Chapter 143: The Great Magic Cold Aftermath

“Sangsang, just stand over there and warm up, you look frozen.”

Mu Xuezhi was huddled by the wall for warmth. Even with magical insulation in the house, the cold still seeped in. Even though everyone was bundled up in thick cotton coats, they couldn’t stop shivering.

Sang Chu glanced absentmindedly at the snow outside, so distracted that she didn’t hear Mu Xuezhi calling her.

Just then, Tu You sent her a very bad message: [Achu, you guessed right. You really have to go to a specific place to board. All those people who tried to force their way onto the train ended up being sent to Rose City because they were sick, and kept wandering around, but in the end, they all died.]

Sang Chu frowned. Even though she’d already guessed as much, she still felt a chill of fear.

If she hadn’t figured this out, if neither she nor the rabbit had known, would she have just waited here for the train to come, and then boarded?

But if she kept waiting and didn’t leave, she and her brother would have died here.

Thinking of this, Sang Chu couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger: [Why didn’t Qin Simian tell us about this?]

Tu You lowered her head: [I asked him. He said he didn’t have to tell us.]

He hadn’t explained everything. Qin Simian’s reasoning was: since you’ve boarded the train, you have to follow its rules. Everything depends on yourself. The train is just a means of transportation, and he, Qin Simian, is only responsible for keeping the people on the train healthy. Everything else has nothing to do with him.

Life and death are your own business; he doesn’t need to be responsible for anyone else.

At first, she thought he was being heartless, but thinking about it more, she understood. So many people had come and gone—some survived, some died. If he tried to help everyone, how much energy would he have left to manage the train?

Tu You: [Achu, what should I do now? Should I stay here?]

Sang Chu made a quick decision: [Since we have to go to Rose City, I can’t stay here long. Go buy a map of the Magic University, and see if there’s a map showing monster distribution. I need to find the Corrupted Vine. If there is one, go again and buy some seeds. The head of the Witch Academy here isn’t a good person, so it’ll be hard to leave this city. Also, see if there are any other witch outfits—get as many as you can.]

[Okay, I’ll go now. You be careful.]

[Got it.]

“Sangsang?”

Sang Jingwen saw Sang Chu staring out the window, so he put down his bowl and chopsticks and walked over, worried.

“Did something happen?”

Sang Chu glanced at him, then turned on the communicator: [Brother, everyone, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I have to find a way to leave this place.]

Sang Jingwen was stunned for a moment, then looked at her: [Did something happen?]

Lu Minli: [Is it related to the train?]

Sang Chu: [No, it’s my own information that wasn’t accurate. The train here can’t be boarded for the return trip. I have to go to Rose City. I’ve already sent the rabbit to buy a map. Once the cold wave stops, I’ll go to the slave market to buy as many supplies as possible. I’m afraid I’ll have to spend the next while surviving in the wild.]

As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on the thick snow outside the window. Sang Jingwen gently stroked her hair and said softly, [Don’t worry, there’s always a way. We just need to figure out how to get out of the city.]

With people watching them, there was no way to escape. They’d have to think of another plan.

Sang Chu: [The Magic University has a kind of magic ring that lets you change your appearance at will—even your gender and body shape. So if we want to leave, this ring is essential. It’ll save us a lot of unnecessary trouble.]

Lu Minli: [If that’s the case, I have an idea.]

Sang Chu: [What idea?]

Lu Minli: [I’ll split off and act alone. Tomorrow, Yi-ge and I will leave the city first, saying we’re going hunting. Most likely, the people from the Witch Academy will send someone to follow us. When the time comes, I’ll find a way to deal with one of them, turn him into my puppet, and then create a diversion. My ‘body’ will be torn apart by monsters. As long as there’s no body, they’ll think I’m dead, and the rest of you can return safely.]

At this point, Mu Xuezhi couldn’t help but interject: [But don’t forget the cold wave. If you’re outside, what will you do about the cold?]

Lu Minli: [That’s why Yi-ge and I are going. He’s a fire user, and I’m earth. In terms of survival, I’m better suited for the wild. My job is to find a suitable cave or shelter first. So, Sang Chu, you need to find me a map of monster distribution. That way, we can avoid the most dangerous areas and minimize our time exposed.]

Sang Chu: [I’ve already sent the rabbit to buy one. Let’s go with your plan, Minli. Later, I’ll give you the spirit stones and crystal cores. When you’re in the wild, if you need to, use as much energy as you want—don’t worry about wasting it. If you run out, my rabbit can deliver more to you. Three days. Within three days, you must find a way to get out of here. I’ll go see if I can trade with the witches for more crystal oxen. After that, I won’t need to take any more risks.]

Yi-ge is a fire user, so no matter how bad the cold wave is outside, with enough crystal cores and spirit stones, they can survive for a while.

Besides, Sang Chu didn’t want Lu Minli to take risks alone.

Mu Xuezhi was very worried and unconsciously grabbed the corner of Lu Minli’s coat. Lu Minli quickly held her hand.

He whispered to her privately: [Don’t worry, I won’t be in danger. You take care of yourself, too.]

Mu Xuezhi nodded slightly, sitting beside him, looking at this strange group of people with a complicated expression. She shrugged, took another big sip of wine, and even made a slurping sound—she was really drinking hard.

A little while later

The music in the hall gradually faded, and the voices became quieter. “Your Highness, the cold wave has passed. The magic barrier will open soon. The air outside will be even colder, so be prepared!”

Sang Chu and Sang Jingwen hurried back to the wall for warmth. Suddenly, a wave of cold swept through, making everyone shiver and huddle even closer.

The fire on the wall burned even brighter.

Liu Shi, holding a wine cup, shivered and said, “Once we get through this cold wave, the worst will be over. Everyone, just hang in there.”

No one knew if he was comforting himself or Sang Chu and the others. But it didn’t matter anymore. Right now, she was already thinking about her next move and didn’t want to talk to him at all."