Bitter Realm: A Happy Person Traveling Across China

The North is bitterly cold, yet within this snow-covered landscape lies an anomaly—

Mingfeng lies hidden in the snow.

Although this place is named "Sleeping in Snow," its climate is actually mild and spring-like.

A babbling brook flows through the courtyard, exotic flowers bloom along the pond, rare birds sing sweetly, and the last few patches of snow on the branches are slowly melting. The dripping water droplets refract rainbow colors in the sunlight, becoming the only traces of the changing seasons in this little world.

Beside the stream, Ye Jinming, dressed in a plain white robe, stood quietly.

His gaze fell on the seemingly calm surface of the pool, but his eyes reflected a different scene—

Deep within the pool, not the gentle trickle on the surface, but a dark red, violent energy was churning and coalescing, like a raging torrent, constantly crashing against the invisible confinement.

Faintly, the sounds of countless wronged souls wailing and the clash of weapons seemed to come from underwater, and a faint, almost imperceptible, stench of blood permeated the air.

This is the very spirit of the Blood-Drinking Demon Blade, roaring violently.

It thirsts for blood and craves slaughter; its ferocious aura is almost palpable, turning this peaceful and serene land into a battlefield of carnage.

Ye Jinming's eyes were calm and indifferent, as if he were facing only a trivial breeze.

He flicked his finger lightly onto a smooth pebble by the pond.

"bite--"

A clear, crisp sound, not loud, yet carrying a peculiar rhythm, reverberated instantly.

The dark red energy churning at the bottom of the pool suddenly stopped, and the roars and howls abruptly ceased.

"Don't rush," Ye Jinming said to the pool, his tone as casual as if he were soothing a restless pet, "You'll soon have your chance to shine."

The Blood-Drinking Blade Soul seemed to understand, or perhaps it succumbed to the deeper power contained in that voice.

The surging energy quickly subsided and receded, eventually sinking to the deepest part of the pool, leaving no trace.

The pond water returned to its crystal-clear state, and several koi carp swayed their tails leisurely, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.

Just then, a series of slightly hurried, deliberately heavy, yet still undeniably rushed footsteps broke the tranquility of the courtyard as they approached.

The footsteps stopped on the bamboo path outside the dwelling. The people who came were obviously well-trained, stopping in unison, but their breathing was slightly heavy due to the long journey or tension.

"A single sword strikes, startling the night's embers; I am the special envoy of the Imperial Dynasty, Marquis Baishi. By order of His Majesty the Jade Emperor, I have come to pay my respects and humbly invite you to join me in this great undertaking!"

His voice was loud and clear, and his words were respectful, even using words like "paying a visit" and "respectfully inviting." He didn't force his way in, but he did his best in terms of etiquette.

Ye Jinming raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, and muttered to himself, "Ha, is my fame really that great now?"

He didn't move, only his mind stirred slightly.

The two seemingly ordinary wooden doors of Woxue Residence opened slowly inwards without any wind.

Outside the gate, Bai Shihou, dressed in a brocade robe and wearing a special envoy's crown, was followed by four armored guards with swords. Each of them was sharp and capable, but at this moment they all bowed their heads slightly to show respect.

Inside the door, Ye Jinming's figure had been leaning against the door at some point.

He was still dressed in white, but the collar and cuffs were embroidered with flowing cloud patterns in blue silk thread, which made him look even more mysterious.

He was languid, one hand casually resting on the door frame, the other toying with a bright green bamboo leaf he had picked from who-knows-where. A nonchalant smile played on his lips, but his eyes were clear as snow as he looked Bai Shi Hou and his entourage up and down.

"The Imperial Dynasty?" Ye Jinming brought a bamboo leaf to his lips, emitting a short, clear sound, his expression ambiguous. "As far as I know, the flames of war in the Northern Region have not yet subsided, and numerous warlords stand side by side. The time for unification is far from here. To hastily proclaim oneself 'Emperor' now, isn't it... a bit premature?"

Marquis Baishi remained unmoved, clearly having been prepared. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency is wise. The unification of the Northern Region is an inevitable trend and the mandate of Heaven. Our Emperor is a man of great talent and strategy, with well-trained troops, ample provisions, and numerous fierce generals. Sweeping across the land is only a matter of time. Whether he declares himself Emperor sooner or later makes no difference; it is merely a matter of establishing legitimacy and stabilizing the world."

"Oh? The inevitable trend?" Ye Jinming's smile deepened, his mockery almost overflowing. "But I've heard that Yuan Huang of the Beichen family isn't dead yet? And your Yu Liang Emperor... is his throne still secure?"

"This..." A crack finally appeared on Bai Shihou's composed face.

The mystery surrounding Bei Chen Yuan Huang's fate is indeed a thorn in the side of Emperor Yu Liang and the entire Yu Yu Dynasty, and one of the important reasons why they are eager to recruit experts from all directions and consolidate their rule.

Ye Jinming's words hit the nail on the head.

Bai Shihou's Adam's apple bobbed, and he was momentarily at a loss for words. The guards behind him also momentarily lost their composure.

Ye Jinming seemed to have lost interest, waving his hand as if to swat away a few annoying flies. "Go back and tell Emperor Yu Liang—"

His tone turned detached, carrying an undeniable distance, "I have no interest in his imperial ambitions; let him play his game himself!"

Before he could finish speaking, Ye Jinming made no move, but a powerful and majestic aura, as vast as the sea, suddenly swept out from him!

This energy was not violent, yet it was overwhelming and unstoppable, as if the entire power of "Mingfeng Lying in Snow" was moving in response.

Bai Shihou's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly channeled his true energy to try and resist, but it was like an ant trying to shake a tree.

He and his four guards felt an irresistible, gentle yet immense force pushing them towards them. They lost their footing and stumbled back more than ten steps before finally collapsing with a few thuds and cries of "Ouch!" onto the gravel path outside the bamboo grove. His official hat was askew, his armor was covered in dust, and he had completely lost his composure.

Ye Jinming didn't even glance at them again. The two wooden doors closed slowly on their own, shutting out everything outside.

Only his calm voice finally drifted out:

"No need to see me out."

Marquis Baishi, supported by his guards, got up, his face turning pale and then red. Looking at the tightly closed gate of Woxue Residence, which seemed to blend into the surrounding mountains and rivers, his eyes flashed with fear and shame, which eventually turned into deep helplessness.

He straightened his clothes, gritted his teeth, and hissed, "Let's go!"

The group arrived with great fanfare, but left looking disheveled, quickly disappearing into the bamboo-shaded path, leaving behind only a few trampled bamboo leaves and lingering ripples in the air.

Inside the Snow-Covered Residence, the stream still murmurs, and the flowers still exude their fragrance.

Ye Jinming walked back to the poolside, looking at the water that had returned to calm. He ran his fingertips across the surface of the water, stirring up a ripple.

Now, even the Jade Emperor is recruiting soldiers and horses, and he's come to me for help.

It seems he is determined to become the second new ruler of the Northern Region.

I wonder if any of the schizophrenic patients are among them...

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Ye Jinming's lips. Things were getting more and more interesting...