Chapter 19: Without Stopping

Qin Ming stood his ground. Not being chosen didn’t make him feel awkward; his mindset was very peaceful.

It was Xu Yueping who was anxious for him, but there was nothing he could do to change it. Yang Yongqing also felt it was a pity for him. He had even joked with him before, saying that noble ladies would come down during the mountain sweeping operation and that he should perform well.

Wei Zhirou was very good with words. She greeted Qin Ming warmly and did not spare her praise, saying she also wanted to invite him to act together, but Cao Long and Mu Qing would not agree. She said he could go find her in Crimson Cloud City after the mountain sweep was over.

Qin Ming naturally wouldn’t put on airs. He responded with a smile, saying that if he were to leave his local area, Crimson Cloud City would be his first choice.

“I choose Qin Ming,” Mu Qing spoke.

Qin Ming’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly. He hadn’t felt anything when he wasn’t chosen earlier, feeling quite composed, but now he felt a little uneasy.

Never mind not knowing if the person before him was male or female; now it was hard to say if they were even human. To enter the mountains with them really made his heart pound.

He somewhat suspected whether Mu Qing was some kind of high-level being that had joined Crimson Cloud City. Otherwise, no matter how a human body transformed, it wouldn’t grow a fluffy golden tail, right?

What could he do? In this situation, there was no room for hesitation. He nodded and agreed readily.

Mu Qing was very satisfied with him. Seeing that he only carried a wood-chopping knife, he asked, “Are you lacking a suitable weapon? What kind are you used to using?”

Qin Ming said, “I haven’t decided yet.”

Mu Qing thought for a moment. “Some monsters in the mountains have solid scales and armor, with thick skin and flesh. Ordinary blades and swords might not be able to cut them. I’ll give you a long-handled hammer. If used well, its destructive power is very strong; you can smash a head with one blow. It’s just that it’s a heavy weapon, I don’t know if you can use it smoothly.”

Mu Qing beckoned to the people behind him, and someone immediately brought over a long-handled hammer made of dark gold.

After Qin Ming took it, he swung it a few times very casually, leaving afterimages and making a buzzing sound as it tore through the air. He was like he was lightly brandishing a spear flower, or nimbly dancing with a sword.

“Good!” Mu Qing nodded, seeing that his strength was very great.

Wei Zhirou was slightly startled. Her standards were very high. Just from the way he swung the heavy long-handled hammer as if it were light, she estimated his strength had already reached the limit of six hundred jin.

She had previously had someone investigate the only two youths who had laid a golden foundation. She had always thought Xu Yueping had exaggerated about Qin Ming, but now it seemed he hadn’t.

However, she didn’t feel it was a pity. The Zhou Wubing she had chosen had damaged his vital energy in his early years. With his New Life, his origin was gradually recovering, and his potential was very great. She estimated that after stabilizing, he could at least lift a six-hundred-jin ding. He was truly exceptionally talented. After all, even Xu Kong valued him and taught him personally.

Cao Long, on the other hand, was calm. He walked the path of a giant spirit god and was born with divine strength!

Mu Qing said, “I’ll give you another short sword. In case you are engaged in close combat by an anomaly, you’ll need a sharp short weapon.”

“Thank you!” Qin Ming took it. Now he finally had a better weapon than the Mountain Patrolling Group’s.

Next, Cao Long, Wei Zhirou, and Mu Qing chose people quickly.

Old Man Liu was over seventy years old. At first, no one chose him. But then he recommended himself, saying he was as familiar with the great mountains as his own backyard. Then he became a hot commodity; all three parties actually wanted him.

“I want to be in the same team as Little Qin. We’re from the same village, we’re familiar with each other and can look out for one another,” Old Man Liu said.

Soon, the Cao, Wei, and Mu families finished choosing people.

“Everyone, the higher-ups will soon have their final negotiation with the mysterious anomalies in the great mountains. For now, we can only wait quietly.”

Cao Long, Wei Zhirou, and Mu Qing were to lead their people back to Silver Vine Town. They were currently staying there. They told the chosen New Lifers to go back and make all preparations.

Afterward, people saw dozens more people emerge from the dense forest and leave with the three teams. They were all young and robust men wearing armor.

On the way back, Xu Yueping sighed. “It seems the people from Crimson Cloud City really are just using us as guides. They act polite and courteous, but in reality, they don’t think much of our strength at all.”

Yang Yongqing spoke, “The youths in those three teams are indeed here to temper themselves. But those dozens of experienced young and robust men are the main force of the three families for sweeping the mountains and exploring the mysterious territories.”

Old Man Liu, however, was more open-minded. The other side possessed high-level Qi-intent arts. What could they compare with?

Xu Yueping shook his head. “I’ve been to Crimson Cloud City. Only a very small number of core members of the noble families have mastered the complete high-level scriptures.”

According to his judgment, for the so-called generous rewards this time, it was impossible for them to take out their clan’s secret arts. That would shake their foundation.

“I reckon it should be fragmented pieces of high-level classics they’ve collected from the outside world, not their own family’s foundation. Of course, for people in the New Life domain, it’s definitely enough to cultivate to completion.”

Yang Yongqing was full of longing. “How rare is a high-level Qi-intent art? Even if it’s not complete and only records the path of the New Life domain, it’s enough to drive people crazy.”

Qin Ming whispered, “High-level scriptures are so precious, yet the three great families of Crimson Cloud City are willing to take them out. It shows how much importance they place on the place in the mountains where rosy clouds shine in all directions. What is the hidden story?”

“Wrong, a total of more than a dozen families have come,” Old Man Liu corrected.

Not long after, they returned to the village.

---

As the Shallow Night was about to end, Qin Ming carried a large piece of donkey meat to Old Man Liu’s door. He said he was here to freeload a meal, but he actually wanted to ask about the Blood Bamboo Forest.

Old Man Liu lived at the village entrance, closer to the Fire Spring. In the night, the green-bricked, gray-tiled house was dyed a faint rosy red.

Just as Qin Ming entered the courtyard gate, he saw a yellow dog rush out of its kennel. It was as tall as an adult’s shoulder, its yellow fur flowing with a lustrous sheen. It bared its snow-white fangs.

Qin Ming immediately thought of the Golden Mastiff from the Mountain Patrolling Group and couldn’t help but look at the yellow dog a few more times. With its fat and sturdy appearance, its meat quality looked pretty good too.

The yellow dog seemed to sense something. It had been baring its teeth just a moment ago, but in the next instant, it suddenly tucked its tail between its legs and dove into its kennel, not coming out.

“Little Qin, why are you bringing meat to my house?” Although Old Man Liu was old, he was still very sharp and appeared in the courtyard at the first moment.

Qin Ming said with a smile, “Grandpa Liu, how about I trade two Blade-horned Deer for this yellow dog of yours?”

“Woof, woof…” The large dog in the kennel started barking, its tail tucked, its head tilted as it looked at its master, as if trying to say something.

“This old dog is very spiritual. It’s very afraid of you, which means you’ve developed a killing aura from hunting in the mountains recently,” Old Man Liu said.

At the same time, he smiled and shook his head. “I won’t trade with you. This dog is about to mutate now, and it’s the one supporting our family, often bringing back some game.”

“Its spirituality is that high?” Qin Ming was surprised.

Old Man Liu stroked his goatee. “Of course. Two months ago, it was so old it could barely walk. It disappeared alone for a few days, and after coming back, it started to get better. It will definitely mutate before Yang Yongqing’s black mountain goat.”

“An old dog returns to the mountains, either to die in the mountains or to become strong again. There’s actually a real example of this saying.” Qin Ming was amazed, staring at the big yellow dog again and again.

Old Man Liu chuckled. “Speaking of which, you fell into a fissure in the ground last time you went into the mountains and almost died. After a serious illness, you quickly achieved New Life. It’s really a bit like an old dog returning to the mountains and coming back alive.”

Qin Ming really wanted to beat him up. This damn old man really didn’t know how to talk. His mouth was a bit mean. No wonder he didn’t marry that prettiest girl back then.

Old Man Liu said in a low voice, “That fissure you found is worth paying attention to.”

The great families of Crimson Cloud City were all looking for those special nodes. There must be a deep meaning.

Qin Ming shook his head. “Until I undergo a second New Life, I don’t plan to approach that area.”

He took the opportunity to ask Old Man Liu for advice. “Grandpa Liu, you know so much about the legends of various spiritual objects in the great mountains. Tell me about them.”

“You kid, I knew you had something to ask me.” Old Man Liu pointed at him with a smile, but his expression quickly became serious. “If spiritual objects were so easy to obtain, why would I have wasted my time until now? You’ve laid a golden foundation, you will definitely undergo a second New Life. There’s no need to take risks.”

Qin Ming said, “Didn’t you say that a young man should have a sharp edge? It’s a waste to come to this world without being young and reckless. I want to undergo a second New Life as soon as possible and go to a higher place to see the scenery.”

“Did I say those words?” Old Man Liu looked at him suspiciously. He wasn’t drunk when they were drinking yesterday; each person only had half a cup of spicy old wine.

“Something like that,” Qin Ming said with a smile.

“One should indeed have great ambitions when young, because dreams will decrease with age. The starting point has to be high,” Old Man Liu said.

The cold wind whipped the heavy snow against the window. In the house, the dining table of the Liu family was steaming, mainly with donkey meat. Qin Ming and Old Man Liu talked late into the night. He learned the names of some spiritual objects, all in extremely dangerous areas, and at the same time, he also learned where the Blood Bamboo Forest was.

Qin Ming himself had also had some guesses. The Blood Bamboo Forest that Feng Yian, Shao Chengfeng, and the others were eyeing was most likely within the area of responsibility of the Mountain Patrolling Group.

As expected, Old Man Liu mentioned that the Blood Bamboo Forest was only six li away from the Mountain Patrolling Group’s stronghold.

A type of snake lived there, its entire body as red and lustrous as if carved from red agate. Its flesh, blood, and snake gall contained a dense life force and spirituality.

But this kind of snake was extremely dangerous, one might even say very deadly. It possessed a potent venom. If bitten, even a New Lifer couldn’t survive.

“If you are lucky enough to capture one, you need to chop off the snake’s head and remove the poison glands. Otherwise, it’s not a tonic, but equivalent to a life-hastening soup.”

Old Man Liu informed him that besides its potent venom, this snake’s body was as hard as iron, its strength astonishingly great, and it could fly. Even a small snake only a few feet long was more dangerous than many mountain beasts. It could shoot out like an iron arrow and instantly pierce an opponent’s body.

Therefore, some called it a Blood Snake, while others called it an Arrow Snake.

If a Blood Snake over a zhang long was discovered in the mountains, the best choice was to flee immediately.

Old Man Liu recalled that when he was young, that snake’s nest already existed. Decades had passed; there must have been a second-time mutated Blood Snake by now.

Qin Ming said, “Let’s just hope there aren’t any even more formidable old snakes.”

“Blades and swords striking a Blood Snake might not even be able to cut it; sparks will fly. Among creatures of the same level, it is extremely fierce, with almost no weaknesses.” Speaking to this point, Old Man Liu shot up, almost flipping the table, which startled his old wife and almost made his youngest grandson cry.

“What’s wrong with you, you old coot?” The old lady glared at him.

Old Man Liu’s face was flushed, as if he had regained his youth. He waved his arms excitedly. “How could I have forgotten about this? There’s a problem in the great mountains now. If the Fire Spring in the Blood Bamboo Forest is extinguished, the Blood Snakes there will all be frozen stiff. Wouldn’t they be free for the taking?”

He wished he could grow wings and fly into the great mountains to have a look.

Qin Ming immediately said, “How about we two go into the mountains overnight to pick up some spiritual Blood Snakes?”

“Alright!” Old Man Liu nodded vigorously. But then he suddenly seemed to think of something and sat down dejectedly, sighing, “I’ve realized it. Those bastards Feng Yian and Shao Chengfeng are guarding the great mountains, eagerly desiring a second New Life. How could they not have thought of the spiritual objects within their own territory?”

The old man looked as if he had nothing left to live for, happy and excited for nothing. He sat there, slapping his thigh until it was almost blue, resentfully cursing those people from the Mountain Patrolling Group.

“Those dog things are really lucky. Don’t tell me there will be one or two more people like Fu Entao? To encounter such a good opportunity. I really want to give them a ladleful of golden juice [night soil], pour it all over their faces until they reek.”

---

This day, Qin Ming could be said to have been on the move without stopping. He entered the great mountains in the middle of the night through the wind and snow, and with a wood-chopping knife, he killed Fu Entao, Feng Yian, and the others. Then he went to meet the nobles from Crimson Cloud City. Afterward, he listened to Old Man Liu boast for a whole night, talking about his various mysterious sightings and strange experiences in the great mountains.

When Qin Ming returned home, he was already slightly tired and soon fell into a dream.

The next day, he woke up very early. After quickly finishing breakfast, he went directly into the mountains.

(End of Chapter)