[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-192":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Ember Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1162433,1504,"Chapter 192: The Snow Hut Maiden","ember-dragon-chapter-192",192,"\u003Cp>The mournful and piercing howls of gnolls echoed behind him, chilling and full of dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou sped along the narrow, shadowy mountain trail, putting distance between himself and his pursuers. He emerged into a clearing, panting heavily, finally escaping the chase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huff, huff...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell? Where did so many gnolls come from, and mutated ones at that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising his head, Mantou noticed a small, finely crafted wooden hut nestled midway up the snowy peak. Thick snow covered the timber roof, and warm light glowed from within its windows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curiosity piqued, Mantou moved closer to investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that finding such a hut in this remote, desolate mountain range was suspicious, but as a player, leaving it unexplored was simply not an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever! I'll check it out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gritting his teeth, Mantou made up his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a soft creak, he pushed the wooden door open and stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interior was warm and inviting, with plush fur sofas, intricately woven carpets, and a roaring fire crackling in the hearth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A table was laden with milk, bread, fruits, and other delicacies, alongside silver spoons and ornaments that seemed oddly out of place in the barren snowy wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of place is this in the mountains...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou muttered, looking around, unable to spot anything suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A faraway guest, entering uninvited is quite impolite, you know—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentle, melodious voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou spun around to see a young girl, around seventeen or eighteen years old, entering the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her neat ponytail swayed as she walked, and her slender hands held a steaming cup of tea. Her kind, pretty face bore a hint of playful charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She set the tea on the table and gave Mantou a mischievous wink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s cold outside. Please, have some tea to warm yourself up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, I’m Valenna, the daughter of this hut’s owner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou, startled by the hospitality, stared dumbfounded at her bright eyes. He nodded repeatedly and eagerly drank the tea, his dragon-blooded body impervious to the heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... I’m Mantou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheepishly placing the tea back on the table, he introduced himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your name is... quite unique,\" Valenna said with a smile, her gaze fixed on him until Mantou’s already flushed face grew even redder, faint wisps of steam rising from his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou, who considered himself emotionally unshakeable after several failed online romances, found his heart racing unexpectedly—\"Mom, I’m in love!\" he thought, amazed at being so captivated by an NPC in Erezaghe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mantou, this is just a virtual character!\" he chastised himself internally. \"You can’t be ensnared by fictional beauty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valenna’s face turned curious, her expression puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, no, I’m not...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou stammered, his face showing embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valenna chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t be so nervous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her large eyes never left Mantou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I should be the one nervous. This place rarely sees visitors, and you’re the first in years. I’ve been waiting for someone like you for so long.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hint of sorrow crossed Valenna’s delicate face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I apologize for troubling you, but I’ve grown up in this hut and never ventured outside. The only stories I know of the world come from passing travelers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So—could you tell me about the outside world? Just for a little while, please?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pleading tone made it impossible for Mantou to refuse. He scratched his nose awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, ah... of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first hesitant, Mantou soon found himself speaking fluidly, the warmth of the tea loosening his nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This place is known as the Kolka Mountains. South of here is the Storm Highlands, a scenic region home to ogres, goblins, kobolds, and more. Beyond that lies the Northern Territories, where humans like you have built bustling cities, working diligently...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cities?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, cities—beautiful places where many people live together...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crackling firelight danced in the hearth as Mantou and the girl sat on a soft fur sofa, talking late into the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, Valenna was leaning against Mantou, her eyes filled with admiration and wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The world you describe sounds so beautiful...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou’s face burned. Unsure of what to do, he sat stiffly, trying to change the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Valenna, why have you stayed here all this time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising her head, she met his eyes without hesitation. \"My father is here. I must stay and accompany him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Valenna, don’t you feel lonely being here all alone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou asked, stroking her hair gently. Valenna nestled closer into his embrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drink some more tea, Brother Mantou. Finish the tea, and then you can tell me another story.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s soft, warm voice lured him in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without thinking, Mantou picked up the cup, ready to down the remaining tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mantou! You’re under an illusion!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Open your eyes and snap out of it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Singo’s familiar voice shattered the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jolted awake, Mantou dropped the glass cup, spilling its contents on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crash!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou fell back in terror, scrambling on all fours to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His surroundings had changed entirely—the cozy hut was gone, replaced by a cold metal chamber smeared with dark stains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"girl\" in his arms wasn’t a girl at all—it was part of a grotesque, pulsating mass of flesh stitched together haphazardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature’s massive, twisted body was a mishmash of fleshy scraps and sparsely scaled patches. Its bat-like wings were tattered, resembling corroded rags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steaming \"tea\" was nothing but a foul, unknown liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Valenna\" he saw was part of the monstrosity, her maw revealing rows of wriggling fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Big Brother, drink it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you can... keep telling me stories...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*************************************************\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you want to read more chapters, you can Read (334) chapters ahead on Patreon:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier 1: $1\u002Fmonth for an additional 5 chapters. Free 7-day trial\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier 2: $6\u002Fmonth for an additional 25 chapters\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specific 3.5: $9\u002Fmonth for an additional 50 chapters [limited (2\u002F5)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier 3: $12\u002Fmonth for an additional 50 chapters\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specific 4.5: $15\u002Fmonth for an additional 75 chapters [limited (0\u002F3)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier 4: $18\u002Fmonth for an additional 75 chapters\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special 5.5: $21\u002Fmonth for an additional 100 chapters [limited (1\u002F3)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier 5: $24\u002Fmonth for an additional 100 chapters\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specific 6.5: $27\u002Fmonth for an additional 125 chapters [limited (0\u002F3)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier 6: $30\u002Fmonth for an additional 125 chapters\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specific 7.5: $33\u002Fmonth for an additional 150 chapters [limited (0\u002F3)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier 7: $36\u002Fmonth for an additional 150 chapters\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specific 8.5: $39\u002Fmonth for an additional 200 chapters [limited (1\u002F3)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier 8: $42\u002Fmonth for an additional 200 chapters\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specific 9.5: $39\u002Fmonth for an additional 250 chapters [limited (0\u002F2)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tier 9: $42\u002Fmonth for an additional 250 chapters\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fuser?u=113341029\u003C\u002Fp>",1098,"2026-06-03T12:47:02.951Z","2026-06-03T12:47:07.061Z",1,"novelbin.me","082ac0a2752e9130f3bfa890809fbfd4eeaa35a08ce85d40424fa836f9de1e58","ember-dragon-chapter-193","ember-dragon-chapter-191",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]