200 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Ning Songwu had been recovering at the Rong Ku Pavilion for nearly a month. Most of her wounds had healed, except for her right hand, which was still wrapped in thick cotton bandages. Cen Ran and Ran Fanyin took excellent care of her, and her once thin cheeks were now rounder, giving her a more delicate and adorable appearance—no longer resembling a little monkey. Currently, Ning Songwu was perched on Ran Fanyin's knee. Although his expression was characteristically indifferent, his hands were tender as he fed Ning Songwu her meal. "Master..." Luo Sheng said pitifully, "Master, I know I was wrong. I won't tease Junior Sister anymore. I've been standing the whole morning without a sip of water..." Ning Songwu narrowed her dark eyes, seriously watching Ran Fanyin feed her. He was continually bringing spoonfuls of rice and vegetables to her mouth, not eating a single bite himself. Ning Songwu raised her right hand, attempting to take the spoon. Ran Fanyin gently held her bandaged little hand, "Don't move, or the wound will reopen." Cen Ran looked worried, "Master, Ning Songwu's right hand is severely injured. I'm afraid she might never be able to wield a sword again. What should we do?" "If her right hand is incapacitated, she still has her left hand," Ran Fanyin didn't consider this a significant problem. In fact, unlike most swordfighters who used their right hand, Ning Songwu practiced with her left, giving her an advantage in duels. "Master, I recall that a few years ago you came into possession of a bottle of liquid jade. Since Uncle-Master Jiang Yue hasn't been forging swords recently, how about we give Ning Songwu that bottle as her initiation gift?" It's said that when liquid jade is still in its liquid state, it can blend with any other liquid substance, achieving even more remarkable effects through this secondary mixing. So, liquid jade's immense value lies in its potential for such fusion. Ran Fanyin continued feeding Ning Songwu while replying to Cen Ran, "You have thought this through. Ning Songwu has a fragile, cold constitution, and the warming effect of the liquid jade will greatly benefit her physically. But what will we mix with the liquid jade?" "You are right. Although liquid jade is not as valuable as the swords crafted by our Senior Brother Jiang Yue, it is indeed more suited to Ning Songwu's needs. And since it's a gift from me to my apprentice, adding a drop of my blood is fitting." After Ning Songwu finished eating, Ran Fanyin lifted her off his lap and gently patted her head. "Master... Master, I was wrong! I'm really hungry, Master!" Luo Sheng wailed, holding onto a stone pillar. Ran Fanyin said, "Come over and eat." Without a second's hesitation, Luo Sheng abandoned the stone pillar and scrambled to the stone table, gobbling up food. Ning Songwu, still unable to speak, curiously shifted her gaze between Ran Fanyin and Cen Ran, her eyes sparkling brightly. Suddenly, she felt a tickle in her nose and let out a loud sneeze, "Ah-choo!" Startled, Luo Sheng forgot to chew her food. Ran Fanyin knelt on one knee to be on eye level with the short Ning Songwu. He took out a white handkerchief and gently placed it over her little nose, bubbling with snot, speaking softly, "Blow." Ning Songwu, seeing the seriousness on Ran Fanyin's face, beamed with her crescent-moon-shaped eyes and blew hard. The sound of thick snot expelling was clearly audible. "Ugh—" Luo Sheng, disgusted, spat out the food she had just put in her mouth, "Master, that’s so gross!" One of the maids, looking embarrassed, said, "Your Excellency, let us handle it..." Ran Fanyin carefully cleaned Ning Songwu’s nostrils and placed the snot-stained handkerchief aside, "No need, I prefer to do it myself." Cen Ran fell silent. Luo Sheng grimaced, "Ugh..." --- Chapter 76: Good Disciple In the sleeping quarters of Hong Fei Pavilion disciples. Helan Mianmian curiously observed the little girl sitting on the bed in a daze. The girl's cheeks were soft, her chin was pointy, and she had a red mole between her tightly furrowed eyebrows. She looked pretty, but she didn't seem very happy. At only nine years old this year, Helan Mianmian had been ecstatic for two nights straight without sleep upon being chosen to join the Northern Discipline Palace and live in Hong Fei Pavilion as a new disciple. Was there really someone who wouldn't be happy about joining Hong Fei Pavilion? Helan Mianmian decided to greet her first, since they would be eating and sleeping together from now on, except during lessons. "Hello, my name is Helan Mianmian." Listlessly, Ning Songwu glanced at Helan Mianmian. The girl, around her age, was smiling kindly, with deep dimples in her cheeks. Her face was white and tender, with long eyelashes—a very pretty little person. Ning Songwu feebly replied, "Oh... I'm Ning Songwu." "Ah, I heard others talking about you the other day! Are you from Rong Ku Pavilion?" Helan Mianmian asked, astonished. A wave of irritation surged in Ning Songwu's heart, and she turned her head away. "Why? Aren't you already Master Ran Fanyin's disciple?" "I..." Just as Ning Songwu was about to reply, an ordinary disciple ran in from outside, urging them, "You’re about to meet Master Ping Zilai soon. Do you have time for idle chat? Quickly, to the main hall!" "We’re about to be initiated!" Helan Mianmian's eyes sparkled with excitement. She stood up in a flash and, not caring about Ning Songwu's reaction, grabbed her hand and ran outside. Ning Songwu wanted to stay immersed in her own sorrow for a while longer, but Helan Mianmian dragged her along without any room for refusal. Before she knew it, they had already arrived at the main hall of Hong Fei Pavilion. Outside the hall stood many disciples of a similar age, chatting in small clusters, yet to enter the main hall. A boy nearby was excitedly telling two others, "Hey, have you seen the Three Elders? A fellow disciple staying with me said he saw the tip of one of their robes at the main hall a few days ago..." "If you had the choice, which Elder would you want to apprentice under?" another child interrupted him, evidently brimming with excitement. A little girl chimed in with admiration, "Of course it's Elder Jiang Yue! I've seen a portrait of him, and he really looks just like it's described in the books!" "If it were me, I'd want to apprentice under Elder Ran Fanyin! Even though it's said she's not very talkative and has a cold personality, she's so beautiful! Just like an immortal fairy descending to earth," a chubby boy's eyes sparkled as if he were about to drool.