The end of the year was near.

This year, the snow had come earlier than usual. Though there was still over a month until the New Year, snow had already begun falling in Jingxiang.

Inside the swaying carriage, Pei Xiu leaned forward and lifted the curtain that kept out the wind and snow. He glanced outside at the frozen world beyond and couldn’t help but sigh.

«This situation gets worse year by year. In past years around this time, when had there ever been such heavy snow in the Southern Dao?»

He was a man of about thirty, a middle-aged figure, sporting a neatly groomed goatee. On his head he wore a Putou cap, his body clad in a round-collared robe, with a leather belt fastened at his waist. He sat cross-legged within the carriage, his body swaying left and right with the movement of the wheels.

«A-ye, it’s cold…»

Nestled in the arms of a woman, a little girl gave a tiny complaint, which immediately earned Pei Xiu a teasing look of mild blame from his wife.

«Aiyo, A-ye’s fault,» Pei Xiu hurriedly said with a smiling apology, his tone tinged with flattery as he comforted his daughter.

The sternness and worry on his face dissolved in an instant. His brows arched gently, the corners of his eyes softened, and he grinned wide, revealing a row of bright white teeth.

A father like him—willing to lower himself to amuse his daughter—was indeed rare in this era. Society placed more weight on the idea of stern fathers and gentle mothers. Fathers were expected to maintain a solemn face, quick to lecture and scold their children at the slightest misstep.

The carriage creaked and rumbled onward, continuing along the road. This was a mountain path, with a sheer cliff wall rising on one side, and a roaring river flowing on the other.

The little girl, Pei Wenyao, wriggled coquettishly in her mother’s arms. Then, cheeks flushed bright red, she blinked her wide, innocent eyes and asked in a crisp, childish voice:

«But A-ye, didn’t Teacher say that a timely snow foretells a bountiful harvest?»

«That depends on what kind of snow it is. This snow… doesn’t count as a lucky one.»

Pei Xiu recalled the sight outside the carriage, where snow fell thick like goose feathers, and his worry deepened.

«You,» said his wife, gently patting their daughter’s back while half-scolding her husband,  «already exiled from the capital, and still you’re burdened with such worries? Can’t you rest for a bit?»

Though she said this, there was a subtle pride in her eyes.

Her husband was such a man—one who, even after losing in a political struggle and being driven out of the capital, still held the people’s well-being in his heart.

Pei Xiu gave a bitter smile and shook his head. He looked like he wanted to say something, but no words came.

The task entrusted to him by His Majesty—only he truly knew the weight of it.

If this were truly a demotion, he would’ve been sent to Lingnan Dao or Qianzhong Dao. Why would he be here in the Southern Dao, in the lands once ruled by the ancient state of Chu?

The carriage wheels carved two deep ruts into the snowy road. Then, the swaying carriage suddenly jolted to a stop.

From outside came the voice of a young man:

«A-ye, there’s something up ahead.»

Pei Xiu’s eyes narrowed slightly. Quietly, he reached for the sword that lay beside him.

Leaping down into the snow, Pei Xiu landed and nodded toward his eldest son, Pei Hongxuan, then turned to look forward.

Ahead were several more carriages—used by the accompanying house guards. Behind them were more carriages, carrying the handmaidens they had brought from the capital.

At the moment, those carriages too had stopped, seemingly in formation. The guards hadn’t drawn their swords, but their hands were resting on the hilts, surrounding Pei Xiu and his son protectively.

These were unsettled times. Even the official roads weren’t free of highwaymen—let alone this remote mountain path.

Pei Xiu grew cautious. Step by step, he moved forward.

The guards surrounded him as he advanced. Passing the front carriages, Pei Xiu finally saw what lay ahead:

At the riverside, beside the mountain path—there sat a lone youth, casually sipping wine by himself.

The young man’s posture was relaxed, even languid, carrying an air of effortless unruliness. In front of him was a massive boulder, its surface flat like it had been sliced with a blade. Atop it sat a wine jug and several small dishes of food.

Looking closer, everyone found themselves increasingly startled.

The youth’s black hair cascaded like a waterfall. Though it was tied behind with a jade crown, a ponytail still hung down his back, a look both elegant and oddly out of place.

He wore a brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns. The fabric was so fine it was hard to judge with the naked eye. And in this heavy snow, whenever the youth made a small movement, faint golden glimmers danced across the robe.

As they drew near, the youth looked up and met Pei Xiu’s eyes.

What a figure—elegant, striking, and divine in bearing!

His skin was smooth like flawless jade, completely unmarred by sun or wind—he didn’t even look human.

And his face—it was something not of this world. Just one glance, and hearts would be seized.

But the strangest thing was this: Pei Xiu had only just stepped down from the carriage and was already dusted in snow. This youth had clearly been sitting in the snowfall for some time—yet not a single snowflake touched him.

Pei Xiu looked closer—and his heart nearly skipped a beat.

The falling snowflakes were being pushed away the moment they neared the youth, repelled by an invisible force, unable to draw close.

Even the area around where the youth sat, and the food and wine on the stone table—spotless, untouched by snow.

A man… or a spirit!?

A sharp jolt ran through Pei Xiu’s chest.

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Pei Xiu cupped his fists in greeting and said:

«Dare I ask, young master—why are you sitting here, drinking alone, by the river in such heavy snow?»

The youth—Xuan Yuan  —gestured with one hand:

«Naturally, I’ve been waiting for you, Prefect Pei.»

«The journey must be tiring. Why not stop here for a short rest before continuing?»

Only now did Pei Xiu notice—aside from the wine and food, there were two sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table.

Clearly, one was prepared for him.

«Master—!»

One of the guards stepped forward, worried it might be a trap. But Pei Xiu raised his hand, signaling him to stop.

He lifted his robe and sat cross-legged across from Xuan Yuan  .

And the moment he sat down—his eyes widened once more.

The cold that had pierced to the bone just moments ago vanished completely. Instead, a gentle warmth surrounded them.

The wine and food in front of him still steamed with heat.

This was… this was a celestial!

Pei Xiu was struck with awe. All the composure honed through years of courtly training could barely suppress the twitching at the corners of his mouth.

«Might I ask… where does your esteemed self come from, honored one?»
The earlier »young master» had changed into »honored one.» Pei Xiu’s expression was reverent, his tone careful and respectful.

Tales of immortals had existed since ancient times. But all these years, no one had truly seen one.

Even in the capital, where the Emperor revered the Dao and renowned Daoist sages were many—Pei Xiu had met his share. Yet none had ever displayed a presence as otherworldly and unfathomable as this youth before him.

«That’s not important,» said Xuan Yuan  .
«What’s important is—don’t go any further. If you do, none of you will survive.»

He tapped the stone table with his fingertip.

Pei Xiu was about to speak when suddenly—a deafening, thunderous noise erupted ahead.

Startled, he looked up—and saw:

Not far in front of them, countless boulders and trees came crashing down with the force of a thunderclap!

«The mountain—it’s collapsing!»

«It’s a landslide! A full-on landslide!»

The guards turned pale in terror. One even stumbled and fell to the ground. Even Pei Hongxuan’s expression twisted with shock.

Pei Xiu’s mouth hung open, scalp tingling with cold.

—If not for this mysterious, divine youth stopping them midway, they would’ve already been caught in that landslide. Washed into the river, their entire family obliterated!