38 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Yue Bai couldn’t linger for long, and Ji Wu Nian had no intention of staying either. But when Yue Bai coldly announced that she was leaving, Ji Wu Nian couldn't help but feel a playful urge. Cold Sword was placed aside by Ji Wu Nian, covered in runes and exuding an icy glow. Cold Sword's light could seal endless miles, tyrannical and difficult to control. Ji Wu Nian knew her own cultivation was limited. She specialized in precise manipulation techniques, which made Cold Sword inappropriate for her, but she also practiced cold energy... The moonlight reflected on the sea, Ji Wu Nian lowered her head and smiled at herself. If it weren't for Cold Sword, why would she practice cold energy? "Yue Bai, oh Yue Bai..." A cup of clear wine toasted to the moon, Ji Wu Nian drank the contents and then took out a talisman. Amid the roaring waves, a barrier blocked all sound, allowing only the voice from the talisman to be heard, "Wu Nian?" "Senior Brother," Ji Wu Nian greeted Zhao Zi Chen and Liu Li, "How are things on your end?" "The Sacred Wine Palace Master has already returned to the Infinite Palace and is likely to conduct a thorough investigation," Zhao Zi Chen replied. "Have you heard any news about Ling Zhou?" "No," Ji Wu Nian swung her legs. "No one seems to have heard of this person; no idea where she came from. Everyone is investigating, and rumors are spreading wildly..." "The only thing known is that she suddenly appeared in the forbidden area of the Infinite Palace," Liu Li responded, "and the Infinite Palace hasn't shared much with us." "It's rather convenient that the Palace Master wasn't in the palace during such times," Ji Wu Nian smiled. "How coincidental." "…Someone probably leaked the Palace Master’s whereabouts," Zhao Zi Chen added. "You need to be extra careful on your end as well." "Understood," Ji Wu Nian laughed softly. "Senior Brother, I did get some news here. It's said that the demonic cultivators in the human world plan to hold a gathering in Southern Mian. There might be a powerful demon appearing..." Zhao Zi Chen and Liu Li exchanged a glance. "This is significant, Wu Nian. Investigate further, if possible, find out the time and place." "But you must not go there yourself," Liu Li quickly added, "Return immediately after investigating Kun Mi, do not stay longer." "Okay," Ji Wu Nian smiled. "I will." The sound of waves roared in the distance. Ji Wu Nian leaped forward. *** "Ding. New mission triggered. 'Prevent the Mian Cloud Massacre.'” Mian South. Ming Yun. Yue Bai sat cross-legged on the bed, contemplating these two terms. The location of Ming Yun Pavilion wasn't far from Southern Mian. Considering the sudden mission, it was likely that the demonic cultivators were planning to attack Ming Yun. But Ji Wu Nian had never been to that place and wasn’t investigating in Kun Mi; how did she know about this location? A powerful demon...? Does it refer to Ling Zhou herself? “You, who hold great fortune, seek much,” Yue Bai commented. “It’s not my great fortune,” Jiu Yi smacked its lips. “It’s from yours.” Yue Bai clearly didn't want to engage in that topic. She sighed, feeling that the situation might turn upside down in Ji Wu Nian’s hands. However, Ji Wu Nian was still weak. If things truly turned upside down, Ji Wu Nian couldn’t stand alone. So, must she navigate skillfully and invest widely? Yue Bai felt uneasy, unable to fathom Ji Wu Nian’s aims. A purple talisman in her chest shimmered, interrupting Yue Bai’s thoughts. She took it out, and Chen Ning’s voice came through, “Ye Er, how are things over there? Is Wu Nian okay?” “Senior Brother Ning?” Yue Bai knew he was still at the Hidden Snow Peak, but Yuan Jiu had already returned to the Infinite Palace, "Master has been in seclusion for days..." “Seclusion?” Chen Ning’s tone darkened, “Seclusion is good…” “Senior Brother Ning, I heard something happened at the Infinite Palace,” Yue Bai asked, “Are you alright?” “…A thief broke into the Infinite Palace, but I am currently not in the palace,” Chen Ning’s tone softened, “though there are indeed some troubles.” “Troubles?” “The Palace Master intends for me and the young mistress of Hidden Snow to develop a relationship,” Chen Ning snorted, “How is that possible? My heart still belongs to Wu Nian.” His tone carried a hint of weakness. “…Hmm…” Jiu Yi commented, “But she doesn’t have feelings for you.” Yue Bai didn’t want to get involved in such matters and said blandly, “Well, I wish you all the best, Senior Brother Ning…” “Ye Er,” Chen Ning suddenly interrupted her, “What kind of person do you think Wu Nian likes?” “…I don’t…” “Just say what you feel!” Chen Ning realized the scope was too broad and provided options, “Is it the ‘carefree wanderer’? Or the ‘high-ranking official’, or perhaps the ‘elegant young noble’?” “…I really…” “Ye Er, just say what you feel…” “…Fine,” Yue Bai sighed, "Master may seem playful and mischievous, but she is highly responsible, loyal, and cares deeply for the world..." Though I still don’t know what exactly drives Ji Wu Nian’s ups and downs… “If she were to choose a partner, it would likely be someone akin to her.” “…Responsible, loyal, and cares for the world…” Chen Ning actually knew this. He let out a faint smile, “Do you think if Wu Nian knew I was being paired with someone else, she would care?” Jiu Yi: “Probably not.” Yue Bai agreed with Jiu Yi, but she didn’t think it was appropriate to say it aloud. “Ye Er doesn’t know.” “What do you think?” Yue Bai resorted to evasion, “I think Master hopes Senior Brother Ning makes his own choice…” “So, she wouldn’t mind?” Chen Ning pressed on, “Just say what you feel, Ye Er.” Young love deeply felt, but the heart’s desire unreciprocated. “I think Master would be happy for you, Senior Brother Ning…” “Heh,” Chen Ning’s voice seemed liberated from some constraint, “I guessed as much.” He sighed, “I always thought she’d live carefree and joyful, but she actually took on a disciple…” It was as if encountering a wall in the wind, a floating weed growing roots; Ji Wu Nian unexpectedly gained a tie. This tie was Ji Wu Nian’s choice, one she didn’t want before because she didn’t need it. Chen Ning suddenly felt relieved, having this small determined place in Ji Wu Nian’s mind. He sighed. Without saying more, Chen Ning severed the connection. Yue Bai was puzzled by this attitude. After the contact ended, she dove into his sea of consciousness. It turned out that the Sacred Wine Palace Master went north to Hidden Snow intending to discuss a secret alliance with the Three Purities Sect during their chaotic times. The Sacred Wine Palace Master planned to use his adopted son’s future marriage as a token. Hence, he summoned Chen Ning midway to accompany him north to meet the young mistress Hidden Snow had recently taken in. As for Ning Sheng's recent public confession to Ji Wu Nian, it was to be handled as youthful folly, and both families planned to facilitate the alliance. Chen Ning found this out at Hidden Snow with little room to resist, feeling quite vexed. However, with Cold Sword stolen, the Sacred Wine palace master had no time to handle these matters and left Chen Ning behind at Hidden Snow while he returned to the Infinite Palace. As for Chen Ning himself, he seemed to be pondering something, but no decision yet. Killing multiple birds with one stone. Ling Zhou became famous and obtained Cold Sword; the secret alliance between Infinite and Hidden Snow was ruined; forcing Infinite Palace to investigate whether there were demonic spies; and even acted to rescue Chen Ning from an unwanted marriage. “No wonder people call her someone with great fortune…” Jiu Yi clapped, “Very impressive…But Chen Ning?” Yue Bai lowered her head, thinking of other matters. “Let’s wait and see.” “What about the mission with Su Qin’s sword?” “Let’s wait.” “Ding. New mission triggered: ‘Intercept Demon King Pu Shi from going north’…” Jiu Yi didn’t expect the change to happen so quickly. The mission appeared, “Uh, what does that mean…?” The last time Pu Shi was seen was in Moon Harbor, by the East Sea, not far from Ji Wu Nian. And now, that person seemed to have gone around Infinite Palace in the midnight storm. Yue Bai took a deep breath, “Is Liu Li still at Luan Qing Peak?” “Yes…” Jiu Yi was unsure, “Why?” Disguising her presence, Yue Bai resignedly headed out again. *** Tonight, Pu Shi was acting strangely. Dark red demonic energy burned on Cold Sword, runes changed color, and cold air surged toward the golden bird in the sky. But the golden bird spread its wings, and three phoenix tails ignited golden flames, setting half the sky ablaze and melting the crystal rays. “Clang!” The sound echoed through the sky, resonating deeply. The red-clothed person showed no hesitation, raising the sword to meet, slashing through wind and thunder. The golden bird dodged the strike, and another sharp sword Qi sliced through the air, cold energy rushing on its face. Fierce flames advanced, a burst of golden-red fire exploded, burning back along the cold air, eventually extinguished at Cold Sword's tip. The sun-like fireball grew smaller, and a man in a green robe emerged from the golden light, hands behind his back, “I’ve been lenient multiple times. If you continue, I won’t be polite anymore.” Yes, this was the strange part—Pu Shi wasn’t a person who would show patience. Ji Wu Nian held Cold Sword, her gaze went past Pu Shi, towards the black-clothed man who had been watching the fight from the beginning. His aura was sharper than Pu Shi's, his killing intent focused on her unabashedly. She had expected them to attack together, yet Pu Shi had held the man back. Indeed, things were unpredictable. “Heh, I heard the new demon king is brave and aggressive, a brute,” Cold Sword drew a circle, and the red-clothed lady chuckled, “Seeing you today, it seems others have misinformed me.” The black-clothed man stepped forward, stirring high waves under his feet. “Hold on a moment,” Pu Shi raised a hand, smiling gently, his eyes turned to another direction, “We have company.” Not just Pu Shi, even the black-clothed man softened his gaze, turning towards that direction. Ji Wu Nian did not dare to relax, but when she looked in that direction, she was still taken aback. The young woman in the flowing garments riding the wind—who else could it be but Yue Bai? The black-clothed man cupped his fists and respectfully greeted, “Revered One.” Pu Shi was displeased with this title, but at the moment, he only glanced away and took a step forward to welcome Yue Bai, “Lady Yue Bai.” Stopping at a distance, Yue Bai nodded towards the two, “Long time no see.” She then glanced to the side. Perhaps not wanting to point the sword at her, the red-clothed person's Cold Sword hung at its side. As Yue Bai's eyes shifted between the two parties, she nodded to Pu Shi, “Thank you.” It must have been because this person had her aura that Pu Shi showed restraint, and the black dragon had not acted. “Is this really your friend?” Pu Shi looked only at Yue Bai, ignoring the other, “Her cultivation isn’t high, but her spirit is audacious.” With her dark red eyes slightly raised, Ji Wu Nian wasn’t bothered by his disparagement, instead showing keen interest in the interaction between the other three. Indeed, compared to Pu Shi, Ji Wu Nian was only at the Golden Core stage—a level that scarcely merited attention. “Perhaps she was born this way,” Yue Bai walked through the air over to Ji Wu Nian’s side and suggested to Pu Shi and the black dragon, “How about having a cup of tea?” Pu Shi and the black dragon exchanged glances. Pu Shi replied, “We have urgent matters to attend to, so...” “If the Demon King intends to head north to Hidden Snow, I advise you to stop.” The long-silent individual finally spoke, startling both Pu Shi and the black dragon. With narrowed eyes taking on a serious expression, Pu Shi asked, “How did you...” The red-clothed woman's uncovered lips curved into a slight smile, “I have my ways, no need to report to the Demon King, is there?” Sensing a change in Pu Shi’s demeanor, Yue Bai stood in front of Ji Wu Nian and glanced eastward, “This place is inconvenient. Let’s find somewhere else to have tea.” Multiple powerful presences were rapidly approaching, likely people from the Infinite Palace with formidable cultivation. It was surely the trouble Ji Wu Nian had caused—fearing she couldn’t handle it, she had likely drawn the Infinite Palace people. With their route exposed and Yue Bai shielding them, Pu Shi and the black dragon exchanged looks. “Then, please lead the way, Lady Yue Bai.” Yue Bai looked to Ji Wu Nian, who tilted her chin towards one direction. "Ding. New mission triggered, ‘Return the Dragon Bone to the Boundary’."