233 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

Ning Songwu dared not utter another word. Ran Fanyu gazed at Ning Songwu's small figure, sitting weakly on the ground, her face silent after the reprimand, and suddenly she understood something. She had believed that Ning Songwu, after enduring such inhuman suffering as a child, would have a temperament superior to those of her peers. But this wasn't the case. In the Rongku Pavilion, there was only herself, Cen Ran, and Zi Sheng who could provide for Ning Songwu, and it was too limited. They had been too indulgent with her over the years, fostering such a fragile nature. Ning Songwu sometimes relied too much on crying and pouting to solve problems, and this was utterly unacceptable. Ran Fanyu paused, as if she had already thought it through deeply: "Tomorrow, you will go to the Hongfei Pavilion. You will attend the morning and evening classes with the most ordinary entry disciples and start learning from the basics." Ran Fanyu's next words sent Ning Songwu into an icy abyss, even though her tone was as indifferent as usual, it was chilling: "From now on, Zi Lai, the master of Hongfei Pavilion, will be your new teacher." Having said that, Ran Fanyu hardened her heart, turned, and left without looking back at Ning Songwu. Ran Fanyu was distressed. In an environment like Rongku Pavilion, it was difficult for Ning Songwu to make any substantial progress. Some lessons couldn't be taught by her or Cen Ran; some experiences had to be explored by Ning Songwu herself. She needed to be among her peers, something Ran Fanyu couldn't provide. Upon hearing "new teacher," Ning Songwu's body trembled fiercely, and her tears flowed even more intensely. Watching Ran Fanyu's cold back as she left, she realized she was just abandoned like that, without even a glance back. Ning Songwu felt like a part of her heart had been dug out. Her tiny figure sat alone on the ground in the Plum Garden for a long, long time, until dawn broke in the east, and a thick layer of fallen flowers nearly buried her into a mound of flowers. Chapter 90: Dear Ten days had passed. Cen Ran sat at the desk, staring blankly at the open "Ancient Sword Talks," her fingers resting on a page, unmoving for a long time. Ning Songwu had been at Hongfei Pavilion for ten days. During this time, the master had also stayed at the forging pool, never returning to Rongku Pavilion. It was so boring. With only Senior Brother Zi Sheng in Rongku Pavilion, it was extremely dull. Cen Ran closed the book and sighed. Should she bring Ning Songwu some clothes and books? After all, going to Hongfei Pavilion wouldn't take half a day, and it would kill some of this boredom. Cen Ran packed some thick and thin clothes, stuffed in a few detailed swordsmanship books, and added some small trinkets Ning Songwu liked, and headed to Hongfei Pavilion. When Cen Ran arrived, the disciples of Hongfei Pavilion were in the middle of their morning lessons. She found the room where Ning Songwu stayed and peeked in through a gap in the door. Cheng Yunhuan was lecturing them on theories about the Dao. Uncle Cheng Yunhuan was the chief disciple under the sect leader, always busy with internal sect matters and external affairs in the martial world. It was surprising that Cheng Yunhuan could spare time to teach a class at Hongfei Pavilion, considering he was the designated successor for the sect leader's position. Soon, she located Ning Songwu, sitting quietly in a corner, her chin in her hand, listening intently to Cheng Yunhuan. After ten days, her face had noticeably become sharper, her expression weary, and the paleness of her face made the cinnabar mark on her forehead stand out even more vividly. It seemed that Ning Songwu's sharp edges had smoothed considerably. "Senior Sister Cen Ran, would you like to leave the items here, and I'll pass them on for you?" A patrolling disciple respectfully offered. "No need. I'll wait for her." Cen Ran smiled gently. When it was the disciples' break time, Cen Ran walked over to Ning Songwu. As soon as class ended, Ning Songwu collapsed on the desk for a brief rest. She had stayed up late for several nights drawing, using countless sheets of paper without producing a satisfying piece. She didn’t want to lag behind other disciples during the day, fearing that the master would favor more diligent students. Helan Mianmian, seeing Cen Ran approach and about to wake Ning Songwu, reached out and grasped Cen Ran’s hand. Cen Ran was caught off guard by the sudden touch. The young girl’s soft, warm hand held her wrist, sending an indescribable feeling up her arm and into her chest. "She’s sleeping," Helan Mianmian said, smiling sweetly, her delicate face even prettier than the nine-year-old Ning Songwu’s had been, her cheeks dimpling charmingly. Cen Ran was momentarily entranced by the girl’s exquisite face, staring in a daze. "Yes." Cen Ran swallowed, her eyes fixed on the dimples on Helan Mianmian's soft cheeks, feeling an urge to poke them with her finger. "Are you friends with Ning Songwu?" Cen Ran asked. "We share a dormitory. We sit next to each other during lessons," Helan Mianmian replied, her long eyelashes incredibly endearing. Cen Ran reflected. She had never seen such a pretty child in all her years at Bei Punishment. Her round, misty eyes were pure and translucent, like a delicate porcelain doll, endearing in every way. "What’s your name?" Cen Ran couldn't suppress her curiosity, forgetting that Ning Songwu was still soundly sleeping nearby. "My name is Helan Mianmian. And you, sister?" "Cen Ran." "Ning Songwu has mentioned you. She said you’re also a disciple of Ran Fanyu, so you must be very skilled." Helan Mianmian looked at Cen Ran with a face full of admiration, making Cen Ran’s ears turn red with embarrassment. "No... Ning Songwu isn’t very gentle; does she often bother you?" "Not at all, Ning Songwu works very hard. She doesn’t talk much." "Well... Since you’re friends with Ning Songwu, if you need anything, you can come to me." Cen Ran, overwhelmed by Helan Mianmian’s candid gaze, hastily replied, hardly glancing at the sleeping Ning Songwu, "I’ll be leaving now, I’ll visit you both another time." Helan Mianmian watched Cen Ran leave with a sweet smile. This sister had a gentle and elegant appearance, naturally giving off a friendly vibe, unlike Ning Songwu’s occasionally unreasonable and mischievous nature.