21.1 - Crazy! Criticizing the Prime Minister for Being a Servant

### Chapter 14: Kindred Spirits Ran Fanyin ran her fingers gently through Helan's hair with a sigh, "I was summoned before I even saw it myself. If we want to know now, we'll have to ask Cen Ran." "I won't ask her," the little cat turned away haughtily. [Oh wow, such disdain! I'm shipping this so hard.] Ran Fanyin: ...? Is she getting old? Why does it feel like she's losing touch with her disciple's thoughts? This is how they've always been over the years, hasn't it? She turned her gaze, coldly glancing at the three youngsters with ears perked high, and coughed lightly, "If you're done with the review, go down for another round." Oh, come on! Ning Songwu cleared her throat and said seriously, "Master, we still have some questions to discuss." "You'll find the answers in real combat." Ran Elder smiled while propping his head on his hand. With a slight movement of his fingers, a few ropes wrapped around the group and promptly tossed them off the viewing platform. [Master!!!!] For some reason, she suddenly wanted to say something... Cherish your time down there. No, that's not very elegant. Never mind. Helan laughed unabashedly, doubling over until he could barely talk, "Actually, I thought of a possibility." * When Ran Elder retrieved the three youngsters again, just like the past few days, they were too exhausted to even lift a finger. However... Ran Fanyin glanced at the little one lying on the back of the Vermilion Bird, who couldn't even lift her head and was nearly buried in its feathers. Even so, she kept talking non-stop in her heart. Still not tired. But upon listening carefully, it was actually a review of today's events. It was hard to say whether this little one was particularly energetic or particularly diligent. [The female lead isn't particularly clever, but she isn't so reckless either. It always feels like she's in a hurry to achieve some goal.] [Why is that? Because she didn't become Ran Fanyin’s disciple, so she's in such a rush?] The young girl meticulously reviewed her questions, oblivious to the gaze lowering from above. [Subtitle, subtitle, update me on Lin Yuxue's current ending.] "The Devil Lord lays out a blood-red carpet spanning thousands of miles to marry Lin Yuxue, and they live happily ever after in the demon palace." [In other words, eternally locked in the demon palace, right?] This was a new use she had discovered for the subtitles in recent days. If she asked some questions tentatively, sometimes, when it was feeling generous, she'd get some answers. However, whenever she asked questions related to herself and Ran Fanyin, the subtitles would never reveal anything, as if their storylines were the only ones predetermined. A predestined dead end? But whatever, you won't know what happens unless you struggle until the very end. Clearly, today's generous spirit was in a good mood, as it flickered a couple of times and displayed, "Yes." [Does being eternally locked in the demon palace really count as a happy ending?] Ning Songwu pondered the question she had always considered while reading. Back when Lin Yuxue wasn't solely focused on romance, the story portrayed her quite positively. She was a proud girl with her own goals. Though she didn't hesitate to use unscrupulous means, she worked hard enough to secure the Dual Snow Swords in the secret realm and tried her best to make her cold, indifferent master smile. You could say that her romantic inclinations gradually clipped her own wings, ultimately imprisoning herself in the deep palace. How could that be considered a happy ending? Now, upon careful reflection, she could sense something was amiss. [Maybe Lin Yuxue isn't so desperate to become Ran Fanyin's disciple because she wants to but because she has to?] Suddenly, a laugh descended from above. Ning Songwu propped her head up and looked around. Beauty Master Ran wasn't looking at her, and the laugh didn't seem directed at her but rather at the endless sea of clouds. Noticing her gaze, Ran Fanyin lowered her head, her phoenix eyes filled with a smile, "It’s snowing. Would you like to take a look?" "So soon?" Ning Songwu sat up, straining her eyes, and indeed saw snowflakes gently falling, hanging in the sky like a soft veil. They walked through the snowy fog, a layer of frost dusting their bodies. "Maybe tomorrow we can see hoarfrost? You'll get to see your brothers and sisters." "...Such an old joke." "By the way, you were born in the spring, so why does your name have such a cold ring to it like 'Songwu'?" Ning Songwu blinked blankly, "I don't know." [Was the original character also born in March? I know my own birthday...] [Mom said that on the day I was born, it coincided with the last snowfall of the year. The hoarfrost covered everything—the sky, the clouds, the mountains, and the waters—all in white, so they named me Songwu.] [As for the original character... maybe the author just thought it sounded nice.] [Huh? Why isn't the master saying anything?] Gently clearing her throat, Ran Fanyin, who had been entranced by the story, "Nothing, it's just that the snow scene is so rare. Why not prepare to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage now?" "Okay." She nodded obediently. Then, she secretly wailed in her heart, [So tired, so tired. This salted fish finally faces retribution; now I’m forced to hustle, boohoo.] For once, Ran Fanyin hesitated a moment, "If you’re truly too tired, we can do it tomorrow." "No, let's do it today, Master!" The girl’s eyes blazed as if about to embark on a challenging mission. She must not extend the deadline, for if she did, she’d keep wanting to push it further. Ran Fanyin curled her lips in a slight smile, this time responding to her disciple's reaction with happiness. Earlier, her smile wasn't just for the boundless snow scene but also because she and her disciple were of one mind, arriving at the same answer without exchanging a word. The answer was clear, but hearing it voiced from her disciple's inner thoughts brought unexpected joy. Suddenly, Ning Songwu thought of something, standing up on shaky legs. She retrieved a thick cloak from her storage ring and draped it over Ran Fanyin, stubbornly declaring under her master’s slightly surprised gaze, "It's cold when it snows. Wear more, and don’t fall ill again." Ran Elder's gaze softened. From under the cloak, he reached out and pinched the side of the girl's face, agreeing warmly, "Alright." [The cold air will get in! Two cloaks won’t keep you warm if you keep extending your arm!] Ran Fanyin quickly withdrew her hand, while inwardly leaving a silent "hehe." Clueless fool. ⊥ * Once the first snow had settled, the air turned even colder. After more than a month of tough training on the martial field and with Ning Songwu breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, her companions had also reached the late stages of Qi Refinement. All three had gained enough experience that they were no longer as miserable as they once were when facing the Foundation Establishment stage ape. Today's cloudy weather left the sun hiding behind thick layers of clouds, adding a few more degrees of chill to the already cold air. Yet for Ning Songwu, this rare cold day was actually an advantage. Facing the charging ape again, she hoisted her long sword, with a vine tied around her waist, counting her steps until only three remained. The vine tightened, launching her into the air. The ape raised its head but could only see a mist. The next second, her long sword struck, and the mist turned to snowflakes, swirling down with a chilling intent. Within the snow fog, the silver sword gleamed for an instant and stopped inches from the ape's forehead. As the cloud and mist dispersed, Ning Songwu flipped and landed, supported by her two companions. The three of them heaved a sigh of relief while the ape raised its forelimbs in silent applause, showing a big toothy grin. Helan tossed an air punch at the grinning ape, "Stop grinning like an idiot; you're embarrassing our beast clan." Ning and Liu quietly looked at the silent Luo Sheng. The girl tilted her head, "What's wrong?" "Nothing," Ning Songwu smiled and raised her voice, "Uncle, shall we call it a day?" Helan grumbled, "Yeah, come back after the New Year." Liu Ruoying frowned, "After the New Year? Why so long?" Luo Sheng explained softly, "Demonic beasts aren't very intelligent. This ape we were sparring with was trained for several months before it could fight us." "That's hard work," Liu silently applauded. * "So, does the method we discussed the other day work?" Liu Ruoying suddenly remembered while setting down the hot meal. Ning Songwu shook her head, "My cultivation level is too low; the effect on the environment's temperature is negligible. It won't work." With the snowfall, Ning Songwu suddenly recalled that the original novel casually mentioned Ran Fanyin was born in deep winter, just a few days before New Year's Eve, meaning her birthday wasn't far off. Birthdays should be celebrated. Holding to the belief that three heads were better than one, one day after training, she pulled her two younger sisters aside to brainstorm a gift.