The memories of all humanity are awakening, except for mine.

Yuan Zhe shook his head slightly. "My lord, this is merely a temporary measure. All forces are currently observing the situation, and we must proceed with caution. However, as long as we can seize the opportunity, we will surely gain the upper hand in this power struggle."

Wang Lang nodded slightly. "I hope so. I wonder how long this snowstorm will last."

Yuan Zhe looked out at the snowstorm outside the tent. "My lord, although the snowstorm is heavy, it will eventually stop. As for us, we just need to find our direction in this snowstorm."

Amidst the snowstorm in the North, Wang Lang and Yuan Zhe were still plotting their power game, while far away in the South, Jiang Chuan was experiencing an adventure in a race against time.

The chill in Dushan seemed to freeze everything. Jiang Chuan rode the nine-colored spirit deer, galloping through the mountains and forests.

The snow fell heavily, as if trying to bury the entire world. His face was solemn, but his eyes showed determination, because he knew he had to get out of the mountains before the snow blocked them, or the consequences would be unimaginable.

The nine-colored spirit deer seemed to sense its master's anxiety, its four hooves moving rapidly across the snow, creating a cloud of snow mist.

Jiang Chuan gently stroked its neck and whispered, "You've worked hard, buddy. We'll treat you well once we get out of the mountains."

The nine-colored spirit deer let out a cry, as if responding to its master's words, and increased its speed even further.

Finally, as darkness fell, Jiang Chuan saw the outline of Lefeng Town.

He breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense nerves relaxed a little.

However, he knew that the existence of the Nine-Colored Spirit Deer was too special, and once exposed, it would inevitably attract countless troubles.

So, as he approached the town, he gently patted the Nine-Colored Spirit Deer's head and put it into his special space.

As Jiang Chuan entered Lefeng Town, the streets were covered with a thick layer of snow. Occasionally, a few pedestrians hurried by, all bundled up tightly, with only their eyes showing.

He entered an inn, where a roaring fire filled the air with warmth.

He found a corner to sit down and called out to the waiter, "Bring me a pot of strong liquor and a few of your signature dishes."

Soon after, the food and drinks were served.

Jiang Chuan picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. The spicy liquid flowed down his throat, dispelling the chill from his body. He ate his food while listening to the conversations of the wandering swordsmen around him.

"Have you heard? The battle between Heyang City and Weicheng has been going on for more than half a month, with heavy casualties on both sides," said a burly man with a full beard.

"That's right. I heard that the city lord of Heyang, Mu Suifeng, was ambushed on his way to Handan, and his fate is unknown," another skinny man with a pointed face added.

Jiang Chuan was shocked; he hadn't expected the situation to become so complicated.

He drank another glass of wine and listened silently to their discussion.

It turned out that the army of Heyang City was at a stalemate in the battle with Weicheng, and the disappearance of Mu Suifeng dealt a great blow to the morale of Heyang City.

After a satisfying meal, Jiang Chuan rested at the inn for the night.

The next morning, he got up early, prepared enough food for three days, rented a strong warhorse from the stable, and set off towards Heyang City.

The snow continued to fall intermittently along the way. Jiang Chuan rode his horse, leaving a trail of deep footprints in the snow.

His thoughts drifted to the distance, contemplating the situation in Heyang City and the safety of Prince Muchen and Princess Mu Qingling.

As evening fell, Jiangchuan passed through a village. The village was quiet, with only a few wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys.

He decided to stay here for the night.

He knocked on a door, and an elderly man with white hair answered it.

"Old man, I've been traveling and it's getting late. May I ask if I can stay the night?" Jiang Chuan asked politely.

The old man looked him over and nodded. "Come in. It's not easy to travel in this heavy snow."

Jiang Chuan entered the house. The furnishings were simple, but the house was very clean. The old man poured him a cup of hot tea, which Jiang Chuan accepted, saying gratefully, "Thank you, sir."

The two began to chat, and Jiang Chuan learned that due to the war in Heyang City, many men from families in this village had been conscripted to fight on the front lines. The old man's son was among them, and his fate remained unknown.

"This war has brought suffering to us ordinary people," the old man sighed, his face full of worry.

Jiang Chuan felt a pang of sadness. He recalled the ferocious beasts the wandering knights had been discussing at the front lines. "Old man," he said, "I've also heard that there are ferocious beasts at the front that can devour metal whole. Is that true?"

The old man nodded. "It's true. The wounded soldiers who came back said that the beast was huge, covered in black fur, and looked terrifying."

Jiang Chuan felt a chill run down his spine as he thought of the Zhu Yan recorded in "The Record of Strange Beasts of the Nine Provinces".

The Zhu Yan is an ancient ferocious beast; its appearance inevitably brings war and disaster. Now that it has appeared on the front lines, it seems the war is even more severe than he imagined.

The next day, Jiang Chuan bid farewell to the old man and continued his journey. The snowfall had lessened, but the snow on the road was still very thick, making it extremely difficult for the warhorse to walk. Jiang Chuan had to frequently dismount and lead the horse forward.

Finally, as night fell, Jiang Chuan saw the outline of Heyang City.

He felt a surge of excitement and quickened his pace. However, when he arrived at the city gate, he found it was already closed.

"Young man, the battle is intense, the city gates are closed, please come back tomorrow," the guard on the city wall called out.

Jiang Chuan had no choice but to stay at an inn outside the city.

That night, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep, thinking about the situation in Heyang City.

The next morning, Jiang Chuan got up early and went to the city gate. After being questioned by the guards, he finally entered Heyang City.

Upon entering the city, Jiang Chuan immediately sensed an atmosphere completely different from usual.

The once bustling streets have become deserted and quiet, with few pedestrians.

Occasionally, a few pedestrians would pass by, their expressions hurried. In the blacksmith shops of the city, the furnaces were brightly lit, and the blacksmiths were forging weapons with sweat pouring down their faces; in front of the apothecary pavilion, the wounded were going in and out, and the apothecaries were busy treating the wounded soldiers sent back from the front lines.

The Chamber of Commerce's carriages also shuttled back and forth on the streets, transporting supplies to the front lines.

Jiang Chuan was filled with mixed emotions; the war had profoundly changed the face of this city.

He thought of Prince Mu Chen and Princess Mu Qingling, wondering what their current situation was.

He decided to go to the Prince's residence first. When Jiang Chuan arrived at the Prince's residence, he found the gates tightly closed and the guards at the gate looking wary.

He stepped forward and identified himself. After the guard went inside to report, a short while later, a man who looked like a steward came out.

"Young Master Jiang, neither the heir nor the princess are in the manor. They have gone to the front lines to oversee the battle," the steward said.

Jiang Chuan's heart sank; he hadn't expected that Mu Chen and Mu Qingling would go to the front lines.

"Did they say when they'd be back?" he asked.

The butler shook his head. "No, the war is intense right now, and they probably won't be back for a while."

Jiang Chuan thanked the steward and turned to leave. He wandered aimlessly through the city, pondering what to do next. He knew he couldn't just sit idly by; he had to find a way to contribute to the war effort.

As Jiang Chuan walked, he came to a tavern. He went inside and found a corner to sit down.

The atmosphere in the tavern was also oppressive, with the patrons discussing the war in hushed tones.

"Have you heard? There seems to be some new activity from the Yan army. Although Wang Lang's army hasn't made a large-scale southward advance yet, their movements are very suspicious," said one of the drinkers.

"Yes, the situation is getting more and more complicated. I wonder when this war will end," another drinker chimed in.

Jiang Chuan's heart stirred; he recalled some news he had heard about various forces in the Dragon's Lair.

It seems that this war is no longer just a struggle between Heyang City and Weicheng, but involves many more forces.

He drank a few more cups of wine, and gradually an idea formed in his mind. He decided to first visit some江湖人士 (jianghu figures) in the city to see if he could get some useful information from them.

Jiang Chuan left the tavern and headed towards the gathering place of martial arts practitioners in the city.

Along the way, he saw many people displaced by the war and his heart was filled with sympathy.

When he arrived at the gathering place of martial arts practitioners, he found that there was a tense atmosphere there as well.

Those usually forthright and generous江湖人士 (jianghu figures) have become cautious and dare not easily discuss the war.

Jiang Chuan sought out a senior figure in the martial arts world whom he had met once before and asked him for information.

The senior sighed and said, "Young Master Jiang, the current situation is far too complicated. Various forces are secretly vying for power, and Heyang City is under immense pressure. Moreover, I've heard that some forces in the Southern Region are also stirring up trouble, wanting to take advantage of the chaos to seek their own interests."

Jiang Chuan was startled; he hadn't expected the forces of the Southern Region to be involved in this conflict. "Senior, what should we do? Are we just going to stand by and watch Heyang City fall into crisis?" he asked.

The senior shook his head. "There's only so much we martial artists can do. However, I've heard that some mysterious people have been appearing in the city recently. Their movements are very suspicious, and they might be related to this war. Young Master Jiang, if you have the chance, you might want to keep an eye out for them."

Jiang Chuan nodded, silently remembering his senior's words. He bid farewell to his senior and left the gathering place of martial arts practitioners.

On the somewhat deserted streets of Heyang City, Jiang Chuan, filled with worries and thoughts, slowly walked towards Tao Hongjing's courtyard.

The hustle and bustle of the city gradually faded from his ears, while the shadow of war and the conflicts of the martial world weighed heavily on his heart.

He knew all too well that the city was in a precarious situation.

Finally, he arrived at the familiar courtyard. Pushing open the door, he was met with silence and desolation.

The sword furnace was cold and desolate, devoid of its former roaring flames. The courtyard was covered with deep snow, as if it had been forgotten by the world.

A strange sense of loss welled up in Jiang Chuan's heart. He realized that this place was no longer the vibrant place he had left behind.

"Master, where have you gone?" Jiang Chuan murmured to himself, his voice echoing in the empty courtyard, but he received no response.

He bent down and began clearing the snow from the courtyard, each movement tinged with a sense of melancholy.

He knew that his master, Mu Chen, and Mu Qingling had all gone to the front lines, while he could only stay in the city, waiting for an unknown fate.

Just as he finished clearing the snow and was about to go back inside, he noticed two letters lying quietly on the table.

His heart suddenly raced, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. He picked up the first letter, the familiar handwriting on the envelope causing his hand to tremble slightly.

"Jiang Chuan, you left without saying goodbye. Did you ever think about how I felt? My brother and I have now gone to the front lines in Weicheng with the Duke. Our fate is uncertain. I only hope that you are well. If you have the chance, please come back safely." Jiang Chuan was filled with guilt after reading Mu Qingling's letter.

He recalled every moment he spent with Mu Qingling, that lively and cheerful princess, who was now in danger.

After putting down Mu Qingling's letter, Jiang Chuan picked up his master Xie Xuan's letter.

"Jiang Chuan, I have urgent business to attend to and must leave. You will remain in the city and wait, taking with you the jade token so I can sense your location. Do not act rashly; wait for my return." After reading the letter, Jiang Chuan fell into deep thought. He knew that his master's departure must have an important reason, and he had to obey his master's arrangements.

"It seems that for a while, it will just be the two of us keeping each other company." Jiang Chuan gently stroked Qing Lin's head, and Qing Lin happily twisted its body and made a clear chirping sound, as if responding to his words.

In this quiet courtyard, Qinglin's companionship brought Jiang Chuan a sense of warmth.

After finishing his sword practice, Jiang Chuan felt a little hungry. He decided to go out and buy some ingredients to treat himself.

Just as he was about to leave, a soft knock came at the door.

Jiang Chuan was taken aback. Who could be looking for him at this time?
He opened the door and saw Yu Youwei holding an oil-paper umbrella, standing quietly outside.

She wore a light blue long dress, the hem of which swayed gently in the breeze, like a lotus blooming in the snow.

"Miss Yu, what brings you here?" Jiang Chuan asked in surprise.

Yu Youwei smiled slightly, "Hearing of Young Master Jiang's return, I came to pay my respects." Her voice was as clear and melodious as a mountain spring.

Jiang Chuan invited Yu Youwei into the house. The house was a bit chilly, and Yu Youwei frowned slightly. "Young Master Jiang, this house is so cold. How about I warm some wine for you to warm you up?"

Before Jiang Chuan could respond, Yu Youwei had already skillfully begun warming the wine. Soon, a faint aroma of wine filled the room.

Jiang Chuan sat to the side, watching Yu Youwei's every move, his heart filled with doubt. Why did this mysterious woman suddenly come, and why was she being so attentive?
"Young Master Jiang, this is something I specially prepared for you." Yu Youwei took out an exquisite box from her sleeve and handed it to Jiang Chuan.

Jiang Chuan took the box, opened it, and saw a Xuan Snake Heart inside, emitting a faint glow. "This..." Jiang Chuan looked at Yu Youwei in surprise.

"Didn't Young Master Jiang want the heart of the Black Serpent? I went through some trouble and finally found it for you," Yu Youwei said with a smile. (End of Chapter)