79 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce
Chapter 79: A Gentle Bond After much effort, Ye’er picked up the bowl and spoon again, offering Qin Shuang a piece of rib. "Xiao Shuang, have some meat?" Qin Shuang kept her head down as she showed the little swirl of white hair to Yuèbái, still holding her hand tightly. “...Divine One.” She didn’t dare to call out before, nor did she dare to get close when others were around, as someone had said it would cause trouble for the Divine One. But despite the trouble, the Divine One would still protect her and feed her soup. The little child looked somewhat aggrieved. Yuèbái finally put down what he was holding and gently took her into his arms, smiling as he said, “‘Divine One’ isn’t something you should call willy-nilly. Call me sister instead, okay?” Causing trouble for the Divine One, is it? Qin Shuang, very obedient, whispered after a long pause, “...Sister.” Her obedience tugged at one’s heartstrings, and seeing her pale complexion made Yuèbái’s heart soften. Whispering in her ear, he said, “You can call me that secretly, but not in front of others, okay?” The child paused for several moments before nodding her head slightly. "...So good," Jiǔyī remarked, feeling moved. Indeed, she was so good that Yuèbái wanted to understand what she had experienced. “What’s your name?” Yuèbái softly asked, wanting to know the name the child had before it was stopped by Jì Wúniàn. The child turned to face Yuèbái, her silver-white eyes directed toward him. Her lips barely moved, her voice still carrying a hint of childishness, “Tianwen...” “...So it is...” Jiǔyī was in disbelief, “Is she really the leader of the Mingyun Pavilion?” “Yes,” Yuèbái’s eyes darkened. “Mingyun Pavilion Master, Mu Tianwen.” Jiǔyī was shocked, “No way...” This was someone universally recognized as the strongest in the immortal sects. How did she end up like this, clinging to Yuèbái and calling him “Divine One”? “...When did you attract such a peach blossom,” Jiǔyī felt his head about to explode and, in his shock, could only voice the reality, “Yuèbái, do you know what starting with a three-year sentence means?” Yuèbái ignored him, uninterested. He patted Tianwen’s head and smiled, “Tianwen, you have to keep your real name a secret, okay?” Qin Shuang nodded again, just like she did with Wu Nian. Jiǔyī was exasperated but could accept one fact, “So obedient...” The well-behaved Tianwen still clung to Yuèbái’s hem, lowering her head as if she had done something wrong. Not wanting to ask more, Yuèbái focused on feeding her, “Xiao Shuang, eat first.” Yuèbái prepared the meat thoroughly, soaking it in various medicinal aromas; bitter yet aromatic, making it easy for Qin Shuang to chew. Footsteps approached from behind, and soon Jì Wúniàn had her arms wrapped around Yuèbái’s neck, smiling at Qin Shuang but speaking to Yuèbái, “Xiao Shuang will be staying with us.” Yuèbái, already aware, responded calmly, “Understood, Master.” “And Xiao Shuang?” Jì Wúniàn asked as Yuèbái fed another dumpling, using the moment of Qin Shuang's slightly bulging cheeks, “Do you want to live with us?” The little one couldn't speak, instinctively speeding up her chewing, nodding like a small squirrel. “Xiao Shuang, eat slowly,” Yuèbái, wishing to sew her master's lips shut to stop her nonsense, gently chided, “Master, stop teasing her.” “I’m not teasing,” Jì Wúniàn felt wronged, but quickly opened her mouth as Yuèbái picked up another dumpling, “Ah—” Ah, what nonsense. Yuèbái, irritated, could only appease by stuffing the dumpling into her mouth. As twilight set and the moon rose, Qin Shuang continued to hold onto Yuèbái. Jì Wúniàn, seeing no distraction, began cleaning up, leaving the two "little ones" to stay in the courtyard. Upon her return, Qin Shuang was already asleep in Ye’er’s lap, clutching his robe. Ye’er gently patted her back, his face resting atop her head with a gentle demeanor. In the cool autumn twilight, the gentle wind brought peace to their slumber. Jì Wúniàn softly approached, bending with a smile before Yuèbái, “Shall we skip the hot springs tonight?” Yuèbái looked at the child in his arms, and naturally, given the situation, they couldn’t go. Hands reached over, Jì Wúniàn gently supporting Qin Shuang by the shoulder and knees, planning to lift her... But the moment Yuèbái’s chest tightened, the child’s white brows furrowed, and sleep-mumbled pleas emerged. “...Divine One...don’t...don’t go...” The unclear words conveyed pain, falling upon both women’s ears. Jì Wúniàn paused, letting her remain in Yuèbái’s arms. “...You hold her.” Caught between embarrassment and a slight sense of loss, Jì Wúniàn let Yuèbái settle Tianwen on her own bed. Once on the bed, Qin Shuang still clung to Yuèbái’s robe, making it difficult for her to move. Swapping fingers for fabric, Yuèbái found herself sitting helplessly bedside. This fragile child evoking such tender pity left Yuèbái reluctant. Jì Wúniàn sat behind, embracing Yuèbái's waist, her back against hers, watching Tianwen’s sleeping face in silence. Qin Shuang, fair of skin, hair, brows, and lashes as pure as snow, seemed alive only when warmed by Yuèbái’s touch, revealing the blush and child-like demeanor her pale life lacked. Jì Wúniàn, unfamiliar with such moments, felt bittersweet, a tinge of jealousy, yet a glimmer of gratitude. Caught in a swirl of emotions, she sought an outlet, glancing at her now submissive disciple... “...” Before Yuèbái could turn, Jì Wúniàn’s head blocked her, and the bite on her neck stung. Despite gentle pressure, Jì Wúniàn’s fangs left a clear feeling. Raising an eyebrow, Yuèbái questioned, “...Master, why bite me?” Feeling perplexed. “...Jealous?” Jì Wúniàn chuckled at her own bite marks. Jiǔyī: “Are you insane?” Having the same insane master wasn’t new. Yuèbái, unable to retaliate, marked this grudge down, “Master, let Qin Shuang sleep with me tonight.” “Okay,” though she wished to hold, yet Tianwen clung to Yuèbái. Laughing again, she asked, “Where will I sleep?” …Anywhere you want, even the trees are free, no one cares. Sighing, Yuèbái said, “The main hall bed is big enough.” Pity, had she managed to kick her master back to the main hall, it wouldn’t be nights spent embraced. Ultimately, Yuèbái became the sandwich, Tianwen clutching her hand in front, and Jì Wúniàn encircling her waist from behind. Jiǔyī: “How are you so miserable?” Yuèbái wanted to ask back, “Isn’t it all because of you?” Jiǔyī clicked his tongue, “You yield too easily.” Such a formidable figure, hiding her abilities this deeply, naturally invited domineering attention. Literal attention. “Hey...” Jiǔyī sighed, “What’s the story behind this? Do you know, Yuèbái?” Since earlier, Yuèbái had delved into Tianwen’s memories without sharing anything with Jiǔyī. Yuèbái seldom kept things from him, prompting Jiǔyī to ask directly. “Maybe...” Yuèbái responded softly, “Need to look more.” Her nostalgic tone puzzled Jiǔyī. In Tianwen’s mind, Yuèbái found a golden light, a demonic aura, and a familiar figure. That figure she hadn’t seen in ages, and in Tianwen’s memories, she remained as leisurely as ever. Claiming herself as a “god,” she saved the girl from perils, named her “Tianwen,” taught her the ways of heaven and earth, leading the blind girl on endless journeys, stopping to tell stories and play melodies. That “god” promised to heal her eyes, yet one day disappeared. The girl’s world, devoid of color, only saw warmth in that golden soul; losing that light returned her to cold darkness. A child, struggling to walk, one day woke to be handed to another, and called “Qin Shuang.” Confused and unable to resist, she only followed until another played the melody of the Divine, leading her to another light. That familiar aura, seeking almost in tears, she called out. Divine One. ...The term held the person’s usual arrogance, almost making Yuèbái laugh. Knowing the Pavilion Master of Mingyun had working eyes, hair not naturally white, her personality cold but not like the current vulnerable Tianwen's, she guessed the person kept their promise, healing eyes, and turning hair black, nurturing her with divine energy... It seemed that Mu Tianwen, at some point, had become contaminated with a demonic aura that got entangled with the divine essence gifted to her by that person. In her attempt to suppress the demonic aura, she inadvertently suppressed the divine essence too. Growing up with this divine essence, its suppression led to a regression within her, taking her back to a childlike state. Releasing this suppression would be troublesome. Yuèbái would need to carefully comb out the demonic aura without disrupting her overall growth pattern. This process might require her to remain in this childlike form for some time. But how was this connected to Jì Wúniàn? How did she recognize that melody? And how did she know that Qin Shuang was Tianwen? Her actions indicated she knew more than just superficial details; there seemed to be a deeper acquaintance... Was it with the Pavilion Master of Mingyun or with Tianwen herself? Yuèbái was certain Jì Wúniàn belonged to this world, with no extraordinary traits beyond her talent and cognition. What else could it be? What had tied Jì Wúniàn to various events in this world? And what bound Yuèbái to her? Lost in thought without answers, Yuèbái sighed inwardly and patted the arm wrapped around her waist. “Hmm?” Jì Wúniàn leaned closer, casting a shadow over Yuèbái’s side face. “What’s the matter?” Yuèbái, unsure of what to say, shook her head. The bed in the side hall was quite spacious, accommodating three people without much overcrowding. Jì Wúniàn, already lying on her side, reached out to tease the tip of Qin Shuang’s nose with her white hair when her disciple didn't speak. The child predictably scrunched up her face, “Mmm...” “...Master,” Yuèbái, initially deep in thought, couldn’t ignore the child’s whimpers anymore, “stop teasing her.” Qin Shuang seemed especially close to Ye’er, and Ye’er displayed a particular protectiveness toward this child as well... With a pout, Jì Wúniàn released Qin Shuang’s hair but then hugged Ye’er’s waist, playfully lamenting, burying herself against her disciple’s back, “Little Leaf, now that you have Qin Shuang, you don’t want your master...” Jiǔyī scolded, “Such a scoundrel.” Too weary to entertain her master’s nonsense, Yuèbái cautioned, “Master, be gentle, don’t wake Xiao Shuang.” “Hmph.” Not satisfied, Jì Wúniàn left another bite mark on her disciple’s neck. 上一篇 … 下一章 Random Recommendations: Hidden Romance of the High Official: One Day Lover, Replacement Bride: The President Can't Get Enough, Uncle, I Love You, Universal Arrival: Starting with SSS Talent, Prayers (薄櫻鬼 Fanfic), The Last Generation Evil Emperor, Creamy, Full-Score Sweetness, Empire of France, Lonely Sinking Ashes.