30 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

In recent days, the affairs of the sect were numerous, and Ji Wu Nian returned to Qinglin Hall very late. That night, Yue Bai had laid some preparations and was about to jump off Ba Chi Peak when she suddenly found Ji Wu Nian heading this way. Despite being a spirit form, she still hid in the woods, only watching from afar as Ji Wu Nian landed in front of Qi Feng's door and knocked. "Ji Immortal?" Qi Feng opened the door, seemingly startled to see her. "Why are you here, Ji Immortal?" "Hey, Senior Brother Qi, between us, why the formal titles?" Ji Wu Nian smiled. "I just heard you came back. How about it? Want to have a drink?" The person before him shone like a warm sun in the darkness, yet it made the shadows in Qi Feng's heart even deeper. "Let's not, Ji Immortal. I just got back, and I have a lot to tidy up. I hope you understand." "Sigh, I knew you'd decline," Ji Wu Nian's disappointment was fleeting. She mischievously rummaged through her sleeve and produced several bags of snacks. "I've got the snacks ready, just come along for a drink." Qi Feng still wanted to refuse but was pulled by his sleeve by Ji Wu Nian, who led him out the door. She chattered as she walked, "Come on, come on, that place in the back mountain is still there..." Their figures, pulling each other along, slowly receded into the joyous moonlight. "Another peach blossom, perhaps?" Jiu Yi's non-existent eyebrow twitched. "Is all her fortune just romantic encounters?" Knowing all, Yue Bai responded with, "No," and dissipated her spirit, arriving earlier than them at the so-called "place in the back mountain." It was a small, abandoned sword furnace in the back mountain of Ba Chi Peak. After the main furnace was built on the peak, only some junior disciples would come here to practice occasionally. Due to age, this place had become too small and old, no longer suitable for forging many current immortal weapons, so it had been long deserted. Ji Wu Nian's habit of forging swords began here. When she entered the sect, she was highly favored by the Sect Leader, who let her roam across various peaks. When she reached Ba Chi Peak, she decided to forge a unique sword just for herself. Hence, the "White Cloud Fragment" given by the Sect Leader was melted into the furnace here, mixed with her own essence blood. That essence blood flowed into the molten iron, finally embedding itself into the blade, creating flowing cloud patterns on it. Whenever the breeze brushed by, the sword patterns would flow accordingly. Qi Feng had long stayed at Ba Chi Peak; it was his first time encountering someone so reckless. He even wondered why this girl particularly liked to pull him along on her sneaky adventures, wanting him to accompany her to this desolate place to forge swords. "Junior Sister Ji, you can't do this!" That day, Ji Wu Nian stubbornly opened the furnace and forged, despite Qi Feng's numerous attempts to dissuade her. "Senior Brother Qi," that day's girl had bright teeth and shining eyes, her cheeks flushed by the firelight, and her eyes filled with an unknown light. "I can do it, I believe you can too." Can do what? What confidence? Qi Feng was just an ordinary disciple of Ba Chi Peak, his foundation building average, and he hadn't even formed his core back then. Where did Ji Wu Nian's confidence come from? As the fire soared to the sky, illuminating half the cliff before being blown away by the mountain wind, it brought the attention of the Sect Leader and the elders of Ba Chi Peak. They merely glanced at the scene, then took the unconscious Ji Wu Nian and the newly forged sword away. Since that day, neither of them had returned to this place. Ji Wu Nian often sought him out, and Qi Feng would chat with her, maintaining a relationship neither too close nor too distant. Only the lingering vines and bright moonlight remembered the once blazing fire. *** "Senior Brother, come on," Ji Wu Nian spread the snacks out on the ground and took out her self-refilling wine cup. "Cheers." Having been dragged here, Qi Feng accepted the wine cup and downed it in one gulp. Around them, vines grew abundantly, and above, stars and the moon shone. "Senior Brother," Ji Wu Nian lay on the table, resembling a young girl, "In all these years of roaming, have you encountered anything fun?" "The myriad things in the world are all the same," Qi Feng said. "For us cultivators, watching mundane affairs is just like that." "..." Ji Wu Nian paused, then laughed. "Have you come across any divine weapons?" Qi Feng, although of average talent, had a particular obsession with forging. Yet, due to his generally mild nature, few noticed. "No, I haven't," Qi Feng lowered his head, the wine in his cup seeming endless. "Going to the mortal world is just for experience; I do not expect any encounters." "... He’s such a conversation ender," commented Jiu Yi, who was secretly eavesdropping with Yue Bai. "He’s a bit like you." Yue Bai ignored him. Despite Qi Feng's reticence, Ji Wu Nian persevered, although her responses were often limited to one or two sentences, forcing her to continually seek new topics of conversation. Qi Feng seemed somewhat silent, often staring into his cup in a daze. "Senior Brother," Ji Wu Nian put down her cup, tilting her head back. "Back when we forged that sword together, it was your guidance that helped me forge 'Habit Wind'." The long sword appeared with a sound, its patterns gleaming in the moonlight. Qi Feng looked at the sword, and for a brief moment, his eyes lit up before dimming again. "It’s because you have a natural talent for forging; what I taught were just the basics." "Everyone says I have extraordinary talent," Ji Wu Nian's mouth curled with a hint of bitterness. "But no one knows..." Yue Bai and Qi Feng both looked at her, but those words were never completed. Ji Wu Nian changed the topic, "Senior Brother, diligently cultivating is good, but being born smart... is it a crime?" "Certainly not," Qi Feng said. "Talent is determined by the heavens; hard work can make up for deficiencies. Who knows who will be the ultimate victor in the end?" But the human heart is unpredictable, giving rise to envy, anger, and other complexities. He knew Ji Wu Nian was not at fault. Yet, he envied her talent. Ji Wu Nian gazed deeply at him and raised her cup, "Senior Brother, I honestly think you have more talent than I do." "Don't joke, Immortal Ji," Qi Feng laughed self-deprecatingly. "I know myself well." Long ago, when Ji Wu Nian said this, it could be attributed to a girl's naivety. But now, seeing their disparity, her words felt like mockery. "I truly mean it," Ji Wu Nian said. "Senior Brother Qi is very clear-headed. Unlike me, muddle-headed." "In what way are you muddle-headed?" Qi Feng smiled. "You always act decisively." "But that's because I rely on the protection of my senior brothers and don't have to worry about consequences..." Ji Wu Nian shrugged. "But now, with the Moon Harbor incident... Senior Brother Liu Li is severely injured, needing daily recuperation in the hall, and our Sect Leader is busy with the congregating sects’ matters, even the internal competitions that shouldn’t concern me now fall on my shoulders... The current Sanqing Sect is no longer as free-spirited as it was before..." Qi Feng's eyes flickered, "Sanqing Sect is full of talents, and the elders above can assist. This period will pass, and things will get better." "Let's hope so," Ji Wu Nian smiled, raising her cup to the moon, "The path ahead is long, may you, Senior Brother, remain always clear-minded and regretless." Qi Feng, looking down, swirled the phantom in his cup, "Thank you for the kind wishes, Immortal." *** Yue Bai returned faster than Ji Wu Nian. Before Ji Wu Nian stepped into Qinglin Hall, she had already tidied everything and was meditating on her bed. Ji Wu Nian returned without greeting her little disciple, heading straight to her chamber. In the deep night, Yue Bai directly formed her spirit in Ji Wu Nian's room. Ji Wu Nian was sitting cross-legged on the bed, meditating. Feeling Yue Bai's presence, she opened her eyes to see her. Still wearing the light blue dress, her body was surrounded by glowing flecks, like an ethereal sprite. "Yue Bai?" Ji Wu Nian took a deep breath, ending her energy circulation, "What brings you here?" Yue Bai tossed something over, which Ji Wu Nian caught precisely. It was a green jade plaque of unknown material. Ji Wu Nian was puzzled, "What is this?" "This can conceal demonic energy, even an Ascended Immortal won't detect it," Yue Bai said vaguely, "It's beneficial to you." Finishing her sentence, she was about to leave, but before her spirit could dissipate, Ji Wu Nian grabbed her wrist, "Wait." Yue Bai looked at her wrist, considering whether to dissolve her spirit and let her grasp air. Seemingly sensing her intent, Ji Wu Nian gripped tighter, "Yue Bai, are you planning something?" Yue Bai looked at her, noting her serious expression. After a moment, she spoke, "The aura you possess, others have it too." "Who?" Ji Wu Nian wasn't surprised, her eyes firm, as if seeking confirmation from Yue Bai. Yue Bai's lips moved, just about to speak when her consciousness was jolted. Jiu Yi called out, "Yue Bai! It's happening!" "Go to Liu Li." Leaving only twinkling remnants in the air, Ji Wu Nian was stunned for a moment but quickly reacted, drawing her sword and flying towards Liu Li's residence. When she arrived at Liu Li's chamber, she saw Yue Bai cradling an unconscious Liu Li, administering medicine. On the other side, Qi Feng's eyes were bloodshot but seemed restrained by an unseen force, wanting to rush forward but only able to remain in place, mouthing silent, desperate cries. Ji Wu Nian's expression grew grim, and Yue Bai, having settled Liu Li, walked towards her. "That one," Yue Bai pointed to the person in the corner, "You handle." The ill aura was removed, and with the jade plaque Ji Wu Nian had received earlier, she could account for Qi Feng's concealed demonic energy without exposing the deeper secrets behind it. If Qi Feng wanted to reveal himself, Yue Bai had already tampered with his consciousness. Thus, all choices now lay in Ji Wu Nian's hands. Ji Wu Nian gripped her wrist once more, staring straight into her eyes, her voice trembling, "How do you know?" Her reaction was strange, and Yue Bai patted her hand gently. "I'm more familiar with this aura than you are." The answer seemed both right and wrong at the same time. Ji Wu Nian's lips moved but ultimately fell silent, lowering her head. Seeing her like this, Yue Bai softened her tone slightly, "Since you've decided, don't back down." Ji Wu Nian still kept her head down, saying nothing. "...What are you two talking about?" Ever since Yue Bai had returned, Jiu Yi had sensed something odd. Now he felt they were playing some kind of enigmatic game. "Is she mute or something?" Before Yue Bai could respond, the grip on her wrist tightened, and she was pulled into Ji Wu Nian's embrace. Before she could say anything, Ji Wu Nian bit down on her neck. "What the—?" Jiu Yi exclaimed in shock, "Is this how you repay kindness with revenge?" Since it was merely a spiritual body, it didn't hurt to be bitten. Yue Bai could have dispersed her physical form, letting Ji Wu Nian bite into empty air, but sensing Ji Wu Nian’s obvious emotional turmoil, Yue Bai let her be. She patted Ji Wu Nian's back without saying a word. After a while, Ji Wu Nian loosened her bite and collapsed onto Yue Bai’s shoulder. Jiu Yi was dumbfounded. "What’s going on?" Yue Bai had some suspicions but wasn't certain. She felt that Ji Wu Nian didn't want to reveal anything at the moment, so she merely held her, letting Ji Wu Nian rely on her. Ji Wu Nian sobbed silently, and Yue Bai's presence needed no words. After a long time, Ji Wu Nian finally mumbled into her shoulder, "Yue Bai." "Mm?" Yue Bai’s tone was calm and unwavering. "I’m feeling miserable." Yue Bai turned to look at her but continued to hold her, patting her back. "Mm, you’re feeling miserable." The direct response elicited a light laugh from the person in her arms, whose face lifted, marked with tear streaks and a bitter smile. "So cold-hearted?" Yue Bai looked directly into her eyes, her expression unchanging. "How do you want me to be warm-hearted?" A hand touched Yue Bai’s cheek, the fingertips warm but not as fiery as the lips that pressed against hers. Salty tears added a flavor to the kiss. In front of Yue Bai, Ji Wu Nian’s closed eyes shed tears as she kissed her. Her lips were soft yet forceful, but her tongue hesitated. Yue Bai closed her eyes and slightly opened her mouth, offering encouragement. As expected, Ji Wu Nian tightened her embrace, and Yue Bai yielded to the sudden aggressiveness. This led to Ji Wu Nian gaining more ground, occupying every inch of Yue Bai's mouth and pushing her backward until she was pinned against the desk. Jiu Yi was almost exploding inside Yue Bai's consciousness, but she simply told him to be quiet. The kiss lasted long, and even when it ended, Ji Wu Nian continued to kiss Yue Bai's lips softly, unwilling to let go. The tears still streamed down, her eyes closed, with a bitter smile tinged with sarcasm at the corners of her mouth. Yue Bai patted her back, aware of several approaching presences. She glanced at the corner where the person emitting demonic energy was and found her aura calm. "Be careful not to expose yourself." Ji Wu Nian nodded in her ear. Yue Bai dispersed her form and returned to Qinglin Hall. Jiu Yi kept clamoring in her consciousness, but Yue Bai ignored him and went to sleep.