33 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

The sect was bustling with activity, and while there were many rumors circulating, they didn't quite resonate with the younger disciples who were spiritedly competing in the martial arts arena. After meeting with the sect leader, Ji Wu Nian and Liu Li returned to the Wushi Peak. The day's matches had concluded, leaving the square nearly deserted save for a few lingering disciples. The top four competitors had been determined, with only a few matches left to decide the overall winner. The two of them checked the leaderboard and saw that two of the top four were from the Sanqing Sect, with Ming Yun Xie Kai, who had previously defeated Luo Chang He, occupying one spot, and another disciple from the Wuji Palace. "Ning Cheng from the Wuji Palace?" Liu Li pondered, "Never heard of him before." Ji Wu Nian shrugged. She did have some past encounters with Yue Bai from the Wuji Palace, who had been disrespectful to her earlier. Initially, Yue Bai hadn't thought a craftsman disciple would get far. However, it was unexpected that this individual managed to advance to the top four using various crafted items, showcasing commendable skill and creativity that often caught opponents off guard. "I think you could try it too," Jiu Yi suggested, "Creativity is the primary driving force." "Maybe I could..." Yue Bai wavered her bamboo switch, previously indifferent but now slightly interested, "I should find some time to make an imprint." Apart from Qi Feng, Yue Bai hadn't forgotten to mark several disciples over the past few days to stay informed about sect affairs. "You voyeuristic maniac..." Jiu Yi couldn't help but tease. Yue Bai retorted, "It's called being prepared." Sensing Ji Wu Nian's return, Yue Bai handed the bamboo switch to Wan Wan and stood up to greet her, "Master." "Spent the whole day in the hall?" Ji Wu Nian walked over, her Habitation Blade hanging at her waist, with Sealed Rain gripped in her left hand. She naturally draped her right arm over her small disciple's shoulder, "Didn't Zhao Qi and the others come to pick you up?" Yue Bai glanced at the Sealed Rain blade, which seemed so close yet so far, and lowered her head, "They did, but I preferred to cultivate in the hall." "The final matches will determine the winner these two days," Ji Wu Nian said with a smile, "The matter with Qi Feng has been resolved. I’ll take you to watch the matches in the next couple of days." She shook the Sealed Rain blade in her hand, "There might be demonic energy residue in this sword, so I'll hold onto it for now. For the next few days, stay by my side." …Was this another public reprimand? Unable to resist, Yue Bai obediently bowed, "Yes, Master." *** After two days, the craftsman Ning Cheng won the championship, narrowly defeating Luan Qing in the final move. Guan Sheng from Pure Speech Peak bested Xie Kai for third place. Despite the previous buzz around the demonic practitioner Qi Feng, the craftsman’s victory had become the latest hot topic, especially when he publicly professed his love for Ji Wu Nian after the match. That day, Ning Cheng's battle with Luan Qing was intense and tightly contested, with his final crafted item securing his victory. Looking at his empty hands, he forced a bitter smile. Thus, Ning Cheng was declared the winner. Turning, Ji Wu Nian, with Yue Bai by her side, sat high on the platform, smiling radiantly. The tournament had its rewards, useful for cultivation, but Ning Cheng refused the brocade box offered by the elders. Instead, he loudly declared, "Ning Cheng doesn’t want these!" With burning, steadfast eyes, he gazed directly at the high platform, "Ning Cheng only wishes to ask Immortal Ji for an item to ease his lovesickness!" The crowd immediately burst into murmurs. "Wow, wow, wow," Jiu Yi exclaimed excitedly, "A younger guy! A bold wolf pup! I love it!" Wuji Elder beside Ji Wu Nian looked displeased and spoke before she could, "Nonsense!" "Ning Cheng has long admired Immortal Ji," the young man stood firm, undaunted by his elder’s anger, "I know that I am not worthy of Immortal Ji now, but I only wish to ask for a token of affection!" Suppressing the angered Wuji Elder, Ji Wu Nian smiled, "What do you want?" Full of zeal and clasping his hands tightly, the young man declared, "Something unique to Immortal Ji." "Youngsters these days..." Jiu Yi whistled, unfazed, "So daring." He then asked Yue Bai, "Are you jealous?" Yue Bai ignored him, instead, studying the young man with growing interest. Being held close by Ji Wu Nian these past days, she hadn’t had the chance to read his consciousness. Ji Wu Nian turned to see her disciple gazing intently at the young man with curiosity rather than anger. She thought for a moment and then untied something from her clothes. With a flick of her wrist, the item gently landed in Ning Cheng’s hand. Ning Cheng steadied himself and found a white hook adorned with cloud patterns. "My disciple made this for me, and it’s one of a kind." Ji Wu Nian stood up, radiant as the sun, and with a stretch of her arm, she pulled her adorable little disciple into her embrace, "My unique one." The crowd marveled, Ning Cheng looked awkward, and the item in his hand felt like burning hot coal. Yue Bai felt even more awkward, but try as she might, she couldn’t shrug off that affectionate grip. "...Such a tease." Jiu Yi found himself at a loss for words, "Yue Bai, I think your taste in people is really questionable..." Who was it that forced her to stay with this person anyway? With a soft sigh, Yue Bai looked up and saw Ji Wu Nian winking at her. "Master..." Ji Wu Nian’s smile was broad, like she had accomplished some great prank, "Yes?" "I won’t be making you another one." Yue Bai averted her gaze and looked sympathetically at the young man below the stage. Of all people to fall for, why her? "Don't worry," Ji Wu Nian’s gentle voice whispered in her ear, "I’ll steal it back tonight." … *** That night, Ji Wu Nian indeed engaged in some sneaky activities, and Yue Bai accompanied her, projecting her spirit to follow. However, before they reached Wuji Palace’s quarters, Ji Wu Nian changed direction and headed towards Luan Qing's mountain. By the time Yue Bai arrived, someone was already waiting. Ji Wu Nian approached the individual, something slicing through the air and landing in her hand. "Why wouldn’t you simply give me the hook?" The person emerged against the moonlight, chuckling softly, "Immortal Ji, you’re getting stingier." "You don't lack such trinkets, Lesser Palace Master," Ji Wu Nian stowed the hook in her bosom and asked, "What brings you here?" "I'm not the Lesser Palace Master; I am your A Ning." Chen Ning smiled, "I naturally came to find you to resolve my lovesickness." "I cannot bear the burden of the Lesser Palace Master's affection," Ji Wu Nian glared at him, "Find someone else while you’re still young." "I've admired you since childhood," Chen Ning’s eyes burned with intensity, "I can’t." "Impudent child, better focus on your cultivation," Ji Wu Nian chuckled, "Elder Li's hair is nearly falling out from your antics." "Isn't this just to divert attention?" Chen Ning smiled confidently, "You’ve become the center of attention again. How does it feel?" Ji Wu Nian shrugged, "As always." Beloved like the sun. "You’re naturally used to it," Chen Ning sighed, "Cultivation is essential. My current skills are below yours, even inferior to Liu Li’s, and I lack the confidence to propose formally..." Ji Wu Nian laughed heartily, "If it can motivate you to improve, I might even seek a favor from your Palace Master." "Wu Nian," Chen Ning’s tone suddenly grew somber, "I’m worried about the incident at Yue Port." "...That name is a bit too intimate, isn’t it?" Considering Ji Wu Nian had kissed the host’s body before, Jiu Yi felt quite uncomfortable with their current conversation. Yue Bai remained silent, treating it as a show. But Ji Wu Nian’s response pleased Jiu Yi: She knocked Chen Ning’s head with her sword hilt, "Lesser Palace Master, your cultivation is too weak. It's better to call me ‘Immortal Ji.’ "No," Chen Ning cradled his head with both hands, showing youthful determination, "Privately, I will call you ‘Wu Nian! Wu Nian! Wu Nian!’" "Childish," Ji Wu Nian rolled her eyes, indulgent yet helpless, "Return with the elders tomorrow. Cultivate earnestly; trouble is brewing." "Is it about the demonic energy?" Chen Ning stood close to Ji Wu Nian, "Is it serious?" They were in close proximity, almost intimate. Ji Wu Nian subtly distanced herself, "The sect may have been infiltrated. If I identify them, I will inform you." "Alright," Chen Ning smiled bitterly, "But what about your unique little disciple? With her holding the Sealed Rain Sword these days, wouldn't she be the most susceptible?" "Her?" Ji Wu Nian seemed to recall something, lowering her gaze with a chuckle, "She’s the least of my concerns." "Why?" Chen Ning questioned, "Being tainted by demonic energy is no trivial matter..." "I frequently cleanse her meridians. Even the slightest discrepancy, she might not notice, but I would," Ji Wu Nian seemed to be in a good mood talking about her little disciple, tapping her fingers on the table, "I probably know her body better than she does." "That sounds... dirty..." Jiu Yi smacked his lips. Yue Bai didn't want to acknowledge it, but it might be true. Chen Ning clenched his fist, "Why do you value her so much?" "...Why?" Ji Wu Nian seemed momentarily stunned, pondering before answering, "I have never met anyone... like her..." "...That line sounds familiar..." Jiu Yi muttered, "The next line should be ‘pure, cute, and unpretentious,’ right?" "Obviously reluctant yet becomes compliant, seeming obedient yet occasionally putting up weak resistance..." Ji Wu Nian touched her chin, "It just makes one want to keep bullying her... just to not let her have her way..." She pondered further, "And strangely, she only acts like this with me. She’s quite well-behaved with others, wonder if she only dislikes me..." …Could it be because you're the only one who bullies her? Ji Wu Nian tilted her head and added, "The more she acts like this, the more I want to bully her and not let her get her way." Jiu Yi: "Miss Yue Bai, how do you feel hearing such words?" Yue Bai: "…What kind of absurd task is this?" She aimed to ensure Yue Bai's happiness, while Ji Wu Nian was fully intent on denying her that happiness. Biting the hand that feeds. An ungrateful wolf. Chen Ning, too, was momentarily speechless upon hearing Ji Wu Nian's answer, unsure of how to respond. Initially feeling a twinge of jealousy, he now found himself unexpectedly sympathizing with Ye Er.