- Crazy! Criticizing the Prime Minister for Being a Servant

### Chapter 71: The Snowman Transforms The previously passing disciples of the Sky Blaze Sect murmured amongst themselves before gradually leaving. Ran Fanyin and Ning Songwu held their breaths as the footsteps faded down the stairs. Once calm resumed, they continued along the beams towards the end of the corridor. As expected, at the end of the corridor stood the door to a room, guarded by two men with swords. Ran Fanyin pulled Ning Songwu down atop the beams above the door, conveniently allowing them to eavesdrop from directly overhead. Through narrow gaps, they could catch glimpses of the interior. The room was spacious. Draped before the head seat was a curtain of beads, obscuring the person behind in a haze. Nevertheless, it was evident there was a tall man in a black hat seated there. Before the curtain stood a burly man with a sword, as described by Duanxi, and a woman dressed in traditional Miao attire. Opposite them sat Lin Yuxue, her face hidden behind a white jade mask, flanked by Wu Ji, Wu Gong, and Wu Ming. The clink of a teacup against its lid emerged from behind the curtain, followed by the steady voice of a middle-aged man, "How may I address this young gentleman?" Lin Yuxue smiled, "Just a wanderer, without a name." "Miao Shan," the middle-aged voice called suddenly, "Serve the guest some tea." "Yes, Master." The woman in Miao attire sauntered forward, her demeanor seductive, her danfeng eyes brimming with alluring charm, swaying her hips as she carried the teapot to pour tea for Lin Yuxue. Ran Fanyin, watching the steaming tea pour from the pot, narrowed her eyes and scribbled in Ning Songwu's palm, "The tea is suspicious." Ning Songwu frowned deeply, her eyes riveted to the scene inside. Lin Yuxue took the cup, sipped, and without a trace, discreetly expelled the tea back into the cup before setting it down. She said, "I've heard that this senior enjoys intriguing tales from other martial artists, so I've come here. What might the senior wish to hear?" "Just some tales from the martial world," the middle-aged man chuckled lightly, "Are you familiar with the Bing Mountain Sect?" "Yes, a rather elusive sect from the martial world. It’s said their members have unclean hands, primarily living off grave-robbing." Lin Yuxue replied straightforwardly, though slightly curious about the unusual inquiry. “Then have you heard of the grave in Ming Hill they robbed a few years back?” the man paused after sipping his tea, “The grave of one of the emperor’s concubines, named Consort Si.” “I'm sorry, that’s something I haven’t heard of,” Lin Yuxue replied, brow furrowing as she grew increasingly baffled by the man's questions. “Well, you must be aware of the Sky Blaze Gate, and its leader, Wen Jinglei?” The man's voice turned a touch icy. Lin Yuxue's fingers tensed briefly, exchanging a look with Wu Ji. “Then do you know Wen Jinglei had a daughter named Wen Mianluo?” The middle-aged man’s tone grew increasingly severe, each word imbued with an aura that brooked no refusal. Wen Mianluo. Wen Mianluo…! Ning Songwu shuddered violently at the mention of the name, something fleeting through her mind that she couldn’t grasp. She shut her eyes, a voice echoing within her: “After the thunder, there must be a restful fall, thus called Wen Mianluo…” “Ah Luo, do you fancy this name?” “When Mianluo grows up, she will surely be the most beautiful person…” “Ah Luo, do you remember where your home is? Who brought you here?” “Ah Luo…” Having returned to Cangjun Mountain for some time, Ning Songwu remained mostly unharmed, yet her head throbbed due to overexposure to illusions. This wasn’t a big deal, expected to heal with proper care. Ran Fanyin embarked on a closed-door session upon returning to the sect, instructing Lin Yuxue to look after Ning Songwu. Ning Songwu relished the peace. Lin Yuxue collected her for meals regularly, keeping life leisurely and relaxed. Often, they dined at the peak of Chaoji Summit. Lin Yuxue, having long since forsaken food, merely accompanied Ning Songwu. However, today was different. Lin Yuxue mysteriously produced a jug of wine from her space ring. She enticingly offered, "Little junior sister, would you like to try this?" The unopened jug emitted a fragrance eager to escape, indicating its high quality. Yet Ning Songwu, recalling many embarrassing drunken mishaps she’d seen, flatly refused. “No need, senior sister,” she declined without second thought. Lin Yuxue’s enthusiasm waned but remained persistent, “This is my own brew, just a fruit wine, it won't get you drunk.” “No.” Ning Songwu continued her meal, ignoring Lin Yuxue’s imploring gaze. Lin Yuxue finally relented, placing the wine near Ning Songwu, "I'll gift it to you. Whether you taste it is up to you. Just let me know your thoughts if you do." Puzzled by Lin Yuxue's insistence, Ning Songwu set down her utensils curiously, “Is senior sister very interested in winemaking?” Lin Yuxue seemed slightly embarrassed, scratching her cheek, stuttering, "Not particularly." "Then why spend time on something so trivial?" Ning Songwu probed, believing Lin Yuxue, normally pragmatic, to not engage in meaningless pursuits. Cold sweat dotted Lin Yuxue’s brow, feeling exposed, she mumbled, "Trying to intoxicate a certain stubborn bull." When Lin Yuxue wouldn’t elaborate, Ning Songwu didn’t press. Some cultivators did raise spirit beasts; perhaps a wine-loving beast caught her sister’s eyes, prompting this newfound interest. Ning Songwu accepted the gift without fuss, adding, "Then I'll accept it, though I have nothing to give in return." Lin Yuxue waved off the concern, "Unnecessary, I merely seek opinions on the wine." "In that case, senior sister could ask others. I lack the experience to provide a valuable opinion." This notion troubled Lin Yuxue, who sighed, “You see, on Cangjun Mountain, we hold relatively high status. Giving it to other disciples would only invite flattery. As for Senior Sister Luo…” Lin Yuxue paused, her concern evident, “Senior Sister Luo despises me.” Ning Songwu had noticed this too. Despite being sisters-in-law, Luo Sheng’s demeanor always soured in Lin Yuxue's presence. While generally unapproachable, her mood worsened when Lin Yuxue was around. Lin Yuxue, inherently gentle and approachable, boasted a high position as Cen Ran's disciple, garnering good relations within Cangjun Mountain. On the contrary, Luo Sheng's stern and rigid nature made her unpopular. Ning Songwu genuinely enjoyed watching Lin Yuxue face challenges; not out of spite, but pure amusement. Laughing, she teased, “Didn’t expect there’d be someone you couldn’t handle. Quite surprising.” Holding her knees close, Lin Yuxue looked dejected, her tone quieter than usual, “Yeah, quite troublesome.” Being acquainted with each other, Lin Yuxue knew Ning Songwu wouldn't mind such admissions, which eased her worries. Ning Songwu also couldn’t comprehend why Ran Fanyin chose her, believing her only noteworthy asset was her life. After Chen Siting was subdued, Ran Fanyin sought answers regarding Chen’s mother at Li Shui Sect, but found none. Nor was there any record of ghostly happenings in Wan’s village. Given how it all unfolded, the chance of Li Shui Sect's involvement seemed slim, meaning either the sect or Chen Siting was false. Yet, Chen’s raw emotion back then seemed very real. “Chen Siting fell victim to illusions,” Ran Fanyin’s voice disrupted Ning Songwu’s contemplation. "Illusions? But..." "A formation was constructed at Wan's village, bewitching the mind and siphoning spiritual energy. Chen Siting was merely trapped within the array." “Can it be broken?” "No, the village was just a fragment of a larger formation. Even my strongest blow couldn’t unsettle it." Ning Songwu was astonished, feeling like their efforts had been in vain. Contemplating this, her headache worsened. She rubbed her temples, discomfort apparent, "So, Master, what do we do now?" Observing her distress, Ran Fanyin hesitated before placing a reassuring hand on her forehead. The cool touch eased her pain, and Ning Songwu relaxed, "Thank you, Master." Without change in expression, Ran Fanyin continued, “Your uncle will handle the situation here. Let’s return to Cangjun Mountain.” Naturally, Ning Songwu had no objections; she longed for a good rest. During the journey back to Cangjun Mountain, a burst of curiosity arose within Ning Songwu. Watching the person ahead, it struck her how such seemingly narrow shoulders bore the weight of the world. The stronger a person becomes, the more indifferent they seem towards life. They grow accustomed to deciding the fate of others, and this is precisely why Ning Songwu dislikes the powerful. Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Ning Songwu softly asked, "Master, if what Chen Siting says is true, what will you do?" Ran Fanyin pondered in silence for a moment. "If she speaks the truth, she has harmed others, and yet she herself was wronged. The only thing I can do is to dispel her resentment and send her to reincarnation." "Master, you are truly kind. But this decision still allows for some choice." In life, situations arise where one cannot attend to all things at once. How will you choose then? Thinking too much made Ning Songwu’s head throb once again. Her subtle frown caught Ran Fanyin's attention. Recalling something she read, after some internal struggle, Ran Fanyin gently offered, "If you're tired, you can lean on my shoulder." Ning Songwu was certain that today the sun rose from the east. Was she still trapped in an illusion? Yet she was too exhausted to care. illusion or reality, she wanted comfort. Resting her head on Ran Fanyin's shoulder, she gazed up at Ran's red-tinted earlobe, reminiscent of cherries from Bai Lu village’s cherry tree. Back then, she would gaze longingly at those cherries, wishing they’d fall into her lap. The tree’s owner, however, showed no compassion to the dirty little beggar girl, driving her away with a broom as if she were a stray dog. Ning Songwu harbored no grudges over past memories, only finding it amusing that in her current daze, she mistook the red earlobe for a cherry and gradually leaned closer. Her breath brushed against Ran Fanyin's neck, sending a shiver through her. Startled, Ran jerked away, eyes wide with alarm. "What are you doing?" Recalling Ran Fanyin’s shocked expression, Ning Songwu couldn't help but chuckle. Watching her alternate between dazing off and laughing, Lin Yuxue's inner gossip flared up, like a girl infatuated with first love. She sidled close to Ning Songwu, whispering, “Junior sister, have you found someone you fancy? Which junior brother from the peaks might it be?” Ning Songwu's smile stiffened. "Not a junior brother, I..." "Ah, then it must be a junior sister! Don’t worry, senior sister will support you!" Lin Yuxue patted Ning Songwu’s shoulder, her eyes gleaming with friendliness. Ning Songwu couldn't tolerate it anymore and swatted Lin Yuxue’s hand away. “It’s not that either! I'm not secretly in love with anyone!” What on earth is wrong with this person? If not a junior brother, could it not be someone from outside Cangjun Mountain? To immediately assume it was a junior sister was truly absurd. Lin Yuxue, rubbing her chin in thought, suddenly recoiled in mock horror. "You don't have feelings for me, do you? That won't do; I already have someone I like!" Veins bulged on Ning Songwu's forehead. She grabbed a handful of grass and hurled it at Lin Yuxue. “Go die! Stop being so narcissistic; why would I ever be in love with you?” Lin Yuxue deftly dodged, then with a hint of urgency, asked, “Then who do you fancy?” Ning Songwu clenched her fists, tempted to give Lin Yuxue’s pretty face a pair of panda eyes, but she knew she'd likely end up on the receiving end. Weighing her options, Ning Songwu rolled her eyes. "I was just thinking about Master, that’s all." Lin Yuxue’s expression shifted from anxiety to shock, her voice rising in disbelief, “You have feelings for your master?!” This was too much for Ning Songwu to tolerate. She rolled up her sleeves, intending to dispute it physically. But before she could make a move, Lin Yuxue used her sword to escape onto her blade, her teasing voice drifting back, “Rest assured, my dear junior sister, I won’t tell anyone!” “Get lost!” Fuming with anger, Ning Songwu found herself questioning whether she truly harbored feelings for Ran Fanyin. After much deliberation, Ning Songwu concluded she merely enjoyed watching Ran Fanyin flustered and exasperated. Yes, it must be so, she reassured herself. Ran Fanyin felt Ning Songwu tremble, drawing her protectively closer, worry etched on her face. Beads of sweat dotted Ning Songwu's temples, her eyes hooded as she held her head in her hands. Broken memories slipped away from her grasp, inducing a deep-seated terror and helplessness. "Apologies, Senior, I know nothing of what you speak," Lin Yuxue's voice was taut with tension. "Indeed... such old matters, how could an outsider know..." the middle-aged man sighed deeply. Miao Shan interjected, “Master, it’s been so many years. The ones sent to investigate came back empty-handed. Perhaps it’s time to let it go.” Lin Yuxue's expression shifted when she heard this, abruptly standing and shouting, “You are Wen Jinglei!” Wu Ji and the other two swiftly surrounded Lin Yuxue, drawing their swords. "Didn't you already know I was Wen Jinglei?" the man sneered coldly. “Otherwise, would you have masqueraded as a man and donned a mask to meet me, Young Valley Master?” “So you knew it was me all along!” Lin Yuxue realized too late, slamming a fist on the table, drawing her sword in response. The two guards at the entrance burst in, cutting off Lin Yuxue’s escape. “Of course I knew it was you. Not only that, but I also know your friends are on the rafters above. Since everyone’s here, why not come down for a cup of tea, hmm?” Wen Jinglei sneered up at them. Ran Fanyin pressed her lips tightly together, instructing Ning Songwu, “Your chest hasn’t healed completely. Stay here and don’t come down. Wait for me to return.” Ning Songwu opened her mouth to protest, but before she could utter a word, Ran Fanyin had already drawn her sword, Falling Frost, and descended in a flurry of white robes. As Ning Songwu prepared to follow, gripping her Phoenix Feather Sword, the chaos in her mind and sudden throbbing in her chest immobilized her. She leaned onto the sword for support, clutching her chest as her recovered spiritual veins flared in agonizing pain. Eyes tightly shut, she tried in vain to quell the pounding headache. Opening her eyes, she saw the chaotic fray inside – Ran Fanyin in her white robes and Lin Yuxue in green, battling fiercely. The swaying garments made Ning Songwu dizzy. She was still in there; how could she seek safety while leaving them embroiled in danger? Gritting her teeth, Ning Songwu forced herself to descend, entering the melee. For reasons unknown, Lin Yuxue’s energy suddenly waned during the fight, sword tipping to the ground as she kneeled, despair etched into her voice, “Impossible… How can I...” Seeing Ning Songwu, Ran Fanyin frowned, her figure flashing to shield her, voice as cold as ice, “What did I say about staying outside?” “If I told you to, would you stand by as I faced danger alone?” Ning Songwu countered softly. Ran Fanyin stared at her for a moment, speechless. As Ning Songwu joined the fray, Lin Yuxue sagged, weakening the position of their side. Amidst the chaos, Ning Songwu caught a glimpse of Lin Yuxue and shouted, “The tea you drank! It had a parasite in it; it entered your body when you touched the cup's edge!” Lin Yuxue, struggling to stay conscious, fixated her gaze past the bead curtain. Only the two guards, armed with swords and Miao Shan, fought alongside Wen Jinglei remained seated confidently behind the curtain. Wu Ji, Wu Gong, and Wu Ming managed to slay two guards but were steadily driven back by Miao Shan’s dreadful toxins. A minute parasite landed on Wu Ming, and moments later, his head inexplicably detached, flying free. The ghastly sight filled Ning Songwu with nausea. Reeling back, she sought solace in Ran Fanyin’s graceful form, fighting relentlessly. Forced together, Wu Ji and Wu Gong found protection near Ning Songwu and Ran Fanyin, leaving four against two. Despite this, they gained no ground. The bulky sword-wielding man deftly parried Ran Fanyin’s attacks. "Miao Shan—" Wen Jinglei's voice intoned ominously from behind the beads. Startled still by his authoritative voice, all six combatants paused, Wu Ji and Wu Gong forming a protective line in front of Ran Fanyin and Ning Songwu, eyes riveted on Miao Shan and the swordsman. Quiet fell briefly over the battlefield. Ning Songwu’s head felt like it was splitting open, a blood-red haze obscuring her vision. Panting heavily, she gripped her sword as a warmth trickled from her nostrils, splattering upon her pale blue robes, stark and glaring. “Master… You must leave… Wu Ji, Wu Gong, and I will hold them back. Go!” Ning Songwu gasped, voice strained with effort. “Ning Songwu!” Ran Fanyin cried in a panic, staring helplessly as blood continued pouring from her nose. Wen Jinglei chuckled sinisterly, “Miao Shan, ensure our guests are well received. Leave no one behind.” “Yes, Sect Leader,” Miao Shan's charming eyes turned terrifyingly cold. Ran Fanyin glared at the curtain with pursed lips, determined yet knowing the danger loomed closer with every ticking second. Ning Songwu spoke haltingly, "I... heard... even with the combined strength of three masters, Wen Jinglei can’t be killed... If he joins the fray... none of us will survive... Master, you must flee..." "Enough!" Ran Fanyin seemed angered, her voice chillingly cold. "I... My wound has reopened... I can't survive... You must go..." Ning Songwu choked, one hand pressed to her chest, the other wielding the Phoenix Feather Sword tremblingly in front of her. With great effort, she moved to stand in front of Ran Fanyin. "As a master, abandoning my disciple as a shield, do you think I would do such a thing?" Ran Fanyin stared intently at Ning Songwu's disheveled hair, which had come undone, cascading behind her. "But you... you're more than just my master..." Ning Songwu gave a bitter smile, wiping her nose indiscriminately, "You're more important than my life. My life belongs to you, consider it a repayment of your kindness..." Ran Fanyin felt a stabbing pain in her heart, her grip on the sword hilt tightened as she articulated each word, "Do you think if you die, I could go on living?" A tear trickled from the corner of Ning Songwu's eye, mingling with the blood on her chin. A sudden idea struck Ran Fanyin. She lowered her voice and instructed Wu Ji and Wu Gong, "Later, remember to carry your young valley master and run." Wu Ji and Wu Gong shared a knowing glance and nodded slightly. Ran Fanyin, utilizing her intricate and advanced light-footwork, swiftly broke through the encirclement. She retrieved a bamboo tube from her sleeve, swiftly dismantled it, and used the wind stirred by her sleeve to send the contained toxins toward Miao Shan and the sword-wielding man, catching them off guard. Seeing the black seeds, Miao Shan’s face twisted with alarm as she cried out, “Dodge!” Seizing this rare opportunity, Wu Ji quickly picked up the unconscious Lin Yuxue while Wu Gong hurried to retrieve Wu Ming's severed head and body. Ran Fanyin enveloped Ning Songwu, and together they leaped from the fifth-floor window, channeling all their energy into their light-footwork, disappearing swiftly into the vast night. Miao Shan, still shaken, eyed the black toxins scattered on the ground. As she was about to pursue, the calm voice from behind the bead curtain interrupted her: "No need to chase them. Let them go. They are just youths and can't accomplish much. We have more pressing matters at hand." "Yes, master," Miao Shan replied, respectfully lowering her head, her gaze lingering complexly on the scattered black toxins.