Chapter 2

In the eleventh year of the Tianjian era of the Great Liang Dynasty, the world was far from peaceful.

In June, a heavy snow fell on Yingzhou, and rumors spread that a celestial being had descended. Upon hearing the news, countless people flocked to Yingzhou to catch a glimpse of the celestial being, but no one managed to find any trace of it.

In September, a great flood struck Weizhou, breaching the Wei River’s embankment. The people on both banks were displaced, and the land was littered with corpses. The famine-stricken people fought with wild dogs for food, and bones were scattered everywhere.

At the end of the year, a new sword was forged at Jianqi Mountain, causing a stir in the world. Countless sword cultivators vied to ascend Jianqi Mountain, all hoping to take the once-in-a-century sword down the mountain.

Two years later, in the thirteenth year of the Tianjian era, early winter, a snow fell in Weizhou.

...

...

The heavy snow began on the winter solstice and had been falling for a full month by now.

The sky had long since darkened.

The moon was half-hidden, and no birds or beasts were to be seen. The mountains and fields were nothing but a vast expanse of white.

A few lanterns, emitting a faint light, swayed in the cold wind, like a solitary boat in a storm, uncertain of its fate.

The dim light came from a group of about a dozen people, who were slowly making their way along a mountain path.

"Miss, once we cross this mountain, we should reach Tianqing County. The people sent to meet you should arrive in Tianqing County tomorrow. Then, you will be escorted to the capital by them, and we can return to report."

In the group, the leading elderly man with white hair tightened his cotton robe. As he spoke, the frown on his face relaxed somewhat.

But then he added apologetically, "It's been many years since I've been out. I didn't expect the world to still be so chaotic. I almost put Miss in danger. I am truly ashamed."

Their group had encountered several demonic creatures and, by now, only a fraction of them remained.

"There's no need for Uncle Song to feel this way. Once the people from the capital arrive, the journey north should be smooth."

In the center of the group was a young girl, with delicate features and dressed in a simple, thick, light green robe. Despite this, she exuded a special aura. Though young, her eyes were calm and devoid of any childishness.

She was clearly no ordinary girl.

The elderly man, surnamed Song, looked at the girl with satisfaction. She was the first of her generation in the Bai Lu Xie family.

The Xie family's cultivation method was unique, and cultivation was not allowed before the age of sixteen. The Xie family in the capital had decided that she should travel north to the capital for her studies when she turned sixteen.

This clearly showed their intention to nurture her.

The Great Liang Dynasty had been established for over two hundred years. Although the world was still far from peaceful, it was much better than the previous dynasty. At least, in these two hundred years, the northern demonic court had not sent large numbers of demons to the south, causing widespread slaughter.

However, demonic creatures still existed within the borders, and many people fell victim to them, which was inevitable.

"Miss, Master Song, there's a mountain god temple ahead. Should we stay there for the night?"

The heavy snow, illuminated by the moonlight, revealed a dilapidated mountain god temple on the hillside, half-buried in snow, with a broken and decaying entrance.

It looked as if it had been abandoned for a long time and had not been repaired.

The Great Liang Dynasty did not believe in ghosts and spirits, so these mountain god temples, built during the previous dynasty, were no longer maintained by the government and had fallen into disrepair.

Master Song looked at the girl, who nodded.

Once they entered Weizhou, the heavy snow made travel difficult. The group had been traveling non-stop and was already exhausted.

Master Song understood and said, "Let's go in—"

His voice was cut off!

The previously quiet night suddenly filled with a sound.

Woo—woo—woo—

A chilling sound suddenly arose from somewhere.

"Ah!"

A scream came from the back of the group. When everyone turned around, they saw a long trail of blood leading into the forest.

"Protect the Miss!"

With a loud shout, the remaining people immediately drew their weapons and surrounded the girl, looking around nervously.

Master Song leaped into the air and said sternly, "Demonic creatures, reveal yourselves!"

A green light emanated from Master Song's palm, illuminating the entire night sky.

"Blood demons?!"

One of the men exclaimed in shock, with a hint of sorrow.

Among the demonic creatures in the Great Liang Dynasty, blood demons were particularly powerful and the most difficult to deal with.

With only a few of them left, how could they possibly be a match for them?

Master Song, hovering in the air, frowned. Seeing the two blood demons, he had already resolved to die. Normally, even if he couldn't kill them, he could escape. But after the long journey, he was injured and lacked the strength.

"Take the Miss and go. I will hold them off!"

Master Song charged towards the two blood demons. In an instant, his aura reached its peak, and his body was enveloped in a brilliant green light, exuding a formidable presence.

Seeing Master Song charge forward without hesitation, the remaining people lifted the girl and ran up the mountain.

But after a few steps, one of the men said, "Master Song can't hold off that blood demon!"

They were all warriors and knew the strength of the blood demon.

The others remained silent, acknowledging this.

The man, who had served as a guard for the Xie family for over a decade, smiled bitterly. "Miss, we can no longer protect you."

"Please go ahead, Miss. We will buy you some time!"

His voice was not loud but firm and left no room for argument.

The others nodded in agreement.

Rather than let Master Song face the blood demon alone, they decided to buy the girl more time by fighting together.

The girl's eyes showed a moment of hesitation, but she bit her lip and ran forward with the lantern.

She took a silver hairpin from her hair, gripping it tightly in her slightly sweaty palm. Her black hair instantly fell, trailing behind her.

"Take care, Miss."

Seeing the girl leave, the men no longer hesitated and charged towards the blood demon with a loud shout.

The cold wind howled, and the blood demon was closing in. The girl was still nervous.

After all, no matter how talented and mature she was, she was still a young girl.

Her fingers, gripping the hairpin, turned white from the effort. The snowstorm intensified, and some snowflakes landed on her hair, as if coating it with moonlight.

She was like a flower, refusing to bow in the snow.

If the blood demon caught up to her, she was determined to fight to the end, even if it meant her life.

But as she approached the mountain god temple, she saw a faint light through the windows.

Someone was inside?

She frowned, quickened her pace, but hesitated to enter the unknown temple. Just then, a gust of demonic wind blew, and the air was filled with a demonic aura, heading towards her.

Uncle Song and the others had failed...

The girl's face turned pale. Though she didn't want to accept it, she knew it was true.

Without hesitation, she entered the mountain god temple, passing through the courtyard and pushing open the already dilapidated temple door.

As she pushed the door open, dust rose from the disordered temple. She stumbled into the dust and saw a fire burning in the center of the main hall, under a faded and worn mountain god statue.

Beside the fire was a young man in black, holding a sword.