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

### Chapter 63: Approval As soon as Ran Fanyan left, Luo Sheng followed suit, heading to the mountain gate to rendezvous with Jing Xu before proceeding to Yushui Pass. In the blink of an eye, the room was left with only Cen Ran and Ning Songwu. Ning Songwu stared at the now-closed door, her eyes slightly wide, saying nothing. Cen Ran walked to the bed, sat down, and asked, "Ning Songwu, what are you looking at?" Ning Songwu bit her lip, shook her head, and lay back down. "Knock, knock, knock." There came a slow and steady knocking on the wooden door. The person outside didn't wait for a response and pushed the door open after three polite knocks. Ning Songwu quickly turned her head toward the door, a hint of expectation in her gaze. But it wasn't the person she was hoping for. Helan Mianmian walked in slowly, her pretty little face slightly reddened by the cold air outside. She was holding a particularly thick white crane coat, its length nearly touching the ground, looking clearly too large for her. Ever since Ning Songwu got injured, Helan Mianmian had moved out, only occasionally coming over to keep her company. Seeing it was Helan Mianmian, Cen Ran asked, "What are you doing here now?" Helan Mianmian struggled a bit as she handed the white crane coat to Cen Ran, rubbing her red nose adorably, "Sister Cen Ran came to my place earlier and left this coat on my bed. It's getting dark, and I was worried you'd be cold on your way back, so I brought it over." Cen Ran felt a warmth in her heart and handed over a small hand warmer she had, "Are you cold? Take this to warm yourself." Helan Mianmian extended her hands but didn't take the warmer. Instead, she held Cen Ran's long fingers, pressed them to her own face, and smiled, "Sister's hands are so warm." Cen Ran's face reddened briefly and then dismissed it just as quickly, allowing Helan Mianmian to hold her hand. The child's face was soft and comfortable to touch, so much so that Cen Ran couldn't resist pinching her cheeks, though she didn't control her strength well. "Ouch!" Helan Mianmian winced, "Sister Cen Ran, you have such strong hands. That hurt." Cen Ran looked guilty and pulled her hand back, "I'm sorry." "It really hurt," Helan Mianmian said, raising her small hand to rub her cheek, which had turned slightly red. Cen Ran sighed, "What do you want me to do?" "You could kiss it to make it better," Helan Mianmian suggested, pointing to her cheek. "Stop being silly!" Cen Ran scolded, genuinely looking a bit angry. "Sister Cen Ran, why are you so fierce?" Helan Mianmian's beautiful big eyes filled with mist, looking pitiful as if tears would fall at any moment, "When I used to fall and hurt my face, both mother and father would kiss it better..." As her voice became choked with sobs, Cen Ran reluctantly asked, "Alright then. What do you want?" "Just hug me," Helan Mianmian demanded, pouting. Cen Ran, unable to resist a child's act of cuteness especially such an adorable one, bent down to pick her up. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Cen Ran placed Helan Mianmian on her lap, holding her close. The child's body was soft and carried a sweet scent like sugar. Cen Ran's hand instinctively patted her back gently, then she suddenly thought of something and turned to look at Ning Songwu. At some unknown point, Ning Songwu had already fallen asleep. When Ran Fanyan arrived at the sword-forging pool, she noticed a difference. Unlike in the past when Jiang Yue only left a crack in the door and stayed inside, this time Jiang Yue was waiting at the stone gate, holding a blue-flowered paper umbrella, with a hand behind her back, emanating a gentle scholarly air. Judging by the layer of thin snow on the umbrella, she must have been waiting for some time. "You came quickly. Come in," Jiang Yue nodded toward her, gesturing her inside. Ran Fanyan closed her umbrella and followed Jiang Yue inside. Jiang Yue's eyes fell on Ran Fanyan's wrist, noticing the bandage which had yellowed slightly and frayed at the edges, and frowned, "How long has it been since you changed your bandage?" Ran Fanyan replied lightly, "It's been a few days. It's not serious." "I have some medicine here. Come over, and I'll change your bandage," Jiang Yue said, bringing out a tray of medical supplies and motioned for Ran Fanyan to sit. "Zi Sheng mentioned that you had something important to discuss?" Ran Fanyan asked, watching Jiang Yue unwrapping her bandage with one eye. "How many days has it been since you and Cheng Yunhuan left Beifa?" Jiang Yue suddenly inquired. Ran Fanyan thought for a moment, "It's been about half a month." "Yes, half a month. Such a long time," Jiang Yue murmured. "What happened?" Ran Fanyan asked. "It's about the Burning Heaven Sect's attack on Yushui Pass in Luocheng; there's something strange about it," Jiang Yue said, her expression grave. Ran Fanyan was puzzled, "What do you mean?" "It’s my fault for being careless," Jiang Yue paused, lowering her voice, "During your absence, our master was poisoned with the Yellow Springs Gu!" Once afflicted with this Gu, unless the mother variant is destroyed, it's incurable. Many famous figures in the martial world have perished due to this Gu, as it is difficult to detect in the early stages. By the time it's discovered, the venom has already seeped into the blood. This domineering and deadly venomous Gu was solely known to be owned by the Burning Heaven Sect. Years ago, Lin Yuxue's mother, the mistress of the Valley of Wild Flowers, died because of it. Ran Fanyan's face changed dramatically, "What?! Master... how is that possible? How did the Burning Heaven Sect infiltrate Beifa?" "That's why I said there's something fishy about the Yushui Pass incident!" Jiang Yue said angrily, "I suspect the Burning Heaven Sect's ploy was to lure the tiger away from the mountain. Wen Jinglei’s appearance probably intentionally caused panic, prompting the court to send us to Yushui Pass. Our master, who usually stays in the main hall, might have overlooked the security, giving the infiltrators an opportunity! Among the tens of thousands of disciples in Beifa, who knows when someone with concealed motives slipped in..." Thinking carefully, Ran Fanyan agreed, "No wonder, when we were in Luocheng, the Burning Heaven Sect's Fierce Fire Banner only skirmished with us and the Yin-Yang Path sides without engaging in full combat; it was all a distraction!" Jiang Yue nodded, frowning, "Indeed. Though I stayed in Beifa, I was mostly at the sword-forging pool, unlike Cheng Yunhuan, who usually assists our master. A few days ago, when I visited the main hall, I noticed our master looking unwell, which is when I was told about the incident." "The Yellow Springs Gu... How is the master now?" Ran Fanyan asked. "Fortunately, the master has achieved immortality, and his constitution differs from ordinary people. He reassured me that he could control it. But he might be keeping something from me; if he were in grave danger, he might not divulge it," Jiang Yue admitted. "What should we do? If something happens to our master...what of Beifa?" Ran Fanyan asked, her brows furrowed. Jiang Yue looked at the sword-forging pool and sighed, "Do you remember the sword I've been forging? It’s finally ready; it's time for it to see blood." "You mean...?" Ran Fanyan queried. Jiang Yue nodded, "I intend to go to the Eastern Sea to the Burning Heaven Sect myself. Until the mother gu is destroyed, I won’t rest easy." "Are you certain about this?" Ran Fanyan asked. "You know how Wen Jinglei hates us… Also, look at the pool. The sword you requested still needs time. Have you thought about how many responsibilities you're shouldering?" Jiang Yue sighed. Ran Fanyan spoke softly, "This is inherently the master's responsibility. How long will you be gone?" "Who knows. It could be a day, or it could take a lifetime. But rest assured, I’ll return as soon as possible. The sword you requested will take at least four more years to complete. Take care of it; I've left a book detailing what to watch out for," Jiang Yue said. Ran Fanyan suddenly felt exhausted, burying her eyes in her hands, the fresh medicinal scent seeping through the bandages. She felt a heavy weight she couldn’t refuse pressing down on her heart. She thought about the long, dusty journey from Luocheng to Beifa, the increasingly painful and burning wound on her wrist, and Ning Songwu’s subtle gestures avoiding her approach. A metallic taste rose in her throat, which Ran Fanyan managed to suppress. Her body needed rest, but rest was not an option. (End of chapter. No pop-up ads, permanent domain...)