205 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

The window was slightly open, allowing Ran Fanyin to peer inside. Her gaze immediately softened upon what she saw. Ning Songwu, with her small frame, sat on a high desk and chair, her legs swinging in the air unable to touch the floor. She was wearing a thick white mink fur coat. Holding a pen in her hand, she was intently focused on an open book in front of her, occasionally making notes. It was evident from her eyes that she was very tired, yet she continued to force herself to stay awake. Ning Songwu had missed out on crucial growth periods due to a difficult childhood, making her smaller and more delicate than her peers. Seeing how she had become even thinner after just ten days, Ran Fanyin's heart ached. Ran Fanyin didn’t want to disturb her; she simply wanted to watch her disciple quietly for a while. However, she didn’t expect Ning Songwu to be so alert even in her exhausted state. Ning Songwu unconsciously lifted her head and their eyes met. “Master… Master!” Ning Songwu instantly woke up, her heart brimming with joy. She tried to jump down and run towards Ran Fanyin, but she misstepped and fell hard onto the ground. With a swift movement, Ran Fanyin was at Ning Songwu’s side in an instant, gently helping her up. “Master!” Ning Songwu ignored the pain from the fall, quickly getting up and throwing herself into Ran Fanyin’s arms, holding on tightly. Her nose stung with the onset of tears, and she nuzzled her face against Ran Fanyin’s shoulder. Ran Fanyin held Ning Songwu’s now much thinner back, her eyebrows knitting together. Was she not living well here? “Master… I missed you… I missed you so much…” Unable to contain her feelings, Ning Songwu’s longing burst out like a flood, making her cry aloud as she clung tightly to Ran Fanyin, determined not to let go. Ran Fanyin keenly noticed another pair of eyes on the other side of the bed watching this interaction. She looked over in that direction. Helan Mianmian had woken up from Ning Songwu’s cry of “Master!” and was curiously watching the two embrace. This must be the esteemed Ran Fanyin. Her presence was truly unique, even more transcendent and indifferent than that of Cen Ran. But why was she staring so intently at him? Ran Fanyin and Helan Mianmian made eye contact for a moment, then she suddenly spoke, “I’m sorry to disturb your rest. I’ll take Ning Songwu outside.” With that, Ran Fanyin picked up Ning Songwu and disappeared from the room in a flash, leaving only the open window swaying in the cold wind. Helan Mianmian raised an eyebrow and nodded as if understanding something. It seems the revered master was shy because she was seen by him. ### Chapter 78: News of Death Three years passed in the blink of an eye. As winter began to set in at Beifa Mountain, snow gently blanketed the surroundings, painting everything in pristine white. Regardless of how much time passed or how many disciples came and went, the structure of Beifa Palace remained unchanged, leaving no trace of time. Thinking about this brought a smile to Ning Songwu's lips. It was a relief that Beifa Palace looked the same throughout the year. The painting she had hung in Rongku Pavilion would look appropriate no matter when she looked at it. The ten-year-old girl had grown considerably, her features now showing hints of her future stunning beauty. The previous awkwardness and timidity were gone, replaced by an adorable presence in her pale yellow robe, her neck adorned with a blood-red agate necklace that matched the crimson mark on her forehead. It made her irresistibly charming. Ning Songwu lazily leaned on the desk, holding a brush dipped in ink with her left hand, contemplating the layout of her next painting. “Ning Songwu, it's time to eat.” Cen Ran walked into the room and affectionately patted Ning Songwu's head. At sixteen years old, Cen Ran was blossoming into a young woman, her every movement exuding grace and warmth. “Senior Sister, I’m not hungry,” Ning Songwu whispered coquettishly, her dark eyes darting around playfully. “Master is coming back from Mount Hua soon. I haven't seen her for half a month, so I need to finish this painting quickly to gift it to her.” Cen Ran chuckled, “Alright, if Master sees how much you’ve improved, she’ll surely be pleased.” Ning Songwu's voice suddenly rose defensively, “Master isn't old at all!” Cen Ran gave a light tap on Ning Songwu's little head, “Alright, I was just joking. I’ll have Senior Brother Luo Sheng bring your food in later, but remember to eat.” As the youngest girl in the sect, Ning Songwu had a painful past that aroused much sympathy. Ran Fanyin doted on her, and Luo Sheng and Cen Ran were eager to spoil her even more. Over the past three years, Ning Songwu had become quite headstrong and fearless. She didn’t listen to anyone but Ran Fanyin. When her master said one, she didn’t dare say two. Cen Ran sometimes felt that the sect had protected Ning Songwu too well, depriving her of many hardships and making her so unabashed. But it was fortunate that Master was around; Ning Songwu might defy anyone else but never Ran Fanyin. “Senior Sister…” Ning Songwu suddenly deflated like a balloon, her voice plaintive, “Master has been gone for sixteen days. Tomorrow will be the seventeenth day. Why didn’t she let me go to Mount Hua with her… She promised to come back quickly, it's been so long… so long…” As she spoke, her voice broke into a sob. “She also said she would teach you swordsmanship when she returns.” Ning Songwu sniffled, wiping her tears and snot on a handkerchief, speaking in a muffled voice, “Learning swordsmanship isn’t important, as long as she comes back…” Cen Ran shook her head with a wry smile. She was still just a child after all. "The time should be right now." "Reaching the Golden Core stage in one's sleep and still not satisfied?" Lin Yuxue felt the urge to punch this person who wore such a troubled face, suspecting Ning Songwu was just showing off. Ning Songwu was truly not happy; she didn’t want to become powerful, she just wanted to meander through life. What originally would have been several decades now stretched into hundreds of years. Her thoughts were different from most people's, something she feared would make others think she was crazy if she expressed them. But Ning Songwu had always been a little crazy.