Chapter 31: Extinguish (Double-length chapter)

Chen Ling thought as he walked out the door. Several white snowflakes drifted past his eyes.

He was slightly startled and looked up at the sky.

"...It's snowing?"

Under the blue aurora, snowflakes drifted down from the sky like catkins. Chen Ling reached out to catch one, and the eight-pointed crystal slowly melted into warmth.

"The Aurora Domain is different from other domains; there are no four seasons, only a cold winter." Chu Muyun walked out of the house slowly, also reaching out to catch a snowflake, and asked with some confusion, "However, isn't this snow coming a bit too suddenly?"

"Is it very sudden?" Chen Ling asked.

"There was a once-in-a-decade heavy rain a few days ago, and today it suddenly started snowing again... I always feel that the celestial phenomena in the Aurora Domain are getting more and more chaotic."

Chu Muyun pondered, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter.

"Brother, this snow is falling so fast."

Chen Yan, draped in his opera robe, rushed onto the street. He stood in the increasingly dense snowflakes, his chestnut eyes full of surprise and anticipation. "At this rate, there will be enough to build a snowman tomorrow!"

Looking at the red-clad boy reaching out to catch snowflakes, a gentle look appeared in Chen Ling's eyes. He smiled and said:

"We build them every year, haven't you had enough?"

"This time is different." Chen Yan said seriously. "The snow is very heavy this time. Maybe I can build a dozen or so in one go... We'll build a high platform, and then I can practice opera on it, letting the snowmen be my audience."

"Isn't it enough for me to be your audience?"

"Brother, who has only one audience every time they sing opera..." Chen Yan pouted. "If I never have an audience, what if I get stage fright when I perform at school?"

"...That's true." Chen Ling smiled and slowly looked up at the sky.

"Then this snow should keep falling."

"If it keeps falling, it will become a snow disaster." Chu Muyun adjusted his glasses and, after hesitating for a moment, took a wool coat from the house and put it on. "I'm going out."

Chen Ling and Chen Yan looked at each other.

"Are you coming back for dinner?"

"Yes."

As Chu Muyun's figure gradually disappeared at the end of the street, Chen Ling checked the time. "I should go too. The mountain road on a snowy day is not easy to walk..."

"Wait!" Chen Yan seemed to have thought of something. He ran back into the house quickly and stuffed the cotton coat he had spent the night sewing into Chen Ling's hands.

"Brother, I've mended it for you... Be careful on the mountain today, and don't get into any more fights."

Chen Yan's tone was unusually serious.

Chen Ling carefully examined the coat and found that there were almost no traces of damage; it was as perfect as before. He couldn't help but praise:

"Our Yan is indeed skillful..."

Chen Yan giggled.

"I'm off."

Chen Ling waved his hand and walked straight toward District 2.

The snow was getting heavier, just as Chen Yan had hoped. By the time Chen Ling was halfway there, the snow had already submerged the soles of his shoes, and the icy cold snow water melted into the soles of his feet, making him feel cold from the inside out.

He rubbed his hands together while walking against the snowflakes, muttering in his heart:

Could it really turn into a snow disaster?

He walked for a long time, and the pedestrians on the street became increasingly sparse, but more and more enforcers were rushing past.

They wore black and red uniforms and rode horses in a hurry toward a certain direction. They didn't even look at Chen Ling as he walked by. The snowflakes stirred up by the airflow slapped Chen Ling in the face. He wiped his face and looked suspiciously in the direction they were leaving...

"What happened?"

Chen Ling didn't know, and he had no interest in following them to investigate. As long as the direction these people were going wasn't Frost Street, he didn't care where they went.

After walking for about three hours, Chen Ling returned to the familiar Ice Spring Street. The ruins had been mostly cleared, and the desolate half-street looked even more deathly silent under the cover of white snow.

Just as he was planning to find Qian Fan and the others to ask for today's task, several figures walked over quickly and waved at him enthusiastically.

"Brother Chen Ling!"

It wasn't anyone else but Qian Fan and his group.

"Officer Qian."

Chen Ling still politely added the suffix "Officer." After all, he and Qian Fan and the others hadn't completely torn off the mask of civility, so he still had to pretend to be polite on the surface.

"What is today's task?"

"Task? No need for tasks." Qian Fan waved his hand. "In view of your... uh, excellent performance yesterday, the higher-ups have decided to lock in an enforcer spot for you. You can go home directly today and report to the District 3 headquarters tomorrow."

Chen Ling was stunned.

He had thought of ten thousand possibilities on the road, such as a group of people from Ice Spring Street ambushing him to take revenge, or Qian Fan and the others tearing off their masks and making things difficult for him, or being told he was directly removed from the enforcer spot and told to go home...

But he never expected that he would be admitted directly?

That's impossible... Did Ma Zhong really value his strength and want to recruit him?

Chen Ling had only seen Ma Zhong once and didn't know much about this person, so he couldn't figure out what the other party was thinking for a moment...

"From now on, we are colleagues." Qian Fan smiled and patted Chen Ling on the shoulder, as if they were old friends of many years. "There might have been some misunderstandings between us before, Brother Chen Ling, please don't mind?"

"Yes, Brother Chen Ling, feel free to come to District 2 to play cards with us whenever you have time. We are always welcome."

"Almost forgot, there's also this... This exam is different from previous years. Although you are reserve members, you did indeed do three days of work for us official enforcers, so the higher-ups decided to give you a subsidy. Although the amount is not large, the road ahead is still long... The salary of an enforcer is still very generous."

Qian Fan stuffed a small oil-paper tube into Chen Ling's hand. The latter took it in surprise, peeled back a corner, and glanced inside.

Ten silver coins.

Chen Ling was shocked.

In this world, the purchasing power of one silver coin is equivalent to 250 copper coins, and the purchasing power of copper coins is equivalent to the RMB of his past life. This small oil-paper tube, converted, was 2,500 yuan...

Although it wasn't a large amount, one must know that Chen Ling had only worked for two days?

Zhao Yi and I spent a whole day helping the Road Bureau with the frost-melting work, and the two of us only got 20 copper coins... If the subsidy for two days as a reserve is this high, just how high must the salary of a formal enforcer be?

Chen Ling gave them a deep look, unable to help but sigh; sometimes, respect and politeness are truly reserved for the strong...

Yesterday, they had just forced Wu Youdong away. If not for the fact that I possess [Killing Aria], I likely would have met the same fate... And now, they can only heap smiles upon me, because I now have the qualifications to stand on equal footing with them.

Chen Ling didn't consider himself the protagonist of some power fantasy; he couldn't just kill these hypocritical scoundrels on the spot based on the hot-blooded impulse of "You provoked me, so I'll beat you to death!" Doing so would be tantamount to declaring war on the entire enforcement system of the Aurora Domain.

His home was still on Frost Street, he had a younger brother about to return to school, and he still needed the status of an enforcer to pursue the "Path of the War God"... No matter how he looked at it, he should just go with the flow and let this matter end here.

"Then, many thanks to you all." Chen Ling didn't even look up, saying flatly.

"Brother Chen Ling, the snow makes the road slippery, walk back slowly." Qian Fan’s smile didn't fade. "The list of reserves being promoted should be posted by noon today. You can keep an eye out on your way back. We'll meet again if fate allows."

Chen Ling gave a lukewarm reply and turned to walk home.

As Chen Ling walked away, the enthusiastic smiles on the faces of Qian Fan and the others gradually faded, replaced by coldness and disdain.

"This Chen Ling, he really doesn't know what's good for him." An enforcer sneered.

"Once Brother Ma finishes his business, the Third District is going to change... When that time comes, let's see where he can still jump around."

"By the way, any news from Brother Ma's side?"

"Don't know..."

"Calculating the time, it should be soon."

Just as they were speaking, a figure came running hurriedly from the distance, stumbling in the heavy snow and nearly falling to the ground.

"He's dead...!"

"Who's dead?"

"The Chief Enforcer of the Third District, Han Meng, is dead!!" He stood up and shouted. "News came from the Third District saying he fought two Calamities alone and ended up perishing with them!"

"Enforcer Ma Zhong is acting as the interim Chief and has already issued an order: the Third District is unsealed immediately, and the Second District will be unsealed right after!"

Hearing this news, everyone's eyes lit up instantly!

"It's done!!"

"Are you sure? Is that Han Meng really dead?" Qian Fan asked again.

"That's what the news from the Third District says. It was delivered personally by Brother Ma's confidant."

Qian Fan felt an immediate sense of relief and beamed with joy.

"With the mountain that was Han Meng toppled, our lives will be much easier."

"The business on Ice Spring Street can finally operate... Go, gather Bone Blade and his crew, find some more dancers and prostitutes, get good wine and meat, and throw a victory banquet!"

"Let them know who to follow for a good life from now on."

"Got it, Brother Fan!"

……

Chen Ling, clutching ten silver coins, walked slowly over the back mountain, the flying snow dusting his black hair with frost.

He had just spent two hours walking from the Third District, and after staying for only five minutes, he had to head back the same way... By the time he returned to Frost Street, it would likely be noon again.

But regardless, he had received good news and ten silver coins. This money was enough to buy some new clothes for himself and Chen Yan, and he could hire someone to patch the leaks in the house so they wouldn't freeze during the heavy snow.

"There's still plenty of Expectation Value; I can live peacefully for a few days." Chen Ling muttered to himself, glancing at the characters flashing in the snow.

Come to think of it, compared to when he first transmigrated, things really seemed much better... Ever since he took his body back from the "Audience," the "Audience" hadn't interfered with things around him for a long time, and everything was moving in a better direction.

He walked in the snow for a long time until the accumulation was over his ankles, finally returning to Frost Street.

He was about to head straight home, but his peripheral vision caught the snack shop nearby preparing to close up, and his heart stirred, causing him to slow his pace.

"Boss, how much for this cake?"

Chen Ling asked, pointing to an exquisitely shaped cake in the display case.

"Two hundred copper coins." The boss looked up and, seeing it was Chen Ling, raised his eyebrows slightly. "Oh, it's Ah Ling? Why the sudden urge to buy a cake?"

As neighbors on Frost Street, the shop owner recognized Chen Ling, but given their family's circumstances, they had never bought anything from the shop before... Truth be told, there were few families on Frost Street who could afford a two-hundred-coin cake; even the fifty-coin cupcakes were rarely bought.

"Passed the martial exam." Chen Ling smiled. "Buying a cake to celebrate. My brother has never eaten cake since he was little."

"Promoted to an enforcer?"

The boss said in surprise, "Well, that certainly calls for a celebration... Tell you what, I'll give it to you for one-fifty."

"Thank you, boss."

"Don't mention it. I'll be counting on your support on Frost Street in the future."

The boss packed the cake, tied it with a festive red ribbon, and handed it to Chen Ling with both hands.

Chen Ling took the cake and, after paying, headed straight home. He hadn't gone far when he heard several enforcers speeding past:

"The Calamity has been eliminated! The Third District is unsealed!"

"The Calamity has been eliminated! The Third District is unsealed!!"

“……”

As the voices of the enforcers faded, some residents on Frost Street began to emerge from their homes, all feeling a sense of relief.

Ever since the Calamity Bell rang, the Third District had been locked down for five days, and everyone was in a state of panic. Now that the Calamity was dead, everyone's lives could get back on track... Thinking this, they suddenly felt the heavy snow looked a bit more pleasant.

But when Chen Ling heard this news, his heart gave a sudden jolt.

The Calamity is eliminated?

But I'm still here... Could it be Ah Yan?!

Chen Ling subconsciously quickened his pace, hurrying home, but when he reached his doorstep, he knew his worries were unnecessary...

The familiar boy in red was squatting at the door, earnestly rolling snowballs. He carefully stacked them to form the outline of a snowman, but his hand slipped, and the two snowballs shattered into pieces.

Chen Yan sighed, and when he saw Chen Ling walking from the distance, his furrowed brows instantly smoothed out, and he said with surprise:

"Brother, why are you back so early?"

"Passed the assessment early, so I came back a bit sooner." Chen Ling breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

He didn't know what had happened with the enforcers or which Calamity they had eliminated... Since he and Chen Yan were both safe and sound, nothing else mattered.

"Passed?" Chen Yan opened his mouth wide. "Brother, are you really an enforcer now?"

"That's right."

Chen Ling walked into the house, placed the cake on the table, and beckoned to him. "It's a rare opportunity. I bought a cake; let's celebrate together."

Hearing the word "cake," Chen Yan's eyes lit up instantly. He flew into the room, his fluttering opera robes sweeping in a flurry of snowflakes, and sat at the table, watching curiously as Chen Ling unwrapped the box.

"Brother, this cake must be expensive, right?"

"Not expensive." Chen Ling smiled. He took a handful of silver coins from his pocket and spread them on the table. "Brother has money now... In the future, our family will have even more."

"So much money." Chen Yan stared in shock. "We can use this for a long time..."

"Since you're going to school, the tuition problem is solved too."

Chen Ling opened the packaging, and a large cream cake appeared on the table. To Chen Ling, the craftsmanship and ingredients couldn't compare to his past life, but to Chen Yan, this was something he had gazed at through shop windows countless times, never able to have.

Chen Yan couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

"Brother... should we wait for Dr. Chu?"

"Don't wait for him. We don't know when he'll be back. We'll just save him a slice." Chen Ling took out a few candles that came with the cake, stuck them on, and lit them one by one.

The orange candlelight flickered in the room, illuminating the faces of the two youths and the snowflakes flying outside.

"Ah Yan, you blow them out."

"Can you blow out candles even if it's not a birthday?" Chen Yan asked.

"Of course you can... Just remember to make a wish before you blow."

"Okay!"

Chen Yan immediately clasped his hands together and lowered his head solemnly in the candlelight, like a devout prayer.

Chen Ling didn't know what wish Chen Yan had made; he only saw Chen Yan smile at him after opening his eyes, his chestnut-colored pupils as clear as water.

"What wish did you make?" Chen Ling asked.

"Can't say, it won't come true if I do..."

"Fair enough..."

"Excuse me, is Chen Ling home?"

As the two were talking, a figure walked cautiously to the door, standing in the heavy snow and looking into the house.

"Wu Youdong?" Chen Ling recognized the figure leaning on a crutch and raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What are you doing here? Come in and talk."

Wu Youdong smiled sheepishly and walked slowly into the house. He glanced at the cake and candles on the table, his eyes filled with envy...

"I just saw the list posted on the street. You got promoted, right?"

"That's right."

"...Congratulations." Wu Youdong said with a bitter smile. "I thought you would be forced away just like me. I didn't expect... you actually succeeded."

When he said this, Chen Ling could hear the bitterness and helplessness deep in his words.

"Brother, who is he?" Chen Yan looked at Wu Youdong curiously.

"His name is Wu Youdong. He's a friend who went to Ice Spring Street with me these past two days."

Wu Youdong froze.

"A friend?" Chen Yan thought for a moment. "Then should we share a piece of cake with him too?"

"Yes, of course we should."

"Are you going to cut it, or should I?"

"No rush, the candles aren't blown out yet."

As Chen Ling said this, he beckoned to the bewildered Wu Youdong nearby. "Youdong, don't just stand there. Sit down and have a slice with us."

"Huh? Oh... okay."

Wu Youdong sat down slowly at the table.

He looked at Chen Ling with a strange expression, then looked beside him...

"Chen Ling..."

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"Since just now... who have you been talking to?"

Chen Ling froze.

A bone-chilling cold wind suddenly swept into the room, and the burning candles were instantly extinguished.