Chapter 59: Time Changes Everything
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Could it be… that Cui?” the maid gasped in a whisper. She knew her young mistress had lived for four years in a certain prestigious city, where she’d met some very remarkable individuals.
Nearby, two golden-armored men heard the mention of the Cui family. Their expressions shifted, and their eyes sharpened as they looked out toward the distant shadows of Golden Rooster Ridge.
“We can’t be sure it’s him yet,” the lady in the feathered robe said calmly. “After all, it’s been over two years since we’ve seen him. He dashed through here on a Lightning Beast, and from just a glimpse of his eyes and nose beneath that face guard, he did look very similar. The way he rode, too—grabbing the beast’s mane with one hand, and using his knife like a riding whip…” She trailed off, lost in thought.
“Miss, you’re amazing! It’s so dark, and you only had a quick glance, but you still saw so clearly. Is that what it’s like to have powers from beyond this world?” The maid chattered away, clearly excited. She even started mumbling, wondering out loud if this Cui Chong He was a close friend or perhaps an old flame. “Will they reunite?” she wondered.
The young lady—her black hair flowing like a waterfall—gave a soft smile, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “If it is him, why is he here? Time changes everything… It’s not right to meet him again. We’ll wait here, in the forest. I only want to know if it’s truly him.”
“Not right to meet him?” The maid’s mouth dropped open. “Is there… something wrong with him?”
One of the golden-armored men spoke up, “Miss, we should move farther away. Lord Meng went deep into the mountains to get the remaining branches of the ancient black-and-white tree for you. If negotiations fail…”
Behind Golden Rooster Ridge, Qin Ming sat atop his Lightning Beast, staring at the large grove of phoenix trees and the enormous nest nestled among them. Within that nest lay an odd creature—not exactly massive, maybe about ten feet long—resting silently. It had only a few golden feathers left, most of its body bare and frail, looking very old.
Qin Ming turned to his beast, tapping its head lightly with his long spear. “Hey, can you tell if that’s a beast that’s mutated five times?”
The Lightning Beast, with its eerie intelligence, clearly understood his words. Though it seemed reluctant, it eventually gave a nod, confirming Qin Ming’s suspicion.
“So this is the so-called ‘foundation’ of Golden Rooster Ridge?” Qin Ming mused, raising an eyebrow. “No wonder they named it that—an old golden rooster, mutated five times. But it’s looking pretty shabby now, almost featherless.”
Nearby, four bandits who had previously fled stood by the nest. They were nervous, even terrified, as they faced the old golden rooster.
The last remaining leader stepped forward, trembling as he spoke to the creature in the nest. “Even though you warned us never to disturb you, this is life or death. Golden Rooster Ridge is about to be destroyed. We had no choice but to come for your help.”
His entire body was tense, clearly afraid that the creature might turn on him. The old golden rooster was unpredictable in its old age, often lashing out even when offered tributes.
Now, the creature was fixated on one goal—to attempt a final awakening, like the legendary phoenix. If it succeeded, it would undergo a sixth mutation. If it failed, it would die trying.
The leader understood that the beast had little chance. It didn’t truly know how to achieve awakening, and its diluted phoenix blood wasn’t enough to support another transformation.
The old golden rooster glared viciously at the leader before shifting its gaze towards Qin Ming, perched on his Lightning Beast. The few golden feathers it had left stood on end, vibrating with aggression.
Qin Ming squinted at it. “Are you… nesting or something?” His voice was hoarse, filled with sarcasm. Then, he leaned closer to his beast, whispering, “If I can’t beat it, you think you can outrun it?”
The old golden rooster roared in fury, its featherless body trembling as it rose. Its raven echoed loudly across the mountain.
“You’re as good as dead now!” one of the surviving bandits called out. “The elder is a male phoenix, and you’re insulting him like that…” Clearly, he was trying to curry favor with the creature.
But his flattery was misplaced. The old golden rooster, temperamental and quick to anger, lashed out. It charged at the bandits, performing a powerful kick that sent all four men flying. Its claws tore into them with brutal force—leaving some with gaping chest wounds and others with shattered limbs. One bandit died instantly.
The leader barely had time to react, but it was too late. The creature struck again, its featherless wing glowing as it lashed out. The blow tore through his armor, leaving a deep wound across his chest.
The old golden rooster was relentless. Anyone who interfered with its desperate attempt at awakening had to die.
It moved like lightning, delivering a brutal kick to the leader’s thigh, breaking bone and ripping through flesh. The leader fell, powerless against the beast’s fury.
Qin Ming watched, stunned. The old golden rooster fought with a certain… technique. Its moves were sharp, almost as if it had trained in human combat arts.
The leader lay on the ground, too terrified to speak. Unless a golden thief himself appeared, no one could tame the old rooster.
Suddenly, the creature turned its focus to Qin Ming, charging forward, its claws tearing into the snowy ground as it advanced with alarming speed.
Even the Lightning Beast tensed, ready to flee.
Qin Ming gripped his spear and thrust it forward. His spear moved with the grace of a dragon, striking at the beast with force.
The creature snapped its beak at the spearhead, breaking the tip off with a loud crack. Its featherless wing, glowing with power, came down at Qin Ming like a massive cleaver.
The Lightning Beast panicked, using Qin Ming as a shield to try to avoid the blow. Furious, Qin Ming struck the beast’s back, sending it reeling. Then, with his free hand, he caught the old rooster’s wing, their clash lighting up the snowy landscape.
The Lightning Beast stumbled, unable to withstand the impact, crashing into an ancient tree.
Qin Ming jumped off, scowling. “See this broken spear? I’m keeping it for you. Run, and I’ll make sure it finds its mark.”
He turned to face the old golden rooster. Blood trickled from a cut on its wing. Qin Ming nodded to himself. He could fight this creature.
Normally, a creature that had mutated five times would be on par with a human who’d undergone five evolutions. The rooster’s strength matched his own, but it wasn’t enough.
The bandits watched in shock. This young man could actually fight the old golden rooster!
Infuriated, the creature lunged at him, its wings raised like two massive blades. “So, you really are trained,” Qin Ming muttered, dodging skillfully.
The bandit leader knew the old golden rooster had been trained by a golden thief, taught to fight like a warrior. Its techniques were deadly.
The creature swung its wings with fury, the air cracking as they clashed. Qin Ming’s energy erupted, and he met the beast head-on.
For a moment, they seemed evenly matched. But the old rooster, despite its training, was still just a beast. It couldn’t compete with the refined energy that Qin Ming wielded.
With a sharp movement, Qin Ming struck its wing, his energy piercing through. Blood splattered across the snow.
The rooster cried out in rage, lunging with its beak aimed at Qin Ming’s head. He dodged swiftly, his hand glowing as he struck back. His fingers dug into the beak, breaking off a piece.
The bandits were in despair. Even their strongest ally—a creature that had mutated five times—was no match for this mysterious stranger. They were doomed.
The leader sighed. The old golden rooster might have been fierce, but it lacked the power of true phoenixes. It couldn’t stand against someone like Qin Ming.
The rooster seemed to realize this too. It turned and leapt back into its nest, glowing with a fierce light. It was trying one last time to undergo a sixth mutation—to be awakened as something greater.
But its body couldn’t handle it. Its last golden feathers turned to ash, and it crumbled, blood pouring from its wounds, dying in the nest.
Qin Ming stared at the scene, surprised by the creature’s determination. “Not human, not beast… A golden rooster that’s actually this tough.”
But as he passed by the nest, his sympathy faded. There, in a large iron tray meant for food, was a human arm—half-eaten.
“So much for that,” he muttered. He’d intended to honor its strength by eating it himself—after all, a creature that had mutated five times was quite the delicacy.
Instead, he gestured to the Lightning Beast. “You eat it. Consider it a reward. It’s not exactly a spiritual creature, but it should do you some good.”
The Lightning Beast lifted its head proudly, looking utterly disgusted, refusing to eat.
“Suit yourself,” Qin Ming shrugged, turning back to the bandits. With cold efficiency, he finished them off one by one.
“Who are you?” the leader gasped with his final breath. “Are you sent by the new city lord, or one of those protectors from beyond?”
Qin Ming gave no answer. He regarded the man as nothing more than a weed to be cut down, ending his life swiftly before moving on.
He rummaged through the bandits’ supplies, disappointed when he found piles of armor and weapons meant for new recruits—useless to him.
“All that money, wasted on junk I can’t take,” he muttered. “My precious day gold!”
In the end, he collected forty-seven golden coins and some silver—a decent haul, though nothing impressive considering it was Golden Rooster Ridge. But what caught his eye were three books. One of them radiated a powerful emotional resonance, containing the essence of its author’s wisdom.
Qin Ming grinned. Such a treasure was worth far more than gold.
As he searched the mountain, two bandits who’d been out drinking stumbled back, terrified. They’d heard the desperate shouts of their leader.
The men sobered instantly, darting into the woods to a small wooden hut. The hut, meant to guard the mountain path, was empty—there hadn’t been enough men left to station anyone there for days. But someone still came daily to feed the predatory birds kept there, ready to send them for help if needed.
“It’s too late to call for the golden thieves. They’re too far away. Better to send word to the Three-Eyed Sect!” one of them urged.
Soon after, in Pine Tree Town, twenty miles away, the leaders of the Three-Eyed Sect looked grim. Someone had attacked Golden Rooster Ridge, and their allies were calling for help.
“This is serious. Get ready!” they ordered, moving quickly.
Qin Ming took his time on the mountain, searching every corner before finally riding his beast down.
“One more trip,” he said, patting the Lightning Beast. “Take me to Pine Tree Town. I might as well finish off the Three-Eyed Sect while I’m at it.”
After all, he hadn’t found it difficult to take down Golden Rooster Ridge alone.
“I’ll let you go tonight. Just move fast—take the shortcut. Speed is everything!” Qin Ming added. He’d studied the area before coming and knew the quickest routes.
But when he reached Pine Tree Town, the sect’s base was empty. They’d fled, leaving nothing behind.
In the distant woods, sect members whispered among themselves. “We thought we’d be helping Golden Rooster Ridge. Didn’t expect the leaders to have us run.”
Qin Ming sighed, disappointed. As he left town, he spotted four figures approaching. Two men in golden armor, and two women—one dressed in a feathered robe, clearly someone from beyond this world.
“Miss!” the maid called out.
“It really does seem to be him,” the lady in the robe murmured.