Chapter 3, Iron Horse on the Icy River
After a low, mournful howl of the wolf, the sounds of the snow wolves inside and outside the house quickly faded away
This story begins with the departure of Amy's father from the village. The villagers of Haike Village, like most residents of Warm Water River, are primarily migrants from the Amy Empire or the Holy See. This area is surrounded to the north by a snow-covered forest that stretches 1,000 kilometers long and 200 kilometers wide. To the east lies the only broadleaf forest on the frozen continent—the Warm Water River Forest, which is also quite extensive, measuring approximately 300 kilometers in both length and width. The south and west are bordered by the sea. The northern region is enveloped by a snow-covered forest that stretches 1,000 kilometers long and 200 kilometers wide. To the east is the only broadleaf forest on the frozen continent—the Warm Water River Forest, which is also quite extensive, measuring approximately 300 kilometers in both length and width. The south and west are bordered by the sea
"It should be possible, but I don't know how many years it will take. You are still young; when you grow a bit older, you will naturally understand." The person who would later be referred to as Uncle by Amy simply replied, "Perhaps you still need to save your father."
As for the written records of the Trial Caves, the most recent account dates back 56 years, describing a convoy escorting a grand mage to the trials. They had to traverse a lengthy 150 kilometers of the Trial Caves before reaching the Tower of Ice's Prayer. Within this 150-kilometer cave, it takes at least 10 days to navigate, and it is teeming with monsters, most of which are naturally endowed with some basic ice magic. On that occasion, the escort team of 750 people lost 60% of its warriors during the entry and exit of the Trial Caves before finally reaching the Tower of Ice's Prayer.
In the existing history of the Empire, there have been a total of 342 Grand Sorcerers, among whom 134 voluntarily expressed their willingness to enter the Tower of Wishes for trials. According to records, a total of 15 Grand Sorcerers chose the Tower of Ice Wishes, but only three succeeded in passing the trials. Among these three, one concluded the trials after 5 years in the Tower, while the other two finished their trials after more than 10 years. These three Imperial Sorcerers (those who pass the trials will receive the title of Sorcerer from the Magic Guild) described in their magical diaries that upon entering the Tower of Wishes, they were essentially thrown into an icy barrier, where they trained and enhanced their magical abilities within the illusions of the barrier.
According to a man named Chi Hanfeng, during a subsequent series of operations, Lake Haber, who was then the commander of the Glacier Infantry Brigade of the border defense forces, saved his life on several occasions: In the year 188 of the Red Moon Calendar, shortly after taking office, Chi Hanfeng led a team to pursue the snow orcs that had emerged from the snowy forest to harass the border. Unfamiliar with the terrain, Chi Hanfeng was led by the snow orcs into the Ice Valley, 50 kilometers deep within the snowy forest. He intended to annihilate the cavalry brigade of these snow orcs in one fell swoop. However, after charging down with great momentum, he discovered that the snow orcs had escaped using the ice ladders on both sides of the Ice Valley. The cavalry, who had rushed down the slope, looked back at the 30° incline and felt a sense of being abandoned by the heavens—a long slope of 20 kilometers that took only half a day to descend, but what about the return? Was there anyone who could go back? The horses simply lacked the strength to climb while overcoming the slick ice surface.
Both individuals acknowledged that the risks of this journey were substantial, yet they were eager to participate.
In previous collaborative tasks between the two individuals, the Knight Brigade often undertook assault missions, while the Glacier Infantry Brigade typically executed defensive or diversionary tasks. In his memory, Chi Hanfeng had rarely seen Lake Harbor take direct action, and out of concern for this friend, who hailed from a background as a wilderness hunter, he had never inquired about his martial skills.
The old man hesitated as he opened the iron door a small crack, and after confirming through the gap that there were indeed no snow wolves, he fully opened the iron door
In the year 187 of the Red Moon Calendar, Han Feng Chi was assigned from the imperial capital to serve in the border defense forces of the Northern Federation, holding the position of cavalry commander of the Snow Moon Legion. Upon returning to the army for a family visit, Lake Haber discovered that the original cavalry commander had been reassigned back to the imperial border region of the Jielin War Zone, and during a very formal visit, he met Han Feng Chi.
Such escort missions are a dance with death for any elite army, and no one should expect to return unscathed. Over the past four years, Lake Harbor and Chi Hanfeng have completed numerous missions together, and this is the first time they have quarreled during a task.
In Chi Hanfeng's understanding, this is precisely the reason why Lake Harbor cannot continue onward
"Dad, Dad, he is Dad's friend." Upon hearing her father's name, Amy almost forgot everything and reached out to unlock the iron door's latch, but the old man pulled her back.
If something happens to Laike, his son will become an orphan
"Is my dad... dead?" Seven-year-old Amy spoke in a flustered manner.
In the year 192 of the Red Moon Calendar, a stranger named Chi Hanfeng became a member of Haike Village under the name of Amy's distant uncle. Strangely, since the day he arrived in Haike Village, the Snow Wolf has not come to collect taxes from the village.
2. Marching in the snow, the cavalry instead becomes a burden
In this vast land where not a soul can be found, it is quite ordinary for a snowstorm to last for 10 consecutive days, with snow accumulating to over 3 meters. All residents within hundreds of miles can be buried alive and suffocate to death. The beasts that manage to survive in this world possess immense power and destructive capability. Naturally, the humans who can endure in this world are also much more formidable and valiant compared to those from other continents
"Um, is this the Haber residence? I am a friend of Lake Haber." A pleasant male voice floated down from above.
2. Marching in the snow, having more horses can increase speed, and in case of emergencies, the horses can also be slaughtered for meat—once dismounted, the knights naturally become infantry; how can they be inferior to glacier infantry?
At this point, Chi Hanfeng's voice suddenly became unclear, and the grandfather and grandson, who were focused on the life and death of Lake Habber, did not pay much attention to the details in his words
Young people are different. Lake Harbor spent his childhood in the Northern Federation of the Empire, growing up in Haike Village. With a high-spirited nature, he was unwilling to stay in one place for long and was determined to venture out into the world. Elder Harbor's opinion was very clear: young people need to go out and explore. Life spans several decades, and one should do what young people ought to do while they are still young
"Who?" the little boy instinctively asked, only to suddenly realize how could this person possibly be with the snow wolf, and he was so frightened that he tightly clung to his grandfather, nearly screaming.
Near Longya Mountain, it is said that an ice and snow-type green dragon roams, having once attacked merchants and even military troops on the continental highways
"According to the planned itinerary, we walked out of the snow-covered forest..." The man named Chi Hanfeng, as he spoke, gradually immersed himself in his own memories.
Hello, Uncle Haber. I am a friend of Lake Haber from the military. My name is Hanfeng Chi, or you may call me Chi Hanfeng, which might be more convenient. Looking at this person's surname, it turns out to be a descendant of an ancient Eastern ethnicity
"Well, even if I tell you, you might not believe it..." This young man said earnestly, "I don't know either, which is why I came here."
Thus, ten years ago, during the most recent invasion of the Amy Empire, 20-year-old Lake Harbor joined the imperial army as a guide
The general situation is as follows ... ... At the gesture of the old man Haber, the young man sat by the bed and began to recount the reason for his arrival in Haike Village
Heike Village has never had the Hami people come here. Even when taxes need to be collected, the Hami send individuals from other races. Therefore, in this area, there are wolves without people, and people without wolves; wolves and humans certainly cannot coexist
Can he come back? What is a barrier storm?" Little Amy asked with concern
Lake Harbor attempted to persuade Chi Hanfeng to return for two reasons
At last, the two partners who had shared a friendship for five years resorted to violence—since that is the case, let the stronger one prevail, as the chances of survival are greater for the strong.
One of the squads is only required to escort the Ice and Snow Forest out of the borders of the Amy Empire, while the task of the other squad is to escort the Grand Mage into the Wish Tower
The competition is conducted privately
The historians of the Amy Empire have consistently asserted that Amy I did not intend to deceive Mya VII. As later history shows, after the departure of the Hamir Kingdom from the Flower Language Plain, despite the fact that the Amy Empire, which was at the height of its power, could have easily regained control of the Flower Language Plain, it did not send a single soldier into the region. It is precisely for this reason that a very small religious organization—the Holy See—was able to find its foundation and develop. So what exactly prompted Amy I, who is known as the "King of the Continent," to make such a seemingly erroneous decision? However, the powerful Amy Empire did not send a single soldier into the Flower Language Plain, and it is precisely for this reason that a very small religious organization—the Holy See—was able to find its foundation and develop. So what exactly prompted Amy I, who is known as the "King of the Continent," to make such a seemingly erroneous decision?
However, a dispute arose between Lake Harbor and Chi Hanfeng regarding which team would return to the Empire and which team would continue to escort.
Chi Hanfeng's voice slightly changed, causing Amy and her grandfather's hearts to race—only those who live on the Frozen Continent truly understand the dangers of the Frozen Continent
After Lake Harbor learned of the whereabouts of Chi Hanfeng's troops, he quickly assessed the worst-case scenario. He led the Glacier Infantry Brigade to travel overnight on sleds, catching up to the Ice Valley. Using the blankets carried on the sleds, they managed to create a non-slippery surface, sparing the Snow Moon Cavalry Brigade from the disaster of total annihilation
In this confrontation, Chi Hanfeng rode his steed, brandishing a lance as he charged towards Lake Haber, without any finesse. In the midst of the wind and snow, Lake Haber met him head-on, his two-handed sword striking directly against the lance in a clash of strength. Chi Hanfeng felt a surge of heat in his hand as the lance was jolted away from the protective area of the shield. Lake Haber immediately retreated— for a knight wielding a lance, such a significant gap between the lance and the shield signified death.
Mrs. Lake Harbor became weak after giving birth to Amy and was unable to withstand the cold of the frozen continent, passing away just a year later. Meanwhile, Lake Harbor's busy military life made it impossible for him to care for his son, forcing the young man to hand over this restless burden, which required attention around the clock, to his elderly father.
A young man dressed in the simplified military uniform of the Amy Empire sat on the edge of the bed. Upon seeing the elder emerge, he immediately stood up and politely nodded in greeting to the elder
The Ice and Snow Forest, which has long been a site of activity, no longer poses a significant threat to the Snow Moon Legion of the Northern Federation of the Amy Empire. Just like this time, after repelling several attacks from the snow beasts, two battalions of the imperial army safely arrived in the territory of the Hami Kingdom
Oh, it's nothing, I let them go, hehe, Uncle Haber, there are some special circumstances, so I am one of the few in the Amy Empire who won't be eaten by the snow wolves. After the man finished speaking, it seemed he was addressing the snow wolves in the room, "Hey, brothers, let's go, I have things to do, Xiaobai, let your brothers leave this village"
"Listening to your language, you are not a Hamir, you must be from the Aimi Empire, right?" the old man asked in a deep voice
Chi Hanfeng regretted not using the double-handed spear; otherwise, this situation would not have occurred
No offspring
Yes, you are Uncle Haber, right? Both Lake and I serve in the Border Guard of the Amy Empire
"Forget it, brother, let's not argue anymore; this is our fate." Lake Harbor patted Chi Hanfeng's shoulder. "My son is 7 years old this year. I originally planned to bring him to the Ice Fortress after some time for proper training, but now this task is entrusted to you. Please take good care of him. If I do not return..."
"Uncle, where is my dad?" Amy immediately asked the young man as she jumped out of the pit, and the old man Haber also showed the same concern in his expression.
The mission of the escort is to deliver a diplomatic letter to the Kingdom of Hamir and the Northern Kingdom of Hamir in the name of the state. Along this journey, there are three areas of the highest level of danger: the Trial Caves, Dragon Tooth Mountain, and the Snowy Forest. These are also the three most perilous regions of the Snowy Continent
Perhaps, we can discover the fundamental purpose of the Continental King through a little mercenary named Amy, 500 years from now
"I don't know. A month ago, when the soldier returned from the Wish Tower, he said that when the Grand Mage entered the Wish Tower, a barrier storm occurred. Not only was the Grand Mage caught in the barrier, but the soldiers near the barrier were also attacked by the storm. Your father, for the safety of everyone, rushed to the entrance of the Wish Tower and tried to push the door shut with all his might to prevent the barrier storm from escaping. When he used his great sword as a door latch to secure the door, he was sucked in himself." Chi Hanfeng seemed to regain his composure.
Certainly, such situations have occurred several times, but most are instances of personal assistance or life-saving grace, which Chi Hanfeng described very simply
The Amy Empire has no authority to construct a port here, and due to climatic reasons, the Hamir Kingdom will also not build a port in this location. Therefore, once most residents move here, they rarely leave, especially first-generation immigrants like Grandpa Haber
"How can you be with the snow wolves? They will eat everyone except the Hami people. You..." The old man's words were laced with doubt.
The outcome of the battle was beyond Chi Hanfeng's imagination; Haber had actually gained an absolute advantage, and Chi Hanfeng was defeated in a single strike
At the end of the year 191 of the Red Moon Calendar, Chi Hanfeng, the then commander of the cavalry battalion, and Lake Habber, the commander of the infantry battalion, received simultaneous orders from the governor of the Northern Federation of the Empire—to return to the governor's office of the Northern Federation of the Empire and escort the Grand Mage of the Empire to the Tower of Ice's Prayer located in the Kingdom of the Northern Hami people for trials
Research Notes of the Royal Scholar Feile on the Study of Continental Kings
The matters mentioned earlier were already known to Amy, and she was aware of them in greater detail than Han Feng Chi. The subsequent events, however, represent the primary reason for Chi Han Feng's arrival here
...
Chi Hanfeng is full of confidence. He entered the Imperial Junior Knight School at the age of 5 and has always been a standout in martial skills at the school. By the age of 19, he passed the × × trial and became a × × knight
In the year 187 of the Red Moon Calendar, five years ago, Lake Harbor, who had repeatedly achieved military merit in the army and had become the captain of the border defense forces of the Amy Empire, returned to Haike Village on leave with his two-year-old son, Amy.
This happened 11 months ago. The former captain of the Imperial Knights had slightly moist eyes
The danger of the icy snow forest lies in the presence of snow wolves and snow beasts, making it very easy to get lost and impossible to obtain supplies