Vol. 1 - Ch. 23 - Return to the Original

Chapter 23: Return to the Original

Human emotions are a complex and subtle thing, often directly reflecting one's love, hatred, and loathing. These feelings arise from the heart—they can be hidden, but they do not lie.

Ji Yaoge watched Bai Yan, who stood in the stone chamber with clenched fists. She sensed his sudden outburst of intense emotions, he was filled with hatred, but his face remained expressionless. Even his eyes were calm.

She started to understand the words from the "Enchanting Bone Technique" (《媚骨诀》) and what Ye Long had said while teaching her the Immortal Demon Dance.

"Do you want to kill him for revenge?" she asked him.

Bai Yan looked at Ren Zhongping, who was giggling foolishly on the bed. His raised hand turned into a palm, lifted high, then lowered, lifted again, repeating three times before he finally let it drop helplessly.

"Kill him, and things will go wrong. I'm not that impulsive."

In the end, he let it go.

Rationality prevailed.

Ji Yaoge found it interesting. The intense anger and hatred that came as fiercely as the tide had retreated just as suddenly. Various feelings interacted, driving emotions that in turn dictated behavior. If one day, she could control a person's emotions, would that mean she could completely control their joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness? And thereby control their heart?

"Who are you, really?" Bai Yan, now calm, sat by the table, massaging his shoulder as he asked her.

"I can't tell you," she replied. Ji Yaoge wasn't about to reveal a life-and-death secret so easily.

Bai Yan didn't insist but said, "Can I... still call you Senior Sister Ji?"

"Whatever," Ji Yaoge did not care about such things.

Bai Yan looked at her. Though the person in appearance and voice was the same, she was now someone entirely different. Calling her "Senior Sister" seemed as if the real person had never left his side. The silent, cautious yet intelligent Ji Yaoge had struggled to survive in the cultivation world. They had both schemed against each other, but he never expected her to disappear so quietly one day.

Even saying farewell hadn't been possible.

"Take the medicine. We'll take him to see Senior Sister Ye Long," Ji Yaoge stood beside Ren Zhongping and, seeing Bai Yan lost in thought, threw a bottle of medicine at him.

Bai Yan caught it, seeing it was the same Laiyuan Elixir (培元丹) Yelong had given her.

"It's for your back injuries," she urged, "Hurry up."

Bai Yan didn't speak. He removed the wax seal from the porcelain bottle, poured all the pills into his mouth, and threw the empty bottle aside. Sitting cross-legged, he regulated his energy flow to enhance the medicinal effects. Ji Yaoge stayed by Ren Zhongping's side, speaking to him. After becoming mad, he obeyed Ji Yaoge's every word. She crafted a story to conceal her true identity, making sure Ren Zhongping memorized it.

After a stick of incense's time, Bai Yan opened his eyes. The pain in his chest had eased, and the injuries caused by the Yin Ghost had lessened. Meanwhile, Ji Yaoge continued questioning Ren Zhongping, ensuring their story was perfect. Bai Yan joined them, and the three finalized their version before Ji Yaoge led Ren Zhongping to Yelong's cave.

————

Ye Long listened to Ji Yaoge's report with a solemn expression and did not speak. Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan were both a bit uneasy. Ren Zhongping was Ye Long's cultivation companion in the Nanming Affection Technique (南明合欢诀), and although they weren't Dao companions, their relationship was deeper than most. Seeing him in this foolish state thanks to them, who knew if Yelong would be angered.

"This is a serious matter. Follow me to see Madam Yingshuang," Yelong said without blame, her eyes just glancing over Ren Zhongping.

Ren Zhongping seemed frightened by her, shrinking behind Ji Yaoge and clutching her sleeve pitifully.

"Yes," Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan responded in unison.

Yelong led the three of them to Yingshuang's Ju'an Hall.

Ju'an Hall still wafted with Madam Yingshuang's elegant fragrance, fresh and refined. When they arrived, Yue Xiao was preparing Clear Dew Fragrance Pills (清露香丸) for Yingshuang. Upon seeing them, he just glanced at Yelong.

Ye Long awkwardly scratched her nose and led the group to greet Yingshuang.

Yingshuang reclined on a couch with her eyes closed, playing with a string of moon-white beads. Her long black hair fell down her back, looking even more charming than the last time.

"Master, the matter you asked Senior Brother and me to monitor has had some progress," Yelong whispered as she approached.

Ji Yaoge and Bai Yan's hearts skipped a beat. Ye Long had been silent during their report—could it be she had already known?

Ye Long saw Ji Yaoge's confused look, glanced at Yingshuang's face, and explained, "Two months ago, the Mountain Lord of Tiyu State secretly informed various sects that ghost realm cultivators had appeared in Tiyu State and might be related to Xiao Wuheng. He ordered us to be extra vigilant."

Ji Yaoge was surprised, but the feeling soon faded. Since the person who saved her had already identified the Yin Soul Technique (煞術煉陰) at the time, it was natural to suspect the ghost realm and Xiao Wuheng. Given his friendship with the Tiyu State Mountain Lord, it wasn't surprising that the matter was reported.

"What happened?" Yingshuang's slender brows furrowed. She sat up, pressing the bead string onto the couch as she asked.

Ye Long gave Ji Yaoge a look, and Ji Yaoge stepped forward with a bow and lowered eyes, recounting the incident with Ren Zhongping. She mentioned how he had tried to capture her soul but failed, leaving her injured and amnesiac. Upon returning to the sect, fearing she would recall and expose everything, he tried to kill her again but was discovered by Bai Yan. Together, they subdued Ren Zhongping and learned about the ghost realm from him.

"Unfortunately, he didn't know who set the spell and couldn't confirm if Xiao Wuheng was in Tiyu State. As for what they were looking for, neither Bai Shidi nor I could get an answer. Every time we asked, he fell silent." Ji Yaoge omitted her knowledge of the "Seal Curse" (封咒), a high-level technique that someone of her rank shouldn't know. After describing everything, she bowed deeply. "Disciple and Bai Shidi took matters into our own hands, devising a plan against Senior Brother Ren. We ask for Madam's pardon."

Bai Yan also bowed deeply, glancing sideways at her—this new Senior Sister had a talent for lying with a straight face, even better than his own skills.

Yingshuang did not immediately respond, creating a moment of silence in the hall. Only when Ji Yaoge noticed a pair of lake-blue pointed shoes in front of her did she realize Yingshuang had moved beside her. Lifting her head, she met a pair of gentle eyes filled with warmth.

"You said Ren Zhongping used the Yin Soul Technique on you. From what I know, this technique can extract a person's soul. I'm curious, why did you return with only amnesia?" Yingshuang's tone was extremely gentle, drifting into the heart as she spoke.

Ji Yaoge's heart tightened; she felt as if facing a formidable enemy. Her face remained calm as she looked Ying Shuang in the eye and replied, "Madam, disciple couldn't understand it either. My memories are still fragmented. I only vaguely recall a powerful pressure suddenly appearing. I guess Senior Brother Ren was scared by that pressure and stopped the technique, allowing my soul to survive but leaving me injured and amnesiac as a result."

"A powerful pressure?"

"Yes, extremely strong, even... stronger than you, Madam."

This potentially offensive statement didn't anger Ying Shuang. Instead, she laughed softly, saying, "Oh, I see. You're the little girl the elder Xianzun saved by accident. You are fortunate indeed."

"Xianzun?" Yelong and Yuexiao echoed in surprise.

"A friend of the Mountain Lord, a great power in the Immortal World. He was the first to discover the ghost realm activities. He mentioned saving her when he coincidentally encountered her being attacked. It was her good fortune," Yingshuang smiled, but the warmth in her gaze turned cold and indifferent.

Ji Yaoge felt a chill down her spine. Yingshuang had subtly tried to use enchantment on her but fortunately, she wasn't affected. Listening to Ye Long's earlier mention about their prior knowledge of ghost realm activities, she quickly changed her story, leveraging the "Xianzun" angle to dispel Yingshuang's suspicion.

Luckily, that person hadn't disclosed the full truth about her possession either.

Up until now, she only knew his surname was Yuan, and he was from Taichumen, a highly revered figure whom her mentor, Xie Lengyue, had personally sought...

Suddenly, a name flashed in her mind.

Yuan Huan?

An elder of Taichumen and the master of the Wuyue Pagoda.

If she had met him before, she would have obediently called him Uncle Yuan.

"What about your back injury?" Yingshuang asked, turning to Bai Yan after Ji Yaoge finished.

Bai Yan quickly answered, "Senior Sister and I discovered someone spying when dealing with Senior Brother Ren, so I chased them out. They were responsible for this injury. Those two were peculiar, with ghostly pale faces, eating corpses." She faked, he faked.

This time, Yingshuang didn't use enchantment, only inspecting Bai Yan's back injury. Meanwhile, Ye Long spoke up: "I remember those two. A disciple reported seeing them sneakily contacting Senior Brother Ren outside the mountain gate two days ago. When I sent someone to investigate, they disappeared."

"This is a ghost claw wound, also something from the ghost realm," Yingshuang frowned, puzzled. "But ghost claws are an exclusive technique of the Northland Yang Sect in the ghost realm. Xiao Wuheng's Tianxiao Sect and the Yang Sect, divided between the north and south of the ghost realm, are at each other's throats. Why would they both appear here suddenly?"

Ji Yaoge remained silent, pondering. It seemed Bai Li Qing had ties not only to the ghost realm but also to the Yang Sect.

After Yingshuang finished her inquiry, she looked at Ye Long, "What do you think, Ye Long?"

Ye Long clasped her hands, "Master, I believe the urgent matter is to inform the Mountain Lord and other sect leaders. If the ghost realm and Xiao Wuheng are truly here, our sect alone may not withstand them. As for Junior Sister Ji and Bai Shidi, I believe they speak truthfully..." She glanced at Ji Yaoge with a hint of apology, "Prior to this, I tested her body and cultivation under the guise of teaching her dance. There was nothing unusual."

Yuexiao raised his eyebrows, softly humming. Ji Yaoge saw through it—Ye Long had suspected her for a while.

Yingshuang smiled again, "You didn't mention it earlier. Yaoge, I heard you reached the twelfth form while performing the Immortal Demon Dance (仙魔舞) recently?"

"It's thanks to Senior Sister Ye Long's teaching," Ji Yaoge quickly replied.

"There's no need to be afraid. More than cultivation, this dance emphasizes comprehension. You grasped it quickly and could perform the Immortal Demon Dance's initial form. It's not strange. It's just a pity that your body..." Yingshuang gently stroked Ji Yaoge's head, her young face showing a rare affection, "The two of you have done a great service this time. Is there anything you desire?"

Bai Yan's face lit up with joy. He glanced at Ji Yaoge, who slowly nodded. Only then did he speak, "Thank you, Madam. Shamelessly, I wish to ask for a Tongtian Pill."

The Tongtian Pill, though rare, was of no use to Ying Shuang anymore, stored in Cangling Pavilion for rewarding disciples. Without questioning the reason, she returned to the couch and said, "Alright." Then, looking at Ji Yaoge, she asked, "And what about you, Yaoge?" Considering her difficulty in cultivation, Yingshuang quickly added, "Your dance is excellent. Would you follow Yuexiao and lead the dance at the Double Cultivation Gathering in two months?"

Just as Yuexiao was about to object, Ji Yaoge spoke up, "Yaoge lacks talent and struggles with cultivation, but I do not dare to slack off. Lately, I've felt some fluctuations in my state of mind. I would like to ask Madam to relieve me of my duties within the sect so I may focus on cultivation for a while. Perhaps... I may break through."

With Ren Zhongping's madness, Bai Li Qing likely wouldn't come for a while. And with the ghost realm matter handled by the sect, it was the perfect time for undistracted cultivation.

If all went well, she might reach Foundation Establishment within two months.

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