52 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

On the way out, Jiu Yi remained silent, clearly at a loss for how to comment on the startling live erotic scene he had just witnessed. The sight was so overwhelming that he found himself speechless about "this kind of Yue Bai." It was Yue Bai who eventually broke the silence, "Let's come back to investigate later." Jiu Yi agreed. With that settled, Yue Bai decided to return to Sanqing to avoid staying too long and raising suspicion. "Hey?" Jiu Yi asked her, "Aren't you going to check on Ji Wu Nian?" Yue Bai had already flown out of the city, her teleportation formation drawn and ready. She replied, "Why would I do that?" ... Your question is so justified that I can't even argue. While Yue Bai left in style, poor Ji Wu Nian circled Kunmi for some time, even contemplating a quick flight back to Sanqing. But halfway there, she didn't know what to say to Yue Bai and ended up hovering in midair like a fool. After lingering for a long while, she finally turned around dejectedly and headed towards Mian Nan. Jiu Yi, unaware of why Ji Wu Nian had stopped, still reported her departure for Mian Nan to Yue Bai. "Understood," Yue Bai replied. The place Yue Bai returned to was closest to Baicao Peak. She lifted the illusion spell and landed on Baicao Peak first, planning to gather some herbs before heading back. "Are you addicted to alchemy?" Jiu Yi commented, "Don't forget you're a sword cultivator." Yue Bai didn't want to argue with him and simply said she was preparing for the future. As soon as she entered the herb house, a disciple greeted her, "Ye Er, you're here again?" Ye Er respectfully bowed, "Sorry to trouble you again." The disciple grabbed the herbs she usually used, walked over, and smiled, "Where did you go last night? I heard Liu Li Xianzhang was looking for you early in the morning." "Practicing swords last night and got hurt by my own cold aura, so I went to the hot spring my master often takes me to," Yue Bai replied with an already prepared explanation. "But I overslept..." "I see," the disciple smiled. "Don't push yourself too hard. Look at your shallow cultivation; you still get bitten by mosquitoes when you stay out in the wild..." He handed her a small paper packet. "Apply this to your neck; it will go away soon." ... What is he talking about? Yue Bai silently gritted her teeth and accepted it with a smile, "Thank you." Even though Liu Li was looking for her, Yue Bai had to find a place to check her "mosquito bites" first. Luckily, only a small red patch was visible, easily mistaken by the disciple. But beneath her clothes, it was quite a mess. Spots of various depths covered her skin; Ji Wu Nian had even left a bite mark on her shoulder, which was still swollen after a night. It seemed the illusion spell didn't keep these "injuries" on the surface, and Ji Wu Nian, affected by demonic energy, had bitten her without restraint. Yet, despite everything, Yue Bai still had a question in her mind. ... Is she a dog? Jiu Yi answered for her, "She's a rabbit." "... What good teeth." Yue Bai quickly erased the "injuries" from her body and flew back to Wushi Peak. Liu Li had probably been waiting for her all morning; upon seeing her return, he asked, "Ye Er, where did you go?" Yue Bai repeated her excuse, only to see Liu Li looking puzzled, "Hot spring? The one behind Luanqing Peak?" Ye Er, puzzled by his puzzlement, replied, "Yes..." "..." That was meant for the sect master... But considering Zhao Zi Chen had already reached a state where he no longer needed the hot spring's nourishment, Liu Li didn't have much to say, knowing Ji Wu Nian must have secretly provided resources for her disciple again. "You said you were hurt by cold aura? Let me see," Liu Li said, taking her hand to examine her, frowning moments later. "How did this happen..." Ye Er felt embarrassed, lowering her head in apology, "I was too impatient..." "In the coming days, stay in the hall and rest," Liu Li said, unusually stern. "I'll have Zi Ming prepare some 'Hongxin Pills' for you to recuperate." "Thank you, Xianzhang..." "How did you let cold aura enter your body...?" Jiu Yi, who hadn't noticed earlier, was now worried. Yue Bai, however, remained calm, respectfully bidding farewell to Liu Li while mentally communicating with Jiu Yi, "The slice Ji Wu Nian gave me yesterday is made of the same material as 'Feng Yu’." Holding it for long naturally caused some infiltration. "And you still ran around this morning?" "It's a trivial matter." Jiu Yi was both angry and helpless. "Now you can't mess around anymore..." Seeing her return to her quarters, he said with some concern, "Let's hope Ji Wu Nian doesn't cause trouble these coming days..." "Indeed..." Yue Bai flopped onto the bed, the exhaustion she had been suppressing suddenly surfacing, making her let out a long breath. So tired. *** "It's not just cold aura infiltration," Liu Li said sternly, "but also a weak constitution and depleted spiritual power. She's worked too hard." Ji Wu Nian scratched her nose, "Is it that severe?" "She shouldn't cultivate for the next few days," Liu Li decided for the master in front of him. "Her body needs a thorough recuperation." "Mm..." Ji Wu Nian had no objections and simply agreed. "Didn't you mention reshaping her meridians?" Liu Li recalled. "It's been months. I'll take over for you." Take over? Take over what? Soak in the hot spring with the disciple? "No, no need for that," Ji Wu Nian quickly declined. "Master, you should focus on her recovery. I'll handle the meridian work when I return." "How's your 'worldly matters' going?" Liu Li sighed. "If you don't return soon, your disciple might overwork herself." "A-almost done..." Ji Wu Nian, feeling guilty, shifted the topic, "Master, I've identified some areas where the demonic energy has appeared. I'll report them to you." "Alright." Ji Wu Nian listed several locations. After confirming them with Liu Li, she asked, "Has Ming Yun been informed?" "Elder Wu Xing said he knows," Liu Li sighed. "Whether they take it seriously is beyond our control." "Mm." Ji Wu Nian glanced at someone, already knowing the answer. Ending her conversation with Liu Li, Ji Wu Nian stepped out of her room and into the inn's lobby. Using a face Yue Bai had given her, she was dressed as an ordinary traveler. She called for the waiter and ordered two simple dishes. "Are you traveling alone, Miss?" The waiter, a kind-hearted young man, asked while pouring her tea. "It's busy these days; you should be careful." "I'm from Jin Xing, almost a local," Ji Wu Nian smiled in response. "I arranged an outing with a friend and arrived early." "Oh, you're from the capital," the waiter, not more than a teenager and who had never been to Mian Nan's capital, felt a hint of envy. "Miss, you must feel like you're visiting the countryside." He smiled warmly. "Please have a seat, and I'll go prepare your dishes." "Thank you, young sir." Ji Wu Nian nodded to him and observed the bustling streets through the inn's doorway. A man who had just sat down didn't notice their conversation. He sat quietly, sipping tea. Though plain-looking, he had a refined presence. His long robe was simple yet carried an air of otherworldliness, a band of silver-white across his forehead with a striking emerald jade in the center. He hadn't been seated long when another young man entered from the inn's entrance. Seeing the seated man, he called out, "Oh, Xie Junior!" The man slightly furrowed his brows, giving only a cold glance without saying much. "Xie Junior, what did you order?" The youth, dressed in light green with a silver silk coat and a deer pendant at his waist, sat down like they were close, giving Xie's chest a light punch. "Got enough money?" "What are you talking about?" The man slapped away the youth's hand. "What brings you here?" "Master sent me to handle some matters..." The youth took a sip of tea and grimaced. "Ugh... this tea is awful... Waiter!" The waiter hurriedly came out from the kitchen, "Yes, sir, how can I help?" The youth handed him the teapot along with his cup, "This tea is terrible. Bring me a new one." The youth pulled out a tea packet from somewhere, "Use these leaves, and make sure to use spring water! Understand?" "Yes, of course," the waiter took the items, "Anything else, sir?" "Bring some small dishes too. That's all for now." "Yes, right away," the waiter said, walking off. "Sir, please wait! It'll be ready shortly!" The youth shouted after him, "Spring water!" "Got it!" The man scoffed, "For a noble young master like you from the Lu family, even a cup of tea must be brewed with spring water…" Lu Xi smiled, "We of the Lu family have our standards, something a bastard like you wouldn't understand." "Since you're here on your master's orders, focus on your task," Xie Xing said through clenched teeth. "Don't bother me." "You think I want to?" Lu Xi took a big stride, sitting carelessly on the bench's edge, almost poking Xie Xing in the forehead with his finger. "Only because Senior Brother asked me to check on you. Oh!” He slapped his thigh. "It's just like Senior Brother to worry about you, even though you don’t belong in Ming Yun." "You—" Before Xie Xing could erupt in anger, Lu Xi sprung up and moved to the doorway, calling back to Xie Xing, "You’d better return soon. Ming Yun doesn't need someone like you!" The waiter, carrying the tea and snacks, hurried over and saw the young master standing at the door, "Sir, the tea!" "No need, no need," Lu Xi waved his hand dismissively and turned to leave. "Give it to that ungrateful fellow instead!" The waiter, caught in the middle, sighed as he walked over to Xie Xing, "Sir, what about this…?" "Don't want it!" With no choice, the waiter had to take the tea and snacks away. Coincidentally, another guest's dishes were ready, so he went to serve the lady from the capital first. "Waiter, who were those two?" As the waiter placed the dishes one by one, seeing that the lady was friendly, he responded with a smile, "Miss, you might not know. That young man in white is said to be an illegitimate child of some aristocratic family, looking to cultivate immortality. He's been here for over ten years and still hasn't found the way. The young man in green, I don't know if he's from the mountain above, but he often comes to talk to him. A few years ago, it was another young master who used to visit, but he hasn't come for some years now. Ah..." The waiter sighed, "I've advised that young man in white before, telling him not to chase after whims and fancies, but he never listens; he's got quite a temper." Ji Wu Nian's eyes sparkled, "So, there really are immortals on this mountain?" "Who knows?" The waiter chuckled. "Some mountain folk say they've seen them, but no one knows the way up. If you ask me, instead of searching the mountain here, it's better to join the Sanqing Sect. Don't you think so, miss?" "True." Ji Wu Nian smiled and took a bite of her food, "It tastes pretty good." "Enjoy your meal, miss." The waiter bowed, "Just call if you need anything." This place was famous for its mushrooms, offering a variety of delicious mushroom dishes. Ji Wu Nian ate bite by bite, finishing almost half the plate. Over at Xie Xing's table, though some snacks had been laid out, he hadn't touched them at all. Even when Ji Wu Nian called the waiter for the bill and left, Xie Xing sat there, lost in thought. What a waste.