Moonlight Mystique

"Stupid donkey, stop right there—there—there—there!"

Bai Shuo chased after the Martial Virtue Donkey through the forest, while Mu Fan lazily trailed behind them. Though merely walking, he always managed to keep Bai Shuo within sight, neither too far nor too close.

"Ugh, I'm exhausted..."

After all, Bai Shuo was a pampered young miss who had never done a day of hard labor. Two legs could never outrun four hooves. "Y-you just wait..." she panted, pointing at the relentless donkey with wide eyes. "If I ever see you again, I swear I'll roast you into suckling donkey meat..."

Halfway through her threat, Bai Shuo suddenly heard the donkey's hooves pounding the ground several times faster than before.

Puzzled, she looked up and saw the donkey charging straight back toward her.

Why's it coming back? Did this beast suddenly grow a conscience? Before Bai Shuo could finish the thought, she instantly understood the real reason.

Deep in the forest, a pack of over a dozen wild wolves was hot on the donkey's heels, racing toward them like mad.

"Holy—holy—holy—! Wolves! Aaaaaah!"

Without hesitation, Bai Shuo turned and fled for her life. But if she couldn't even outrun a donkey, how could she possibly outrun wolves? The only thing she managed before tripping over a branch was to summon every ounce of strength to grab the tail of that donkey—who was trying to escape again!

The Martial Virtue Donkey never dreamed that this woman, even in the face of death, would drag someone down with her!

Both human and donkey tumbled over the branch and crashed into each other. In that split second of delay, the wolf pack closed in, surrounding them tightly.

"Damn it, you crazy woman! If you're gonna die, die alone—why drag me into this?!" The donkey's eyes bulged, practically spitting fire.

Bai Shuo's eyes widened even larger. "Haven't you heard? Even ghosts need company! I'm not walking the Yellow Springs alone!"

Electric sparks flew between their gazes—until a panting sound reached their ears, and a shadow loomed over them. They turned to see the wolves, eyes glowing green and breath reeking of blood, now mere inches away.

Suddenly, human and donkey clung to each other in a death grip, trembling in unison.

Three wolves bared their claws and lunged at Bai Shuo and the donkey.

"Aaaaaah! Help! Earth God! Kitchen God! Matchmaker God! Save meeeee!"

Bai Shuo squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face in the donkey's neck.

I'm gonna die! I haven't even become an immortal yet! Is there really an underworld? Is it cold down there? No way—I haven't even eaten my fill! Starving ghosts are so pitiful...

"Thud!" A heavy impact echoed, followed by furious wolf howls.

A thousand thoughts raced through Bai Shuo's mind, yet the expected pain of wolf fangs never came. She cautiously peeked through one eye—only to see a young man standing protectively in front of her, wielding a wooden club. It was Mu Fan.

One wolf had been blinded, and the rest growled even more savagely.

"Brother Mu!" Bai Shuo's eyes welled up with tears, nearly calling him "Dad" in her relief.

"Little Bai, don't be afraid. Stay behind me—I'll protect you!" Mu Fan, gripping a tree stump he'd snapped off from somewhere, stood firm despite the blood staining his shoulder, shielding Bai Shuo without retreating a step.

"You're hurt?!" Bai Shuo gasped, her heart leaping into her throat.

"It's nothing!" Mu Fan's lips pressed into a tight line. "I'll distract them. Little Bai, run when you get the chance!"

With a sharp shout, Mu Fan charged at the wolves, swinging his club. Bai Shuo froze, as if stunned that Mu Fan had actually come to her rescue."Brother Mu!" Bai Shuo couldn't stop him in time. Mu Fan was already entangled in combat with the pack of wolves. Though just a youth, he fought with extraordinary ferocity, stubbornly shielding Bai Shuo without retreating a single step. The wolves tore at him, and within moments, he was covered in wounds.

The Martial Virtue Donkey tried to flee the instant Mu Fan blocked the wolves, but Bai Shuo clung desperately to its tail. Despite Mu Fan buying her an opportunity to escape, she didn't run. Instead, she watched Mu Fan with anxious eyes, stubbornly gripping the donkey's tail.

The Martial Virtue Donkey nearly wept. Was this woman insane? Given a chance to live, she chose to stay and play the saint?

"Xiao Bai! Run!" Mu Fan swung his wooden stake, knocking away the alpha wolf, only to have his shoulder bitten, blood gushing.

"I won't go!" Bai Shuo's eyes were red, her voice choked with tears. "If we leave, we leave together!"

"Hee-haw! Hee-haw!"

Die together then! Just don't drag me into it, you stupid woman! The donkey brayed loudly, so frantic it might as well have been speaking human words. But Bai Shuo didn't spare it a glance, her entire focus fixed on Mu Fan.

Human strength has its limits. Though the young man was brave, he couldn't hold out against the relentless wolves. Mu Fan's wooden stake was bitten in half by the alpha wolf, which then kicked out with its front legs, sending him crashing to the ground.

Mu Fan rolled heavily to Bai Shuo's feet, now little more than a bloodied figure.

"Brother Mu!" Bai Shuo screamed, catching him.

Seizing the chance, the Martial Virtue Donkey tried to bolt, only to stumble and fall. It turned back, its donkey eyes filled with indescribable despair—Damn woman! Are you out of your mind?!

Unbeknownst to it, Bai Shuo had tied its tail to her waist with her sash. When it tried to run, Bai Shuo was holding Mu Fan, and the combined weight of two humans firmly anchored it away from freedom.

"Xiao Bai... go... don't worry about me..." Mu Fan lay dying, his face devoid of color.

"No, I won't abandon you." Bai Shuo shielded Mu Fan with her body, glaring fiercely at the approaching wolves. "Come at me, you beasts!"

The wolves howled and lunged at the pair and the donkey. Bai Shuo's vision filled with the wolves' claws, terror gripping her, yet she stood her ground, fearless and resolute. Mu Fan watched the small figure shielding him in silence, something flickering in his eyes.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! A dozen arrows sliced through the air. Howls pierced the sky as the wolves were struck down one after another, collapsing to the ground.

Who? Who arrived just in time? Did the gods hear my prayers?!

Bai Shuo looked up reverently—only to see a familiar face. The bandits of Mu Xiao Mountain, who had chased her all night, now surrounded them with sabers and axes, quivers on their backs, ten times more menacing than the wolves.

Suddenly, Bai Shuo felt an odd sense of calm. She must have picked the wrong day to leave home—this was just too damn unlucky.

"Big Brother! You've finally come!" Bai Shuo sprang up, clutching Zhang Chao's pant leg with feigned gratitude. "I knew you still cared about your little brother! You risked your life to save me. From now on, I'll serve you faithfully, even if it means dying for Mu Family Stronghold!"

Opportunities favor the prepared, and Bai Shuo was always ready to fight for survival!

Watching Bai Shuo's tearful performance, Zhang Chao's lips twitched. He tried to pull his leg free but couldn't, his brow twitching in irritation.Just as Bai Shuo was putting on an enthusiastic performance, a figure suddenly darted out from behind Zhang Chao. Without warning, they lifted Mu Fan from the ground and threw him down harshly, placing a large saber precisely against his neck.

"Brother Mu!" Bai Shuo instantly fell silent, releasing Zhang Chao and rushing toward Mu Fan, only to be blocked by Zhang Chao's axe.

"I heard there was a grand celebration in the capital yesterday," Wu Yong said, restraining Mu Fan while casting a scrutinizing and amused glance at Bai Shuo. "The son of the Prime Minister was to marry the daughter of the Supreme General. But it's said that Young Miss Bai suddenly fell gravely ill and took to her bed, delaying the wedding."

Bai Shuo, still blocked by Zhang Chao, stiffened and lowered her eyes. The forest fell silent.

Earlier, just as Zhang Chao was about to leave the stronghold, Wu Yong had called out to him.

"Chief."

"What is it?"

Wu Yong pulled something from his robe and handed it to Zhang Chao. "I sent the brothers to search the woods again this morning, and they found this."

It was a jade pendant, smooth and pure to the touch—clearly a treasure. On its back was carved a small character: "Bai." Zhang Chao's expression shifted, his face instantly darkening.

"Bai? The Bai family? That kid is..." Wei City was close to the capital, and even as bandits, they knew only one noble family near the capital bore the surname Bai—the Supreme General's household.

"Chief, she might be..." Wu Yong whispered a few words into Zhang Chao's ear. "This matter has caused quite a stir. Everyone in the capital knows about it."

Zhang Chao glanced toward the deep mountains, torn. "If she's of such status, we can't afford to harm her..."

"Chief, you're being foolish!" Wu Yong hissed. "The more reason we can't let her leave Mu Xiao Mountain. If the Bai family learns we kidnapped her, our entire stronghold will be doomed!"

"You mean..." Zhang Chao gestured with his axe, his expression turning vicious.

Wu Yong nodded. "Only the dead keep silent. But since she's such a valuable figure, fleeing a marriage alone, she must have brought treasures to secure her future. Now that she's in our hands, we can't let this opportunity go to waste!"

Zhang Chao clenched the translucent jade pendant in his hand and gave a firm nod. "You're right. Let's go!"

Zhang Chao hurried into the mountains, while behind him, Wu Yong's eyes flashed with a silvery glint.

"Who would've thought our little barren mountain would host such an esteemed guest. Isn't that right, Miss Bai?"

A jade pendant was tossed to the ground, spinning at Bai Shuo's feet. She paled at the sight, picking it up and stepping back.

"Xiao Bai, you..." Mu Fan stared at her in shock. Bai Shuo's eyes were filled with guilt, but she stubbornly met Zhang Chao's gaze.

"Chief, let Brother Mu go. He knows nothing."

Before Zhang Chao could respond, Wu Yong sneered. "Who knew Miss Bai was so righteous? Truly befitting a general's daughter. Rest assured, Miss Bai, we only seek wealth. We wouldn't dare offend the Supreme General's household. Whether this young man lives or dies depends entirely on you!"

"I only have this much of value. If the two chiefs fancy it, take it," Bai Shuo said earnestly, holding up the pendant.

"You jest, Young Miss. Since you fled the marriage, you must have planned for a carefree life. A small jade pendant like this can hardly be enough to secure your future."Before Bai Shuo could respond, Wu Yong struck Mu Fan with the flat of his saber. Mu Fan spat out a mouthful of blood, staining his chest crimson, his face as pale as paper.

"Brother Mu! What exactly do you want?" Bai Shuo's eyes burned with fury. Even a clay figurine has some temper—no matter how much she feared death, she couldn't stand by and watch someone suffer because of her.

"What else would bandits want but gold, silver, and rare treasures? As long as Young Miss Bai shows sincerity that satisfies our leader, we'll release this young man down the mountain immediately!"

"Fine! I'll give it to you! Isn't it my treasure you're after?" Bai Shuo shouted, clenching her fists tightly.

Wu Yong's expression changed, and his grip on the large saber loosened involuntarily.

"But you must promise me that once I hand it over, you'll let him go!" Bai Shuo pointed at Mu Fan. "You must not harm him in the slightest!"