novelAbuy Chapter 381 Xu Longxiang meets the Moon Goddess; the Moon Goddess's true name is...
Chapter 381 Xu Longxiang meets the Moon Goddess; the Moon Goddess's true name is...
The main hall was brightly lit by candles, and moonlight poured down from the skylight, casting silvery beams of light onto the high platform at the far end of the hall.
The Moon Goddess sat on a white jade chair, dressed in white as snow, with long hair like a waterfall. Her white jade mask gleamed with a cold light under the moonlight, like a statue that had been worshipped for thousands of years.
Xu Longxiang's gaze fell on the white figure, and he examined it carefully.
The mask covered her face, leaving only her eyes visible.
Those eyes were bright, like two cold stars bathed in moonlight, revealing no emotion.
The oppressive aura emanating from her caused his expression to freeze slightly.
At least at the Celestial Realm, that's quite strong.
This oppressive force felt like an invisible mountain pressing down on one's chest, making it hard to breathe.
Fan Li was also scrutinizing the Moon Goddess, his expression equally solemn.
His fingers slowly tightened inside his sleeve, and his palms were sweating.
This woman was more unfathomable than he had imagined.
The Moon Goddess was also watching Xu Longxiang.
Her gaze swept across his face, from his deep brown eyes to his straight back, from the dagger at his waist to his dusty boots.
Xu Longxiang stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and spoke in a steady and clear voice.
"I have long admired your name. Xu Longxiang has met the Moon Goddess."
The Moon Goddess stood up, her white robes sliding off the chair like a waterfall.
A smile played at the corners of her lips, though it was hidden by a mask, the smile emanating from her eyes like an undercurrent beneath the ice.
"I should be the one saying that."
Her voice was ethereal and melodious, like wind chimes gently tinkling in the night breeze, each word carrying a unique echo.
"The Prince of Zhenbei's bearing is indeed as legendary as they say. Guards, bring him a seat!"
Xu Longxiang's heart skipped a beat.
The voice sounded somewhat similar to Zhao Qingxue's.
It's not exactly the same; it has that cool, ethereal, and untouched-by-dust quality, like moonlight shining on snow, cold and clean, so clean it makes your heart tremble.
He lowered his eyes, suppressing the fleeting emotion that had welled up within him.
His fingers curled slightly inside his sleeve, then relaxed.
Two men in white brought over chairs and placed them on the left side of the main hall.
Xu Longxiang sat down, his back straight, and his hands on his knees.
Fan Li sat beside him, his dark blue scholar's robe gleaming dimly in the candlelight. He sat upright, his gaze lowered, not looking at the Moon Goddess.
The Moon Goddess sat down again, leaning back in her chair, her fingers lightly resting on the armrests.
She looked at Xu Longxiang with a perfectly balanced smile in her eyes, neither too deep nor too shallow, neither too cold nor too warm.
"May I ask what brings the Prince of Zhenbei here today?"
Xu Longxiang smiled, leaned back in his chair, and met her gaze.
"Of course we're here to discuss an alliance. After all, forming an alliance before we've even met would be a bit too hasty."
The Moon Goddess smiled and nodded, her smile deepening. "The King of Zhenbei is right."
Xu Longxiang waved his hand, his tone becoming more casual. "Moon Goddess, there's no need to be so polite. Just call me Longxiang."
The moon goddess's eyes flickered briefly, a flicker as fleeting as a candle flame being blown away by the wind.
A slight smile slowly curved her lips, and her voice carried just the right amount of intimacy.
"Then I'll take the liberty. You can just call me Suxin."
Xu Longxiang was slightly taken aback.
Pure heart.
The name, like a drop of ink falling into clear water, slowly spread in his heart.
He didn't ask any further questions, but simply nodded. "Su Xin."
The Moon Goddess smiled, a soft laugh like the gentle shattering of icicles. "Dragon and Elephant."
Xu Longxiang straightened up, his tone becoming more formal. "The first batch of resources is already on its way and will arrive soon."
The smile in the Moon Goddess's eyes deepened, and she nodded slightly, her voice carrying just the right amount of gratitude.
"Then I thank you very much, Young Master Xu."
Xu Longxiang waved his hand.
"There's one more thing—I've also spoken to Han Zhong. He'll cooperate fully."
A strange glint flashed in the moon goddess's eyes.
The change happened so quickly that it left almost no trace, but her heart suddenly relaxed, as if a stone that had been hanging in the air for a long time had finally been put to rest.
Han Zhong's 50,000-strong army is her biggest threat. If Xu Longxiang can really deal with Han Zhong, then she can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
She showed no sign of her true feelings, only smiled, and spoke with just the right amount of admiration.
"Young Master Xu is indeed incredibly capable; I am truly impressed."
Xu Longxiang's lips curled up slightly.
He was not blinded by his own ambitions. The heir of 300,000 iron cavalry in the North would not be swayed by a few flattering words.
But those words were indeed comforting, like a warm cup of wine sliding down my throat, leaving me feeling warm and cozy.
He leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the moon goddess's face.
"We have shown the North all our sincerity. Now, it's up to the Moon Goddess Cult."
The moon goddess's heart skipped a beat, as if someone had pulled her an inch upwards from her chest.
Her smile remained, and her voice was still steady. "I wonder what kind of sincerity Young Master Xu would like to see?"
Xu Longxiang smiled faintly, as faint as the thin frost that condenses on a windowpane in winter.
"Naturally, it depends on whether the Moon Goddess Cult has the strength to make my Northern Territory pay such a high price."
The moon goddess felt even more anxious.
Her fingers clenched lightly on the armrest for a moment, then relaxed.
Her face remained impassive, and her voice composed. "Is Young Master Xu attempting to test the strength of my Moon Goddess Sect?"
Xu Longxiang smiled but remained silent.
His gaze fell on her face, like a sword yet to be drawn; even through the sheath, one could feel its sharpness.
The moon goddess smiled, her laughter softer and fainter than before.
"Young Master Xu is indeed a man of few words. You need not worry about that. My Moon Goddess Sect has hundreds of thousands of members. In this southwestern border region, almost all the officials, big and small, serve my Moon Goddess Sect. So, there is no need to worry about military strength."
Xu Longxiang nodded.
He knew, of course, that she wouldn't let him see those troops with his own eyes.
This is our lifeline, our trump card; how could we possibly reveal it so easily?
He didn't really expect to see it.
He was able to get her personal confirmation, and combined with what he had seen and heard along the way, those kneeling believers, those branch altars scattered everywhere, and those officials who colluded with the Moon Goddess Cult.
It is enough.
"That's good." His voice was soft, carrying a hint of relief. "Then I'm relieved."
He stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"Now that the matter has been settled, I, Xu, will not trouble you any further. Farewell!"
The moon goddess stood up, her white robes slipping off the chair.
A fleeting, almost imperceptible urgency flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.
"General Xu must be tired from your journey. Why don't you rest here for a while?"
Her voice carried just the right amount of concern, like a hospitable host inviting a guest from afar to stay. "I'll have a banquet prepared to show my hospitality."
She was planning to further develop her relationship with Xu Longxiang, so how could she let him leave so soon?
Xu Longxiang didn't really want to leave.
He also wanted to take the opportunity to observe the headquarters of the Moon Goddess Cult more closely and see how many secrets were hidden there.
He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. "That's fine too. Let's try the food from the Southwest and see what's different."
The Moon Goddess smiled and beckoned a woman in white. "Take Young Master Xu to rest and serve him well."
The woman in white bowed. "Yes."
She turned around, faced Xu Longxiang, and made a "please" gesture.
Xu Longxiang nodded and followed her out of the hall.
Fan Li followed behind him, his dark blue scholar's robe fluttering gently in the candlelight.
The footsteps gradually faded away, disappearing at the end of the corridor.
The Moon Goddess sat on the white jade chair, gazing at the slowly closing palace doors, the smile in her eyes gradually fading.
Like the receding tide, revealing the grayish-white, cold reefs underneath.
She raised her right hand and clapped it gently.
A woman in white emerged from the shadows beside the hall and knelt on the ground. "What are your orders, Master?"
The moon goddess leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on the skylight in the palace roof, and on the night sky illuminated by moonlight.
Her voice was soft and cold, each word sounding as if it had been carved from beneath a layer of ice.
"Go, find all of Xu Longxiang's information. His eating habits, his hobbies, what kind of women he likes, even his preferred positions—find everything in detail!"
The woman in white lowered her head. "Yes."
She stood up and quickly left the main hall.
The footsteps quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.
The Moon Goddess sat on a white jade chair, her eyes gleaming like two will-o'-the-wisps burning eerily in the darkness.
She tapped her fingers lightly on the armrest twice, and a cold smile slowly curved her lips.
Xu Longxiang, do you think I only want your provisions and soldiers?
You underestimate me.
What I want is you, and the entire North.
Your soldiers, your generals, your 300,000 iron cavalry—I want them all!
Unbeknownst to her, four people were quietly watching this scene from a secluded corner of the main hall.
Qin Mu stood with his hands behind his back, hidden in the shadow of the dragon-carved jade pillar, his moon-white robe blending seamlessly with the moonlight.
A faint, ambiguous smile played on his lips, and his eyes held a subtle interest, the kind only one would show when watching a play.
Zhao Qingxue stood beside him, the Frost Moon Sword hanging at her waist, the gems on the scabbard gleaming with a cold, eerie light in the darkness.
Her gaze fell on the white figure, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.
Yunluan pressed her hand on the sword hilt, her gaze sharp as a knife, scraping across the Moon Goddess's face inch by inch.
Her hands were steady, but the whiteness of her knuckles betrayed her murderous intent.
Standing at the very back, Jiang Zhaoyue watched the Moon Goddess sitting on her throne, issuing commands, and a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.
Looking at the Moon Goddess's composed and strategic demeanor, Qin Mu's smile deepened.
This play is getting more and more interesting.