Yuxie was momentarily stunned before slowly turning around to look.

Xiao leaned against a pillar under the eaves, gazing at the figures of everyone in the courtyard.

"Xiao? Aren't you going to join everyone?"

"No, I actually prefer watching them like this."

"Is that so... cough cough..."

The coughing returned, causing his body to shudder. Yuxie could feel his lungs struggling.

But in front of Xiao, he tried hard to control his fatigue from showing.

"You should go inside; otherwise, you'll catch a cold," Xiao turned to look at Yuxie.

Yuxie's coughing stopped as he took a deep breath and shook his head.

"I'm fine. It's normal to cough a bit in this cold weather."

"Where did you go the day before yesterday?"

That question left Yuxie momentarily silent.

He had instructed his soldiers not to disclose his whereabouts unless the Geo Archon asked, so he hadn't expected Xiao to notice.

After a long pause, he finally said, "I went to Eligos's place."

He knew it wouldn't be easy to deceive Xiao, so he decided to tell the truth, saving himself from the trouble of weaving lies.

"What did you go there for?" A hint of confusion crossed Xiao's eyes.

Among the residences of various deities, Eligos's was closest to Guili, and over the years, they had maintained a sort of unspoken truce, neither invading the other's territory, but also without any friendly interactions.

To put it simply, they kept to themselves.

If news got out that the Guardian General of Guili visited Eligos's residence, it would likely complicate things with other deities.

Yuxie couldn't be unaware of such consequences, yet he still chose to go.

Unless there was a compelling reason.

"Was there something that forced you to go?" Xiao pressed further.

"…I made a deal with Eligos in my private capacity." Yuxie looked at the figures in the courtyard and spoke softly.

"A deal?" Xiao's brows furrowed slightly.

"Please, don't ask about the details of the deal," Yuxie raised his head and looked at Xiao, offering a smile that seemed tinged with resignation.

"..." Xiao fell silent. "I won't ask, but if something like this happens again and you don't want to disturb everyone, you must consult me first."

After years of fighting together, the trust between Yuxie and Xiao needed no words; a glance was enough.

Of course, the same trust existed among the other adepti and yakshas.

But there likely wouldn't be a next time; the old man didn't have that much time left.

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"Thank you." Yuxie smiled again, gazing into the distance at the snowy landscape.

Everything in the distance appeared tranquil and beautiful under the blend of sunlight and snow, resembling a masterpiece by a renowned artist.

For the first time, Yuxie thought, the snowy scene at Guili was truly gentle.

Time passed, and soon it was afternoon.

Everyone had left, and the residence of the Guardian General was left with only him.

And the four snowmen in the courtyard.

The snowman made by Bonanus and Ganyu was very cute, wearing a blue scarf.

Indarias's snowman had a youthful vigor, its eyes made of black stones, sparkling with spirit.

Bosacius's snowman was rather ordinary, just the kind a regular person would make.

But Menogias's snowman was quite special, resembling a statue crafted by an artist, exuding an artistic aura.

Yuxie walked up to each of the snowmen, carefully examining them, and reminisced about some winter memories from the past.

Every winter, in addition to making snowmen, another essential activity was gathering together for hot pot.

Everyone sat around the table, with a well-tended fire providing warmth underneath. On the table was a large pot of hot pot, filled with various ingredients simmering together, releasing a delightful aroma and steaming heat.

They enjoyed the hot pot while chatting about their daily lives, as if the war had vanished for a moment, replaced only by the smiles on everyone's faces.

"I really want to have another hot pot meal with everyone," Yuxie said, looking into the distance, when suddenly he heard a familiar voice.

It was a mature female voice, one that momentarily took Yuxie by surprise.

"Then why not invite everyone to join?"

Yuxie slowly turned around and saw Liu Yun standing beside him, her long ponytail gently swaying in the winter breeze.

"Liu Yun..."

"What's wrong? Haven't seen me for a few days, and now you don't know what to say?"

"Not at all," Yuxie smiled. "I just thought you'd be immersed in your research on mechanisms and wouldn't come out easily. Have you already finished your studies?"

"Not yet, but I'm getting close."

"What exactly are you researching? Can you share any details?"

"I'll keep it a secret for now. When it's done, you'll naturally find out," Liu Yun replied, turning around. "It's cold outside; let's go inside and chat."

Once inside, the two settled by the fire.

In truth, Yuxie was afraid of meeting Liu Yun for what might be the last time, as it would bring back too many memories, intensifying the reluctance in his heart.

So when he stood in front of Liu Yun's door back then, his hand hovering in mid-air ultimately pulled back, and he never knocked.

But today, Liu Yun had come to find him.

"It's cold outside, so you shouldn't go out casually," Liu Yun said as she added some charcoal to the fire. "You mentioned wanting to have hot pot with everyone. Tomorrow I'll prepare it and we can eat here. How does that sound?"

"Maybe it's best to skip it."

"Why? Didn't you say you wanted to eat?"

"I think I'll stick to something healthier, like goji berries or something," Yuxie smiled.

"That's fine, but…" Liu Yun suddenly stood up and walked over to Yuxie.

She approached him and leaned slightly over the armrest of his chair.

A faint, delicate fragrance wafted into Yuxie's nostrils, causing him to unconsciously lean back a little until he was against the chair.

"What's wrong?"

"Have you been drinking today?" Liu Yun sniffed around Yuxie's collar.

Yuxie was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected Liu Yun to notice even after half the day had passed.

He nodded.

"I had a bit, but Indarias found out and drank it all. She said she would clear out my wine cellar tomorrow."

"Since you're talking about being healthy, it's best not to drink." Liu Yun straightened up and sat back down in her chair.

"Alright, I won't drink," Yuxie replied with a smile and a nod.

"How... have you been feeling lately?" Liu Yun suddenly changed the subject, looking elsewhere, but her seemingly calm face held a hint of something stirring beneath the surface.

Yuxie paused.

Could it be that Liu Yun had noticed something?

"I'm doing well, eating well, sleeping soundly until morning," he replied.

"That's good. You need to take care of yourself and live a long life. If you fall ill, I can help you heal."

Hearing her say that, Yuxie understood that Liu Yun hadn't actually detected his current condition.

A complex feeling surged uncontrollably within him.

I'm just a mortal, shackled by the limits of my lifespan. One day, I will die, and that day is approaching.

Looking at Liu Yun's expression, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to say such words. He could only smile and say, "I understand. I'm still 'young'."

Another lie slipped from his lips.

But at least on the surface, Yuxie looked to be at most in his thirties, and no one would doubt that he was being serious when he claimed he was young.

"Once the snow melts, let's go fishing by the river," Liu Yun said, turning her gaze to the window.

A chunk of snow fell from the eaves, landing on the ground and slowly melting under the winter sunlight.