The winter sun emitted a feeble warmth, shining over the borders of Fengdan County at the Xuan Beast Ridge.
The snow had been falling for a full half-month, finally ceasing today. A thick layer of snow covered the ground, and looking down towards the ridge, one could see a thoroughly frozen Ice Lake.
By the lake grew rows of Arrow Bamboo Forest. With winter's arrival, the bamboo's leaves had all fallen, leaving behind only the bare and leafless stalks. By this time, the stalks had frozen into Ice Crystals, casting colorful halos under the sun's rays.
"Squeak--" On the tranquil snowy ground, four crooked lines of footprints appeared. A little boy wearing a tattered felt hat, carrying a basket, followed behind a hunched-backed old man.
