5 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

In no time, Zhao Qi returned with several books stacked high. Looking at the imposing stack, he glanced sympathetically at Yue Bai. "Xiao Ye, can you really finish all these? Maybe you should talk with Ji Xianzhang about it..." Ye Er also looked troubled but could only shake her head. She then smiled at Zhao Qi and said, "A-Qi, I'll give it a try first." "See how much you can forget on your own," Jiu Yi mocked. Ignoring him, Yue Bai waved Zhao Qi away and sat down at the table, pretending to read. These world-renowned classics bore much resemblance to those from her birthplace, which surprised her. Even if she hadn't read them before, her divine sense could sweep through them, granting her instant photographic memory. "All I can say is, life in the mortal world relies on one's acting skills," Jiu Yi added with schadenfreude. "Why not stop hiding your talents, become a rising star in the cultivation world, and bring Ji Wunian to fame once more." Allocating a thread of divine sense to pretend to read, Yue Bai projected her soul out, noting her own frail little body slowly flipping through the pages. "Let's see." Ji Wunian's ambitions reached the heavens. Yet, she might not truly favor a disciple with exceptional talent. Her earlier pretense of eagerness to acquire Yue Bai seemed quite pleasing, as if only the gold one discovered oneself held true value. Yue Bai was somewhat unsure of Ji Wunian's intentions and decided to probe Lan Qing Peak. "In broad daylight?" Jiu Yi asked. Yue Bai explained, "The main peak has formations. Given the people coming and going during the day, dispersing my soul out makes it easier to conceal my presence." Jiu Yi said no more, and Yue Bai quickly phased through the walls. It was already afternoon. The sea of clouds among the few peaks of the Three-Clean Sect was not as dense as it had been earlier in the morning, faintly revealing the greenery below. Recently, due to disciple recruitment, many people were flying on swords in the air. Yue Bai followed one disciple through the main peak's protective formation without causing a ripple, unnoticed. She landed in a forest on Lan Qing Peak, not far from Ji Wunian's Qing Lin Hall. This hall was built by an Emperor's donation when Ji Wunian first joined the sect, and it still belonged solely to her to this day. As Yue Bai approached, a sudden oppressive force descended from the sky, halting her in her tracks. Though it was an oppressive force, Yue Bai didn't feel particularly threatened; she was more concerned about being detected, so she went no further. This force wasn't aimed at her, heading straight for the hall instead, but was immediately blocked by another, causing both to dissipate. "Ah, Sect Master Brother, why are you here?" Ji Wunian's voice came from within the hall. As the person landed, she emerged. Ji Wunian still wore the light white robe from the morning, albeit a bit more loose-fitting; her black hair was down, with a few strands sticking up as she lazily smoothed them. She looked drowsy, likely having been woken from a nap. She stretched, gazing at the newcomer. The visitor was Sect Master Zhao Zichen, known as Xuan Ming. He was the first true disciple of the previous Sect Master and the senior brother of Liu Li and Ji Wunian. When the previous Sect Master passed away twelve years ago, Zhao Zichen took over the role. "Wunian," Zhao Zichen said earnestly, his voice deep, "How many times did you transcribe the scriptures after the last duel with Liu Li?" "About four hundred times," Ji Wunian glanced at her senior brother, clearly knowing why he was there, and her expression turned sour. A slight smile appeared on Zhao Zichen's face. "And how many times do you plan to transcribe them this time?" Looking ingratiatingly, Ji Wunian attempted, "Senior Brother..." "You've always been sensible," Zhao Zichen tapped his whisk, "Eight hundred times..." "Ah, Senior Brother," Ji Wunian hastily approached, not daring to let him finish. She began smoothing the whisk in his hand, "This time is different. I'm serious about taking on disciples." Seeing his skepticism, Ji Wunian added, "You've always said I'm reckless, but raising a child might gradually make me steady." "Nonsense!" Zhao Zichen scolded, his voice thunderous, making Ji Wunian shrink back in fear. "Taking disciples is a significant event. How can you be so frivolous? A teacher's duty is to impart wisdom and resolve doubts. With your current mindset, how are you qualified? And how dare you interfere with disciple recruitment so recklessly?" "Senior Brother," Ji Wunian's tone softened, adding a hint of coquettishness, "You know my temperament. Since I want to take her as a disciple, I'll naturally be responsible and guide her well. Also, you must've heard by now that the little girl's innate talent is quite good. The elders from various peaks will definitely compete for her, so I wanted to secure her early." She added a final note with determination, "I have a bond with her. I won't let anyone else take the girl I brought back." ...As if she were a fallen pigeon. Yue Bai felt herself being compared to something odd. "Wunian," Zhao Zichen said, "Have you really thought this through? Becoming a disciple is a serious matter. People earnestly seek the path of immortality. You can't ruin someone's future on a whim. And you..." "I've already thought it through," Ji Wunian interrupted, "I've been taking care of her for nearly half a month, just waiting for her to finish reading the classics before bringing her back to Qing Lin Hall. Senior Brother Liu Li knows about this. As for my own matters, rest assured, I'll handle them." Though Yue Bai already knew her intentions, she still felt like a pigeon that had fallen. And what did she mean by "my own matters"? After a few more exchanges, Zhao Zichen eventually left with a heavy expression. The eight hundred transcriptions were waived under Ji Wunian's persistent arguments. Having succeeded, Ji Wunian stretched, "Ah, I'll go back and sleep a bit more!" Watching her vanish from sight, Yue Bai calculated the time. There was still a chance to get closer. Though called a hall, Qing Lin Hall consisted of three sections and two corridors. Seeing no additional formations, Yue Bai phased through a side wall into the west corridor, directly facing the front courtyard—Ji Wunian had set up a recliner there, sleeping under a small blanket. Fallen asleep again this quickly? Yue Bai approached, gently setting up a barrier to encompass both herself and Ji Wunian. She used a technique unfamiliar to this world, making it hard to detect. With Ji Wunian right in front of her, asleep and not smiling, her presence felt rooted, transforming from floating and uncertain to deep and somber. What once made her radiantly beautiful now seemed a mark of suffering. Earlier, Yue Bai had calculated her fate—destined for wealth and success. What role did Yue Bai have in her life? A cultivator's body naturally absorbed spiritual energy. With each breath, the spirit energy Yue Bai had full control over within the barrier entered Ji Wunian's body. Ji Wunian indeed had exceptional talents, already at the mid-Golden Core stage with signs of a breakthrough. The so-called stagnation likely self-imposed. Why? Yue Bai reached towards Ji Wunian's forehead. Too many questions; perhaps a mental probe could provide answers. "How is it?" Jiu Yi asked as he noticed Yue Bai's serious expression. Before Yue Bai could respond, Ji Wunian murmured softly, her brows slightly furrowing, her lashes fluttering, seemingly about to wake. The barrier and soul condensation instantly dissipated. When Ji Wunian opened her eyes, she saw only the clear peaks, clouds and mist, and specks of dust in the air. *** "Jiu Yi," Yue Bai returned to her body, setting down the book, "I couldn't penetrate her sea of consciousness." Jiu Yi pondered, "She is a person of great fortune in this world. Having such unique qualities is normal." "Yes," Yue Bai didn't say much more. If a person of great fortune only had these peculiarities, it wasn't difficult to solve. But she felt there was more to it, and since Jiu Yi couldn't provide useful information, she would need more time to investigate. If Ji Wunian proved unyielding, perhaps she should try probing Zhao Zichen or Liu Li later. Having expended some energy during her investigation, Yue Bai decided to step outside for fresh air. The herbal hut's small courtyard was in a secluded part of Bai Cao Peak's back mountain. According to Zhao Qi, it was usually uninhabited, merely cleaned regularly for guests seeking peace and quiet. She had, perhaps, been its longest resident. Late summer was transitioning to early autumn. Looking at the western sun sinking, she felt the faint chill rising in the air. Clouds gathering along the green ridge, evening mist joins the vast sky*. "It looks like there will be mountain fog tonight." Yue Bai turned to see... A figure approaching on a sword, with a graceful posture and a smile on her face. Emerging from the mist, her white robe was adorned with golden cloud patterns on the shoulders, reflecting the sunset's red light. The mist disguises the full green, clouds mask half the reds*. Yue Bai greeted her, "Ji Xianzhang." "Ye Er, how goes your reading?" Ji Wunian descended and stood beside her. Knowing the inherent limitations of a poor, literate orphan like Ye Er, Yue Bai bit her lip, "I've only finished less than half a book..." "Did you understand it?" Ji Wunian, much taller, walked ahead of her, leading her inside. Following her through the door, Yue Bai was at a loss on how to respond. The little head stayed bowed low. Knowing her demands were difficult, Ji Wunian was actually surprised by her progress. Not in a rush, she beckoned Yue Bai over and had her sit nearby. "Reading is about understanding. I planned to instruct you tomorrow, but since I'm free today, we can start earlier." Though exhausted, seeing Ji Wunian's enthusiasm, Yue Bai could only muster the energy to cooperate, pretending she knew nothing and attentively listening to her explanations. --- * Lines or imagery inspired by traditional Chinese poetry. During this time, Zhao Qi brought them dinner and lit some candles. The role Yue Bai played as Ye Er was not very talkative, and she quietly finished her meal, returning to her diligent student act. However, as the night deepened, Ji Wunian showed no signs of leaving. Eventually, the toll of using her soul began to manifest, and Yue Bai couldn't help but stifle a yawn. Ji Wunian noticed and finally put down the book, releasing her from the study session, saying they would stop for the day. Yue Bai stood up, looking uneasy. "Ji Xianzhang, please don't be displeased." "No problem, the night is late after all," Ji Wunian glanced exaggeratedly out the window. "Your health is poor; you should rest more." But you're still sitting there looking perfectly fine. How am I supposed to rest? Yue Bai couldn't voice her thoughts, so she stood there awkwardly. With her head propped on one hand, Ji Wunian looked at her, smiling mischievously in the candlelight, "Ye Er, why don't you come back to Qing Lin Hall with me tonight?" What's this now? Didn't she just say this afternoon that I should finish the basic studies of a new disciple before going? Yue Bai felt a pang of anxiety. "This... might not be in line with the rules of the Three-Clean Sect... it would be better to wait until after the formal apprenticeship..." "So, you've decided to accept me as your master?" ...She was waiting for me to say that. Yue Bai thought that Ji Wunian had probably calculated that she had no other choice after that afternoon walk. Seeing Yue Bai's silence and pursed lips, Ji Wunian didn't press further. She stood up, patting Yue Bai’s shoulder. "Little disciple, your master will leave first. Rest well, and I'll come to see you tomorrow." Yue Bai watched from the window as Ji Wunian flew away on her sword. The white silhouette streaked across the sky, turning black as it passed in front of the moon. This mission target, she felt, had some issues.