After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 28

“Senior Sister, the wounds on Senior Sister Yuan,”

On the way back, seeing that Ji Xun Yue remained silent the entire time, Yu Zai Ye finally could not help but speak up.

Ji Xun Yue was leaning against the railing of the White Jade Boat, staring blankly at the sea of clouds while playing back the events at Fengyi Palace in her mind. She could not bring herself to ask Xuan Huai what he had seen, but the more he remained indifferent, the more she felt uneasy.

“Senior Sister?” Seeing her continued silence, Yu Zai Ye called out again tentatively.

Ji Xun Yue snapped out of her daze and looked at him blankly, pulling her drifting thoughts back. “Oh, her,” She stopped herself abruptly.

It was highly likely that Cai Bin died after his Immortal Bone was stolen by Yuan Wan Yi, but since she only discovered this by opening Yuan Wan Yi’s wooden box, it was naturally inconvenient to reveal.

While she was still hesitating, Xuan Huai spoke. “The wounds on Yuan Wan Yi are likely the same as Cai Bin’s. Other than that, the details are unclear for now.”

Ji Xun Yue shot him a quick glance, then looked away without responding.

Yu Zai Ye nodded slightly, pausing for a moment before saying, “So Brother Cai, he didn’t commit suicide.”

Xuan Huai said, “Now that the truth is difficult to verify and the deceased is gone, we can only look forward.”

“Rest assured, Master, I understand,” Yu Zai Ye replied.

When they returned to the sect, it was only the Hour of the Dragon.

Previously, because Junior Sister had morning classes, Xuan Huai would not appear in the mornings. After Junior Sister was placed in confinement, they had continued this routine. Now that a diligent and motivated Junior Brother had arrived, Ji Xun Yue had a faint feeling that things were about to change for the worse.

Sure enough, Yu Zai Ye proactively asked if Xuan Huai could provide guidance for his cultivation in the morning.

Xuan Huai actually asked for her opinion, but how could she blatantly say she wanted to slack off in front of both of them? She could only agree.

Returning to the dining hall to eat with her Junior Brother first, Yu Zai Ye said, “Senior Sister, the porridge is cold. I’ll go heat it up.” Seeing this, Ji Xun Yue followed to help.

Placing the water-filled kettle on the stove, she looked up and noticed Yu Zai Ye lost in thought. Realizing her gaze was on him, Yu Zai Ye paused and said calmly, “Senior Sister, Brother Cai was murdered by Senior Sister Yuan, wasn’t he?”

Before she could answer, he continued, “I’ve been recalling many details of my time with Brother Cai. I was too careless and ignored many of his abnormal behaviors.”

Ji Xun Yue comforted him, “But it wasn’t your fault.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister. I understand,” Yu Zai Ye said. “Now that the truth has somewhat come to light, I want to pay my respects to Brother Cai.”

“Alright, I’ll go get some wine for you.”

Yu Zai Ye shook his head and said slowly, “Just plain water is fine. Those on the path of immortality do not have a reincarnation cycle, so there’s no need to care too much about formalities.”

Ji Xun Yue was slightly taken aback; he truly saw things clearly.

A moment later, Yu Zai Ye walked out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of clear water. He went to the open ground outside, facing the pouring sunlight of the morning. He didn’t leave immediately, standing there for a while. He was tall but lean, and his back was always straight, like a resilient green bamboo.

Ji Xun Yue watched from the side; though her Junior Brother was a man of few words, he was truly a person of great loyalty and sentiment. After finishing the meal, she led Yu Zai Ye to familiarize him with the path to the Falling Star Terrace.

Seeing his silence along the way, she joked, “Speaking of which, the first and second place winners of the recent Second Realm competition are both in our sect. The Yunxing Sect might become a famous great sect one day.”

Yu Zai Ye shook his head. “Actually, I’m not as impressive as you think, Senior Sister. Although I joined the Fenglan Sect, my performance in the first hundred years did not satisfy Immortal Feng Yan. I’ve only made it this far because Brother Cai guided me.”

“No wonder you insisted on leaving the Fenglan Sect,” Ji Xun Yue said understandingly. Compared to his master-disciple bond with Feng Yan, Yu Zai Ye’s friendship with Cai Bin was clearly much deeper. Since the sect had handled Cai Bin’s death so dismissively, staying would have been an ordeal for him.

“Brother Cai and I met during a competition. He lost in the first round but didn’t leave; instead, he returned to the stands and sat right next to me. I saw he was upset and offered some comfort, and unexpectedly, we became friends. If it weren’t for me, he might never have met Yuan Wan Yi.”

Yu Zai Ye continued, “Brother Cai was a slow cultivator, but he was very hardworking and always willing to teach me. In the competition a few days ago, I used the very moves he taught me. He said if I could use them, I would surely use them better than him. He had agreed to come watch my match, but I never expected an accident would happen.”

This matter had been weighed on his heart for too long, and he spoke more than usual. Ji Xun Yue remembered that Yu Zai Ye had used an ordinary weapon during the match. “That sword,”

“It was Brother Cai’s relic. The Youzhen Sect is also a small immortal sect with no spiritual herbs or tools to aid cultivation. Even though I was in the Fenglan Sect, my situation was actually the same.”

“Don’t worry. Master is skilled in swordplay and medicine. Your future cultivation will definitely not be a problem.”

Ji Xun Yue didn’t expect that she would say two good things about Xuan Huai in a single day.

“Mmh, I will cherish this opportunity.” Yu Zai Ye stopped and looked at her earnestly. “If I ever offend you, Senior Sister, please tell me. I tend to focus too much on my own business, please bear with me.”

Ji Xun Yue smiled. “If you truly only focused on your own business, would you be thinking about making breakfast for me or asking me to cultivate with you?”

Yu Zai Ye froze for a moment, and his cold, resolute features softened slightly.

After hearing her Junior Brother tell the story of his friendship with Cai Bin, Ji Xun Yue felt a sense of pity. She wanted to do something for them, and the only thing she could think of was to ask Yu Qian Chan about yesterday’s situation. Plus, she could escape cultivation.

Seeing the Falling Star Terrace just ahead, she said, “Junior Brother, I think I’ll go to morning class after all. Please let Master know for me.” Without waiting for his reaction, she made a pleading gesture and hurried away.

“Seeing you at this hour is truly a novelty.”

In a small pavilion by the Taiqing Pool in the God Realm, Yu Qian Chan sat at a stone table. She held a chess piece between two fingers, staring at the board in thought without looking up at the newcomer. Lan Xi had just led Ji Xun Yue over and intended to announce her arrival, but seeing the scene, she bowed silently and withdrew.

Ji Xun Yue walked forward and sat opposite Yu Qian Chan. “You’re playing chess against yourself first thing in the morning?”

Yu Qian Chan kept her head down, her eyes scanning the board in silence. Ji Xun Yue didn’t rush her, simply glancing at the situation. Knowing she couldn’t solve it, she began to gaze at the surrounding scenery out of boredom.

A moment later, Yu Qian Chan put the piece back in the jar and finally looked up, smiling. “I’m not solving it anymore. Now that you’re here, I have an excuse to deal with God Yan Chen.”

Ji Xun Yue wore a knowing expression and laughed. “He’s pestering you to play chess again? Is it appropriate to chase a girl this way?”

Yu Qian Chan rubbed her temples, her tone weary. “Yes. In the end, my attention was entirely on this game. After he left, I pondered it all night and still couldn’t figure out the next move.”

Ji Xun Yue asked tentatively, “So, how is progress with him?”

Yu Qian Chan once had a lover, but unfortunately, he died in the War of Gods and Demons. Since then, her pursuers had been endless, but only God Yan Chen had slightly caught her eye.

However, her friend stopped her movements and looked over with a smile that seemed to hold a counter-question. Ji Xun Yue blinked, her smile stiffening. “You know everything?”

“I heard from Lan Xi that you met with Shi Yuan. I figured you wouldn’t be able to resist investigating.”

Ji Xun Yue sighed. She had actually been forced to learn the truth. It turned out everyone knew about her and Shi Yuan except herself.

She suddenly remembered the purpose of her visit. “I’ve drifted off topic; we’ll talk about that later. I came to ask if you summoned Yuan Wan Yi again yesterday?”

“Yuan Wan Yi? That Fenglan Sect disciple?” Yu Qian Chan frowned slightly. “I did summon her to the Lingxiao Palace for questioning. After all, based on the information Yu Zai Ye provided, she was a suspect in Cai Bin’s murder, which is related to what we want to investigate.”

“Did you find out anything?”

“If I had found anything out, you would have seen the Fenglan Sect change hands today.” Yu Qian Chan asked doubtfully, “How do you know I summoned her? What happened?”

“Yuan Wan Yi is dead. Hasn’t the news reached you?”

Yu Qian Chan was slightly stunned and shook her head slowly. “I haven’t gone back all night, so I haven’t seen the reports yet.”

Ji Xun Yue nodded and detailed the circumstances of going to the Fenglan Sect to examine Yuan Wan Yi’s body. Yuan Wan Yi was unparalleled in her glory while alive, yet she died silently. She wondered what excuse Rong Chen would use to explain her sudden passing.

After listening, Yu Qian Chan said thoughtfully, “An Eighth Realm cultivator murdered? That’s quite unexpected. Could someone have killed her to keep her silent?”

“If it was to silence her, why use the Five Devouring Array to kill? And no one in the Fenglan Sect has been found with a massive surge in cultivation. Could it involve other immortal sects?”

Yu Qian Chan lowered her eyes, her fingertip lightly tapping the chess table. “Perhaps the killer didn’t absorb it all, or perhaps there’s more than one killer,”

Ji Xun Yue’s brow clouded with worry as she sighed. “Pondering it further won’t yield an answer. This kind of thing is tricky; we can only investigate once a murder occurs. It’s hard to stop it at the source.”

“Indeed, we can only do our best.”

Ji Xun Yue pondered for a moment and asked, “A’Chan, when you saw Yuan Wan Yi yesterday, didn’t you foresee her death?”

Yu Qian Chan gave a helpless smile. “This power is not under my control. It’s not like I can see it whenever I want. Besides, even if I knew, I couldn’t change it.”

Ji Xun Yue nodded slightly and rose to take her leave. “Alright, then I’ll be going now.”

Yu Qian Chan was surprised. “Leaving so soon? Are you going back for morning class?”

“Do you think that’s possible?” Ji Xun Yue said weakly. “While I still have time, I need to return to the Demon Realm.”

Watching Ji Xun Yue leave, Yu Qian Chan instinctively rubbed her fingertips, as if a lingering warmth remained on her skin. Having not taken action for too long, she had almost forgotten the sensation of blood.

Though it was a bit impulsive, for one, she didn’t want Ji Xun Yue investigating too quickly, and for another, she loathed those who were unfaithful. As for the aftermath, it seemed Mu Yin had handled it well for her.

Inside the Frost Moon Palace in the Demon Realm.

Ji Xun Yue sat at her desk, channeling spiritual energy to her fingertips, testing the seal on her memory. As long as she continued to inject spiritual energy, she could break the seal and recover her forgotten memories. But in the end, she hesitated and lowered her hand.

When she did this in the past, she must have had her reasons.

“Your Majesty.” Qi Jian walked in and bowed respectfully. “You were looking for me?”

Today was not Qi Jian’s shift, so he wore casual clothes, giving him a more relaxed air. Her four guards all had different personalities; among them, Qi Jian was the most stable and meticulous, and she highly valued him in handling administrative affairs.

“Sit,” Ji Xun Yue gestured to a nearby seat, pondering how to ask. “Do you know Shi Yuan?”

Qi Jian had just sat down but froze at the question, a rare look of hesitation appearing on his face.

Ji Xun Yue sighed. “It’s fine. I already know the gist of it. There’s no need to hide it.”

“Yes. What does Your Majesty wish to ask?”

Ji Xun Yue said with difficulty, “When exactly did, he and I, start? Tell me the, details of it?”

Although Qi Jian was her loyal subordinate, asking him about her romantic history was still very hard to voice. Qi Jian also hadn’t expected to discuss the Demon Sovereign’s private romantic affairs. He carefully organized his words and said slowly, “Two hundred years after the end of the last War of Gods and Demons, you, met Shi Yuan. After knowing him for two hundred years, the Great God and Sovereign Cen Luo, granted a marriage for you both. After the Sovereign passed away, you broke the engagement and sealed the relevant memories.”

Ji Xun Yue remained silent for a long time after listening.

She had known Shi Yuan for four hundred years, which happened to be the four hundred years when her mother’s injuries were most severe. She remembered Shi Yuan accusing her of simply needing someone to help her endure the pain. So, had she used Shi Yuan’s feelings?

And after using them, she broke the engagement, sealed her memories, and even asked who he was upon meeting him again, it was truly heartless. No wonder Shi Yuan held such a grudge against her. But besides hate, judging from Shi Yuan’s reaction that day, he still loved her.

Ji Xun Yue asked in frustration, “Why has no one ever mentioned this to me in over three thousand years?”

“Back then, you ordered everyone to be forbidden from mentioning it. The Great God did as well,”

Was it out of concern that breaking the alliance would cause gossip and affect the relationship between the two sides? She asked in confusion, “Then how has no one ever let it slip?”

Hadn’t Yu Han Shu deliberately mentioned Shi Yuan’s name right in front of her?

Qi Jian seemed to recall the past three thousand years and let out a silent sigh. “Normally, you only meet with us few subordinates. Aside from handling administrative affairs, you haven’t summoned others much. Those officials wouldn’t dare mention it in your presence. As for the God Realm, you only associate with Imperial Princess Yu Qian Chan and haven’t visited the God Realm many times.”

” ”

What he said made a lot of sense. Over these years, she indeed couldn’t be bored to see people unless necessary, and she was usually accompanied by her confidants who knew her preferences. As for friends, she only had Yu Qian Chan.

Ji Xun Yue asked again, “Then why did I choose to forget this memory?”

Qi Jian shook his head. “That, this subordinate does not know.”

“Has Shi Yuan been here recently?”

“Yes. But the few of us felt that since you chose to forget, there was no need to see him again.” Qi Jian was about to rise, but Ji Xun Yue stopped him with a wave of her hand. “Therefore, we did not report this to you. Please punish us, Your Majesty.”

“You did nothing wrong. I only happened to find out by chance.” Qi Jian did not answer, waiting for her orders.

“Notify Shi Yuan for me. Tell him tonight, no, tomorrow night, I will wait for him at the Shenyuan.” She still needed more time to accept this relationship for which she had zero recollection.

Afternoon, Falling Star Terrace.

Ji Xun Yue was absentmindedly practicing her sword moves, worrying about the meeting with Shi Yuan. Unfortunately, she didn’t have to wait until tomorrow night; she saw him right now.

“Jinyue, she asked to meet me tomorrow night! She’s finally willing to see me!”

” ”

Shi Yuan pulled her aside to talk as soon as he arrived. Ji Xun Yue looked at his overjoyed expression, her own face stiff as she forced a sliver of a smile. The happier he was, the more she felt nervous, afraid, guilty, and unable to face him. Even while wearing a face, he didn’t recognize, she still couldn’t remain calm and composed.

She dared not imagine how devastated Shi Yuan would be the day he found out her true identity, she had almost forgotten she originally came to the Immortal Realm to seek revenge on Xuan Huai. Now, before her revenge was taken, she had to repay a debt of love. She had believed she had kept herself pure all these years, never having been ambiguous with anyone, only to find out she not only had a past, but she had forgotten the other person.

Ji Xun Yue suddenly felt a chill on her back. Xuan Huai’s gaze was fixed on them, and even from a distance, it was cold enough to make her whole body shiver.