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After the defeat of Nurhaci's army at Ningyuan, Lin Ning brought the Princess of Yue Ming County to Yuan Chonghuan's command post. His piercing gaze fixed on her as he questioned bluntly, “Princess of the County, where exactly is the treasure of Later Jin?” The Princess's beautiful, lively eyes flickered with a cunning glint. She then blinked lightly, a charming smile gracing her lips as she replied sweetly, “The Great Khan's treasure is hidden in an extremely secretive location in Hetuala. That place is quite special, and its unique scenery is difficult to describe in words. Only by personally arriving there can I accurately point out the exact location of the treasure. Otherwise, how about Master Lin accompany me to Hetuala for a visit?”
Lin Ning snorted coldly, his face filled with anger as he sternly said, “Please do not speak nonsense, Princess! Who doesn't know what you're plotting? You merely want to lure me to Hetuala and then seize me! Let me tell you, I am not so easily fooled!” The Princess remained unfazed, still smiling as she said, “Since Master Lin is half-convinced by my words, why go through the trouble of bringing me here? Now that I am a prisoner, I am still a living person who needs food and water daily. I have heard that your army's funds are quite tight and that your soldiers often go hungry. Are you really going to let me starve here?”
Lin Ning replied solemnly, “I brought you here not just to let you eat and drink for free and do nothing. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to Guangning City.” Upon hearing this, the Princess widened her beautiful eyes in surprise and quickly asked, “Why are you suddenly going to Guangning?” Lin Ning narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze deep as the sea, but he only responded lightly, “There’s no need for you to ask too much; once we arrive at our destination, you will understand.” However, only he knew that this trip to Guangning was to relocate his parents' graves to Jinling. Unfortunately, Guangning had already fallen into Later Jin's hands. If he recklessly ventured in alone and encountered Later Jin's soldiers, it would likely lead to a fierce conflict. If he had the Princess accompanying him, her noble status as a member of Later Jin might help divert those enemies if they found themselves in a dire situation.
The next morning, while the sky was still dim with dawn, Lin Ning began preparing disguises for himself and the Princess of Yue Ming County. With skilled hands, he soon transformed himself into an elderly man with white hair and a weathered face; meanwhile, the Princess was cleverly disguised as a dashing young man full of vigor. Once everything was ready, Lin Ning mounted his Sweat Blood Horse while the Princess gracefully sat atop her beloved Azure Wind Horse. They spurred their horses forward along the main road heading north. The sound of hooves echoed like a fierce storm as dust rose around them. They traveled through wind and rain without daring to stop. Finally, as the sun set and the evening glow painted the sky red, they arrived at the foot of Lushan Mountain.
It was the cold winter season; a biting north wind roared like a frenzied beast. Its wild howls seemed ready to tear apart the entire world, instilling fear in their hearts. The thick black clouds above acted like heavy curtains blocking out all sunlight, casting darkness over the land. This eerie atmosphere felt overwhelmingly oppressive as if doomsday were approaching. Soon after, large snowflakes began falling like goose feathers from the sky. These pure white snowflakes danced gracefully in the air like a group of light-footed fairies; however, they brought not poetry or romance but bone-chilling coldness. Despite both Lin Ning and the Princess wearing fur collars, the raging wind mercilessly whipped up snowflakes that slipped down their collars and into their clothes. The cold instantly invaded their bodies, causing them to shiver involuntarily. They both reached out simultaneously to tightly close their collars in an attempt to block out the relentless cold wind. Yet even so, the chill remained pervasive like an unyielding ghost.
The northern winter starkly contrasted with Yunshan Island in Jiangnan, which enjoyed spring all year round with blooming flowers and singing birds while the north was engulfed in ice and snow—cruel and unfeeling.
Lin Ning's mood grew heavier; every gust of wind felt like sharp blades piercing his skin and ruthlessly cutting through what little warmth remained within him. At that moment, he longed for a shelter from this harsh weather. In this freezing winter night at the foot of Lushan Mountain, a quiet path appeared particularly desolate. The ice that had originally covered the ground had yet to melt; now it was further compounded by the falling snowflakes which quickly froze upon contact with the existing ice layer making it even more slippery and difficult to traverse.
In the distance stood an inn named Qingqing Hostel. However, this inn looked dilapidated and had lost its former liveliness and prosperity. Icicles hung from its eaves like countless transparent teardrops shimmering with cold light in the night—silently narrating tales of time's passage and helplessness.
As Lin Ning stepped onto the icy path producing crunching sounds beneath his feet, the Princess followed closely behind him exclaiming repeatedly: “What kind of ghost place is this? Why isn’t there a single person around?” Yet no matter how she called out, Lin Ning seemed not to hear her questions at all; he silently continued walking forward. They passed by that run-down inn without uttering another word until they came across a solitary grave ahead.
The grave sat amidst a vast expanse of white snow surrounded by towering Lushan Mountain peaks. In this world cloaked in silver frostiness, those two graves appeared especially lonely as if forgotten by the entire world. Lin Ning slowly approached one of them and knelt down with a thud on the ground; his voice choked with emotion: “Father, Mother; I have been unfilial for taking so long to visit you both. However, I have decided—I will take you back to Jinling tomorrow so you can rest where you belong.” Tears uncontrollably streamed down his cheeks onto the icy ground.
“Man Jiang Hong: Loyalty to Country”
Loyalty to country beside Lushan Mountain; loyal bones rest eternally here. Gazing at distant mountains where pine waves echo softly with sorrowful sounds. Loyalty’s sentiment intertwines duty; across rivers and mountains lie country and home. Do not disregard heroes’ hearts; it only brings sorrow upon sorrow. Pines stand tall; caress loyal souls! Transform into dragons guarding Borderlands! Tread on white snow seeking traces of heroes! Partners united in heart rely on each other; righteous spirit endures through ages! When I avenge my enemies one day—let me inform your spirits!
The Princess of Yue Ming County stood quietly beside him watching everything unfold before her eyes. When her gaze fell upon a wooden board at the grave’s front inscribed with words—“Grave of Brother Yu Jiangong and Heroine Han Ying”—curiosity filled her heart as she turned towards Lin Ning asking: “Master Lin, your parents are clearly in Jinling! They are renowned figures—Master Lin from Jinling Enzhe Gang and Miao Female Heroine! What is going on here?” Hearing her question made Lin Ning stop crying; he lifted his head revealing sorrowful helplessness in his eyes before taking a deep breath recounting how after Lin Xiu married far away in Western Regions various changes occurred back home...
As Princess listened intently to Lin Ning’s story her emotions fluctuated alongside its developments—especially when learning Hu Xueyan had gone all the way to Japan! Her heart felt like it had turned upside down—a mix of emotions flooded over her leaving her uncertain whether she should feel joy or sorrow?
Furrowing her brows slightly while pursing her lips she remained silent for some time before finally speaking: “Will Hu family’s girl... ever return?” After saying this she fixed her gaze ahead seemingly trying to see through emptiness searching for that familiar figure.
Beside her Lin Ning heard this question wearing an expression of confusion—he gently shook his head replying bitterly: “I don’t know... perhaps I will never see her again in my lifetime.” After saying these words he sighed deeply revealing endless sadness and longing within his eyes.
Standing next to him Princess felt an involuntary surge of joy rising within her heart upon hearing his response but when she saw Lin Ning’s face twisted in pain that joy vanished instantly replaced by profound sympathy and compassion.
After a moment’s pause she steadied herself asking again: “What are your plans moving forward?”
Lin Ning remained dazed shaking his head mechanically murmuring: “First I must return my parents’ remains back home in Jinling for proper burial after which I will hurry back to Borderlands seeking revenge against Chen Tao who killed my parents! Once I have avenged them if Xue Yin's sister doesn’t return looking for me then I suppose I’ll have no choice but remain here on Yunshan Island waiting silently...”
Listening attentively as he shared future plans left Princess unsure how best respond—they stood there silently amidst falling snowflakes time seeming frozen around them—a thick layer accumulating atop them resembling two lifelike snowmen.
Eventually unable to withstand biting cold any longer she began shivering involuntarily teeth chattering together uncontrollably prompting Lin Ning who felt pity rush over reaching out supporting her gently saying: “Princess of County—it’s too cold here let us hurry back inside!”
Every room within hostel lay damaged beyond repair having endured countless storms’ ravages along with time’s erosion most windows precariously hanging by threads while paper long since torn rendering them useless against drafts blowing through gaps everywhere making one shiver uncontrollably.
Finally amidst such disarray they discovered one relatively intact guest room though still flawed compared against others it proved decent enough choice overall.
Lin Ning gathered several wooden planks nailing shut one particularly drafty window effectively blocking outside chill from seeping inside then lit some dry firewood within an old charcoal basin gradually warming up space dispelling some coldness around them.
From his pack he retrieved provisions sharing some dried rations with Princess—they ate quietly together feeling fatigue ease slightly after filling their stomachs.
As night deepened weariness began creeping upon them—Lin Ning glanced at Princess softly suggesting: “It’s getting late—Princess should rest on bed now!”
She looked up puzzled asking: “Where will you sleep?”
Lin Ning surveyed surroundings landing gaze upon dusty wooden table nestled within corner noticing long rope lying atop it inspired idea rushing over quickly grabbing hold.
With agility he tied ends securely onto nails driven into walls then gracefully leaped onto rope adjusting position comfortably lying back against it facing away from Princess.
Her eyes widened incredulously witnessing such unusual sleeping arrangement never having seen anything quite like this before nor imagined sharing night amidst wilderness alongside strange man—her heart swelled with mixed emotions ranging from astonishment embarrassment curiosity alike.
Unable resist temptation she stole glances towards rope swaying gently above where Lin Ning lay resembling slumbering celestial being while listening closely catching soft rhythmic breaths escaping him akin gentle breeze caressing strings on musical instrument—his masculine scent wafted through air igniting deepest desires hidden within herself.
At that moment overwhelming wish surged forth wishing fervently for him descend from rope embrace tightly kissing those tender lips yet seconds turned into minutes despite anticipation mounting he remained motionless atop rope showing no signs of movement whatsoever gradually fatigue enveloped her senses leading finally surrendering closing eyelids drifting off into peaceful slumber.
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