Chapter 43

“Dianxia, do I look good like this?”

When Ning Shiting returned, he hesitated for a long time before finally thanking Gu Tingshuang.

Although Gu Tingshuang didn’t like him bringing up the topic of his wolf pack, Ning Shiting still felt it was right to say something.

At that time, Gu Tingshuang was sitting in his usual spot, reading a book. Seeing Ning Shiting return with a chill clinging to him, looking like he had frozen again, Gu Tingshuang was puzzled.

“What are you thanking me for?”

Ning Shiting smiled and said, “Thanks to your wolf pack again this time, I didn’t get lost in the snowstorm. Who knows what would have happened otherwise? I should have thanked you when I returned last time. Yinbing, you sent them to protect me, didn’t you?”

“…” Gu Tingshuang stared at his book without blinking. “They just like meddling in other people’s business. Besides, I was aware of it last time, but this time it had nothing to do with me. Stay away from my wolves, Jiaoren. I don’t want them to pick up your scent and lose their sense of smell.”

Ning Shiting didn’t say anything, just smiled.

“And remember, it’s common knowledge that snowstorms can worsen unexpectedly. This time, it was your own fault. If it happens again, no one will be there to save you, Ning Shiting.” Gu Tingshuang lifted his eyes from his book.

“Alright, I got it,” Ning Shiting replied gently. “I won’t dare next time, Dianxia.”

“…” Gu Tingshuang glanced at him again but eventually looked away.

Since Gu Tingshuang refused to lend him the wolf pack, Ning Shiting came up with another plan.

He mobilised the armoury of the Qing Wang’s manor, taking out thousands of light shields. He organised the team, binding each person with a fixed rope around their waist so that the entire group was connected, preventing anyone from getting lost and allowing for easy communication.

Although this reorganised team couldn’t cover as much ground as a large wolf pack in resisting the snowstorm, they could at least make some progress.

Ning Shiting quickly returned to the manor, only to leave again just as quickly, preparing to handle this snow disaster at noon.

His plan was to first restore a few supply routes in Xizhou, starting with the main gate of Xizhou. This task inevitably meant clashing with the Immortal Court, something anyone with a brain could foresee, leading to another round of covert competition.

Ning Shiting searched for something. This time, he would be going out with his people, and with the ropes tied, he wouldn’t have much time to maintain his usual graceful and elegant appearance. Nor could he dress as elegantly as he did in the manor, wrapped in a luxurious cloak.

He pulled out a special battle suit he had worn a few years ago in the snowy mountains of Dongzhou.

The suit wasn’t thick, but it had a very tight inner layer that was waterproof. It was made in a streamlined style, with sleeves fastened tightly with straps, accentuating the wrists—exactly the style favoured by young men at the time.

After putting it on, Ning Shiting tied up his usually loose hair and donned a cloak.

Dressed like this, his usual frail and sickly appearance seemed to disappear, replaced by a hint of unshakable vigour and—dashing energy.

For some reason, when Gu Tingshuang saw Ning Shiting like this, the word “dashing” came to mind.

He had heard men and women in the city use this word, often with a hint of playfulness or derision, to describe someone as handsome. But now, it was the only word he could think of.

Ning Shiting looked much more spirited, and though his figure was still slender, this outfit made him appear several years younger, almost like a peer of Gu Tingshuang’s. He wasn’t that old to begin with, and his usual luxurious attire was intended to add to his presence. 

Noticing Gu Tingshuang’s gaze, Ning Shiting found it amusing and couldn’t help but ask softly, “Dianxia, do I look good like this?”

Gu Tingshuang replied, “Ugly.”

Ning Shiting smiled, “Then thank you for the compliment, Dianxia.”

He seemed to be in a good mood, speaking lightly and without taking offence. Gu Tingshuang, who had been ready to mock him further, found himself unable to say anything.

“How long will you be gone?” Gu Tingshuang asked.

Ning Shiting thought for a moment, “I’m not sure. Even the messenger birds have stopped flying in this weather, and communication has been much slower than usual. The situation over there is uncertain. I might be back very late.”

“Boring,” Gu Tingshuang commented, “Be back before Youshi and practice with me.”(1)

Ning Shiting looked a bit troubled, “This…”

But Gu Tingshuang had already turned his wheelchair, facing away from him, not looking anymore.

Although Gu Tingshuang had given him a difficult task, Ning Shiting didn’t think for long before simply saying, “Alright, I’ll do my best.”

He was used to this sort of thing.

In their previous life, Gu Tingshuang often made him practice martial arts and swordsmanship. Gu Tingshuang sat in his wheelchair while Ning Shiting stood, watching him gradually master basic sword techniques and even learn to manoeuvre the wheelchair to avoid attacks.

But more often than not, they sat opposite each other, with Gu Tingshuang asking him about sword principles, and Ning Shiting answering.

That’s why when Gu Tingshuang knocked him out a few days ago, Ning Shiting had no defence; he instinctively took it as a familiar request.

The people of Qing Wang’s manor were well-trained and efficient. Ning Shiting only needed to spend one night and one morning making arrangements, and everyone had already memorised their tasks for the day.

Their mission was to first clear a path from Qing Wang’s mansion to Immortal Chief’s main gate, creating an ice tunnel with an ice wall beneath it to provide shelter. Then, they would head toward the gate to establish an ice fortress as a relay station for Xizhou.

Two water elementalists were part of the group, and Ning Shiting, concerned about their magical energy depletion, specifically gave each of them a Soul Returning incense for backup.

Additionally, everyone in the group received a piece of Zhen Sandalwood Death Repelling Incense to prevent unforeseen events.

A large portion of the manor’s people left, and since Hulu and Lingjiao were worried that Ning Shiting would be without capable help, they followed him.

Gu Tingshuang didn’t mind.

Only Hua Qiu stayed behind to manage the household, keeping watch outside his door, and occasionally bringing him tea and snacks.

The wind and snow outside showed no signs of abating, and everyone knew this was a life-and-death gamble. After a while, no news came from the team, and the worry and anxiety in the manor grew more pronounced.

A loud crash sounded from outside the courtyard, and Gu Tingshuang paused as he turned the page.

Hua Qiu ran out to check and returned to report, “Dianxia, another tree has been blown down. It crashed onto the ice layer outside the eaves, but fortunately, the ice didn’t crack. There’s no need to worry. Did it disturb you?”

Gu Tingshuang asked, “Is the snow still heavy outside?”

With the ice layer as a barrier, the small windows didn’t offer a clear view of the outside, making it hard to gauge how dangerous it was to go out.

Hua Qiu, standing at the door and following Ning Shiting’s rule not to enter, couldn’t see the two or three dozen little wolves lying inside.

At that moment, the furry and dangerous creatures seemed to sense their master’s emotions. They all suddenly stood up, ears perked and stared at Gu Tingshuang.

“I haven’t said anything yet, but you’re already anxious. What, you like him that much?”

Gu Tingshuang found it amusing and a bit unusual, though he spoke in a lazy tone.

He couldn’t use his spiritual sight these past days, which made it impossible to understand the wolves’ thoughts.

The first time Ning Shiting went out, it was indeed Gu Tingshuang who ordered the pack to protect him. But he didn’t know about Ning Shiting getting lost this morning.

Ancient white wolves act according to their pack instincts when the alpha isn’t around. They don’t meddle in the affairs of those outside their pack.

These creatures had clearly started seeing Ning Shiting as one of their own, which was unusual.

Hua Qiu didn’t understand who Gu Tingshuang was talking to, thinking she must have misheard, “What did you say?”

Gu Tingshuang’s eyes darkened, “Nothing. You can go. I don’t need anyone to serve me here. Also, call the beast trainer from the Menagerie. I have some questions for him.”

Foot Notes

1. 酉时 (youshi) is between 5-7 PM