Chapter 79: A True Friend
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
Qin Ming, no matter how composed he appeared, was still just a teenager. He didn’t hide his emotions as he exclaimed, “Why should I?” The frustration in his voice was evident.
Meng Xing Hai chuckled softly and said, “Only those who hold the ‘rules’ can argue their case, don’t you think?”
At that moment, Qin Ming clutched the White Jade Alloy Blade in his hand. It wasn’t that he had lost control of himself—it was deliberate. In front of an elder, he felt it was necessary to show some youthful spirit.
“I shielded him from disaster, yet he’s the one who’s dissatisfied. How is that fair?” Qin Ming said, his experiences clearly having left a bitter taste.
“It seems,” Meng Xing Hai observed, “that even after living with the Cui family for more than ten years, you’ve never truly regarded yourself as one of their own.”
Qin Ming was taken aback for a moment before realizing what Meng Xing Hai meant.
“Because Cui family heirs are born into nobility, far beyond my reach?” Qin Ming asked calmly.
“Exactly. From his perspective, understanding his mindset might only make you angrier,” Meng Xing Hai replied with a faint smile.
Qin Ming thought it might be better to simply ignore Cui Chong He and not bother figuring out why he was so enraged. After all, in Cui Chong He’s eyes, Qin Ming’s status was so low it was negligible. Walking alongside his fiancée had crossed an unspoken line.
Meng Xing Hai explained, “You think you saved him from harm, but for someone born into a millennium-old family like Cui Chong He, your feelings are irrelevant.”
Qin Ming let out a self-deprecating laugh. “It seems I’m just an ordinary person. Even after living with the Cui family for so many years, I haven’t developed that air of nobility. I can’t instinctively put myself in their shoes.”
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. His so-called maturity and composure were of no use now. His frustration was difficult to suppress.
In Cui Chong He’s eyes, Qin Ming was nothing more than a disposable servant, someone raised by the Cui family to be sacrificed when needed. How could he be allowed to walk beside the daughter of the Wang family?
Thinking about his time with the Cui family, Qin Ming realized the hierarchy had always been rigid. So, despite saving someone, he had “offended” them instead?
“To be fair, Cui Chong He does have near-immortal potential,” Meng Xing Hai noted. “That elder, who hadn’t accepted a disciple in over a century, made an exception for him and took him in at the age of three or four.”
Meng Xing Hai was trying to remind Qin Ming not to act impulsively. The gap in status and circumstances was too vast.
Qin Ming nodded, but a sudden thought struck him: Cui Chong He’s senior brothers and sisters must all be over a hundred years old by now. If they were still alive, the thought was intimidating.
At that moment, Qin Ming felt a strong desire to grow stronger. He wanted to venture into the Deep Mountain Marshlands in search of spiritual materials. He also hoped for another spring thunderstorm.
Although it was said that entering the Thunderfire Refinement Temple was safest when the first spring thunder rolled in, and the spiritual materials produced were the most abundant, he still wanted to try at other times.
“The Li family, the Wang family, and the Cui family are like three immovable mountains, while I’m just an ordinary boy who doesn’t want to be caught in their conflict,” Qin Ming sighed.
Meng Xing Hai informed him that the Wang family had been furious when they realized they’d been deceived. The Cui family had initially planned to quickly eliminate the fake Cui Chong He to quell the uproar.
“Cui Old Seventh is a sentimental man. He said he regarded you as a nephew and refused to let you be killed, even if it caused conflict within the Cui family.”
It was because Cui Hao had intervened, and the matter had leaked slightly, that the Cui family hesitated to take harsh action. They feared being seen as ruthless and ungrateful.
“So, without my knowing, I hovered near death multiple times,” Qin Ming said. To him, millennium-old families were overwhelming in their power. He even considered leaving for a faraway land.
Seeing through his thoughts, Meng Xing Hai said, “For now, stay in Red Glow City. When early spring comes, those ancient sects and special academies will begin selecting disciples. Take some time to research them. Some of these organizations are less inclined to favor aristocratic families.”
Meng Xing Hai, being from an aristocratic family himself, didn’t elaborate further on that point.
But Qin Ming was distracted. The world of Night Silver Mist was vast and dangerous. Where could he possibly fit?
Meng Xing Hai reassured him, “Don’t worry. The Black Jade Token I gave you is quite effective. Within Red Glow City, you won’t have to worry about your safety for a while.”
Qin Ming studied the token carefully. One side bore the character “Meng,” while the other had “Patrol” engraved on it.
“Thank you, Uncle Meng!” he said, standing up to express his gratitude.
This token wasn’t ordinary. It came from the Meng family and carried special privileges. The “Patrol” inscription had been added by Meng Xing Hai, granting Qin Ming temporary authority to patrol the city and its surroundings.
Holding the token meant Qin Ming was under their protection for now.
Meng Xing Hai continued, “I’ve told you so much and shared a lot of information because Qing Yue asked me to look out for you. Some people don’t care who Cui Chong He really is—they only remember that someone once used that name. But there are far more people who care deeply about that identity. You must be exceptionally cautious if you encounter old acquaintances.”
Qin Ming nodded solemnly. “If Qing Yue ever finds herself in trouble, no matter how far away I am, I’ll come to her aid as soon as I hear.”
Without Li Qing Yue, would Meng Xing Hai have even known who Qin Ming was? Even if he had, there’d have been no reason for him to offer such support.
In the past, Qin Ming had many friends while living as Cui Chong He in Clear River City, but how many of them would still stand by him now?
Meng Xing Hai said, “Qing Yue believes that the closer a true friend gets to you, the more trouble they may bring.”
“I understand,” Qin Ming replied. The Cui family, in their effort to pacify the Wang family’s fury, had once considered erasing him entirely. If he reentered their world or reconnected with familiar faces, trouble was inevitable.
Frustration simmered in his chest, but the reality of power dictated his limits. Lines had been drawn—he couldn’t step into certain territories or interact with certain people anymore.
“With my talents, I should be able to rise quickly. When I’m strong enough, I’ll return to the Cui family to retrieve the silk scroll. If I reenter that circle, Cui Chong He, Li Qing Xu, and even some from the Wang family might target me. The road ahead is treacherous, but I’ll forge ahead.”
These were Qin Ming’s thoughts, filling him with both resolve and determination. His eyes burned with determination.
If he didn’t have confidence in himself, he might as well return to Black and White Mountain and live out his days in obscurity.
Meng Xing Hai remarked, “To be honest, I didn’t just help you because of Qing Yue. I’ve come to admire you as well. Last time, I noticed you had entered the Thunderfire Refinement Temple.”
Meng Xing Hai left the statement hanging, but the implications were clear: Qin Ming’s potential had not gone unnoticed.
Qin Ming was startled by the bluntness of Meng Xing Hai’s observation. “You figured it out? So I didn’t manage to keep it hidden at all?”
Meng Xing Hai chuckled lightly. “Relax. In the entire Red Glow City, I’m the only one who noticed something was off with you—and I’m the only one who made it out alive.”
“Thank goodness!” Qin Ming exhaled in relief.
“Besides you, that quiet boy, Qian Cheng, also survived. But he mysteriously disappeared the following day.”
Qin Ming knew exactly who he meant. Despite Qian Cheng’s awkward demeanor, the boy wasn’t as simple-minded as he appeared.
Meng Xing Hai’s expression turned serious. “I’m not joking. You should spend time researching the ancient sects and the special academies. There are places even the most powerful families can’t extend their influence too far.”
As Qin Ming prepared to leave, Meng Xing Hai reiterated his advice.
“Thank you, Uncle Meng!” Qin Ming said, bowing slightly before heading out.
Back at the inn, he toyed absentmindedly with the Black Jade Token in his hand. If he went into the mountains, he’d officially be part of the Mountain Patrol Group—and not just any member but one of relatively high rank.
The token felt heavy in his palm, a reminder of the past. His first time taking a life had been against Fu En Tao and Feng Yi An, members of the same group he was now set to join.
From a private room in a nearby tavern, a group of people watched as Qin Ming walked into the inn. One of them shut the window as soon as he disappeared inside.
“He dared meddle in the Hall of Righteousness’s affairs. He must have connections with the City Lord’s Mansion. We’d best leave him alone,” one muttered.
“Not just leave him alone. Look here.” Another man unfurled a scroll with a detailed sketch of Qin Ming. “We’ve been told to keep a close eye on him. This boy might have some serious backing.”
“If you can’t figure someone out, it’s best not to get involved. Keep an eye on him, but if the client asks us to act, we’ll politely decline.”
“So far, there’s no indication anyone wants us to make a move. Besides, he looks like he’s just passing through.”
Over the next two days, Qin Ming and Wu Zheng pored over records detailing the various sects and organizations that had selected disciples in Red Glow City over the years. Qin Ming suspected Meng Xing Hai’s words referred to the special academies. These institutions held open examinations, accessible to everyone, even the offspring of noble families.
Only those with exceptional talent or undeniable combat achievements could bypass the tests. Otherwise, everyone—no matter their status—had to face the rigorous entry process.
With that in mind, Qin Ming began studying maps of the mountain range outside Red Glow City. He was determined to seek out spiritual materials. The towering presences of the Cui, Wang, and Li families loomed over him like insurmountable mountains, fueling his desire to rise above them.
The next day, Qin Ming visited an old weapons shop and purchased a Black Gold Hammer. It was long-handled, like the one he had used before, but significantly heavier.
“Qin Ming, it seems you wasted fifteen Night Silver coins at my house,” Wu Zheng teased. “You’ve given up on mastering dual spear-and-bow techniques and switched to a giant hammer?”
Qin Ming laughed. “I do know a thing or two about spear skills, you know. If you’re struggling, feel free to ask me for help. But I need the hammer to deal with thick-skinned beasts. Regular weapons are too light and too… gentle for creatures like that.”
He was preparing for a journey into the mountains. With his strength approaching five thousand pounds, he was confident he could hold his own, even against those who had undergone six or seven awakenings.
This time, anyone who dared to cross him would learn what it meant to face a single swing of his hammer. One strike, a thousand blossoms bloom!
Three days later, Xu Sheng appeared, his face pale and visibly injured.
“Xu Sheng, what happened to you?” Qin Ming and Wu Zheng asked in unison, concern evident in their voices.
Xu Sheng sighed deeply. “I went into the forest with Zhou Lin to help a friend. We were ambushed. Honestly, being a spiritual hunter feels more dangerous than being a traveling merchant.”
“Well, it’s good that you made it back alive and relatively unharmed,” Qin Ming said. “By the way, how’s Sister Fen Fang doing?”
“Sister Fen Fang?” Xu Sheng looked confused.
“Uh… I mean Sister Zhou Lin,” Qin Ming clarified.
Xu Sheng broke into a laugh. “She’s fine. She’s quicker on her feet than I am!”
“Did someone intercept you again?” Qin Ming pressed.
Xu Sheng sighed. “Not quite. We had only just reached the area where the spiritual beast lived. We hadn’t even found its lair yet when we were attacked.”
“Why don’t we go back and check it out?” Qin Ming suggested, a spark of determination in his eyes.
Xu Sheng hesitated, then realized that Qin Ming had grown stronger—much stronger. Xu Sheng, despite having undergone five awakenings, could only lift a little over three thousand pounds, far less than Qin Ming.
“Alright, let’s do it!” Xu Sheng agreed.
Not long after, Sister Fen Fang—Zhou Lin—heard the news and joined Qin Ming and Xu Sheng for another venture into the mountains.