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

### Chapter 45: Stolen Kiss Yes...indeed, although he found Shang Yun displeasing, there appeared to be no fault in his conduct this time. But why had he responded to the summons at all? More importantly, why did he have no recollection of the past? Ran Xianzi ignored him and continued, "This matter traces back many years. Do you all remember the demonic sect we united to annihilate, which was invited by our sect? It used a dark potion that provoked people's greed for cultivation, draining their lifespans, and transferring their cultivation levels through an array.” Back then, when dealing with this sect, she never thought of calling everyone. It was Cen Ran who suggested that all renowned sects should participate, and the smaller, weaker sects should also be informed. That decision then has now become a crucial aid in advancing her plan. The elders of the many sects present were all familiar with this matter and fell into deeper silence. Suddenly, someone retorted, "Wasn't that a demon ploy? Do you mean that this incident was caused by the demons?" "Not at all," Ran Fanyin replied calmly, "The array could significantly enhance itself by consuming demons, but not by consuming humans. If it were a demon ploy, why leave such a self-hindering setup? The Yang Tian Sect, where is your Elder Yin Xi? You took him to investigate for so long, surely you must have found this out?” The named sect reluctantly responded, "Ran Xianzi is correct. This array and techniques were indeed set up by humans. They have nothing to do with demons." "I thought you would continue to remain silent, just like when you betrayed the Medicine Sect overnight." Ran Fanyin sneered, her sarcastic comment making the elder blush. She then ignored him and continued, "We had our suspicions back then, and subsequent investigations revealed this greed-inducing toxin. It had long been spread amongst everyone by someone with intentions.” "But do not worry. The scents you now smell are the result of years of research we undertook with the Medicine Sect, capable of suppressing the toxins within you..." "Just suppression?" someone hysterically interjected. Another person fiercely pulled him back, "You believe everything she says? Isn't it just her word?" "Just her word?" Ran Fanyin cut in, "Do you all remember the great fire in the Northern Region a thousand years ago that burnt the demons' retreat without harming anyone or anything? That is the way to completely eradicate the toxins." "Are you referring to the Heavenly Destruction Array and the lost Ground Array?" “The Heavenly Destruction Array is under my care, and as for the Ground Array, we have found its location just a few hours ago. It’s precisely where the great fire began in the Northern Region.” Her voice was particularly resonant, yet none of the suddenly panicking crowd realized it. Nor did they notice someone gradually revealing themselves not far behind them, eyes fixed intently on the woman and the sword's tassel by her side. “Found it! Found it!” One half of her face contorted in excitement as she spoke. The other half remained tranquil, eyes unperturbed, as if quietly waiting for Ran Fanyin to continue. And the woman did not disappoint her. She smiled slightly and said, "Aside from relying on the array, there's another method to detoxify. Please take a look." This was the role that bringing Jiang Mang had to play. However, her hand trembled as she picked up the porcelain bottle. It took two tries to successfully open it, her hand clutching her skirt in a concealed corner away from the crowd’s sight. Resolving this matter unavoidably involved Ning Songwu, even though she was reluctant to admit it. As the bottle cap was opened, a drop of blood fell on Jiang Mang's forehead. Her calm face wavered momentarily before regaining peace as the blood gradually vanished. Before long, amidst everyone's exclamations, warm white spiritual energy forcibly extracted the dark golden liquid from Jiang Mang's dantian, underscoring today's narrative and subsequently assimilating it completely. The crowd fell into complete silence. Ran Fanyin's words could be contested, but when she demonstrated the process vividly and undeniably before their eyes, any rebuttal seemed utterly impotent. The people's attitudes outside the mountain gate transformed almost instantly; some were about to kneel, begging for shelter and treatment. However, a few skeptics viewed the situation derisively, as if watching a play. At that very moment, Ran Fanyin felt her heart tighten. A cold lotus blossomed before her, deflecting an attack from an unknown source. The assault came so swiftly that she didn't have time to react. Without that white lotus, she might have ended up like the kitten nestled in Qin Siyue's embrace. Oddly enough, the cold lotus turned black swiftly, then dissipated into icy mist. Then, a white-haired girl, her fingers joined in a sword gesture, gently landed by her side and smiled slightly, "Forgive me, Master, but this is one command I cannot follow." "Master, we will all be safe." Ran Fanyin didn't look at her; she took a step forward, enduring the searing pain in her heart while maintaining a rosy complexion. She continued, "Since we’ve come to this point, I might as well say more. For example, the true mastermind behind this is from the Tiancheng Immortal Sect..." Another cold lotus blossomed, once again intercepting the nearly undetectable attack. Ning Songwu didn't follow but stood half a step behind Ran Fanyin, carefully manipulating the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. She avoided using her spiritual power, summoning protective sword intent to shield Ran Fanyin as she declared war on the mastermind. Simultaneously, she sent a thread of spiritual power downward, finding Helan Mianmian, who had fallen unconscious. After a thorough investigation, she was amazed: **[Helan Elder's bloodline is so unique, it prevented the source poison from spreading.]** Ran Fanyin's legs gave out, nearly collapsing. She bit her lip hard, preventing her heavy breathing from drawing more attention and leaving her vulnerable. She feared that Mianmian's condition was due to the greed toxin, but in the urgency of the moment, she had no choice but to have Qin Siyue suppress it while she dealt with the others. If anything happened to Helan, she couldn’t forgive herself. It wasn't until she heard a mental assurance from Ning Songwu that Ran Fanyin exhaled, realizing her palm was clammy with cold sweat. Ran Fanyin exhaled slowly, drew her sword, and finally decided not to hold back anymore. The gentle sword cleaved a path through the spiritual energy, sharp under the sun. She then spoke solemnly, “Wu Yan, Master of Nightmares, my words have reached this point. Will you not emerge to explain? Or is it perhaps that my words are correct?” This time, she pinpointed the source of the attack. Without waiting for Ning Songwu to exhaust herself generating sword intent, Ran Fanyin combined her spiritual power and sliced through the attack halfway. Her spiritual power then rippled through the sword aura, containing the dissipating black mist, which she absorbed back. Given the circumstance, the urgency in her move added substantial credibility to her words. Even sects always at odds with Shang Yun Sect found themselves lacking grounds for objection. After all, this move unmistakably bore Wu Yan’s spiritual power—none among them would mistake it. Which meant, the supposedly closed-in Wu Yan not only didn’t seclude himself but had accompanied them all along, hiding for so long and now being caught off guard... The logical chain was so perfect that the crowd filled in the gaps themselves, leaving those already somewhat muddled further speechless. Seeing this, someone who had concealed themselves for long finally emerged, stepping onto the sky. Her robes fluttered in the wind along with her loose hair, both dancing gracefully. Her phoenix eyes bore no warmth, fixated ahead as if looking at ice blocks. The duster in her hand casually draped over her elbow, though she was walking, she remained perfectly balanced. A thousand years ago, she reached the Tribulation Crossing stage, and the accumulated pressure and aura of these years caused almost everyone present to instinctively retreat. She walked nonchalantly on the clouds until she was less than three zhang away from Ran Fanyin. Rotating her duster respectfully, she spoke in a faint tone, "You are quite clever, Daoist friend, but you are ultimately mistaken." Ning Songwu stepped forward, standing beside Ran Fanyin. Despite the woman’s current anger with her, she reached down to grasp Ran Fanyin's cold hand, transferring her spiritual energy. Though Ran Fanyin didn't return the grip, she didn't withdraw either. Ran Fanyin chuckled softly, "I await your correction, Master of Nightmares." **[Master is the best person to me, bar none.]** **[I have to try harder; I must change this outcome.]** **[Master, you are the moon in the sky. I'll be the one watching over the moon every night.]** **[What? Master...what do you mean...]** **[!!!]** **[Heavens, kill me now...]** **[So embarrassed!!!]** **[If treating my wounds led Master to suffer, I'd blame myself to death. I'll... I'll go through fire and water...]** ### "It Seems to be... Improving?" Ning Songwu lightly grasped her skirt, her tightly pursed lips and grave expression finally softening. "If getting hurt a bit means I can help Master heal, I..." Suddenly, the ground quaked briefly, and ripples of protective energy waves emanated continuously from the Sect’s barrier. A barrage of spells hit the barrier shortly afterward. Ning Songwu was stunned. How could this happen? Not even giving them a chance to speak, they attacked directly? Yet, the ripples gradually calmed down, seemingly subdued. She dared not hesitate further and was just about to rush outside the sect when a flash of light appeared in front of her. Standing a short distance away, Ran Fanyin looked displeased and coldly commanded, "Follow me first." Outside Shang Yun Sect— "What are you doing?" The leader of a minor sect looked at his elder in shock. Just after their group had settled, the elder had launched an attack on Shang Yun Sect. They weren’t the only ones—other sects had also made their moves. But what could they do! They were supposed to just go through the motions, without any real action, right? Their sect was weak. Surviving was already hard enough. They didn't want to get involved in power struggles between major sects. Moreover, it was clear that Tiancheng Immortal Sect was the overt number one, while Shang Yun Sect held the Sword Immortal's legacy, Heavenly Destruction Array, and many geniuses, making it a rising star. Offending either would be disastrous. Forced into this predicament by Tiancheng Immortal Sect, they reluctantly agreed to participate in hunting down the traitor. But now that they were here, why follow others in initiating attacks? The elder was momentarily taken aback. "Didn't you just order the attack?" The sect leader was on the verge of collapse. "When did I ever give such an order? Do not act. Fall back!" This chaotic scene repeated in several small sects. Reprimands echoed before subsiding. All sects eventually stood outside Shang Yun Sect, while the disciples inside the protective barrier gazed at each other in confusion as if... They were just here to stand around. Waiting outside the Demon Palace, Ran Fanyin discreetly rubbed her waist. She should have agreed to the hour-long proposal. Now half an hour had passed, and that brat was too eager to see the brilliance bloom in her hands. Too impatient. Such haste was undesirable. Ran Fanyin sighed almost imperceptibly. The young girl she had stationed nearby, worriedly awaited her, fraught with concern and anxiety. This girl, she should be worried about herself in the Demon Realm, not Ran Fanyin. A demon envoy emerged, bowing slightly. "Xianzi, the master asks you to enter." Feng Hua did not sit on the main seat but arranged a table in the hall, sitting cross-legged on one side. She placed two cups of warm tea before her. When Ran Fanyin arrived, Feng Hua did not stand to greet her but began, "I understand your purpose, Xianzi." Ran Fanyin smiled subtly and, raising her cup, took a small sip before replying gently, "Since Demon Lord allows my entry, does he agree?" Feng Hua nodded slightly. "This matter requires thorough discussion. However, Xianzi saved our people without harming a single demon years ago. Over these years, the disciples stationed here have dealt with many troubles for Demon Palace. So, I believe we can sit down and talk." "I didn’t come today for an extended discussion." She understood, if Ran Fanyin wanted an extended discussion, she would have continued as before. The disciples stationed outside the Demon Palace formed a customary understanding with the demons, neither interfering with the other, each focused on their own tasks. The disciples seemed to have only one task. Not to monitor Demon Palace, but to watch those who attempt to approach it. Ran Fanyin's arrangements had indeed reduced Feng Hua's troubles, avoiding repeated persuasion for the demons to act again by the Immortal Sects. After all, she wouldn't fall for the same trick twice, and without Lin Yuxue as leverage, she had no confidence in countering Wu Yan. Reflecting on this, Feng Hua sipped her warm tea, contemplating before speaking. But the woman spoke first, "However, I have never enjoyed coercion. If you truly do not wish, I have a single request." She didn’t fully comprehend. A new world...? What did that mean? Was the person before her mad both inside and out? Inside Shang Yun Sect, Cen Ran stood with hands behind him, raising his eyebrows slightly. She had anticipated this scenario. A thousand years ago, Shang Yun Sect was also a small sect that couldn’t disobey major sect orders. During the siege of Myriad Spirits Valley, they had to participate but stood idly, secretly saving many Myriad Spirits Valley people. Thus, the recent attacks had truly shocked her. Though she felt this, as the sect leader, she had to maintain appearances and speak appropriately. She took a step out of the void, her sword forming a seal before her chest. Behind her, a golden dragon slowly formed, exuding a faint, eerie pressure. "Honored guests, if you wish to be friends with Shang Yun Sect, after this battle, you are welcome in Shen Shui Town’s largest tavern, where I will personally ensure your stay is pleasant. However, if you wish to be our enemies—" Cen Ran paused before continuing, "Shang Yun Sect is not lacking in strength to fight." A unified, light snort responded. Several sect leaders echoed approval only to be stabbed in the abdomen by someone from behind, including the sect leader who had reprimanded his elder. In disbelief, she turned to see the sword piercing her body, the person behind her looking blank and emotionless, withdrawing the sword and pushing her to the ground, letting blood stain the barrier. He then slightly raised his hand, letting blood drip off the blade. The once-silent sectlines erupted into chaos. Cen Ran's pupils dilated. She had never anticipated such a turn of events. She quickly ordered her people to prepare for battle, the golden dragon behind her becoming more vivid. She bellowed, "If you do not wish to be enemies of Shang Yun Sect, retreat immediately!" Her response came from the partially lucid retreating figures and the remaining ones who roared in unison, shaking the earth—"Kill!" Inside and outside the barrier, battle erupted instantly. This site contains no pop-up advertisements, permanent domain.