Into The Sea

When Ye Qingjun woke up, the sunlight outside the window was just right. The chirping of birds and the gentle breeze carried the sound of two arguing voices into her ears.

One was Elder Yao: “Senior Sister hasn’t woken up yet. You should go back.”

The other was Yao Zhu’s: “It’s been a whole day! Why isn’t she awake yet? Are you trying to trick me?”

Elder Yao said coldly, “She used too much spiritual energy to save you. She needs to rest. It’s normal for her to sleep for a day, or even ten days or half a month.”

Yao Zhu’s tone softened a little. “Is it really that serious?”

“What do you think?” Elder Yao said, displeased. “If you have nothing else, leave. If Qin Yu sees you, he might get angry again.”

Yao Zhu tilted her head, studying her for a moment. “That’s strange. Lan Wu told me you’re a reserved person who doesn’t like interacting with strangers. Why is it that when you talk to me, you’re not only fluent but also sharp-tongued?”

“What do you think?” Elder Yao grabbed a broom. “Now get going. Seeing your fox face annoys me.”

At that moment, a gentle female voice came from behind them. “Junior Sister.”

Elder Yao paused, turning around. “Senior Sister?” She put down the broom, her dark eyes showing a hint of joy. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

Ye Qingjun shook her head. Though her face was still pale, her spirit seemed much better than the day before. “Thanks to your skilled hands, I’m fine.” She then looked up at the woman standing not far away: “Miss Yao Zhu, was there something you needed?”

Yao Zhu said, “I came to thank you.”

Ye Qingjun chuckled. “There’s no need to thank me. As an elder, it’s only natural that I would help when I see juniors in danger.”

Yao Zhu hesitated for a moment, then said softly, “I also came to apologize.”

Ye Qingjun was taken aback. “Apologize?”

Yao Zhu nodded and walked over to her. “I don’t know if it means anything anymore, or if you’re even willing to hear it, but… I’m here to say sorry. On Lin Yao’s behalf.”

“I’m sorry for what she did back then.”

She held out a piece of aged paper. The ink had faded with time, but the words were still mostly legible: “Ye Qingjun of Haochen Mountain has arrived. Leave immediately.”

Ye Qingjun looked at it in confusion: “What is this?”

“This was found on her body after her death,” Yao Zhu said. ” She had already received the warning and knew you were coming. But she didn’t leave. She stayed right there… waiting for you to come kill her.”

Ye Qingjun’s long eyelashes trembled. She slowly lowered her gaze, staring at the writing for a long time before asking softly, “Why would she do that? She never once showed a hint of remorse back then.”

“Maybe she was afraid you’d soften,” Yao Zhu said. “If all you felt was hatred, killing her wouldn’t hurt as much.”

Ye Qingjun was stunned, looking at her in shock. “Is that what you think?”

A sharp, stinging pain spread through her chest. She looked at the familiar face before her and involuntarily took a step forward. “You… did you ever…”

Yao Zhu waited patiently for a long time, but she didn’t continue. She tilted her head, puzzled. “Hmm?”

Ye Qingjun’s eyes reddened as she gazed at Yao Zhu, her fingers digging into her palms. In the end, she swallowed back the words.

She wasn’t Lin Yao anymore.

And that question… no longer had an answer.

“Never mind. It doesn’t matter anymore.” Ye Qingjun sighed wearily, as if she had finally let go. She gave Yao Zhu a gentle smile. “I accept your apology.”

Yao Zhu’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Really.”

Yao Zhu’s face immediately broke into a bright smile. She took a step forward and hugged Ye Qingjun, patting her back with a mature air. ” Come on now, you’ve lived this long. Let the past be the past. Things will get better for you from now on.”

Ye Qingjun said softly, “I hope you’re right.”

Yao Zhu finally released her. “Alright, I’ve said what I needed to say. You… you should go back and rest.”

“Alright.”

Those beautiful fox eyes curved into a smile. Yao Zhu turned lightly, her red skirt swaying with her steps. As she reached the courtyard gate, she suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back, waving brightly at Ye Qingjun. “Goodbye, Sect Leader Ye!”

Ye Qingjun paused, then said instinctively, “Goodbye…”

The butterfly-like figure disappeared outside the door. Ye Qingjun blinked and whispered the last two words: “Lin Yao.”

As soon as Yao Zhu stepped out of the courtyard, she noticed Xuan Yu standing under the eaves of a nearby wall. She was wearing a simple white robe, her arms crossed, gazing absently at the green sprouts peeking out from the wall. The warm sunlight streamed down, casting a soft glow on her delicate face and turning her eyes into a light, glassy color.

Yao Zhu’s heart leaped with joy, and she happily strolled over to her. “What are you doing here?”

Xuanyu turned her head, as if it were obvious. “Waiting for you.”

Then, she took the fox’s hand. “Did you finish talking with Sect Leader Ye?”

Yao Zhu nodded. Xuan Yu’s legs hadn’t fully recovered yet, so she walked slowly. Yao Zhu adjusted her pace to match, treating it as a leisurely stroll.

“Are we staying at the inn again tonight? Can’t your father arrange a more comfortable place for us to stay?”

“We’ll be leaving soon anyway. No point getting settled for just a few days. Bear with it.”

“I think he just doesn’t care about you. His sons all live in that big fancy house, and we’re cramped in a guest room. Why don’t we go stay with Lan Wu tonight? Her place has flowers, plants, and water. It’s really beautiful.”

“She’s already housing a bunch of people.”

“So what? Two more won’t make a difference.”

As they were talking, two figures approached from the end of the alley. Yao Zhu looked up and paused.

Qin Yu’s face was as cold and stern as ever. When he saw Yao Zhu, his brow twitched, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned his head and continued questioning Danbai. “Where is your Second Senior Sister?”

Danbai said, “She’s probably with Miss Lan Yuan.”

The man walked past Yao Zhu with a displeased expression. “The mission is over. Why is she still with that mermaid?”

Danbai said honestly, “I’m not sure.”

“And you,” he said. “You’ve been slacking off lately. Now that your injuries are healed, you should focus on training. Stop wasting time with that Danqing girl.”

Their voices gradually faded into the distance. Yao Zhu blinked and let out a silent breath. Xuan Yu looked at her, amused. “What’s wrong? Are you still afraid of him?”

Yao Zhu huffed in dissatisfaction. “It’s easy for you to say. You can’t understand how I feel. In this, Lan Wu and I are like… no, we’re sisters in suffering.”

Xuan Yu said helplessly, “Alright, alright. I know you’re the most pitiful. Let’s go back and pack.”

“You agree to go to Lan Wu’s place?”

Xuan Yu said, “Since they’re friends, I’m sure they won’t mind. Those two aren’t petty.”

Yao Zhu agreed wholeheartedly. “Exactly. They’re the generous type.”

***

Meanwhile, the two generous individuals were standing by the barrier. The area was no longer under constant surveillance. On one side was a busy, bustling town, and on the other was a vibrant, verdant oasis. Lan Wu passed through the barrier and was about to take Bai Zhi’s hand when she felt Ji Lingyue’s gaze on her. Instead, she tugged on Bai Zhi’s sleeve.

Bai Zhi followed her through smoothly and said politely: “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Lan Wu hesitated, then asked, “You’re not staying in the demon realm?”

Bai Zhi shook her head. “No. I don’t have any real attachment to this place. Besides, I still have someone I need to find.”

Ji Lingyue paused, looking over. “Don’t tell me… Lin Jingzhe?”

Bai Zhi didn’t answer, but instead asked, “Do you think a human, when reincarnated… would still be human?”

Ji Lingyue remained silent. Bai Zhi didn’t seem to expect an answer. She shook her head and said to herself, “It doesn’t matter. I have a long time. I’ll find her eventually.”

She bowed to the two of them, her long black hair falling like silk as her  features had completely transformed into those of a human: “I wish you both the best. May all your wishes come true.”