Investiture of the Gods: Childhood Sweetheart Daji, Starting with Quasi-Saint Cultivation

On the morning of the third day after the demons withdrew, Chaoge City was shrouded in a thin mist.

In the west wing of the General's Mansion, Jiang Xiaowu awoke from a light sleep. She subconsciously touched her lower abdomen, which was still flat as usual, but she could already feel a faint pulse of life.

"Wutong..." she murmured the name, a smile unconsciously spreading across her face.

A maid gently knocked on the door: "Madam, the General has arrived."

Jiang Xiaowu hurriedly got up to change her clothes. When she opened the door, Su Yunbai was already standing under the sycamore tree in the courtyard, holding a bowl of still steaming medicinal food.

"Why are you up?" He walked over. "You should rest more."

"You've had enough sleep." Jiang Xiaowu took the bowl of medicine. "What's this?"

"This is a pregnancy-stabilizing elixir that Ao Ling brought from the Dragon Palace." Su Yunbai watched her finish drinking it. "The Dragon Clan places the utmost importance on offspring, and this prescription has been passed down for tens of thousands of years."

Jiang Xiaowu pursed her lips: "It's too expensive."

"You deserve it." Su Yunbai took the empty bowl, grasped her hand, and said, "Today I'm going to the east wing to see Daji. Would you like to come with me?"

"it is good."

As the two walked through the corridor, they encountered Yang Chan, who was practicing her swordplay.

The girl sheathed her sword and bowed, her forehead glistening with sweat.

"So early?" Su Yunbai asked with a smile.

"I'm used to it." Yang Chan wiped her sweat. "Brother... Yang Jian used to say that morning practice is the best way to cultivate sword energy."

Her eyes dimmed when Yang Jian was mentioned.

Su Yunbai said gently, "If we ever meet on the battlefield, I will spare his life."

"Thank you, General." Yang Chan bowed her head. "But I would rather... he didn't come."

These words were spoken softly, yet carried a sense of helplessness.

Su Yunbai patted her shoulder: "Go have breakfast."

"Um."

East Wing Courtyard.

Su Daji was leaning against a soft couch, having her swollen calves massaged by a maid. Her eyes lit up when she saw Su Yunbai and Jiang Xiaowu enter.

"My husband, my little sister Xiaowu."

"Sister." Jiang Xiaowu stepped forward and naturally took over the maid's job, gently massaging Daji.

Daji was a little embarrassed: "How could I trouble you..."

"It's alright," Jiang Xiaowu said softly. "I should ask my sister for more advice."

She was referring to the pregnancy.

Su Yunbai sat down beside the couch, placing his hand on Daji's protruding belly. He felt the baby move, a powerful kick.

"Nianqing is very lively today," he said with a smile.

"That's right." Daji's eyes were gentle. "They didn't calm down until midnight last night, they must have taken after Bixiao's temper."

As they were talking, Bixiao's voice came from outside the door:

"Big sister, you're talking bad about me again!"

She skipped in carrying a food box, followed by Yunxiao.

"I brought bird's nest porridge for my eldest sister!" Bixiao opened the food box as if presenting a treasure. "And cloud cake too, since my eldest sister has been craving sweets lately."

Daji chuckled: "It's kind of you to have such a thoughtful heart."

Yunxiao walked to the bedside and gently placed his fingers on Daji's wrist to check her pulse. The power of music flowed into her wrist like a gentle stream, and after a moment he nodded: "Her pulse is stable; the child is very healthy."

"Thank you for your trouble, fairy." Daji said.

"You should call her 'little sister' now," Bixiao interjected. "We're all family, there's no need to be so formal with 'fairy' and 'fairy'."

Daji blushed slightly and looked up at the clouds.

Yunxiao remained calm: "Whatever you say."

This is tacit consent.

Su Yunbai felt a warm glow in his heart as he watched this scene.

After breakfast, the women chatted idly in the courtyard.

Bixiao suddenly said, "By the way, Yunbai, my second sister sent a message this morning saying that she will arrive in three days."

"Fairy Qiongxiao?" Su Yunbai looked at Yunxiao.

Yunxiao nodded: "Second sister said she wanted to come and see eldest sister, and also... Chaoge."

Bixiao chuckled to herself, "I think she just wanted to come see someone."

Yunxiao gently patted her: "Don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not talking nonsense." Bixiao moved closer to Su Yunbai. "Yunbai, your second sister has a cold personality, so you'll have to be patient with her. But she has the softest heart. If you treat her sincerely, she will never let you down."

Su Yunbai said helplessly, "You've said that several times already."

I was afraid you'd forget.

As everyone was chatting and laughing, Ao Ling walked in from the corridor.

"What are you chatting about that's making you so happy?"

"Tell me about Sister Qiongxiao's upcoming visit," Bixiao said. "Sister Aoling, you'll have to lend her a hand then."

Ao Ling glanced at Su Yunbai indifferently: "He knows what he's doing."

These words are quite meaningful.

Su Yunbai coughed lightly, changing the subject: "How's it going at the Dragon Palace?"

"My father sent a message saying that the dragon clans of the four seas have reached a consensus—in this calamity, the dragon clans will side with Chaoge," Ao Ling said. "But the condition is that the coast of the East Sea be kept out of the flames of war."

"Of course," Su Yunbai nodded. "Please thank the Dragon King for me."

"Um."

In the afternoon, Su Yunbai was handling military affairs in his study.

Wen Zhong delivered a battle report from the front lines—small-scale skirmishes continued at Sishui Pass, but there were no signs of a major offensive by Xiqi.

"Jiang Ziya is waiting," Wen Zhong said, "waiting for us to reveal a weakness."

"Then don't let him wait." Su Yunbai put down the battle report. "Strengthen the defense of the supply lines and set up more diversionary forces. Let him not be able to figure out our true strength."

"Yes." Wen Zhong paused, "General, there's something..."

"explain."

"There are some rumors in the army that the general... relies too much on his female relatives," Wen Zhong said cautiously, "especially the fairies of the Jie Sect."

Su Yunbai smiled: "Does the Grand Tutor think so too?"

"I only recognize strength," Wen Zhong said solemnly. "The Cloud Cloud Fairy's Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation and the Azure Cloud Fairy's Golden Dragon Scissors have both made great contributions on the battlefield. I will be the first to object to anyone who dares to speak ill of them."

"Then I'll trouble the Grand Tutor to quell these rumors," Su Yunbai said. "In these extraordinary times, I don't want internal strife to arise."

"clear."

After Wen Zhong left, Su Yunbai leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.

Relying heavily on female relatives?

Without them, Chaoge would have fallen long ago.

What do these people know?

In the evening, Su Yunbai went to Qinyin Pavilion to find Yunxiao.

She was tuning her piano when she saw him, and her fingers paused.

"What's up?"

"I came to see you." Su Yunbai sat down opposite her. "Are you tired today?"

"Not tired." Yunxiao lowered his head to tune the strings. "It's much more leisurely than when I was at Biyou Palace."

"That's good." Su Yunbai looked at her focused profile and suddenly asked, "When Fairy Qiongxiao comes, will you... feel uncomfortable?"

Yunxiao looked up: "Why are you feeling uncomfortable?"

"after all……"

"She's my sister," Yunxiao interrupted him. "If she's willing, I'll be happy for her."

She paused.

"Yun Bai, I am not a narrow-minded person. After cultivating for a thousand years, I have long since become indifferent to many things. As long as you are sincere, that is enough."

Su Yunbai took her hand.

"I have treated you all with the utmost sincerity."

"I know." A faint smile appeared in Yunxiao's eyes. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have tolerated you."

These words, though spoken in a plain tone, carry immense weight.

Touched, Su Yunbai lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand.

The piano played softly, as if in response.

Night was falling.

When Su Yunbai left Qinyin Pavilion, he met Bixiao in the corridor.

She was carrying a lantern, as if she were waiting for him.

"Why aren't you resting yet?"

"I've been waiting for you." Bixiao took his arm. "Yunbai, I have something to tell you."

"What's this whispered conversation about now?"

The two walked to the stone bench in the courtyard and sat down.

Bixiao, unusually serious, asked, "What are your plans now that Second Sister is here?"

"Let nature take its course."

"That won't do." Bixiao shook her head. "Second Sister is passive by nature. If you also let things take their course, I'm afraid there will be no progress even after another hundred years."

Su Yunbai chuckled: "Then what's your opinion?"

"Be proactive, but don't rush it." Bixiao counted on her fingers. "First, let her get to know you, to know what kind of person you are. Then... um, find opportunities to spend time alone with her. Second Sister likes peace and quiet, you can accompany her to admire the moon, discuss philosophy..."

As she was talking, she suddenly sighed.

"Actually, I'm worried too. My second sister isn't as lively as me, nor is she as cold on the outside but warm on the inside as my eldest sister. She's really cold; she's indifferent to everyone."

"Then why are you still trying to matchmake them?"

"Because I know she has a warm heart," Bixiao said earnestly, "but she hides it too deeply. Yunbai, if you can get into her heart... she will definitely treat you very, very well, better than anyone else."

Su Yunbai rubbed her head.

"I'll try."

"It's not just about trying, it's about making it happen." Bixiao hugged him. "I want the three of us sisters to be together forever."

These words are childish, yet sincere.

Su Yunbai hugged her.

"Okay, let's stay together forever."

A night breeze blows, and the lanterns sway gently.

At midnight, Su Yunbai returned to his bedroom.

He pushed open the door and saw Jiang Xiaowu sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for him.

"Why are you here?"

"I missed you," Jiang Xiaowu said softly. "I haven't had a chance to talk to you alone today."

Su Yunbai sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulder.

"Then let's talk."

"Yunbai," Jiang Xiaowu leaned on his shoulder, "Did you name the child Wutong because of the tree in my yard?"

"Yes and no," Su Yunbai said. "The phoenix perches on the parasol tree; I hope she can soar freely in the future, unfettered."

"Like you?"

"Like me," Su Yunbai nodded, "but live an easier life than me."

Jiang Xiaowu remained silent for a moment.

"I will teach her marksmanship, teach her to lead troops, teach her... to protect those she wants to protect."

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

"It's not hard work." Jiang Xiaowu looked up at him. "This is our child, it's not hard work no matter what."

Su Yunbai's heart softened, and he lowered his head to kiss her forehead.

"Go to sleep, I'll stay with you."

"Um."

The candlelight went out, and moonlight streamed in through the window.

That night, Chaoge was peaceful.