43 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Chapter 43 To enjoy the soybean skin, Yue Bai had to remove the veil from her face. Unwilling to lose the fun of the horse race, she opted for a private booth rather than mingling with the crowd. Ji Wu Nian was a step behind her. By the time she entered, Yue Bai had already unwrapped half the paper package and was inspecting the golden-hued morsels. The outer layer was crispy gold, and the meat underneath tender and fragrant. Though it had cooled and lost some aroma, once in the mouth, it was crispy first, then sticky, with bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms complementing each other in texture. Passing a bowl of egg wine, Ji Wu Nian teased her, “Didn't you say I was abducting you? And you still want me to pay?” “If you kidnap me, naturally you pay,” Yue Bai replied, taking a sip of the egg wine. It was sweet, tender, and smooth, quite to her liking. “Bang!” A loud gong rang out, followed by a thunderous burst of voices and the rapid clatter of horse hooves—a few figures surged forward at full speed. “Don't falsely accuse me…” Ji Wu Nian chuckled, sidling up to Yue Bai, her eyes lingering on the tiny oil spots near her lips, “Is it really that good?” “Not bad, just a bit oily,” Yue Bai commented, her taste leans towards milder flavors. Preferable to the soybean skin was the egg wine, “This sweet drink is quite pleasant.” “It's part of the morning eats of Wuyang people,” Ji Wu Nian laughed, finding Yue Bai's curious look quite endearing, “If you stay another night, I can take you for some hot dry noodles in the morning.” Yue Bai looked at her, “You, a cultivator, seem pretty knowledgeable about these things.” “Well, I am of royal lineage,” Ji Wu Nian gave a playful smile, “Such customs and traditions are common knowledge.” “I remember there being a female emperor in this dynasty,” Yue Bai mused, recalling scattered memories, “Have you ever thought about becoming an emperor?” Judging from how Ji Wu Nian instructed Ji Zhan Hong, she seemed fitting for such a role. Why pursue cultivation? Ji Wu Nian paused slightly before smiling. She lowered her eyes, and though her gaze softened with regret, her tone was lightly mocking, “The power of a human emperor is limited.” “Huh?” Even Jiu Yi sensed something was off. “Didn’t you just tell the emperor about the continuous human endeavor and the need to discuss grand matters with the great lords of various realms? Why the sudden pessimism?” Yue Bai remained silent. Taking a step forward, Ji Wu Nian watched as a silver-maned horse sped past the finish line. She smiled faintly, “Even if I could bring peace and prosperity to the world, it would still pale before the whims of gods and demons who toy with mortals. The human realm’s fragility means mere emperorship can't protect it.” Merely being an emperor wouldn’t suffice, so she created an emperor and moved to greater heights herself. “…That’s certainly ambitious,” Yue Bai remarked casually, feeling a bit regretful. The black horse ‘Treading on Snow’ came in last, alongside another horse that ended up at the bottom. “Do you have particularly bad luck with bets?” Jiu Yi couldn’t help but comment. “…Not that bad…” Yue Bai took a sip of egg wine. She occasionally won after all. Seeing that the person beside her had lost interest, Ji Wu Nian propped her chin up and watched Yue Bai, finding her regret quite amusing. Though often probing her, Yue Bai would get distracted by the horse race when Ji Wu Nian spoke sincerely. A knock at the door, and Ji Wu Nian called for them to enter. A servant walked in with a tray, announcing that Ji Wu Nian had won some silver notes, a small stack amounting to three or four times the previous wager. “The odds weren't high this time since the horses were close.” The servant kept his head bowed, eyes darting between the two women, unsure of whom to focus on, his face turning slightly red. “Congratulations, miss.” Ji Wu Nian handed him one note, smiling, “Thank you.” The note had a significant value, so the servant bowed deeply and left quickly. “…Why silver coins previously and now silver notes?” Jiu Yi found this ‘snobbish’ behavior distasteful. Yue Bai had no comment on this. With the bet placed and snacks tasted, her curiosity was satisfied. Sensing Yue Bai’s shifting interest, Ji Wu Nian handed her the silver notes, smiling, “Ready to leave?” Yue Bai didn’t take the notes, but downed the rest of the egg wine in one go, placing the bowl aside. She licked her lips, savoring the sweet flavor she enjoyed. Jiu Yi watched as Ji Wu Nian approached, warning Yue Bai, “Watch out, she’s going to kiss you again.” “Hm?” Yue Bai didn’t mind being kissed. Ji Wu Nian’s lips were soft, and even the occasional gentle bite added to the pleasant sensation. What Yue Bai disliked was Ji Wu Nian always finding surfaces—tables, windowsills, stairs—to press against her back. Once Ji Wu Nian released her, she ignored the sparkling eyes and frowned slightly, “My back hurts.” “That’s the main concern????” Jiu Yi roared. Ji Wu Nian found it amusing, “I’ll be mindful…” With a mix of helplessness, pride, and satisfaction, Ji Wu Nian’s expression irked Yue Bai, who pushed her away. Something stuck to Ji Wu Nian’s face. It didn’t hurt, merely felt peculiar. With her arm around Yue Bai’s waist, she leaned in, “What did you give me this time?” “A face,” Yue Bai pushed her further away, not letting go until Ji Wu Nian’s grip slackened. Yue Bai began adjusting her collar, “To make things easier.” Ji Wu Nian took out a mirror and saw a different face. Though unlike her original features, it bore a similar temperament. She wondered where Yue Bai had found it. “Do you…” She didn’t finish the question before Yue Bai was gone. The bustling scene outside, but inside, Ji Wu Nian sighed alone. “A convenient face…” Her fingers brushed across her cheek, revealing the tear mole that was uniquely hers. She wondered which face was truly convenient—one for Yè’r or Yue Bai. *** “I thought you were heading back…” Jiu Yi blurted, “Didn’t expect you to eavesdrop again.” Not only had Yue Bai not returned to Sanqing, but after getting a room, she left her body and started following Ji Wu Nian again. “Can't you just openly follow her?” Jiu Yi struggled to understand her thoughts, “This seems straight up creepy. Like a stalker.” “I don’t trust what she says,” Yue Bai sat on the rooftop, observing the ongoing horse race below, “I feel she’s plotting against me.” Jiu Yi was puzzled, “How is she plotting?” “That farmer family earlier had a heavy aura.” Yue Bai replied while keeping an eye on the crowd, spotting the family. “Huh?” Jiu Yi was shocked, “Didn’t she say she couldn’t perceive such an aura? So she knew?” “She might know.” “How do you know she knows…” “She marked it on a map.” When Ji Wu Nian sent a map from the coast, she had circled a spot near Wuyang. Jiu Yi felt thoroughly confused by the two, struggling to keep up with the secrets of the ‘great fortune bearer’ and their master. “So what now?” Jiu Yi reminded, “Don’t forget there’s still Liu Li at Sanqing… plus there are no current missions…” Usually hard to motivate without a task, Yue Bai’s current dedication worried Jiu Yi, “You’re not really falling for Ji Wu Nian, are you…” “Weren’t you the one telling me to focus on her?” Yue Bai responded, “I need to grant her ‘wish’ before I can return home.” “…” “Hmm?” “Nothing…” Jiu Yi was conflicted about a dedicated mission-focused person. Kissing and small acts were no big deal, as long as Yue Bai didn’t get too attached, “So what’s the plan? Wait here?” Ji Wu Nian stayed, but how long was uncertain. Rather than waste time, Yue Bai decided to leave the city to find the village marked by Ji Wu Nian.