Chapter 226 The Cold Wind Blows

Karida's appetite was quite different from her beautiful appearance. The wild rabbits in the Dusk Mountains were particularly plump, probably due to the abundant soul energy in the world. Each one weighed about twenty pounds, and after a few more years, they could become spirits. Yet, Karida alone devoured an entire rabbit, eating faster than Old Wang but with much better manners.

She tore the meat into strips, looking quite elegant, though she tore and swallowed quickly without pause, washing it down with a sip of 'Winter Chill Burn.' Honestly, Aota’s preparation of this package was a classic case of a man with no sensitivity; there wasn’t a drop of water, but the alcohol was plentiful.

While tearing at the rabbit meat, Karida occasionally took a sip of fine wine. Noticing the firelight before her had dimmed slightly, she poured a little Winter Chill Burn onto it, causing the flames to surge up immediately.

The red glow of the fire illuminated Karida’s face, making her cheeks flush slightly. The grease from the rabbit meat on her lips looked like shiny lipstick, making her look especially alluring.

Old Wang was so captivated that he forgot to eat, feeling content in his heart. Ah... he was destined to live off others, but who would have thought that such a life could be so sweet!

"This wine is excellent," Karida praised. "It has a smooth and intense flavor, the aroma is rich, and the aftertaste is mellow. Only by fermenting with the unique winter wheat from the Winter Chill Ice Valley and aging it in mystic ice can such a taste be produced."

"Karida actually knows about wine?" Old Wang was a bit surprised. After all, Karida seemed to be a person of high moral integrity, the kind who had received proper education since childhood, someone who wouldn’t normally be associated with alcohol.

"Not only do I understand wine, but I also enjoy it, although I haven’t been drinking much these past two years." Karida smiled, feeling completely at ease talking to Wang Feng, able to shed all pretenses.

Deep into the night, under the glow of the campfire, these scenes were once very familiar to her, giving her a sense of particular freedom. But ever since she returned to Aurora City to manage the Rose affairs, she hadn’t felt this way for a long time.

She took another large gulp of Winter Chill Burn, the sweet liquor sliding down her throat, followed by a surging wave of alcohol. Winter Chill Burn had a strong aftereffect, and most people would feel dizzy if they drank it in such large gulps, but Karida only felt refreshed, her mind becoming increasingly clear. She used to be someone who could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, but under the glow of the fire, her thoughts soared, giving her a sense of being intoxicated not by the alcohol but by the atmosphere.

Old Wang watched, enjoying the beauty, the scenery, and the wine, feeling as if he were living a carefree life. Suddenly, Wang Feng felt a sense of being part of the world, feeling incredibly free.

"More, more!" Old Wang, misinterpreting the redness on Karida’s face caused by the firelight, eagerly passed over another jar. If Karida could get drunk, it would be wonderful, and he would take good care of her: "As the saying goes, when you meet a true friend, a thousand cups are never enough..."

"Wang Feng, speaking of true friends, I think that little beauty princess from Ice Spirit is quite a match for you," Karida glanced at Wang Feng with a faint smile. "You saved her, and she might want to repay you with her body. Haven’t you ever thought about staying in Ice Spirit as a prince consort?"

"Karida, what are you saying? I, Wang Feng, travel the world guided by righteousness. I’m not the type to take advantage of others in distress. Doing good deeds without seeking recognition—that’s me!"

"Oh, but I think you’re just not willing to give up the whole forest for one tree, aren’t you?"

When Old Wang heard this, his eyes immediately bulged out, "L...little guy???"

You treat me like a chick, but you want me to treat you like a son?

"Brother Karida! We may be close, but if you say that, I’ll still sue you for defamation!" Old Wang said with righteous indignation: "Who doesn’t know that I am the famous honest and reliable young man of Rose, the pure and innocent young gentleman?"

I’d rather be an old Ji-ji than a Jiantian!

"Ha ha, is that so?" Karida said with a smile: "After you went missing, Yin Fu came to see me..."

"Of course, she’s my sister, closer than blood!"

"Su Yue from the Foundry, Famier from the Institute of Potions..." Karida said meaningfully.

"Su Yue is my junior in the advanced class; it’s normal to care about her. Famier and I have business cooperation with the Institute of Potions, which is perfectly normal."

"What about Rachel from the Gun Institute Academy?"

"Damn!" Old Wang nearly choked: "She actually has designs on my looks, no, she definitely has ulterior motives. She’s one of my brothers from Axiba."

Karida looked at him with keen interest: "Then what about Lucky Heaven? I don’t recall any legitimate connection between you and Lucky Heaven. How did you manage to get the attention of the princess of the Eightfold Assembly? Is there something I don’t know?"

Old Wang was taken aback, recalling their brief encounter last time. If danger were to be measured, Lucky Heaven would undoubtedly be the most dangerous girl he knew. It was absolutely unwise to get involved, and being a prince consort was not an easy job.

As the saying goes, life is precious, love is more valuable, but if it’s for freedom... it’s best to keep a respectful distance.

"Sigh, women are complicated creatures..." Old Wang sighed: "Mature women appreciate interesting souls, while immature ones are drawn to good looks. Unfortunately, I, Wang Feng, am blessed by heaven with both. The combination of an interesting soul and good looks is far greater than the sum of its parts, and it’s inevitable that it attracts the attention of many girls."

Old Wang wore a melancholic and profound expression, looking up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle: "This has always been a source of great distress for me. Brother Karida, I won’t hide it from you, sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night, startled by my own handsomeness in my dreams. This often keeps me awake and troubled, and I imagine those girls feel the same way. It’s not their fault, it’s all heaven’s doing. Who could blame it for creating me so perfectly..."

Karida couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, stuffing a rabbit leg directly into his mouth: "You, a little traitor of the Nine Gods, is it really good to boast like this? Eat up, I'll stuff your mouth; otherwise, I can't even eat myself!"

"Brother Karida, speak properly, don’t hit where it hurts." Old Wang took a bite of the rabbit leg fed to him by Karida, holding it in his hand and chuckling, but he knew when to stop: "During my absence, was the Rose in chaos?"

"Jinxed." Karida glanced at him indifferently, "The Rose is doing well. In fact, it's better without you."

"That’s great!" Old Wang nodded contentedly, completely unaware: "As the saying goes, sharpening the axe doesn’t delay the chopping. It’s precisely because my preliminary work was so successful that a short absence didn’t affect anything..."

"Save it." Karida was amused and exasperated, realizing nothing could discourage this kid. She paused, looking at the quiet night sky, and spoke sincerely: "I thought they would back off when faced with difficulties, but it seems useless. This time, I came out to see what other tricks they have up their sleeves."

Old Wang's eyes lit up; he wasn't afraid of any trouble at the Rose, just that Karida wouldn't speak her mind: "Brother Karida, you’re too soft-hearted. What logic can you talk to these clowns? Reform requires decisive action, what needs to be cut must be cut! Of course, such dirty and tiring work isn’t suitable for you, it’s for me. Once I get back to the Rose, I’ll take care of it for you!"

"You?" Karida glanced at him indifferently: "First, sort out your own problems. How did you end up in Bing Ling? And what about the explosion in the meditation room? Don’t tell me you just woke up there."

Old Wang said helplessly: "Brother Karida, you know my strength. I don’t know when I passed out, and when I woke up, I was already in Bing Ling as a slave, being sold in the market. The evil of slavery, the baseness of human nature, fortunately, Princess Xuecai bought me for eight thousand pieces..."

Old Wang spoke calmly, recounting the process simply and logically, leaving no room for doubt.

Karida looked at Wang Feng with a half-smile, nodding slowly. Given his level, if the Nine Gods were determined to deal with him, he truly had no way out.

Karida didn’t continue the topic, throwing the remaining meat to the nearby Er Tong, who whined and stood up. She then walked towards the tent: "It’s late, let’s rest."

"Sure, sure!" Old Wang’s face lit up, nodding eagerly and throwing the large piece of uneaten rabbit meat to Er Tong. He followed Karida closely, excitedly muttering: "The wind is strong in the mountains at night, but we have our tent..."

Before Old Wang could finish basking in his joy, a powerful kick landed on his buttocks, sending him sprawling next to Er Tong. He heard Karida’s indifferent threat: "Behave yourself. If you touch this tent, I’ll cut you."

Cut? Cut what? Up or down?

Old Wang pouted, thinking, Brother Karida, aren’t you feeling lonely and cold?

The evening breeze in the Dusk Mountains was rather strong. The temperature difference between day and night here was significant, but hugging Er Tong beside him did provide some warmth. However, this was clearly not the bed Old Wang had been longing for.

After tossing and turning in Er Tong's arms for a while, Old Wang tentatively called out to the tent, "Brother Da, it's so cold outside. I have a weak constitution and can't withstand the cold. Look, I'm shivering. I think I'll catch a cold tomorrow..."

There was no response from inside the tent, not even a hint of movement.

Old Wang didn't believe that Brother Da was really asleep, so he continued, "Brother Da, it's so dark outside. I'm scared..."

Beauty fears the persistence of a brute, and persistence is very effective.

"Ow!"

A wolf howl echoed through the deep mountains, fitting the scene. Er Tong immediately perked up its ears, raising its head to look into the depths of the forest. Snow wolves and wild wolves were still wolves, and Er Tong felt a bit excited.

Old Wang suddenly became alert, his voice trembling as he said, "Brother Da, there are actually wolves in these mountains! I, I'll be eaten..."

Er Tong seemed to understand what Old Wang was saying. It couldn't distinguish human lies, but sensing the tremor in Old Wang's voice, it gently rubbed its head against him, making soft grunting sounds, as if proudly saying, "Don't be afraid, I am the Wolf King!"

Old Wang slapped the back of this foolish pup's head, then listened intently to the tent, but there was still no response from inside.

Could he really be asleep?

Old Wang decided to get up and quietly approached the tent, calling out softly, "Brother Da? Brother Da?"

The night was silent, and from inside the tent came Karida's light, steady breathing. Old Wang could hear his own heartbeat.

Since he had already asked, and Brother Da hadn't heard, it wasn't his fault, Old Wang thought to himself. He reached out with a satisfied smile to pull back the tent flap, "Brother Da, I'm coming in..."

Swipe.

A chill and a murderous intent, Karida's non-reflective sword tip was placed with pinpoint accuracy at Old Wang's nose.

"Cough, cough, I just wanted to know if you were asleep..." Old Wang, drenched in cold sweat, quickly retreated a few steps.

Damn, is she trying to murder her own husband?

Sullenly retreating, Er Tong, who had been slapped by Old Wang earlier, seemed to hold a grudge. He was someone who understood human affairs, and now his eyes were filled with mockery as he looked at Old Wang.

"What are you looking at?" Old Wang glared: "You're also a lonely dog!"

Er Tong immediately drooped his head, looking dejected as if he had suffered ten thousand points of damage.

"Go to sleep!" Old Wang barked viciously, "Hmph!"

...

The night grew deep.

Er Tong and Old Wang both fell asleep, huddled together in a warm embrace.

The fire of the campfire gradually diminished, and a strange cold wind blew in.

Crackle, crackle... puff.

The remaining flame, already reduced to a small spark, rose into the air, emitting a wisp of smoke before extinguishing.

The cold wind continued, gently swirling towards the nearby tent, whoosh...

Something's not right!

Karida instinctively reached for her sword, but as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she found herself unable to move. She suddenly became alert, trying to summon her soul power, but her body refused to obey her will, like being trapped in a nightmare, the so-called ghost oppression.

No good, that person really has come, how could it be so fast?!