166 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

"Is this really something to get angry about? I was just having fun, trying to drag Sister Lin Yuxue along to play with those cool mechas. Isn’t that perfectly normal? You’re being unreasonable..." Cen Ran pulled her sleeve out of He Lan Mian Mian’s grasp, sneering coldly, "Yes, I’m being unreasonable. So don't speak to me again." He Lan Mian Mian sighed heavily. Deep down, she held the pride of royalty. There were some things she would never humble herself to say. Thus, sometimes, the conflicts between her and Cen Ran were left to be eroded by time. Bo Xue approached and dragged He Lan Mian Mian off to play elsewhere. The two of them got along splendidly, leaving Cang Min and Cen Ran behind in Hua Xu Realm. Ning Song Wu carried a black pot filled with medicine, heading northward. She walked for a long time before finally seeing the two beautiful figures near the cliff. Ran Fan Yin, dressed in white gauze, stood elegantly and looked out over the cliff. Lin Yu Xue stood close by, tilting her head and saying something to Ran Fan Yin. Ning Song Wu paused behind a green pine tree, quietly watching the two from a distance. She couldn't hear their conversation, only wanting to wait until they finished talking so she could bring Ran Fan Yin back to drink her medicine. The pot, initially scalding hot, had turned lukewarm on her way there and was gradually becoming cold as she waited. The icy ceramic felt like a block of ice, stinging her skin. In the distance, Lin Yu Xue seemed to grow tired of standing. She cleared a space on a large rock nearby and sat down, beckoning to Ran Fan Yin. After a moment’s hesitation, Ran Fan Yin walked over and sat beside Lin Yu Xue. They sat very close together. "Master Ran Fan Yin, must you leave Beifa without telling me? I’m still staying in your Rongku Pavilion. Aren’t you afraid I’d empty out your place once you and Cang Min are gone?" Lin Yu Xue’s lips curled into a faint smile, her hand still playing with the white jade mask hidden in her sleeve. "You jest, young mistress," Ran Fan Yin replied softly. "Do you recall the time before the sword trials? It was my first visit to Rongku Pavilion. Seeing you and Cang Min playing chess and brewing tea, I didn't want to disturb your tranquility. There were some matters I said I’d delay discussing with you." Ran Fan Yin turned slightly, glancing at Lin Yu Xue. "Did you come to Kunlun for that?" "Partly. I was also on my way down Beifa Mountain, returning to Central Plains, when I happened upon that little girl He Lan Mian Mian. Since she wanted to come to Kunlun and I heard you were here too, I brought her along." "...So, what is the matter?" Ran Fan Yin nodded, indicating that she understood. The Luanhua Valley held dominion over Central Plains, a prize many in the martial world had their eyes on. The old valley master was likely not long for this world, and Lin Yu Xue needed Beifa’s alliance to secure her position. "I’ll discuss this with the sect leader. Rest assured, young mistress." Having participated in prior events, Beifa and Luanhua Valley were bound together. In the face of the Fentian Gate, it was necessary to ally once more. As for Lin Yu Xue’s personal gain, it was a small thing to satisfy, ensuring that she would be indebted to Beifa when she became the valley master. Mutually beneficial cooperation had nothing wrong with it. After all, this was the way of the martial sects. When their discussion concluded, evening had set in. Ning Song Wu had been standing there, waiting quietly, not taking a single step away, and the pot in her hands had gone completely cold. She saw the two finally rise from their seats and took a step forward, her stiff joints making cracking sounds. Ran Fan Yin, seeing Ning Song Wu from afar, furrowed her brows slightly and walked towards her. "Why are you here? Have you been waiting long?" Ran Fan Yin asked gently, looking at the black ceramic pot in Ning Song Wu's hands. "No... I just got here. Dinner's ready, and I noticed you hadn’t returned," Ning Song Wu lied casually. "Your injuries aren’t healed yet; don’t stay outside too long. ...What’s this?" Ning Song Wu lifted the pot slightly. "It’s medicine for you. I intended for you to drink it warm, but it cooled down on the way here. I'll reheat it when we get back." Ran Fan Yin took the heavy pot from Ning Song Wu's hands, noting the cold surface and frowning. Lin Yu Xue, still playing with the white jade mask, walked over. "Pleased to meet you again. We met at Rongku Pavilion last time." Ning Song Wu nodded politely. "Likewise, young mistress." Lin Yu Xue blinked and walked ahead of Ran Fan Yin and Ning Song Wu. Biting her lip, Ning Song Wu followed behind Lin Yu Xue. Ran Fan Yin walked behind her and suddenly grabbed Ning Song Wu’s hand. With a voice pitched low, Ran Fan Yin remarked, "Your hands are so cold. You were out here longer than you said. You still won’t tell the truth?" Ning Song Wu squeezed Ran Fan Yin’s hand and quickly let go. "My hands are cold; don't hold them, or you’ll get chilled. ...Honestly, I haven’t been waiting long, just a little while." Ran Fan Yin gave a soft snort and held Ning Song Wu's hand tighter. "Are your hands colder than this pot? ...My hands are cold, but you’re warm, so warm me up." Ning Song Wu smiled, squeezed Ran Fan Yin’s hand, and brought it to her lips, gently kissing it and blowing warm breath on it. "I’ve told you, your injuries aren't fully healed yet. Don’t wait outside so long next time... And don’t lie to me, saying you just got here. How can you lie so easily at such a young age…” "Master, you sure are talkative today. It’s quite unusual," Ning Song Wu interrupted with a smile. Ran Fan Yin's ears turned red, and she fell silent. Piao Zi Lai appeared unexpectedly, his face dark with anger. He grabbed Ning Song Wu by the collar, his fury evident. Even the disciples flinched at the uncharacteristic coldness in their master’s expression.