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

### Chapter 49: The Beginning Ran Fan Yin gently massaged her temples. What in the world is a "leisurely elder"? If Cen Ran finds out, she'll be heartbroken. Just as Ning Songwu had imagined, after Ye Wu Chen and Rong Yuan had argued incessantly without any resolution, Luo Sheng, who had been sitting on the sidelines, could no longer endure it. She slammed the table ferociously, one hand clutching a talisman paper, the other holding an adjudicator's pen. The pen's tip twirled between the two demons for quite a while before she chuckled and said, "Rong Yuan, if you care so much about the purity of the bloodline, why did you force a half-breed like me to come back? You have both the military seal and real power. Why not just imprison Ye Wu Chen and have another child? Oh, you don't dare, because it's not about bloodline purity for you; it's about ensuring your own survival." She pointed the pen at Ye Wu Chen. "And you? If you detest Rong Yuan so much, why don't you imprison her or otherwise dispose of this minister? Isn’t her fate entirely in your hands? Oh, you also don't dare, because you need her to balance the various factions within Feng Lingyuan." Luo Sheng laughed mockingly and raised her hand to lightly touch the river-sea mark on her forehead. "Is this what you call the Demon God's bloodline mark? I don’t know, but it must be since you need it to be." "But remember this." She forcefully slapped the talisman paper onto the ground, and an unknown array with a chilling aura appeared. He Lan Mian immediately recognized the array but merely furrowed her brows and remained silent. Luo Sheng declared, "Look at this symbol. Remember, I am Luo Sheng, the personal disciple of Master He Lan from the Huanchi Peak within the Shangyun Sect, and the next leader of the Huanchi Peak. My ties to the demon race are irrelevant." "I only know that when I was about to starve to death under a bridge, a kind and beautiful woman gave me pastries from near the Shangyun Sect, saving my life and allowing me to visit my mother's grave." "When I was desperate, with a spiritual root so poor that I barely made it into the inner sect, it was Master He Lan who took pity on me, raised me, and nurtured me to be who I am today, giving me the standing to face both of you now." "And you two, where were you then?" The hidden and selfish thoughts of the two were laid bare by Luo Sheng's piercing remarks, leaving them visibly uncomfortable. Undeterred, Luo Sheng transformed into her true form—a proud and graceful nine-tailed red fox—and approached the members of the Shangyun Sect, bowing slightly. "Master, elders, senior sisters, let's return to the sect." She carried them on her back, and as they approached the door, the demon soldiers hurriedly stepped aside, not daring to block their path. Luo Sheng glanced sideways, her fox eyes cold. "This is an array that records the past. If you two are willing to apologize for your past mistakes, it will naturally disappear. If not, no matter, it will vanish in a few days anyway. The demon race's civil strife has nothing to do with me." As she began to leave, the sound of someone kneeling behind her made her pause. Turning her head, she saw Rong Yuan, holding a military badge, kneeling before the array and loudly apologizing to He Lan Mian, to Luo Qingxi, and to the mixed-blooded ones who were slaughtered, as well as to the generals who fell in the internal strife. After her apologies, Rong Yuan straightened her shoulders, looked directly at Luo Sheng, and said, "You're wrong. The old crow isn't afraid of death and never sought self-preservation. The old crow only strives to protect the demon race and safeguard the royal bloodline." “If this isn’t enough to bring you back to the demon race, the old crow is willing to offer her own wretched life for you to hack into pieces.” Luo Sheng was momentarily speechless. Ning Songwu stroked her chin, thinking: *No wonder Rong Yuan had no role by the end in my previous life; she must have sacrificed herself to bring Ah Sheng back to the demon race.* *Why the need for this? Isn't Ye Wu Chen a decent leader, clear-headed, ruthless, and skilled at manipulation? Besides, not being within the demon race doesn't mean we won't help them.* *How can I advise Elder Rong Yuan? Losing such a high-level combat power would be disastrous.* While pondering, Ran Fan Yin broke the impasse with a gentle cough. Smiling slightly, she said, "Since you invited me and my sister to be witnesses, shouldn't you hear my opinion now?" She gently held the weeping girl who had been crying since Rong Yuan's loud apologies. "Ah Sheng is only in her early twenties. Even if she returns to the demon race, what can she achieve at her current Nascent Soul stage? The current king will maintain power, with Ah Sheng as the heir. So, what's the rush?" "The king is a century or two older than me, and if someone as frail as I can live on, how much more so the healthy king? Ah Sheng, raised in the Shangyun Sect and trained with superior techniques, might not have such opportunities in the demon race." "Wouldn't it be better for Elder Rong to support the king, establish a firm foundation for the demon race, and then revisit Ah Sheng's return when she has the capability to command respect?" Without waiting for Rong Yuan's response, Ran Fan Yin gently pat Luo Sheng, "Let's go, Ah Sheng. I believe they will recognize the stakes involved and come to an appropriate decision." The fox complied, moving without stopping this time, even as more apologies echoed from behind, directed at her and her mother. Ye Wu Chen knelt, bowing her head deeply, not rising for a long time. Ran Fan Yin's seemingly conciliatory words had clearly bolstered Ye Wu Chen's position, implicitly supporting her rise to power. Thus, the final private message Ran Fan Yin left her couldn't be ignored. Four years to clean up the factions, unify the demon race, and settle everyone? Though unsure why it had to be four years, Ye Wu Chen decided to follow through this time. --- *Nights later* The breeze was mild. Returning to the peak, numerous affairs had kept Ran Fan Yin busy, delaying her promised rest day after day, necessitating longer meetings to handle everything properly. *Does this white look too harsh?* *!!!* *You've already said everything I was going to! What do I say now?* *Spending the Mid-Autumn Festival eating delicious food with Master wouldn’t be bad.* --- Upon receiving news from Ye Su that a young female cultivator of considerable potential had been found in Yueping Town, Yin Xi became alert. Arriving to see the girl, she observed her poised figure dressed in a light green newly sprouted bamboo, standing in the main hall, properly mannered. A young girl with such bearing and nearing the Golden Core stage couldn’t possibly be a rogue cultivator. Yueping Town was surrounded by minor sects, each with distinct cultivation methods and spiritual fluctuations. A thorough search revealed nothing suspicious. Unexpectedly, Ning Songwu raised a hand and said, "Please, esteemed one, inspect me." Yin Xi sneered inwardly, squinting as she took the girl’s wrist, her cold spiritual energy delving into the girl’s meridians. Ning Songwu detected the familiar nauseating scent, but concealed her reaction, suppressing the rising disgust, and allowed Yin Xi to inspect her meridians. Fortunately, Ran Fan Yin had anticipated such scrutinies and had camouflaged her spiritual energy, masking any trace of Shangyun Sect's teachings. No matter how closely Yin Xi inspected, Ning Songwu remained a rogue cultivator named Chu Yao, without any sect affiliations. After a moment, Yin Xi withdrew her hand, smiling gently. She lightly caressed the girl’s cheek and asked, "With such talent, why live as a rogue cultivator?" The girl’s austere expression softened slightly as she replied, "My elder sister has been sickly since childhood, but she always cared for me. I can't leave her unprotected." "I heard that exalted immortals can help those unable to cultivate. Thus, I seek your grace." Suddenly withdrawing her hand, Yin Xi asked coldly, "Where did you hear this?" "While wandering in Yuehua Mountain." Actually, just as Yin Xi touched her, text appeared before Ning Songwu, providing a line of information. “Yin Xi, disciple of Yang Tian Sect, now at the late Golden Core stage. Will later defect to the demonic race, significantly contributing to its assault on Yang Tian Sect.” With no time to ponder, Yin Xi's mocking voice echoed, “No wonder Yueping Town is so bustling. News must’ve leaked early." "But your sister didn’t come, so how can I help her?" Ning Songwu feigned a start. "Then I shall bring her here." A finger waggled before her. “Not appropriate. You’ve seen me; how can you leave?” Ning Songwu pinched herself, urgent and tearful, whispering, "No, I can't leave my sister alone at the inn, exalted one..." Yin Xi laughed softly. “I’ll send someone to fetch her, alright?” "I...," the girl hesitated. Just then, Yin Xi's cold spiritual energy wrapped around Ning Songwu's wrist, causing her to kneel in pain. The pain was significant, but compared to the injuries Ning Songwu had endured during sword practice, it wasn't enough to make her kneel. Yet, as the chilling spiritual energy probed, that familiar nauseating smell emerged once more. She was certain this scent emanated from the person in front of her. But didn't the immortal master arrive in the evening? How did she smell it during the day? Feigning the need to kneel from the pain, Ning Songwu managed to subtly avoid the person's aura and also took advantage of the act to relax her expression. Before she could get up, Yin Xi stepped forward, placing her boot on the girl's forearm. "Still too young, such a naive child." Ning Songwu gritted her teeth. "Is this what you call an immortal master?" "No need to provoke me. You should know that once you enter this door, you can't leave. With your talent, if you join my sect, I will let you go." “This is such a significant decision. I must discuss it with my sister.” The spiritual energy pierced again, and the girl let out a small cry, her hand covering her wrist turning pale. Yin Xi chuckled. "Indecisive. Such a person will never accomplish great things. I can let you leave, but your sister..." A heavy thud was heard as the girl kowtowed deeply. "Esteemed one, I am willing to join." ## Inner Dialogue with the Subtitles Sister *Subtitles Sister, are you there? What about the Absolute Heaven Array? Can you tell me anything about it?* *Do you have a deep connection with this array, which means I have a deep connection with it as well, right?* *I need to know certain things to proceed. The current storyline is completely beyond my understanding. If you still say nothing, I will be completely lost. Consider carefully.* *How do you know it will certainly happen? What if she is unable to go? What if I don't go with her?* *You know me well, and you know this world well. You even know things not in the book. Who exactly are you? The Dao of Heaven? Something from the Underworld?* ## Back in the Present Ran Fan Yin looked into those crystal clear eyes, filled with unwavering trust in her. She hesitated for a moment and softly asked, "What did White Marsh say to you?" "White Marsh said—” *Several hours earlier* Ning Songwu struggled but couldn't break free from the massive beast pinning her down. Although it had no killing intent, the weight alone was enough to immobilize her. She had planned to sneak in silently, steal a Cang Mountain Snow Lotus while White Marsh was still resting, and escape. But as soon as she entered, she was knocked over by a gust of wind, and then this giant beast descended from the sky, pinning her, curiously examining her. "Pre... predecessor, if you..." The divine beast interrupted, "You're human?" The voice sounded like a curious young girl. "How come you're in a human body?" "I am indeed human." It's said that White Marsh's eyes have a spiritual quality, able to see through the essence of all things. Seeing that Ning Songwu appeared human, she decided not to deny it and acknowledged her identity. "Human..." She felt the pressure lift as the beast transformed into a white-haired, white-eyed girl dressed in a flowing white gown. Hands folded, she circled Ning Songwu, chuckling, "Such an interesting human. Other humans don't possess such a pure ice spirit root." Also, there were traces of another person inside and out, particularly the origin of her heart meridian, which clearly belonged to someone else! How could someone share a heart meridian with another? Wouldn’t that mean their thoughts could be entirely perceived by the other? And this person seemed completely unaware, looking quite dumbstruck. What a curious human. "I do have a heavenly-grade ice spirit root," Ning Songwu sighed, patting her legs where she had been stepped on, before leaping back up. "Senior, you seem to bear me no ill intention." "Ugh!" White Marsh scowled and stepped back, "I'm not that violent! Do you think everyone is like that savage Vermilion Bird?" “I seek something from your cave.” “The Cang Mountain Snow Lotus? Not impossible.” Ning Songwu was overjoyed and about to thank the girl when she turned serious. “But you must offer something in exchange.” "..." “Oh, don't look like you're ready to sacrifice yourself. I really don't eat people.” The girl giggled, stepping back to sit casually, “Condense a pure block of ice for me with your spiritual power, pure enough for me to carve a sculpture of my original form.” Creating an ice sculpture wasn't difficult, yet this demand... Ning Songwu lowered her hands at the girl's request. The girl raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you're taking my most precious snow lotus! Can't you even freeze an ice block?" “It’s not that. It's just that…” "Ah, no need to panic! It might not even be true; I could be guessing. Don't worry." The girl sat down wordlessly, beginning to form the ice block. This sudden silence made White Marsh anxious. She'd finally met such an interesting human; if they stopped talking, what would happen next? White Marsh leaned closer, “Why not try it with the one who shares your heart meridian?” “So, when you were startled in your mind, you temporarily severed all connections I had with you, right?” Ning Songwu blinked slowly. "So what White Marsh said... it's all true?" Ran Fan Yin didn't know how to explain. Especially seeing the girl’s eyes welling with reddish tears, it shattered her heart. Even before speaking, her trembling voice and erratic breathing betrayed her. She had premeditated various outcomes of revealing this truth to Ning Songwu and made numerous preparations. But this immediate loss and reddened eyes broke her ability to think clearly. With her thoughts muddled, almost suffocating, she felt she had to speak. It was as if she were hearing another person’s voice, "Then why were you so happy to see me earlier?" What kind of question is that! Regaining some clarity, she cursed herself internally, trying to explain, when she heard the girl’s faintly trembling and aggrieved voice. “I thought Master was particularly fond of me, that you just didn’t want me to go on an expedition, that’s why you came looking for me...” Another blow landed squarely on Ran Fan Yin's head, leaving her dizzy and sluggish. She murmured, "I'm sorry..." “So, what White Marsh said is true, isn't it? That Master could always hear...” Ning Songwu trailed off. She had considered that their synergy might be a result of lifetimes of practice, accrued concern, or proof of mutual feelings, but she never anticipated this. Even finding her now was because she heard a scream... What if White Marsh had ill intentions? What if... Thinking back to various chaotic thoughts over the years, she felt like all her embarrassing confessions were exposed. Angry and embarrassed, her mind blanked. She faltered back, avoiding Ran Fan Yin's attempt to hold her hand, sub-consciously tilting her head with a soft "Huh?" She had been in this world for about ten years, over a decade, so she had no privacy all this time? Why, why never tell her anything? Why make her guess and only tell when she slipped... Yet she came all this way for the Snow Lotus... Ning Songwu glanced down at the lotus in her arms and suddenly found it laughable. One word would have sufficed. Just one word. “I'm sorry, Ning’er, I...” Ran Fan Yin, tears streaming, quickly approached to explain. Ning Songwu lightly pushed away her hand. Though she left without a word, her eyes revealed unmistakable loss and disappointment. Not waiting for further explanation, she glanced back smiling, leaving the woman stunned. With a final look, she walked out of the realm, walled off by an invisible barrier. Forcing through it might affect Ning Songwu in unpredictable ways. Helplessly, Ran Fan Yin watched the fading silhouette. --- No ads on this site, permanent domain.