61 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Moon White slept until the sun was high in the sky, and when he woke up, he still felt a bit sore. He lay back down, hugging his tail and rubbing it, his ears twitching with pleasure. Jiu Yi thought this wasn't the intimidating figure from before and wanted to poke his head to make him snap out of it. "Don't get distracted just because your fur is soft." Nor should he get lovestruck. As a system that upheld the harmony of socialism, Jiu Yi felt awkward to say it. Moon White didn't care and continued to adore his tail. A faint rustling sound came, and a black paw appeared at the side of Moon White's bed, followed by ears, a head, and a pair of pitch-black eyes. Moon White shifted closer to the wall, giving enough space for Wan Wan to snuggle beside him. Wan Wan had grown quite a bit and was more comfortable than his own tail as a pillow. "Aren't you supposed to check on Mu Tian Wen sometime?" In all honesty, Jiu Yi was a bit annoyed by Moon White's relaxed demeanor. His host's good mood felt strangely unsettling. "Didn't you promise Ji Wu Nian to resolve her demonic energy?" "Later." Moon White, hugging the obedient Wan Wan, particularly enjoyed pinching its soft, thick paw pads. "There's no rush." Jiu Yi knew Moon White didn't actually like lazing around. This unusual tardiness was likely the aftermath of last night's indulgence. He refused to believe Moon White hadn’t anticipated any consequences when she shifted into her fox form last night, and Ji Wu Nian had been quite accommodating. "Waiting until her body feels better" was utterly a bogus excuse; Moon White was clearly craving Ji Wu Nian’s body. And her expertise. Jiu Yi was unhappy, feeling like the cabbage he had grown was now willingly being gobbled up. But to think Moon White had fallen for Ji Wu Nian? Jiu Yi could still sense that Moon White treated the whole affair much like she did Wan Wan's fur or local specialties—interested, hedonistic, a typical enjoyment seeker. Closer than mere friends with benefits, but to say they shared a deep, inseparable bond… it really wasn’t like that. Hard to tell who was more of the scoundrel. "…Alas," Jiu Yi mourned his host's shattered persona, "I didn’t expect this from you, Moon White." "What’s wrong with me?" Moon White turned over, rubbing against Wan Wan. "Nothing…" Jiu Yi wasn’t sure how to critique this, so he just asked, "What do you plan to do now?" "Stay in bed for a bit more." Although Moon White was lazy, after lounging enough, he had to get up. Once dressed, he merely carried Wan Wan out of the side hall and sat in the courtyard, feeding his little pet bamboo. Wan Wan took the long piece of bamboo from his hand, using all four paws to munch on the leaves, sometimes even flipping over accidentally. "Eat slowly." Moon White sat beside the creature, letting it lean on him. The little panda was slowly beginning to understand human speech; its small eyes shifted to him before going back to munching bamboo. Moon White hugged its chubby belly, wondering how it ate so much. Occasionally, several figures darted through the sky. Recently, Sanqing had been quite busy because of the Ming Yun issue. "…Ming Yun Pavilion was also dealt a heavy blow by Ji Wu Nian…" Jiu Yi recalled the tragic scene of that night. Speaking of which, his host had unintelligibly aided in the fiasco. "Why did you steal their barrier?" "Long Night" was taken by Moon White and was still in his divine soul space. Moon White chuckled and retorted, "Why shouldn't I take it?" "Huh?" Jiu Yi was dumbfounded. "Well… I guess you could…" It was his host’s business; Jiu Yi couldn't place any restrictions on her. "Then it’s settled." Moon White didn’t bother explaining much to Jiu Yi; after all, the system was dumb. She just analyzed for him, "Ming Yun still exists, but it might be chaotic." Ming Yun suffered enormous losses, especially those from prominent families. Regardless of how valiantly Mu Tian Wen chose to perish rather than live dishonorably, not all prominent families would understand. "…Is this Ji Wu Nian’s intention?" Jiu Yi was baffled. "Is this some demonic cultivation double agent script…" "If that were the case, she wouldn’t have used Zhi Ge then." Moon White petted Wan Wan's head. "She probably wants to clear out the demonic energy." By targeting Liu Li, Mu Tian Wen, and even those Ming Yun disciples, Ji Wu Nian had been systematically eliminating people tainted by the demonic energy. Though struggling internally, she still resolutely played the role of the executioner behind the scenes. Jiu Yi frowned. "Why didn’t she tell them… Deciding their fate like this isn't right, is it?" For a system that brought people into strange places to say this was quite brazen, but Moon White didn’t want to argue, “Demonic energy gathers in the sea of consciousness, hidden within the aura; it’s hard to cleanse.” Jiu Yi thought for a moment. "No matter how hard it is to cleanse… aren't you here? Spend ten or twenty years, scan every mind!" Moon White chuckled, unconcerned. Wan Wan ate the bamboo quickly, scattering many leaves around. The green bamboo in the hall was nearly consumed as well. Moon White patted its head, intending to go out. "Where are you going?" Jiu Yi asked. “Herb Peak,” Moon White summoned Feng Yu, “to get some bamboo for Wan Wan. Recently, some new shoots have sprouted; I can get some for him.” What favoritism! Jiu Yi almost wished he had fur and hide himself. When Moon White reached Herb Peak, Zhao Qi was also there. The two walked and chatted idly together. The bamboo forest at Herb Peak was towards the back mountain, requiring them to pass by some beast houses. Zhao Qi played with a few spirit beasts before they slowly continued their walk. Zhao Qi couldn’t resist asking Moon White if she could touch his ears and tail. She was taller than Ye Er, and when Moon White lowered his head, the tips of his ears were right at her level. Ah, cute, not only wanted to touch. The gentle Ye Er was held in her arms, his ears being rubbed soft, even losing a few strands of hair. Moon White was good-tempered and obediently called out a few times, "Ah Qi," allowing her to do as she pleased. …Such double standards. Jiu Yi smacked his lips, thinking if Ji Wu Nian did such a thing, Moon White would probably be terribly annoyed. “Speaking of, many disciples have been looking for you recently,” Zhao Qi smoothed Ye Er's fur, smiling. “They all want to meet you but are too afraid to go to Qinglin Hall.” …Please, no. “Master asked me to rest properly,” Moon White wished to push all issues onto Ji Wu Nian. “Ah Qi, please block them for me…” Zhao Qi nudged Ye Er’s shoulder, laughing. “What about Senior Brother Luo? Didn’t he come looking for you yesterday, too? Should I block him as well?” “Senior Brother Luo has a bright future ahead.” Moon White steadied himself, smiling awkwardly, “It’s best he doesn’t waste time on me…” “Eh?” Zhao Qi was often with the two of them, a little surprised. “You don’t have feelings for Senior Brother Luo?” …What made you think I did? “I’ve just joined, and my master is exceptionally talented…” Moon White feigned a bitter smile. “This moment really calls for diligent cultivation.” Jiu Yi: “What a model student response." Zhao Qi, with an “I understand, I understand” look, patted Ye Er's shoulder. “We’re on the path of immortality, with long lifespans, mostly ending up lonely. Elder Wen Zheng said before, if we find someone we like to accompany us, the journey would be much smoother… Ye Er, don’t confine yourself, learn from Senior Ming, isn’t he close to Senior Liu Li?” “Ah,” Zhao Qi seemed to recall something, “but the sect leader asked Senior Liu Li to go to Ming Yun to find someone, alas…” Jiu Yi: “…Feels like there’s a big drama brewing here." Moon White wondered if he should ask but wasn’t very interested. However, he couldn’t stop others from gossiping, so he followed up, “Someone?” “Wasn't there a rumor of a mysterious girl being very close to Senior Liu Li?” Zhao Qi got excited talking about this. “I heard she appeared in Ming Yun again, so the sect leader asked Senior Liu Li to find her.” Moon White knew about this. Ming Yun was in trouble, the immortal sect was shaken, and Sanqing was sending Liu Li to investigate. It should be done early today. “…But don’t worry, Ye Er. Senior Liu Li surely holds Senior Ji deeply in his heart,” Zhao Qi whispered into Ye Er’s ear, tugging her small ear tip, “I heard Senior Liu Li comforted Senior Ji all night last night… made quite a ruckus…” Sound? A ruckus? Impossible, the library was well soundproofed. “Ah Qi, don’t say that,” Moon White chuckled, “my master is better than that…” “Really!” Even though no one was around, Zhao Qi still pulled Ye Er to the side and whispered into her ear, “Heard Ouyang Elder went to see Senior Ji’s joke last night but left just before entering. A disciple of hers said Ouyang Elder was blushing! With her good hearing, she must’ve heard something!” …What kind of idle elders are these? “And this morning, when Senior Liu Li left, Senior Ji was notably cheerful,” Zhao Qi looked around and whispered again, “surely comforted quite well last night…” “Remember, Senior Ji previously placed you with Senior Liu Li,” Zhao Qi tugged her, “perhaps to get you used to the life with him later…” …Human imagination, sometimes really runs wild. Jiu Yi didn’t know where to start his tirade, but considering Moon White's current embarrassment… he was very willing to add fuel to the fire. “People outside, and you didn’t notice?” Failed as a grandmaster. "…I've been too relaxed," Moon White reflected earnestly, defending himself resolutely. "But she probably didn’t stay long or hear anything." Otherwise, there would have been chaos. All Jiu Yi could do was roll his eyes. *** "Wu Nian, regardless of your friendship with Liu Li, you must adhere to proper etiquette. You can't be too reckless." That morning, after sending Liu Li off, Ji Wu Nian was pulled aside by Ouyang Elder, who blurted this out before leaving with a glance that brooked no argument. She wanted to ask for clarification, but Ouyang's glare shut her up. What was that about? Ji Wu Nian, rarely confused, grabbed the scrolls she had copied overnight and headed to the sect leader to turn in her assignment. She had anticipated punishment when giving Ye Er the beast transformation pill and had prepared in advance, even downplaying the number of mistakes to her senior brother first. Though her hand was sore from copying, it was... Well worth it. "…Your expression tells me you haven’t properly reflected on your actions." Zhao Zichen casually set the scrolls aside, seeing them as mere formalities. If Ji Wu Nian could reflect, she wouldn’t be as tactful as she had been. Ji Wu Nian laughed, "Since you know I won't reflect, Senior Brother, you might as well not punish me." "If this happens again," Zhao Zichen wasn’t truly harsh on her, "I'll take your little disciple away." She immediately looked distressed. "Senior Brother, you have enough disciples already. Don't take mine." "If you're so attached to your disciple, then teach her properly," Zhao Zichen was stern with Ji Wu Nian, more so than with Liu Li. "Don't toy with her." "I'm teaching her well," Ji Wu Nian didn't mind standing to speak. "Look how cute Ye Er is." …Wasn’t that still toying? Zhao Zichen always found handling his junior sister challenging. Talking seriously to her was less effective than discussing business. "Some disciples who ventured out have sent letters back. Although there’s some residual demonic energy in those places, it’s nothing major. I asked Wen Zheng to lead some disciples out again to cleanse it." Ji Wu Nian nodded, "I’ll inform my family to facilitate it." She had already taken care of those places, so if the sect disciples went, they would naturally cooperate well. "How are Wujing and Cangxue?" Ji Wu Nian asked, "We shouldn’t be the only ones busy." "No leads on Lingzhou," Zhao Zichen shook his head, "but Wujing seems to have gotten information saying Lingzhou has ties with the Demon Emperor, possibly intending to trouble the demon realm." "Pushi has always disliked the demon clan," Ji Wu Nian was not pleased. "Wasn’t Lingzhou at Ming Yun after? Where's the rumor about ties with the Demon Emperor?" Zhao Zichen chuckled, "That I don't know." Ji Wu Nian picked a grape from Zhao Zichen's desk and popped it in her mouth. "With the demon realm issue unresolved, they’re setting up the Demon Emperor as an enemy too. Yuan Jiu really knows how to stir things up." Ji Wu Nian, being young in the immortal sect, calling him by his name was quite inappropriate, but Zhao Zichen let it slide. “Lingzhou's strike hit home, as the Cold Sword is Wujing’s prized treasure. The strike stung.” Suqin’s prized sword also brought shame to Cangxue. “Indeed," Ji Wu Nian remembered other matters, "Wujing and Cangxue have always been close… Are they also planning to trouble the demon realm?” “If they confirm Lingzhou is there, the two sects might join forces.” …What a headache. Initially, she wanted to leverage Lingzhou's identity to draw their attention to the demon realm, but now they were fixating on the demon realm. "Heh." Ji Wu Nian chuckled coldly, "Are they eying the Demon Realm's No Return treasure, now that they've lost their own?” She hadn't intended to return "No Return" to Pushi so early, but didn’t expect others to target it so quickly. "Regardless of their motives," Zhao Zichen frowned slightly, "if Wujing and Cangxue clash with the demon realm, the demonic energy issue will still be ours to handle." "Why not invite the Demon Emperor and them for a confrontation?" Ji Wu Nian did not wish for excessive conflict with the demon realm. Conveniently, the Demon Emperor owed her a favor. "Pushi has just reclaimed No Return and firmly holds his position as Demon Emperor," Zhao Zichen's face was serious. "Even if we invite him, he wouldn’t come. In the immortal sect, the only one with the prestige to compel him would be Mu Tian Wen of Ming Yun. But with Ming Yun now under demonic siege, Mu Tian Wen is likely overwhelmed." Sanqing may be the top immortal sect in the human realm, but in other realms, Ming Yun held more sway. “Besides, Wujing and Cangxue have always been defiant towards Sanqing. As long as Ming Yun exists, they won’t obey our commands.” Indeed. If Ming Yun were destroyed, those old foxes wouldn’t volunteer to lead. Even with Ming Yun just a shell, Mu Tian Wen’s presence keeps the undercurrents turbulent, not easily dismissed. …Perhaps, I shouldn't have intervened that day.