Chapter 30: A Heroic Spirit
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Under the pale night sky, the distant mountains cast deep shadows. Qin Ming had already set off, moving swiftly through the snow along a path lined with dense trees. In the distance, Silver Vine Town came into view, bathed in a soft glow that filtered through the thin mist. The outlines of buildings could be seen from far away.
The town was bustling. Shops lined the streets, their shelves full of goods, and people bustled about, their chatter blending with the calls of street vendors. Recently, many new faces had arrived in Silver Vine, from nobles to adventurers, and even newcomers with mysterious backgrounds. The town was more lively than ever.
Qin Ming asked around a little and quickly found the mansion of the old noble, which stood proudly in the eastern part of Silver Vine. Its grand, red gate was studded with brass nails, and two mythical guardian beasts flanked the entrance.
“Qin Ming!” someone called. Today, a lot of young people had come from the nearby villages.
Qin Ming grinned and waved back, joining a group of new arrivals as they made their way to the old noble’s mansion. A servant was already waiting by the door to guide them inside.
The mansion was vast, with several courtyards and beautifully arranged gardens. There were rock formations and pavilions scattered about, though only a few evergreen plants remained in the flowerbeds, a reminder of the harsh winter. Despite the food shortage this season, the noble’s household seemed unaffected, a clear sign of wealth and indulgence.
Inside the grand hall, the space was bright and spacious. Although not overly lavish, it was certainly more refined than the homes of most wealthy families. Massive pillars were carved with intricate designs, the furniture was made from high-quality redwood, and the walls were adorned with elegant paintings and calligraphy.
The old butler greeted the wave of young visitors with the same impeccable smile that never seemed to waver. His expression remained polite and composed, as if frozen in place.
“Qin Ming!” another voice called.
Qin Ming turned, surprised. “Sic… Zhou Wu Bing!” He quickly corrected himself. This wasn’t the same Zhou Wu Bing he remembered. The boy had grown taller, standing a head above the others, now exuding the aura of a confident young man. With so many people around, calling him by his old nickname felt inappropriate.
“I’m heading to Scarlet Dawn City soon. Do you have any plans? Are you going to step out into the world?” Zhou Wu Bing’s once dull, yellow hair had turned glossy black, and his eyes sparkled with new light.
Qin Ming smiled. “I’ve always wanted to see the bright cities out there. Let’s see what happens when the time comes.”
The hall was filled with young people, most of whom were initially stiff and uneasy. Compared to the simple grey-brick homes they were used to, the mansion, with its decorative beams and magnificent furnishings, felt overwhelming. The valuable porcelain and ancient artwork on display only added to their discomfort.
But gradually, they began to relax, nibbling on the fruits and pastries the butler had offered. Qin Ming, however, was already at ease. In this snowy winter, having fresh berries was a rare treat, and he wasn’t going to hold back. After all, he was here to enjoy himself.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be competing with you today,” Zhou Wu Bing whispered with a smirk. “My relative said they’ll look out for me…” He suddenly fell silent, eyes fixed on a silver-haired elder and a woman in a black fur cloak passing through the courtyard toward a smaller room.
“That’s the noble’s daughter. Haven’t seen her face, but that figure looks quite extraordinary. Hm, what’s with the raven?” Zhou Wu Bing muttered, speaking more than before.
“Doesn’t seem like she’ll have trouble finding a match,” Qin Ming said softly, remembering seeing her from a distance the previous day during a negotiation between the higher-ups of Scarlet Dawn City and the strange beings from the mountains.
Despite his whisper, the woman in black turned and glared at him.
Her fur-lined hood was pulled low, and strands of dark hair partially covered her pale cheek, leaving only a glimpse of her sharp, beautiful features. Her red lips were striking.
“Heh heh heh…” The raven on her shoulder suddenly cackled, its laugh eerily human.
Qin Ming felt uneasy, but ever since entering the mansion, he had concealed the vibrant life force that usually radiated from him using the Light Shroud skill.
“It’s probably a parrot,” Zhou Wu Bing guessed, but he, too, received a glare—this time from the raven.
“Why is she dressed like that in her own home?” Zhou Wu Bing asked, puzzled. Then, his eyes lit up with understanding. “Ah, I get it. She’s about to meet us. Noble girls always put on airs. No way she’s showing her face right away.”
Then, she glared at both of them again.
Qin Ming chuckled quietly. “You sure do like to talk, huh?”
He was curious. Even with his barely audible words, the woman could still hear him. It wasn’t just her—her raven responded too, this time cawing in laughter.
Qin Ming quickly shut up. Clearly, this woman wasn’t ordinary. Even her loose black cloak couldn’t hide her graceful figure. A woman like that wouldn’t have any trouble finding a suitor, surely?
Others in the hall were whispering too, confirming that the silver-haired man was the old noble and that his daughter was exceptional.
“She’s out of our league. Nothing’s going to happen,” someone sighed. Despite their initial hopes, reality was setting in.
Everyone here was a newcomer, their senses far sharper than normal people. They could easily sense that the noble’s daughter had extraordinary power, even her raven seemed to understand human speech.
Soon, the old noble himself entered the hall. His name was Xie Jing Rui. His silver hair glistened like crystal, and his complexion was ruddy, healthy even. He wore an embroidered silk robe.
Seeing the young guests stand awkwardly, he smiled warmly. “Good kids, all of you. I can see you’ve got kind hearts, much better than the young hawks and hounds I usually come across.”
Xie Jing Rui wasted no time. He was honest and direct. Yes, he wanted to marry off his daughter, but he also needed help from these young newcomers.
He explained that most of them would soon venture into the mountains, having already been chosen by the powerful families of Scarlet Dawn City to act as their guides.
“If you happen to come across any rare treasures from the mountain’s nodes, I’d appreciate a little favor. You don’t need to fight for them, just send word to me,” Xie Jing Rui said earnestly. “I have connections with the nobles of Scarlet Dawn City. I just want to be the first to buy a specific item. There’s a lot of interest this year, with so many groups offering high prices.”
After that, he clapped his hands, and servants brought out finely crafted weapons—knives, swords, all valuable items. Each guest was invited to pick one as a token of his appreciation.
“My daughter’s been a constant worry for me. I truly want to see her married soon. It’s been weighing on me, and I don’t care about status or background.”
He sighed deeply, speaking from the heart. If anyone caught his daughter’s eye, he would gladly arrange the marriage tomorrow. His greatest wish was for the Xie family to prosper, to have more children and descendants.
By the end of his speech, he sounded almost melancholic. It didn’t seem like an act. Could the noble’s daughter really be struggling to find a match? Some began to doubt it.
“Young men, I’ve heard of you two,” Xie Jing Rui said, turning to Qin Ming and Zhou Wu Bing. “Both of you have strong potential. Have you ever thought about trying a different Path?”
Not long after, Zhou Wu Bing was led to the back courtyard to meet the noble’s daughter, but he quickly returned.
“Was it that woman in black? How did it go?” Qin Ming asked in a low voice.
“She’s dressed in black, very heroic, and stunningly beautiful. But, well, she’s not for me. Maybe you should give it a try,” Zhou Wu Bing said before rushing off.
Qin Ming wasn’t here for matchmaking, but since the noble had gifted him a rare bow, it would be impolite to leave without meeting the daughter.
He guessed the mysterious woman in black, who had glared at him twice, wouldn’t think much of him either. It would probably be a brief meeting, just like Zhou Wu Bing’s.
A moment later, Qin Ming was led to the back of the mansion.
In the courtyard, the woman in black was practicing swordsmanship, the blade flashing coldly in the air. She was indeed heroic and commanding.
Qin Ming froze.
She wasn’t unattractive. In fact, she was strikingly beautiful, though not in the delicate way most girls were. She carried a unique, commanding presence—an unusual kind of beauty.
But her face was… huge. It was nearly the size of a basin, and her towering frame stood close to five meters tall. The massive sword in her hand was over three meters long.
Zhou Wu Bing hadn’t lied, not exactly. He just hadn’t mentioned the height and weight.
Her name was Xie Ling Xi, and the sword in her hand was taller than most people.
Qin Ming realized what the noble had meant about helping him find a new path—he wanted him to follow the route of the Giant.
“Do you think I’m a monster?” Xie Ling Xi asked, her voice sharp.
Qin Ming quickly shook his head. “No. You’re on the path to godhood. This is a legendary path, one that will lead you to immortality. And once you fully master the Giant’s Path, you’ll be able to return to your original form.”
“Godhood?” she scoffed. “If there were truly gods, why haven’t they lifted the sun back into the sky to rise again?”
With that, she returned to her sword practice.
Qin Ming turned to leave.
“Two years ago, I saw you,” she said suddenly, her towering figure casting a long shadow. “We passed through Falling Moon City and then Scarlet Dawn. Along the way, we spotted you. You were close to death.”
Qin Ming stopped in his tracks, his body going rigid. Slowly, he turned back to face her.