Chapter 63: A Chance Encounter
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Under the dark night sky, a massive red roc swooped down, causing fierce gusts of wind that blew up large amounts of snow from the ground.
“Thank you, Red Roc, for your kind help!” Cui Hong leapt off the bird’s back, landing firmly on the ground. He bowed respectfully to the enormous, red-feathered creature, treating it like an elder.
Beside him stood a young man, dressed in fine clothes, named Cui Chong Yi. He followed Cui Hong’s lead, bowing as well. Together, they watched the roc flap its enormous wings and soar off into the night sky.
“Uncle Hong, is this where Chong He is staying?” Cui Chong Yi asked, glancing around. He frowned slightly. “It’s really desolate here. That little town up ahead has a very weak Fire Spring—it can’t produce anything of value. Couldn’t we have found him a better place?”
“Young Master, please don’t call me Uncle Hong,” Cui Hong said quickly, shaking his head. He looked like he was in his thirties, and his arms were unusually long due to his training in the Heaven-Penetrating Skill. His face was sharp, his eyes vigilant as they scanned the area around them. Finally, he sighed, saying, “I’m just following orders.”
Cui Chong Yi nodded at that, deciding not to press the matter further. He was still under twenty, with a small teardrop-shaped mole by his left eye. Despite his young age, he wasn’t the sentimental type and tended to talk quite a lot. “Uncle Hong, don’t worry so much. We’re out here, after all. I’m planning on staying for a while, and I’ll need your help looking out for me. No need for formalities between us.”
Cui Hong did not argue and instead led Cui Chong Yi toward Silver Vine Town.
When they arrived at the town entrance, Cui Hong’s face darkened at what he saw. He pointed to a small courtyard, clearly abandoned. “Why is no one living here?”
He quickly found someone nearby to ask and sighed in relief when he learned that the family hadn’t left Silver Vine Town. They had just moved to a larger house in the center of town.
They both continued to make inquiries until they finally found where Chong He might be.
Meanwhile, a talking sparrow flew off from Silver Vine Town, flapping its wings as it went. “Suspicious target spotted,” it chirped.
Later, in the center of town, loud shouts could be heard coming from the large courtyard. “I gave you a lot of Daylight Gold back then! Is this how you repay me? You better get ready to meet your end!” Cui Hong’s booming voice echoed.
Cui Chong Yi stood up as well, slamming his hand on the table and smashing it to pieces. His face was dark with anger.
The man they were questioning, a middle-aged man in his forties, paled and stammered, “It’s not my fault! When he woke up, he suddenly grabbed his head and started yelling like crazy. He ran out on his own—I didn’t dare get close. When I went to look for him later, he was gone.”
Cui Hong’s eyes were fierce, like two burning lamps, as he reached out with his powerful long arm, grabbing the man by his collar and lifting him off the ground.
The man’s face went white, and he quickly tried to explain, “He’s fine, I’m sure of it! I saw him on the street a few days ago. He looked perfectly well!”
“Huh?” Both Cui Hong and Cui Chong Yi were surprised. They had feared the worst but now found a glimmer of hope.
The man nodded hurriedly. “I even saw him visiting the Wu Family with an old man. He looked energetic—whatever illness he had must be cured by now.”
“The Wu Family?” Cui Chong Yi asked, puzzled. “What’s their background?”
“Their ancestors were renowned. They were said to be unmatched in both spear and bow. No one in the area could defeat them. But now, they’ve fallen from grace. I guess that boy must have gone there to learn their Awakening Techniques.”
Cui Hong let go of the man, his expression shifting from anger to worry. He muttered to himself, “Did he go through an Awakening here, in this remote place? I… sigh.” His brow furrowed deeply. He remembered how the dignified elder from the Cui Family had strictly ordered that Chong He live here as an ordinary person.
“Let’s just find Chong He first,” Cui Chong Yi said, shaking his head.
Cui Hong made his way to the Wu Family’s door, trying to get more information. Cui Chong Yi, however, stayed behind, standing in the street, trying to take in the local customs of this remote town.
He wandered to a shop less than a hundred meters away from the Wu Family gate, asking about the prices of some local specialties.
“The birds here are so bold!” he muttered as he dodged just in time. A small black bird flew dangerously close to his head.
Up on a tall locust tree nearby, a white owl watched with narrowed eyes, mumbling to itself, “Not just from the major clans, judging by the accent. His reaction is quick—his power matches too. Sorry, young man, but better you than me. Proving my loyalty might need some sacrifices.”
…
Outside Twin Tree Village, Old Man Liu watched Qin Ming with no hint of sadness. He had seen much in his long life and was only here to see Qin Ming off.
“If it doesn’t work out out there, come back early and keep me company in my old age,” he said.
Qin Ming chuckled. “You really don’t know how to say nice things, do you, old man? I haven’t even left yet. Can’t you at least wish me luck?” He glanced back at Twin Tree Village. Under the night sky, the twin trees looked majestic, glowing faintly from the Fire Spring’s reflection.
Old Man Liu shook his head. “Don’t underestimate Black and White Mountain. Once, this place was a deathtrap, suffocating everyone around. Mark my words, one day, it’ll rise again.”
Qin Ming looked at the mountain, a hint of reluctance in his eyes. After all, he had spent two years of his life here.
“I’m off. Got any parting advice?” Qin Ming asked.
Old Man Liu nodded. “There are more good people in this world than bad, but still, you must be cautious. You’re sharp enough; I don’t need to tell you much. Just keep an eye out for the city folks. I’ll tell you about two kinds of people to be wary of in the wild.”
Qin Ming raised an eyebrow, surprised. He hadn’t expected Old Man Liu to actually have something to say.
“First, the old wandering merchants. No matter how strong or weak they seem, don’t underestimate them. To survive in the Eternal Night for decades, walking freely across the land, they must have some special skills. You never know who they really are—whether they’re truly trading or searching for something more.”
Qin Ming nodded seriously, appreciating the advice. Today, he was planning to leave with one of those wandering merchants.
“Second, there are the mountain patrollers. Anyone who’s lived past a hundred and still frequently goes in and out of the dark mountains—don’t provoke them. You don’t know what they really are.”
Qin Ming nodded again, his expression solemn as he said his goodbyes.
“The merchant team you picked for me leaves from Emei Town, right? You want me to drop by and take out that nest of monkeys in the mountain for you on the way? You know, for the grudge you’ve been holding since your youth?” he teased, his grin mischievous.
Old Man Liu waved a hand at him. “Get out of here already!”
Qin Ming laughed heartily as he walked away, his laughter fading into the snow-covered landscape.
…
Qin Ming joined the merchant team at Emei Town and was surprised to see a familiar face—Wu Zheng, a boy who had once brought him and Old Man Liu tea during their visit to the Wu Family.
“You’re… Qin Ming?” Wu Zheng asked, startled. Then he smiled widely. “It’s nice to travel with someone I know.”
“You’re headed to Red Glow City too?” Qin Ming asked.
Seventeen-year-old Wu Zheng nodded eagerly. “Yeah, I want to see the world. Everyone in the Wu Family who’s achieved anything has gone to Red Glow City at some point to learn more about life.”
Qin Ming almost laughed. “Old Wu went there too, once. Got so dazzled by the pretty things that he spent two Daylight Gold in one night. When he got back, the family lost everything,” he said, shaking his head.
Wu Zheng looked shocked. Qin Ming softened a bit and said, “Just remember why you’re going there. Keep your goals in mind.”
“I want to become the next master of the spear and bow!” Wu Zheng declared, his eyes bright. He was already Awakened, full of hope and determination for his future.
The merchant leading the team was in his early thirties, which reassured Qin Ming somewhat—he wasn’t the type of old merchant that Old Man Liu had warned him about. This merchant, named Xu Sheng, had a good reputation in the area, often traveling between Red Glow City and these remote parts. He made his living by trading goods, but he also led people across the land for a fee.
“Listen up, everyone,” Xu Sheng called out to the group. “Up ahead is a desert—it stretches across the land in complete darkness. No light at all. If you get lost in there, you’re done for—no one gets out. Stick close to me. Stay on the path by the mountain’s foot. And whatever you do, don’t speak carelessly at the desert’s edge. It could get us all in trouble.”
On the second day of their journey, Xu Sheng kept reminding everyone to be careful as they neared the desert. There was no Fire Spring there—the air was heavy, lifeless. Even the most skilled warriors could lose their way and meet their end in that dark place.
Now, they were crossing a plain, the night sky above and snow below. The closer they got to the desert, the less vegetation they saw. Though it was still shallow night, this area felt like the depths of darkness, as if a giant abyss lay ahead, swallowing all the light.
“Why can’t we speak in the desert?” someone asked.
Xu Sheng looked serious. “Even powerful creatures won’t cross the desert—they’d die trying. Doesn’t that tell you enough about its danger? Anyone who disrespects the desert faces disaster. This isn’t a joke. Every desert is like this.”
“But why?” someone insisted.
Xu Sheng frowned. “Do you really need to know? There are countless explanations. According to some cults, these deserts are connected to sacred rituals of certain deities. If you act out of line, you’ll face consequences.”
The group fell silent, the warning hanging heavy in the air. If a small punishment meant death, what would a serious one bring?
“Aren’t gods just powerful beings?” someone muttered.
“To you, they might as well be gods,” Xu Sheng snapped. “Now shut up, or get out of the group!”
…
Elsewhere, Cui Hong sat in a forest, facing off against an old white elephant. The creature seemed to be mumbling on and on.
Yesterday, Cui Chong Yi had been snatched away by a giant bird, throwing Cui Hong into a panic. He had chased after them frantically, following the trail deep into the mountains. Finally, he discovered that a powerful Purple Lightning Beast had taken Cui Chong Yi, mistaking him for someone else. Thankfully, his life was not in danger.
On his way, Cui Hong had run into this mysterious old elephant. It sat in the forest like some enlightened sage, with four long, white tusks. At first, Cui Hong was stunned, unsure of what to make of it.
It wasn’t until the elephant accidentally knocked off one of its massive tusks that Cui Hong realized—two of the tusks were fake, just temporarily attached. The realization made him furious. He had wasted so much time, thinking he’d found the descendant of a legendary six-tusked white elephant.
Boom!
A fierce battle broke out in the forest.
…
On the third day of their journey, Qin Ming finally experienced the darkness of the desert. Ordinary Awakened ones would instantly get lost in there—it was pitch black, impossible to see anything.
Even with his heightened senses, Qin Ming felt uneasy. Fortunately, they stuck close to the mountains at the desert’s edge. As long as they stayed on the path, they would get through smoothly.
Crossing the mountains themselves was far too difficult. They were filled with various strange creatures, and the mountains were towering and treacherous.
Suddenly, a loud noise erupted from the front of the group. From one side of the road, the mountain shook violently, sending huge rocks crashing down, nearly crushing those at the front of the group.
“Fall back!” Xu Sheng shouted.
Everyone turned, just in time to see a glowing white elephant standing upright, battling fiercely with a man. Its trunk swung out, slicing the air with brilliant arcs of light.
Besides the two tusks in its mouth, the elephant had two more tusks attached to its front legs like arms, wielding them like twin blades, striking at the human opponent.
Qin Ming’s eyes narrowed. Even in the darkness, he could clearly see the man fighting the elephant—the glow from the elephant illuminated the scene.
“A man with long arms, looks like he’s in his thirties… His face’s sharp, like it was carved from stone… This guy looks exactly like one of the people I’ve been remembering lately!” Qin Ming was stunned—he hadn’t expected to run into one of the men who had saved him all those years ago, not here in this dark, desolate place.
Cui Hong, being a highly skilled fighter, was extremely perceptive. He could feel someone watching him and turned his gaze toward the merchant group. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Qin Ming—the very person he was looking for.