Chapter 128 The Land of the Gods

The living room was filled with bronze artifacts, and the calming incense in the bronze incense burner had gone out and was not lit.

On the dark ebony tea table, the faint fragrance of camellias wafted gently. A man and a woman were drinking tea, looking quite peaceful and relaxed.

Qin Ming walked into the living room and recognized them at a glance. The man’s name was Cui He, and he looked to be in his early thirties with a peaceful expression and hair that had a slight bluish-green sheen.

“Good lad, it’s been two years, you look even more energetic than before.” Cui He stood up, strode over, a smile on his face, placed his hands on his shoulders, and shook him vigorously, showing great affection.

“Fourth Uncle,” Qin Ming called out with a smile.

In the past, although he and Cui He had a casual relationship and rarely interacted, today the other party was smiling at him, so he couldn’t possibly respond with a cold face.

“Hmm, not bad. Your body is very active; you’re a good candidate for a new path.” Cui He looked him over, a glint of green light flashing in his eyes.

Qin Ming knew that he was practicing the “Yi Wood Evergreen Technique,” a very large secret manual that could absorb the essence of plants and trees, making the body full of vigorous vitality.

“I was seriously ill and barely survived, so I have no vitality left. On the other hand, my fourth uncle’s skills have become more and more profound, and his body is full of the freshness of herbs and trees. He probably has more than a few decades of lifespan than the average person.”

Qin Ming had already activated the Harmony with the World, so even with the other person’s hands on his shoulders, they could not fully perceive his abundant vitality.

Cui He put his arm around her shoulder and said, “You’re always so humble. As a man from the Cui family, you should have the drive to succeed. No matter what, even if you don’t use that name anymore, you’re still my nephew.”

Qin Ming laughed and said, “I would like to be high-profile, but I don’t have the strength. If I had half of your skills when you were young, I would go out and make my way in the world.”

“You two are really flattering each other.” The woman drinking tea stood up. She was dressed in black, quite aloof and elegant, yet also possessed a noble air.

“Auntie.” Qin Ming felt quite resistant, but he had no choice but to smile and pretend to be polite to them.

The woman in black was named Cui Shuning. Qin Ming and she used to have a rather distant relationship. Even though they often met, there was a sense of estrangement between them. Clearly, she already knew each other’s identities and the truth.

“Your fourth uncle and aunt are usually busy with their spiritual cultivation. How come they have time to come to this remote place today?” Qin Ming asked.

Cui He said, “I was just passing by and thought I’d drop by. Sigh, what happened back then was really complicated. Don’t take it to heart. Your parents actually miss you very much.”

Qin Ming smiled and nodded, taking such words with a grain of salt.

“Why don’t you come back with us?” Cui Shuning’s cold and beautiful face broke into a smile, like ice melting, quite different from her usual demeanor.

“You’ve suffered these past two years outside. Come with us.” Cui He nodded, his bluish-green hair shimmering with light, exuding a rich aura of wood essence.

Qin Ming felt his hair stand on end. If he went back, he would never be able to get out again. He might not die, but he could forget about ever finding a new path.

Once he fully regains his memories, based on his understanding of these “elders,” they will most likely confine him to a courtyard.

Qin Ming now has such precise control over his body that he can relax instantly. He shook his head and said, “If I go back, it will definitely cause a lot of trouble.”

“Are you still practicing writing on silk?” Cui Shuning asked casually.

Qin Ming knew that the main event was about to begin. He guessed that they had some suspicions, so they had sent out two of their trusted members.

He sighed softly, his eyes dim, and said, “My skull was shattered, and I lost my memory for more than two years. As a result, I stopped practicing calligraphy on silk and never practiced it again.”

“Oh, you’ve suffered.” Cui Shuning touched his head.

Qin Ming felt disgusted and strongly resisted; he really didn’t want anyone touching his head like that. For a moment, he didn’t even want to pretend anymore. In the end, Cui Shuning stopped and sighed softly, “You’re all grown up now; it’s not appropriate to treat you like a child anymore.”

Actually, the main reason is that she has a cleanliness obsession. Born into a family with a thousand-year history, she was used to a life of luxury and elegance. She was unwilling to touch the hair of a boy she had no connection with anymore, even though he was quite handsome.

“That used to be your obsession. You practiced it for more than ten years since you were a child. With your talent, you might have succeeded if you had continued practicing,” Cui He sighed.

Qin Ming’s cultivation level was still low, otherwise he really wanted to grab them and ask how they formed this obsession. Fortunately, he eventually mastered the technique on the silk scroll!

Qin Ming looked dejected and said, “Fourth Uncle, Aunt, can you give me back the silk scroll? It’s the only thing my grandfather left me.”

Cui He nodded and said, “The silk scroll has been taken away by the ancestor for research. I will personally deliver it to you after he comes out of seclusion.” Qin Ming did not believe a word of his last sentence, clearly not wanting to return it.

He realized that without a certain level of strength or a powerful external ally, it would be difficult to retrieve the silk scroll.

Cui Shuning said, “I heard that you were handpicked by Meng Xinghai as the number one in the city. It seems that you are making steady progress on your path to becoming a freshman and you are moving very fast. You are indeed amazingly talented.”

Qin Ming said, “I’m ashamed to say that I’ve inadvertently become a ‘connected person’ because of Uncle Meng’s kindness. My actual strength is a bit lacking.”

Cui He laughed and said, “I heard that you fought with that brat from the Li family and kicked Li Qingxiao twice? Very good, as expected of a child from our Cui family, that’s how you should be!”

Qin Ming guessed that this was the only time he would “genuinely laugh,” and the Cui family would be very satisfied to see the Li family suffer a setback.

Cui Shuning smiled and said, “That was indeed a good kick. The Li family has only been around for over 800 years. They’re already dreaming of swallowing an elephant and joining the ranks of ancient families with a thousand-year history. They’re overestimating themselves.”

Then, with a serious expression, she said, “You have extraordinary talent and can go very far on this path. Why don’t you become Chonghe’s Jade Armor Guardian?”

Cui Shuning stared at his face, seemingly not wanting to miss a change in his expression. Qin Ming thought to himself: You guys have some nerve!

He shook his head and said, “My strength is too weak to be a Jade Armor Guardian.”

Cui He also spoke up: “We’re all on the same side. You and Chonghe should be as close as brothers. Now that you’re no longer practicing the techniques in the silk scroll and have truly embarked on a new path, with the Cui family behind you, you can get all sorts of resources to help you rise quickly. Your cultivation level will improve soon, and you can go and help Chonghe.”

He was also staring at Qin Ming’s face, a green glint flashing in his eyes. Qin Ming shook his head, refusing again.

He had vowed to undergo rigorous training and never become a follower of anyone, let alone a bodyguard for Cui Chong! Qin Ming looked at the two of them, wondering what they were planning to do.

He suddenly realized that the Cui family had doubts about whether he had mastered the magic described in the silk scroll.

Cui He suddenly said, “Qin Ming, if you don’t go home, you’re not keeping a low profile here. Even back in Qinghe City, we all know that you’ve become the ‘number one’ in the city.”

Qin Ming was taken aback. His expression changed too quickly; why did his smile suddenly vanish, and why were his words so stiff? He noticed that both of them were looking at him.

Qin Ming frowned. The two first showed affection, then suddenly asked him about the silk scroll, then told him to become Cui Chonghe’s bodyguard, and now they were cold and hard, blaming him for being high-profile.

He understood that the two were doing this intentionally, observing his expressions and trying to probe his inner thoughts through different attitudes and emotions. Ultimately, the Cui family, for some reason, had become somewhat distrustful of him.

Qin Ming pondered carefully. He figured their only concern was that he might master the techniques described in the silk scroll.

“I’ve changed my name and settled in a remote place. I’m no longer the Cui Chonghe I used to be. Isn’t that enough?” he asked earnestly.

Cui Shuning nodded and said, “Indeed, it’s not low-key enough.”

Cui He asked seriously, “Are you going to join some ancient Taoist lineage or some special institution of higher learning? Why don’t you come back to the Cui family with us?”

Qin Ming had been patiently “deflecting” them for a long time. Now his smile had vanished, and he didn’t want to say anything more.

If the Cui family continues to pressure him like this, it’s going too far. He is Qin Ming now, and he has already severed ties with the past. What more do they want?

It was obvious that some members of the Cui family were becoming increasingly uneasy and wanted to ruin his future by preventing him from joining the ancient Taoist tradition or special higher education institutions.

“You two should leave. You’re not welcome here.” Meng Xinghai walked into the living room, his face grim.

Cui Shuning smiled and said, “Brother Meng, we are talking to our own children, it has little to do with you.”

Cui He also spoke up: “Brother Meng, we have a deep affection for this child. This is our family matter. We have come here to take him away and nurture him.”

Meng Xinghai’s face darkened, and he said, “We know each other well, so don’t say such things in front of me. Leave now, or don’t blame me for being impolite.”

Cui Shuning laughed and said, “Brother Meng, don’t be angry. Can we reason with each other? This is truly a child I raised. No matter where we go to reason, we will always be in the right.”

“You’ve already given up on him, aren’t you afraid of losing face and making people think you’re heartless and ungrateful? Then feel free to bring up all those past things again. Besides, don’t say I have nothing to do with him; he’s my prospective son-in-law.” Meng Xinghai’s words not only startled the two members of the Cui family, but also left Qin Ming slightly lost in thought.

“You don’t even have a daughter, how did he become your son-in-law?” Cui Shuning laughed.

Meng Xinghai said, “If I don’t have a daughter, can’t I have one? Besides, if I don’t have enough time, I can just adopt a daughter.” Cui Shuning’s expression turned slightly cold as she said, “Brother Meng, do you value the child my family is raising that much?”

“If you don’t leave, then I’ll have to ask you to get out!” Meng Xinghai snapped. He had heard the conversation in the living room and had been putting up with them for a long time.

“Brother Meng, you’ve gone a bit too far!”

“Meng Xinghai, I advise you not to be so domineering.”

With a loud bang, all the bronze artifacts in the living room began to glow, and the calming incense in the bronze incense burner started burning automatically. “You’re asking for it, aren’t you?” Meng Xinghai’s voice was icy.

From the bronze incense burner, a large amount of white mist billowed out from the burning incense, spreading rapidly and covering the two people in front of them.

From the bronze incense burner, a large amount of white mist billowed out from the burning incense, spreading rapidly and covering the two people in front of them.

They naturally wouldn’t surrender without a fight. Cui He’s entire body emitted a green light, his hair and eyes turning emerald green, and a terrifying power erupted! Cui Shuning’s brow radiated a conscious spiritual light that transformed into a spiritual blade, slashing forward.

In the living room, all the ancient bronze artifacts were crystal clear, rippling with light, instantly freezing the space. Neither Cui He nor Cui Shuning could move, gasping for breath, their faces pale.

“This is…the land of the gods?”

“Divine wisdom has transformed into territory!”

The two spoke one after the other, realizing that their opponent’s strength far surpassed theirs; they were simply not on the same level. The white mist emanating from the bronze incense burner acted like ropes, binding the two men and wrapping them in rings of mist. Then, they were lifted off the ground, thrown out of the living room, and landed awkwardly in the courtyard.

“Get out!” Meng Xinghai shouted.

Without saying a word, the two got up and left immediately.

Meng Xinghai slapped his forehead and said, “Oh no, these two are deliberately being offensive. They’re actually testing my attitude towards you to assess your current potential and so on.”

He originally wanted to chase after them, but then stopped and said, “Forget it. If you want to enter the ancestral temple of a great sect or a famous university, you have to show some ability. You can’t hide it from others.”

It took Qin Ming a long time to calm down. The arrival of those two people made him sever the last ties left by the past! “Uncle Meng, do I need to go into hiding and enter… the dark mountains?”

Meng Xinghai said, “What are you thinking? Don’t worry, some people in the Cui family can’t control everything in the Night Fog World. You should perform well and strive to become a core disciple of a top-tier power as soon as possible.”

Qin Ming breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Then I’m relieved. Uncle Meng, besides the duel with Qi Daoming of Zhuguang City, I think some people from the Cui family will also get involved to test things out. They want to verify some things. Why don’t you and I discuss this together, Uncle Meng? If Cui He wants to interfere and sends someone to the duel, you can have him use the ‘Yi Mu Chang Qing Gong’ as a prize.”

Meng Xinghai’s eyes were strange. Just now, I thought he was very disappointed, about to be stranded in the desolate mountains and wilderness of the Night Fog World. But now I realized that he had been thinking about other people’s secret manual all along.

“After all, I’ve lived in the Cui family for over ten years and I know Uncle Cui He’s style,” Qin Ming said calmly.