Chapter 57

In a hurry, Ningning took two pieces of underwear from the cabinet and then closed the door, saying, "I was just about to take a bath."

Yang Dingtian's nose was filled with the unique fragrance of a young woman, as this cabinet contained all of Ximen Ningning's clothes, mostly intimate undergarments.

"So late, what brings you here?" Ningning said softly.

"How late is it? I often sneak into your bed in the middle of the night when I can't sleep," Yan Yan said coyly. "I miss your body like a big white sheep. Is it wrong to want to cuddle with you naked?"

Ningning's face turned red, and she whispered, "What nonsense are you talking?"

"We've done more intimate things, haven't we?" Yan Yan said coyly. "Are you only now feeling shy? It's a bit too late to act so reserved."

"Stop it, no more," Ningning said, blushing furiously, as there was another person in the room. She was so virtuous and dignified; it would be too embarrassing for a man to hear such things.

"Alright, what is it? I'm going to take a bath," Ningning said.

"Sure, let's take a bath together," Yan Yan said, reaching to take off Ningning's clothes.

Ningning quickly dodged, saying, "Don't do that. You're already married, how can you still be so wild?"

Hearing the word "married," Yan Yan's body froze, and she stopped her playful actions, sitting on the bed with a light sigh.

Ningning approached and sat next to Yan Yan, saying, "Arguments between couples are inevitable, but you shouldn't say such heartless words. Besides, Yang Dingtian just wanted to..."

"Sister, don't mention her name in front of me," Yan Yan suddenly said. "I really don't want to hear those three words, okay?"

"Yan Yan..." Ningning frowned, displeased. "He is your husband!"

"Sister Ningning, I came to your valley for joy and freedom, so please don't mention him, okay?" Yan Yan said.

Hearing Yan Yan's words and thinking of Yang Dingtian in the cabinet, Ningning's face turned pale. How much would Yan Yan's cold and heartless words hurt Yang Dingtian?

Ningning took a deep breath and said, "Yan Yan, do you feel that you have sacrificed a lot and paid a lot? Do you think Yang Dingtian has wronged you?"

Before Yan Yan could answer, Ningning continued, "You're wrong. What a man needs most is his wife's understanding and support, not her sacrifices. Each time you sacrifice, it seems very noble, but in reality, it's a trampling on him. It's like constantly reminding him of his incompetence."

"Yan Yan, your selflessness is as harmful to him as Dongfang Bingling's selfishness, and perhaps even more so," Ningning said. "For the harm caused by Dongfang Bingling's selfishness, Yang Dingtian can be angry and resentful. But for the harm caused by your selflessness, he can only respond with gentleness and swallow the pain."

"Sister Ningning, you understand him so well. He has said similar things before," Yan Yan said.

"Yan Yan, the fact that he is your husband cannot be changed. Do you still want to be happy in this life? If you do, then love him, support him, and understand him," Ningning said. "Most importantly, I can see that he is a man worth loving."

"What happiness? I don't expect happiness from marrying him. It's just my fate, and I accept it," Yan Yan said softly. "I accepted it five years ago when that incident happened."

Ningning was speechless, fearing that if Yan Yan continued, it would hurt Yang Dingtian even more.

"Sister, this is our last night together. Do we have to talk about such unpleasant things?" Yan Yan said.

Ximen Ningning was shocked. "What do you mean? Have you decided to go to the Netherworld Sea?"

"Yes, I've decided. I'll leave tomorrow," Yan Yan said. "He can no longer be relied upon, so I have to take on the mission of Cloud Peak City myself. In the Netherworld Sea, they might be able to restore my broken spirit meridians and return me to my talent from five years ago. Yang Dingtian once said something very true: a person can only rely on themselves, and no one else can be relied upon."

Ximen Ningning trembled. "There are only five days left. Can't you even give him five days? Today, he hunted two demon cores and almost lost his life, but you won't even give him a chance to prove himself?"

"Hunting demon cores from five elements and then breaking through is just his delusion. Sister Ningning, you have more experience than me. Have you ever heard of such a way to break through?" Yan Yan asked.

Ningning was taken aback and then gently shook her head. She indeed had not heard of it.

"All I know is that he is still an启蒙者 (initiate) and has not a bit of spirit energy in his body," Ximen Yan Yan said. "He has completely entered his own world, and I can't bring him back. I've tried my best. Even if hunting demon cores from all five elements could help him break through, do you think he, as an initiate, could hunt an ice demon core? Could he hunt a lightning demon core?"

Ningning was speechless again, as it was indeed impossible. Just the fire and wind elements had already left Yang Dingtian with numerous injuries.

"Even if he fails, you should wait five more days before leaving. Even if he is delusional, you should let him come to his senses before you leave," Ximen Ningning said.

"But the people from the Netherworld Sea are leaving tomorrow," Yan Yan said. "No one knows where the Netherworld Sea is. If I miss this chance, there will be no other."

"Then you would rather believe in the mysterious Netherworld Sea than in your husband?" Ningning said.

"I've given him many chances," Yan Yan said. "Besides, does anyone in the world not believe in the Netherworld Sea? It is at least better than Yang Dingtian..."

Indeed, no one would doubt the abilities of the Netherworld Sea. In the realm of the mysterious, the Netherworld Sea was truly unique, and it was said that they could even bring the dead back to life.

Ningning took a deep breath and said, "Have you made your decision?"

"Yes," Yan Yan said. "You and Mother are the two people I will miss the most. I'll spend the first half of the night with you and the second half with Mother, and then I'll go to the Netherworld Sea tomorrow."

"Then go...," Ningning stood up and said coldly. "If you choose to leave Cloud Peak City, then consider me as if I never had a sister. If you can abandon your husband, then I don't have a sister like you."

"Sister Ningning..." Yan Yan said, disbelieving. "We are like sisters, and you would abandon me for him?"

"Yes, because I believe in him and admire him," Ningning said. "From the first disagreement, I have always stood by him. I think he is right."

Yan Yan was stunned, tears streaming down her face. She looked at Ningning for a long time and said, "Alright, then I will entrust him to your care in the future. Sister, take care!"

Then, Yan Yan ran out crying.

"Are you not even going to see Yang Dingtian one last time?" Ximen Ningning shouted.

"Seeing him would only make it worse," Yan Yan stopped, then continued running out. "Sister Ningning, please tell her I'm sorry."

After Yan Yan left, Ningning turned and lay on the bed, sobbing quietly.

Yang Dingtian came out of the cabinet, sat by the bed, and saw Ningning's beautiful back trembling from her sobs.

Yang Dingtian gently patted her tender shoulder.

Ningning turned and hugged Yang Dingtian tightly, crying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Yang Dingtian was filled with her warmth and gently patted her back. He was puzzled as to why Ningning was saying sorry, but he said nothing, only comforting Ximen Ningning.

After crying for a while, Ningning left Yang Dingtian's embrace and looked at him with tearful eyes. "Yan Yan did something wrong. I hope you won't blame her."

Yang Dingtian shook his head. "I said before, no matter what she does, I won't blame her, not in words or in my heart."

Ningning suddenly sat up straight. "Yang Dingtian, promise me, stop Yan Yan from going to the Netherworld Sea."

Yang Dingtian thought for a moment and said, "If the people from the Netherworld Sea can really restore Yan Yan's spirit meridians, it would be a good thing for her."

"It's not that simple. The Netherworld Sea is both good and evil. Yan Yan going there might be like entering hell," Ximen Ningning said. "You promised your godfather to protect Yan Yan. If she leaves and something happens, how will you protect her?"

Yang Dingtian asked in his heart, "Master, should I stop Yan Yan? Do you know about the Netherworld Sea?"

Dongfang Niemie was silent for a moment and said, "A debt to the Netherworld Sea can never be repaid in ten lifetimes. No one dares to owe the Netherworld Sea, and if they do, they must repay it in ten lifetimes."

"I know what to do," Yang Dingtian said.

******

Yang Dingtian did not go to find Yan Yan but went to the Tianbin Pavilion to meet Song Yu from the Netherworld Sea.

The Tianbin Pavilion was built at the top of a solitary cliff, a place in Cloud Peak City for hosting the most noble guests.

Climbing the cliff and entering the Tianbin Pavilion, Yang Dingtian met this person.

He was a young man with eyes like distant mountains, a face as beautiful as jade, black hair like clouds, and a demeanor as gentle as the wind. He wore a green robe, and his long hair was not tied with any ornament but fell naturally over his shoulders, proud and natural, graceful and unique.

"Yang Dingtian," Yang Dingtian bowed.

"Song Yu. What brings you here at this late hour?" the other person said coolly.

"I heard that your place can treat my wife's spirit meridians," Yang Dingtian said.

"Your wife?" Song Yu looked puzzled.

"Ximen Yan Yan," Yang Dingtian said.

"She is your wife? But she still seems to be a virgin," Song Yu said, which was quite impolite to say in front of another man's husband.

"That's none of your business," Yang Dingtian said. "You haven't answered my question. Can my wife's spirit meridians really be treated, or not?"