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

### Chapter 43: Longing The Cat was taken aback, and the next instant, he transformed into the form of a tri-colored cat out of sheer joy. He leaped into the arms of the woman dressed in dusky purple, his voice trembling with excitement, “Shijie, you’re out? Are your injuries all healed?” Ran Fanyin took a seat, her eyes glistening with a watery luster. She grabbed the Cat by the scruff of his neck and moved to press him against her chest, murmuring, “I was fine, but now I’ve sustained internal injuries from being hit by a cat that weighs several pounds. What should I do?” The Cat instinctively retracted his claws, then cautiously extended a paw to gently touch the person’s head. “Shijie, is it really you?” How could she have become... so enchanting after all these years of seclusion? His face flushed, and his fur even turned a rosy hue! “No, it’s Little Five who just recently transformed,” Ran Fanyin replied, exasperated, tossing the troublesome cat into Cen Ran’s arms. When she had just emerged from seclusion, she saw a little girl with dog ears and a furry tail stumbling toward her, calling her "mother." It was terrifying—this troublesome cat had nothing better to do than teach Little Five how to transform but didn’t teach her properly. Her foolish disciple was almost scared out of her wits. Thinking of that fool, Ran Fanyin smiled and cast her gaze toward the martial arts platform. Almost simultaneously, a fiery figure hurried onto the scene like a meteor crashing into the field. Instead of raising a cloud of dust, a slow-spreading icy mist emanated from her body. In the center of the icy mist, a woman floated several ice swords behind her and held a sword named Chaoshou. She cupped her hands in greeting and said, “Shangyun Sect, Nascent Soul Stage Ning Songwu, requesting guidance.” There was a moment of silence in the stands before an uproar of even more fervent discussions erupted, nearly overturning the waves of air. Ning Songwu acted as if she hadn’t heard, casually drawing her long sword and patiently waiting for her old rival’s response. Over the past four years, she and Ran Fanyin had quietly stayed in an undisturbed deep cave, spending those years in tranquil living. They hadn’t done many unspeakable things, with healing through cultivation being their priority. Once they discovered that her spiritual power could also act as an auxiliary even in a neutral state, they focused all their efforts on healing. Then they immersed in diligent cultivation, assisted by special techniques. By the time they were about to emerge from seclusion, Ning Songwu had already reached the middle stage of the Nascent Soul. If she cultivated for a few more days, breaking through to a higher stage wouldn’t be out of the question. Ning Songwu gently smoothed her sleeve and let out a soft sigh of relief. After a bit of rest, she remembered a piece of clothing long forgotten in the recesses of her memory. Rummaging through her wardrobe, she spotted it in the usual place where she kept her most cherished items. It was a set of green and white robes previously gifted by Ran Fanyin, adorned with dark gold and silver threads. Opulent but not ostentatious, it perfectly matched her current state of mind. Most importantly— Ning Songwu looked at herself in the ice mirror, her ponytail poised gracefully, fingers tracing the delicate collar down to the black waistband, before clutching it tightly. No other's image emerged in her mind; instead, she recalled a long-departed figure in jade green, veiled in mist. Even at their parting, the veil never lifted for her to see her face clearly. **[Medicine Sect, detestable, detestable, Medicine Sect.]** **[Perhaps Shizun has harbored such grievances for many years; the last couple of years have merely added me into the mix. Even without me, the situation wouldn’t have been different.]** **[But ever since I came here... Shizun was all I had.]** **[No more, no more... How can there still be any... Though indeed, there really isn’t.]** **[Shizun’s eyes are so piercing, they’ve seen through my thoughts at once...]** **[I can’t read Shizun, but I don’t want Shizun to remain unhappy.]** **[Though asking directly makes me so nervous, ahhhh.]** Qin Siyue’s voice was cold: “Hand.” A pale wrist obediently extended, very docile. Seeing this person unmoved, the woman sneered: “You’re truly accustomed to illness.” “Thank you for the compliment.” “...” The doctor rolled her eyes, pressed down the wrist, and asked softly, “What’s her relationship with the grand formation?” The woman fluttered her eyes, thought for a moment as if just realizing who was being referred to, and hummed, “Why do you ask?” “Don’t play dumb.” “I truly don’t know.” Her face was innocent. “Bullshit.” The woman closed her eyes, lazily said, “Elder Qin, as a role model, mind your language.” Qin Siyue turned her head to look at Helan Mianmian, who was sitting with her chin propped up. "Maybe she’s burned her brain. Who’s gonna take over her disciple once she’s out?” The Cat bit his lips tightly, not daring to speak, the laughter suppressed under his tongue would spill out if he opened his mouth. Ran Fanyin knew she was being teased, too lazy to even lift her eyelids, dragged out her voice, “Do you think Ning'er would follow you?” “Tell her you can hear her heart’s voice, and she’ll naturally come with us.” “...” The woman’s face changed, she straightened up, and said sternly, “Under no circumstances should you reveal that. Thoughts unbridled—cough, cough...” She hadn’t finished when she was racked by coughs that made her unable to sit up straight, her already pale face becoming increasingly ashen. Qin Siyue stopped the anxious Cat from coming over to express concern, gave her a faint glance: “Aren’t you usually quite alert? Why so flustered today?” Helan circumvented her and lifted the coughing person, gently patting her back. The red tint on her eyes made her already youthful face appear even more pitiful and aggrieved. Qin Siyue: ... Enough, that’s enough. She was just joking, any more, and she would feel genuinely guilty!! Struggling to suppress her twitching eyebrow, she exhaled deeply, resigning herself, “Alright, fine, I shouldn’t have come.” “Cough...I never said that.” Ah right, right, you didn’t say that, but the look from your cat is enough to devour me! Qin Siyue thought silently, rolling her eyes inwardly, and then sat down, “For so many years, your fire root and these chills have always been in a kind of equilibrium, though prone to illness, it had never lasted this long. Recently, I pondered what broke this balance. After thinking it over, it struck me that the eternal frost on your mountain might be the culprit. Yet, haven’t we visited even colder snowy peaks? Back then, you were only ill for half a month.” Ran Fanyin adjusted her posture, listening intently, the folding fan gently tapping her palm, a gesture indicating her contemplation. “...But that’s the only lead. Thinking further, this everlasting frost is related to your disciple. Going past that, your disciple can heal through formations and also aid in yours, things Shishu Ran couldn’t do back then, while you’re bound to the formation, overseeing it.” “Considering this carefully, it must be that the eternal frost is related to the Great Sky Severing Formation. The frost’s persistence makes the formation’s coldness even thicker, which in turn affects you, the guardian of the formation.” “So...” Qin Siyue combined her fingers, lightly tapping the stone table, “What else are you hiding? Best to speak now.” Ran Fanyin was startled but understood; among her peers, none were fools. They just chose not to dig into things. Mianmian’s usual demeanor was just a facade of peace and ease. Upon deeper thought, they’d uncover clues sooner or later. However... Ran Fanyin’s countenance softened, her lips curled gently, “If I knew, that would be good.” Qin Siyue stared at the relaxed face for a long while and replied softly, “Alright, I believe you. Then stay unwell.” The woman lowered her gaze slightly, uttering a soft “okay.” Keep pretending. Some time passed, and Su Ye brought tea. As Qin Siyue lifted the warm tea, gently blowing on it, she returned to the topic decided in the morning’s meeting. “In a few days, Tiancheng Immortal Sect will visit us for some exchange. They’re sending a Law Enforcement Elder with the team, which includes their currently strongest Nascent Soul level sword cultivator.” The woman paused, adding, “It’s said she admires you greatly.” She said this while looking at the person casually playing with the folding fan. After a lengthy silence, Ran Fanyin realized who she was talking about and responded with a puzzled “huh?” “Why? Does this junior not know that I am unwell and never accept challenges?” “...Have you considered, placing the labels ‘Sword Immortal’s daughter’ and ‘never accepts challenges’ together conjures an image of an otherworldly immortal, naturally attracting attention?” The woman smiled lightly, lazily leaning back into her chair, “How unfortunate then, I am, sick.” Qin Siyue tapped the table, “Today, you two were absent. Tiancheng’s official document included a request for sparring among disciples. Their top swordswoman Jiang Mang wants to challenge your Ning’er.” “Isn’t it even more convenient then, she’s not out yet. Why the rush? The big inter-sect competition isn’t too far off anyway. Sparring now, is she trying to get a head start?” Helan Mianmian raised her hand, interjecting softly, “May I ask, has Tiancheng’s formation development progressed?” Implicitly asking if anyone challenged her Su Ye and Asheng? Her question elicited two eye rolls. Ran Fanyin reached out, pinching the woman’s cheek, twisting then rubbing, “You can ask their leader that, guaranteed to get you thrown out.” “Sure, but will Shijie come with me? It’ll be nice to show that admirer everything at once—she's ours, Ning’er’s, and Shangyun Sect’s, no snatching.” The woman looked at her helplessly, “When will you truly grow up?” Qin Siyue didn’t notice anything amiss in the words and nodded in agreement, “Elder Helan, you should mature. Why bicker with a child?” “May I ask, is this Jiang Mang a boy or a girl?” Elder Qin pondered for a moment and then replied, "A girl." "Oh... then it should indeed be made clear that this is our little..." "Mianmian!" Ran Fanyin interrupted the cat’s teasing, half embarrassed and half annoyed, her face pale as snow but now tinged with rare color. Did she really think she couldn’t understand the underlying meaning of those words? **[Shizun, please answer quickly; I'm about to die from nervousness.]** **[It's not expensive; what is Shizun hesitating about...]** **[I’ve always said the Medicine Sect is no good, detestable, detestable.]** **[How is it that even in the cultivation world, they’re pushing for marriage?]** **[I’m only eighteen, about to be nineteen in this world. What’s the hurry!!]** **[If Shizun is bored, I'll go into seclusion for ten, twenty years. By then, she probably won't be bored anymore.]** **[I ultimately don’t belong here; only the mountain holds a place for me. Leaving Shangyun Sect, leaving the Evening and Morning Peak, the vast world will never truly be mine.]** Ran Fanyin clenched her fingers; there wasn't much discomfort in her heart. Usually, when her disciple was about to face danger, she would feel uneasy, but it seemed... everything was still normal. With that thought, she could finally set aside some of her worries. However, time waits for no one, and she couldn’t afford to waste it here. Bearing a little concern in her heart, she gave the expanse of snow one last glance, dragged her sleeves, and departed. The four towns surrounding Shangyun Sect seemed to have received no notice about hosting guests from the distant northern Tiancheng Immortal Sect. Everything proceeded as usual; outer sect disciples, diligent in their work, mingled among the common folk. Their white robes intertwined with ordinary clothes, making it easy for any guest to mistake another similarly clothed individual for a commoner. Jiang Yue fiddled with a small wooden pendant in her hand, a pale jade stone dangling from its tail, swaying in her grip, quite interesting. She turned to speak to the person next to her, only to realize the woman, with never-relaxed shoulders and neck, had already walked far ahead. Jiang Yue hastened to catch up, speaking quickly, “The four towns around here are so lively, Shijie. Much better than those dead-inside commoners around us who have nothing but cultivation on their minds.” “Mind your words,” Jiang Mang replied coldly without even glancing at her, holding her sword and walking straight ahead. The elders had let her come down the mountain for leisure, planning to return by the time of the match. But after walking around, she found nothing in the mortal world amusing. Instead, it would be better to take this time to meet Elder Ran Fanyin. Or perhaps have a preliminary spar with Elder Ran’s disciple. They said she was just twenty years old but already at the late Gold Core stage. She wondered about her talent in swordsmanship, having the title of Ran Fanyin’s disciple. Jiang Mang subconsciously tightened her grip on the sword hilt, her already icy eyes narrowing, making her even more intimidating. Jiang Yue followed, chattering about the interesting things on this street, not paying heed to the still, immersed Jiang Mang. Suddenly, a young servant rushed out from the roadside, holding a booklet. “You two young heroes don’t seem local! Just out of seclusion or from elsewhere? Bet you haven't seen our best-selling booklet? It's about…” The servant enthusiastically introduced the booklet, while the faces of the two being stopped grew increasingly varied. Jiang Yue stole glances at the frost-faced Jiang Mang and couldn’t resist peeking at the booklet. The cover featured two women in somewhat intimate poses, yet its simple, elegant title piqued curiosity about the contents. Jiang Mang remained still, and Jiang Yue didn’t move either, choosing to listen as the servant detailed the booklet’s contents. Eventually, she couldn't help but exclaim, “Is this a story about two women in love?” “No, they don’t fall in love and stay together at the end… is it a story about the feelings between two women?” Jiang Yue’s voice grew lower, her eyes wider. The servant nodded earnestly, “Yes, would you like a copy? They’re on discount for winter; you can get this one by Shishui combined with another by Chuwu for three silver coins less. Interested?” “Pardon me, does Chuwu also write about two women in love?” The servant slapped his knee, “You’re asking the right person! My sister is a loyal reader of Chuwu. Compared to the melancholic regret in Shishui’s works, Chuwu’s stories are lively and cheerful, featuring adorable girls. Interested?” “Of course, if neither suits you, we have…” Jiang Yue stepped back in shock. Your Shangyun Sect’s vibe! Isn’t it a bit too liberal? She knew of women loving women, but to have such booklets openly sold, with many authors? Heavens!! Jiang Yue desperately looked to Jiang Mang, who stood expressionlessly. I shouldn’t have started this; now I can't buy or leave. But she really doesn't... The servant eagerly watched, and after a long while, Jiang Mang spoke, “How much for two books?” Her voice was indifferent, without emotion. "Ah, there's a special today, let’s see." The servant rejoiced, quickly flipping through his manual. Taking the chance, Jiang Yue pulled Jiang Mang aside, “Shijie! Those books are about women in love... Can you accept that?” Jiang Mang looked bewildered, blinking, “Why would I need to?” Jiang Yue, who had spent years with Jiang Mang, knew she probably didn’t even understand what “love” meant, likely buying because the enthusiastic servant caught her attention. But... Won't this book corrupt her Shijie? How to explain that the book... can't be bought!! Jiang Yue sighed in frustration, Jiang Mang even more puzzled, testing, “Then, shall we not buy it?” Jiang Yue sighed, “Buying or not…” The servant had figured out the price and wrapped the books. Seems… we have to buy them… Awkwardly stuck, a teasing voice drifted in, a woman in a sky-blue dress lightly tapped the servant's shoulder, “Brother Liu, stop selling stuff that doesn’t suit new faces.” She smiled at the two, behind her two more—one tall in black clothes holding a food box, the other arms crossed, smiling at them. Jiang Yue looked at them gratefully. Jiang Mang opened her mouth, but Jiang Yue dragged her away. Once they were far enough, the servant nearly wept, “Aunt Su Ye, please let me go, or my wife will scold me.” Su Ye patted his shoulder, turned to the two remaining, raising an eyebrow, “Back to the peak? Shibo said the guests have arrived.” “Nothing to do with us, why go back.” Luo Sheng muttered, “You go, I’ll buy some treats for Shizun.” Liu Ruoying pulled her, smiling, “Last time you bought for Ning Shijie, time before that for Elder Helan, now it's Elder Helan again? How many times has she taken the blame for you?” “This time’s different; Shizun asked for seeds and peanuts…” Su Ye laughed, “And those last times?” Luo Sheng glared, waved, and left, “Not talking, bye.” Jiang Mang, following Jiang Yue, stopped far away, looking back at the immortal sect with furrowed brows. Jiang Yue, seeing her stop, asked, “What’s wrong, Shijie?” Jiang Mang recollected herself, “Being out too long feels improper. I want to return and practice swordsmanship. It's said Elder Helan’s peak has areas to train with spirit beasts. I’d like to see.” **[Shizun is jealous?]** The girl, late to fully understand the conversation, finally grasped the subtext. **[So, Shizun’s been acting awkward these days because she couldn’t let go of me.]** **[I’m that important.]** **[That makes me so happy, for such a small reason?]** **[So fortunate, such a good Shizun, not being taken away by Lin Yuxue this time.]** **[With Lin Yuxue’s story ended and her well-guarded in the dungeon, Shizun won’t have to go to the Demon Realm or suffer severe backlash injury... so good, so good, everything is getting better.]** "You say." "At least during the internal war among the human race, don’t invade." Ran Fanyin spoke seriously, analyzing the source of the poison carefully. Feng Hua couldn’t help gasping, sighing after a long moment, "So sinister." "You didn’t know?" Feng Hua frowned slightly, "Wu Yan betrayed our clan once before, you should recall. Thus, unless utterly desperate or assured, I’d never consider her gifts." "That's good. As long as you don’t add to everyone’s burden." “……” Although Ran Fanyin’s words weren’t wrong, Feng Hua found them odd. She, a dignified demon lord, being told not to add to everyone’s burden? What nonsense! Feng Hua clicked her tongue, then questioned, “Elder Ran has spoken so much, aren’t you afraid I’ll take advantage as I did a thousand years ago?” Ran Fanyin glanced at her with a soft smile, “I have faith.” Ran Fanyin merely smiled gently at her and, after a long moment, said warmly, “It doesn’t matter. In the end, it’s just an internal affair of the Nine Provinces. Who wins or loses is still uncertain.” Feng Hua froze, then said, “I can’t just seek benefits for the Demon Palace alone.” “But I can’t give you more than that. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be deceiving a child?” “……” Fine, Feng Hua conceded that Ran Fanyin had a point. But what was with the term “deceiving a child”? She instinctively frowned, while the woman brushed her robes to rise, indicating that she could think whatever she wished. “You…” The woman hesitated in her steps due to her pause. Growing more anxious, Feng Hua asked, “Aren’t you going to ask more? Even someone as powerful as Lord Wuyan needs to ask questions to make a decision.” “Lord Demon, I’ve never had the habit of digging into others’ backgrounds nor intend to meddle in internal affairs—gives me a headache. So, if you want to cooperate, we’ll cooperate. If not…” The woman smiled nonchalantly, “It’s fine, I just won’t get involved.” Ran Fanyin had a good grasp on Feng Hua’s mindset. Though noble as the Demon Lord, she had crawled her way up from a lowly demon foot soldier, ambitious and unscrupulous but genuinely caring for her entire race. Their conversation required no pretense since they were both seasoned veterans. If one is willing, so be it; if not, so be it. As for past grudges and future clashes, it didn’t matter. Humans and demons could never truly achieve peace. Even if they made an agreement now, the next generation would continue fighting. They only needed to understand— The ongoing Human-Demon conflicts were their concern and wouldn’t lead to extinction. But the threat from the Nine Heavens above could truly wipe everyone out. Feng Hua silently clenched her fists, watching the woman leave without a backward glance. Ran Fanyin had left the choice to her. Feng Hua sighed. But did she have any other options? Clearly not. *Back to the present* On the battlefield, Lord Wuyan stood arrogantly, sweeping her gaze over everyone before grinning. She looked down on the many so-called Nascent Soul masters and even the great practitioners barely caught her eye, considering them worthless. “……” Ning Songwu found herself being dragged through the misty air, filled with incomprehensible doubts. What exactly was this person planning? Already confirmed as a vile wolf, was she still trying to struggle? Couldn’t she be trying to justify her actions, maybe hoping Ning Songwu would understand her hardships? That seemed... unlikely. As expected, Ning Songwu guessed correctly. Walking at the forefront, Wuyan softened her tone, “I’ve lived for five or six thousand years, so long I’ve forgotten my name, although I vaguely remember a surname inherited from my master—Xie.” Five or six thousand years, surpassing the tribulation without ascending?! Ning Songwu’s pupils shook, her steps slowed. Xie Sen seemed to read her thoughts and said lightly, “Hurry up, or I won’t be able to tell you everything.” Ning Songwu instinctively pursed her lips but followed. She wanted to see what fancy tales this person would spin. Xie Sen continued walking ahead, “Little hero, do you know about the great drought three thousand years ago?” Ning Songwu did. She had read about it in books. About three thousand years ago, there had been a great drought where spiritual power completely dried up. Many cultivators perished, some dying from spiritual exhaustion, others sacrificing themselves to the heavens, hoping for rain to end the drought and save more people. Around a century later, unexpected rains returned, restoring all the spiritual power overnight. Countless people broke through the limits and ascended. Since then, such an event never occurred again. Fewer mortals took up cultivation to prevent a repeat of spiritual exhaustion. But what did this have to do with today’s situation? “I know,” Ning Songwu answered, expressionless. Xie Sen smiled, “My master perished in that catastrophe. You may not believe this, but I possess five elemental roots of the earth attribute. If my master hadn’t guided me onto the path of the Dao, I would have long become a pile of dust.” Ning Songwu was slightly shocked. Five elemental roots? Not only difficult to cultivate, but earth attributed, making it even harder. This person... was indeed extraordinarily talented, but it also explained why she hadn’t ascended after thousands of years. Yet her next question was on another matter altogether, “The same path as Jiang Mang?” “What she practices is an adaptation of my cultivation method.” “Then why have you called me here today?” Xie Sen smiled, “Logically, my Dao should have achieved great success after my master, my only kin, perished. Yet it did not.” “Without her guidance, my heart wasn’t pure and innocent but riddled with void and helplessness. I realized even the void needs a goal. So…” She paused, “I decided to create a new world.” Ning Songwu slowly formed a mental question mark. 📜 **No Pop-up Ads, Permanent Domain**