After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 31

In April, the dawn arrived earlier and earlier. By the hour of the Chen, the sunlight was already quite intense, casting a dazzling glow on the figure practicing diligently on the Star-Fall Platform.

Yu Zaiye finished a fluid sequence of sword techniques. Upon sheathing his blade and seeing the visitor, an expression of surprise crossed his face.

“Senior Sister?”

Ji Xunyue knew her appearance was highly unusual, so she gave a light cough. “I went to bed early last night, so I woke up early today.”

Yu Zaiye did not mention his chance encounter with their Master the previous night. He asked, “Would you like some breakfast, Senior Sister? I will go prepare it.”

“No need. I am rushing to morning lessons. I came specifically to let you know so you will be able to answer if Master asks.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Ji Xunyue smiled and turned to leave.

Recalling how she had terrified the group of minor demons during her last visit to the Demon Realm, she intended to go straight to Xi Lin this time. On second thought, she took out the white scale he had given her previously because she had a better idea.

Liguang Cliff in the southern suburbs was the highest point in Youdu. Ji Xunyue landed at the summit, overlooking the vast scenery of the demon capital. Channeling energy into her fingertips, she snapped the scale.

The scale, now broken into two pieces, vibrated slightly in her palm, seemingly sensing its master.

Ji Xunyue was in no hurry. She stood by the cliff’s edge with her hands behind her back, letting the lingering chill of the morning wind blow against her. Though the sights of the Demon Realm entered her eyes, they did not reach her heart.

The matter regarding Shi Yuan had temporarily settled, but she had not slept peacefully that night. Having woken up early, she decided to use the excuse of morning lessons to continue investigating Xuan Huai.

She could not quite explain why she was so persistent. Truthfully, her curiosity was not usually this strong.

However, Xuan Huai gave her a feeling unlike anyone else. Perhaps she was still influenced by those one thousand years of unvented resentment, and she was still treating him as an imaginary enemy.

Suddenly, a violent wind howled. A giant white python arrived, riding the clouds and mist, its green vertical pupils shimmering with a cold light. As its tail swept the ground, its body coiled, winding twice around her ankles, yet it did not touch her in the slightest.

Ji Xunyue tilted her head back slightly, meeting its gaze. “Do you want to eat a human?”

The giant python opened its mouth as if truly intending to swallow her whole. In the next instant, Xi Lin transformed into his human form and stood beside her, letting out a yawn.

“I thought it was something urgent. Did you call me here just to look at the scenery this early in the morning?”

“Is it still early at this hour?”

Xi Lin let out a short, amused laugh. “Coming from your mouth, those words sound strange regardless of how I hear them.”

Ji Xunyue skipped the pleasantries and said solemnly, “I want to ask you about someone.”

“Who is worth such a grand gesture? You are wasting the gift I gave you.”

“I was afraid of startling your people. Do not misinterpret my good intentions.”

Xi Lin raised an eyebrow, took her hand, and placed an identical white scale in her palm.

“Do not use it recklessly next time. If you want to see me, just come directly to the Lingluo Palace.”

Ji Xunyue stared at the scale and smiled. “How about you give me a few more?”

Xi Lin released her hand and said coldly, “Then you would cherish them even less.”

The heart-protecting scales were connected to his heart’s meridians. Each one contained hundreds of years of his cultivation. He had thought she was in trouble, only to sense her right here in Youdu. She had actually used it so easily just to ask for information.

However, he did not dare speak plainly. If he did, she would not accept it.

Vaguely guessing that the person she wanted to ask about was related to the previous incident, Xi Lin asked nonchalantly, “Go on. Who do you want to ask about?”

“Do you know Huai Lin?”

As expected, Xi Lin’s face darkened. “We are not well-acquainted.”

Ji Xunyue did not follow up immediately. Instead, she studied him with a speculative gaze. “Are you still angry because I misused the white scale? I am sorry. I will cherish it.”

Although Xi Lin had an unpredictable temper, she had known him for a long time and understood his mannerisms well enough.

Xi Lin turned his face away and gave a light scoff, his expression finally softening. “Did he not die four thousand years ago? What do you want to know?”

“I heard he asked to borrow your Soul-Gathering Lamp to find a woman’s soul.”

Xi Lin narrowed his eyes, contemplating for a moment. “That did happen, but he gave up after a few attempts.”

“He did not find her afterward?”

“Who knows? After all, the war had already started back then. How could he have time for romantic feelings?” Xi Lin looked at her slightly disappointed expression. “Why do you want to know about him?”

“I am investigating a few things,” Ji Xunyue prevaricated. “Speaking of which, you must have seen Shi Yuan as well.”

Surprise flashed across Xi Lin’s face. “Did you remember?”

“No, but I know it happened. If the past is mentioned in the future, there is no need to deliberately avoid him.”

Xi Lin looked down at Youdu beneath them and asked tonelessly, “Do you still love him?”

“Since when did you start caring about my business?”

“With our relationship, am I not allowed to?”

Ji Xunyue pondered the relationship he spoke of. It was merely the four hundred years they spent together stabilizing the Demon Realm.

The Demon Realm had always been ruled by the Snake Clan. Over the last ten thousand years, the clan’s power had waned, and there were signs that the position of Demon Lead might change hands. During the War of Gods and Demons, the realm’s forces were fractured by constant internal strife. By the end of the war, Xi Lin was the only one left of the royal line.

He was only two thousand years old then, with low cultivation and no management skills. Ji Xunyue chose to support him. Firstly, it was because he had no power or influence and would be completely subservient to the Demon Realm. Secondly, although he was solitary and eccentric, he knew right from wrong and was fair in rewards and punishments. He was capable of carrying the heavy responsibility, and in the end, he did not fail her expectations.

Xi Lin was a trustworthy comrade and a loyal subordinate, but did they count as friends?

Seeing her silence, Xi Lin laughed self-deprecatingly. “You are right. One should not get too close to a subordinate.”

Ji Xunyue did not address his comment, saying directly, “It ended between Shi Yuan and me a long time ago, did it not?”

Xi Lin looked over, his handsome features showing a rare touch of gentleness.

Ji Xunyue sensed the atmosphere becoming strange and spoke first. “Then I will head back now.”

Xi Lin pulled back his expression and said indifferently, “I suddenly remembered that mortal woman’s name. Do you want to know it?”

“Let us hear it.”

“Ye Jinyue.”

For a fleeting second, Ji Xunyue thought her identity had been discovered again. However, Xi Lin’s expression was calm, showing no sign of joking.

The corners of her mouth twitched, but she could not force a smile. “What did you say her name was?”

“Ye Jinyue.”

Seeing her reaction, Xi Lin even traced the three characters in the air with his hand to show her.

Ji Xunyue stared fixedly, remaining silent.

She finally understood why Xuan Huai was so good to her. It turned out she happened to have taken the name of his beloved.

No wonder regardless of what she did, Xuan Huai was neither angry nor suspicious. Her trip to the Immortal Realm had truly been a stroke of luck.

Clearly, he was only fulfilling his duties as a master and had never crossed the line. Why did she feel a sense of loss? Was it because she had received a kindness that should not belong to her?

Xi Lin noticed her odd behavior and asked, “Is there something wrong with the name?”

“No.” Ji Xunyue shook her head. “I am going back.”

Having said that, she did not move. Instead, she remained silent for a while before sighing softly. “Xi Lin, do you not think that people trapped by love are very foolish?”

Was she referring to Shi Yuan, Xuan Huai, or someone else?

Xi Lin was stunned. Before he could think of an answer, Ji Xunyue had already turned to leave, leaving behind only the silhouette of a waving hand in farewell.

Ji Xunyue spent some time wandering the markets of Youdu to pass the time. She only returned to the Immortal Realm when the morning lessons were nearly over, pretending she had just come back from Taiwei Isle.

Just as she reached the kitchen, she smelled the aroma of cooking ingredients.

Although she had mentioned that Yu Zaiye should wait for her to help, her junior brother was truly diligent.

After the meal, thinking about the afternoon cultivation, Ji Xunyue did not know how to face Xuan Huai. She said, “Junior Brother, I am not feeling very well, so I will not go this afternoon. You should help me explain to Master.”

Yu Zaiye said worriedly, “Senior Sister, what is wrong?”

Ji Xunyue avoided his gaze. “It is nothing. I just want to rest.”

Yu Zaiye was a bit bewildered. Master had been coming to guide their cultivation every morning for the past few days, but today, he had noticed Master’s face was somewhat pale, with dark circles under his eyes as if he had not rested well. Meanwhile, his Senior Sister seemed to be deliberately avoiding Master.

Had they had a falling out?

Though confused, Yu Zaiye felt it was inappropriate to pry. He could only respond, “Alright, I will tell Master.”

Although the Yunxing Sect was a small sect, the disciples’ residences were independent houses with small courtyards.

Ji Xunyue returned to her room and sat at the desk by the window, propping up her head and staring blankly outside.

The afternoon sun was at its peak. The spiritual plants in the courtyard remained vibrant and full of life, which only served to highlight her low spirits.

Recalling the events of the past month, it felt as though she was being pushed along by someone, giving her a sense of unreality. Was it because she should not be meddling in the affairs of the Immortal Realm?

However, her goal had been achieved. Only the matter of Yu Qianchan remained unfinished, and she did not know how much longer she would have to stay.

She could not hide from Xuan Huai every day, but what exactly was she bothered by?

From her position, she could see the entrance to the courtyard. A white figure came into view, and before she could leave her seat, her eyes met his.

Ji Xunyue’s expression froze. It was not until the man walked to the window that she managed to speak with difficulty. “Master?”

Why would he come at this time?

“I heard from Zaiye that you are unwell.”

Xuan Huai’s voice was as cold and clear as ever, but deeper than usual. Perhaps because he was looking down at her with lowered eyes, though his face remained expressionless, he seemed somewhat despondent.

His back was to the light, and she was enveloped in the shadow he cast. It felt as if the two of them were trapped in a tiny space, where even the smallest change in expression was clearly visible.

Ji Xunyue stood up, wanting to escape this strange atmosphere, but her movements were too frantic. The sound of the chair scraping against the floor only made the air feel more stagnant.

She gave Xuan Huai an awkward glance, then turned to stare at the piles of books scattered on the desk, whispering, “I am a little.”

Xuan Huai stared at her blankly. It was the first time he had seen her so resistant.

He knew being sick was her excuse, but he had not expected it was to avoid him. Yet, he had insisted on coming here to trouble her.

Why had their relationship plummeted after she saw Shi Yuan?

“Is it Shi—”

“I am fine. Thank you for your concern, Master.”

She interrupted him quickly and did not look at him again. Her lips were pressed tightly together, and she seemed unwilling to speak further.

The two fell into a strange standoff.

Xuan Huai said softly, “Shi Yuan is here.”

Ji Xunyue looked up in surprise. “What is he doing here?”

Shi Yuan should not have recognized her identity, right?

Seeing her reaction, the light in Xuan Huai’s eyes dimmed a little. “It is probably related to tomorrow’s competition.”

“Competition?”

“The news just arrived this morning. It was likely a last-minute decision by the elders.”

Ji Xunyue thought for a moment. “Then I should probably go take a look.”

There was no progress on the matter of Yu Qianchan yet. She needed more opportunities to show her face.

Xuan Huai gave a low acknowledgment, but he did not know what else to say.

Ji Xunyue left the room. She did not walk side-by-side with him as she usually did. Instead, she waited for him to take the first step and then followed slowly behind him.

Looking at his back, she thought silently that someone as ethereal as him once had his heart moved.

Even if the names were the same, in all fairness, Xuan Huai had not given her extra care. He had only done what a master should do. It was her own high self-esteem that made her think she was favored. It was her own wild imagination that made her think she had become a substitute for someone else.

Substitute.

That word was like a sharp needle piercing through the gloom accumulated in her heart.

She was the Demon Lord above all others. Everything she possessed was hers by right. How could she endure having things that did not belong to her forced upon her? In the end, it was her pride at work.

After thinking it over, this explanation seemed the most reasonable.

Only then did Ji Xunyue feel a bit better.

Even if Xuan Huai projected his memories of an old flame onto her, it had nothing to do with her.