Into The Sea

Ji Lingyue hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, “Actually… I think Master was the one who hurt her.”

Lan Wu froze, and after realizing what she meant, she started pacing in agitated circles, like a dog chasing its own tail. “Your master, your master… now he’s even resorting to attacking fellow sect members?!”

“Master was also injured…”

“He deserved it!”

Ji Lingyue bit her lip and spoke softly, “Do you want to visit Elder Ye?”

Lan Wu stiffened, then after a long pause, asked tentatively, “Can I?”

Ji Lingyue hummed in agreement and held out her hand. Lan Wu instinctively swam over and nestled into her palm, staring at her intently.

“As long as you don’t take human form, no one will know it’s you.”

The path from Jinling Peak to Qianyun Peak seemed no different than before. Passing through the frost-covered mountain paths, the greenery on either side began to sprout fresh shoots. With every step forward, the vegetation grew lusher. After passing through the pavilion by the waterfall, the sound of rushing water faded away, revealing a lush forest bathed in moonlight.

The path to Qianyun Peak’s main hall went through the disciples’ living quarters. Along the way, Lan Wu saw many unfamiliar faces, as well as some familiar ones. Without exception, they all greeted Ji Lingyue politely, but after they passed, whispers and murmurings would follow. Though they seemed harmless, the lighthearted laughter and subtle mockery made Lan Wu uncomfortable.

She couldn’t help but turn her head to look at them, but Ji Lingyue continued forward, seemingly oblivious. Lan Wu could only suppress her displeasure and follow in silence.

As they passed Jianzhi Courtyard, Ji Lingyue spoke, “After you left, Yu Shanye has been living here alone.”

Lan Wu blinked, settling on her shoulder to listen as Ji Lingyue continued, “New disciples were supposed to move in, but she kicked them out. She was fined a lot of spirit stones for that.”

Lan Wu was silent for a moment, then said softly, “The time I’ve been away from you is much longer than the time we spent together. Why… why do you still remember me like this?”

Hearing those words again, Ji Lingyue didn’t react with the same agitation and resentment as before. She actually pondered for a moment before answering, “Because you are important, Lan Wu. Maybe you don’t realize it, but you mean far more to us than you think.”

Whether as a friend or as something more.

Changing her tone, she added matter-of-factly, “Otherwise, why would I keep holding on to you like this?”

Lan Wu was speechless, sighing in exasperation. “You really don’t have to squeeze in these sentimental lines at every chance you get.”

Ji Lingyue smiled faintly, looking up at the looming silhouette of the pavilion. “We’re here.”

Lan Wu immediately fell silent, her previously relaxed body tensing up again. She nervously circled Ji Lingyue’s neck. Ji Lingyue tapped her head with her finger, then calmly climbed the stone steps and knocked on the door.

Soon, footsteps approached, and the door opened, revealing a startled face. “Why are you here?”

Ji Lingyue raised an eyebrow in surprise. “When did you get back?”

“I…” Yu Shanye glanced at Ji Lingyue’s shoulder without thinking. Her eyes caught sight of the small silver fish with its wide, watchful eyes, and her voice suddenly faltered.

As someone in the know, she recognized who it was at once. She coughed, taking a step back with a guilty conscience. “I-I just got back recently too. I heard Master was injured, so I came to check on her.”

As she spoke, she subconsciously tugged at her sleeve. Lan Wu instinctively looked at her hand, catching a glimpse of a white object flashing by. She frowned, unable to resist swimming closer to Yu Shanye, wanting to see it more clearly.

Yu Shanye’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned around and headed inside. “You came to visit Master too, right? Come with me.”

She walked so quickly it was as if she was fleeing. Ji Lingyue, confused, hastened to keep up. Soon they reached Ye Qingjun’s room.

The woman, dressed in a simple white robe, sat on the bed, her long hair draped over her shoulders. She was holding a book. Hearing the commotion, she raised her weary eyes and made a questioning sound.

“Disciple, who is it?”

Yu Shanye stood properly before her bed. “It’s Ji Lingyue.”

Ye Qingjun hummed and looked at the white-robed woman entering the room. Her gaze flickered, landing on the silver fish on her shoulder.

“This fish…”

She stared intently at Lan Wu, her eyes filled with quiet scrutiny. Lan Wu froze, petrified, her wide eyes staring straight ahead.

Ye Qingjun smiled slightly: “Doesn’t seem very clever.”

Ji Lingyue hesitated for a moment, then asked with concern, “Elder, are you feeling better? Are you still in pain anywhere?”

“Don’t worry about me,” Ye Qingjun waved her hand. “You should be more concerned about your Master. His injuries are much worse than mine.”

Ji Lingyue fell silent, lowering her head and awkwardly fiddling with her clothes.

Yu Shanye glanced around, unable to resist asking, “So, how did Master end up fighting with Elder Qin? You’re both over a thousand years old, can’t you solve things peacefully? Why did you resort to fighting?”

Ye Qingjun frowned, about to speak, but she was interrupted by a coughing fit. Lan Wu quickly approached, nudging a teacup with her head, wobbling it towards Ye Qingjun. The teacup looked like it was about to fall, making Ye Qingjun’s heart jump. She carefully took the cup, glancing at the little fish again. “You look somewhat familiar…”

Ji Lingyue: !

Yu Shanye: !

Lan Wu blinked guiltily, seeing Ye Qingjun staring at her, she could only play dumb, releasing a string of bubbles.

Ye Qingjun chuckled softly, her gaze gentle. “You remind me of a little fish my disciple used to keep.”

Lan Wu froze, looking up at her in surprise.

The woman turned away, taking a sip of tea to soothe her throat before speaking quietly, “As for why we fought, there’s no special reason. It was about the demon situation again.”

Ji Lingyue frowned. “But even when you disagreed before, you never resorted to fighting.”

Ye Qingjun shook her head. “That’s because this time, the demon… was different.”

“How so?”

The woman unconsciously tightened her grip on the teacup. Gradually, the usual smile on her face faded. After a long pause, she sighed and closed her eyes, her voice hoarse. “This demon… looks exactly like the one who killed Qin Ying all those years ago.”