Chapter 26: Staying Out All Night, You’re Something Else

Jiang Jinyue was right; there really was a dilapidated mountain temple in the back mountain of Wuji Sect.

And beneath that temple lay a hidden altar for an evil god.

On nights of the full moon, Gu Wanglan would perform sacrifices at this altar.

This was the truth behind Gu Wanglan’s role as a villainous boss.

He was originally a righteous cultivator but strayed onto a dark path after his swordsmanship went awry, tainted by evil cult influences.

According to the prophecy of an evil cult elder, Gu Wanglan first slaughtered a snow village on the northern border, capturing its guardian deity, the Nine-Colored Deer, and imprisoning it in the mountain temple’s dungeon.

Later, Gu Wanglan massacred a village on the western border, posing as a “savior” and bringing the chosen one, Chen Jianxin, back to Wuji Sect.

In the original story, both the Nine-Colored Deer and Chen Jianxin were sacrifices for Gu Wanglan.

By sacrificing them, Gu Wanglan could inherit the divine power of the Nine-Colored Deer and Chen Jianxin’s innate sword saint physique.

The difference was that the Nine-Colored Deer was imprisoned while Chen Jianxin was left to roam freely within Wuji Sect.

The rumored cries of deer were actually from the imprisoned Nine-Colored Deer.

Gu Wanglan hadn’t acted against the Nine-Colored Deer or Chen Jianxin yet because he was waiting for the full moon. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left any survivors after slaughtering villages.

So analyzing the situation makes it clear.

The ghost rumors about the mountain temple weren’t as exaggerated as Jiang Jinyue made them out to be—they were just part of the main storyline involving a boss from the original plot.

There was undoubtedly some embellishment from Jiang Jinyue to scare He Yimo.

After all, as an Enchantress from an evil cult, no one understood the truth behind these “ghost” rumors better than her—except perhaps He Yimo.

Ultimately, both He Yimo and Jiang Jinyue had access to the script, and their common enemy was the protagonist, Chen Jianxin.

But now, an unexpected situation had arisen…

Instead of targeting Chen Jianxin, these two script-holding villains were squabbling in a quiet forest at night.

“So Senior Sister Jiang came to the back mountain just to investigate the rumors?”

He Yimo took a deep breath, eyeing Jiang Jinyue with suspicion.

Just as Jiang Jinyue couldn’t understand why he was here, He Yimo couldn’t figure out what connection she had to the back mountain rumors either.

Could Jiang Jinyue be planning to loot the mountain temple and pin it on Chen Jianxin?

If so, it would be a case of villains thinking alike.

This wasn’t a joke.

In fact, He Yimo had genuinely considered raiding the mountain temple for treasures tonight—rescuing the Nine-Colored Deer in passing—and leaving clues to frame either Chen Jianxin or Jiang Jinyue as the thief.

However, this plan had two issues.

First, the mountain temple was fraught with danger—risky for He Yimo.

Second, its location was well-hidden; only following deer cries could lead him there. But after wandering around for hours, he hadn’t heard any deer cries.

Eventually, He Yimo decided to give up temporarily.

He hadn’t expected to encounter Jiang Jinyue in the forest—her sneaky behavior also pointing towards the mountain temple!

“Yes!”

“But aren’t you scared at all, Junior Brother Yimo?”

The cherry-haired girl blinked her enchanting eyes curiously at He Yimo.

She’d deliberately exaggerated the deer cries as infant wails to frighten He Yimo into backing off in fear.

Yet now He Yimo seemed completely unafraid—unexpectedly calm instead.

“Senior Sister Jiang, you know.”

“I believe in materialism—so I’m not afraid of ghosts—”

He Yimo explained earnestly.

Jiang Jinyue was about to retort when distant deer cries echoed from deep within the bamboo forest.

The mournful cries sounded like a fawn’s wails—piercing through any living being’s soul. In an instant, both He Yimo and Jiang Jinyue froze in place—cold sweat trickling down their foreheads.

After a moment of fear passed—both widened their eyes simultaneously.

Their expressions weren’t fearful but filled with surprise and greed at discovering treasure.

“It really does sound like a baby’s cry!”

Jiang Jinyue feigned surprise as she spoke.

【What luck—I actually found it!】

He Yimo narrowed his eyes slightly—cold sweat dripping from his forehead as his heart raced with both suspicion and excitement.

Suspicion towards Jiang Jinyue; excitement because he had a complete strategy guide for escaping from the mountain temple!

If he could find this main storyline location—He Yimo could clear out all its treasures overnight!

Originally only accessible after defeating Gu Wanglan in-game—even without considering rescuing Nine-Colored Deer—the hidden treasures were plentiful!

But now faced with another problem: Jiang Jinyue seemed equally interested in exploring this mountain temple…

Good news was that He Yimo might use her as a pathfinder…

Bad news was that if she were there too—he couldn’t openly loot everything…

It was a matter worth weighing pros and cons!

“Junior Brother Yimo—the mountain temple is too dangerous; maybe you should head back.”

After hearing those deer cries—Jiang Jinyue suddenly changed her mind too…

Had she known they’d really hear them—she wouldn’t have kept He Yimo around…

Compared to secrets surrounding him—the opportunity presented by this mountain temple held greater value!

“But…”

He Yimo shrugged innocently: “I’m lost—I can’t find my way out alone.”

“Right…”

Jiang Jinyue’s lips twitched slightly—remembering that issue…

She wanted to head alone towards mountain temple—but if she escorted him out first before returning later who knew when she’d hear those cries again?

Deer cries were unpredictable; no telling when they’d occur next!

“If Senior Sister Jiang is curious about mountain temple—I could accompany you there!”

He Yimo smiled politely—playing along obediently…

As just sixteen-year-old boy—it wasn’t hard displaying puppy-like demeanor before senior sister…

Now roles reversed—it wasn’t him trying shake off Jiang Jinyue anymore—it was her trying shake off him…

Earlier when he wanted escape—she’d clung suspiciously onto him…

Now knowing good things awaited at mountain temple—he clung tightly onto her coattails refusing leave!

“Alright then.”

Jiang Jinyue’s lips twitched again—not expecting such reversal…

But thinking carefully—bringing He Yimo along might not be bad after all…

Though unable act recklessly due token’s presence—if something went wrong at mountain temple—his token could summon Mo Yuyan for rescue!

The question now lay in how Jiang Jinyue would decide next!

After brief discussion—they packed up following direction indicated by deer cries…

As they ventured deeper—the bamboo forest grew increasingly eerie and desolate…

Amidst misty night fog—He Yimo caught glimpses of mountain temple’s outline…

Those sorrowful deer cries grew clearer too…

At some point—He Yimo suddenly stopped—grabbing hold of Jiang Jinyue’s hand…

“Hmm?”

Startled by his action—she turned back intending scold him for overstepping—but saw pale unease etched across young face before speaking…

Taking deep breath he pleaded pitifully: “Senior Sister Jiang—you know I’m just newly joined mortal without combat skills…”

“When we reach mountain temple if danger arises could you protect me?”

Her words left her speechless momentarily…

An ominous feeling rose within heart unable refuse holding hands nor deny reasonable request…

This time—it was Jiang Jinyue caught between rock and hard place…

“O-of course.”

She forced awkward smile gripping his hand tighter still…

He nodded following closely behind…

With final mournful deer cry echoing through air—they stepped into mountain temple together…

……

……

……

Tap-tap-tap…

Atop Dye Ink Peak—the white-clad fairy sat alone at stone table playing Go with an old manual…

As time ticked by—the arc of her brows deepened further still…

Though playing Go her thoughts wandered far from board itself—repeatedly recalling scenes from earlier that day when He Yimo laughed with cherry-haired girl…

Finally placing last piece down Mo Yuyan clenched jade fist anxiously…

“First day down mountain staying out all night…”

“He Yimo—you really are something else.”

tln : to all my series, i will be away for an entire week, so no update. at least i will  try to free some chaps for other series -shieru-