175 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

"I'll go get some medicine and be back in the evening... cough... don't run off, or I'll have to look all over for you when I return," Ning Songwu gently held Ran Fanyin's hand as she softly reminded her. "I won't run off, I'll just be outside playing chess with Cang Min," Ran Fanyin squeezed Ning Songwu's hand in return, replying earnestly. "Good, then I'll be off." Ning Songwu smiled, quickly walking away, leaving only her silhouette behind. Ran Fanyin watched as Ning Songwu disappeared from her sight. She stood there, lost in thought for a long time before slowly walking back. As soon as Ning Songwu rounded a corner and was out of Ran Fanyin's sight, she quickly covered her nose and relaxed her inner energy. Blood flowed from her nose through her fingers, staining her hand red. Suppressing a few coughs from the nosebleed, she pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it against her nose. Her body hadn't adjusted well enough yet, and her inner energy was clashing, causing blood to rush to her head. It wasn't a big deal; her nose was naturally fragile and prone to bleeding. But if Ran Fanyin saw it, she would undoubtedly worry. Ning Songwu couldn't afford to shorten her lifespan, which was already not meant to outlast Ran Fanyin. She took out a bottle of medication that Bo Xue had given her earlier for calming her mind, swallowed a few pills, and waited until the nosebleed stopped. First, she went to Kunlun's washroom to clean up the bloodstains. Then she headed to the medicine pavilion to gather some herbs. Having studied some traditional medicine courses at Hongfei Pavilion, she had a basic understanding of pharmacology. She selected some internal and external medication, carefully brewing the internal medicine in the pharmacy before bringing them back to Huaxu Realm in a small black jar. "You can see it too, can't you? She has passion in her eyes, but to cultivate the Dao, one must be free of desires. She has already formed desires, towards you, deriving joy from her love for you. If you reject her thoroughly this time, maybe she can let go. She can be an ordinary person, and you can be the revered master. But now that you're together, she will never be able to let go, never able to take the secular world lightly. Your fate is sealed for only these few decades." "So, in the end, I am destined to watch her die," Ran Fanyin bit her lip, staring firmly at Cang Min. "Yes... But knowing this, will you give up? She's not too deeply involved yet; long-term pain is worse than short-term pain. Will you leave her now?" Ran Fanyin's eyes were resolute, "I won't give up. Even if it's just for these few decades, I want her by my side." "That's right, Ahyin, that's exactly it. This is love. Even knowing the consequences, you won't give up. It seems you really do love her. Then cherish her, cherish this time. These will be the most beautiful memories of your life." Cang Min smiled bitterly, "This is the fate of immortality. It's either eternal loneliness or endless affection." Ran Fanyin's lips curled slightly, her gaze distant. After a long time, she softly said, "You're wrong. If she truly becomes an important part of my heart, when she dies, I will definitely die too. There is no such thing as eternity." "You...," Cang Min sighed helplessly, "For over a hundred years, you've never been attached to anything. Once you have a tie, it's hard to let go. You've lived with her for ten years, and she already holds a significant place in your heart. It's just that she confessed first, and you realized it later." "Thank you, Cang Min." Ran Fanyin looked at Cang Min sincerely, with a smile on her lips. "Love her well," Cang Min said. "I understand," Ran Fanyin nodded, her voice clear and transparent. Cang Min smiled, "Alright, let's go find your little beauty. I'll go find my wayward apprentice... Ah, people only know that disciples often cling to their masters, but only those who have been masters understand that masters also grow deeply attached to their disciples. It's like raising a child, wanting to give them the best. If it weren't for Bo Xue, my life would be much duller." Ran Fanyin lowered her head and chuckled, saying nothing, as she walked out. Cang Min followed Ran Fanyin, about to get up, when his eyes inadvertently caught sight of the bed's edge. His face instantly turned dark: "Ran Fanyin!!!" Ran Fanyin turned around, puzzled, looking at Cang Min. Fuming, Cang Min pointed at the large dent on the red sandalwood bed's edge, "What did you do last night?! What did you do?! My red sandalwood bed! I just got it a few years ago! I haven't even slept in it yet, and after just one night, you've made such a dent in it?!" Suddenly remembering last night, when she lost control of her emotions and her inner energy leaked as her hand landed, Ran Fanyin's ears turned red, stammering, "Don't... don't be angry, I'll compensate you..." "Compensate?!" Cang Min was nearly screaming, looking heartbroken at the bed, "I went to the Central Plains myself, endured countless hardships to bring it to Kunlun, and how will you compensate? You wretched..." Hearing Cang Min's almost cracking voice from outside, Bo Xue and Ning Songwu hurriedly rushed in. Seeing her master in such a state, Bo Xue quickly stepped forward to hold him back, "Master! Speak calmly..." Ning Songwu stood in front of Ran Fanyin, her expression startled by Cang Min's reaction. Ran Fanyin, standing behind Ning Songwu, felt a gentle warmth in her heart. She then noticed that during the past New Year's Eve, Ning Songwu was still shorter than her, but now she was just as tall, if not slightly taller. "Bo Xue! Let go of me! I've tolerated this nuisance for too long; today, I must have a fight!" Cang Min exaggeratedly displayed his anger, struggling in Bo Xue's grip. Bo Xue sighed and reluctantly loosened her grip on Cang Min. Sensing Bo Xue's intention to stop her anymore, Cang Min froze momentarily, then fiercely whispered to Bo Xue: "Hold on tight! If you let me lose face, watch your skin!" Bo Xue, frightened, quickly hugged Cang Min's waist tighter, resembling an unwavering rock, signaling Ning Songwu to "Hurry, take your master away." Completely clueless, Ning Songwu had no choice but to pull Ran Fanyin along, swiftly making their exit.