Chapter 42: Unraveling Mysteries
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Shen Jia Yun stood very still, her heart fluttering as the tip of the borrowed spear hummed gently through the air, so close to her ear that it felt like a quiet, breathy whisper. She could still sense the faint glow of that blue hairpin, the one she had pulled free from her long, dark tresses and held gently in her palm. This was the first time anyone had ever helped her put it on.
After his swift strike, Qin Ming spun around and returned the spear to its owner, a young noble who now looked extremely uncomfortable. Only a short while ago, that noble had lent out his spear and bragged—claiming it could help someone stand up to Nie Rui. That had sounded like a clever ploy to gain favor. Now that he had his spear back, he didn’t know where to look or what to say. How could he boast now, knowing that his prized weapon had helped humble not just Nie Rui, but Shen Jia Yun as well? The thought of showing it off again felt awkward. If anyone ever saw that spear at home, they’d recall this very day, and how a single fighter beat both Twin Stars of Red Glow City. Best to tuck it away and try to forget.
Mu Qing, who always spoke his mind, teased the young noble, “Keep a tight grip on that spear, mate. Quite a souvenir you’ve got there!”
The poor noble grimaced, feeling his ears burn twice as hot.
At last, the crowd began to shake off their shock and murmured amongst themselves. It was almost impossible to believe that Nie Rui and Shen Jia Yun, both known as the Twin Stars of Red Glow City, had lost to a young man whose pure physical strength clearly wasn’t on their level.
“He fought like he was slicing through a single, fine thread between life and death,” said one noble, a man nearing thirty who had already gone through a Third Awakening. He seemed impressed. “It was so natural, no wasted moves—just the true essence of battle right there.”
Another noble nodded thoughtfully. “He kept his killing intent hidden at first. He looked as calm as someone strolling through a flower garden, listening to gentle spring rain. Then, bam, he struck like lightning from a clear sky. Not bad, not bad at all.”
Word spread like wildfire through the young nobles. Most would never believe that the famous Twin Stars, unbeaten by anyone their age for twenty years, had lost here, in this quiet, out-of-the-way place. But the proof was undeniable, witnessed by dozens of eyes.
“I’m still dazzled by that one strike,” whispered a young noblewoman, her cheeks flushed.
“Look, Shen Jia Yun’s still standing there holding that hairpin,” another noble commented, peering over. “She looks like she’s in a daydream.”
Soon, Shen Jia Yun leapt gracefully onto the back of a sleek black tiger and departed, drifting away with a group of nobles who followed like guards around a princess. It wasn’t long before the rest of the crowd dissolved as well, each person returning to their own affairs.
Before they left, the Twin Stars paused to speak a few words to Qin Ming. They told him the world beyond the Night Fog was endless and full of mysteries. They hoped that when they met again, both sides would have grown stronger and risen to even greater heights. Their parting words were surprisingly warm and respectful.
As the nobles headed off, some threw lingering glances at Qin Ming. A few even approached him, speaking softly and telling him that if he ever found his way to Red Glow City, he’d be most welcome. This unexpected battle had made Qin Ming’s name known, even before he stepped foot inside that famed city. Though he wasn’t the strongest physically, his knack for turning simple moves into extraordinary strikes, along with his sharp instincts, had left a powerful impression. It was as if a new star had suddenly burst into the sky.
“I still can’t believe he beat Nie Rui,” someone said, shaking his head. “If Nie Rui’s changing his path after this, it means that fight really struck a chord.”
Elsewhere, young nobles around the Black and White Mountain region were stunned by the news. Some even traveled just to catch a glimpse of this Qin Ming who had done the unthinkable.
Luckily for Qin Ming, he had friends by his side. Cao Long, Mu Qing, and Wei Zhi Rou stepped in to shield him from too much attention. Eventually, the chatter calmed and people moved on.
“Qin Ming,” Mu Qing said, crossing his arms with a grin, “you should come to Red Glow City next spring or at least by early summer. You can try signing up for their exams. But let’s be real, your strength still needs some work.”
“Huh?” Qin Ming blinked, looking puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Wei Zhi Rou tapped her chin and explained, “By that time, you might have access to better training materials and higher-level techniques. Some places even offer Intermediate Qi Techniques if you’re talented enough.”
Cao Long nodded. “The giant cities pick new people around that time. If you stand out, you could change your destiny.” He added, “If it doesn’t work out right away, spend a year in Red Glow City. Maybe by then you’ll reach your Third Awakening. You could aim for a bigger city later on.”
Had Qin Ming not proven himself today, they likely wouldn’t have shared this secret information with him. But now he had caught their eye.
They knew Qin Ming had a rare golden foundation, which meant a Second Awakening would come naturally to him before too long. Still, that alone wasn’t enough. Unless he had some special gift—like a “divine insight” or something equally rare—it would be hard for him to stand out early on.
Xu Yue Ping and Yang Yong Qing watched quietly, realizing that when spring came, Qin Ming would likely leave them to follow his destiny.
For now, Qin Ming listened closely, asking a few careful questions in a calm tone. He was curious about all sorts of things, especially about the materials that helped people Awaken. When Cao Long mentioned “Mineral Essence,” Qin Ming’s ears perked up immediately.
Cao Long explained, “Mineral Essence is drawn from mineral veins. Drink it, and you’ll boost your body’s condition. It might help you Awaken—though it’s all down to luck. Still, it’s frightfully expensive.”
Qin Ming leaned forward. “But why is it so pricey?”
“Because,” said Cao Long, “the first time you take it, no matter how many Awakenings you’ve had, it will improve your physique. On top of that, there’s a solid fifty percent chance it’ll help you jump straight into another Awakening.”
Wei Zhi Rou added, “That’s why older fighters love it. Once they hit a wall, normal training methods can’t push them to Awaken again. Mineral Essence offers them one last chance.”
Qin Ming frowned slightly. “What if you take it a second time?”
Mu Qing shrugged. “It’s not completely useless, but you only get about a tenth of the benefit. Unless you find a higher-grade version of Mineral Essence—like that vivid red kind known as ‘Blood of the Earth’—you won’t see much improvement. Even in Red Glow City, it’s rare to spot even a bottle or two of that in a whole year.”
She gave a hint that even more powerful kinds existed in the giant cities.
With just a couple of days left before they would depart, Qin Ming took advantage of the moment to learn as much as he could. They spoke more about mystical materials that appeared in special Nodes. When Qin Ming asked about White Jade Alloy, the three nobles grew excited.
“Every time Celestial Light rains down, it nourishes rare and wondrous things,” Cao Long said, his voice full of admiration. “Some materials can be turned into legendary weapons that last for generations, protecting entire families. Others are so powerful they can shield whole nations.”
His eyes gleamed passionately, revealing why he was so determined to explore the mountains: to find these rare treasures that might lurk in the hidden Nodes.
“White Jade Alloy isn’t the rarest,” Cao Long continued, “but it’s far superior to ordinary metals. It’s incredibly strong.”
What truly made White Jade Alloy special wasn’t just its toughness or cutting power. Other metals could make weapons just as sharp. But if a White Jade Alloy weapon chipped or cracked, it could be mended by bathing it again in Celestial Light. Most materials didn’t have that luxury.
Qin Ming’s eyes widened. A weapon or armor that could heal under Celestial Light? That was extraordinary indeed.
Mu Qing chimed in, “The most special thing about White Jade Alloy is that it can harm certain creatures—ones most weapons pass right through. Imagine stabbing something invisible. A normal spear would do nothing. But with White Jade Alloy, you’d see a burst of strange blood, as if you’d just slain something lurking behind a veil.”
Qin Ming felt a chill run down his spine. He realized that this world was filled with mysterious and terrifying things he couldn’t even begin to understand.
“In this endless darkness,” Mu Qing said softly, “the bright cities are like tiny sparks. Beyond them is a huge, shadowy unknown. Some things can’t be seen or described properly. That’s why White Jade Alloy is so precious. It can fight enemies we don’t fully understand.”
Qin Ming, living in a remote place, felt both awe and uncertainty. “I know nothing about such mysteries,” he said quietly, feeling as if the world were suddenly larger and darker than he’d ever imagined.
Wei Zhi Rou placed her hands on her hips. “Why do certain secret cults worship strange gods? It’s because there are things out there that defy logic.”
Old Man Liu, who had been listening, patted his chest. “Better they stay out there. I’m too old to go facing invisible monsters!”
Mu Qing laughed. “Don’t get jumpy, old man. No one’s seen these things in person. Not us, anyway.”
Cao Long grinned. “Relax, sir. It’s just knowledge we’ve picked up. We’ve never come across anything like that ourselves.”
Qin Ming thought for a moment. “Are the people who live outside the giant cities truly that powerful?” he asked.
Wei Zhi Rou nodded. “Some choose paths beyond our understanding. Their strength can be astonishing.”
“How strong exactly?” Qin Ming asked, trying to recall the boy in feathered clothes who once injured him.
Mu Qing gave him a kind smile. “Don’t worry about it now. Just grow stronger. Once you reach a giant city and improve, maybe you’ll find a special path of your own.”
They didn’t say more, but Qin Ming grasped that these outsiders, who lived beyond normal boundaries, were formidable indeed. He suspected even these three—Cao Long, Mu Qing, and Wei Zhi Rou—had chosen special paths. One of them followed the Titan route, another had an animal’s tail, and Wei Zhi Rou was not ordinary at all. Qin Ming realized that all of them had ventured beyond the usual ways of awakening.
Finally, after staying awake for too many nights, Qin Ming managed to sleep deeply. The relief was overwhelming. The days of sleeplessness had been a torment.
Meanwhile, back in the region, giant beasts from Red Glow City had hauled in loads of grain over the snowy, mountain-blocked roads. The whole area rejoiced. Though the grain cost a bit more due to the long journey, it was still fair. Life could continue now, and no one had to worry about starvation. More grain shipments were promised, keeping panic at bay.
As the season shifted, Cao Long, Mu Qing, Wei Zhi Rou, and their companions packed their things, preparing to return home. But news arrived from the deeper mountains: several special Nodes had been discovered near the Great Rift Valley, and more kept appearing. At once, three well-armed teams formed and hurried into the wilderness, asking Qin Ming, Old Man Liu, and a few others to guide them.
This time, older and more experienced folks joined the expedition as well. For example, Cao Long’s seventh uncle came along, and he had once tasted fruit from a Longevity Tree. His presence promised a far more serious and dangerous venture.
As they gathered, Yang Yong Qing approached his black mountain goat. The poor animal, seeing him, trembled and began to… well, relieve itself right there. Old Man Liu’s yellow dog did the same. Cao Lao Qi, a relative of Cao Long, grew red-faced and shouted that he’d turn both goat and dog into stew by nightfall. Everyone else tried not to laugh, but couldn’t help smiling.
“Once we reach the valley, you villagers should stay out of the real trouble,” Cao Long warned. “It’ll be too dangerous.”
This final trip would be their last hurrah before leaving, and it would likely be a fierce battle. With so many Nodes appearing, both people and beasts would fight tooth and nail for the treasures inside.
As Old Man Liu led them deeper, he quickly decided it was best for himself, Qin Ming, Xu Yue Ping, and Yang Yong Qing to turn back. There was no need to risk their lives. Qin Ming had a peculiar talent—he seemed unaffected by the Celestial Light in the Nodes—but now, with Red Glow City nobles involved and countless people ready to kill, it was too risky. Better to remain safe and not test fate.
But fate had other plans. Certain groups in the area demanded that villagers send their Awakened Ones to assist in the Node operations. They didn’t ask; they threatened.
A messenger from Golden Rooster Ridge—a young Awakened One riding a strange, lanky chicken—showed up. He was just a pawn, passing along orders from rougher men waiting in the hills. Together with the Three-Eye Sect, these bandits planned to force the villagers into the deadliest parts of the mountains.
“Listen up,” said the rider, his tone full of warning. “We’re working with the Three-Eye Sect now. You refuse, and you pay. Each village sends Awakened Ones, no excuses.”
They wanted cannon fodder—people forced into danger so the bandits wouldn’t have to risk themselves. Qin Ming’s face grew dark. He understood their cruel scheme all too well.
“I’ll go,” Qin Ming said at once, before Old Man Liu, Xu Yue Ping, or Yang Yong Qing could object. For their small village, sending one Awakened fighter was enough. He followed the Golden Rooster Ridge lackey without making a fuss, but inside, his anger was simmering over like water hitting hot coal.