229 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

### Chapter 88: Love Ran Fanyin carried Ning Songwu to a secluded spot, intending to set her down, but the little one clung tightly to her neck, refusing to let go. “Master… Why didn’t you come to see me? I missed you so much,” Ning Songwu whispered persistently in Ran Fanyin’s ear. “I was busy with other matters. Ning Songwu, you’re growing up. You shouldn’t cling to me like this anymore.” Ran Fanyin grabbed Ning Songwu by the back of her clothes and forcibly pulled her off. After spending over ten days in the sword-forging pool without changing clothes, Ran Fanyin couldn't stand her own scent; she didn’t want to sully Ning Songwu’s attire as well. “Master, were you cold on the way here?” Earlier, nestled against her master’s shoulder, Ning Songwu had sensed that her master’s exposed neck was as cold as jade, which made her a bit anxious. Ran Fanyin shook her head. Her inner strength was formidable; she never felt the cold even in this snowy weather with her light white garment, let alone on the brief night path. Ning Songwu stood in front of Ran Fanyin, still stubbornly holding her hand. Her delicate fingers habitually stroked the thin callus on the outside of Ran Fanyin’s right index finger, her eyes unwaveringly fixed on her master’s face. “Master, you seem very tired; your eyes are bloodshot.” Ran Fanyin patted Ning Songwu on the head, feeling a bit comforted: “I’m not tired. Why are you still up so late?” Ning Songwu pouted: “I was studying. Master, I can now write a little with my right hand and even draw some pictures. I also secretly practiced the Six-Step Sword Technique. Please don’t be mad at me, Master.” Ran Fanyin was momentarily speechless, feeling a mix of sourness and affection. Suddenly, Ning Songwu remembered the conversation among the disciples when she first entered Hongfei Pavilion and couldn’t help but ask Ran Fanyin. “Master, I heard that disciples of Hongfei Pavilion have the chance to study under the Three Pillars. Will you take on another disciple?” Ning Songwu asked nervously, gripping Ran Fanyin’s hand tighter. “There is such an opportunity,” Ran Fanyin responded ambiguously. “Master, please don’t take another disciple, okay?” Ning Songwu looked at Ran Fanyin nervously, not wanting to share her master’s gentleness with anyone else. The thought of her master treating another disciple with the same kindness made her feel like banging her head against the wall. She didn’t care about her senior brother and sister—not at all—but anyone else… Actually, her possessiveness was quite similar to Cen Ran’s from back then, though far more domineering. The cold moonlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting a soft, shimmering glow on Ning Songwu’s adorable, jade-like face. This little girl, barely reaching Ran Fanyin’s chest, was already growing into a charming figure. For once, Ran Fanyin’s lips curved into a rare smile—like a rainbow suddenly appearing in the distant white clouds, stunning in its beauty. Her tone carried the weight of a promise, each word deliberate and sincere: “Alright, I won’t take on any more disciples.” Ning Songwu’s face instantly lit up, and she began to hop around, holding Ran Fanyin’s hand, her voice brimming with joy: “Master, you said it! You must remember!” “…” Ran Fanyin quietly watched Ning Songwu’s antics, adjusting her clothes with an uncommon gentleness in her eyes. “Master, I can do the Four-Sword technique! Can I show you now?” Ning Songwu asked eagerly, watching Ran Fanyin nod with excitement. She picked up a branch from the ground and executed precise, fluid movements, completing the Four-Sword technique flawlessly. She turned back, beaming at Ran Fanyin. Ran Fanyin stepped forward, embraced Ning Songwu, and guided her hand holding the branch, slowly leading her through the movements of the Fifth and Sixth Swords. Ning Songwu felt a bit dizzy, repeating those two movements alongside Ran Fanyin several times. After the last pose, Ran Fanyin’s movements perfectly enclosed Ning Songwu’s body within her arms. From a distance, they seemed one and the same. Ran Fanyin asked softly, “Got it memorized?” “Master… Will you come see me again, please?” Ning Songwu whispered in Ran Fanyin’s ear, her warm breath making Ran Fanyin’s ear blush instantly. “I will come at night when I’m free to see you and guide your swordsmanship,” Ran Fanyin replied softly, adding, “to teach you the sword techniques.” “Great! Next time, I’ll make sure to master the Six-Step Sword Technique for you to see!” Ran Fanyin patted the top of Ning Songwu’s head. For some reason, she began to look forward to seeing how this beautiful child would grow up. Such a lovely girl would undoubtedly blossom into unparalleled beauty in a few years. “Ning Songwu, remember, you will stay at Hongfei Pavilion for five years. After five years, I will personally come to take you back to Rongku Pavilion,” Ran Fanyin promised earnestly, looking at Ning Songwu with seriousness. Ning Songwu clung to Ran Fanyin’s neck again, cherishing the closeness with her master. The moonlight was clear, the breeze cool, and the bamboo forest swayed gently, casting fragmented shadows on the snowy ground. Balancing on her toes, she was setting a fallen candlestick upright when she suddenly heard a faint sound behind her, like the fluttering of clothes and the landing of feet. Helan Mianmian turned around to see Cen Ran, dressed in a plain white crane robe, evidently having just climbed in through the window. Her long, smooth hair was tied at the end with a jade band, and her gentle brows seemed to carry a hint of dew. Helan Mianmian pondered; when Ran Fanyin arrived earlier, there had been no sound, and her movements were swift. Cen Ran still had a long way to go to match Ran Fanyin. Cen Ran glanced around, raising an eyebrow in surprise: “You… haven’t gone to bed yet? Where’s Ning Songwu?” Helan Mianmian smiled sweetly: “Why is Cen Ran Sister here?” “I… came to deliver something to Ning Songwu.” Cen Ran shook the bundle in her hand. Brother Zisheng truly was something else—whatever Hongfei Pavilion had done to upset him, he was in such a bad mood that he confusedly carried back the items he was supposed to deliver. Cen Ran was amused and exasperated, having no idea what to say; she simply couldn’t get these things into Ning Songwu’s hands.