163 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Lin Yuxue was originally very busy. As the young master of Luanhua Valley, she had numerous matters to attend to in the valley. However, with the Sword Testing Tournament in Beifa approaching, she personally made the journey to Beifa from Jiangli. Wuji, Wugong, and Wuming were her three personal guards, martial artists appointed by the old valley master himself to protect Lin Yuxue. Lin Yuxue sat quietly in the guest room in Beifa. At twenty-three, her grace and elegance had only deepened over the past seven years. Dressed in a green robe, she appeared even more radiant and charming, her eyebrows and eyes as clear and simple as an ink wash painting. Her hand, hidden in her sleeve, was caressing something. Upon closer inspection, it revealed a white jade mask intricately carved with fine patterns. A thin layer of white jade, gleaming and cool to the touch. Wuji spoke solemnly from the side, "Young Valley Master, the valley master just sent word; spies from the Fentian Sect have been discovered in the valley." "Have they all been identified?" Lin Yuxue asked. "No, we've only captured a few. The valley master suspects there are still remnants yet to be eradicated," Wuji replied. "Give the order that the valley will temporarily stop accepting new disciples. Expel any disciples who have been with us for less than three years, and thoroughly examine those who have been here for less than five years," Lin Yuxue commanded indifferently, raising the white jade mask and playing with it in her hands. "Young Valley Master, won't this cause disorder among the disciples?" Wugong interjected. "Let it be chaotic then. Only by making them anxious will they understand when not to be used by treacherous individuals," Lin Yuxue said slowly. "The valley master also conveyed this. Additionally, the valley master specifically instructed that during your visit to Beifa, you should pay a visit to the headmaster or one of the three lords to discuss matters related to the Fentian Sect," Wuji explained discreetly. Lin Yuxue immediately understood the valley master’s intentions conveyed by Wuji and smiled. "That's perfect. It's been a while since I've seen the esteemed lord of Beifa. Who would be available for a visit now?" Wuming, sounding like a machine without any inflection or emotion, said, "Currently, Headmaster Hongsheng Cen is in seclusion and has not emerged. Lord Cheng Yunhuan is busy overseeing the Sword Testing Tournament, and Lord Jiang Yue is at the Sword Casting Pool. It is uncertain if she is available." "Then I can only visit Lord Ran Fan Yin?" Lin Yuxue's smile deepened. "Wonderful, it's been years since I've seen her. I genuinely want to see her." "Yes, I'll lead the way to Rongku Pavilion," Wuji said respectfully. When Lin Yuxue arrived at Rongku Pavilion, Ran Fan Yin and Cang Min were under an ancient tree with a small table set up, brewing tea and playing chess. Wuji asked, "Young Valley Master, do you need us to..." "You three can leave. I’m not in any danger here; I just want to have a good chat with Lord Ran Fan Yin," Lin Yuxue said, still playing with the white jade mask in her hands, looked at Ran Fan Yin. Cang Min, facing Lin Yuxue, raised an eyebrow and smiled at Ran Fan Yin, "Hey, where did you find this young lady?" Ran Fan Yin turned around in confusion. Seeing Lin Yuxue, she squinted her eyes. Who is this? She looks somewhat familiar... Ran Fan Yin bit her lip, trying hard to remember, but anything she didn’t make an effort to remember she tended to forget quickly. This person must be someone she hadn’t seen in many years; otherwise, she wouldn’t forget their identity and name. Lin Yuxue stepped forward, saying, "Lord Ran Fan Yin, it’s been a while." Ran Fan Yin remained stubbornly lost in thoughts trying to recall who this person was. Cang Min laughed seeing Ran Fan Yin’s daze and said to Lin Yuxue, "She’s far from being well. She’s had recurring major and minor illnesses these past few years. Look, she even has an injury on her hand." Lin Yuxue frowned, "Lord Ran Fan Yin, how is it that the injury on your wrist from seven years ago still hasn't healed?" Suddenly, Ran Fan Yin remembered, seven years ago, Lin Yuxue had bandaged her wound and even gifted her a mechanical bird and a mechanical mouse. "Ahem... a new injury. It’s you, Young Valley Master. Please, have a seat," Ran Fan Yin responded politely. Lin Yuxue sat down beside her and raised an eyebrow, asking Ran Fan Yin, "What do you mean by 'it's you, Young Valley Master'? Did you not recognize me earlier?" Cang Min, noticing Ran Fan Yin's slightly reddened ears, laughed, "She must have forgotten. Her memory has always been poor." Lin Yuxue placed the white jade mask on the chessboard and pointed at it, "Lord Ran Fan Yin, do you remember this mask? Seven years ago, we both admired it. Later, I went and bought it. Do you still want it now?" Ran Fan Yin replied calmly, "I apologize, I forgot. The Young Valley Master can keep it. Is there something else you came to discuss?" Cang Min chimed in, "Oh! I get it. The Young Valley Master must find the guest room too shabby and hopes to stay with you instead, only to find that you forgot her completely..." "Enough, Cang Min!" Ran Fan Yin interrupted, somewhat embarrassed, and glanced at Lin Yuxue. "If that's the case, it's my fault. You’re welcome to choose a room to stay." Lin Yuxue blinked, considering it an unexpected benefit, though… she seemed to have no reason to decline. "Thank you, Lord Ran Fan Yin. Actually, I have some minor matters, but it’s not appropriate to bring them up now and disturb your leisure. Please, continue with your tea and chess," Lin Yuxue said. Ran Fan Yin nodded, poured Lin Yuxue a cup of tea, and then turned back to continue her game with Cang Min. Lin Yuxue took a sip of tea, quietly watching Ran Fan Yin’s calm and focused demeanor while she played chess, still playing with the white jade mask in her hand. In ten days, the Sword Testing Tournament would commence. Just past nightfall, Ning Song Wu put down the book he was reading, picked up his sword, and headed towards the small bamboo grove. He Lan Mian Mian happened to be returning, holding a paper bag and chewing on something. Seeing Ning Song Wu, she grabbed him, "Hey, where are you going? It’s already dark... nom nom..." "What are you eating? It smells quite strong," Ning Song Wu said, waving his hand dismissively.