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Lin Xiao exhaled a long breath. The closer they came to the frozen lands, the colder it grew.
Even as he spoke, the white mist of his breath hung clearly in the air.
“This… is going to be troublesome.”
“You seem to know a lot about this Leng Hantian?” Zhang Nu frowned. To him, nothing was more important than saving Ling Xi. Even if it meant passing through fire and blades, he would do it—because only that could bring her back!
But Lin Xiao’s hesitation frustrated him. They hadn’t even entered the frozen lands yet, and already he was saying it would be difficult. What would happen once they truly faced danger? Would he shrink back then, too?
“You may not know, but Leng Hantian’s influence once swept across the entire black market. Anything placed there, if he so much as showed interest, no one else dared touch. He once entered the frozen lands alone and defeated a snow beast with nothing but his own strength. That’s the kind of man he is—not one to be provoked. If we enter his city, there’s no guarantee we’ll ever walk out again.”
If that was true, then who would save Ling Xi? Zhang Nu knew Lin Xiao’s words weren’t without merit. But his desperation to save Ling Xi wouldn’t allow him to retreat.
“If you’re afraid, then go back! I’ll go alone!” He stormed forward, but Lin Xiao immediately pulled him back.
“Don’t be reckless! I’m talking this through with you. I want to save Ling Xi too—I’ve come this far with you, how could I abandon you now? More importantly, Ling Xi is still waiting for us to save her!”
They had been through much together. Lin Xiao wasn’t the kind to turn his back on that. He would enter the city no matter the danger. But that didn’t mean they should rush in unprepared.
“Then what do you mean?” Zhang Nu’s frustration boiled over. “You know how much Ling Xi means to me—I can’t just sit here!”
“I know!” Lin Xiao raised his voice, trying to cool Zhang Nu’s hot head. “But we need a plan. If we charge in blindly, it’ll only end badly.”
“What plan is there to make right now?”
“Listen first. Once we’re inside, we split up—don’t let people see we’re together. If trouble arises, then we act as one. You focus on asking about the Fragrant Snowbloom. I’ll gather information on Leng Hantian.”
It was a sound strategy. And since Zhang Nu was desperate for any chance, he reluctantly accepted. “Fine. Let’s head down the mountain.”
“Good. If you hear anything about the herb, signal me immediately.”
“Understood.” Zhang Nu nodded and hurried down the slope.
Watching his companion’s back, Lin Xiao couldn’t shake his unease. Zhang Nu’s urgency might cause more harm than good. But with no better choice, this was the only path left.
…
Soon, Lin Xiao arrived at the city gates, but Zhang Nu was nowhere in sight.
“Halt! Who are you?”
Of course, the gates were guarded. Lin Xiao wondered how Zhang Nu had managed to gain entry so easily, while for him, it looked anything but simple.
“…” His mind raced for a plausible excuse, but before he could speak, the guards cut him off.
“Hesitating like that—you’re clearly up to no good! Seize him!”
Lin Xiao was stunned. He hadn’t even stepped through the gate, and already they wanted to arrest him?
“Wait, wait! I came here to negotiate a trade with your city lord! If you seize me now, who will conduct that trade? Wouldn’t that be your lord’s loss?”
Quick thinking—he threw out Leng Hantian’s name. Surely the guards wouldn’t dare if their lord was invoked.
“City lord? A trade? Don’t spout nonsense! If that were true, why would you be here in Cold City?”
“Cold City?” Lin Xiao froze.
Hadn’t the old man just told them this was called Imperial City? How was it that after a single trip down the mountain, the name of the city had changed?