Chapter 22: Resentment

Watching Bai Yanci’s sleeping profile—thought long—climbed into bed anyway.
Not gentlemanly—not taking advantage. Her home—her bed.
Double bed—room for two.
At first far away—heart racing—afraid to break her sleep.
Bai Yanci slept straight—even wounded—elegant immortal sister—holy, untouchable.
Wounds treated—recovery took time—wouldn’t wake soon.
She dropped caution—leaned into Bai Yanci’s arms—arms around her waist—face deep in the neck—couldn’t bear to part.
Nose full of familiar scent—cool with rose underneath—restless heart settled.
She knew the injuries—roughly when she’d wake.
But if… she woke sudden—how explain?
The thought—she sat up sharp—looked at Bai Yanci—eyes soft—greedy for stolen warmth.
Long while—finally let go.
Cold ceiling—sober—thought about the moon dream.
She didn’t care beloved vs great immortal.
Who stayed beside Bai Yanci now was her—only her.
For Bai Yanci—even with eternal life—she never begged for length of days.
Deep night—Bai Yanci woke.
Familiar ceiling—as if they’d never left the mortal world—moon trip all illusion.
Sat up—checked wounds—shocked—Qingxi’s blade cuts mostly healed—heavy hits stopped bleeding miraculously.
Artifact blade wounds—not easy to cure.
“Sister—you’re awake.” Yi Ke pushed door—gentle gaze—everything like yesterday.
Bai Yanci disbelief: “Ke-ke—we’re back? How… how did we get back?”
Tried to stand—head heavy—dizzy—almost fell—gentle immortal power held her.
Warmth from Yi Ke.
Yi Ke brief: “At the moon—I cut off one of Qingxi’s arms—redrew transport array—brought you home.”
“Sister?” Bai Yanci blank—thought not fully awake—soft: “This is our home.”
“Home?” Bai Yanci murmured.
On the moon—in flight through the immortal realm—when had she had home?
Yi Ke said clear: This is our home.
Yi Ke brought warm medicine—helped her sit against the headboard—back of hand on forehead: “Still fever—drink this first.”
Bai Yanci didn’t take the bowl—waved it aside—grabbed her wrist—pulled her close.
“What about you? Hurt?” Grip hard—urgent. “Qingxi is the moon’s strongest great immortal—not easy—are you really fine?”
Yi Ke laughed—let her check: “Lucky—I’m fine.”
No wounds on Yi Ke—Bai Yanci remembered—looked around frantic—for something.
“Looking for this?” Yi Ke gathered power—Qiyang Sword appeared. “I heard a line—joy and harmony answer the law, good air fills the realm. Qiyang Sword—the name hopes auspicious air covers the world—a fine meaning.”
“You can wield Qiyang?” Bai Yanci finally saw the aura around Yi Ke—low: “Fallen god power.”
Legend—before gods fell—a prophecy: a thousand years later the immortal realm would face calamity—after turmoil, rebirth.
For that vague line—great immortals searched for fallen gods for years—moon’s ruler too.
“At the moon I guessed—you’re not Qiyang’s true master—that doesn’t matter now.” Yi Ke lifted the warm bowl—fed her. “Sister—your injury first—moon business after you heal.”
Black medicine in the bowl—Bai Yanci frowned.
“Grown woman—afraid of bitter.” Yi Ke got her—light laugh. “I added honey.”
Bai Yanci looked up—eyes dark—too much unsaid churning.
Spirit Tide jade. Moon. Fallen god.
Miracle after miracle on Yi Ke.
In the dream just now… Xi Yue’s figure again.
After the war—long no Xi Yue—dream or waking—no meeting.
Dazed a moment—opened mouth—let Yi Ke feed slow.
Not bitter—sweet.
Bowl empty—Yi Ke reached—started undressing her.
Terror—face burned—scooted back—Yi Ke serious: “Sister—how do I heal you if you don’t take it off?”
“Heal?” Bai Yanci paused.
“Yeah—heal you.” Yi Ke had her own schemes—but face steady—righteous act: “Just the outer coat—not strip bare—I bought those clothes!”
Bai Yanci stopped fighting—outer layers off—inner garment left.
Hand on Bai Yanci’s back—“accidental” stroke—then focused healing art.
Only then could she show small wants openly—silent confession mixed in teasing half true half joke.
Those secret wants—only for midnight shadow.
“Sister—we’ve been through life and death.” Healing done—leaned close—beauty bait: “Don’t you think I’m different from other humans?”
“Precisely—you’re not human. You’re a fallen god.” Bai Yanci corrected.
“…That’s not what I meant.”
Since Bai Yanci missed the flirt—doubt remained—followed the thread: “Sister—what is a fallen god?”
“Legend—a thousand years ago after gods fell—their consciousness scattered to the mortal world—passed down generations—merged with some human blood—became ability users.” Patient. “Some are true gods reborn—or carry a god’s full consciousness and power—called fallen gods.”
Ordinary ability users—tiny shred of god consciousness—blood carried divine power.
Fallen gods—true rebirth or full divine consciousness and power.
Still doubt: “My foster mother said—only a fallen god soul fragment in me. The experiment called me danger rating SSS.”
“You used fallen god power—I won’t mistake it.” Grave. “Danger rating—Ability Bureau’s unique label?”
She shook head—knew nothing of bureau experiments.
Mu adopted her—let her walk the bureau—but lab forbidden except as specimen—experimenters wouldn’t chat.
Sudden: “If I only have a fragment—what’s my lifespan? Still a short hundred years?”
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Bai Yanci slow: “If your foster mother is right—only a fragment—you inherit power only—lifespan unchanged.”
Unchanged—still a hundred years.
Hope just sprouted—shattered. On the ruins—another hope.
Another miracle? Mu wrong—full fallen god soul?
“The immortal realm has searched for fallen gods long. You showed power on the moon—My Lord will notice soon.” Brow knit—worry. “My Lord stops at nothing—I won’t let them take you—harm you.”
Even with fallen god power—couldn’t use it freely—unstable. After return—power had faded—far less than on the moon.
Now against Qingxi—soul scatter—no burial.
“Fine—let moon people come kill us if they can.” Stiff smile. “I’ll check Chu He—you stay and heal.”
Learning fallen god power but mortal span—resentment rose from nowhere.
Not begging for length of days didn’t mean not wanting to fight—not craving to fight.
“Ke-ke—let me come with you.” Mind turbulent—Bai Yanci caught her from behind—soft: “Home’s cold—don’t leave me alone.”