After My Thoughts Were Read, My Master Led Me to Change My Fate - Chapter 49

Ran Fanyin gently pressed a hand to her forehead.

“Idle Elder”  — what on earth was that? If Cen Ran  found out, she would surely be upset again.

Just as Ning Songwu  had thought, after Ye Wuchen  and Rong Yuan  had argued for a long time—moving their mouths but not their hands—Luo Sheng , who was sitting beside them, slammed the table in exasperation. With a talisman paper clutched in one hand and a Judge’s Brush  in the other, she rotated the brush tip between the two demons. After a moment, she gave a dry laugh and said, “Rong Yuan, since you care so much about the purity of the bloodline, why did you force me, a half-breed, to return? You have the military seals and real power; you could just arrest Ye Wuchen and bear another child, couldn’t you? Oh, you dare not, because you are not after bloodline purity; you are after your own survival.”

She held the brush, its tip pointing toward Ye Wuchen again. “And you? Since you dislike Rong Yuan so much, whether you place her under house arrest or whatever else, isn’t the handling of this minister determined by your single word? Oh, you dare not, because you need her to balance the various factions in Fengling Abyss.”

Luo Sheng smiled self-deprecatingly, raising a hand to lightly press the River-Sea Mark (河海印記) on her brow. “Is this the so-called Demon God Bloodline Mark? I don’t know, but it must be, because you need it to be.”

“But, remember this,” she said, abruptly slapping the talisman paper onto the floor, where it stuck tightly. A formation, whose purpose was unknown to any, appeared on it, emitting a faint, cold aura.

Helan Mianmian  naturally recognized the formation at a glance; she merely furrowed her brows and said nothing.

Luo Sheng continued, “Look at this talisman formation and remember: I am Luo Sheng, the direct disciple of Peak Master Helan  of Huanxi Peak  within the Shangyun Sect, and the next Peak Master of Huanxi Peak. The affairs of your demon race are none of my concern.”

“I only know that when I was nearly starving under a bridge, it was a very beautiful maiden who didn’t mind my filth and gave me pastries from near the Shangyun Sect, which allowed me to live, and prevented me from missing my mother’s death anniversary.”

“When I was at the end of my rope, and my spiritual root grade was so poor that I barely qualified for the Inner Sect, it was Master Helan who showed kindness, took me in, cultivated me, and raised me to the way I am now, giving me the basic capital to stand before the two of you and confront you.”

“As for you two, why didn’t you act sooner?”

The secret agendas and malicious intentions harbored by the two were thus exposed and brought into the light. For a time, both their faces looked rather unpleasant. But Luo Sheng acted as if she hadn’t noticed anything. She transformed on the spot into that proud and striking red-furred Nine-Tailed Fox, walked up to the members of the Shangyun Sect, and crouched down. “Master, Elder, two Senior Sisters, let us return to the sect.”

She carried the group on her back. When they reached the door, the demon soldiers dared not stop them and voluntarily cleared a path.

Luo Sheng tilted her head slightly, her fox eyes cold. “This is a Memory-Nourishing Array, used to record the past. As long as you two are willing to apologize for the mistakes you have committed in the past, it will naturally disappear. Of course, it doesn’t matter if you aren’t willing; it will still disappear in a few days. If the demon race needs help, we will naturally assist, but as for the internal strife of your demon race, forgive me, it has nothing to do with me.”

She began to step away, but suddenly, the sound of knees hitting the ground behind her caused her to stop sharply. She turned her head to see Rong Yuan, holding her military token, kneeling directly towards the formation. She loudly apologized to Helan Rong, apologized to Luo Qingxi, apologized to the mixed-bloods who were once executed, and apologized to the generals who died in the internal strife.

Then, she straightened her shoulders, slowly turned to look at Luo Sheng, and said, “You are mistaken. This old crow  is not afraid of death and never hoped to preserve herself. The old crow only wants to safeguard the demon race and maintain the royal bloodline.”

“If this is still not enough to exchange for your return to the demon race, the old crow is willing to offer this lowly life and let you carve me into a thousand pieces.”

Luo Sheng was speechless for a moment.

Ning Songwu propped up her chin, thinking: [No wonder Rong Yuan didn’t appear in the finale of the last life. She must have sacrificed her life to get A-Sheng (阿笙) back to the demon race.]

[Why bother? Ye Wuchen is a good commander, too. She’s clear-headed, has ruthless tactics, and is skilled at maneuvering people’s hearts. It’s just a bloodline. Besides, it’s not like we wouldn’t help you if A-Sheng wasn’t in the demon race.]

[Is there any way to persuade Elder Rong Yuan? Such a high-level combat power must not be lost.]

She racked her brains to no avail. Beside her, Ran Fanyin coughed lightly, breaking the impasse.

The woman smiled faintly. “The two of you invited this Venerable One and my Junior Sister to be witnesses; now, should you not listen to this Venerable One’s opinion?”

She gently clasped the hand of the girl beside her, who had been weeping uncontrollably ever since she heard Rong Yuan apologize so loudly to Helan Rong. Ran Fanyin said softly, “A-Sheng is only a little over twenty years old. Even if she returns to the demon race, what will become of her? She is only in the Nascent Soul (元嬰) Initial Stage; how can she assume the throne directly? In the end, the current King is still in power, and A-Sheng would be the demon race’s Crown Prince. Since this is the case, why be so anxious right now?”

“The King is only one or two hundred years older than this Venerable One. Even with this Venerable One’s frail body, I am still able to live, let alone the King, who is so healthy. A-Sheng grew up in the Shangyun Sect and learned the cultivation methods here; she might not have access to such excellent techniques if she returns to the demon race.”

“Why not let Elder Rong assist the King in laying a solid foundation for the demon race? By then, A-Sheng’s ability will also command respect, and then you can discuss her return to the demon race. How about that?”

Before Rong Yuan could respond, Ran Fanyin gently patted the fox. “Let’s go, A-Sheng. This Venerable One believes that the two of you will be able to clearly think through the pros and cons and provide a suitable answer.”

The fox responded with a move, and this time, it did not stop, even when the sound of kneeling was heard again behind it, along with another voice apologizing to her and to her mother.

Ye Wuchen knelt on the ground after kowtowing, remaining there for a long time.

The series of words Ran Fanyin had just spoken, though seemingly intended to mediate, actually added support for Ye Wuchen to ascend as King. Therefore, the final private message Ran Fanyin left her could not be taken lightly.

Four years to purge the factions, completely unify the demon race, and settle everyone?

Although she didn’t know why it had to be four years, Ye Wuchen would follow through this time.

*A Few Days Later*

It was night, and the evening breeze was gently blowing.

At Chufeng Peak, various matters had kept everyone busy these past few days. Ran Fanyin could only postpone and further postpone her scheduled days of rest to properly deal with these affairs, which inevitably meant that the meetings lasted longer than intended.

[Does it look good? Is this white a bit too conspicuous?]

[You two are singing in chorus, saying everything I wanted to say. What am I supposed to say?]

[It would also be nice to eat these delicious things with Master on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival.]

[Master absolutely must not see what’s in the book.]

[Although Master can accept this kind of subject matter, still…]

When Ye Su  came to report that a young female cultivator with decent cultivation had been discovered in Yueping Town, Yin Xi  became wary. Upon meeting her, the young woman—tall and straight, dressed in a pale green like a new bamboo shoot—stood in the main hall, well-mannered and respectful, which only aroused more suspicion.

With such stature and temperament, and a cultivation level close to the Golden Core  Stage at a young age, how could she possibly be a rogue cultivator?

There were a few minor sects near Yueping Town, and their cultivation methods differed, so their spiritual energy fluctuations were not the same. It would be easy to find out with a quick check, and she assumed the young woman would not dare to extend her wrist.

To her surprise, Ning Songwu raised a hand upon hearing this and said, “Please, Venerable One, examine me.”

Yin Xi inwardly scoffed, narrowed her eyes, and placed her hand on the girl’s wrist. Spiritual energy, tinged with a chilling cold, drilled directly into the girl’s meridians.

Ning Songwu smelled that familiar, foul odor again. At this moment, she couldn’t change her expression, so she could only suppress the constant surge of nausea and let the woman examine her meridians and spiritual power.

Fortunately, Ran Fanyin had anticipated this step and had initially disguised her spiritual power, hiding the aura of her lineage from the Shangyun Sect. Now, no matter how the person in front of her investigated, she remained Chu Yao, a rogue cultivator without any sect inheritance.

A moment later, the woman withdrew her hand, smiled gently, and lightly stroked the side of the girl’s cheek. She said softly, “With such talent, are you only willing to be a rogue cultivator?”

The girl’s clear and sober expression finally softened a bit. She replied, “My older sister has been frail since childhood but has been very loving toward me. If I leave home, no one can protect her, and I can’t bear to leave her.”

“I heard that the Immortal Master offers salvation to people and can help those who cannot cultivate to begin cultivation. That is why I wanted to come and pay my respects to the Immortal Master and beg for a grace.”

Yin Xi suddenly withdrew her hand and asked coldly, “Where did you hear that?”

“I heard it while traveling in Yuehua Mountain,” Ning Songwu said, lowering her head, appearing extremely docile.

In fact, the moment the person in front of her placed her finger on her wrist, a subtitle suddenly popped up, providing a stream of information.

‘Yin Xi, a disciple of the Yangtian Sect, whose strength should now be at the late Golden Core Stage. She later defected to the Demon Race and made a huge contribution during the Demon Race’s attack on the Yangtian Sect.’

There wasn’t enough time for her to think carefully. Yin Xi’s voice, mixed with a light laugh, fell upon her. “No wonder Yueping Town is so lively; so the news was leaked early.”

“However, your sister did not come, and this Venerable One doesn’t know how to help her, hmm?”

Ning Songwu feigned surprise. “Then I will go back and invite her over.”

A finger landed in front of her and gently waved. “That is not proper. Since you have met this Venerable One, how can you leave?”

Ning Songwu fiercely pinched herself, her tone urgent and slightly tearful, and whispered, “No, I can’t leave my sister alone at the inn, Venerable One…”

Yin Xi gave a shallow smile. “Shall this Venerable One send someone to fetch her, then?”

“I…” The girl hesitated somewhat.

A sinister spiritual energy wrapped around Ning Songwu’s wrist at that moment and suddenly plunged in. The girl clutched her wrist and knelt on the ground.

It was painful, but compared to the injuries Ning Songwu had sustained during her sword practice, it was not enough to make her kneel. However, as the sinister spiritual energy emerged, that familiar, sickening odor reappeared.

She was sure that this scent was emanating from the spiritual power of the person in front of her. But hadn’t the Immortal Master only arrived in the evening? Where did the smell she perceived during the day come from?

She used the pain as an excuse to kneel, which allowed her to secretly avoid the person’s aura, and also to relax her expression a bit with the movement.

Yin Xi did not wait for her to get up. She walked over slowly, and her boot stepped on the girl’s forearm. “Still too young. A naive child.”

Ning Songwu gritted her teeth. “Is this the nature of a so-called Immortal Master?”

“There’s no need to provoke this Venerable One. You should know that once you enter this door, it is impossible to leave again. You have such talent; if you join my cult, this Venerable One will let you leave.”

“Such an important matter, I must discuss it with my sister first.”

The spiritual energy plunged in violently again. The girl let out a low cry, and the hand clutching her wrist turned slightly white.

Yin Xi scoffed. “Indecisive, and not someone who can achieve great things in the future. This Venerable One can let you leave, but your sister…”

A heavy kowtow sound. “Venerable One, I am willing to join.”

[Subtitle Sister, are you there? Can you tell me anything about the Jue Tian Array?]

[You and this array have a deep connection, and by extension, so do I. Is that correct?]

[I must know some things to proceed; the current plot is completely beyond my understanding. If you still say nothing, I’ll have to grope in the dark. You should weigh the situation yourself.]

[How do you know it’s bound to happen? What if she is restricted and can’t go? What if I don’t go with her?]

[You understand me well, and you understand this world, even knowing things that are not in the book. Who exactly are you? The Dao of Heaven? A creature from the Underworld?]

“…” Ran Fanyin looked at those eyes—a pair of clear eyes filled with complete trust in her. She hesitated for a moment and then asked softly, “What did Bai Ze  tell you?”

“…Bai Ze said—”

*Time Rewinds a Few Hours*

Ning Songwu struggled, but the massive beast  stepping on her was truly too heavy. Although it had no intention of killing her, it was enough to keep her pinned down and unable to move.

She had originally intended to sneak in silently, steal a Snow Lotus from Cangshan Mountain  while Bai Ze was still hibernating, and run. Who would have thought she would arrive just as it woke up? She was knocked over by the air current the moment she entered, and then the giant beast descended from the sky and stepped on her, looking her up and down as if she were extremely curious.

“S-Senior, if you…”

The divine beast spoke on its own, cutting her off. “Are you human?”

From the voice, it seemed to be a young, female divine beast, her voice overflowing with unconcealed curiosity. “How is it that you have a human body?”

“I am indeed human…”

It was said that Bai Ze’s eyes were highly spiritual and could see the essence of all things in the world. Since she thought Ning Songwu looked like a human, there was no need for Ning Songwu to be evasive, so she went along with the conversation and simply acknowledged the identity.

“Human…” Ning Songwu felt a sudden lightness on her body. The next moment, the giant beast transformed into a young woman with white hair and white eyes, dressed in a white skirt. She folded her arms and circled Ning Songwu once, laughing lightly. “What an interesting human. Ordinary humans don’t have such a pure Ice Spirit Root  like yours.”

Also, this person has traces left by another everywhere, both inside and out, especially in her fundamental heart pulse. Isn’t this purely belonging to someone else?

How could someone share a heart pulse with another person? Wouldn’t that mean all her thoughts could be fully heard by that other person?

And how could this person feel… completely unaware? She looks so clueless; what a strange human.

“I do indeed have a Heaven-grade  Ice Spirit Root.” Ning Songwu patted the spot where she had been stepped on and sighed softly. After flipping up and standing, she looked serious. “Senior, you do not seem to have any killing intent toward me.”

“Ah!” The Bai Ze maiden stepped back in disgust. “How could I be so violent! Do you think everyone is like that fierce woman, Zhu Que?”

“I wish to request something that can only be found in your cave.”

“A Cangshan Snow Lotus? That’s not impossible.”

Ning Songwu was overjoyed and was about to offer her thanks when the maiden suddenly became unusually serious. “Bring something to trade for it.”

“Oh, don’t look so sacrificing! I really don’t eat people,” the maiden said, swaying back two steps and casually sitting down. “Use your spiritual power to condense a piece of pure ice for me, one that I can use to make a statue of my true form.”

Freezing an ice statue was not difficult, but this request…

Ning Songwu quietly lowered her hand after hearing the request.

The maiden raised her delicate eyebrows. “Hey, you’re trying to take my most precious Snow Lotus! You won’t even freeze a piece of ice?”

“No, it’s actually…”

“Ah, you’re panicking? Don’t panic, don’t panic! It might not be true; it might just be my guess. Don’t worry.”

However, the girl simply sat down and began to condense ice without saying a word. This, in turn, made Bai Ze panic. She had finally encountered such an interesting human; what would she do if the human stopped talking altogether?

Bai Ze leaned her head forward. “Why not try calling out to the one you share a heart pulse with?”

“So, you cried out in alarm in your mind and then temporarily severed all ways I could contact you, did you?”

Ning Songwu blinked slowly, then blinked again. “So, what Bai Ze said… is all true, is it?”

Ran Fanyin was at a loss for words, especially when the other person’s eyes suddenly reddened. That tinge of red instantly struck her heartstrings. Before she could even open her mouth, she could feel her voice trembling and her breathing faltering.

She had envisioned many possible outcomes and made many preparations for telling Ning Songwu this, but the instantaneous sense of loss and the sudden redness around the eyes… utterly shattered her ability to think.

Her consciousness was hazy, and she even felt a bit breathless. Her surroundings seemed muffled, yet she knew she had to speak. So, it was as if she was hearing another person speak: “Then, why were you so happy when you saw me just now?”

What kind of ridiculous question was that!

She regained some clarity and inwardly cursed herself severely several times. She hurriedly wanted to explain, but then she heard the girl’s voice, trembling and with a hint of grievance—

“I thought Master cared about me especially, and couldn’t bear for me to take risks, which is why you came to find me…”

This was another heavy blow, hitting Ran Fanyin squarely in the head and leaving her momentarily dazed. She mumbled, “I’m sorry…”

“So, everything Bai Ze said is true, right? So, all this time, Master could hear…”

Ning Songwu could not continue speaking. She had considered many possibilities for their unspoken understanding: a connection forged over two lifetimes, affection accumulated over the days, or even proof of their mutual feelings. But she never, ever thought it would be this.

Even coming to find her was only because of that one cry of alarm…

What if Bai Ze had truly harbored murderous intent? What if…

And all those countless random thoughts in the past—whatever they were, she had thought them in her mind. How many ridiculous things had she thought over all these years!!

Ning Songwu was utterly mortified and furious. At this moment, her mind was purely blank; she even forgot how to speak. She retreated in disbelief, dodging Ran Fanyin’s attempt to grasp her hand, instinctively turning her head slightly, and quietly asking, “Ah?”

She had been in this world for… nearly ten or more years. So, for all these years, she had no privacy? Why, why did no one ever tell her? Why… why did she have to test it out herself, and only after accidentally revealing it were they willing to tell her? Why was the subconscious reaction after seeing her find out to question her in return…

And here she was, desperately trying to get this Snow Lotus…

Ning Songwu lowered her head to look at the Snow Lotus in her arms, suddenly feeling somewhat ridiculous.

If only she had been told a single word?

If only, if only she had been told one word?

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Ning’er, I…” Ran Fanyin was practically in tears as she rushed over, trying to hold her, trying to explain.

Ning Songwu, however, gently shook off her hand. Although she did not utter a single harsh word, the look of loss and disappointment in her eyes was impossible to conceal. Before Ran Fanyin could say anything else, she suddenly smiled, which made the woman freeze in place even more.

Ran Fanyin watched helplessly as she turned and left this space, while she herself was restricted by an invisible wall of air. To forcefully break free might cause some unknown impact on Ning Songwu.

She could only watch as the black figure flew further and further away.

It seemed like…