At night, the wind died down, and silence fell.
The second day dawned with sunny weather. The sun hung high in the sky, illuminating the glittering snow plain.
The doors opened, and a group of people emerged from the post station. The frosty air immediately bit at their noses.
Niu You Dao stood on the steps, leaning on his sword. A fur cloak was draped over him. He surveyed his surroundings. Lei Zong Kang and Wu San Liang, who had been standing beside him, went to the stables for the horses.
At that moment, a stablehand was clearing snow from the path. There was also a person on the post station roof, clearing snow. This needed to be done so the snow wouldn't collapse the roof.
"Out of the way!"
Their acquaintances from yesterday also emerged from the station, and the young woman leading them spoke with discontent.
"My Lady!" The woman pulled her back.
Niu You Dao turned his head and stepped aside, extending a hand:
"Miss Hao, a pleasant journey to you."
The young woman stared at him, wide-eyed:
"Are you blind? Who here is a young lady?"
Niu You Dao nodded:
"Shall I make you a man then?"
"Heh..." the Black Peony standing nearby almost burst into laughter. After all, Niu You Dao had said the same thing to her yesterday.
"You..." Before the young woman could erupt in anger, Lady Pei pushed her from behind, causing her to descend the steps.
"Mister Li is most magnanimous." Lady Pei cupped her hands in a respectful salute.
Niu You Dao nodded at her.
The horses were brought, and Niu You Dao leaped onto a horse directly from the steps, and they set off down the road.
"Young Master!" a shout rang out from behind them.
Niu You Dao and the others turned their heads.
They saw the proud young woman catching up to them on horseback. As she drew level with them, she lifted her head and rode on ahead. It was as if she didn't want to trail behind them. Lady Pei and the others followed behind her. They were once again greatly embarrassed.
Thus, the two groups rode on. One in front, the other behind.
When both groups realized they were traveling the same road, Lady Pei dropped back from her group and drew level with Niu You Dao. Smiling, she asked:
"Mister Li, where are you headed?"
Niu You Dao understood that she suspected they might be pursuing them. So, smiling, he replied:
"We are heading to the Ice and Snow Palace."
Lady Pei: "So, we're going the same way."
Niu You Dao: "You are also going to the Ice and Snow Palace?"
Lady Pei pointed at the young woman and spoke with a hint of exasperation:
"My Lady has heard about the Ice and Snow Palace, but has never seen it. It would be strange if she didn't go."
Niu You Dao nodded: "Since we're on the same path, perhaps we could travel together? You are high-level masters; we can also lend assistance if needed."
Lady Pei smiled: "Mister Li treated us yesterday, and I don't mind the company. It's just that my Lady constantly utters rude remarks; I don't know if you can bear her."
She knew that the young woman could say anything that came to mind, depending on her mood.
Niu You Dao laughed and replied: "A trivial matter. It's nothing serious; I don't take her words to heart."
Thus, they traveled together for the entire journey. Along the way, they encountered a supply cart heading towards the next post station.
As deep night approached, our travelers stopped at this post station.
Leaving their horses, the group learned that this was the last post station before the Ice and Snow Palace. Beyond lay a snowy mountain ridge, with no road. They could not proceed further on horseback, so it was best to leave their horses here.
After they had settled into the post station, Lady Pei found Niu You Dao's room. She knocked on his door.
Niu You Dao opened the door, admitted her, and invited her to sit. However, Lady Pei did not intend to.
She began to explain: "Our Lady has a foul temper, but her heart is kind and gentle. If she has offended Mister, I beg you not to take it to heart."
Niu You Dao asked with interest: "Sister, what is all this about?"
Lady Pei felt awkward, and with a bitter smile, she said:
"How should I put this. Though my Lady speaks harshly, she still wishes to sample your food. But her pride won't allow her to ask you for it. Therefore, I certainly wouldn't dare ask you for your secret recipe, but I would like to ask you to prepare the food. And I will say that I prepared it myself. Otherwise, she'll sulk for a long time."
Niu You Dao understood her, and chuckling, he replied:
"If that's the case, then I understand. Of course. Wait a moment; I'll instruct my people to prepare it and then report to Sister."
Lady Pei cupped her hands in salute:
"Mister is most magnanimous. If ever you are in the capital of the Qi Kingdom, you may find me through the Nature Manifestation Sect. Then I shall be able to repay your kindness!"
The other party had revealed herself. Niu You Dao's eyes sparkled, and he probed, asking: "Sister, are you acquainted with Zuo An Nian?"
"Mister speaks of the envoy from the Zhao Kingdom?" Lady Pei was surprised.
Niu You Dao nodded.
Lady Pei, blinking, said: "I have heard of him, but I am not personally acquainted."
Niu You Dao smiled: "Sister, please wait a moment. I will ask for food to be prepared for you."
Stars shone in the winter sky. Sitting by the window, the young woman extended her hand and watched the Little Moon hover in the room.
A knock sounded at the door, and Lady Pei entered. She carried a cup and a jug of wine in her hands.
Setting down the food, she called out to the young woman: "Young Master, please try some."
"What could possibly be tasty about that..." the young woman grumbled. However, catching the scent of the food, she immediately turned her head and approached the cup. She saw what had been prepared and said:
"I won't eat this. Unless they themselves beg me, I won't!"
Lady Pei smiled bitterly and thought to herself: "It was prepared for you, and yet you want to be begged to eat it? How could a person who casually throws around such a vast sum be so simple?"
Finally, she sighed and said:
"Young Master, I was the one who asked for the recipe to be shared with me, and I prepared everything myself. I wanted you to try how it turned out."
The young woman waved her hands and said scornfully: "What's the point of learning? Why bother? Fine, so your effort isn't wasted, I'll give it a try."
Lady Pei immediately pulled a chair closer for the young woman. She sat down, took up her chopsticks, and began to sample the food. Putting a piece of meat into her mouth, the young woman slowly chewed. She even closed her eyes in pleasure. With such appetite, she continued to try the other dishes. She snatched up everything indiscriminately and washed it down with wine. Very soon, the large cup was completely empty!
"Ugh!" Setting down the jug, the young woman burped:
"Just as usual!" the young woman said disdainfully.
Lady Pei sighed and said: "I thought there would be enough to treat the others, but it seems the cup is already empty."
Only then did the young woman discover that she had, in fact, eaten everything. She felt awkward, blushed, and puffed out her cheeks.
"I just ate little yesterday, my stomach was empty, so I ate everything without noticing."
"Alright. Since Young Master didn't like it, I won't cook it anymore." Lady Pei cleared away the dishes and left.
"Ugh!" another burp sounded.
The young woman remained satisfied. She constantly licked her lips, savoring the taste of the remaining sauce...
On the second day, the two groups prepared to set off again. When they exited the post station, Lady Pei's group stared at Niu You Dao and the others. Because they wore fur hats that covered their ears, heads, and entire faces. Only their eyes were visible.
This time, the young woman was pleased and didn't utter any rude remarks.
They traversed the snow plain, after which snowy peaks appeared. The group was currently advancing between the peaks.
Because the young woman had the lowest cultivation, everyone moved at her pace. Although Lady Pei offered her assistance, she constantly refused, stating that she would overcome all difficulties herself.
Thus, in one hour, they reached a peak near which a river raged.
In this realm of cold and frost, it turned out there was a turbulent river. But even more astonishing was the canyon beside it. Snow lay everywhere around, but no snow fell into the canyon at all. Many people could be seen bustling about within this canyon. And at the end of the canyon, there was an oasis. An oasis in the midst of a snowy wasteland, from which a rainbow rose into the sky.
Lady Pei, pointing at it, said:
"Young Master, this is the Ice and Snow Palace. And that oasis must be the Ice and Snow Palace itself, the dwelling of Xue Lao Er. I've heard it's a beautiful place. This immortal palace is impossibly beautiful. But I have not seen it myself."
The young woman said excitedly: "Now we shall broaden our horizons. Since we've come, I want to see how beautiful it truly is."
Lady Pei spoke seriously: "Young Master, you cannot cause trouble there. Just anyone cannot come there and stir up a commotion. You, too. Otherwise, I won't be able to save you there."
The young woman herself understood that before her lay one of the Nine Great Places, backed by a power beyond her control. A power she would not dare offend.
Niu You Dao, standing nearby, said:
"Young Master truly wishes to see the Ice and Snow Palace? I can take you inside."
The young woman pulled back her sleeve and said: "You?"
Niu You Dao replied with a smile: "How about this. Let's make a wager for a million gold coins! Of course, if you don't have the money, you can write me an IOU."
Lady Pei was speechless: "She just calmed down, why are you provoking her again?"
The young woman said angrily: "I keep my word. Fine, we'll see how you manage! I'll play with you!"
This time, Lady Pei didn't interfere. She exchanged glances with Liu Feng Hai and Chai Fei. Even if they lost a million, the immortal palace was worth it. Upon their return, they could justify their extravagance.
Niu You Dao nodded: "Done and done!"
Duan Hu and the others also didn't know what Niu You Dao was planning. After all, they only had a million left. Black Peony thought to herself, 'Is he going to draw again?'
Having settled the wager, the group began to descend into the canyon.