Chapter 91 Old Friends Reunite

Qin Ming had been circulating the “Harmony with the World” technique, making his body’s energy level similar to that of an ordinary person, yet his gaze was still detected by the other party, demonstrating just how powerful his perception was.

As night deepened, the fire spring shone exceptionally brightly.

A gentle breeze blew, causing Cui Chonghe’s luminous hair to flutter. He was as handsome as jade, surrounded by a faint rain of light, as if he stood on the path of immortals, having severed all worldly concerns.

Qin Ming stood on the dimly lit slope and nodded slightly in that direction.

Beside the fire spring, beneath the black and white twin trees, Cui Chonghe’s feathered robes fluttered, carrying wisps of white mist. His face was like a flawless piece of jade, warm and delicate, with deep eyes. He nodded in response towards the slope.

Qin Ming realized that he didn’t recognize him.

He could understand, because he had done some research on Cui Chonghe. This man was of noble birth and had been valued by a senior figure who was famous throughout the Night Mist World since childhood. He was born precocious and had extraordinary talent. All his wishes had come true, and he was extremely confident.

Why would someone like that pay attention to a fake Cui Chonghe?

When Qin Ming looked back on the past after regaining his memories last time, he realized that this person had completely ignored him.

Cui Chonghe only lost his temper once, blaming his family for not paying attention to their image, believing that the fake Cui Chonghe was overstepping his bounds and making a fool of himself.

Meng Xinghai had once reminded Qin Ming about Cui Chonghe’s true feelings towards him.

If we adopt Cui Chonghe’s mindset as the eldest son of a thousand-year-old aristocratic family, Qin Ming is merely a servant who can be sacrificed in his place, a servant raised by the Cui family and used at any time.

Qin Ming was furious at the time.

Today, he is at peace.

On the slope, Qin Ming even smiled faintly. This was for the best. The two sides met but did not recognize each other, which could save unnecessary trouble. If the other party knew who he was, there might be some trouble.

Cui Chonghe smiled in response, his whole being radiant and otherworldly. Then he turned his gaze to the black and white twin trees and said, “It’s a pity that without the experience of transcending the tribulation of life and death, such young remnant species are useless.”

Qin Ming turned around, leaped onto the back of the red eagle, and as it spread its wings, it instantly dispersed the night mist and flew away into the distance.

Yu Que, perched on his shoulder, felt a wave of fear wash over her and said, “That boy was terrifying. His indifferent gaze swept over me and made me feel as if I had returned from the early spring season to the dead of winter, when everything was withered and the blizzards were at their fiercest.”

“You actually have this feeling?” Qin Ming was surprised; he hadn’t experienced it himself.

Yu Que nodded, still shaken, and said, “Yes, it was probably because I secretly probed with my newly formed divine perception, and I was backfired.”

Qin Ming realized that Cui Chonghe was far more powerful than he had imagined, with an extremely high level of mental cultivation.

“My mind stirred slightly, and I suddenly sensed something, as if it involved someone or something.” Under the black and white twin trees, where white mist and light rain flowed, Cui Chonghe suddenly spoke.

He was surrounded by nearly ten people, including young disciples from outside the sect, golden-armored guards and jade-armored guards, as well as unfathomable masters from his sect.

These people immediately scanned the surroundings warily, then looked towards the nearby village.

“That boy rode away on a red eagle, could it be related to him?” someone said.

One of the disciples from outside the sect said, “Judging from the black gold hammer he’s carrying, his strength is only a little over four thousand jin, which is indeed excellent in the eyes of ordinary people, but he doesn’t even qualify to be selected as a Golden Armor Guard.”

“Just to be on the safe side, should we investigate further?”

Cui Chonghe was highly regarded both in his ancient family and in remote, secluded places.

…

Qin Ming stood in the wilderness, waiting for news. Once the experts from Crimson Cloud City arrived, he would prepare to leave, as it was not advisable to stay here any longer.

As the early night ended, the mountains were slowly swallowed by darkness, and the roars of various wild beasts continued, while the cries of strange birds echoed through the forest.

“Lord Qin, experts from Crimson Cloud City have arrived and wish to inquire about the details.” Yuque flew back from Silver Vine Town.

Qin Ming nodded, relieved. Nothing should happen now. He didn’t want to see the leader of the Gold Bandits pass by, otherwise his men might cause a bloodbath in this remote place.

He vaguely guessed that the gold thieves had been able to exist for so many years perhaps as a tool for some super organization to amass wealth.

Unfortunately, he killed several gold thieves in one day but found no valuable items. Could it be that they were all entrusted to their leader?

Outside Yinteng Town, Qin Ming met two top experts.

Ling Xu, the former city lord of Chixia City, was dressed in white. He appeared to be in his early forties, with a handsome and refined appearance.

He smiled and said, “Little Qin, right? Not bad, young man.”

Qin Ming’s heart skipped a beat when he saw him smile like that.

He knew that this former city lord was highly skilled. It was said that he had once conspired with a superior alien in the mountains to stage a play that lured a group of spying people to rush towards the special node where the five-colored glow shone brightly. The latter were tricked and had no way to complain.

Although some people were angry afterward and tried to shake his position as city lord, he simply moved to another, larger city to become its lord.

“Greetings, Senior Ling.” Qin Ming greeted him.

Lord Ling smiled gently and said, “I have a very good relationship with Meng Xinghai. You are his nephew, so there’s no need for you to stand on ceremony with me.”

“We’re obsessed with the gold thieves and wanted to eliminate them ourselves, so we came immediately after receiving the news.” In the woods, a three-foot-tall tabby cat carrying a crimson longsword walked with elegant cat steps, the scabbard almost dragging on the ground.

Qin Ming also paid his respects to this great expert and quickly informed the two of the information that Yu Que and his flock of birds had gathered from various important towns.

Ling Xu frowned and said, “All signs indicate that they really intend to break out of Black and White Mountain. It seems that the large net they set up elsewhere has become a mere decoration?”

“Brother Ling, it’s been a long time since we last met, and I never expected to see you here again.” A hearty laugh came from afar.

A group of people walked out of the thick darkness, approaching Silvervine Town.

“Brother Zhao, why did you come to such a remote place as Black and White Mountain instead of cultivating in seclusion?” Ling Xu greeted a middle-aged man with a smile.

“I came here specifically to seek the Yin-Yang Elixir for my junior brother. I didn’t expect that mountain lord to be so powerful and have such an extraordinary background. But at least the trip was worthwhile.” The middle-aged man surnamed Zhao walked over.

Following closely behind him was a young man, tall and slightly muscular, who did not quite resemble a hermit. His name was Zheng Maoze.

Qin Ming recognized him; this was a direct descendant of the Zheng family, and also the elder brother of Zheng Maorong, whom he had impersonated in the black market during the night fog.

“Brother Ling, I’ve heard that you obtained a Yin-Yang Elixir in Black and White Mountain. I wonder if you could bestow some upon me?” said the middle-aged man surnamed Zhao.

Ling Xu shook his head and said, “Rumors! You don’t actually believe them, do you? The black and white medicines were all snatched away by that white-haired old beast. If you ask me for them, I suspect you’re just trying to recruit me as your divine armor guards?”

The middle-aged man surnamed Zhao shook his head and said, “How could I dare? Others may not know, but I do. You are a master of the secret sect, and you are good at keeping secrets.”

Qin Ming was surprised to learn that the former city lord was also someone who walked two paths; it seemed that no famous expert was simple.

At the same time, he sighed inwardly, realizing that relying on physical mutation had become a mere background element, with other masters often using it to conceal their true abilities.

A group of people approached, clearly not from the same lineage. People outside the secular world also have many different lineages, and there is competition between them.

Qin Ming then saw some familiar faces: Lu Zhenyi, Zeng Yuan, and Chen Bingyan. Some were direct descendants of aristocratic families, while others had unknown identities but had once stayed in Qinghe City, waiting for outsiders to come and take them as disciples. They all knew each other and were even quite familiar with each other.

There were other disciples from outside the sect behind him, whom Qin Ming did not recognize.

“Cui Chonghe, um, sorry, it really wasn’t intentional, I just got used to calling him that. I didn’t expect to run into you here. It’s been more than two years since we last met. How have you been?” The tall and strong Zheng Maoze was the first to approach.

He was walking at the front, so naturally he was the first to spot this “old friend”.

“I didn’t expect to meet Young Master Zheng here,” Qin Ming said.

Although Zheng Maoze was very strong, he was not reckless in his speech. He shook his head, smiled and pointed at him, saying, “You are being too polite. We are old friends. Is it appropriate for you to call me ‘Young Master’? What will others think? They will mistakenly think that we are of different statuses and that I am being disrespectful and looking down on you.”

“Well done, Da Zheng, you haven’t changed at all!” Qin Ming laughed heartily.

Zheng Maorong’s expression froze slightly. He was slightly stout and tall, so some people behind him called him “Zheng Dazhuang” (meaning “Zheng the Strong”).

In the past, Cui Chonghe was very affectionate and called him: Da Zheng.

This isn’t meant to be derogatory, because he was indeed very tall. His family once wanted him to follow the path of the Giant Spirit God, but fortunately, he was more destined for immortality.

Even now, the other party still dares to call him “Da Zheng,” which takes some guts.

How could Qin Ming not understand him? Despite his seemingly frankness just now, this man, with his rugged appearance and delicate mind, is not someone to be trifled with.

Judging from how ruthless his brother Zheng Maorong is, he’s definitely not a good guy either.

Ning Siqi had already told Qin Ming to be careful of Zheng Maorong, and it was this man’s hint that led to the recent attempts to target him.

If the younger brother is like this, what about the elder brother?

“You really haven’t changed. It’s better to be so informal; it shows our relationship can withstand the test of time,” Zheng Maoze said with a smile, very amiable. He then asked, “So what’s your name now? How should I address you?”

Qin Ming realized that while “Zheng Dazhuang” was smiling at him, he was also reminding him that their identities were different now.

He didn’t believe that the other party didn’t know his current name. Ning Siqi had said that his younger brother often corresponded with him.

Qin Ming smiled and said, “I think so too. You’re still as approachable as ever. Just call me Qin Ming. It’s only been a little over two years since we last met, but you’ve become ethereal and your demeanor has changed drastically. You must already be looking down on your contemporaries, just as you wished in the past!”

“Chonghe, no, Qin Ming, don’t say such things in front of so many people, you’ll flatter me to death and put me in a terrible situation!” Zheng Maoze quickly and seriously stopped him.

He was well aware of the principle that the tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind. Even ordinary people know that the first rafter to stick out will rot. He immediately looked around and said, “I am just a small disciple. In front of so many senior brothers and sisters, I am insignificant and as light as a feather.”

Qin Ming said, “Da Zheng, you’re too modest!”

Zheng Maoze didn’t argue with him and immediately changed the subject, saying, “Didn’t you see Wang Caiwei?”

“No!” Qin Ming simply replied with one word.

“She should appear soon,” Zheng Maoze said with a smile.

“Qin Ming”.

How have you been?

“How are you?”

Lu Zhenyi, Zeng Yuan, and Chen Bingyan walked over; they were all old acquaintances who greeted him.

Soon, several old friends came from a distance. Regardless of what they thought, since someone had spoken up, the others couldn’t be so short-sighted as to ask him about his recent situation with smiles.

They had naturally noticed that Qin Ming was carrying a blood-stained hammer and understood his current situation: his path to immortality had been severed, and he was no longer on the same path as them.

“In a little while, Li Qingxu, Wang Caiwei, and Cui Chonghe may also arrive one after another.” Someone whispered, whether reminding Qin Ming or telling someone else about something that was bound to cause a stir.