18 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

That night passed, and Ji Wunian was back to her usual self, as if nothing had happened. As Jiu Yi had predicted, Ji Wunian found an excuse, something about "the plum blossoms would wither if not enjoyed soon" and "a piece of music to set the scene." She sent Yue Bai to Jingyu Peak to learn the guqin. The request wasn't demanding; she only needed to learn a piece called "Proud Snowy Plum." Yue Bai became a regular at Jingyu Peak. If you counted Baicao Peak where she recuperated, she had visited almost every place except Qiyun Peak. Yue Bai learned quickly, a fact she couldn't hide as time went on. Even though some of what she had learned was different from the norms of this world, she had seen a lot and could always improvise. She found it tedious to feign ignorance and simply acted as if her foundation was weak. Over time, she naturally came to excel. When Jiu Yi teased her for failing to hide her talents, she would retort that she believed "diligence makes up for dullness" and simply "loved to learn and ask questions." On the day Yue Bai played "Proud Snowy Plum," Ji Wunian had taken the best spot in the plum blossom forest of Jingyu Peak. She made sure Yue Bai had tea and snacks ready, clearly planning to enjoy herself. Naturally, there were other people around—numerous disciples came to see this rising star. After Yue Bai had arranged everything for Ji Wunian, the Jingyu Peak Elder Ouyang appeared uninvited. Ji Wunian had a usual relationship with Ouyang, but Elder Ouyang was also curious about Ye Er, so he came to have a look. Yue Bai was accustomed to such grand occasions and seemed to have abandoned her goal of keeping a low profile. The piece "Proud Snowy Plum" was originally for the zither and flute; since Ji Wunian wanted to hear it on the guqin, Yue Bai had asked the instructor at Jingyu Peak to adapt it. The melody was melodious, albeit less varied without the zither's complexity and the flute's accompaniment, making the piece somewhat monotone. Yue Bai knew this but didn't want to change it herself. She had only practiced it for a short while and deemed it sufficient. However, midway through, a flute melody rose from the crowd, complementing her guqin notes and filling in the gaps perfectly. The guqin's sound was crisp and clear, like plum blossoms blooming in the cold; the flute's sound was graceful and delicate, like snowflakes falling. When the piece ended, even the usually picky Elder Ouyang found it commendable and called the disciple who had played the flute forward. "This disciple is Luo Changhe, I greet Master and Immortal Ji," said the refined young man with fair skin, wearing the attire of an ordinary disciple but with many distinct details—a lotus crown on his head and an azure jade pendant at his waist. He held a jade flute, vividly green, with slightly pale rings at the ends, adding to its charm. "Changhe," Elder Ouyang said appreciatively, "That was well done." Luo Changhe was somewhat famous—he was Elder Ouyang's youngest disciple. His father's side of the family were prosperous merchants, and his mother's side were renowned musicians. Elder Ouyang had brought him back during his travels. Though his family was reluctant to let him go, Luo Changhe insisted on pursuing immortality. His parents, heartbroken, spent a fortune to craft a special jade flute named "Entering the Sea," symbolizing his journey to broader horizons. Luo Changhe was diligent, having reached the Foundation Establishment stage in just eight years, much faster than most. "Sister Ye's guqin playing was so captivating that I couldn't resist joining in," Luo Changhe said, bowing his head. "I hope the Elder and Immortal Ji can forgive me." He then smiled warmly at Yue Bai, "I also seek Sister Ye's pardon." "Not at all, I should be the one thanking Brother Luo." Those in the know understood he was covering for Yue Bai, and she reciprocated with proper etiquette. Although Luo Changhe was Elder Ouyang's disciple and Yue Bai's peer, having joined at the age of eleven, making him only three or four years older than her, Yue Bai found it fitting to address him as 'senior brother.' "You both did very well," praised Elder Ouyang, whose dao was based on music. Although Luo Changhe had helped more, Yue Bai still performed admirably. "Ye Er, did you only learn the guqin recently?" "Yes," Yue Bai responded. Ji Wunian's sudden decision, coupled with the urgency to catch the blooming period, had left Yue Bai with little practice time. She managed to play decently, but her inherent skill with the guqin made her pauses more reflective of her understanding of the piece than technical difficulties. Elder Ouyang noticed the deliberate timing and pauses, indicating someone not new to the instrument. "Ji Wunian, your disciple is indeed exceptional," Elder Ouyang remarked. Ji Wunian, who had remained silent while sipping tea, gave a nonchalant reply, "Naturally." She glanced at the sky and placed the tea cup down. "Ye Er, it's getting late, let's head back." "Yes, Master." As Yue Bai began packing up the setup, Elder Ouyang smiled and suggested, "Why not stay a bit longer? I noticed Ye Er's fingering is still somewhat unrefined; I could give her some pointers." Luo Changhe chimed in, "I would also like to interact more with Sister Yue." Ji Wunian looked at Yue Bai, her eyes curving with a smile, "What do you think, Ye Er?" Jiu Yi whistled appreciatively, "Ah, a love triangle; just the kind of drama I like." "Thank you for your kindness, but due to my poor health, Master has allowed me to pause my training," Yue Bai bowed respectfully. "Every day, she has to help me channel my spiritual energy, so it's best if we don't stay too long..." "In that case, you should go." Yue Bai quickly packed up, slung the guqin over her back, and followed Ji Wunian. After returning to the Qinglin Hall, Ji Wunian didn't say much. Only after lunch did she call Yue Bai to bring out the guqin and started correcting her fingering, guiding her patiently. Yue Bai knew there wasn't much to correct; her hand size and feel were different from before. During her earlier playing, she hadn't bothered to adjust consciously. Perhaps Ji Wunian thought she didn't understand, so she demonstrated while holding Yue Bai’s hands. Watching Ji Wunian's slender, agile fingers move across the strings, Yue Bai saw them perform familiar techniques—plucking, flicking, hooking, tapping, gliding, sliding, and more. A song flawlessly emanated from under Ji Wunian's fingers, the same "Proud Snowy Plum" Yue Bai had just played. Ji Wunian seemed to have memorized it after hearing it just once. "Your turn," she said. Yue Bai resumed her seat as Ji Wunian pulled a white jade flute from her sleeve. Following her master's instructions, Yue Bai plucked the first note. This time, she focused on her fingering, making some notes subtly different from before. Ji Wunian joined with the flute at the same point Luo Changhe had, precisely mirroring his earlier part. After the performance, Ji Wunian said, "Play it again." This time, Ji Wunian's flute entered at the second phrase, capturing the moment when the winter plum endures the cold night and wind. As the segment transitioned from harsh winds to serene bloom, the flute's lament turned melodious and warm, like it intended to melt the cold piano notes. When Yue Bai finished, Ji Wunian twirled the golden-tasselled flute playfully. One set of flute notes represented snow, another sunlight. Though people admired the persistence of the plum blossom in snow, wouldn't they prefer the warmth of the sun when given a choice? Yue Bai understood the metaphor, but did Ji Wunian think Ye Er comprehended? "Master, your technique is exquisite; I am in awe," Yue Bai said. Ji Wunian twirled the flute and asked, "Can you play the flute?" Yue Bai shook her head. *** That night, Ji Wunian handed the flute to Yue Bai again and sat on the ground, tuning her zither. Yue Bai felt coming here was a mistake, but when Ji Wunian called, she found herself appearing out of compulsion. "Play whatever you like." Ji Wunian assumed Yue Bai could play the flute without asking. She began playing "Proud Snowy Plum" again. After some thought, Yue Bai started playing the flute from the first phrase. Following the piano's ups and downs, her flute melded seamlessly, indifferent to the elements, steadfast and aloof. Ji Wunian watched her after finishing the piece, smiling broadly, "Yue Bai, you play well; have you practiced?" Yue Bai tossed the flute into the air, turned away, and dissipated into spirit form. "Boring, I'm leaving." Ji Wunian laughed and caught the falling flute, watching as Yue Bai's spirit form scattered into starlight, leaving only her cold words behind. Ji Wunian sat for another hour before leisurely returning to Qinglin Hall. She stored the flute and guqin, took a small cloak, and knocked on her young disciple's door. "Ye Er, wake up. We're going to stargaze." Yue Bai, back much earlier, meditating to absorb spiritual energy, was not surprised. Clothed and ready, she grabbed Feng Yu and opened the door, "Master?" Ji Wunian draped a cloak over her, fitting a hat snugly, "It's cold tonight. Dress warmly. Let's go." Holding Yue Bai tight and securing her cloak, Ji Wunian ascended the peak swiftly. By the time they arrived at the Qiyun Peak observatory, it was already the hour of the ox. The disciples there made way for them upon seeing their arrival. Jiu Yi had foreseen the patterns in the Three Purities School's constellations, and today they guessed Qiyun Peak would be the next to visit—here she was. Ji Wunian had explained celestial charts to Yue Bai during her contemplation time on the Feng Peak, and now they were observing the heavenly panorama more closely. Despite Yue Bai's vast abilities, she held deep reverence for these cosmic splendors. As she gazed alongside Ji Wunian at the myriad stars, she silently matched the celestial maps she'd learned with the resplendent sky. The vast expanse of the universe stretched before them, leaving Yue Bai to ponder if those distant stars might house other realms. Yue Bai was led by Ji Wunian to observe the stars, answering Ji Wunian's occasional questions along the way. Jiu Yi Bai, bored out of his mind, found the attention this person of great destiny paid to Yue Bai suspicious and troublesome. In his musings, he wondered if Yue Bai could handle the subtle, flirtatious undertones. If she could, she should just take her master, Ji Wunian, making Ji Wunian only think of her, thus easily solving their mortal concerns with a bit of sweet romance. However, he realized Yue Bai, as the disciple, was only at stage one, and as a drinking buddy, merely stage two. It was clear that Ji Wunian still had unresolved matters in her heart. Without the ability to read minds… sigh, with so many years ahead, even Jiu Yi Bai felt troubled on Yue Bai's behalf.