"What’s going on?" He Nandou asked.
Zhao Ya said calmly, "Earlier, up ahead, I suddenly sensed something was off. By the time I got there, I found this person exuding a strange aura, so I knocked him down with one cut."
"Then I discovered he seemed to have been parasitized by something!"
"Parasitized?" He Nandou and the others were all taken aback.
Zhao Ya nodded and then looked at Jia Jing, who was standing nearby, "You should have witnessed the whole process, so tell us what happened!"
Jia Jing was initially startled, then realized Zhao Ya was asking him, so he stammered as he spoke.
"It... it was like this..."
Afterward, Jia Jing recounted the events, and everyone’s expressions grew more solemn as they listened.
Because if things were really as he said, this Martial Artist obviously was fine just a moment ago. How did he suddenly turn into this state?
The mist that Zhao Ya had just forced to disperse was now slowly returning. At this moment, the Martial Artist on the ground suddenly trembled violently, and white noodle-like things began to continuously ooze from his mouth and nose.
In the blink of an eye, the Martial Artist had breathed his last.
These white, noodle-like things had life force when they first emerged but turned gray and stopped moving after a few struggles.
Zhao Ya gently prodded them with a short knife, and the gray things crumbled into powder, disappearing without a trace.
"What exactly are these?" Shangguan Jianmei, being a woman, was obviously quite disgusted by these maggot-like things. She took two steps back and couldn’t help but ask.
Zhao Ya exhaled lightly, "It should be a Snow Demon!"
"Snow Demon?"
Everyone present was shocked.
Zhao Ya nodded, then described the situation he had encountered at the front of the group earlier.
Upon hearing this, He Nandou couldn’t help but say solemnly, "No wonder I kept feeling like there was something spying on us in the mist earlier, turns out it was this kind of thing."
"But how could snow gather into a demon?" Shangguan Jianmei mumbled incredulously.
As a top Martial Artist from Beyond the World, Shangguan Jianmei had seen all sorts of bizarre Exotic Beasts, but she had never heard of a Snow Demon.
"Ever since the Black Ship appeared, many things can no longer be viewed with the same perspective as before," Zhao Ya explained casually, then said in a deep voice.
"Let’s go, we’ll talk after we get out of this mist."
No one had any objections, and they all left one after another.
Just as Zhao Ya was about to turn and leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to ask, "What’s your name?"
Jia Jing quickly responded, "I am Jia Jing, a minor leader from Red Dragon Mountain."
Zhao Ya nodded and said nothing else, directly leaving.
After he departed, Jia Jing contemplated excitedly.
Although he didn’t know why Temple Master Zhao suddenly asked for his name, being remembered by him was obviously a good thing.
The small commotion settled just like that.
Many people didn’t even know what happened, only feeling that the group paused for a moment, then continued moving forward.
Fortunately, the concern Zhao Ya had about someone else in the group being ’parasitized’ didn’t materialize.
The group smoothly emerged from the mist, and ahead lay a vast Snowfield.
Endless white snow stretched to the horizon, only faintly revealing some undulations, and apart from that, all depressions and woods were covered by thick snow.
The sky was dark and overcast, with no hint of light, like a giant cauldron weighing heavily on everyone, causing a suffocating oppression.
Many people in the group were visiting the Northern Realm Snowfield for the first time and were very curious.
After all, most people had heard of the Wuyang Sea, and the Northern Realm Snowfield was equally famous.
Rumor had it that though the climate was harsh, the scenery here was exceptional. However, faced with this bleak scene, everyone felt deeply disappointed.
Far from being beautiful and pristine as imagined, the Snowfield was instead icy and melancholy, like a white hell.
"Let’s move!" Zhao Ya identified the direction and then led the team deeper into the Snowfield.
As Zhao Ya and the others hurried on after just emerging from the mist, Jing Rou and Liang Xin’an had already led this trade caravan back to the camp.
Strangely, there had been no mishaps on the return trip; neither the raging wind nor the Snow Demons troubled them, making for a smooth journey.
Seasoned by experience, what took two full days on the way there now only took about half a day to return.
When the caravan, laden with supplies, appeared at the camp, the entire place buzzed with excitement.
Kong Xiangdong and Huang Liang came to greet them personally, and upon seeing Shopkeeper Li, Kong Xiangdong couldn’t help but smile.
"Shopkeeper Li truly is a reliable businessman, maintaining his promise even under such challenging conditions. It’s truly admirable."
Shopkeeper Li laughed heartily, "There’s no choice; if I’m to eat off this trade, I must fulfill my duties. Quickly, check if there’s any damage."
"What’s there to check? Receiving the goods is a blessing in itself. Please come to the tent, the wine and food are ready."
"Ah, rules are rules, and human relations are human relations. It’s better to check!" insisted Shopkeeper Li.
Helplessly, Kong Xiangdong had to order the supplies to be inspected.
Watching from the side, Liang Xin’an felt a bit puzzled.
Could it be that he’s overthinking?
After all, this Shopkeeper Li appeared completely normal at that moment.
Soon, the inspection was complete, and after the handover, Shopkeeper Li joined Kong Xiangdong in the tent for a drink.
Many accompanied them, but Liang Xin’an did not.
He made an excuse about being tired and wanting to rest, then returned to his tent.
However, after the outside noise gradually faded, Liang Xin’an quietly left his tent and went to the caravan’s camp.
At this time, the caravan workers were also eating and drinking, laughing loudly.
At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, but Liang Xin’an felt increasingly puzzled.
He couldn’t forget their silent and unnerving demeanor when setting out.
Why were they now jovial and loud here?
As he observed outside the workers’ camp, a voice suddenly spoke behind him.
"What is Liang thinking, standing here?"
Liang Xin’an’s body stiffened. Turning back, he saw Jiang Qian, the caravan’s guard leader, standing some distance away, watching him.
Caught spying, Liang Xin’an felt a rare embarrassment for an old Jianghu hand.
"Oh, I’m just here to see if there’s anything..."
"Since Liang’s so free, why not join me for a drink? I happened to have some questions to ask," Jiang Qian interrupted, smiling.
Perhaps unused to smiling, Jiang Qian’s smile appeared stiff.
But Liang Xin’an didn’t notice, fixated instead on the invitation.
Eager for a chance to mingle with them, Liang Xin’an promptly accepted.
"Sure, I’ll trouble you for a few drinks then."
Leading Liang Xin’an into the camp, Jiang Qian headed to a tent.
As they entered, Liang Xin’an suddenly felt an indescribable chill.
"These rascals focusing merely on drinking, forgot to light a fire for me!" Jiang Qian cursed, then quickly lit the stove.
Warmth soon returned to the tent.
Once food and wine were set, Jiang Qian and Liang Xin’an sat facing each other and started drinking.
Even after countless bowls, neither was tipsy, growing more sober instead.
At this point, Jiang Qian refilled Liang Xin’an’s glass before lifting his own and speaking, "Liang seems to have some prejudices against us?"
"Not really, just found it odd," Liang Xin’an replied bluntly with propriety at bay.
"What’s odd?"
"Many things. Mainly why you’re so determined to deliver these goods."
"Don’t give the reputable businessman excuse. Shopkeeper Li might think so, but why were there no complaints from regular workers, following orders unconditionally?"
Even seasoned elite soldiers struggle with dying like glory. How could a trade caravan achieve it?
Jiang Qian fell silent, finally nodding after a long pause, "A fair question indeed."
"So what exactly is your purpose?" Liang Xin’an asked again.
Jiang Qian smiled subtly, gently swirling his wine, "If I told you our goal was to see you all dead, would you believe it?"