The Northern Frozen Expanse stretched boundlessly.
Bitter winds howled, whipping up snow and ice that wove a gray-white veil beneath the pallid sunlight.
Deep within the frozen expanse, a deep-blue barrier of light kept out the swirling snow and ice.
Within the barrier stood a magnificent, imposing fortress of gray and black.
At the fortress's heart, inside a brightly lit secret chamber as warm as spring.
A handsome young man sat cross-legged on a fur rug.
His skin was a cold white, his long silver hair draped over his shoulders.
At the center of his smooth brow, a mysterious mark flickered faintly with his breathing.
At that moment, a Barbarian Tribe general, built like an iron tower and clad in a heavy snow-bear hide coat, knelt on one knee upon the cold, hard floor.
"Your Highness, the mission failed."
"The men sent to the Great Li Dynasty to cooperate with the Huangfu Lineage were wiped out."
Hearing this, the young man slowly opened his eyes, and the mark on his brow gradually faded.
His irises were pale blue, his gaze deep and icy.
"Hmm?"
The young man's face remained expressionless.
"This operation was meticulously planned, with that old fox Huangfu Hong coordinating from the Imperial Capital. It shouldn't have failed. Where did things go wrong?"
"It was Gu Beiwu. He emerged from seclusion. They say his injuries have healed, and he slaughtered everyone in his path in the Imperial Capital.
"Not only our men, but the Grand Commander of the Great Li Dynasty's Imperial Guard and quite a few high-ranking court officials were killed outright by him."
At the name "Gu Beiwu," a trace of shock and apprehension finally appeared on the young man's seemingly icebound face.
Like all his people, the young man harbored deep resentment and fear toward