Chapter One: Ice and Snow, The Forbidden Land of Life

Adi trudged forward with great difficulty, striving to ascend. Each member of the Royal Guard is a meticulously selected master of martial arts, most of whom are outstanding graduates from the Imperial Military Academy, while a few are the bravest warriors chosen from the army. Their treatment is exceptionally generous, making them the elite of all the armies of the Golden Moon Dynasty. Adi had once dreamed of being selected into the Royal Guard after graduation, becoming the envy of all. However, now he must contend with the pursuit of those who may be his seniors and predecessors, fighting for his life in a desperate struggle for survival

Adi thought to himself, yet he did not dare to truly stop and rest. Once he halted his steps, not to mention the pursuing enemies behind him, even the blizzard could take his life.

The Landak family is not renowned for their martial prowess, yet the swordsmanship of this young man, passed down through generations, rivals that of formal knights

He was unaware that this issue had already sparked intense debate among the royal guards pursuing him

The remaining nine members of the guard squad, although low in morale, still appeared remarkably agile as they moved about. Despite the biting cold winds of Mount Berlusconi troubling this pursuing force, their marching speed was still more than twice that of an ordinary person

No one knew that Adi had a serious conflict with his father over his post-graduation plans, which led to a temporary cessation of his financial support. In order to afford food and tuition, this young man had secretly joined a band of thieves, experiencing countless life-and-death adventures, and his practical skills were far superior to those of his peers.

From the Imperial Capital to the Belusconi Mountains, the young man on the run has encountered the pursuing royal guards multiple times. Relying on his formidable swordsmanship honed since childhood and his astute mind, Adi has killed six guards in succession, yet he is forced to venture into the so-called land of death, the Belusconi Mountains. As he ascends the mountain, the wind and snow intensify, and the climate grows increasingly frigid; beyond this point lies a zone of life-threatening danger.

The Berlusconi Mountains, howling with wind and snow, have always been sparsely populated. Yet at this moment, at the foot of the mountain, there is a boy of about sixteen or seventeen struggling against the harsh weather. His linen coat is covered in frost, and his leather boots are caked with snow, but there is not a trace of fear on his face

Ady Lendak, at merely seventeen years of age, is in the Military Academy of the Imperial Capital. Aside from his passion for history, which has earned him a somewhat bookish reputation, all the records obtained by Li Ke Li appear quite ordinary. However, during several encounters, every member of this Royal Guard squad has developed a sense of fear towards this young man.

The Rundak family, originally a prestigious lineage of the Golden Moon Dynasty, unfortunately found themselves on the wrong side of the throne succession battle, having consistently supported the first prince, Robin

I wonder how my parents are doing? Prince Haken is not a very cruel person; perhaps he would not kill my parents! At most, they would be demoted to commoners!

The second prince Haken, who was originally not favored, suddenly launched a bloody coup in the imperial capital after gaining the support of the commander of the Northern Legion stationed at the border, seizing the supreme scepter with an iron fist. After the new emperor ascended the throne, former opponents were successively sent to the gallows. Adi, who was studying at the Military Academy in the imperial capital and was just one month away from graduation, hurriedly fled the capital of Jinyue City upon learning of his parents' arrest.

Adi was unaware of the troubles faced by his pursuers. His escape to this land of death was not due to a hasty choice of route, but rather because, during his time with the band of thieves, he inadvertently obtained a mysterious map. This map, originating from the ancient Great Stone Dynasty, depicted an enormous and unparalleled labyrinth.

Due to concerns that the longsword would freeze to the scabbard, Adi had long since drawn the longsword and tightly bound it behind his waist with a cloth strap. However, the chill of the ice and snow had already rendered the fine steel longsword difficult to touch. "In such weather, perhaps those few royal guards will give up the pursuit!" Adi struggled to shake off his darker emotions, offering himself some encouragement and comfort.

"Damn it! Oluza, you coward, you worthless piece of trash! If I fail to hunt down a mere underage brat, how am I supposed to go back and explain myself? The new emperor is not someone to be trifled with! Without a head in hand, what do you think? Can we even go back? Moreover, we have already left behind six corpses. Even if we personally behead this kid, we will become the laughingstock of the Royal Guard and the *Tu* *Shu*!" Being scolded loudly by the captain, Oluza felt displeased and thought to himself: "You are the real joke!" However, he dared not voice his thoughts aloud. Moreover, we have already left behind six corpses. Even if we personally behead this kid, we will become the laughingstock of the Royal Guard and the *Tu* *Shu*!" Being scolded loudly by the captain, Oluza felt displeased and thought to himself: "You are the real joke!" However, he dared not voice his thoughts aloud

It is so cold, I am really feeling a bit sleepy

The royal guard squad tasked with capturing him consists of a total of fifteen members. To them, pursuing a rookie who has yet to graduate from the Imperial Military Academy seems like a rather leisurely task. However, they did not anticipate Adi's formidable strength. Along the way, Adi displayed remarkable wit, repeatedly evading their relentless pursuit. In several direct confrontations, six of their companions fell, allowing this guard squad to experience the fierce swordsmanship of the young man.

Although Li Keli cursed loudly at Aolu Sha, he felt uncertain deep down. How could he not know that due to this unfortunate pursuit, his authority as a squad leader had already been completely undermined among his team members? During their first encounter with Adi, he was impulsively lured into a trap by Adi's cunning, resulting in a careless move that led to Adi severing two fingers from his left hand with a single strike. In the subsequent pursuit, Li Keli's recklessness and impulsiveness once again exacted a heavy toll on them. During their first encounter with Adi, he was impulsively lured into a trap by Adi's cunning, resulting in a careless move that led to Adi severing two fingers from his left hand with a single strike. In the subsequent pursuit, Li Keli's recklessness and impulsiveness once again exacted a heavy toll on them

Due to the relentless pursuit of Adi, these royal guards did not have time to prepare warm clothing. Faced with the biting cold winds of Mount Berlusconi, everyone displayed signs of fear. With the new emperor ascending the throne, who wouldn't want to achieve some merit? To accumulate some gains for their own promotion. Even if promotion is not possible, it is best not to be caught making any mistakes, lest they be demoted. The disparity in status between the royal guards and local legions is immense. Even if promotion is not possible, it is best not to be caught making any mistakes, lest they be demoted. The disparity in status between the royal guards and local legions is immense.

Gazing at the snow-capped peaks of Mount Berlusconi, Oluza felt a genuine lack of confidence in his ability to ascend safely. He looked at the captain, whose face was uncertainly pale, whether from the cold or from anger, and softly suggested: "Mount Berlusconi is a mountain of death; this hellish cold wind will send that little brat straight to hell. We need not take the risk"

Although he comforted himself in his heart, Adi clearly understood how devastating the recent bloodshed in the capital was. On the road to escape, news kept coming in about certain families being completely executed, which left Adi alarmed and deeply worried for his parents. However, politics is this cruel; Adi knew all too well that it was impossible for one person to save an entire family, especially considering that, no matter how formidable his swordsmanship was, he was still only seventeen years old.