Chapter Twenty-Five: The Mission

Outside the cave, the wind and snow had lessened considerably, though no one knew exactly when it had happened. Perhaps it was because we had welcomed a new team member, and the snow in this polar land rejoiced with us, no longer sending blizzards to hinder our advance. Maple Hua gazed absentmindedly at the world beyond the cave.

“From now on, call me by my codename, White Phoenix. It’s been a long time since I used my old name, Wang Fengxian. In fact, I’ve grown rather fond of White Phoenix.”

“Alright, that’s fine with me and Maple Hua. As for Yue Wang and Shuang Ning, since they’re meeting you for the first time, I doubt they’ll have any trouble with that either,” replied Little Dream.

“You’re right,” said Yue Wang. “Neither Shuang Ning nor I have any objections to how we address you. However, as the leader of this action group, there’s something I’ve always wondered: how is it that you can turn invisible? Is it some secret technique from a powerful Taoist sect? Forgive my ignorance, but I’ve never heard of any such mystical art being passed down in the world today.”

Yue Wang voiced the very question that had puzzled everyone. The rest of us, caught up in the joy of our reunion, had momentarily forgotten to ask.

White Phoenix smiled gently and glanced at Maple Hua for permission. He nodded, signaling it was all right to speak openly among trusted friends.

No longer keeping them in suspense, White Phoenix exhaled lightly and began, “The reason I didn’t join you directly and instead shadowed you in the guise of a ninja was because I received emergency orders to reinforce your team. I’d heard that Japan had dispatched a group of ninjas led by Tomahawk Onizuka to protect their secret project. The organization feared you might not be able to handle it alone, so they sent me as backup. As for my ability, when I was fifteen, by a twist of fate, I encountered a master on the verge of death. My constitution was similar to hers, and I happened to help her with a small favor at that time. In gratitude, she passed her life’s cultivation to me and took me as her disciple. Since then, my body can disassemble into tiny molecules and reassemble at will, merging with air or water.”

As White Phoenix recounted her story, Maple Hua, Little Dream, Yue Wang, and Shuang Ning exchanged glances, struck speechless by the revelation. It seemed that incredible encounter had forged the White Phoenix before them—capable not only of becoming invisible, but also of transforming into anyone she wished, even imitating a couple of their skills thanks to her profound mastery. The sheer marvel of it unsettled even the usually calm Maple Hua. With such a formidable ally, their confidence in the mission grew.

After a brief exchange, the group had grown familiar with one another. At that moment, Yue Wang’s communicator buzzed. She answered, and the commander’s voice came through: “Yue Wang, I suppose White Phoenix has joined your team by now? How is everyone getting along?”

“Yes, sir. She’s here, catching up with Maple Hua and Little Dream. Do you need her to report in?”

“No need for reports. Your mission is simple, but dangerous. The enemy has many experts; be extremely cautious. All you need to do is destroy their energy base. Don’t be reckless or greedy for credit—protect yourselves and make sure all five of you come back safely, understood?”

Hearing this, each of them felt a surge of warmth—a care akin to that of family, stirring a gentle comfort in their hearts.

“Yes, Commander. We promise to complete the mission,” they replied in unison.

Once the communicator was switched off, Maple Hua and the others decided to rest briefly before setting out for their destination.

Sometimes, confusion—or any other negative emotion—arrives and departs without warning, much like sudden snow in winter or a thunderstorm in summer.

Now, as they trekked across the Antarctic snowfields, heading deeper toward Cold Mountain, the five encountered a sudden onslaught of wind and blizzard. Yet these harsh conditions were not what troubled Maple Hua. His unease stemmed from uncertainties about the distant future, from the looming changes he feared might affect those he held dear. Thoughts of this, surfacing unexpectedly the night before, left him quietly melancholy.

Still, Maple Hua was clear about his present task: to complete this mission, then focus on improving his own strength. Only then could he pursue his true desires. He had long understood these principles, but at twenty-three, it was still difficult to find clarity, to dispel doubts, to remain unaffected by the world, and to balance the emotions that arose within.

“Brother Hua, you’ve been so quiet—what are you thinking about?” Little Dream couldn’t resist glancing back at him.

“Exactly, Maple,” Yue Wang added. “We’re nearly at the end of Cold Mountain’s main peak gorge, and the enemy could appear at any moment. This is no time to lose focus—snap out of it and prepare for battle.”

“Let’s stay alert and ready,” White Phoenix said, stepping to Maple Hua’s side. “I believe in him.”

Little Dream rolled her eyes at Maple Hua, as if to say, “She’s been so kind to you after all this time—are you two hiding something from me?”

Maple Hua, returning to himself, cleared his throat awkwardly. “Sorry for worrying everyone. I was just lost in old memories. Let’s hurry on—our mission is the priority. The Ice Valley of Cold Mountain is just ahead. We need to infiltrate before the storm passes.”

“Alright, let’s move,” said Shuang Ning, who had been quiet until now, tightening the straps on her pack.

Majestic glaciers sprawled across the Antarctic, swirling snow and howling winds scouring the vast ice fields—a land of bitter, biting cold.

Three more hours passed. At last, before nightfall, they reached the depths of Cold Mountain, beside a precipice and a deep gorge. Thanks to White Phoenix’s formidable spiritual perception, they detected and narrowly avoided over thirty hidden sentry posts along the way.

The gorge was bottomless. Aside from the wind shrieking up from between the cliffs, there seemed to be nothing. If not for their mission briefing, they would never have guessed a secret military and research base lay concealed beneath.

After a brief discussion, they resolved to split into two groups to avoid attracting attention. Among the five, White Phoenix, Maple Hua, and Little Dream were the strongest, so White Phoenix went with Yue Wang and Shuang Ning, while Little Dream paired with Maple Hua. They would rely on secret voice transmissions for communication.

One after another, they leapt into the gorge. In the wind and snow, their figures swiftly vanished. On the edge of the ravine, an old man appeared out of thin air, gazing in the direction they had disappeared, a knowing smile upon his lips.