Master of Nine Stars

Xia Fangran asked, "Where are we going?"

Rong Taotao: "We’re meeting at the South Gate of Qianshan Pass. The Twelfth Squad’s Yin Hu team is heading this way. We’ll wait for them and leave together. I don’t know the specific destination yet."

"Yin Hu?" Li Lie grinned. "What a coincidence. To think we’d run into him."

As he walked down the stairs, Rong Taotao asked curiously, "Coach Li, you know the vice-captain of the Twelfth Squad?"

"Yeah, but not well. I think we met once. He can’t hold his liquor. I could drink three of him under the table."

Rong Taotao: "..."

After the group of four reported to the mailroom, they left the dormitory, summoned their Snow Night Shocks, and rode all the way to the South Gate of Qianshan Pass.

When they arrived, they found that the soldiers guarding the city gate had already unlocked it. Apparently, they had already been notified.

After Rong Taotao explained their purpose to the soldiers, he waited and communicated in his mind, "Bro, I’m at the South Gate."

"They should be here soon. Wait a moment."

Rong Taotao: "Did a Poacher Organization slip in?"

"Yes, and it’s a big one. Remember last year during the New Year in Songbai Town, when you were attacked on the night market street?"

Rong Taotao: "The Qian Organization?"

Rong Yang: "Them. According to the soldiers on duty, the leader is likely a heavy hitter."

’A heavy hitter?’

A thought stirred in Rong Taotao’s mind. ’Someone like Mi Tu?’

That was a name Rong Taotao could never forget.

He was the one who drove Gao Lingwei into a state of mental chaos and extreme agony. She had even desperately shattered the Soul Pearl on her forehead just to barely escape.

But even after escaping, Gao Lingwei was hospitalized with severe injuries. She spent the annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Songbai Town lying in a hospital bed at Songbai Second Hospital.

Rong Taotao clearly remembered Mi Tu’s simple, honest-looking face.

Who would have thought that a simple, honest-looking uncle selling candied haws on a bustling night market street was actually a leading figure in the Qian Organization!

Rong Yang replied uncertainly, "I’m not sure. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. The Qian Organization has deeper roots than you think. They have a lot of skilled members."

Rong Taotao said in a low voice, "The Qian Organization... Of all the people to run into."

Rong Yang: "For you, I suppose. In fact, if you’re always stationed within the three passes, you’re bound to run into these Poachers eventually.

The Qian, the Free People, these types live their whole lives this way. A life of bloodshed, born by the blade and dying by the blade.

It’s too thrilling a life. To them, it’s probably exciting enough. The mentality of people like that is beyond our comprehension. They wouldn’t give up that kind of life easily.

Besides, once you start down that point of no return and join an organization like that, you’re tied to those kinds of people for life. It’s almost impossible for them to get out safely."

"Mm," Rong Taotao replied absently.

In the midst of their conversation, the sound of urgent hoofbeats came from the distance.

A voice cut through the vast expanse of snow, its owner unseen but heard clearly: "Rong Taotao? Gao Lingwei?"

"Here!"

"Here!" Rong Taotao and Gao Lingwei hurriedly responded.

"Keep up!" the booming voice called out again, crisp and decisive.

The Snow Burning Army soldiers guarding the gate had already opened a crack in the doors.

In an instant, a fierce wind carrying snowflakes gusted into Qianshan Pass.

Rong Taotao, hiding behind Gao Lingwei, turned his head to look back. In his line of sight, several soldiers wearing Beast Head Masks were galloping toward them.

"A pleasure! Coach Xia! Coach Li!" The leader, wearing a majestic tiger-head mask, boomed a greeting that exploded by their ears. Without a moment’s pause, he spurred his horse through the gate and plunged into the vast, snowy expanse.

Two other soldiers in Beast Head Masks followed him, silent and swift, galloping out.

Rong Taotao’s eyes lit up. ’Isn’t that giant Ugly Ox? I can’t see his face, but he’s massive and wearing an ox-head mask...’

’He’s so cold and aloof. He didn’t even say hi to an old friend...’

The four of them—teachers and students—with their three mounts, hurriedly followed.

Behind them, the sound of the ancient city gate slowly closing echoed.

"Young friend, your idea was a good one. These Beast Head Masks are much more comfortable than the old hoods." A man’s voice came from ahead. Judging by the sound, he wasn’t young—probably in his forties or fifties?

Amidst the blizzard, Gao Lingwei spurred her mount onward. The group was riding fairly close together, so Rong Taotao managed to get a clear look at the speaker. He was wearing a horse mask.

’Whoa~’

Rong Taotao finally understood. ’So this is a soul-reaping tiger, leading Ox-Head and Horse-Face to claim souls and take lives?’

"Hello." Rong Taotao extended his fist, reaching over.

Wu Ma was taken aback for a moment but then extended his own fist, bumping it against Rong Taotao’s. He chuckled, "An interesting way to say hello. It’s an honor to meet you."

’An honor?’

Rong Taotao said, "You’re too kind."

"Haha, you really are brothers. You sound just like Sheep. I didn’t see you being so modest in the Outer League arena," Wu Ma said with a laugh, his voice muffled by the mask.

Rong Taotao: "That’s different. In the arena, my opponents were enemies. Now, the people beside me are comrades-in-arms."

"Mm." Wu Ma nodded, then asked curiously, "Young friend, you’ve lived in the Snow Realm for a little over a year, all told, but your insights run quite deep, don’t they?"

Rong Taotao: "Hmm?"

Wu Ma recited four words: "Short days, long nights."

’Uh?’

Rong Taotao paused, stunned. ’A Warrior in a special unit like this is so busy they barely have time to eat or sleep, yet he’s heard of the little essay I wrote?’

For a brief moment, a misconception flickered through Rong Taotao’s mind.

It was the feeling of ’who in all the world does not know me?’

After all... ever since he entered the Third Wall’s territory, it seemed like every member of the Snow Realm Army he met knew him, no matter their department.

Some knew him from the Outer League, others from Frost Flower Snowcakes.

Beside them, the usually silent Ugly Ox suddenly spoke up: "It has nothing to do with time, but everything to do with experience."

Wu Ma: "Oh?"

Hearing this, Rong Taotao nodded in agreement.

The once-in-sixteen-years blizzard, the months-long Extreme Night.

The Battle of the Three Cities, the Snow Realm Army invasion.

The New Year’s Eve attack in Songbai Town.

Escaping from the clutches of a Frost Beauty with Xia Fangran, and slaughtering Soul School Poachers with the Twelfth Squad.

And the thrilling ranked tournament where he reached the pinnacle of the Outer Region.

In less than two years, it was as if Rong Taotao had lived several lifetimes. Indeed, his experiences were far, far richer than those of his peers.

Rong Taotao hoped that the story unfolding tonight with the Qian Organization would add another vibrant, significant Chapter to his life’s journey. And if Mi Tu was involved, it would be even more perfect!

Up ahead, a booming voice suddenly called out, "We still have the dog and pig masks in the squad, no one’s taken them. When are you two planning on putting them on?"

Hearing Yin Hu’s words, Rong Taotao felt conflicted for a moment, and Gao Lingwei remained silent, offering no response.

"Heh." Yin Hu suddenly laughed out loud. "Or do you want this tiger mask? Captain Fu told me you have your eye on it, eh?"

Rong Taotao’s face flushed with embarrassment. He stammered, "No, not at all, not at all..."

’Damn it! Fu Tiance!’

’Didn’t you say you were going to study military strategy? Is this the result of your research? Sending the vice-captain to call me out?’

Unexpectedly, Yin Hu continued from ahead, "If you want it, I can give it to you. No problem! It’s yours after you officially join."

’This... He’s being so straightforward?’

Rong Taotao felt a pang of guilt.

He had already discussed it with Rong Yang. He was only joining the Twelfth Squad to use it as a stepping stone, and Fu Tiance was just helping him out as a favor.

But it seemed Yin Hu didn’t know any of this. His information hadn’t been updated and was still stuck on the previous stage.

’Ah!’

’I’m such a scumbag!’

’I’m using the Twelfth Squad as a stepping stone, but you’re treating me like a god you’re trying to recruit...’

From the rear, Xia Fangran suddenly cut in, "Alright, you soldiers, settle down! My student hasn’t even graduated yet. Isn’t it a bit early to be poaching him? Trying to steal him right in front of me?"

"HAHAHAHA!" Yin Hu’s laughter boomed, piercing through the vast snowstorm and echoing in the cold, dark night.

Seven riders on six mounts stirred up the boundless snow as they traveled west...