Landlord in the Arctic

In the end, they gave up on the idea of going with Feng Mountain to rescue the Bear Tribe.

Over here, Feng Mountain tightened the animal-hide coat around himself, trying to draw a little more warmth from it in the frigid environment.

Ma Wei and the three veterans had also packed their gear, checking it over and over to ensure everything was perfect.

Just then, Natasha approached Feng Mountain, holding an animal-hide coat. A trace of concern showed in her eyes as she said softly, "It’s cold out there. Wear another coat, and be careful on the road! If you really can’t find the Bear Tribe, just come back. And remember, you still owe me a favor."

It was the first time Feng Mountain had ever heard Her Majesty the Queen speak in such a feminine tone.

He couldn’t help but freeze.

His gaze was fixed on Natasha’s bright and captivating face, as if mesmerized by her beauty.

For a moment, he forgot to look away.

Faced with such a direct and intensely invasive stare, Natasha felt a rare hint of shyness, and her cheeks flushed faintly red.

She hurriedly shoved the hide coat into Feng Mountain’s hands and turned, walking away quickly.

Her flustered state made her seem like a completely different person from the queenly figure she usually was.

Seeing this, the others also took out warm clothing for Ma Wei and his two companions.

Seeing this, the others also took out warm clothing, handing it to Ma Wei and his two companions.

After all, the temperature outside was simply too cold. At fifty degrees below zero, it was a harsh environment beyond what most people could imagine. The slightest mistake or mishap could cost them their lives.

Frank walked up to them, carrying several heavy drawstring bags, and handed one to each person.

When it was Feng Mountain’s turn, the middle-aged man seemed reluctant. He hesitated for a moment, then finally opened his arms and gave Feng Mountain a huge hug.

"There’s vodka and chocolate in the bag. If you feel cold, take a sip. You have to be careful on the road. Don’t try to be a hero, you hear me?"

As he said the last sentence, Frank’s voice trembled, laced with a choked sob, his eyes filled with worry and concern.

Just then, Auntie Natalia handed over a bundle of rope, but each piece had been cut to a length of about two meters.

Feng Mountain looked at the ropes, his face a mask of confusion.

"Don’t you have your Tiger Pack? Tie the ropes around the tigers’ necks and let them lead you to the Bear Tribe. A Siberian Tiger’s movement and sense of smell are just as sharp in this kind of blizzard. They’ll be your best helpers," Auntie Natalia explained patiently, seeming to have noticed Feng Mountain’s confusion.

"Understood." Feng Mountain nodded and took the ropes.

To the side, Ma Wei and his two companions had already changed into their cold-weather gear. Wrapped in layer after layer, they were bundled up so tightly they looked like big, puffy marshmallows.

Feng Mountain’s gaze swept over the few people present who were extremely important to him. He gave a slight nod, put on his face mask and snowshoes, and strode to the doorway.

As Feng Mountain reached for the door, the instant his fingertips touched the icy handle, a sense of foreboding washed over him.

Then, with a sudden push, the door slowly swung open with a CREAK.

A bone-chilling wind, like a Sharp Blade, swept in, carrying a flurry of snowflakes and howling as it struck everyone in the face.

That’s right, it struck them!

The force of the wind was astonishing, as if someone had slapped them hard across the face. The powerful impact caught them completely off guard.

Even though they had all taken precautions and were wearing windproof masks, the fine, needle-like snow still found its way through the tiny gaps, mingling with the biting cold air to send a stinging, prickling pain across their cheeks.

’This weather is deadly.’

Feng Mountain couldn’t help but curse, his voice instantly swallowed by the howling wind.

The men gritted their teeth, bracing against the wind that cut like a knife. They supported each other as they hurriedly stepped out of the cabin.

Then they pulled the wooden door shut behind them with all their might.

In just that short moment, a thin layer of frost had already formed around their mouths.

The cold sensation was a stark reminder of the cold snap’s power.

The area in front of the cabin was now buried under a thick blanket of snow. A rough estimate put its depth at at least one meter.

Stepping into it, the bone-chilling snow would instantly come up past their knees.

Even so, the sky above, dark as if stained with ink, still seemed to have been torn open. An endless torrent of snow cascaded down like a waterfall, blotting out the sky as it fell.

It was as if the entire world had been reduced to a vast expanse of white and the raging, howling wind.

"Tyson." Feng Mountain stood up straight and shouted into the snow in front of him.

The next moment, a tiger’s head—shaped like a hamburger—popped out of the deep snow. Its amber eyes glinted with a cold light in the reflection off the snow.

Then, one by one, other tigers emerged from the snow around them, shaking off the accumulation to reveal their striped fur.

AWOOO!!

Tyson let out a powerful, low roar. He climbed out of the snow, first shaking off the thick flakes from his body, then striding over to Feng Mountain.

"Take us to the Bear Tribe. Not all of you need to go; leave half here at the cabin," Feng Mountain said as he pulled out one of the prepared ropes and skillfully tied it around Tyson’s thick neck.

He then handed the remaining ropes to Ma Wei and the others.

As if understanding his master’s words, Tyson nodded and let out a series of authoritative low roars at the Tiger Pack.

At this command, six tigers stepped forward.

They stood quietly to the side, awaiting their orders.

Ma Wei and his two companions hurried forward and, imitating Feng Mountain’s actions, tied the ropes around the other tigers’ necks.

After that, the men put on their special snowshoes and carefully checked their equipment one last time. Once they confirmed everything was in order, they gripped the ropes tightly.

Pulled along by the tigers, they began their difficult trek, leaving a trail of deep footprints in the snow as they departed the cabin and headed for the Bear Tribe.

The cold wind howled, battering their bodies, and the falling snow continuously blurred their vision, but Feng Mountain’s figure only grew more resolute against the vast, white expanse of snow.

Back in the cabin, the atmosphere was now shrouded in a gloomy haze, feeling somewhat low and oppressive.

The remaining people stood silently by the window, their eyes full of worry. They stared blankly as the figures of Feng Mountain and his group slowly disappeared into the vast whiteness, as if watching their hope gradually fade away, their hearts filled with unease.

"Hu Zi, are we ever going to go home?" Xiaohua, wrapped in a thick blanket like a frightened little rabbit, leaned weakly in Hu Zi’s arms. She stared in terror at the intricate frost flowers forming on the windowpane, at the howling wind, and at the blizzard raging outside.

In that moment, Hu Zi also felt lost and uncertain, knowing their situation was dire. But when he heard the genuine fear and anxiety in his love’s trembling voice, a powerful protective instinct surged through him.

He hugged Xiaohua tightly, offering Hua’Er a sliver of warmth and comfort with his own not-so-broad chest, as if that alone could dispel her fear.

"Don’t say such silly things. We’ll definitely get home. Brother Shan promised us."

Feeling the faint warmth from Hu Zi’s embrace, Xiaohua snuggled deeper into his arms like a child seeking security. She pouted and said with a mix of coquettish grievance, "The Crown Territory is no fun at all. It’s so cold. I’m never coming back here again."

The couple continued to comfort each other in hushed tones, trying to find a sliver of peace amid the cold and fear.

However, a jinx beside them chose that inopportune moment to start complaining.

"We’re doomed! I haven’t even found a girlfriend yet!"

"I’ve never even held a girl’s hand, and now I’m going to be frozen into an ice sculpture."

"Should I write my will now?"

Hu Zi felt Xiaohua tremble with fear in his arms at these words. A blaze of anger erupted in him, and he lifted his foot and gave the rambling Black Hide a vicious kick.

YEEOW!

Black Hide let out a pained shriek. He stumbled, lost his footing, and pitched headfirst into a nearby pile of food supplies.

As luck would have it, the food bags toppled over, instantly burying Black Hide underneath, leaving only his two legs flailing desperately in the air.

"Help me, help me!!"

This sudden, comical scene was like a ray of sunshine piercing through the gloom.

It instantly made everyone in the cabin burst out laughing.

The unease and tension that had just filled the room were dispelled by the laughter.

It gradually faded away into nothing.

...