Chapter 13: Variable

Yi Ke couldn’t remember how she got home.
Energy spent—no teleport left—mind foggy, half asleep half awake.
She only remembered Bai Yanci breaking the barrier with effort, using her phone to call SI, arranging everything—she hadn’t lifted a finger.
Bai Yanci must have walked her back step by step—no memory—only sister’s cool scent still in her nose.
“Drink some water.” Bai Yanci poured warm water in front of her—she didn’t move.
She watched the cup go cold—grievance she’d pushed down rose again.
Years—never treated this sincerely. Only she gave heart to others—and got emptiness back.
Bai Yanci… first person truly good to her.
When Mu Wenxin took her from the orphanage she’d been grateful. Mu found her talent, paid school, gave generous living.
Name-brand bags, sneakers, luxury clothes and jewelry, expensive art supplies—ask and it arrived next day at latest.
Whatever peers had, she never lacked.
Except love.
Mu Wenxin adopted her in name—but only allowed “Aunt Mu.”
“Mom” was forbidden in that house.
She’d wondered but not dug deep.
Older when adopted—maybe Mu was kind-hearted. Food and clothes given—why be ungrateful? She comforted herself that way.
Denial would be a lie.
One day in middle school Mu came to school, gentle: “Ke-ke, we’re going somewhere. There call me Director Mu—not aunt. Understand?”
She agreed at once—obedient nod.
Into the Ability Bureau with Mu—onto the lab table per experimenters’ arrangement.
Machines wheeled in—scans on her body—several tubes of blood.
“Report Director Mu—all indicators pass.”
“Then begin.” Mu ordered.
Test subject? What test subject?
Anesthetic—consciousness sank—no more dialogue.
Young—but orphanage had matured her beyond her age.
Mu Wenxin… using her?
When she woke the experimenters were gone—only Mu beside her.
Seeing her awake Mu looked gentle: “Ke-ke, you’re up? How do you feel?”
She tried to rise—tubes on her body—couldn’t move.
“Aunt Mu… Leader—why bring me here?”
“You’re sick—need treatment fast. My fault—busy work, ignored your health.” Mu frowned, sighed. “Ke-ke, you’re grown. I won’t hide anymore.”
“You’re an ability user—not ordinary. You must feel different from others. This is Jintian’s largest ability agency—the bureau—can cure you.”
Mu continued: “You’re very special—govern spiritual flame. When you’re well, stay with me, serve the bureau, protect the world.”
……
“Lin Qingzhu messaged—they’re all out of danger now.” Bai Yanci set the phone down, smiled. “Ke-ke—you saved them.”
She pulled from memory—eyes brighter—took the water, small sip.
Good—effort wasn’t wasted—they lived.
She asked: “Spirit Tide jade—that’s the artifact guarding Spirit Tide Pool, right?”
Bai Yanci paused, looked up: “How do you know?”
“Dreamed it. Believe me?” Bai Yanci’s reaction convinced her—the moon dreams were real.
Moon matters—Bai Yanci never wanted her in. But Jade Dust had marked her—couldn’t hide by wishing.
Cup empty—set on the table.
Facing Bai Yanci’s doubt—rare seriousness: “Believe or not. I have no books on the moon—can’t climb up to check.”
Bai Yanci didn’t press—still frowned, half believing. Took the cup, filled again, pushed toward her.
“Sister—I don’t strike if not struck. Qiming won’t let me go—they moved first.” Reason and feeling: “I know you don’t want me in moon business—but if I know nothing, enemy in light I in dark—any day I could die.”
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Bai Yanci thought long—decided: “Spirit Tide jade is an ancient moon artifact. Legend says it existed before the gods fell. Power vast—enough to guard a whole planet. The immortal realm’s warrant on me—says I stole Spirit Tide jade and fled to the mortal world.”
So that was the warrant. Clearly Bai Yanci was framed.
Jade Dust took the jade, pinned it on Bai Yanci—two birds one stone.
She puzzled: “If it’s that precious—why give a copy to Yang Yufei?”
“Hers is a fake—part of the real jade’s power. The true artifact is with Jade Dust.” Bai Yanci said. “Something that valuable—no one gives it away lightly.”
Even a replica needed materials gathering heaven and earth’s spirit—not only materials—the maker had to draw real jade power into the copy—strong immortal art required.
That could only be Jade Dust.
“Sister—what’s Jade Dust’s goal? Steal flame for evil cultivation?”
“Steal flame—for power.” Bai Yanci calm. “With power—enough authority to overturn old rules—rule the moon palace and all the immortal realm.”
“Her ambition trades innocent lives,” Yi Ke gritted. “Damn her.”
Bai Yanci silent a long while.
Night outside—moonlight traced cold lines on her profile—more sacred.
Sudden question: “But human dynasties change—thrones fall—don’t countless die too?”
Yi Ke looked up into beautiful eyes.
Eyes full of confusion—Bai Yanci truly didn’t grasp mortal feeling.
“But that’s mortal business.” Word by word. “Human things—human rules and human cost. Why should moon ambition buy itself with mortal lives? That’s not fair.”
Bai Yanci nodded as if understanding—Yi Ke knew she didn’t really.
Not her fault—can’t blame her.
Blame the moon’s inhuman raising and teaching.
Human ability users vs immortals—before Jade Dust numbers meant nothing.
Jade Dust hid behind Qiming—no massacre—probably fearing the immortal realm.
First Sun-Moon opening—disaster. Yang Yufei vanished—every attendee badly hurt—contest postponed.
Ji Chengfeng fronted—explained accident, soothed public, promised accountability.
When she healed some—squirming in his office: “Chief, what accountability? I told you everything. They’re too strong—I can’t beat them.”
Strong as she was—still mortal—how fight artifact power?
“Little Yi—look. I trust you—whole bureau, whole Ability Bureau—few stronger than you. You say you can’t win—tell me what we’re dealing with?”
Long time no Ji Chengfeng—nagging unchanged.
She didn’t want to mention the artifact—Spirit Tide jade dragged in moon affairs—maybe Bai Yanci too.
She fobbed off: “Name Yang Yufei—the missing one—Qiming member. Paper files given you—electronic copy too.”
Ji suspicious: “No accomplices? Little Yi—you can’t beat her alone?”
That line proved he hadn’t read the files. Couldn’t fully blame the old chief.
Besides contestants—many art association brass.
Since the incident he’d run TV stations and city hall—calm the public—suppress the story.
She explained: “Chief, Yang Yufei’s ability is mind control—she controlled the whole hall.”
“Qiming’s full of talent. Young as you are—hard work.” Pat on her back, sigh. “I’ll report truthfully to the bureau—have that lord send more hands.”
That lord was Mu Wenxin.
“No need—Director Mu’s busy, don’t…”
“Since you joined SI you and Director Mu haven’t met in ages.” Ji stubborn—ignored her. “Rare chance—reunite. I’ll contact her now.”
Thinking—she had questions for Mu too. If Ji forced a meeting—ask clear.
She cared about Yang Yufei’s line: Don’t you know what you are?
What did it mean? Tie to the experiment years ago?
After that experiment Mu said she was very ill—scheduled checkups at the bureau.
Once she was slightly late—gentle Mu exploded. After that—early never late, rain or shine—never asked details.
She thought—Mu at least wouldn’t harm her.
Now enemy words shook her.
Home from the bureau—Bai Yanci not there.
She summoned flame—azure fire in her palm again.
Lately—not only stronger—recovery faster.
More ability use over time—stronger, smoother.
Every time Bai Yanci’s power merged in—it affected her flame—made her stronger.
Right—the variable was Bai Yanci. Could immortal power strengthen abilities?
Waited long—no Bai Yanci—Mu’s message first.
【Mu Wenxin: Ke-ke, let’s meet at the old place.】