Upon arriving at a village near the Huge Snow Mountain and disembarking from our carriage, we immediately caught sight of the mountain looming behind the village.
"Wow..." Lucy gasped in awe.
And for good reason. The Huge Snow Mountain was truly colossal. Even I, who had seen countless breathtaking and dramatic photos in modern times, was struck by its sheer beauty.
True to its name, the mountain was entirely covered in pristine white snow, its peak piercing the clouds.
No trees dared to grow on its slopes; every flake was eternal snow, as if the mountain itself had been sculpted from snow rather than earth.
"Young Master Sung Yujin," Hent approached, his face grave as he gazed at the mountain.
"Despite its beautiful scenery, Huge Snow Mountain is an extremely dangerous place. The monsters inhabiting this mountain are so numerous and ferocious that even the Count Huitres Family has abandoned managing it. More importantly, the environment itself is hostile to humans. Even veteran adventurers, thoroughly prepared, occasionally fail to return alive from Huge Snow Mountain."
"I'm aware, Sir Hent."
Did he really think I would come here without even researching such basic information? Huge Snow Mountain was described as dangerous even in the original work. There was no way I wouldn't know about its perils.
"Sir Hent, you're worried about me climbing Huge Snow Mountain, aren't you?"
"...Yes. Even taking a stroll nearby is possible, but climbing the mountain is out of the question."
"I promised my mother before coming here that I wouldn't climb Huge Snow Mountain. I only wanted to see it with my own eyes."
"Phew, that's a relief. If Young Master Sung Yujin had insisted on climbing, I would have been in a real bind."
"What would you have done if I had insisted?"
"I probably would have reported it directly to the Countess. Hahaha."
Hent subtly revealed the magic communication device he had been carrying in his pocket. He must have used it to report to Ellaine. I smiled wryly.
"Don't worry. I'll rest here in the village for three days before leaving. Have you secured accommodations?"
"I've booked the finest inn in the village."
"Is rabbit meat a local specialty of Huge Snow Mountain?"
"Yes. The rabbits here are said to grow up to a meter long, and their meat is exceptionally delicious. I'll have rabbit dishes prepared for dinner."
"Please do. I'm quite tired after traveling by carriage for five days. I'll need to rest in my room until dinner."
"Don't worry about anything else. Just get some rest."
Leaving the servants to their work, I headed to the inn Hent had secured with Yuria. As befitting a top-tier establishment, the building itself was so magnificent it resembled an aristocratic mansion.
This inn was built to cater to wealthy commoners and nobles.
Huge Snow Mountain is a renowned destination. Many travelers and tourists like myself must visit. Among adventurers, there's even a saying that Huge Snow Mountain is a sight one must witness with their own eyes.
I secured one of the inn's finest rooms. The interior, however, was somewhat disappointing compared to the building's exterior. It seemed they had skimped on the interior decor.
There was only one thing I liked about this room: the view from the window. When I opened it, the pristine white Huge Snow Mountain loomed directly before me.
I'll take a commemorative photo of Huge Snow Mountain later... but for now...
I glanced at Yuria, who was unpacking. Sensing my gaze, she looked up and smiled.
"Yuria."
"Yes, Master. I know what you want."
Yuria began to lift her skirt.
My eyes widened as I saw her panties.
"What's this? They're already soaking wet and I haven't even touched you. Were you expecting something?"
"It's because of you, Master. My body has become too... accustomed to you."
"If it's my fault, I suppose I have no choice but to take responsibility."
"Hoo..."
Kyle exhaled quietly. His breath instantly froze into a white mist that drifted downward.
He was strolling near Huge Snow Mountain with Lucy, the crisp crunch of snow underfoot bringing back vivid memories from his past life.
When it snowed on Mount Hua, I used to clean the grounds with my senior brothers.
Chores on the mountain had always been the disciples' responsibility. Back then, it had felt like a tedious chore, but now it was an unforgettable memory.
"Young Master?" Lucy called out, snapping Kyle out of his reverie.
"I was just lost in thought for a moment. What is it?"
"Nothing urgent. I just thought we should start heading back soon. Sir Hent will worry if we go too far."
"You're right. Let's start heading back. Lucy, how do you like Huge Snow Mountain so far?"
"Great! I bet today's adventure will be a lifelong source of pride, don't you think? Huge Snow Mountain is even more mysterious and beautiful than I imagined!"
"Mysterious... They say the snow here never melts. It truly is an enigmatic mountain. Perhaps..."
"Yes?"
"Never mind. It's nothing."
Kyle was thinking that the Eternal Snow Ginseng might be hidden somewhere on Huge Snow Mountain.
This ancient mountain ginseng thrives in extremely cold environments. In his previous life, he had heard tales of the Eternal Snow Ginseng growing where eternal snow never melts.
Even if the Eternal Snow Ginseng truly exists, how could I ever find it in this vast mountain range?
Kyle didn't dare venture into Huge Snow Mountain. Even being near it made his body tremble from the bone-chilling cold. At his current level of cultivation, entering the mountain would mean certain death by freezing.
Kyle gazed up at Huge Snow Mountain. The more he looked, the more it reminded him of a volcano. And the more he thought of the volcano, the more suffocated he felt.
To establish the Mount Hua Sect in this world, I need to reach at least the level of Sect Leader. But when will I become strong enough to reach that realm?
The Mount Hua Sect must be strong.
It must be unshakable by any external force. To achieve this, Kyle, as the future Sect Leader, needed to reach at least the Hua Realm what this world called the Aura Master level.
As the central figure of the Mount Hua Sect, Kyle knew that his strength was crucial for the sect's growth in this new world.
No need to rush, he thought. This isn't the Martial World. There's no Martial Alliance or Demonic Cult here.
Instead, there were nobles and monsters, but as long as no other martial artists existed, the Mount Hua Sect would face no external checks or balances.
"Young Master! It's snowing! It's snowing!" Lucy's excited voice made Kyle look up at the sky.
Large, fluffy snowflakes were drifting slowly to the ground, creating a dreamlike atmosphere against the backdrop of the snow-covered mountains.
A cold, biting wind swept through the air, causing the snowflakes to dance and swirl in the sky.
"...!"
Kyle's eyes widened. To him, the falling snowflakes resembled petals of plum blossoms drifting down from the trees.
The movement of the plum blossom petals began to resemble swordsmanship. When the petals swayed, it was as if a sword was swaying; when they twirled, it was as if a sword was twirling.
"...Ah."
A small gasp escaped Kyle's lips.
Something. Something felt within reach. Something higher. Something new...
"Young Master!"
Lucy's voice snapped Kyle out of his reverie. His mind, which had been ascending, returned to its normal state.
If I'd stayed a little longer, I might have attained enlightenment...
He couldn't blame Lucy. This enlightenment had come unexpectedly, and she wasn't a martial artist. She knew nothing of such things.
It seems this enlightenment isn't yet meant for me.
Kyle smiled bitterly.
"Lucy, what's wrong?"
"Look over there. Ms. Yuria is there."
"Yuria?"
Kyle followed Lucy's gaze to the luxurious inn where they were staying. The five-story building resembled an aristocratic mansion, and Yuria stood at a window on the top floor. She gripped the windowsill, gazing out at the snow-covered Huge Snow Mountain.
Yuria's cheeks were flushed, and she exhaled white breaths into the frigid air. Kyle assumed it was due to the cold; the village felt like the dead of winter, likely influenced by the nearby mountain.
Yuria's body began to tremble, and her breaths grew more labored.
Did Yuria have a fear of heights? Kyle tilted his head in confusion before following Lucy toward the inn.
Lucy waved enthusiastically at Yuria.
"Ms. Yuria! Ms. Yuria!"
Yuria, who had been gazing blankly at Huge Snow Mountain, lowered her gaze. Her flushed cheeks radiated an almost unsettling aura.
"Lucy... and Young Master Kyle. Were you taking a walk?" Yuria's voice trembled slightly.
"Yes! We're heading back now. What were you doing, Ms. Yuria?"
"I was just finishing unpacking. Now I'm resting and admiring Huge Snow Mountain. Sigh..."
Yuria's body twitched violently.
"Your face is flushed. Are you feeling unwell?"
"...Yes. Perhaps it's the change in climate. Hic... I'm not feeling well."
Kyle looked at Yuria with concern.
"Yuria, you seem to have caught a cold. You should rest well today. What's Sung Yujin doing?"
"Young Master Sung Yujin... is resting in bed. Ugh..."
Just then, Sung Yujin appeared behind Yuria. Dressed in a thick coat against the cold weather, his face was flushed like hers, and he coughed.
"Cough, cough! Did someone call me?"
"Sung Yujin! You look terrible. Go back to bed and rest."
"I was fine until I came here... It seems both Yuria and I have caught colds. I should rest today. Sorry, but you brothers will have to have dinner without me."
"Don't apologize. You should rest when you're not feeling well."
Thud!
"Haaah!"
"Yuria?!"
Kyle was startled by Yuria's sudden cry, a voice that sounded both like a scream and something strangely alluring. He never imagined she could make such a sound.
"Sorry, Yuria. I twisted my ankle moving around. Does it hurt a lot?"
"Ah, no. I-I'm fine."
"It's cold, so let's close the window. Make sure you, Hyung, and Lucy don't catch a cold either."
The window was closed. Sung Yujin and Yuria seemed to be resting deeply. Kyle and Lucy glanced worriedly at the window.
"Young Master Sung Yujin and Ms. Yuria... They came all the way to the Huge Snow Mountain for this trip... Do you think they'll be alright?"
"They'll be fine. It seems like just a mild cold. We should let them rest properly today."
***
Before dinner.
Kyle knocked on Sung Yujin's door with his fist.
Knock, knock, knock.
Swish. Swish. The sound of fabric rustling came from inside the room.
"Come in," Sung Yujin called out.
Kyle opened the door and stepped inside, immediately feeling the warmth. A stove on one side of the wall was heating the room.
He saw Sung Yujin sitting up in bed, only his upper body visible. The blanket seemed unusually thick, perhaps due to his cold. In contrast, Sung Yujin was wearing only a thin shirt.
"I came to check on you before dinner. How are you feeling?" Kyle asked.
"Not bad. I think I'll be better by tomorrow. My body probably just needed to adjust to the fatigue from the journey and the sudden cold."
"Really? That's good to hear. Why are you dressed so lightly?"
"The blanket's thick enough. If I wore heavy clothes, I'd be too hot to sleep. Besides, sleeping in light clothes helps me sleep better. The stove keeps the room warm anyway."
"Yeah, you're right. Still, you should dress warmly since you have a cold. What about dinner?"
"I'll just eat something simple here. Could you ask the servants to bring me something?"
"Alright. But where's Yuria? Weren't you two together?"
Kyle glanced around the spacious room. Besides Sung Yujin, there was no one else present.
"Yuria is my personal maid, but she's not always with me. She has her own duties to attend to.
As for where she went... I'm not sure. She seemed unwell earlier, so she might be resting in the next room."
"That makes sense. But... what's with the white stockings?"
Kyle pointed to the white stockings draped over the edge of the bed. To his knowledge, Sung Yujin never wore stockings, not even the tights commonly worn by nobles.
"...Ah, when I opened the window earlier, snow got in and soaked my stockings. Yuria took them off to wash them, but I guess she accidentally left them behind."
"Yuria made a mistake?"
"She's got a cold and isn't feeling well, Kyle. Are you interested in the stockings? Want to keep them?"
Kyle was flustered. His face flushed slightly as he waved his hands dismissively.
"Keep them? No way. I should get going. Get some rest."
Kyle closed the door and left. As Sung Yujin sensed his footsteps fading away, he lifted the thick blanket covering him.
Beneath it lay a naked maid, her mouth wrapped around Sung Yujin's manhood.
"I thought we were going to get caught," Sung Yujin chuckled.