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

Chapter 82: Battle Lin Yuxue paused for a moment before swiftly following Ran Fanyin out the window. What could possibly be so urgent? She didn't even bother packing her belongings, let alone exiting through the front door, choosing instead to leap out the window. Ran Fanyin's agility was exceptional, and she quickly became a mere white dot in the distance. Lin Yuxue mustered all her inner strength to keep up, barely managing to keep Ran Fanyin within her sight. Cheng Yunhuan happened to return just then and caught a glimpse of Ran Fanyin's familiar figure darting away. Suspecting something amiss, perhaps more trouble from the Fentian Sect, she decided to pursue her as well. "Ran Fanyin!" Cheng Yunhuan called out loudly. Upon hearing her name, Ran Fanyin stopped reluctantly and turned around with a frown. Lin Yuxue also caught up, breathing lightly yet audibly. "What’s going on? Why are you running? And why did you just stop?" Ran Fanyin, filled with urgency, replied curtly, "I just received news from the sect. There's trouble at our school; I need to return immediately." Cheng Yunhuan questioned, "What’s so urgent that you have to leave in the middle of the night?" Her voice dropped to a whisper, "Is it more urgent than this matter? I just led some disciples to investigate the East Luo path of Yin Yang Dao and discovered traces of Wen Jinglei!" "What? Wen Jinglei is also in the city?" Lin Yuxue exclaimed in surprise. "It's not confirmed yet, but if it's true, it'll make things much more complicated. Ran Fanyin, do you still plan to leave now?" Cheng Yunhuan asked, looking at Ran Fanyin. Ran Fanyin lowered her gaze, pondering quietly. The intricate and tense situation in Luo City did not allow for her to leave without permission. However, how could she delay the situation with Ning Song Wu? Presently, she was unaware of what injuries Ning Song Wu had suffered, how severe they were, and whether she was conscious or in a coma. After a long pause, Ran Fanyin finally spoke softly, "Senior Sister, Ning Song Wu is gravely injured and fighting for her life. If I stay here and return later, I might only find her corpse. What then?" "Ning Song Wu? Your little disciple?" Cheng Yunhuan sighed, "… Ran Fanyin, our priorities differ. You'll have to weigh the pros and cons yourself." Ran Fanyin lifted her eyes, which had the appearance of deep hues yet held an unwavering determination. Despite her apology, she wouldn't be swayed: "I'm sorry, Senior Sister. Once the matter with Na Luo is resolved, I'll return to Luo City as soon as possible to assist you." Cheng Yunhuan waved her sleeve, granting silent approval. Lin Yuxue, however, grabbed Ran Fanyin's sleeve, saying, "No matter how urgent it is, you should at least take some money. Riding a horse might be more convenient when your light-footed skills tire out." With that, Lin Yuxue handed Ran Fanyin some large-denomination silver notes. Ran Fanyin nodded, "Thank you." With those words, she turned, her toes lightly touching the ground, and disappeared into the desolate night. Ran Fanyin hurried without rest for several days and nights, maintaining a state of high concentration throughout, neglecting even to change the dressing on her injuries. In her journey, she pondered occasionally if, by now, Ning Song Wu might have moved past danger, rendering her return less critical. After all, how serious could the injuries sustained in Northern Fa be? Moreover, she trusted the skill of the pill pharmacy's medicine. Yet, what if... The journey took her seven days initially, but she made it back in only three this time. Despite this, she felt she had wasted too much time. As she approached Northern Fa, the weather grew colder, unlike her descent sheltered by the carriage. Now, she watched the ground transform from yellow leaves scattered around to snow blanketing the mountains. When Ran Fanyin arrived at the Northern Fa mountain gate, Luo Sheng had been waiting for quite some time. Cen Ran was still in Hongfei Pavilion taking care of Ning Song Wu and sent Luo Sheng to wait for Master at the gate. Luo Sheng initially doubted whether Master, occupied with significant matters, would return immediately. Yet, Cen Ran confidently assured Luo Sheng that if he waited at the gate, he would certainly see Master within five days. Indeed, only three days later, Master returned. Concealing her fatigue, Ran Fanyin followed Luo Sheng’s lead as they walked. She asked, "What exactly happened? How is Ning Song Wu now?" "She suffered a baton injury. She woke up briefly a few days ago but then lapsed back into unconsciousness. Her injuries were severe; she was hanging by a thread. Luckily, she's no longer in mortal danger, but..." Ran Fanyin noticed Luo Sheng's hesitation, prompting, "What is it?" Luo Sheng sighed, "When she woke up, she only ate a bit but didn’t speak, just stared blankly, not responding even when called." "Did she get hit on the head?" Ran Fanyin suddenly grew alarmed. "No, perhaps she has been traumatized. Master, you returned in such a hurry. Was the matter with Na Luo resolved?" Ran Fanyin replied softly, "It's complicated. Cheng Yunhuan is in great danger. You should head to the Swordsmith Pool and find Brother Jiang Yue, tell him I've returned and that Wen Jinglei is currently in Luo City. The Vice Hall Master of the Raging Fire Flag is dead; he'll know what to do. Then, find Cheng Yunhuan's senior disciple Jinghu, and both of you head down to Yushui Pass to support Senior Sister Cheng Yunhuan." Luo Sheng accepted the order and immediately altered his path towards the Swordsmith Pool. Remembering the way to Ning Song Wu's sleeping quarters, Ran Fanyin pushed the door open and immediately saw Cen Ran sitting by the table, stirring a bowl of dark medicine. Cen Ran looked up, recognizing her, "Master! You're back!" Ran Fanyin nodded, signaling her acknowledgment, and immediately directed her gaze toward the bed, quickly walking over. Ning Song Wu lay there with her eyes closed, sleeping. The child's face had grown visibly thinner, the blanket only covering up to her chest, revealing shoulders wrapped thickly in gauze, faintly stained with blood. Her complexion was alarmingly pale, contrasting starkly with the vivid crimson between her brows. Ran Fanyin suddenly realized it had indeed been some time since she last saw Ning Song Wu. Her once tender, adorable features had begun gaining definition. Seeing her lying so lifelessly on the sickbed, an unspeakable sorrow filled her heart, reminiscent of three years ago when Ning Song Wu lay gravely injured in the Rongfu Pavilion. Although she was the revered leader of Northern Fa, she felt a profound sense of helplessness towards the suffering child. "Master! Your… your hand is wrapped in gauze?" Cen Ran exclaimed in shock. "Just a minor injury, it’s nothing serious." Ran Fanyin kept her gaze fixed on the sleeping Ning Song Wu. Now that she was physically present, her heart eased somewhat, yet she still asked, "How did she get a baton injury?" "Ning Song Wu was fighting with other disciples and stubbornly refused to admit her fault, so she went to the disciplinary room and received a punishment by the baton." Ran Fanyin's eyes narrowed, emitting a chilling aura, "I wasn't aware she committed such an atrocious crime deserving such severe action. Is there anyone in the entire Northern Fa who doesn't know she's my disciple? Who dared!" Cen Ran stammered, "Master… If you make such remarks, won’t it seem unfair to the other disciples…?" "Ning Song Wu is my disciple and has the privileges of being personally taught by a reverend. I never intended for others to feel it's fair. I don't believe Ning Song Wu would undertake such actions without reason. When you have the time, investigate thoroughly." Cen Ran never imagined that when Ran Fanyin truly got angry, she appeared entirely different, even breaking into a sweat: "Yes, Master." "Regardless, wasn't the baton punishment issued under Ping Zilai's order? Without thoroughly investigating the origins of the issue, such severe punishment on a ten-year-old disciple—how can he hold his position as the pavilion master? Convey my order to remove his position for a month and have him transcribe scriptures in the library for a month!" Cen Ran hurriedly complied. Although Ran Fanyin appeared only in her twenties, Ping Zilai was twenty-six or twenty-seven, older than Ran Fanyin in appearance. However, Ran Fanyin, in reality, had lived for over a hundred and ten years, standing as one of the three revered leaders, making Ping Zilai a mere junior before her in both age and status. Cen Ran couldn't help but sigh sympathetically for Ping Zilai. Ran Fanyin turned her attention back to Ning Song Wu lying in bed, her tightly knit brow gradually relaxing, her gaze softening like melting ice and snow. After a long while, her voice regained its calm demeanor as she spoke to Cen Ran: "That medicine you were holding is for her?" Cen Ran nodded. "I see it's not steaming anymore. Take it down and prepare a new bowl, just in case she wakes and needs it." Cen Ran replied with an affirmative "Yes" and left with the bowl of medicine. Before closing the door, Cen Ran glanced at Ran Fanyin standing by the bedside. Despite her efforts to conceal it, Master couldn't hide her weary appearance. The journey back must have been grueling. Cen Ran suddenly felt that only when Master was genuinely angry did she seem like a real person. Master's usual demeanor wasn't cold by nature but rather detached, as if she experienced neither great joy nor sorrow, leading others to perceive her as aloof. Indeed, Master truly cherished Ning Song Wu. After Cen Ran departed, leaving the room empty, fatigue slowly seeped into Ran Fanyin's expression. Gently, she sat at the bedside, pressing her fingers to her temple. The residual poison within her remained unresolved, exacerbated by the strenuous journey. What should have been a diminishing ailment had instead intensified, gnawing at her bones to the point of near fracturing pain. Her body felt utterly depleted, the continuous exertion over three days and nights nearly draining her inner strength. Yet at this moment, resting was not an option. Ning Song Wu felt as though she were trapped in an endless dream. The dream was peculiar—a boundless expanse of darkness. Alone, she sat on the ground, unable to see anything, yet she could hear the terrifying sounds of battle and the clang of weapons clashing. But all Ning Song Wu could see was darkness. It weighed heavily on her, the sounds of fierce battles surrounding her, the cries of people being killed, making her feel as if she might be the next to die. Soon, she realized it wasn't just a feeling. A cacophony of voices erupted around her, initially as murmurs but growing into a heated argument. The voices, predominantly male, grew louder and sharper, as if they were about to burst through her eardrums, instilling an inexplicable fear in her. She couldn't tell how long this oppressive environment persisted—so long that Ning Song Wu feared she had gone mad. Suddenly, a piercingly clear and familiar voice echoed: "The Three Swords Heavenly Chastisement Formation, set up!" That voice was like delicate ice shattering on snow, ethereal and haunting, each syllable whispering like snowflakes gently tapping on a window, creating a rhythm that was chilling yet oddly soothing. Such a familiar voice… such a familiar voice… but who? She strained to remember, the effort bringing a throbbing pain to her head, yet she remained clueless. Then, she felt something cold and sharp against her neck, followed by a sinister chuckle. A hand gripped her crown, as hot, putrid breath grazed her ear, accompanied by a repulsive sticky sensation: "Go... die…" As the eerie words fell into her ear, the blade at her neck thrust forward with vicious intent —— Ning Song Wu jolted awake in a cold sweat, torn from her nightmare, her eyes snapping open! Pain. Her whole body felt pain. Gasping for air from the terrifying dream, every breath tugged at her wounds, causing them to tear open. She wanted to cry out from the pain, but her throat burned as if it were on fire, leaving her voiceless. Yet the faint, familiar aroma of plums wafted into her nose, calming her like a soothing balm, her breathing gradually steadying as she swallowed. ... Plum scent? Ning Song Wu cautiously turned her head to the side. Ran Fanyin lay quietly by the bedside, her face resting on her arm in deep sleep. The rare sunlight filtering through the window framed her face in delicate shadow and light, etching her features with exquisite precision. Her white clothing, slightly dusted, seemed out of character with her usually fastidious nature. Ning Song Wu's fingers twitched slightly. Strangely, she didn’t feel the ecstatic joy she’d imagined, nor the urge to rush over and affectionately embrace her mentor like she usually would. It felt as if she had always known that upon waking, she would find her mentor asleep by her side. Ning Song Wu felt her eyes sting and sniffled hard, trying not to cry. Why didn’t her mentor tell her she was leaving? And why not tell her upon returning? Why did seeing her mentor now bring an indescribable, bittersweet ache to her heart? A vague voice echoed in her mind— "Is there someone in your heart whom you always think of, someone you’d be willing to spend a lifetime with?" Mentor. Mentor… Ran Fanyin’s every smile and expression invaded her mind without warning, the past moments of tenderness flashing by vividly, leaving her bewildered. She reached for something to hold onto, her hand eventually clutching the pendant at her neck. The blood-soaked jade was surprisingly warm. Ning Song Wu turned her head to look, watching her mentor in deep slumber, her beautifully contoured face stirring something in her. Swallowing hard, she felt an unexpected tenderness towards Ran Fanyin and an impulsive desire to touch, to kiss her! Why? Why? Why was she feeling such strange emotions towards her mentor?! This wasn’t right; it wasn’t a romantic feeling—it couldn’t be that. It was merely reliance on her mentor. Just reliance. Nothing more. Ran Fanyin’s eyelashes fluttered, as if sensing something, her breathing picking up and gradually becoming more alert. Returning to partial consciousness, Ran Fanyin keenly sensed a change in the breathing pattern of the person on the bed, her head snapping up to make eye contact with Ning Song Wu. For a fleeting moment, Ran Fanyin froze, then a soft smile graced her lips, though unaccustomed as if it felt slightly stiff: "Awake? How long have you been awake? Thirsty?" Ning Song Wu simply widened her eyes, staring at Ran Fanyin, saying nothing. Ran Fanyin reached out, intending to hold Ning Song Wu's hand, but the moment their fingertips touched, Ning Song Wu recoiled as if shocked, looking at her warily. Ran Fanyin felt a twinge of emptiness, surprised by Ning Song Wu’s reaction: "What’s wrong? Did you really hurt your head…? Do you recognize me?" Ning Song Wu wanted desperately to hug Ran Fanyin, to cry out her pain and let her warm words soothe her, just as she would after past injuries. But no… this wasn’t right… she couldn’t be too dependent on her mentor, or the strange feelings might return. Those feelings, they were wrong. "Ma… Mentor… I… I…" Ning Song Wu stammered, unable to articulate her thoughts. Ran Fanyin, noting the hoarseness in her voice, rose and poured a cup of water, bringing it to Ning Song Wu’s lips: "As long as you recognize me. Open your mouth." Panicked, Ning Song Wu pushed Ran Fanyin's hand away, spilling some water, wetting the blanket and Ran Fanyin's hand. Ran Fanyin’s heart tightened, her movements halted mid-bend. Ning Song Wu was avoiding her. Why? When had Ning Song Wu ever seen her without rushing forward with a radiant smile to embrace her? In the past, she had even felt such contact was overly intimate, yet now Ning Song Wu... didn’t want to engage with her? Ran Fanyin considered this for a long time, slowly straightening, placing the cup aside, and said gently: "Are you upset because I left Northern Fa without telling you?" Ning Song Wu merely drew back into herself, turning her head away from Ran Fanyin. Less contact with her mentor might help ease her confused heart. Ran Fanyin sighed: "It was wrong of me. I should have told you. My oversight caused you to be injured like this." Ning Song Wu shook her head frantically, tears uncontrollably spilling over. She opened her mouth but no words came out.