82 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

### Chapter 82: Complications and Conversations --- Though their plan to descend the mountain was disrupted, at least Qin Shuang got to enjoy her tofu pudding, while Yue Bai savored a sweet roasted sweet potato. As for Ji Wu Nian, she finally received some news she had been longing for. While reports indicated traces of demonic miasma in various places, it remained thin and manageable, with dispatched disciples being able to subdue it without major incidents. Besides these updates, Ji Zhanhong’s letter also included mundane family matters and mentioned how some younger members were grateful to her and eager to meet her. “They've just heard plenty of tales about me and are curious, nothing more,” she thought wryly. Nevertheless, a few among those young ones seemed interesting, and it might be fun to take Yue Bai along to amuse them. “...Is she scheming against you again?” Jiu Yi, too familiar with such smiles, asked. Without lifting her eyes from her book, Yue Bai replied, “Ignore her.” “But what about the progress?” Jiu Yi hesitated. The sudden five-point jump in progress made no sense. “...It could be because Ji Zhanhong mentioned the human realm’s stable miasma situation,” Yue Bai speculated, having just scanned everyone’s knowledge sea again. “Knowing this brought her joy.” “You understand what it means to carry a burden?” Jiu Yi lamented his own uselessness once more. “Only, what about the dealings between Wu Ji and Zang Xue? If a conflict arises, even Yue Bai bringing Pu Shi might be too late,” he pondered aloud. “Hmm?” Jiu Yi considered. “Perhaps she can't control everything?” Despite Ji Wu Nian’s exceptional talent, her absolute power isn’t enough to command the other two factions. If she intended to gather people to discuss strategies, the best title would be the Divine Sage Mu Tian Wen. “Divine Sage?” However, Mu Tian Wen, now the alabaster-skinned Qin Shuang, was storytelling inside the temple after their aborted trip. Yue Bai had just finished a story but momentarily paused, distracted by her conversation with Jiu Yi, prompting Qin Shuang to tug at her. “Did Little Shuang like the story?” Yue Bai embraced her, smiling. She had told Qin Shuang a folklore tale about a grateful fox. After a thoughtful moment, Qin Shuang blinked her silver-gray eyes, “Yes, I liked it.” Stories read by the Divine Sage, she liked them all. Patting her head, Yue Bai turned to find Ji Wu Nian approaching, holding out an object for Qin Shuang. Qin Shuang’s small hand touched its edges and vertices, and felt some protrusions, puzzled, “A Rubik’s cube?” “...What?” Jiu Yi stared, “Do Rubik’s cubes exist here?” Yue Bai examined it. The wooden cube had nine sections per face, each with movable ridges. She had seen a similar item in Qin Shuang’s memories—something she had cherished. “The carpenter down the mountain made it; it just arrived today,” Ji Wu Nian smiled, “a toy for little Shuang.” Crafted to fit Qin Shuang’s hands perfectly, it was a rare joy considering all the Divine Sage’s gifts were lost when Qin Bi Chu took her. Holding a new Rubik’s cube delighted her, “Thank you, Wu Nian.” She tugged at Yue Bai’s robe, “Divine Sage…” Happy like a child, Yue Bai stroked her head. Ji Wu Nian asked Yue Bai, “Do you know how to play?” Yue Bai smiled faintly but didn’t respond. She hadn’t played before but was familiar from Qin Shuang’s memories. “What?” Jiu Yi still puzzled, “Rubik’s cubes here? I’ve never seen one! Yue Bai, have we ever?” “No,” Yue Bai replied. Qin Shuang already engaged with the toy, her white hair cascading around her eyes. The protruding sections allowed her to figure out positions by touch, one of the few toys bringing her joy. “Master,” Yue Bai addressed Ji Wu Nian, “why not have it made at Ba Chi Peak?” “Hm?” Ji Wu Nian was surprised by the query, finally saying, “It’s just a simple toy, no need to trouble them.” Yue Bai glanced at her and said no more. --- That night, Qin Shuang still wanted to sleep with Yue Bai. Ji Wu Nian would cling but knew when to leave, giving Yue Bai the time for her work. Mu Tian Wen’s godly energy, pent up and bound by barriers, required meticulous sorting. Though usable by Yue Bai, it wasn’t her own, demanding significant soul force and progressing slowly. Thinking back, Mu Tian Wen probably learned soul-force manipulation and barrier techniques but didn’t master them, hence the current complication. Mindful of past mistakes, Yue Bai ensured Qin Shuang remained in deep sleep as she retracted her soul force, preventing her from waking. Exhaling, she heard Jiu Yi, “Even without missions, you’re quite diligent.” Rubbing her head, Yue Bai replied, “I made a promise.” “Pfft,” Jiu Yi, instinctively rolling his eyes, thought, she just uses ‘I promised’ as an excuse. His boss, a self-denier, was now clear. Though he worried, “Yue Bai, I really think, messing with you and Li Er, she’s a bad match, be cautious...” Yue Bai couldn’t stand his naivety, “She knew long ago.” “Knew?” Jiu Yi was stunned. “Knew?!” “When?!” “You knew she knew when?!” “Oh, heavens!!!” “This is some play?!” “Drama kings! Unbelievable!” Jiu Yi’s inner turmoil: “What’s my snack?!” Why were his master and target both drama kings? As a socialist baby, he couldn’t follow their script! Ignoring Jiu Yi’s outburst, Yue Bai, wanting quiet, said, “Calm down.” Jiu Yi fell silent, though inwardly in tears. “...My identity, she probably never missed it.” Yue Bai recalled their initial meetings—Ji Wu Nian’s familiarity, tentativeness, everything hinting at her knowledge. Yue Bai couldn’t pinpoint how she knew but guessed. “Remember Yue Guo when I was hurt?” “...Li Lian’s incident?” Jiu Yi remembered Yue Bai collapsing, comatose post-shooting. “Someone eased my injury, likely her,” Yue Bai guessed. “Having Li Lian watch me, coming to Zang Xue when I was off to the west, and not probing my origins but caring…” “Everything makes sense.” “...Including her closeness to Li Er?” Jiu Yi was drained, “She’s recently even tried kissing…” Knowing her friend identified his boss, playing games, and Yue Bai enjoying it, self-dramatizing warnings felt foolish in retrospect. “...Your weird interests…” Jiu Yi lamented. “Isn’t it fun?” Yue Bai’s voice was mild. It was like a game, mutual exploration enhancing the intrigues despite added complexities. Only puzzles offering the joy of solving. Yue Bai’s soul sought its query. Meanwhile, Ji Wu Nian invited her for a drink. “Divine Sage, your efforts,” Ji Wu Nian smiled, “a cup can’t repay the debt.” …This respectful talk surprised Yue Bai, sensing something amiss with the uncharacteristic gratitude. Holding the wine, she hesitated, “Up to something?” “Not at all.” Bright-eyed, Ji Wu Nian seemed sincere, “Just heartfelt thanks.” Sipping gingerly, Yue Bai sighed, “Don’t call me Divine Sage.” When stressed, Yue Bai’s stern demeanor sharpened, seemingly suppressing internal fires. Ji Wu Nian, embracing her shoulder playfully, asked innocently, “I can’t?” “…It’s not my title.” Her downcast eyes reflected the wine’s sparkle. “I’m not that arrogant.” She saw herself as no more than a better-constructed being, far from godhood. Ji Wu Nian, surprised, asked, “Then Mu Tian Wen...” Yue Bai sighed, “It’s not me.” Ji Wu Nian had always assumed it was her, now perplexed, “Then…” --- In translating, I aimed to retain the original narrative's tone, essence, and style, preserving specific pronouns and character nuances. Please let me know if any other sections need translating or further tweaking! "She mistook me for someone else," Yue Bai said, unable to drink the cup of wine. "I am not the Divine Sage she seeks." She wasn’t the Divine Sage Mu Tian Wen was searching for, not even for the one who sought Mu Tian Wen. Despite that individual’s notorious mischief and roguish behavior, she could probably bear the title of Divine Sage. If Yue Bai could indeed find her, perhaps she could clarify all the strange occurrences happening to her. Ji Wu Nian fell silent, then gave a bitter smile, "Then why do you care for her so?" "Do you expect me to take a child seriously?" Yue Bai had no inclination to reveal details about that person, "Besides, she's pretty cute. It’s not bad to raise her." Ji Wu Nian was momentarily stunned but then buried her head in Yue Bai's neck, laughing, "You really are..." At a loss for words, she stopped there. Out of Yue Bai’s sight, Ji Wu Nian felt a tinge of regret, a deep sense of sorrow and helplessness. Yet within her anguish for others, a small flower of joy seemed to bloom faintly, without fragrance but with a gentle glow. Yue Bai might not be Mu Tian Wen's Divine Sage, but she was still Ji Wu Nian’s significant other. "Lady Yue Bai..." Jiu Yi felt a shiver run down his spine. This excessively affectionate tone made Yue Bai uncomfortable, and she dodged slightly, "Speak." Ji Wu Nian chuckled, kissed her on the cheek, and slowly moved upward until her lips and tongue reached Yue Bai’s ear, her tongue tip brushing the earlobe, her voice sultry, "I wish to spend the night with you, but alas, many matters bind me. Do you have a solution, my lady?" …This request for intimacy was too direct. Jiu Yi muttered to himself, "On the impact of raising children on one’s sex life." Even as a spirit form, Yue Bai felt the wetness on her ear when she condensed into a physical form. Her heart pounded, she turned her head slightly and set a boundary, “No going far.” "Then, will you come to my chamber?" Ji Wu Nian nibbled her ear, smiling as Yue Bai's head moved a little, "There's a large bed in my chamber." ...Another suggestion, inviting her host into a trap. Jiu Yi felt a headache coming. “We’ll see.” In such matters, "we’ll see" meant yes, Jiu Yi had already figured out Yue Bai’s patterns. Ji Wu Nian understood this too and laughed, "I’ll be waiting for my lady’s visit." --- Previous Chapter ... 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