216 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Ran Fanyin narrowed her eyes, casting an icy glare. "I had no idea such an enormous crime warranted such harsh punishment. Quanbei Faction, who isn't aware that she is my disciple? Who gave them the nerve?" Cen Ran stammered, "Master... saying it so blatantly... won't it make the other disciples feel unfairly treated..." "Ning Songwu is my disciple; she naturally enjoys the privileges of a direct disciple of a Supreme Lord. I have never cared about making others feel it's fair. I do not believe Ning Songwu would do such a thing without a reason. If you have time, you should investigate thoroughly." Cen Ran never expected that when Ran Fanyin got genuinely angry, she would transform into a different person altogether, causing sweat to bead at her temples. "Yes, Master." "Regardless, wasn't the rod punishment decreed by Ping Zilai? Without conducting a thorough investigation, he administered such a severe punishment to a ten-year-old disciple—how is he fit to be a Pavilion Master? Pass down my order to remove him from his position for a month and have him copy scriptures in the Library Pavilion for a month!" Cen Ran quickly agreed. Outwardly, Master looked like she was only in her twenties, while Ping Zilai appeared to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven, seemingly older than Ran Fanyin. However, Ran Fanyin was actually over a hundred and ten years old and one of the three supreme lords. In terms of age and status, Ping Zilai was merely a junior in front of her. Wiping the sweat from her temples, Cen Ran couldn't help but sigh for Ping Zilai. Ran Fanyin then looked at Ning Songwu, lying on the bed. Her tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and her gaze softened like melting snow. After quite some time, she spoke to Cen Ran again, her voice returned to its usual calm tone. "What you were holding just now, was it her medicine?" Cen Ran nodded. "I see the steam has dissipated. Take it back and brew another bowl, so it's ready when she wakes up." Cen Ran obeyed and left with the bowl of medicine. Just before closing the door, Cen Ran glanced back at Ran Fanyin, standing by the bed. No matter how much Master tried to hide it, she couldn't conceal her weary expression. The rush back here must have taken a considerable toll. Cen Ran suddenly felt like the Master who had just shown genuine anger seemed more real. In her usual state, Master wasn't truly cold; she was just indifferent to everything, devoid of extreme emotions, which made others perceive her as cold. So, Master genuinely cares for Ning Songwu deeply. After Cen Ran left, with no one else in the room, Ran Fanyin's weariness slowly seeped through her features. She gently sat on the edge of the bed and pressed her fingers to her temples. The residual poison in her system had never fully dissipated, and the recent strenuous journey had only worsened it. The poison, which was supposed to subside gradually, had begun to spread more vigorously, gnawing at her bones and causing excruciating pain. She felt utterly drained, her internal energy nearly exhausted after three days and nights of continuous exertion. But she couldn't rest now, at least not yet. Ning Songwu felt like she had been trapped in an endless dream. The dream was bizarre, an expanse of boundless darkness. She sat alone on the ground, blind to her surroundings, yet she could hear terrifying sounds of battle and the clanging of weapons. All she saw was darkness. The oppressive weight of it was unbearable, and the fierce fighting and constant screams of the dying around her made her feel like she was next. But she quickly understood it wasn't just a feeling. Voices buzzed in the distance, as if discussing something, gradually escalating to an argument. Several men's voices grew louder and shriller, as if they would burst her eardrums, causing her to tremble with fear. She had no idea how long this oppressive atmosphere lasted, long enough for Ning Songwu to feel she was losing her mind. Suddenly, a cold yet familiar voice echoed: "Three-Sword Heaven-Punishment Formation, assemble!" The voice was like floating ice shattering on snow, ethereal and distant, resonating like snowflakes gently tapping a window, creating a timeless rhythm that was surprisingly comforting. Such a familiar voice... who could it be? She tried to remember, her head aching from the effort, but she couldn't recall. Then she felt a cold, sharp object pressed against her neck, accompanied by a sinister, chilling laugh. The person’s other hand clamped over her crown, a hot, foul breath whispering by her ear with a nauseating stickiness: "Die..." As the ominous word lingered in her ear, the blade at her neck thrust forward with force! Ning Songwu jolted awake in a cold sweat, tearing herself away from the nightmare, her eyes snapping open! Pain. She hurt all over. Gasping for breath from the nightmare, Ning Songwu's harsh breathing stretched her wounds painfully with each movement. She wanted to cry out, but her throat felt parched and burning, rendering her unable to utter a word. Yet, she inhaled a faint, comforting scent of plum blossoms, akin to a calming incense, gradually soothing her. Her breathing slowed, and she swallowed hard. ...Plum blossom scent? Ning Songwu turned her head towards the bedside. Ran Fanyin slept quietly by the bed, lying on her side with her face resting on her arm, deeply asleep. Rare sunlight streamed in from the window, casting half her face in a warm glow while the other half was veiled in shadow, highlighting her delicate features. Her white robes seemed to have dust on them, unlike her usual meticulous cleanliness. Ning Songwu's fingers twitched slightly. It was strange; there was no wild joy as she would have imagined, nor any urge to rush over and be affectionate as usual. It felt as though she'd always known that upon waking up, her master would be there asleep by her side. Ning Songwu's eyes stung, and she sniffled, holding back tears. Why did Master leave without telling her, and why did she return without a word? And why, upon seeing Master here, did she feel this indescribable ache? A voice echoed faintly in her mind: "Is there someone you always think of, someone you wish to see, someone you'd be willing to live your life with?" Master.