Moon Temple. Not many people know much about this place, except for two facts:
One, it's not open to the public. Not just anyone can get in.
Two, good-looking men frequently exit in and out of the place. Their recurring appearance has led the perimeter of the temple to become a famous tourist location. Many young and mature women, occasionally men, visit the place in hopes of, at the very least, catch a glimpse of their shining sun.
But what they don't know is, the name of the temple is in fact, a cover-up. The true name behind this temple is actually the (not really) famous Dark Moon Sect!
Legend has it that the name was invented on the day of an eclipse. Being too lazy to think of a more meaningful name, the founder of the sect took a look at the moonless sky and said, " the moon is beautiful tonight."
Thus, the name 'Dark Moon,' came to be.
Truly a name full of significance.
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Staring at the building with green tiles and red walls in front of her, Chu Nuan flipped her wrist slightly, releasing a shred of spiritual energy into the building.
Unnoticed by Xie Luochen, he led her into the reception room of the building. Telling her to wait as he reported to his elders before leaving the room.
The layout of this reception area is exceptionally luxurious. Red wood furniture, antique celadon vases, valuable paintings, and lavish silk drapes. As if walking into the household of a wealthy noble family.
Chu Nuan sat leisurely to the side, one hand holding a cup of tea while the back of her other hand supported her cheek.
Minutes later, a man with golden rimmed glasses entered. Flashing a smile at Chu Nuan, the man introduced himself, "pleasure to meet you Envoy Chu. I am the senior disciple of the master of the Dark Moon Sect, Fu Xi. Luochen has told me everything that has happened, we are honored by your decision to say here."
Chu Nuan nodded her head at him slightly, sight moving to the empty space behind Fu Xi.
Noticing her gaze, Fu Xi smiled lightly, "Luochen went to report directly to our master, he will come find you afterwards. More importantly it's late, please follow me as I take you to your chamber."
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" This is Magnolia Courtyard, you will be the only resident here. If there are any questions or needs, feel free to come find me in the courtyard next door. Well then, Envoy Chu, enjoy your stay." Fu Xi gave Chu Nuan a curious and profound look before turning to leave.
Not bothering to decipher the meaning behind that look, Chu Nuan entered through the wooden doors.
Compared to the lavish style of the reception room, this chamber is more subtle in taste and ambience. The furniture is still made of redwood, there are still vases, paintings, and silk drapes. But you can tell that each piece in this room was made with a craftsman's soul. The delicate designs, lustrous tint and elegant shapes, one glance is enough to know the priceless value of each piece. Even the added value of everything in the receiving room cannot compare to the price of one teacup here!
Chu Nuan stood in the middle of the room with eyes closed and her hands clasped behind her back, waiting.
About the time used to brew a cup of tea passes. When a rustling is heard from outside, followed by a shadow slipping in through the door. The figure kneels on one knee with his head lowered. A deep voice tinged with a trace of excitement sounded from behind Chu Nuan, "Welcome back master!"
Chu Nuan turned towards that voice. In front of her kneeled a man in his early 30's, with trembling hands (from excitement). This person is the pseudo master of the Dark Moon Sect and a follower of Chu Nuan, Bai Ling.
Bai Ling calmed his trembling nerves, as Chu Nuan waited for him to speak. " Reporting to master, everything in the sect has been running smoothly for the past thousand years. The only difference is around 20 years ago. This subordinate has found 'that' person's reincarnation once again, and had brought him back here to raise."
" Well Done." Chu Nuan nodded in satisfaction.
Hesitating for a moment, Bai Ling continued, "Master, there is a visitor. With your permission, I will have him meet you?"
Chu Nuan raised her eyebrows in surprise. This subordinate has followed her for many millenniums, barely anything could faze him. But for him to be so hesitant, this guest must be special.
Clearing her thoughts with a shake of her head, Chu Nuan said, "permission granted."
As soon as her voice landed, black fog seeped in through the door. It slowly congregated until it formed into the shape of a black dog.
Narrowing her eyes, Chu Nuan laughed mocklingly, "yo! Look what we have here! To think I would meet your lordship here! I thought for sure you would escape as far as possible after you managed to bomb the bridge of forgetfulness. Hm, what do you think?"
This dog is in truth, one of the three ghost lords that have bombed the bridge of forgetfulness to escape from Hell. The three brothers got separated during the process of falling into the mortal world. The youngest of them three, the weeping ghost doesn't have the ambition the other two carries. So, he possessed a dying dog and went to find Chu Nuan's Sect.
"Your Honor," the dog said, bowing deeply, "whether you believe me or not. I have no intention of causing harm. The only reason I have not reported back to Hell is for the sole reason of aiding your mission in finding my brothers."
Looking at the bowing figure deeply, Chu Nuan paused for a moment before giving a sly smile. "Sure, Blackie. I'll be keeping an eye on you."
"Thank you for your grace."
Taking care of Blackie's problem, it's time to move on to another. Chu Nuan threw a jade pendant at Bai Ling. "Release them back to Hell."
Bai Ling opened his palm to see a piece of jade with the character "Chu" written on one side. This the exact pendant he gave to the little ghost to use. Suddenly, bursting with excitement, Bai Ling said with a trembling voice, "truly? Can I really take a trip back to Hell?"
Seeing his elation, Chu Nuan smiled warmly. "You can stay there for a few days. With me here, you can relax for a while."
Receiving Chu Nuan's permission, Bai Ling jumped up with rarely seen energy. With a snap of his fingers, grey daoist robes slowly evolved into a pink inner robe, layered with a silk transparent outer robe sewed with delicate white flowers. His plain wooden hairpin is replaced by a pink cherry blossom ribbon holding firm his now braided hair.
Smiling like a young girl experiencing her first spring, Bai Ling smoothed out the wrinkles on his robe before giving Chu Nuan a bow. "This subordinate will be leaving now."
Just as he was about to summon a gate, a voice stopped his actions, "hold on!"
Bai Ling looked back at Chu Nuan with a confused expression, that silly smile of his still on his lips.
Staring at a Bai Ling dressed as if he's about to enter a pageant for the next top drag queen, the corner of Chu Nuan's lips twitched as she clenched and unclenched her fists. Using a few seconds to calm her rolling emotions, she finally said, ".....it…...off….."
Bai Ling "???"
"Take it off!" Chu Nuan shouted as her hand reached out to pull the robe off.
Startled, but understanding what she is about to do, Bai Ling tried to pull his clothes back on. "No, I don't want to! You can't make me!"
"Bai Ling! If you know what's right for you, then you better take it off!"
"No, you can't do this to me! You heartless woman! I gave up the best years of my life for you and this is how you treat me?!" Bai Ling cried.
Veins threatened to pop out of Chu Nuan's forehead as she took a deep breath to calm herself. "Be good, this will end quickly."
But Bai Ling ignored her, saying upsetly in a soft voice, "master is unfair, I gave up the best years of my afterlife to come to the mortal world. Now that I have a chance to chase after the woman I've been thinking of for the past thousand years, how can you stop me like this!" He said with accusation.
...Truthfully, what he said is not wrong. But…...Chu Nuan took another look at his light pink outfit. "That…..will this outfit. Will it really work?"
Giving her a proud smile as he started to paste bb cream on his face, Bai Ling said, " don't worry Master, I've been studying her likes and dislikes for the past thousand years, She likes delicate as flowers-type men. If it's this outfit, I'll definitely succeed!"
Chu Nuan "....."