Three days after receiving news from the Northern Frontier,
Bai Rouyuan woke before dawn.
The world outside her window was wrapped in silver mist, but her hands were already busy.
She ground herbs. Measured powders. Boiled ointments.
Filtered medicinal oil drop by drop with the help of Wen Xiaoya.
Bai Yanyu stood beside her, organizing the bundles neatly.
"The horse courier leaves at noon," he reminded gently.
Rouyuan nodded, tying a silk ribbon around a jar of scar-soothing balm.
"Dad said his arm was only 'slightly bruised.' That usually means wounded to the bone."
Bai Yanyu sighed. "Dad never tells the truth about his injuries."
Wen Xianyi rushed in carrying rolls of embroidered cloth.
"I brought the prettiest wrapping!" she announced proudly.
"Ah Yuan's medicine should look beautiful!"
Rouyuan laughed softly behind her veil. "You're too excited, Ah Yi."
Wen Xianyi grinned. "I like helping!"
Together, the three children filled a wooden box with Cold-resistance pills, Anti-inflammatory salves, Wound-healing powder, Herbal incense to calm sleepless soldiers, Digestive pellets for rough rations, and Scented soap & perfume for Yunchen.
Bai Yanyu wrote: 'Ge, clean yourself even at war. Don't become a wild bear.'
Wen Xianyi burst into laughter. "He'll kill you when he returns!"
Bai Rouyuan gently added the final letter. 'Ge, stay alive. Come back safe. We are waiting.'
When the messenger lifted the crate onto his horse, Bai Rouyuan whispered: "Please reach him quickly."
The wind carried her prayer north.
Bai Yunchen's First Letter Arrives
Two days later, a Wen servant ran breathlessly into the courtyard.
"Young Miss Rouyuan! A letter—FROM YOUNG MASTER YUNCHEN!"
Rouyuan froze, heart leaping.
Bai Yanyu nearly tripped over his brush.
Wen Xianyi grabbed both of them.
"OPEN IT!!"
Bai Rouyuan opened the wax seal with trembling fingers.
The handwriting was steady, sharp, familiar.
To Ah Yuan, Xiao Yu, and Ah Yi,
I received your medicine.
I am well. Do not worry.
Thank you for the soap.
My tent smells better now, thanks to you, Ah Yuan.
(Xiao Yu, I am not a bear.)
The Northern Frontier is harsh.
But I will endure.
I must endure.
Tomorrow, I will meet the His Highness Prince Murong Yexuan.
The War God of the North.
He summoned all newly promoted commanders to his camp.
I do not know what he looks like.
Only that he is younger than me…
yet stronger than all of us.
Do not worry, Ah Yuan.
I will write again.
— Yunchen
Bai Rouyuan pressed the letter to her chest.
"He's safe," she whispered.
And yet—
Her brother was about to stand before a legend.
Meeting the War God
Snow hammered the Northern Frontier like blades.
Wind roared across the ice plains.
Bai Yunchen rode a horse at the front of His highness the Marshal Prince Murong Shaoheng's reinforcement unit, his eyes sharp, breath white in the cold.
Ahead, through the storm, massive black banners appeared.
A silver wolf emblem rippled in the wind— The War God's banner.
Prince Murong Shaoheng spoke calmly: "Bai Yunchen, remember this—Murong Yexuan is young, but he is no ordinary youth."
"Respect him, but do not fear him."
Bai Yunchen nodded.
He wasn't afraid.
Just… tense.
They approached the fortress gate—a towering stronghold of black steel and ice.
Soldiers kneeled as they passed.
"Welcome, Your Highness!"
"Welcome, Commander Bai!"
That guard enter the tent, "Your Highness, Marshal Prince Murong Shaoheng and Commander Bai Yunchen want to meet you."
And then—
A deep, steady voice echoed from within the fortress.
"Enter."
Bai Yunchen's breath stopped.
A figure stepped out of the fog.
Young.
Dressed in black armor.
Sword at his waist.
Cold eyes like winter stars.
Aura sharper than blades.
Marshal Prince Murong Yexuan.
He was only fifteen—three years younger than him,
yet the pressure he radiated felt like that of a seasoned war god.
He looked at Bai Yunchen.
Just one glance.
But it felt like being pierced through the soul.
"You are the one who led the defense at His Highness Prince Murong Shaoheng's camp?" His voice was calm, cold, emotionless.
Bai Yunchen saluted sharply. "Yes, Your Highness."
Murong Yexuan circled him once—like an eagle assessing another predator.
"Your stance is steady."
He stopped directly in front of Bai Yunchen.
"You have the eyes of someone who has seen death…but has not learned to fear it."
Bai Yunchen swallowed.
Murong Yexuan turned to Prince Murong Shaoheng.
"Uncle, you did well to bring him to me."
Murong Shaoheng smiled lightly. "He learns quickly."
Murong Yexuan nodded once. "Bai Yunchen."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"You will serve under me starting today."
Bai Yunchen stiffened. "…Under you, directly?"
Murong Yexuan's lips lifted in the faintest smirk.
"You are mine now."
"I will promote you to be my general under Snow Wolf Cavalry Unit."
"You will serve as my personal bodyguard."
Bai Yunchen choked on air.
Prince Murong Shaoheng coughed. "Perhaps rephrase, Yexuan—"
The War God ignored him.
He placed a hand on Bai Yunchen's shoulder. "You will not die. I won't allow it."
For the first time, Bai Yunchen felt something unexpected.
Safety. Trust. And the weight of destiny.
He bowed deeply. "I will serve with my life."
Murong Yexuan's cold eyes softened just a fraction. "We march at dawn. Stay close to me."
It was not a command.
It was a vow.