In the next instant, she hugged him.   “…Little Man Jiang?”   He was stunned.   She nearly crashed into his embrace.   The wine jar rolled and tumbled to the ground, spilling clear wine all over the floor.   He didn’t move in her embrace, just standing quietly there, head lowered, letting her hold…

“What kind of wound is that…exactly?”   Jiang Kui couldn’t help asking, “Why does someone have sword wounds but no sword scars?”   Doctor Shen heaved a long sigh, gazing at the curling smoke from the medicine brazier. After a long while, he said slowly: “Because Little Chen’s mother was killed by the Frostsword.”  …

“They’ve again sneaked into the Imperial Pharmacy to poison things?”   “Yes,” Jiang Kui nodded. “Those two took advantage of the chaos to infiltrate. They’ve put some sort of powder into the medicine you take.” She lowered her voice, expression grave: “This time I finally caught them in the act and tailed them all the…

“What… bed?” Xie blinked uncertainly.   “You’re recovering, floor beds are unhealthy.” Jiang pointed out reasonably before nudging him under warm quilts. “Just sleep here tonight, hmm?”   He remained motionless, still wearing that perplexed expression.   “…And join you?” Xie ventured hesitantly.   “Of course.” She calmly turning down lanterns until the spacious bedchamber…

Sunlight spilled across the earth.   He raised his gaze towards her.   “I need a hug when I’m upset for it to get better,” she stated earnestly.   He tilted his head peering at her, giving a faint chuckle. “You’re acting rather strange today.”   “No I’m not— ” she began hotly before catching…

Surrounded by gently lapping water, she made no sound.   Only stared fixedly at him. Pearls glimmered along her lashes, endlessly tugging free despite attempts at capturing each tear. The delicate pain echoing his heart…   Struggling onto one elbow despite swimming vision, he haltingly brushed her cheek in tender apology. Fingertips traced delicate skin,…

Moonlight spilled down; snow fell without sound.   “Xie Wuyan,” she called his name by his ear.   He couldn’t hear her. Pale frost and snow settled onto his slumbering features, blurring his brows and eyes in soft, desolate light.   “Once again you fell asleep in the snow,” she murmured gently.   She held…

“…How?”   “Old injury,” replied Gouyedo grimly. “Yet I found no sword scars on his body.”   “What do you mean?”   The herbal master took a deep breath. “Xingshuang Sword Style leaves unique frigid wounds. Its mastery culminates in ‘sword snow’ that freezes human flesh. Victims gradually suffer invading cold over time until suddenly…

The sounds of snow falling filled the skies.   That person lay quietly in the accumulated snow with eyes softly shut.   Jiang Kui dismounted rushing over, reaching to help him up. Her fingertips abruptly touched a trace of dampness.   Her fingers gave a slight tremor. She realized he was bleeding. Crimson beads trickled…

A blustery gale swept across the vast snowfield.   The two mounted forces faced off, ringing steel punctuating the frigid air.   Dismounting after an exchange, Demon Envoy Yu surveyed Jiang Kui with a vulturine glare promising murder. “Well girl, no reinforcements this time. What can you alone do to stop me?”   Jiang laughed…