But he himself didn't actually have any spring dream*. He had only dreamt of a snowstorm that could freeze people to death.

*春梦 chūn mèng ; lit. "spring dream"; erotic dream/wet dream

The wind of that day was raging, ruthlessly passing by, the blood from his wounds had already condensed into ice slag before it could flow out, the roar of the wolves was both far and near. He could no longer smell the rusty scent of blood, every breath brought in more pain, and the bittersweet scent cut deep into one's bones. Chang Geng's limbs were stiff, and his lungs were burning. He thought that this snow would swallow him whole.

But no.

When Chang Geng woke up again, he found that someone had wrapped their coat around him and carried him away.

He remembered that the man was dressed in white robes, and a scent of bitter medicine lingered on his body. When he saw that Chang Geng was awake, he did not say a word; he just took out a wine jug and gave him a sip.

Chang Geng didn't know what kind of wine it was; and he never had the chance to taste it again. He only remembered that even the Shao Dao-zi wine that was sold outside of town wasn't this strong. It was like fire rolling down his throat - burning all the blood in his body with just one sip.

That person was Shiliu.

It was immensely vivid. The sensation from the dream of Shiliu's hands carrying him still lingered on his body. Chang Geng still could not comprehend, wasn't that person a sickly man? In such frightening ice and snow, how could there be such steady and powerful hands?

Chang Geng looked down at the iron buckle wrapped around his wrist. He did not know what kind of material it was made of. Even after pressing against his body for a night, it did not warm up even the slightest. With the coolness of the iron, Chang Geng quietly waited for his heart and boiling blood to cool down, sneered, and mocked the ridiculous thought of 'seeing your yifu in a spring dream,' then went to light up the lamp and start his reading as usual...

Suddenly, there was a rumbling sound in the distance; the ground and the small quarters were shaking and vibrating. It was only a moment later that he remembered after counting the days - it should be about time that the 'Giant Kite' of the Northern Patrol unit returned.