Snowy Night Timeless Love – Li Qin, Joseph Zeng
Snowy Night Timeless Love is a historical romance drama directed by Ren Haitao and Liang Shengquan, stars Li Qin and Joseph Zeng, featuring Wang Hongyi, Chen Haoshen, Zeng Keni, Shao Yuqi.
The drama is adapted from the novel of the same name by Cang Yue. It tells the story of Huo Zhanbai, who seeks medicine for a friend's son and meets Xue Ziye, the master of the Medicine Valley. Initially at odds due to their own obsessions, they gradually become kindred spirits. However, burdened by their respective responsibilities, they find it difficult to express their love, ultimately leading to a poignant separation.
Details
English Title: Snowy Night Timeless Love
Chinese Title: 七夜雪
Genre: Historical, Wuxia, Romance, Drama
Episodes: 32
Duration: 45 min.
Director: Ren Haitao, Liang Shengquan
Producer: Jiang Luyan, Yang Bei, Su Li, Wang Xiaoyan
Released Date: 2024-10-09
Broadcast Website: iQIYI, Croton MEGA HIT
Cast
Synopsis
The unruly swordsman Huo Zhanbai, who seeks medicine for his friend's child, meets the medicine master Xue Ziye, the leader of the Valley of Medicine.
Over eight years, the two develop feelings for each other. These two individuals with their strong beliefs go from being rivals to becoming close friends who deeply understand each other.
However, due to the responsibilities they each carry, they find it difficult to express their love, leading to a story of eternal separation between heaven and earth.
Recap
Xue Ziye once again returned to that nightmare of a night, where the massacre of Mo Family Village replayed before her eyes. She helplessly watched her younger self and Xue Huai jump into the lake. Waking up in shock from her bed, Xue Ziye breathed heavily and walked out. She placed the lantern aside and brushed away the snow on the icy surface, revealing Xue Huai’s body beneath. Despite the passing years, Xue Ziye still hadn’t uncovered the truth.
Meanwhile, Huo Zhanbai, one of the Seven Swords of the Dingjian Pavilion, was dueling on the shore with Xu Chonghua, the Sixth Sword. Xu Chonghua, having grievously injured several elders in a bid for the Pavilion Master's position, knew he had no way out and refused to return with Huo Zhanbai to face judgment. Although Huo Zhanbai, still moved by brotherly affection, tried to persuade him, Xu Chonghua remained stubborn.
He tossed away his sword and jumped off a steep cliff, leaving behind only one request: to take care of his wife and child. Dingjian Pavilion is the leader of the righteous martial sects, gathering elite members from various factions and uniting the eight great swords to protect the moral order of the martial world. In half a month, Huo Zhanbai was set to succeed as the Pavilion Master. The Fourth Sword, Xia Qianyu, was very displeased with this.
Huo Zhanbai never wanted to be the Pavilion Master, and the current Master had him locked up. But such trivial confinement couldn’t hold him for long. Huo Zhanbai escaped and planned to flee with the snow manta. However, it wasn’t long before the Pavilion Master, Nangong Yanqi, brought him back. Huo Zhanbai still couldn’t let go of Xu Chonghua’s death.
Others mistakenly believed he had killed Xu Chonghua, but Nangong Yanqi knew how deeply Huo Zhanbai cared for his sixth brother and would never have delivered the killing blow. Xu Chonghua’s death was not Huo Zhanbai’s fault, and Nangong Yanqi hoped he could let go of his inner conflict. At that moment, someone hurriedly reported that Xu Chonghua’s son, Mo’er, was in grave condition.
Xu Chonghua’s wife, Qiu Shuiyin, cradled Mo’er and desperately pleaded with the doctor and Nangong Yanqi, mistakenly thinking Huo Zhanbai was ignoring them. The doctor had no solution for Mo’er’s illness, and they thought of Xue Ziye, the master of the Medicine Valley. However, to obtain her treatment, they would need the Huitian Token and 100,000 gold as payment.
The fee was manageable, but the Huitian Token was a rare life-saving talisman that everyone in the martial world sought to possess. Huo Zhanbai stepped forward, promising to retrieve the token and made an agreement with Qiu Shuiyin to arrive at Medicine Valley before New Year’s Eve. In today’s martial world, good and evil are divided, but Medicine Valley remains neutral, revered by all for its miraculous healing arts.
Though located in the far northern Mohe, the valley is warmed year-round by hot springs that have flowed for millennia, creating a landscape of distinct seasons. The valley is divided into four pavilions representing spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Today was New Year’s Eve, the liveliest day in the valley. Rumors spread outside that the master of Medicine Valley was greedy and lustful, and after the affair with Xuanyuan Sanguang, people even said she was a gambler.
Yet Xue Ziye paid no mind. This year, only nine of the ten Huitian Tokens had been returned, and it seemed the last one would go unused. On New Year’s Eve, everyone gathered noisily in front of Xue Ziye, asking for rewards and playing the “Feihua Game. ” As usual, Xue Ziye spent the holiday alone and slipped away unnoticed. She drank alone, gazing at the solitary moon in the sky.
Granny Ning draped a cloak over her and advised her to let go of the past, but Xue Ziye’s eyes remained filled with sorrow. Midnight was approaching, and Xue Ziye closed the gate, hoping that whoever had the final Huitian Token was safe. Suddenly, a sword flew through the air—it was Huo Zhanbai’s "Mo Soul Sword. " Shortly after, Huo Zhanbai arrived on horseback. He had resorted to this drastic measure upon seeing Xue Ziye closing the gate.
Xue Ziye didn’t reveal her true identity and instead teased Huo Zhanbai. But to her surprise, Huo Zhanbai recognized who she was. The rumors of Medicine Valley’s master being greedy and lustful seemed true regarding the latter. Xue Ziye’s face turned cold, and she ordered him to leave. With Qiu Shuiyin and Mo’er still on their way, Huo Zhanbai had no choice but to stall for time.
However, Xue Ziye’s rules could not be bent, and she turned back to close the gate. In desperation, Huo Zhanbai broke the gate to Medicine Valley, only to face the fierce wind and snow stone formation at the entrance. People scoffed at his arrogance, as no one had ever succeeded in passing the formation. Huo Zhanbai removed his coat and re-entered the formation, destroying it.
The people around Xue Ziye grew highly alert, warning that if he took another step, he would not leave alive. Yet Huo Zhanbai did not advance. Instead, he knelt before the gate, begging Xue Ziye to come out and treat Mo’er, offering himself at her command. Xue Ziye understood that he only wanted to prove that man could defy fate. If he truly wanted to break through, no one could stop him.
The sound of galloping horses approached, and the person Huo Zhanbai was willing to sacrifice his life for finally arrived. Xue Ziye asked him, “Is it truly worth doing something you know is impossible? ” Huo Zhanbai replied, “How can you know it’s impossible without trying? ” Qiu Shuiyin knelt in front of Xue Ziye, holding Mo’er and begging for help.
Xue Ziye mistook him for the child’s father, but Huo Zhanbai clarified that while Mo’er was not his biological son, he cared for him as if he were. Xue Ziye glanced at the crying baby in Qiu Shuiyin’s arms and finally accepted the first Huitian Token of the year.
Under Xue Ziye's treatment, Mo’er woke up again. Qiu Shuiyin and Huo Zhanbai finally breathed a sigh of relief. Xue Ziye explained that Mo’er was a premature baby, inherently weak and gravely ill, but she had a method to save him. However, they could not step inside for three days. As a mother, Qiu Shuiyin was reluctant to part with her child, and Huo Zhanbai tried to probe her decision.
Xue Ziye's stance was firm; if they were unwilling, they should leave the mountain immediately. Xue Ziye arranged for Huo Zhanbai and Qiu Shuiyin to stay on the mountain, respecting Huo Zhanbai's righteousness. Qiu Shuiyin kept vigil day and night at the medicine stove, while Xue Ziye discussed the day’s events with Xue Huai. Huo Zhanbai had risked everything to save Mo’er, just as Xue Huai had once done for her.
This day marked the anniversary of Huo Zhanbai's brotherhood with Xu Chonghua. In previous years, they would drink together under the moonlight, but now, Huo Zhanbai sat alone, drinking to the lonely moon. Xue Ziye wore a gift from Xue Huai, praying day and night for his recovery. Huo Zhanbai accidentally entered the forbidden area of Medicine Valley. Upon seeing his pale face, Xue Ziye remarked that the scenery was too beautiful to be restricted.
She glared at him in anger, and Huo Zhanbai quickly left. As dawn approached, Qiu Shuiyin remained outside the door, unwilling to leave, ignoring Huo Zhanbai’s concerns. Xue Ziye got up early to fetch rootless water, and Huo Zhanbai followed her, worried for her safety. Xue Ziye bluntly stated that the rootless water had nothing to do with Mo’er, yet Huo Zhanbai still insisted on helping. Noticing that someone had moved her chess pieces, Xue Ziye realized someone had been there.
She had played chess with this person for years without ever meeting. Three days had passed, and Xue Ziye suddenly learned that something was wrong in the medicine lodge. Anxiously, Qiu Shuiyin rushed in, only to find that Mo’er had lost his breath. Xue Ziye couldn't figure out what had gone wrong.
Qiu Shuiyin angrily accused Xue Ziye of killing her child, but Xue Ziye soon discovered that it was Qiu Shuiyin who had disobeyed her orders and given him water. Xue Ziye ultimately decided to take Mo’er to the ice cave, hoping for a chance at survival. Qiu Shuiyin tightly held onto Mo’er, reluctant to cause him further distress, but after much consideration, Huo Zhanbai handed Mo’er over to Xue Ziye. The ice cave was freezing.
Xue Ziye instructed everyone to leave, even though she suffered from a cold ailment herself. Trouble arose at the valley entrance when Xuanyuan Sanguang caused a disturbance, and they captured Lanlan outside the gate. As everyone was at a loss, Huo Zhanbai stepped forward. Xuanyuan Sanguang, with a filthy mouth, insulted him as Xue Ziye's wild man kept in the valley. Unable to endure it, Huo Zhanbai cleaned up the mess.
Xue Ziye, ignoring her cold, treated Mo’er, and miraculously saved him, but she fainted from her ailment. Huo Zhanbai took her to the Summer Garden to recover, but when Xue Ziye opened her eyes, she pushed him away, and they began to struggle in the water. Huo Zhanbai restrained her blood vessels to transfer his internal energy, but when Xue Ziye emerged, she slapped him hard and called him ugly, leaving Huo Zhanbai feeling even more wronged.
Xue Ziye risked herself to save Mo’er, but he hadn’t fully recovered, likely due to Qiu Shuiyin feeding him milk. Ultimately, the child would still suffer from severe illness.
Xue Ziye called Huo Zhanbai and Qiu Shuiyin to come. Before Qiu Shuiyin arrived, Huo Zhanbai sensed that she was about to discuss Mo’er’s condition. He pleaded with her to tell him first, explaining that Qiu Shuiyin had been exhausted and couldn't bear another blow. Hearing this, Xue Ziye bluntly said that Mo’er’s illness was beyond saving. Huo Zhanbai didn’t believe it at first, as Mo’er had improved significantly in the past two days.
However, Xue Ziye explained that from the very beginning, Mo’er’s illness was incurable. She had only tried her best, but without her efforts, Mo’er wouldn’t have survived this long. Qiu Shuiyin, who had been eavesdropping from outside the door, was devastated by what she overheard. Huo Zhanbai decided to pack up and take Mo’er to seek out another renowned doctor, and he begged Xue Ziye not to reveal the truth to Qiu Shuiyin, leaving her with a shred of hope.
Xue Ziye advised Huo Zhanbai to make a clean break and stop wasting energy, but Huo Zhanbai was determined not to give up and vowed to take care of both Qiu Shuiyin and Mo’er. Back in the room, Qiu Shuiyin wept uncontrollably as she looked at Mo’er, still swaddled in his blanket. She had broken her promise and fed Mo’er milk. Leaving Mo’er behind, Qiu Shuiyin left alone.
Huo Zhanbai noticed that the ring her master’s wife had left for her was placed next to Mo’er, which immediately raised his suspicions. Rushing to the back mountain, he found Qiu Shuiyin sitting at the edge of a cliff. She blamed herself, believing that if she hadn’t fed Mo’er, they wouldn’t be in this situation. In despair, she jumped off the cliff, pleading with Huo Zhanbai not to let Mo’er suffer through life in such pain.
Huo Zhanbai quickly jumped after her, saving Qiu Shuiyin with all his strength but falling into the ravine himself. Xue Ziye arrived and immediately took Qiu Shuiyin back to care for her, while sending people to search for Huo Zhanbai at the bottom of the cliff. Huo Zhanbai was eventually found, but he was severely injured. His condition was worsened by the internal energy he had transferred to Xue Ziye earlier.
Xue Ziye devoted herself to treating him, considering it a way to repay the debt. In Yuan Yi Palace, Zhang Wujue, the sect leader, had been hiding in the Western Kunlun region for many years, secretly practicing a brutal and powerful martial art. His five infamous disciples were notorious, and now they were returning, aiming to dominate the martial world. In the Asura Arena of Yuan Yi Palace, today’s order was to kill everyone around them except for themselves.
As soon as the command was given, chaos ensued, with everyone fighting for survival. Only Tong stood still at first, eventually joining the battle. Faced with vicious Tibetan mastiffs, Tong unleashed an astonishing power, and in the end, only two people remained. They were summoned to meet the sect leader. Several days passed, and Huo Zhanbai still hadn’t woken up. Xue Ziye heard him murmur about his junior sister and "Sixth Brother" in his delirium.
His mind had suffered severe trauma, preventing him from regaining consciousness. Qiu Shuiyin began recounting the events between Xu Chonghua and Huo Zhanbai. She had always wished for Huo Zhanbai to kill Xu Chonghua, believing that he didn’t care about Xu Chonghua’s fate. Now, she realized that wasn’t the case. Huo Zhanbai’s desperate attempts to save Mo’er reminded her of her past self. Back then, to save Xue Huai, she sought out Master Liao Qingran.
Late at night, Xue Ziye went to the library to search for information when she suddenly heard the news of Huo Zhanbai’s condition. He had severely damaged his heart meridians. Xue Ziye immediately performed acupuncture to save him, continuously telling him that she had found a way to save Mo’er and that only he could help. Just as she finished speaking, Huo Zhanbai woke up, having been unconscious for three months.
Qiu Shuiyin, who had been keeping watch outside, finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw he had awakened. Tong was brought before the sect leader, but he refused to kneel. Zhang Wujue gave them a choice: only one person could remain by his side. If both of them survived, they would be sent down the mountain. As dawn approached, the other person hadn’t attacked Tong, hoping to leave at daybreak and forget everything.
But Tong used his eyes to control the man, forcing him to take his own life. In Tong’s view, no one could be trusted, and naive people deserved to die.
Huo Zhanbai specifically went to find Xue Ziye to thank her. Previously, he had many misunderstandings about Xue Ziye, but seeing how wholeheartedly she worked to save the three of them, he realized she was a person who may appear cold on the outside but has a warm heart. His gratitude was sincere, but his request for the prescription was also genuine. Xue Ziye simply told him to wait until the next day.
She had already written the prescription but wasn’t sure if it could save anyone. After much consideration, Xue Ziye handed the prescription to Huo Zhanbai and Qiu Shuiyin. However, the five medicinal ingredients required by the prescription were scattered across the farthest reaches of the world, making it incredibly difficult to gather. Despite the immense challenges, Huo Zhanbai and Qiu Shuiyin still saw it as a glimmer of hope. Huo Zhanbai and Qiu Shuiyin decided to descend the mountain.
Xue Ziye told him she wouldn’t take back his Revitalization Token for now, but would do so once he gathered all five ingredients. Qiu Shuiyin had no intention of returning to the Dingjian Pavilion, knowing that going back would only bring more sorrow. She decided to take Mo’er to Xu Chonghua’s residence, as she knew Huo Zhanbai couldn’t take care of them forever. However, Huo Zhanbai was extremely serious about his promises.
As long as Mo’er wasn’t better, he wouldn’t consider anything else. Qiu Shuiyin apologized again, admitting that ever since Xu Chonghua left, she had harbored resentment in her heart, and she hoped Huo Zhanbai wouldn’t hold it against her. At Longmen Village, Xue Ziye was leading a group on a medical outreach mission and happened to encounter Huo Zhanbai.
Unexpectedly, Xue Ziye not only provided free medical consultations but also gave out free medicine and even helped the villagers’ children travel to the capital to take the imperial exam. The villagers were deeply grateful to her. Seeing this, Huo Zhanbai thought to himself that the rumors about her being greedy and lustful were rather amusing. Passing by a small shop, Huo Zhanbai treated a woman’s sprained ankle.
Her parents wanted to give him some food in return, but he quickly left on horseback. Miao Huo had Tong thoroughly washed and brought before Zhang Wujue. Zhang Wujue appointed Tong as the top assassin of Yuan Yi Palace and bestowed upon him a sword. Tong’s eye technique could manipulate others' minds, and Zhang Wujue wanted him to retrieve a precious treasure and reach a new level of mastery.
Zhang Wujue sought someone truly cold-hearted and ruthless, and now, Tong had become the most resilient weapon in his hand. When Tong was a child, Zhang Wujue had sealed three golden needles inside his body to lock away his past memories. Xue Ziye was sweeping snow off the memorial tombs. Everyone here was her family, and for all these years, she had personally taken care of this task, never allowing anyone else to help.
On the night of the Mo Family Village massacre, the entire village was slaughtered. After so many years, Xue Ziye had been investigating the truth behind that night. The poison on the dagger was the only clue, and she believed that one day the truth would come to light. A Jing, the head of the Shiyue Sect, led a group to the Pharmacist Valley, bringing with her the Revitalization Token and a payment of 100,000 taels for medical treatment.
The rule of the Pharmacist Valley was that only patients could enter, so A Jing dismissed her followers and entered alone. Upon meeting Xue Ziye, A Jing didn’t immediately ask for treatment. Xue Ziye quickly noticed that she showed signs of poisoning. Only then did A Jing speak seriously, admitting that Xue Ziye, as the master of the Pharmacist Valley, had remarkable skills and that her efforts to obtain the Revitalization Token were not in vain.
A Jing requested a few days' rest before undergoing treatment, but Xue Ziye was strict about her rules, leaving A Jing no choice but to comply. Huo Zhanbai and Tong passed by each other, coming from different paths but aiming for the same goal. Huo Zhanbai arrived at the Shiyue Sect, where the mountain was filled with miasma. He had to seal off his heart meridians before proceeding. Meanwhile, Tong also arrived at the same place.
Inside the ancient tomb of the Shiyue Sect, Huo Zhanbai immediately spotted the item he was searching for. Xue Ziye, having drugged A Jing unconscious, questioned her about the poisonous toad sand, asking if it was unique to the Shiyue Sect. A Jing confirmed this and also recalled hearing the previous sect leader’s plans to attack the Mo Family Village.
However, A Jing wasn’t sure whether the extermination of the Mo Family Village had truly been carried out by the Shiyue Sect. Huo Zhanbai retrieved the Lingzhi mushroom but also triggered the mechanisms inside the ancient tomb.
Xue Ziye was eager to learn the truth about the village massacre from A Jing, but A Jing’s emotions seemed unstable. In the midst of shouting, she suddenly woke up, forcing Xue Ziye to put away her own feelings. Meanwhile, Huo Zhanbai and Tong were fighting fiercely over the Lingzhi mushroom, locked in a deadly struggle.
Realizing that continuing like this was futile, as they were evenly matched, Huo Zhanbai summoned the snow ray and ordered it to carry the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi away. Just as Tong was about to chase after it, Miao Feng suddenly arrived and stopped him, claiming that Tong had been away too long and had failed his mission. He was no longer of any use.
Tong wanted to kill Huo Zhanbai before returning to face punishment, but Miao Feng warned that he could not disobey the orders of the sect leader. Xue Ziye was convinced that the truth of the village massacre was deeply connected to the Shiyue Sect. She once again used a mind-numbing incense to question A Jing, but A Jing had already realized something was off and had long since taken control of the Pharmacist Valley.
The poison in her body, she believed, must have been given to her by Xue Ziye. Xue Ziye did not deny it and could only give her the antidote. Xue Ziye merely hoped to learn the truth before her death, so she could die without regrets. A Jing told her that the Shiyue Sect had nothing to do with the massacre.
Although the sect had intended to take action against Mo Family Village, the village had already been destroyed before they had the chance. A Jing, moved by Xue Ziye's persistence, still intended to make a move against her. Fortunately, Xue Ziye had anticipated this, and everything that had happened earlier was merely an illusion. Xue Ziye did not want A Jing’s life and let her go, but she made her take her poison.
Xue Ziye would send the antidote regularly, only asking her to keep the secret of Mo Family Village. Now, without a clear direction, Xue Ziye felt lost. A Jing returned and told Xue Ziye that the Shiyue Sect had gathered a lot of intelligence, and she would return to check their records to see if there were any clues about Mo Family Village.
Xue Ziye was touched and revealed the truth: she had not poisoned A Jing but had given her a tonic instead. After this, Xue Ziye shared the story of her connection with Mo Family Village. She was not originally from the village, but it had become her second home. Years ago, after her mother was killed, the parents of Xue Huai took her in.
Over the course of seven years, they treated Xue Ziye like their own daughter, helping her to forget the pain of losing her mother. However, on the night of the massacre, Xue Huai tried to help her escape, but they fell into an icy river. When she woke up again, Xue Huai was motionless. A Jing, who had also experienced loss, felt a deep connection to Xue Ziye’s story.
A Jing, having been the Holy Maiden of the Shiyue Sect since childhood, had neither family nor friends, until she met someone with whom she had planned to run away and live a peaceful life. However, that person was killed. A Jing and Xue Ziye, both emotional people, became sworn sisters. Xue Ziye invited A Jing to stay an extra night in the valley to recover. The snow ray had already flown back to the Pharmacist Valley early.
The next morning, Huo Zhanbai also arrived, bringing the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi. The snow ray had already delivered it to the valley. Upon hearing this, Xue Ziye hurried back to the valley, as the head of the Shiyue Sect, A Jing, was still there! When A Jing discovered the sacred object of the Shiyue Sect in the Pharmacist Valley, her expression changed.
Xue Ziye and Huo Zhanbai rushed to the scene, but A Jing mistakenly believed that it was all part of Xue Ziye’s scheme. Although A Jing trusted Xue Ziye, as the leader of the Shiyue Sect, she had to give her disciples an explanation. She poured two cups of poisoned wine—one cup contained a deadly poison, while the other would not harm one's life.
Huo Zhanbai drank both cups, saying that since the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi was what he had sought, it had nothing to do with Xue Ziye. Xue Ziye didn’t have time to stop him and was quite angry. In truth, A Jing’s earlier threats had been bluffs, and it wasn’t as serious as she had claimed. However, Huo Zhanbai had already been poisoned by the poisonous toad sand while at the Shiyue Sect, and now he couldn’t hold on any longer.
Xue Ziye hurriedly took Huo Zhanbai into the medicinal hut for treatment. Seeing that the poison had already reached his lungs, she struggled to save him, but eventually managed to bring him back from the brink of death. A Jing wasn’t angry. In fact, she admired Huo Zhanbai for being an upright and honorable man. Huo Zhanbai had finally left behind the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi, but Xue Ziye knew that the prescription she had written might be completely useless.
It had been a temporary solution, but she hadn’t expected Huo Zhanbai to risk his life to get it. Xue Ziye didn’t know whether to tell him the truth. The old woman told her that the prescription was Huo Zhanbai’s hope. Miao Feng, who was playing chess with Xue Ziye, admired her strategy. Miao Shui, following along, found his actions rather curious but didn’t forget to remind him to return to the sect leader as soon as possible. Xue Ziye noticed that the chessboard had been tampered with and complimented him on his clever moves.
Huo Zhanbai unexpectedly woke up early after much turmoil, which surprised Xue Ziye. Xue Ziye, however, wasted no time in demanding that Huo Zhanbai pay double for her medical services. Huo Zhanbai was left speechless, especially when Xue Ziye started calculating the fees with an abacus. His heart ached at the thought of the cost but he could only try to appeal to her emotions.
Xue Ziye’s high charges were actually to support Pharmacist Valley, where the residents were mostly orphans. Seeing Xue Ziye drink the valley’s finest wine, Huo Zhanbai couldn’t resist asking for a cup as well, but Xue Ziye stopped him, explaining that the wine was extremely nourishing, and Huo Zhanbai’s body couldn’t handle it.
Refusing to give in, Huo Zhanbai intended to drink the wine and then head off in search of the next medicinal ingredient, unaware that his body hadn’t fully recovered. Xue Ziye noticed the jade pendant at Huo Zhanbai’s waist and wanted it as payment, but it was too important to him to be used that way. Xue Ziye then came up with another idea to settle the debt.
Huo Zhanbai became Xue Ziye’s living model for teaching the others, and having a real person made it much easier for Xue Ziye to demonstrate acupuncture. However, Huo Zhanbai found himself embarrassed in front of everyone. Xue Ziye, taking personal revenge, rendered Huo Zhanbai unable to speak or move for an hour. Yet, she didn’t expect Huo Zhanbai, with his strong internal power, to break free from the pressure points early.
Not only did he learn the three acupuncture points she had just taught, but he used them on her, immobilizing her and sitting next to her to enjoy the sun, which made Xue Ziye grit her teeth in frustration. In the icy wilderness, Tong lay on the verge of death, but Miao Xue, seeing him in such a state, had no intention of helping and instead laughed and mocked him.
When the sect leader learned about Miao Feng playing chess with Xue Ziye, he became furious and withheld Miao Feng’s antidote for the Ice Silkworm Poison this month. Miao Feng, once a member of the Sang royal family, had been brought back by the sect leader and taught secret techniques, but was also afflicted with Ice Silkworm Poison.
The poison felt like thousands of ants gnawing at his heart when it acted up, but despite Miao Xue’s intention to watch his suffering, Miao Feng remained unmoved. Xue Ziye realized that her hairpin was missing and thought she must have accidentally dropped it in the snow. That hairpin was a gift from Xue Huai, and she had not taken it off for many years. Late at night, Xue Ziye hurried out to search for it.
Huo Zhanbai came to say goodbye, but she ignored him. When he caught up to her, he noticed she was searching for something, so he quietly lit the path ahead to illuminate her way. Xue Ziye, seeing the road lit by wind lanterns, was momentarily lost in thought. A Jing and Huo Zhanbai were both preparing to leave.
Xue Ziye asked Huo Zhanbai to escort A Jing, reminding him that since he had been staying in her valley for free, he ought to do something in return. Huo Zhanbai repeatedly apologized to A Jing and mentioned their encounter with Tong, noting that he seemed determined to obtain the Lingzhi. A Jing replied that the Lingzhi had already been used, and it was now useless for anyone to try and steal it.
She also revealed that the Lingzhi had been used to save Xue Ziye’s beloved. Huo Zhanbai misunderstood, and late that night returned to the cold spring of Pharmacist Valley, where through the ice he saw Xue Huai. Xue Ziye rushed to the scene after hearing about it and demanded that he leave immediately. Huo Zhanbai questioned her about the whereabouts of the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi, suspecting that she had used it to save someone who was already dead.
Xue Ziye was deeply hurt by his words and, in a hysterical outburst, drove him away. The misunderstanding deepened, but Feng Lv, who was always blunt, took Huo Zhanbai to see the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi. The plant was missing a piece, which had been used to save Huo Zhanbai that day. Not only that, but Huo Zhanbai kept provoking Xue Ziye, insisting that Xue Huai was dead, which enraged Xue Ziye.
The old woman also came to persuade him, explaining that everyone knew the person under the ice was dead, and even Xue Ziye understood this, but she refused to face it and didn’t need anyone else to point it out. Learning the truth, Huo Zhanbai wanted to apologize to Xue Ziye but, after thinking it over, decided it was better to leave since she was still furious. Unable to apologize in person, Huo Zhanbai wanted to do something to make amends.
Upon learning that Huo Zhanbai had already left, Xue Ziye guessed that others had spoken too much again, because if Huo Zhanbai hadn’t figured out the matter with the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi, he wouldn’t have left. Ning Granny protected the others and also comforted Xue Ziye. Xue Ziye, though stubborn, claimed that the matter was over, but she was still worried about whether she could find the Silver Bell Hairpin.
When Xue Ziye went to the snow to search for the hairpin, she happened to find Huo Zhanbai lying in the snow, meticulously looking for it as well. He was startled when he saw her. Huo Zhanbai intended to apologize, but as the weather in the valley was unpredictable, before they could say much, the wind and snow intensified. Xue Ziye's expression changed, and she hurriedly tried to leave, but it soon became impossible to move forward.
The two had no choice but to take shelter in a cave. Xue Ziye told Huo Zhanbai to take off his cloak and gave it to herself, hiding in a corner, grumbling that every time she met him, nothing good happened, and now they were trapped in the snowstorm. Huo Zhanbai apologized for the Seven-Leaf Lingzhi incident, and Xue Ziye, feeling somewhat guilty, acknowledged that she shouldn’t have hidden the truth from him.
Xue Ziye’s cold affliction acted up, and her coughing worsened. Seeing this, Huo Zhanbai braved the storm to gather some firewood and lit a fire to warm her up. The sky had already turned dark outside, and the storm raged on, making it impossible for them to leave.
Xue Ziye was worried that Ning Granny and the others would come looking for her, but Huo Zhanbai reassured her, saying that they knew she was out searching for the hairpin and might have guessed that the two of them were together. Besides, with Ning Granny in charge back in the valley, there shouldn’t be any problems. In the valley, Xue Ziye was still shivering. Huo Zhanbai pulled out a flask of wine, suggesting it could ward off the cold.
Speaking of "Xiao Hongchen" wine, Huo Zhanbai teased Xue Ziye about being stingy, and the two bantered back and forth. Xue Ziye had long noticed that Qiu Shuiyin was the one Huo Zhanbai truly loved, and though he denied it, Xue Ziye knew better. She handed the wine to Huo Zhanbai, noticing that he seemed cold too. Sharing a flask of wine, they could now consider each other friends.
Huo Zhanbai then shared his story with Xue Ziye, telling her about him and Qiu Shuiyin. Orphaned at a young age, Huo Zhanbai had been taken in by the Tianshan Sect, but he never expected Qiu Shuiyin to leave and marry Xu Chonghua. Later, when he went to Dingjian Pavilion, he unexpectedly reunited with Qiu Shuiyin there. Now that Xu Chonghua was gone, Qiu Shuiyin and Mo'er were the closest children to him.
Xue Ziye, feeling a bit drowsy, listened as Huo Zhanbai told stories to pass the time, and she began to think of Xue Huai. Xue Huai had saved her twice—first by giving her a home, and the second time by sacrificing his life to save her. Xue Ziye had worked hard to master medicine, all in the hope of waking Xue Huai.
Yet, sometimes, she was also afraid—the storm was so fierce that she feared she wouldn’t survive until that day. Xue Ziye was growing weaker, and Huo Zhanbai made a solemn promise that he would never let anything happen to her. After saying that, Huo Zhanbai went to the cave entrance and used his body to block the cold for her. The next morning, Huo Zhanbai was covered in snow and was woken up by the call of a snow ray.
Xue Ziye was still sound asleep. Huo Zhanbai quickly rushed to her side to confirm she was still breathing. The fire on the ground had long gone out. He carried Xue Ziye on his back and started making his way back to Pharmacist Valley. Unfortunately, they slipped, and Huo Zhanbai used his body to protect her. During that moment, Xue Ziye finally stirred, murmuring Xue Huai’s name in her sleep.
As Xue Ziye’s breathing weakened, Huo Zhanbai sent the snow ray to find help, while he channeled his internal energy into her. Finally, people from Pharmacist Valley arrived. With Ning Granny’s help, Xue Ziye was pulled back from the brink of danger. Ning Granny was also very grateful to Huo Zhanbai, acknowledging that it was thanks to his protection that Xue Ziye was able to escape this ordeal.
The next morning, as usual, Xue Ziye went to collect dew and noticed the equipment Huo Zhanbai had made for her to collect the dew. It saved her a lot of time, and she couldn’t help but think that this “Number One Swordmaster of the Central Plains” was also pretty good at woodworking! Huo Zhanbai planned to head to Yangzhou to seek medicine and came to bid farewell to Xue Ziye.
Over the past few days, Huo Zhanbai had been avoiding her, not coming to see her, so Xue Ziye took the opportunity to throw a few sarcastic remarks at him. She gave him a flask of "Xiao Hongchen" wine as a way of returning the wine they had shared in the cave and reminded him not to come back if he got seriously injured again, saying she didn’t have the energy to take care of him.
Fetching the Qingluan Flower was indeed challenging. The last time it was easier because A Jing wasn’t at the sect, which was a bit of a stroke of luck, but this second ingredient was truly difficult. The snow ray returned, bringing something to Xue Ziye along with a letter. Huo Zhanbai, on the day he tried to wake Xue Ziye, had lied by saying the wooden branch in the snow was her hairpin.
To make amends, he crafted a wooden hairpin for her. As Xue Ziye carefully examined the wooden hairpin in her hand, she realized that Huo Zhanbai’s woodworking in the courtyard that day had been for this. While on the road, Huo Zhanbai ran into a couple he had once helped, and he greeted them warmly as Brother and Sister Meng. They invited him to stay for a drink.
Meanwhile, A Jing returned to the sect to investigate the matters of Mo Family Village, but the records had already been corroded, leaving her in a difficult situation. How could she explain this to Xue Ziye? Miao Huo came to find Tong, as the Sect Leader instructed him to make amends for his previous failures. If this mission failed again, the consequences would be unimaginable. Along his journey, Huo Zhanbai stopped by to visit Qiu Shuiyin and Mo'er.
A few years had passed, and Mo'er had grown a bit older and was now able to speak. Mo'er was reluctant to take his medicine, so Huo Zhanbai helped Qiu Shuiyin coax him into drinking it. After seeing the two, Huo Zhanbai prepared to resume his journey to find the medicine, and Qiu Shuiyin reminded him to be cautious on his trip to Yangzhou.
When Huo Zhanbai arrived in Yangzhou City, he saved an old man who had fallen into the water, but the old man was ungrateful. He had fallen into debt due to illness, and his daughter had been sold to a brothel. Huo Zhanbai told the old man that instead of seeking death, he should focus on how to save his daughter.
Huo Zhanbai inquired about the location of the brothel and coincidentally found his senior brothers there, smashing the place with the intention of rescuing the girls forced into prostitution. The madam was unwilling to release them, so Huo Zhanbai tore up the contracts and gave her some silver. Only after Liu Feifei, the famous painter, spoke up did the madam agree to let the girls go.
Huo Zhanbai reunited the girl, Ting’er, with her father and gave them some silver to help them live a better life. Huo Zhanbai met up with two of his brothers for a small gathering. They were there to capture Qin Tiancheng, a traitor from Yuanyi Palace, who had stolen the Qingluan Flower from Baiyun Palace. Huo Zhanbai pretended to offer his assistance and subtly inquired about the whereabouts of the Qingluan Flower.
The Sect Master gave them some clues, but neither of them could make sense of it. After examining the situation, Huo Zhanbai realized that it was connected to Liu Feifei, but he first needed to divert his two brothers. The fourth brother was reluctant to work with Huo Zhanbai, still holding a grudge over matters involving Xu Chonghua. The group parted on poor terms, but Huo Zhanbai didn’t expect that they would leave without settling the bill.
Short on money, Liu Feifei ended up paying for his drink. She expressed that she also wanted to rescue those girls, but being entrenched in the mundane world, she couldn’t act herself. The payment for the drink was her way of thanking him. As night fell and lanterns were lit, Tong was lurking in the shadows. Huo Zhanbai arrived at the brothel to listen to music, and sure enough, Qin Tiancheng and the people from Yuanyi Palace were meeting there.
Qin Tiancheng had defected because he was unwilling to be just one of the Seven Stars—he wanted to be the only one. When Qin Tiancheng revealed the Qingluan Flower, Huo Zhanbai swiftly appeared and snatched it away. At the same time, Huo Zhanbai sent a message to his junior brother, Zhou Xingzhi, confessing that he had deceived him about the true location of the transaction.
He explained that the Qingluan Flower was of great importance, and once his mission was complete, he would plead his case to the Sect Master. Zhou Xingzhi and his team hurried to Linglong Flower Realm. However, after Huo Zhanbai left, Tong disguised himself as Huo Zhanbai and re-entered Linglong Flower Realm. Just as Qin Tiancheng, influenced by Huo Zhanbai’s words, was about to turn over a new leaf, Tong killed him with one swift strike.
Qin Tiancheng’s body was thrown from the upper floor, and with his dying breath, he claimed that Huo Zhanbai had stolen the Qingluan Flower and murdered him. Huo Zhanbai became the scapegoat. Sect Master Lin was furious and wanted nothing more than to find Huo Zhanbai immediately.
While Zhou Xingzhi trusted his senior brother, Sect Master Lin found Huo Zhanbai’s letter, which made it seem as though he had killed to seize the flower, and he swore to make Huo Zhanbai pay with his life. Liu Feifei, sensing something was amiss, accidentally found clothes left behind by Tong.
After completing his mission, Tong encountered those pursuing Huo Zhanbai and helped him unblock his acupoints, not forgetting to call him a useless fool. Zhou Xingzhi was extremely anxious, knowing that Huo Zhanbai would never intentionally kill someone—this was absolutely not his doing. Although Xia Qianyu usually didn’t get along with Huo Zhanbai, he knew his temperament. Xia Qianyu decided to split up with Zhou Xingzhi.
Zhou would try to stop Sect Master Lin, while Xia would stay to investigate further. In the Medicine Master Valley, Xue Ziye was deeply focused on studying medical techniques when A Jing delivered a letter, reporting that she was still investigating. After reading the letter, Xue Ziye furrowed her brow. Just then, Huo Zhanbai unexpectedly returned—without a single scratch.
Xue Ziye thought he had failed in his mission, but Huo Zhanbai, not the least bit humble, started drinking and recounting the process of retrieving the Qingluan Flower. Xue Ziye didn’t want to hear any nonsense and demanded that he hand over the flower. Huo Zhanbai decided to rest for a while before searching for the next ingredient. But before he could finish speaking, someone broke into the valley.
Huo Zhanbai, not wanting to implicate the Medicine Master Valley, was ready to handle the situation himself. However, Xue Ziye ordered her people to open the valley gates and receive the guests with respect. When they met Sect Master Lin, they realized the situation was worse than expected. Huo Zhanbai admitted to taking the flower but was shocked to hear that Sect Master Lin believed he had killed Qin Tiancheng.
Huo Zhanbai vehemently denied the accusation, but his words fell on deaf ears. Sect Master Lin refused to believe him. Xue Ziye firmly stood by Huo Zhanbai, knowing he was not the type to commit senseless murder. Sect Master Lin insisted that Qin Tiancheng had accused Huo Zhanbai of killing him with his dying breath. Huo Zhanbai carefully analyzed the situation, and Xue Ziye continued to support him.
Today, she was determined to break the rules and intervene in these affairs. Sect Master Lin, however, was not willing to spare Huo Zhanbai and immediately drew his sword, pointing it at Huo Zhanbai. The sword pierced his body, but Huo Zhanbai did not dodge—he hadn’t killed anyone, so why should he hide? Just as the tension reached its peak, a figure identical to Huo Zhanbai appeared, riding in on horseback. Huo Zhanbai instantly recognized him as Xia Qianyu.
During his investigation, Xia Qianyu had met Liu Feifei, who found the situation suspicious and discovered clues, including the use of a disguise technique. Sect Master Lin reluctantly chose to believe them for the time being. Huo Zhanbai then explained the purpose of the Qingluan Flower and asked for mercy, promising that if Baiyun Palace ever needed his help, he would risk his life to repay them.
Sect Master Lin agreed, considering his actions to be in the spirit of righteousness, done for the sake of an old friend's child. Afterward, the group dispersed. Xue Ziye took Huo Zhanbai to the medical hut to treat his sword wound. Xia Qianyu, his eyes lighting up when he saw Xue Ziye, followed them into the Medicine Master Valley, claiming he was there to pay for Huo Zhanbai's treatment.
As Xue Ziye stitched up Huo Zhanbai’s wound, the anesthetic wore off, and he groggily woke up. Seeing her gently applying medicine to his wound, Huo Zhanbai’s ears suddenly turned red. Embarrassed, he suggested getting someone else to treat him, but Xue Ziye had already seen every inch of him. Xia Qianyu waited outside the medical hut for a long time with no news.
He inquired with Shuang Hong and the others, confirming that Huo Zhanbai's search for medicine for Mo'er was genuine. Guilt washed over Xia Qianyu, and he rushed in to embrace Huo Zhanbai, realizing that he had misjudged him. He had thought Huo Zhanbai was indifferent to Xu Chonghua’s death, but now he saw how deeply loyal and righteous he was.
Huo Zhanbai, still recovering from his injury, needed care, and Xia Qianyu volunteered, though his eyes stayed fixed on Xue Ziye. That night, as the two drank together, they spoke of the Eight Swords being scattered. Now, only Xia Qianyu and Zhou Xingzhi were available at any time to serve Dingjian Pavilion. Huo Zhanbai felt guilty for not doing more for the pavilion. Xue Ziye saw them drinking but did not stop them.
After all, Huo Zhanbai had traveled all over the world for years, and it was rare for him to sit and have a drink with his brothers. Meanwhile, Tong completed the task for Miao Huo. He acted decisively, and as a reward, the Sect Leader allowed him to enjoy the pleasures of Heavenly Paradise, where everyone would obey his commands. Miao Huo was displeased with this and angrily chased after Tong, scolding him for a long time. Miao Shui then led Tong to the legendary Heavenly Paradise, describing it as the most luxurious of all places.
Xia Qianyu lingered nearby like an infatuated fool, watching Xue Ziye as she busied herself. Seeing this, Huo Zhanbai quickly pulled him away. Xia Qianyu’s notorious romantic escapades were well-known throughout the martial world. Huo Zhanbai warned him not to bother Xue Ziye, but Xia Qianyu, completely lacking self-awareness, believed that Xue Ziye would surely fall for him. He paid no attention to Huo Zhanbai’s advice.
Xia Qianyu, like a peacock showing off its feathers, appeared in front of Xue Ziye at every opportunity. Sometimes, he would perform sword dances for her, and other times, he would gift her small golden figurines, leaving Huo Zhanbai in utter disbelief. Xia Qianyu even went so far as to commission a gold hairpin for Xue Ziye and proudly dragged Huo Zhanbai to see it, only to be stunned when Xue Ziye accepted the gift.
She then brought Xia Qianyu to the medical hut, leaving Huo Zhanbai outside. Xue Ziye wasn’t there to flirt—she was there to settle accounts. Xia Qianyu had claimed upon entering the valley that he was there to repay Huo Zhanbai’s debts, so she took the gifts as partial payment. However, it still wasn’t enough, and Huo Zhanbai’s debts were now transferred to Xia Qianyu. Despite this, Xia Qianyu did not give up.
Huo Zhanbai sipped the wine from the valley, feeling that it tasted bitter. He remarked that the gold hairpin didn’t suit Xue Ziye—gold was too gaudy. She deserved something better. Xue Ziye, he said, was more suited for a white jade hairpin, symbolizing purity and resilience. Just then, Xia Qianyu rushed in, wanting to drink with them, but Xue Ziye quickly excused herself, leaving Huo Zhanbai to chase after Xia and join him for drinks.
The two drank heavily, and Xia Qianyu soon fell into a deep sleep. In his slumber, he mistook Huo Zhanbai for Xue Ziye, murmuring her name in his dreams. Huo Zhanbai, unable to stand it, kicked him off the bed. Xia Qianyu’s gold was not enough to cover the 200,000 taels of debt, so Xue Ziye produced a jade pendant to fund the expenses of Medicine Master Valley.
While passing by, Huo Zhanbai accidentally learned the truth—Xue Ziye had counted the gold as payment for the debt. Feeling relieved, he invited Xue Ziye to share a drink under the moonlight. Tonight, the wine was exceptionally sweet, and Huo Zhanbai’s smile was genuine. He asked Xue Ziye why, despite being so money-minded, she only treated ten patients.
Xue Ziye answered honestly, explaining that her body couldn’t handle more, and besides, she didn’t like dealing with people from the martial world. Huo Zhanbai then asked, "So why did you save me? " Xue Ziye seriously studied his face and replied, "Of course, because your face has something worth appreciating. " Huo Zhanbai invited her to drink together, but Xue Ziye refused, saying she preferred drinking alone.
Little did Huo Zhanbai know, after he fell asleep, Xue Ziye gently clinked her cup against his, which he had left on the table. The murder of Qin Tiancheng was being discussed by the Pavilion Master and Sect Master Lin. They suspected that the real culprit, who had impersonated Huo Zhanbai, might be Tong and that the crime had ties to Yuan Yi Palace.
After years of peace, it seemed the martial world was on the brink of another bloody storm. During his practice, Zhang Wujue suddenly experienced a chaotic surge of internal energy, causing him to cough up blood. Fortunately, Miao Feng returned just in time to save him. Without Miao Feng, Zhang Wujue would not be able to break through the ninth level. After recovering for some time, Huo Zhanbai couldn’t wait to leave the valley and search for the next medicinal ingredient.
Xue Ziye handed him the small golden figurine, instructing him to hold it in his right hand for the duration of an incense stick’s burning time before he could leave. Gritting his teeth, Huo Zhanbai struggled but eventually gave in, agreeing to take more medicine for a few more days. Someone then reported that Xia Qianyu had caused trouble by mistaking a medicinal herb for a flower and plucking it.
Xue Ziye sent both of them to gather herbs to fill the gap left behind. On the way, Huo Zhanbai advised Xia Qianyu to give up on pursuing Xue Ziye, but Xia Qianyu quickly noticed Huo Zhanbai’s unusual feelings for her. He remarked that even a stone-hearted person could eventually bloom.
Xia Qianyu decided to give up and planned to return to Dingjian Pavilion the next day, not forgetting to call Huo Zhanbai an emotionally dense blockhead, even though he hadn’t realized his own feelings. Huo Zhanbai returned with a basket full of herbs and eagerly asked Xue Ziye for some hot tea.
Xia Qianyu told Huo Zhanbai that he had seen over a hundred burial mounds in the back mountain and that the person who erected the mounds was Xue Ziye herself. He urged Huo Zhanbai to go and take a look—perhaps they could offer some help. When Huo Zhanbai reached the back mountain, he saw over a hundred burial mounds belonging to the people of Mo Village, reminding him of the massacre that had wiped out the village. Such a cruel and inhumane act—who could have been behind it?
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