3 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Though Yue Bai possessed a divine soul, her body was fragile. After a night of labor and subsequent tempering, she still needed sleep to restore her energy. When she awoke, the sun was already high in the sky. Her body still ached in many places, and her limbs were still in splints, making her look rather pitiful. She did not force herself to get up but quietly lay there, gradually absorbing the surrounding spirit energy. On the surface, this process seemed very similar to the basic practice of channeling qi into the body, something that exceptionally gifted individuals could do even without guidance. However, in reality, Yue Bai was consciously performing an exceedingly precise manipulation of spirit energy, allowing it to traverse her entire body to assess her physical condition. "Miss Xiao Ye," a voice called from outside the door. It was Ji Wu Nian. Yue Bai had no intention to become too close to her but still wanted to leave an impression. Wu Nian was highly esteemed and probably had little regard for those who were overly weak. Yue Bai considered for a moment, intending to behave stubbornly, as she did the previous night. Though it might result in some physical pain, this would help her adapt to her human body. Jiu Yi rolled his eyes in their shared mental space—self-torture. "Just a moment," Yue Bai responded, trying her best to lift herself up despite her entire body radiating pain. She struggled to place her legs on the ground but wobbled and fell back onto the bed with a muffled grunt. Ji Wu Nian, hearing what transpired inside, did not expose her. Understanding the girl’s stubbornness, she waited until Yue Bai still couldn't stand up before signaling a young disciple to guard the door. She then approached and knocked again. "Miss Xiao Ye, I'm coming in." With that, she entered, making sure to close the door behind her. The young girl had finally managed to move herself off the bed but could only sit at the edge, using her hands to support herself. Even with strength, the exertion caused pain. Trying to be gentle, Wu Nian approached and lifted the girl by her shoulders and the crook of her knees. Despite her utmost care, many parts of Yue Bai’s body were injured, and even this gentle action elicited a muffled groan from the girl in her arms. "Miss Xiao Ye, you shouldn't get out of bed these days," Wu Nian said with a mix of guilt and amusement at the girl's stubbornness. "I'll come by to change your medication, and I'll have a disciple deliver your meals. Be good." Held in Wu Nian's arms, Yue Bai continued her act as a stubborn girl, nodding with pursed lips. Since she couldn’t resist, she had no choice but to accept it. Wu Nian sensed this but didn't know how to comfort her. She couldn't very well say she'd abandon her to her injuries and toss her out of the sect. However, taking full responsibility for her care seemed to go against the girl's wishes of independence. Wu Nian couldn’t think of a perfect solution, so she opted to nurse her back to health. She had a young disciple bring in food and medicine and introduced her to Yue Bai. The disciple’s name was Zhao Qi. Wu Nian explained that Zhao Qi would handle Yue Bai's meals and keep her company if she felt bored. Yue Bai bowed her head in thanks to the young disciple, her eyes soft and warm, devoid of the earlier stubbornness, as if a gentle breeze had passed through. Wu Nian found it amusing. Was this girl just kind to everyone except her? Letting Yue Bai lean against the headboard, Wu Nian brought a bowl of soup. Yue Bai stretched out her hand to take it, but her splinted hand lacked strength, nearly spilling the soup. Quickly, Wu Nian caught it, saving them the trouble of changing the bed linens. "I'll feed you," Wu Nian said, pulling up a stool beside the bed and offering a spoonful of the soup. The stubborn girl seemed embarrassed but eventually accepted the help, murmuring a sullen, "Thank you." Watching her tight-lipped expression, Wu Nian found it rather endearing. It was clear the girl didn't want to seem too weak, yet her eyes didn’t show dislike. "Miss Xiao Ye, how old are you?" "Fifteen." Wu Nian glanced at her. She didn't look fifteen. "Why were you sleeping in that small temple the other night?" She fed Yue Bai a piece of greens, which the girl took but kept her mouth tight. "I was tired from walking, didn't have any money, so I just found a spot to sleep." Indeed, Wu Nian had found Yue Bai’s small bundle, containing only a few changeable clothes and a small blanket. When she had treated and bandaged her, she found two or three copper coins in her worn clothes—hardly enough for lodging. "Were you heading to Qu Ren?" The girl nodded. "To join the mountain?" The girl looked at her and nodded again. Wu Nian smiled. "Do you know who I am?" Having eaten the meat she was given, the girl looked at Wu Nian but said nothing, her lips pressed tightly again. Wu Nian leaned down, whispering in her ear, "If you ask me nicely, maybe I'll take you in." Yue Bai's eyes widened, staring blankly at her. Wu Nian, seeing the stubborn girl relax her lips, laughed. “I’ve never taken on a disciple; if you join my sect, you'd be my first, and your rank would be very high.” Yue Bai was left in disbelief, struggling to understand how such an enormous opportunity had fallen into her lap. "I pursue immortality to find answers," Wu Nian said with a smile. "We’re kindred spirits." Barely able to process this, Yue Bai's expression intrigued Wu Nian. She placed the bowl and chopsticks aside, carefully cradled Yue Bai’s splinted hand, and said, “Let me see your bone structure.” Feigning ignorance, Yue Bai frowned slightly, her large eyes following Wu Nian’s movements. After a moment, she felt a warm flow of spirit energy entering her hand, coursing through her meridians. Initially comforting, it soon turned turbulent, crashing through her fragile channels like a flood, causing pain. Wu Nian, surprised by the smooth circulation of the girl’s meridians, increased her probing force, only to be interrupted by another muffled groan. Looking up, she found the girl's face pale and realized the stubborn girl had bitten her lip to endure the pain. “Ah... Sorry, sorry,” Wu Nian quickly sat beside her, intending to hold and comfort her. But as soon as her hand touched the girl, she felt the girl's body tremble. Jiu Yi knew Yue Bai was suffering from the spiritual force. "Are you okay?" "Just about," Yue Bai replied, tasting a bit of sweetness in her throat, unsure if it was from her heart or her lips. Since she could endure it, it wasn’t a big issue. "You..." Wu Nian saw the girl turn her head, her hair covering part of her face, hiding her expression but not the hand pressed to her chest. The recent probing had clearly made her uncomfortable. This stubborn girl wouldn’t voice her discomfort until she could no longer bear it, Wu Nian thought, wrapping her arm around her gently. "Ye Er, if it hurts, you need to say so." The girl, her face pale, shook her head with her eyes closed. "I’m fine." "I dislike that," Wu Nian said with a smile, "My disciple cannot be a doormat." An unusual spark kindled within Yue Bai at the challenge. "Then according to Sister Wu Nian, if I speak up, will you stop the bullying?" Huh? This weak and weary body challenged her with unyielding eyes, slumping in her embrace nonetheless. Wu Nian found it all fascinating. *** For several days thereafter, Wu Nian visited, sharing lunch and changing Yue Bai's medication. They didn’t talk much. Initially, Yue Bai called her 'Sister Wu Nian,' but later, hearing Zhao Qi refer to her as ‘Master Ji,’ she adopted the same term. "A thousand-year-old master addressing a youth as a mentor," Jiu Yi mused disdainfully. Yue Bai dismissed it. Ji Wu Nian had stopped visiting once Zhao Qi could manage the medicine on her own. Liu Li came to see her a few times, and Yue Bai was more genial toward her. Respecting a less intrusive mentor seemed easier. Liu Li gave her two pills, saying they would improve blood circulation. Yue Bai took them without hesitation. While her bones hadn’t fully healed, the bruises were nearly gone, and though she still limped, it was a vast improvement over being in constant pain. "Look at you," Jiu Yi couldn't help but critique, "I asked you to play victim, not to break all your limbs. As a master, how could you not protect yourself?" "I did," Yue Bai replied. "I knew where I would get hurt." "Then why get so badly injured???" Jiu Yi exploded. "To make it more convincing." "...Huh???" Jiu Yi nearly screamed. "You think you're aiming for an acting award with this performance?" "Qi," Yue Bai ignored the term 'acting award,' but as Zhao Qi brought her breakfast, she turned to her, "Want to eat together?" “Mm, sure,” Zhao Qi nodded at her. She had prepared enough food for two. Over the past few days, the girls had gradually become familiar with each other, and having breakfast together had become a routine. Yue Bai, still hampered by her injuries, was assisted by Zhao Qi to sit at the dining table. Luckily, her left hand wasn't hurt badly; after the bruising subsided, she could manage eating. "These past few days..." Yue Bai began tentatively. Manifesting her divine soul consumed considerable energy and was taxing on her body, so she hadn't used it much and was unaware of what had happened on Ji Wu Nian's side. She asked casually, "Has Master Ji been busy?" "Well..." Zhao Qi knew what Yue Bai meant. Ji Wu Nian had not visited in several days. "Master Ji got punished again for going down the mountain without permission and injuring a mortal," Zhao Qi glanced at Yue Bai, "so she's been confined and copying scriptures as punishment." Yue Bai noted the “again.” Ji Wu Nian, it seemed, was a frequent troublemaker. According to the memories of the two patrolling disciples from Baicao Peak, Master Ji was quite a regular at the Reflection Peak. *** As night fell, Yue Bai solidified her divine soul and, with a few leaps, landed on the roof of the bell tower at Reflection Peak. Under the moonlight, her body glowed faintly blue. Her long hair flowed naturally behind her, its black strands seemingly emitting blue sparks. Her fitted attire accentuated her upright chest and slender waist. She stood barefoot on the pointed tip of the tower, tilting her head slightly to look at the moon behind her. In the clear night, it was a perfect time for reading. Despite its name, Reflection Peak housed the library of the Sanqing Sect. The bell tower, in particular, stored centuries worth of documents and records, including numerous ancient secrets. Surprisingly, such a crucial place had hardly any guards. Yue Bai immediately sensed the defense array of the bell tower. While it might be a challenge for the mortals of this world, it was hardly worth her notice. She entered the top floor of the bell tower without materializing fully. The small space was filled with countless floating jade slips. With a sweep of her divine consciousness, countless pieces of information flooded her mind, and she closed her eyes to process the knowledge. Jiu Yi chuckled, "This is way faster than gathering information piece by piece." Yue Bai nodded silently. Of the myriad pieces of knowledge, only a fraction pertained to Ji Wu Nian. Although she was exceptionally talented, she had not made significant enough contributions to be considered historical. Apart from the well-known tale of her slaying her nephew, there wasn't much of note. The techniques and secrets documented here were, to Yue Bai, practically mundane. Feeling somewhat bored, Yue Bai descended a few levels. The upper levels held intricate jade slips, while the lower levels contained paper books. Walking among the shelves, she appreciated the scent of books. Materializing, she casually picked up an old storybook from over a decade ago and began to read. "What interest do you have in such tales?" Jiu Yi seemed perplexed by this almighty being’s peculiar hobby. Yue Bai replied, "Compared to the sordid affairs of the mortal world, these stories are more enjoyable." Jiu Yi, unimpressed, warned her, "Someone’s coming." Yue Bai had already sensed the presence and recognized it as Ji Wu Nian. She could hear her talking to a disciple downstairs. Replacing the storybook, Yue Bai dispersed her form. Though she had intended to explore the bell tower before checking on the punished individual, it seemed her target had come to her. She descended to the first floor, remaining invisible just in case, and hid in a corner. She watched from a distance as Ji Wu Nian walked through the shelves, stopping to pull out a book and read. Moving closer, Yue Bai positioned herself at the same row, observing Ji Wu Nian from afar. With a graceful posture and a sunny smile, Ji Wu Nian seemed to radiate light even in the quiet night. Standing by the window, Yue Bai noted how Ji Wu Nian casually flipped through books before returning them to the shelves and picking another. Though she had encountered many privileged mortals, Ji Wu Nian, despite her intelligence and beauty, didn’t seem extraordinary enough to catch her attention. Yue Bai pondered whether all those blessed by fate were so ordinary and concluded that this world might be no different. Jiu Yi felt compelled to defend the chosen ones, "She has her unique qualities." Yue Bai couldn't see it, and Jiu Yi, somewhat at a loss, couldn't articulate it either. After a while, Ji Wu Nian picked a book and left. Yue Bai followed her to the door, overhearing her joking with the disciple that she was tired of transcribing the same text and wanted something new. Despite being addressed as a master, she was still being punished with copying books. Having just dismantled the bell tower’s defense array and read countless jade slips, Yue Bai considered it an inopportune time to examine Ji Wu Nian’s body further due to the energy consumption. From a distance, she watched Ji Wu Nian one last time, thinking that there would be plenty of opportunities in the future, and then dispersed her form to return to sleep. As Ji Wu Nian, finally freed from the scrutinizing gaze, looked up from her transcription, she vaguely noticed blue sparks dissipating in the distant air.