Wen Caishang bid farewell to Fu Haoran and boarded the fragrant carriage. Xiaotuan had rosy cheeks and smooth skin, plump like a bun, petite yet quite capable. With a sweet "Drive," the carriage sped down the street, leaving Cui Zhu Residence behind. Curious and innocent, she asked, "Madam, is that boy really his brother?"
Inside the carriage, Wen Caishang neatly arranged her sleeves, folding them on her lap with a composed posture, and softly replied, "Yes, he is."
Xiaotuan said, "Why not capture him for leverage?" Wen Caishang responded, "Fu is a man of fortune; his actions must be asured. Such brutality is unbecoming. If he cos to seek justice, it won’t be easy to handle."
Scholars are endowed with fortune. Fortune acts as a balance to weigh reason. If reason is just, heaven provides assistance. Fu Haoran has been disgraced, his fortune not as it once was, yet his profound knowledge earned respect. Wen Caishang, however, was reluctant to go to extres.
Wen Caishang said, "Moreover, I intend to learn from him; the opportunity is rare. This is the truth." In her heart, she thought, "To capture is unnecessary. I just need to know his whereabouts; he is already within my grasp. Though that scoundrel is crafty, he values friendship deeply. Otherwise, he wouldn’t... hmph. With his lifeline in my hands, stirring trouble is futile."
...
...
anwhile, on the other side.
Amidst the Snow Dragon Mountain Range.
Gu Nianjun reached an agreent with Li Xian, temporarily setting aside past grudges, and at dawn, they journeyed together to hunt the spirit fox. The two walked side by side, exchanging nas. Gu Nianjun openly revealed her true na, while Li Xian used the alias ’Zhou Ping’an,’ aning ’Complete Safety.’
Snow Dragon Mountain Range stretched boundlessly. Its terrain was unique, often concealed under years of snow. Even with mastery of feng shui, discernnt of mountain pathways was challenging. The "Mountain Map" was naturally valuable. Thanks to Fu Haoran’s fortune, He Wentian granted the map, which had been simplified.
Gu Nianjun examined the map, discovering that about a dozen or twenty miles from here was a natural terrain called "Beast Sacrificial Platform," where spirit fox sightings had been reported. She proposed heading there first to investigate.
Li Xian agreed willingly, thinking, "This woman, though not malicious, isn’t entirely kind either. Being from a noble lineage, her perspective is high. Dealing with her requires caution. If this map proves useless to , I’ll promptly sever ties to avoid complications. Even if useful, it’s rely a transaction."
Gu Nianjun led the way with the map in hand. Li Xian followed from behind, first erging from dense woods and then heading east for about fifteen or sixteen miles, where they found a small stream flowing from the high mountains.
Gu Nianjun ordered Li Xian to stand ten or so yards away. She spread the map again, comparing the terrain. After determining a directional route, she waved to call Li Xian. They followed the stream and then wound around for a while.
Approaching noon, the wind and snow gradually ceased, and the warm sun cast diagonal rays, making the climate pleasant. Gu Nianjun felt content as she gazed at the snow scene, frequently comparing it with the map.
The Beast Sacrificial Platform was situated atop a gorge, where snow inexplicably lted, revealing brown earth. Its vast expanse ford a natural plateau. As sweat trickled down Gu Nianjun’s forehead and temples, her light clothing didn’t feel cold, yet after traversing dozens of miles of mountainous paths, perspiration was inevitable. Snowflakes drifted inside her lining, causing slight discomfort.
Upon reaching the Beast Sacrificial Platform, she said, "Let’s look around. People have witnessed the snow mountain spirit fox here."
Li Xian surveyed his surroundings, pondering, "This terrain is indeed special. If I were searching alone, a good ten days would be needed to find such a place. This woman surely has her rits."
"Although we’ve had many disagreents before, right now my identity is ’Zhou Ping’an’ and she’s indeed here to help. No need to bring past emotions here."
He sincerely bowed and said, "Miss Gu, thank you!"
Gu Nianjun, feeling pleased, replied, "So now you know how to be thankful, unlike when you were chasing away earlier, showing no such warmth." She thought, "Earlier, he was a stranger, so my caution was justified. Now with nas exchanged, his genuine gratitude reveals that despite his arrogance, he understands reason."
Secretly observing him. As the cold wind blew by, Li Xian’s long hair floated, with frost forming at the tips, adding an exotic touch, exuding an elegant and extraordinary aura. Though his face was masked, rendering his features hidden, he naturally possessed a refined and ethereal presence.
She pondered, "In the future, as we beco more acquainted, I wonder if he’ll reveal his face. Though simply dressed, his bearing and deanor... hold appeal. Among the many exceptional individuals I’ve t, none seem quite like him."
Li Xian asked, "What’s the matter?"
Gu Nianjun’s eyes showed a hint of color, and she lightly replied, "Nothing, let’s hurry and catch the spirit fox!"
The two parted ways to search. Gu Nianjun held the map, heading east. Li Xian proceeded west, each walking a few miles, searching for nearly half an hour. Li Xian suddenly returned and patted Gu Nianjun’s shoulder. She was feeling puzzled.
Li Xian whispered, "Follow ," and took her hand, leading her westward. Gu Nianjun’s face flushed slightly as she briskly followed. They reached a small hill, where Li Xian motioned her to lie down and pointed into the distance.
Gu Nianjun exclaid, "It’s the Winter Ghost and the Cold Crane!"
In the distant snowy terrain, two groups of snow beasts were fiercely fighting. The "Winter Ghost" had a wolf body and tiger face, sharp tusks, entirely silver-white. A blood sac hung at its chest. The "Cold Crane" was much smaller, vicious in nature, with powerful claws.
The conflict between these beast groups was mysterious, leading to mutual confrontation and slaughter. Normally, snow beasts were hard to find; now they were gathered in groups. Such a scene was truly rare.
Li Xian observed snow tigers, snow bears, snow leopards, snow apes... these types of snow beasts; though unfamiliar with their traits, they resembled tigers, bears, leopards, and apes. Using hunting experience, it was sowhat useful. However, the snow beasts encountered now were notably different, making previous experience futile. Thus, he straightforwardly asked, "What distinguishes these two types of snow beasts?"
Gu Nianjun was also seeing them for the first ti, but the map provided records. The Winter Ghost, a strange beast, in windy and snowy weather, ran with hair blending into the storm, disappearing from view. Hence nad "Winter Ghost." The "Cold Crane" was extrely fierce, able to kill snow tigers, rivaling snow bears, yet it was smaller, faster, and more difficult to hunt—belonging to the rare snow beasts category.
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