Chapter 655: Jing Ci, Why Bother?
Chapter 655 -529: Jing Ci, Why Bother?
When she heard Xiao Mo say he was leaving, Tushan Jing Ci couldn’t help but lower her head, in no mood to wonder if he had other women.
“I… I’ll see you off…”
After a long moment, Tushan Jing Ci finally raised her head. Her small hands clutched the skirt over her thighs so tightly that her fingertips turned white as she stared blankly at Xiao Mo.
“Alright.” Xiao Mo knew he couldn’t refuse Jing Ci, so he simply nodded in agreement.
He finished off the rest of the cucumber congee in his bowl, along with the side dishes, then got up and walked out of the courtyard.
Just then, Yue Shi hurried over from the mountaintop and joined her lady’s side to see Xiao Mo off as well.
The three of them flew in silence toward a small plain on Tushan, the only sound the mountain wind whistling past their ears.
“Jing Ci, Sister Yue Shi, you can stop here. I’ll go on ahead.”
They were now about a li from the gathering point, and Xiao Mo turned around to speak.
“I… I’ll go a little further…” As she spoke, Tushan Jing Ci involuntarily took a step forward.
But Yue Shi gently took her lady’s arm, shaking her head and whispering, “My Lady… that’s not a good idea…”
Yue Shi naturally understood the reluctance in her lady’s heart.
But her lady was now the Tushan Saintess, a very special status.
If she escorted Xiao Mo all the way to the plain and inadvertently revealed her true feelings, it would only bring trouble upon a member of the Human Race like him.
Reminded of the stakes by Yue Shi, Tushan Jing Ci understood. She could only force herself to stop, the rims of her eyes reddening as she watched Xiao Mo’s back.
“Xiao Mo… when you get to the frontlines, don’t push yourself. Staying alive must be your top priority.”
“If something feels wrong, don’t hesitate. Just run.”
“Don’t always try to be the hero. If you need anything, just write to me. I’ll find a way to get it to you.”
Tushan Jing Ci’s gaze wavered, and before she knew it, a glistening mist of tears had welled up in her eyes.
She tried her best to keep her tone calm, but by the end, a slight, uncontrollable tremble had crept into her voice.
“And…”
“Jing Ci, I understand everything.” Xiao Mo smiled, interrupting her in a gentle voice. “Don’t worry. I’m still waiting to come back and eat your cooking.”
Xiao Mo turned his head to look at Yue Shi and said earnestly, “Sister Yue Shi, I’ll be troubling you to look after her.”
“Of course.” Yue Shi nodded and added with a solemn warning, “Xiao Mo, be extra careful on your journey. On the frontlines, you must always be on your guard.”
“Xiao Mo, I know you must think I’m nagging…” Tushan Jing Ci gently tugged at the corner of his sleeve, her upturned eyes gazing at him, lost in the moment. Her voice was filled with reluctance and worry. “But you have to promise me you’ll take care of yourself, okay?”
“Okay,” Xiao Mo replied. He then took a step back and gave them a solemn bow. “Jing Ci, Sister Yue Shi, farewell.”
With that, he turned and walked toward the small plain visible in the distance.
Tushan Jing Ci watched Xiao Mo’s figure recede into the distance, her hands clenched so tightly that her nails nearly dug into her palms.
For some reason, she had a terrible feeling that his departure this time would be forever…
Just as Xiao Mo had taken a few steps, Tushan Jing Ci suddenly broke into a run, her long legs striding from beneath her skirt. She quickly caught up and threw her arms around him from behind.
He felt the girl’s soft body press against him.
He felt her press her head tightly against his back.
He felt his back slowly grow damp with her warm tears.
Xiao Mo stopped in his tracks.
He lowered his head to look at the fair hands wrapped tightly around him and gently patted the back of one.
Then, slowly, he pried her fingers loose one by one.
With steady steps, he continued walking forward, never looking back.
Tushan Jing Ci stood frozen in place, like a soulless jade statue.
About the time it takes an incense stick to burn, she saw flying vessels rise slowly from the plain and gradually disappear into the distance.
“My Lady… let’s go back…”
As the dozens of flying vessels vanished beyond the clouds, Yue Shi spoke softly to her lady.
“Sister Yue Shi… You said Xiao Mo will come back, right?” Tushan Jing Ci remained where she was, her gaze lost in the vast, distant sky, unwilling to look away.
“Yes, My Lady. Xiao Mo’s cultivation is high, and he is meticulous and cautious. He will definitely come back safely,” Yue Shi said, trying to comfort her.
But in her heart, despite her words, Yue Shi still felt that Xiao Mo would inevitably face great risks on the frontlines.
‘After all, who could ever say for sure what happens on the battlefield?’
“Mm… I believe he’ll come back…”
Tushan Jing Ci stared blankly at the horizon, her voice so faint it seemed to dissipate on the wind.
It was as if she wasn’t speaking to Yue Shi, but to herself.
“He said… he would never, ever lie to me…”
…
「Present Day. Imperial Palace of the Nine-tailed Country.」
A woman, waking from a dream, slowly opened her eyes.
Her drowsy eyes held a languid weariness.
But beneath that languor lay a hidden, vacant look she couldn’t quite conceal.
It was as if she had been using her dreams to constantly flee from reality, only to be forced to awaken in the end.
Recalling the dream she’d just had, Tushan Jing Ci reached up and gently brushed the corner of her eye.
At some point, glistening teardrops had gathered in her alluring, slightly upturned eyes.
“Your Majesty.”
A maid’s voice came from outside the palace doors.
“Enter.”
Tushan Jing Ci, Sovereign of the Nine-tailed Country, pushed herself into a sitting position on the bed.
The snow-white nightgown slipped slowly from her fair, smooth shoulders. A few strands of hair curled gently upon those ivory shoulders, making her skin appear all the more lustrous.
As she sat up further, the thin gauze of her gown slipped down a bit more, only to be caught on two towering Zishan Snow Seas, revealing a hint of snowy white.
In the light of the approaching noon sun, her snow-white skin seemed to glow with a faint halo.
The maid’s gaze involuntarily swept over her majesty’s chest, slender waist, and pert backside.
Beneath the hem of her gown, a pair of long, slender legs, as fair as white jade, were crossed. Their soft curves were unbelievably beautiful.
Even as a woman herself, the maid couldn’t help but gulp.
“Speak. What is it?” Tushan Jing Ci tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes filled with a profound coldness.
“R-Reporting to Your Majesty…” The maid snapped to her senses and quickly lowered her head, speaking respectfully. “The Three Lives and Three Worlds Pill has been delivered to the Zhou Royal Palace and personally handed to Sect Leader Jiang of the Wanjian Sect.”
“Mm.” Tushan Jing Ci nodded, her tone indifferent. “I know. Send someone to remind Sect Leader Jiang not to forget what she promised me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The maid bowed and respectfully withdrew.
Now alone in the chamber, she stood up, her flawless, art-like feet, pale with a hint of pink, stepping lightly onto the floor.
After changing her clothes, she sat down slowly at her vanity and began to comb her long hair.
“Sister, I had that dream again,” Tushan Jing Ci said softly, gazing into the silver mirror before her.
“He swore he’d never lie to me, but he did, time and time again. That’s just what men are, Sister…”
As she spoke, the corners of her mouth curled into a smile of utter resignation.
“But it doesn’t matter, Sister. This time, he won’t be able to fool me again.”
“What do you think it will be like when he finally remembers everything?”
After she spoke, she fell silent, simply gazing at her own reflection as if waiting for something.
After a long while, the eyes of the stunningly beautiful face in the silver mirror gradually softened.
The woman sitting before the mirror sighed softly. Her lips parted slightly, and a voice emerged, tinged with coldness and resignation:
“Jing Ci… It’s been so many years…”
“Why must you suffer so…”