Outside Ku Hai County, in a dilapidated temple, the snow had stopped.
Dog Master once again arrived with the iron box, but upon entering the ruined temple, he found Wen Chaosheng and A Shui sprawled out, sleeping like mud.
He approached the two, sniffed them, and after confirming they weren't dead, extended a paw and nudged Wen Chaosheng.
Unlike A Shui, Wen Chaosheng's Physique was weak. He was only barely fending off the omnipresent cold in the ruined temple by relying on the alcohol and the not-yet-extinguished firewood nearby. With Dog Master's nudge, he immediately opened one eye.
He rubbed his head and saw the black dog's nose constantly hovering in front of him, realizing that Dog Master had arrived.
He took the iron box from Dog Master's mouth, opened it, and placed it aside. Then, Wen Chaosheng used the wooden stick he had used earlier to eat meat, to retrieve several slices of horse meat from the newly boiled water and put them into Dog Master's food bowl.
“Dog Master, usually I'm the one eating your food.”
“Today, I'll treat you to some meat.”
Wen Chaosheng pushed the food bowl in front of the black dog, who didn't stand on ceremony with Wen Chaosheng and began to eat with gusto.
In a short while, he finished the meat, with half of the porridge remaining.
After eating his fill, the big black dog carried the food bowl to its usual spot, then turned without hesitation and walked out of the ruined temple.
Just as he exited the temple, Wen Chaosheng suddenly called out to him:
“Dog Master!”
The black dog stopped at the sound and turned, his dark, round eyes looking at Wen Chaosheng, as if he truly understood his call.
Wen Chaosheng sat cross-legged by the fire, looking at the black dog for a moment, then pursed his dry lips and said:
“Dog Master, don't go.”
“He… won't be coming back.”
The black dog stood still for a long time, whether he understood or not, he eventually turned around and trotted towards the snow-covered hill, just as he always did.
After he left, Wen Chaosheng let out a long sigh.
A Shui's drunken voice came from behind him:
“He's so smart, he actually knows everything… but like people, he can't let go of his lost loved one, yet he doesn't know how to hold on.”
Wen Chaosheng turned to look. Although A Shui was awake, she hadn't gotten up, still lying sprawled on the ground, her eyes fixed on the black tiles of the ruined temple's ceiling.
“When are you leaving?”
He asked.
A Shui was startled by his question.
“Leaving?”
“Where to?”
Wen Chaosheng said:
“So many people are looking for you. Although Ku Hai County is not small, it's located on the southern frontier. Now that heavy snow has sealed the land, they should have also sealed the roads leading east, west, and north to Xing Wang Mountain. If you're found, you can only go into the wilderness, but I don't think anyone can survive the wilderness in winter.”
“While they haven't pinpointed your location, you still have time to act.”
A Shui patted her right leg.
“See, it's crippled.”
“The only thing I can do now is lie in this ruined temple and sleep.”
Wen Chaosheng shook his head:
“Although I don't understand the matters of the Jianghu, and I haven't seen other Martial Artists who cultivate, I think you should be among the very powerful ones among cultivators. A crippled leg shouldn't affect you that much.”
“You don't want to leave, simply because you want the truth from Liu Jinshi, but now is not the right time.”
A Shui turned her head to look at Wen Chaosheng, and after a long while, said:
“Wen Chaosheng, which do you think is more important to me, the truth or my life?”
Wen Chaosheng:
“The truth.”
A Shui laughed and raised her hand, pointing at Wen Chaosheng:
“I didn't invite you to drink for nothing.”
“...Since you understand, why bother trying to persuade me?”
Wen Chaosheng gazed at A Shui's face, finally nodded, and sighed.
...
The sky was gradually enveloped by dusk. In Liu Jinshi's mansion, red lanterns lit up everywhere, bathing the entire residence in a warm red glow.
These red lanterns were all made with the best Materials and by skilled craftsmen in the county. Their wicks were replaced daily. Liu Jinshi, seeking good fortune, had given an order that these lanterns must not be taken down until the cold winter of the New Year had passed and spring arrived with blooming flowers.
The butler, bowing, quickly arrived at the entrance of the reception hall. After hesitating for a moment, he still knocked on the door.
Thump thump thump—
“Master, it's very late.”
“Madam and Young Master are waiting for you to have dinner.”
During the day, Liu Jinshi had very clearly warned him not to disturb him without his notification.
But he couldn't afford to offend the Madam either, so he could only steel himself and come over.
However, the butler knocked several times, but there was no response from inside the room. He frowned, a premonition of ill omen flashing through his mind. Just as he was about to push the door open, he saw the door open.
Behind the door was a pale, distraught face.
When the butler saw Liu Jinshi in this state, he hurriedly stepped forward to support him and asked:
“Master, are you alright?”
Liu Jinshi gradually came to his senses at the butler's call. He stared at the butler with an extremely strange gaze, then gripped his wrist tightly with his backhand, as if he wanted to say something. His lips trembled violently, but he couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.
“Master, no rush, no rush…”
The butler surmised that something must have happened, but he didn't ask. He first comforted Liu Jinshi, while helping him walk back. Just as they were about to reach his usual dining room, Liu Jinshi suddenly grabbed the butler fiercely by the collar outside the archway, then dragged him to the wall and pinned him.
Looking at Liu Jinshi's bloodshot eyes, the butler was so frightened that he dared not move, stammering:
“Master, you, if you have any instructions, just tell me directly, and I will surely arrange everything properly for you!”
Liu Jinshi gasped for breath, his hand gripping the butler's collar with immense force, and said:
“Chang Gui, how have I treated you all these years?”
The butler nodded vigorously:
“Master's kindness to Chang Gui is as profound as a mountain, as profound as a mountain!”
Liu Jinshi first stared into his eyes, then, still uneasy, he glanced around to confirm no one was present before leaning close to the butler and whispering:
“Chang Gui, in this mansion, I only trust you… Will you do me one last favor? I'll give you wealth and glory, how about it?”
Chang Gui said:
“Master, just give the order, just give the order! What can be done, Chang Gui will never refuse!”
Liu Jinshi took a deep breath and said:
“Listen, in the center of the fish pond in the middle of the mansion, under that rockery, I've buried a waterproof package. Tonight, when no one is around, dig it up and take the map inside… All the money I've accumulated over the years is scattered and buried in Xing Wang Mountain to the north. The map clearly marks the locations. You must depart first thing tomorrow morning, take Madam and the Young Master north, and go as far as possible!”
“Chang Gui, I know you're not a gambler. This money is enough for you to live lavishly for a lifetime. I only have one request, and that is to ensure my wife and child are well-fed and clothed, and not to let them suffer from the wind and snow!”
“Also… never return to Ku Hai County, understand?”