Chapter 18: Visitors from Red Glow City
Translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Qin Ming was busy daydreaming when he suddenly heard a frantic knock on the courtyard gate. He hurried over and found Xu Yue Ping, who looked as if he’d just run several miles.
“Oi, Qin!” Xu Yue Ping called, sounding breathless. “Get out here, now! Something big’s going down!”
Qin Ming felt his heart lurch. Had news of that destroyed mountain patrol spread already?
“We’re leaving in an hour,” Xu Yue Ping said, a tense edge to his voice. “Some really important folks from Red Glow City showed up, and they’re asking to meet all the newly Awakened from the nearby villages.”
He leaned closer, lowering his voice so nobody else would overhear. “They’re from noble families. They said they’re here to help clear out the mountain. But, from what I’ve heard, this is also some kind of trial for them.”
Qin Ming raised an eyebrow, a crooked grin on his face. His teenage voice dipped into a light, mocking tone. “So this is it, huh? The big moment we’ve all been waiting for?”
Xu Yue Ping nodded, his brow furrowed. “Yeah, no joking around. If you play your cards right, you might even earn a place in Red Glow City. So get moving!”
…
About an hour later, Xu Yue Ping’s house was in complete chaos. Old Man Liu had dressed for war. He carried a heavy broadsword, wore a scuffed old leather chest guard, and had even strapped on a shiny iron helmet that looked as if it hadn’t seen battle in decades.
When Qin Ming spotted the old fellow, he couldn’t help but snicker. He spoke in a tone that mixed respect with a teenage shrug. “Grandpa Liu, what’s with the costume? We’re just gonna meet them, not charge into a battlefield, yeah?”
Old Man Liu snorted, sticking out his chest. “Hah! A man’s got to be ready, boy. Better get used to gear before the real trouble starts.”
Yang Yong Qing was equally serious, standing there with two swords crossed over his back. Xu Yue Ping rolled his eyes dramatically.
“We’re only meeting them,” Xu said, trying to sound reasonable. “Besides, Liu, you’re not exactly in your prime anymore. You’ve just recovered from an injury. Don’t push—”
Old Man Liu cut him off, his voice booming. “What’s this nonsense? An old horse still dreams of running a thousand miles! I’m strong as ever. I could still take you and Yong Qing at the same time if I had to!”
Not everyone was keen, though. Some newly Awakened villagers had decided to skip this meeting. Wang Qing Lin, still badly injured, didn’t have much choice anyway. He couldn’t even stand, let alone march out.
…
Their meeting spot was only about seven miles away, at a crossroads under a cloudy, dim sky. The thick forest pressed in from all sides, and the night air felt strangely heavy. Qin Ming could sense the nervous energy crackling around them.
People from more than a dozen villages were on the move. Newly Awakened young men and women hurried toward the gathering point. Smaller villages sent just a handful of people, while larger ones brought as many as ten. Altogether, the crowd barely reached a hundred.
They found the visitors from Red Glow City already waiting. The nobles stood in three distinct squads, all wearing shining armor that glittered under torchlight. They said nothing, but their silent presence made the villagers go quiet. The villagers stared, wide-eyed, at these polished warriors. They looked like something out of a storybook—men and women from a distant, grand city who had come to their simple lands.
Each squad of about ten warriors had its own emblem. But everyone’s eyes drifted to the three leaders standing at the front. One leader was an enormous man, towering nearly three meters high. He wore black metal armor, and his dark hair spilled over his shoulders. Just looking at him made Qin Ming’s stomach flip. This man radiated strength. His mount was equally impressive: a huge, fiery red ox, as tall as a grown man’s shoulders, with three horns—two curved and one jutting forward like a blade.
When the villagers arrived, the giant man swung off his ox. He nodded politely, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. “My name is Cao Long,” he said simply.
He explained that several skilled folks from Red Glow City had come—ten noble families in all. These three squads were assigned to this particular region of the mountain. They were here to assist in clearing dangerous areas. Some nodded in understanding; others just gaped.
A graceful young woman stepped forward next. “I’m Wei Zhi Rou, from the Wei family.” She stood a little apart from Cao Long, perched on a large stone as if it were her stage. She wore a snow-white fox fur coat, and her dark hair lifted gently in the breeze. With her fair face and gentle smile, she looked like a vision out of a dream. Many of the village youths felt their hearts skip a beat. To them, she seemed as distant and lovely as the moon.
Wei Zhi Rou spoke softly and kindly, explaining the plan to clear the mountain and sharing a bit of news. “This winter, the heavy snows have blocked the roads,” she said. “But don’t worry. Red Glow City is sending giant beasts to haul supply carts. They’ll bring food soon.” A murmur ran through the crowd. Most sighed with relief; a few worried silently about the prices.
The last leader stepped forward silently. “My name is Mu Qing,” they said, their voice low and even. Dressed entirely in black, their face was hidden beneath a hood, making it hard to guess if they were male or female. Mu Qing wasted no time. “We don’t know the mountains well,” they said clearly. “We need guides. That’s why we’ve called you here.”
So that was it. They needed newly Awakened people from the villages—those who knew the forest trails and hidden passes—to lead them through the dark and tangled mountain paths. If these villagers agreed, there would be good pay. And Cao Long added something even more tempting: those who did exceptionally well could earn advanced Breathing Exercises or Meditation Techniques. The villagers nearly gasped. Such knowledge was normally way beyond their reach.
A voice piped up from the crowd: “What counts as ‘doing well’?” They wanted details.
Cao Long’s gaze swept over them. “If you share information that saves lives, hunt special mutated beasts, or locate places rich in Spiritual Essence,” he said firmly. “That would count.”
Wei Zhi Rou added sweetly, “If you spot anything unusual—special crevices, strange mists, hidden groves—let us know right away. That’s valuable too.”
A man from Green Mulberry Village spoke up, talking about a narrow crevice with dangerous silver vines. Some villagers had lost their lives there. Old Man Liu nudged Qin Ming, looking annoyed that someone else had spoken first. Wei Zhi Rou nodded thoughtfully. “Places like that are often affected by wild magnetic fields,” she explained. “If you lead us to similar spots, I’ll give you an intermediate-level Awakening Manual.”
The villagers listened closely, hungry for such opportunities. Cao Long also warned them that thick white fog or colorful mists were much more dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. But if someone pointed out such a place, they’d receive an advanced Breathing Exercise. That drew an excited hum from the crowd. It seemed these visitors from Red Glow City were willing to pay generously for any kind of helpful information.
Some of the Awakened villagers realized that these nobles wanted more than just a clean-up mission. They were mapping mysterious areas, hoping to gain secret knowledge. Still, nobody minded. If it meant less danger on the outskirts, it was good news.
Cao Long mentioned there would be one final negotiation with powerful beings deep in the mountains—a group the villagers knew only through whispered rumors. The crowd stirred with excitement and a hint of fear. Qin Ming felt a shiver down his spine. He had only ever seen a Moon Bug, but never any truly high-level creature. The idea of witnessing such negotiations thrilled him.
Wei Zhi Rou’s voice was calm as she explained more. “Those high-level beings are newcomers. They’re pushing other dangerous creatures toward the edge of the mountain, right near your villages. That’s why it’s getting more dangerous.”
Xu Yue Ping swallowed hard and asked, “So, the outskirts, which were quiet until now, are going to get bad again?”
Mu Qing’s voice cut through the quiet worry like a blade. “Who cares? They’ve got no right to expand here. We’re going to push them back. That’s why we’re here—to clear the mountain and restore order.”
The villagers let out quiet breaths of relief. Mu Qing spoke with such calm authority that it settled their nerves. Mu Qing went on, raising their voice: “They must have forgotten the lesson we taught them before. Let’s remind them who rules this land. Humans have always stood at the top. That hasn’t changed.”
At first, the villagers felt their spirits lift, but then something odd caught their eye: a fluffy, golden tail flickered beneath Mu Qing’s cloak. Whispers started: What on earth was Mu Qing?
Cao Long looked at Mu Qing with a warning glare. Wei Zhi Rou gave a serene smile and said, “Mu Qing is human,” as if that solved everything. The three squads behind them remained as calm as statues, as if they already knew the truth.
Qin Ming blinked in confusion, while Old Man Liu whispered, “Some sort of… special path they’ve chosen? I don’t really get it.” Qin Ming had already seen strange things—Cao Long’s giant mount, for one. Maybe these nobles walked strange paths indeed.
Cao Long cleared his throat, turning back to the villagers. “Now, we’ll choose who will guide us through the mountains. Only volunteer if you’re willing. We won’t force anyone.”
He promised they would ensure their guides’ safety and that those who joined could earn rare treasures: spiritual essence, advanced breathing methods, and more. Not surprisingly, nobody left. They had come this far—why turn back now?
Wei Zhi Rou stepped forward, holding a scroll. She flashed a bright smile at Cao Long and Mu Qing. “I’d like to pick first, if that’s all right,” she said lightly.
Cao Long nodded. “One at a time,” he agreed. Mu Qing gave a brief nod, not objecting.
Wei Zhi Rou scanned the list of names. “Our Wei family wants boys with a strong golden foundation.” She paused, then called out, “Who’s Zhou Wu Bing? And who’s Qin Ming?”
Mu Qing made a soft, teasing sound. “One at a time, Wei,” they reminded her.
Wei Zhi Rou chuckled. “I know, I know. I just want to see them for myself.”
Zhou Wu Bing, a tall, sturdy fellow, stepped forward. Qin Ming followed, standing quietly beside him. Qin Ming’s teenage tone was more casual than Wu Bing’s formal manner, but he kept still, letting her examine them. Wei Zhi Rou looked pleased.
“Both of you have a golden foundation,” Wei Zhi Rou said, smiling sweetly. “I think you’d both suit us very well.”
Just then, a messenger darted over from the edge of the woods and whispered something to Wei Zhi Rou. Instantly, everyone realized there were more nobles out there, hidden and watching.
Wei Zhi Rou frowned thoughtfully as the messenger spoke. “Zhou Wu Bing was ill as a child but grew stronger after Awakening,” she murmured, surprised. “And trained by Xu Kong?” She seemed impressed. After a quick, quiet discussion, she gave Zhou Wu Bing a warm nod, beckoning him forward. Wu Bing had been chosen first.