The sudden, overwhelming snowstorm

In just a few breaths, Wan Lixing withdrew his hand and stood up, exclaiming in surprise, “There’s no sign of any profound energy fluctuation!”

Murong Shushan was clearly irritated, his voice sharp with anger. “How is that possible? Any movement from anyone would stir the flow of profound energy—unless all ten major acupoints are open, only then could the fluctuations merge with nature itself. I should never have trusted that useless sensing technique!”

Hearing this, Wan Lixing regained his composure and asked with a deliberate smile, “It’s dark here, the mountains high, not a sound to be heard. Why don’t you lead the way if you’re so eager to pursue?”

Zheng Fanren, seeing events unfold exactly as he had hoped, felt a surge of quiet joy.

Just then, a sudden turn of events occurred. Murong Shushan abruptly launched a fist at Zheng Fanren, shouting, “Zheng Fanren, today I’ll repay you for making me bark like a dog!”

Zheng Fanren didn’t even glance at the incoming blow. Gathering all his strength, he countered with a blade aimed at Murong Shushan’s chest. He had long understood a crucial truth: the more one fears death and clings to life, the more one must fight with abandon in battle.

But lost in thought, his reaction slowed by a split second. Murong Shushan, channeling his profound energy, struck out with his fist, then twisted in mid-air to withdraw. The movement was lightning-quick, much faster than Zheng Fanren’s blade.

The force of the blow sent Zheng Fanren sprawling to the ground, waves of dizziness washing over him. Yet he knew he must not lose consciousness now—otherwise, he’d never even know how he died. Luckily, he’d avoided a direct hit, or the consequences would have been dire.

At that moment, Murong Shushan’s triumphant voice rang out. “Think it’s so easy to withstand a Profound Master’s fist? Take another one!”

But then Wan Lixing interjected, “Heh, no need to kill over such a petty grudge, is there? In all of Luocheng, there are hardly any who could avoid detection by the Five Elements Profound Technique. The Grand Master of the Supreme Profound Academy is one of them.”

Murong Shushan fell into thought. “Could it be that it really was the Grand Master who snatched the book? When that boy mentioned a token of love, the newcomer’s voice sounded angry. If it was the Grand Master, it would make sense—of course he wouldn’t want his daughter to hand such a keepsake to some low-born servant.”

He then pondered further, “If I kill Zheng Fanren, the old man’s troubles are solved, but I’d offend his precious daughter. That would surely spell my death sooner or later.”

Zheng Fanren lay on the ground, feigning unconsciousness, yet inwardly cursed, “Damn it, finally someone here with a bit of sense!”

Though Wan Lixing’s cleverness was self-serving, to Zheng Fanren in this moment, it was a rare and priceless thing.

Leaving their squads to search, Murong Shushan and Wan Lixing departed in frustration. Zheng Fanren remained motionless on the ground.

A gentle night breeze drifted by, and a faint footstep sounded from nearby. Though it drew closer, the steps themselves seemed to tread in place, each one as light and even as the last, giving not the slightest sense of anyone approaching.

Before he realized it, she was standing right next to him—no more than two steps away.

She stood there quietly, her pale feet barely visible amid the shallow grass. When Zheng Fanren opened his eyes, he almost believed he was seeing an apparition, for she seemed untouched by the dust of the mortal world. Standing silently, she merged with the very colors of the mountain, like a scene that belonged to the landscape itself.

He had no time to admire her before he truly fainted away.

...

When Zheng Fanren opened his eyes again, he wondered if he was still dreaming.

He lay upon a luxurious bed, now dressed in a simple yet elegant robe—smooth and soft and exquisitely comfortable. Peering through the translucent canopy, he beheld a splendid room, its furnishings refined and tastefully unique.

The entire chamber exuded an atmosphere of natural ease and comfort.

He sat up and found himself moving freely, without the slightest ache or pain.

Stepping outside, he saw he was in a garden. Pavilions and towers, arched bridges over flowing streams, and a profusion of summer snow flowers made the scene as beautiful as a painting.

He had no idea how long he’d been resting. Now the bright moon hung high in the sky—clearly not the same night he’d fainted.

He looked around and noticed an ancient tree rising in solitary splendor beside the water, oddly striking.

Peering more intently, he was delighted to see the woman he’d met in the mountains that night perched upon its branches. Her white robe gleamed even brighter than the moon.

The woman called out, “Come over here, little brother!”

Zheng Fanren nearly fainted again, thinking, “An angel’s face, a demon’s temperament!”

Nimbly, he climbed the tree and sat beside her, grinning. “What are you doing up here?”

She answered offhandedly, “I couldn’t sleep, so I came out for a stroll.”

Zheng Fanren saw through her at once. “A stroll up a tree?”

She grinned broadly, “The moon is lovely tonight, so I climbed up to enjoy it.”

Zheng Fanren couldn’t help but laugh, “You don’t have to climb a tree to admire the moon!”

The woman raised her voice again, “I like it! Do you know why I brought you back?”

Zheng Fanren shook his head. “No idea! I could have made it back on my own.”

She clearly didn’t like this answer and abruptly dropped down to the ground.

The earth trembled slightly as her chest bounced unconsciously, and from his perch Zheng Fanren nearly fell, his mind flickering to a certain lady Fire Shadow from an animated series.

With utmost gravity, she declared, “I have no sisters. I brought you back because I want to marry you!”

Zheng Fanren couldn’t help but fall from the tree, nearly collapsing to his knees.

Before he could regain his balance, the woman seized him by the shoulders, lifted him up, and sighed, “How can you be so weak? You should eat more!”

With that, she let go, but Zheng Fanren was prepared and managed not to fall.

He retorted angrily, “Woman! With such wild ways, do your family know about you?”

She tapped his forehead, “Listen up—I have no family. My marriage is my own affair. And you, unable to cultivate, don’t expect to run away!”

Zheng Fanren knew that with women like this, weakness was fatal, so he forced a calm smile. “Run? Of course not! Why would I refuse a beauty delivered to my door? But at the very least, shouldn’t I know the name of the woman I’m to wed?”

“Luo Xue. Luo Xue of the Little Snow Courtyard. This is the west garden of the Little Snow Courtyard, where I live alone.”

Zheng Fanren was shocked. “What? You were the one playing the zither that day?”

The mood in that music had not matched her character at all! It was too much for his worldview to bear.

“What? Is there a problem?”

“No... no problem. It’s just that the world seems so mad, I’m having trouble keeping up.”

Luo Xue stepped away, leaving the parting words, “Go to sleep. Eat and rest more so you won’t be so weak!”

Zheng Fanren had always thought himself odd, but now he realized he was simply too normal.

He couldn’t help but sigh, “Such melodrama—how truly, absurdly fascinating...”