10 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

Perhaps it was due to the tempering she had undergone, but the next day Moon White awoke exceptionally early—so early that it couldn't be called morning, but rather the dead of night. As she lay in bed, she observed certain subtle changes in her body; though difficult to pinpoint, they were undoubtedly positive transformations. She curled up slightly, reaffirming the effects of last night's hot spring bath. However, the one who had guided her through the pain and torment last night was not in the room. Moon White, reflecting on Seasonless Ji's unusual behavior the prior evening, focused her spirit and sensed her drop of blood moving toward Lü Qing’s back mountain. Given that Leaf Two was unlikely to be there at this hour, Moon White phased through the walls and leaped toward the sensed direction. “…You come with a tracking feature, don’t you…?” Nine-One twitched the corners of his non-existent mouth. As expected, she was a cheat through and through. Moon White bounded through the mountains. “That’s my blood.” Mine. As long as I don’t want it to dissipate, it remains mine wherever it is. Nine-One internally gave her a thumbs-up. You're amazing. Whatever you say is right. Moon White finally landed halfway up a small peak, an entirely different direction from the hot spring she visited last night, beyond the protective mountain array, deep in the forest. As she walked a few steps guided by her senses, she heard rushing water ahead, sounding like a waterfall. She moved closer, noticing the surrounding trees lying in various disarray, some even cut in half. The area around the pool became increasingly sparse, and the ground appeared to be striated by countless sword strikes, leaving deep imprints. The small waterfall, under a foot high, cascaded down a wall cut with sword marks of varying depth. Even the pool at the base of the falls seemed gouged out by a powerful blow. This damage was not from last night. Moon White crouched by the pool. In it lay a person, soaking wet and disheveled, their sash nowhere to be seen, and their outer robe floating loosely. The water reached her chest, and her beautiful face bore a slight blush. Thunder Lü's sword sheath lay discarded on a nearby rock, the sword itself submerged in the water. Moon White glanced around. It seemed this place served as a frequent venting ground for this person. There was a lingering scent of alcohol and spiritual energy in the air, making Moon White feel slightly uneasy, though she wasn't sure why. "Senior Brother…” The whisper was so soft that Moon White wasn’t sure it was directed at her. Seasonless Ji wore a rare expression of sorrow, her brow slightly furrowed, and her lips trembled as though she might shatter like glass. A teardrop formed at the corner of her typically laughing eyes, falling heavily into the pool. “Wow,” Nine-One sighed. “Is this the start of a romance arc?” “A romance arc?” “It means the two of them will fall in love,” Nine-One explained, “become Dao companions, and grow affectionate.” Moon White lowered her gaze. “Is that so?” Just as Nine-One was about to respond, a “ding” caught his attention. He scanned through the mission and triumphantly said, “See, a new mission triggered: ‘Ensure Six Lees's safety during his journey’.” “But how can we ensure his safety?” Nine-One pondered the mission difficulty. “You can’t follow him everywhere, right?” “He carries my blood,” Moon White replied, eyes still fixed on Seasonless Ji. “That’s enough to protect his life.” ...Sure. You’re the cheat master, after all. “What happens if the mission fails? For instance, if Six Lees dies?” Nine-One responded, “There’s a high chance the main mission can’t be completed, and your spirit would be harmed.” “And if all missions aren’t triggered?” “That, I’m not sure of,” Nine-One pondered. “By my design, the missions in this world are triggered step-by-step. Where it all ends up, also depends on your choices.” “I see…” Moon White tilted her head. “Since missions are triggered by exploration, does that mean I should explore other places?” “This mission revolves around individuals with Heavenly Luck,” Nine-One turned serious, “Staying close to Seasonless Ji will maximize mission triggers.” Moon White was speechless. It always came back to Seasonless Ji. By this time, dawn’s light was slowly breaking through the horizon. Moon White remembered Six Lees would depart today and decided to see him off. As for her intoxicated master... With a sweep of her hand, a strong wind dissipated scattered soul fragments, stirring waves in the pool that splashed harshly against the person’s face. Coughing sounds emerged behind, lifting Moon White's spirits. *** Six Lees, one of the elders of Seven Peaks, resided on Five Hours Peak beside Lü Qing Peak. The main peak’s square was grand, often used for important sect events, while the smaller martial practice area on Five Hours Peak hosted frequent exchanges and sparring among disciples. Moon White initially thought of heading directly to Five Hours Peak, considering Leaf Two hadn’t yet mastered sword flight, making travel between peaks troublesome. But with daylight breaking and her master now in a rush to return, she guessed she might accompany Six Lees to see him off. Dispersing her spirit, she dressed and cleaned up, timing it right to knock on Seasonless Ji’s door. “Master, Elder Six Lees is leaving today. Shall we see him off?” Seasonless Ji hadn’t initially planned to return for a change of clothes, but her current attire seemed tainted by bad omens, making it necessary. Hearing her young disciple outside, she calmly replied, “We will. Little Leaf, wait for me a moment.” “Yes, Master.” Seasonless Ji changed into a light blue robe, re-tied her hair, looking almost unrecognizable as the same person who had been drunkenly sprawled in a pool. Taking Moon White, Seasonless Ji flew directly to the side hall of Five Hours Peak. Six Lees, not intending a grand send-off had already bid farewell to the head disciple the previous night and chosen to depart from Five Hours Peak in the morning with a selected few. As Seasonless Ji arrived, naturally, all eyes turned to her. Six Lees, instructing others to verify their preparations, approached. "Junior Sister." "Senior Brother," Seasonless Ji greeted, noting his plain but dignified outfit. She teased, "Senior Brother, you look good in anything." “Don’t corrupt Leaf Two with your nonsense,” Six Lees, accustomed to her playful demeanor, led them to a corner. “Didn’t we eat last night? Why come again this morning?” Seasonless Ji grinned mischievously, “Big Senior Brother was there last night, some things couldn’t be said.” Six Lees glanced at her, “What is it you want?” “You ask like I’ve done this often.” Moon White understood but ignored Nine-One. “Senior Brother, Lantern's osmanthus honey is excellent. When you go to Jinzhou, it should be the right season. Could you make a detour and fetch some for me?” Seasonless Ji grinned, “And Jinzhou’s satin, Cangzhou’s shellfish. I heard their shellfish attract sea ghosts, so choose carefully.” Six Lees rapped her on the head, “You think I’m going there to vacation?” Seasonless Ji pleaded, adding a few playful jibes, earning a light scolding. Moon White listened silently, her eyes shifting between them. Subtly guiding her spirit, Moon White sensed Six Lees’s reactions, apparently unnoticed by him. Her blood, imbued with spiritual power, could save him by releasing its power in times of danger. To ensure his safety, she marked Six Lees with the same hidden seal used on Seasonless Ji, using her blood as the medium. In extreme emergencies, she could save him. Nine-One marveled at her maneuvering. “How did he not notice?” This Nascent Soul expert must be a paper tiger. “This Marking technique focuses on hidden tracing, differing fundamentally from their cultivation paths,” Moon White harbored concerns about discovery, but had no better farewell gift from Leaf Two’s modest identity. “They don’t understand it, nor can they sense it.” Nine-One silently acknowledged that she was indeed a knowledgeable cheat. Given many things are fundamentally similar, Moon White’s current disdain for the world’s cultivation did not mean she hadn’t contemplated even stronger beings. Several more exchanges later, Six Lees lost patience with Seasonless Ji. “Anything else? Speak now; I'm ready to depart.” Seasonless Ji shrugged, “Take care, Senior Brother.” “Safe journey, Elder Six Lees,” Moon White bowed.