After My Thoughts Were Read, My Master Led Me to Change My Fate - Chapter 52.1

“Master, why are you holding my hand?” Ning Songwu did not turn back to look at Ran Fanyin, feeling a sour, astringent ache in her heart.

Ran Fanyin opened her mouth, but did not know what to say. After snapping back to the present, she began to regret the instinctive action she had just made. What did it signify? A plea for her to stay? How was she supposed to save face now?

Ning Songwu tried to pull her hand away. Ran Fanyin felt Ning Songwu’s movement and couldn’t help but grip her hand tighter.

“Master… what do you intend to do?” Ning Songwu turned her head, meeting Ran Fanyin’s gaze.

Ran Fanyin paused, her eyes darting away. “I… I should be the one asking you. What are you doing, running off here in the middle of the night?”

“Nothing much. I took a wrong turn, so I am going back now,” Ning Songwu said flatly.

“Mm…” Ran Fanyin was speechless for a moment, yet she did not want to let Ning Songwu go, though she wasn’t sure why. She lowered her eyes, saw the Phoenix Feather Sword sheathed at Ning Songwu’s waist, and asked softly, “Is this sword… easy to wield?”

Ning Songwu froze, her gaze dropping to the Phoenix Feather Sword, a tight, painful knot forming in her heart.

“Yes, very easy. A sword given to me by Martial Uncle Jiang Yue is naturally excellent.”

Ran Fanyin breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she felt a pang of distress. She slowly released Ning Songwu’s hand, and murmured, “If you say it’s good, then it is good.”

“Don’t mock me anymore,” Ning Songwu chuckled and shook her head.

“This is no jest,” Lin Yuxue unfolded the plain folding fan in her hand, playfully turning it over, “However, there is something more pressing that I must tell you two. Apart from relaxing on this trip, you must also pay close attention to the people there.”

Lin Yuxue then relayed what she had heard and surmised to Ran Fanyin and Ning Songwu.

“This matter is absolutely not simple. The Heaven-Burning Sect has quietly sent people into the Central Plains for a long time, and is now gradually closing in on the Northern Frontier. Those people who spend lavishly in the Floating Jade Pavilion might be connected to the Heaven-Burning Sect. Zhongyang City is a strategic pass connecting the Northern Frontier and the Central Plains, with a high and diverse flow of people. Naturally, many messages can be gathered here,” Lin Yuxue slowly explained.

“If that is the case, we will need to inquire more about the background of these people there,” Ran Fanyin pondered for a moment, then added, “You just mentioned the Floating Jade Pavilion; is that where we are going? What kind of place is it?”

“A place for dining and enjoyment. You will know once you get there,” Lin Yuxue curved her lips into a smile.

The carriage travelled to the southeast corner of Zhongyang City, and after a little further, it stopped at a place with opulent and magnificent decor. It was already late afternoon. Many women stood at the entrance of the Floating Jade Pavilion, beckoning guests. All of them were beautiful and charming, with soft, sweet voices that could make any passerby lose their soul.

Lin Yuxue alighted first, followed by Ning Songwu, who then helped Ran Fanyin step down.

A young woman in red at the entrance was quick-witted, approaching them and smiling so brightly at the three richly dressed, refined young men that her face seemed to bloom like a flower. “Aiyo, three young masters, it’s clear you’ve come for our Floating Jade Pavilion! Come inside quickly and sit down, so this humble one can make arrangements for the three of you.”

Ran Fanyin looked around and instantly understood what kind of place this was. That woman in red persisted in trying to grab her arm. Ran Fanyin cast a cold glance at her, causing the woman to freeze, then she haughtily scoffed at the young man’s lack of sense and turned to grab the arm of the quieter Ning Songwu, who was wearing blue.

Ning Songwu was startled, but then curiously stared at the heavily made-up woman, letting her hold his arm. “Big Sister, you are so beautiful.”

“Oh, this young gentleman’s mouth is truly sweet. That ‘Big Sister’ you called me makes me feel so comfortable inside!” The woman in red lightly and alluringly brushed the handkerchief in her hand across Ning Songwu’s face. “Seeing your handsome face, with those red lips and white teeth, I will definitely find you the most beautiful girl in our pavilion.”

Lin Yuxue stifled a laugh, thinking, just as I predicted. She pulled out some silver. “Stop the small talk. Find us a top-grade private room and bring us some good wine and food.”

The woman in red accepted the money, smiling as she led the three of them into the Floating Jade Pavilion. The interior was very spacious and luxuriously decorated. Red curtains and tassels separated the main hall, and on the curtains, rich peonies and golden phoenixes were embroidered with gold thread. Some type of incense was subtly burning in the hall, relaxing the mind. Although it was a place of wine, flesh, and song, the main hall was still orderly, with nothing indecent happening.

Turning a corner, Ning Songwu saw an iron-cast beast-like creature squatting on the decoration at the private room door. It looked like a tiger, but its tail was like that of an ox. She couldn’t help but ask curiously, “This tiger looks so strange. Why is it displayed here?”

Lin Yuxue smiled. “That is not a tiger. Didn’t you notice it has an ox tail behind it? The Nan Ci Er Jing once recorded: ‘Five hundred li further east, there is Mount Fu Yu. Looking north, one sees Juqu. Looking east, one sees Zhupi. There is a beast there, its appearance is like a tiger with an ox tail, and its sound is like a barking dog. Its name is Zhi.’ The name of this creature is Zhi.”

Lin Yuxue gave the woman in red another tip, making her even happier. She contentedly left the room.

“Listening to what she said just now, the mysterious person should be in the Grand Lake Chamber. We shouldn’t rush. Let’s eat and drink here first and try to pry some information from the flower girls. Wuji and the other two are nearby. I have already given the verbal order that they will also obey the commands of you two,” Lin Yuxue casually placed the fan on the table, and from somewhere, she pulled out the white jade mask, which she began to stroke and examine.

“You never told me the Floating Jade Pavilion was such a den of iniquity,” Ran Fanyin narrowed her eyes at Lin Yuxue.

“You should use your brain. That person is smart enough to know to come to this kind of place to broadly recruit martial artists and gather intelligence. Don’t you know that information travels fastest in places like this?” Lin Yuxue smiled and shook her head, then stood up and walked toward the door. “I’ll go out for a while; I have some matters to arrange.”

No sooner had Lin Yuxue left than the woman in red returned, bringing with her five or six beautiful women, all in light, sheer silk, with seductive expressions.

“The young master in green has left, so these sisters are here for the two of you to choose. Pick whichever one you like,” the woman in red’s eyes sparkled, her smile full of deeper meaning.

Ning Songwu recalled Lin Yuxue’s words and, with a quick turn of mind, chuckled, “Among these sisters, which one is the most popular with guests?”

A woman in a yellow dress giggled and stepped forward, bowing gently. “This humble one is Duanxi. I have the favor of many. Does the young master wish to select me?”

“This little gentleman in blue is truly clever,” the woman in red covered her mouth and laughed a few times. “He knows that a woman who serves many people is better at getting things done. Duanxi, what are you waiting for? How often do you see such a handsome gentleman? Hurry over to him.”

Duanxi smiled sweetly and walked over. Her soft, boneless hand lightly touched Ning Songwu’s cheek. Smiling with a thousand charms, she sidled up to sit beside Ning Songwu, wrapping an arm around her neck.

The woman in red then smiled and leaned toward the long-silent Ran Fanyin. “This young master in white…”

“Get out.” Ran Fanyin set down her teacup, a wave of internal energy radiating from her body as she cast a cold, indifferent look at the woman in red.

The woman in red shuddered and huffed out a breath through her nose. “I knew you were clueless about romance. Who are you trying to impress by showing off in a pleasure house? Girls, let’s go.”

Duanxi and Ning Songwu were extremely close, their breaths seemingly intertwining. Her soft fingertips lightly stroked Ning Songwu’s face, her expression intoxicated. “Young Master, you are more beautiful than any of the girls in our pavilion…”

Ning Songwu quickly caught Duanxi’s hand, her face flushing crimson. She awkwardly glanced at the increasingly somber Ran Fanyin beside her, then awkwardly pushed Duanxi away. “Miss Duanxi, please sit down first, please sit…”

Duanxi pouted coquettishly. “Why are you pushing me away? Don’t you like me hugging you?” She then wriggled her waist, trying to hug Ning Songwu again. The two pushed and shoved, becoming entangled.

Ran Fanyin slammed her teacup heavily onto the table with a “bang,” causing tea to splash onto the tabletop and drawing the simultaneous attention of both Duanxi and Ning Songwu.

“The tea has gone cold. Go fetch a fresh cup,” Ran Fanyin’s clear, cold voice sounded. She pushed the teacup slightly toward the edge.

Duanxi sneered but had no choice but to obey. She got up to replace Ran Fanyin’s tea.

Ning Songwu worriedly reached under the table to pull Ran Fanyin’s hand, but only grasped empty air as Ran Fanyin swiftly avoided her.

Ning Songwu’s heart tightened. She reversed her movement, caught hold of Ran Fanyin, and with a strong tug, pulled her into her arms.

Ran Fanyin instinctively felt uncomfortable and struggled slightly. Ning Songwu tightened her embrace around Ran Fanyin’s back, whispering, “Don’t move. Just let me hold you for a moment.”

Ran Fanyin closed her eyes, her arms hanging weakly by her sides. The guilt in her heart and her ethical rejection of this behavior were nearly overwhelming her. As her eyes closed, they stung with a painful acidity.

“Master, have your injuries healed?” Ning Songwu gently asked, her voice close to Ran Fanyin’s ear.

“They have…” Ran Fanyin bit her lip tightly. Why did she feel like crying every time Ning Songwu touched her? Her voice was even trembling slightly.

“Who was that person just now? Young Valley Master? Are you two very close?” Ning Songwu asked softly.

“It has… nothing to do with you…” Ran Fanyin forced back the sourness in her nasal passages.

Ning Songwu chuckled again. “Very well… nothing to do with me… everything has nothing to do with me…”

Ran Fanyin forcefully pushed Ning Songwu away. “Enough. Go away.”

Ning Songwu’s eyes were red, fighting back tears. She stepped forward, gripped Ran Fanyin’s shoulders, spun around, and forcefully pinned Ran Fanyin against the wall, her face close to Ran Fanyin’s.

Ran Fanyin did not resist, her chin trembling uncontrollably. A tear spilled from her closed eyes, sliding down her cheek.

Ning Songwu’s nose was just a hair’s breadth from Ran Fanyin’s, but she stopped. Am I forcing Master? I love Master so much. She is the one person in the world I can’t stand to see wronged. Is this how I am forcing Master now?

“I’m sorry…” Ning Songwu’s voice was choked with sobs. Her hands trembled as she touched Ran Fanyin’s face, her forehead resting against Ran Fanyin’s. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

“Ning Songwu…” Ran Fanyin opened her eyes, revealing those light brown pupils like clear tea. “Lin Yuxue is… just my friend…”

“…” Ning Songwu embraced Ran Fanyin, burying her face in Ran Fanyin’s shoulder, an action she had performed many times when she was little, accustomed to crying on Ran Fanyin’s shoulder when she was at her most vulnerable.

Ran Fanyin gently patted Ning Songwu’s back. She was sad because Ning Songwu was sad, but she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how to look at it directly or how to face it.

It had truly been too long since she had gotten along properly with Ning Songwu. She had neglected many things—Ning Songwu’s hardships, the fact that she was still a child, and even her growth from childhood to the present.

“It is late. Stay and sleep in the Withered Glory Pavilion tonight,” Ran Fanyin gently comforted her.

Ran Fanyin did not reply, only lowered her head and took another bite of the sugar-coated hawthorn on the stick that Ning Songwu was holding. A moment later, she mumbled with the hawthorn still in her mouth, “Do you… do you feel that I am very dull?”

Ning Songwu burst out laughing. “You asked me that same question when you first came down from Kunlun. Are you really that concerned about it?”

“I have heard many people say that about me in the past.”

“Then why did you not care before, but now you suddenly do?”

“Before it was them, but now it is you,” Ran Fanyin’s voice was soft, carrying a hint of tenderness. “But I… have been the Venerable Master for so many years…”

Ning Songwu understood what Ran Fanyin was trying to say and interrupted her. “Then you tell me, what kind of person am I?”

Ran Fanyin thought for a moment, head lowered, and replied, “My disciple.”

Ran Fanyin couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking her head. “What are you being mischievous about? If you aren’t Ning Songwu, who are you?”

“It’s different. That is only my name. I could be called many names,” Ning Songwu suddenly stopped walking, pulling Ran Fanyin to a halt as well. “But I have only one single identity.”

Ran Fanyin stood still, tilting her head to quietly look at Ning Songwu’s face. Her expression was like a lake in early winter: the surface was clearly covered by a layer of thin ice, but beneath the ice, gentle water flowed peacefully. Many people only saw the ice, but only one person saw the delicate softness beneath it.

Ning Songwu scanned her surroundings with her peripheral vision. It was early, and there was no one on this small path. She felt safe stepping forward, gripping Ran Fanyin’s hand and forcing her back against the ancient brick wall. She gazed at Ran Fanyin’s lowered brows and eyes with extremely gentle eyes. The distance was too close; their bodies were pressed tightly together. She could even hear Ran Fanyin’s heart beating intensely in her chest—strong and powerful.

She rested her chin on Ran Fanyin’s shoulder, her lips lightly touching Ran Fanyin’s earlobe, her voice lowered to an extreme whisper:

“I am your wife.”

Ran Fanyin’s ear turned crimson like blood, stimulated by the moist heat of her breath.

“I love you in my heart, so you don’t have to worry about being dull. I love everything about you. You can be the Venerable Master to everyone, but you are only my wife. The person you least need to worry about is me. Because I love you, I can spoil you, protect you, and forgive you without any conditions.”

Ran Fanyin closed her eyes, turned her face, and touched Ning Songwu’s lips, kissing her in a gentle, reserved manner.

Ning Songwu slightly opened her eyes, watching Ran Fanyin’s trembling eyelashes with seriousness.

Perhaps she had foreseen something, which was why she said she would forgive her without conditions. It was a comfort to Ran Fanyin and also a hint to herself that this was the woman she loved. She should not be angry with her, no matter what happened.

The deeply buried thought was like a new sprout, wanting to break through the soil but remaining covered by that thin layer, just waiting for the next opportunity or for a long time to pass before it would finally show itself.

Ning Songwu gently held Ran Fanyin’s lip between hers. It was soft and cool, carrying the sweetness of the sugar coating from the hawthorns. It made her unwilling to use even a little more force, yet also unwilling to let the kiss be merely a shallow taste.

Love reached its extreme, and thus, heartache reached its extreme.

Ran Fanyin pondered for a moment, then said, “The missing people are all martial artists?”