Chapter 32: The Colors of the Mist
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The night settled over the towering mountains like a thick, starless blanket. Suddenly, a swirl of five-colored mist burst forth from somewhere deep within those silent peaks, tearing open the darkness and flooding the entire landscape with shimmering light. Even the tallest mountaintops glowed, their icy slopes sparkling, and the bare trees shone as if dusted with gems. It was a sight so breathtaking that no one dared speak, as if words might spoil its strange beauty. In this dim world, where true sunlight had long since vanished, the burst of color felt like a dream—something that might offer a little hope.
But that hope quickly sparked chaos. Warriors, hunters, and fearless wanderers all scrambled toward the source of the dazzling mist. Some longed for wings to carry them straight through the forest and into the heart of the mountains. They guessed, with hungry hearts, that some priceless treasure had finally emerged.
“Already? The treasure’s ripe now? That’s impossible!” cried one voice from the dark.
Before long, a storm of shouting and growling broke out. People fought one another, while wild beasts shrieked and charged forward as if they’d gone mad. Strange birds took flight, screeching in excitement. A chorus of roars and clashes filled the night as everyone rushed, each determined to claim that glowing prize.
Deep inside the mountains, the five-colored mist hovered, rising toward the black sky and lighting up all it touched. People guessed that this wondrous show of color and light meant something extraordinary: a rare treasure had fully matured at a secret place known as a “special node,” and now every creature was desperate to seize it.
Up on a high, jagged cliff stood Wei Mo, towering nearly ten feet tall. He wore dark red armor, each scale-like plate gleaming with its own fiery shimmer. He stomped the rocky ledge beneath him, crushing stone into powder and sending pebbles tumbling down. Clutching a long black spear, he leaped straight into the heart of the mountains, eager to reach the treasure first.
But before he could charge ahead, a figure dressed in flowing white robes blocked his path. It was Ling Xu, the lord of Red Glow City. “Wei Mo, my friend,” Ling Xu said quietly, “why don’t you just stay put and let me handle this?”
Wei Mo’s red eyes narrowed. “Ling Xu, you think you can stop me?” he snarled. He moved so swiftly he seemed to vanish, reappearing in a blur. His black spear flashed through the night air like dark lightning, cutting through trees and roaring straight toward Ling Xu’s position.
Elsewhere, a slim, tabby cat carrying a red sword dashed through the woods. It slipped between charging beasts, darting past warriors who clashed in the gloom, all while heading straight for the glowing mist’s source.
“Stop right there!” roared a beast, throwing itself at the cat. Clearly, it had the same goal. Another monstrous creature, shaped like a giant white mantis, lunged out of the darkness, snapping branches with its bladed arms. It wanted to block the cat’s path.
The white-furred mantis towered over any human. Its long, snowy limbs were like sharpened scythes, shining with a cold, pale light. The tabby cat said nothing. Instead, it drew the red sword from its side. The blade’s crimson glow lit up the forest, as if a red sun had risen in those dark trees. In that same instant, the cat swung, and the forest shook. Branches fell like rain, sliced clean off by invisible power.
…
Far above, Old Man Weasel—usually seen riding his slow donkey—now rushed across the treetops at incredible speed. He skipped from branch to branch, a white blur against the black night. Suddenly he halted, standing atop a tall pine, one hand behind his back and the other clutching a string of glowing beads. He peered upward through the mist-shrouded sky.
“Hey, old guy!” called a cold voice from above. “That treasure isn’t for the likes of you. Don’t even think about it!”
Old Man Weasel raised a brow. “So it’s not just Red Glow City’s people who’ve shown up.” He spoke calmly, as though chatting about the weather.
“Don’t move,” the voice insisted. “I’m not letting you pass. You’ll only cause trouble.”
Old Man Weasel replied in a smooth, quiet tone, “If you hold me here, your friends might suffer the same delays. Don’t forget there are many eyes watching these mountains tonight. Let me pass, and I’ll ensure the waters are stirred up for everyone.”
“Absolutely not!” hissed the voice. “My friend was hurt by your buddies from Red Glow City. Tonight, I’ll test your strength!” From the swirling clouds, a giant clawed hand descended—covered in glossy scales, sharp as dragon’s talons.
Old Man Weasel swung his beads, and they flashed like chain lightning. A deafening boom followed, splitting the dark clouds. A massive beast with silver wings recoiled and retreated, forced back by the shockwave. The wind roared in response, sending leaves and branches flying. The pine beneath Old Man Weasel snapped like a twig. He landed lightly on a nearby boulder, unruffled.
In the distance, pale moonlight shone faintly through the swirling mist. A mysterious insect and a woman draped in a cloak of feathers clashed atop a giant bird, their battle fierce and swift.
…
At the forest’s edge, some people hovered nervously. They had rushed in at first, but now, as the madness grew, they hesitated. “If I were in my prime,” someone sighed, “I’d plunge right into those mountains and grab that treasure. But I’m old and tired, and just standing here is all I can manage.”
Another person scoffed, “In your prime, huh? Let’s be honest, you wouldn’t last long even then.”
Many realized they’d bitten off more than they could chew. They lacked the strength to face these powerful warriors and fearsome beasts. Charging deeper into the mountains would mean certain death. So one by one, they paused, their eagerness fading into caution. Nobody wanted to be a broken body beneath a giant’s feet.
Cao Long stopped and pulled his bowstring tight, scanning the area for the pesky sparrow that had insulted him earlier. He couldn’t find it.
“There’s a special node in there!” the sparrow’s distant voice mocked. “They want it all to themselves!” Its cry stirred a few hearts, but as arrows whistled after it, the clever bird vanished again.
“It’s too dangerous,” said Mu Qing, sighing. “We should stay back. Let those lunatics fight over the treasure. We’ll return another time, once things calm down.”
Cao Long and Wei Zhi Rou agreed. Their small group decided it would be best to wait, to avoid getting caught in a deadly struggle. Others thought the same and gradually retreated, watching from a safe distance.
Deep within the chaotic heart of the mountains, blazing lights flashed. Birds with strange feathers soared, and human warriors let out chilling battle cries as they fought among the old trees. The Dog Knight, Old Man Liu, and the Black Goat Knight, Yang Yong Qing, slipped quietly through the shadows now that Mu Qing and Cao Long had pulled back, leaving the heart of the action to the truly fearless.
Standing by himself, Qin Ming felt oddly relieved. He looked just like an ordinary mountain boy with his fur coat and a straightforward, honest face. But Qin Ming thought like a hunter. He knew rare treasures were only valuable if you lived long enough to claim them. He wanted no part of this madness tonight.
“Man, all this fuss for something shiny,” he muttered under his breath, sounding like a teenage boy unimpressed by the grown-ups’ greed. “They’re gonna tear each other to pieces for it.”
He wandered through the forest, still thinking about a certain clever sparrow. He’d once promised to bring a special sparrow back for Little Wen Hui, but he hadn’t found the right one yet. This sneaky, talking sparrow seemed perfect, but now it had vanished, no doubt hiding from Cao Long’s arrows.
Eventually, Qin Ming headed toward a narrow crack in the ground—one that had once made him very sick. He was curious if this “special node” had changed after all the trouble the five-colored mist had caused.
Yet as he moved, quiet whispers drifted through the leaves. Someone told You Liang Yun, “He’s all alone now. This might be the right time to test him.”
“Alright,” said You Liang Yun, marching after Qin Ming with a group of men in shining armor and sturdy swords. “We’ll see what he’s made of.”
…
Deeper in the mountains, enormous creatures fought and fell, their blood soaking into the earth as they toppled forests with their dying breaths. Purple light exploded overhead, while axes and spears clashed like thunder. Strange birds dazzled the sky with swirling sparks. Warriors, both human and beast, were cut down in droves. The roar of battle seemed to shake the stars themselves.
Elsewhere, oddly enough, calm moments could be found. Ling Xu sat cross-legged atop a quiet hillside, sipping a jug of wine. He tossed it to Wei Mo, who held it as if it were a tiny cup. Both men drank silently, while their weapons—the spear and sword—still shimmered faintly, their power humming in the night air.
Not far away, the tabby cat rested with its red sword, watching as the mantis creature’s bladed arms sliced at empty sky. Both waited, each ready to strike the other down, yet holding back as though testing one another’s nerve.
…
Qin Ming suddenly realized he wasn’t alone. Two groups were closing in, one ahead and one behind, like wolves hunting a deer.
He didn’t panic. Instead, he gripped his long-handled black hammer and kept his eyes sharp. Soon, a figure stepped forward. It was You Liang Yun, wearing fine armor and carrying a sharp blade, followed by four men who looked strong enough—Second Awakening warriors, maybe.
You Liang Yun frowned, studying Qin Ming, who looked more like a smart, lean hunter than a warrior. “So,” You Liang Yun said calmly, “your name is Qin Ming, right? Someone asked me to test you. Let’s get this over with.”
Qin Ming raised an eyebrow. He was tall and slim, his tone suddenly that of a teenage boy who’d been challenged on the school grounds: “Test me, huh? Fine. Bring it on, man.”
Without another word, You Liang Yun attacked. Steel rang against steel. But after just a few clashes, it was clear that Qin Ming was stronger than expected. He batted aside You Liang Yun’s blade as if it were a wooden stick, leaving the older warrior’s hand numb.
After a few more strikes, You Liang Yun stepped back, shaking his head. “I can’t match your speed or strength. I’m done.”
Qin Ming rolled his shoulders. “Guess I pass your test, then?”
You Liang Yun sighed. “Since I lost, I can’t follow that important figure who asked me to test you. You’ll probably take my place.”
Qin Ming looked puzzled. “Wait, so because I beat you, you lose your shot at something big?”
You Liang Yun shrugged. “I’ll just return home and inherit my family’s title. What else can I do?” With that, he turned to leave, his men following silently.
For a second, Qin Ming almost felt bad, but before he could say anything, someone else appeared.
“Not leaving yet, You Liang Yun?” This was Qi Huai En, who emerged from the trees. “We were told to test him too.”
You Liang Yun stopped and stared as Qi Huai En drew his blade and approached Qin Ming. Qin Ming sighed, sounding a bit annoyed now, “Seriously? Another test? Alright, but I’m not going easy on you.”
They clashed briefly—metal on metal—before Qi Huai En pulled away. He seemed disappointed. “Not enough,” he said quietly. “She wants someone exceptional, and he’s still not there.”
You Liang Yun gasped. “If even this isn’t enough…”
Qi Huai En shook his head and began to leave. “We’ve seen what we needed to see,” he said coolly.
Qin Ming frowned, confused by these strange encounters. If these people were testing him for some secret reason, they weren’t very clear about it.
Just then, Qi Huai En stopped again, surprised by something behind Qin Ming. He rushed forward, only to find six men had surrounded the young hunter, all of them clearly out for blood. Hadn’t they taken him down yet?
Qin Ming narrowed his eyes at Qi Huai En’s return. “You gonna stand there and watch, or what?” he asked, sounding like a defiant teenager who’d had enough for one night.
Qi Huai En gave a slight smile. “And if I do want you dead?” he said quietly.
Qin Ming didn’t wait for an answer. He hurled his heavy hammer straight at the closest enemy. The man’s skull cracked with a sickening crunch. Before anyone could react, Qin Ming snatched up a fallen spear and rammed it through another attacker’s chest. Blood sprayed as the wounded man dangled from the spear’s tip, and the forest echoed with the harsh cries of the dying.