Chapter 42

“We lost the Gongzi!”

After confirming the strategy of using water to counter water, Ning Shiting quickly consulted a map of Xizhou and identified the most critical areas that needed enhanced defence.

Apart from the vital storage locations for hundreds of spiritual herbs and elixirs in Xizhou, the most important site was the main city gate of Xizhou's central prefecture. This gate served as the primary transportation hub and transfer station for Xizhou's communication with the other eight major immortal prefectures. With the heavy snowstorm blocking this route for an extended period, people inside couldn’t get out, and those outside couldn’t get in. Damages caused by the storm couldn’t be repaired in time, and those harmed by the snow demon's frigid breath couldn’t receive prompt treatment, leaving misery widespread.

For two days, the people of the Qing Wang's residence had been unable to make any efforts. However, it was reported that the Immortal Chang's Mansion had already organised personnel on the night the heavy snow arrived and had been guarding the Xizhou central prefecture's gate day and night, doing their best to fend off the snowstorm at this critical pass.

During these days, the cold had even kept the azure birds from coming, so the news was brought back by the pack of white wolves. After the Qing Wang's residence turned into something resembling an ice-encased city, the first quiet morning arrived. Everyone, having been busy all night, returned to their respective quarters, operating as usual while preparing, per Ning Shiting’s instructions, to console the people and help rebuild homes in the next two months.

The academy was empty, and the snow outside remained heavy, but it brought joy to these ancient white wolves. Before Ning Shiting fell asleep, he had counted seventy-six "wolf pups" in his room. After waking up, only twenty or thirty remained.

Gu Tingshuang, who rose earlier than him, occupied his usual reading spot and said, “They each have their own mates and families. I sent some back to Spirit Mountain to check on them.”

Ning Shiting acknowledged with an "oh" and then asked, “So, how many do you have under your command in total?”

Gu Tingshuang squinted his eyes, a cold gleam flashing through his sombre gaze. “Why are you asking this?”

Ning Shiting replied, “From the way you talk, it seems there are more than just these. Since the snow yao are now up on Spirit Mountain, it’s probably hard for them to find food and hunt during this season. If you could give me an estimate, we could prepare the right amount of venison and qilin meat from the Menagerie of One Hundred Beasts based on the actual number.”

Gu Tingshuang pondered for a moment.

Knowing what he was worried about, Ning Shiting said, “If Dianxia feels that the wolves’ nature is too wild and it’s not good to feed them by hand, thus avoiding making them overly dependent on humans, we could also release live birds for them. The situation right now is unique, so we can afford to relax the rules a bit.”

Gu Tingshuang thought it over and said, “Very well. Let’s estimate there are about nine hundred wolves.”

He still refused to tell Ning Shiting the exact number, his intent to remain cautious was evident. Ning Shiting didn’t mind. He leaned over his desk to write a few notes, then went to the window to call for Hulu and Lingjiao to start working.

However, as soon as he opened the window, a furry, large wolf stuck its head inside, placing its front paws on the windowsill. The massive wolf raised its head, its amber eyes staring at him. The eyes of wolves always had a certain coldness, no matter when or how you looked at them.

But Ning Shiting recognised it and called out softly, “Yueya.”(1)

Knowing the wolf wanted to come in, he stepped aside. The big wolf quickly climbed through the window, transforming into the shape of a small wolf pup upon landing.

A quick glance revealed that Lingjiao, who was guarding the bedside, had turned pale with fright. Ning Shiting waved him over, and only then did Lingjiao dare to walk over and take the paper from Ning Shiting’s hand.

He closed the window, sealing the cold air outside.

“What did you just call it?” Gu Tingshuang’s voice came from behind.

Ning Shiting turned around to see that the wolf that had just entered had already jumped up onto the desk, handing several scrolls it was carrying to Gu Tingshuang. Gu Tingshuang casually began unsealing them, but seeing that Ning Shiting hadn’t answered immediately, he asked again, slightly impatiently, “I’m asking you.”

Ning Shiting pulled out a chair and sat down. “When I registered them for treatment yesterday, I noticed a crescent mark on the inside of its ear, so I started calling it that.”

Gu Tingshuang replied, “It’s from a claw mark made by a mountain owl. Also, don’t go around giving my wolves random names. Naming them and feeding them like this can turn a wolf into a dog.”

Ning Shiting said softly, “I will remember going forward.”

Gu Tingshuang threw a few rolled-up envelopes in his direction. “These contain information they’ve gathered. I’m not interested; you can take a look.”

Ning Shiting picked them up and realised they were secret letters from the Immortal Chief’s Mansion. He wasn’t sure how the white wolf pack had managed to obtain these, so he glanced at Gu Tingshuang in surprise. However, Gu Tingshuang was entirely ignoring him, focusing on teasing the little wolf in his lap.

After reading for a while, Ning Shiting murmured, “Just as expected.”

“You expected this? They’re sparing no effort in dealing with you,” Gu Tingshuang said. “In just two days, three impeachment memorials have already been filed, accusing the Qing’ Wang’s manor of doing nothing in the face of a natural disaster. And that’s not even considering you’ve just arrived and don’t have a strong foundation; you can’t even gather enough guests to fill a Mahjong table. They’ve recruited the best fire elementalists in all of Xizhou, ensuring you can’t make any progress on this issue.”

“It seems they've really come to resent you after the last incense conference, Ning Shiting.”

Ning Shiting said softly, “Yes. But fortunately, there’s no problem now. Once our people are fully prepared, we can start reinforcing the city gate this afternoon.”

Gu Tingshuang, losing interest in the matter, responded with a simple “ng” and was about to open a book when Ning Shiting said, “Yinbing, I have a favour to ask.”

“What is it?” Gu Tingshuang turned to look at him.

Ning Shiting said, “Could I borrow your wolf pack once more? Last time, when I went to retrieve The Book of All Things, they protected me from the wind and snow. This time, the journey to the Xizhou central prefecture’s gate is quite long. Although our manor has fire-based artefacts to clear the path, there’s always the concern that something might go wrong along the way, delaying our efforts to aid the people.”

“What are you thinking?” Gu Tingshuang sneered. “The ancient white wolves are a proud race; they won’t let themselves be used at your whim.”

“Besides.” Gu Tingshuang slammed the book shut on the table, making a heavy sound. “What do the people of Xizhou have to do with me? Their lives and deaths are their own concern. I won’t risk my subordinates for that.”

Ning Shiting paused, then sighed, seemingly a little disappointed but not surprised. “Alright, I won’t ask anymore. It was foolish of me to think otherwise.”

Gu Tingshuang glanced up at him. The Jiaoren’s expression remained calm, as if he hadn’t held any high expectations from the start.

Gu Tingshuang moved his mouth as if wanting to say something, but in the end, only let out a cold chuckle.

At noon, Huaqiu came to report that it seemed the southeast corner of the manor had some signs of collapse due to the pressure of the ice layer. Ning Shiting stepped out to take a look and, just like the day before, brought along two water elementalists to inspect it.

The problem wasn’t significant and was quickly repaired. However, as the three of them were heading back, the wind and snow suddenly intensified. The brief period of calm was once again shattered by a violent snowstorm. Standing on the outer courtyard, without the protection of the ice barrier, they were instantly scattered by the howling snowstorm.

The two water elementalists kept in contact with each other through their magic, but they completely lost track of Ning Shiting. Ning Shiting had no magical abilities, being an ordinary mortal, and they couldn’t use their water-elemental magic to sense him, nor could they receive any response from him.

When Ning Shiting realised he had been separated, he did not panic. Even though he couldn't see his hand in front of his face due to the raging snowstorm that made every step difficult, Ning Shiting knew he was still within the confines of the royal palace. He figured that if he took a few more steps in a certain direction, he would be fine.

However, after just a few steps, there was a sudden click from the fire lotus umbrella in his hand. The warmth dissipated, and it could no longer spew flames to melt the snow and clear a path. The surrounding temperature plummeted rapidly, and Ning Shiting felt his own body heat quickly seeping away. The biting cold and the sharp pain from the rapid loss of warmth reminded him of a stark fact: he was now an ordinary human, far more fragile than any immortal. He couldn’t wield the blade techniques he had once learned, nor could he use his divine incense and hidden weapons to protect himself—his enemy now was the relentless snowstorm.

His entire body shivered violently as if his blood was freezing. With his last bit of strength, he fumbled for the Soul Returning Incense in his sleeve, barely managing to slip it into his mouth, pressing it under his tongue to forcibly calm his mind. But this wouldn't sustain him for long. If he stayed out in this blizzard any longer, he might lose the use of his entire body.

Stumbling forward a few more steps, he suddenly tripped—something had crossed his path, and his foot landed on something that was soft yet firm. He thought he was going to fall, but he didn't. Whatever had blocked his way suddenly stood up, nudging him back to his feet.

As he moved closer, he felt something warm and furry. Ning Shiting realised immediately, “Wolves?”

In front of him were several white wolves. Though he couldn’t see clearly, he felt his sleeve being tugged and sensed he was surrounded, reducing the power of the storm around him.

The wolves were guiding him back. Every time he almost stumbled from being frozen stiff, one of the wolves would nudge him back up. They grew larger, enclosing him within their group and offering complete protection. He had no idea how long this continued, but eventually, Ning Shiting reached the inner courtyard.

He thought much time had passed, but actually, only a short while had elapsed. He even arrived earlier than the two water elementalists. Just as he stepped in, the two water elementalists came rushing over, anxiously telling the servants, “We lost the Gongzi!”

Ning Shiting's entire body had turned a strange, pallid colour from the cold, and the warmers he had tucked into his sleeves had already frozen solid. The servants quickly brought hot water, charcoal, and fresh warmers. Ning Shiting managed to catch his breath. When he thought about the white wolves that had brought him back, he turned to look, but behind him, there was only the swirling blizzard. There was no sign of the wolf pack amid that hazy white expanse of snow.

Foot Notes

1. The wolf’s name is 月牙 (Yuèyá) which means “crescent moon”.