90 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Chapter 90 Yue Bai tends to get irritable when she's feeling unwell, and when she's irritable, she can easily throw tantrums. When that happens, she becomes like a child who needs to be coaxed gently. Ji Wu Nian held her hand and carefully examined her. It was clear that she must have taken her medication as soon as she returned, and her condition seemed better than it had been in Yuegang. Although she had numerous injuries, they weren’t as severe as before, and she wasn’t coughing up blood as she used to. With some rest, she should recover. However, with her internal energy depleted and her meridians ruptured, discomfort was inevitable. Even in her sleep, the slight frown on her face revealed her discomfort, which pained Ji Wu Nian. She gently pressed her fingers against Yue Bai’s furrowed brow, infusing her spiritual energy with a bit of coldness to soothe her discomfort. This technique, often used to cleanse her meridians, should make her feel somewhat better. Indeed, Yue Bai's breathing became more steady and light, allowing Ji Wu Nian to breathe a slight sigh of relief. Feeling somewhat reassured, Ji Wu Nian looked more closely at Ye Er's face, a bit bemused. Yue Bai must have been quite uncomfortable to abandon her usual composure, leaning softly into Ji Wu Nian's embrace and obediently heeding her words. The delicate veil between Yue Bai and Ye Er was now completely pierced. "Wu Nian?" Ji Wu Nian looked down. The young child nearby had already set aside her toy, kneeling on the carpet. Despite her vacant eyes, her gaze conveyed her concern. She understood Ji Wu Nian's tone but didn't want her to worry. “Little Shuang, come here.” Ji Wu Nian, still holding Yue Bai's hand, couldn't move and had to call Qin Shuang to her side. Fortunately, Qin Shuang was very familiar with the layout of the place. Following Ji Wu Nian's voice, she slowly crawled over. Her small hands pushed aside the scattered toys in front of her, and upon reaching the edge of the carpet, she slowly stood up. Ji Wu Nian extended a hand to support her, gently guiding her to her side, and warned her when she reached the footstool, “Watch out, there's a step.” "Okay." Qin Shuang's soft voice replied as her small hands clutched Ji Wu Nian's sleeve. As she came closer, Ji Wu Nian lifted her onto her lap, letting her small feet rest on the bed's edge. “Little Shuang, be good. Your protector needs to rest. Let’s not disturb her, okay?” Qin Shuang let go of Ji Wu Nian's sleeve and grasped the front of her clothes, listening to her soft words and nodding her small head, "Mm-hmm." The child, obedient as ever, drifted off to sleep holding Ji Wu Nian's clothes. When the protector woke up and tried to rub her eyes, it seemed her hand was pinned. Yue Bai was still a bit groggy, her fingers pressing against something soft, inadvertently disturbing another person. “Feeling better?” The voice addressing her was soft, almost drowned out by the surrounding wind and bird calls. Yue Bai blinked slowly, focusing on the familiar face, always drawn to the tear mole at the corner of her eye. Instinctively, she called out, “Master.” Her companion chuckled. The hand that had never been released tightened its grip. A kiss landed on her forehead, making her aware of the circulating spiritual energy and cooling chill inside her. The term “my dear” used by Ji Wu Nian reminded her of a certain fact. It seemed they had inadvertently punctured the delicate veil between them. “...Do you two even have a veil?” System 91 couldn't help but interject, “It's more like a piece of cling film.” Not only thin but also transparent. Still, the system was worried about its host, “Are you feeling better?” Yue Bai responded with "Mm-hmm" to both the system and Ji Wu Nian. Feeling the warmth beside her, Yue Bai turned slightly to see Qin Shuang asleep on the other side, still clutching her sleeve. She wasn't sure if the child had been worried, but despite being held by the sleeve, she did her best to keep her left arm still, trying to sit up. Ji Wu Nian used her free hand to support Yue Bai's back, pulling her into an embrace as she sat up. "You want to get up?” Her eyes were filled with tender resignation, her hand never letting go. Although Ji Wu Nian practiced swordsmanship, her hands were soft and warm. Being held by her felt like her skin could feel every ridge of Ji Wu Nian's palm, tenderly brushing against her skin. Yue Bai averted her gaze slightly, looking towards Qin Shuang, "Mm-hmm." Sometimes Yue Bai’s awkwardness confounded Ji Wu Nian. Although both knew who the other was, and the boundaries of their interactions were increasingly blurred, Yue Bai would suddenly act bashful. Usually, Yue Bai's face would mask this bashfulness with a cold demeanor. However, when Ye Er made such expressions, she looked adorably shy, as if trying to hide behind a facade of indifference. Indeed, the same person could elicit different perceptions simply through their expressions. Ji Wu Nian mocked her own superficiality yet felt an ineffable sense of excitement. Anyway, with Yue Bai in her arms, it was easy to lean in and whisper, “My dear, may I kiss you?” Yue Bai's gaze was chilly, her expression saying, “I knew you would,” as she replied, “Master, please behave.” Despite her words, Yue Bai didn't dodge when Ji Wu Nian actually moved in for a kiss. System 91 sighed, “...A classic case of tsundere.” Ji Wu Nian's kiss landed only on the corner of her mouth, followed by a soft laugh that made Yue Bai want to push her away. The master's laugh was too content, and Yue Bai tried to pull back. But her back was still in Ji Wu Nian's hands, making avoidance impossible. "Doesn't Master need to entertain the guests from the two factions?” Yue Bai had no choice but to use words to push her away. She didn’t like Ji Wu Nian's current smile. Really, just go deal with others and stay away from her. Ji Wu Nian finally relented, replying softly to avoid waking Qin Shuang, “Senior Brother Liu Li is handling it. I don't need to make an appearance for everything.” As the genius of the Three Pure Ones Sect, she didn’t need to handle mundane matters to maintain her position. Seeing her apprentice purse her lips, Ji Wu Nian decided not to push her further. Returning to business, she asked, “Are you really feeling better?” Though Yue Bai hadn't rested long, many of her small internal injuries had been treated, possibly due to the medication she took, and Ji Wu Nian could feel that she was recovering quickly, at least not feeling as suffocated as before. “Much better,” Yue Bai said, taking a deep breath in and out slowly, calming her earlier agitation, finally speaking more rationally, “Thank you, Master.” “No need for thanks.” Hearing “Master” amused Ji Wu Nian, but she also knew that Yue Bai wasn’t one for jokes. Getting serious again, Ji Wu Nian had something to ask, her tone curious, “Why didn’t you tell me before going to see Pu Shi?” She had said before that Yue Bai could do as she wished, so why the sudden decision? The failed mission and Ji Wu Nian’s secretive behavior were things Yue Bai didn’t want to discuss. Unable to reconcile one explanation with her motives, she simply looked at her and asked, “Is that not allowed?” …Did she do something to upset her? Why still the irritated tone? “…This isn't about making things difficult for you?” Ji Wu Nian chose to diffuse the situation, pulling Yue Bai into her embrace from behind, sounding concerned for her well-being, “You usually avoid any entanglements, yet now everyone's eyes are on you.” Previously, she was just a distant figure. Now, with her true presence revealed, it would be hard for the sects and the demon realm to let her disappear again. “Low-profile operations are practically out the window,” System 91 added, “You’re now the most dazzling star in the sect.” “It’s not that serious,” Yue Bai acknowledged the truth in her words but knew her absence would be noticed sooner or later. On the flip side, “Once this is over, they won’t be able to find me.” Actually, if Ji Wu Nian didn't stir up trouble, she wouldn't need to show herself. The world’s chaos would soon forget a lonely name. Ji Wu Nian pondered whether to consider her naïve, but it was true that Yue Bai could remain elusive. Sometimes, she herself wondered about Yue Bai’s true identity, but in the end, it didn’t matter. As long as she remained by her side. Yet, there was one question she had to ask. Gently tapping her apprentice’s lips, she asked with a smile, “Did you do all this for me?” Yue Bai’s previous suggestion had been due to her concerns, and this decision was likely for the same reason. Yue Bai glanced at her, unwilling to respond directly, and said, “If Master has nothing better to do, why not check if the two factions have other intentions, lest all your efforts go to waste.” The lack of denial confirmed Ji Wu Nian’s suspicion. Smiling, she kissed Yue Bai’s cheek, “Without a valid cause, they can’t stir anything up.” Recalling the events in the main hall, she added, “I didn’t expect Black Jiao to be so eloquent.” Even System 91 called him the “King of Roasts,” watching him rebuff the opposing side step by step. “…Because you prepared him well.” With witnesses and evidence all ready, Black Jiao naturally had nothing to fear. Yue Bai lowered her gaze, carefully extracting her sleeve from Qin Shuang's grip without disturbing her sleep. “As for Song Ze’s case, it was deliberate,” Ji Wu Nian smiled, “But the situation between the Jiang and Ning families…” Yue Bai’s cold gaze cut her off, and Ji Wu Nian couldn’t bring herself to say “coincidence.” "Don't say it if you don't want to; there's no need to lie to me." Yue Bai pulled her hand away, got out of bed, and stretched her body. She slapped the wrinkles in front of her. She was wearing a disciple's robe, and there were still creases from her sleep. So she cast a cleansing spell to tidy herself up before looking up at Ji Wu Nian, “Look after Little Shuang. I’m going to see Black Jiao.” Without waiting for Ji Wu Nian's response, she turned to leave. However, having a physical body meant she couldn't simply walk away if Ji Wu Nian grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her back into an embrace. “…Yue Bai…” When words fail, resort to being coquettish. Yue Bai didn't want to look at those eyes that could feign innocence, “Master, please behave.” Ye Er's smaller frame made her seem even more delicate in Yue Bai's arms. Ji Wu Nian nestled into her neck, taking no heed of the call for propriety. With her shoulder and neck slightly tickled by Ji Wu Nian’s breath, Yue Bai sighed inwardly and patted Ji Wu Nian’s long hair. The raven strands contrasted against the white robes, cascading down without attachment. Yue Bai could feel Ji Wu Nian’s delicate back beneath her fingers. She didn't want to dwell on Ji Wu Nian’s vulnerability, but seeing her strategize so meticulously was something worthy of admiration, regardless of her intentions. Yue Bai wasn't sure whether she should feel pity for Ji Wu Nian. Throughout their journey, she had never seen anyone beside Ji Wu Nian. It seemed Ji Wu Nian was orchestrating something dangerous all by herself, bringing peace at times and chaos at others, yet the end remained unseen. In any case, Yue Bai would have to help her, and for now, she could offer a bit of her gentleness. Pressing her lips to Ji Wu Nian’s hair, Yue Bai held her head, speaking softly, “There’s no rush.” If the listener wasn't in a hurry, the speaker didn't need to hurry either. Yue Bai would solve this puzzle for her, so waiting quietly was fine. Yue Bai, with her cold yet tender demeanor, made Ji Wu Nian chuckle softly. “My dear, next time you come looking for me, call me ‘Master,’ okay?” …Some things never change.