25 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Yue Bai felt that since Ji Wuneian had taken over, things here wouldn't be changing any time soon. That night, she returned to Sanqing Sect and finally had a good night's sleep while hugging the little red panda she had just adopted. The next morning, Zhao Qi came to find her, bringing her medicine and asking where she had been over the past couple of days, as no one could find her. "Master said I shouldn't rush my training due to my injuries, and staying at the hall was quite boring," Yue Bai explained. "So I went to the Contemplation Peak to read for a couple of days." "Wow, the way Master Ji treats you is really enviable," Zhao Qi said, looking a bit jealous. "Ever since she took you in, she hasn't been mischievous at all." Yue Bai just smiled, having already heard plenty of amusing stories about Ji Wuneian from Zhao Qi. "By the way, the Ascension Martial Meeting is coming up," Zhao Qi said. "Disciples below the Core Formation stage can all sign up to participate. Senior Brother Luo will be going as well. Want to go watch?" Yue Bai didn’t mind, "If Master allows it, I can go." "Master Ji will definitely be seated on the high platform and won't have time to keep an eye on you," Zhao Qi said as he wrapped his arm around her hand. "Go, go! I'm sure Senior Brother Luo would be delighted to see you there." Yue Bai had to respond, "We'll see when the time comes." The two of them then played with Wanwan for a bit, and for lunch, Zhao Qi, knowing Yue Bai hadn't abstained from ordinary food, dragged her to the Wushi Peak dining hall, saying they should try out some new flavors. Halfway through their meal, a bit of a commotion arose in the hall. Luo Changhe had arrived, took some food, and came straight towards Yue Bai. With both of them there, Yue Bai inevitably overheard some whispering. After the meal, Luo Changhe invited her to go to Jinyu Peak, but Yue Bai merely said she needed to return to Qinglin Hall to finish her daily tasks. That schedule had been maintained by her and Ji Wuneian for some time. Luo Changhe said nothing more and escorted her back to Qinglin Hall. Jiu Yi "tsk-tsked" a few times, "…Yue Bai, I think it's pretty obvious he wants to court you." Yue Bai, thinking about something else, absent-mindedly responded, "Let him think what he wants." *** After a few days of healing, Yue Bai was feeling much better, though she still experienced occasional dull pain. "Sigh..." Jiu Yi let out a dramatic breath, "I thought you were overpowered, but it turns out your weak body can't even handle the power boost..." "Slow and steady training will heal eventually." Yue Bai had plenty of medicine, and without the need to hide anything from Ji Wuneian, her recovery was actually faster than before. Since future convenience dictated it, cultivation was definitely a priority. Taking advantage of Ji Wuneian's absence, Yue Bai could concentrate on her cultivation without distractions, her power growing rapidly yet subtly, unnoticed by others. Through Ji Heguang, she had a rough idea of Ji Wuneian's whereabouts and would sometimes go check on her. Liu Li woke up on the fourth day after Ji Wuneian arrived. Yue Bai wasn't there at the time but heard that Ji Wuneian and Liu Li had a conversation that ended with Ji Wuneian crying emotionally. "No wonder he's a progression ten character..." Even Jiu Yi couldn't help but remark. "Indeed." Yue Bai considered something, "Jiu Yi, has the mission to 'ensure Liu Li's life is free from danger' been completed?" "Huh?" Jiu Yi was taken aback, "The progress has increased, so... Huh? 'Incomplete'?" Just as she thought. "The mission specifies that Liu Li must be safe during his patrol," Yue Bai pondered, "Since his patrol isn't over yet, it makes sense the mission isn't completed." Jiu Yi was puzzled, "Then why did the progress increase??? How generous! Are they just giving us free rewards???" "Perhaps..." Yue Bai's tone dropped, "Because Ji Wuneian is satisfied." "Huh?" Jiu Yi didn't get it, "What do you mean?" "I'm not sure either," Yue Bai said, "I'll need to observe further." After responding to Jiu Yi, Yue Bai refocused on the task at hand. Her slender fingers pointed at a piece of rice noodle sheet, her curiosity piqued, "What is this?" The vendor, seeing a young woman, cheerfully took out a steamer, showing her the translucent rice noodle sheets inside through the steam, "Miss, you must be a visitor from out of town? This is our Yue Port specialty 'Sea Crystal Sausage.' It may be called sausage, but it's actually rice noodles filled with various ingredients, then drenched in a secret sauce—it's delicious." The vendor continued, "Our liver and beef brisket ones are very popular. Would you like to try one?" Yue Bai took a few copper coins from her pocket and handed them over, "I'll have a liver one." Jiu Yi expressed his distaste, "What kind of taste do you have..." Finding an empty spot at the stall, Yue Bai sat across from another woman who was drinking soup. The woman wore coarse clothes, with her pants rolled up to her knees, revealing dark skin weathered by the sun and wind. Her clothes had several patches with white spots where sea salt had evaporated. Seeing Yue Bai sit down, the woman offered a friendly smile, revealing deep creases and sun-chapped rosy cheeks. "You're a very pretty young lady. Why here so early?" Yue Bai had adopted a different appearance for today, one that was pleasant but not stunningly beautiful. She was still in her long robe, standing out a bit in the market setting. She pulled a pair of chopsticks from the holder and smiled, "I heard the seafood here is the best, so I came early to get some." The people at the next table, dressed similarly, with the scent of seawater still clinging to them, laughed at her words. "The young lady sure knows her stuff. The best goods are usually booked by the big restaurants, but what you find at the market here is probably the best available! Freshness guaranteed!" The burly man who spoke thumped his chest, revealing muscles earned from years of diving. "Your liver sausage, miss," the vendor said, placing a plate in front of Yue Bai and calling to the man, "Wang Liu, could you cover up a bit? Don't want to offend the young lady's eyes." "Hey, hey, hey," Wang Liu grumbled, thumping his chest again. "What's wrong with me?" Yue Bai lowered her head and smiled faintly, unfazed by their banter, and delicately picked at her rice noodle roll with her chopsticks. The translucent rice sheet, slick with sauce, looked very appetizing. "Don't mind him," the woman across the table finished her soup and leaned closer to Yue Bai, "We're all rough folk from the sea, rarely see a lady like you here in the market." Glancing at Wang Liu, she added, "We went through hard times due to the monsters, but now the market is open again, we're all just happy." "That's great," Yue Bai replied with a gentle smile, intrigued by these glimpses of everyday life. "Life is hard enough, no need to fuss over the small stuff." "Hahaha," Wang Liu laughed and thumped his chest again. "I like this young lady!" "Who asked for your opinion?" someone chimed in. Others echoed in agreement. Wang Liu, proclaiming himself the market boss, loved dealing in oysters, selling them to big restaurants and offering premium ones to the city’s elite, often speaking coarsely but cheerfully, engaging in lively banter. As Yue Bai was about to leave, the people generously shared tips on buying the best seafood in the market. Compared to the monotonous life at Sanqing Sect, Yue Bai preferred the vibrant, bustling atmosphere of the human world. "You're a deity," Jiu Yi often marveled at Yue Bai's actions, his eyebrows twitching in disbelief. "Why do you like hanging out in the market so much..." On their journey to Sanqing, Yue Bai always liked wandering around the markets in the places they stayed. Why? Why? Why? Had she never had enough of markets growing up? "Isn't it great?" Yue Bai carried several kinds of seafood with her—shellfish, fish, and more. She had come from Sanqing early in the morning just to visit this famous market. "There are so many interesting aspects of the human world. They're much more engaging than just keeping an eye on Ji Wuneian." Moreover, the proximity allowed her to both enjoy and monitor simultaneously. Jiu Yi wanted to roll his eyes, but the deity didn't care about his eye-rolling. Thus, amidst the bustling crowd, a young woman in simple attire wandered through the market, carrying seafood, seemingly blending into the lively hustle and bustle. However, noticing someone following her, she bought another fish, then left the noisy market, heading towards her rented small courtyard. As the dawn broke with rosy hues, Yue Bai was stepping through the courtyard door, the follower stopping at the alley entrance, not stepping into her line of sight. "Yue Bai, what should we do?" Yue Bai lit the stove, letting the thin spirals of smoke waft up and scatter in the sea breeze. "Ignore it, let him be." As the aroma of a hearty seafood congee filled the air, Yue Bai was scooping it into a bowl when a knock came on her small courtyard door. Yue Bai went to open it and found a man standing outside. The man had a somewhat delicate appearance, dressed in a simple white robe embroidered with green bamboo from the hem, covered by an overcoat. A jade piece, carved with a dragon pattern, hung from his waist. His hair was loose but tied with a simple band. Though his attire suggested elegance, his slender, slightly upturned eyes carried a peculiar quality—whether enchanting or authoritative, or perhaps both. "I am Pu Shi. Passing by the alley, the enticing aroma from here reached me. My stomach couldn't resist, so I shamelessly came to ask if I could have a bowl." "Pu Shi???" Jiu Yi was shocked, "Isn't that the name of the new demon emperor?" The red panda at Sanqing Mountain had mentioned it, and Jiu Yi had noted it down, so Yue Bai naturally remembered. She shifted aside to make way, smiling, "A guest is always welcome. I happened to make extra." In the courtyard, an old tree provided shade under the whitening sky. Yue Bai served two bowls of congee, handing one to Pu Shi, who was gazing into the distant sky. The congee looked light, with a few red clams floating on top, emitting a tantalizing aroma. It tasted fresh and rich, with the perfect blend of fresh ingredients and a touch of ginger to eliminate any fishiness, creating a mesmerizing flavor. "You have quite a culinary skill," Pu Shi praised. Yue Bai took a sip of the congee and found it quite good. "It’s all just thanks to the fresh ingredients here." "Even with the same ingredients, it's rare to find someone who can make it as delicious as you," Pu Shi said with a smile. "May I know your name?" Since he had introduced himself, Yue Bai replied, "Yue Bai." "That black flood dragon caused some trouble in this city before," Pu Shi smiled again, "Thankfully, Yue Bai, you resolved it; otherwise, we wouldn't be enjoying such great congee." Yue Bai took another sip without replying. "The black flood dragon and I were childhood friends, constant rivals, and thus, had a mutual respect for one another," Pu Shi continued. "I aim for high status, while he seeks to become a dragon. Recently, I've been burdened with many issues. I heard he was making progress and wanted to check on him, but to my surprise..." Pu Shi finally looked at Yue Bai. "I found that he had a dragon core. Moreover, I heard that a major incident occurred in Yue Port a few nights ago, where two Nascent Soul stage demon cultivators were killed..." "Quite the feat, miss." "...Does he intend to rob us?" Jiu Yi felt his hairs standing on end. Yue Bai remained calm, continuing to eat her congee. "How did you recognize me?" "Demonkind are especially sensitive to aura, particularly I am," Pu Shi's lips curled up. "Though the dragon core you gave off only a faint aura, which others couldn’t detect, I could." Interesting. Yue Bai had always respected capable individuals. With her bowl of congee finished, she put it down and asked him, "What do you want to do?" Fight or enlist me? Pu Shi downed his bowl of congee, wiping the residual liquid from his lips with his index finger in a somewhat seductive manner. "You helped my dear friend; I, Pu Shi, am not ungrateful," Pu Shi said. "I came here to give you a warning: behind this incident lies a grand scheme by the demon race, which might cause turmoil in the human world soon." He chuckled lightly. "If the human world becomes uncomfortable for you, my demon realm is always open to you." He had learned from the black flood dragon that the person before him had an exceptionally strong soul, even making the flood dragon feel compelled to bow before her. Furthermore, the fact that she had single-handedly slain two Nascent Soul stage cultivators made her formidable. Under these circumstances, it was wiser to ally with than to antagonize her—force wouldn't work anyway. So, he intended to recruit her. "I'll consider it. Thank you for the invitation, Demon Emperor." Yue Bai smiled. "I wonder, could you tell me more about this so-called grand scheme by the demon race?” "They aim to introduce demon energy into the mortal realm and corrupt it," Pu Shi said. "A few days ago, some demons tried to taint the black flood dragon with demon energy. However, after he grew dragon horns and his strength surged, he fought them off. It’s said that the demon energy is quite sinister, but how exactly, you'll have to find out for yourself." "If he doesn't know, then just admit it..." Jiu Yi rolled his eyes dramatically. " 'Find out for yourself,' he says..." Yue Bai had a clear understanding but maintained her courtesy. "Thank you for the information, Demon Emperor." "Just call me 'Pu Shi,'" he gently moved his finger, handing the bowl back to Yue Bai with a lingering smile. "May I have another bowl?" "Certainly." Outside, the bustling sounds of the street occasionally drifted into the courtyard with the wind, faint and distant. "Miss Yue Bai, your aura is exceptional, and your skills are remarkable," Pu Shi said with a smile. "I have wasted my years, yet I've never heard of someone like you." Yue Bai thought of her frail body and only smiled, "I've lived a reclusive life and can't claim any fame. The Demon Emperor is overpraising me." Before Pu Shi could say another word, Yue Bai asked, "I've noticed humans and demons cohabitating here. How are their relations?" Pu Shi was initially taken aback, then chuckled, "It's as you see. Most of us demons are creatures of mountains and seas. If humans don’t interfere, we don’t cross their paths. Even if there are minor conflicts, they are just actions of individual lesser demons." "I see," Yue Bai nodded. "Then, the black flood dragon causing a disturbance here—will he be punished?" "Heh," Pu Shi's aura shifted slightly, "Unlike the demons, my demon kind values freedom and has fewer constraints..." So, protective of their own. "I mean no offense," Yue Bai said with a smile. "All beings under heaven should live equally. The sea is also the black flood dragon's home. It's understandable for him to roll and writhe in pain." Pu Shi seemed to envision the scene, and for a moment, felt a bit embarrassed on behalf of his friend. "And you," Yue Bai said softly, "You carry the aura of a phoenix. If you wish to transform into one, it will take great effort. The phoenix's rebirth from nirvana is the journey of life to death—a pride deeply engrained in its bloodline." Yue Bai looked at him. "Pushing yourself is fine, but if you forget grace in your aggression, you do not deserve the name of a phoenix." The demon emperor Pu Shi was notorious for challenging the strongest from the demon realm, being a battle maniac. He sought limits and breakthroughs in combat, craving the power in his bloodline that allowed him near-death revivals. But the more he sought, the more he failed, growing increasingly fearful of the brink of death. He had become strong, yet further from his goal. "The world is unworthy of the phoenix's death; hence it lives," Yue Bai softly laughed, speaking to the contemplative Pu Shi. "There’s more congee; bring some to the black flood dragon." Accepting the packaged congee from Yue Bai, Pu Shi cast a glance at her. The person before him exuded a gentle presence, just like a neighborly young lady who had prepared a delicious meal for him and his friend. Unfathomable. Pu Shi stood to leave. "Thank you, Miss Yue Bai." Yue Bai watched him go until his presence entirely faded beyond her sensory reach. Only then did she condense her spirit again and head towards Prince Duan's Residence. *** Recently, Ji Wuneian had been quite busy. The event had drawn attention from various quarters. She discussed flood control with Prince Duan, maintained vigilance with Lingyun Hall, stayed in contact with Sanqing Sect, explaining the incident to Zhao Zichen, and spent her evenings healing Liu Li's meridians, her feet barely touching the ground. Thankfully, she no longer needed to eat or rest as she had abstained from ordinary food. "Immortal Ji," Gao Yun, the liaison from Lingyun Hall, was puzzled by Ji Wuneian's arrangements, "Do we really need so many people?" In addition to the disciples she brought from Sanqing, she had requested numerous disciples from Lingyun Hall for guard duty, even inviting elders. This small Yue Port city had never seen so many cultivators before. But the flood dragon had retreated, and the demon cultivators had been eliminated. Gao Yun doubted the necessity of such precautions. "The flood dragon's whereabouts are currently unknown," Ji Wuneian said, managing to sit and sip some tea during the meeting, "And you mentioned it has grown dragon horns and could severely injure my senior brother. If it returns, Yue Port City can hardly defend itself with just these mortals." "But..." Gao Yun acknowledged her point but still felt uneasy about some aspects. Cultivators generally avoided worldly affairs; such an overt maneuver to fortify a mortal city seemed... "Yue Port City is close to Lingyun. Prince Duan had sought help from Lingyun Hall. If something happens to Yue Port," Ji Wuneian smiled while sipping her tea, "Lingyun's reputation in the cultivation world might not hold." As the Royal Princess, the Headmaster's junior sister, and a cultivation prodigy from Sanqing Sect, Ji Wuneian subtly threatened. Gao Yun's expression shifted, and he left to make arrangements. Seeing him leave, Ji Wuneian finally brought the teacup to her lips, took a small sip, and frowned slightly. The tea had gone cold, tasting rather bitter. Sighing softly, Ji Wuneian headed towards Liu Li's chambers. She passed by the hidden spirit of Yue Bai, acting as though she had noticed nothing. "It seems she has things under control," Jiu Yi, tagging along with Yue Bai, commented on the recently overheard conversation. "Does that mean there's nothing much to worry about?" "Hard to say." Yue Bai looked at Ji Wuneian’s slightly weary figure. "But so far, I haven't detected any demonic energy in the city." "Could it be that the demon cultivators are scared off?" Jiu Yi asked, "After all, two Nascent Soul cultivators have fallen." "I don’t know." Glancing again at Ji Wuneian, Yue Bai dismissed her spirit. Seasoned with such scrutinizing gazes, Ji Wuneian, just as the sensation disappeared, reached Liu Li's door. Several disciples guarding the courtyard greeted her, addressing her as "Immortal Ji." "Has Immortal Liu Li woken?" "Not yet." Although Liu Li had woken briefly before, his injuries were severe, and he still spent most of his time in a coma. Ji Wuneian nodded at them and, without knocking, entered Liu Li’s room. Prince Duan’s Residence was not luxurious, keeping a simple and elegant decor. This small side chamber had a bed on one side and a table on the other. A bulging leather pouch sat on the table, emitting an enticing aroma. As soon as the door opened, Ji Wuneian saw and smelled it, and she paused slightly. "Has anyone been here?" The guarding disciples hesitated before replying, "No one." They only noticed the aroma after following Ji Wuneian's gaze into the room, seeing the mysterious leather pouch. "Immortal Ji, this..." Unnoticed and invisible? Ji Wuneian frowned slightly, just about to speak, but then remembered someone who had just left. Unsure, she asked the disciples to check on Liu Li in bed. She then walked forward and opened the leather pouch, finding a small bucket and a note inside. The note read simply, "Beware of demonic energy." Upon opening the small bucket, the enticing aroma grew stronger. "Immortal, Liu Li Elder is fine," a disciple quickly reported to Ji Wuneian. "Immortal, what is this..." Unseen and unheard? Ji Wuneian gently rubbed the edge of the note paper, smiling. "This must be from Immortal Liu Li’s mysterious confidante, sending her regards." "What...?" the disciple was stunned. "When did she come?" "Considering her actions that day," Ji Wuneian lowered her head with a smile, "If she wanted to come, you wouldn’t be able to stop her." "But, Immortal Ji, how did you know?" the young disciple nervously asked. He had been there that day, witnessing the scene where the woman pushed away Immortal Ji. It seemed the two were not on good terms. Because I saw her. "You see us rushing around, yet Senior Brother sleeps so soundly," Ji Wuneian sidestepped the question with a sly smile, raising her eyebrows at the disciple. "Consider eating his congee as your reward for caring for him." The disciple was confused. "What?" Ji Wuneian seemed exasperated with his cluelessness. "Don't you think this congee smells delicious?" "Yes, yes, it does..." "Don't you want to eat it?" Immortal Ji's serious question left the disciple unable to lie. "I do... a little..." "Then why don't you go get a bowl?" "Oh, oh..." Immortal Ji's unpredictable behavior was well-known, and the disciple, still bewildered, complied with her instructions. Once the bowls and spoons were ready, the disciple's caution returned. "Immortal, this congee's origins are unknown. Should we really eat it?" Ji Wuneian had already taken a spoonful. The warm congee slid through her mouth, the fresh seafood bits stimulating her taste buds. After chewing, she swallowed, feeling the warmth spread through her body, leaving a lingering aftertaste. The craftsmanship is still superb. "If you don't want to drink it, just leave it," Ji Wuneian found the congee refreshing against her fatigue, wishing that the disciples would relinquish their share to her. "I’ll drink it." The disciple stood there, not knowing what to do. Seeing his awkwardness, Ji Wuneian eventually ladled out a bowl for him. "Rest assured, the woman who saved Senior Brother's life wouldn't harm him now. Go ahead and drink." The taste was astonishing.