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

**Chapter 92: Outside the City** Just the end of a boring life, Ning Song Wu told herself. Her hands and feet were bound tightly with hemp rope, rendering her immobile. The binding was so tight that her limbs were chafed and every movement brought sharp pain. Rather than continue with futile struggles, Ning Song Wu settled quietly into a corner, observing the situation within the cabin. She could hear cries from other young girls beside her—nine others—who were also being sacrificed. Their faces were filled with terror, eyes brimming with despair. Leaning against the ship's wall, Ning Song Wu listened to the river's turbulent flow. It bothered her, as she thought, "Ah, it's noisy. Can't it be a bit quieter in my last moments? We're all going to die anyway." The middle-aged man steering the boat wore a grotesque expression as he shouted at the girls, "What are you crying for? Consider it a blessing of many lifetimes to be offered to the River God! If anyone cries again, I'll beat you to death!" His threats were in vain; they were already on a path to death, and using one's life as leverage was a last resort. Still, the girls, unable to speak with their mouths sealed, glared at him furiously, grumbling through muffled shrieks. The man's anger boiled over, intending to teach the girls a lesson, but before he could lower the pole into the water, the river suddenly churned violently. Holding onto the pole to steady himself, he glanced back nervously as he noticed a dark shape swimming in the river from afar. The small boat rocked up and down with the river's waves, making it hard to stand firm. The girls inside were thrown toward the boat's corners, and Ning Song Wu, who had been sitting quietly in her nook, nearly got crushed beneath them. Desperately, Ning Song Wu adjusted her position, trying to make herself comfortable before her impending death. The dark shape in the river gradually approached the small boat and began to surface—it was a golden fish with crimson eyes and sharp dorsal fins that spoke human words, "Sacrifices." The boat was smaller than one of the fish's eyes, and it exuded an overwhelming presence up close. The man steering the boat fell prostrate at its head, trembling from head to toe, "Great River God, the sacrifices are in the boat. Please, enjoy them." Ning Song Wu listened to it all, ceasing her movements as she quietly awaited her impending death, reflecting on her life that seemed to hold nothing worth clinging to. The river gradually calmed, and the small boat began to rise from the water, lifting toward where the "River God" awaited. The man quickly leaped from the boat back into the river. Ahead lay a massive, crimson presence—Ning Song Wu knew it was the River God’s eye. The River God opened its great mouth, a stench overwhelming the girls within, yet they were immobilized by its magic. Suddenly, a distant, cool voice rang out, "Dare you, foul creature!" Though calm, the sound made the River God howl in agony. It abandoned Ning Song Wu and the others, diving back into the river, fleeing toward the thick mist. With the River God’s magic no longer supporting it, the small boat plummeted downwards. Ran Fan Yin, having repelled the River God, pursued it aggressively. In truth, the golden fish was nothing more than a human-eating demon. This creature had terrorized Bai Lu Village for centuries, taking countless lives. Unluckily, the village bordered the demon realm, far from the areas where cultivators congregated. Naive villagers treated this fish as a River God to worship. Ran Fan Yin, dressed in blue, had hair styled simply with a wooden hairpin, a flute hung at her waist, and white boots atop her sword as she pursued the fleeing fish. In transit, she magically returned the uncontrolled boat to shore and loosened the ropes that bound the girls. Then, a figure approached from afar, revealing itself as a doll-faced woman clad in white. Approaching Lin Yu Xue, Ran Fan Yin commanded, "Yu Xue, tend to the children on the shore." Lin Yu Xue bowed in acknowledgment, "Yes, Sect Master’s Uncle." She then turned toward Ning Song Wu and the others, guided her sword to the shore, and approached the boat, where the frightened girls shrank from her. Observing their terrified faces and injured limbs, Lin Yu Xue felt a surge of anger but worried about scaring these poor girls. She smiled, speaking softly, "Don't be afraid, I'm Lin Yu Xue from Cang Jun Mountain. I've come to rescue you." To gain their trust, Lin Yu Xue used a spell to heal their wounds. Feeling no more pain and seeing Lin Yu Xue’s gentle appearance, the girls let down their guard and thanked her. Overwhelmed by their praises of "immortal sister," Lin Yu Xue felt a blush creep onto her cheeks, waving her hands bashfully, "Just call me Sister Yu Xue." Ning Song Wu watched it all with a cold detachment. Unlike the others, she offered a bland "thank you," as if completing an emotionless task. Intrigued by Ning Song Wu’s aloof demeanor, Lin Yu Xue glanced at her again, observing the girl who quietly shrunk into the shadows, showing not a hint of relief at surviving death. A distant roar echoed—the creature’s cry—followed by the river's fog thinning, as the view cleared. Lin Yu Xue spotted Ran Fan Yin in the distance. The dissipating mist signified Ran Fan Yin’s defeat of the fish demon. After securing the demon's core, Ran Fan Yin flew toward Ning Song Wu. Upon landing, she asked Lin Yu Xue, "Is everything arranged?" Feeling somewhat uneasy before her stern mentor, Lin Yu Xue confirmed, "Everything is arranged." The rescued girls discreetly watched Ran Fan Yin with curiosity, though she bore no smile, her voice carried the commanding tone of authority. To Ning Song Wu's eyes, a flash of surprise crossed her mind as she marveled at the beauty—the arched willow-like brows, long phoenix eyes, which at first appeared black but revealed a deep green upon closer inspection, a firm nose, lips of a subtle hue, and an unyielding expression. Yet, beneath this beauty lay a cool, unapproachable aura, precisely the type Ning Song Wu detested. She repressed her amazement, shrinking further into her corner to hide. Lin Yu Xue escorted the girls back home, taking time to make the villagers understand the fish demon situation, though the process was a struggle, it was, in the end, resolved. In the end, only Ning Song Wu remained, and Lin Yu Xue felt a headache brewing. This child had no family, and abandoning her despite the situation felt unjust. Gaining courage, she proposed, "Uncle Master, why not bring her to Cang Jun Mountain?" Softly imploring, Lin Yu Xue feared reprimand but needn’t have worried. Ran Fan Yin didn’t answer right away, stepping past Lin Yu Xue to stand before Ning Song Wu, gazing down at the lifelessly pretty girl. She returned the gaze with no discernible emotion, as if she were looking at something inanimate. Ran Fan Yin was puzzled, this gaze seemed familiar, yet elusive, stirring memories she couldn’t quite recall. Suppressing her curiosity, Ran Fan Yin questioned softly, "What is your name?" "Ning Song Wu." Undisturbed by the indifference in Ning Song Wu’s tone, she continued, "Would you come to Cang Jun Mountain with me?" Ning Song Wu, unfamiliar with life beyond Bai Lu Village, didn’t grasp that Cang Jun Mountain was the foremost sect in the cultivation world, nor did she recognize the formidable presence of Ran Fan Yin, whose very name struck fear into demons. Her thoughts were simple—if she survived, then she should live well. And living well required food. After some rare deliberation, she asked earnestly, "If I go with you, will I have enough to eat?" Ran Fan Yin, momentarily surprised by the straightforward wish of this seemingly indifferent girl, maintained her composure and responded, "Yes." Resolutely, Ning Song Wu extended her hand, "Then I’ll go with you." Ran Fan Yin observed the scars on her hand, resembling claw marks from an animal, unsure of her gesture’s intent. Suddenly, Ning Song Wu withdrew her hand, "Apologies, my mother used to hold my hand like that when walking, old habits." Ran Fan Yin simply replied, "It’s alright," then ascended her sword into the sky. Lin Yu Xue approached Ning Song Wu with a gentle pat, "Little junior sister, come with me." Unveiling her sword, Lin Yu Xue leapt aboard, urging Ning Song Wu to join her. "When we fly, it might get fast. Close your eyes if you’re scared, little sister." Ning Song Wu shook her head, "I’m fine, Senior Immortal." "Oh, no need to be so formal, just call me Senior Sister. Now hold on!" During the journey, Lin Yu Xue excitedly introduced Cang Jun Mountain and Ran Fan Yin to Ning Song Wu, her words filled with pride. "Don’t be intimidated by Uncle Master; she’s just a bit cold but truly kind underneath." Lin Yu Xue's attempt at reassurance wasn't very convincing, as even she harbored fear of Ran Fan Yin. Ran Fan Yin hadn't actually done anything to warrant fear, yet Lin Yu Xue couldn't shake off her apprehension. Ning Song Wu caught a glimpse of distrust in her eyes but chose not to voice it. As she observed the figure cloaked in blue ahead, Ning Song Wu was filled with confusion. It seemed as if Ran Fan Yin was waiting for them. Despite the swift speed of the sword flight, Ning Song Wu didn't feel the expected harsh winds. Looking up at Lin Yu Xue, she asked, "Did the Immortal Master cast a spell? It seems as though the wind has ceased." Prompted by Ning Song Wu's observation, Lin Yu Xue only then realized the peculiarity. Glancing at her flying mentor ahead, she concluded, "I haven't cast any spell. It must be Uncle Master's work." Lin Yu Xue's demeanor appeared genuine, but Ning Song Wu, indifferent to gratitude due to her deadened spirit, remained unaffected. Their conversation drifted to Ran Fan Yin, who felt a bit uneasy overhearing it, "Yu Xue, let's not chat." Called again by her stern mentor, Lin Yu Xue tensed up once more, "Yes, Sect Master’s Uncle!" Ning Song Wu paid little heed to these exchanges and closed her eyes to rest. Ran Fan Yin glanced back, her brows knitting slightly with an expression of puzzlement. She could sense a faint, elusive aura of demonic energy emanating from Ning Song Wu, the true reason she agreed to bring Ning Song Wu along. Setting aside her suspicions for the moment, Ran Fan Yin resolved to closely observe Ning Song Wu while keeping her by her side.