Chapter 178: Beneath the Great Snow

Having drunk and eaten their fill, they said farewell to each other.

Yu Lin casually found a hotel, opened a room, and then lay down.

He sent a Transmission to Satan, briefly explained the matter, and then heard Satan reply:

"I see... it's not impossible; let him give it a try, and it's fine if he finds out he's truly not cut out for it."

"Thanks."

"No need to thank me; contact me if anything comes up." Yu Lin cut the connection, opened short videos and browsed for a while, then closed his eyes to sleep.

The days that followed were uneventful.

He spent two months traveling in Yue Sheng, eating and drinking everywhere, and only in the last month set out to return to the Civil Affairs Bureau headquarters.

During that time he also helped Su Qu and Ning Ya handle a mission, capturing a newly risen cult leader.

But in the capture process he unexpectedly learned of a Nine Tripod Cauldrons rumor, only to find it false upon arrival, a wasted trip.

The days passed very fulfillingly.

Today.

After Yu Lin finished the last bite of breakfast, he turned his head toward the Dragon Lord and the Qilin and said:

"Let's go."

"Alright."

They entered the Ding Pattern together.

Yu Lin whispered, "Enter."

Accompanied by WhiteLight, he vanished instantly.

Snow swirled violently, and the world was a vast desolation.

The towering snow-capped mountains loomed intermittently in the blizzard, and at their foot lay a tranquil village.

Most of the villagers bore the surname Zhong, living for generations by farming, gathering, and hunting.

Although winter had arrived and all things withered, thanks to past reserves, as long as luck wasn't too bad they could still get through the cold season safely.

On the snowy ground before the village, a figure trudged through the wind and snow.

He lowered his head, hunched his body, his chest's garment bulging, as if carrying something important.

He trekked through the snow, one deep step then a shallow one, each leaving deep footprints.

Just as he was about to reach the village entrance, a figure blocked his path:

"Brother, hold on."

The traveler looked up in confusion and saw a youth standing in the blizzard.

Though his clothing was plain, his bearing was extraordinary, his brows exuding a remarkable aura.

"Who is this brother?" the traveler asked in a hoarse voice, half his face hidden beneath a thick collar.

"My name is Yu Lin," the youth smiled faintly, his gaze landing on the other's still fierce face despite the collar's concealment:

"I was originally hurrying on the road, but the snow was too heavy and I lost my way for a moment."

"After a search, I finally found this place..."

He paused, then continued:

"May I ask, brother, if you could shelter me for a while until the snow passes, after which I can continue my journey?"

Zhong Kui nodded at the words: "I see. Traveling brings many inconveniences, indeed."

He sized up Yu Lin for a moment and said cheerfully, "No problem, no problem; I see you are not a villain."

"Please follow me."

Yu Lin immediately clasped his hands and said, "Thank you, brother!"

The two walked into the village, one ahead of the other, and finally stopped in front of a slightly aged thatched house.

Zhong Kui raised his hand and knocked, his voice gentle: "Sister, I'm back."

Creak—

The Wooden Door answered with a creak and opened, revealing a delicate-looking girl peeking out.

She was slightly slender, her nose tip frozen red, but her clothing was still fairly thick.

Seeing Zhong Kui, she immediately smiled, "Big brother, come in quickly, come in quickly."

After the two entered, she closed the door and then curiously looked at Yu Lin:

"Who is this brother?"

Yu Lin laughed, "My name is Yu Lin, a man who lost his way in the snow."

"Fortunately your big brother took me in to stay at your home; I may cause you trouble later."

"Hmm." Zhong Xiao Mei nodded in acknowledgment.

Then Zhong Kui took from his chest a plump wild rabbit and a bundle of verdant wild vegetables, smiling: "Today's luck is good; the employer returned from hunting and gave me a rabbit."

He turned to his sister and said, "Sister, go boil water so I can cook."

Zhong Xiao Mei looked at the already stiff rabbit, couldn't help swallowing, and replied crisply:

"Alright!"

She then hurried out of the house toward the kitchen next door.

Zhong Kui placed the rabbit and vegetables on the ground, then explained to Yu Lin:

"Since our parents passed away years ago, my sister and I have relied on each other for survival."

He brushed the snow off his clothes, his tone calm: "Although we have no inheritance left, fortunately my father, years ago while traveling, happened to pick up a chest filled with books."

"I'm not exactly foolish," Zhong Kui said, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes:

"After learning the characters, I even memorized these books, making me a Scholar."

Earlier, the imperial exams again brought me some fame, so folks within the surrounding ten‑li area have been inviting me to lecture at their homes; life isn't bad.

He looked at Yu Lin, curiously asking: "Yu Brother, where are you from? I see your bearing is extraordinary; you must be... from a noble family, right?"

Yu Lin shook his head: "No, I'm an orphan."

Zhong Kui was momentarily at a loss, his face showing apology:

"Sorry......"

"It's fine," Yu Lin waved his hand:

"This isn't something hard to talk about."

He looked at Zhong Kui, then suddenly laughed: "Besides, Brother Zhong, you're the same, aren't you?"

"You just have a little sister more than I do."

"I alone can eat my fill and keep the whole family from going hungry, hahaha."

Zhong Kui was first stunned by the words, then burst into loud laughter: "Exactly, exactly! We're fated to have met in the vast snow, both being orphans... hahaha."

Amid the laughter, the wind and snow outside seemed to grow a bit gentler.

From the stove came the sound of Zhong Xiao Mei boiling water, the firewood crackling.

Once the water boiled, Zhong Kui carried the rabbit and wild vegetables toward the kitchen.

Not long after, boiled rabbit meat, stir‑fried wild vegetables, and a small bowl of plain congee were brought to the table.

Of course, there was also a small dish of coarse salt and pickled vegetables that Zhong Kui had treasured and usually couldn't bear to eat himself.

He gently pushed the salt dish toward Yu Lin, smiling: "Yu Brother, add some salt; it'll taste better."

Yu Lin didn't refuse, nodding: "Thank you."

The rabbit meat had a slight gaminess, the coarse salt was salty with a bitter note, the wild vegetables were a bit astringent, and the pickled vegetables... were merely edible.

But this was already the best hospitality Zhong Kui could offer—if it were someone else's home, even having plain congee would require consideration, and they'd likely end up with poorer fare, after all, in this era food production is still insufficient.

After the meal, Zhong Kui was about to clear the bowls and chopsticks when a knocking suddenly sounded.

Dong dong dong—

Zhong Kui opened the door and, surprised, said:

"Madame Hua? What's the matter?"

Outside stood a woman wrapped in a thick coat, her face beaming with an enthusiastic smile:

"Good news! Great news!"

She squeezed in, patting Zhong Kui's arm: "Little Kui, the Mr. Wang next door in Wangjiacun asked me to come talk about a marriage for you!"

"A marriage proposal?" Zhong Kui shook his head, apologetically:

"Sorry, I have no intention of marrying now."

Madame Hua waved her hands: "No, no, it's about a marriage proposal for your little sister!"

"Their eldest son has taken a liking to your little sister!"