NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2: The Snow Sprite
Chapter 2: The Snow Sprite
Upon hearing the voice, Gu Xing immediately halted and turned to look back.
A graceful figure clad in a white dress, wearing a bamboo hat and veil, stood against the wind.
Though her face was obscured, Gu Xing instinctively sensed she was extraordinarily beautiful.
Yet, amidst the heavy snowfall, even a stunning beauty seemed like a ghostly snow maiden, stirring fear.
“Wh-who… who are you? What do you want?”
Gu Xing stammered.
In old tales, snow sprites were said to seduce passing men during snowstorms to feed on their life essence.
Could such creatures truly exist, and had he the misfortune to encounter one?
“No, I must stay resolute and not be swayed by the sprite’s beauty!”
Gu Xing silently bolstered his courage.
“Tell me, is there a skilled young man in Yanshan City?”
The woman’s voice was soft and cold, devoid of emotion.
Though phrased as a question, her tone brooked no refusal or concealment.
“N-no… no!”
Gu Xing shouted through gritted teeth.
He hoped his cry would draw the attention of nearby residents.
But the storm raged fiercely, with every household’s doors and windows tightly shut. No other pedestrians roamed the streets.
No one heard his cry.
“You’re lying to me!”
The woman’s delicate eyebrows furrowed, a trace of anger rising beneath her veil, marring her exquisite features.
“No! I-I-I… truly don’t know!”
“Then why are you stuttering?”
“It’s because of the cold!”
Gu Xing persisted in evading the truth.
The only skilled young man in Yanshan City was none other than his master, Lin Mu.
Though Gu Xing didn’t know why the snow sprite sought Lin Mu, he was certain it boded ill.
Thus, he had resolved that even if the snow sprite tore out his throat, he would not reveal the clinic’s location.
So what if it cost him his life essence?
He would give it to her!
“Stubborn fool!”
The woman’s anger flared, and with a raise of her hand, she unleashed a gust of energy that sent Gu Xing flying.
He crashed through a nearby window.
The commotion roused the residents inside, and candles flickered to life instantly.
“Isn’t that Gu Xing, the apprentice from Benevolent Clinic?”
“Why did he suddenly crash through the window?”
“Oh no, he’s unconscious!”
“Hurry, carry him to the clinic!”
“Don’t let him die!”
Amid the chaos, a tall man hoisted Gu Xing and rushed toward Yanshan Benevolent Clinic.
“Yanshan Benevolent Clinic?” The woman stood atop the roof, a faint smile curling her lips. “I knew you were lying to me, boy!”
With that, she lightly stamped her feet and glided after them like a ghost.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
Moments later, a pounding at the door accompanied a man’s shouts. “Divine Physician Lin, something’s happened to your apprentice!”
“Come out quickly and see!”
Hearing this, Lin Mu frowned and swiftly opened the clinic door.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know! Gu Xing suddenly shattered my window and flew into the house.”
“Then he fell unconscious. Please check if he can be saved!”
As the man spoke, he laid Gu Xing on the ground, his expression fraught with worry.
Without a word, Lin Mu reached out to feel Gu Xing’s breath, then checked his pulse.
Fortunately, he was merely frightened and had fainted.
“Thank you for your trouble. Gu Xing is fine,” Lin Mu said with a chuckle, gesturing for the man to leave. “Please return home. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to repair your window.”
“No need, no need, Divine Physician Lin, you’re too kind!”
“I’m a carpenter. I’ll nail the window shut as soon as I get home!”
After a few polite exchanges, the man hurried back home.
Such a fierce snowstorm—his wife mustn’t catch a chill.
Once the man departed, Lin Mu retrieved a silver needle and inserted it into Gu Xing’s wrist.
The next moment, Gu Xing slowly regained consciousness.
“Master!”
Upon waking, Gu Xing bolted upright, his face etched with terror as he shouted, “There’s a snow sprite—a very beautiful snow sprite looking for you!”
“Run away, quickly!”
“Nonsense, child. There are no such things as monsters!” Lin Mu patted Gu Xing’s back, helping him steady his breathing.
Then he added, “Besides, it’s probably too late to run now.”
Lin Mu’s ears were extraordinarily sharp. He had already heard someone standing on his roof.
For this reason, he had dismissed the man to avoid involving him.
“It’s windy outside. Since you’ve come, please come in and sit.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the woman on the roof flipped down into the courtyard, her expression alight with excitement.
Though ten years had passed, she recognized Lin Mu at once as the boy who had saved her life.
“It really is you!”
The woman parted her crimson lips and stepped into the room as she spoke.
Instantly, a faint fragrance wafted into Lin Mu’s nostrils.
The scent stirred a strange sense of familiarity, though he couldn’t recall when he had encountered it before.
“Young lady, do we know each other?”
“Ten years ago, in the Purple Bamboo Forest!”
“So it’s you!” Lin Mu suddenly realized and smiled. “Gu Xing, go boil some hot water and brew a pot of premium tea.”
After dismissing Gu Xing, a hint of embarrassment crossed Lin Mu’s face as he coughed lightly twice. “Young lady, the situation that day was urgent.”
“I had no choice but to remove your clothing…”
“I know you were saving me~” The woman interrupted Lin Mu, her voice like the tinkling of silver bells, pleasant and enchanting.
“I’ve come to Yanshan City this time to find you and repay you for saving my life.” As she spoke, she suddenly noticed Lin Mu’s perpetually closed eyes and felt a pang of confusion.
“Your eyes…”
“That day, while saving you, toxic gas harmed my eyes, leaving them like this.”
“I’m sorry, it’s all my fault!”
“One pair of eyes for a life—it’s I who profited!” Lin Mu laughed carefreely, consoling her. “Young lady, please don’t blame yourself!”
Hearing this, the woman gazed at Lin Mu, noting his sincere expression, and felt even more grateful.
After a moment of silence, she seemed to reach a decision and abruptly stood. “Rest assured, this Holy Maiden will find a way to cure your eyes!”
“Until then, I shall take responsibility for your daily needs!”
“Holy Maiden?” Lin Mu keenly caught the title she used for herself and asked, “May I ask your honorable name?”
“Holy Maiden of the Demon Sect, Ji Wutong!”
The woman did not conceal her identity, showing her sincerity to her savior.
Of course, it was also a subtle threat.
“It seems I have no choice but to accept!”
Upon learning Ji Wutong’s origins, Lin Mu wore a look of wry resignation.