After being chosen by the Ice Queen

The town awakens in the morning light, gradually sprouting new life.

On the second floor of the Yuelai Inn, Gu Yanzao finished his meditation. He stroked the cool, gleaming blade on his lap, reviewing the events of the previous night.

"Black Wind Gorge..." Gu Yan gazed out the window at the distant mountains shrouded in mist. The demons dwelling there could provide more nourishment for Huiming.

"Knock knock".

A light knock sounded on the door.

Gu Yan got up and opened the door. Standing outside was Zhao Xiaoqi, whom he had seen at the tavern the previous night.

He was still wearing that worn-out leather armor, with a standard long sword at his waist, standing straight like a taut javelin.

"I am Zhao Tie, a minor officer from Qingyan Town, and I have come here to pay my respects to you."

"My name is Gu Yan. Thank you for your trouble, Lord Zhao." Gu Yan stepped aside to gesture for the other party to enter the house. "Please."

Zhao Xiaoqi glanced at the next room, paused, and then closed the door behind him. He didn't sit down but stood in the center of the room, a few steps away from Gu Yan, subtly confronting him.

He cut to the chase: "Yesterday, Wang Youfu's caravan was attacked outside the town. Did you kill that dog demon?"

"It was a chance encounter, and I had no choice but to defend myself."

"What a fine 'self-defense' excuse," Zhao Tie said with a half-smile. "That dog demon was already quite formidable, with thick skin and a protective demonic aura. Even three or five ordinary martial artists with sufficient internal energy might not be able to defeat it. Brother Gu killed his enemy in one move; your skills are truly remarkable. I wonder which school you belong to? What kind of wondrous technique do you practice?"

"Brother Zhao is too kind. A mere dog demon is nothing special. I am just a wandering cultivator from the mountains who happened to inherit the legacy of my predecessors and practiced some rudimentary skills. I have no master to speak of. As for my techniques, they are nothing more than trivial skills for strengthening the body, defending against enemies, and protecting the path. They are unknown to anyone, and even if I told you, Lord Zhao might not know them."

"A rogue cultivator?" Zhao Tie's eyes sharpened further. "I heard that when Brother Gu made his move, his aura was quite unique, unlike ordinary internal energy, and even had a somewhat... eerie feel to it."

These words were almost a direct accusation. Gu Yan felt a slight chill in his heart, but his face remained calm: "There are countless paths to cultivation in the world, and it is common for their auras to be different. As an official in charge of imperial edicts, Lord Zhao, you are sensitive to unusual auras, which is understandable. I killed the dog demon to rid the world of a scourge. I am just a humble mountain dweller, please forgive my ignorance, I do not know what taboo of the dynasty I have violated."

Zhao Tie stared at Gu Yan for a few moments. Gu Yan's eyes were open and his breathing was steady. He suddenly changed the subject: "I heard that there is a young lady traveling with Brother Gu?"

"Yes, she is my junior sister, Su Wanqing," Gu Yan replied.

"Su Wanqing," Zhao Tie pronounced each word clearly, "Alright. However... Brother Gu's junior sister bears a striking resemblance to the Holy Maiden who sacrificed herself for the country ten years ago, causing quite a commotion among the caravan members who mistook her for her. Is Brother Gu aware of this?"

"Team Leader Wang did mention it yesterday." Gu Yan nodded. "There are people in the world who are similar, so it must be a coincidence. My junior sister has lived in the mountains for a long time and is not familiar with the ways of the world. Being addressed like that all of a sudden must have made her feel uneasy."

"A coincidence?" Zhao Tie took a half-step forward, an invisible pressure emanating from him, carrying an air of authority—the very aura of a dragon and tiger. "Brother Gu, do you know what a grave crime it is to impersonate the Holy Maiden? To desecrate the spirits of heroes and disturb the peace of the people—according to the law, one should be executed!"

Gu Yan could feel the oppressive aura emanating from the dragon and tiger energy, though it might be more effective against demons and ghosts. He remained calm: "Lord Zhao, you flatter me. My junior sister has never claimed to be a saintess, so how can there be any talk of impersonation? It's merely a matter of resemblance, leading others to mistake her for someone else. To punish her for this would be unfair. Moreover," he raised his eyes, meeting Zhao Tie's gaze, "whether my junior sister is related to the saintess is probably not something a mere garrison commander like Lord Zhao can definitively say, is it?"

These words, though seemingly gentle, carried a sharp edge. Zhao Tie's eyes turned cold; Gu Yan's words had indeed struck a nerve. His first reaction upon hearing the news yesterday was also one of vigilance. The Holy Maiden had been dead for ten years, and now a woman identical to her had appeared, accompanied by a man with bizarre skills and an unreadable aura. He was more inclined to believe this was a deliberate deception, or a test by regional warlords or demon clans dissatisfied with the court.

But Gu Yan's ability to slay the dog demon was undeniable. Without solid evidence and clear orders from his superiors, he dared not, and could not, act rashly. Last night, he went to investigate the woman Gu Yan had healed; the demonic energy at her wounds had vanished completely. The method… didn't seem like purification; it was more like the demon had been forcibly drawn away and devoured by some force. This was definitely not orthodox Taoist magic or imperial decree; it was more like the power of some evil cultivator or demon!

He was a cautious man and knew the consequences of alerting the enemy. He immediately reported in detail through special channels to his superior in Qingzhou Prefecture—the seventh-rank "Imperial Edict Banner Officer"—requesting that someone be sent to investigate. He also secretly ordered a news blackout, strictly forbidding the townspeople from discussing the Holy Maiden's affairs with outsiders.

"It is my duty to investigate any suspicious matters thoroughly." Zhao Tie toned down his imposing manner. "Since Brother Gu says it's a misunderstanding, then please, Miss Su, rest here peacefully and refrain from wandering around to avoid causing further trouble. As for your identities and backgrounds, I have already reported them to the prefectural government, and an official will come to verify them soon. In the meantime, I hope you two will cooperate and not leave Qingyan Town."

This was a disguised form of house arrest. Gu Yan understood, but nodded outwardly: "That's how it should be. My fellow disciples and I are new here and need time to get to know the local customs. We won't cause Lord Zhao any trouble."

Zhao Tie gave Gu Yan a deep look, and finally simply clasped his hands in a fist salute: "That's for the best. Wang Youfu has already settled the inn fees, so you two can rest assured and stay here. If you need anything, you can send a waiter to the patrol station to find me." After saying that, he turned and strode away without saying another word.

The footsteps faded into the distance. The door to the next room opened a crack, and Su Wanqing peeked out, her face pale. "He's gone? Does he... suspect us?"

"It's not just suspicion, it's basically certain we're involved." Gu Yan walked to the window, watching Zhao Tie's figure disappear around the street corner. "But he wasn't sure, so he chose to report it and keep us calm. For the next few days, we'll be 'protected' until the higher-ups arrive."

"What should we do then?"

"Wait. See how they verify your identity. This might not be a bad thing; at least it will give us access to information from higher levels of this dynasty. Until then..." He looked at Su Wanqing, "You should stay in your room as much as possible and avoid showing yourself. Leave everything else to me."

After sending Su Wanqing back to her room, Gu Yan paced back and forth. Zhao Tie's reaction was as expected; passively waiting was not his style. He needed more information and to prepare in advance. Improving his strength was always the top priority.

He still needs to personally investigate the demonic aura he sensed yesterday.