217 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Master... 　　Images of Ran Fan Yin's everyday expressions, her smiles and frowns, unexpectedly invaded her thoughts. The gentle memories of the past flashed through her mind in quick succession, causing her mental state to be utterly chaotic. Ning Song Wu desperately sought some anchor, her hands groping around until she tightly clutched the jade pendant around her neck, its surface soaked in blood, now warm to the touch. 　　Ning Song Wu turned her head, watching her master in deep slumber. She stared at her master's softly contoured face and swallowed hard, a sudden surge of affection welled up within her mind, even giving rise to an impulse to caress, to kiss. 　　Why! Why! Why did she feel such strange emotions toward her master?! 　　No, no, this isn't the affection between a man and a woman, how could it be that kind of feeling? 　　She merely depended on her master, that was all. Just that. Just that. 　　Ran Fan Yin's eyelashes fluttered, as if sensing something. Her breathing quickened slightly as she gradually awakened. 　　Regaining some semblance of consciousness, Ran Fan Yin keenly felt a change in breathing patterns from the person on the bed. She abruptly lifted her head, her gaze meeting Ning Song Wu's. 　　Ran Fan Yin was momentarily stunned, a gentle smile tugging at the corner of her lips, though it seemed stiff due to its rarity: "Awake? How long have you been awake? Thirsty?" 　　Ning Song Wu just widened her eyes, staring at Ran Fan Yin without speaking. 　　Ran Fan Yin reached out, intending to hold Ning Song Wu's hand, but the moment she touched her fingertips, Ning Song Wu recoiled as if she had been electrified, looking at her warily. 　　Ran Fan Yin felt a sudden emptiness in her hand and looked at Ning Song Wu in astonishment: "What's wrong? Did you really lose your mind? ...Do you still recognize me?" 　　Ning Song Wu wanted desperately to embrace Ran Fan Yin, to snuggle into her lap and cry about her pain, just like when she had hurt herself in the past, hoping for Ran Fan Yin's soothing words. But no... this was wrong... She couldn't rely too heavily on her master, otherwise, those strange feelings would resurface. Those feelings were simply wrong. 　　"Master... I... I..." Ning Song Wu didn't know what to say. 　　Noticing her hoarse voice, Ran Fan Yin got up, walked to the table, poured a cup of water, and brought it over, offering it to Ning Song Wu's lips: "It's enough that you recognize me. Open your mouth." 　　Panic-stricken, Ning Song Wu pushed away Ran Fan Yin's hand, causing some of the water to spill from the cup, wetting the blanket and Ran Fan Yin's hand. 　　Ran Fan Yin's heart tightened, her movements paused, and her bent posture stiffened. ...Ning Song Wu was avoiding her. 　　Why? 　　In the past, Ning Song Wu would rush to her with a radiant smile. Previously, she had even found the closeness excessive. But now, Ning Song Wu was unwilling to make contact with her? 　　After pondering for a while, Ran Fan Yin slowly straightened up and placed the cup on the table, speaking gently: 　　"Are you upset with me for not telling you when I left Beifa?" 　　Ning Song Wu just shrank further into herself, turning her head away to avoid looking at Ran Fan Yin. The less she interacted with her master, the less chaotic her mind might become. 　　Ran Fan Yin sighed: "It's my fault. I should have told you. It was my mistake, causing you to get hurt like this." 　　Ning Song Wu shook her head frantically, but tears still spilled from her eyes. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. --- 　　Chapter 83: Remnants of the Past (2) 　　After exiting the Blacksmith Pool, Ran Fan Yin returned directly to the Rongku Pavilion. She cleansed herself of grime and took a brief rest before hurrying to the main hall of the Sect Leader. 　　Hong Sheng Cen was discussing matters concerning the sect with a few other senior elders. His face, already haggard from their earlier meeting, now looked even more emaciated. His cheekbones protruded abnormally pale, and his lips were dark, suggesting he had been severely poisoned. 　　Seeing Ran Fan Yin, Hong Sheng Cen said, "You've returned. Sit down for a moment." 　　After briefly concluding his discussion with the elders, he dismissed them. Once the main hall doors were closed, Hong Sheng Cen began to cough softly, a sound that seemed to carry a long-suppressed struggle. He covered his mouth with the back of his hand, his body trembling with each cough. 　　Watching this, Ran Fan Yin felt a deep sadness in her heart. 　　Hong Sheng Cen was her master, but more than that, he was like a father. She had spent her childhood by his side, learning to write and practice swordsmanship under his careful guidance and earnest teachings, which had echoed in her ears for many years. 　　Hong Sheng Cen, along with Cheng Yun Huan and Jiang Yue, was her fellow disciple and her family. Now, seriously afflicted by a deadly poison, he might not be in immediate danger, but it was possible that in three months, he, too, would pass away like an ordinary person. To see her once omnipotent, god-like master now showing such mortal frailty was painful for his disciple, Ran Fan Yin. 　　"Master, Senior Brother Jiang Yue... has left the mountain." Ran Fan Yin's throat felt dry as she spoke these words. "Where did he go?" 　　"…The East Sea." 　　Hong Sheng Cen nodded, as if it were expected: "I know, he still isn't at ease. Jiang Yue, that child, usually so gentle and obedient, becomes extremely stubborn when it concerns something important to him." 　　"Master, how is your health?" Ran Fan Yin couldn't help but ask. 　　"Don't worry, I won't die just yet. Beifa is currently mired in many troubles. I was ambushed even while sitting in the main hall as the sect leader, so it's not hard to imagine the danger to our disciples outside. Even if I were to die, how could I leave Beifa as it is now?" 　　Ran Fan Yin felt as if something was blocking her chest, making it hard to breathe. 　　"But my health has indeed deteriorated significantly. Each day, I have to spend considerable time combating the poison. With Cheng Yun Huan absent, it's difficult to manage sect affairs thoroughly. Are you willing to help share this burden for your master?" 　　Ran Fan Yin quickly agreed: "Of course." 　　Hong Sheng Cen smiled faintly: "You're a good child. I knew you would agree. I've already instructed them that part of Beifa's responsibilities will be handed over to you. You'll have little leisure time from now on." 　　"Master, you flatter me. I will do my best." 　　"…As your master, I'm not oblivious. I see you're pale and lacking vitality. You should be recuperating properly, but circumstances… never mind, it's useless to dwell on it. Be sure to take care of yourself. I'll inform them to send future matters directly to Rongku Pavilion, so you won't have to run to the main hall all the time."