256 - Destroyer of Ice and Fire

"Please, take me with you. I've come so far to get here." "Weakness, when presented appropriately, can elicit others' willingness to help." "Especially now, we must rely on each other." "Sorry, young lady." "Clearly, the Spirit-Binding Lock can restrain her movements." "Ning Yuanyue... Why, why must it be this way!" "No wonder they say it looks alike..." "Indeed, it looks very similar..." "So, it really is..." "So, you needed those spirit beads to buy medicine for her wounds?" "But can a few dozen taels of silver buy good medicine?" "Sorry, I'm late." "I... Saying this would just make me a laughingstock, wouldn't it." "Actually, there's no need to question if she is the original. At this moment, the attention she gives me already surpasses... that person." "So, I am indeed her real, original child." "Am I right?" "Without even asking my name, the first inquiry is why I appeared..." "Senior, you... Thank you very much." "I hope that the methods I learned from my master can help her." "Please... I need to stay calm." "Why is everyone so gravely injured?" "My master is easily wounded, she's carrying injuries, and Cheng Yi is also hurt." "Oh heavens, are you being too unfair to me and the people around me?" "The Cat Elder truly lives up to her reputation as a genius." "Oh heavens, if you have a spirit, what do you mean by not allowing such a genius to break through?" "Yes, this is the way it should be, beautiful." "Stay calm. You still have things to do, stay calm." "...Cousin?" "Why hasn't she come forward to recognize me after all this time?" "She hasn't even asked me to do anything, speaking as a mother would." "Should I... address her?" "Mom... Oh, this title feels strange, how about calling her 'Ma'?" Chapter 102: Outside the Territory (4) "Asheng! Junior Sister Liu!" "As long as we can engage in a fight, chaos will ensue, and Cheng Yi can take Senior Ning to escape." "The opponents in the family challenge are all just one level above me. Only ten of them. If push comes to shove, I can withstand it by entering a pseudo-spirit state." "I still have many memories from modern times. I can do this." "Ning Yuanyue, even if you're a madwoman, you still have to uphold the family's rules to maintain your dignity as the head." "Why not give it a try? If you don't try, how will you know who wins or loses?" "Nine?" After lunch, Ran Fanyin and Ning Songwu retired for a nap. The weariness from their overnight escape hit them hard the moment they entered the relay station, and they knew that if they didn’t rest now, they would lack the energy to face any challenges that might arise in the dead of night. Ran Fanyin thought that maybe a preemptive strike could resolve the current crisis. In the stillness of the night, when all was silent, with everyone asleep and their guards down, those illicit activities that thrive under the cover of darkness would quietly emerge. Nighttime was the most dangerous period. In a blink of an eye, evening had arrived. Ran Fanyin, still drowsy, frowned slightly in her sleep. Her eyes remained shut, but her nose kept wrinkling, waking and waking again. Suddenly, she opened her eyes, sat up, and wafted the air towards her nose with her hands, laughing, "No wonder it smells so good. They're stir-frying garlic sprouts with cured meat!" She stretched and walked to the window, looked outside, and saw that dusk was approaching. A ray of sunset reflected on the window paper. In the quiet room, the busy chatter of the relay station staff in the main hall drifted in, creating a feeling of isolation from the world. Loneliness was vividly apparent at that moment. Turning around, she saw Ning Songwu hugging a painting scroll, lying on her side on a wooden chair. She looked peaceful, her brows relaxed, breathing evenly, and sleeping sweetly like a little kitten, making one want to reach out and touch her. The sound of footsteps outside suddenly stopped. Ran Fanyin felt a sense of foreboding, then heard a knock on the door, "Knock, knock—." Ning Songwu stirred, her brows furrowed slightly, seemingly disturbed but not fully awake. Ran Fanyin tiptoed to the door, and just before opening it, she heard the relay station staff outside say, "Lady Ning, please open the door. I've brought dinner for you and your wife." Ran Fanyin opened the door slightly, finger to her lips, whispered, "Shh— she's still sleeping." Then she took the tray from the relay station staff. "Wait, take the wine away," she called out to the staff who was about to leave, handing back the wine bottle. The staff were momentarily puzzled but took the bottle, "Yes, madam, please enjoy your meal. If you need anything, just call for me. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." The relay station was in the wilderness. The long night, the darkness, and the lack of entertainment made people who stayed overnight usually ask for more wine to pass the time. It was rare for someone to refuse the wine. Once the door was closed, Ning Songwu yawned lazily, "Time flies, it's dinner already." Ran Fanyin sat down, eyes closed, waving her hands to waft the aroma of the dishes, then pulled a long silver hairpin from her hair, wiping it carefully with a handkerchief before sticking it into each dish to check. Satisfied, she said, "Eat, it's not poisoned." Ning Songwu yawned, "Madam, are you worried someone will poison us?" "Even if it's an official relay station, it's always better to be cautious." Ran Fanyin picked a piece of braised beef and ate it, speaking as she chewed, "This beef is excellent, well-marinated, tender, savory, and delicious. And the garlic sprouts and cured meat, I could smell them in my dreams." "You should have some too." Seeing Ning Songwu not moving her chopsticks, Ran Fanyin put a few pieces into her bowl. "I'm not hungry, you eat more." Ning Songwu, filled with worry, had no appetite, sipping tea and watching Ran Fanyin enjoy her meal.