Into The Sea

By dusk the next day, the three of them crossed into Central Region’s territory, with Ji Lingyue leading the way to Fenyin Valley.

On the way, Yu Shanye frowned at the endless green fields below. After a long silence, she finally asked, “What method did you use to take those twenty lashes for her?”

Ji Lingyue paused, glancing instinctively at Lan Wu. After a moment, she asked, “Can’t you guess?”

Yu Shanye bit her lip, her voice firm. “It’s not that I can’t guess. In this world, the only way to achieve that, besides the dark arts used by demons, is… is it not a life-and-death contract?”

Ji Lingyue chuckled softly, sighing. “Isn’t it obvious?”

Yu Shanye’s fists clenched. “I wish you had used dark arts, but your nature wouldn’t allow you to use such dark methods… Do you realize that once a life-and-death contract is formed, it can never be undone?”

“I know.”

“You know, and you still acted so recklessly! To put it bluntly, if one of you is to meet with an accident, the other will die with them!”

Ji Lingyue nodded, her voice calm. “Isn’t that a good thing?”

Yu Shanye was speechless. After a moment, she said, “I really can’t tell if you’re being selfish or selfless.”

Ji Lingyue lifted her long lashes, looking at the clouds drifting by. “Shanye,” she called.

“Hmm?”

“Don’t tell Lan Wu about the life-and-death contract.” She added, “The contract is already done. If she finds out, she’ll be upset, but more than that, she’ll be very sad.”

Yu Shanye scoffed. “Now you’re afraid she’ll be sad?”

Ji Lingyue shook her head. “She’ll be sad for me.”

She sighed, gently stroking Lan Wu’s relaxed brow. “But I’m not worth it.”

Night fell again. Lan Wu woke up groggily. Ji Lingyue helped her drink some water. After drinking, she saw Ji Lingyue turning away and instinctively called out, “Ah Yue.”

Ji Lingyue responded, turning back with a few pills in her hand. “What’s wrong?”

Lan Wu blinked. “Nothing.”

She relaxed, obediently placing her hands on her stomach. “Do I have to take so many?”

“Of course. Elder Ye gave us the best healing medicines,” Ji Lingyue said, walking to her side with a cup of tea. “Rest after you take them. Tomorrow, we should arrive at Fenyin Valley.”

“Fenyin Valley?” she asked, her mind slow. “Are we going to pick up Xiao Niu?”

Ji Lingyue shook her head. “We’re not picking her up. We’ll also be staying there for a while.”

Lan Wu frowned. After swallowing the pills, she remembered the events of the previous night. “You… you said earlier that Qin Yu isn’t your master anymore… What happened?”

Ji Lingyue paused, taking the empty bowl. She said, “I’m no longer a disciple of Haochen Mountain.”

Lan Wu’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

 “Exactly what I said.” Ji Lingyue said, ” Leaving isn’t so bad. I’ll just have fewer spirit stones and artifacts, but I’m capable enough to earn them back on my own.”

She turned her head, only to find Lan Wu still staring at her in shock, as if she couldn’t comprehend what she was hearing.

Ji Lingyue softened her voice. “What’s wrong?”

Lan Wu pressed her lips together, asking quietly. “Is it because of me?”

“Why would it be because of you?” Ji Lingyue forced a smile. “I left for my own reasons.”

“For what?” Lan Wu pushed herself up, her breathing becoming rapid. “If you’re a disciple of Haochen Mountain, everyone in the world will respect you. No one will bully you, no one will hate you. Besides, you’ve been in Haochen Mountain for so long, you’ve long considered it your home…”

“But my home won’t accept you!” Lingyue couldn’t hold back any longer, cutting her off. “Lan Wu, can’t you think about yourself for once? Don’t always… always think about me…”

Lan Wu froze, staring at her in shock.

Ji Lingyue’s eyes reddened as she asked. “You only think about how good it would be for me if I stayed in Haochen Mountain, but tell me honestly, are you happy to go back to Haochen Mountain?”

Lan Wu’s long lashes trembled, her lips forming a thin line. She didn’t say a word.

“You weren’t happy,” Ji Lingyue nodded. “But you never said it because you wanted to accommodate me, to go along with me. And I… I took it for granted.”

She took a breath, wiping her eyes. “How did I become like this…”

For a moment, the only sound in the quiet room was Ji Lingyue’s soft sobs. Lan Wu’s arms felt weak, and she slowly lay back down. After a while, she turned her head to look at Ji Lingyue. “Ah Yue.”

Ji Lingyue stood still, lifting her gaze to meet Lan Wu’s.

Lan Wu smiled, a weak smile. “Come here.”

After a moment of silence, Ji Lingyue obediently walked to the bed, sitting down as Lan Wu pulled her hand.

“I don’t blame you…”

“You should,” Ji Lingyue interrupted, her voice still trembling. “From now on, don’t sacrifice yourself for me.” She tightened her grip on Lan Wu’s hand, as if making a solemn vow, and gently pressed her lips to the back of Lan Wu’s hand. “I’ll compromise for you.”

Lan Wu was stunned, instinctively curling her fingers and turning her eyes away, though her nose tingled with unshed tears.

After a moment, she mumbled, “You were really mean before.”

“I’m sorry.”

Lan Wu blinked, holding back her tears. “If you want me to be happy, at the very least, undo the beast contract.”

Ji Lingyue frowned, hesitant. “About that…”

“You don’t want to?” Lan Wu’s eyes widened. “You just said…”

“No!” Ji Lingyue quickly explained. “It’s just that undoing the contract… it’s a bit painful for demons. I want to wait until your body is better, then undo it.”

Lan Wu looked at her suspiciously. “Really?”

“Really.”

Lan Wu looked at her for a moment. “Okay, I believe you.”

She used a little strength, pulling Ji Lingyue down. The woman obediently leaned down, lying beside her. Lan Wu looked at her, gently reaching out to touch her face. “Why does your face look so pale? Are you sick?”

Ji Lingyue shook her head, honest. “No, it’s just… just that I blocked a sword for Elder Ye.”

Lan Wu’s expression shifted to one of shock and concern. Ji Lingyue quickly recounted what had happened, adding reassuringly. “I’m fine. My injuries are much lighter than yours. Don’t worry.”

Lan Wu asked softly, “Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt.” She smiled. “If it weren’t for that sword strike, I wouldn’t have had the courage to leave the sect. I should be thanking Elder Ye.”

“Don’t say that.” Lan Wu placed her hand on her waist, patting her gently. “Since he’s no longer your master, one day, I’m going to beat him up.”

Ji Lingyue said, “It’s better if you don’t. You can’t beat him.”

Lan Wu glared at her. “Can’t you just go along with what I say?”

Ji Lingyue paused, quickly realizing her mistake. She nodded. “Then… I’ll help you beat him up.”

Lan Wu laughed. “Really? You can do it?”

“If you do it, I’ll do it.”

“Good,” Lan Wu’s eyes curved into a smile as she snuggled closer, resting her head against Ji Lingyue’s soft chest. Her voice was hoarse. “You have to keep your word.”

Early the next morning, Ji Lingyue woke up on time. Seeing that Lan Wu was still sleeping soundly, she moved quietly, carefully changing her clothes and washing up. After getting ready, she took a few pills, forcing herself to be energetic. She planned to call Yu Shanye to start their journey, hoping to reach Fenyin Valley that day.

But when she opened the door, she saw the red-clad woman pacing anxiously in the hallway. Ji Lingyue paused, carefully closing the door behind her. “What’s wrong?”

Yu Shanye jumped, turning to see her and sighing in relief. But then her brows furrowed in distress. “It’s not really anything, it’s just… just…”

“Just what?”

“Ugh!” Yu Shanye looked left and right, then, seeing that no one was around, she leaned in to whisper in Ji Lingyue’s ear. “You know about Ah Li, right?”

Ji Lingyue instinctively replied, “Of course I know her. She’s…”

She suddenly stopped, looking at her in surprise. “You didn’t bring her?”

“If I had, wouldn’t you have noticed these past two days?” Yu Shanye whispered. “The thing is… I can summon her here, but with Lan Wu in this state, if she finds out, I’m afraid she’ll really faint from shock.”

Ji Lingyue was silent for a moment, then asked hesitantly, “So, you’re just going to leave her in Haochen Mountain?”

“As long as she stays on Qianyun Peak, she should be fine. But who knows if she’ll get anxious and wander off…” Yu Shanye’s voice grew softer, her voice guilty. “So, I want to summon her here.”

Ji Lingyue hummed in agreement. “Summon her then.”

Yu Shanye was stunned. “Really? You’re being so agreeable?”

“What does it have to do with me?” she said calmly. “Summon her. If Lan Wu finds out, you can explain it to her yourself.”

“Hey, you’re really not being a good friend…”

“Explain what?”

A hoarse voice suddenly came from behind them. Both women froze, turning to see the silver-haired mermaid leaning weakly against the doorframe. Despite her sickly appearance, she was staring at them intently. “Who are you summoning?”