Volume Two: Mountains and Rivers Block the Path Chapter Five: The Plague of the Pale Skins

After the crowd dispersed, Zhuo Hua and his companions returned to the tavern and resumed their drinking. As soon as Xiao Sui sat down, Zhuo Yun respectfully filled his cup. Xiao Sui glanced at Zhuo Yun, then threw a questioning look at Zhuo Hua.

Zhuo Hua was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, “That was a bit of a commotion just now, and I forgot to introduce you all properly.”

He stood up, smiling, and introduced the three young women standing before Xiao Sui, “Brother Xiao, these are my younger sisters. The eldest is Ying’er, the second is Xin’er, and the third is Yun’er.”

Xiao Sui hurriedly rose, rubbed his hands on the sides of his robe, then clasped his fists in greeting. “All three of you are outstanding women. I am truly in awe today.”

Qin Ying managed a smile on her cold face, but it looked more like she was about to cry. Su Xin, on the other hand, was much more composed. She pressed her palms together at her forehead and bowed deeply to Xiao Sui. Xiao Sui, seeing her so earnest, hastily returned the bow.

Zhuo Yun kept it simple, clasping her fists, trying to imitate Xiao Sui’s earlier salute, but she hesitated over how to address him, tilting her head and muttering, “Brother Xiao? Uncle? Elder?”

Xiao Sui burst out laughing at the sight, waving his hand broadly. “Call me whatever you like, Xiaoyun. I’ll answer to it. No need to fret.”

Seeing the introductions completed, Zhuo Hua turned to his sisters and introduced Xiao Sui, “This is General Xiao Sui, formerly captain of the patrol battalion in Changshan City. We happened to run into him this morning as we entered the city. I felt a strong kinship with General Xiao, so we agreed to meet here at the tavern. It was thanks to his presence just now that the crowd was pacified.”

With that, Zhuo Hua raised his cup to Xiao Sui, saying, “Brother Xiao, allow me to thank you on behalf of my sisters for your help.”

Xiao Sui also lifted his cup, laughing heartily. “It was nothing, just my duty. Your sisters are spirited and promising—surely destined for great fortune!”

They shouted “cheers” in unison and drained their cups.

Once everyone was seated, Xiao Sui called for a few more dishes. He figured the girls had been out all afternoon and must be famished—they needed to eat their fill.

Zhuo Hua then asked, “Brother Xiao, there is something I do not understand. Would you enlighten me?”

Xiao Sui, eating as he spoke, replied, “Is it about those white furs?”

Zhuo Hua nodded. Xiao Sui raised his cup, took a sip, and said, “It all started three years ago. Our ruler, Lan Yong, has long had no interest in governing, leaving the affairs of state to Chancellor Tian Hua Cheng. Tian Hua Cheng is your ruler Tian Chong’s nephew, and Lan Yong is Tian Hua’s uncle. So, Tian Chong is to Lan Yong... his...”

Xiao Sui counted on his fingers, trying to untangle the relationship, but after a moment grew impatient and downed his wine in frustration. “I can’t figure it out. Anyway, the two families have been intermarrying for generations—it’s a mess.”

Zhuo Hua was about to remind him to get to the point, but Su Xin interrupted with a laugh, teasing, “Are you giving us a genealogy lesson on the Lan and Tian families? Too bad we’re not interested! Just tell us why they need so much fur. Otherwise, if you get drunk, we’ll be left in the dark.”

Xiao Sui pointed at Su Xin with a chuckle. “I see now—among all you girls, you’ve got the sharpest tongue.”

He took a small sip of wine and continued, “Where was I? Oh! Our ruler Lan Yong is getting old and is obsessed with seeking immortality. He’s been cultivating all his life and is still only at the Spirit tier, nowhere near Immortal. This has made him increasingly irritable. Three years ago, Chancellor Tian Hua Cheng introduced him to a remarkable craftsman who claimed he could make a divine-tier Qi-stabilizing Pearl for the ruler. The ruler was overjoyed and put all his faith in this artisan. However, the craftsman said making the pearl would cost a fortune, and the main materials could only be obtained from the northern Kualun tribe. But the Kualun demand no money—only white fox and snow dog pelts in exchange. To get his pearl, the ruler issued a decree requiring extra tribute of white fox and snow dog furs from across the land. The people have suffered bitterly and call this decree the White Fur Calamity.”

Zhuo Hua stroked his chin, pondering. “So that’s how it is! Now it all makes sense!”

As curfew approached, Zhuo Hua and Xiao Sui finally wrapped up their gathering. Xiao Sui, tipsy and cheerful, grasped Zhuo Hua’s hand. “Brother Zhuo, I regret we couldn’t drink till dawn. Next time, we must celebrate until the morning comes. I still need to check in at the barracks before heading home, so I’ll take my leave.”

Zhuo Hua quickly bowed in farewell. “Brother Xiao, do you need someone to see you back? Or I can have the innkeeper prepare a carriage for you.”

Xiao Sui strode away, waving his arm high. “No need, brother Zhuo! This bit of wine is nothing to me! If you ever need anything, just come find me at the patrol barracks.” His figure receded into the distance, his voice fading away.

Zhuo Hua turned and saw his three companions, all with different expressions. He said only, “Let’s go home,” and walked away.

Behind the post station, by the riverside pavilion.

Qin Ying, dressed in a crimson cotton robe, sat at the edge of the pavilion, leaning against the railing, her expression cold as she silently watched the black river. With the New Year approaching, red lanterns were hung all around, casting a warm glow over the small space.

Zhuo Hua paced back and forth in the center of the pavilion, his face still flushed with anger, clearly fresh from an argument.

He took a deep breath and sighed. “Say something, will you? I’ve been talking for ages—at least give me a response. Otherwise, people will think I’ve gone mad, talking to myself.”

Qin Ying let out a cold laugh. “Since when have you ever cared about my feelings? All you care about is the reputation of the Cloud Palace.”

Zhuo Hua was stunned, so angry he laughed. “I’m asking why you behaved that way in the street today. When you take the younger ones out, you’re supposed to set an example—not encourage them to do as they please.”

Qin Ying slowly turned her head, her cheeks wet with tears, her eyes full of loathing. Crying, she said, “In your eyes, I’m just a reckless, willful woman, aren’t I?”

Zhuo Hua hurriedly protested that it wasn’t so.

Qin Ying didn’t bother to wipe her tears, letting them stream down her chin. “Let me tell you why. In that shop, I saw them slaughtering our snow dog kin so cruelly—how could I just stand by? I was once hunted by men for three days and nights, wounded and left unconscious on the northern wasteland. When I looked into the eyes of those snow dogs in the cage, I remembered how terrified and helpless I felt. I imagine Su Xin felt the same.” She spoke through her sobs, her tears soaking her clothes.

Zhuo Hua was speechless for a moment. He stepped forward, reaching out to comfort her. “I didn’t consider that connection—I thought you were just acting out of compassion for animals. I truly didn’t realize...”

Qin Ying slapped his hand away and turned her back on him.

Zhuo Hua fretted behind her, rubbing his hands and apologizing repeatedly.

Suddenly, a violet light enveloped Qin Ying, and her whole being radiated with a dazzling brilliance. Zhuo Hua instantly sensed an immense, boundless presence gathering around them. The whisper of leaves in the woods, the rush of the river, and the crackle of the lantern wicks all pressed in with an oppressive, unsettling force.

“Lan... Lanling?” Zhuo Hua called uncertainly.

“Fool, we meet again.” Qin Ying—or rather, Lanling—slowly turned around.