222 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Ran Fanyan cast a fleeting, uneasy glance at Ning Songwu, who was nestled in Jinghu's embrace. After a while, she shifted her gaze to the group of boisterous children, her voice hollow and slow, "What if I say I can't bear to part?" Cheng Yunhuan laughed softly and responded, "Your disciple has grown up. Even though you are her master, you can't control her anymore." Helan Mianmian pulled Cen Ran and Luo Sheng away, covering their ears as they ran back to the crowd, joyfully shouting something as they went. Firecrackers and fireworks simultaneously burst into life, their deafening explosions and radiant colors filling the night sky. The festive atmosphere was palpable, full of excitement and cheer. Ning Songwu remained in a deep sleep. In this most celebratory of moments, she was not nestled in the arms of the one she cherished. Ran Fanyan stood five steps away from Ning Songwu, not daring to look at her. Helan Mianmian was filled with glee. Seeing no one watching, she secretly pulled down Cen Ran's head and planted a kiss on her lips, then rested her forehead against Cen Ran's and playfully said, "Cen Ran, you know, you can make a wish under the fireworks." Cen Ran pinched Helan Mianmian's cheek, smiling indulgently, "You're quite bold. You're still just a child to believe in such tales." "I'm not a child!" Helan Mianmian's face was distorted from Cen Ran's pinch. "Anyway, I'm making a wish. My wish is that you'll marry me someday. Or, wear men's clothes and come back to the capital with me to be my consort." "You're being silly again." Cen Ran gently pushed against Helan Mianmian's forehead. "Cen Ran, you have to make a wish too, and it must be that you'll stay with me forever!" "I refuse," Cen Ran laughed, turning down the request. Helan Mianmian's face immediately crumpled bitterly, her voice taking on a melodramatic sobbing tone, "Please say it, say it." "I won't." Helan Mianmian furrowed her brows tightly, pouting in dissatisfaction. Cen Ran chuckled softly, silently taking Helan Mianmian's hand and writing slowly with her finger, "Till death do us part." Helan Mianmian smiled deeply, her dimples showing, as she looked into Cen Ran's gentle eyes and, lifting their interlaced fingers to her lips, peppered them with soft kisses. The fireworks continued to soar high into the sky, time passing unnoticed as everyone remained captivated by the rare spectacle. Gradually, Ning Songwu awoke, finding herself still in Jinghu's embrace, which startled her so much that her body trembled violently. Jinghu looked down slightly, smiling, "Ning Songwu? You've woken up. Perfect timing, look at the sky." Ning Songwu quickly got up from Jinghu's arms, hurriedly straightening her clothes with one hand while scanning the area for Ran Fanyan with her eyes. Ran Fanyan stood not far away, her expression indifferent as she looked up at the sky, the lines of her profile and slender neck clean and crisp, exuding a cold aura. Her hand gripping the lantern handle was clenched tightly, her knuckles starkly white. Ning Songwu bit her lip and, despite Jinghu's watchful gaze, slowly made her way towards Ran Fanyan. "Master... Master..." Ning Songwu silently mouthed the words over and over again but didn't dare utter a sound. Ran Fanyan could feel Ning Songwu's gaze on her but didn't dare turn to meet it. They were so close, yet so far. Ning Songwu looked at Ran Fanyan, while Ran Fanyan looked at the sky; they remained in this stalemate until all the fireworks had been set off. Ran Fanyan lowered her head, silently taking her lantern and walking away. As she passed Ning Songwu, Ning Songwu reached out and grabbed her. Ran Fanyan frowned. Ning Songwu smiled bitterly, realizing that some things could never return to how they were. She pulled out a paper bag she had prepared earlier from her robe, placed it into Ran Fanyan's hand without a word, and then walk away dejectedly, feeling a searing pain in her chest. Ran Fanyan held the mysterious bag, not opening it in front of everyone, and carried it back to her quarters. Once she was alone, Ran Fanyan, with trembling hands, opened the paper bag. Inside was a bag full of dried fruits and candied treats. Next to them, a candy-coated hawthorn stick. How many people in this world knew of her fondness for sweets? And how many cared so attentively about her? All of a sudden, Ran Fanyan felt her eyes sting with an urge to cry, a rarity in her century-long life. After the New Year, everything seemed to return to normal. Ning Songwu and Helan Mianmian returned to Hongfei Pavilion, and Cheng Yunhuan and Jiang Yue also left with their disciples for their respective palaces. Luo Sheng was dispatched on a mission, leaving Rongku Pavilion once again cold and deserted. All traces of the New Year festivities were meticulously cleaned by the servants, leaving not a single mark behind. In three months, the Sword Trials would take place. The Sword Trials of the Northern Faction occurred once every ten years and required the participation of all disciples. Competing in groups, winning teams would be reorganized and compete again until a final victor emerged, potentially becoming a disciple of the Three Masters. Luo Sheng had been the last trial’s final victor and was taken under Ran Fanyan’s wing. During the Sword Trials, the sect leader and the Three Masters would oversee the event from a high platform, monitoring the proceedings. Typically, the Northern Faction hosted around a hundred disciples for the event, with the competition lasting a month. It was a grand occasion, renowned within the martial arts world. Allies from Mount Hua, the Kunlun Mountains, and Mount Shu would send their disciples to observe, marking the trials as a significant and celebrated event. But the sword intended for Ning Songwu, even after seven years, had yet to be forged. Ran Fanyan hoped to present the sword to Ning Songwu before the trials, for despite Ning Songwu being her disciple, the competition wasn’t merely about joining the Three Masters; it was about rivaling peers and showcasing one’s skills. But the sword remained unfulfilled. After the New Year, Ran Fanyan visited the Sword Forge Pool for the first time. Easily pushing open the heavy stone door, she saw Jiang Yue standing by the pool as expected, hands behind her back. Hearing the sound, Jiang Yue turned and greeted her with a gentle smile, "Ran Fanyan, you're here."