Chapter Forty: Dragon Moon

As soon as Chu Feng received Mu Rong Qiu Xue’s message, he didn’t hesitate for a moment. Shedding his training weights and gripping the Sword of the Domain, he dashed out of the training field.

In Dormitory Nine, Xu Yan lounged idly in her room. Soon, she would be admitted to the Profound Camp, and she found herself with little to do in the Twentieth Camp these days.

“What’s that savage up to now? Hmph, probably practicing swordplay again. That barbarian only ever thinks about training, day in and day out.” Xu Yan muttered to herself, her words tinged with complaint.

“Tch, why am I thinking about that savage? Honestly.” She added, not yet realizing how deeply Chu Feng had imprinted himself upon her heart.

In truth, Xu Yan hadn’t been as drunk that night as she’d pretended. She’d faked it, hoping to see how Chu Feng would react upon learning of Long Yue’s news. Such are the inscrutable thoughts of a girl; perhaps even she couldn’t explain her own motives. In the end, she simply wanted to probe how much Long Yue meant to Chu Feng.

But that night, things went a little awry. Though she hadn’t been drunk, she’d certainly drunk plenty. She still remembered, nestled in Chu Feng’s arms, how her words tumbled out unguarded—words that, even now, made her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Lost in thought, Xu Yan kept recalling that moment in Chu Feng’s embrace, the feeling so vivid she could hardly forget it. She didn’t even realize her face was now completely red—thankfully, she was alone, or she’d have made a spectacle of herself.

Suddenly, the communication talisman in her arms vibrated.

By now, nearly everyone in the Twentieth Camp possessed a communication talisman; the spell required to use it was simple, needing no spirit projection and consuming barely any spiritual power.

With a wave of her hand, Xu Yan activated the talisman. A soft, delicate voice came through: “Big Sis, Chu Feng left the Twentieth Camp. He seemed to be in quite a hurry.”

Xu Yan sat up at once, startled. She mumbled, “Is he heading to the Celestial Camp again? That damn savage, what secrets is he hiding? How does he get in there? Today, I must get to the bottom of it.”

Without delay, Xu Yan rose and quickly left the dormitory building.

On the main road, Chu Feng spurred his horse, soon arriving at the Celestial Camp.

This time, as he approached, the guards at the entrance didn’t even question him and let him in straightaway.

Chu Feng was no stranger to the Celestial Camp now. He remembered the way from last time without needing a map, heading straight for the women’s villa district.

Passing a grove, he couldn’t help but think of Liu Yantao; last time, they’d drunk heartily here together.

“Best not to run into him this time,” Chu Feng thought, “or Long Yue might get the wrong idea about me.”

He continued forward. Suddenly, after advancing just a few yards, a sharp pain jabbed at his nose.

Chu Feng’s expression darkened at once, and he growled, “Liu Yantao!”

A hearty voice rang out, “Ah, brother, it’s been days! I’ve missed you. Here I am, as always.”

Not far away, the air seemed to tear apart, revealing Liu Yantao, who sat at a stone table, drinking, his face wreathed in smiles.

The scene was uncannily similar to their last encounter at this very spot.

Chu Feng’s heart burned with frustration as he barked, “How unlucky can I get, running into you the moment I arrive?”

Liu Yantao grinned widely. “Heh, brother, this is my turf. Clearly, fate has brought us together.”

Chu Feng’s lips twitched as he grumbled inwardly, “Last time, this so-called fate got me chased by a horde of women. And after that, I nearly got struck down by Mu Rong Qiu Xue. I’ve had enough of this kind of ‘fate.’”

Liu Yantao waved him over. “When fate calls, you can’t hide from it! Come, drink three hundred cups with your brother!”

But Chu Feng, with Long Yue so near, was in no mood for drinking. He waved his hand. “Next time. I have something important to do.”

Seeing his seriousness, Liu Yantao set down his cup and quickly caught up to Chu Feng, smiling slyly. “Don’t tell me you’re here for Long Yue again? I only just got the news, and you’ve rushed over from the Newcomers’ Camp already—your sources are impressive!”

“Something like that,” Chu Feng replied, striding ahead, but Liu Yantao stuck to him like a shadow, impossible to shake off.

Chu Feng was at a loss; he couldn’t get rid of Liu Yantao no matter what—like a mangy dog that refused to leave.

“When we see Long Yue, keep your distance, or my reputation will be ruined,” Chu Feng said as they walked.

Liu Yantao stroked his chin, suspicious. “Since when have I had that much influence?”

Chu Feng shot him a glare. With characters like this, the less trouble they caused, the more thankful he’d be.

“Brother, of all the girls you could fall for, why pick Long Yue? Last time, I warned you—she’s an icy mountain. No one’s ever made her smile, let alone moved her heart. You’re just setting yourself up to get burned. It’s a blow to my reputation, too, you know.”

Chu Feng glared at him. “Mind your own business. Stay out of my way.”

“Fine, but remember, you said it yourself—don’t come crying to me when you get your heart broken,” Liu Yantao quipped, eager to see the drama unfold. He’d seen countless talented men crash and burn before Long Yue.

Chu Feng ignored him and hurried on, soon reaching the front of Mu Rong Qiu Xue’s villa.

Liu Yantao didn’t dare approach, staying a safe distance away. With Mu Rong Qiu Xue nearby, he wouldn’t risk his luck.

“But this kid really has some skills,” Liu Yantao mused, watching Chu Feng. “To return safe from Mu Rong Qiu Xue and even get a communication talisman from her—how did he pull that off? Still, that was Mu Rong Qiu Xue. This time, it’s Long Yue—there’s no chance at all. I wonder how far he’ll get thrown. Hopefully, Long Yue goes easy on him; a newcomer couldn’t survive too much trouble.”

Chu Feng approached. When he was less than ten paces from the villa’s entrance, the door suddenly opened, and a young woman stepped out—not Mu Rong Qiu Xue.

At that moment, Liu Yantao’s eyes lit up in the distance; he couldn’t take his gaze off her.

She wore a pure white, wide-sleeved gown, as pristine as new snow. Her beauty was cold and breathtaking, her figure elegant and tall. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with a mysterious, lively depth, captivating anyone who saw her.

She seemed the very center of the world—ethereal and untouched, like a goddess above the mortal realm or an ancient, unyielding glacier. She intoxicated all who beheld her, yet remained forever unattainable.

Seeing her, Chu Feng stood transfixed, unable to move. The white-robed maiden stood quietly as well, their eyes meeting, exchanging a thousand unspoken words.

Liu Yantao, witnessing this, was stunned. “No way,” he muttered, “are they actually making a connection?”

Chu Feng, outwardly calm, trembled with excitement inside. “It can’t be wrong—that look, that gaze belongs only to Xiao Yue.”

For a long moment, he found himself speechless. At last, he called out, “Xiao… Yue.”

At the sound of his voice, Long Yue shivered. It had been four years since she’d heard that name. In an instant, tears welled in her eyes and spilled over.

“Brother Feng!” Long Yue cried, rushing forward to throw her arms around Chu Feng, clutching him tightly as she sobbed, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’ll never leave you again—never, ever again!”

Chu Feng’s eyes grew wet as well. He held Long Yue close, a smile breaking through his tears. “At last, I’ve found you.”

At that moment, Chu Feng was overwhelmed by a happiness he’d never known before. He wished time would stop forever, that he could hold Long Yue like this for all eternity.

This scene, naturally, drew the attention of passing onlookers. Eyes widened; jaws dropped in disbelief.

“It can’t be… That’s Long Yue!”

“Heavens, am I seeing things? Long Yue is crying! How could she be moved? How is this possible?”

“Who’s that man? I’ve never seen him before… What luck! He must be a master, an absolute master.”

On the sidelines, Liu Yantao stood frozen, as if petrified, his mouth agape at the sheer impossibility of it all.

“Is there no justice left in the world? If this can happen, then pigs really can fly!” He couldn’t help but exclaim.

At that moment, Mu Rong Qiu Xue emerged and shot Liu Yantao a glare. He fell silent instantly, though his shock still shone plainly on his face.

“All right, you two,” Mu Rong Qiu Xue called to Chu Feng and Long Yue, “in broad daylight, in public like this—perhaps enough is enough?”

Only then did they separate. Long Yue’s eyes were misty, her cheeks tinged with red. Chu Feng was a little embarrassed too.

“Brother Feng, I thought I’d never see you again. Do you know how long you made me grieve?” Long Yue said, her smile bright as a child’s, delicate and radiant.

Chu Feng smiled gently, wiping away her tears. “But I’m here now. At last, we’ve fulfilled our promise.”

All around, men and women alike were struck dumb by Long Yue’s affectionate demeanor. Even Mu Rong Qiu Xue, who knew her better than most, was stunned—was this really the same formidable woman they all knew?

“She’s so adorable like this!” a girl couldn’t help but exclaim.

As Long Yue glanced around, her expression darkened, and her gaze turned sharp as a thousand blades, making everyone’s heart tremble.

“She’s still as terrifying as ever,” the crowd thought.

“Brother Feng, let’s talk inside,” Long Yue said, smiling like a blossom as she took Chu Feng’s hand and led him toward Mu Rong Qiu Xue’s villa.

“Two pearls, side by side! Why is fate so unfair to us men?” someone howled in anguish from the crowd, nearly moved to tears.

The girls, hearing this, rolled their eyes and sneered, “You? Dream on. Just looking at you is disgusting—go cool off somewhere else!”