Capítulo 27: Caminhada na Neve

Tianjin.

A heavy snowfall descended, the biting wind piercing like cold needles into the body, and this was merely the beginning of winter.

A young man in a simple green robe and a lady dressed with elegant charm stepped down from a rickshaw. This was a unique attraction exclusive to Tianjin; many tourists visiting for the first time found it an experience worth trying. Watching the lady rickshaw puller—clad in black stockings and revealing a slender waist—pull away into the distance, Ye Tian felt his understanding of the world was still far too shallow.

"Bingbing, why do I feel like this rickshaw service is a bit... unconventional?"

Bingbing wore an innocent expression. She had simply found it interesting, so as soon as they stepped off the train, she had dragged Ye Tian along to try it. "I don't think so. Didn't you hear what that girl said earlier? They are professionals."

Ye Tian withdrew his gaze, hesitating as he spoke: "But looking at her expression just now, she seemed quite regretful."

...

Treading upon the snow that was rapidly thickening on the ground, the pair arrived at an antique, imposing mansion. An elderly man who appeared to be a butler stood waiting for guests, his waist slightly bowed and a smile on his face.

"Your boss is truly wealthy! To have such a large estate in Tianjin."

Having entered society three years ago, Ye Tian was well aware of the terrifying cost of property; this ancient building, located in the heart of Tianjin, was worth a fortune.

As for the extent of her boss's wealth, Bingbing, from the Huanghai Bar, was already accustomed to it. She smiled sweetly and asked the elderly butler: "Hello, I am Bingbing, an employee of our boss, Liu Quan. This is Brother Ye Tian, our boss's friend. Are you Grandpa Bai?"

"Haha, little girl, you can just call me Old Bai. Master Liu has already informed me of your arrival."

Ye Tian nodded toward Butler Bai. This elderly man, who appeared even older than his employer Liu Quan, was a master at the peak of the Earth Realm. Ye Tian was not surprised that Liu Quan kept such high-level experts by his side; after all, this was not the first one he had encountered in Liu Quan's circle.

Entering the courtyard, the exquisitely arranged design, complemented by the silver adornment of the snow, made Bingbing’s eyes sparkle with delight. She hurriedly pulled out her phone and asked Butler Bai to help take her picture. Butler Bai, maintaining a warm smile, did not refuse. He seemed to be an experienced hand, and the photos he captured made Bingbing give him a continuous thumbs-up.

"This courtyard has not seen guests for a long time. Master Liu only comes to stay for a few days every year. The arrival of Miss Bingbing and Mr. Ye has brought much-needed life to this place."

"Grandpa Bai, I will come to visit often from now on. Tianjin is right next to the Imperial Capital, it isn't far at all. When the time comes, I'll have the boss arrange our bar's team-building event here. You mustn't think we're too rowdy when that happens!"

Away from the Imperial Capital’s Huanghai Bar, the imperious air Bingbing usually carried was nowhere to be seen; she seemed more like a lively, innocent young girl just stepping out into the world.

Butler Bai’s eyes crinkled into a smile as he nodded, then said slowly: "The venue for the Martial Arts Tournament has been decided, and it will officially begin in three days."

Bingbing’s eyes lit up, and she asked with pleasant surprise: "Grandpa Bai, where is the location? Can I participate?"

"Well, as for the place, it is at the 'Water and Cloud Pavilion' on the outskirts of Tianjin. As for you wanting to join in for fun, hmm, let me think of a way; it shouldn't be a problem."

Bingbing jumped for joy; this year's winter holiday was turning out to be incredibly interesting.

"Does Mr. Ye wish to join in the fun?" Butler Bai suddenly turned to ask Ye Tian.

Ye Tian was lost in thought, staring at the falling snow, and did not hear the old butler’s question. Bingbing hurriedly answered for him: "Ah! Grandpa Bai, don't worry about Brother Ye Tian; he wouldn't participate in a competition like that."

"Oh, I see. Very well, as long as you are both happy."

In Butler Bai’s eyes, Ye Tian, like Bingbing, was at the initial stage of the Profound Realm. Yet, observing Bingbing’s behavior, it seemed that the young man before him was somewhat different.

"It’s snowing..." Ye Tian murmured softly. He wondered, how was she doing back in the Imperial Capital?

At the time, when he left the small courtyard where he had lived for three years, intending to return to the Taoist temple, Ye Tian had finally received a call from the old Taoist while waiting in line at the train station.

"My dear disciple, the world outside is magnificent. You are free now; do not keep thinking about returning to the temple. Go out and walk more. Once you have finished touring the country, there is still the world abroad. It will not be too late to return to the temple when you have reached the Consummation of the Heaven Realm."

"Master, I have already reached the Peak of the Heaven Realm..."

The old man on the other end of the line fell into a brief silence before hanging up.

The four realms—Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow—were each divided into Initial, Intermediate, Advanced, Consummation, and Peak stages. Based on the old Taoist's understanding of his disciple—whose natural talent was a rarity in a century—reaching the Advanced stage of the Heaven Realm in three years was already incredibly fast. He had not expected that Ye Tian had already reached the Peak of the Heaven Realm.

At twenty-two years old, standing at the Peak of the Heaven Realm—the old Taoist no longer wished to recall at what age he himself had reached such a level.