Chapter 70

“Cold sweat was already seeping from his fingertips.”

Gu Feiyin had sealed Spirit Mountain a long time ago. Even though Ning Shiting had spent the past few months meticulously studying everything about Xizhou, there were still many places he had yet to visit.

The location Gu Feiyin had chosen to lift the seal this time was called Linri Gorge. Ning Shiting had never been there before—it was quite remote, almost at the outskirts of Xizhou’s capital.

Based on his impression of the Xizhou map, he deduced that this location was directly opposite the Qing Wang’s manor, making it the exact reverse of the seal inside Gu Tingshuang’s estate. Since the Snow Yao couldn't breach the wolves' mountain cliffs, this was the area where its rampage was at its worst.

Due to the lack of human presence in this area, there were hardly any natural barriers for shelter.

The water and fire elementalists Ning Shiting had deployed usually focused their spells on densely populated towns or key supply transport hubs. They didn’t have the manpower or resources to spare for a place as irrelevant as this.

As they travelled, the cold intensified. Three water-charcoal heaters had been placed inside the carriage, yet halfway through the journey, all of them had completely frozen over.

For Gu Feiyin, this was already an exceptional display of generosity. He wasn’t the type to consider his subordinates’ comfort at all times—his leadership relied on enduring hardship together. If he could withstand the bitter cold, then his subordinates were expected to do the same.

For someone like Ning Shiting, who would inevitably fall behind, countless people and circumstances had already made it abundantly clear over the years—whether openly or subtly—that he did not belong.

He was already unwell, and the frigid air only exacerbated his discomfort.

Just as he was about to shrink in on himself for warmth, he felt something nudging at his sleeve again.

Gu Tingshuang—inside the body of the little wolf—had wriggled out, raising his golden, watery eyes to glance at him before crawling closer. Without any hesitation, he began to tug and bite at Ning Shiting’s lapel.

Startled, Ning Shiting initially thought that Gu Tingshuang had truly gotten playful and was about to shred his clothes apart. However, after a few moments, he realised that the bites were merely for show. Once his lapel loosened, the little wolf unhurriedly burrowed inside, nestling snugly against his chest.

Wolves were creatures of pure Yang energy, and the white wolves of Spirit Mountain were an ancient divine race—manifestations of the strongest and most unyielding Yang essence. There was a legend among mortals that sleeping on a wolf pelt for a single night would leave a person so overheated the next day that they would suffer a nosebleed.

Now, with the little wolf pressing against him, a significant portion of the bone-chilling cold was driven away. Ning Shiting was finally able to take a deeper breath.

He patted the little wolf’s head through his clothes and said softly, “Thank you.”

For a moment, he wasn’t sure if he was thanking Gu Tingshuang or just the little wolf itself.

…Thinking about it carefully, the idea of Gu Tingshuang being the one curled up inside his clothes for warmth was somewhat strange.

Still, the furry creature was well-behaved, staying perfectly still and dutifully providing warmth.

Outside, the snowstorm raged on. Even the immortal cranes pulling the carriage were slowing down under the weight of the accumulating frost. Just when Ning Shiting felt that the blizzard outside was strong enough to rip the roof off the carriage, a voice reached him through secret transmission:

“Ning Gongzi, you may disembark now. Please follow us to the Wangye’s meeting tent—Dianxia is waiting for you there.”

Ning Shiting murmured softly, “Understood.”

He put on his gloves, grabbed the little wolf by the scruff of its neck, and pulled Gu Tingshuang out before straightening his lapel. Then, he cast a questioning glance at Gu Tingshuang, as if asking whether he intended to come along.

Gu Tingshuang immediately understood his meaning and burrowed into his sleeve without hesitation, clearly determined to stay put and not leave.

Ning Shiting gave the little wolf a light pat before stepping down from the carriage.

The moment he disembarked, he was nearly swallowed by the howling wind and snow. Fortunately, the attendants around him were well-trained. Before he could even exhale the frigid breath caught in his chest, a fire-lotus umbrella had already been unfurled over his head, shielding him from the storm.

A row of people saw him emerge and greeted him in unison, “Greetings, Gongzi.” Then, they escorted him toward the camp.

It was nighttime, and Ning Shiting was unfamiliar with this area. When he looked around, all he could see was snow—stained a deep, dark blue under the night sky. The dark-coloured rocks almost blended seamlessly into the heavens.

One of the attendants warned, “Gongzi, please be careful while walking. There are cliffs on both sides. It's manageable during the day, but at night, it’s easy to misstep. This was a special instruction from the Wangye.”

Ning Shiting lifted his gaze and saw two tents set up side by side in the distance, with about six or seven zhang of space between them.(1)

Even under the heavy shroud of night, Ning Shiting could immediately discern the differences in the two camps’ arrangements—their command banners were distinct. The one to the west was undoubtedly Gu Feiyin’s, while the banner on the eastern tent was unclear. However, judging by its placement, it likely belonged to someone of equal rank and status to the Qing Wang himself.

Surrounded by attendants, Ning Shiting was escorted to the entrance of the tent. Lowering his voice, he said, “Wangye, this minister, Ning Shiting, has arrived.”

Inside his sleeve, Gu Tingshuang shifted slightly.

Ning Shiting’s voice was pleasant to the ear. Even when softened into a hushed whisper, it carried an unmistakable gentleness and tranquillity.

The curtain was swiftly lifted, revealing Gu Feiyin seated by the campfire inside. He cast a glance in Ning Shiting’s direction and said, “Come in quickly, A-Ning. Pay respects to the Grand General.”

Ning Shiting stepped inside and saluted. It was only then that he noticed someone else seated across from Gu Feiyin—

Baili Hongzhou.

For a fleeting moment, Ning Shiting froze.

He had heard that Baili Hongzhou had been dispatched by the Immortal Emperor to reinforce the border defences due to the recent unrest. With the Su family relentlessly pressuring Qing Wang’s faction, Ning Shiting had also submitted evidence proving that he had been targeted by assassins raised by the Su family. Yet, the Immortal Emperor’s stance remained ambiguous. In the end, instead of taking decisive action, he simply sent Baili Hongzhou to handle the situation.

However, Baili Hongzhou’s arrival was supposed to be several days later—not now.

There was much to be inferred from the discrepancy in timing. Seeing Gu Feiyin and Baili Hongzhou conversing so amiably at this moment, Ning Shiting couldn’t help but recall what Gu Tingshuang had once said to him:

"—Are you really so confident that sending that little brat over will put an end to these disputes?"

"You say that the Baili family will break ties with Qing Wang’s faction in the future. But if you ask me, the Qing Wang commands a powerful army, while the Baili clan controls the ice mayfly assassins that have served since the founding of the empire. The Immortal Emperor is surely wary of them both. No matter how you look at it, an alliance between the Baili clan and my father makes far more sense."

Ning Shiting stiffened momentarily before quickly composing himself, adopting an expression of practised indifference. Lowering his voice, he offered a respectful greeting: “I greet the Grand General.”

Baili Hongzhou’s gaze lingered on him, carrying a faintly amused expression. “Indeed, we have met before. Last time, I didn’t have the chance to thank Ning Gongzi for his hospitality at the estate. Nor did I have the opportunity to inform Ning Gongzi—” He smiled, his words slow and deliberate. “From this day forward, the Qing Wang’s household and the Baili clan shall be as one.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Gu Feiyin extended a hand toward Ning Shiting. Without hesitation, Ning Shiting placed his own into it and allowed himself to be pulled down to sit beside him.

Tonight, he had deliberately worn his most uncomfortable pair of gloves—not the usual mist-like, colourless Luoshui Mist he favoured, but a simple pair woven from coarse threads. They were stiff, unbreathable, and rough against the skin, making delicate movements more difficult.

These gloves held no special properties. Compared to Luoshui Mist, they had only one advantage: they made it immediately obvious whether he was wearing gloves or not.

It was a habit Gu Feiyin had insisted he maintain. Every time he came to see him, he had to wear this particular pair of gloves—otherwise, Ning Shiting’s fate would be most unpleasant.

Gu Feiyin smiled and said, “So Ah-Ning didn’t know about this last time? I’m afraid he might have unknowingly offended the Grand General, ba.”

“No, not at all. Ning Gongzi was perfectly courteous. It was just that someone else in the estate…”

Before Baili Hongzhou could finish his sentence, Ning Shiting had already filled in the gap with a gentle smile, “Dianxia the Shizi has spent most of his life secluded in the estate and hasn’t had the opportunity to learn proper etiquette. As for me, due to my status, it would not have been appropriate for me to instruct him. I must have made a poor impression on the Grand General.”

The little wolf inside his sleeve stretched out a paw, making a show of baring its tiny fangs before gently nipping his wrist.

Even through the fabric, the gesture carried no real force—it was merely a playful reminder not to forget that someone else was present.

“Oh? That dog has come again?” Gu Feiyin, clearly uninterested in this topic, smiled even more deeply. “What a coincidence. But an even greater coincidence is something I only recently heard—A-Ning, the Ice Mayfly you rescued in Dongzhou a couple of years ago turns out to be none other than the Grand General’s own younger brother. It seems our royal household and the Grand General were fated to be connected from the very beginning.”

“Wangye is too gracious. Shě-dì has been nothing but trouble all these years.(2) If anything, both you and Ning Gongzi are my family’s great benefactors.” Baili Hongzhou chuckled, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Ning Gongzi and my brother seem to share a deep bond—something I hadn’t expected. But that only proves how capable and devoted Wangye’s men are. If I had such a person by my side, I certainly wouldn’t want to let him go.”

“Hai, A-Ning doesn’t know a thing—he only ever causes trouble for me.”(3) Gu Feiyin sighed with mock exasperation. “With his frail body, he can barely handle anything without falling sick at the slightest inconvenience. It just makes my heart ache, doesn’t it?”

Gu Feiyin tilted his head slightly to look at Ning Shiting, his lips still curved in that same smile, yet it sent a faint chill through Ning Shiting’s heart.

His eyes did not smile.

Though his face bore an easy expression, his gaze remained cold—distant and condescending as ever. But today, there was something else lurking beneath it, something deliberate.

…Moreover, in public, Gu Feiyin rarely showed him any affection.

He had always despised his identity as a venomous Jiaoren, found even looking at him an annoyance. In private, no matter how close they seemed, it was nothing more than empty promises and teasing words. Every time, Gu Feiyin’s hands remained hidden within his sleeves—he had never once reached out to him.

Yet today, he had pulled him to his side, grasping his hand as if he truly cared.

There was something … something amiss in this place!

This wasn’t simple affection—he was putting on a show for Baili Hongzhou.

And in Baili Hongzhou’s words, there was a subtle discontent, a pointed edge directed at him.

Ning Shiting struggled to force out a single word:

“…Yes.”

Cold sweat was already seeping from his fingertips.

He didn’t know where this creeping unease came from—only that something was slipping out of his control.

What exactly was happening?

Baili Hongzhou glanced between the two of them before stretching lazily at the sound of soldiers running outside. “Well, if that’s the case, I’ll let it be. But Wangye owes me a favour this time—don’t forget it.”

Gu Feiyin smiled. “Of course, I’ll remember. But this favour will be counted under A-Ning’s name. A-Ning, quickly thank the general.”

Obediently, Ning Shiting lowered himself to the ground, kneeling deeply before Baili Hongzhou. “Thank… Thank you, General…”

“What are you thanking me for?” Baili Hongzhou studied him slowly, as if waiting for an answer he found particularly interesting.

Ning Shiting hesitated. “Thank…”

He didn’t know what he was supposed to thank him for.

Gu Feiyin hadn’t told him.

Gu Feiyin poured himself a cup of steaming hot wine, no longer looking at him. His expression had darkened, his face now utterly cold and stony—clearly displeased.

He had decided to sit back and watch because Ning Shiting had embarrassed him.

In his sleeve, the little wolf bristled, its fur standing on end. Even through the fabric, Ning Shiting could feel the barely contained fury radiating from within.

It was anger—Gu Tingshuang’s anger.

How absurd was this?

He was a subordinate, Gu Feiyin’s man—in other words, just another one of Gu Feiyin’s dogs.

So when they played these games, when they toyed with him, he had to accept it with quiet obedience. It had happened many times before and now was no different.

But this time, Gu Tingshuang was here to see it.

Ning Shiting didn’t feel sad—only a quiet, creeping sense of humiliation.

That child had always been so good to him. He must be furious now.

But Ning Shiting could not fight back. The best response was to act coy, to laugh and pout, to let his eyes flash with playful charm. A beauty’s little sulk, and they would let him go.

But he couldn’t play that role.

All he could do was be the docile, obedient Jiaoren at Gu Feiyin’s side, waiting in silence for them to be done with him.

Time dragged on, each second stretching unbearably long as he knelt there, everything around him growing unfamiliar and distant.

Just as he struggled to find the right words, a sudden commotion broke out outside.

The valley gates had opened. The deep, violent spiritual energy of Spirit Mountain surged forth, lowering the air pressure in an instant as if at any moment, the Snow Yao would descend upon them.

“…Enough, don’t tease him anymore,” Gu Feiyin said lazily. “The spirit gate has opened. A-Ning, just stay here with me and watch carefully. Still haven’t figured out what to thank the general for?”

He rose to his feet, looking down at Ning Shiting with an air of detached amusement. “If not for the general’s men handling the Snow Yao, sparing you the trouble, A-Ning—your life would have been the price to satisfy the Immortal Emperor.”

In that instant, Ning Shiting finally understood Gu Feiyin’s meaning.

He had feigned illness to avoid dealing with the Snow Yao. But Gu Feiyin had not given up the chance to claim merit. Instead, he had joined hands with Baili Hongzhou to resolve the matter, and now, the ones being sent out to face the Yao… were from the Baili family.

“I heard that Ning Gongzi has experience in military strategy, having defended Dongzhou for years. So tell me, if we were to send forces through Linri Gorge into Spirit Mountain to capture the Snow Yao, what would you advise?” Baili Hongzhou asked.

Ning Shiting hesitated.

Gu Feiyin encouraged him, “A-Ning, speak freely.”

Ning Shiting said, “This is not a wise choice. The Snow Yao has been absorbing the spiritual energy of Spirit Mountain—its strength has grown beyond ordinary means of suppression. If an attempt is made, it would be best to send a large contingent of fire and water masters for support, following the strategies we used during disaster relief…”

“No, no, no—there’s no need for that.”

Baili Hongzhou cut him off with a laugh. “Today, there’s no need for reinforcements. No need for backup. We simply need someone to die for Bixia to see. Why make it so complicated, Gongzi?”

Jiaoren were naturally perceptive.

In that moment, Ning Shiting finally understood the source of that strange feeling in Gu Feiyin’s gaze.

His voice trembled, cracking slightly from fever and the strain of holding himself together. “Yes…Who is going to?”

“Baili Tingshu—my didi.”

Baili Hongzhou’s smile remained unreadable.

“In Wnagye’s heart, you are more important than my own blood. So it will be him in your place, Ning Gongzi. Wangye has agreed, what’s this expression for Gongzi? Is it that you are unwilling?”

Foot Notes

1. 丈 (zháng) is a space of about 10 feet or 3 metres.

2. 舍弟 (Shě dì) is a humble way to say “my younger brother”.

3. 嗐 (Hài) is the sound of a regretful sigh.