The three who were about to set out finished their preparations.

Since they were cooperating, Teacher Cheng politely introduced himself before they departed.

The bearded man and the flat-topped man returned the courtesy. One was named Brian, the other Ed.

The man staying behind in the castle to watch the luggage was called Erik.

Teacher Cheng produced a length of rope and handed it to Brian and Ed. “The blizzard outside is severe. If we tie the rope around our waists, we won’t get separated.”

Brian and Ed exchanged a glance and took the rope.

“…Not a bad idea.”

“Yeah, that works.”

After a few bland exchanges, they looked at Teacher Cheng. “So — shall we head out?”

“Yes, let’s go.” Cheng Weicai pulled up the hood of his down jacket and zipped it as high as it would go, bundling himself from head to toe. “Don’t worry about me. My age may be getting on a bit, but I’ll do my best to keep pace!”

The flat-topped man gave a slight twist of his mouth and said nothing, thinking: nobody’s worried about you.

Brian kept a natural expression and said offhandedly, “How old are you, if you don’t mind? You look in good shape.”

Cheng Weicai smiled warmly: “The old man of the clouds tills the Fusang tree, planting millet to feed the sun-crow. His hands have turned sixty cycles of the flower-stem, each loop flowing smooth as a rolling bead.”

Brian: “…”

Ed: “…”

Noticing their expressions, Cheng Weicai caught himself and quickly explained, “You’re foreigners, so naturally you won’t understand classical verse — but it’s not difficult to grasp. In our country, sixty years make one cycle, and that cycle is called a jiazi. So sixty years of age has an elegant name: flower-stem years. The line about hands turning sixty flower-stem cycles means…”

“Hey! Old man, we don’t have time for a lecture, alright?!” Ed said impatiently.

Brian gave Ed a gentle nudge with his elbow and smiled calmly. “Time is a little tight. That woman will be back soon to check on the seeds. Teacher Cheng, we’d better hurry.”

Cheng Weicai nodded quickly. “You’re right, you’re right — let’s make haste. We’ll leave right now.”

The three shouldered their packs and pulled open the castle’s great doors.

Frigid wind surged in at once! A wall of snowflakes came straight at their faces, and Ed immediately let out a curse!

It was freezing!

They had no transportation. Facing into the blizzard, they would have to walk on foot through the frozen sea to reach the city streets and find their supplies.

Thinking of the road ahead, each of them felt a flicker of dread — even the sharp-tongued Ed set aside any thoughts of mischief and only hoped the path would be smooth and manageable.

The frozen sea surface stretched out in an unbroken white expanse. Following the direction they had observed from the castle’s heights, they set off — and before long, were chilled to the bone.

Ed’s resolve began to crumble. He slowed in the wind and snow.

“Brian, maybe we should… maybe we should go back to the castle?” he said, shaking. “If we keep going like this, we’re going to freeze to death…”

Brian was faring no better, but he was even more reluctant to turn back empty-handed. “We searched every corner of that castle — nothing but ice! Do you think going back means you won’t freeze to death either?!”

Cheng Weicai had been walking at the rear, but as Brian and Ed slowed, he ended up at the front.

He tried to bolster their spirits. “Don’t give up! There’s always a way — the game won’t leave us with no path forward. Hey… have you noticed? The blizzard seems a little lighter than before?”

“Look, old man, can you please stop talking to us like we’re three-year-olds?” Ed was genuinely annoyed by his endlessly lecturing manner — buzzing around them like a fly that wouldn’t leave.

Brian paused, watching the snowflakes swirling ahead. “Actually… it does seem lighter.”

“What?” Ed blinked and looked up at the sky.

“I understand now.” Brian’s expression cleared. “The farther we get from that castle, the lighter the blizzard! Come on — let’s keep moving and test it!”

—