Silver Vine Town

Silver Vine Town

In the bitter winter cold, amid ice and snow, crimson haze burst forth from the mountains and forests. Butterflies danced beneath the night sky, and vast showers of light drifted down, carrying an elegant beauty untouched by the mundane world.

This wondrous sight left Qin Ming and Xu Yueping dumbfounded, and the two stopped to watch.

The frigid wind howled, violently shaking the branches in the Dense Forest and sweeping up great clouds of snow. Meanwhile, the distant "Red Butterflies" rode the gale toward them.

Xu Yueping stared at the night sky stained red and finally determined what it was.

"An Mutated Plant is 'blooming,' surging with vigorous New Life Power. A few of the nearby beasts and birds of prey are about to mutate."

As he spoke, the fluttering "butterflies" drew near. A small number were blown over by the mountain wind. Looking closely, they were glowing petals, one after another.

Qin Ming casually scooped up several, and even his fingers were tinged faintly red by their glow.

Xu Yueping stuffed two petals into his mouth and ate them directly. Once such mutated plants bloomed, whether flowers or fruit, they carried a rich aura of new life and were beneficial to the human body.

"A little sweet." Qin Ming tasted a few as well, but unfortunately, too few had fallen here.

In the distant mountains and forests, the petals blanketed the land, like burning Red Haze driving away the night.

Great flocks of birds flew into the night sky, chasing the crimson petals. From the woodland below came the cries of apes and the roars of tigers, as countless creatures fought over them.

Qin Ming was eager to try, wanting to Pass Through.

Xu Yueping shook his head and stopped him. "Forget it. By the time we get there, it will already be picked clean. We might even run into dangerous Famous Birds, Mountain Monsters, and the like."

The "blooming" of Mutated Plants did not follow the seasons and had no pattern. They were difficult to seek out Proactively, and once their splendor faded, they withered and died completely.

Qin Ming sighed. "Forget the deep mountains and great marshes—even around where we live, there are so many mysteries. I really want to pass through the dense night fog and venture into the depths of the Vast and Boundless world to take a look."

Xu Yueping nodded. "It's good to have such aspirations. That's how you gain the drive to improve. When you get the chance, you should first make a trip to distant Red Haze City."

He believed that only after arriving there could one truly glimpse a corner of the real world.

He added, "You can go there to take the entrance exams."

"Has Uncle Xu been there?" Qin Ming looked at him.

Fine wrinkles had already appeared at the corners of Xu Yueping's eyes. "I've been there. I was shocked by it, then gradually recognized reality. After setting my mindset straight, I admitted that I was ordinary."

His words were calm. The sharp spirit of youth was gone, leaving only the weathered air of middle age.

"Uncle Xu has traveled far and seen much." Qin Ming could only comfort him like this.

Xu Yueping gave a bitter smile. "Who didn't have dreams when they were young?"

He had more to say, but he felt it was too bleak and dispirited. Not wanting to affect Qin Ming, he kept it inside. In the end, many things would be worn away clean by reality.

"We haven't even come across a single prey animal in over ten miles." Xu Yueping was dissatisfied. He had wanted to hunt something in the wilderness and bring it to town in exchange for food and drink.

"They were probably all drawn over by the Mutated Plant," Qin Ming said.

Under normal circumstances, people had to travel this stretch of road in groups, because in the pitch-black wilderness, any sort of creature might appear.

"Heh, at least we didn't come back empty-handed." After entering the Dense Forest several times, Xu Yueping finally shot and killed a roe deer weighing around forty pounds.

The two traveled quickly. After walking thirteen miles, Silver Vine Town came into view.

Under the night curtain, lights glimmered ahead, and buildings appeared and disappeared through the haze, like an exquisite painting trimmed by tranquil years.

Once they arrived here, there were clearly more travelers On the Way. Some were leaving town to hunt, some were entering to sell mountain goods, and others drove beast carts laden with cargo swiftly past.

Xu Yueping knew Silver Vine Town like the back of his hand and led Qin Ming straight ahead.

There were many shops on both sides of the main street. Bright red lanterns hung beneath the eaves, and people came and went in a lively bustle.

Every shop displayed a dazzling array of goods: exquisite porcelain, splendid silk, fragrant spices native to the mountains, and more.

There were also delicious roadside snacks such as pancakes and wontons. The aromas of all sorts of food drifted through the air alongside the vendors' cries, filling the place with the warmth of everyday life.

Compared to this place, Qin Ming felt that Double Tree Village was truly far too desolate.

Xu Yueping went to ask about grain prices and was told they remained at an exorbitant level due to demand exceeding supply. Heavy snow had blocked the roads, making it difficult for grain from afar to be transported in.

The center of Silver Vine Town was brightly lit. The Fire Spring was located here. Though it was in its period of depletion, the pool, eight zhang across, still rippled with shimmering light as misty Fire Haze curled above it.

An old silver vine as thick as a water barrel had rooted itself in the Fire Spring, which glowed like molten lava. This was the origin of Silver Vine Town's name.

It looked extraordinary, yet it was still an ordinary plant, able to absorb only limited spirituality from the Fire Spring.

Qin Ming noticed living things in the pool. They were crimson clams, translucent like jade. Whenever their shells opened and closed, Fire Haze flowed between them.

"Fire Clams. Even such a large pool only raises a few dozen of them. They say they taste incomparably delicious and contain highly potent active substances. I wonder where they will eventually be sent, and who will get to eat them."

Xu Yueping spoke softly. Fire Clams had to be raised at the very least in a second-grade Fire Spring like the one in town; otherwise, there would not be enough spirituality to sustain them.

Several of the busiest shops stood near the Fire Spring, including an old-established weapons shop with many people entering and leaving. Survival in the wilderness was harsh, and everyone wanted a good weapon in hand.

Sparse snowflakes began drifting down from the sky. Xu Yueping led Qin Ming toward the neighboring bar. Many exquisitely crafted hanging lamps were suspended outside its entrance, each containing Sun Stones that cast brilliant light.

The later it got, the better bar business became. It was still early now, and there was almost no one inside.

"Surely we aren't the first guests?" Xu Yueping asked with a smile.

A young man nodded politely and said they were. He had not yet fully awakened, and having to provide service so early made him deeply unwilling.

Xu Yueping said, "Tell your boss that we're looking for Feng Yi'an."

The youth's polite smile vanished as he instantly woke up. "Our boss isn't here, but he gave instructions in advance. I'll help you find Mr. Feng right away."

"This roe deer meat is tender. It should be enough to trade for some good wine, right?" Xu Yueping used the roe deer as payment.

In the past, the bar would certainly not have agreed, but food was relatively scarce at the moment, and the young attendant directly nodded in agreement.

"The owner here calls himself a West Fire Luo Person. Many years ago, his father was an attendant who followed an expert riding a Strange Bird from the west." Xu Yueping said to Qin Ming.

Some said that expert had traveled the world, while others claimed he had been killed by Moon Insects while exploring a high-grade Fire Spring deep in the mountains.

His follower settled down here and started the bar business.

"Mr. Feng should appear around noon today." A moment later, the youth brought them the news and prepared to call someone over to serve them.

Xu Yueping waved his hand. "No soft songs or lively dances. Just bring food and wine. We came to discuss business today."

The bar was decorated rather exquisitely, with crystal lamps of various colors hanging around it. However, the Sun Stone pieces placed within them were very small, creating a dreamlike, hazy glow.

Xu Yueping lowered his voice. "It's still early. Little Qin, sit here and wait. I'll go pay that old gentleman a visit."

Qin Ming nodded, knowing that he was going to try his luck at the Old Noble's residence. There was no use stopping him.

The bar fell quiet. Qin Ming took a sip of the amber liquor in his glass. It was not harsh, but he still was not used to drinking it.

Time slowly Passed By. He watched snow drift outside the window, watched people come and go, and experienced the prosperity and bustle rarely seen in Double Tree Village.

Xu Yueping returned, brushing a little snow from his body. After rubbing his hands together, he drank several cups of wine in succession. "It really does taste better than what I have at home."

"Uncle Xu, are you all right?" Qin Ming asked.

"What could possibly be wrong with me? Oh, right. When I visited, they were very courteous and received me warmly. They said they would give you an opportunity when the time came."

"Hm?" Qin Ming was Astonished. This was different from what he had imagined. They had not actually refused.

He asked for the details, then fell silent.

The one who had warmly received Xu Yueping was the steward. It had been impossible for him to meet the Old Noble at all.

The steward had worn a gentle smile, but it seemed more like he was maintaining proper etiquette. Recently, many people had come calling. He said he would arrange a time for outstanding youths to meet the Old Noble together.

"They Politely Refused," Qin Ming said.

Xu Yueping drank another cup. "You can lift a six-hundred-pound cauldron. Such a dazzling accomplishment—I think they'll look at you differently."

Qin Ming said, "You revealed my foundation. Though they smiled, they still treated you with indifference. That should explain everything. You also mentioned that they came from afar. Perhaps they came from some resplendent city. They must have seen the wider world."

Xu Yueping recalled some rumors. That noble young lady's talent seemed to be exceptionally high.

He frowned. "You're already considered outstanding in our region. Even then, they don't think much of you?"

Though he was somewhat unwilling to accept it, he had sensed something after the steward's polite reception. He simply wanted to help Qin Ming seize this opportunity and, at the same time, resolve the Mountain Patrol Group's coercion of them.

Qin Ming's expression turned solemn. "Uncle Xu, don't dwell on it. We shouldn't get too involved with mysterious nobles like them, who came from a great place to a small town."

Xu Yueping immediately became alert. Who knew whether they had come here to live in seclusion or to flee disaster? He nodded gravely. "You're right."

Noon was when the night darkness grew fainter, and the indistinct outlines of the mountains beyond Silver Vine Town could be seen.

Feng Yi'an appeared, followed by two Mountain Patrols. Braving the wind and snow, they entered the bar and brought gusts of cold air in with them.

"Brother Xu, sorry to make you come all this way and wait so long. We just got back from patrolling the mountains." Feng Yi'an greeted him warmly.

Seeing how sincere he looked, Qin Ming felt disgusted beyond measure and wanted to smash this bearded man's head with one punch.

He had already learned from Xu Yueping that this group of Mountain Patrols normally took little responsibility. They only showed up together in the mountains around mid-month and the end of the month.

Although the sun had vanished, and there was no longer a bright moon hanging high or a splendid sight of stars filling the sky, people still followed the old calendar and spoke of the beginning and end of the month.

Much of the time, some members of the Mountain Patrol Group lingered in bars and restaurants throughout various towns, even keeping mistresses.

Xu Yueping forced a smile as he dealt with him. "Brother Feng, you're too polite. We know mountain patrols are hard work, and we haven't waited long."

Feng Yi'an looked at Qin Ming again. "Little Brother Qin is a fine-looking talent with limitless potential. I hope you can join our Mountain Patrol Group in the future."

He patted Qin Ming on the shoulder to Get Close, then called over an attendant and asked for a private room.

Feng Yi'an looked at the two men behind him. "Brother Xu and I will talk first. You two keep Little Brother Qin company over some drinks, and take a look at the tavern next door to see what good dishes they have."

He mainly wanted to shed his disguise and speak with Xu Yueping alone. Sure enough, once they entered the private room, his attitude changed.

"Old Xu, you really don't know how to go with the flow. If a person is too particular about everything, life gets exhausting and painful. Don't forget, you have a wife, children, elders, and youngsters. Now and then, a few Fierce Beasts charging out of the mountains in the Deep Night and breaking into your home would count as perfectly normal, wouldn't it?" Feng Yi'an lightly patted Xu Yueping's face with his palm.

He was no longer hearty and bold. He smiled coldly as his gaze gradually chilled. It was a naked threat.

"When I return, I'll plant Black Moon immediately," Xu Yueping said.

"You made me very uncomfortable this time. You won't bow your head unless we kill a few people in the mountains, is that it? I even had to make a special trip here for you. The group leader was very unhappy when he heard about it!" Feng Yi'an increased his force and slapped Xu Yueping's face again.

A quarter hour later, Feng Yi'an was the first to emerge from the private room on the second floor, smiling.

"Let's go," Xu Yueping said to Qin Ming.

Feng Yi'an spoke with a smile. "Brother Xu feels that planting Black Moon is urgent and wants to return first. If Little Brother Qin isn't in a hurry to leave, you can stay and have a few drinks."

Qin Ming shook his head and Politely Refused. "No, I'd better leave with Uncle Xu. The wilderness has been unsettled lately. Two people traveling together can at least watch each other's backs."

Watching them disappear through the bar entrance, one of the men beside Feng Yi'an said, "So what if that boy has a Golden Foundation? He's clearly one of Xu Yueping's people. Why be so polite to him?"

Feng Yi'an said, "Indeed. It's still hard to say how far he can go, and he isn't on the same road as us. But since we haven't openly fallen out yet, give him some face for now—unless we decide to kill him immediately..."

"Uncle Xu!" Qin Ming noticed a faint handprint on Xu Yueping's left cheek and immediately understood that Xu Yueping had been humiliated in the private room.

He could understand that humiliation. Rage throbbed within him. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Uncle Xu, they've committed evil again and again. I think even Heaven can no longer stand it. It will take them soon!"

Thanks to Shengsi Jie Xuwang and Feixiang Jia Bajie. Many thanks to both Silver Alliance Leaders for your support!