Star of Another Day

Chapter One: The Snow Mountain（2）

Yunbo suddenly stands, shouting, "Wait, old man. You said seeing the Ghostly Shimmer can drive people mad and make them vomit blood. Why are we here then? I don't want to die here, let's head back!"

Seizing the chance, Yuqing mocks, "Elder Xue said those with weak wills suffer that fate. By saying this, you admit to being weak-willed." She spreads her arms, her face triumphant.

Yunbo's face reddens with anger. "I'll make you bleed right now!" He reaches for his weapon, but Mengwei, quick as lightning, appears beside him, her hand on his arm, her voice stern, "Fighting among ourselves before even reaching the peak? Have you lost your mind?"

Yunbo pauses, a sweet fragrance wafting to his nose, his anger dissipating. He forces a flattering smile, "Mengwei, your agility is unparalleled. I didn't even see you move."

Yuqing is about to seize the opportunity to mock Yunbo for his flattery, but Mengwei's cold gaze silences her, her taunt swallowed unsaid.

Mengwei cautions, "These are extraordinary times; we must work together, not against each other, lest we make grave mistakes." She turns to the elder, "Please continue, teacher."

The elder nods and resumes, "Master Zhiyong, seizing the moment of distraction, carried the King and began their escape. Despite his own injuries, he managed to bring the King to the western border. Upon reaching King's uncle's camp, he recounted everything before collapsing in exhaustion."

"The King's uncle, who had always cherished our King, was furious upon seeing him injured. He immediately sought to confront the elder prince."

"With his plot exposed, the elder prince, in a final gamble, accused the King and his uncle of treason, leading an army to the western border, determined to crush our King."

"But he miscalculated. The uncle's troops, rigorously trained, easily defeated the prince's forces. The prince fled to the marshes of Nanjun, disappearing without a trace. Rumors say he's still alive, secretly organizing a group of desperados, waiting for a chance to rise again. But after all these years with no sign of him, it seems he's truly gone..."

Though the elder's tale is thrilling, Yuqing, less interested in these old war stories, zones out. She hands a piece of dried meat to Yunzhuang, "You must be tired from carrying the luggage. Eat more, I made this myself."

Yunzhuang takes the meat, "Ah" as his reply, and smiles broadly at Yuqing, eating heartily. He has been silent throughout, revealing he is mute.

The elder continues his story, "After returning to Xuecheng, our King solemnly buried his father and began his reign. Over the years, he governed with diligence, leading our nation to prosperity. Master Zhiyong, for his outstanding merits, was appointed as the Grand General, assisting the King in creating an immortal legacy."

"But there was one thing that always lingered in the Master's mind: the mysterious Ghostly Shimmer that saved them on the mountain. What power could it possess to influence the human mind? This question haunted him until twelve years after the King's coronation, when he sought permission to explore Tenglong Snow Mountain."

"The King immediately agreed, sharing the same curiosity about the Ghostly Shimmer. At that time, the kingdom was peaceful and the borders stable. The King arranged for two hundred skilled soldiers to accompany the Master, providing ample supplies for their secretive expedition."

"Besides the soldiers, Master took me, his disciple, along. I was young and inexperienced then. Reaching the mid-slope's Qingfeng Ping, Master set up camp, with the Ghostly Shimmer already faintly visible."

"Some soldiers began to experience dizziness and vomiting, becoming emotionally unstable. Having learned breathing and physical techniques from Master since childhood, I was unaffected."

"Fearing a repeat of the past tragedy, Master sent the affected soldiers back to Xuecheng, leaving me in charge of the remaining troops at Qingfeng Ping. He then ascended the mountain alone."

Yunbo interjects, "So you never actually went up there!"

The elder, seemingly ignoring him, continues, "Yes, if I had accompanied him, perhaps the subsequent events might not have happened..."

He buries his face in his hands, lost in deep regret.

Mengwei consoles him, "Elder Xue, don't blame yourself. Master Zhiyong protected you because he didn't want his beloved disciple to face unknown dangers."

The elder resumes, "That's what the Master said before he left, taking his equipment and heading to the main peak without looking back."

"When I saw him again the next morning, he returned to camp utterly exhausted, silent. Although he seemed unharmed, he appeared lost, not speaking to me, heading straight for his tent."

"I followed worriedly. His eyes were blank, his face expressing disbelief."

"After a long silence, he slowly turned to me and whispered, 'Let's return to Xuecheng.'"

"Confused but unwilling to disobey, I led the troops back to Xuecheng and reported to the King immediately."

"The King, always respecting Master, was startled by these strange events. He summoned his three chief physicians to visit Master and report back promptly."

"Soon, the physicians returned with a unanimous diagnosis: no signs of illness, likely fatigue and weakened vitality due to old age and the strenuous journey. They recommended restoratives and rest."

"Although the King was eager to learn about Master's encounter on the peak, he had to wait patiently. He ordered the best Xueling roots and snow marten meat be sent to Master's residence, increasing attendants to care for him."

"I visited Master daily, but the situation remained the same: he neither ate nor spoke, just sitting by the study window, staring blankly into the distance. In just five days, he seemed to age decades."

"On one visit, Master suddenly became excited upon seeing me, his eyes gleaming strangely. He beckoned me over. I thought the King's medicine had worked and Master was recovering. But instead of speaking, he drew a figure on paper."

"The figure was emaciated and tall, with long hair and closed eyes. Strangely, he drew a crystal-like object on its chest, resembling a pendant but without a chain."

"Waiting for him to continue, he instead put down the pen and looked at me affectionately. 'Qingsong,' he said, 'I've made a name in my youth and spent my latter years exploring the world's mysteries. I've recorded all my adventures. Take the purple box from the shelf.'"

"I fetched the box as instructed. Master gently caressed it, then slowly opened it to reveal thick manuscripts, his life's work. 'I'm giving these to you,' he continued, 'Study them well and complete your own learning.'"

"Shocked by his words, which sounded like final instructions, I could see no sign of illness in him. He said, 'Qingsong, remember my words, don't study the Ghostly Shimmer on the main peak. It's beyond our current understanding, likely a relic left by the Snow God. If it's beyond reach, it's not meant for mortals. Isn't it presumptuous to probe into the secrets of the gods?'"

"Suddenly, he fell silent. Panicked, I checked for his breath, only to find he had passed away!"

Everyone is shocked by this ending. Yunbo shivers, thinking, "If such a formidable person as Master Zhiyong perished after visiting the main peak, what chance do I stand? My father really sent me on a deadly mission to prevent Elder Xue from monopolizing the secrets!"

Yuqing, noticing Yunbo's fear, teases, "With Yunzhuang here, what are you afraid of? He may be mute, but his skills are top-notch. Your father wouldn't send his beloved son to death."

Yunbo, his thoughts exposed, is about to react but stops, not wanting to confirm Yuqing's guess. Frustrated and embarrassed, he stands frozen.

Fortunately, Mengwei shifts the conversation, "Elder Xue, do you remember the human figure Master drew for you?"

Elder Xue quickly sketches the figure on the ground with a stick, showing a diamond-shaped mark on the chest. "Even after all these years, I can't forget Master's final message. Though he repeatedly warned me against exploring the main peak, the mystery still haunts me. To enter the grave without unraveling this secret is unbearable."

Mengwei nods, "It's getting late. Let's set off now."

The group, laden with gear, made their way toward the main peak in a somber silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts. The path to the summit was not an easy one, but fortunately, as members of the Snow Clan, they were accustomed to physical training from a young age to withstand the cold climate. Thus, the journey, though arduous, did not overly exhaust them. In about three hours, they reached the top of the peak.

Tenglong Snow Mountain, a sacred site revered by the Snow Clan, was usually off-limits. Only during the annual Snow Festival would the Snow King lead key dignitaries up the mountain for worship. The mountain was closely guarded, and common folk could not ascend it lightly. Trespassers, if discovered by the soldiers, faced severe punishment, including the amputation of their feet. Furthermore, the Snow Clan believed that the Snow God resided somewhere on the mountain, deterring any unwarranted intrusion.

Recently, a young envoy from the Mountain Clan had arrived, claiming to bring gifts of rare and exotic treasures to the old Snow King. These treasures, he claimed, were unearthed by their Quiet Meditation Institute near Zhaofeng Peak, igniting a treasure-hunting frenzy among his people. This envoy's visit to the Snow Clan was seen as a blatant display of their wealth and success.

Jealous of the Mountain Clan's fortune and still regretful over the past experiences of Zhiyong, the Snow King dispatched Elder Xue, Mengwei, her servant Yuqing, and Yunbo, whose father, fearful of losing prestige, had requested that his son be included in the expedition. Yunzhuang, his father's personal guard, was also sent to add to the team's strength. The Snow King agreed, and thus, after many hardships, the group finally arrived at the main peak.

The summit was spacious, and apart from rocks, the most prominent feature was a tall, slanting pole in the north. Its top emitted an intermittent purple light, creating an eerie atmosphere amidst the snow and wind.

"There it is, the Ghostly Shimmer!" Yunbo exclaimed.