41 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

### Chapter 41 When Month White returned to Liuli's place, she found that Liuli was still away at Luanqing Peak, sparing her the need for explanations. For the next few days, Ji Wuning remained relatively calm. Then, news spread of a renowned wandering music cultivator who would be giving a lecture at Jingyu Peak. Luo Changhe invited Month White to accompany him. This music cultivator was quite famous, drawing many disciples even before their arrival. When Month White, Luo Changhe, and Ye Er arrived, they attracted quite a bit of attention. The disciples of Jingyu Peak were naturally familiar with Luo Changhe and, by extension, treated Ye Er with respect, so while they received attention, it was without animosity. But when the disciples of Ba Chi Peak arrived, people stepped aside, keeping their distance. "I heard that demon cultivators caused trouble at Wuji Palace again yesterday..." "Are they this brazen now?" "There must be another infiltrator again..." "Like that Qi Feng from Ba Chi Peak...?" "Yes, I heard Wuji Palace is already investigating..." "Could it be the demonic energy contamination again? I heard from the outer sect that some commoners have already gone mad..." "No idea..." The whispers in the crowd effectively isolated the disciples of Ba Chi Peak. Luo Changhe followed Ye Er's gaze, understanding the situation but powerless to change it. He could only say, "Lately, demon cultivators have been too rampant. The mysterious demonic energy has everyone on edge, causing unrest among the disciples." Things had quieted down for a while, but the incident at Wuji Palace had reignited many people's anxieties. Ye Er pointed to herself, "What about me...?" “…This wasn’t your choice; it’s an unfortunate incident,” Zhao Qi reassured her, holding her hand. “Besides, Elder Wen Zheng is already investigating for you...” Ye Er nodded. "This is the difference between the victim and the perpetrator," Jiu Yi noted sagely, curious, "Month White, do you intend to meddle?" "Mm?" Month White withdrew her gaze. "Is there something that requires my intervention?" "Eh? Didn't you say you wanted to find Qi Yue before?" Jiu Yi was sure he hadn't misremembered; Month White had mentioned it. "Ba Chi Peak treats me well," Month White said. "I can pay them a visit." "At this time?" Jiu Yi reminded her, “Isn't that a bit too conspicuous?” She had been particularly careful about hiding herself before. "…And so?" "Mm?" Jiu Yi questioned her, "Weren't you avoiding drawing attention? Now you’re taking the initiative..." "I just dislike unnecessary trouble," Month White replied. Jiu Yi pondered this, eventually deciding that whatever the boss said was likely right; after all, he could never fully grasp her thoughts. So, after the music cultivator finished his lecture and the crowd began dispersing, a small figure moved through the crowd, crossing an empty space to stand respectfully before the disciples of Ba Chi Peak, "Greetings, senior brothers." These disciples knew Ye Er well, with many having exchanged words with her before. They returned her greeting, albeit with puzzled expressions. "Sister Ye, what brings you here?" one disciple asked, already noticing the murmuring from the crowd. "It's like this," Ye Er said innocently, presenting her sword. This was a low-quality immortal sword given by Liuli for temporary use, bland and uninspiring. Looking troubled, she explained, "My master took my Penning Rain, and the sword Elder Liuli loaned me… isn’t suitable for my cultivation of cold energy… I wonder if Ba Chi Peak has an immortal sword I could borrow for a while to continue my training?" Everyone knew her Penning Rain had been taken because a Ba Chi Peak disciple contaminated it with demonic energy. And now she was asking them for a sword? The disciple who spoke earlier, named Chen Fenghuo, hesitated, caught by the gazes of onlookers. “...Senior Ji discovered a piece of profound icy cold iron, and her forging technique is unique… Ba Chi Peak may not have a cold sword akin to Penning Rain…” Ye Er simply shook her head, smiling, "Senior brother misunderstands. I'm just looking for an ordinary low-quality cold sword to continue my training. I will return it when my master returns Penning Rain." "You know my master’s temper…" Ye Er’s face showed discomfort, "If I don't continue training properly… who knows how she’ll discipline me..." Jiu Yi clapped his hands, "Nice way to shift the blame." “...Indeed,” Ji Wuning’s eccentric nature was well-known across the three peaks, and Chen Fenghuo, who had often sympathized with this junior sister, found himself agreeing. “If it’s an ordinary cold sword, we do have a few... come to Ba Chi Peak this afternoon and pick one.” “Thank you, senior brother.” Despite bowing respectfully, Luo Changhe felt that Ye Er was standing straighter than ever. Ignoring the murmurs around them, he joined her in bowing to Chen Fenghuo, “Could I also borrow a sword, senior brother?” “Aren’t you a flute player…?” Luo Changhe smiled, “I've recently taken an interest in swordsmanship.” “That can be arranged…” “Senior brother,” Zhao Qi joined them, “my furnace might need some repairs…” Chen Fenghuo, older than them all, smiled helplessly. "In that case, come to Ba Chi Peak this afternoon. I’ll get Brother Mo to help resolve these for you." *** "Your disciple is quite impressive," Liuli laughed, recounting the story to Ji Wuning. “Qi Yue personally picked out a 'Qingling' for her; your Penning Rain might not need to be returned.” Qingling was not of a high grade but was gentler than Penning Rain, more suited to Ye Er's current cultivation level. "Heh, you underestimate my disciple," Ji Wuning laughed. "Qingling is too plain. It lacks the uniqueness of Penning Rain; she wouldn't be interested." Ye Er was known for her modesty and courtesy. Liuli assumed Ji Wuning was being facetious. “I think it’s you who’s not interested.” “Of course,” Ji Wuning replied light-heartedly, "My disciple deserves the best." “Indeed, your precious disciple,” Liuli didn’t argue, genuinely fond of Ye Er. "She’s a good child." A good child... though especially fond of peeking and tailing people. Ji Wuning touched her wrist, activating a rune. "How are things at Wuji Palace?" "A few days ago, Lingzhou appeared again but vanished shortly after. Palace Master Yuanjiu is furious. These demon cultivators are getting bolder..." Liuli could imagine the chaos. "How about you? When will you return?" “Maybe in a few more days,” Ji Wuning said. “I sense a gathering of demon cultivators here. Something tells me there’s more trouble brewing besides in the Southern Marshes... I need to investigate further.” “...Be careful.” Ji Wuning stored her amulet and took a deep breath. "Lingzhou?" A small rabbit approached her feet, its eyes red like blood. "Are you alright?" Ji Wuning picked up the rabbit, rubbing its ears. "I'm fine." “Aren’t you leaving again?” The rabbit stayed still, “Your stays are getting shorter... and you’re away much longer…” “...Perhaps, in the future, I can visit the demon world,” Ji Wuning said, nuzzling it. "Then I can stay longer..." The rabbit made her promise several times, which Ji Wuning fulfilled. The rabbit finally felt assured and hopped away, leaving Ji Wuning to drink under the tree. "If you keep making empty promises, your mouth might rot." Ah Shan appeared from the bushes, sitting calmly before her. "Not planning to come back?" “Pou Shi is now clear-headed. Restoring him means his claim to the demon emperor's throne is solid. You guys will be safer in the demon world; more peaceful than here in the human world.” Ji Wuning chuckled lightly. “Take care of your young ones. If they fall into my hands again... they will have to work hard for me!” “Actually, some little demons don’t want to go back to the demon world,” Ah Shan said, licking his paw where a scar from a human trap remained. “Let them decide,” Ji Wuning leaned against the tree, swirling her drink. “But they must understand that right now, they are protected by Buguai. Without him, they are on their own… still, returning to the demon world might be safer.” Ah Shan nodded, rubbing against Ji Wuning's leg. “Take care.” *** Ji Wuning sat cross-legged, nearly blending into the dappled shadows. Yet, Month White found her, snatching her drink. “...Aren’t you tired of running around?” Ji Wuning, slightly inebriated, her eyes a bit unfocused, looked somewhat... silly without her spiritual and demonic energy. Month White, after taking a sip, wanted to ask her the same—weren’t her ever-changing plans exhausting? Jiu Yi had just given her a task to "reside in the demon world," making her think Ji Wuning was going to be taken by Pou Shi. Fearing Ji Wuning might die on the way, Month White had come looking for her, feeling quite annoyed herself. But this person was just hiding in the shadows, drinking, then came up with the idea of staying long-term in the demon world? “Your mission system is problematic…” Month White murmured to Jiu Yi. Jiu Yi ignored her, saying the task had no time limit and could be completed later. Clearly, she worried about Ji Wuning dissipating her spiritual and demonic energies and projected her concern onto him... Month White drained the cup and tossed it aside, ready to leave. “Month White...” Ji Wuning called plaintively, “Month White...” Calling for her soul? Month White squatted before her, detached, “What is it?” The woman, reeking of alcohol, lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Month White's neck and burying her face against her. Month White steeled herself; if Ji Wuning bit, she would surely hit her. But the wet sensation that followed made her reconsider. Unable to strike, she patted Ji Wuning’s back, letting her cry. “...What happened?” Ji Wuning mumbled incoherently, but Month White managed to make out “Pou Shi.” “Pou Shi?” That red bird? “What about him?” Wasn’t he supposed to be in the forest looking for Buguai? Shivering and whispering, Ji Wuning’s words were soft and indistinct. This time, Month White couldn’t make out a single word. She couldn’t delve into Ji Wuning’s sea of consciousness and found herself growing impatient and slightly annoyed. Changing her position, she moved to lean against the tree, pulling Ji Wuning along a bit more forcefully. Suddenly, Ji Wuning shuddered violently. Drawing her hands to her chest, Ji Wuning’s body curled up like a shrimp, trembling like a frightened animal. Month White held her tightly, feeling the cold sweat seeping through their contact. Ji Wuning was trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up. Those trembling lips couldn't form coherent sentences, and Month White could only extract a few useful words from the mumbled whimpers, like "fear," "death," and "pain." ...Afraid that Pou Shi might still want to go to the demon world? Still looking for someone to fight? Month White sighed, resigning herself to accompany Ji Wuning through this long night.