46 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

It's often said that time stands still in the mountains, but in the city, unless something significant happens, it’s hard to feel the passage of time. There, you can see the aunt who sells cakes every day, and the vendors selling snacks on the other side. Everyone lives their life day by day, just like this. Ji Wu Nian leaned against the window, observing the endless stream of people coming and going outside, yet few raised their heads to look at the woman here. It made sense, though. In this transient world, where generations come and go, she was but one living soul among countless others. Why should anyone stop to notice her? "Wu Nian?" "Senior Brother..." Ji Wu Nian was a bit dazed. "What do you think Xiao Ye likes to eat? Maybe I could bring her something sweet from Lei Zhou. Does she like sweets? Maybe I could get some osmanthus brew. I wonder if there’s still any left." "Ye'er doesn't seem picky about food," Liu Li said. "From what I’ve seen, she's been cultivating diligently. She'll probably be able to live without food soon." "Live without food?" Ji Wu Nian thought back to the oil stains on Yue Bai’s lips at the time. "That would be quite unfair to her." Yue Bai seemed very curious about the foods of this world. To make her live without eating... "But then again, it might be okay." After all, young Ye’er was indeed strict with herself; she was always so cautious, as if afraid to display even a bit of her talent... Talking about this made Ji Wu Nian miss her a little. "Senior Brother, what has she been up to lately?" "Ye'er often goes to Bai Cao Peak. It seems she’s learning alchemy," Liu Li replied. "By the way, did you take all the 'Qiang Fire'? I heard from Wen Zheng that Ye'er wanted to try making 'Red Heart Pills', but she had to substitute with 'Xu Grass' instead." "'Red Heart Pills'?" Ji Wu Nian straightened up. "Did she intake cold qi?" "No," Liu Li could hear her tension and chuckled. "Your little apprentice is just being proactive. She’s planning ahead, which shows she’s much more thoughtful than you realized." Ji Wu Nian laughed proudly. "Jealous, aren’t you?" "Although we both played a part in training her, why did she end up being your disciple first?" Liu Li played along with her teasing. "Yes, I am a bit envious." "Haha, it's too late for you to be jealous!" Ji Wu Nian laughed and asked, "Has anyone been targeting her recently?" "Ye'er is very well-behaved and rarely leaves the hall," Liu Li said with a touch of regret. "She only interacts frequently with Luo Changhe and Zhao Qi." That was truly hiding in plain sight… Ji Wu Nian could almost imagine Yue Bai's relieved expression, which made her unable to resist wanting to tease her even more. "Senior Brother, sometimes let her go out for a stroll. She’ll become dull if she's cooped up in the hall all the time." "I heard some disciples will be taken to the west side to look for spirit pets soon," Liu Li said. "I'll make sure Ye'er is included." "Just don’t let the tiger scratch her," Ji Wu Nian wasn’t really worried. "When are they going?" "Three days from now, I think. I'll check." Liu Li didn't know the exact details but was surprised to see Ji Wu Nian so concerned about someone. "You really care about your apprentice." "Of course... she's solved so many problems for me." Thinking this, Ji Wu Nian smiled faintly. Yue Bai had solved so many problems, making her even feel a bit self-mocking and dispassionate towards herself. But then, she also recognized that it was simply because she had never encountered anyone quite like Yue Bai before. "Senior Brother," Ji Wu Nian sat on her chair, looking down at the toe of her boot, which was slightly raised. "How are your injuries lately?" "They’re slowly healing," Liu Li replied lightly. "You don’t need to worry about me. You should be careful yourself, being in such a chaotic place. By the way, Ye’er asked when you'll be back. How are things in Kunmi? If you don't have more news, you should return quickly." Talking about Kunmi only now—Senior Brother Liu Li was indeed not as decisive and fierce as Senior Brother Zi Chen, always nagging and bothersome. Ji Wu Nian lowered her head and smiled, tapping her toes together. "I'm investigating where the demon clan is gathering in southern Mian. I'm almost there." "Do you know why they are gathering?" Liu Li asked. "Could it be related to the hidden demonic aura?" "Very likely," Ji Wu Nian said, pondering. "It might also be about Mingyun." "Mingyun Pavilion?" Liu Li thought for a moment. "Mingyun Pavilion is far above the heavens; the demon cultivators likely can't reach it." "Southern Mian is considered Mingyun's territory," Ji Wu Nian shook her feet. "Senior Brother, you should inform Mingyun and remain vigilant. I'll send word if I locate their gathering spot." After some thought, she added, "It's said that some places in the human world have also been disturbed by demonic aura. There might be demon cultivators causing trouble." "Wu Nian." Liu Li thought for a moment before speaking. "If you find any sign of anomalies, tell me so we can act accordingly." How would Ji Wu Nian know about the anomalies in various places? It would be through her connections with the imperial court. Zhao Zi Chen and Liu Li turned a blind eye to her actions, which was much more permissive than their master. Ji Wu Nian spoke softly, "I understand, Senior Brother." "Thank you for your hard work, Wu Nian." Liu Li initially did not wish for his junior sister to undertake such dangerous tasks. But Ji Wu Nian’s status made her more suitable for these tasks—a bit more knowledgeable about the human world compared to them, the ancient cultivators. "It's not hard work," Ji Wu Nian laughed. "It's nice to come out and have some fun." "Still, be careful in everything you do." *** After ending the communication with Liu Li, Ji Wu Nian sat in her chair, her head lowered, fiddling with a purple talisman absently. "Your Highness?" Hearing the knock at the door and a voice from outside, Ji Wu Nian didn’t move, only saying, "Come in." A middle-aged man with a calm demeanor walked in, dressed in a dark robe with exquisite embroidery, wearing a jade crown—it was clear he was of high status. He walked up to Ji Wu Nian, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, the crops you instructed have all been planted." "The reserved food should last for some time," Ji Wu Nian watched his side profile, noting the deep wrinkles, but kept speaking, "Is it enough?" "The processed food we reserved should last about two more months," the middle-aged man said respectfully. "Shall we prepare more?" "No need, it should be enough." Ji Wu Nian thought for a moment and added, "When the new crops are harvested, bring a portion back to me. If I'm not here, give them to Zhan Hong." "Yes." "Ah Yuan," Ji Wu Nian tilted her head, propping it up with her hand. She smiled warmly, "Well done." "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness." The middle-aged man, Shen Ji Yuan, bowed, slightly revealing his greying temples. Time passes quickly. Her old playmate had reached middle age, with children and grandchildren enjoying family happiness. But Shen Ji Yuan was so devoted to the common people, he often neglected his own family. "Isn’t it your granddaughter's birthday in a few days?" Ji Wu Nian handed him a tiger doll. "Please give this to her for me." Shen Ji Yuan took it, curious about the overly plump and slightly rough doll in his hand. "How did Your Highness know my granddaughter's birthday?" And that she was born in the year of the tiger? "My abilities are vast," Ji Wu Nian leaned back, the carefree girl who once galloped through the capital. "Tell her, 'Like water and clouds rage through the seas, and thunder roars across the continents*, I await her to swallow the miles like a tiger.'" "Uh..." Shen Ji Yuan widened his eyes. "Your Highness?" Swallow the miles like a tiger? Is she planning a revolt? "Oh, come on," Ji Wu Nian pushed the doll into his arms. "Just tell her that. Shen Ruo is very talented. Make sure to cultivate her well." With a mischievous demeanor, just like when she was young, Shen Ji Yuan smiled wryly. "Your Highness, did you use divination or something?" "It doesn’t matter what I used," Ji Wu Nian lost her earlier authority, pulling his beard as if he were still her childhood friend. "Just nurture Shen Ruo well. Let her learn whatever she wants. She’ll have her time to shine." "Yes, Your Highness..." Shen Ji Yuan managed to save his small patch of goatee. His official demeanor was no match for this princess. "Your Highness, are you leaving?" Otherwise, she'd deliver the gift herself. "Yes," Ji Wu Nian nodded. "If I don’t leave now, someone will catch up to me." "Who dares?" Shen Ji Yuan’s vigilance rose, his official's air coming through. "Do you need us to do anything?" While they may not help with celestial and demonic matters, he was willing to manage earthly affairs. "Hmm? They have good eyes," Ji Wu Nian wasn't as tense as he was. "I’ve already made arrangements." That person couldn’t possibly follow both Zhan Feng in search of a spirit pet and her to places thousands of miles away... right? ...Well, maybe they could, but she’d deal with that when it happened... Shen Ji Yuan sensed that Ji Wu Nian had thought of something amusing, her eyes carried a touch of warmth, rippling with a gentle light. Like spring winds melting winter snow or autumn waters calming the summer heat, they settled into a comfortable glow. "Your Highness?" Shen Ji Yuan called her. "Hmm?" Ji Wu Nian came back to her senses, looking at Shen Ji Yuan. "What’s up?" "Your Highness..." This question was hard to ask but Ji Wu Nian had always been on the minds of their people. Although she was now unattainable, they still cared deeply. Mixed with many emotions, Shen Ji Yuan finally asked, "Have you found someone you care about?" Someone she cared about? As the temperature dropped, Ji Wu Nian's eyes inexplicably cooled. It wasn’t icy, just as if they were water that had lost its warmth, gradually becoming colder. She still smiled, “Not really, but I do care a lot.” Seeing the faint bitterness at the corner of her mouth, Shen Ji Yuan suddenly regretted asking, “It was my indiscretion…” “Heh,” Ji Wu Nian’s earlier bitterness dissipated in an instant, her demeanor blossoming like a vibrant butterfly. “There’s nothing to apologize for. I know you all care about me.” Like a friend, a daughter, a sovereign, or even a deity, the feelings her ordinary friends held for her were complex yet filled with concern. Ji Wu Nian knew that. She never doubted it. “It’s just that the person’s intentions are unclear. To call them someone I care about would be too reckless,” Ji Wu Nian chuckled. “Let’s wait and see.” “Should we investigate?” Shen Ji Yuan asked. If this person had a background in the mortal world, perhaps they could find some clues. Ji Wu Nian shook her head. “No need, you won’t find anything.” She didn’t want to continue discussing this, so she patted Shen Ji Yuan’s shoulder, “Focus on arranging the food supplies well and spend more time with your family.” Shen Ji Yuan looked embarrassed. “Yes, Your Highness.” *** Listening to the series of “dings” in her head, Yue Bai momentarily stopped scooping her soaked flatbread, annoyed by the noise. “New task triggered: ‘Nurture Shen Ruo.’” “New task triggered: ‘Have Ah Yuan celebrate Shen Ruo’s birthday.’” “‘Nurture Shen Ruo.’ Task completed.” “‘Have Ah Yuan celebrate Shen Ruo’s birthday.’ Task completed.” After all the dings, the overall task progress remained unchanged. “…What’s this?” Jiu Yi was also baffled. “Did she go and trigger a quest in another instance by herself?” Who are Shen Ruo and Ah Yuan, and what do they have to do with Ji Wu Nian? Yue Bai took a deep breath. “Your task system is really problematic…” Jiu Yi laughed awkwardly, “I didn’t set it up either…” Thinking it through, Yue Bai guessed that Ah Yuan was probably Shen Ji Yuan, Ji Wu Nian's childhood friend, and Shen Ruo his relative. However, why Ji Wu Nian suddenly had these thoughts was beyond her understanding. But since she didn’t have to do anything about it, Yue Bai took a bite of her flatbread and repeated to Jiu Yi, “Your task system really has issues…” Jiu Yi laughed awkwardly, “I didn’t set it up either…” This uncontrolled feeling was uncomfortable, but Yue Bai currently had no intention of digging deeper. She glanced around and decided to spend some more time exploring today.