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

Chapter 55: Slowly As Lin Yuxue and her companions traveled further south, the weather became increasingly humid. The days spent on the road passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the morning of the fifth day, and they were very close to the Valley of Many Blossoms. The weather suddenly changed drastically. What should have been a sunny morning turned into an ominous scene with swirling winds and a dark, oppressive sky that seemed to be shrouded in thick ink. Before long, it started raining—not a torrential downpour, but certainly not a light drizzle either. The raindrops struck the sturdy roof of the carriage, producing a dense "thud, thud" sound, as if someone was continuously beating a drum. Due to the muddy roads and the misty rain, Luo Sheng slowed down the carriage, which struggled to traverse the mildly uphill terrain. The wind and rain seeped through the cracks of the carriage window, bringing a burst of damp chill inside. Ning Songwu considerately closed the window tightly and drew the curtains for added protection. She had a Go board set out between them, with Ran Fanyin and Lin Yuxue seated at opposite ends, deeply engrossed in their game. Lin Yuxue held a smooth white piece, frowning in deep thought, hesitating to place it on the board. Ran Fanyin appeared relaxed, her slender fingers resting on the edge of the Go bowl, signaling Ning Songwu with a graceful gesture. Ning Songwu, understanding her unspoken request, picked up the teapot, expertly manipulating the anti-spill mechanism to pour a cup of tea, and handed it to Ran Fanyin. "Master, are you cold? Would you like another layer?" Ning Songwu asked softly. "The temperature is just right, no need for extra clothing," Ran Fanyin replied, gently blowing on the lid of the teacup, displaying the decorum cultivated over years, with an air of grace and elegance. Lin Yuxue relaxed her brows, placed the white piece on the board, and smiled, "This season in the Valley of Many Blossoms is often like this—frequent rain. It will improve after a while." "Speaking of which, isn’t the Valley of Many Blossoms supposed to be at a lower elevation? Why does it seem like we’re going uphill?" Ning Songwu asked curiously, pouring another cup of tea and handing it to Lin Yuxue. "It's a unique terrain. Where else could one find such a place?" Ning Songwu imagined the construction of the Valley of Many Blossoms and marveled. "It was my great-grandfather who built the Valley of Many Blossoms here. As for how he discovered it, the family records do not say. However, our Lin family has always been skilled in calculating Feng Shui and manipulating natural forces, so it’s no coincidence." Suddenly, the front door of the carriage opened slightly, and strong wind and rain blew in, making Ning Songwu shiver. Instinctively, she leaned forward to shield Ran Fanyin. Luo Sheng's face appeared partially through the door crack, his voice as gloomy as the weather outside: "Young Mistress, we will arrive at the northern mechanical rope bridge in about a quarter of an hour. I spotted faint hoofprints on the nearby road; the rain is washing them away quickly, so they can’t be too old. Their route matches ours, and there should be more than five people." "Outsiders entering the valley?" Lin Yuxue pondered briefly and said, "It's fine. The valley's security is tight. They may be from other sects on some business. Since we’ll soon arrive, we can deal with it once we’re back in the valley." "Understood." Luo Sheng nodded and closed the door. Ran Fanyin began to clean up the Go pieces, keeping her head down. "Are we almost there?" "Almost. Luo Sheng prepared three thick cloaks earlier. Remember to wear them when we disembark. The cold here is not like Beifa; it’s damp and chilling, which can easily cause hidden ailments if you’re not careful." Ning Songwu took a cloak and handed a sky-blue one to Lin Yuxue, then opened a pure white one and gently draped it over Ran Fanyin’s shoulders. Ran Fanyin's expression remained unchanged, seemingly accustomed to Ning Songwu’s meticulous care. She continued to focus on putting away the Go pieces, her face finely contoured and elegant, exuding a noble aura, as if naturally deserving to be carefully attended to. Ning Songwu's hands moved gently as she fastened the cloak's collar for Ran Fanyin, tidied her hair, and placed the large hood over her head. Only after making sure everything was in order did she start putting on her own moon-white cloak. After dressing, the carriage had just arrived at the northern mechanical rope ladder. The three of them, each holding an umbrella, disembarked from the carriage. The sky was overcast, and the road, slick from the rain, was treacherous. The area where the carriage stopped opened up to a massive sinkhole, making the mountain appear as though it had been sheared away, resembling a bottomless cliff to the untrained eye. Ten steps away, a uniquely designed pavilion stood, about the size of an ordinary one but with intricate, suspended wooden beams that faintly revealed complex mechanisms. The engineering was sophisticated beyond the means of common folk. Outside, the wind was strong, and the rain flew unpredictably under their umbrellas. Ran Fanyin, momentarily distracted, slipped in the mud, but Ning Songwu reacted quickly, steadily supporting her arm. "Careful." "Alright," Ran Fanyin acknowledged, looking at Ning Songwu. After a slight hesitation, she reached up to brush a cold raindrop from Ning Songwu's cheek. Ning Songwu pressed her lips together, stifling a smile, and stood under Ran Fanyin's umbrella after closing her own. She then meticulously straightened Ran Fanyin's wind-disheveled cloak. Ran Fanyin glanced at her, her light-colored eyes curving softly. She tilted the umbrella towards Ning Songwu, but the wind blew the rain slantwise, drenching Ran Fanyin’s shoulder silently. Luo Sheng, holding a Wind Dream Lantern in front, examined the pavilion closely. After a moment, he reported to Lin Yuxue, "Young Mistress, there is fresh soil on the platform's edge. The group from earlier has undoubtedly entered the valley." "Is the mechanism damaged?" "The rope ladder is intact," Luo Sheng confirmed. "Saint Cen says: 'Those who stand on tiptoe are not steady, those who take strides cannot walk, those who see themselves clearly lack insight, those who justify themselves draw little praise, those who boast achieve nothing, those who brag do not endure. In Daoism, these traits are called leftover food and excess behavior, and all things military abhor them...'" Hong Shengcen's sharp eyes glanced at Ran Fanyin, causing his didactic tone to halt abruptly. "Ran Fanyin, what did I just say?" Ran Fanyin's absent-minded gaze refocused, and she stood up, cupping her hands and bowing slightly, "Master, I am ashamed." Hong Shengcen's expression remained calm, without a trace of anger or frustration, as usual. "You may sit down. Since you are not in the mood for cultivation, let's discuss matters beyond it." Sitting to Hong Shengcen’s right, Cheng Yunhuan wore flowing blue and white robes, listening attentively along with Jiang Yue and Ran Fanyin, both dressed in pure white, seated on the left, respectfully paying attention. "Recently, Cheng Yunhuan brought back news that the Burning Heaven Sect and the Valley of Many Blossoms have become hostile. I heard that just yesterday, the Mistress of the Valley of Many Blossoms died from poisoning." Jiang Yue frowned, "Poison? Could it be..." Hong Shengcen nodded, "Indeed, it was the Burning Heaven Sect’s unique Yellow Spring Gu." "So, it was the Burning Heaven Sect that assassinated the mistress. No wonder the Young Mistress of the Valley of Many Blossoms is searching everywhere for news of Wen Jinglei's whereabouts," Cheng Yunhuan remarked calmly, though the mention of the Yellow Spring Gu sent a chill down her spine. Hong Shengcen sighed, "All things have cause and effect. This incident is a consequence of the actions taken by our North Punishment Sect and the Valley of Many Blossoms. Seven years ago, had it not been for our two sects joining forces to massacre the entire Tiansun Sect, including Wen Jinglei’s family who were the Left Guardians..." Cheng Yunhuan shook her head, "Master, seven years ago, the Tiansun Sect wreaked havoc in the Central Plains, causing widespread destruction and death. They deserved their fate. Who could have predicted that Wen Jinglei would survive? Over the years, he has been rallying the remnants of the demonic sect and strengthening the Burning Heaven Sect. He’s trying to establish a second Tiansun Sect!" Jiang Yue's face showed concern, "Master, we personally caused Wen Jinglei's family to be torn apart and his household to be destroyed. Since he has now turned his revenge on the Valley of Many Blossoms, it stands to reason our North Punishment Sect might be next." Hong Shengcen stroked his beard with narrowed eyes, "Indeed. An open attack is easy to dodge; it's the secret maneuvers that are challenging. Wen Jinglei’s covert tactics are worrisome. With thousands of disciples in North Punishment, it won’t be difficult for him to target Jiang-Shangwan. Cheng Yunhuan, be vigilant and watch over the younger disciples." Cheng Yunhuan pondered for a moment and asked, "Master, why are we being so passive? We should preemptively eliminate the Burning Heaven Sect while their influence hasn’t peaked yet." Hong Shengcen didn't respond directly. Instead, he turned his gaze to Ran Fanyin. "Ran Fanyin, what do you think?" "Master, I recently returned from Mount Hua and heard various rumors about current events in the martial world. The Burning Heaven Sect's base is in the East Sea, surrounded by numerous islands, making it extremely difficult to attack. Furthermore, their current power exceeds that of the former Tiansun Sect, and they have secret alliances with several central plains sects. A hasty assault could be unwise." Hong Shengcen nodded in agreement, "Ran Fanyin is correct. Times have changed, and the Burning Heaven Sect's power is formidable. The best course of action now is to respond to their moves with patience and wisdom." Leaving the master's main hall, Ran Fanyin's thoughts wandered back to the events of seven years ago, when she and her two senior brothers jointly vanquished their enemies. Distracted, she almost missed a stone step. Suddenly, she felt a warm hand grip her arm and gently pull her back, almost causing her to turn and collide with the person's chest. Jiang Yue released her arm and took a step back with a tone of gentle concern, "What were you thinking? You almost fell down the steps." Ran Fanyin lowered her head and said, "Nothing. Thank you, Senior Brother." Jiang Yue scrutinized her delicate face, then extended a hand, "Put your hand here." Hesitating slightly, Ran Fanyin slowly placed her slender, beautiful hand in Jiang Yue's broad palm. A surge of pure, immense internal energy rolled over her like a tidal wave. Instinctively, Ran Fanyin activated her own energy to counter it. At first, she could match it, but soon found herself overwhelmed, her forehead breaking out in sweat, her hand trembling slightly. Jiang Yue withdrew his energy just in time, frowning and shaking his head. "Ran Fanyin, why have you not progressed in your cultivation over the past three years?" "What?" Ran Fanyin looked a bit stunned. "You know that in cultivation, one must have a tranquil mind, as still as a placid lake, to naturally merge with the universe. Haven't you realized that although you've been practicing, you haven't made any actual progress?" Ran Fanyin stared at her palm, murmuring softly, "No... why..." "You have things weighing on your mind. It's evident from your face that your mental state is not pure. Go back and reflect on this," Jiang Yue gently patted Ran Fanyin’s shoulder, offering solace. Cheng Yunhuan emerged from the master's hall and paused upon seeing Jiang Yue and Ran Fanyin. She looked at Ran Fanyin. "Junior Sister, you’ve been distracted lately; are you not resting well?" "Senior Brother, didn't you prepare some calming elixirs? Find a few suitable ones and give them to Ran Fanyin," Jiang Yue suggested. Cheng Yunhuan nodded in agreement. The three of them chatted idly at the entrance of the master's hall. Cheng Yunhuan leaned against a stone railing, her expression habitually serious. Jiang Yue crossed his arms, exuding an elegant, scholarly aura, while Ran Fanyin stood quietly by his side, still and composed. As lower-tier disciples passed by the master's hall, they couldn't help but glance over. Although they couldn't hear what the three were discussing, just seeing them standing together was as captivating as a beautiful ink painting. Not far away, Cen Ran was trying to persuade the stubborn Ning Songwu, who stood rooted at the door of the Withered Glory Pavilion. "Ning Songwu, Master said she might not return for the whole day as she has matters in the main hall. She instructed me to make sure you are delivered to Hongfei Pavilion today. Please heed Master's wishes." Ning Songwu's eyes were red, as though she had just cried. “Master lied to me! I’m not going!” “Master is doing this for your own good,” Cen Ran felt a pang of sadness too. When Master proposed this arrangement earlier, she had been just as shocked. She hadn't expected Master to actually let Ning Songwu leave the Withered Glory Pavilion. In truth, Ran Fanyin wasn’t sending Ning Songwu away from the sect. Hongfei Pavilion was a very special place, yet quite ordinary. All new disciples had to go there to be grouped into different dormitories, each housing thirty people under the guidance of knowledgeable Taoist priests. From now on, Ning Songwu would reside at Hongfei Pavilion, living and attending lessons like any ordinary disciple. They might not see each other for ten days or even half a month. However, Ran Fanyin would still be Ning Songwu’s personal master. The priests at Hongfei Pavilion would only temporarily serve as her mentors. But Ning Songwu couldn’t comprehend this. In her heart, she believed that Ran Fanyin was completely abandoning her, no longer willing to be her master. Thus, Cen Ran’s persuasion fell on deaf ears. Ning Songwu sniffled, starting to cry, "Senior Sister... I will practice my swordsmanship diligently. I will listen to Master. I'll use my right hand; I’ll do whatever Master says. Senior Sister, please tell Master not to give me away to someone else..." "Master hasn’t abandoned you!" Cen Ran felt her head pounding. Why couldn’t this little one understand her explanation? Luo Sheng, lounging nearby with a straw in his mouth, casually said, "Junior Sister, why the tears? Both Cen Ran and I started out at Hongfei Pavilion. There's nothing to fear! Cen Ran, instead of explaining, just take her there promptly." With that, Luo Sheng stepped forward and roughly grabbed Ning Songwu like a chicken, ignoring her fierce resistance, and carried her towards Hongfei Pavilion. "Hey, Senior Brother, be gentle..." Cen Ran hurriedly followed, balancing between pacifying Ning Songwu and reprimanding Luo Sheng for his roughness. Meanwhile, Ran Fanyin, walking along an upper-level corridor with Jiang Yue, had excellent hearing and caught the noises below. She paused and recognized Cen Ran, Ning Songwu, and Luo Sheng heading toward Hongfei Pavilion. "What's Luo Sheng doing carrying Ning Songwu like that?" Jiang Yue asked curiously, stopping beside her. Ran Fanyin's gaze locked onto the struggling Ning Songwu as she replied coolly, "I asked them to take Ning Songwu to Hongfei Pavilion." The child's cries could be heard without straining. Ning Songwu was being effortlessly carted away by the tall Luo Sheng, screaming heart-wrenchingly, "Master! Master!!!" The tumult was loud enough to overturn the roof of the main hall. "Finally letting go of your precious one?" Jiang Yue chuckled. "Nevertheless, it’s the right decision, beneficial for the child. You ought to focus more on your own cultivation." "You're right, Senior Brother." Ran Fanyin watched as Luo Sheng and the others slowly retreated into the distance, Ning Songwu’s cries gradually fading until they vanished into the sprawling pavilion. Suddenly recalling something, she asked, "Senior Brother, is there room in your sword-forging pool for another sword?" Jiang Yue raised an eyebrow, "Yes. Why?" Ran Fanyin withdrew her gaze and looked at Jiang Yue seriously, her light-colored eyes shimmering like a gentle stream. "I want to forge a sword personally for Ning Songwu." "The rain is getting heavier, and the sky is growing darker. It's best to enter the valley now considering the potential dangers," Lin Yuxue said as she closed her umbrella and stepped into the pavilion, followed by Ran Fanyin and Ning Songwu. Once all six people were inside the pavilion room, Luo Sheng started operating the mechanism, lowering the room into the deep valley. The Valley of Many Blossoms was very deep, and the pavilion room felt cramped for six people. It was also very dark, with only the faint light from Luo Sheng’s Wind Dream Lantern. Ning Songwu clung tightly to Ran Fanyin, and as time passed, the pavilion continued its slow descent without reaching the bottom. The atmosphere was oppressively silent. With their imminent return to the valley, Lin Yuxue and Luo Sheng's minds were preoccupied, leaving the room devoid of conversation, heavy with tension. Standing obediently in a corner, Ran Fanyin suddenly felt a hand cautiously touch her face in the darkness. Instinctively, she grabbed it and instantly recognized it as Ning Songwu's. Ning Songwu's unique scent enveloped her, causing Ran Fanyin to blush furiously. Yet, with others present in the small space, her embarrassment was compounded by the need for discretion. Lin Yuxue and her three guards were all hidden in the darkness, paying no attention to them. Ning Songwu’s other hand found Ran Fanyin's waist, gently kneading it. She intertwined their fingers, pressing their hands against the wall, her whole body melded closely with Ran Fanyin’s, generating a warmth between them that seemed to spark. Ran Fanyin, unsure and breathless, wrapped her arms around Ning Songwu’s waist, her breathing increasingly erratic. Yet, surprisingly, she didn’t resist, appearing very compliant despite the situation—letting Ning Songwu’s persistent caresses provoke her to arch closer. As anticipated, warm lips met hers, brushing lightly across her nose before pressing firmly into a kiss. In the cold air, the sensation of their intertwined, fervent lips and tongues was incredibly warming, stirring a rare excitement within Ran Fanyin's usually cool body. Ning Songwu’s hand, which had been holding hers, moved away slightly, tracing shapes in her palm while they kissed—writing: Carving on jade, I miss you dearly. Ran Fanyin’s heart tightened, body tensing. Next, Ning Songwu wrote: Your embroidery skills are outstanding, stitched perfectly tight. We haven’t spoken much these past days. Do you miss me? The delicate feather-like touches had Ran Fanyin feeling an irresistible itch, involuntarily tightening her grip around Ning Songwu’s waist. She arched her head back for a kiss, but Ning Songwu shifted away, gently re-arranging Ran Fanyin’s hair and collar in the darkness before properly standing beside her. Ran Fanyin's ears burned with heat. She clenched her hands, discovering her palms were sweating profusely. After a moment, she reached for Ning Songwu’s hand, gingerly opening her palm, and with burning fingertips, slowly wrote: I do. The elegant characters unfurled in Ning Songwu’s palm, as if all the world’s beauty was bestowed upon her by this woman. For someone typically aloof, Ran Fanyin’s tender confession felt more precious than any gold, silver, or picturesque scenery. She truly cherished Ran Fanyin’s demeanor—cool and composed before others yet tender and accommodating only to her. Ning Songwu clasped Ran Fanyin's hand tightly, along with the written words, unwilling to let go. She wanted to remain entwined with her every moment, never to part. Suddenly, the mechanism produced a jarring series of "clack-clack" sounds, followed by an alarming "clink" noise. Luo Sheng's lantern flickered, his expression changing dramatically in the dim light: "Young Mistress, be careful!!" "What’s happening—" The pavilion abruptly lurched, uncontrollably plummeting as if its supporting ropes were severed. “...!” “Damn…!” Luo Sheng’s and Luo Xiao’s low curses fueled the chaos. Lin Yuxue leapt up, clinging to the top level of the pavilion, her voice urgent, "We’re about fifty feet from the bottom. Quickly use your Qinggong and get to the top of the pavilion!" The five others swiftly ascended to the top, the pavilion’s descent accelerating. Within a moment, it crashed to the bottom of the valley. “Boom!” The tremendous impact shattered the pavilion into pieces. Thankfully, the six managed to reach the top, transferring most of the impact to the lower part of the pavilion and using their internal energy for protection, leaving them unscathed. Only Wuming, who had climbed lower, broke his left hand off entirely during the fall. However, as a mechanical being, he didn’t utter a sound. Instead, he silently went to retrieve his detached hand and reattached it to his wrist without comment. Luo Sheng scrambled out from the broken wooden pieces, quickly locating the fallen Wind Dream Lantern. Thankfully, due to the robust craftsmanship of the Valley of Many Blossoms, the lamp remained intact. He carried the lantern and meticulously inspected the remnants of the pavilion. The others retrieved their umbrellas, cautiously shielding themselves from the rain while they waited for Luo Sheng. Lin Yuxue’s brow furrowed with irritation. Ignoring the rain, she walked over to Luo Sheng, standing by his side. “What happened? The mechanical rope ladder has never had an incident in its hundred years of use, and it’s maintained regularly every month. What exactly went wrong?” (End of passage.)