83 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

### Chapter 83 #### Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter Since discovering that the target of his mission had already seen through the host's disguise, Jiu Yi’s perspective on the interactions between the two completely changed. What he used to internally criticize Ji Wu Nian for now seemed like a 24/7 live broadcast of lovey-dovey interactions—utterly saccharine. And now, adding Qin Shuang into the mix, the trio seemed like a perfect little family constantly feeding him public displays of affection. For those in the San Qing sect who were unaware of the inner workings, the situation appeared more straightforward: the snow-white child was brought back by Immortal Liu Li and was close to Immortal Ji. Currently, Ji’s disciple was taking care of the child. Ironically, this made Liu Li and Ji Wu Nian seem even closer. "Previously at the fifth hour, many saw Immortal Liu Li and Immortal Ji bringing the child together," Zhao Qi whispered to Ye Er. "You know how rumors started then. Some people are saying this child is theirs..." "…But it might not be," another female disciple chimed in. "Wasn't this mission about searching for a mysterious woman? Maybe they knew each other from earlier, and this child…" She raised her eyebrows. "Immortal Liu Li might have entrusted the child to Immortal Ji to avoid suspicion." "Huh?" Another disciple joined in. "Wouldn't that make Immortal Ji very sad?" The gaze shifted towards Ye Er. "Is that why she asked you to take care of the child, Ye Er?" Jiu Yi chuckled awkwardly, "This is a whole melodrama concocted by overactive imaginations." Love triangles, illegitimate children, overdramatic plotlines. Jiu Yi added, "See, everyone’s betting on a divine intervention." The divine really didn't want to win. Yue Bai had no idea how picking up some herbs at Baicao Peak could embroil him in such gossip. "Isn't it because you haven’t been showing your face lately?" Jiu Yi remarked. "You've barely left the Qinglin Hall recently, right?" That was true. Yue Bai, attending to Qin Shuang, stayed by her side almost constantly. Now, even Ji Wu Nian had provided various toys for Qin Shuang, making her more attached to Ji—she no longer searched for Yue Bai the moment she left her sight. "...By the way, Immortal Ji took you down the mountain recently, didn’t she?" Zhao Qi noticed Ye Er's discomfort and led her away to find the herbs she needed. "The matter with Miss Xie has even reached up here." "...It's no big deal," Yue Bai replied calmly. "Shizun handled it." "I'm afraid she'll cause you trouble when she comes up the mountain," Zhao Qi worried. "I heard the Xie family wouldn’t just send the second young miss; they'll have some Golden Core disciples with them..." Zhao Qi frowned. "These sect families from Mingyun act arrogantly even here at San Qing." "The immortals will decide when the time comes," Yue Bai reassured her. "There’s no use worrying now." "I'm worried about you," Zhao Qi touched her arm. "Don't bottle things up. Tell me if something’s wrong." She had indeed built a reputation as someone who "endures silently." But Ye Er, ever gentle, only smiled and expressed her thanks. Ye Er gathered some common herbs from Baicao Peak, mainly to prepare nutritious meals for Qin Shuang. The child had returned at a physically vulnerable time, and Yue Bai, heart aching for her, wanted to take good care of her. Ji Wu Nian, jealous of the attention Qin Shuang was receiving, would cling to Yue Bai while she cooked and demand she make one of her favorite dishes as well. "…Shizun," Yue Bai sighed. "You can go without food for a long time." Ji Wu Nian technically didn't need to eat. Why bother her? "People call it jealousy, call it fun," Jiu Yi quipped, then quickly realized he might have overstepped. "Whatever." Yue Bai’s reluctant refusals were also part of the fun, as she ultimately gave in after some feeble resistance… Maybe Yue Bai secretly enjoyed being pestered but just wouldn't admit it. "But I want to eat," Ji Wu Nian said, sitting beside Qin Shuang and tapping the little child's nose. "And I want little Shuang to try too. Do you want to, little Shuang?" The child, fiddling with her Rubik’s cube, turned her head at Ji Wu Nian’s question and obediently replied, "Yes." She wholeheartedly believed in Yue Bai, and Yue Bai always listened to Ji Wu Nian. Plus, everything Yue Bai made tasted wonderful, and Qin Shuang genuinely wanted to try it. Yue Bai couldn't resist Ji Wu Nian’s "want to eat" request, and Qin Shuang’s backing sealed the deal. In the end, Yue Bai made mulberry leaf crucian carp soup for Qin Shuang and fried crispy pork for Ji Wu Nian. After visiting Baicao Peak, Yue Bai found the well-stocked ingredients allowed her to cook even more effortlessly. During dinner, Qin Shuang always sat with Yue Bai, while Ji Wu Nian obediently ate and tidied up afterward. But today, Liu Li and Zhao Zi Chen showed up right at dinner time, making Qinglin Hall unusually lively. Qin Shuang remained wary of others, so Ji Wu Nian let the two of them go inside first. "This child is truly close to Ye Er," remarked Zhao Zi Chen. "How rare." "…Perhaps because she's also a child," Ji Wu Nian mused, taking a bite of crispy pork. "Or maybe she mistook her for someone else." The incident where Qin Shuang ran to Ye Er was well-known, so Ji Wu Nian didn't shy away from discussing it. Liu Li sighed while drinking his soup, "What sin did I commit?" Neither my disciple nor this child prefers me. We met them together, yet they all ended up in Ji Wu Nian’s embrace. Ji Wu Nian understood him and thought, even the mysterious woman he sought stays with me at night. Such mischievous thoughts couldn't be voiced, but she asked, "By the way, senior brother, still no news on that mysterious woman?" Liu Li shook his head, "Mingyun has been monitoring the situation, but there's been no news." "Speaking of Wujie," Zhao Zi Chen picked up a piece of crispy pork from the plate at Ji Wu Nian’s brisk pace. "Yuan Jiu asked me for someone." "Jiang and Ning?" Ji Wu Nian wasn't surprised, propping her head in boredom. "They've been holding back for a long time." They were using the affairs of Jiang and Ning families as leverage, but their descendants had been staying in San Qing all along. After Ji Wu Nian had once threatened them, Jiang and Ning seemed to avoid her altogether, and there’d been little news of them lately. "They requested before, but I held them off," Zhao Zi Chen rubbed his temples. "Now they’re sending someone over, expected to arrive in a few days." "…Did you know about this?" Jiu Yi asked Yue Bai. "Just found out," Yue Bai replied, still holding Qin Shuang. "I'll search the Sea of Consciousness of Shen Ning later. Maybe we can still contact Pu Shi." Ji Wu Nian didn’t care and smiled, "Perfect timing." Just what she was waiting for. "Given the situation, if Jiang and Ning want to leave, we shouldn't stop them," Liu Li said with difficulty. "But these are troubled times…" "We might as well send an invitation to Yao Huang," Ji Wu Nian suggested. "Invite him to San Qing to mediate?" She blinked. "With Mingyun in self-preservation mode, it's not out of the question for San Qing to step up." Zhao Zi Chen shook his head, "This was discussed before, but after the shocking incident with Song Ze, the two factions hold deep grievances against the Yao Clan. It’s not viable." "And Yao Huang is very proud," Liu Li noted with a smile. "He might not listen to us. If he does come, it would be great. Setting Mingyun aside, having Yao Huang’s recognition might indeed make San Qing the number one sect." "Pu Shi just succeeded, and he wouldn’t want any more disruptions in the demon realm," Ji Wu Nian continued to persuade. "Sending an invitation costs nothing. Let the demon realm decide." "If other sects believe San Qing sides with the Yao Clan instead of the immortals, it’s unfavorable," Zhao Zi Chen remained unconvinced. "Not to mention they now associate demons and devils as one. We’d better not get involved." Elder Brother Zi Chen always acted from San Qing’s perspective, too cautious. "Jiang and Ning families, Song Ze’s tragic death, these are isolated incidents. There’s no need for a grand confrontation," Ji Wu Nian tapped her fingers on the table. "They’re just looking for excuses to covet the dragon bones." "Wu Nian," Zhao Zi Chen's tone grew severe. "What you call isolated incidents are still human lives." Ji Wu Nian sighed, "Life is everywhere. Are their lives worth trading for others?" Sensing the tension, Liu Li quickly tried to ease the atmosphere, "If the Yao Clan handed over the perpetrators, Wujie and Cangxue would have no pretext. But the Yao Clan is protective of their own, it’s unlikely." Ji Wu Nian didn't press further, knowing she had her own plans. That evening, Ji Wu Nian, unusually, didn't accompany Qin Shuang to sleep. The child tugged Yue Bai’s sleeve, "Shen Shang, where is Wu Nian?" "She has some things to ponder tonight. She’ll be better tomorrow," Yue Bai kissed Qin Shuang’s eyes. "Be a good girl and sleep, okay?" Qin Shuang obediently nestled into Yue Bai’s embrace and drifted off. Once she was asleep, Yue Bai left a wisp of her soul and, changing her appearance, tore open the space to enter Ji Wu Nian’s sleeping quarters. Ji Wu Nian’s bed was very large, but in her vast hall, it still seemed small. The solitary figure sitting at the edge of the bed, head bowed, looked even more lonely in the empty hall. Yue Bai seldom entered Ji Wu Nian’s main hall. The few times she did, she heard Jiu Yi’s complaints about this “minimalist” style. "Yue Bai?" Sitting on the bed, Ji Wu Nian looked up, a smile abruptly lighting her face, shedding the ghostly expression she wore earlier, "You’ve come so quickly, my lord." Yue Bai took two steps forward and sat beside her, gazing at her from the side. Before Ji Wu Nian could lean in for a kiss, Yue Bai pressed a hand against her lips, his expression indifferent. "If you wish, you can send a letter to Pu Shi under my name." Ji Wu Nian blinked, then retreated with a bitter smile. "Didn't you say not to get you involved?" "If we delay any longer, they'll start fighting," Yue Bai said coldly. "The sooner we resolve this, the fewer problems we'll have." "It might require you to make an appearance," Ji Wu Nian thought for a moment before hugging Yue Bai's waist and resting her chin on her shoulder, looking pitiful. "I don't want that." If you don't want trouble, then don't stir up so much of it. Yue Bai shot her a glance. "Pu Shi just needs an excuse; anyone can give it to him." Ji Wu Nian pursed her lips. "It's not like there aren't other ways..." Yue Bai pinched her cheeks, exerting more force as her innocent gaze was completely ignored. Her expression grew even colder. "Less. Trouble." If Ji Wu Nian continued causing trouble under the name of Ling Zhou, Yue Bai feared they would eventually be hunted down by everyone. Ji Wu Nian quickly nodded. Yue Bai released her, allowing Ji Wu Nian to rub her pinched cheeks with a grievous expression. "It hurts..." The spots where she had been pinched had turned red, even though Yue Bai had been careful not to use her nails. Her eyes were so watery, and the teardrop mole seemed connected to the sheen in her eyes, making her look even more pitiable. Despite knowing she was like a cunning little fox, Yue Bai's heart softened and she rubbed her "rabbit's" face. The "rabbit" lifted her eyes and smiled with pursed lips. Seeing her master frown slightly, she quickly pounced and pecked her lips. "You’re so kind, my lord." Yue Bai wasn’t sure if this was genuine and wasn’t in the mood to entertain her. However, Ji Wu Nian’s enthusiasm rarely waned, regardless of Yue Bai's mood. A slight peck was never enough; after several shallow kisses, she deepened it, shedding her rabbit-like innocence as she pressed Yue Bai down. Her eyes no longer held the simplicity of a rabbit but the gaze of a predator eyeing its prey. Her tongue flicked across her fang as she bit down along Yue Bai’s jawline, her voice still faking subservience. "You've been too kind, my lord. How about I serve you with my body in return?" Yue Bai had come precisely to seek her help, her fingers tangled in Ji Wu Nian's hair. "Control yourself." Qin Shuang needed care, and they couldn’t afford to oversleep tomorrow. Ji Wu Nian paused, clearly understanding Yue Bai’s concern. A hint of dissatisfaction arose in her heart, but she maintained her facade. "Does my lord have plans tomorrow?" Yue Bai glanced at her from the side, her black hair catching the cool light in the hall. Ji Wu Nian’s hand had already moved to Yue Bai’s waist, untying a sash. Yue Bai lifted her body slightly, unsure if it was due to the sensation or to make it easier for Ji Wu Nian. "Do you not know what keeps me busy?" Ji Wu Nian knew but didn't want her to be occupied. Ji Wu Nian remembered being left dazed halfway through a kiss before. She hadn't indulged enough that time and planned to torment Yue Bai a bit more this time. Instead of biting hard, she followed with her tongue, teasing Yue Bai's neck, making her ache and itch, her breathing unsteady, driving her to restlessness. Ji Wu Nian pursued her relentlessly, her tongue mischievously exploring her ear, her breath invading Yue Bai’s ear canal, yet never allowing her to escape. "I will handle my lord's affairs," Ji Wu Nian whispered. "Relax, my lord, and indulge." #### Previous Chapter ... #### Next Chapter Random Recommendations: "Your Highness, The Crown Princess is Climbing the Wall Again!" "Global Cultivation: I Have a Hundredfold Increase," "Real Estate Livestream Room," "Transcended: I Am Possessed by a God," "I Have a Prison," "Corpse Driving Family," "Transcended: Demon Consort Becomes Guardian Deity," "Male God is a Fox Spirit," "MMORPG: Boundless"