Chapter 51

In the snowy night, golden eyes once again burned brightly.

Across the entirety of Xizhou, only Gu Tingshuang himself and Ning Shiting himself, along with a few trusted subordinates in the residence, knew about the connection between the ancient White Wolves of Spirit Mountain and Ning Shiting.

Ning Shiting suspected that Gu Tingshuang was mostly involved in the pack of wolves descending from the mountain this time, but he had no idea why it was happening tonight or why the target was the Immortal Chief’s Residence.

While waiting for the household to regroup, Ning Shiting took a brief nap, during which he vaguely recalled something in his dreams.

He remembered that in his past life, the pack of wolves led by Gu Tingshuang had roamed across the Nine Continents for a long time, causing terror wherever they went. The spiritual energy of the Nine Continents had been stagnant for ages, and the path to ascension had been severed. Gu Tingshuang and his pack of White Wolves took whatever they wanted as they pleased, leaving their mark wherever they went. They slaughtered God Hunters and claimed mountains as their territory, and although their actions seemed random, they had an underlying significance. The wolf clan was straightforward, with a clear-cut distinction between love and hate. The rules and lineage of the Immortal Realm held no meaning for them.

At that time, Ning Shiting had already killed Su Yue. In an attempt to atone for his sins, he subdued the Snow Yao, but in that brutal battle, he lost Ting Shu, which incited the hatred of Baili Hongzhou. His enemies then included not only the Su family but also the entire Baili family. Yet, neither family had much time to pursue him because, for a long time, they were also among the main targets of the wolf pack’s attacks.

Although he and Gu Tingshuang lived under the same roof, they had little interaction. He could never quite grasp Gu Tingshuang’s attitude towards the Qing Wang's Residence. This young man seemed to have no clear concept of home; it was only because he had once shared a mother-son bond with the Wangfei that he considered the place his home. So, when the Qing Wang's Residence was in trouble, he would turn his spearhead outward. But afterwards, he firmly and decisively severed his ties with the Qing Wang, moved out, and lived on his own.

In the howling wind and snow, the scattered people gradually gathered. Hulu and Lingjiao also returned. After checking on his condition, they went out to assess the loss of supplies and personnel. Upon investigation, they found that only a few failed small ice towers, storing some surplus, unused supplies, had been destroyed by the wolf pack among the places Qing Wang’s Residence had put effort into constructing. No one was injured.

Hulu said, “Thankfully, all our people are accounted for, and everything has been recovered. What about the Immortal Chief’s Manor?”

Lingjiao came back from scouting, lowered his voice, and said, “It’s still snowing heavily. Many of their people haven’t been found yet. They say most of their supplies and ice huts were destroyed. Worse still, the Immortal Chief’s tent was uprooted, and bloodstains were found nearby. No one knows what’s going on. They haven’t found the Immortal Chief yet. It’s quite frightening. We’re lucky the wolf pack spared us.”

He fell silent at that point.

The two brothers exchanged a look, understanding something between them—they had both seen a large pack of white wolves coming and going from Ning Shiting’s study these past few days.

They weren’t clear about the relationship between the White Wolves and Gu Tingshuang; they just subconsciously assumed that Ning Shiting was behind this. After all, when Gu Tingshuang had gone missing while cultivating last time, it was Ning Shiting who brought their young master back.

Knowing this secret, they kept quiet about it out of concern for Ning Shiting, even without receiving any orders. When others asked, they merely attributed their luck to chance, not daring to reveal their suspicion that Ning Shiting had released the wolves, which was why they wouldn’t harm the people of Qing Wang’s Residence.

After Ning Shiting had a brief nap, Hulu checked in on him again, worried he might have a nightmare, and prepared some calming incense.

As soon as he entered, Ning Shiting woke up.

Pale from blood loss, Ning Shiting’s complexion looked more delicate and a bit haggard. His eyelashes drooped, and he appeared soft and serene, making it hard to connect this peaceful person with the bloodshed outside.

Ning Shiting opened his eyes, his voice still a bit groggy as he said, “What is the hour?”

Hulu hurried over with a steaming hot towel, wrung it half-dry, and presented it: “Gongzi is awake. It’s almost Youshi now. You haven’t slept long. You can rest a bit more. Everyone is back, so you don’t need to worry. The wind and snow are getting worse outside. Gongzi, why not return tomorrow? Shizi Dianxia will understand.”

Ning Shiting was startled: “It’s that late? No, I have to go back. I promised Yinbing I would go back… to practice with him.”

While the promise was one reason, he was also worried that something unexpected might have happened with Gu Tingshuang, which could explain why the wolf pack suddenly descended to attack people.

Tonight, he had to go back no matter what.

.𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟.

In the snowy night, golden eyes once again burned brightly.

The pack of wolves had already left. Su Yue’s body lay abandoned, making it difficult for even those from the Immortal Chief’s Manor to retrieve it. In the words of the common people, “Even his parents wouldn’t recognise him.”

Gu Tingshuang commanded the wolves to return home while occupying a she-wolf’s body to search for Ning Shiting. In battle, the white wolves never looked back at their wounded comrades, as it would distract them. But after the fight ended, it was time for them to lick each other’s wounds and console their companions.

He had a reason to notify Ning Shiting because he knew how difficult the weather was today and that Ning Shiting was already injured. He could make an exception and allow Ning Shiting to break their agreement this time; he didn’t have to return to the residence before Youshi.

Gu Tingshuang naturally saw Ning Shiting as one of his own.

He came down the mountain for Ning Shiting, but Ning Shiting would never know.

Following the direction of the message from Yinbian and Yueya, Gu Tingshuang pursued.

The cold wind and snow brushed against the dense wolf fur. After running for a while, Gu Tingshuang realised he had just passed a small ice hut, and inside, the temperature was slightly warmer, with a lingering smell of burnt wood and a scent he would never mistake—Ning Shiting’s scent.

He stopped, wagging his tail as he sniffed around the base of the wall, only to find the place empty.

Where would Ning Shiting go?

Gu Tingshuang decided on the spot, expanded his spiritual sense, and read the memories of the grass and trees lying on the ground nearby. These beings were nearly frozen to death. With their spiritual energy dwindling, they could provide him with only limited information.

In the faint flashes of light and sound, he saw Ning Shiting wrapped in thick layers, holding a lantern as he resolutely said, “I have to go back and check on Yinbing.”

.𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟.

In the same moment, Gu Tingshuang felt a strange emotion hit him.

He watched that scene several times, sketching out the Jiaoren's shadow in his mind, feeling a bit flustered and a mix of indescribable emotions.

“Is that Jiaoren a bit dull-witted?” he wondered, “Or am I really that scary? Does he think that if he doesn’t come back, I’d really kill him?”

Quickly, Gu Tingshuang realised another fact: if Ning Shiting had left some time ago, he might run into him on his way back!

What would he say if he saw him? Would he tell Ning Shiting, “I’m here because of you”? That would be utterly embarrassing!

In an instant, he withdrew his spiritual sense, returned to his body, and hurriedly moved his wheelchair towards the residence. Compared to his previous calm and cool demeanour, he now seemed almost frantic: “Hurry up, let’s go back.”

The wolf pack immediately mobilized, quickly surrounding him and speeding back. Wolves posted as sentries continually reported Ning Shiting’s position, their howls echoing through the snowy winds, long and ethereal.

By the time he returned to the residence, Gu Tingshuang was already sweating.

As he turned the corner into the rear courtyard study, he heard voices from the front door.

Hua Qiu was still lying in the study, not yet awake. Gu Tingshuang was pleased with this.

He quickly returned to the study, and the white wolves he had brought with him transformed into wolf pups, lining up obediently as they jumped into the room one by one. Some even learnt to feign sleep, flipping onto their backs, with tails and legs splayed, nervously covering for Gu Tingshuang.

Covered in snow, Gu Tingshuang was washing up and changing as quickly as possible.

Halfway through, he heard someone knocking on the door. He lowered his voice: “You came back just in time. Wait a bit longer before coming over. I need to bathe and change.”

The person outside spoke: “Dianxia, it’s me. Gongzi just returned and said he’s freshening up and changing, and asked me to inform you that he’ll come over later.”

Gu Tingshuang let out a breath: “I know. You can stand down, ba.”

He slowly tidied himself up, presenting the appearance of someone who had stayed indoors all day, calm and at ease. After waiting a long time for Ning Shiting to show up, but seeing no sign of him, Gu Tingshuang ended up playing with the little wolves by himself. Eventually, he decided to go out and find him.

He knew that Ning Shiting was likely washing up and changing clothes at the Fragrance Hall near the Baicao Garden. Since Ning Shiting had been injured today, he must have gone there to tend to his wounds first.

The ice walls in the palace were still standing strong, undisturbed by wind or snow. Gu Tingshuang pushed his wheelchair out and passed by the Civil Affairs Hall, suddenly remembering the divination slip he had drawn earlier in the day. He went inside to take a look.

The words were unchanged, still saying what they did in the morning: “True. Watching above and below, the bearing of a running wolf, all you wait for will come to pass.”

After looking at it for a moment, Gu Tingshuang's gaze darkened. With a snap, he broke the slip in half.

The slip hadn’t lied. Ning Shiting had returned on time, but this “bearing of a running wolf”...

Hadn't he just raced back to the Qing Wang’s Mansion through the snowstorm? It perfectly matched the divination's description!

Gu Tingshuang felt as if he were being mocked.

After breaking the jade slip into two pieces, Gu Tingshuang raised his hand, ready to throw it away, but then, as if under some mysterious compulsion, he put it away instead.

He looked at it again, tucked it into his sleeve, and then slowly made his way to Baicao Garden.

Baicao Garden was brightly lit, with many people gathered there, discussing the events they had encountered outside that day.

When he arrived, word spread layer by layer.

Someone tried to stop him: “Dianxia, Gongzi is still bathing and changing…”

“What, we’re both men, there's no need to be cautious. Am I going to eat him?” Gu Tingshuang, impatient, went straight inside. No one dared to truly block his path.

The Fragrance Hall was warm, filled with that same familiar fragrance Ning Shiting always carried.

Gu Tingshuang entered without a word and pushed open the door.

Raising his eyes, he saw Ning Shiting standing beside the screen, quickly hiding his right hand behind him in a flustered manner, a gesture that only drew attention to the fact he was trying to hide something.

Ning Shiting had just finished bathing and hadn’t had time to fully change his clothes, still wearing only a thin undergarment. The loose white sleeve hung down, conveniently covering his bandaged hand.

Ning Shiting squinted and smiled, “Dianxia is here. I’ll practice with you later. Was everything fine in the manor while I was away tonight?”

The lights flickered, the surroundings were quiet, and his eyes glistened, bright and gentle. The thin skin beneath his collar was like silk.

If only I could touch it… It must feel quite nice, right?

“Everything’s good,” Gu Tingshuang replied. “And you?”

Ning Shiting paused for a moment and said, “Also good.”

“If there's nothing else, I’ll go back. I just came to let you know that I'm tired, and today’s practice is cancelled. Go ahead and get some rest.”

With that, Gu Tingshuang turned his wheelchair and headed out.