Chen Tang carried the corpse and stepped into the snowy mountain forest.
He reached the wooden cabin where the father and son had once lived and placed Chen Da'an's body inside.
The cabin still housed some old belongings left by Chen Da'an, covered in dust.
Qian Country had long been mired in war, leaving the people struggling to survive, unable to afford traditional burials for the deceased.
Moreover, in the northeastern region, most of the year was winter, with snow covering everything and the ground frozen solid. Burying the dead traditionally was extremely difficult, so most people opted for cremation.
Chen Tang took out a firelighter, initially intending to burn the body and the wooden cabin together. But after a moment's thought, he extinguished the firelighter.
To just carelessly set it on fire like this didn't sit right with Chen Tang, leaving a bitter feeling he couldn't swallow.
Killing Cui Yong alone wasn't enough.
He would wait a while, give Chen Da'an a proper explanation, and then let him rest in peace.
The weather was bitterly cold now, and the temperature on the mountain was even lower. The body left in the cabin wouldn't be in danger of being eaten by wild animals and wouldn't decay for several months.
Chen Tang left the cabin, took down his bow and arrow, braced himself, and continued forward.
In the depths of the Three Thousand Snow Ridges, fierce beasts roamed, and dangers lay in hiding. Even the best hunters dared not set foot there.
According to Chen Da'an's experience, once past this cabin, one had to be doubly cautious.
Chen Tang carefully traversed the mountain forest, climbed over a snow-capped mountain, staying alert to every rustle and movement.
The journey was extremely quiet. Not to mention fierce beasts, he didn't even see a single deer.
Still, Chen Tang dared not be careless, keeping an arrow ready as he continued deeper into the snow ridges.
After climbing over another snow-capped mountain, there was still no sign of any wild beast.
It was as if all the fierce beasts in the Three Thousand Snow Ridges had disappeared into thin air.
Chen Tang felt a bit puzzled, yet didn't think too much about it.
Lack of fierce beasts wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Initially, as Chen Tang set out on the snow, he was somewhat interested, admiring the breathtaking snowcapped forest landscape.
But as he went deeper, the snow became increasingly deeper, starting from ankle-high to knee-high.
Eventually, the snow was up to Chen Tang's waist and belly.
Every step he took was exceedingly difficult.
The temperature dropped lower and lower.
The cold wind cut to the bone.
Trudging through the snow while scaling mountains drained his energy tremendously.
Chen Tang's face was flecked with red spots from the cold, panting heavily, and his cotton clothing was completely penetrated by the chilly wind.
Moreover, he'd lost his way.
When he descended the mountain initially, the Mountain Lord had carried him at a breakneck speed, with the wind in his face, leaving him with just a general sense of direction.
Now, after walking in that direction for several hours, all he saw around him were sprawling, snow-covered mountains, impossible to tell north from south.
"This..."
Chen Tang hesitated, reconsidering.
If he continued like this, forget about reaching the snow mountain for cultivation, he feared he'd freeze to death halfway!
"Senior!"
Chen Tang shouted toward the expanse of snow mountains ahead, "Senior, can you hear me, I've brought wine!"
He had no idea where the Mountain Guest was, so he could only shout into the void.
The Mountain Guest appeared quite formidable, perhaps he might hear...
Chen Tang comforted himself with this thought.
After some time, there was no response, just the howling wind.
Chen Tang took a deep breath and called out again, "Xue Tuan'Er, Xue Tuan'Er, I'm back!"
Still no response.
Xue Tuan'Er was probably nestled against the Mountain Lord's belly, drinking milk.
"Lord Mountain, Mountain Boss, Boss Mountain Lord..."
Chen Tang tried a different address, calling out loudly.
The Mountain Lord was said to be a rare exotic beast in the world, surely possessing extraordinary hearing.
Even after waiting a long time, there was still no response.
With a wry smile, Chen Tang looked around at the vast, empty snow ridges, feeling like a fool.
"Big Snowball! Big Snowball!"
Chen Tang was getting anxious and shouted a few more times.
Back on the snow mountain, he had named the little tiger cub Xue Tuan'Er and had given the White Tiger a name as well, calling it Big Snowball.
The little one was called Xue Tuan'Er, so naturally, the big one was called Big Snowball, making them sound like a harmonious family.
But he had been pressed into the snow by the Mountain Lord's paw and dared not mention it again afterward.
Now in a predicament, he couldn't care less about such things.
Suddenly!
Chen Tang felt a slight movement above him.
Instinctively looking up, he saw a massive paw descend from above.
The next moment, he was once again pressed into the snowbank.
Though the paw seemed terrifying as it landed, it didn't actually apply much force, just a gentle push.
"Haha!"
With snow in his mouth, Chen Tang instead felt joy in his heart, leaping up and turning to look.
Behind him stood a giant creature, snow-white and majestic—it was the Mountain Lord White Tiger!
"Big Snowball, I knew you'd come to get me."
Chen Tang grinned widely.
The Mountain Lord snorted two warm breaths through its large nostrils, growling at Chen Tang, seemingly rather displeased.
"I get it, I won't call you Big Snowball anymore."
Chen Tang understood the Mountain Lord's meaning, hugging its furry leg in an effort to soothe it.
Just then, a large 'snowball' rolled off the Mountain Lord White Tiger's back, hurling towards Chen Tang.
Xue Tuan'Er was here too!
In just a few days, Xue Tuan'Er had grown quite a bit.
Holding Xue Tuan'Er while laughing and caressing, Chen Tang asked, "You two have been here all along, haven't you?"
It dawned on Chen Tang why he hadn't seen even a shadow of a wild beast on his journey.
If the Mountain Lord had been secretly escorting him, no fierce animal would dare approach.
The Mountain Lord couldn't speak, but its intentions to protect him were felt deeply by Chen Tang, filling him with gratitude.
The Mountain Lord swept its tiger tail, wrapping Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er, tossing them onto its back, and then sped off with them on its back.
After a while, they arrived at a snow valley, where the Mountain Lord let Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er down, signaling them to enter the valley.
"Where is this?"
Chen Tang looked around, somewhat confused.
He knew the Mountain Lord must have had a purpose for bringing them here, so he and Xue Tuan'Er walked into the valley.
The Mountain Lord watched them enter the valley before turning to leave.
This Snow Valley wasn't large, but it was surrounded by snowy mountains, with steep peaks and only one entrance.
Chen Tang took a sip of strong wine to warm himself up. Unable to resist Xue Tuan'Er's pestering, he had to join in the frolicking.
One man and one beast rolled in the snow, playing joyfully and having a great time.
A moment later, a sudden shrill howl resembling a wolf's cry came from outside the valley, startling Chen Tang. He quickly sat up, strung an arrow, and looked toward the valley entrance.
He saw a massive gray wolf stumbling in, somewhat flustered.
This gray wolf was the size of an adult tiger, with strong limbs and a mane of pure white fur around its neck, looking majestic and formidable!
Judging by its size, it should be a Wolf King!
Without thinking, Chen Tang pulled the bowstring to its limit, and the arrow shot out like a shooting star!
Whoosh!
A ghostly light pierced the sky.
Having studied archery under Chen Da'an for many years, Chen Tang's fundamentals were solid, and his aim precise. The arrow flew straight toward the Wolf King's forehead!
The Wolf King, extremely agile, dodged effortlessly, letting the arrow fly past.
At that moment, the Mountain Lord appeared again at the valley entrance.
The arrow, dodged by the Wolf King, inadvertently flew toward the Mountain Lord.
"Watch out!"
Chen Tang quickly called out in warning.
The Mountain Lord glimpsed at the incoming arrow and simply turned his head slightly.
Thump!
The arrow grazed the Mountain Lord's cheek and then fell to the ground, not even ruffling a single hair.
The Mountain Lord sat in place, giving Chen Tang a sidelong glance before nonchalantly looking up at the sky.
Chen Tang: "..."
He felt a bit despised.
He endured it.
Chen Tang strung another arrow and aimed at the Wolf King again.
At least the Wolf King feared his arrows and had to dodge!
Whoosh!
The wind suddenly hit his face.
Before Chen Tang could react, the Mountain Lord was already upon him, effortlessly snatching the bow and arrow from his hands with a swing of his tiger tail, throwing them to the ground.
"What are you up to?"
Chen Tang was a bit confused.
The Mountain Lord glanced at the Wolf King, then looked at Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er, letting out a low growl.
A thought crossed Chen Tang's mind, and he realized, "You want me and Xue Tuan'Er to engage in a fight with the Wolf King to hone our combat skills?"
The Mountain Lord nodded slightly.
"Alright!"
Filled with heroic spirit, Chen Tang drew the long knife from his waist and said loudly, "Xue Tuan'Er, today we will battle this Wolf King and test its strengths!"
After all, with the Mountain Lord holding the line, there was nothing to fear.
With a roar, Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er charged forward together.
But halfway there, Chen Tang felt a shock in his palm as the long knife slipped from his hand, falling to the ground.
It was the Mountain Lord again, knocking his knife away.
"Oh my..."
Chen Tang felt a bit panicky.
What's the deal?
Not allowed to use the knife either?
The Wolf King in front was a head taller than him and could easily swallow him whole!
Now it was baring its teeth, looking ferocious, scratching the snow with threatening growls.
Empty-handed and apprehensive, Chen Tang quickly stopped in his tracks.
But Xue Tuan'Er, like a newborn calf, knew no fear and lunged at the Wolf King instinctively.
However, compared to the Wolf King, Xue Tuan'Er was far too small.
With just a flick of its paw, the Wolf King effortlessly swatted Xue Tuan'Er aside.
Of course, with the Mountain Lord nearby, the Wolf King dared not strike heavily. It hadn't even extended its claws just now.
Seeing Xue Tuan'Er charge forward, Chen Tang hurriedly followed, executing the Tiger Subduing Fist moves he'd learned.
The Wolf King didn't dare attack Xue Tuan'Er but was truly vicious toward Chen Tang.
Ducking, dodging, tearing, and clawing with all its skills and tricks, it wished it could unleash everything on Chen Tang.
On the surface, it appeared Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er were battling the Wolf King together.
In truth, Xue Tuan'Er was at most a distraction.
Chen Tang bore the brunt of the assault.
The Wolf King was also frustrated.
Leading its pack out to hunt, everything was fine until a giant white tiger appeared unexpectedly. It beat and frightened the Wolf King in front of its pack, driving it to this place.
Even if it managed to escape this time, its status as Wolf King would be challenged.
The Wolf King, harboring a bellyful of anger, dared not provoke the Mountain Lord and her offspring and could only focus its fury on Chen Tang, wishing to tear him apart!
Too fierce!
Couldn't beat it!
During the fierce struggle, Chen Tang was already soaked in sweat, exhausted, with his cotton clothes torn to shreds and his steps unsteady.
Bam!
Unable to hold on, Chen Tang was a bit slow to dodge and was smacked on the chest by the Wolf King's paw, then clawed fiercely!
Blood splattered.
With one swipe, several gashes appeared on Chen Tang's chest, blood flowing profusely.
The Wolf King's claw was also extremely powerful.
Chen Tang felt a slight collapse in his chest, spitting blood and flying several feet away.
The Mountain Lord leapt into the fray, growling at the Wolf King.
In disbelief, the Wolf King cautiously retreated toward the valley entrance.
Seeing the Mountain Lord not pursuing, the Wolf King was overjoyed and fled swiftly.
"After beating me up like this, you're just going to let it go?"
Chen Tang lamented with heartbreak, feeling unsatisfied.
"Hmm... this little wolf makes a good sparring partner; we'll find it again next time."
The Mountain Lord thought, carrying the injured Chen Tang and Xue Tuan'Er, sprinting deeper into the Snow Ridge.
The Wolf King, having escaped death, was secretly rejoicing when suddenly a chilling sensation swept over it for no apparent reason, causing it to shiver involuntarily.