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

Chapter 99: Outside the Realm (1) For Ning Song Wu, becoming Ran Fan Yin's disciple wasn't all that bad. The perks were significantly better than those of an ordinary disciple, but dealing with a stern face every day was rather grating. She hadn't expected the sect leader's residence to be so plain, but Ning Song Wu wasn't picky. She ate and drank as she pleased, fully embracing her carefree lifestyle. Ran Fan Yin had other motives in taking Ning Song Wu as her disciple, but as those plans remained unclear, she conscientiously fulfilled her duties as a master. Unfortunately, her rebellious disciple was exasperating enough to test the patience of a master over five hundred years old. Initially, Ran Fan Yin didn't truly intend to take her on. Most would have given up on someone like Ning Song Wu, letting her fend for herself, but Ran Fan Yin wasn’t like most people. The more obstacles she faced, the more determined she became, resolved to steer this lazy pupil onto the right path. In the process, she nearly forgot her original intentions for taking a disciple. Ning Song Wu found Ran Fan Yin's constant supervision irritating. Nothing escaped her attention, making it impossible for Ning Song Wu to slack off. If she insisted on not training, she could kiss her meals goodbye for the day. Feeling strangled under Ran Fan Yin's watchful eye, Ning Song Wu grew resentful. She wouldn’t openly rebel but instead pretended to be dimwitted to test her master's patience. On Chao Ci Peak, the presence of Mo Yin was much heavier than at the foot, a dark mass blanketing the view. Even the small courtyard that Ran Fan Yin called home had its share, where Ning Song Wu was currently meditating. Ran Fan Yin stood on the porch, observing her to prevent any slackening. Today, Ning Song Wu appeared uncharacteristically earnest in her meditation, eliciting a barely perceptible smile from Ran Fan Yin. Not precisely a smile, as it barely managed to lift the corners of her lips. The sudden diligence of her disciple amused Ran Fan Yin, and she recalled her recent harsh words, considering praise was due today. But seeing Ning Song Wu so focused, Ran Fan Yin hesitated to interrupt and drifted closer like a wisp. Upon nearer inspection, something was off; Ning Song Wu wasn’t meditating sincerely—she was simply fast asleep, her even breaths betraying her serene slumber. With a sharp crack, Ran Fan Yin snapped a piece of Mo Yin, causing it to shatter in two with the top portion clattering to the floor. The noise jolted Ning Song Wu awake. Rubbing her eyes, she found Ran Fan Yin's aggravated expression looming over her, banishing any trace of sleepiness. "Master." Ran Fan Yin, gazing at the startled young woman, struggled to mask her frustration. "Is training so intolerable for you?" Feigning remorse, Ning Song Wu replied, "This disciple is dull-witted and unworthy of Master’s teachings." Ran Fan Yin noted Ning Song Wu’s anxious demeanor and softened slightly, remembering how Ning Song Wu had never wanted to be her disciple in the first place, a relationship founded on compulsion. If nothing else, Ning Song Wu was only sixteen now. Ran Fan Yin pondered that mere observation needn’t require an apprenticeship. She could simply remain on Chao Ci Peak as a menial disciple. It seemed a practical solution. "Since you don’t wish to be my apprentice, you can stay here and help with the cleaning." Ning Song Wu perked up at the prospect of the master-disciple bond being severed but was dismayed to realize she’d still be stuck on Chao Ci Peak under Ran Fan Yin’s watchful, ever-cold gaze. Yet, at least it meant she wouldn’t be forced to train, marking a small victory. Cautiously masking her thoughts, Ning Song Wu asked, "Is there anything specific a menial disciple must do?" "Nothing much. Just maintain the structures on this peak." Ran Fan Yin’s voice echoed in Ning Song Wu's mind, though the sect leader's quarters were rudimentary; the peak housed many rooms. Ran Fan Yin didn’t like having others around, so currently, only she and Ning Song Wu resided there. Hoping against hope, Ning Song Wu confirmed, "Every room, every day?" "Yes." "How many rooms are there on this peak?" "Hundreds." "Master! It’s my fault. Don't expel me from the sect!" Ning Song Wu collapsed to her knees and lunged forward, trying to grasp Ran Fan Yin’s leg, but the master anticipated the act and deftly stepped back. Thus, Ning Song Wu found herself face-down on the ground, adding another grievance to her mental ledger against Ran Fan Yin. "Old hag! One day I'll have my revenge!" "Aren’t you the one who doesn’t want to be my disciple?" Though Ran Fan Yin’s face was unreadable, Ning Song Wu felt mocked. Clearly, someone so outwardly stoic was secretly mischievous. Ironically, Ran Fan Yin truly had no intention of coercing Ning Song Wu. During her own time as a menial disciple, this had been her experience, leading her to instinctively believe it was acceptable. "I do wish to be your disciple—I'm just too dull," Ning Song Wu pleaded. Dust-covered, eyes full of hope, she seemed so different from their first encounter's apathetic figure, creating a discordant impression for Ran Fan Yin. Ultimately, whether Ning Song Wu was an official disciple or a menial one made no difference to Ran Fan Yin. With the sun dipping towards the horizon, it was time for dinner. A perfectly timed growl escaped Ning Song Wu’s stomach, accentuating the awkward silence between them. Finally relenting, Ran Fan Yin turned to head inside, "Go eat." Watching her master’s figure retreat, Ning Song Wu shook off the dust and resumed her usual aloof demeanor. Chao Ci Peak was overrun with Mo Yin and offered nothing edible. Meanwhile, on Zhao Lu Peak, a dining hall catered to new disciples, but the journey between peaks was a lengthy one, requiring treks across rugged terrain. As she walked, Ning Song Wu loudly cursed Ran Fan Yin in her mind, strongly suspecting the master of deliberately tormenting her. Indeed, Ran Fan Yin was strategic about it, seeking to mold her pupil by these hardships into tossing aside indolence and embracing training. Besides, the technique Ran Fan Yin handed to Ning Song Wu was problematic, designed to suppress demonic races while harmless to humans, serving as a test subject in her experiment. As Ning Song Wu descended the peak, more and more people appeared, mostly clad in the white robes of the disciples of Cang Jun Mountain, creating a sea of white. Ignoring them, Ning Song Wu focused solely on her own sensations of hunger and fatigue. Upon descending Chao Ci Peak, she faced the uphill path to Zhao Lu Peak. If looks could kill, Ran Fan Yin would have been riddled with holes by now. Dripping sweat, Ning Song Wu trudged towards Zhao Lu Peak amidst the bustling new disciples, who, unlike her, seemed untroubled by such exertions due to their training. Passing disciples spared a glance at Ning Song Wu, casting looks of surprise. Whispers of ridicule mingled with the jealousy in some eyes, recognizing her as the sect leader’s newly taken disciple, albeit in name only—a point of envy for many. Aware of the stares, Ning Song Wu held onto a bitter inner laugh, "Disgusting now, they lack power yet are already so loathsome." Finally reaching the dining hall, Ning Song Wu’s legs wobbled in exhaustion. Clutching the doorframe for support, she feared collapse. Despite the days since becoming Ran Fan Yin’s disciple, she hadn’t adjusted to this routine. With her strength partially restored, Ning Song Wu entered to get her meal, seeking a secluded corner to settle down. Fatigued and eager to return to Chao Ci Peak, she regretted not staying back in Bai Lu Village as a beggar instead. Just as she lifted a piece of meat toward her mouth, a startling crash interrupted—her table overturned, scattering food everywhere, leaving her stunned before the mess. The table’s front legs had been sabotaged, but the underlying issue lay with those sitting nearby; stifled laughter erupted, merging into an irritating clamor. With only a single piece of meat left in her hand, Ning Song Wu calmly consumed it before addressing the culprits. Two tables away, four individuals—a mix of two men and two women—fixed their mocking gaze on her, making the instigator obvious. Without losing composure, Ning Song Wu queried, "May I ask what this means, senior brothers and sisters?" Technically, as Ran Fan Yin’s disciple, Ning Song Wu outranked them and could even address them as juniors. The male facing her directly was Ning Bu Wei, the group's leader. His reason for targeting her was simple enough: he had aspired to become Ran Fan Yin’s disciple but never succeeded. A simple village girl suddenly emerged, acquiring effortlessly what Ning Bu Wei desired for so long. Without standing up, Ning Bu Wei rested one leg on a stool, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "I just wanted to spar with the sect leader's disciple; I didn't expect you to be this slow." Though Ning Song Wu had suspected this motive, she had to admit that Ran Fan Yin seemed to be her nemesis. Once more, she mentally noted her grievances against Ran Fan Yin. Ning Song Wu was never one to play the saint. She calmly approached Ning Bu Wei and his companions. The dining hall fell silent, all eyes on Ning Song Wu, each of her footsteps echoing clearly. Ning Bu Wei's amusement faltered, puzzled by Ning Song Wu’s lack of anger despite being bullied. As she neared, he lowered his leg and furrowed his brow at her approach. Ning Song Wu gazed down at him with an icy stare. Feeling the pressure to maintain face, Ning Bu Wei stood to tower over her. Suddenly, Ning Song Wu smiled, causing Ning Bu Wei to question her shifting emotions, "What’s this? Do you actually want to hit me?" "Yes, that's exactly what I intend to do." With a resounding slap, Ning Bu Wei's cheek bore the mark of her hand, the force catching him off guard, leaving a red imprint. Ning Song Wu shook her hand in disdain, "Tsk, pretty thick-skinned. That hurt my hand." Finally, Ning Bu Wei’s companions reacted. The female disciple closest to Ning Song Wu pushed her to the ground, ready to give her a lesson. "Let's see who dares! If I return with a single scratch, my master will certainly demand justice for me!" "My master won't tolerate narrow-minded people like you remaining in Cang Jun Mountain!" These words struck fear into the group. Ning Bu Wei, regaining his composure, snarled, "Don't listen to her! Beat her and just heal her after, problem solved!" Ning Song Wu burst into laughter, "Hahaha!" Grinding his teeth, Ning Bu Wei snapped, "What are you laughing at?" Wiping her tears of mirth, Ning Song Wu's eyes glinted with a hint of madness as she struggled up and leaned close to Ning Bu Wei, whispering her threat, "You heal me, but what's to stop me from injuring myself again? I'll be harsher on myself than you could ever be! Think... who does the sect leader trust more? You or me?" The recklessness in her words chilled Ning Bu Wei to the core, his sweat beading, "You're insane!" Ning Song Wu embraced the moniker with glee, "Thank you! I am insane, so you'd best not mess with me!" Patting Ning Bu Wei’s shoulder with a smile, Ning Song Wu walked out of the dining hall, step by step. "Brother Ning, should we still teach her a lesson?" one of the girls quietly asked Ning Bu Wei. Clenching his fists, he kicked over a table in frustration, finally admitting, "She got lucky today!" Before troubling Ning Song Wu, Ning Bu Wei had investigated her background, expecting to easily intimidate a timid, impoverished girl. However, reality proved far from it. His face still burning, Ning Bu Wei couldn’t swallow his anger. Glaring around the room, he threatened, "Keep today’s events to yourselves. Any leaks, and my Ning family will deal with it." Regardless of Ning Bu Wei's simmering rage, Ning Song Wu was equally upset. It seemed she would endure hunger yet again. By the time she returned to Ran Fan Yin's small courtyard, night had fallen. Unanticipatedly, Ran Fan Yin was not meditating but was instead standing on the porch. Ning Song Wu's sole desire was sleep, to escape the pangs of hunger. Nevertheless, proper decorum called for a greeting. "Master." "Hmm." Suddenly, her stomach growled, prompting Ning Song Wu to clutch it hastily. Ran Fan Yin, mildly surprised, maintained her impassive demeanor, "Didn't you eat?" "...No." "Why not?" "…" Ning Song Wu was reluctant to explain, knowing such issues were unavoidable and likely to increase. As the leader of Cang Jun Mountain, Ran Fan Yin couldn’t always attend to her. Moreover, Ning Song Wu suspected Ran Fan Yin had an ulterior motive; she didn’t resemble a prodigious talent, so why insist on taking her as a disciple? Keeping her emotions tightly under wraps, Ning Song Wu remained silent, showcasing a façade of mild grievance. Naturally, this was feigned. Her strategy was to appear unremarkable, considering today's incident was trivial and unlikely to prompt a serious inquiry from Ran Fan Yin. "Come, let's eat." Ning Song Wu doubted her hearing, casting a glance at the notoriously stern woman. Ran Fan Yin spared her no glance, summoning her flying sword and gesturing for Ning Song Wu to join. Perhaps recalling something, Ran Fan Yin added, "This time, you don't need to hold onto me. You won't fall." Dazed, Ning Song Wu nodded. Ran Fan Yin took Ning Song Wu to the town at the base of Cang Jun Mountain, but as night fell, the restaurants were already closed, their outing futile. Being elevated in status for so long had distanced Ran Fan Yin from such earthly concerns, leading to this oversight. Meanwhile, Ning Song Wu, nearly faint from hunger, could barely stand. Utterly drained, Ning Song Wu only longed for sleep, or to sleep and escape her discomfort altogether. Seeing Ning Song Wu's struggle sparked guilt in Ran Fan Yin. Nevertheless, she could neither cook nor concoct medicines, her skills limited to combative magic, unfamiliar with practical conjurations. To Ran Fan Yin, only demon-slaying spellwork mattered. "Feeling terrible?" she asked. With a weak affirmation, Ning Song Wu was too fatigued. Seeing no solution here, Ran Fan Yin resolved to take Ning Song Wu back. Commanding her flying sword towards Chao Ci Peak, a sudden weight settled on Ran Fan Yin's shoulder. Startled, she noted Ning Song Wu's gentle breaths beside her. Under the moon’s tender glow, the sleeping girl seemed serene, and Ran Fan Yin sighed, permitting her to lean against her. Upon returning, Ran Fan Yin gently placed Ning Song Wu on her bed, tucking her in before departing quietly. Reflecting on Ning Song Wu's unbroken fast and arduous trek, Ran Fan Yin shook her head at the girl's room, realizing, "Perhaps I’m unfit to be a master after all."