Chapter Fifty-Five: The Snowman

Half an hour later, Yin Nian received a text message from Yan Ming. The message was concise and to the point. Yan Ming first affirmed what Yin Nian had done today, pointed out a few mistakes in the details, and then offered some suggestions for tomorrow’s plan, clear and logical. It was a classic Yan Ming message.

Yin Nian could practically see the thoughtful expression on Yan Ming’s face as he composed it.

Yin Nian replied: Thank you, I understand what to do now. Good night.

Yan Ming’s response came quickly—a simple “Good night.”

Yin Nian lay in bed for a while, then got up to peel an apple. Using the excuse of bringing an apple to Liang Zhicheng, she headed to the study, wanting to take a look inside. She arrived at the study door and gave it a push.

“What do you want to say?” Xiang Zhiyun’s tearful eyes fixed on her coldly. Seeing her mouth moving as if to speak, she hesitated for a moment, then tore off the tape from her mouth.

“Please rest assured, we are absolutely police officers, not killers. In the games to come, you’ll come to understand this,” the police captain declared with confidence.

Beibeiqi took the cup, sipped it slowly, then shot Leo a sidelong glance, showing off with her eyes.

Yun Changgong carried Bu Tianyin to the first floor of the Tower of Heaven. Xue Sheng was sleeping in the hall on the first floor, but was startled awake by the noise. Seeing Yun Changgong carrying Bu Tianyin, she thought something was wrong and let out a low cry, which also woke Bu Tianyin.

No one could say exactly when it began, but Gu Mu had long since become numb to killing. Since the days of the yellow sands, he couldn’t remember how many people he’d slain. For a man barely in his twenties, it was a terrifying thing.

It was no surprise, really. After all, both Zhemu and Ling were coming to this mountain for the first time. What’s more, when Zhemu had been pursuing Ling earlier, he’d been too nervous to pay attention to the road at all. Ling, even more flustered, certainly couldn’t be expected to remember the way in her panic. So, they both got lost.

Flesh and blood, ambition and pride—who is more precious than whom? Where does rank come from? What makes one superior or inferior to another?

Only now did Bu Tianyin realize that beyond the gates of “Pingshui Garden” was a vast, emerald lake—nothing else. Open the door, and there was the lake, its surface level with the threshold, as if it might overflow at any moment. Bu Tianyin’s heart tightened, and she almost couldn’t breathe.

At this, the players finally understood and sent a string of meaningful, knowing chuckles.

The guard, whose emotions were never betrayed by his face, seemed for a brief moment to be moved, but soon regained his calm, following the team into the player tunnel.

Shi Dazhuang was utterly speechless. Seeing his master’s stern expression, his heart shattered, yet he still had to go and heat the steamed buns.

A chill crept over her forehead as she looked up—Tang Xihan was already gone from the doorway. She hurried to catch up; fortunately, the weather was hot and he didn’t have the habit of closing the door immediately after entering.

Min He, the undisputed leading talent of his generation in the Min family, was both their prodigy and their hope. He had a great reputation in the world of ancient martial arts—had it been ancient times, he’d be known throughout the land as a young genius.

The Mongol cavalry at the forefront exchanged their bows for curved ones, gripped their horses tightly with their legs, and drew their bows into a half-standing posture.

Zhao Chengjue cradled Jiu Zhu protectively in his arms, his movements gentle, but not sparing even a glance at Li Xinghua. Li Xinghua stared blankly as Zhao Chengjue turned and walked away, her heart sinking, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

“Is that really true?” Quan Shaoqing sat beside her, lifting her chin with a wicked smile, his gaze fixed on her.

This manor was not a recent acquisition; rather, the old monk had purchased it at some unknown time. When Ah Jiu and Peach Blossom came down from the mountain, the old monk handed them a stack of deeds—all properties and shops in the capital.

She knew how rebellious her gaze was now. Not just her father and mother, even the crown prince could see what she was thinking. But that was exactly what she wanted—to let them know. If she couldn’t use her body to resist, then she would let it be known that she was rebelling in her heart.

Pale yellow liquid filled the top glass, slowly overflowing. Under the red and green lights, it pooled into a golden waterfall, flowing down to fill all the empty glasses. The tower of glasses sparkled, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of fresh fruit.