174 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

"Master…" Ning Songwu turned her head and met Ran Fanyin's gaze. "Ah Yin, you eat like a mouse." Cang Min looked disdainfully at Ran Fanyin gnawing on a piece of sweet lotus root. Ning Songwu couldn't help but laugh; it seemed she wasn't the only one who thought so. "Ahem…" Ran Fanyin swallowed the food in her mouth. Seeing this, Ning Songwu took out a handkerchief and handed it to her. Ran Fanyin looked at Ning Songwu dumbfoundedly for a moment, then took the handkerchief and wiped her mouth before turning to Cang Min. "We can stay as long as we want. We've often stayed here for two or three months before returning, so this time will probably be the same." "That sounds good. We can catch up, and these two youngsters can learn from each other. In two or three months, this little beauty's injuries will have mostly healed, and she'll be ready to face the trials of the Northern Punishment again." Cang Min cheerfully picked up some food and placed it in his bowl. After the meal, Ran Fanyin pulled Ning Songwu aside, wanting to go inside and say a few words, but they were intercepted by Cang Min. "Ah Yin, I have something to discuss with you. Let's go inside. Little beauty, why don't you go play with my rebellious disciple and take care of the afternoon meal while you're at it?" Cang Min patted Ran Fanyin on the shoulder and smiled at Ning Songwu. Ning Songwu let go of Ran Fanyin's hand, "Okay, have a good chat." She took another look at Ran Fanyin before turning to leave. Cang Min and Ran Fanyin entered the Hua Xu Realm and sat down in Ran Fanyin's room. Cang Min shivered, "Ah Yin, it's not like I'm stopping you from seeing her. Could you not look so cold that it could freeze someone to death?" Ran Fanyin massaged her forehead and silently sat down. "Let's talk about something serious now." Cang Min's smile faded as he glanced at the still-disheveled bed. "Are you two… together?" "Hmm?" Ran Fanyin looked at Cang Min blankly. "What role does she play in your heart now?" Cang Min rephrased his question. Ran Fanyin lowered her head for a moment, then softly said, "My disciple." "Is that all?" Cang Min sneered, "You better not let her hear that." "No…" Ran Fanyin turned her head to look at Cang Min, "I love Wu." "And so? She risked her life kneeling outside to see you, almost losing it. In your eyes, she's still just a 'disciple'?" Cang Min's tone was sharp. "In the future, I will marry her." Ran Fanyin said seriously. "Really?" Cang Min nodded and looked at the scar on the inside of his left wrist. "Having someone like that is not easy. You might only find one in your entire life. Ah Yin, I once had someone I held dear, but I lost her. We were together for only three months, but it felt longer than the centuries I've lived." Cang Min paused, wiped away a tear with a smile, and continued, "So, I never want to forget, but my life is too long. Cherish each day. You still have nearly four hundred years left, but she, if she doesn't achieve immortality, may only have a few decades with you. I know because I've experienced loss." "If she doesn't achieve immortality…" Ran Fanyin felt a dull ache in her heart, her fingers slowly clenching. "Ning Songwu," Ran Fanyin held Ning Songwu tightly, feeling an unusual peace. She closed her eyes, wanting to entrust herself entirely to her. "I've given you my everything. Never betray me." "Master, I will never betray you." Ning Songwu rested her face in the crook of Ran Fanyin's shoulder, gently rubbing. "Before, I kept running, causing you a lot of pain. It was my fault. Will you forgive me?" Ran Fanyin's voice was calm, almost indifferent, but her heart was in turmoil. "Silly girl…" Ran Fanyin murmured into Ning Songwu's shoulder, her voice muffled. Finally, someone wanted to rely on her. Ning Songwu's voice was choked with emotion but very earnest, "No matter how many years I live, wherever you are, I will be. If you are at the edge of the sky, I will chase you to the edge of the sky; if you are in hell, I will follow you into hell. If you no longer want me, I will wait for you where you left me, until you return." "…What if I don't come back?" Ning Songwu paused for a moment and then decisively said each word: "Then I will wait until death." Ran Fanyin thought, how fortunate she was to have met this person before her five hundred years were up. Ning Songwu chuckled softly, then released Ran Fanyin, taking her hand and lifting her sleeve slightly, looking into her eyes, "This scar… you still want to hide it from me?" Ran Fanyin sighed, her right hand gently touching the scar on her left wrist, "It's nothing, really." "You've given me so many things: the Liuyu ornaments, the Fengyu Sword, and…" Ning Songwu touched her waist and smiled knowingly. Ran Fanyin knew she kept her sachet there, and her ears turned slightly red. "But I've never given you anything. If one day we are separated, you wouldn't have anything to remember me by." Ning Songwu frowned, her tone slightly frustrated. Ran Fanyin patted Ning Songwu's head, "Don't be fixated on material things. Look, this scar is on me, isn't it? And… I believe we won't be separated. You'll always be with me, right?" "I will always be with you, in life or death." Ning Songwu held Ran Fanyin's hand to her chest, like a prayer, and kissed it gently. "Stop talking nonsense. If you're dead, how can you be with me?" Ran Fanyin chuckled, pinching Ning Songwu's earlobe. "If I die, burn my bones to ashes and keep them with you." Ning Songwu replied with a smile. "Don't be silly, shut up." Ran Fanyin pushed Ning Songwu's forehead and turned to walk out of the Hua Xu Realm cave. Ning Songwu followed closely, leaning into Ran Fanyin's ear and asking softly, "Master, last night… I was feverish and lost control… Did I hurt you?" Ran Fanyin's face turned red, and after a long silence, she nodded slightly.