Chapter 39: Champion

At the Sun-Moon Cup opening—if she hadn’t been there—Yang Yufei would have killed many and taken the rest to Qixie for Jade Dust’s experiments.
Those affected only remembered fainting at the venue and waking in hospital—nothing of what happened.
After Yang Yufei vanished she’d returned as a “victim” to public view—as Jintian’s famous fashion designer.
Yi Ke had synced Yang’s file to the police. Large numbers involved—the police reported up to the bureau.
As long as Yang Yufei didn’t show herself, search as they might, they couldn’t find her trail.
Last time Yang Yufei failed. This finals she’d be more careful.
“Finals are tomorrow.” She went back to the outfit design and asked offhand: “Sister, you’ll come watch me compete, right?”
Casual question—but Bai Yanci said: “Sorry, Ke-ke. I can’t watch tomorrow.”
“What do you have to do?” She set materials down.
“Just petty chores. I’ll handle them fast.”
“Going back to the moon palace?”
“Mm.” Bai Yanci nodded.
“Your immortal power isn’t fully back. You’re injured.” Worried. “If you meet Qingxi again—how sure are you of getting out whole?”
“After last time Qingxi was badly hurt—and you cut off an arm. She can’t match me.”
“Even wounded, Qingxi’s power is above yours. If the Lord comes for you himself—how do you escape? Have you thought?”
She pressed: “This competition means nothing. If Yang Yufei weren’t there I wouldn’t go. After the contest I’ll go to the moon palace with you.”
Bai Yanci didn’t react. She asked again: “Do you know where that Lord came from?”
“He’s strong—not a god, but power to rival gods. You don’t know him. Face him and you won’t leave the moon palace.” Bai Yanci finally spoke. “Ke-ke, the moon is more dangerous than you think. You’re a fallen god. In the Lord’s hands you won’t come out well.”
She argued a long while. Bai Yanci wouldn’t bend—picked up materials and started helping her instead.
Bai Yanci was stubborn that way. Once decided, no changing.
“Wish you the championship. Come back victorious. I’ll wait for good news.” Soft.
Basic design was done—most of the garment finished—but the rest was intricate. Huge work left.
Alone she’d need an all-nighter to barely finish.
She didn’t refuse help. “After the contest—can I see you right away?”
Bai Yanci said: “I promise I’ll come back as fast as I can.”
“So that’s a no.” She went blank a moment and stopped pushing.
Distracted, the needle pricked her finger. Blood on white cloth like bright little flowers.
Pain only a flash—when she moved to treat it the wound had healed itself.
Bai Yanci noticed too: “Ke-ke, you…”
Since she’d been the vessel and absorbed the pendant’s power she’d felt full.
Self-healing must be from that.
“It’s fine. Just lost focus.”
No more distraction—she worked the finals piece single-minded. Part defiance, part helplessness.
Bai Yanci always had reasons and excuses. Someday she might hide something vast until the last moment.
Then she’d stay at Bai Yanci’s side—that was the one choice that wouldn’t change.
What was hidden—she’d find cause and truth herself until her lover opened her heart.
Next morning when she woke Bai Yanci was already gone.
In a hurry—no breakfast. Before Bai Yanci she never ate breakfast. Missing it now felt hollow.
One person really could change another’s long habits.
As she left she ran into Jiang Ci about to knock.
Jiang Ci froze, awkward.
She teased: “Well, Miss Jiang—honored to escort me yourself?”
Jiang Ci rolled her eyes. “Who knew if you’d still be dead weight and drop out. I came for Teacher Wang to see if you’re alive again.”
“Thanks to your blessing, revived.” She laughed. “If I quit that’s one less rival for you. Whoever wins first place, Teacher Wang will be happy.”
“Besides you, none of them are worth facing.” Jiang Ci looked away, sniffed. “I don’t want a victory like that.”
She smiled. “Those days—thanks for visiting.”
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I wasn’t visiting you—I came for Teacher Wang…”
“Okay, okay—not on purpose—on purpose.” She slung an arm over Jiang Ci’s shoulder. “Hold on—we’re leaving now.”
Jiang Ci puzzled: “Leaving how? You booked a car?”
“What car? Immortal art.”
She drew a small transport array on the spot. In a blink they were at the Sun-Moon Cup venue.
“…Fast.” Jiang Ci’s first ride like that—still unsteady after landing.
They came early. Other contestants and judges hadn’t all arrived.
She set her work aside and pulled Jiang Ci to the contestants’ seats.
She tried to locate Bai Yanci—too far. Green-silk ring and spiritual flame both drew blank.
Jiang Ci looked like she wanted to speak. “If you’ve got something, ask. What’s that face?”
A long pause before Jiang Ci blurted: “That sister—she’s really your girlfriend?”
“Yeah. Jiang-jie told you?”
“Your girlfriend told me herself.”
That surprised her—Bai Yanci didn’t seem the type to say it first.
“How’d you meet?”
“Picked her up off the street.”
“Can you talk straight?” Jiang Ci’s gossip won. She forgot one line and teased rare: “I remember your cold act—turned down so many confessions. Lucky you found someone that pretty.”
“What luck—that’s skill. What cold act—I’m busy all day, no time for personas!”
She chatted with Jiang Ci without really listening. Mind wasn’t on talk or even the contest—on the first seat at the judges’ table.
Crowd grew. Start time came. Yang Yufei still hadn’t appeared.
Contestants presented one by one. After Jiang Ci’s turn Yang Yufei arrived late—sunglasses, star posture, glanced her way from the judges’ bench.
Bad feeling at once.
Her turn. After her presentation Yang Yufei spoke: “Contestant—how did you come to the theme of freedom?”
Someone whispered beside her: “Teacher Yang—that’s the rematch first-place winner.”
She answered calm: “Hello, Teacher Yang. I think love and freedom are eternal themes. I used flowers and birds in the design—that’s why I chose this topic.”
“Your workmanship is exquisite.” Yang Yufei smiled light. “I believe you’ll become an excellent designer.”
She’d thought Yang Yufei stopped her to use ability and harass her.
Blessing and gentle look—for a moment illusion—like the old Vice-Director Yang.
Bow on stage: “Thank you, Teacher Yang.”
After judges voted she took the Sun-Moon Cup champion trophy—and couldn’t feel happy.
Jiang Ci beside her, runner-up, nudged her: “Hey, spacing out—you won. Why don’t you look happy?”
The event had gone too smooth. That felt wrong.
At the opening Yang Yufei had said she hated these people. Why pass up a chance this good?
Unless she was waiting for the right moment.
After contestants left she handed Jiang Ci the trophy: “Take mine back for me. I have something to do.”
Jiang Ci held two trophies, baffled: “Where are you going? Teacher Wang messaged—we’re eating!”
“Then explain to Teacher Wang for me.”
Against the flow she hid her form and returned to the venue. The VIPs had been kept—by Yang Yufei.
Yang Yufei let contestants and outsiders out to reduce noise—easier to move.
Sunglasses off. Looking down at the crowd from the stage she laughed: “When you bullied me—you never thought today would come, did you?”
She came down with a fruit knife, cold smile: “President Zhang—no luck today. You die here.”
Yi Ke stepped from hiding and took the knife. “Teacher Yang—we meet again.”
“You again! I knew you’d come back. I meant to let you go—you wouldn’t take it!” Yang Yufei sniffed. “Ruining my plans again and again—and you dare walk back into my hands!”