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

## Chapter 62: Bygone Days Within the Rongku Pavilion of Beifa Mountain. Luo Sheng gazed at the beggar lying on the bed, her eyes wide with fear. He carefully checked her injuries. Despite his youthful face of fifteen years, he couldn’t help but sigh with pity, “Master, she’s covered in frostbite and whip marks all over. Her right wrist’s tendons and bones are severely damaged. It’d take a year and a half at least to even start healing properly.” Ran Fanyin took a few steps towards the inner room and glanced at the female servant who had prepared some hot soup, then replied to Luo Sheng, “She’s still young. If her recovery is managed well, the regeneration of her tendons and bones isn’t out of the question. But as you can see, her right hand is almost severed. I might be able to restore it to about fifty or sixty percent functionality at most, but she’ll never be able to hold a pen or sword with that hand again.” Luo Sheng’s handsome face showed surprise, “Master, I still don’t understand. Why did you bring this scrawny monkey back here?” Ran Fanyin’s gaze softened, “During this recent expedition, I found her on the way back and brought her here to take care of her. I rarely leave the sect, and meeting her felt like fate.” Luo Sheng chuckled, “Master, are you planning to accept this scrawny monkey as a new disciple? Master, one of the three grandmasters of Beifa Palace, to be chosen as a direct disciple usually takes years of hard work to stand out in the sect. And now, a child picked up from the streets with mediocre talent and a crippled right hand…” Ran Fanyin gave him a sidelong glance and spoke slowly, “Zi Sheng, I’ve been away for three months, and you seem to have become quite bold.” Luo Sheng’s youthful face brightened with a broad smile, “Not at all, Master. You’re overthinking it. I was just saying. After all, it was because of a moment of affinity that both my junior sister and I joined the sect.” “… Clean this child thoroughly. The female servant is too rough; you know how to handle it gently. Take good care of her.” Hearing this, Luo Sheng immediately and without a word gently picked up the beggar girl who’d been staring wide-eyed on the bed and placed her into the hot water, removing her tattered clothes. Seeing that things were temporarily settled, Ran Fanyin then waved a sleeve and departed, intending to return to his own pavilion to take a good wash. But before he could step over the threshold, he heard Luo Sheng’s cry of distress from inside: “Master!!!” Ran Fanyin’s eyebrow twitched, and he turned back, “What’s the matter?” His tone was calm and steady, revealing no emotion: “What are you doing here?” Cen Ran’s mind was in disarray, grasping at straws amidst her confusion—unauthorized visits, privately recruiting disciples... No, it couldn’t be called recruiting, but still... How much had Master heard? His face always betrayed no emotion, so was this an innocent question or a subtle hint for her to confess? He Lan Mian Mian, hearing the commotion, leaned out of a window with her arms resting under her chin, smiling brightly, “Sister Cen Ran came to bring some clothes for Ning Songwu.” Ran Fanyin glanced at He Lan Mian Mian before asking Cen Ran, “Why not come during the day? Why use the window instead of doors?” Seeing Cen Ran sweating from her forehead, He Lan Mian Mian again took over the conversation, “Well then, why does the esteemed Master visit Ning Songwu at night? Master uses a window too, doesn’t he?” Ran Fanyin was momentarily speechless, his eyes slightly widened, looking a bit stunned. Ning Songwu glanced at him and couldn’t help but laugh. Never before had she seen her master show such an adorable expression. Ran Fanyin paused, looking at He Lan Mian Mian’s deeply dimpled smile without displeasure. He only left Cen Ran a single command: “Return to Rongku Pavilion.” Without hesitation, Cen Ran immediately followed Ran Fanyin away. After two days of rest and grooming, Ran Fanyin retrieved the sword-forging stone and headed once more to the sword-forging pool. Jiang Yue slowly poured out a smooth stone from a velvet bag. The material could hardly be called a stone—it had a texture somewhere between stone and metal. Jiang Yue, being a worldly man and a renowned swordsmith, had encountered countless ores and forged numerous famed swords. Yet, even he had never forged a sword from such a stone before. “This stone is very unique. I saw it once years ago when the master gifted it to you, and this is the second time. I know nothing about it. Let me take a closer look.” Jiang Yue took the sword-forging stone and carefully compared it with other ores on a wooden rack. From the kiln, something suddenly made a bubbling sound as if boiling, and it gradually grew louder, causing quite a commotion. Jiang Yue quickly put down what he was holding and walked over to inspect it closely. He scrutinized it for a while, then took some powder and sprinkled it into the mix. “I recall, three years ago, Senior Brother mentioned it would be inconvenient to forge swords for a few years. Was he planning this sword all along?” Ran Fanyin stood close to Jiang Yue, looking into the molten pool. Jiang Yue nodded, “Yes, it’s been three years. But for all these years… it’s still stuck in the smelting stage... You saw it, right? Forging an extraordinary sword has yet to succeed.” His tone carried a trace of helpless resignation. Watching the molten pool gradually stabilize, Jiang Yue’s brows relaxed a bit. He went back to the rack piled with ores and continued examining the special stone. After a long while, Jiang Yue took the stone and approached another pot within the sword-forging pool, placing the stone inside. The high temperature from the rolling fire made sizzling sounds, and tongues of flame licked the edges of the cauldron greedily, a sight that felt searingly hot just to look at. “I can tell a little about its nature, but not much. We’ll start smelting it to remove impurities first. Don’t act rashly. You keep an eye on the heat, and remember to stir it occasionally.” After instructing Ran Fanyin, Jiang Yue returned to his own cauldron and focused on his work. Ran Fanyin thought deeply about the task, rolling up her sleeves and gripping an iron rod plunged into the molten pool, stirring it with effort. No sooner had she started than beads of sweat broke out on her forehead. The freshly added sword-forging stone was highly unstable, producing a series of small, popping sounds. These sounds grew increasingly peculiar, like incessant croaking. Suddenly, the surface of the molten pool began to churn as if something inside were trying to break free. Bubbles kept forming and bursting. Hearing the growing noise, Jiang Yue's expression tightened, and he quickly moved over, grabbing Ran Fanyin by the shoulder and pulling her back. “Be careful--------!” Sizzle--------!!! “Hiss…” Ran Fanyin stifled a groan. They were a bit too late. With a violent eruption, the molten pool spat out fiery liquid, the scorching hot mineral fluid splattering on Ran Fanyin’s pale wrist, instantly creating a horrifying burn. The molten redness melded with crimson flesh, forming a ghastly sight. Jiang Yue instantly submerged Ran Fanyin’s wrist into an ice water basin for soothing. He knew too well how agonizing it was—not merely hot water, but molten liquid containing toxic minerals! Any delay and her wrist could be entirely corroded. Even so, with sweat pouring from her painful effort, Ran Fanyin said not a word. Her habitual restraint was inexplicably heartrending. “It was my oversight. Stay here.” Jiang Yue threw an unknown powder into the bubbling molten pool, and the cauldron contents immediately calmed down like a felled beast. Her wrist, now a mess of blood and scalded flesh, showed a hideous splatter-shaped wound. The corrosive poison, although not deadly, inflicted sheer agony that made one wish for death. Yet Ran Fanyin remained stoically silent, merely frowning as she watched Jiang Yue meticulously cut away the dead flesh and toxins. It was a quietness so composed as if she were disconnected from her own body’s pain. Anyone else would have passed out just looking at it. Every bit of suffering was hidden in her cold eyes. It wasn’t that she was pretending to be strong—crying out wouldn’t lessen the pain. She’d never waste time with futile actions. “Fortunately, it’s the left hand. It won’t affect your ability to hold a pen or a sword. Don’t worry, I’ve had similar injuries, and it’ll fully recover in due time, though it may leave a scar…” “It doesn’t matter.” Ran Fanyin responded calmly. Jiang Yue sighed, “All these years as fellow disciples, you’ve rarely been this hurt. All because of your little disciple. Forgive my bluntness, but Ning Songwu’s emotions are too intense. Hardships may mature her, but they won’t erase her desires. She’s not suited for the path of cultivation.” “She… she indeed has feelings for Jiang Yi. Perhaps away from Beifa’s solitary environment, she’d live more freely.” Ran Fanyin’s gaze was fixed on the fiery sword-forging pool, her tone shifting, “But once under my tutelage, leaving isn’t an option. As long as she doesn’t want to leave, she’ll always be my disciple.” Just as Jiang Yue finished bandaging her, the heavy stone door of the forging pool rumbled and opened slightly, allowing someone to slip inside. It was Cheng Yunhuan, dressed in blue and white robes, his handsome brows tightly knitted as if there was urgent news. “Senior Brother? What brings you, the busy one, to the forging pool?” Jiang Yue teased Cheng Yunhuan. Cheng Yunhuan spoke in a grave tone, “It’s good that you’re here as well, Junior Sister. Something urgent has come up; we need to descend the mountain.” Jiang Yue shook his head, “I can’t leave at the moment. What requires the three grandmasters?” “It’s a long story. The Blazing Sun Flag of the Burning Heaven Sect has crossed the Yushui Pass and caused some trouble in Luo City... To be precise, they aim to take over Luo City, and it has alarmed the court.” “Senior Brother, you mean… this time, the order is…” Jiang Yue added, “Exactly. If it were only the Blazing Sun Flag, it’d be fine. But it’s likely that Wen Jinglei has also crossed into Yushui Pass, which calls for the grandmasters. In my view, the Burning Heaven Sect is probably testing the waters. Their time for assuming control over Zhongyuan isn’t ripe, and they wouldn’t dare make a grand move.” Cheng Yunhuan thought for a moment and said, “Master thinks the same. But since the court has issued an order, we ought to go. The Luanhua Valley has also sent people; Beifa can’t afford to be seen as indifferent.” After a long silence, Ran Fanyin suddenly spoke up, “Senior Brother Jiang Yue indeed cannot go down the mountain at this time. I’ll go with Senior Brother Cheng. Two of us should be enough not to slight them.” Jiang Yue approved, “That’s for the best. It’s also a timely reminder to the court that they can’t just summon any of the Beifa grandmasters as they please. Too much obedience would diminish our standing. The court should have some fear of us.” Ran Fanyin remained silent. After all, his own disciple was an imperial prince, making such words awkward to address. Cheng Yunhuan added, “Very well, Junior Sister, come with me. The situation is urgent and we can’t afford delays. If Luo City genuinely falls to the Burning Heaven Sect, it’ll be a serious problem.” “Senior Brother, take care of Ran Fanyin. She’s just gotten a fresh injury on her wrist,” Jiang Yue reminded. “There’s no need for your concern. I have medicine prepared for her,” Cheng Yunhuan glanced a couple of times at the contents of the sword-forging pool, then looked away and turned to leave. “I’ll keep an eye on that sword for you, rest assured,” Jiang Yue said thoughtfully to Ran Fanyin. Ran Fanyin nodded and followed Cheng Yunhuan out. Luo Sheng, his sleeves still rolled up and damp from the bathwater, came running out with a flushed face, stammering, “Master, that monkey... no... I mean, the child, she’s a girl…!” “Mm.” Ran Fanyin raised a brow. Luo Sheng, waving his hands excitedly and looking extremely embarrassed, exclaimed, “I’m already a fifteen-year-old man, yet you had me see that monkey naked... Ancestor in heaven won’t forgive me!” Ran Fanyin’s cold eyes twinkled briefly with amusement as he consoled his disciple like a child, “Enough, what of it. You may go.” Luo Sheng muttered as he retreated, “But I’m a cultivator…” Ran Fanyin walked back to the bathing tub. The beggar girl sat there, confused and fearful, not knowing what was happening. Her small, emaciated body was covered in wounds. Such a pitiful yet resilient girl. Ran Fanyin touched the girl’s head. Meeting her tearful, large eyes, his normally cold gaze softened with compassion. Carefully, he began to pour hot water over the girl’s body. The beggar was incredibly dirty, and Ran Fanyin had to use a bit of force. Even with her still many injuries, he gritted his teeth and used a brush on her. As soon as the brush touched the girl’s skin, she whimpered in pain, instinctively grabbing Ran Fanyin’s sleeve with teary eyes. Ran Fanyin, looking into the girl’s pitiful eyes, felt a twinge of sadness that he rarely showed. Not being one to speak comforting words, he lifted the girl out of the water, held her close, ignoring his own soaked robe. With one hand gently stroking her back and the other cleaning her skin. “Master, we could take over…” a female servant, unused to seeing Ran Fanyin act this way, anxiously suggested. “No need. She has too many injuries, and you don’t know the appropriate strength to use. I’ll handle it myself,” Ran Fanyin gently held the beggar and continued to clean her. The beggar, still in pain, clung tighter to Ran Fanyin’s collar, as if he were the only lifeline she had. She quietly wiped her tears on his pristine robe, whimpering softly. The cleansing took from morning till dark, and even as night settled, Ran Fanyin didn’t stop. He switched the water multiple times, applying various medicinal herbs until the girl seemed reborn, her grime gone. Weary, Ran Fanyin dried the girl with a soft towel and wiped her tender face. The child’s appearance surprised him—delicate features, bright black eyes, and a small white face with a natural red birthmark at the center of her brows, making her eyes sparkle like stars. After placing her back on the bed, he promptly applied medicine to her. A doctor from the medicine hall stood nearby, observing as Ran Fanyin gently applied ointments to her external wounds before stepping up to treat her severed right hand’s tendons. Ran Fanyin sat close, not taking his eyes off the doctor’s meticulous work, brows tightly furrowed. The beggar howled in pain and struggled violently. Ran Fanyin had to pin her down, whispering soothing words that did little good, eventually pressing an acupoint to calm her. Watching her silently suffer, grimacing in agony, Ran Fanyin’s heart ached slightly. He softly held her left hand, sending a steady flow of chi to alleviate her pain. After another exhausting day battling her pain, the doctor finally left late at night. The girl, having fainted and awoken multiple times, now lay on the bed, nearly spent. Ran Fanyin carefully tended to her heavily bandaged right wrist, tucked her in, placed a warm stove in her hands, and made sure her blanket was snug before sighing in relief. Despite her exhaustion and pain, the girl still fixated on Ran Fanyin without blinking. Though ignorant of the world, she recognized her benefactor. As Ran Fanyin turned to leave, she leaped up, knocking over the blanket and stove, and grabbed his sleeve, nearly falling off the bed. Ran Fanyin caught her mid-fall, sighing, “I need to wash up. Just sleep, and I’ll be back.” She didn’t understand but clung to him, snuggled her head into his shoulder, and whimpered softly. Ran Fanyin had no choice but to sit beside the bed, carefully placing the girl back under the blanket, holding her small wrist to soothe her with chi until she fell asleep. It seemed he wouldn’t be able to leave until the child was sound asleep. “Master!” a beautiful girl, around thirteen or fourteen, suddenly pushed the door open, her worry clear in her elevated voice, “Master, I just returned from the mountain and heard you’ve been here for two days without rest...” “Quiet,” Ran Fanyin’s tone was calm, though his eyes were bloodshot from fatigue. Cen Ran, seeing her master so unusually exhausted, grew more anxious, “Master, you’re already so worn out… Senior Brother has really let us down! He said there were things in here he can’t see, refusing to come help, leaving you to toil...” Ran Fanyin gave his second disciple a sharp look, “Silence.” Cen Ran froze, mouth half-open, but dared not speak another word. “Alright, she’s asleep.” Ran Fanyin’s expression softened as he released the sleeping girl’s wrist, her cheeks rosy from sleep, and signaled Cen Ran to follow him outside. Snow continued to fall on Beifa Mountain, its majestic structures standing tall. The layers of grand palatial complexes, with their intricate carvings and paintings, resembled an ethereal palace above the mortal world. This was the famed Beifa Palace, the foremost cultivation sanctuary renowned across the land. “Master, who’s the girl inside?” Cen Ran asked. Ran Fanyin’s pale eyes of icy blue met Cen Ran’s, “Zi Sheng didn’t tell you?” “Senior Brother said you intended to take her as a disciple,” Cen Ran lowered her gaze. “I never said that,” Ran Fanyin’s face was emotionless, “The child’s right hand is crippled. She won’t achieve much under my tutelage. Once she’s better, we’ll send her off the mountain. Find a good family for her to live with.” “Master, Senior Brother said she’s connected to you by fate. Why not keep her?” Cen Ran asked. Ran Fanyin was silent for a moment, weighing his words before shaking his head, “We’ll decide once she’s recovered.” At this moment, a female servant rushed over, blurting out in panic yet respectfully, “Master, the child has awakened and is causing a ruckus. She seems to be looking for you.” Ran Fanyin immediately turned to follow the servant back to the room, leaving Cen Ran standing alone in the snow. Cen Ran stood there for a while, lost in thought, before silently departing. The beggar girl was being restrained by several female servants on the bed. She was extremely distressed, making incoherent noises, and struggling desperately. Her movements ceased as soon as she saw Ran Fanyin. Ran Fanyin’s expression remained placid, but his strides quickened towards the girl. Seeing her right wrist bleeding through the thick bandages from her struggles, his elegant brows furrowed. He dismissed the servants and sat on the bed, drawing the girl into his embrace, carefully inspecting her right hand. Since Ran Fanyin had entered, the beggar girl had kept her eyes fixed on him. Being held by him, her anxious black eyes softened, and she smiled happily. Following her instinct, she gently licked his snow-white cheek with her pink tongue and lightly nibbled it, expressing her affection. The warm, moist sensation of the girl’s tongue and her soft breaths on his cheek paralyzed Ran Fanyin. He stood rooted, feeling goosebumps rise all over. Ran Fanyin’s profile turned slightly red, the blush extending to her ears. She wasn’t used to this kind of intimacy and initially wanted to push the girl away. However, with the girl’s hand still partially wrapped in the bandages she was holding, Ran Fanyin could only silence her thoughts and continue tending to the girl’s wound in silence. The beggar girl ceased her antics, nestling her small head into Ran Fanyin’s shoulder, taking in the unique, cool scent of plum blossoms that lingered on her. Contentment curved her eyes into crescents, and the vermilion mark between her brows seemed to dance with joy. Ran Fanyin eventually lost track of how she fell asleep. She hadn’t rested properly after several nights of cultivation and had been busy for two days straight after returning to Beifa. Exhausted, she fell asleep with her hand carefully holding the girl’s right wrist. Seeing Ran Fanyin finally at peace, the beggar girl also snuggled closer, settling into a comfortable position within Ran Fanyin’s embrace and closing her eyes to sleep. --- This site offers an ad-free experience with a permanent domain.