Into The Sea

The dark clouds dispersed, and the clear moonlight bathed the mountain path, illuminating the figure stumbling along.

The blood that had been flowing from her body had dried, no longer dripping, but the metallic taste of iron still lingered in her throat. Ji Lingyue coughed, shifting the weight of the person on her back, and continued her descent.

In the quiet of the deep night, all living beings seemed to be peacefully asleep, as if unaware of what had just transpired.

But then, hurried footsteps approached. Soon, a pair of hands steadied her. Yu Shanye asked anxiously, “Where are you going? I’ll take you.”

Ji Lingyue glanced back, her voice hoarse. “In two days, aren’t you… cough… supposed to leave for the Immortal Sect Competition?”

“What does it matter if I’m a few days late?” Yu Shanye retorted, her voice tight. “Even if I don’t go, if Master doesn’t care about me, what can they do to me?”

As she spoke, she took Lan Wu from Ji Lingyue’s back and carefully adjusted her. She then gestured for Ji Lingyue to take the storage pouch at her waist. “This is medicine my master just gave me. Take some, and give some to Lan Wu too.”

Ji Lingyue obediently swallowed the pills, then gently cradled Lan Wu’s face. After a moment, she said, “We’re going to the Central Region.”

“What for?”

“To find Xuan Yu.” Ji Lingyue’s voice was low. “Not long ago, when I returned from Yunhuang, I passed by her residence and left a nightmare beast in her care. She’s a beast tamer. Her place is suitable… for demons to recover, and it’s safer there…”

As she spoke, she gently brushed Lan Wu’s brow, using her spiritual energy to wipe away the bloodstains, revealing the pale face beneath. Ji Lingyue stared at her for a long moment, her voice trembling. “I was wrong.”

Lan Wu’s eyes were closed, her breathing shallow, as if she were merely asleep.

“I shouldn’t have brought you back.”

Ji Lingyue blinked, her dark eyes glistening with unshed tears. She quickly wiped them away, but as she took a shaky breath, the metallic taste in her throat returned. Blood seeped from the corner of her lips, and Ji Lingyue groaned, stumbling against a tree trunk as she vomited blood.

Yu Shanye was alarmed. “Are you okay?!”

“I’m… I’m fine…”

Ji Lingyue wiped her lips with her sleeve, her voice trembling. “I just need to rest for a while.”

Yu Shanye frowned, unable to hold back her frustration. “Was it because of my master’s sword strike? You… why did you have to take that hit? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!”

Ji Lingyue shook her head. “Otherwise, how could I ever repay him?”

After a moment, she straightened her back. “Let’s go.”

Yu Shanye bit her lip, finally nodding. She stepped onto her flying sword. Once Ji Lingyue was steady, she shot into the sky, heading south.

“Ugh…”

In the quiet of the night, the woman lying on the bed trembled violently, her long lashes fluttering as she suddenly opened her eyes and tightly gripped the arm of the person beside her. Ji Lingyue woke with a start, ignoring her own pain as she turned over and anxiously cupped Lan Wu’s face. “Lan Wu?”

Lan Wu didn’t seem to hear her. Her eyes were wide open, staring blankly at the darkness above. Her chest heaved, as if she couldn’t breathe, her breaths rapid and shallow.

“Lan Wu, Lan Wu!”

Ji Lingyue panicked, lighting a candle and gently brushing her sweat-soaked hair behind her ear. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m here.”

Her voice trembled. “Don’t be afraid. We’re not in Haochen Mountain anymore. We’re out, Lan Wu…”

Lan Wu blinked. Finally, her wet eyes slowly turned to her. “Ah Yue?”

Ji Lingyue nodded quickly, leaning down to gently pull her head into her embrace, her voice choked with emotion. “It’s me. I’m here.”

Lan Wu was still for a moment, then relaxed, leaning against her. “I’m not dead?”

Ji Lingyue stiffened, her nose tingling as she shook her head repeatedly. “No, you’re alive. How could you be dead?”

“Your master…”

“He’s not my master anymore,” Ji Lingyue interrupted, her voice hoarse. “Not anymore.”

Lan Wu frowned, looking at her with confusion. She tried to ask something, but a fit of violent coughing racked her body, followed by chest pain.

“Ugh…” She frowned, trembling, curling up and burying her face in Ji Lingyue’s embrace. “Ah Yue…”

“What is it?”

“It hurts…” She closed her eyes, tears falling and dampening Ji Lingyue’s clothes. Ji Lingyue stared at the tears, her fingers digging into her palms until they almost bled.

“Qin… Qin…”

She suddenly closed her eyes, guilt and hatred warring within her, threatening to break her.

Ji Lingyue took a breath, her eyes red-rimmed as she placed her hand on Lan Wu’s chest. A faint golden light flowed from her palm. Lan Wu’s brow relaxed slightly.

“Does it still hurt?”

Lan Wu let out a soft moan, her eyes half-closed as she murmured, “It’s better.” After a pause, she raised her hand, clumsily brushing Ji Lingyue’s cheek. “I’m not in pain anymore. Don’t… don’t cry.”

Ji Lingyue’s voice was hoarse. “I’m not crying.”

“Mm,” Lan Wu snuggled closer, a hint of a smile in her voice. “If you say you’re not crying… then you’re not crying.”

Ji Lingyue bit her lip, then suddenly gasped, wiping her eyes with trembling hands. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought you back. It’s all… all my fault…”

She continued to apologize, but the person in her arms remained still. Looking down, she saw that Lan Wu’s eyes were closed. She seemed to have fallen asleep again.

Ji Lingyue stayed quiet for a moment before a tear fell as she held Lan Wu tighter.