Infinite Fire Record

Chapter 24: Cold Jade Bed

Zhongnan Mountain, before the ancient tomb.

Imperial Sky stood still, his gaze cold, his expression unreadable. The faintest curve touched the corner of his lips, but beneath it lay an endless chill.

All around, an eerie atmosphere lingered. The ground was slick with streams of blood-red water, while above, the air carried a solemn weight. A deep hole yawned open before him, darkness pooling within.

With a sharp flick of his sleeve, he strode forward, stepping into the abyss without hesitation.

The darkness thickened, devouring all traces of sunlight. Only a few scattered candles flickered feebly, their dim flames incapable of piercing the heavy shadows.

A smirk played at the corner of Imperial Sky’s mouth. His piercing gaze cut through the gloom as he spoke, his voice smooth yet edged with ice. “Since I am here, why does the master of the ancient tomb not greet me?”

His words barely settled before a reply came—cold, devoid of emotion, as if spoken by a puppet. “The ancient tomb does not welcome outsiders. Enter if you must.”

The voice was as frigid as the air, and with it came a glimmer of snow-white.

Imperial Sky’s sharp eyes fixed upon the pale figure in the distance. A cold smile ghosted his lips. “I assume you are the master of this place. I have come to request the Ancient Tomb Sect. I expect you to meet with me.”

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. Perhaps arrogance was etched into his very bones—an unyielding confidence that tolerated no refusal.

The figure stepped forward, revealing a gaunt, elderly woman with pale hair and a face marked by deep wrinkles and dark spots, her features monstrous in the dim light. An oil lamp dangled from her hand, casting elongated shadows across the stone walls.

For a moment, the old woman’s expression froze, and then, inexplicably, a flicker of joy surfaced in her eyes.

She was Granny Sun, a servant of the ancient tomb. Her grotesque appearance had earned her scorn from all who saw her. Yet Imperial Sky’s gaze remained cold and indifferent, unshaken by ugliness or beauty. To him, all faces were the same—only the living and the dead bore any distinction.

Granny Sun had suffered a lifetime of silent humiliation. All who laid eyes on her recoiled in disgust. Now, faced with a man whose expression held neither revulsion nor pity, she felt an unfamiliar warmth seep into her heart.

Perhaps it was this very indifference that had once drawn her to Yang so deeply.

With quiet reverence, she asked, “Sir, what business do you have with the Tomb Sect?”

Imperial Sky did not waver. His keen gaze remained locked on the pale figure before him as he stated, “The Ancient Tomb Sect holds a treasure—the ‘Cold Jade Bed.’ I have come to borrow it.”

At his words, Granny Sun’s brows furrowed slightly. From the shadows, another figure emerged, clad entirely in white.

She moved like drifting snow, silent yet commanding.

A young woman stood before him, her skin pale as untouched frost. Not a trace of warmth colored her face; her expression was as still as a porcelain mask.

She was beautiful—eerily so. The kind of beauty that was neither excessive nor lacking, as if sculpted to perfection. An iciness clung to her, untouched by the world. Perhaps only true indifference could create such flawless beauty.

For the first time, a flicker of admiration surfaced in Imperial Sky’s heart—an appreciation of something rare and unyielding.

The Little Dragon Lady met his gaze, her voice as devoid of emotion as her face. “The Cold Jade Bed will not be lent to you. Leave.”

Her words, spoken with quiet finality, cut through the air like a blade.

Imperial Sky’s cold smile deepened.

Was this amusement? Or was it something far darker?

Perhaps his coldness was born of disdain, of a lonely and arrogant heart. But her coldness—hers was absolute. Ruthless.

His sharp gaze measured her, a glint of playfulness flickering in his eyes. “I believe you will change your mind. There is nothing in this world I cannot take. The Cold Jade Bed is of great importance to me. I will not leave without it. And besides—” His voice dropped slightly, carrying a quiet warning. “The Ancient Tomb Sect holds only two people now. I do not wish to use force, but do not make me.”

The air tensed.

Granny Sun’s frown deepened, but after a moment, she exhaled a long sigh. “Sir, there is no harm in lending you the Cold Jade Bed. However, once you have used it, I ask that you leave immediately. The Ancient Tomb does not welcome guests.”

Imperial Sky studied her, unreadable. The Little Dragon Lady’s gaze flickered toward Granny Sun, her expression betraying nothing.

Granny Sun sighed again, shaking her head. “Girl, just this once—listen.”

With that, she turned, raising her right hand in an inviting gesture.

Imperial Sky nodded, satisfaction glinting in his eyes as he followed.

As he passed by the Little Dragon Lady, he slowed, his gaze lingering on her face.

Emotionless. Empty. Cold as the deepest winter.

Lifting a hand, he traced the air just before her cheek, his voice a whisper of ice. “This face is cold to the touch… A woman of such stunning beauty, yet devoid of any human warmth. Is this the result of your training? Or is this simply your nature?” His eyes darkened. “If it is your nature, then you must be a fairy. If it is the result of your training, then your martial arts are demonic.”

Lowering his hand, he stepped past her, fingers tingling with the ghostly chill that lingered in the air. He gave a slight shake of his head before following Granny Sun deeper into the tomb.

The Little Dragon Lady remained motionless. She had not reacted in the slightest.

Granny Sun, however, let out another sigh as she murmured, “When she was a child, she was bright and full of life. Cheerful and playful. But ever since she began practicing martial arts, she has become like this—void of any meaningful emotions, like a puppet.” Her voice turned wistful. “Ah… in the end, martial arts bring nothing but suffering.”

Imperial Sky did not respond, though a faint smirk played on his lips as he cast a sidelong glance at the Little Dragon Lady.

She followed them, her footsteps feather-light, making not a sound.

The Ancient Tomb Sect… Whatever martial arts they practice, their lightness skill alone is enough to surpass all others.

He thought no more of it and stepped forward, following Granny Sun down a darkened corridor.

The deeper they ventured, the colder the air became. The chill bit through even his robes, seeping into his bones.

The Cold Jade Bed—its name had not been given lightly.

At last, a great stone door loomed before them. As it groaned open, the flickering candlelight revealed a chamber beyond.

Imperial Sky stepped inside, his gaze locking onto a pristine white stone platform at the center of the room. The entire structure was hewn from pure jade, its surface exuding a delicate mist. A deep, biting cold radiated outward, filling the chamber with an almost tangible frost.

Granny Sun turned to him, her voice even. “Sir, this is the Cold Jade Bed.”