210 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

“What does it mean it doesn't count? Could it be that you already have?” He Lan Mian Mian grinned mischievously. After a moment’s thought, she continued, “If you said it doesn’t count, have you ever wanted to do something intimate with her? Like, kissing her or hugging her?” Ning Song Wu’s mind flooded with the blush-worthy and heart-throbbing images from before. She broke into a sweat and desperately shook her head, trying to shake off those thoughts. But then another image surfaced in her mind. That night, she had barged into Ran Fan Yin’s quarters uninvited. Ran Fan Yin’s brow was furrowed with annoyance, clearly fresh out of the bath. The sheer moon-white robe clung tightly to her still-damp body, highlighting perfect contours. The unfastened collar exposed a large expanse of her neck and collarbone, glistening with tiny droplets of water. If… if that thin robe were to slip off… Ning Song Wu pinched her palm hard, suddenly feeling that her thoughts were filthy. Just thinking about this tarnished the pure and pristine image of her master. She wanted to slap herself. Ran Fan Yin was her master! What filthy thoughts was she having! Besides, two women, how could it be possible? It went against all heavenly principles and ethics, not to mention that Ran Fan Yin was her master… Wait, was she already imagining her master as an ideal partner? He Lan Mian Mian saw Ning Song Wu lost in her own world for a long while. Pouting, she turned back to the bookshelf, intending to pick another book to read. At that moment, He Lan Mian Mian heard footsteps and the voices of two men getting closer to the corridor they were in. Without thinking, she grabbed Ning Song Wu and hurriedly pulled her into a side path, darting away. After all, guilt nagged at their hearts. --- Chapter 80: Staying the Night Ning Song Wu sat properly in front of the dressing mirror, curiously examining her reflection and the figure of Ran Fan Yin standing behind her. Ran Fan Yin held a wooden comb, gently brushing Ning Song Wu's hair. Her snow-white sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, revealing a perfectly contoured, fair forearm, with a slender wrist adorned with a hair tie. Ning Song Wu wasn’t used to being dressed and groomed by maids. So, Ran Fan Yin had learned these simple tasks from the maids and was personally doing Ning Song Wu’s hair. Despite being well taken care of in Beifa Mountain for so many years, she had never paid this much attention to anyone before. After finishing the hair, Ning Song Wu habitually turned around, her gaze meeting Ran Fan Yin’s cool, tea-like eyes, and she grasped Ran Fan Yin’s right hand with her small hand. Due to years of wielding a sword, Ran Fan Yin’s right hand had a thin layer of calluses on the thumb and forefinger, which felt surprisingly comfortable to touch. Ran Fan Yin brought out a now-ring-shaped piece of flowing jade. Originally white, the jade had turned translucent red after absorbing her blood. This small, beautiful jade piece was strung with black thread and hung around Ning Song Wu’s neck, making the child look even more delicate and lovely. The moment the blood-red jade touched her skin, Ning Song Wu felt something awaken in her mind and gently spread out. The jade exuded a warm glow, and inside it preserved a drop of Ran Fan Yin’s blood. “Mas... Mas...” Ning Song Wu looked earnestly at Ran Fan Yin, struggling to form words. Ran Fan Yin, hearing Ning Song Wu speak for the first time, was slightly surprised and strained to understand what she was saying. “Mas... Mas... Master...” Ning Song Wu finally managed to say the two words with great difficulty, then smiled foolishly. To her, she didn’t understand the meaning of these words, just as she didn’t understand the meaning of the name Ning Song Wu. But she knew she was calling Ran Fan Yin. She had heard Luo Sheng and Cen Ran call Ran Fan Yin this, and she wanted to call Ran Fan Yin by her name too. Ran Fan Yin was momentarily stunned. Ning Song Wu’s soft and tender voice calling those two words was like the warm water of spring gently flowing into her heart, softly touching her mind. She didn’t know what to say at that moment, so she gently pulled Ning Song Wu into her arms, softly stroking her back. Cen Ran walked in just then: “Ning Song Wu, are you up yet… Mas— Master! You…” Ran Fan Yin turned her head to Cen Ran upon hearing her: “What is it?” Cen Ran pouted in a little jealousy: “Master, you’re actually hugging Ning Song Wu seriously… Brother Zisheng and I have been under your tutelage for so long, and you’ve never hugged us like that.” “Ning Song Wu just spoke. She called me Master.” Talking about this, Ran Fan Yin’s eyes, usually as cold as ice, unknowingly softened with strands of warmth. Ning Song Wu mischievously laughed and jumped up to hug Ran Fan Yin’s neck, burying her head and nuzzling into her warm neck. She really loved this person, the plum scent on Ran Fan Yin and the warmth of her neck made her unwilling to let go. “Looks like we can slowly teach her to write and practice swordsmanship in the future…” Cen Ran smiled. Zhenqi Sect had wanted to host a banquet to welcome Ran Fan Yin’s group, but it was refused. Naturally, Ran Fan Yin preferred quietness and straightforwardness, disliking bothersome interactions. The people from Zhenqi Sect were sensible and gave a brief explanation of the situation. This array had been discovered before the one in Wanjia Village. But Zhenqi Sect specialized in arrays and forging, while this was a new array unrecorded in ancient books. Its powerful effects piqued the interest of Zhenqi Sect’s array masters, so they hadn’t sought help from Cang Jun Mountain. After all, the Sword Master there might not have been of help, given their expertise. But the array masters could not find a way to break the formation, and its devouring range was expanding. The appearance of a similar array in Wanjia Village intensified the devouring speed. In their desperation, they received an invitation from Cang Jun Mountain. The acceptance of Ning Song Wu as a disciple by Qing Shuang Zun was significant enough, but even more intriguing was that Ning Song Wu possessed a living devouring spirit. So, during the apprenticeship ceremony, they discussed the matter with Cen Ran. For some reason, He Lan Mian Mian kept staring at Ran Fan Yin all the way, and though Ran Fan Yin seemed lost in thought and didn’t notice, Ning Song Wu, who had all her attention on her master, certainly did. Her heart surged with immense displeasure, and she glared at him fiercely, causing He Lan Mian Mian to awkwardly touch his nose and look away, not daring to stare any longer.