17 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

To let Ji Wunian descend the mountain, either Ji Wunian had to defy the prohibition, or some situation had to be engineered to make the sect leader release her. Moon White had even considered simply abducting Ji Wunian and taking her down the mountain, but Jiu Yi had said that wouldn't count as "granting her wish," and forceful methods shouldn't be used. “What about deception then?” Jiu Yi's non-existent mouth twitched slightly, “...Aren't you already deceiving her…” In the end, Ji Wunian had to go willingly. Moon White understood the implication and thought it wasn't the right time. Since they had three years, she planned to wait until this body finished purifying itself before devising a way to travel with Ji Wunian. Then, going to the imperial city would be simple. She'd even read some information from Ji Heguang; the current emperor had been placed on the throne by Ji Wunian years ago and had been ruling for almost twenty years. The current governance was clear, and according to Ji Heguang, it seemed likely that the emperor could wait for three years. If anything unexpected happened... Moon White thought, she might have to protect the emperor's life to ensure he didn't die unknowingly. Otherwise, who would Ji Wunian meet? There were so many lives to protect. Moon White rubbed her temples. The so-called mission was too vague, always making her worry that the person she needed to find might die without her knowing. Mainly because she had so little control over things herself -- her spirit was strong, but her body was weak. And Ji Wunian always clung to her, giving her very little free time to leave the Sanqing Sect and carry out reconnaissance in the world. Jiu Yi didn't restrict her from revealing her identity, but Moon White always felt she shouldn't let Ji Wunian find out, so she kept it hidden. Never mind, let's focus on the task at hand. Moon White took a strainer to lift the noodles from the pot, shook off the excess water, and placed them into a bowl of prepared broth. Ji Wunian's birthday happened to be on the Lantern Festival, so Moon White got up early to make her a bowl of longevity noodles. One long noodle, unbroken from start to finish, coiled several times and settled at the bottom of the bowl, in a light brown chicken broth with a few green vegetables and a single fried egg, perfectly filling the small bowl. As Ji Wunian stepped outside and stretched, feeling refreshed, the aroma wafted over. A young disciple brought a tray and bowed to her, “Master, happy birthday.” Ji Wunian was momentarily stunned and beckoned her over, “How did you know?” “Yumi mentioned it,” Moon White had prepared an explanation. Yumi had chattered a lot about Ji Wunian and had mentioned the particular date of Ji Wunian's birthday. Ji Wunian lifted the bowl, caught a noodle end, and pulled it up, noticing it didn't break. “One long noodle?” Moon White didn't respond, merely bowed her head slightly, “Wishing Master a long life.” Live to a hundred, and the mission will be complete. “You're very thoughtful,” Ji Wunian smiled and tilted her chin up, “Now, give me a sword dance.” Drawing out Fengyu, Moon White executed a set of sword techniques, infusing spiritual power into Fengyu, sending shards of ice swirling around the courtyard. Ji Wunian leaned against the door, eating noodles while watching the sword dance, quite satisfied. Once Moon White finished, she caught the empty bowl Ji Wunian handed to her. “It was delicious, thank you, Little Leaf.” “Your words are too kind, Master.” --- Despite it being her birthday and the Lantern Festival, Ji Wunian's leisurely life didn't change. As a cultivator, she seemed entirely unmotivated to advance her skills. And the Sanqing Sect members didn't mind her daily wanderings with her disciple. The morning was spent at Reflective Peak, and afternoons in meditation. At noon, Moon White called Ji Wunian back to Qinglin Hall, preparing dumplings for her. In the evening, Ji Wunian asked for more, saying she wanted to share them with the Sect Leader, took a bowl, and left. Moon White indeed sensed she went to find Zhao Zichen, but they didn't stay long before Ji Wunian moved elsewhere. Moon White lay on her bed, condensed her spirit, left a wisp of consciousness to circulate spiritual power during sleep, and then flew to the forest. Ji Wunian arrived early today, sitting on an exposed rock that, unlike the surroundings marred by sword energy, had been smoothed out. She sat with her legs together, hands propped behind her, staring at the moon in a daze. Before she took out her wine cup, her tears began to fall. Crystal-clear droplets flowed down her cheeks, past her mouth's corner. Ji Wunian cried without sound, breathing normally, but her tears fell continuously, as though her heart had long died, and only her uncontrollable tears remained. Crying alone on her birthday night, Moon White found her pitiful to watch. “A new task has been triggered, uh…” Jiu Yi said hesitantly after reading it, “‘Drink with Ji Wunian on her birthday’… What is this?” Responding to the triggered task, Ji Wunian took out two wine cups tonight. Raising her left hand, she offered a white porcelain cup to the moon; lifting the other slightly, she drank another cup herself. She was accustomed to drinking strong liquor, the burning sensation of the alcohol hitting her lungs directly. After drinking the cup, she lowered her head, seemingly tasting bitterness. As her left wrist turned, the wine meant for the moon would have spilled onto the ground, carried to the heavens by the wind. Yet the moonlight didn't shatter, instead of condensing, catching the drops meant for the moon. Before the wine poured out, Moon White materialized, seizing the white porcelain cup from between Ji Wunian's fingers. Lowering her head, Moon White watched the shaking liquid, the moon's reflection wobbling within it. The person beside her seemed surprised, tear-streaked cheeks looking somewhat foolish. Like an idiot. Moon White drank the cup in one go and then looked at her, “What’s wrong?” Ji Wunian blinked. The person had a faint glow around them, suddenly appearing, radiating a cold, distant aura, face indifferent, voice cool like water droplets in a cold pond or a breeze in winter. She seemed like a celestial being or a moon spirit. “Who are you?” Moon White saw the cup refilled and took another sip, announcing her true name, “Moon White.” “Why are you here?” Moon White sat beside her but didn't look at her, only at the moon, “I am the spirit of this mountain; this is my place.” Ji Wunian lowered her head with a wry smile, twirling the cup, “Then I'm disturbing you, young lady.” “Why are you crying?” Ji Wunian looked at her. The blue-clad young woman had an indifferent expression and tone, seemingly asking out of idle curiosity. So Ji Wunian casually replied, “Moved by emotions, my tears fell on their own.” “What emotions?” Ji Wunian smiled at her, “Young lady, are you interested in me?” Originally a teasing remark, the girl's response was straightforward and direct, her eyes holding a faint azure glow, more pronounced under the moonlight, making her appear even colder. “Yes, I am interested…” Ji Wunian wiped her tears and drank a sip of wine, smiling, “You tell me first, why are you interested in me?” “Feigned cheerfulness, clearly seeking something unattainable.” Moon White shed her disguise, displaying a relaxed demeanor, sipping the wine while watching it refill, reflecting the moon, “But your fate suggests a smooth life.” “I have little contact with people, don’t understand what you seek, curious.” Ji Wunian laughed aloud, “Humans are greedy, their desires endless. I just wanted someone to drink with, and you appeared.” Ji Wunian's gaze locked onto Moon White, her eyes always captivating, smiles conquering. Moon White merely glanced at her, seemingly bored by the answer, and let out a non-committal “Oh.” “Moon White, may I call you that?” “As you wish.” “Moon White, will you accompany me for a drink whenever I visit?” So familiar already? “Depends on my mood.” Ji Wunian beamed, like a child receiving a reward, “Alright.” She raised her wine cup, extending it to Moon White, “To you, my new drinking buddy.” Moon White just lifted her hand slightly in response. Moon White’s spirit drank the wine, but it dispersed into the air, seemingly consumed. Ji Wunian, however, drank genuinely, cup after cup. Coming early today, she drank more than usual, trusting the mysterious girl implicitly and growing inebriated, happily calling “Moon White” repeatedly. Eventually, Moon White had to hold her, letting her lean against her. Ji Wunian then seized Moon White's cup, continuing to toast the moon, drinking and crying, grasping Moon White's sleeve and sobbing without explanation. Finally, deeply drunk, she slept in Moon White's arms. “Umm…” Seeing Ji Wunian finally quiet, Jiu Yi reappeared to speak with Moon White, “The task updated after midnight, saying it was complete… The main task progress increased to eight.” Moon White, patting Ji Wunian's back, replied with a simple “Hmm.” Her hand touched Ji Wunian's forehead, but she still couldn't access her consciousness. “...What now?” “Let her sleep here.” Moon White, unsentimental, pried Ji Wunian’s hands from her clothes, laying her on a flat spot, leaving both wine cups beside her. A casual acquaintance meant more than a disciple. Ji Wunian rolled onto her side, tears continuing in her sleep. Moon White hesitated, glanced at her once more, then dispersed her spirit, merging into the moonlight, leaving a faint sparkle.