197 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Taking a closer look, the clothing style appeared to be what Ran Fan Yin often wore. Could Master have been bathing here earlier? Ning Song Wu had already noticed that Ran Fan Yin was only in her inner garments, her hair was loose, and she was drenched thoroughly. This cave had multiple pathways, and it was clear that Ning Song Wu had taken a wrong turn, but this place seemed safe enough. After coming to terms with the situation, Ning Song Wu gently set Ran Fan Yin down, letting her lean against the cave wall. The place was chilly. Ning Song Wu picked up Ran Fan Yin's clothes and draped them over her, then checked her breath with her hand. “What a strong life force, still not dead.” Ning Song Wu sighed in relief, but then suddenly remembered that Ran Fan Yin’s wounds had not yet been dressed. At that moment, she had been too flustered to think about it. Feeling annoyed, Ning Song Wu scratched her head and then embraced Ran Fan Yin, holding her delicately in her arms. The unconscious Ran Fan Yin obediently remained still, like a fragile porcelain doll. Ning Song Wu undid her clothing to examine the wounds on her back. “Ah!” Ning Song Wu inhaled sharply, seeing the extent of the mangled flesh and blood, making her already complex emotions even worse. Let's dress the wounds first, Ning Song Wu decided, pushing down the tumultuous feelings within her. With a rip, Ning Song Wu tore off the hem of her own gown and carefully began dressing Ran Fan Yin's wounds. The injury was extensive, and Ning Song Wu’s bandaging skills were far from professional, causing her to waste a lot of the materials. In the end, half of Ning Song Wu’s dress was torn away, and along with her undergarments, it made her look quite a sight. After she finished, Ning Song Wu clapped her hands together, placed her hands on her hips, and looked down at the mummy-wrapped Ran Fan Yin on the ground, nodding in satisfaction, “Not bad, my bandaging skills look decent.” Ning Song Wu mischievously tied a bow on Ran Fan Yin’s right shoulder. In her deep sleep, Ran Fan Yin felt none of this, only frowning slightly as though having a nightmare. Carefully putting Ran Fan Yin's clothes back on, Ning Song Wu felt her cheeks grow warm. She closed her eyes, feeling a mix of envy and jealousy, “Damn! She always looks so plain in clothes, who knew she had such a great figure underneath.” But why am I blushing? This isn't right, I have the same figure she does. Could it be that I’m really into girls like Lin Yu Xue said? Stay calm, Ning Song Wu, calm down! The person in front of you is five hundred years older than you, a granny! She’s not capable of hitting on a younger girl like me! Wait, why does it have to be her hitting on me? That’s unfair! Ning Song Wu woke up from her hunger, clutching her stomach as she got out of bed, her steps a little shaky. Thinking about dealing with Ran Fan Yin’s teachings later made Ning Song Wu feel a headache. Ran Fan Yin had long since stopped needing to eat, so there would be no food on the Chao Ci Peak. Ning Song Wu pushed the window open, unsurprised to see Ran Fan Yin standing among the indigo Yin flowers in the courtyard. Like all the others on the mountain, these flowers were quite low to the ground. Ning Song Wu didn’t know what Ran Fan Yin did standing there every day, but this person certainly loved Yin flowers. Her name included 'Yin,' and she grew them all over the mountain. Sensing Ning Song Wu’s gaze, Ran Fan Yin turned to see her looking rather unwell, and quietly said, “Awake.” Ning Song Wu responded cautiously, “Yes, Master. What will we learn today?” Ran Fan Yin’s frown was barely noticeable. She already knew about the incident at the Zhao Lu Peak yesterday, though not in detail. She only knew Ning Song Wu had been bullied and had resolved it using the name of the sect leader’s disciple. Ran Fan Yin wasn’t good at managing the sect’s affairs, usually leaving such matters to her junior, Cen Ran. In Yu Cang Jun Shan, she was more of a symbol and deterrent. The prolonged silence was torturous. Seeing Ran Fan Yin staring at her without speaking, Ning Song Wu thought she must have done something wrong to annoy her again. Frustration welled up inside Ning Song Wu, growing stronger by the moment. “Why didn’t you tell me about what happened yesterday?” Ran Fan Yin’s question stunned Ning Song Wu. She didn’t expect Ran Fan Yin to investigate such a trivial matter. But why, Ning Song Wu didn’t understand. At that moment, the sky opened up and rain began to fall, drop by drop, then increasing in intensity. The Yin leaves were battered by the raindrops, and Ran Fan Yin stood among the indigo Yin flowers, the rain deflected by her spell, making her blue robe appear somewhat ethereal. Ning Song Wu stood inside, and Ran Fan Yin in the rain. It would seem inappropriate if Ning Song Wu didn’t do anything, so she took an umbrella and went out, holding it over Ran Fan Yin's head. “Master, let’s go inside.” Ran Fan Yin looked at Ning Song Wu with a dazed expression, as if she were seeing someone else through her. Ning Song Wu felt a chill from her stare, wondering what was wrong with her master. Could it be that she was getting senile from her age? Ning Song Wu was a bit shorter than Ran Fan Yin. She tugged at Ran Fan Yin's sleeve and asked with a questioning tone, “Master?” Ran Fan Yin suddenly snapped out of it and withdrew her gaze, walking forward. Ning Song Wu followed with the umbrella, rain splashing onto Ning Song Wu’s skirt hem. Ran Fan Yin glanced down and discreetly dried it. Ning Song Wu noticed the lack of rain on her side, guessing that Ran Fan Yin had used a spell. Ning Song Wu couldn’t understand Ran Fan Yin, and mysteries always made her feel unsafe. Yet, for some reason, Ran Fan Yin paid her special attention, from which she couldn’t seem to escape. Once inside, Ran Fan Yin sat by the table, while Ning Song Wu shook the umbrella dry, then followed, closing the door behind her. Setting the umbrella aside, Ning Song Wu stepped up to Ran Fan Yin. She had already prepared an answer to her earlier question: “Master, you work so hard every day; I didn’t want to add to your burdens.” That reason seemed reasonable enough. It was rare for Ning Song Wu to be so considerate, which was not typical for her, “You’ve changed.” Ran Fan Yin implied that her current demeanor was completely different from the aloofness before becoming her disciple. Ning Song Wu smiled nonchalantly, “That’s all thanks to Master.”