[Jian San / Ge Ling] Through Ice and Snow

For years I knew nothing of the old realm; resentment over its rise and fall never ceases.

The mortal world longs to be saved, yet has no boat. We bear our own joys and sorrows. Even looking back, it is hard to tell virtue from flaw, or good from evil.

At every crossroads I linger, and only the seasons know me. The white bones on this barren hill were once renowned.

Heaven and earth stretch on without end. I raise a cup to you.

Gentle yet fierce guqin-playing father x cool and ruthless Snow Maiden

This was written in 2020-2021 and has been sitting in drafts. I'll leave it here for now, and if fate allows, I'll polish it and fill in the gaps.

[Before You Read]

1. The setting is partially fictionalized. This is a plot-driven ensemble story with very little romance. It uses two intertwined storylines set in different timelines, so proceed with caution if that bothers you.

2. This is a post-disaster reconstruction of my entry in the 11th fanfic contest. It mainly fills in most of the backstory that was left undeveloped or only briefly mentioned in the original outline. It also fixes some bugs in the original, slightly adjusts the timeline, restructures some of the main plot, and adds or modifies some character details. It can be read on its own without affecting your understanding.

3. Some of the game storylines featured here, mostly side quests, will be adapted and expanded, but the story will largely remain faithful to the original.

4. There are many original interpretations, and the characters may differ quite a bit from their sect's usual image. Proceed with caution.

5. Essentially, this was a transitional writing exercise before I started The Sinking Sands. So if you encounter any strange or bizarre narrative choices or immature storytelling, don't be surprised. I'm experimenting...

6. The writing style is more ornate than in the first draft, so readers who prefer concise prose should proceed with caution.

Theme: Ordinary disciples of a sect fight to survive against all odds.