier.

As the seal weakened, she began to hear the sound from inside—the sound of blades cutting flesh, the scraping of scales being torn off.

Ning Yao couldn’t imagine it. “Jingzhuo, Feng Jingzhuo! Stop it!”

—

Inside the cave, Feng Jingzhuo’s hands were shaking so badly he could barely hold the knife.

Hearing her voice—at that moment—it was the most frightening thing in the world. “Yao, please don’t come in. I sealed the cave so you wouldn’t come in.”

But she didn’t stop. Her voice, full of worry, pierced his heart. “Stop it! Do you hear me? You’re not allowed to hurt yourself! You know I hate seeing people hurt themselves the most!”

His hands trembled violently.

Heavy chains were wrapped around his wrists, locked to the wall with spell marks. His hands were bloody. He held the knife tightly, its blade already stabbed into his chest.

He begged her. “Yao, I can’t… I really can’t… Please, just listen to me. Please respect my choice.”

Ning Yao’s heart was breaking. “Jingzhuo, please stop. Let me in. I don’t want to see you suffer like this!”

“No… it’s not that…”

She gathered more energy in her hand and continued to melt the seal. Bits of rock began to fall from the cave entrance.

To him, the sound was like thunder. No, worse than thunder—it was the most terrifying sound in the world.

Feng Jingzhuo’s heart broke. Without thinking, he grabbed the knife and stabbed himself again—his chest, his throat, his stomach—every place that could end his life, just to protect her.