173 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

The whole body was exhausted, the whole body ached. The flowing jade at her chest, usually warm, felt slightly cool. It seemed her feverish body had heated beyond the yang-natured jade's threshold. It felt as if something or someone was clutching her left hand. The icy fingers grasping hers trembled as they held on too tightly. She desperately wanted to see the hand holding hers. Ning Songwu swallowed the metallic taste of blood lingering in her mouth. Her mind had been in turmoil for ages, but driven by sheer will, she managed to open her eyes just a sliver. The scene before her was blurred with multiple ghostly images overlapping. After what felt like an eternity, the shapes began to coalesce and came into focus. The hand interlaced with hers had long, slender, and slightly pale fingers. The sleeves were wide and had slipped back, revealing a delicate wrist. There was a dark red scar on the inner wrist, resembling a recklessly blooming lotus. Across the scar was a conspicuous, hideous long scar, so glaringly prominent. Ning Songwu stared blankly at the hand, feeling the warmth of the embrace behind her. She couldn't help but tighten her grip on the fingers. The person behind her had likely been awake the entire time. Sensing her slight movement, they immediately gripped her hand more tightly. Finally, after a long while, a faint, hoarse voice surfaced from behind: "Ning Songwu?" "…Mm." Ning Songwu managed a weak hum. Ran Fanyin hugged the person in her arms even tighter, burying her head into Ning Songwu's shoulder nook, her lips so close to Ning Songwu's ear that her voice felt like tender love whispers: "Thirsty? I'll get you some water." Ning Songwu's eyes stung inexplicably with a mix of emotion, her throat choked with suppressed sobs: "…Mm." Water was probably within Ran Fanyin's reach, as she moved gently, still holding Ning Songwu's hand tightly. In a moment, the rim of a water cup pressed against Ning Songwu's lips. Cool water trickled slowly down her throat, soothing the burning sensation there and clearing her mind significantly. Ning Songwu struggled to lift her right hand, pressing it over Ran Fanyin's that held the cup. "…What's wrong?" Ran Fanyin asked softly. "Am I… dead?" Ning Songwu uttered hoarsely, tears streaming down her cheeks. Ran Fanyin lowered her head, placing a gentle kiss on Ning Songwu's cheek, her sensitive ears turning a deep red. With utmost care, as though handling the world's most precious treasure, she placed a second, then a third kiss down. Awkward yet intimate kisses. Suddenly, the jade around her neck grew scorching hot, and Ning Songwu felt a pure energy surge into her body, filling her with newfound strength. Forcing herself to turn, Ning Songwu shifted from Ran Fanyin's embrace to face her and clutched her waist tightly. Unbothered as water from the cup spilled onto the bed, she grasped Ran Fanyin's face, saying nothing, and pressed her lips intensely against Ran Fanyin's, their mouths melding deeply. Ran Fanyin remained utterly silent, her left hand still interlocked with Ning Songwu's, a blush spreading from cheeks to neck. Her expression was restrained and controlled, yet the spark of emotion was undeniable. Though it wasn’t their first kiss, it was the first one without resistance—a fully unreserved kiss. Ran Fanyin found Ning Songwu's lips scorchingly hot yet incredibly soft, with a sweetness unique to a woman. Contrary to her expectations, she did not feel repulsion; unexpectedly, she enjoyed this intimate closeness. Ning Songwu's kiss grew more fervent, unsatisfied with just contact, she cautiously probed Ran Fanyin’s lips with her tongue. Their breaths mingled and entwined, evoking carnal thoughts. Ran Fanyin, her face deeply flushed, shyly parted her lips slightly, allowing Ning Songwu in. But just as Ning Songwu’s tongue ventured in a bit, as if suddenly realizing something, she quickly withdrew, turning her head away from Ran Fanyin’s lips. In their brief moment of separation, a thin, racy trail of silver thread linked them. "Sorry, I forgot… I’m still feverish, I shouldn't infect you…" Ning Songwu's face was burning, unsure if it was from fever or emotion. Ran Fanyin, breathing lightly, traced an ice-cold finger along Ning Songwu’s face, slowly outlining her perfect features. Torturously gradual, she moved to Ning Songwu's pointed chin, lifting it slightly. Without a word, Ran Fanyin lowered her head to initiate another kiss on Ning Songwu’s lips, hesitating only briefly before boldly mimicking Ning Songwu's earlier action, her soft, moist tongue slipping into Ning Songwu’s startled mouth. Ning Songwu no longer hesitated, trembling as she clung tightly to Ran Fanyin, deeply engrossed in the kiss. Ran Fanyin couldn’t hold back, smothered by Ning Songwu’s kiss, she let out a faint moan: "Mm…" Ning Songwu wanted nothing more than to devour Ran Fanyin whole, love overwhelming her. Kisses alone weren't enough to express her desire; she began to nibble on Ran Fanyin's lips, her breaths becoming increasingly erratic. Her hot hand stealthily unfastened Ran Fanyin's clothes, slipping inside to press against her taut, muscular stomach. Chapter 68: Former Times "1" Ran Fanyin nodded slightly, silently focusing on the dishes on the table. She quietly and politely ate a plate of sweet lotus root, the muffled crunching sounds reminiscent of a mouse sneaking food at night. Ning Songwu couldn’t help but chuckle at the image that came to mind, then shook her head. The thought of her master being like a mouse was indeed peculiar. Cang Min, noticing Ning Songwu’s amused expression, curiously asked, “What’s on your mind, little beauty?” Ning Songwu glanced at Ran Fanyin, who wore a blank expression while eating sweet lotus root, and quickly shook her head: “Nothing, nothing.” Cang Min raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Oh? How long will you be staying?” “How long would the elder like us to stay?” Ning Songwu countered. “Stay as long as you like; I get quite lonely here by myself. I wouldn’t mind some company,” Cang Min grinned, “Ah, you wouldn’t be at a loss. As the lord of Kunlun, I have plenty to teach you.” Ran Fanyin looked up briefly at Ning Songwu’s delighted expression, still chewing on her sweet lotus root in silence.