Chapter 12: Silver Vine Town
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
The world lay hushed beneath a thick blanket of snow, and the wind’s icy breath bit at every corner of the forest. All around, the trees stood silent and dark. Yet, in the middle of this quiet, something astonishing lit up the wintry gloom. A crimson glow shimmered through the branches, scattering a soft, ruby-colored light across the snowy ground. At first glance, it looked as if countless red butterflies drifted through the night sky, their gentle radiance twirling in the wind. It was such a strange and lovely sight that Qin Ming and Xu Yue Ping could only stand and gape, spellbound by the strange beauty they never expected to find here.
They stood at the forest’s edge, while snow swirled and branches creaked overhead. Gradually, the crimson glow drew closer, drifting toward them. As the two companions watched, Xu Yue Ping narrowed his eyes, carefully studying these “butterflies.”
“It’s an altered plant bloom,” he murmured, his voice filled with wonder. “The energy it’s letting out is remarkable—like a burst of new life. I’d wager that the birds and beasts around here will grow stronger or stranger because of it.”
Qin Ming squinted, reaching out to catch the glowing shapes. He realized that the “butterflies” were really scarlet petals, each spinning gracefully as it drifted on the breeze. The red light they cast danced along his fingertips, making his hand look enchanted. Xu Yue Ping plucked a few petals himself and, without a second thought, popped them into his mouth.
“Go on, try them,” he said thoughtfully, chewing with a slight crunch. “Altered plant blooms—flowers or fruit—are always good for the body. These petals taste a bit sweet, too.”
Qin Ming tried a couple, shrugging in mild surprise. “They’re… actually kind of nice,” he said, sounding more like an ordinary village teen than a warrior. “Too bad there aren’t enough here to do much good.”
Beyond them, the petals gathered in a gleaming red cloud, painting the night sky scarlet and chasing away some of the darkness. Overhead, birds swooped, trying to snatch glowing petals from the air. On the ground below, the roars of tigers and the howls of apes echoed, each creature fighting to seize these mysterious blooms.
Qin Ming’s eyes glowed with excitement. “Whoa, that’s so cool. I kinda want to check it out up close,” he said, his voice cracking with youthful eagerness.
But Xu Yue Ping placed a firm hand on Qin Ming’s shoulder. “Don’t bother,” he warned gently. “By the time we reach the source, the flowers will be gone. Besides, we’d be risking our necks—what if we run into some nasty critters or a famous named beast? It’s not worth it.”
He sighed, knowing well that altered plants bloomed without any warning and never twice. Once they burst forth, they faded just as quickly. No one could predict or control such things.
Qin Ming’s gaze lingered on the distant glow, longing apparent in his eyes. “There’s so much mystery even here, Uncle Xu,” he said quietly. “Sometimes I just wish I could go beyond all that heavy mist in the far hills, to see what’s really out there.”
Xu Yue Ping gave him a warm smile. “Dreaming is good, Qin Ming. It keeps you going. Maybe one day you’ll get to see Red Glow City with your own eyes,” he said softly. He believed that if Qin Ming ever made it there, he’d truly understand how vast and strange the world could be.
“Maybe you could even study there,” Xu Yue Ping added, as if the idea might spur the boy on.
Qin Ming turned to him, curiosity shining. “Hey, Uncle Xu, you’ve actually been there, right? What’s it like?”
A distant look crossed Xu Yue Ping’s face, his gaze drifting back through the years. “I went once. It left quite an impression. After seeing that place, I understood the real world’s breadth—its wonders and limits.” There was a calm acceptance in his tone now, like a man who knew he could never hold everything he wanted in the palm of his hand.
Qin Ming tilted his head, thoughtful. “Man, Uncle Xu, you’ve seen loads,” he said softly.
Xu Yue Ping gave a small, bittersweet smile. “When you’re young, you dream big,” he said. He didn’t want to sour the boy’s enthusiasm with stories of his own regrets. Time would handle that soon enough.
Shaking himself back to the present, Xu Yue Ping surveyed the forest around them. “We’ve walked over ten miles and haven’t spotted a single animal,” he grumbled, annoyed at their bad luck. He wanted something to bring home—food to trade, maybe.
Qin Ming shrugged. “They’re all off chasing those blooms, I guess. Makes sense, right?”
Normally, one wouldn’t travel through these forests without a group. The wilderness was dark, wild, and full of risks. Still, eventually Xu Yue Ping managed to bring down a small musk deer. It weighed about forty pounds—not a grand prize, but it would do.
They moved swiftly as they headed back, covering thirteen miles at a steady pace until the shape of Silver Vine Town came into view. Against the night sky, the lights of the town were soft and flickering, like a scene from a peaceful painting. As they drew nearer, more travelers appeared on the road—hunters returning with their kills, traders hauling mountain goods, and carts lumbering along under the swirl of new-fallen snow.
On the main street, the place was buzzing. Scarlet lanterns hung outside shops, sending warm light across the cobblestones. People called out, haggled, and laughed, while the smells of street food drifted in the crisp air. Vendors sold piping hot pancakes and steaming wontons, their voices cheery despite the cold. Compared to their quiet home in Twin Trees Village, Silver Vine Town felt like another world—noisy, lively, full of dazzling color.
Xu Yue Ping checked the price of grain and grimaced. It was still high because snowstorms had blocked supply routes. From the center of town came the glow of the Fire Spring—its faint haze shimmered under lantern-light. The spring, about eight yards across, was surrounded by soft, mystic mist. Thick as a barrel, the silver vine that gave the town its name rooted itself in that spring. Although it looked grand, the vine was actually quite ordinary, only able to soak up a bit of the spring’s energy.
Qin Ming spotted red shellfish scuttling in the shallow waters. Their shells glowed like jewels, and each creature flickered with its own fiery glow.
“Fire clams,” whispered Xu Yue Ping. “There aren’t many—just a few dozen. They’re supposed to taste amazing and burst with life energy. No telling who’ll get their hands on them, though.”
Some of the finest shops in town stood near the Fire Spring, including an old weapons shop with a steady stream of customers going in and out. After all, one needed a good blade to brave the dangers of the wilderness.
As snow began drifting down once again, Xu Yue Ping guided Qin Ming toward a tavern whose door was framed by delicate lanterns. Inside, pale sunstones lit the place in gentle colors, and the few people present were just beginning to settle in for the night.
“We’re early,” Xu Yue Ping remarked with a hint of satisfaction.
A sleepy-eyed young server gave them a drowsy nod. Xu Yue Ping cleared his throat. “Could you let your boss know we’ve come to see Mr. Feng Yi An?”
At once, the boy stood taller, eyes snapping open. “The boss isn’t here right now, sir, but he left instructions. I’ll fetch Mr. Feng for you right away.”
Handing over the small musk deer, Xu Yue Ping smiled politely. “Should be worth some decent wine, I think.”
These days, the tavern wouldn’t turn down a good deer. With grain so scarce and roads blocked, every bit of food mattered. The boy nodded eagerly.
As they settled at a table, Xu Yue Ping leaned toward Qin Ming and spoke in a low voice. “The boss calls himself West Fire Luo. His father supposedly came here from the far west, traveling with some master who rode a strange, huge bird.” Rumors swirled about that master—some said he roamed the world, others that he’d been slain deep in the wild mountains, hunting a rare Fire Spring but falling victim to the dreaded ‘Moon Bug.’ His people stayed behind, making a living from this tavern.
The server returned and mentioned that Mr. Feng might show up around noon. He offered dancing girls and music to pass the time, but Xu Yue Ping waved the idea away. “No need,” he said. “Just bring some wine and a bit of food. We have business to discuss today.”
Around them, the tavern’s decorations gleamed. Crystal lamps hung overhead, and tiny sunstones cast a dreamy, shifting glow across the wooden tables. It was a prettier sight than what they were used to back in the village.
“It’s still early,” Xu Yue Ping told Qin Ming quietly. “You wait here. I’m going to call on the old gentleman.” Qin Ming knew what that meant: Uncle Xu was off to try his luck with the noble family who had recently come to town. Qin Ming didn’t protest. The older man’s hopes might be slim, but he had to try.
Time passed slowly. Qin Ming sipped his amber-tinted wine, grimacing a bit at the odd taste. Outside, the snow continued to fall, and the streets gradually filled with more voices and movement. It felt vibrant here, more alive than quiet Twin Trees Village could ever be.
At last, Xu Yue Ping returned, brushing snow from his shoulders and looking a bit worn. He warmed his hands over his cup of wine and took a long drink.
Qin Ming leaned forward, concerned. “Everything all right, Uncle Xu?” he asked, trying to sound casual but failing to hide his worry.
Xu Yue Ping sighed, smiling thinly. “They were polite enough. Said they’d consider giving you a chance later on,” he replied. His tone suggested he knew better than to hope.
“Seriously?” Qin Ming raised his eyebrows, skeptical. He had expected a flat refusal, not meaningless politeness.
Xu Yue Ping explained that he had not seen any noble family members, only a polite, smooth-talking butler. Many had approached the nobles lately, and all received the same courteous promises. It was just a brush-off, in the end.
Qin Ming snorted softly. “I guess they weren’t impressed by my strength, huh?” He shrugged, forcing a grin. “Uncle Xu, even if I can lift six hundred pounds, I’m probably nothing special to them. They must’ve seen way more impressive stuff back in their big city.”
Xu Yue Ping frowned, remembering the talk that the noble family’s young lady was exceptionally gifted. “They must be familiar with all sorts of talents,” he admitted quietly. “Don’t let it upset you. I thought maybe we could find a solution to the trouble with the Mountain Patrol, that’s all.”
“Don’t sweat it, Uncle Xu,” Qin Ming said in a relaxed, teenager’s tone. “They might be big shots, but who knows what they’re really up to here? Maybe they’re just lying low or waiting for something. We’re probably better off not getting tangled up with them.”
Xu Yue Ping gave a resigned nod. “You might be right. Hard to say what’s going on behind their smiles.”
It was nearing noon, and the faint outline of the mountain peaks was becoming clearer through the thinning darkness. Right on time, Feng Yi An arrived with two members of the Mountain Patrol. They strode into the tavern as if they owned the place, bringing a blast of cold air with them.
“Brother Xu!” Feng Yi An called brightly, as though he were an old friend. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Just got back from a busy patrol, you know.”
Qin Ming clenched his teeth at the man’s false cheer. He knew from Uncle Xu that the Mountain Patrol rarely did real work. Most of the time, they idled around town, drinking and spending money. But Xu Yue Ping only forced a polite smile. “No worries,” he said. “I know you must be terribly busy.”
Feng Yi An nodded at Qin Ming, pretending friendliness. “Young Qin, you look strong. Perhaps one day you’ll join us in the patrol!” he said, patting the boy’s shoulder like they were the best of friends. Then, turning to his companions, he suggested they leave Qin Ming with them while he and Xu Yue Ping talked privately. Qin Ming said nothing but shot Uncle Xu a worried look as the older man disappeared into the private room with Feng Yi An.
Inside that room, Feng Yi An’s charming mask fell away. He slapped Xu Yue Ping lightly on the cheek, grip tightening, his voice now cruel and cold. “You’ve been stubborn, old friend,” he sneered. “This isn’t good for your health or your family’s safety. Wild animals tend to wander at night, don’t they?”
Xu Yue Ping swallowed hard, anger and fear mixing behind his eyes. “I’ll plant the Black Moon as soon as I return,” he said quietly, his words chosen to keep things from turning uglier.
Feng Yi An scowled. “You’d better. We’ve run out of patience. Even the team leader is annoyed at having to trudge out here,” he said with a disgusted shake of his head.
About fifteen minutes later, Feng Yi An strutted out, a bright grin plastered back on his face. Xu Yue Ping emerged soon after, looking tense but trying to appear composed.
“Leaving so soon, Brother Xu?” Feng Yi An called out, pretending cheer again. “Young Qin, why not stay a while? Enjoy a drink?”
Qin Ming shook his head, giving a casual shrug. “Nah, I should stick with Uncle Xu. Never know what sort of beasties might be lurking.” He followed his uncle outside without another glance at the Mountain Patrol’s men.
As they stepped into the cold air, Qin Ming noticed the fading outline of a handprint on Xu Yue Ping’s cheek. His blood boiled. He drew a deep breath and forced it out slowly. “Uncle Xu, these guys keep this up—sooner or later even the heavens will lose patience. They’ll get what’s coming,” he said, voice low but fierce.
Xu Yue Ping managed a tired smile and nodded. “Let’s hope so,” he said softly. “Let’s hope the world finds its balance someday.”