Into The Sea

The day was gloomy, the long streets desolate. Chu Jiao tilted her head, gazing at the cloud-filled sky, then held out her palm to the chilling wind, catching the scattered ice crystals that fell.

The chill was fleeting, and when she looked again, only a drop of water remained on her fingertip.

It was going to snow.

She tightened her grip on the jade token in her hand, the sharp edges digging into her skin, yet she seemed not to feel the pain. She calmly picked up the bamboo umbrella leaning by the door, pushed it open, and walked along the street towards the northern alley.

From behind her came a nervous voice. “Chu Jiao…”

Chu Jiao paused, but didn’t turn around. “It’s alright,” she said calmly. “I’m just going to confirm something.”

Shen Yi was stunned, her lips turning pale. She didn’t know what to say. Chu Jiao lowered her gaze and continued walking, turning left at the third alley and walking until she reached the end, stopping in front of a rather imposing manor.

The two Penglai disciples guarding the entrance bowed respectfully, swords in hand, before asking, “Why has Junior Sister come?”

“I need to see the Island Master,” Chu Jiao replied, raising her eyes. “Is that not allowed?”

“Of course it’s allowed!” They quickly stepped aside and opened the door. “Please come in, Junior Sister.”

Chu Jiao entered the manor and followed the winding stone path deep into the courtyard. Before long, she heard the sound of an argument.

The voices were all too familiar. She silently stopped at the base of the stone steps leading to the main hall, where she saw the people she had expected.

A handsome young man was frowning, his voice agitated. “Why should I go back? In this day and age, even obscure cultivators are staying in Shiling City. As the Young Island Master of Penglai, how can I retreat in the face of danger? Wouldn’t that make us a laughingstock?”

“It’s not about retreating. It’s just that we can’t both stay here. Someone needs to return to Penglai to manage affairs.”

“Then why not you? Father, I know you think Shiling City is dangerous and want to send me away. But I want to stay with everyone. Besides, all the sect leaders are here, what danger could there be? Even if the demons attack one day, I won’t leave. I’d rather die here than be a coward!”

“Nonsense!” Chu Jiangchi slammed his hand on the table, his eyes wide with anger. “I’m giving you three days. You will return immediately. If you don’t, I’ll break your legs and have you tied up and dragged back!”

Chu Ji gritted his teeth, angrily flicking his sleeve. “I said I won’t go back, and I won’t!” He turned and strode out of the room, only to see Chu Jiao standing on the steps. He forced a smile. “Cousin, you’re here.”

Chu Jiao nodded. After he walked away, she stepped into the room.

Chu Jiangchi was still sitting in his seat, his face pale with anger, a cup of hot tea in his hand. Hearing footsteps, he glanced wearily at the newcomer, then casually looked away. “What brings you here?”

Chu Jiao stood before him, her head bowed. “The Qing family has been coming to demand answers these past few days. After investigating and questioning the disciples on night watch, I found out that Qing Zibai… seems to be in Lan Wu’s hands.”

“Lan Wu?” The man paused, then said thoughtfully. “If he’s with her, then so be it. His spiritual sea is already destroyed. He’s a useless person now. It doesn’t matter who has him.”

“But before his spiritual sea was destroyed, Qing Zibai seemed to have said something to Lan Wu.”

“What was it?”

“I was too far away. I couldn’t hear.”

Chu Jiangchi frowned. After a moment, he set down his teacup and shook his head. “Never mind. Don’t worry about him. Without evidence, they can’t cause any trouble. As for the other matter I asked you to do, is it done?”

Chu Jiao pursed her lips. “It’s done.”

“Good,” Chu Jiangchi finally smiled. “You’ve done well. When this is over, you will be our greatest contributor in Penglai.”

As he spoke, he walked leisurely to the window and teased the black hawk perched on the wooden frame. When he turned back, he noticed that Chu Jiao was still standing in the same spot, unmoving.

Chu Jiangchi was surprised. “What is it? Is there anything else?”

Chu Jiao looked up at him. “Is my mother doing well?”

“You mean Chu Yan?” Chu Jiangchi blinked, replying naturally, “Of course she’s been well. She’s living more comfortably in Penglai than we are. In fact, just a few days ago, she sent a letter with Changfeng, saying she misses you and hopes you’ll return soon to see her after this is over. Unfortunately, Changfeng is mischievous, and the letter seems to have been lost.”

Hearing this, Chu Jiao couldn’t help but glance at the skinny hawk. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” Chu Jiangchi smiled warmly. “So you don’t need to worry about her. You just need to know that she will be proud of your efforts.”

“Proud?” Chu Jiao was startled. She repeated the word silently a few times, then chuckled softly. “If these are things to be proud of, then why doesn’t the Island Master let the Young Island Master do them?”

Chu Jiangchi frowned. “What are you saying?”

Chu Jiao continued. “He carries the blood of the Chu family. Does the Island Master think that by keeping him out of all this, he remains pure and innocent?” She smiled faintly and sighed. “I think… that’s terribly unfair.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“What I mean is, these verbal praises are too vague. I’ve done so much. The Island Master should give me something more tangible.”

Chu Jiangchi narrowed his eyes and studied her for a moment before relaxing. “I see. Tell me, what kind of reward do you want?”

Chu Jiao said, “I want half a bottle of Blood Condensing Pills.”

“Half a bottle?” Chu Jiangchi was surprised. “You’re quite greedy.”

“Who wouldn’t want to improve their cultivation faster?” Chu Jiao said. “Doesn’t the Island Master still need my Gu worms? Will you give it to me or not?”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense. After a moment of silence, Chu Jiangchi laughed. “Of course.” He walked over and patted Chu Jiao’s shoulder. “It’s good to have demands. Actually, when you didn’t want anything, I was more worried.”

Chu Jiao lowered her eyes and smiled, taking a step back and bowing. “Then… thank you, Island Master.”

***

When she stepped out of the Chu manor, it had indeed begun to snow.

She opened her umbrella and walked calmly through the narrow alley, soon returning to her residence. As she pushed open the door, Shen Yi, who had been waiting inside, rushed out, her face filled with concern.

Chu Jiao paused, then closed the door behind her. She took a step forward, and the bamboo umbrella fell silently into the snow.

The swirling snowflakes landed on her delicate face. The perfect facade finally began to crack. Chu Jiao stopped, standing still for a long moment before calling out in a daze, “Shen Yi…”

“Yes,” Shen Yi replied, walking towards her.

“My…” she opened her mouth, her voice soft. “My mother is dead.”

Shen Yi looked at her with sorrow. “Chu Jiao, don’t… don’t be so sad…”

“Sad?”

Chu Jiao blinked, murmuring to herself. “Yes, I should be sad… but when she wanted me to marry Qing Zibai, when she wanted me to plant Gu worms on the innocents, when she wanted me to do evil for the Chu family… I was already sad.”

She looked at her hands, her voice hoarse. “Now, I can’t even feel sad anymore.”

Shen Yi’s eyes widened in shock. “What are talking about? You really did evil things for the Chu family?!”

Chu Jiao didn’t answer. Instead, she looked up at her, offering a faint smile. “Do you know how I realized Chu Jiangchi was lying to me?”

“Chu Jiao!”

“He said my mother wrote me a letter, that she missed me and wanted to see me, but…” The woman’s smile grew wider. She sighed. “My mother never missed me, and she never wanted to see me. Because, from the day I told her my feelings, I became her shame.”

A cold tear fell. Chu Jiao smiled as she tightly gripped the jade token, her eyes gradually reddening. “So, she really is dead.”

“It’s snowing.”

“Is it?”

***

Ji Lingyue hummed in agreement, resting her chin in her hand as she sat by the window, watching the snowflakes fall on the water. Suddenly, she was wrapped in a thick cloak.

She struggled a little, managing to poke her messy head out. “What are you doing?”

“Hugging you, of course.” Lan Wu pulled her into an embrace, resting her chin on her head, and watched the falling snow with her. The cold wind howled beyond the window, but inside, the room was warm and cozy.

Forced to curl up, with Lan Wu’s soft body behind her, Ji Lingyue couldn’t help but relax, letting out a lazy yawn.

“Sleepy?”

“No.” Ji Lingyue tilted her head, staring at the swirling snow for a moment. “When I was little, I hated winter. The snow would block the mountain paths, and getting anywhere was a real struggle. We could spend the whole day hunting and come back empty-handed. Even the firewood we found was always damp, and starting a fire to stay warm was almost impossible.”

“How did you get through the winter?”

“Like this.” Ji Lingyue snuggled closer to Lan Wu. “Yun’er, my mother, and I would squeeze together under the covers. We wouldn’t move all day. And if we didn’t move, we wouldn’t get hungry so quickly, so we could eat less.”

Lan Wu found it both funny and heartbreaking. She pulled her closer. “From now on, I’ll cuddle with you.”

“No.”

Lan Wu was taken aback. “Why not?”

“You’re too cold. I’m the one who’s warming you up when we cuddle.” Ji Lingyue nudged her with her head, grumbling. “I’m at a disadvantage.”

Lan Wu chuckled. “You’re so stingy.” She bent down, and with a grunt, scooped the woman up, walking quickly into the room.

Ji Lingyue’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

“We’re going to bathe, of course,” Lan Wu said gently. “The fire pearls have already warmed the water. You’ve been running around outside all day, rolling in the dirt. Haven’t you noticed you’re a little dirty cat now?”

“You’re the cat!”

“Still mad?”

“I’ll bite you to death!”