Chapter 41: Defeat and Becoming a God
This story is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Last time Qin Ming had met Er Bing Zi at an old noble’s manor, the fellow had run off to see Xie Ling Xi—an imposing figure nearly five meters tall—and then come back spinning some half-baked tale that left Qin Ming utterly bewildered. Before Qin Ming could get any straight answers, Er Bing Zi dashed off again. Qin Ming quietly vowed that the next time they met, he’d make sure Er Bing Zi learned his lesson and regretted messing around so much.
Meanwhile, among the snow-laden streets and distant lights of Red Glow City, Nie Rui stood out like a blazing beacon cutting through night fog. He was the biggest name the city had produced in twenty years. After his Awakening, his physical strength alone had shattered old city records. Now, as he began to speak, teams from the Cao, Mu, and Wei families cast knowing glances at one another—and plenty of them aimed curious looks at Qin Ming.
It didn’t take a genius to figure out whom Nie Rui wanted. In that instant, Qin Ming felt an odd sensation: he was at the center of everyone’s attention. Every young noble in the city seemed to be sizing him up, as if he were some rare creature they’d never seen before. He knew full well that if Nie Rui hadn’t singled him out, they wouldn’t have spared him a second glance. To them, Qin Ming was just a kid from a remote village: a backwater nobody who’d never catch their eye.
Most looked skeptical, as if wondering how on earth someone from such a tiny place could be worth Nie Rui’s notice. Some even wore faint smirks. But a few young noblewomen began whispering softly behind their sleeves, casting him little smiles.
“Hmm, he’s got a certain look,” one girl murmured to another. “If he fixed his hair and wore brighter armor, he might be quite handsome, don’t you think?”
Before Qin Ming could dwell on that, Nie Rui stepped forward in shining silver armor and offered a warm, friendly smile. “Don’t let it get to you,” he said to Qin Ming, his tone sincere. “There’s no need to feel any pressure. Let’s just have a friendly spar, to see if Master Xu’s lone disciple truly measures up. No hard feelings.”
Qin Ming rolled his eyes inwardly. He badly wanted to land a punch on Er Bing Zi for putting him in this situation. At the same time, Nie Rui’s words confirmed something: this mysterious Master Xu Kong must be quite remarkable if even these city elites respected his judgment. Qin Ming tried to sound modest. “Look,” he said, running a hand through his messy hair, “I’m not in your league, mate. I know Red Glow City’s been on fire lately with all sorts of prodigies.” His speech carried the casual tone of a boy who’d grown up far from noble courts and titles.
The young nobles around them nodded in understanding. Nie Rui was the local star, the brightest spark in a city known for producing talent. Hearing Qin Ming’s polite humility only made them more convinced that Nie Rui was just showing off his magnanimity by challenging someone beneath his notice.
Nie Rui gracefully slid down from his white rhinoceros mount, his silver armor gleaming in the pale light. He looked effortlessly powerful, as if he carried his strength as easily as his smile. “You’re too modest,” he said cheerfully. “I’ve met You Liang Yun as well, so let’s just keep this friendly.”
He didn’t mention that You Liang Yun had lost to this village boy—that bit he kept to himself. Even so, Qin Ming could guess what Nie Rui was implying. There was no way out of this now.
“I’ve undergone a Second Awakening,” said Nie Rui. “Don’t fret, I’ll hold my strength back. I won’t hurt you.” He spoke as if he were reassuring a younger sibling, which only made Qin Ming want to grind his teeth. Still, there was no polite way to refuse now, and Qin Ming, after a hesitant pause, finally nodded.
“Nie Rui, careful not to break him!” called Cao Long, his voice charged with worry, as if protecting a rare porcelain vase.
“Qin Ming, do you need a different weapon?” offered Mu Qing gently. She knew that Qin Ming’s giant Black Metal Hammer wouldn’t do him much good against someone like Nie Rui, whose legendary arm strength reached a staggering seven hundred and ninety pounds at his first Awakening. To most people, that figure was terrifying. If Qin Ming insisted on using the unwieldy hammer, he’d be crushed. He knew it too.
“Sure, that’s a fair point,” Qin Ming said, shrugging. “I’m decent with a spear as well. Anyone got a spare I can borrow?” His voice was casual, almost boyish, as if this were a simple favor.
Mu Qing glanced around at her companions. Most carried swords; the few spears they had were flimsy and not worth mentioning. The nobles from other families said nothing, awkwardly silent for a moment, until someone finally stepped up.
“Here, use my Purple-Gold Spear,” said a young nobleman, tossing the weapon to Qin Ming. “It’s a fine piece, forged a thousand times. Consider it a tiny honor for me, letting it face Brother Nie Rui, even indirectly.”
Qin Ming caught the spear and nodded his thanks. He could tell how highly everyone regarded Nie Rui—even the act of lending a spear felt like a privilege.
Across the snowy field, sitting astride a sleek black tiger, was a girl named Shen Jia Yun. She flicked her shimmering gaze toward Nie Rui and teased, “Careful, Nie Rui—you might just lose.” There was a special aura about her, a grace and promise that set her far beyond ordinary young nobles. She was said to be guided by a secretive master, already marked for greatness.
Nie Rui strode forward, blade in hand, silver armor radiant. “Ready when you are!” he called.
Qin Ming hefted the Purple-Gold Spear, testing its weight. He spun it through the air, the purple metal glinting. It felt surprisingly comfortable. He smirked and muttered under his breath, “Alright, mate, let’s see what you’ve got.”
“Be careful, Qin!” called Xu Yue Ping from the side, worry in her voice.
“If it’s too tough, just give it up,” advised Old Man Liu bluntly. He didn’t care who heard.
Some of the nobles exchanged knowing smiles. None of them believed Qin Ming had a real chance. Nie Rui’s strength was legendary; keeping control of the duel so that Qin Ming wouldn’t be badly hurt should be simple. Many of them secretly wagered how many moves it would take Nie Rui to floor this newcomer—four moves, or maybe just one?
But as soon as the fight began, all betting stopped. The sound of metal against metal shattered their expectations. In the space of a heartbeat, Qin Ming and Nie Rui had exchanged a dozen blows. When they sprang apart, snow sprayed into the air like a sudden blizzard, and thick branches snapped under the shockwaves.
Everyone went silent, dumbfounded. Had they underestimated this “nobody” from nowhere? The speed and force of their clash went beyond the usual level of a first Awakening.
“I guess he’s not just some random kid,” someone muttered.
“Name’s Qin Ming, right?” another said quietly, making a note to remember it.
Cao Long and Wei Zhi Rou, who knew Qin Ming slightly, were just as startled as the rest. They knew he was unusual, but this was beyond what they imagined.
Draped in black, Mu Qing spoke softly: “Qin Ming, don’t hold back. Nie Rui’s not the type to take offense.” She believed in fairness and skill.
“Yeah, give it everything, mate!” Nie Rui encouraged, grinning. He seemed to be enjoying himself.
Old Man Liu mumbled with pride, “Little Qin’s even more amazing than I thought. His name might reach Red Glow City before he does!”
Qin Ming hadn’t used his full power yet. He relied on technique, adapting his spear moves moment by moment. To outsiders, his style seemed impossible to pin down. There were no recognizable patterns, just fluid motion and clever improvisations.
Nie Rui attacked again, moving faster, his silver armor flashing as he lunged. His blade cut through the air like lightning, whistling as it came down.
Qin Ming didn’t meet it head-on. Instead, he sidestepped, letting the blade whoosh past, then tapped it lightly with the butt of the spear, sending sparks flying. In the blink of an eye, he reversed the spear and thrust forward. Onlookers gasped. Even under intense pressure, Qin Ming found tiny gaps, daring openings only visible to a sharp eye. His spear flew like a wild dragon, twisting around Nie Rui’s blade and streaking toward its mark.
Nie Rui’s left hand glowed faintly as he tried to parry. But Qin Ming’s spear shook like a living thing, its tip flickering in a hundred tiny arcs, giving Nie Rui no clear target to block. Nie Rui had no choice but to leap backward, trying to regain his balance.
The spectators were thunderstruck. This simple spear, guided by Qin Ming’s skill, seemed almost alive, swirling and snapping like a mythical beast.
Nie Rui’s eyes narrowed. “That spear technique is… not quite traditional,” he said quietly, genuinely impressed. “It’s not a fixed style, it’s… freer, like each move is a new creation.”
Without another word, Nie Rui steadied his stance and rushed in again, blade flashing. Qin Ming answered, not with brute strength, but with calm, cunning moves. The snowy ground cracked beneath them. Tree branches splintered and fell. It was as if the forest itself yielded to their clash.
“Is he really from a backwoods village?” one noble wondered aloud. “He might not be as strong as Nie Rui, but this is astonishing.”
Cao Long nodded, “He takes simple spear moves and makes them feel extraordinary. It’s not about techniques he learned—it’s how he puts them together that counts.”
What the others didn’t know was that Qin Ming had secretly adapted blade techniques to a spear, mixing and matching as he pleased. If you looked closely, you could see he wasn’t following any traditional routine. He was making it up as he went, guided by instinct and creativity.
As Qin Ming’s attacks became smoother, his confidence soared. The spear soared and dipped like waves meeting the horizon. In a classic blade formation known as “Sea and Sky Meet,” he found new life by applying it to the spear. The weapon’s tip shimmered as it flicked through the air, like lightning dancing over stormy seas.
Sweat beaded on Nie Rui’s forehead. He realized he was on the defensive—something he’d never imagined against a virtual unknown. Qin Ming, seizing the moment, switched to a footwork-and-strike pattern often called the “Kick Blade Style,” though he adapted it flawlessly to the spear. With nimble kicks and swift thrusts, he forced Nie Rui to scramble backward, his silver armor rattling under the pressure.
Finally, sparks flew as Qin Ming’s spear knocked Nie Rui’s blade aside. Nie Rui staggered, armor cracking from the impact. For a moment, Qin Ming considered pressing further but decided to stop. He didn’t want to seriously injure the city’s golden boy. Breathing a bit heavily, he grounded the Purple-Gold Spear, feeling a twinge of guilt. He hadn’t meant to push Nie Rui this hard. He’d only wanted to hold his own, maybe tie the match—but things had gone farther than planned.
Silence fell. Nie Rui—the pride of Red Glow City—had been defeated by a humble hunter’s apprentice from the edge of nowhere. Every noble stared at Qin Ming as if seeing him for the first time.
“Is the old legend about Black and White Mountain stirring to life after five centuries true?” someone whispered, almost to themselves. This kind of upset felt like the world was turning upside down.
From her spot atop the black tiger, Shen Jia Yun leaned forward. “Nie Rui, are you alright?” she called, her tone casual but curious.
Nie Rui shook his head, managing a wry grin. “I’m fine. I lost, and I accept it.” He didn’t sound resentful at all. In fact, he looked oddly relieved.
“Feeling a bit crushed, are we?” teased Shen Jia Yun softly, her eyes sparkling.
Nie Rui chuckled. “Surprisingly, no. This loss showed me that maybe I’ve been barking up the wrong tree. Perhaps it’s time I took that other path…” He exhaled, his breath steaming in the cold air. “The path to godhood.”
Qin Ming blinked, completely baffled. “Hang on—you just lost a match, and now you’re off to become a god or something?” He sounded like a typical teenage boy who’d just heard a ridiculously grand claim.
Nie Rui raised a hand, laughing as he caught Qin Ming’s startled look. “Not what you’re thinking. The elders of a secret sect once told me I’ve got a certain ‘divine insight,’ and I’ve been putting it off. I wanted to forge my own future through raw strength, but maybe it’s time I followed their guidance. Losing to you helped me make up my mind.”
Before Qin Ming could respond, Shen Jia Yun hopped nimbly off her tiger. Her long hair fluttered around her shoulders, and the blade in her hand gleamed under the cold moonlight. “Qin Ming,” she said with a bright smile, “would you do me the honor of a match as well?”
Her request stirred the crowd from its stunned silence. Two challengers in one night? They could hardly believe what they were witnessing.
“Uh, sure,” Qin Ming said, raising his eyebrows. He’d bested Nie Rui, so why not? The spear was still warm in his hand.
Moments later, Shen Jia Yun’s sword danced across the snowy clearing like lightning in a midnight storm. To onlookers, she seemed almost otherworldly. But the end was the same: Qin Ming deftly flicked a glowing blue hairpin from her hair and laid the spear’s tip gently on her shoulder, ending the match before anyone quite knew what had happened.
Dumbstruck, the crowd realized that Shen Jia Yun, too, had lost. Two of Red Glow City’s brightest stars had just been outshone.
Shen Jia Yun brushed her hair back, smiling even though she’d lost. “Give me less than a year, and you’ll find it hard to keep up,” she said with a confident twinkle in her eye.
Qin Ming shrugged and grinned, carefully nudging her hairpin back towards her with the spear’s tip. “We’ll see.”