24 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

--- The wounds suffered by Yue Bai must have really upset her; she spat a mouthful of blood onto the edge of the tavern bed as soon as she emerged from her space, staining it a vivid crimson. She took a pill from her space and swallowed it, but Yue Bai could not think about anything else, nor could she respond to any of Jiu Yi's questions. She leaned against the bed and fainted. The flood had not yet reached this tavern near the mainland, so the place where Yue Bai resided remained relatively clean and peaceful. Despite the disaster having just passed, the streets were full of people looking for their loved ones, a scene of sorrow. Ji Mu Nian had searched for her for half the night, fearing she had run off to some godforsaken place to heal herself. When she passed by this tavern, she felt a sudden calm. Good. At least she knew to find some comfort for herself. Not wanting to disturb others, Ji Mu Nian quietly used her spiritual power to open the window and slipped in. The moonlight stole through the window, reflecting off Yue Bai's silver mask and highlighting the dark red bloodstains beside her, making them particularly striking. Retract that statement; this person really doesn’t know how to take care of herself. Ji Mu Nian felt she had many things to worry about, yet nothing seemed as concerning as this person lying by the bed, guarding the bloodstains. "I told you not to run around..." Ji Mu Nian sighed, walking over to pick her up and let her lean against her, "You never listen..." The mask was still on, but the half of the face that was visible had a beautiful contour and slightly thin lips, with faint traces of blood at the corners. Her thumb lightly brushed the blood at the corner of Yue Bai's lips, then her hand moved down and gently pressed against her chest. Using her spiritual power to investigate, this body was indeed different from her little apprentice's, but the internal damage was identical to what she had seen before in Ye Er's body, perhaps even more severe. So, what excuse should she use to hide this injury now? To sustain such injuries, she probably had to seek a blow from a Nascent Soul elder, right? Meticulously manipulating her spiritual power, Ji Mu Nian still found room to be distracted. All the elders from various peaks liked her. Unless she had seriously violated some sect rules, they wouldn't have attacked a junior like her. Still, she should get the senior chief to keep a closer eye on her. Ji Mu Nian didn’t know how she managed to arrive here before her, but she felt it must have been something that consumed a lot of her energy. It wouldn’t do. If she were watched, she’d have to expend more energy fabricating lies. While her heart was sighing heavily, her hands could only gently mend her meridians. She could tell that Yue Bai had taken some high-grade medication to treat herself, but this injury was still severe and would require a significant period of careful healing. After all, for a barely foundation-building body to wield that whip, that bow, and those charms, the exertion was too immense. Ji Mu Nian didn’t know how she came by those weapons, but she seemed to faintly understand why Yue Bai preferred to keep a low profile. A person without guilt does not fear being in possession of a jade. Revealing so many treasures now would probably stir a sensational storm within the immortal sects. “Well, hiding them is fine.” As the first light of dawn broke, Ji Mu Nian placed Yue Bai back in her original position, pretending she had never been there. --- Yue Bai had not been unconscious for long and woke up by noon the next day. Looking around at her surroundings and her rather peculiar sleeping posture, she understood why her whole body felt uncomfortable. "'Assist Ji Mu Nian in protecting the people of Yue Port' mission complete, main mission progress twenty-five," Jiu Yi said to her, "‘Assist Ji Mu Nian in meeting the current emperor’ mission complete." Covering her chest, Yue Bai waited a moment before asking, "What about the main mission progress?" Jiu Yi then snapped back, "Huh? Right, where's the progress? Could it be just a bait mission? Did we do it for nothing?" Yue Bai re-focused her spirit, "Let's go and take a look." "Wait, wait, wait!" Jiu Yi remembered Yue Bai's miserable condition last night, "Don’t forget you’re injured!" "My body is wounded," Yue Bai noticed she was now lying down properly, even feeding herself another pill, "But my spirit is fine. I'll go take a look." Although she still felt uncomfortable, mission progress was important too. --- When Yue Bai arrived at the Duan Wang's residence, Ji Mu Nian was in the side hall talking to the Emperor and Duan Wang. "Patrol?" Ji Mu Nian's tone was light, "The Emperor has some nerve, leaving court affairs behind to roam around?” "Imperial Aunt," Duan Wang said, "My Imperial Brother was also concerned about the multitude of disasters and feared there were mistakes in disaster relief, so this is all official business." “The Emperor should control everything from his primary position. And for you to come here..." Ji Mu Nian chuckled, somewhat playfully, "Did you miss me?" "Zhan Hong indeed missed Aunt," Ji Zhan Hong, the Emperor, replied earnestly, "I heard that Aunt was released and permitted to leave the mountain, and I happened to be patrolling, so I came to see Aunt. Compared to a grand ceremony of offering sacrifices and worship, meeting Aunt like this is far more convenient." "Ah... I understand what you mean,” Ji Mu Nian smiled but shook her head, “But the world is still in chaos, your safety is paramount. Look at what happened yesterday... what if something had happened to you? Listen to your Aunt and go back quickly." Listening from the rooftop, Yue Bai thought aloud to Jiu Yi, "Is it because Ji Mu Nian didn't want to meet the Emperor at this time, so completing the mission didn't progress the main mission?” “Maybe…” Jiu Yi pondered, “It seems not every mission will increase progress… but they still need to be done…” So, there are tasks done in vain. Yue Bai made a sound of acknowledgment. Ji Zhan Hong looked at the woman before him, who, despite looking much younger than him, was truly his aunt. Although he hadn't seen her in a long time, Ji Mu Nian had never changed, always with that mischievous grin. Yet this woman would sneak him out on a sword-riding patrol, stand atop a tall mountain or beside a vast sea, and point out to him that this was the world. The world wasn’t that position or that court, it was this land and these people, this existence. This world belonged to Ji Zhan Hong. "Our Ji family has a rule," Ji Mu Nian said back then as she withdrew her gaze from the clouds, her smile playful, "One must protect and defend one’s possessions, never allowing anyone to bully them." "Zhan Hong, the power in your hands is to protect what is yours.” The world belongs to the ruler, and a ruler’s pride and self-conceit would never allow others to meddle in their magnificent realm. Last night, when he was helpless, Ji Mu Nian had protected the people in Yue Port for him. "Zhan Hong?" Ji Mu Nian waved her hand in front of his face. The Emperor came back to his senses, "Zhan Hong understands. But, Daoist Master Ji, what about yesterday's events?" “It must be demonic cultivators causing trouble.” Ji Mu Nian said, “But the two responsible were dealt with yesterday. We still need to guard against any further actions by the demon clan.” Ji Zhan Hong lowered his gaze, “Humans are weak. Even as an emperor, I am powerless in matters concerning immortals and demons.” “ Ensuring stability and safety for the people is the best strategy,” Ji Mu Nian said, “Demons come from the darkness in people’s hearts. If life were filled with light, how many would choose to stay in the shadows?” “But immortals and demons are formidable,” Ji Zhan Hong sighed, “Just a few could toy with the lives of Yue Port’s people. We are helpless.” He looked up, “Aunt, only now do I realize the weight of the throne you handed to me.” His adversaries were not just political or natural calamities; they included all beings, gods, demons, and monsters, all vying to interfere with the human realm. "I know you can do well," Ji Mu Nian, though looking like a young girl, was still a senior when she patted his shoulder, "Zhan Hong, I'm very sure you can do well. Immortals have their path, demons have their way, but the human world still belongs to humans. Even those mighty beings from thousands or tens of thousands of years ago, with their earth-shaking power, didn't they fall eventually? Our human race has thrived and passed down through generations to this day. Which realm can compare?" Ji Zhan Hong was silent for a moment, then smiled lightly, "Aunt, have you visited other realms? Why are you so certain?" Ji Mu Nian was slightly taken aback and then laughed along with him, "Let’s say I have." “Visited?" Yue Bai turned her head slightly. Ji Mu Nian ascended Qing while she was fifteen, spent fifteen years cultivating, and was then grounded until now. When did she have the opportunity to travel through different realms? Sneak out? And what did that "let’s say" mean? The atmosphere broke the ice. After all, Ji Mu Nian chose him; she knew her nephew wasn’t one to wallow in self-pity. “Anyway, be a good emperor, managing your realm.” Ji Mu Nian smiled and said, “Our human world is no less than any other. Trust me on that.” She then looked at Duan Wang, who had been seated steadily, “Moreover, you have capable ministers assisting you. The human world has many wise individuals. Who knows, one day you might sit among the rulers of various realms, discussing matters with those supreme immortals and demons. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” She blinked, and the light in her eyes was like the blazing sun, illuminating all shadows. Yue Bai shielded her eyes on the rooftop, filled with hopelessness. It’s not impossible to flourish in the human world, but in realms ruled by power, a mere human emperor would be crushed by the might of supreme beings. Raising a human emperor to the level of a monster king or demon lord would require immense effort. Waging war against various realms surely wouldn’t work, and having a human emperor negotiate at such a level would likely cause immense chaos, which could potentially lead to human ascension... She had no desire to undertake such a task. "Calm down..." Jiu Yi spoke coolly, "No tasks have been triggered." Rubbing her temples with her current hand gesture, Yue Bai asked, "Does Ji Mu Nian not desire that? What kind of triggering mechanism do you have?" “I don't know.” Jiu Yi was a bit embarrassed, “It triggers whenever it feels like it... I can't quite figure out the pattern.” Yue Bai sighed deeply, feeling tightness in her chest. --- At that moment, Ji Mu Nian came out, accompanied by someone who was taking her to see Liu Li. Yue Bai, pondering over this, decided to follow along. Upon entering the courtyard, several Sanqing disciples saluted Ji Mu Nian. Gao Yun of Lingyun Hall also came out to greet her. After exchanging a few words, Ji Mu Nian went inside and sat by Liu Li's bedside. Seeing Liu Li lying there, Ji Mu Nian seemed to be in a daze, a look of disbelief flickering in her eyes. As she gently touched Liu Li's face, her fingertips seemed to tremble, and her expression changed as she used her spiritual power to probe his body. "Daoist Ji?" Gao Yun, observing her reaction, felt a stirring in his heart. Last night, that girl was cold and noble, with a hidden identity but formidable strength; this Daoist Ji who grew up with Liu Li was extraordinarily gifted, a dragon among men. How fortunate Liu Li must be, to attract the favor of two such remarkable women. At this moment, Yue Bai passed through the wall and stood in a corner of the room, intending to observe the situation. Gao Yun was recounting the events of the previous day to Ji Mu Nian and mentioned that the girl who saved them had come by in the morning to give Liu Li some medicine. That evening, the incident occurred. "The morning?" Ji Mu Nian lowered her head, casting a discreet glance towards the corner, "Yesterday morning?" Did someone arrive right after she left? Moreover, being that injured last night, how could she still have the energy to spy around today? "Yes," Gao Yun said, "That girl didn't leave her name, but she seemed to be quite close to Daoist Liu Li. We intended to ask Daoist Liu Li about her once he regains consciousness, to see if she's someone he knows." "Her, close to Senior Brother Liu Li?" Ji Mu Nian's tone was indifferent, pausing briefly. "Putting aside who that girl is, what about the matter of the demonic serpent? Do we know why it suddenly transformed into a dragon?" "We've been investigating that for a long time without any leads," Gao Yun replied. "That girl did say one thing before she left: it wouldn't trouble us again. And indeed, after that, the dragon seemed to swim into the deep sea, and we've lost track of it. As for last night..." "Last night was likely caused by demonic cultivators," Ji Mu Nian interjected, "When I pursued them, those two demonic cultivators had already abducted my senior. Based on what you've just said, they placed Water-attracting Beads along the coast to trigger a tsunami, diverting your attention. While you were dealing with the tsunami, they kidnapped someone." "Water-attracting Beads?" "A type of magic tool that manipulates water currents," Ji Mu Nian explained, "It causes disturbances when it comes into contact with water and is especially dangerous when placed in rivers and seas. I was fortunate enough to read about it in the books at Zhong Pavilion, which is how I recognized it. That girl must have been quite clever, knowing that Water-attracting Beads are difficult to locate amidst waves. So, she froze the seawater directly..." She then took out a dark blue bead from her clothes, "Last night, I retrieved it. Soon, we can unfreeze the seawater." "I see," Gao Yun realized, "That girl is truly powerful and knowledgeable." It wasn't me. I didn't do it. Stop saying things without basis. "Did you know about the Water-attracting Beads?" Jiu Yi also asked. "No," Yue Bai replied, "Plus, it wasn't me who froze the seawater." That chill belonged to Ji Mu Nian. "Regardless, please continue to stay vigilant," Ji Mu Nian retracted her spiritual power, stood up, and bowed, "Thank you." "It's our duty," Gao Yun quickly waved his hands, "We are indebted to Daoist Liu Li for protecting us that night, or we would have perished, and left him grievously injured. Last night, we failed to guard him, leading to his abduction... Daoist Ji, what do you think of Daoist Liu Li's condition?" "Senior Brother will be fine," Ji Mu Nian said, "Although he has suffered greatly, his Nascent Soul is intact, and it seems that something inside him shielded him from more severe harm and aided his recovery. His injuries are not minor, but with time and proper care, he will heal." "Indeed, when Daoist Liu Li's immense spiritual power erupted at the critical moment, it drove away the dragon, granting us a sliver of hope." Ji Mu Nian continued to discuss matters with them, roughly concerning cooperation between the immortal sects. At this point, Yue Bai felt there wasn't much more to listen to and decided to leave. Ji Mu Nian noticed her departure and then asked Gao Yun, "When Senior Brother Liu Li's spiritual power erupted, what time approximately was it?" The situation had been urgent at the time, so Gao Yun couldn't provide an exact time, only a rough estimate. Hearing the response, Ji Mu Nian seemed to understand something, showing a resigned smile, tinged with an inexplicable tenderness and complexity. No wonder.