Chapter 18: The Visitors from Scarlet Dawn City
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
As Qin Ming pondered his thoughts, he heard a loud knock on his courtyard door. It was Xu Yue Ping, his neighbor.
“Qin! Get out here, quick! We’ve got an urgent matter!” Xu Yue Ping called out, his voice laced with urgency.
Qin Ming’s heart skipped a beat. Could the news about the mountain patrol being wiped out have spread so quickly?
“We’re leaving in an hour,” Xu Yue Ping informed him, a stern look on his face. “The people from Scarlet Dawn City have arrived, and they want to meet the new recruits from the nearby villages.”
Leaning in closer, Xu Yue Ping whispered, “I’ve heard they’re all from noble families, here to help us clear the mountains while honing their own skills.”
Qin Ming nodded, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes. “So, it’s finally starting, huh?”
Xu Yue Ping continued, his tone serious. “This is your chance to make a good impression. The people who came are not ordinary. If you play your cards right, you might just get into Scarlet Dawn City.”
An hour later, Xu Yue Ping’s house was bustling with activity.
Old Liu was in high spirits, strapping a thick-backed broadsword to his back. He donned his worn leather armor and an iron helmet, fully geared up.
Qin Ming sidled up to him and asked, “Old Liu, what’s with all the gear? We’re just meeting them today, not heading up the mountain.”
Old Liu chuckled. “Just getting used to it in advance.”
Yang Yong Qing was equally prepared, carrying a pair of swords on his back.
“Though it’s unlikely anything will happen in the outskirts, someone still needs to stay behind and keep watch. Uncle Liu, you’ve lost some of your strength over the years, and at your age—” Xu Yue Ping began, but Old Liu cut him off.
“A warhorse never forgets its way,” Old Liu declared proudly. “I may be old, but I’ve got the strength of a tiger and the spirit of a dragon. I could take both you and Yang Yong Qing on!”
There were, of course, those who weren’t willing to risk it. Two other new recruits from the village opted out, while Wang Qing Lin, who was still recovering from his injuries, had no choice.
Their destination wasn’t far, just at a crossroads seven miles away.
Under the dim night sky, the surrounding wilderness was dense with forests.
More than a dozen villages had received the summons, and the new recruits, all swift on their feet, arrived one after another.
Smaller villages like Twin Tree sent only four people, while the larger ones sent over ten. Altogether, they were less than a hundred.
The people from Scarlet Dawn City had arrived earlier, split into three groups. Almost all of them were armored, their equipment gleaming in the dim light as they waited silently up ahead.
The new recruits from each village also fell silent, awed by the shining armor and sharp blades before them, and filled with reverence for the noble elites from the resplendent city.
Each of the three groups bore distinct family crests. Each had around a dozen members, but it was the three leaders standing at the forefront who drew the most attention.
One of them was a man who stood three meters tall, clad in pitch-black armor. His black hair fell over his shoulders, and his gaze was sharp as a blade, exuding an overwhelming aura of power.
His mount was equally eye-catching—a giant, fiery-red bull, its back taller than an adult man. Apart from its usual curved horns, it had a third, sword-like horn jutting forward.
When the three-meter-tall man saw the new recruits from the villages arriving, he didn’t remain aloof on his bull. He dismounted and nodded to everyone. “I am Cao Long.”
He gave a brief introduction, saying that Scarlet Dawn City had sent quite a few experts this time. Several families were helping to clear the mountains, and the young people from their three families were in charge of this area.
“I’m Wei Zhi Rou, from the Wei family,” introduced one of the women. She wasn’t standing next to the giant Cao Long but was instead positioned on a green rock.
She wore a pure white fox-fur coat, her long black hair fluttering in the wind. Her delicate face, shaped like a melon seed, held a sweet and radiant smile, a beauty that captivated the young men from the villages.
To these young men who had never traveled far beyond their mountain home, this noblewoman from the resplendent city appeared like a pristine, white-clad fairy. Many would remember her beauty for years to come.
Wei Zhi Rou, standing tall and graceful, was indeed striking. She gently tucked a strand of wind-swept hair behind her ear and spoke about the task of clearing the mountains. She also brought some news.
“This winter, heavy snow has blocked the roads, making it difficult to transport food from outside. But don’t worry—Scarlet Dawn City has already sent out giant beasts pulling carts loaded with grain. It won’t be long before they arrive.”
This immediately sparked a buzz among the people from the villages, their faces lighting up with joy.
But some were worried about the cost. Would the price of grain be high given the method of transport?
“I am Mu Qing,” said the last of the three leaders. Cloaked entirely in black, even their face was hidden, giving off an air of mystery. Even after they spoke, it was impossible to tell if they were male or female—their voice had a neutral tone.
Mu Qing was blunt, stating that they were unfamiliar with the mountains and needed the local recruits to act as guides.
This was the real reason the three teams were here to meet the new recruits from the villages.
If they agreed to join them, there would be generous rewards.
Cao Long mentioned that outstanding performance could earn one rare skills like “Will Power Techniques” or “Meditation Arts.”
This immediately set off a buzz. Many eyes shone with excitement, as the “Awakened Techniques” circulated in these parts were generally quite basic.
“What counts as outstanding performance?” someone couldn’t help but ask.
“Providing crucial information that prevents casualties, hunting rare creatures, or discovering places that nurture spiritual substances…” Cao Long listed.
People quickly realized that earning these rewards wouldn’t be easy. The noble elites from Scarlet Dawn City weren’t just here to temper their bodies; they also wanted to explore the more mysterious parts of the mountains.
Wei Zhi Rou added, “If you notice any unusual sights in the mountains, report to us immediately. That would count as valuable information too.”
“I know of a crevice where silver tendrils used to spread. Anyone who fell in would barely make it out alive. Does that count?” someone from the neighboring Green Mulberry Village piped up.
Qin Ming recognized it immediately. It was a spot where a few villagers had lost their lives.
Old Liu slapped his thigh and gave Qin Ming a look, clearly frustrated that someone else had beaten them to it.
Wei Zhi Rou nodded. “The magnetic fields in the mountains are chaotic. The place you mentioned is likely a smaller node. If you can find another place like it, I’ll give you an intermediate-level secret manual for new recruits.”
She explained that these special nodes might have existed for several years, and they planned to search and map them out to provide a mountain terrain map for the locals, to help them avoid danger in the future.
Cao Long spoke again, “If you come across places where white mist swirls and colorful smoke fills the air, don’t go near. Those areas are even more dangerous. Anyone who provides information about such places will be rewarded with a high-level ‘Will Power Technique.'”
The crowd buzzed with excitement. For most of them, such high-level manuals were almost like myths—far beyond their reach. Who wouldn’t want that?
Some people began to realize that the nobles from Scarlet Dawn City might have a more significant purpose beyond simply testing their skills. The unusual phenomena in the mountains likely involved secrets unknown to the locals.
However, the new recruits from the villages remained calm. Even if they understood there might be hidden motives, so what? Those dangerous areas were not places they could step into anyway.
Moreover, whatever the nobles’ true intentions were, in the end, they would help them clear the mountains and defend against the strange creatures there. That was more than enough.
Cao Long informed everyone that Scarlet Dawn City’s leaders still had one last negotiation with the mysterious beings deep within the mountains. This would take place outside the mountains, with results expected soon.
The new recruits whispered among themselves. Though they lived in these regions, they had only heard legends of a handful of high-level beings. Their deepest impression of the mountain depths was one of mystery, the unknown, and fear—a place filled with awe-inspiring mist.
“Will we get to see it, this negotiation outside the mountains?” one of the young men from the three teams asked, his face still a bit babyish. His youthful bravery showed as he expressed curiosity about the top-tier beings in the deep mountains.
The three teams, which had been relatively quiet, now stirred with interest. They were all young, driven by a strong sense of curiosity and a thirst for exploration.
Towering above the rest, Cao Long’s mere gaze silenced the crowd. He nodded, saying, “Perhaps, there will be a chance.”
This immediately set off another round of excited chatter.
Qin Ming could no longer remain calm. Aside from accidentally glimpsing a “Moonbug,” he knew nothing about other top-tier creatures and wanted to use this opportunity to see them up close.
Wei Zhi Rou, her slim figure standing on the green rock, her pure white fox-fur coat fluttering elegantly in the wind, delivered more news.
“The situation is quite delicate now. You might not know this, but the disturbances in the mountains aren’t just caused by the magnetic field disruptions. Another group of high-level beings has migrated here from afar, bringing their families and seeking to seize some of the mountain’s resources.”
Upon hearing this, people’s faces changed.
Wei Zhi Rou continued, “With this new influx of high-level beings, many dangerous species are being forced to expand outward, threatening the living space of those outside the mountains.”
Xu Yue Ping asked, “So, does this mean the outer parts of the forest, which have just recently calmed down, will become very dangerous again?”
“Not a big deal. Who said they could expand? We’ll just drive them back. That’s what our mountain-clearing is for,” Mu Qing declared, voice firm and commanding despite its neutral tone.
The new recruits from the villages breathed a sigh of relief. The figure cloaked in black had bolstered their confidence.
Mu Qing raised their voice, “They’ve encroached on territory they shouldn’t have, forgetting the pain of their past defeats. We’ll give them a harsh reminder and show them that the dominance of two-legged beings in this region has never waned…”
At first, everyone was stirred, morale high. Even though the term “two-legged beings” sounded strange, it only felt a bit odd. But when Mu Qing continued to speak passionately, a fluffy golden tail peeked out from under the black cloak, leaving many feeling unsettled.
What sort of creature was this?!
“Mu Qing,” Cao Long called out, a hint of warning in his voice.
Wei Zhi Rou chimed in, “Mu Qing is human.”
The three teams in the back remained calm; they seemed to already know about Mu Qing’s peculiar state.
Qin Ming stared ahead, lost in thought, his eyes glued to the scene.
Old Liu murmured, “Perhaps he’s chosen a path of transformation. Is he still human, though? His current state is hard to decipher.”
This was the second unique path Qin Ming had seen, following Cao Long’s “Giant ” route.
Cao Long spoke up, “Now, we’ll be choosing suitable companions. You will join us in clearing the mountains and guide us through them, but don’t worry—your safety is guaranteed.”
He emphasized that no one would be forced. Anyone who didn’t wish to join could leave now.
At the same time, Cao Long, Wei Zhi Rou, and Mu Qing made it clear again that the rewards for the mountain-clearing included spiritual substances, advanced “Will Power Techniques,” and more. They assured everyone they would be generous.
None of the recruits had stayed back in their villages, so they had already made their choice by coming here. None chose to leave now.
Qin Ming, of course, stayed with the crowd, not wanting to stand out.
Wei Zhi Rou smiled at Cao Long and Mu Qing, her bright and elegant smile catching everyone’s attention. She waved a list in her hand, wanting to make her selection first.
“Pick one person at a time. You go first,” Cao Long said, allowing her to choose first. Mu Qing had no objections.
Wei Zhi Rou nodded with a smile. “Then, I won’t hold back. Our Wei family is quite keen on recruiting young people with a golden foundation.”
“Who isn’t?” Mu Qing commented, then whispered with Cao Long, discussing who would go next.
Wei Zhi Rou glanced at the list, her brows furrowing slightly, as if struggling to decide. Finally, she called out two names, “Who is Zhou Wu Bing? And who is Qin Ming?”
“One at a time,” Mu Qing reminded her.
Wei Zhi Rou smiled. “I know, I just want to take a look.”
Zhou Wu Bing stepped forward. He was half a head taller than most and very sturdy.
He wasn’t originally named that. As a child, he was often sickly, so his parents changed his name to “Wu Bing” (which means “No Sickness”). It wasn’t until a distant relative returned that he was cured, allowing him to be reborn in his prime years.
Qin Ming was surprised. Zhou, who used to be scrawny and pale, now looked entirely different. His hair was once yellow like autumn weeds, but now it was thick and black, his energy vibrant.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Qin Ming stepped out and stood calmly, slightly taller than Zhou.
“Both of you have golden foundations. I’d like to invite both,” Wei Zhi Rou said, smiling at them.
Zhou, now greatly changed, was momentarily dazzled by the bright smile of the elegant noblewoman but quickly regained his composure.
At that moment, a young man walked out from the forest, hurriedly approaching Wei Zhi Rou to whisper in her ear.
Only then did people realize that those who had come from the three families weren’t just three groups of young squads; there were others too.
“Zhou Wu Bing was frail as a child, but after his awakening, his strength has been steadily growing. And he was taught by Xu Kong?” Wei Zhi Rou seemed surprised. After a brief conversation with the young man, she looked up, her bright eyes landing on Zhou, and she smiled, waving him over. She had made her choice.