Chapter 9: Cooking

Bai Yanci turned and glared: “Still energy for nonsense—you should’ve died of illness.”
The person beside her last night really had been Bai Yanci.
When she tried to remember more, her head split—but details wouldn’t sharpen, like fog over distance.
“The place in my dream was the moon palace, right? I don’t know why I dreamed it,” curious, she drifted in front of Bai Yanci, clever topic shift, “Sister, tell me about the moon palace?”
Bai Yanci didn’t stop working, glanced up and carved her with her eyes—actually making breakfast with some skill: “I said already—the moon palace isn’t a good place. Don’t tell me childhood fairy tales gave you unrealistic fantasies about immortals.”
Refused flat, she glanced at the counter—surprised.
She’d thought Bai Yanci was bluffing—microwave dumplings at best. Sister’s knife work was decent. Better cook than her by a mile.
She lost to a rabbit freshly down from heaven. If she entered a kitchen she’d blow up the apartment.
Mind wandering—back to Qiming.
One thing she couldn’t solve.
In Qiming’s standards, rejects like Jiang Ci with filthy visible flame had to be destroyed at once.
What about successful subjects? What did Qiming get from them? What benefit for the victims?
She asked again: “If Jade Dust is from the moon palace—what do you use stolen flame for there?”
“Are you the ten-thousand-whys kid?” Bai Yanci lifted her lids but answered patient: “Nothing but cultivation—to strengthen power.”
“Strengthen power? Flame can do that?”
“Only crooked arts that need to steal others’ flame.” Breakfast on the table. “Useless questions. Eat while hot.”
Shredded pork with carrot—clearly Bai Yanci’s taste.
Not picky was virtue. She hadn’t eaten home cooking in ages—cafeteria or delivery. Being a rabbit with sister once in a while was fine.
A bite—taste so-so.
First time cooking—she performed her life’s best act: “Sister, first time in the kitchen? This rivals Michelin three-star chefs!”
“What Mi? What three stars?” Bai Yanci puzzled. “Mi and Samsung aren’t phone brands?”
More rice in her mouth: “Mm… means you cook really well!”
Forgot—rabbit didn’t know slang.
Bai Yanci nodded thoughtful, looked at her half believing.
Just set down chopsticks to rise—breath caught. Violent spiritual-flame fluctuation.
Direction… suburbs again!
Dazed, she seemed to hear a man sneer: “Move fast! Lord Jade Dust ordered—all defective subjects destroyed today!”
Defective subjects! Qiming people!
Face changed. No time to tidy—message to SI.
【Yi Ke: Qiming surrounded an abandoned warehouse—they’re destroying all rejects!】
Grabbed her coat—Bai Yanci yanked her from behind: “Where are you going?”
Strong grip—couldn’t budge.
“People in danger!” She smiled, tried to peel Bai Yanci’s hand off. “Your power’s not fully back—rest at home. I’ll be right back.”
Bai Yanci gripped tighter: “Doesn’t matter. Where you go, I go.”
Seeing her resolve, she didn’t refuse—ability out, straight to the suburbs.
Same abandoned warehouse. Same spot. Blue-clad woman and her lover had died here.
Long displacement again—but no fatigue. Not a trace.
Usually she’d need serious rest after.
Maybe not illusion—her strength had grown.
Not only distance—she’d sensed abnormal flame before, never this far.
“Well well—Team Leader Yi.” The lead man unsurprised at sight of her. “Lord Jade Dust saw it coming.”
Everyone knew her? Her name had spread through Qiming.
Meaning—Jade Dust knew she’d come?
Five defective subjects—all unconscious, flames unstable.
Without help—could go out any moment.
The man: “Stay out of it. These rejects are dangerous. Suburbs sparse—My Lord was merciful, ordered destruction here so innocents aren’t hurt.”
Woman chimed: “Yeah Team Leader Yi—you’re young, still a student? Cherish your life.”
Qiming brought many—only this pair had say. Both strong ability users by aura.
One—fine. Two—work.
They didn’t take her seriously. Bai Yanci beside her—not even a proper glance.
How much had Bai Yanci recovered these days? What fraction of power?
Her mission—couldn’t let Bai Yanci risk for her.
SI should still be en route—she needed to buy time.
Cold laugh, taunt: “Don’t want to hurt innocents—why strip people’s flame? Hear how ironic that is? Would you offer your flame to your lord?”
“Hah—they dreamed of abilities as ordinary people. We helped—they owe us.”
Man lowered voice, fake regret: “Team Leader Yi—talented so young—why oppose us? Lord Jade Dust admires you. Leave SI, join us…”
“In your dreams!” She cut him off. “Tell your lord—I’d die before joining you!”
Man exploded: “Tch, you brat—don’t push your luck!”
Next instant—behind her, ability out—aimed to kill!
Fast turn—spinning kick—man stepped back half pace. Foot only brushed cloth—missed.
“Your lord wants me in the gang—this is your sincerity?”
“That all you’ve got?” Man scoffed. “Can’t beat me—how dare you meet Lord Jade Dust?”
She smiled then—light, mocking.
Man noticed—the whole warehouse sat inside a powerful barrier.
Clever layout—faint traces—he’d never felt it!
SI had the outside sealed—every exit blocked.
Woman had been watching sport—now panicked: “You! When!”
“From the start.” Cold. “You underestimated me.”
Too many outside—all ability users—no breaking through.
Woman dumb. Man grabbed her, lit a fire!
Screw it—all die together: “Can’t leave—then we all die!”
Using the subjects’ lives to force her to drop the barrier.
Ability flame—burned fierce in seconds—not ordinary water could kill.
Bai Yanci couldn’t watch: “Who’s dying with you? You’re not worthy.”
Light lift of hand—flame snuffed clean.
Yi Ke frowned, soft: “Using power that much—you okay? How much recovered?”
“Thirty percent. Enough for humans.”
Man scared stupid—dropped the woman, ran—Bai Yanci’s art yanked him back: “Where do you think you’re going?”
---
Step by step to the man, looking down: “Tell me—what is Jade Dust’s origin?”
“I don’t know, I don’t know!” Shaking. “Only know she’s strong—like an immortal from the spirit realm! Origin—I really don’t know!”
“Think carefully.” Bai Yanci formed a dagger from power, throat-cut gesture. “No rush. Slow think. I have time.”
Man’s eyes rolled back—fainted from fright. Woman had fainted already.
Bai Yanci cold laugh: “This nerve—worse than the moon palace’s dogs.”
Because of Bai Yanci she was curious what the moon palace was like.
From immortal sister’s words—cold, no warmth. Eight characters: strength supreme, refined self-interest.
Even Bai Yanci carried that style—not completely.
She could feel—though Bai Yanci played cold, warmth still lingered on her.
“Done. Have your people take them.” Turned to leave. “Back to eat. Dishes aren’t washed.”
“No—I need SI.”
“Why? Isn’t it solved?” Bai Yanci spun around sudden. “You’re going to save them?”
She couldn’t read Bai Yanci’s face.
Dim light—she didn’t move. Didn’t deny.
“You’re insane? Five people!” Bai Yanci heated. “Your flame isn’t fully healed—you’ll save five? How many lives do you have? Think you’re a savior!”