Chapter 285: Sweeping Snow from the Terrace with a Finger

Chen Zhenghai was a particularly hospitable host and kept Chen Changsheng for dinner.

Clearly, Chen Zhenghai had already faded out of Jianghu long ago, so Chen Changsheng didn’t bring up matters of Jianghu nor inquire about the past.

Chen Zhenghai cooked the dinner. After the heavy snow, food was scarce, mostly wild game from the forest, which tasted especially good after being cooked.

Noticing only the two of them, Chen Changsheng asked, “And that little girl, isn’t she eating?”

Looking through the window towards the backyard, A Jun stood in the snow, repeatedly swinging her sword. Her face was flushed red from the cold, yet she didn’t stop.

Chen Zhenghai said, “Iron needs thousands of hammers to become a masterpiece sword.”

Chen Changsheng turned back and asked, “Is she a promising talent for swordsmanship?”

Chen Zhenghai shook his head. “No, precisely because she isn’t, she has to suffer more than others.”

Chen Changsheng nodded slightly. “I see…”

Chen Zhenghai cut a piece of meat and handed it to Chen Changsheng.

Chen Changsheng reached out to take it with a word of thanks. The rich aroma filled the air. He ate heartily, feeling joyful. Paired with some strong liquor, it was an especially satisfying meal.

Chen Zhenghai left some for A Jun. After the meal of food and drink, A Jun outside still hadn’t finished her five hundred sword swings.

Chen Changsheng watched the girl in the yard. There seemed to be something else in A Jun’s eyes, driving the eight- or nine-year-old to tirelessly swing her sword in the snow.

Chen Zhenghai sighed gently. “Only two things in the world make men fearless: courage, or hatred.”

Chen Changsheng withdrew his gaze. “A feud from the past generation?”

Chen Zhenghai nodded. “Hatred is the only thing that kept this girl alive. Later, I took her in. She does some odd jobs for me now. I’ve stepped away from Jianghu, but I still need someone to inherit my legacy. She’s… adequate.”

“Is that so…”

Chen Changsheng remembered the Inn Manager. Looking at the little girl, he, too, felt a momentary loss.

Chen Zhenghai glanced at the sky. “Sir, how about resting here tonight? Looks like another heavy snow is coming. The night wind is harsh.”

Chen Changsheng shook his head. “No, I must travel on.”

“Further north is the uninhabited land. Where are you heading?”

“Beyond this so-called uninhabited land. Further north.”

Chen Zhenghai paused. “Sir, surely you don’t believe in that tale of the Immortal Realm?”

“Immortal Realm?” Chen Changsheng was puzzled.

Chen Zhenghai explained it. It was just Jianghu gossip: supposedly, the far north was the place of ascension. Those who reached it could ascend in broad daylight, reaching a land of immortals.

But the uninhabited land was a place of treacherous, overlapping snow mountains. All who ventured there met their end on the journey, most frozen to death.

Chen Changsheng thought of the Divine Domain. He couldn’t help but smile faintly. “What Immortal Realm? It’s nothing but a grave.”

Chen Zhenghai didn’t grasp the deeper meaning, simply nodding. “You speak truly, Sir.”

Many had died along that road.

Now, few dared to try.

They didn’t talk much longer. After standing, Chen Changsheng prepared to take his leave.

Seeing him about to go, Chen Zhenghai finally spoke up. “Might I trouble you for a small favor, Sir?”

Chen Changsheng replied, “Please say it.”

Chen Zhenghai looked towards A Jun in the snow. “Though I have some martial skill myself, I’m poor at teaching. Could I ask you to offer a little guidance to my small apprentice?”

Chen Changsheng looked at the little girl. He thought for a moment but didn’t agree.

Seeing his reaction, Chen Zhenghai said, “If it’s not possible, please disregard my presumptuous request. Forgive my rash words, Sir.”

“She has her own destiny.”

Chen Changsheng said. “I cannot interfere. But this meal and tea are remembered.”

“Seeing the thick snow piled before this terrace, would you allow me to clear it away?”

Chen Zhenghai answered, “Such a small chore isn’t worth troubling you, Sir.”

Chen Changsheng raised his hand and lightly pointed towards the swirling snow before the terrace.

Chen Zhenghai suddenly froze. Before his eyes, the snow flying outside vanished entirely in an instant, transforming into trickling streams.

The snow melted from the mountain. Vitality returned to all things. Tender buds sprouted. Greenery covered the ground. In the blink of an eye, barren branches and trees became lush, as if it were spring.

The Wooden Sword fell to the ground.

A Jun, mid-swing, also froze.

An instant spring.

This mountain suddenly felt like a world apart on the North Cloud Path, the falling snow seeming to avoid this ground entirely.

“M… Master…”

A Jun stiffly turned her head. Fear filled her eyes, as if she’d seen a ghost.

Chen Zhenghai’s arm trembled slightly. He snapped out of his daze.

He turned again, but the figure of the Green-Robed Gentleman was already gone.

“An Immortal…”

Tremors shook Chen Zhenghai’s heart. His gaze was vacant as he stared at the spring-like scene before him. It felt like a dream.

A Jun rushed forward and tugged at her master’s sleeve. “Wake up, Master! Master!”

Chen Zhenghai came back to himself. He reached out and touched A Jun’s hair, then walked into the lush mountain woods.

He touched the plants and trees, feeling the vibrant green rising all around.

Even now, he could barely believe it.

A Jun asked, “Master, am I dreaming?”

Chen Zhenghai murmured, “Not a dream. Not a dream…”

He turned his gaze back to the path. As he suspected, the Green Robe had long since vanished.

Chen Zhenghai was silent. A light breeze stirred his hair. He understood he likely wouldn’t encounter that Immortal again, and dared not dwell on it.

Confusion remained in A Jun’s eyes. She wanted to ask her master why this happened.

Chen Zhenghai recalled the gentleman’s words before leaving.

‘She has her own destiny.’

He could only sigh softly, patting A Jun’s hair. “A Jun, we don’t have that kind of destiny. Don’t dwell on it. Don’t think about it…”

A Jun blinked at her master. She didn’t understand why he said such things. It felt strange to her.

“Master, is there something I should be thinking about?”

At her young age, she truly didn’t understand these events.

Chen Zhenghai smiled faintly. “Right. Don’t think.”

A Jun stared at him, frowning. “Master, you’re being weird.”

Chen Zhenghai let out a loud laugh. “Yes, I’m weird. It’d be strange if I weren’t weird!”

A Jun felt bewildered, unsure of her master’s babbling.

Chen Zhenghai wouldn’t dwell on things he couldn’t possess. Yet, what he had witnessed today would forever stay etched in his mind.

At least he had truly seen it.

He stared intently at the surge of green vitality before him for a long while. Gradually, a look of solace spread across his face.

“This winter should be a much easier one.”

“In truth, it’s rather good.”