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

Chapter 93: Embrace~ The human race is not limited to the Cangjun Mountain Sect; however, other celestial sects regard Cangjun Mountain as the leader. Currently, since the demon race is not yet eradicated, all celestial sects are united in their efforts. Recently, Cangjun Mountain received a plea for help from the Northern Li Shui Sect, reporting that a malevolent mist had taken hold in their governed area. Disciples sent to investigate had not returned, including a Nascent Soul stage elder. Lacking substantial power, Li Shui Sect sought assistance from Cangjun Mountain. Naturally, Cangjun Mountain wouldn’t stand idly by. Upon receiving the request, Cen Ran dispatched his two disciples to the northern frontier to handle the matter. Unexpectedly, Ran Fan Yin also decided to take action and brought along her burdensome disciple. Though Cen Ran was puzzled, this senior sister was beyond his control. Thus, Ning Song Wu, who had no cultivation at all, was forcibly taken to the Northern frontier. In addition to Ran Fan Yin, Lin Yu Xue and Luo Sheng, Cen Ran’s disciples, accompanied Ning Song Wu. After arriving at the Li Shui Sect, the group didn’t linger long and followed the guidance elder to the Wan Jia Village shrouded in the malicious fog. "Fairy, this is the place." Ran Fan Yin concealed her appearance and sword, which is why the guidance elder addressed her as a fairy rather than a revered person. Without needing the elder's reminder, Ran Fan Yin sensed it. Beneath them, two mountain peaks were enveloped in a dense black mist. Sharing the same flying sword as Ran Fan Yin, Ning Song Wu peeked out from behind her, sniffing lightly as she detected a faint metallic scent. Luo Sheng, ever the stern and serious individual, furrowed her brow and requested, "Martial Aunt, allow me to scout ahead." The guidance elder cautioned, "Fairy, please wait. This mist is peculiar; rushing in may not be wise." "Indeed, senior sister. You’re only at the Golden Core stage; it wouldn't be wise to advance recklessly." Lin Yu Xue also voiced her warning. Luo Sheng seemed somewhat unwilling, glaring at Lin Yu Xue. "I understand, but junior sister, you accompany me, two Golden Cores should suffice." Lin Yu Xue shook her hands frantically, "Senior sister, you must be joking; I’m not adept in combat." Luo Sheng was about to argue further when she noticed Ran Fan Yin making a move. Both Lin Yu Xue and Luo Sheng's expressions changed, and they swiftly retreated on their swords away from Ran Fan Yin. Ran Fan Yin quietly raised her hand, slicing through the air as a fierce gale suddenly arose, cleaving the black mist in half and revealing the Wan Jia Village within. Ning Song Wu shielded her face with her sleeve as the strong wind whipped her robes, making it impossible for her to keep her eyes open. It was her first time experiencing the formidable power of Ran Fan Yin. The guidance elder was also startled, having previously tried to tear through the mist to no avail. Finally, the wind ceased, and Ran Fan Yin’s serene voice reached Ning Song Wu's ears, "Let’s go." Ning Song Wu opened her eyes to see the houses between the mountains. Due to the forceful wind, many of the structures were destroyed beyond recognition. Inside, Ning Song Wu broke into a cold sweat, suspecting that Ran Fan Yin wasn’t here to save anyone but to demolish buildings. Ran Fan Yin offered an explanation, perhaps due to the overt expression on Ning Song Wu's face, "There are no living souls below." Startled, Ning Song Wu found herself being swiftly brought to the ground by Ran Fan Yin. Upon landing, Ning Song Wu felt nauseated. In the air, she only sensed it vaguely, but now in the village, the overwhelming scent of blood hit her nose. The aura here was filthier than the stench mentioned by the demon fish in Bai Lu Village. Just as she was about to retch, a hand reached over to cover her nose. The fingers were slender, with a cool fragrance that instantly quelled her nausea. Seeing the cyan sleeve, Ning Song Wu naturally recognized that it was Ran Fan Yin who had helped her. Her feelings were mixed as she turned slightly to peer behind. Ran Fan Yin’s gaze remained fixed ahead, not on her. After landing, Luo Sheng and Lin Yu Xue went to inspect the buildings on either side, but found no traces of anyone inside. As they sought to regroup with Ran Fan Yin, a sudden gust rose again, and black mist began seeping from the ground, soon shrouding the village once more. The sickening odor assaulted them from every direction, and Ning Song Wu could no longer smell the cool fragrance from before. "Master?" Silence surrounded her, with no response; it seemed she had been separated from Ran Fan Yin. Unperturbed, Ning Song Wu chose a random direction and started walking. Oddly, there were supposed to be buildings, yet she encountered no obstacles. A bone-chilling cold seeped into Ning Song Wu’s body, prompting her to hug her shoulders tightly. Darkness loomed ahead, bringing forth a wave of fear. Memories surged—her parents devoured by demons, her narrow escape, the friends she hurt, the precarious life as a beggar, and being humiliated by Cangjun Mountain disciples. Fear, sorrow, and resentment intertwined, making her heart feel like it was about to explode. Ning Song Wu halted, her face contorted in pain as she clutched her ears, finally shouting, "Who's playing tricks! Show yourself!" A hoarse voice emerged from the darkness ahead, "Quite the interesting child, but lacking cultivation makes you less flavorful." Emotions continued corroding Ning Song Wu’s mind. Struggling to regain clarity, she managed to converse with the instigator, "I'm not tasty—my master is. The woman in cyan." Ning Song Wu betrayed her master without hesitation. Amused by the supposedly deep bond, the voice chuckled again, "Haha, amusing child. But your master is too old; I prefer them young." Despite her pallid complexion, Ning Song Wu maintained an earnest expression, "Senior, you shouldn’t be picky. My master is a cultivator, surely tastier than a mere mortal like me." "Loyalty runs deep for you, child. I fancy the young. Why not become my disciple?" "But senior, you remain hidden in the darkness, and I can't discern if you're human or demon." As her mind regained a touch of clarity, Ning Song Wu pondered Ran Fan Yin and the others, wondering if they'd noticed her absence. Whatever this was, at least it didn't consume people like Ran Fan Yin. Gradually, a woman’s silhouette emerged from the darkness. Her features were stunning, clad in red, graceful and with an enchanting allure. She approached Ning Song Wu, speaking in a voice incongruous with her appearance, "Child, do I look like a demon or a human now?" As the tumultuous negativity subsided entirely, Ning Song Wu sighed in relief and began flattering the red-clad woman with an earnest smile, "A beautiful elder sister." Compliments never hurt, after all. The red-clad woman paused briefly before laughing heartily, "You are indeed amusing, child. But how about now?" Upon speaking, her appearance shifted to reveal a skeletal visage speaking, "And now, what do you think?" Were she allowed honesty, Ning Song Wu might comment, "Well, you’re certainly skeletal," but such words were unwise now. "Your skeleton is beautiful too." Ning Song Wu’s sincerity appeared genuine, and the red-clad woman seemed entertained by her brazen lies, now in high spirits. "What’s your name, sweet-tongued child?" "This junior is Ning Song Wu. How should I address you, senior?" "...Chen Si Ting." "Why is Senior Chen here to, uh... undertake grand endeavors?" Ning Song Wu nearly uttered "wreak havoc," but caught herself just in time. Once more in her alluring guise, Chen Si Ting scrutinized Ning Song Wu's face before relinquishing her search. Playfully, she teased, "You’re trying to pry information out of me." Though smiling, her eyes glinted with coldness. Ning Song Wu was alarmed, hastily assuring, "Absolutely not. If I am, may my life find no peace." A vow severe as this escaped Ning Song Wu, yet she was unaware that Chen Si Ting had the ability to read minds, hesitant to devour Ning Song Wu due to a fearsome power lurking within her. Even now, simply nearing Ning Song Wu, Chen Si Ting felt her soul disperse, prompting retreat with a laugh, "I trust you." Internally sweating, Ning Song Wu dared not inquire further, wishing for someone to rescue her while another inner voice clamored for death. Amid her turmoil, the familiar cool fragrance reached her nose. She was suddenly calmed—Ran Fan Yin's fragrance. Sure enough, a sword light flashed toward Chen Si Ting the next instant. Caught by surprise, Chen Si Ting hadn’t expected anyone to breach her barrier here; the formidable sword light compelled her to defensively raise a pitch-black fan. Ran Fan Yin swiftly retrieved the stunned Ning Song Wu, murmuring gently, "Are you alright?" Ning Song Wu emerged from her daze. Despite disliking Ran Fan Yin, she couldn't deny feeling secure with her timely arrival. Composing herself, Ning Song Wu shook her head to indicate no harm. Ran Fan Yin set Ning Song Wu down, instructing calmly, "Watch." She then leaped forward on her cyan sword, advancing toward Chen Si Ting. Ran Fan Yin's sword, like her attire, bore a cyan blade with a silver-white hilt, known as Qing Shuang. Chen Si Ting was taken aback, "The Qing Shuang Sword! You're Ran Fan Yin!" Ran Fan Yin didn’t respond; she merely intensified her assault. However, Chen Si Ting had lost the will to fight. With a sweep of her black fan, she enveloped the surroundings in black mist and vanished within. Stabbing into thin air didn't frustrate Ran Fan Yin, as she knew there was a formation here. Though she didn't understand formations, she was aware that all formations had limits. She thrust Qing Shuang into the ground, causing the surrounding darkness to crack and reveal some streaks of light. Just as she prepared to amplify her efforts to break this formation, a pained groan from behind caught her attention. Ning Song Wu lay on the ground, her body curled up, with blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Pleased with herself, Chen Si Ting’s voice echoed from all directions, "Honorable Qing Shuang, you may continue, but let me kindly remind you, if you force this formation, your disciple will lose her life, hahaha." Ran Fan Yin lifted the writhing Ning Song Wu to examine her injuries, rare anger flaring in her eyes, "Despicable demon." "As expected of Honorable Qing Shuang, but unfortunately, you're trapped by this demon today. How about we strike a deal?" "Speak." "Let me go today, and I’ll spare your disciple." "Alright." Unexpectedly, Ran Fan Yin agreed so swiftly that Chen Si Ting was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, "Hahaha, I didn't expect the venerable one to care so much for her." To demonstrate her sincerity, Ran Fan Yin sheathed Qing Shuang and even took an oath. Trusting her for the moment, the demon lifted her control over Ning Song Wu, whose expression immediately relaxed as she fainted into Ran Fan Yin's arms. The dense fog dispersed, and the black mist faded away. Ran Fan Yin saw light again, finding the scene unchanged; it was still Wan Jia Village. The demon's attack was on the mind, making everything that had just occurred an illusion, yet striking directly at the soul. Ning Song Wu lay unconscious in Ran Fan Yin's embrace, with no trace of blood at her lips, still trapped in a nightmare. The other three who accompanied them had all succumbed to sleep, sprawled on the ground. Ran Fan Yin placed Ning Song Wu gently aside, casting a protective spell over her. With that done, she leaped in pursuit of the demon’s fleeing path.