After My Thoughts Were Read, My Master Led Me to Change My Fate - Chapter 64

The third month at Beifa arrived quickly.

The Sword Trials began preparing a month in advance, as in previous years. The venues were set on the practice field and the Sword Discourse Platform. Large and small competition stages were erected all over the platform, some high, some low, some built close to the ground, and others suspended high in the air. However, the highest spot on the Sword Discourse Platform remained untouched—it was reserved for the Sect Master and the Three Honored Lords.

Many disciples, having cultivated relationships with the guards of the platform days earlier, entered the Sword Discourse Platform to scope out the area. They eagerly stood on the stages to feel the atmosphere, as the upcoming grand event made all the disciples’ blood boil with anticipation and eagerness to compete.

Starting half a month before the Sword Trials, various sects continuously sent disciples to Beifa Mountain. The close allies of Beifa, Kunlun and Huashan, were naturally present. This year, the Luanhua Valley also sent representatives, including their highly placed and noble Young Valley Master.

Suddenly, the usually tranquil Beifa was crowded with people from various sects, dressed in black, green, and a variety of garish colors. This drew out the Beifa disciples, who normally only saw a vast expanse of white, to join the excitement.

However, the Canghai Pavilion, Wanlang Pavilion, and Rongku Pavilion—where the Three Honored Lords resided—remained aloof and cold. No one dared to cause trouble there.

Cang Min sat on a chair in a lazy manner, his gaze lingering over the table next to him, his expression appreciative. “Tsk, tsk, A’yin, this red sandalwood table of yours really looks quite good…”

Ran Fanyin, sitting next to him, had a cold expression, slowly sipping her tea. “If you like it, take it.”

“How could I do that? We haven’t seen each other for so many years, and I came empty-handed this time. Should I now take away the table from your Rongku Pavilion? That would be truly improper, wouldn’t it?” Cang Min chuckled lightly, tapping the red sandalwood tabletop with his index finger.

“Why aren’t you staying properly in the guest rooms reserved for your sect at Beifa? What are you doing coming here?” Ran Fanyin put down her teacup and glanced at Cang Min indifferently.

“I’m showing concern for you, understand? I heard you were seriously ill a while ago. Look, you still have a bandage wrapped around your wrist.”

“Thank you for your concern. I am already well.”

“…A’yin, I heard you have three disciples? I thought your Rongku Pavilion should be quite lively, with little disciples chattering away. I love a good spectacle, so how is it that you’re the only one here, so cold and quiet?” Cang Min’s fingers unconsciously stroked the tabletop.

“…” Ran Fanyin’s first thought was inexplicably Ning Songwu, and she lowered her head silently.

Cang Min looked at Ran Fanyin’s expression and chuckled. “That look on your face makes you look very much like a little wife.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Ran Fanyin glared at Cang Min.

“Mm… Fine, fine, I’m talking nonsense. But I just checked the guest rooms. The furnishings there are too shabby. I don’t want to stay there. Your place here is quite nice, with so much red sandalwood furniture. I like it very much. Can I stay here?”

“If you want to stay, then stay. Go out the main hall, turn right, and go to the end. All those rooms are empty. Pick whichever you like.”

Cang Min pouted. “Is this your way of treating guests? Tsk, tsk…”

“This is my way of treating guests,” Ran Fanyin replied faintly.

And so, Cang Min genuinely abandoned the other Kunlun disciples and moved into the Rongku Pavilion by himself.

Lin Yuxue was originally very busy. As the Young Valley Master of Luanhua Valley, she had a pile of affairs waiting for her to handle in the Valley. However, as the Beifa Sword Trials approached, she still personally hurried the long distance to Beifa.

Wuji, Wugong, and Wuming were her three personal bodyguards, martial arts experts personally assigned to Lin Yuxue by the Old Valley Master.

Lin Yuxue sat silently in the Beifa guest room. She was twenty-three years old this year, and her demeanor was more elegantly poised than seven years ago. The blue clothes she wore set off her bright and moving beauty, and her features were as clear and pure as a traditional ink painting. The hand hidden beneath her sleeve was fiddling with something. Upon closer inspection, it was a half-face white jade mask intricately carved with cloud patterns.

The thin layer of white jade looked lustrous and cool to the touch.

Wuji said solemnly from the side, “Young Valley Master, a message just came from the Valley Master. Spies from the Fentian Sect have been discovered in the Valley.”

“Have they all been rooted out?”

“No, only a small portion was captured. The Valley Master estimates there are still remnants that have not been eliminated.”

“Issue an order immediately. The Valley will temporarily cease taking in new disciples. All disciples who joined within the last three years are to be expelled from Luanhua Valley, and all disciples who joined within the last five years are to be carefully investigated,” Lin Yuxue instructed quite nonchalantly, lifting the white jade mask and holding it in front of her face as if playing with it.

“Young Valley Master, won’t this cause confusion among the disciples in the Valley?” Wugong interjected.

“Let there be confusion. Only by unsettling them will they realize when they should not be exploited by villains,” Lin Yuxue said slowly.

“The Valley Master is of the same mind. Additionally, the Valley Master specifically instructed that during this trip, the Young Valley Master should visit the Beifa Sect Master or one of the Three Honored Lords to discuss… matters related to the Fentian Sect,” Wuji said elliptically.

Lin Yuxue immediately understood the Valley Master’s meaning in Wuji’s words and smiled. “That’s convenient, then. It has been a while since I last saw the Honored Lords of Beifa. Which one is available for a visit now?”

Wuming spoke, his voice sounding like a robot, without inflection, making it sound very strange. “Currently, Sect Master Hong Shengcen is in secluded cultivation and has not emerged. Honored Lord Cheng Yunhuan is busy presiding over matters related to the Sword Trials. Honored Lord Jiang Yue is in the Sword-Casting Pool, and it is uncertain whether he is available…”

“Then I can only go see Honored Lord Ran Fanyin?” Lin Yuxue’s smile deepened. “Very good. After so many years, I really do wish to see her.”

Wuji said respectfully, “Yes, this subordinate will lead the Young Valley Master to Rongku Pavilion now.”

When Lin Yuxue arrived at the Rongku Pavilion, Ran Fanyin and Cang Min were sitting at a small table set up under an old tree, boiling tea and playing Go.

Wuji asked, “Young Valley Master, do you require your subordinates to…”

“The three of you may step away. I am in no danger here. I only wish to have a good chat with Honored Lord Ran Fanyin,” Lin Yuxue said, still fiddling with the white jade mask in her hand, smiling as she looked at Ran Fanyin.

Cang Min was facing Lin Yuxue. She raised an eyebrow and smiled at Ran Fanyin. “Oh, who is this girl you’ve managed to hook up with?”

Ran Fanyin turned around in confusion. Seeing Lin Yuxue, she narrowed her eyes.

Who is this, again?

Looks a little familiar…

Ran Fanyin bit her lip, trying hard to recall, but anything she didn’t deliberately set out to memorize was usually forgotten quickly. This person must not have been seen for quite a few years, otherwise, she wouldn’t have even forgotten the person’s identity and name.

Lin Yuxue stepped forward and said, “Honored Lord Ran Fanyin, may you be well since we last met.”

Ran Fanyin was still stubbornly immersed in trying to remember who this person was.

Cang Min saw Ran Fanyin’s daze and couldn’t help but laugh, telling Lin Yuxue, “How could she be well since last met? She has had major and minor illnesses constantly these past few years. Look at her hand; she is injured.”

Lin Yuxue lowered her eyes. “Honored Lord Ran Fanyin, how is it that the injury to your wrist from seven years ago has still not healed?”

Ran Fanyin suddenly remembered. Seven years ago, Lin Yuxue had dressed her wound and even gave her a mechanical bird and a mechanical mouse.

“Ahem… It’s just a new injury. It turns out to be Young Valley Master. Please sit,” Ran Fanyin replied politely.

Lin Yuxue sat down next to her, raising an eyebrow to ask Ran Fanyin, “What do you mean by ‘It turns out to be Young Valley Master’? Did you not recognize me just now?”

Cang Min saw Ran Fanyin’s slightly flushed ears and laughed. “She must have forgotten. Her memory is always poor.”

Lin Yuxue placed the white jade mask she was holding onto the chessboard and pointed to the mask. “Honored Lord Ran Fanyin, do you still remember this mask? Seven years ago, we both took a fancy to it at the same time. Later, I bought it. Do you still want it now?”

Ran Fanyin said faintly, “I apologize, I have forgotten. Young Valley Master should keep it. Is there something you need from me?”

Cang Min interjected, “Oh! I know. This Young Valley Master must also find those shabby guest rooms unlivable. Did she perhaps think to leverage her acquaintance with you to get a place to stay, only to find that you, the heartless and ungrateful person, had completely forgotten her…”

“Cang Min!” Ran Fanyin stopped Cang Min’s rambling and looked at Lin Yuxue awkwardly. “If that is the case, it is my fault. Young Valley Master is welcome to choose a room to stay in.”

Lin Yuxue’s eyes widened. This was an unexpected gain, but… she didn’t seem to have a reason to refuse.

“Then I thank Honored Lord Ran Fanyin. Actually, there are some minor matters, but it would be truly inconvenient to bother the Honored Lord’s mood with them right now. Honored Lord Ran Fanyin should continue to drink tea and play Go for now.”

Ran Fanyin nodded. She poured a cup of tea for Lin Yuxue, then turned back to continue her Go match with Cang Min.

Lin Yuxue quietly drank her tea while watching Ran Fanyin’s focused and tranquil demeanor while playing Go. She continued to fiddle with the white jade mask in her hand.

The Sword Trials were only ten days away.

Just as night fell, Ning Songwu put down her book, picked up her sword, and walked toward the small bamboo grove.

Helan Mianmian happened to return from outside, holding a paper bag in her hand and chewing on something. Seeing Ning Songwu, she grabbed her. “Hey, where are you going? It’s dark… Mmm, munch, munch…”

“What are you eating? It smells so strong,” Ning Songwu said disdainfully, waving her nose.

“It’s chive buns that Sister Cen Ran brought me… Hey, what is that expression? Are you looking down on chive buns?”

“I’m not looking down on them… You eat slowly. I’ve cleared the room for you and my Senior Sister. See you later,” Ning Songwu said with a dark expression, trying to leave.

Helan Mianmian still held onto her. “Oh, what’s with that expression? You’ve been practicing sword forms like crazy these days. Take a break. Hey, you haven’t seen the Honored Lord in a month or two, right? Find a free moment tonight and go see her at the Rongku Pavilion.”

“Master won’t want to see me,” Ning Songwu pouted.

“Who told you to jump out? I see you’ve been so anxious these days. Go take a look at the Honored Lord; maybe it will relax your mood. Just watch her secretly from the side; consider it a reward for yourself.”

“That makes sense. Alright,” Ning Songwu nodded. She looked at Helan Mianmian chewing happily, tsk-tsked twice, and then turned to leave.

Helan Mianmian shouted after Ning Songwu, hugging her chive buns, “Come back early!”

Ning Songwu remembered something and quickly turned back. “Hey! Don’t bring that stuff into the room to eat, or I’ll kill you!”

“Oh…” Helan Mianmian took another chive bun out of the paper bag and stuffed it into her mouth, obediently standing at the door to eat.

Ning Songwu nodded in satisfaction and left with confidence.

A short while later, Cen Ran arrived. Seeing Helan Mianmian standing at the door eating a bag of buns, she couldn’t help but ask, “What are you doing standing here? Waiting for me?”

“Of course not… Ning Songwu said she would kill me if I took them inside to eat,” Helan Mianmian rolled her eyes.

Cen Ran smiled and patted Helan Mianmian’s head. “Then you’re quite obedient. Why aren’t you usually this good? …Come inside. If you stand here, you might catch a chill from the wind.”

“Then what if Ning Songwu kills me? Will you avenge me?” Helan Mianmian blinked playfully at Cen Ran.

“She has gone too far. I won’t go back to Rongku Pavilion tonight. We’ll see if she has the guts to kill you.”

“Sister Cen Ran…” Helan Mianmian nestled her head into Cen Ran’s chest, rubbing against her like a small cat.

The night was quite deep. The Go game had long since ended. Cang Min packed up and returned to his room. Ran Fanyin and Lin Yuxue were still there, boiling tea under the old tree. The darkness, coupled with the white snow reflecting the bright moonlight, made the surroundings truly elegant and serene.

Lin Yuxue drank a lot of the tea. She found the flavor rich and mellow, with a lingering cool fragrance on her tongue. It was absolutely delicious. “Honored Lord Ran Fanyin’s tea-making skills are truly admirable. Is there a special technique?”

“Mountains like Beifa, where cultivators constantly reside, possess spiritual energy. The spiritual water nurtured by the spiritual mountain, the lotus flowers nurtured by the spiritual water, and the dew collected from the tips of the lotus petals—how could the tea brewed with them be ordinary? If I hadn’t come to Beifa, I doubt I would ever taste such tea in this life.”

“I never thought the Young Valley Master was also a lover of tea,” Ran Fanyin said with a faint smile.

Ran Fanyin rarely smiled; at least, Lin Yuxue had practically never seen her smile. In the darkness, against the backdrop of the vast snow, that extremely shallow, faint smile on Ran Fanyin’s lips was like the single green lotus blooming in a world of ice and snow—transcendent and refined, unlike anything found in the mortal realm, and utterly graceful.

“Honored Lord Ran Fanyin, have you changed your dressing yet?” Lin Yuxue asked gently.

Ran Fanyin froze for a moment, then shook her head. “Not yet…”

Lin Yuxue took Ran Fanyin’s wrist. Ran Fanyin subconsciously struggled, but Lin Yuxue said, “Why are you dodging? I was the one who changed your dressing when your hand was injured so badly a few years ago. I didn’t bring a mechanical mouse this time, so I can’t bribe you.”

Ran Fanyin’s ears turned red, and she lowered her head. “No… there’s no need to trouble the Young Valley Master…”

“You see, ever since that incident, I’ve carried topical ointment with me everywhere, just in case. If you happen to injure yourself again, and if I happen to be by your side, at least I’ll have medicine,” Lin Yuxue said, holding a bottle of ointment and twisting off the lid.

Snap.

A faint sound of a small branch breaking rang out. In the silent environment with no one else around, the sound was extremely noticeable.

Ran Fanyin frowned. Her hearing was excellent, and she instantly recognized where the sound came from. She pulled her hand free and moved over.

“Who’s there?” Ran Fanyin brushed the bushes aside with her sleeve. Her furrowed brow froze instantly.

Ning Songwu was biting her lip, staring intently at her.

Lin Yuxue walked over. “What is it? Who is it?”

Ning Songwu turned her gaze toward Lin Yuxue and gave a small laugh. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Ran Fanyin coughed lightly, turned to Lin Yuxue, and said, “I apologize, Young Valley Master. This is my disciple. Perhaps she saw me speaking with you and didn’t come over right away.”

“She is your disciple? Hmm…” Lin Yuxue nodded. For some reason, she felt that Ran Fanyin’s disciple’s last remark sounded a little sour.

“Young Valley Master, the hour is late. Perhaps we should meet again another day,” Ran Fanyin said very politely.

Lin Yuxue chuckled. “Of course. The hour is late. Honored Lord Ran Fanyin should rest well. Remember to change your dressing.”

“Yes, I remember,” Ran Fanyin nodded politely.

Lin Yuxue bid farewell, turned, and left the courtyard.

Ning Songwu scoffed through her nose and also turned to leave.

Ran Fanyin almost instinctively stepped forward and grabbed Ning Songwu’s hand.

Fingers that were slightly cold in the dark gently touched Ning Songwu’s warm hand, like a snowflake softly landing, making her heart skip a beat.