185 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Ran Fanyin quietly observed Ning Songwu, who was still holding her while asleep. She reached out and pulled the quilt up to cover Ning Songwu's shoulders, protecting her from the cold. Ning Songwu's clothes were in disarray, half-open and haphazard. As Ran Fanyin tucked the quilt around her, a sachet that had been snugly placed against her body slipped out, coming to rest in Ran Fanyin's hand. Ran Fanyin wasn't usually a curious person, but the person before her was her beloved, so naturally, she had the desire to know more about her. Picking up the sachet, Ran Fanyin gently untied its strings, her slender fingers delving inside to retrieve a neatly folded piece of paper. The paper was folded with meticulous precision, every corner perfectly aligned, yet its edges were slightly frayed and yellowed, indicating that it had been taken out and handled frequently. What could it be, that she treasured so dearly and kept so close? Layer by layer, Ran Fanyin unfolded the paper. As the thin sheet slowly spread out before her eyes, revealing itself to be about three palms' length, her fingers stiffened. It was a calligraphy piece that read "A Lifetime with Ning Songwu." This was the piece she had given to Ning Songwu on New Year's Eve. If she hadn't seen it again, she might have forgotten about it altogether. Looking at their clasped hands, Ning Songwu pondered internally. Although her master appeared cold and aloof, such moments of impatience were rare for her. It seemed she particularly detested the people at the grand ceremony. Realizing her master's steps were more urgent than usual, possibly due to a foul mood, Ning Songwu tentatively inquired, "Do you have something troubling you, Master?" Ran Fanyin snapped out of her reverie, stopping in her tracks and looking back at Ning Songwu. Seeing the concern in her eyes, she felt a sudden warmth in her heart. She hadn't seen such a gaze in a long time. Being exceptionally powerful, most people had grown accustomed to relying on her. She knew very well that if she ever disappeared, people would worry and fear—worry about the future of the human race and fear the might of the demons. Ran Fanyin thought, "This current state indeed matches Master's expectations, yet deep down, I still feel a lingering sense of dissatisfaction—no one has ever come for me alone." "Master finds those people too noisy?" Ning Songwu's words pulled Ran Fanyin back to reality. She responded blandly, "Yes." Ning Songwu didn't miss her master's fleeting sadness. The rumors said that the revered Qing Shuang was immensely powerful and loathed demons, but Ning Songwu felt otherwise. She seemed more like she was performing a duty with a sort of indifference. "Master is both gentle and peculiar." Ran Fanyin, watching her disciple's playful smile, couldn't fathom her meaning and asked in confusion, "Peculiar in what way?" "It's peculiar that Master can seriously lie." Ran Fanyin felt a cold sweat break out. She meticulously reviewed her behaviors, trying to figure out what made Ning Songwu think that way. She couldn't come up with an answer and asked, "Why do you think that?" Ning Songwu looked straight into her eyes, "Because, Master, you clearly enjoy the lively atmosphere of snow." For some reason, Ran Fanyin felt as if her disciple had seen through her. She continued to cover it up, "Not at all, I prefer quiet." "Master, this lie won't fool me, nor yourself. But if you don’t wish to speak of it, I won't ask further." Ning Songwu was very understanding, not forcing Ran Fanyin to admit anything. She thought that someday, her master would open up voluntarily, without any reservations. But it still felt somewhat unfair that she had shared her past with her master while knowing so little about her master's history. Seeing Ning Songwu's warm smile, Ran Fanyin suddenly felt an impulse to openly share her own past. Yet, remembering her master's warning, she swallowed her true words. "Let's go back to our training." Upon hearing this, Ning Songwu's smile froze, her small face drooping, clearly displeased. Seeing her reaction, Ran Fanyin's expression hardened slightly, her voice turning colder, "Unwilling?" Ning Songwu dared not show reluctance and immediately nodded vigorously, "Willing, very willing." Her fearful obsequiousness successfully improved Ran Fanyin's mood. A tiny smile crept up the edge of her lips, and her voice softened somewhat, "Come on then. Although you're progressing quickly, your foundation is unstable. If this continues, it will embarrass me." Ning Songwu, ever the sycophant, immediately flattered, "How could that be possible? Master is so beautiful; there's no way that can happen." Ran Fanyin's cheeks flushed slightly. This girl always said the most baffling things. She turned away quickly, leaving Ning Songwu behind in a manner almost resembling a hurried escape, "Hurry up." Ning Songwu chuckled quietly and called out loudly, "Yes! Coming, Master, wait for me!" After the grand ceremony, Cen Ran kept Gongsun Yin and Helan Mianmian behind to discuss the matter of the formation at Wanjia Village. After looking over the formation diagram, Gongsun Yin delivered news that made Cen Ran even more distressed. "This same formation also exists in our Zhen Qi Sect's jurisdiction. I originally intended to discuss it with you, Vice Head, but I didn't expect to find such a coincidence." Gongsun Yin said, looking at the formation diagram Cen Ran had provided with a face full of surprise. Cen Ran's brows furrowed deeply. He asked anxiously, "Does your sect have a method to break it?" Gongsun Yin shook his head and sighed, "The formation is complex and difficult to break. That's why we sought to consult with you." Cen Ran felt his headache worsening. His master had once said that great calamities would occur after four hundred years, and sure enough, as the four hundred years approached, all kinds of sinister events had surfaced, including the bizarre occurrence of his senior sister taking a disciple. Although he wished to wash his hands of it, Cangjun Mountain was the leading sect of all factions. At this time, they couldn't show weakness. Firstly, to stabilize people's hearts; and secondly, over the past five hundred years, the unity among humans had dwindled. More and more factions aspired to replace Cangjun Mountain. Fortunately, the demon race had not yet been eradicated, providing an external enemy. If the demons were eventually eliminated, it would likely mark the beginning of internal conflicts among humans.