177 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

The store owner chuckled sheepishly, "There's no lantern festival anytime soon. But I did hear some folks talking about Fu Yu Loft tonight... ah, never mind, it's really of no use for you young ladies to know about such a place." "Tell me more?" Lin Yuxue leaned against the counter with great interest, as if preparing to have a long and engaging conversation with the store owner. "Fu Yu Loft, miss, haven't you heard? Our Zhongyang City is a key city connecting the Central Plains to the Northern Frontier. There are numerous businesses and shops in the city, and among all the taverns and inns, Fu Yu Loft is the most famous. But it's a place that men particularly love to go for drinking and some merriment... you understand? Hehe, you ladies are all quite beautiful, so it's best to avoid such places where folks from the martial world gather." "You mentioned something interesting about Fu Yu Loft tonight?" "Intriguing... someone wants to attract a crowd to that place, perhaps to find out something..." Lin Yuxue smiled and tipped the store owner some silver coins. Wuji came back from outside, with a rather serious expression. He signaled Lin Yuxue and took her aside, lowering his voice, "Young Valley Mistress, we just ran into some people from Burn Heaven Gate... we've fought them before, so I recognized them. Just now at the city gate, we exchanged a few blows, but he managed to escape and we lost him in the southeast of the city." "Southeast of the city?... What places are there in the southeast?" "A lot of places, Zhongyang City is quite bustling, and that corner is full of merchants, the crowd is chaotic..." "Is there a place called Fu Yu Loft?" Wuji nodded, "How did you know, Young Valley Mistress? Yes, the largest floral house in Zhongyang, Fu Yu Loft, is also there." Lin Yuxue pondered for a moment. Encountering someone from Burn Heaven Gate here seemed too coincidental. It looked like Burn Heaven Gate either wasn't merely passing by or had some connection with Fu Yu Loft. Shortly, Lin Yuxue dismissed Wuji and returned to her table, where the dishes had already been served. After some contemplation, she said, "We still have half a day, and I know none of you are quite sure where to go to have fun. I just heard the shop owner recommend a good place. How about we visit it tonight?" Ning Songwu smiled, "What place? What's there to do?" "A good place, with plenty to do," Lin Yuxue smiled softly, "But the martial world is dangerous, and crowds can cause trouble, so it's best if we... change our attire." "Whatever you say," Ning Songwu nodded. "Alright, after dinner, I'll have someone bring the clothes upstairs. Once you change, come down and join me." "Is Master also going?" Ran Fanyin looked up and gave Ning Songwu a blank glance. "She must come. It's a place she's never been to in her life, so she has to go at least once. Besides, if anything happens... with the Sect Master there, we can handle it, right?" Lin Yuxue raised an eyebrow and smiled. "...Mm," Ran Fanyin responded lightly. Lin Yuxue had reserved three rooms, as expected. Ning Songwu returned to her room and saw the clothes already laid out on the bed. She couldn't help but admire Lin Yuxue's efficiency. Feeling a bit excited, she picked up a light blue robe and gave it a glance. It turned out to be men's clothing. Thinking back to what Lin Yuxue had said earlier, Ning Songwu realized it must have hinted at changing into men's attire. She had never tried this kind of outfit before and felt quite intrigued, changing into it in just a few moves. She also took down her hair and styled it into a man's bun, carefully looking at herself in the mirror. This look seemed a bit too delicate... Especially with the vermillion mark on her forehead and the slightly upturned eyes, it made her face even more charming. Was there really a man this pretty...? Ning Songwu adjusted her robe, looking herself over from front to back. Actually, it wasn't too bad; in a casual glance, one might think she was a gentle-looking young man. Her mind turned, wondering how her master might look in men's clothing... Ning Songwu covered her mouth and chuckled, eager to step out. Wuji was standing guard at the door and, seeing Ning Songwu, made a gesture, "Miss, please head downstairs, the carriage is ready at the door. The Young Valley Mistress and the Sect Master are both waiting there." Ning Songwu went downstairs and indeed saw a luxurious carriage waiting at the door. She got in and, lifting the curtain, saw a man in blue and a man in white sitting face-to-face inside, talking about something. Needless to say, they were Lin Yuxue and Ran Fanyin in men's attire. Lin Yuxue looked quite refined in men's clothing, even holding a plain fan and rhythmically tapping it on her palm. Ran Fanyin, hearing the noise, turned to look at her. This person was truly extraordinarily beautiful, almost stunning. For a moment, Ning Songwu thought that if Ran Fanyin were a man, she might definitely fall for her. Her hair, loosely tied at the back with a white jade band, cascaded gently over her shoulders. The simple white men's clothing made her look even more dignified and exquisite. Her well-cultivated demeanor made every movement filled with elegance, and her cold, aloof beauty made people want to approach her and understand her more. Ran Fanyin, feeling somewhat uneasy, fiddled with her belt and, seeing Ning Songwu still standing there, reached out her hand, "Aren't you going to sit down?" Ning Songwu snapped out of her trance, grabbed Ran Fanyin's offered hand, used it to step into the carriage, and sat beside her. "Ning Songwu looks really handsome in men's clothing. If I didn't know you were a woman, I might just fall for you," Lin Yuxue teased. "Young Valley Mistress, you jest," Ning Songwu shyly lowered her head. Ran Fanyin glanced at Ning Songwu and said leisurely, "You are indeed more handsome than many men out there." "It's not about being handsome. Look at your master. Though she looks good in men's clothing, it's too plain. You, on the other hand, look stunning in both women's and men's clothing. Today, many young ladies would be smitten by such a charming appearance. Just wait, when the crowd gathers, many girls will be all over you," Lin Yuxue said with a laugh. Lin Yuxue, noticing Ran Fanyin's gaze, laughed softly and said, "You really do care for your little disciple, watching her to make sure she doesn't trip in the dark?"