Landlord in the Arctic

However, when the two women stood side by side, they were like a pair of twin blossoms.

They added a brilliant splash of color to the entire party, naturally becoming the focus of every man's gaze.

Feng Mountain suddenly realized that an entire morning had passed, and he hadn't seen Frank at all.

Normally, whenever drinking was involved, he was guaranteed to show up.

As the saying goes, speak of the devil.

Just as Feng Mountain was wondering about him, Frank's slightly stooped figure slowly emerged from the crowd.

His face looked utterly haggard, his once-ruddy complexion now completely drained of color.

He didn't just look worn-out; it was as if he had aged several years in an instant. He was a completely different person from his usual self.

Frank staggered along, each step seeming to take a monumental effort.

He finally made it to a table, snatched a bottle of beer, and, without even looking, tore the cap off with his teeth.

Then, he threw his head back and, GULP GULP GULP, chugged the entire bottle in one go.

As the last drop went down, he let out a resounding belch. Only then did a flicker of life return to his dull eyes, and he seemed to feel a little better.

Feng Mountain nonchalantly sidled up to Frank, a sly grin on his face, and whispered gossipily.

"You look like hell. Reunited with your old flame last night, huh? How many rounds?"

Frank turned his head, his eyes lifeless, and stared blankly at Feng Mountain.

After a moment of silence, he slowly raised a hand, splayed his five fingers, and waved them in front of Feng Mountain.

His eyes revealed a hint of exhaustion, mixed with an indescribable meaning, as if recounting the previous night's harrowing experience.

HISS!

Seeing the five fingers Frank held out, Feng Mountain couldn't help but gasp.

He then silently gave him a thumbs-up, his voice laced with admiration as he spoke.

"Impressive. I'm surprised you're still standing."

"Man, save me!" Frank suddenly looked as if he remembered something critically important. His eyes flew wide with terror and helplessness. He grabbed Feng Mountain's arm in a death grip, as if clutching a life-saving straw, and pleaded in a desolate, desperate voice, "That animal hide of yours... do you have any more? Quick, give me one! I swear to God, Natalia invited me to see the aurora tonight. I'm definitely going to die."

However, before Feng Mountain could answer, Natasha and Natalia glided over, their steps light and their smiles radiant.

The two women were a stunning sight, drawing eyes wherever they went.

"Feng, this is a great Christmas party," Natalia said first, her voice gentle and melodic, her face beaming.

Hm.

'She's recovered quite well.'

Feng Mountain nodded slightly and subconsciously glanced behind Natasha, as if looking for something.

Natasha seemed to notice his gaze and shot him a sharp glare from her beautiful azure eyes, her look full of warning.

Caught in her glare, Feng Mountain felt a bit awkward. He sheepishly looked away and quickly changed the subject, trying to defuse the slightly tense atmosphere.

"I hope you're enjoying it. We'll have some performances later, just people who signed up themselves. If you have an act you'd like to perform, feel free. It's all among friends, after all."

"Not interested." Natasha tilted her slender, swan-like neck. Her posture was elegant but tinged with arrogance as she took Natalia's hand and turned toward the buffet table.

As Natalia passed by Frank, she tilted her head slightly and gave him a meaningful smile.

The smile seemed to hold a flirtatious invitation, making Frank's heart clench as goosebumps instantly broke out across his skin.

"Feng, man, my dear friend, you have to help me." Frank couldn't stop a shudder, his face a mask of terrified pleading. He grabbed Feng Mountain's arm again, his voice trembling as he begged, "If you don't help me, this will be the last time you ever see me."

"Alright, alright!" Feng Mountain said with a helpless expression, pulling his arm from Frank's grip. He glanced around, and once he was sure no one was paying attention, he lowered his voice. "Do you still have that strip of animal hide?"

"I do, I do!" Like a man clutching a lifeline, Frank hurriedly pulled the now-useless strip of animal hide from his coat and offered it to Feng Mountain with both hands.

Feng Mountain took the strip of hide and glanced around again.

Once sure no one was watching, his fingers flew across the strip of hide, scrawling a series of strange symbols.

At the same time, he secretly channeled his Soul Power, drawing the Spell for the Body Strengthening Technique onto the hide, each stroke imbued with the power of a Witch.

When he was done, he casually tossed the hide at Frank. "This piece of Witchcraft is only good for half a month. Use it sparingly."

"That was fast?" Frank took the strip of hide dubiously, noticing that the ritual this time was much simpler than before.

In the past, using Witchcraft involved bloodletting and chanting incantations—it was tedious and complicated, nothing like how easy this was.

But the instant the strip of hide touched his body,

A current of heat shot through his body like a wild, unbridled horse.

Wherever the heat flowed, a pleasant warmth spread, bringing an indescribable comfort.

Especially around his lower back, it felt as if he were being roasted over a fire. The scorching sensation held an inexplicable sense of bliss, and even his exhausted body began to recover its vigor and vitality under the nourishment of this warm current.

"Man, I've got to say, Witchcraft is just incredible!" Frank's eyes narrowed in bliss, an intoxicated expression on his face as he fully savored the changes in his body.

"Take it easy. Witchcraft isn't a cure-all, and that body is yours to take care of," Mountain said earnestly, patting Frank's shoulder.