Chapter 69: Infiltration

She frowned—seemed to surface from drifting dream—soft: “…Ke-ke?”
Somehow she’d sunk into dream unaware—become a witness inside the memory.
Yi Ke had crossed the phantom mist—come before Bai Yanci as herself.
She stepped forward—smiled: “Sister—it’s me—I came to see you.”
After living those past days with Bai Yanci—she wanted soul into flesh—beside her—warm the lonely soul.
She understood why Bai Yanci never told moon stories—why oaths weighed a thousand catties.
Guilt day after day—became heart-demon—willing to pay with life—escape pain.
Now she knew everything—could say aloud: “It’s not your fault.”
No “I forgive you”—she’d never blamed Bai Yanci. Also for Xi Yue—words buried long.
“If not for me—how would Xi Yue suffer?” Bai Yanci said. “Why wasn’t I the fallen god—maybe I’d have been the one to sacrifice…”
Before she finished—step—held Bai Yanci tight.
“I said—I don’t blame you—really.” Pat on the back soft. “If you owe Xi Yue—when it’s over—pay me double.”
“Good—whatever you want—I promise.” Bai Yanci’s eyes shone—years’ knot loosened—tears had exit. “I thought—only in dreams—could I hear words like that.”
“Not dreams.” Gentle. “Love words—whenever you want—I’ll say them till you’re sick of them.”
After a while Bai Yanci asked: “I’m in a dream—how did you enter?”
“I exist as spirit now—I can enter your dreams.”
Bai Yanci understood—every “Xi Yue” phantom in the dream—was actually Yi Ke.
Yi Ke walked the whole memory with her.
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She owned the dream—Yi Ke entered uninvited—only as spirit.
Half asleep—Yi Ke couldn’t show herself—clung to person or object—until Bai Yanci ruled the dream.
Now Bai Yanci knew it was dream—the dream didn’t end.
Like Yi Ke—spirit form—watched what followed.
After that Bai Yanci begged Diting—let Xi Yue leave the water prison—no more humiliation.
She thought it hard—Diting agreed.
Immortal realm war faction stirred—small fights at first—nothing serious.
Spirit Tide jade pendant’s barrier held—realm strife didn’t reach the moon.
But Diting came by night to Spirit Tide Pool—cut a piece from Spirit Tide jade pendant himself.
Pendant damaged—divine power leaked.
Moon barrier shook—immortals who’d eyed the moon crossed cracks—slaughter.
The culprit sat high—careless—used all moon lives to force Xi Yue—soul sacrifice—to mend the pendant.
Dream ended—Bai Yanci gnashed teeth: “He broke Spirit Tide jade pendant—wants Xi Yue’s consciousness to patch it—I’ll have his life!”
Dream collapsed—the dreamer would wake.
No goodbye—noise woke Bai Yanci.
Qingxi brought two immortals—door open—bowed: “Greetings, Lord Bai.”
“What’s this?” Bai Yanci to Qingxi.
“You heal alone in the side hall—my Lord pities your trouble—sent capable immortals to tend you.”
Qingxi’s tone no warmth—ice.
“Then thank Immortal Qingxi for me—and my Lord.”
Qingxi’s brow lifted—surprised.
“I’ve thought it through—back—I stay beside my Lord.” Bai Yanci cold. “Human life—a century—why waste effort on humans.”
Qingxi finally softened: “Good if you think so.”
After Qingxi left—she pointed at one small immortal: “You—name?”
Small immortal bowed: “Lord Bai—I am Furong—my Lord’s lady-in-waiting. She is Lanzhi—my apprentice.”
“Good—go fetch fresh flowers.”
Furong sent out—two left in the hall.
Before Bai Yanci spoke—the immortal introduced: “Lord Bai—I am Lanzhi—also my Lord’s lady-in-waiting.”
“Lanzhi” looked up—Bai Yanci smiling—pierced at once: “Ke-ke—I know you.”
“Lord Bai sees clear—couldn’t hide.” Yi Ke dropped disguise—true face. “I knocked Lanzhi out—hid her in a remote corner—barrier—won’t out for a year or two.”
“Relax—I was careful—no one saw. When chance comes—I take you off the moon.”
“He won’t let me go easy. I tried twice—no third chance.”
Bai Yanci worried: “Ke-ke—find a chance—leave the moon.”
She was firm: “I’m not afraid of him. I came—I won’t go back empty. Without you—nowhere has meaning.”
She understood Bai Yanci’s logic—the only “chance” was the day Diting lost his head.
But even prime Milt wasn’t Diting’s match—what then?
Bai Yanci timely: “To fight Diting—you need full consciousness.”
“God-Slaying Array.” She understood at once. “Only a true god summons it—our only chance.”
“Yes—full consciousness—prime ancient power returns.” Bai Yanci frowned—slow. “But after summoning—you spend all divine power.”
War of gods—ten gods together summoned the array.
One god alone—must spend everything.
“Fine—you’re still here.” She blinked—pitiful act. “Sister—you won’t dump me when I’m ordinary?”
Bai Yanci speechless—long pause: “Right—won’t want you. Ordinary—you go to some ditch.”
She suspected—that row of GL novels again—too improper.
She told what she’d found: “Sister—I sense—a piece of my broken consciousness is on the moon.”
Bai Yanci had War God consciousness—too thin.
Now Bai Yanci only knew her one fallen god—hope all on her.
If Bai Yanci knew her birth—she’d risk everything—even self—to summon the array—she hid it in her heart.
One fallen god was enough.
Furong efficient—flowers back—fresh—stunning—many roses.
Besides roses—blooms only on the moon.
Diting’s capable lady—knew rules—read master’s taste—same for Diting—same for Bai Yanci.
Bai Yanci waved Furong off—arranged flowers before her—every move elegant.
Trimmed—simple white porcelain—she praised: “Lord Bai’s skill is masterful.”
Since she came—Bai Yanci’s mood lifted—laughed light: “Actually you taught me—sorry you forgot.”
“Painting too?”
“Of course.” Bai Yanci teased. “Unless you saw it—who’d believe Immortal Xi Yue’s first try was that ugly.”
“Back home—I’ll paint your portrait every day—ugly or not you’ll take it!”
“No way.”
“Who said anything I ask you’d agree?”
Bai Yanci yielded: “…One portrait a day only.”
Diting cautious by nature—at the top he slackened—days—never noticed the lady swapped.
Sending Furong and Lanzhi—care on the surface—watch in truth.
This morning Furong shook her awake—flat: “Time for main hall—don’t miss the hour.”
Today—report to Diting at main hall.
Furong outranked Lanzhi—senior—trusted lady at Diting’s side.
Lanzhi rose on Furong’s pull—only then beside Diting.
At main hall—ritual bow—Diting high—asked Furong: “How is Yanci’s wound?”
Furong: “My Lord—Immortal Qingxi’s art is excellent—Lord Bai is nearly healed.”
Diting’s face dark—displeased: “Don’t heal so fine—recover slow—then she won’t want to leave.”
Furong went silent—barely breathed.
Lanzhi’s rank—labor only—moon rank strict—like mortal feudal order.
Formal report—she couldn’t speak—fine by her—scolding shared. One wrong word—blown cover.
Diting looked up—Qingxi entered from the side: “The task I gave you?”
Qingxi knelt: “Your servant failed—couldn’t find that human woman.”