198 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

"Why do you say that?" Ning Songwu looked at her skirt hem and spoke gently, "Although Master seems strict, she always looks out for me silently. She shields me from the wind and teaches me to cultivate diligently. I am very grateful to you." Ning Songwu's gaze was exceedingly sincere. In her eyes, Ran Fanyin saw no trace of resentment. Such words only stirred feelings of guilt within Ran Fanyin. She spoke calmly, though her voice was softer than usual, "I am not that good." This was Ran Fanyin's genuine sentiment, and incidentally, Ning Songwu also thought the same. However, the true feelings could not be voiced out. What if Ran Fanyin got displeased and asked her to manage the Morning Descent Peak? Therefore, Ning Songwu immediately added, "Master is indeed that good." Ran Fanyin looked at Ning Songwu's gentle smile, sighed inwardly, and recalled that she hadn't eaten since yesterday and had climbed the mountain for a long time. As a mortal, she must be somewhat unable to bear it. "Let's go." After saying this, Ran Fanyin turned and left the room. Though Ning Songwu didn't know her intent, she still followed. Ran Fanyin summoned her flying sword and brought Ning Songwu along. As they descended the mountain, Ran Fanyin spoke to Ning Songwu, "If you don't want to trouble me, you can cultivate earnestly. Once you become strong, they will fear you." Ning Songwu did not respond, merely making a vague "Mm" sound. It was daytime, and the restaurants were still open. Ran Fanyin led Ning Songwu to one with the grandest decor, altering her appearance with magic. Ran Fanyin wasn't adept at this kind of disguise, but most people in this town only knew a bit of superficial immortal magic, so this was enough. Ning Songwu followed Ran Fanyin and sat down, unsure of what this performance was about, but it was enough that there was food. Ning Songwu casually ordered a few dishes, then began to wait. As soon as she sat down, Ran Fanyin closed her eyes, exuding an otherworldly aura, which somewhat annoyed Ning Songwu. Ning Songwu turned her head to look out the window, deciding that out of sight was out of mind. A glance out the window revealed a group of people downstairs pulling and tugging. It seemed a wealthy young master was trying to abduct a common girl. Ning Songwu's face instantly turned unpleasant, but she merely withdrew her gaze from the window. Ran Fanyin opened her eyes, looking at Ning Songwu, "Do you have no thoughts?" Ning Songwu faced Ran Fanyin’s calm expression, feeling as though she was being tested. After considering for a moment, she responded, "My strength is weak, and I don't want to trouble Master." Ran Fanyin did not speak, just kept watching Ning Songwu, trying to discern something from her expression. Ning Songwu felt her heart tighten, concealing her indifference and putting on a distressed look. Finally, Ran Fanyin stopped looking at her, getting up and saying to Ning Songwu, "Let's go," then going downstairs, seemingly intending to intervene in the matter. Ning Songwu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed Ran Fanyin. By the time she caught up, Ran Fanyin was already confronting the wealthy young master. Ning Songwu watched from the side as Ran Fanyin used force to knock down the wealthy young master and his lackeys, then took the poor girl home. It seemed things went smoothly, but Ning Songwu sensed that the poor girl appeared somewhat hesitant, as if worried about something. Ning Songwu said nothing, intending to see what was going on. After walking a distance, they finally arrived at the poor girl's home. Ran Fanyin said to the girl, "Alright, go inside now." Tears welled in the girl’s eyes, not knowing what to do. She stood there trembling as if in fear. It wasn’t long before a drunken middle-aged man staggered out of the dilapidated house. After rubbing his eyes upon seeing the girl, and confirming she was his daughter, he became furious. He shattered the wine jar in his hand, and the poor girl shrank back behind Ran Fanyin, quivering. The drunken man roared, "Why have you come back? Didn’t I tell you to go with Young Master Chen? Did you sneak back? I'll beat you to death!" Upon hearing this, the girl trembled even more, "Father, I didn't run away." Her voice tinged with tears did not awaken the drunken man's conscience. Her explanation only made him angrier. He glared, "You're still lying? I’ll beat you to death today!" After saying this, he picked up a wooden stick from the ground, preparing to strike. Ran Fanyin couldn't stand it anymore and used a spell to freeze the man's movements. Ning Songwu, who had been watching the commotion all along, noticed that her lenient master seemed somewhat naive, thinking in a rather straightforward manner. Ning Songwu asked the trembling girl, "Why did you not ask for help on the way?" The girl, frightened by Ran Fanyin's magic, immediately distanced herself from both of them, exclaiming in fear, "Monster!" Ran Fanyin stood dumbfounded, seeming a bit stunned. Ning Songwu was somewhat surprised by this reaction—is this the strongest human at five hundred years old? This is so odd. The more Ning Songwu thought about Ran Fanyin, the more doubts surfaced, stirring her curiosity. She stepped forward and tugged at Ran Fanyin's sleeve, calmly saying, "Master, release your spell on him and let's go." Ran Fanyin came back to her senses, still feeling uneasy about the girl. "What about her...?" "Only she can save herself." Ran Fanyin still found it hard to accept this, fearing the girl might get beaten to death if left here. Seeing Ran Fanyin still hesitating, Ning Songwu felt conflicted. She let go of Ran Fanyin's sleeve, "Master, do you have a truth-telling spell?" Ran Fanyin noticed Ning Songwu's serious expression, feeling somewhat suppressed, and uttered a "Yes." Ning Songwu remained calm, "Master, help me. I need to ask her a few questions." Ning Songwu pointed towards the girl, her intentions clear.