Chapter Eleven: That Thin Layer of Window Paper

Although Moonworship had endured suffering, she had never been a beggar and would never, under any circumstances, see herself as one. Her birth was exceptional; she looked down on beggars and never considered or tried to understand their circumstances or feelings. She would rather die than become a beggar. She had only suggested charity to please Frighten Immortal, and hearing her reply brought satisfaction—she felt she had not misjudged her. In truth, they lacked the means to perform acts of charity for a moment’s happiness—or, perhaps, acts of foolishness.

Frighten Immortal recalled the matter of Grimface and hurriedly told the Moonworship sisters. Starworship dismissed it as trivial. Moonworship said it violated their sect rules and suggested Grimface stage a scene another day, as if she were expelling him from the Sunset Sect, to explain matters to the others.

At that moment, the waiter arrived with several plates of cold dishes and two jugs of hot wine.

Starworship arranged for them all to sit, pouring drinks as they talked. Moonworship produced a map and pointed, saying, “Someone from the sect just bought this; it’s a map of the northern Black Wolf territory from five years ago. Where do you think we should go?”

As they discussed, they suddenly heard Grimface’s voice from the adjoining room.

“…Lotus darling, now I’ve mastered the Left Bank divine art…”

Frighten Immortal, fearing an awkward scene, said, “Let’s turn in early.”

Moonworship led Starworship away, the latter blushing so fiercely she dared not raise her head.

After they left, Frighten Immortal went to the bedroom and knocked on the door, calling, “Keep it down.”

On the other side, Grimface was unconcerned. “I’ve held back for days—quiet, my ass!”

“How’s anyone supposed to sleep?”

“If you can’t sleep, go find your woman!” Grimface paid no heed.

Frighten Immortal could only let it go, nonchalantly turning in for the night. He mused that back at North Spirit Mountain, he’d encountered countless couples sneaking into the woods, yet never lost sleep over their commotion—why should he care now?

But sleep eluded him. His mind kept replaying the scene of first meeting Starworship beneath the waterfall; the more he thought, the more restless he became. Grimface, as expected, was full of stamina; from time to time, Lotus pleaded for mercy, but Grimface kept shouting.

Frighten Immortal could stand it no longer and knocked again.

“Keep it down!”

Grimface, sounding even more pleased, called out, “I won’t! What can you do to me?” Lotus beneath him pinched him repeatedly, but he ignored her.

Frighten Immortal barked, “If you disturb my peace again, I’ll come over and kick you down the stairs!”

Grimface dared not provoke further. “Fine, fine, I’ll keep quiet—why so fierce? Don’t you know the gentleman’s rule: words, not fists?”

Grimface ceased his racket, but Frighten Immortal still could not sleep. He tossed and turned for a while, then suddenly heard the flutter of robes outside the window, followed by someone entering his room through the window. He feigned sleep, watching to see the intruder’s intent.

Meanwhile, the Moonworship sisters had returned to their room, disturbed by Grimface’s antics. Starworship managed the expenses these days and, wishing to save on room costs, shared a bed with Moonworship. The sisters talked for a while, neither feeling sleepy. Starworship dwelled on her embarrassment, unable to voice it, and seeing her sister still awake, asked, “Sister, you haven’t slept yet?”

“You should go to the Left Bank’s room.”

“W-what…” Moonworship’s sudden remark made Starworship’s face flush, thinking her secret was discovered, yet it seemed impossible.

“I said, you should go to the Left Bank’s room. Neither of us can sleep, and he’s been harassed by Grimface all night—he certainly can’t sleep either.”

“Sister, don’t tease me!”

“I’m serious. Though settling a life bond like this is hardly proper, what situation allows a ceremonial marriage these days? We must act expediently. Tonight is a perfect opportunity; if you don’t go, he won’t come, even if he lies awake all night.”

Starworship’s heart raced like a startled deer, but she could not bring herself to do such a thing. She twisted her body, turning her back on Moonworship, clutching the quilt tightly.

“If you want to go, go yourself—don’t drag me into it!”

“Fine, if you won’t, I will.” Moonworship said, moving instantly, grabbing her cloak and throwing it over herself, then pushing open the window and flying across. Starworship called out hurriedly, “Sister!” Hearing the flutter of robes, it was clear she had gone. Starworship blushed even more, unable to imagine her sister could be so bold—saying she’d go, and simply going.

Thinking about what they might do, Starworship felt both ashamed and regretful, unable to sleep.

Frighten Immortal noticed someone entering and feigned sleep, seeing the figure resembled Moonworship. He was secretly surprised. As the person approached, he saw clearly it was indeed Moonworship. She threw herself on him.

“You?”

“Afraid you can’t sleep, so I’ve come to offer you the best remedy…” As she spoke, Moonworship shed her cloak, slipped beneath his quilt, and pressed her warm lips to his.

“Is this wise?”

“We have no treacherous intentions—why fear settling our bond in private?”

Frighten Immortal knew about matters between men and women; Moonworship seemed no stranger either. Yet, as it was her first time, the pain surprised her, and she let out a soft cry.

Grimface heard and laughed loudly, “Ha ha… Now you don’t mind me making noise, do you? Shouldn’t you thank me for matchmaking?”

Moonworship’s voice was cold and stern: “If you wish to speak again, keep quiet—otherwise, you’ll never utter another word!”

Grimface realized it was Moonworship, muttering complaints, “Both of you are so fierce—gentlemen use words, not fists…”

“Still talking! Your mouth is intolerable,” Lotus scolded, and Grimface finally shut up. He pressed his ear to the wall but heard nothing, only the occasional creak of the wooden bed. He felt thoroughly bored. “Look how dull they are—nothing like us!”

Moonworship’s black hair was tousled as she lazily rested on Frighten Immortal’s shoulder. Her heart was awash with complicated feelings. She thought about the upheavals of recent days and how she had staked everything on this man. Sometimes she was afraid she’d made a mistake; sometimes she was certain she was right. At this moment, she felt she would never hesitate again—nor would she need to. She had placed all her bets; there was no chance of regret.

“Earlier, I saw a golden crescent mark appear on your forehead—what is that?”

Frighten Immortal’s emotions were equally tangled. Before tonight, he had only imagined marrying Zheng Linran, but now, with Moonworship in his arms, he suddenly felt certain this woman truly belonged to him. All previous doubts and deliberations were rendered unnecessary. She was his woman, beyond question. He no longer needed to consider whether to accept or refuse.

“When I was young, I asked the sect patriarch. He said he’d tell us when we were older—it’s a secret linked to the Worship clan. But he died suddenly and never got the chance. Speaking of marks, yours just now bore a fierce black-red dragon, claws bared—very ominous!” Frighten Immortal was astonished, hurriedly pressing her for details. Her description reminded him of the dragon carved on Lady Li’s soul token, though he couldn’t verify it.

Moonworship, thinking of her sister in the next room, touched Frighten Immortal’s body and laughed, “It seems the remedy’s dose isn’t quite enough?”