Outside the county, at the abandoned temple, the snow had paused.

  Old Bck Dog once again brought the iron box here, but upon entering the temple, it found Wen Chaoshen and A Shui sprawled out, sleeping like logs.

  It approached them and sniffed, confirming they were still alive, before extending a paw to nudge Wen Chaoshen.

  Unlike A Shui, Wen Chaoshen was frail and was only able to resist the pervasive cold of the temple thanks to the lingering warmth of the fire and the alcohol. When Big Bck Dog nudged him, he immediately opened one eye.

  He rubbed his head and saw the bck dog nose hovering in front of him, realizing that Lord Dog had arrived.

  He took the iron box from Lord Dog's mouth, opened it, and pced it aside. Then, using the wooden stick he had used to eat meat earlier, he fished out a few pieces of horse meat from the newly boiled water and pced them in Lord Dog's food box.

  "Lord Dog, I've mostly been eating your food before."

  "Today, let me treat you to some meat."

  Wen Chaoshen pushed the food box in front of the bck dog, who didn't stand on ceremony and began to eat with gusto.

  In no time, it finished the meat, leaving half of the porridge.

  After eating its fill, Big Bck Dog carried the food box back to its usual spot, then turned and headed out of the temple without hesitation.

  As it was leaving, Wen Chaoshen suddenly called out:

  "Lord Dog!"

  The bck dog stopped and turned its head, its shiny eyes looking at Wen Chaoshen, as if it truly understood his call.

  Wen Chaoshen sat cross-legged by the fire, locking eyes with the bck dog for a moment, then pursed his dry lips and said:

  "Lord Dog, don't go."

  "He... won't be coming back."

  The bck dog stood there for a long time, and it was unclear whether it understood or not. Eventually, it turned and trotted off towards the snow-covered hills as it always did.

  After it left, Wen Chaoshen let out a long breath.

  A Shui's voice, tinged with drunkenness, came from behind him:

  "It's so smart, it actually knows everything... but like humans, it can't let go of a lost loved one, yet doesn't know how to hold on."

  Wen Chaoshen turned to look; A Shui was awake but hadn't gotten up, still lying sprawled on the ground, eyes fixed on the bck tiles of the temple ceiling.

  "When will you leave?" he asked.

  A Shui was taken aback by the question.

  "Leave?"

  "Where to?"

  Wen Chaoshen said:

  "So many people are looking for you. Kuhai County isn't small, but it's on the southern border. Now that the heavy snow has sealed the world, they've probably blocked the roads to the east, west, and north. If you're found, you'll have to head into the wastend, but I fear no one can survive the winter wastend."

  "While they haven't pinpointed your location, you still have a chance to act."

  A Shui patted her right leg.

  "Look, see? It's crippled."

  "The only thing I can do now is sleep in this abandoned temple."

  Wen Chaoshen shook his head:

  "Though I don't know much about the Martial World and haven't seen other cultivators, I think you're one of the stronger ones among them. A crippled leg shouldn't affect you that much."

  "You don't want to leave because you want the truth from Liu Jinshi, but now isn't the right time."

  A Shui turned her head to look at Wen Chaoshen, and after a long while, she said:

  "Wen Chaoshen, which do you think is more important to me, the truth or my life?"

  Wen Chaoshen replied:

  "The truth."

  A Shui ughed and pointed at Wen Chaoshen:

  "I'm gd I shared my wine with you."

  "Since you understand, why try to persuade me further?"

  Wen Chaoshen gazed at A Shui's face, finally nodding and sighing.

  ...

  As night fell, Liu Jinshi's residence was illuminated by red nterns, bathing the entire estate in a warm red glow.

  These red nterns were made from the best materials and craftsmanship in the county, with wicks changed daily. Liu Jinshi, seeking festivity, had ordered that they remain until the New Year and the end of winter, only to be taken down when spring arrived.

  The steward, hunched over, quickly approached the entrance of the reception hall. After hesitating for a moment, he knocked on the door.

  Knock, knock, knock—

  "Master, it's te."

  "Madam and the Young Master are waiting for you to dine."

  During the day, Liu Jinshi had explicitly warned him not to disturb him without his notice.

  But he couldn't afford to offend Madam either, so he had to brace himself and come over.

  Despite knocking several times, there was no response from inside. The steward frowned, a sense of foreboding crossing his mind. Just as he was about to push the door open, it swung open.

  Behind the door was a pale, lost face.

  Seeing Liu Jinshi in such a state, the steward hurriedly stepped forward to support him, asking:

  "Master, are you alright?"

  Liu Jinshi gradually came to his senses at the steward's call. He stared at the steward with an odd look, gripping his wrist tightly, as if wanting to say something. His lips trembled fiercely, but he couldn't utter a complete sentence.

  "Master, no rush, no rush..."

  The steward guessed something must have happened but didn't ask, instead comforting Liu Jinshi while supporting him back. Just as they were about to reach the dining room, Liu Jinshi suddenly grabbed the steward at the archway, dragging him to the wall and pinning him there.

  Seeing Liu Jinshi's bloodshot eyes, the steward was so frightened he didn't dare move, stammering:

  "Master, if you have any orders, just tell me directly, and I'll make sure it's done!"

  Liu Jinshi, panting heavily, gripped the steward's hand tightly and said:

  "Chang Gui, how have I treated you all these years?"

  The steward nodded vigorously:

  "Master has been as kind as a mountain to Chang Gui, as kind as a mountain!"

  Liu Jinshi first stared into his eyes, then, still uneasy, gnced around to ensure no one was nearby. He leaned in close to the steward and whispered:

  "Chang Gui, in this estate, I trust only you... Do me one st favor, and I'll grant you wealth and honor, how about it?"

  Chang Gui replied:

  "Master, just give the order, just give the order. If it's within my power, Chang Gui will not refuse!"

  Liu Jinshi took a deep breath and said:

  "Listen, in the center of the fish pond at the heart of the estate, under the fake mountain, I've buried a waterproof package. Tonight, when no one is around, dig it up and take the map inside... All the wealth I've accumuted over the years is scattered and buried in the northern Xingwang Mountain. The map has clear markings. Set off early tomorrow, take Madam and the Young Master north, and go as far as you can!"

  "Chang Gui, I know you're not a gambler. This wealth is enough for you to squander for a lifetime. I have only one request: ensure my wife and child are well-fed and clothed, never let them suffer in the wind and snow!"

  "And... never return to Kuhai County, understand?"