126 - Dungeon Growth Log

A warm, damp tongue licked her face, even her eyes. The tongue’s soft barbs were gentle. Struggling to open her eyes through the saliva, Xia Ge blinked. Fragmented sunlight poured down, and the Lost Deer's blue-plum flower patterned eyes sparkled brilliantly. Xia Ge’s mind was sluggish for a moment before she finally reacted: "...Lost Deer?" “Yuu~” Hearing her call, the Lost Deer elegantly circled her twice. Now without it blocking her view, Xia Ge belatedly realized where she was. She was leaning against a tree, surrounded by dense forest. Occasionally, decrepit spirit-guard puppets would walk by, their mechanical eye balls rolling stiffly towards Xia Ge before ignoring her and trudging away. ...The back mountain? Yes, when she went to the Bai Meng Cavern, she’d fled to the back mountain with Mao Qing, yet still she hadn’t made it in time, entering Bai Meng Cavern, encountering the Green Jiao, obtaining the Eight Desolation Flute, and meeting Chu Yi— Chu Yi... And now? A sudden jolt, like a thunderclap, exploded in her mind! Xia Ge leapt to her feet, looking around in a frantic rush: “Little Butterfly!” A fluffy monkey scampered down a vine, its brown eyes peering at her. It climbed back up, then quickly back down, waving a paw as a persimmon landed with a 'splat' on her face. As if to say, ‘No butterfly here, but there is a rotten persimmon.’ Xia Ge: “…” The overly ripe persimmon left her face sticky and sweet with orange juice. Expressionless, Xia Ge looked up at the monkey, which stuck its red rear at her in defiance. Great. Even monkeys bullied her when times were bad. Unable to find anyone, and inexplicably right back where she started, Xia Ge leaned against the tree, feeling somewhat defeated. The Lost Deer approached, licking her face again to clean the persimmon juice off completely. Xia Ge: “…” Much appreciated, seriously. “Xiao Kui?” Xia Ge called out to her system, wanting some answers. However, the expected silence greeted her. As anticipated of an antiquated system, as soon as she slept or lost consciousness, it powered down into hibernation and took its sweet time rebooting once she was awake. The white key was gone, and she’d left Bai Meng Cavern for reasons unknown. Chu Yi... was she still in Bai Meng Cavern? And that strange voice, along with everything she’d seen in Bai Meng Cavern... That person in the black cloak... was it Senior Sister? Yet the age just didn’t match. She took out the red Dan Peak order crest, her gaze dimming. If it was Senior Sister... No, even if hope is slim... she needed to go down the mountain to check. Rubbing her throbbing temples, Xia Ge got up. The monkey on the tree continued to make faces at her, and with a cold laugh, Xia Ge kicked a stone from the ground. [Direct Hit] “Eeek—” The pebble struck the monkey’s red rear with a 'thwack', and it let out a pained, shrill cry before scampering away, clutching its rear. = = The night was deepening. "Miss! Where did you go... you've finally returned..." Xiao Qian sensed something was amiss and spoke softly: "...Miss, are... are you alright?" Xiao Qian was a maidservant of the Chu family. Ever since the second young miss of the Chu family returned from her disappearance, the master, feeling guilty for neglecting this child, specifically arranged for a new group of maids to attend to her. The young miss had a particularly lovely smile, one that was pleasing and delightful. Yet for some reason, despite her sweet smile, Xiao Qian always felt that the young miss wasn’t truly happy. Beneath that delightful smile, something deeper seemed to be hidden. Only in the presence of the eldest miss did Xiao Qian see a flicker of genuine emotion from her. ...A feeling of hatred. Like a puppet doll that only knew how to smile, the moment it saw the eldest miss, it was imbued with a soul filled with hatred. Blatant, straightforward aversion. Thus, Xiao Qian rarely saw the second young miss with such a gloomy expression at other times. Under the pitch-black bangs, those midnight eyes now held coldness and chill. Although she returned under the moonlight, she had none of its gentle softness. Her clothes were dusted with dirt, giving her a somewhat disheveled appearance. "Miss, change clothes..." Xiao Qian approached, intending to help the young miss change outfits, only to be coldly pushed away. Stunned, Xiao Qian looked up to meet the girl’s merciless and frosty gaze. Instinctively, Xiao Qian took a step back. “No change.” Chu Yi quietly observed her for a moment, then suddenly smiled. The slight curve of her lips melded with the gentle moonlight into those pitch-black, cold eyes, her black hair like ink, the girl’s softness ephemeral as a night-blooming cereus. Blooming under the moonlight, wilting among the mortal dust. Ensnares the heart. Xiao Qian was momentarily entranced. With a light smile, Chu Yi leaned closer, her voice gentle, "Do I look pretty?" Xiao Qian was at a loss, her voice stiff and barely finding its way back, “Miss... you’ve always looked beautiful.” Today, she smiled... even more beautifully. “I see.” Chu Yi withdrew her gaze, “So it’s beautiful, then.” She followed her memory to a mirror. In reality, she saw nothing. Her world was shrouded in darkness. After Gu Pei Jiu rescued them from Bai Meng Cavern, upon leaving the cavern, they ended up where the withered Bamboo Village once was. Amidst the desolation, Chu Yi’s eyes began to perceive light once more. Instinctively closing her eyes, when she opened them again. Darkness dissipated, and light seeped in. Her sight held the radiant dawn on the horizon and, not far away, a boy clutching a bamboo-sheathed sword, staring blankly. Ye Ze. Her eyes could see again. Chu Yi glanced at Ye Ze, noticing the ghost dragon jade missing a corner at his waist. Narrowing her almond eyes slightly, she contemplated her previous self, finding it absurd in hindsight. "…I will be responsible for bringing everyone back." Gu Pei Jiu stood at a distance, her voice crisp and clear. Chu Yi turned her head, the interplay of sunlight and shadows creating a striking contrast with the girl in the same Dan Peak attire, making her almost painfully luminous. Gu Pei Jiu. In almost the next instant, Chu Yi recollected the time she’d encountered a wet and radiant youth at Dan Peak, and the current Dan Peak senior disciple. The once-blurry features of the youth suddenly became distinct. He... or rather she, stood behind Gu Pei Jiu. In a seemingly reliant manner. She was smiling at her. Jealousy. Beneath embroidered silver butterfly sleeves, the young girl's fists clenched slightly. ...So envious. So envious it hurt to death. Gu Pei Jiu, huh... From Misery Village to the grand hall, Chu Yi saw the boy who had abandoned her in the Bai Meng Cavern. He looked quite spirited. Chu Yi casually gazed at a pillar, considering, very spirited indeed, Brother. With just a few words, the Dan Peak senior disciple cleared Xia Wuyin of suspicion as a demonic sect spy and vouched for her. "She isn’t." Gu Pei Jiu’s voice was cool, "I trust her." Chu Yi mused. Truly touching. So Brother left Little Butterfly behind because of her? She did seem to be someone more dependable than Little Butterfly, though. Chu Yi looked at the boy behind Gu Pei Jiu, her smile cold and innocently tinged. The recollection ended abruptly at the darkness of the hall’s interior, and Chu Yi withdrew her thoughts, her eyes blankly locked on the mirror, contemplating. Indeed, just as she expected, leaving that boy Ye Ze, her vision gradually blurred again after four hours. ——“You will see.” ——“I will make you see.” ——“I swear.” ...The ghost dragon jade in Ye Ze’s hand. An unexpected misjudgment. Ha. “Brother is someone who keeps his promises.” Chu Yi murmured to herself, “…Perhaps, ultimately, I’m just too greedy.” Cursed fate’s voice was twisted and fiendish. ——He abandoned you. In that instant, Chu Yi felt as though her heart had died. Her tender heart died away. Brother, do you believe? Little Butterfly is gone now. Therefore, desire could only swell from the empty void. Just a little greedier then. Watching, Xiao Qian hugged some clothes, apprehensive as her gaze stayed on the slightly enthralled Chu Yi. “Miss…” “Become mine.” Chu Yi reached out, one hand caressing the mirror softly, her long eyelashes casting shadows. Her other hand grasped the dragon horn pendant she wore, bringing it to her lips for a gentle kiss. Seven parts warmth in her gentle mien, concealing three parts tenderness, “From being loved by all, raised upon a pedestal... to being cast into the mud, unloved.” “If that happens, you’ll belong to me.” The night was deep and oppressive. “It’s alright, Brother.” The girl’s eyes were vacant as the night, as if talking to someone or just speaking to herself, “Even if you have nothing left, don’t be afraid.” Chu Yi’s lips curved with three parts kindness. “The dead Little Butterfly will love you just like before.” Xiao Qian slightly trembled, the clothes in her grasp silently falling to the ground, “...Miss?” Chu Yi cocked her head, her black eyes brimming with intense gloom, the smile at her lips, chilling yet gentle. “…This way, Brother can never leave me again.” Xiao Qian’s voice trembled, “...Second Miss, you…?” In the dim hall. Silence unfolded. Chu Yi laughed softly, yet as she laughed, tears began to trickle down slowly. “Brother…” “I... feel a bit reluctant.” It seemed that the demon sect had retreated from the mountain, and Jianfeng had been too caught up with their own issues to notice Xia Ge's disappearance. Besides, she hadn't stayed in Bai Meng Cavern for long—only about three or four days. By the time she returned, Senior Sister was back too and had vouched for her, asserting that she’d made the puppet herself. With the Dan Peak’s big disciple personally vouching and Xia Ge being the second Dan Peak disciple to advance to Mystic-grade alchemist, coupled with her supply of Hundred Soul Pills, Chang Lan had nothing to say. The matter of the demon sect spy was brushed aside. Everything went smoothly. Yet in the great hall, Xia Ge saw Chu Yi. Her eyes seemed to see again, bright and clear. Thanks to her previous encounters with Little Butterfly, Xia Ge could easily tell whether Chu Yi was truly sightless or not. Chu Yi nonchalantly fixed her gaze on a support pillar, not looking at Xia Ge. But in the end... it was alright. Xia Ge breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew her gaze. Still, why had Chu Yi returned with Senior Sister? Hadn't Senior Sister gone to Misery Bamboo Village to deal with the ghost tide? How did she encounter Chu Yi at Bai Meng Cavern? "Senior Sister, Senior Sister." Following behind the young lady at the foot of Jianfeng Mountain, Xia Ge called out cheerfully: "It's only been a few days, and Senior Sister looks even more beautiful!" Gu Pei Jiu walked ahead, her voice calm: "Apart from the demon sect’s attack on the mountain, has anything else happened at Dan Peak these past days?" Having been missing for three days, Xia Ge: "…" Xia Ge chuckled awkwardly: "Ahaha… well, yes, there has been." Gu Pei Jiu stopped walking, turned to look at Xia Ge, her dark eyes subtly deepening, "Oh?" Actually, there was nothing much else... But if she had to say something, there was one thing! With her hands clasped behind her back, Xia Ge, seldom bashful, admitted shyly, “I… advanced to Mystic-grade Alchemist, does that count as something?” Gu Pei Jiu paused a bit. “I’ve heard.” She reached out to pat Xia Ge's head, a slight smile forming in her deep black eyes, “It counts.” “Three days from now, we’ll host your advancement ceremony at Dan Peak, celebrating our second Mystic-grade Alchemist.” Her hand was so warm. Xia Ge didn’t particularly care for some advancement ceremony, only hoping to make Senior Sister happy with the news. Feeling content, Xia Ge squinted her eyes in comfort, suddenly recalling something and taking out the crest, “Senior Sister, this?” Gu Pei Jiu gave it a glance, “Keep it with you.” Xia Ge froze, feeling the emblem's weight intensely, “Ah? I hold onto it? This... crest? I keep it with me forever?” The young girl’s cat-like eyes widened, her cheeks flushed, hair soft, mingled with disbelief and a certain cuteness. Unable to resist, Gu Pei Jiu pinched Xia Ge’s cheek. Her voice held a hint of amusement, mixed with her usual calmness. “Yes, you hold it, the crest.” She thought, this child was finally putting on some weight. When she first came, she was so very thin. Now, it felt really nice. Gu Pei Jiu considered. Xia Ge let her pinch her cheek, her voice somewhat muffled, “But won’t this...” Gu Pei Jiu assured her, “No need to worry.” “You’ve earned it.” “Senior Sister…” Gu Pei Jiu released her grip after a moment, noticing Xia Ge’s blushing cheeks, feeling a twinge of reluctance. It was so comfortable. Gu Pei Jiu thought, it would be nice to pinch her again. Xia Ge didn’t mind any of it; instead, she asked, “I saw that person from Jianfeng, Chu Yi... how did Senior Sister end up coming back with her?” Gu Pei Jiu paused slightly, the events at Bai Meng Cavern flashing briefly through her mind like shadows, the image of the girl in white carrying a bamboo basket and holding a bone flute seemed just a day ago. She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them to look at Xia Ge, her dark eyes deepened a touch. This child... She hesitated. Yes, very beautiful. “We encountered something, just happened to run into her.” Xia Ge casually asked: “What kind of thing?” Gu Pei Jiu looked at her silently for a moment, “...Do you want to know?” There seemed to be a hint of pleasure. Xia Ge: “Of course, if Senior Sister wants to tell me, I’d love to know.” Gu Pei Jiu said, “Bai Meng Cavern.” Xia Ge felt a twist in her heart. She actually told her? No, wait, that’s not the point... Senior Sister also went to Bai Meng Cavern? Weren’t they going to Misery Bamboo Village?! Xia Ge: “Bai Meng Cavern... why did Senior Sister go there?” Gu Pei Jiu began to narrate the details of what transpired. The two talked as they walked, the autumn deepening, flowers withering, red maples filling the forest, carrying warmth. “Senior Sister broke out of Bai Meng Cavern directly?” Xia Ge marveled, “But according to the book, Bai Meng Cavern is the residence of the Dream God...” Gu Pei Jiu shook her head, her voice light, “Just the residence of a declining god.” Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been taken over and controlled by a Yimei. “Senior Sister is amazing…” Xia Ge scratched her head, “I wish I could be as strong as Senior Sister.” Gu Pei Jiu paused, saying, “It's a responsibility.” Though there was no expression on her face, Xia Ge inexplicably felt that Senior Sister seemed quite joyful. They had returned to Dan Peak. As Gu Pei Jiu gazed at the mountain full of red maples, she suddenly said, “Don’t forget to add more layers.” Xia Ge, momentarily surprised, felt stray red maple leaves drifting down upon her head. Gu Pei Jiu picked them off, a faint sandalwood scent lingering. The young girl’s lips subtly curled into a slight smile. This was unconcealed happiness. Fiery red maples contrasting with pale hands, so similar to the cloaked person’s hand that comforted her under the night rain in the temple. So... gentle. As if unable to restrain herself. Xia Ge blurted out, “Senior Sister... have you dreamed before?” Gu Pei Jiu blinked. She saw the girl lifting her head, deep black eyes reflecting the bright sky and clouds, utterly serious, “In my dreams... Senior Sister is there.” Having said that, the girl tried her best to rise on her tiptoes, reaching out, intending to hug Gu Pei Jiu’s neck, but was unable to reach it no matter how hard she tried. Feeling a bit frustrated. Gu Pei Jiu subconsciously bent down slightly. She didn’t know why. If she had to say... She didn’t want this child, Dan Peak's little bearer of the crest, to have a single moment of unhappiness. She wanted her to always be smiling. Xia Ge extended her arms around Gu Pei Jiu’s neck, then stood on tiptoe and kissed her forehead. “...In the dream, Senior Sister comforted me just like that.” Xia Ge said, “I feel, even when the dream ends, it particularly reassures me.” The author has something to say: I'll be mindful of pacing. (Balding = =)