Into The Sea

Unlike other towns, Shiling City was not lined with bustling shops and tarverns. Instead, the air was filled with the clang of weapons being forged. The patterns on the stone-paved roads had long since worn away, and the people on the street wore serious expressions and walked with hurried steps.

Lan Wu looked around for a while, hesitating whether to grab someone to ask about Ye Qingjun’s whereabouts. Suddenly, Danqing in her arms let out a delighted cry and fluttered away.

Lan Wu quickly followed. After turning a corner, she saw Danqing land on someone’s shoulder. “Danbai!”

She froze, instinctively stopping in her tracks. The slender girl standing outside the apothecary turned her head, a hint of surprise appearing on her frost-like face as she stared at the gyrfalcon on her shoulder.

Danbai was indeed beautiful, dressed in snow-white robes, with golden irises and a hint of red at the corners of her eyes. Her feathered earrings made her look even more otherworldly.

“Danqing?” Her voice was crisp. “Where have you been?”

“I went to find…” She stopped abruptly, instinctively looking at Lan Wu, unsure whether to reveal the truth. “Uh… I went out to play and met some people. We became friends.”

“You’re too reckless.” Danbai’s tone quickly became serious. “You know your limits. It’s so chaotic now, how could you run out on your own? Do you know how worried the sect leader is?”

Danqing shrank, stammering for a long time. A cold hand covered her back. “It’s not her fault.”

Lan Wu took Danqing back into her arms, saying gently, “It’s been a long time, Danbai.”

Danbai paused, staring at the unfamiliar face. “Who are you?”

“Lan Wu.”

She blinked in surprise, instinctively looking behind her. When she didn’t see anyone else, she pursed her lips in disappointment, her tone harsh. “What are you doing here? You’re a demon, how did you get in?”

“Oh?” Lan Wu smiled. “Can you sense any demonic energy on me?”

Danbai frowned, staring at her for a long time. “I don’t know what you are now, but your kind shouldn’t be here. I’ve heard the sea clans haven’t joined the demon alliance. If the cultivators here find you, they might not kill you, but they won’t hesitate to hurt you.”

Lan Wu looked at her tense face, feeling a sense of familiarity. She couldn’t resist reaching out and ruffling her hair. “You and Danqing are probably about the same age, why are you so mature?”

Danbai stiffened, quickly taking a step back. “Don’t touch me!”

Lan Wu blinked, obediently withdrawing her hand. Lately, it seems like everyone has a problem with me.

She coughed. “Let’s get to the point. Do you know where my master is? I have something important to tell her.”

Danbai snorted. “The Sect Leader is busy. She doesn’t have time for random visitors.”

“How can you say that?” Danqing squeezed out of Lan Wu’s arms, her eyes wide with urgency. “My master has something very important to say. She’s not just some random visitor!”

“You!” Danbai’s expression stiffened, reaching out. “Come back here!”

Danqing shrank back. “No!”

Lan Wu sighed, trying to soothe them. “Alright, I really do have something important to discuss. It’s about the Demon Queen.”

Danbai paused. “Really?”

“Of course it’s true. Look, my cultivation is probably lower than yours now. How could I possibly cause any trouble?”

“That’s not necessarily true…” Danbai mumbled, then looked her up and down before finally saying, “Okay, I can take you to see the Sect Leader.”

“Please hurry,” Lan Wu smiled. “Ah Yue is still waiting outside. If I don’t come out soon, she might actually cause some trouble.”

“Mas… She’s here too?” Danbai suddenly widened her eyes in surprise. “She’s outside?”

Lan Wu raised an eyebrow. “You really care about her.”

“Of course,” Danqing popped out again, shaking her wings. “When Ah Yue left her, she was sad for a whole year.”

“Nonsense!” Danbai brows furrowed, as if she wanted to seal Danqing’s mouth shut. “Being bound by a contract is a disgrace. Only… only a fool like you would enjoy being bound!”

Lan Wu chuckled, watching the girl’s flushed face, “Danqing has a pure heart, she’s not a fool.”

Danqing blinked, looking up at Lan Wu with gratitude. “You’re so nice, you’re the best master in the world!”

Lan Wu patted her head. “I like you too.”

Danbai pursed her lips, her expression changing several times before becoming cold again. “Are you still going to see the Sect Leader or not?”

“Of course.”

She flicked her sleeve, turning to walk in a certain direction, her steps slightly heavy, looking quite angry. Lan Wu followed silently, pushing Danqing out. “Go cheer her up.”

Danqing grumbled, wanting to crawl back in. “Nooo.”

But her resistance was futile. Lan Wu tossed her onto Danbai’s shoulder. Danbai clenched her fists, swatting at Danqing, but the little bird stubbornly clung on, eventually finding a perch. After a moment, Danbai seemed to give up, letting out a cold huff and allowing Danqing to stay.

After winding through countless streets and alleys, Lan Wu found herself in a narrow lane flanked by towering buildings. The oppressive shadows loomed overhead, making her uneasy.

As they emerged from the alley, the view opened up to reveal a modest three-story building nestled behind a grove of bamboo. The courtyard was fragrant with flowers and greenery, a serene oasis in the midst of the city.

Danbai led the way, pushing open a low gate and greeting an elderly woman tending to the garden. “Elder Yao.”

Lan Wu instinctively looked over and met a familiar face. Elder Yao was as calm as ever, nodding at them before continuing to tend to her flowers.

Lan Wu pursed her lips, passing through the small courtyard in a daze. She entered the hall on the first floor of the small building.

Many disciples were coming and going. Some of them looked familiar. Danbai weaved through them, politely nodding to those she knew, continuing to walk upstairs.

Arriving on the second floor, Danbai suddenly stopped, saying respectfully, “Master.”

Lan Wu stiffened, her body tensing, her breathing becoming shallow. Qin Yu was still the same as she remembered. His cold gaze lingered on Lan Wu for a moment before casually looking away. “Going to see the sect leader?”

Danbai replied, “Yes.”

He hummed, then was drawn to Danqing. “When did she come back?”

“Just now.”

Danqing shrank under his gaze, burrowing into Danbai’s arms.

“Is the contract still intact?”

“Yes.”

Qin Yu nodded, then continued downstairs.

After he was gone, Lan Wu slowly let out a breath, asking in surprise, “Why did he ask about that?”

Danbai said calmly, “To confirm that you’re still alive.”

Lan Wu hissed, shrinking her shoulders. “So scary.”

Danbai couldn’t help but glance at her. “What are you afraid of? He just wanted to confirm that Mas… Ji Lingyue is still alive.”

Lan Wu was taken aback. “How did he confirm that?”

“You and Ji Lingyue have a life-and-death contract,” Danbai said expressionlessly. “Everyone knows it.”

Lan Wu: “…When did everyone find out? Am I the only one who didn’t know?!”

A smile finally appeared on Danbai’s face. She snorted softly and continued upstairs.

They reached the deepest room on the third floor, where Danbai finally stopped, knocking on the door. “Sect Leader, someone wants to see you.”

A tired voice came from inside. “Who is it?”

Danbai frowned, hesitantly looking at Lan Wu. Lan Wu snapped out of her thoughts, pursing her lips. She took a step forward. “It’s me.”

She repeated, “Master, it’s me.”

After a moment of silence, the two doors creaked open. Lan Wu’s heart pounded, and she took a breath, stepping inside.

By the window sat a low table, and behind it was a woman with a frail frame. She turned to look at Lan Wu, her features bathed in warm sunlight.

Lan Wu was momentarily speechless, rooted to the spot as she met her master’s gaze. Ye Qingjun studied her for a long moment before finally sighing softly. “Disciple, how did you end up like this?”

Lan Wu blinked, quickly dispelling the illusion masking her face. “This is an illusion I used…”

“I know,” Ye Qingjun interrupted her, her tone still gentle. “I’m asking, how did you… become like this?”