She slowly walked up the stairs of the altar. “Oh, Xuanwu! Be at peace, Dark Warrior of the Winter,” she cried out as she held out her hands in a mollifying manner.

“Warm your heart and release the chilling winds in your body. There are no more battles to fight,” she continued.

The Sacred Beast of the North, Xuanwu, raised its head and roared one last time. The raging winter winds relaxed a little as the Dark Warrior of the North regarded the little lady in front of it.

“I would gladly offer myself if you abate your anger!” She announced.

There was silence before the sacred beast roared one last time and vanished. The winter winds stopped and the weather slowly turned to spring.

The villagers rejoiced at the returning temperature but no one realised the lady’s disappearance.