39 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

“Ding. New mission triggered: ‘Return the Dragon Bone, Never Return’.” Ji Wu Nian had prepared a residence in a remote valley far from the coast, ensuring it would not be found by the people of Wuji Palace. As they flew towards the coast, Yue Bai noticed that the small fishing village she had previously hidden in was overtaken by the waves caused by their earlier battle. The remnants of ruined houses floated on the sea, devoid of any human presence. The house was not as simple as the fishing village and even had inhabitants. The three newcomers felt an unusual aura in the distance, which surprised them. “Lingzhou!” As soon as they landed in the courtyard, a child who appeared to be seven or eight years old, with long rabbit ears, ran out. “It’s been so long…” “Whoa!” Jiu Yi was the first to exclaim, “The Rabbit-Eared Girl!” Unfortunately, the Rabbit-Eared Girl halted in her tracks halfway when she saw the others behind her, her eyes immediately reddening. There were other presences in the courtyard that seemed to shrink back at this moment. Pu Shi and Hei Jiao exchanged awkward glances. Yue Bai wanted to comfort her but had barely taken a step when the rabbit girl flinched. It was the Red-Dressed Sorceress who stepped forward, shielding the child and gently comforting her. Not forgetting her duties as a hostess, she raised a hand towards the group, “Please, come to the hall first.” “…Then, pardon our intrusion,” Yue Bai was the first to step forward. As she walked, she noticed the small hands clinging to Ji Wu Nian’s leg… just like how Wan Wan used to cling to her. Pu Shi nodded and followed, awkwardly glancing at the child’s red eyes, “Apologies for the intrusion…” Hei Jiao didn’t know what to say and could only force a smile at those red eyes. ...which grew even redder. “Yue Bai, who is she?” Pu Shi entered the main hall with Yue Bai, which was empty and devoid of any close presences. “I don’t know either,” Yue Bai had also never been here before. “You should restrain your auras…” Pu Shi and Hei Jiao complied. The three of them sat in the hall, filled with curiosity. They expected a small demon to serve tea, but after a short wait, it was the Red-Dressed Sorceress who brought tea to them, one cup each. “The servants are too scared to serve tea… my apologies for the negligence.” The tea was a simple brew from the mountains, nothing particularly special. Pu Shi’s curiosity grew, “Lingzhou… Miss, how did you know about our movements and why did you intercept us halfway?” “Didn’t I say already?” The Red-Dressed Sorceress glanced sideways, her eyes shimmering like stars, “I have my ways. Why don’t you ask Yue Bai here? She’s also here, isn’t she?” “Heh,” Hei Jiao smirked mockingly, “Do you have the nerve to compare yourself to her?” Yue Bai’s cup-holding motion paused. Since when did she gain such respect? “Did you forget you gave someone a dragon pill…” Big shots indeed, making even Jiu Yi feel in awe. Yue Bai didn’t want this kind of respect and even wished he would stay far away. Just then, the red eyes turned to her, smiling, “Why don’t you ask her? Can I compare?” Yue Bai took a sip of her tea, “Let’s discuss the main matter…” Ji Wu Nian leaned to the side with a smile, “Heading north is a trap meant to lure the Demon Emperor. If you go, someone will surely be waiting for you.” “A bunch of lowlifes,” Pu Shi joked, “even their leader…” “What if something happens to the one beside you?” Pu Shi’s face darkened, while Hei Jiao snorted coldly, “Do you think…” “Yuegang.” Sword-like eyebrows furrowed, Hei Jiao seemed to recall something. “The Xian Sect has its entanglements with the demon clan. It was a close call that you advanced in time.” Hei Jiao’s look turned strange, gazing at the woman across from him sipping her tea. Ji Wu Nian noticed Hei Jiao’s gaze and looked puzzled at the person beside her, “You…?” “...I barely escaped, and then?” Yue Bai had no idea what impact her actions had at the time. Now, she just wanted to hide her merits and fame, “Cangxue?” “I received a secret message from my clan,” Pu Shi looked at the Red-Dressed Sorceress, “Cangxue holds an artifact of our demon clan…” “The ‘Never Return’, right?” With a downward glance, Ji Wu Nian exhaled, “The ‘Never Return’ is not in Cangxue.” ‘Never Return’ was always a symbol of the Demon Emperor. Its disappearance caused a century of internal strife within the demon clan. Only recently did they finally unify under a new Demon Emperor based on strength. Hei Jiao was skeptical, “How do you know?” “I have my sources. Believe it or not,” Ji Wu Nian lazily leaned back in her chair, not answering his question directly. “If this is a conspiracy between the demon clan and the Xian Sect,” Pu Shi looked at her, “why would a demon cultivator like you tell me?” The Red-Dressed Sorceress raised her hands, “Your Majesty, I’m a newly ascended demon cultivator. The road to getting close to the Demon Lord is tough. Not only must I make a name for myself and contribute significantly, but I also need to prevent others from gaining recognition and stealing merits. It’s hard work.” She shrugged, “The one plotting against you is Demon General Ranyin. I don’t want to let him have such a big catch…” “Catch?” Pu Shi’s interest was piqued, “And Miss Lingzhou, can you handle a big catch like me?” “Even if I can’t consume you entirely, I can still take a share. Look at the many little demons I’ve raised; it’s a way to share your burdens…” Tilting her head, the Red-Dressed Sorceress sweetly remarked, “Won't Your Majesty reward me a little?” “This bait is too small,” Pu Shi chuckled, “I’m afraid Miss Lingzhou might end up as food for the fish.” “What about ‘Never Return’?” Ji Wu Nian retorted, “Is that bait big enough?” “That is indeed quite substantial.” Pu Shi smiled faintly, “But how do I know Miss Lingzhou isn’t setting another trap for me?” “I can’t defeat you,” Ji Wu Nian admitted frankly, a playful look in her eyes, “You’re the Demon Emperor. Do you fear a mere Golden Core cultivator’s trap?” “A mere Golden Core cultivator who infiltrated Wuji Palace, stole the Cold Sword, and escaped unscathed… heh,” Pu Shi’s gaze shifted from Yue Bai back to the Red-Dressed Sorceress, “If you truly know the whereabouts of ‘Never Return,’ then we can surely talk.” “Don’t you wish to know what I want first?” Pu Shi was forthcoming, “What does Miss Lingzhou desire?” With crimson eyes, Ji Wu Nian smiled, “I want the reverse scale of the Hei Jiao next to you.” “Crash!” A teapot smashed into pieces. Hei Jiao’s eyes turned golden, and scales appeared on his face. “...Hey, hey, hey!” Jiu Yi shouted, “Is she insane??? A reverse scale is not something you can just ask for!” “...” Yue Bai’s mind was in a disarray, and she could only sigh and sip her tea, “What do you want with a reverse scale?” Ji Wu Nian blinked, “Never seen a dragon before, want to keep it as a memento.” Jiu Yi smacked his forehead, “This person is truly crazy.” Not only Hei Jiao, but even Pu Shi’s expression changed slightly, “Miss Lingzhou, your ambitions are truly high.” “I know,” Ji Wu Nian nodded, pointing to the side, “She praised me.” Yue Bai didn’t want to get involved in such troubles and changed the topic, “Is ‘Never Return’ the dragon’s backbone?” Pu Shi nodded reluctantly, “It’s rumored to be so.” Yue Bai’s peripheral vision caught the Red-Dressed Sorceress looking intently at Hei Jiao’s neck, oblivious to the burning golden gaze opposite her. It seemed changing the topic didn’t help. Putting her tea cup on the table, Yue Bai spoke softly, “He hasn’t fully transformed into a dragon yet.” “Huh?” Ji Wu Nian was taken aback, “Didn’t he already grow horns?” Yue Bai gave her a cool glance, for Hei Jiao’s sake, she didn't reveal that he had developed horns but not claws. “Anyway, no full transformation,” Yue Bai said, “Nothing worth commemorating.” “Oh… then forget it.” Hei Jiao’s face visibly darkened as he took a deep breath out of frustration. “Hm?” Hei Jiao seemed puzzled but closed his eyes. In just a few moments, his eyes shot open in shock, “This… could it be…” Pu Shi looked at him, “What’s wrong?” With wide golden eyes, Hei Jiao didn’t look at Pu Shi but turned to Yue Bai, “Her Excellency, this…” “Did you sense it?” Yue Bai turned to Hei Jiao, smiling, “Not too slow.” “What is it?” Pu Shi frowned, disliking being kept in the dark. “There’s dragon energy…” Ji Wu Nian also looked at Yue Bai with a subtle gaze. “The ‘Never Return’ is here,” Yue Bai said, looking at them, her smile faint, “Whether you ask or search, it’s within this area, bound to be found. As for the reward… consider it as owing her a favor equivalent to a reverse scale,” she said to Pu Shi with a gentle expression, “How about that?” Pu Shi was stunned, unable to react immediately. It felt like a child’s game of hide and seek, and they had just started playing. “This bait is thrown too quickly…” Pu Shi laughed bitterly, “Are the two of you putting on an act?” “No rehearsal,” Ji Wu Nian supported her chin, her smile not reaching her eyes, “Maybe just a natural connection.” Yue Bai lowered her head and drank her tea, ignoring her.