42 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Ji Wu Nian had a troubling dream. Coupled with the lingering headache from drinking and an inexplicable full-body soreness, she frowned the moment she opened her eyes. “Awake?” “Huh?” The sunlight pierced her eyes, making Ji Wu Nian’s mind muddled for a moment. The voice was familiar though, “Yue Bai?” “If you’re awake, then let go.” Only then did Ji Wu Nian realize she was holding onto something tightly with both hands. She hastily let go, looking a bit dazed. “Oh…” Jiu Yi looked at her with disgust. “...You’re hopelessly drunk.” Yue Bai produced a pill, pressed it against her lips, and pushed it in. “Ugh!” Ji Wu Nian instinctively tried to pull back, but Yue Bai held her by the back and tilted her chin up, forcing her to swallow. The pill's strong taste slid down her throat, causing her to stick out her tongue, hoping it would somehow dissipate the bitterness. “So bitter…” It was worse than the last one. “Feeling a bit clearer now?” Her mind did feel clearer, though she couldn’t retract her tongue immediately. Ji Wu Nian took a moment before smiling bitterly and said, “Yue Bai, why are you here…” Yue Bai, uninterested in her confusion, patted the creases on his chest, though they still remained. Ji Wu Nian felt embarrassed but couldn’t use her magical arts to smooth out the creases, so she said, “I really got drunk last night…” Yue Bai glanced at her, stood up, and looked at the sun, which was almost at noon. She spoke slowly, “Pu Shi found Bu Gui.” By dawn, the local aura had changed. Jiu Yi had even declared the mission a success, increasing the progress to thirty percent. Finding Bu Gui finally moved the stagnant progress forward, equivalent to five small apprentices. Yue Bai’s spirit went to congratulate Pu Shi and the others while asking some questions. Ji Wu Nian nodded; it was about time they found it. “She looks so silly,” Jiu Yi couldn’t help himself, “Why don’t you get something out of her?” Yue Bai also thought she looked a bit silly. She tapped her still-dizzy head and asked, “Want to go to the demon realm?” “Huh?” Ji Wu Nian blinked, “You’re going to the demon realm, why?” “You said you wanted to go to the demon realm,” Yue Bai looked at her, as if trying to see into her heart through her eyes, “You’ve mentioned it for a long time.” Huh? Did she ever say that? Ji Wu Nian rubbed her head and smiled bitterly, “It must have been Tu Xiao Chan pestering me for too long yesterday, and I remembered it.” “Pu Shi owes you a promise,” Yue Bai reminded her, “You can stay there for a while.” “A demon emperor’s promise just to stay in the demon realm for a while?” Ji Wu Nian finally came to her senses and stretched lazily, “That’s a waste…” So, there are things more important than this 'wish.' Yue Bai no longer pressed, “Then do as you like.” “Huh?” Jiu Yi was taken aback, “Just give up like that? What about the mission?” “Going now would be a waste of time.” Yue Bai replied to him, “Leave it for now.” “Oh, alright.” Shaking her head, Ji Wu Nian stood up, feeling her whole body uncomfortable, not to mention her clothes were in disarray. A cleansing spell later, her red attire was once again neat and tidy. With her golden crown and red robe, she was once again the flamboyant and audacious demonic cultivator. Ji Wu Nian indeed suited such ostentatious attire; the disheveled look from yesterday was like another person. “Huh?” Noticing a certain gaze, Ji Wu Nian’s eyes lit up. Hands on her hips, she posed like a peacock towards Yue Bai, “What? Do you think my outfit looks good?” She switched to another pose and asked with a smile, “Do you prefer me in white or red?” Yue Bai beckoned with a finger, and Ji Wu Nian enthusiastically approached. “Slap.” A mask was slapped onto Ji Wu Nian’s face, stinging slightly. …Today, this girl certainly had a temper. Ji Wu Nian wanted to touch her innocent, victimized face, but the mask was in the way. She could only quicken her pace to catch up with the already-walking-away Yue Bai, asking pitifully, “Yue Bai, did I offend you last night?” “No.” Yue Bai walked leisurely. Since the night had passed, she didn’t mind taking it easy. Seeing Yue Bai did not seem angry, Ji Wu Nian shamelessly observed her—her slight smile and the gentle look in her eyes. Even when Yue Bai noticed and glanced at her coldly, Ji Wu Nian felt it was warm and inviting. “What is it?” “…Nothing much.” Ji Wu Nian sidled up to Yue Bai, flashing a big smile, “This is the first time you’ve spent the night with me, Yue Bai.” Is that so? Jiu Yi recalled and realized that indeed, it was the first time. Yue Bai remained expressionless, “So?” “So, I’m happy today and want to take you out for some fun to repay you for taking care of me while I was drunk last night.” There were so many things Ji Wu Nian could have repaid, yet she chose the most inconsequential one. But Yue Bai did have a keen interest in local customs, so she asked, “Where to?” “West of this forest lies Wu Yang.” Ji Wu Nian smiled, “Known as ‘The junction of nine provinces, Central South’s bustling capital,’ Wu Yang is as lively as Jiangnan and the capital. It borders Sichuan and Chongqing to the west and the Three Qin regions to the north. Though in the Central Plains, it has its unique flavor. They opened a trade route decades ago, attracting many merchants from the grasslands who even set up a horse market. Every year around this time, they have horse races and gambling. Would you like to see it?” …It sounds interesting. Jiu Yi: “...Don’t forget Liu Li is ‘waiting’ for you…” Looking at the sun… Yue Bai didn’t want to spend another night there. “Is it happening today?” “It should be daily around this time,” Ji Wu Nian summoned her sword and extended her hand to Yue Bai, her smile alluring, “We can make it if we go now.” Yue Bai reached out, was pulled up by Ji Wu Nian, and they shared the sword flight. *** As they say, “Jing Barrier connects three Xiangs, and Jingmen links nine tributaries,” Han River flourishes with boundless greenery. Ji Wu Nian led Yue Bai to a dim alley in the city, removed her mask, and took out two silk scarves to cover their faces. “…Isn’t this more conspicuous?” Jiu Yi quipped, “Why not just change your faces…” Yue Bai had already used a transformation spell, so it was doable. Ji Wu Nian, seemingly reading Yue Bai’s thoughts, reached out and tied the silk scarf around Yue Bai’s neck, “Since we’re among humans, we should follow human customs—no magic, no illusions.” “This is still very conspicuous.” Yue Bai knew Ji Wu Nian was used to this, but she herself didn’t like it. “This is Wu Yang; many dignitaries and nobles are here. Some young ladies also go out like this, and Wu Yang people are used to it,” Ji Wu Nian said while fixing the scarf and looking into her cool eyes, smiling, “But you… might still be hard to conceal…” Jiu Yi agreed with Ji Wu Nian. Soft brows, graceful eyes, with hair like dark clouds. Compared to the fabled beauty of Chang’e or Xi Shi, nothing could match this person’s serene eyes and gentle autumn water-like gaze. But Ji Wu Nian wasn’t bad either. While Yue Bai was elegant and serene, Ji Wu Nian looked ethereal and buoyant. Her slightly squinted eyes could turn hearts. “…This partial disguise is useless…” Seeing some surrounding people attentively looking at both of them, Jiu Yi thought it would’ve been better not to wear anything. “Hm?” Jiu Yi: “Nothing…” Yue Bai ignored him and picked two slips of paper, one depicting a 'Black Cloud covering Snow' horse and the other a 'Jade Flower Zheng' horse, handing one to Ji Wu Nian. The red-robed woman held another marked slip. Both slips, attached to banknotes, were handed to a small, nimble servant maneuvering through the crowd who responded to various calls before disappearing under the stands with a stack in hand. “…Doesn’t this bother you?” Jiu Yi couldn’t help but ask Yue Bai. A typically aloof person being dragged to such a place… And instead of sitting in a private box upstairs, they chose to squeeze into the crowd, attracting more attention… “Not at all,” Yue Bai replied, “Isn’t the hustle and bustle of the mortal world to be expected?” …This is a high-spirited master exploring the mortal world. Jiu Yi had no words, remembering Yue Bai initially expressed curiosity about many worldly things… He even thought that without any tasks, Yue Bai would happily explore this world… “Weren’t you aiming for discretion…” Jiu Yi thought, if he had a forehead, he'd be rubbing it. “…She brought me here; am I supposed to leave?” “Nonsense!” Jiu Yi exposed her, “You’re just curious! Who knew you were like this, Yue Bai…” Yue Bai had no counterargument. “Have you gambled on horses before?” “Yes,” Yue Bai replied, her eyes already following the eight steeds now appearing on the track, “Rarely won.” “Then why do it?” “I didn’t lose my money.” “…True.” It was always Ji Wu Nian's money on the line. Judging by her lavish spending, this immortal maiden appeared quite wealthy, with the silver notes just handed over being exceedingly large-denomination. With such generous spending, it was no wonder someone approached them. A gentleman, dressed lavishly, clearly from a wealthy family, made his way toward them, the crowd parting to avoid dirtying his clothes. He asked, “Misses, may I ask which families you belong to? I am…” “Spare us the pleasantries,” Ji Wu Nian rested her chin on her hand, her eyes forming crescent smiles, “We’re just here to have fun on our own, not interested in others.” The man wouldn’t give up. Before he could say more, the lady in white walked away, heading towards a family leaning against the railing. Onlookers followed her with their gaze. She softly addressed the child holding a snack, “Excuse me, where did you get that?” This family was merely an ordinary farming household from outside Wu Yang city. They had come to the city to show their child the sights, never expecting to be approached by someone akin to a celestial being. The man hurriedly adjusted his clothes, worried about appearing unkempt. His wife, dressed in coarse cloth and holding their child’s hand, was also nervous. “It’s from Old Third’s stall at the corner…” “Old Third’s stall?” Yue Bai had never heard of it and was curious. But glancing down at the stage, she saw the horses were almost ready to start. “… Miss, you’re not from Wu Yang, are you?” “No,” Yue Bai shook her head, “I was lured here.” …You weren’t lured by a ghost, Jiu Yi rolled his eyes. …That composed demeanor hardly seemed like someone who had been tricked. The woman initially felt she shouldn’t get involved, but seeing the regret in the young lady’s beautiful eyes as they lingered on the snack, her kind nature won out. She offered the uneaten paper package from her hand, “If you don’t mind, this one hasn’t been touched… though it’s gotten a bit cold…” “Is it alright?” Her eyes sparkled like starlight. Even the woman found herself momentarily entranced, but it was her child who bluntly exclaimed, “Sister, you’re really pretty…” Embarrassed, she tugged him and gave him a small tap, her face flushing red. “Please forgive him, Miss…” “He’s just being honest,” Ji Wu Nian interjected, smiling at Yue Bai, “She is beautiful.” Yue Bai ignored Ji Wu Nian, smiling at the woman instead, “It wouldn’t be right to take it for free…” “No, no,” the man quickly intervened, taking the paper package from his wife and handing it to Yue Bai, “These are just small snacks from the street, Miss. As long as you don’t mind… We are locals from Wu Yang; it’s what we normally eat…” “Yes, yes,” the woman, now quite flushed, nodded, “It’s no big deal really, just a little something for you to try...” Yue Bai accepted the package and thanked them, giving Ji Wu Nian a quick, knowing glance. Ji Wu Nian’s eyes were mischievous, laughter more abundant than Yue Bai’s, her hands promptly passing over a small silver piece. Noting the woman’s reluctance, Ji Wu Nian took her hand and pressed the silver piece into it, “If you don’t accept it, she will blame me. Please, just think of it as doing me a favor, big sis…” Caught in the dilemma, and with the girls already dashing off after handing over the silver, the flustered farm family didn’t dare face such extraordinarily beautiful eyes again.