After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 12

Ji Xun Yue fell through the endless darkness, the increasing pressure making her close her eyes in discomfort. When she opened them again, she was already in the mortal realm.

Her landing site was a desolate, uninhabited withered forest.

Ji Xun Yue saw only the three members of the Linghai Sect. Looking around, there was still no sign of Zhong Ling. Her heart beat like a drum. “Zhong Ling?”

No one answered.

Ling Ran asked in surprise, “Zhong Ling didn’t follow? But the formation has already closed.”

Chu Nian and Liu Wen Yin looked at each other. “This, what is going on?”

Ji Xun Yue’s mind was in a mess. Ignoring them, she forced herself to calm down and think. The people from the Yanming Sect had appeared suddenly; Fang Qingchen said he had changed his time, and Shen Zhi Yao and Zhong Ling had been discussing something.

This matter definitely had everything to do with Shen Zhi Yao.

She had indeed been careless; she should not have relaxed her guard against Shen Zhi Yao. Had Zhong Ling told Shen Zhi Yao her purpose for descending?

But Ji Xun Yue already knew those things. Which meant, whatever Zhong Ling intended to do, she did not want Ji Xun Yue to detect or stop her, only revealing her hand by pushing Ji Xun Yue into the formation when she was off guard.

Thinking of her junior sister’s apology, which sounded like a final farewell, she had an ominous premonition. She had to find her junior sister quickly!

Ling Ran assumed Zhong Ling had simply missed the formation window and comforted her. “Jinyue, don’t worry. I will go back right now and bring Zhong Ling here.”

“There is no need, Imperial Princess,” Ji Xun Yue stopped her. “I am afraid my junior sister has descended with the people from the Yanming Sect.”

“What?” Ling Ran was shocked. “How can that be?”

Liu Wen Yin realized what happened and said indignantly, “I knew as soon as Shen Zhi Yao showed up that nothing good would happen!”

Ji Xun Yue steadied herself and said calmly, “Junior Sister has been close to Shen Zhi Yao lately. Seeing her at Penglai Province must have made her change her mind and follow them down instead.”

The fewer people who knew about Zhong Ling’s situation, the better. She could not let them become suspicious.

Ling Ran’s voice turned cold. “How could she do such a thing?”

Liu Wen Yin questioned, “No matter how close she is to Shen Zhi Yao, you are her senior sister. Why would she abandon you?”

Ji Xun Yue shook her head. “Junior Sister and I have had many arguments lately because of Shen Zhi Yao. She likely feels that I am too restrictive.”

Liu Wen Yin seemed half convinced. “I was wondering why you let them associate lately.”

Ling Ran’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly. “I see. I thought something major had happened. Zhong Ling is young; it is normal to be moody. You must communicate well with her when you get back.”

Ji Xun Yue felt a wave of relief; she had managed to bluff her way through. “Thank you, Imperial Princess. Zhong Ling has caused you trouble. I truly cannot stop worrying about her. I want to go find her now.”

Ling Ran asked, “Now? Do you know where they are?”

To keep them from suspecting, Ji Xun Yue had to state the truth. “Junior Sister mentioned it to me; it is in the neighboring Songzhou.”

Ling Ran said hesitantly, “I am not comfortable letting you go alone. We will go with you.”

Ji Xun Yue hurriedly discouraged her. “Imperial Princess, Junior Sister and I already troubled you just to descend. How can we trouble you further?”

Chu Nian also advised from the side, “Master, this isn’t a big deal. Your presence might make Immortal Qingchen overthink things. It is better to let Jinyue go alone.”

After a long silence, Ling Ran reluctantly agreed.

The four entered Qinzhou City. Ji Xun Yue found a horse market and rented a fast horse, bidding farewell to the three from the Linghai Sect.

Ling Ran took out several celestial talismans and handed them to her. “Jinyue, if you encounter danger, tear one. If you find Zhong Ling, burn one. No matter what, let me know the news. I will rush over immediately.”

Ling Ran’s actions likely violated celestial regulations. Ji Xun Yue was deeply grateful but had no intention of causing her trouble. “Thank you, Imperial Princess.”

Liu Wen Yin looked worried. “Xun Yue, you must stay safe.”

Ji Xun Yue nodded, mounted her horse, and sped toward Songzhou.

The journey was unobstructed. Over an hour later, she neared the borders of Songzhou. Seeing a tea stall ahead, Ji Xun Yue dismounted and led her horse. She paid for a bowl of tea and asked the owner, “Old man, may I ask the way to Zhong Family Village in Songzhou?”

The stall owner was a man in his fifties. He took the copper coins but shook his head. “Zhong Family Village? Is there such a village in Songzhou?”

Ji Xun Yue was startled, her hand holding the tea bowl freezing. Had she been lied to by Zhong Ling?

Other customers at the stall overheard them. One man chimed in, “Why wouldn’t there be? Isn’t it right there at Qiudu Mountain?”

Ji Xun Yue turned to the man. “Qiudu Mountain? Could you please show me the way?”

The speaker was a rugged looking man. He rubbed his chin. “Those mountain paths are rugged; a few words won’t explain it clearly.”

Ji Xun Yue caught his hint. She walked to his table. “Then could I ask you to lead the way? How much compensation do you want?”

The man seemed to hesitate. “Sigh, I just managed to sit down and rest.”

Ji Xun Yue did not want to play games with him and threw down a silver ingot. “Is this enough?”

The man finally rose with satisfaction, tossing the silver in his hand. “A sensible girl. Follow me.”

People at the other tables looked at the man. One shouted, “Ge Dayong, you certainly know how to do business!”

Ge Dayong said smugly, “I’ll buy you a drink later!”

Ji Xun Yue looked at the others. Besides envy, their faces held a strange excitement. The tea stall owner kept his head down, counting his accounts and ignoring everything. Ji Xun Yue narrowed her eyes, becoming more alert.

Ge Dayong did not lead her toward the city but turned into a nearby forest. There was a narrow path in the woods just wide enough for passage. Ji Xun Yue tied her horse at the entrance and followed him inside.

While leading the way, Ge Dayong explained, “Although Zhong Family Village is in Songzhou, going through the city actually takes the long way around.”

Ji Xun Yue gave a short reply. After walking for a while, the entrance they came from was no longer visible. Ge Dayong slowed down and said helpfully, “Keep heading east from here and you’ll see a river. I’ll give you more directions once we reach the bank.”

Ji Xun Yue had already detected rustling sounds behind her. She said coldly, “Thank you.”

“Thank me for what? If you want to thank me, thank your pretty face and the money you’re carrying!” Ge Dayong turned around and pulled out a short knife.

Seeing he finally stopped pretending, Ji Xun Yue sneered, “What are you trying to do?”

“Robbery, and then some!” Ge Dayong licked his dry lips, grinning with ill intent.

“So, you don’t actually know where Zhong Family Village is?”

Ge Dayong chuckled. “Of course I know. After you make me happy, I’ll tell you.”

“Is that so?” Ji Xun Yue walked toward him.

Excitement flashed in Ge Dayong’s eyes. “Oh? You’re quite a bold girl.”

“Then do you want this kind of happiness?”

With that, Ji Xun Yue’s gaze turned sharp, and she struck Ge Dayong with her palm. Shock flashed across his face as he hurriedly raised his knife to block. His reaction was exactly what she expected; she pulled back her strike, turned, and kicked the wrist holding the knife.

“Aah!” Ge Dayong cried out in pain. Unable to keep his footing, he fell backward. His grip loosened, and the short knife flew into the air.

Ji Xun Yue caught the hilt steadily and pointed the blade at the struggling man. “Is this all you have?”

Ge Dayong clutched his wrist, glaring at her. He shouted at the top of his lungs, “What are you all doing? Get over here now!”

“Those customers were indeed your accomplices.” Hearing the rustle of leaves behind her, Ji Xun Yue did not turn back, mocking him with a sneer.

“Who, who are you!” Ge Dayong’s face suddenly changed.

Ji Xun Yue thought he was playing a trick and turned around to play along. She looked at the newcomer and froze.

“Master?!”

The newcomer was actually Xuan Huai!

Xuan Huai was walking toward her, holding a sword. He was still dressed in white as pure as snow, his ink-black hair half flowing and half bound. The noon sun filtered through the trees, casting a halo around him.

Looking at him, Ji Xun Yue’s restless mind became strangely calm. She was about to speak when she heard the sound of Ge Dayong trying to sneak away. She turned and shouted sternly, “Stand still!”

Ge Dayong finally broke and knelt, kowtowing for mercy. “Heroine, spare my life! Spare my life!”

Xuan Huai walked to her side and asked, “Are you hurt?”

Ji Xun Yue sneered. “With his meager skills, he could never hurt me.” She realized the tone was inappropriate and quickly tossed the knife aside.

However, the knife landed just inches in front of Ge Dayong’s forehead as he touched the ground.

Ji Xun Yue coughed awkwardly. Ge Dayong looked up tremblingly, saw the knife standing before him, and was scared out of his wits, kowtowing repeatedly.

“Stop kowtowing!” Ji Xun Yue was annoyed. “Do you or do you not know the way to Zhong Family Village?”

Ge Dayong’s voice trembled. “Spare me, Heroine. In Songzhou, there really is no Zhong Family Village. I lied to you!”

“You!” Although Ji Xun Yue had suspected it, she still ground her teeth in anger.

Without a lead, how was she to find Zhong Ling in this vast mortal world? Going back to ask Fang Qingchen for the Yanming Sect’s landing site would likely cause a huge scene.

In her dilemma, she heard Xuan Huai say, “Jinyue, let us go to Yongzhou first.”

Ji Xun Yue looked at him in surprise. “Master knows where Junior Sister is?”

Ge Dayong hurriedly offered, “I know Yongzhou! It’s south of Songzhou!”

Xuan Huai nodded. “We will talk while we walk.”

“But he,”

Xuan Huai gave Ge Dayong a brief look. “I have already asked a passerby to report to the authorities. The guards should be on their way.”

For now, her junior sister was the priority. Ji Xun Yue warned sternly, “Ge Dayong, I have remembered your name and your face. If I hear of you doing evil again, I will personally take your life!”

Ge Dayong shivered. “I wouldn’t dare! Never again!”

Ji Xun Yue gave him one last look before turning to leave the forest with Xuan Huai. Not far away, they saw the customers from the tea stall lying sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain. Seeing Xuan Huai return, they fell silent in terror.

It seemed Xuan Huai could be quite ruthless. Ji Xun Yue took one look and had no desire to see these thugs again.

“Master, shall we go by horse?”

“We need to hurry.”

Ji Xun Yue understood his intent and nodded. “Alright.”

Fortunately, Xuan Huai’s spiritual power was not restricted. When they reached an open space, Xuan Huai reached out his hand. Ji Xun Yue did not hesitate and took it directly. Xuan Huai performed a seal and flew with her to the clouds, landing on a small boat above the sea of mists.

As the boat flew south, Ji Xun Yue sat down and asked, “Master, how did you get here?”

Xuan Huai sat across from her. “Ji Xiuwen sent me a message saying that Zhong Ling did not descend with you, but was going to Yongzhou with them.”

“Ji Xiuwen?” Ji Xun Yue was surprised, then grew pensive. “It seems highly likely she is in Yongzhou. Did he say why she followed them?”

“His message was hasty and lacked detail, so I came to find you first to understand the situation.”

Xuan Huai must have asked Ling Ran and then searched for her. Now that he also knew something was wrong, there was no point in hiding it.

“Junior Sister wanted to see her parents again on this trip, but why did she hide it from me?”

Xuan Huai furrowed his brow slightly. “Did Zhong Ling not take the Dust-Severing Pill?”

“Yes,” Ji Xun Yue lowered her eyes. “I am sorry, Master.”

“I am afraid what Zhong Ling wants to do is not that simple.”

Ji Xun Yue looked at him. “What?”

Xuan Huai met her gaze, his eyes filled with concern. “The day before yesterday, I noticed that the Dragon Soul Grass drying in the yard was missing some.”

“Dragon Soul Grass? That is a herb used for healing,” Ji Xun Yue froze. “Is Zhong Ling trying to give her parents medicine?!”