Chapter 7: The Ice and Snow Domain

Yin Changge let out a cold laugh and looked at Shang Wan with a frosty gaze: "Young Master is resolute, and Brother Lu possesses a brave spirit. If my senior sister and I were to retreat here, what face would we have to return and meet our masters? We shall certainly accompany you to the end."

Amidst the intense words filled with distinct resentment, Zuo Qingci remained unperturbed, his demeanor calm and steady: "You are all extraordinary masters, surely capable of achieving extraordinary feats. Does Brother Shang not have confidence?"

In the winter days, when the days are short and the nights are long, one cannot travel far without needing to rest. This provided Fei Kuo'er with the opportunity to recuperate, and after more than ten days, he had regained some strength. He shared a carriage with Shang Wan, and both of them had a taciturn disposition, spending the entire day in silence without exchanging a single word. The interior of the carriage was as quiet as the void, with one either resting with closed eyes or meditating in practice.

If in the Central Plains, Shang Wan would certainly not easily retreat, but the dangers encountered along the way made him dare not harbor even a shred of luck: "Even if we pass through the valley in summer, it will take fifteen days. If we had killed those few guides earlier, we could have sustained ourselves a little longer with the remaining rations. Now, with perilous roads ahead and no food to fill our stomachs, how can we proceed?"

Zuo Qingci, draped in a heavy fur coat, gazed far into the distance. The vast snow-capped mountains towered high enough to touch the clouds, with steep cliffs stretching endlessly for thousands of miles. The purple-gray clouds resembled ink congealed on a writing slate, pressing low against the sky. The biting wind swept through, freezing all living things in its icy grip. Countless verdant spruces were solidified by the frost, resembling giants adorned with frost and snow.

Lu Lanshan paused for a moment, suddenly letting out a heartfelt sigh of regret: "This person, though still young, possesses extraordinary skills and boundless potential for the future. It is truly perplexing how he has succumbed to madness, acting irrationally without distinguishing between friend and foe. Unfortunately, his remarkable abilities are such that no one can withstand him, and there have been repeated incidents of him drawing his sword and injuring others in his madness. The major sects have collectively sought out Tiandao Peak, and Zhengyang Palace had no choice but to dispatch an elder, along with members from various sects, to intercept Su Xuan by the shores of Dongting Lake. After a battle, he vanished from existence, and the martial world has since been devoid of the Sword Demon."

Lu Lanshan's casual remark left Yin Changge and Shen Manqing in silence. Zuo Qingci, maintaining a composed demeanor, seamlessly continued the conversation: "I have lived in seclusion for many years, and indeed, I am quite ignorant. The title of Sword Demon sounds remarkably imposing."

Lu Lanshan spoke passionately, unaware of the expressions of those around him, and said: "In the past century, there have been countless talents in Zhengyang Palace, yet none can match the momentum of Su Xuan. It is said that he was taught by the previous generation's Zhengyang Master, possessing extraordinary talent. Even in his youth, his swordsmanship was unparalleled, and no one could rival him on Tiandu Peak. Since descending the mountain, he has rarely faced defeat, and most of the renowned masters in the martial world have fallen under his sword. He single-handedly eliminated the Seven Evils of Yandang, the Twin Demons of Laoshan, the Xuan Yue Monk, and the Ghost Mother of the Southern Frontier, becoming a figure that strikes fear in the hearts of the martial community."

Lu Lanshan is well aware of the fundamentals. He explains, "The teachings of Zhengyang Palace are strictly upheld, and only a few true disciples are able to master the ultimate skills. Furthermore, there is a rule that those who have not yet perfected their art are not allowed to descend the mountain, which is why very few can roam the martial world; they are all exceptional individuals. Young master, you are not from the martial world and have not heard of its former glory. More than ten years ago, there was only the Sword Demon Su Xuan, and no one in the martial realm dared to challenge his prowess."

Yin Changge's rare hesitation led to a prolonged struggle before he finally spoke with difficulty: "Not quite, at that time, all the major sects united to denounce at Tiandou Peak, and the pressure on Zhengyang Palace was immense. During the siege of Dongting, the elders originally intended to abolish Shishu's martial arts and bring him back to the mountain for recuperation, but unexpectedly, his swordsmanship had reached a transcendent level, making it impossible to restrain him at all"

The several guides hired at great expense, wrapped in thick clothing, still had pale faces due to the cold. They instructed everyone to cover their eyes with protective black veils to filter out the blinding white light of the snow, and repeatedly cautioned that no one should raise their voice in the snowy region. A heavy atmosphere enveloped the group as Yin Changge walked at the front, followed closely by Shen Manqing. Behind them trailed Shang Wan, while Lu Lanshan, with his long strides, lagged slightly at the rear. Fei Kouer flitted in and out of the group, sometimes disappearing for a while, leaving one to wonder what he was up to. The heavy atmosphere enveloped the group as Yin Changge walked at the front, followed closely by Shen Manqing. Behind them trailed Shang Wan, while Lu Lanshan, with his long strides, lagged slightly at the rear. Fei Kouer flitted in and out of the group, sometimes disappearing for a while, leaving one to wonder what he was up to

The cart jolted as it rolled over the stones, and Shen Manqing suddenly interjected. Unlike Yin Changge's obscure manner of speaking, her words were calm and gentle. "The matter concerning my master uncle is a regretful incident from the early years of Zhengyang Palace, seldom mentioned by the esteemed elders. We, the younger generation, are also unaware of the details. When Changge and I descended the mountain, my master had reminded us to take heed, to think carefully and act cautiously, and to uphold the principles of integrity and reticence."

Day after day, the journey was monotonous and arduous, compounded by the torment of severe cold. Each individual became pale and emaciated, utterly exhausted. After much difficulty, we finally arrived at the Wakhan Valley, but the guide steadfastly refused to proceed any further.

Abandoning the damaged vehicle, the horse carried the remaining supplies against the wind, with the people following behind. The snow-covered mountains stretched steeply, and the prolonged trek through snow that reached up to their thighs resulted in significant physical exhaustion. The previous ease was no longer present, and the group moved forward in a silent and arduous manner.

Lu Lanshan frowned and said, "What are you talking about, Brother Shang? It is already difficult for those mountain dwellers to bring us here; killing and robbing for food is not the right way to go about things"

With a sudden wave of her hand, a cup of steaming water was splashed outside the tent, rising into a cluster of white mist, which, before it even touched the ground, transformed into fine ice particles: "Look at this damned snow, once buried, no plan is of any use; it’s a matter of life and death in a real fight. This is completely a matter of giving up one’s life for nothing. Now I understand, Fei Kouer was right, the people from the inner court would never come here to seek death."

Yin Changge increasingly felt that something was amiss, and he retorted first: "To kill indiscriminately for one's own needs is no different from the actions of a villain."

Lu Lanshan has no other interests, only obsessed with martial arts. During their time together, Zuo Qingci has long been familiar with this: "What a rare hero, why is it seldom heard of in these times?"

Zuo Qingci appeared somewhat diminished, with a hint of weariness in her brows, yet she still exuded an air of noble composure. "Now that we have reached this point, moving forward is the only choice; if we wait for the snow to melt and spring to fade, all will be lost."

Amidst the howling winds, Shang Wan broke the deadlock, his face shrouded in gloom and suppressed resentment: "Seven days to get out? The horses are all dead, and the guide described the valley as a snow prison, with packs of snow wolves roaming about. It is utterly impossible to pass through in winter"

"Young Master, the axle is broken and cannot be repaired." Bai Mo felt the sweat on his forehead, and as he breathed, mist spread around him, with tiny ice particles clinging to his eyelashes

"I only know to do my utmost and leave the rest to fate." With this remark, Zuo Qingci interrupted him, his cold and handsome face clearly displaying arrogance, weighing heavily on one's heart. "What lies before us is merely a minor obstacle; if it could be easily overcome, why would you all need to come here? Those who are unwilling to proceed may turn back now."

Shen Manqing appeared somewhat haggard, having been unable to bathe for several days. Her hair was disheveled, her soft lips were chapped, and she had long since lost her smile

The merchant was already filled with anger, blaming both individuals, and his resentment grew colder: "At a time like this, what is there to discuss about righteousness? It sounds nice, but one cannot help but wonder—"

Zhengyang Palace is renowned, yet it has few disciples wandering the martial world. What could be the reason for this? Zhengyang Palace holds a transcendent position in the martial world, and rarely does any internal news leak out, making it quite mysterious. On this day, when it was mentioned by chance, Zuo Qingci also felt a hint of curiosity.

Zuo Qingci once mentioned that he would not delay the journey, and no one expected that this noble young man, with a body of gold and jade, could truly accomplish it. He began his journey from Jincheng, dismissing his guards and leaving only Bai Mo by his side. After abandoning his carriage and walking on foot, he was surprisingly able to keep pace with Bai Mo's support.

Fei Kouer rarely spoke and did not rest in the same place as others. He would disappear at night and only reappear in the morning. It was not until Lu Lanshan accidentally stumbled upon him that he discovered Fei Kouer was actually sleeping in a makeshift snow cave. He seldom answered any questions, and this feeling was certainly not pleasant. Over time, everyone became accustomed to treating him as if he were invisible.

The master and servant never complained about the hardships of the past few days, remaining calm and composed, which evokes a deeper sense of admiration

The tent is neither too big nor too small, yet with a group of people inside, it appears particularly crowded. Outside the tent, a fierce snowstorm rages, and although it has been reinforced multiple times, the canvas tent still shakes violently with the blizzard, as if a mischievous child is jumping on top of it

The only sound in the frigid air was the howling of the fierce wind. After a long while, Lu Lanshan said in a deep voice: "What of the snow prison and the ice sea? I, Lu, do not believe that I cannot break through."

At the end of the Wakhan Valley lies Akesuya, an area abundant in water and grass, where merchants and travelers often stop to rest. The road from Akesuya to Tokharistan is smooth, with ample provisions for carriages and horses, making the journey considerably easier. Zuo Qingci sat cross-legged on a sheepskin mat, drawing a map in the snow with a branch, his face calm and undisturbed by the guide's departure: "The Wakhan Valley has a narrow and elongated terrain; even without a guide, we will not lose our way. We have about seven days' worth of provisions left, and as long as we traverse the valley at the fastest pace, we will have succeeded in half of our journey."

Shen Manqing wrapped herself more tightly in the cloak, remaining silent as she embraced it.

The further one travels northwest, the colder it becomes; the snow on the ground is several feet deep, and the snowflakes drifting in the air are as large as goose feathers. Every village has its doors closed, with no pedestrians in sight. The biting cold has rendered cycling unsuitable, and the entire group has switched to horse-drawn carriages, hiring a coachman to press on along the official road against the howling wind and snow.

Fei Kouer seemed to hear nothing, and no one expected him to react

My master once said that Zhengyang Palace is a secluded place in the world, blessed by heavenly grace. The foremost priority is to cultivate one's character and understand the Dao, as this is fundamental. Practicing martial arts is an invaluable legacy left by the previous sect leader and must not be interrupted. If one relies on skills to act bravely and engage in reckless fights, it would be a reversal of priorities, disrupting the roots of cultivation. Yin Changge spoke very calmly; with his sharpness and self-confidence, he certainly could not agree with such conservative and self-restrictive rules.

The remaining few, however, are in perfect harmony, often crammed into a single vehicle, chatting animatedly with great enthusiasm

Is Zhengyang Palace truly so transcendent? Left Minister Ci refrained from commenting, but casually praised, saying: "The Master of Teaching regards fame and fortune with indifference, truly deserving of being a transcendent figure beyond the mundane."

Only Zuo Qingci is the sole exception; he consistently maintains a pleasant demeanor towards the outcast thieves, never minding their indifferent reactions

The long eyes reflect the towering frost and snow, calm and undisturbed. Zuo Qingci discarded the hand warmer: "Throw away all unnecessary items, take good care of the horse and the guide, and now we can only rely on our own feet."

Shen Manqing tilted her delicate head slightly, her beautiful face devoid of expression, her gaze seemingly lost in thought.

Shang Wan, having been tempered by adversity, was filled with resentment and coldly laughed: "The righteous path? When one is about to starve to death, one can even gnaw on human flesh; what kind of hero is that"

Lu Lanshan cleared his throat, feeling somewhat awkward

The treacherous mountain paths and the violent weather make this formidable mountain range only passable by the caravans of merchants, yet they would never set foot in this realm of death during winter. Despite choosing the sturdiest carts, they still cannot withstand the ravages of nature. Along the way, the vehicles and horses have continuously fallen into peril; just days ago, a cart laden with supplies plunged into a crevice beneath the ice, exacerbating the already dire journey, and now the last cart has also broken down

Shang Wan's facial muscles twitched, and after a moment, he said with a raspy voice: "I, Shang, am not one to fear death. Since you, young master, are determined to proceed, let fate take its course."

A few words encapsulated a heart-stirring past, and Zuo Qingci sighed lightly, "Such a hero, how could the Zhengyang Palace bear to take the life of its own disciple?"

Shen Manqing appeared gentle and amiable, yet this time her words concealed sharpness, with a clear underlying meaning. Her remarks caused Yin Changge to show a look of shame, and he tightly closed his mouth.

Lu Lanshan was momentarily captivated, revealing an infinite sense of regret: "At that time, my skills were not yet perfected; had it been now, I would certainly have sought an audience with him to behold his grandeur"

Zuo Qingci casually shifted the topic, using a few words to ease the awkwardness, and set up a chess game with Yin Changge, while Lu Lanshan watched from the side, the atmosphere quickly becoming harmonious once again

The harsh environment has pushed everyone to their limits. Yin Changge anxiously checked the long nails and tarpaulin of the fixed canopy, while Shang Wan's expression was gloomy, as bleak as the weather. Lu Lanshan waited by the pot for the snow water to boil, his hands kneading the dough that was as hard as stone.