Chapter 124: Ye Anya

Although she was walking, the figure seemed incredibly small and fragile. Zhao Nan squinted his eyes as the silhouette gradually came into clearer view.

Suddenly, the rain intensified. The person’s long, snow-white hair, which reached the ground, had been twisted into two braids dragging through the muddy path behind her. She wore nothing but a simple, thin sky-blue dress, and in her arms, she cradled a plain guqin.

Raindrops pattered against the guqin, producing a gentle, tinkling sound.

The rain soaked her dress, running down her legs to reveal a pair of delicate bare feet.

She was just a girl of thirteen or fourteen. It should have been a time to seek shelter from the rain, yet why was she still walking so slowly through it?

As she approached the pavilion, she suddenly collapsed onto the ground. Her snow-white hair fanned out like a silver carpet, completely covering her body.

Finina bent down into the rain. Zhao Nan was momentarily stunned, then quietly approached those also seeking shelter nearby and asked, “Excuse me, is there an inn or some place to stay nearby?”

…

Fortunately, there was indeed a small inn—though a converted private residence with modest conditions. Still, it provided shelter from the rain. The warm glow of candlelight flickered inside, while the rain outside only grew heavier.

This was the first rain Zhao Nan had experienced since the great catastrophe. Judging by the time, it was an autumn rain. The autumn wind whispered coldly as Zhao Nan leaned against the windowsill, surveying the room.

Finina sat beside the bed, carefully wiping the small white-haired girl’s body. The girl was extremely slender, as fragile as young bamboo shoots. Her chest rose and fell gently, and her pale face twitched occasionally with her high-bridged nose wrinkling slightly.

She was asleep, perhaps still wandering through some dream.

“Fortunately, she’s not ill,” Finina said, holding the girl’s hand gently in her palm, then looked at Zhao Nan. “But her vitality is weak, and she has many injuries.”

“A player...” Zhao Nan frowned as he looked at the girl’s still hand and the bracelet on her wrist. “I wonder if she has any relatives in Listening Wind City.”

“Should we send her back and ask around?” Finina said anxiously. “It’s not good for such a young child to wander outside alone.”

Zhao Nan nodded. “Let’s wait until she wakes and then ask her about her situation. We’re not in a hurry... Besides, who knows when this rain will stop.”

Finina looked up at the window and whispered, “It’s getting dark.”

…

Crack!

The oil lamp suddenly popped, as if the wick had caught a bit of burnt residue. Zhao Nan opened his eyes and leaned back against the wall, stretching slightly. He realized he had dozed off out of boredom.

Finina, lying beside the bed, had also fallen asleep, likely from boredom, but was resting peacefully.

Yet the other person in the room was already awake. Snow-white strands of hair tumbled over her face, and her eyes—slightly tinged with purple—surveyed the room.

White hair, purple eyes... the girl had chosen the Snow Clan upon logging in, hadn’t she?

Her complexion remained pale. At first, Zhao Nan thought it was due to her injuries, but it seemed that was just her natural appearance.

Zhao Nan sensed no fear from her and found it curious that this little girl seemed unafraid of strangers.

“Awake?” he asked.

The girl looked at him quietly. Her expression shifted subtly but remained inscrutable—cold and pure as the first snow.

“Can we contact your family?” Zhao Nan sat on the edge of the bed. Since she wasn’t afraid, it was easier to communicate. He lowered his head and opened the messages on the bracelet, searching for someone to help, then said, “Tell me your name. I’ll see if I can find someone to contact for you.”

“Hm?”

After a moment of silence, he grew curious and looked up. The girl was now looking down, holding a small notebook and pen, writing something.

“Nan?”

Finina had woken, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

…

“Ah, you’re awake!” she said.

The girl glanced at Finina briefly before returning to her writing.

“What’s she doing?” Zhao Nan asked.

“I don’t know. Let’s wait,” Finina replied helplessly, pouring water from the table and handing it to Zhao Nan.

Suddenly, the girl stopped writing, tore the paper from the notebook, and extended it toward Zhao Nan.

“Thank you... let me see.”

Taking a sip of water, Zhao Nan glanced down and suddenly choked slightly.

“I have no family.”

Those were the first words he read.

…

“Where is this place?”

“Who are you?”

“Did anyone do anything bad to me?”

“Why have my clothes been changed?”

Zhao Nan read on and cautiously asked, “You can’t speak?”

The girl shook her head. Her snow-white bangs swayed gently, delicate as a doll’s.

Finina took the note and stared at it for a few seconds in surprise before smiling. “This is a village on the outskirts of Listening Wind City. We are from Listening Wind City. And yes, I changed your clothes, but don’t worry.”

The girl made a gesture as if patting her chest and exhaled, then wrote again:

“Thank you very much!”

…

Looking at the note she handed over, Zhao Nan furrowed his brow. If she truly couldn’t speak, communicating through writing wouldn’t be strange. But she had just denied being unable to speak.

So this must be her chosen way of communication. As for the archaic form of address...

Zhao Nan shook his head. Such nitpicking was pointless. He took a breath and asked, “Where do you live in Listening Wind City? Why did you come out alone? Is this a mission? And what is your name?”

The three waited patiently. Communicating with the girl seemed to require some endurance.

Soon, another note full of neat, delicate handwriting was handed over.

“Ye Anya.”

“Not from Listening Wind City.”

“I came through the Dense Fog Region.”

Zhao Nan frowned. “Alone?”

Ye Anya nodded without changing her expression, then looked down and wrote again.

“What should I call you?”

“Zhao Nan, and this is Finina,” Zhao Nan introduced them with a sigh. “You’re lucky to have passed through the Dense Fog Region.”

He recalled the last time the two of them had accidentally entered the fog zone and felt a chill. Even with their strength, they had to proceed cautiously and dared not fight. Yet this little girl had managed it.

…

“You just woke up; your body isn’t in good shape. Rest well and we’ll talk tomorrow,” Zhao Nan said.

The two left the room while Ye Anya remained motionless, staring out at the rain.

Now, the heavy rain had lessened to a drizzle, but it was nighttime. Outside, only the wind howled.

…

Leaning against the corridor wall, Finina hesitated. “What do you think we should do with her?”

Do with her?

Zhao Nan glanced at the closed door. There were many like Ye Anya surviving alone in this world. Passing through the Dense Fog Region just showed her remarkable luck. He didn’t believe a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girl had the strength to fight the monsters of varying levels, from 20 to 40, that roamed the fog.

“If she’s survived so far, let her live peacefully,” Zhao Nan smiled. “The City Lord’s fortress is large; supporting a little girl won’t be difficult.”

Finina’s eyes brightened. “Really?”

From the moment she saved the girl from the rain, Zhao Nan had sensed a pang of compassion in Finina. There were many lonely souls in the world they could never save, but since fate brought this one to them, and Finina offered help, supporting her wouldn’t be a burden.

“Anyway, since she’s out, let’s take her on a mission once the rain stops tomorrow,” Zhao Nan said. “We’ll return afterward.”

Finina smiled brightly and reached out; the dim corridor light flickered as they shared a passionate kiss.

…

At dawn, the sky cleared.

Outside the small inn, the air was fresh. Finina stretched as they pushed open the door to Ye Anya’s room—but found it empty.

The girl was gone.

On the bedside table lay a note: “Thank you for saving me. I have nothing to repay you, but there are some items on the bed as a token of gratitude.”

Pulling back the covers revealed a dazzling pile of gold coins and several pieces of equipment. Zhao Nan examined the gear; the quality was quite good.

“She’s gone. What should we do?” Finina asked anxiously.

“Let’s search for her. She probably hasn’t gone far. We can ask the villagers,” Zhao Nan replied.

They hurried out and questioned people along the street, but no one had seen Ye Anya. After searching the entire village, they found no trace—she had vanished without a trace.

Zhao Nan comforted her, “Don’t worry too much. Judging by what she left behind, she likely has some means of self-protection. Even with incredible luck, no one passes through the Dense Fog Region without encountering battles. If she made it out safely, she’ll be safe within the map of Listening Wind City as well.”

Finina nodded but still looked worried, her face distant and troubled.

“Let’s finish this mission quickly—maybe we’ll meet her when we return to the city,” she sighed.

“Right. Let’s go,” Zhao Nan said.

…

The mission’s destination lay in a nearby mountain valley. Along the way, only ordinary level-20 Gui monsters appeared. Finina seemed irritated, swinging her sword as she advanced, leaving a trail of crimson in her wake. Little Ice Phoenix chirped on her shoulder, unable to seize an opening to strike.

Suddenly, several figures jumped out onto the path—eight in total.

To Zhao Nan, they were all familiar faces.

The eight blocked their way, their expressions radiating fierce hostility.