Snow Cutter.
609 Words
Blue Mountain Cottage is nestled mid-slope on Kunshan, the only inhabited place in the vicinity. In summer, it is embraced by lush greenery, while in winter, its path is buried under snow, leaving behind a desolate scene.
The cold wind howled, and inside the house, a person dressed in a gray rabbit-fur coat was warming their hands by breathing into them near the window.
"Freezing! Freezing!" From another side, a large white parrot with a crimson crest paced back and forth in its cage.
"Someone's coming," the person by the window sensed, feeling an unfamiliar presence on their forehead.
"Huh?" The parrot tilted its head.
"How strange, not many people can find this place nowadays..."
Kunshan had seen few visitors for nearly two decades, let alone someone specifically heading towards Blue Mountain Cottage.
"I must leave; you stay here and guard well." Saying this, they filled the bird's food box.
"Can I have a talisman? It’s scary." The bird flapped its wings anxiously, pacing again, worried about its uncertain fate.
Without responding, the person packed their belongings roughly and left, locking the door behind them without looking back.
"What if he takes your stuff?" the bird asked again.
"Many could take it, but holding onto it is the real skill."
With a "clang," Blue Mountain Cottage was locked, followed by the sound of the white bird angrily flapping its wings.
Two days later, there was a knock on the cottage door.
Inside, it was deathly silent.
"Clang!" The lock on Blue Mountain Cottage was removed. The white bird shivered inside.
At the doorway stood a visitor dressed in simple attire, with long silver hair. Opening the door brought a gust of cold air, and the visitor shook off a snow-covered cloak, revealing intricate silver-threaded dragon and cloud patterns along the edges.
Looking around, seeing no one, the white bird pecked at its food quietly.
Bai Changming entered the house. The layout of Blue Mountain Cottage matched exactly what Nianchu remembered. He quickly went to the inner hall and effortlessly found the sword hanging in the center of the room—named Snow Breaker.
Confused, according to Old Monk Nianchu's memory, there should have been a mechanism here, a pattern resembling the Taijitu (Yin-Yang symbol) in the corner... Yet, the room was eerily clean, with dust particles floating from the beams giving an impression of long neglect.
Perhaps the old monk's memory was confused... Bai Changming took the Snow Breaker sword as per the monk's memory. Having practiced swordsmanship since Sahel City, now with his powers sealed, he needed a reliable weapon.
Drawing the Snow Breaker sword, it gleamed sharply, reflecting Bai Changming's approving gaze. Only the scabbard bore a pattern—a combination of "6" and "9," named Typhon, symbolizing the exercise of power and authority within proper limits.
He had received numerous gifts from officials, adorned with symbols of beauty, animal motifs, ancient scripts, or various decorative items. However, he viewed them as ephemeral representations and intangible.
Acquiring the Snow Breaker sword was straightforward and seamless, except for the lack of lightness due to his sealed powers, requiring him to hike up the mountain over two days. Naturally, he didn't pay much attention to the symbol.
Only phenomena presented in intense forms would raise alarms, deemed dangerous. Overgrowth leads to decay, indicating imbalance.
"Typhon, Typhon, Typhon!" As he left, the white bird called out three times, its voice solemn like a warning.
"So you can speak, huh." He merely smiled lightly, closed the door, and departed.
After obtaining the Snow Breaker, Bai Changming felt elated, traveling leisurely. By the time he returned to Liuzhou, five days had passed.
- Writer
