218 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

“Yes,” she replied. Hong Shengcen exchanged a few more words with Ran Fanyin, his demeanor growing weary. He then dismissed her and, closing his eyes, entered a meditative state. Leaving the main hall of the sect leader, Ran Fanyin walked along the path, feeling as though her temples were about to explode. Her eyes were parched and burning with a deep soreness. Suddenly, she felt a wave of dizziness and bent over to spit out a mouthful of clotted blood. Bright red blood splattered onto the pristine white snow, a jarring sight. She was not ignorant of her own body. She knew it better than anyone else. The residual poison from the molten substances might not take her life, but it constantly tormented her already exhausted and overstretched spirit, seeping into her weakened body. This was a sickness accumulated over a long period, one that couldn’t be cured in a day nor with a single pill. It began to snow lightly, and she hadn’t brought an umbrella when she came out. Tiny snowflakes landed in her jet black hair. She gazed ahead. She had intended to return to Rongku Pavilion, but an inexplicable thought stirred within her, causing her to change course toward Hongfei Pavilion. The path felt unusually long, with snow piling on her shoulders and in her hair. Upon reaching Hongfei Pavilion, a disciple seeing Ran Fanyin quickly greeted, “Venerable One,” and offered his umbrella to her. Ran Fanyin did not accept it, her expression turning rather indifferent. She headed toward the disciples' quarters. Standing in front of Ning Songwu’s room, she intended to push the door open but stopped halfway, her hand frozen in mid-air. After a long moment, she withdrew her outstretched hand, her eyes filled with a melancholic gaze fixed on the closed wooden door, staring for a very long time. The cold air outside bit sharply, turning the tips of her sensitive ears bright red, and a new layer of snow settled on her fur robe. The sky darkened, and after a prolonged silence, she quietly turned around and left without saying a word or sighing. She stood there for such a long time, without even touching the door. Ran Fanyin’s light steps produced faint footprints on the snow, soon covered again by the falling snow. The scene outside the room returned to how it was, as if the ethereal woman in white had never been there. Everything returned to tranquility. The days of recuperation passed quickly. Each morning started with the daylight, food, and medicine, and nights fell as soon eyes were closed. There were no early lessons or late-night sword practice. Too much idle time, enough to drive one to distraction. Ning Songwu often found herself daydreaming, sometimes staring at the ceiling, other times dazing with a bowl of herbs in her hands. After a long spell lost in thought, she would suddenly forget what she had been thinking about. Perhaps she had slept too much and her mind had gone dull. Cen Ran had her own matters to attend to and couldn’t stay by Ning Songwu’s bedside all day. Ning Songwu tilted her head, only to see Huo Lanmianmian leaning over a writing desk, busy with something. After her health improved, Huo Lanmianmian had moved back. Suddenly, Ning Songwu spoke, “Huo Lanmianmian.” Huo Lanmianmian straightened up immediately, smiling faintly, “What is it, Ning Songwu? Are you thirsty?” “No.” Ning Songwu hesitated, then asked, “What time is it now?” “The hour of the rooster, the sky has already turned dark.” “Oh…” Ning Songwu fell silent again. After a long pause, she asked, “How many days since... that day?” Huo Lanmianmian looked puzzled, “Which day?” “...The day Master came back.” “Oh,” Huo Lanmianmian exclaimed. Then she counted carefully, “Today makes nine days.” “Nine days… Has Master been busy?” “You still remember the Venerable One. Seeing you idle every day, I almost thought you didn’t care that she didn’t come to visit you,” Huo Lanmianmian chuckled softly, “The Venerable One has been staying in Rongku Pavilion, very busy. I don’t know exactly what she’s busy with.” “Master… busy…” Ning Songwu murmured softly, her gaze distant. Huo Lanmianmian continued, “Yes, Cen Ran told me earlier. The Venerable One has been rising early and sleeping late, handling many affairs in the pavilion. When she gets a spare moment, she rushes to the Sword Forging Pool without resting.” Ning Songwu listened silently. “Cen Ran also mentioned that the Venerable One has been coughing a lot these past few days, and her complexion is worsening. A few days ago, Cen Ran even saw the Venerable One cough up blood…” “What? Blood?” Ning Songwu jolted upright, eyes wide with shock. “Yes, the Venerable One took a route that usually takes seven days in just three to see you, using lightness skill the entire way without resting. She didn’t get a proper chance to recover, and with Jiang Yue gone, all the responsibilities fell on Rongku Pavilion. You, as her unfilial disciple, must have nearly forgotten about her.” Ning Songwu’s mind buzzed, barely registering Huo Lanmianmian’s words. Her master wasn’t only injured externally but suffered severe internal injuries too! Her master couldn't rest properly and even coughed up blood while she peacefully slept in bed?! Ning Songwu threw off her covers, leaping out of bed. Pain shot through her body, but she ignored it, grabbing a fox-fur coat and stumbling out of the room. Huo Lanmianmian tried to stop her but failed, stomping her foot in frustration, “Hey! What foolishness are you up to? It’s already dark. Where are you going like this?” Ning Songwu didn’t hear Huo Lanmianmian’s words. All she wanted now was to see her master, immediately. She didn’t want to avoid her master anymore; she longed for her master’s presence more than anyone else! Running urgently with injuries still fresh, she fell several times in the snow. Her wounds opened up, and the bandages soaked through with blood, but she paid no mind. Snow clung to her body, face, and hair, melting with her body heat and trickling into her collar, making her shiver uncontrollably. The pain in her back was agonizing, exacerbated by sweat seeping into the reopened wounds, making her wish she could tear her entire back apart. She ran towards Rongku Pavilion, barely conscious, relying solely on her body's memory to navigate. The guard on night duty at Rongku Pavilion quickly awakened from his drowsiness upon seeing the staggering little figure, hastily rushing to meet her. Ning Songwu clung to the guard’s arm, her forehead drenched in sweat, muttering, “Master… Master…” “The Venerable One is here, she hasn’t slept yet. I’ll take you to see her right away.” The guard didn’t dare slacken, swiftly supporting Ning Songwu towards Ran Fanyin’s quarters.