A delicate woman, dressed so sparsely, as if on a runway, not freezing to death in this extremely cold region, what else could she be but a malevolent spirit?
A chill ran down Lin Zhao's spine. This was definitely a malevolent spirit. He gripped his sword hilt and grunted, "You still expect me to save you? Who the hell is going to save me!?"
The woman sobbed, speaking to Lin Zhao on a completely different wavelength, "Young Master, I am originally from the area by the Washing Sword River in the Great Shang Dynasty. I followed my husband to the Northern Territory to visit relatives, but alas... the snow blocked the mountains. My cruel husband actually took the last of our provisions and left alone, leaving me here..."
Lin Zhao frowned, "Spare me the nonsense. You're clearly a demon, trying to fool me with these tales. What do you want? If you want food, I have some. As long as you don't eat me, we can talk about anything."
The woman's tears flowed, still clinging to her cheeks. "Why would Young Master say such a thing? I merely... I merely wish to ask Young Master to take me away from this place. As long as I can leave here, I am willing to be your servant, to tend to your every need, without complaint!"
"No, thank you..."
Lin Zhao's mouth twitched. He quietly retreated, preparing to slip away. "I'm afraid you'll eat me!"
The woman cried even more pitifully. "Young Master is so kind, how could I do such a wicked thing? Young Master, look at me. How could someone like me harm others?"
"Hm?"
Lin Zhao instinctively glanced over, and then his eyes met hers. Her eyes were like black holes, drawing one in irresistibly, instantly causing him to feel dizzy and disoriented. Without hesitation, Lin Zhao surged forward, not retreating. His fist intent flowed, wind raged around his fists, and with a roar, he unleashed the second move of the Farmer's Three Fists, 'Qi Chong Dou Niu Shi'!
"Boom—"
As the fist energy raged, the surrounding snow was blown away. The falling snow in the air seemed to freeze. Although Lin Zhao's realm was low, his Farmer's Three Fists were practiced for too long and too solidly. His fist intent was stable, and his understanding of the fist principles was profound. With one punch, all things were subdued!
...
"Ah~~~"
The woman cried out in surprise as her dress was completely lifted by the fist wind, revealing a captivating sight.
Lin Zhao froze for a moment, only to find the woman floating towards him. Her exquisitely carved, jade-like face was less than ten centimeters from his. Her bewitching eyes were like an abyss, instantly making Lin Zhao giddy. His consciousness became muddled, and he mumbled, "No... don't..."
"Young Master, what don't you want?"
The woman smiled slightly, opening her arms and pressing her soft body against Lin Zhao's already firm chest. Her breath, like orchid fragrance, whispered in his ear, "Young Master, it's cold here. Why don't you come to my place, and let me serve you well?"
"Oh... so soft..."
Lin Zhao's consciousness felt as if it had sunk deep within his body, completely suppressed. He could no longer control himself and could only watch as the woman led him by the hand, step by step, into the depths of the snowy forest.
...
After walking for quite a while, they entered a realm of extreme cold. Icicles hung from the surrounding trees. Beneath a tree, a bed made of frost was laid out. The woman led Lin Zhao to the bedside, turned to face him, her seductive eyes filled with a smile, and asked, "Young Master, it's here... Will you be willing to stay here with me forever?"
"Willing my foot!"
Lin Zhao stamped his feet in frustration, filled with regret. He shouldn't have entered this Ten-Mile Slope snow forest.
However, his body involuntarily spoke, "I am willing. As long as you are here, everything is fine."
"Good."
The woman smiled, her beauty striking, but with a hint of ferocity. She lightly pursed her soft, red lips and moved towards him, intending to kiss Lin Zhao, who was already like a walking corpse.
"It's over..."
Lin Zhao felt an unprecedented demonic energy. Without a doubt, this woman was a female demon. With this kiss, his life was likely forfeit!
"Buzz buzz buzz~~~"
Behind Lin Zhao, the scabbard of his ancient sword began to tremble slightly, as if about to strike.
Lin Zhao had no idea. Just as he was filled with despair, a sharp sound rang out. The blade of a steel knife protruded directly from the woman's chest, drawing blue blood. Immediately, someone shouted, "Lin Zhao, don't look into her eyes!"
The voice was familiar. It was Guo Dongyang!
Her chest pierced, the woman did not die. With a roar, she turned to face Guo Dongyang behind her and yelled ferociously, "Brat, how dare you ruin my good deed? Such a pure soul, when will I ever find it again!?"
With a sweep of her sleeve, ice and snow surged out, sending Guo Dongyang, who held the steel knife, flying onto the snow.
However, as the woman was about to strike again, a "pop" sounded. A fist of energy shot straight towards her, shattering the swirling snow. It was an old soldier, his chest armor adorned with the emblem of the Tianchi Army. He dispersed the ice and snow with his left hand, and with his right, quickly lit a yellow paper talisman and pressed it against the woman's injured chest, muttering, "Suppress the demon!"
With a thunderous roar, the characters and patterns on the talisman erupted with brilliant light, continuously releasing power. The woman let out continuous howls of pain. Her body was being devoured by the talisman's power, and in an instant, she was burned to ashes in mid-air.
"Damn it!"
The old soldier gritted his teeth and said, "Wasted a high-grade demon-suppressing talisman on this. What a pity!"
With that, he fiercely kicked away the woman's lingering remains.
"Lin Zhao, are you alright?"
Guo Dongyang rolled over and hurried to check on Lin Zhao.
At this moment, Lin Zhao's consciousness slowly returned, and he began to regain control of his body. He exhaled a turbid breath and said with lingering fear, "I almost lost my life!"
"You would have lost your life, no doubt."
The old soldier crossed his arms and said irritably, "Lin Zhao, you truly have a great life to have encountered us in this place. What's going on? Why are you alone in a place like Ten-Mile Slope?"
Lin Zhao recognized the old soldier. He was from the back street of the town, the second eldest, known as Second Master Ge. He was a good person with strong fists and an excellent cook. He often fried meatballs or roasted wild game and gave them to the poor children, so the children in the town all liked him.
"Second Master Ge."
Lin Zhao frowned, "Let's not worry about that for now. What was that woman just now? I tried my best to guard against her, but I still couldn't. I was bewitched by her."
Second Master Ge smiled, "Just a straggler from the demon race. We in the army call these things 'Snow Maidens.' They are said to be formed from women who died frozen in the snow, filled with deep resentment. They like to seduce young men and lead them to secluded places for kisses. You, boy, were lucky to have a great life. One kiss like that, and your soul would have been devoured by her."
Lin Zhao was horrified and even more fearful.
Second Master Ge looked at Lin Zhao and couldn't help but tease, "It can be considered you having a great life... However, these Snow Maidens aren't very skilled. They're only good at seduction. Some strong individuals in the army even consider encountering a Snow Maiden a blessing from heaven. Their fist intent is clear and can better resist seduction. Once they encounter a Snow Maiden, they pretend to fall for it, get a good feel, and then smash them with a punch, suffering no loss."
Guo Dongyang said helplessly, "Second Master, you can omit the last two sentences. Lin Zhao is only fourteen years old."
"Hahahaha~~~"
Second Master Ge scratched his head, "In short, as a man, these things are something you'll experience in the future, aren't they?"
Guo Dongyang rolled his eyes and helped Lin Zhao up, saying, "Tell us, why are you here? Logically, even if you've become a reservist, you wouldn't come to Ten-Mile Slope to court death?"
Lin Zhao said, "I just received a military order from the Broken Halberd Camp, asking me to deliver two family letters to the signal tower on Blazing Cloud Peak. A general personally instructed me to pass through Ten-Mile Slope, as it's a shorter route."
"Scoundrel..."
Guo Dongyang's brows furrowed. "It's common knowledge in the army that a Snow Maiden has appeared in Ten-Mile Slope recently. Who would still let a reservist like you go through Ten-Mile Slope? Do you know that general?"
"No."
"Then, have you offended anyone recently?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao confessed everything. "One is Zhao Jin from the Zhao family on the back street, and the other is Huang Lin."
"Huang Lin?"
Guo Dongyang pondered for a moment. "Huang Lin has an uncle named Huang Yan, who serves as a centurion in the Broken Halberd Camp. Think about it, was the general who gave you the letters a centurion?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao replied without hesitation. "He was indeed a centurion, but I haven't seen him."
"Huang Yan has been in the army for a long time and rarely returns to the town, so it's normal that you haven't seen him."
Guo Dongyang's face was filled with anger. "It must be Huang Lin who went to Huang Yan to complain. Huang Yan's plan of using a borrowed knife to kill is too ruthless. Do the people of the Huang family completely disregard Marshal Chu's military regulations and kill their own kin? This is a capital offense!"
"Let's calm down first."
Second Master Ge said calmly, "Lin Zhao, did Huang Yan's written order mention that you had to go through Ten-Mile Slope?"
"No, it was only verbal."
"Then this is difficult. Without solid evidence, Huang Yan will definitely deny it. How can a new recruit like you contend with a Broken Halberd Camp centurion who has achieved many victories?"
Lin Zhao thought for a moment and said, "This matter... I won't dwell on it for now, but I will keep it in mind."
"That's right. A gentleman's revenge is never too late."
Second Master Ge smiled slightly. "Guo Dongyang, to save Lin Zhao, I used my only demon-suppressing talisman. You have to compensate me for this. That demon-suppressing talisman was very expensive. I bought it with a lot of money from an old immortal Daoist priest."
Guo Dongyang looked speechless. "Stop talking. Two jars of Apricot Blossom Village wine?"
"Hahahaha, deal! It's a deal!"
...
Guo Dongyang escorted Lin Zhao out of Ten-Mile Slope and repeatedly warned him to take a detour on his way back before leaving. Lin Zhao, braving the wind and snow, no longer dared to be careless. He sped along, leaving deep footprints in the snow. Before nightfall, he arrived at Blazing Cloud Peak, a perilous peak with a signal tower built on its summit. Once the northern demons attacked, this signal tower would be lit, instantly alerting the main force of the Tianchi Army.
In the snowy night, the young Lin Zhao, carrying two swords and the letter, climbed step by step.