183 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

In life, one inevitably encounters circumstances where one cannot have it both ways. How will you choose then? Thinking too much about it made Ning Songwu's head ache again, and her slight frown did not go unnoticed by Ran Fanyin. Recalling what she had read in books and after an inner struggle, Ran Fanyin softly said, "If you're tired, rest your head on my shoulder." Ning Songwu was quite certain that the sun had risen from the east today. Could she still be trapped in an illusion? But she was too exhausted; illusion or not, she'd just take things as they came for comfort. Resting her head on Ran Fanyin's shoulder, Ning Songwu lifted her gaze to see her crimson earlobes, reminiscent of the cherries on the tree in Bailu Village. Ning Songwu used to stand longingly under that tree, hoping the cherries would fall down. But the tree's owner had no compassion for the dirty little beggar, chasing Ning Songwu away with a broom as if she were a stray dog. Though the past was painful to recall, Ning Songwu felt no resentment. Yet now she was hallucinating, genuinely mistaking the redness before her eyes for cherries, moving closer and closer. Ning Songwu's breath on Ran Fanyin's neck sent shivers down her spine, making her jerk her shoulder back in alarm, "What are you doing!" Remembering Ran Fanyin’s startled expression, Ning Songwu couldn't help but laugh. Seeing Ning Songwu alternately dazed and amused, Lin Yuxue felt like she was watching a love-struck girl. Curiosity piqued, Lin Yuxue leaned in and whispered, "Is our junior sister in love? Which junior brother from which peak has caught your eye?" Ning Songwu's smile froze at the corners of her mouth, "It's not a junior brother, I..." "Then it's a junior sister! Don't worry, your senior sister supports you!" Lin Yuxue said, patting Ning Songwu’s shoulder with a very kindly expression. Unable to endure it any longer, Ning Songwu slapped Lin Yuxue’s hand away, "I said it’s not! I could never have a secret crush!" Seriously, what was with this person? If not a junior brother, it could still be someone outside of Cangjun Mountain. How did she jump to the conclusion of a junior sister? Truly inexplicable. Lin Yuxue considered for a moment, then recoiled in horror, "You don't mean me, do you! You can’t, junior sister, I’m already taken!" Veins bulging on her forehead, Ning Songwu grabbed a handful of grass and threw it at Lin Yuxue, "Go die! Stop being so narcissistic, I’d never like you!" Lin Yuxue deftly dodged to the side, avoiding the attack perfectly, then nervously asked, "Then who do you like?" Ning Songwu clenched her fists, wanting to give Lin Yuxue panda eyes, but knowing she couldn’t. Worse, she might end up being the one beaten. Weighing the pros and cons, Ning Songwu rolled her eyes at Lin Yuxue, "I was just thinking about our master." Lin Yuxue's expression shifted from tension to shock, her voice cracking, "You can't be in love with Master Shishu!" That's it, she couldn't take it anymore. Ning Songwu rolled up her sleeves, ready to brawl with Lin Yuxue. But the woman took off in a flash, flying away on her sword. From mid-air came her teasing voice, "Don’t worry, dear junior sister, I won’t tell a soul!" "Get lost!" Ning Songwu was fuming, but she also pondered whether she truly had feelings for Ran Fanyin. After much thought, Ning Songwu concluded she only enjoyed seeing Ran Fanyin get flustered. Yes, that must be it, she reassured herself. Sensing Ning Songwu's trembling, Ran Fanyin held her close, looking at her with concern. Sweat beaded Ning Songwu’s forehead. She squinted, clutching her head as fragmented memories eluded her grasp, filling her with deep fear and helplessness. "Sorry, Senior, I have no idea what you're talking about," Lin Yuxue’s voice was taut. "Of course... how could anyone else know these old matters..." The middle-aged man sighed deeply. Suddenly, Miao Shan spoke, "Master, this has been going on for years. The people we sent out found nothing. It’s time to let it go." Hearing this, Lin Yuxue's expression tightened, and she sprang up, shouting, "You’re Wen Jinglei!" Immediately, the three around Lin Yuxue surrounded her, swords drawn. "What, didn’t you know I’m Wen Jinglei already?" The middle-aged man sneered. "Otherwise, would you have come here in disguise as a man, wearing a mask, to meet me, Young Mistress?" Lin Yuxue cursed inwardly, feeling cornered, she slammed the table and drew her sword, "You knew all along!" Two disciples at the door broke in, blocking Lin Yuxue’s escape. "Not only did I know it was you, I also knew your friends are hiding on the outer beams. Since you’re all here, why not come down and join us for tea?" Wen Jinglei sneered. Ran Fanyin pursed her lips into a thin line, saying to Ning Songwu, "Your chest wound isn’t fully healed. Stay here and don’t come down until I return." Ning Songwu opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Ran Fanyin had already drawn her sword Luoshuang and leapt down gracefully. Ning Songwu took out her Fengyu sword, intending to follow. But her muddled mind and stabbing chest pain froze her in place. Gripping Fengyu, she clutched her chest with the other hand. For some reason, her well-recovered heart meridian suddenly throbbed with intense pain. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to ease the pain without success. Peering into the room, she saw Ran Fanyin in white and Lin Yuxue in green fighting in a whirlwind of chaos. The dizzying sight of their movements made her head spin. She’s still in there, how could she seek quiet here? Biting her lip, Ning Songwu forced herself to jump down into the room. In the midst of battle, Lin Yuxue suddenly seemed to lose her strength, her sword sticking into the ground as she knelt, gritting her teeth, "Impossible... How could I..."