53 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

"Senior Brother," Lu Xi called out as he hurriedly ran out of the city from the inn, spotting Xie Kai waiting for him and quickly joining his side, "I told him." "Thank you, Junior Brother," Xie Kai responded with a respectful salute. "Senior Brother," Lu Xi frowned, "this can’t go on. He just doesn’t listen. You should stop worrying about him." Xie Xing was Xie Kai's half-brother, but due to his poor talents, he couldn't enter the Ming Yun Sect. Already harboring resentment as an illegitimate child, he felt even more that everyone was against him. Xie Kai had previously tried to show him a path into Ming Yun, but Xie Xing wouldn’t listen and had driven him away. It was no wonder Lu Xi had a less favorable attitude towards him. Xie Kai shook his head, "He’s still my brother... But, Lu Xi, what you did was against the sect's rules..." "Ah, no one's going to check," Lu Xi waved it off, "Besides, I’m the third young master of the Lu family. Even the sect master has to give my father some face." Xie Kai laughed, "True." The Lu family was a prominent clan in the cultivation world. Lu Xi's father had already reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, and his uncles were at least in the Perfection of the Golden Core stage, comparable to a mid-tier cultivation sect. Additionally, the Lu family was resource-rich, with one of Lu Xi's uncles being a renowned artifact forger who had crafted a unique immortal sword for him. Even in a sect like Ming Yun, filled with noble disciples, few could match Lu Xi. Xie Kai happened to be one of those few. His family, the Xie clan, was a renowned name in the northern region, which had sent him to Ming Yun to seek proper cultivation. "Master wants us to investigate the demonic cultivators..." Lu Xi pouted, "But where are we supposed to look? This Baichuan isn’t exactly small, but not that big either. We can’t possibly search everywhere! And why does Elder Wu Xing trust those Sanqing people..." "Don't be so quick to judge," Xie Kai thought for a moment, "I visited Sanqing recently. Their disciples may not have our prestigious lineage, but their talents are notable. They truly can be called rising stars." "Ah... but isn’t that because they have a royal princess?" Lu Xi's disdain was clear in his voice, "Using immortal cultivation to influence mortal dynasties... It's fine if she supports a good emperor, but if the populace suffers, what should our sect do? Wouldn’t we be blamed for causing chaos?" A figure in the shadows sneered, "Ha." "Who’s there!?" Xie Kai sensed something was wrong, noticing a faintly disturbing aura in the air. "Demonic aura!?" Xie Kai summoned his sword, "Chase!" Xie Kai pursued the demonic aura, with Lu Xi following him, and they chased it until the moon rose high in the sky. They even ventured deep into the forest, but at a certain point, the demonic aura's trail vanished. "Senior Brother?" Lu Xi caught up beside Xie Kai, "What's going on..." Xie Kai raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. Although the demonic aura had disappeared, Xie Kai felt something else... *** Ji Wu Nian walked along the road, reminiscing about the delicious dishes she had just enjoyed, thinking she might gather some fruits on the mountain to bring back for her little disciple. ...As an apology? After all... last night... she must have been really tired... Suddenly, some images flashed in her mind, and Ji Wu Nian hurriedly hid by a wall, trying to cool her flushed face. No, no, she couldn’t let herself think about it now, there were other things to do! Endure, endure... Honestly, after telling her to "endure," how did it turn out like this... Stop, stop!! Stop!!! Ji Wu Nian exhaled deeply, pressing her hands, infused with cold energy, against her face to calm down. The cool touch permeated her cheeks, almost freezing her tongue. The invasive cold was uncomfortable... This chill entering her body, likely due to that fragment of Feng Yu... Her spiritual power must be drained from exerting herself too much... Even the cold wasn’t helping anymore. Ji Wu Nian slowly crouched down against the wall, pressing her burning face. Yue Bai probably was severely affected by the drug, handling her demonic aura with no restraint. Although Ji Wu Nian tried to control herself, some moments blurred her memory. Yue Bai's warmth clung to her, her breath whispered in her ear, her gaze alluring, all now veiled in a faint mist. Despite that, she remained enchanting. Precisely because of that, even more so. From playful kisses to last night's intense encounter, Ji Wu Nian's once stagnant heart was utterly stirred, yet the person involved ran away after it all... Although Ji Wu Nian now didn’t dare to see her either, Yue Bai's maddeningly timed appearances and departures were infuriating. Once she returns, she’ll have to get some answers! Almost driven by defiant resolve, Ji Wu Nian finally managed to calm down, following the remembered path to a spring in the mountains. Trickling water formed a clear pool. Ming Yun Pavilion, elevated like a small secret realm. To reach Ming Yun from this world, special pathways were required. These paths appeared differently each day, changing regularly, even to the bewilderment of Ming Yun disciples. Daily monitoring by disciples was necessary to guide others. Thus, without a Ming Yun guide, outsiders couldn't enter easily. Ji Wu Nian often found the Ming Yun barrier bothersome, but fortunately, the existence of the incompetent younger Xie brother and his doting elder brother provided her an opening. With a mild activation of her spiritual power, golden ripples spread across the pond. This was the place. Encased in golden light, Ji Wu Nian leapt into the pool. *** “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!!!!!” Yue Bai, having slept the whole day, was abruptly woken by Jiu Yi's yelling, still groggy, “What’s wrong?” “She’s gone!!!!” Jiu Yi almost shoved the map from their sea of consciousness onto Yue Bai's face, “Ji Wu Nian is gone!!!!” “…” Yue Bai froze for a moment, then fell straight back onto the bed. “...Yue Bai!! Yue Bai, are you alright!!” Jiu Yi anxiously grabbed her shoulders, shaking her, “Yue Bai!” “...I know.” Yue Bai reached for the quilt beside her, cocooning herself, “I’ll look for her... in a bit…” “...in a bit…” Jiu Yi hesitated, realizing something was off, “How are you going to find her in a bit?” It was already night, and Liu Li was just next door. Flying out of the mountain gate now would be unwise. Yue Bai closed her eyes, curling herself into a ball, wrapped in the quilt's comforting warmth. Bidding farewell to her rare sleep, she resignedly got up, “Where did she disappear?” “But... going out now... isn’t the best idea, right?” Jiu Yi hesitated, “And your body?” Such worry seemed futile now. Regardless, Yue Bai had to find Ji Wu Nian. Luckily, she hadn't been injured; a day's rest had almost fully restored her. As for Liu Li... Seeing Yue Bai retrieve a previously used puppet, Jiu Yi noticed she added another layer to it. “What’s that?” Yue Bai, unwilling to explain, drew a golden light enveloping herself and the puppet. With a downward gesture, a teleportation array emerged, whisking her away. “...You’re so audacious now?” Jiu Yi internally applauded, marveling at her sheer boldness. “...We must hurry...” Yue Bai appeared at the spot Ji Wu Nian had recently stood, staring blankly at the pristine spring before her. Familiar, too familiar. Detecting an odd feeling, Jiu Yi asked, “Yue Bai?” “...Jiu Yi.” Standing by the edge of the pool, Yue Bai coldly eyed her reflection, “Do you feel something?” "What do you mean?" Jiu Yi was puzzled by her question. Yue Bai closed her eyes, “It’s nothing.” *** After diving into the pool, Ji Wu Nian plummeted through an endless underwater chasm, emerging into a boundless sea of clouds. As she cleared the mist, a golden full moon came into view. A solitary mountain stood before the moon, its interconnected pavilions poised in harmony, treading clouds like a serene island. Endless night in Ming Yun, devoid of dawn or sunshine. With practiced ease, Ji Wu Nian slipped into the back mountain forest, nonchalantly lounging against a tree, gazing at the moon. They say the moon waxes and wanes, but Ming Yun's moon remains eternally full and steadfast. A cup raised to the night sky, yet it could never hold the moon's essence. Ji Wu Nian swirled her wine cup, but no matter the tilt, she couldn’t capture the full moon within it, ultimately laughing at her own childishness and downing the drink. “Even here, your hidden guards follow you?” “Pfft...” Ji Wu Nian choked on her wine, neither able to spit nor swallow, with spilled wine drenching her hands in an even messier state. Yue Bai landed on a distant branch, maintaining a safe distance. “You...” Ji Wu Nian, still coughing with tears from the drink, "How are you here?" Feeling pity, Yue Bai moved closer, taking the wine cup from her hand, "If you can be here, why can't I?" "This... This is..." Ji Wu Nian hurriedly cast a clean spell, finally catching her breath and looking up at the sudden intruder, "This is Ming Yun..." Yue Bai toyed with the wine cup, standing leisurely on a branch, seemingly playing Ji Wu Nian's earlier game of capturing the moon's reflection, her face cold and unyielding. In the end, she was beautiful indeed. Ji Wu Nian stood frozen for a moment, mesmerized by Yue Bai, who seemed to be glowing under the moonlight. Her already indifferent expression now carried an air of divinity, making her features appear even more profound against the backdrop of the bright moon. Usually aloof and nonchalant, Yue Bai now appeared almost ethereal, detached as she sipped her drink and contemplated the moon, unaffected by the world below. Those eyes turned towards her, accompanied by a cold voice, "I know." Calm and indifferent. Snapping back to reality, Ji Wu Nian stood up, a helpless smile tugging at her lips. "Didn't I tell you not to follow me?" Yue Bai drained her cup, her gaze averted. "I also said, it has nothing to do with you." She then tilted her head back, taking in the sky where the long moon hung, devoid of stars or dust. Ji Wu Nian suddenly remembered her earlier flustered thoughts at noon, and compared to Yue Bai's current cool demeanor, she felt foolish. Fueled by a mix of indignation and defiance, Ji Wu Nian grabbed Yue Bai's waist, pulling her close. Holding her, kissing her. The tree canopy above blocked out a portion of the moonlight, making it hard for Ji Wu Nian to see Yue Bai's face clearly during their embrace. She could imagine Yue Bai's familiar cold expression, perhaps with another comment about some pain. Ji Wu Nian couldn’t help but laugh, pressing Yue Bai tightly against her, enveloping her in a hug. It seemed like Yue Bai hesitated for a moment before hugging her back. Some things had changed, yet remained the same. "Yue Bai," Ji Wu Nian murmured, burying her face in Yue Bai's neck, "Won't you go back?" Yue Bai, still held tightly, responded teasingly while wrapping her arms around Ji Wu Nian's neck, "Planning to be naughty?" "Yes," Ji Wu Nian nodded with closed eyes, "Very naughty." "Tonight?" Ji Wu Nian chuckled, "Yes, tonight." "..." Yue Bai gently pushed her away, "You certainly are busy." Arriving only in the morning, and having business to attend to by nightfall. "I wasn't planning on going to Kun Mi," Ji Wu Nian tilted her head, "It's thanks to you." Since Yue Bai had healed her injuries, Ji Wu Nian had a few extra days, allowing her a trip to Kun Mi. "If it's tonight," Yue Bai stepped back, looking towards the expanse of moonlit land, "I'll stay with you a little longer." "Yue..." Yue Bai interrupted her, "They're here."