"Where are you? Where on earth are you?" Chu Beijie gazed at the scabbard. The flowery pattern on it reminded him of the golden hairpins that swayed on Pingting's hair.

At that moment, he deeply desired to feel Pingting's warmth, to look at her calm, demure smile once more.

The howling of the wind began to fade. The earth had darkened, unlike before, indicating the prelude to the end of the snowstorm.

Chu Beijie's expression jolted. He suddenly lurched upwards.

If he was unable to find any news on the Suyang checkpoint, then it meant that Pingting had already found another way to go to Bei Mo.

And he would not hesitate going towards Bei Mo.

Even if he travelled to the end of the world, he had to find Pingting.

Zuiju almost thought she wouldn't be able to last to the end of the snowstorm. She had prayed and begged to the heavens in all sorts of ways and although Pingting's pulse remained unstable, at least it didn't get worse.

"It seems the snowstorm is about to end."

In the darkness, she heard Pingting sigh in what seemed to be relief. "Really?" She had been sitting up with a straight spine the a longest time. It suddenly gave way like an exhausted man that had struggled with his last breath until he collapsed, reaching his destination.

"Miss!" Zuiju cried in panic.

Pingting barely managed to hold herself up. "Don't worry." Her tone was very weak.

Zuiju stretched out a hand, wiping away a forehead of cold sweat. "Does your chest feel stuffy?"

"Yeah," uttered Pingting.

"The snow is about to stop."

Pingting gently twisted her body a bit and revealed the entrance. Water had not been poured over it, so it had not formed part of the solid ice block. A corner of the clothing on the roof had fallen over the entrance. It was full of frozen condensation from the snowstorm. Pingting forcefully pushed at it, but the clothing and ice did not make even the slightest sound. After another push, a little light began to stream inside. Although it was just a little light, it was much more than the complete darkness before. Zuiju and Pingting instantly shivered twice.

It was indeed cold, but the snow had almost stopped. The fierce sound of snapping twigs in the wind gradually quietened down. Finally, they completely opened the entrance and wriggled outside.

The tent of ice, that had protected them through the catastrophe, gleamed crystal clear under the sun. It was so small that it was difficult to imagine that it had allowed two adults to escape the snowstorm.

The cold air flooded into their noses, bringing in the freshness unique smell of the mountain forests. They had somehow managed to survive and see the light before them, the meaning of life valued more to them. Their spirits quickly brightened.

"Miss, let's continue on our way."

"Sure."

"Allow me to check your pulse again. Does your chest still feel stuffy?"

Pingting shook her head. "It's better."

Zuiju studied her, hesitating for a moment.

Pingting was right. The snow broke a whole tree trunk, not to mention the bag which blew to somewhere far away long ago. They no longer had needles or herbs prepared before climbing the mountain.

Zuiju worriedly asked, "Should we still continue?"

"Yeah."

"I hope God continues to bless us and let us find some herbs. Without silver needles, pine needles can do the trick for now." Zuiju then continued, "You sit here for a while. I'll go look for some pine needles. After a few pricks, you'll be able to endure your uncomfortableness for a little longer."

The Royal Residence of Dong Lin.

"Good news! Good news, my King!"

The Senior Official Chu Zairan was holding an army report and was practically running into the Royal Residence. His excited shouts were heard before he even entered the room.

The King of Dong Lin had been ill for several days and constantly felt groggy. The Queen was by the bed, personally attending the King of Dong Lin. She heard the shouts and happened to turn to see Chu Zairan stumble inside. "What good news?"

"Madam, the Duke of Zhen-Bei has withdrawn the army. The final battle did not start."

The Queen was stunned by this. She hesitated for the longest time before asking in utter disbelief, "The Duke of Zhen-Bei didn't go to war with the army of Yun Chang?"

Chu Zairan's hand that held the army report shook and quivered constantly with excitement. "Nearly. I heard, when the two armies were ready to confront each other, the Princess of Yun Chang suddenly appeared and convinced the Duke of Zhen-Bei to withdraw. Madam, several hundred thousands of lives of Dong Lin's sons have been saved!"

"Repeat what you just said," said a man's frail voice from the bed.

"Ah, King! Are you awake?" The Queen was taken aback and hurriedly supported the struggling King of Dong Lin to sit up. "Be careful, King. The physician said you must heal in peace."

The King of Dong Lin's hand feebly waved a hand to dismiss the idea. He turned his gaze towards Chu Zairan. "Senior Official, please say that again. What did the Duke of Zhen-Bei do?"

"Replying to King, the Duke of Zhen-Bei has withdrawn the army. The army and Yun Chang did not begin the deciding battle." Although Chu Zairan was very old, he had a lot of vigour to spare.

"Oh?" The King of Dong Lin chewed on Chu Zairan's words as if still unable to accept this incredible news. His eyes were a little yellow from his sickness, giving a different quality to his eyes which then blended into his excited expression. Hand resting on the shoulder of the Queen, he peered forwards asking, "Where is the report? Hurry, let me see."

Chu Zairan hurriedly passed over the report with both hands.

The Queen was incredibly worried about the King of Dong Lin overexerting himself. She personally helped him open the report. The King read it while leaning against a pillow.

The King of Dong Lin read the report twice before sighing in relief. He thought his body felt breezy, the sour pain and stuffiness felt in the previous days seemed to have flown off. He passed it over to the Queen, who closed the report, before smiling. "I know what Brother, Brother still thinks about the overall situation...cough cough cough...cough..." He suddenly began to continuously cough.

The Queen hurriedly massaged his back to increase airflow. She softened her voice, "You must be more aware of your body, King. The war is over, and the Duke of Zhen-Bei has stopped his craze. As long as King's body gets better, then it is truly a blessing for all peasants of Dong Lin."

The King of Dong Lin struggled to bit back his pain. He took a few deep breaths before asking, "Where is the army right now?"

"They are currently on the way back. The Duke of Zhen-Bei has given his order that when they get to the border, all are to disband and to immediately go back to their original stations."

The King of Dong Lin considered this for a moment, before commanding, "Write a letter, Senior Official, and send it to the Duke of Zhen-Bei with a fast horse. Tell him that the previous letters I sent him were all words written in a fit of anger. The Royal House of Dong Lin only has us two brothers, and I still have a lot of hope for him. Tell him to come back as soon as possible and to never leave the capital again."

Chu Zairan hesitated before stepping forward to report in a whisper, "King, the Duke of Zhen-Bei is no longer with the army. The army is currently led by Official Chen-Mu."

The King and the Queen of Dong Lin were slightly surprised.

"No longer with the army?" The King of Dong Lin's eyebrows that had just begun to relax, screwed up tightly again. He barely managed to sit up. "What's this all about?"

"The general who passed on the messenger said that after the Duke of Zhen-Bei sent the order to withdraw, he passed the flag of command to Chen Mu. He then rode off alone, and his whereabouts are currently unknown."

The clear skies that had just come out were suddenly covered up by rain clouds again. The King of Dong Lin sighed, flopped backwards and lethargically leaned on the head of the bed.