After My Thoughts Were Read, My Master Led Me to Change My Fate - Chapter 51.1

The distance from the rope ladder at the northern entrance to the valley floor was neither too far nor too short. The atmosphere along the way was somewhat oppressive. Coupled with the continuous overcast and rainy weather, everyone remained silent, not uttering a single word.

After walking for a short while, a magnificent archway of grayish-blue stone came into view. The horizontal span of the arch was approximately a hundred steps long, appearing solemn and majestic. Above the archway, two large characters, were carved from right to left in a bold and elegant script. A vertical couplet, carved into the adjacent stone pillar using the same typeface, was vaguely discernible due to the gloomy weather.

Four disciples of the Luàn Huā Valley, clad in green robes, stood on either side of the stone archway. Each wore a rain-proof bamboo hat, held a saber in their right hand, and a rain-lantern steadily in their left.

Upon seeing the approaching group, the green-robed disciples initially intended to step forward for a detailed inspection. However, as they drew closer and recognized Lín Yùxuě  among them, the four immediately knelt respectfully towards her. They paid no heed to the muddy, filthy rainwater on the ground, a display that spoke of strict discipline and utmost deference to their young mistress.

“Greetings, Young Valley Master!”

“Rise,” Lín Yùxuě slightly nodded. She paused and then asked, “Is there anything unusual in the valley? Why was the mechanical rope ladder at the northern entrance unguarded?”

“Reporting to the Young Valley Master, guests arrived shortly before you. The guards at the northern entrance’s mechanical rope ladder were escorting them into the valley to await your return.”

Another green-robed disciple added, “The visitors claimed to be members of the Bǐng Shān Sect. Their purpose is not entirely clear. As the Valley Master is gravely ill and you were away, the Right Elder took the liberty of allowing them entry.”

A complex, indescribable expression flickered across Lín Yùxuě’s face. She lowered her head in apparent contemplation, then, after a moment, glanced at the group behind her.

Rǎn Fányīn  stood quietly, her expression impassive, her light-colored eyes focused calmly on Lín Yùxuě. Níng Sōngwù, who was behind her, slightly widened her eyes, first glancing at Rǎn Fányīn and then towards the Luàn Huā Valley, as if she had just heard a word that made her uneasy.

Lín Yùxuě tightened her grip on her umbrella, feeling the rain intensify. She instructed, “Enter the valley first. Wú Gōng, go and settle my guests properly. Wú Jǐ, come with me directly to the main hall to meet the Bǐng Shān Sect guests.”

Wú Gōng and Wú Jǐ acknowledged the command. Escorted by the four green-robed disciples, Lín Yùxuě’s party continued deeper into the valley.

Reaching the center of the valley, the most concentrated and populous area of Luàn Huā Valley, Lín Yùxuě and Wú Jǐ parted ways with Rǎn Fányīn and Níng Sōngwù. Wú Gōng led Rǎn Fányīn and Níng Sōngwù to the guest quarters, prepared two adjacent, clean rooms, and arranged for them to rest first.

Níng Sōngwù meticulously straightened the room again. She knew her Master preferred cleanliness, and there were corners that attendants might miss. She felt reassured only after personally tidying certain spots for her.

After a thorough cleaning, Níng Sōngwù stepped over the threshold, carrying a basin of water. She saw Rǎn Fányīn sitting quietly alone on the steps, gazing pensively at the slanted rain outside the eaves.

Níng Sōngwù smiled lightly, put down the water basin, and tiptoed behind Rǎn Fányīn. She bent down and gave Rǎn Fányīn a light kiss on the side of her face.

The kiss was warm and soft, accompanied by a teasing dampness.

Rǎn Fányīn slightly arched her brow, a faint smile playing on her lips. She patted the step next to her, “Sit.”

“You’re in a good mood?” Níng Sōngwù sat down next to Rǎn Fányīn, smoothing down her rolled-up sleeves and wiping the sweat from her forehead.

“…You have something on your mind; your complexion isn’t very good,” Rǎn Fányīn silently found Níng Sōngwù’s hand and interlocked their fingers, her eyes lowered. “You’ve grown up, and I don’t pry into your affairs. But I worry about you keeping things bottled up. Be happy.”

Níng Sōngwù forced a smile, yet said, “With you by my side, I am not unhappy.” Years had passed in a flash. The world was full of change and upheaval, with many Jianghu figures dying and a new generation emerging. Many sects declined, and new talents rose, yet the few great sects that held paramount positions remained largely unchanged. Míng Xiù Palace  was still filled with song and dance, and the Táng Family Stronghold  remained mysterious and enigmatic.

The Northern Punisher Palace, remained covered in deep snow.

This place seemed like a place where time stood still.

On the wall of the main hall of Róng Kū Pavilion, a newly mounted painting hung. It depicted a full view of the Northern Punisher Palace, with heavy snow pressing down on the eaves, and grand palace buildings overlapping, with carved beams and painted pillars, exquisitely beautiful. On the area representing Róng Kū Pavilion, a light, graceful figure in white faintly appeared by the side of the palace. The right side of the painting was inscribed with these few lines:

Dwell in the spacious mansion of the world, stand in the correct position of the world, walk the great path of the world.

There was no signature.

The snowy courtyard of Róng Kū Pavilion still held the circular stone table. The table, as always, was laden with steaming, abundant food. Cēn Rǎn (岑染) and Luó Shēng (羅笙) sat beside it, resting their heads on their hands as they gazed at the dishes.

Rǎn Fányīn sat formally at the side, maintaining her cold, aloof appearance. Her light-tea-colored eyes were cast down, seemingly without focus. None of the three had touched their chopsticks, apparently waiting for someone.

Luó Shēng finally could not endure the situation of having food but not being able to eat it. “Master, how about we eat a little first? When will Níng Sōngwù arrive?”

Cēn Rǎn was a little annoyed at his lack of resolve. “Senior Brother, why are you so impatient? It’s not easy to finally make it to the end of the year, and New Year’s Eve is approaching. Níng Sōngwù has only been permitted to stay at Róng Kū Pavilion for a few days. She’ll be back soon. How can you not even save a whole meal for her first dinner back?”

Luó Shēng quickly replied, “Yes, yes, Junior Sister is right. Time flies so quickly. After this New Year’s Eve, Níng Sōngwù will be seventeen, right? I haven’t seen her for a while. Three months ago, I saw her, and she had grown as tall as my eyebrows. Ah, you can’t help but think about these things. Think about it, how small was she when she first came to Róng Kū Pavilion? We are visibly growing old.”

Rǎn Fányīn remained silent, occasionally casting her gaze forward. Seeing no one, she lowered her eyes again.

She had promised that she would go to bring Níng Sōngwù back to Róng Kū Pavilion after five years.

But when Níng Sōngwù turned fifteen, she refused Rǎn Fányīn’s offer to bring her back. She said she still had much to learn and that staying at Hóng Fēi Pavilion (鴻飛閣) would provide many opportunities for experience. Seven years had passed, and the child had grown up considerably. Besides changes in her appearance and stature, her temperament had become more composed, she had become better at reading people’s expressions, and she had learned more things, no longer acting rashly.

Witnessing a person grow from childhood is truly a miraculous thing.

Rǎn Fányīn had personally experienced Níng Sōngwù’s growth. Níng Sōngwù was now nearly as tall as she was.

Her thoughts turned back to seven years ago.

Senior Brother Jiǎng Yuè  returned after two months away and successfully destroyed the mother Gu, and the Master’s health slowly recovered. However, Senior Brother Jiǎng Yuè lost a small finger, and the sword that took him many years to forge was left behind in the Fén Tiān Sect.

Senior Brother Chéng Yùnhuān  returned to the mountain early, having discovered that Wén Jīngléi  was not in Luò City  at all. Lín Yùxuě, with the disciples of Luàn Huā Valley, exterminated all the Fén Tiān Sect remnants left in Luò City, though the Flag Master of the Burning Fire Flag managed to slip away. Fortunately, the Fén Tiān Sect was still isolated outside the Yù Shuǐ Pass, recuperating in the East Sea for the time being, and could not press upon the Northern Punisher Palace for a while.

Rǎn Fányīn had thought that the crisis would be difficult to resolve, but it all settled down, and the Northern Punisher Palace returned to its former tranquility.

But danger still lurked everywhere.

The wound on Rǎn Fányīn’s wrist had finally healed completely, leaving behind a spatter-shaped red scar. At first glance, it was somewhat horrifying, yet it also resembled an exotic red lotus blooming on her wrist, stirring pity.

“Yo, look, speaking of her, here she comes,” Luó Shēng suddenly chuckled.

Hearing this, Rǎn Fányīn looked up. The graceful woman standing not far away, dressed in red robes with a smile on her lips, was like the most dazzling sunlight in winter, so beautiful that it directly seared everyone’s eyes.

Seventeen-year-old Níng Sōngwù.

Níng Sōngwù’s appearance was fully matured. Her skin, kept fair by years away from the harsh sun, was luminous and white. Her eyebrows were long and delicate like distant mountains, and the scarlet cinnabar mole between them resembled a drop of freshly drawn blood, breathtakingly beautiful. Her pair of dark, clear eyes were like high-quality, warm ink jade, their light shifting, with inner corners slightly downturned and outer corners slightly upturned, outlining an arc of perfect eye contour, every movement and smile carrying an infinitely evocative allure.

An extremely beautiful person.

And also the one least suited to be a cultivator in the pure, snow-like Northern Punisher Palace.

Rǎn Fányīn watched her silently, a very faint smile gracing the corner of her lips.

Luó Shēng greeted Níng Sōngwù with a laugh. “Tsk tsk, you’re getting prettier and prettier. No wonder everyone says you and Hè Lán Miánmián (賀蘭眠眠) are the two most beautiful disciples in Hóng Fēi Pavilion. Come, sit down. The food is getting cold.”

Níng Sōngwù smiled gently, walked over slowly, and naturally sat down next to Rǎn Fányīn. She spoke softly, her voice melodious and pleasant, every word like a long, clear song:

“Master, I’m back.”

Rǎn Fányīn nodded slightly and picked up her bamboo chopsticks. “Let’s eat.”

Níng Sōngwù kept her gaze on Rǎn Fányīn’s profile, a smile of unknown meaning curving her lips. Unlike when she was a child, she no longer chattered incessantly and clung to Rǎn Fányīn and Cēn Rǎn. She just quietly watched Rǎn Fányīn for a moment, her smile deepening as she lowered her head to eat.

Luó Shēng ate and talked. “New Year’s Eve is in two days. The Northern Punisher Palace doesn’t usually celebrate such lively holidays much. Our Róng Kū Pavilion must celebrate properly. Cēn Rǎn and I have been busy going down the mountain to run,