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

Chapter 65: Acting Ning Songwu hurriedly followed behind a frantic Helan Mianmian downstairs. As she ran, she managed to clear her mind a bit, finally coming to her senses. "Was there someone here just now?" she asked. "I don't know. I only heard some noise. We'd better go back quickly. We'll have another chance to come and see it again later." "Next time... You go alone. I'm not coming..." Ning Songwu's face turned red as she spoke. Helan Mianmian noticed Ning Songwu’s embarrassed expression and, after thinking it over, suddenly understood. With a smile, she teased, "Oh... what exactly did you see just now?" Ning Songwu glared at Helan Mianmian. "Seeing you laugh like that, shouldn't you be able to guess?" The two chatted as they walked back to the lounge area on the first floor. It seemed like something had happened. A group of people was gathered in a corner, chattering as if they were watching something. Ning Songwu suddenly realized they were surrounding the place where she had been sitting earlier. And her drawing… she had left it spread out on the table when she went away… With a dark expression, Ning Songwu pushed through the crowd and, squeezing in, saw the scene before her, so furious she nearly vomited blood. Lan Ze was sitting there, holding a pen, her eyebrows raised as she scribbled on the drawing. Upon closer inspection, what had taken many painstaking days to create was now entirely ruined, messily covered with sketches of turtles and random lines, seemingly intended purely to destroy the artwork. Lan Ze noticed Ning Songwu coming over and smirked. "Oh, the little cripple is back? I added a few touches to your drawing. What do you think? Tsk tsk, I have to say, your hand is truly useless. What is this supposed to be? An outhouse? And you dare to label it with ‘Northern Punishment Palace’? My addition is better, don't you think? Look at this little thing here—doesn't it look like you? Come on, everyone, don't you think so?" The surrounding disciples burst into laughter, sneering viciously. Helan Mianmian, stuck outside the crowd, paced back and forth anxiously, unable to get through. Ning Songwu’s eyes were red, her fists tightly clenched, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the ruined drawing. Her expression was terrifying. Lan Ze, continuing to draw more turtles, said, "Look at you, so angry but not daring to even fart. What's wrong? What are you so proud of? Even the Venerable doesn't want you. How can you still hold your head so high? A parentless wretch, humph..." In the blink of an eye, Ning Songwu lunged forward, grabbing Lan Ze by the collar and pulling her up. Her red eyes were terrifying. Then, a hard punch landed squarely on Lan Ze's face. "Ah—! You little bastard!" Lan Ze screamed. Blood flowed from her nose and mouth. She looked at Ning Songwu in disbelief and then stood fully upright. She was a few years older than Ning Songwu, taller and effortlessly grabbed Ning Songwu by the collar, lifting her off the ground before throwing her harshly to the floor. Ning Songwu's whole body ached but she only grunted, immediately getting up and charging at Lan Ze. Her fists, like a storm, pounded down, targeting Lan Ze's face and leaving her bruised and bleeding from the nose. Lan Ze pressed Ning Songwu down and kicked her in the stomach, sending Ning Songwu flying a good two meters away. Ning Songwu's small body rolled and hit the corner of a table, the violent impact causing her to spit a mouthful of blood. Ning Songwu wiped her mouth fiercely, enduring the severe pain, and got up again, rushing toward Lan Ze. This time, however, she was stopped halfway. Ning Songwu was holding a black jar containing medicine as she walked along the road. A large carriage passed by shakily, heading in the direction of the Huaxu Boundary. She stopped and watched the gradually departing carriage curiously, feeling something was off. Ning Songwu shook her head, touched the still warm medicine jar, smiled lightly, and continued walking. When she reached the entrance of the Huaxu Boundary, she didn't see the expected scene of her master and Sang Min playing chess. Instead, she saw the carriage that had just passed by her stop there, surrounded by some people. Ning Songwu walked forward with some curiosity. Just as she rounded the carriage, she was nearly knocked over by someone rushing at her and giving her a hug. The medicine jar in her hand almost spilled. "Ning Songwu! You're still alive!" Helan Mianmian’s familiar, playful voice sounded by her ear, full of joy and a hint of whining. Ning Songwu gently pushed her away with one hand while steadying the medicine jar with the other. "Why did you and Sister Cen Ran leave me at the Northern Punishment and come to Kunlun secretly?! I had such a hard time finding you!" Helan Mianmian pouted and pushed Ning Songwu’s shoulder, nearly toppling the medicine jar again. "I knew you wouldn't come back anytime soon, so I came to look for you. Look, you left your sword behind; I brought it for you." With that, Helan Mianmian handed Ning Songwu the Fengyu Sword, carefully wrapped in silk. Ning Songwu took it and shot a glance at Helan Mianmian. "You were just bored at the Northern Punishment, using this as an excuse to come down the mountain." "No..." Helan Mianmian smirked and raised an eyebrow. Cen Ran walked over, placing a hand on Helan Mianmian’s shoulder. "Ning Songwu, have you finished it?" "Sister... you didn't go back? Why didn’t I see you when I woke up?" "I did go back a few days ago. On the way, I ran into Helan Mianmian bringing Lin Yuxue to Kunlun, so I came with them..." "Yes, I wanted to come to Kunlun, but the disciples guarding the mountain gate wouldn't let me descend. Luckily, I ran into the Young Master of Random Flowers Valley, who helped me and even escorted me here." Helan Mianmian smiled, full of admiration. "...Sister Lin Yuxue is really gentle and knows a lot. She even has a bunch of mech gadgets..." "Yes, she's quite good at charming you, spending every moment with her for several days." Cen Ran squinted and smiled. Ning Songwu glanced at the area behind Helan Mianmian and Cen Ran, noting she could only see Bo Xue talking with Sang Min. She didn’t see Lin Yuxue or Ran Fanyin. They must be inside. Just as Ning Songwu was about to enter the Huaxu Boundary, Cen Ran stopped her. "Your master isn't inside. She and the Young Master went to North Luo Cliff." Ning Songwu nodded and headed toward North Luo, carrying the medicine jar. "Ning Songwu..." Helan Mianmian wanted to follow but was yanked back by Cen Ran, who grabbed her collar and pulled her back forcefully. "Where do you think you're going? Can't you be apart from your Sister Lin Yuxue for even a moment?" Cen Ran snorted coldly, releasing Helan Mianmian’s collar with a flick of her sleeve and turning away. Helan Mianmian hurriedly grabbed hold of Cen Ran. "Sister Cen Ran, I didn't..." "Let go." Cen Ran slightly turned her head, her tone indifferent. "Why are you so angry?!" Helan Mianmian was at a loss, scratching her head. "How many words have you spoken to me these past two days? And how many to the Young Master? If you like Sister Lin Yuxue so much, why are you clinging to me now?" "You're getting mad over that? I was just having some fun. Sister Lin Yuxue's gadgets are fascinating. Isn't it normal to want to play with them! You're being unreasonable..." Cen Ran pulled her sleeve out of Helan Mianmian’s grasp, giving a cold laugh. "Fine, I'm unreasonable. Then don't speak to me anymore." Helan Mianmian sighed heavily. There was an imperial pride deep within her bones. Some things she wouldn't degrade herself to say. Thus, sometimes, the conflicts between her and Cen Ran were left to time to resolve. Bo Xue approached and took Helan Mianmian to play elsewhere. Their personalities meshed well, and they chatted happily, leaving Sang Min and Cen Ran in the Huaxu Boundary. Ning Songwu carried the medicine jar for a long time before reaching the edge of the cliff at North Luo, where she finally saw those two graceful figures. Ran Fanyin stood gracefully in her white gauzy attire, standing straight with an air of elegance, looking out over the cliff. Lin Yuxue, standing very close to her, was leaning in to say something. Ning Songwu stopped behind a pine tree, quietly watching the two figures in the distance. She couldn’t hear what they were talking about, just wanting to wait until they finished so she could take Ran Fanyin back and make her drink the medicine. The jar, which had been boiling hot, warmed then cooled in her grasp as she waited. The cold ceramic chilled her skin painfully. In the distance, Lin Yuxue seemed to tire of standing and found a spot on a large rock to sit, then waved Ran Fanyin over. Ran Fanyin hesitated for a moment before walking over and sitting down next to her. The two of them sat very close together. "Master Ran Fanyin, how could you leave the Northern Punishment without saying a word? I was still staying in your Rongku Pavilion. Aren't you afraid I'll empty out your pavilion?" Lin Yuxue’s lips curled into a small smile, her hand hidden in her sleeve fiddling with a white jade mask. "Young Master, you jest." Ran Fanyin replied flatly. "Do you remember before the sword trial conference, when I first visited your Rongku Pavilion? I saw you and Senior Sang Min brewing tea and playing chess, having such a good time. I didn't want to disturb you, so I said I would tell you something later." Ran Fanyin turned slightly to glance at Lin Yuxue. "Is that why you came to Kunlun?" "Half and half. I was supposed to return to the Central Plains when I met that little girl Helan Mianmian, who wanted to come to Kunlun. I heard you were here too, so I brought her along." "...So, what is it you wanted to say?" Ran Fanyin nodded, indicating her understanding. The Valley of Random Flowers held a dominant position in the Central Plains, attracting the covetous eyes of many martial artists. The old valley master was nearing the end of his days, and with the changing of leadership, Lin Yuxue required an alliance with the Northern Punishment to solidify her position. "I'll speak to the sect leader about it. Rest assured, Young Master." Since they had been involved in that matter years ago, the Northern Punishment and Random Flowers Valley shared a mutual stake. Facing the threat of the Fiery Heaven Gate, it was necessary for them to join forces again. As for Lin Yuxue’s personal ambitions, it would also be satisfied along the way, making her indebted to Northern Punishment. A mutually beneficial route indeed, which was common amongst martial sects. By the time Ran Fanyin and Lin Yuxue finished discussing the relevant matters, it was already getting dark. Ning Songwu had been standing for quite a while, waiting quietly without leaving. The medicine jar in her hand had long gone cold. Seeing the distant figures finally rise, she tried to take a step, only to hear the cracking sound of her stiff bones. Ran Fanyin noticed Ning Songwu from afar, furrowing her brows as she approached. "Why are you here? Have you been here long?" Ran Fanyin asked softly, inspecting the black ceramic jar in Ning Songwu's hand. "No... I just got here. Dinner is ready, but you all weren't coming back." Ning Songwu fibbed spontaneously. "Your injuries aren't fully healed. Don't stay outside for so long... What’s this?" Ning Songwu raised the jar slightly, speaking gently, "It's your medicine. I thought you should drink it while it’s hot, but it cooled down on the way here. I'll heat it up again for you when we get back." Ran Fanyin nodded. The jar looked quite heavy, so she took it from Ning Songwu, the icy cold surface pricking her palm, making her frown. Lin Yuxue, playing with the white jade mask in her hands, walked over, "Pleasure to meet you. We've met before, back in Rongku Pavilion." Ning Songwu politely nodded at her. "Pleasure to meet you, Young Master." Lin Yuxue blinked and walked ahead of Ran Fanyin and Ning Songwu. Ning Songwu bit her lip and followed Lin Yuxue. Ran Fanyin walked behind her and suddenly took hold of Songwu's hand, whispering, "Your hand is so cold. You must have been outside for quite some time. Why didn't you tell the truth?" Ning Songwu, gripping Ran Fanyin's hand for a moment before quickly letting go to avoid freezing her, replied, "My hand is cold. Please don't hold it, or you'll get cold as well… I really haven't been here long; I just waited a short while." Ran Fanyin hummed lightly through her nose, holding Ning Songwu’s hand tightly. "Is your hand colder than this jar?... My hand is cold, but yours is warm. Let me warm it up." Ning Songwu laughed softly, gently squeezing Ran Fanyin's hand and bringing it to her lips to kiss lightly, breathing warm air over it. "I told you, your injuries haven't healed. Next time, don't wait outside for so long... And you lied to me, saying you just arrived. So young and already so good at lying…" "Master, you suddenly have so much to say. I'm not used to it," Ning Songwu interrupted with a smile. Ran Fanyin's ears turned red, and she fell silent, saying no more. Just then, Ping Zilai, who had shown up unbeknownst to everyone, grabbed Ning Songwu by the collar, his face dark with anger. The disciples had never seen him so cold and intimidating, and they all shivered, too frightened to say anything. Lan Ze, stunned for a moment, cried out, "Master! Look at Ning Songwu! Look what she did to me!" Ping Zilai glanced at Lan Ze’s badly injured face, then at the still red-eyed Ning Songwu, and yelled sternly, "Creating such a scene in public! Return to Hongfei Pavilion, both of you, and I'll deal with this!" Inside the main hall of Hongfei Pavilion. Ping Zilai sat on the main seat with a stern face. The disciples were lined up respectfully on either side, with Lan Ze and Ning Songwu kneeling in the middle, too scared to speak. Lan Ze's injuries were mostly on her face, which looked severe but were just superficial wounds. Ning Songwu, on the other hand, seemed fine on the surface but had taken a heavy kick from Lan Ze. Her abdomen hurt as if it were being cut with a knife, and her mouth was filled with the strong taste of blood, which she swallowed down rather than spit out. "Who started it?" Ping Zilai asked darkly. Lan Ze quickly replied, "It was her! I don't know what grudge she holds against me, but she attacked me without saying a word, Master. Look at the blood on my face!" Ping Zilai gave them a cold glance and asked, "And why did she attack you for no reason?" "Ning Songwu has disliked me for a long time, do you need a reason to hit someone?" The nearby disciples, hearing her blatant lie, were too scared to stand up. Helan Mianmian raised her eyes and wanted to say something but was held back by a disciple, who gestured for her to stay quiet. Helan Mianmian ignored the hint and stepped forward, saying, "That's not true. It was Lan Ze who provoked her first with harsh words!" "You're friends with her, so of course, you'd say that. Master, ask the others if it’s true.” Ping Zilai looked at the disciples nearby. They were all trembling, not daring to speak. Helan Mianmian shouted, "Shut up, Lan Ze! You'll get your comeuppance!" "Helan Mianmian, be quiet. Ning Songwu, speak for yourself," Ping Zilai directed his gaze towards Ning Songwu. Ning Songwu still held a mouthful of blood, grinding her teeth in frustration. Glaring at Lan Ze, she slowly said through clenched teeth, "If I had another chance, I wouldn't just beat her like this." Lan Ze's eyes welled up with a few tears, looking tearfully at Ping Zilai. "Master, look at her! She's so out of control. Why keep her in Northern Punishment?" Ping Zilai looked at Ning Songwu and slowly asked, "I’ll give you one more chance. What do you have to say for yourself?" Ning Songwu wanted to cry so badly. But she couldn’t cry. Her thoughts drifted back to a time not long ago, when she was in Rongku Pavilion. Her master had been away from Northern Punishment for more than ten days, and she missed her terribly. When her master finally returned, she took her to the plum garden and taught her swordsmanship. But she couldn’t master it. Her master, slightly angry, said, "If you can't finish it, sitting on the ground crying, what’s that supposed to be?" She remembered that cold night in the plum garden, with falling petals scattering in the air, some landing on her master's shoulders, unnoticed by her. Her master's angry face really frightened her, making her heart shrink in anxiety. She thought she should never make her master angry again. Sitting on the ground crying was indeed disgraceful. Ning Songwu took a deep breath, forcing back her tears, speaking word by word, "I have nothing to say." Ping Zilai remained silent for a moment, then said, "Ning Songwu, you truly disappoint me. If Ran Fanyin saw this, she would be utterly disappointed as well." He sighed, casting his gaze to some vague point outside the main hall’s door. "Go to the Punishment Room, and take twenty lashes. You won’t need to attend classes for the next ten days." Two disciples stepped forward, each taking an arm, half-dragging her out of the main hall. Ning Songwu only remembered the anxious look on Helan Mianmian's face and Lan Ze's smug expression as she faced the long bench, an impending disciple hesitating to start the punishment. Such a small child, looking no older than nine or ten, a dainty little girl—how could he bring himself to do it? It was just a fight, nothing that serious. Wasn’t the master going too far with twenty lashes? If he hit her too hard, she'd surely die. "I'll just hit lightly. Hang in there, it won’t be too hard to endure," the male disciple comforted Ning Songwu, shakily lifting the rod and striking down. The blow was indeed not heavy, but as soon as it landed on Ning Songwu's back, she spat out a mouthful of blood. Despite the lightness, Ning Songwu, with her frail internal strength, couldn’t bear twenty lashes. Seeing her spit blood, the male disciple looked even more troubled. At that moment, the wooden door of the Punishment Room was abruptly pushed open, and Lan Ze, with a face still bearing fresh injuries, squinted as she entered. "You are... Lan Ze, junior sister? What are you doing here?" the male disciple asked in confusion, then, after a thought, incredulously asked, "Did the master cancel the punishment for Ning Songwu? I said it—twenty lashes is too..." "No. Master sent me to oversee these twenty lashes," Lan Ze said maliciously, touching her injured nose. "Master said to hit hard. Otherwise, she’ll never learn her lesson." "What?" The male disciple frowned, scratching his head with the rod. "But..." "Aren't you hitting? It's an order from the master. Do you dare disobey?" Lan Ze shouted. Ning Songwu seemed to shut off all awareness of the outside world, staring blankly at the ground. Seeing the male disciple still hesitant, Lan Ze snatched the rod and, gathering all her inner strength, struck at Ning Songwu's back with all her might. Lan Ze, hailing from a renowned martial family, had a substantial martial foundation. Her forceful strike far exceeded any blow that disciple had previously delivered. "Ugh!" Ning Songwu let out a muffled groan, her brows knitting together as if they were about to fuse. It felt like her organs were on the brink of bursting. Her back throbbed with a searing pain, the rough wooden rod had torn through her clothing, leaving a ghastly bloody mark on her tender skin. Her fingers clung tightly to the edge of the wooden bench, almost embedding themselves into it. Lan Ze showed no concern for Ning Songwu's suffering, giving her no time to catch her breath before the second strike whistled down. This time it landed on Ning Songwu's buttocks. Ning Songwu's fingers, now bleeding, dug into the wood. Lan Ze, in a frenzy, lashed Ning Songwu's body with the rod, striking her back, arms, and thighs, leaving no part unscathed. With each blow, she screamed, "You little bastard! How dare you hit me?! Why don't you scream? Huh? Pretending to be tough! Go to hell! I'll beat you to death!" Blood streamed from Ning Songwu's many wounds, forming thin rivulets that dripped to the ground, pooling into gruesome puddles. The sight was horrifying. Ning Songwu spat out more blood, staining the entire bench red. She struggled to keep a thread of consciousness, staring intently at the ground, trying to focus. She didn't even need to hold back her cries of pain anymore; she had no strength left to scream. "Master... Master..." Ning Songwu began to mumble softly. The moment those words left her lips, tears that she had held back for so long finally broke free, falling to the ground and mixing with her blood. "And you still think about the Venerable? Hahaha, how ridiculous! She left the mountain half a month ago! She doesn't care about you anymore!" Wha... What? Master... has left? Master has been gone... for half a month...? Why... why didn't anyone tell her... why... Didn't Master know... she had been waiting for her in Hongfei Pavilion...? Why... Wasn't she obedient enough...? Ning Songwu could see nothing but a bloody haze. Unable to find a clear image to focus on, her vision went black, and she passed out. The male disciple finally intervened, grabbing Lan Ze and shouting, "Stop! You'll kill her! She'll die!" "What does it matter if she dies? She's just a lowly wretch! If she dies, there are countless others like her. She’s worthless! Pah!" Lan Ze spat, tossing the rod aside, and swept out of the room. The male disciple hurriedly picked up the unconscious Ning Songwu, cradling her carefully, and ran towards the main hall. This site has no pop-up ads, permanent domain.