First Encounter with Cui Chonghe

Under the cover of night, Qin Ming stood on the back of the Red Hawk. Hearing Cui Chongyi's shouts, he turned around and saw him running wildly through the town, chasing after him.

At the same time, Qin Ming also spotted Cui Hong, who was standing in the firelight at the town entrance.

He gently patted the Red Hawk, causing it to lower itself, and waited at the other end of Silver Vine Town.

"Cousin, I swear on my life, I meant no harm. Why don't you trust me anymore? We used to be such good friends!" Cui Chongyi shouted, his voice trembling with a hint of tears.

Finally, he saw the Red Hawk circling outside the town, not going far away, and quickly ran to get closer.

"Get on!" Qin Ming said, gesturing for him to leap onto the Red Hawk's back.

A strong wind howled as the Red Hawk carried the two away, rushing towards the area shrouded in shadows of mountains.

Cui Chongyi knew that Qin Ming didn't really trust Cui Hong and was afraid that he would suddenly make a move.

"Chong He, sigh, Qin Ming, I just can't get used to calling you that." Under the cover of night, on a mountain peak, Cui Chongyi looked at his cousin ahead with a conflicted expression.

Looking back, Qin Ming recalled that when he was in the Cui Household, the younger generation who didn't know the truth had a good relationship with him, especially Cui Chongyi, with whom he was closest.

Now that he's awakened from his dream, he thinks back carefully and realizes that his older cousins, who were close to him all those years ago, were indifferent to him, probably because they already knew the truth.

"Sigh, I've learned some things too. My family really went too far back then, actually making you accompany a group of clan elders who were already on the verge of death to face a large number of elite experts from the Li Household."

Cui Chongyi looked indignant when he mentioned these things.

How could he not know now that the Lineage had intended for Qin Ming to die in the chaos, to end it all?

If Cui Qi hadn't returned, learned the truth, and turned against his clan, there would have been no way Cui Hong and that woman would have gone to rescue Qin Ming; everything would have been forgotten.

"Let's not talk about the past," Qin Ming said.

He stood on the mountaintop, gazing into the distance. The night wind blew, causing his blue robe to flutter loudly.

Cui Chongyi said in a low voice, "Chong... Qin Ming, I know that many of my brothers and sisters will likely change their tune in the future. But from my perspective, no matter how things develop, you will always be my brother, and that will never change. If you ever need anything, just give me a call, and I'll be there in a heartbeat!"

"No need for that." Qin Ming shook his head, knowing that his cousin was a very good person and not wanting him to get caught up in some inexplicable vortex in the future.

Qin Ming wasn't afraid of being targeted; his only worry was that someone might try to play the family card in the future. Now, hearing the attitudes of most people, he actually breathed a sigh of relief.

From then on, no one could stop him from retrieving his Silk Scripture.

Cui Chongyi sighed softly. He understood Qin Ming's feelings and didn't know what to say, but he didn't want to leave just yet.

"Cousin, your performance tonight was astounding. I heard from Uncle Hong that you haven't been on the New Life Path for very long, yet you already possess such strength."

These words came from his heart, and he was truly deeply moved. He continued, "I knew that once you were on the right track, you would be incredibly powerful. Back then, you learned everything so quickly at home; you casually learned the zither and chess and surpassed us all."

"None of that matters anymore. I haven't touched it for over two years, I'm completely rusty, and I've almost forgotten everything," Qin Ming said.

Cui Chongyi knew he was implying something, and didn't want to bring up those people and events from the past again.

"It would be better if you focused on your cultivation path. As long as you don't get distracted, there's nothing you can't achieve. It's just that Silk Scripture —alas, you were too obsessed with it back then. You really can't practice with that. If you had turned back earlier, you would have already reached the level of Outer Saint."

Qin Ming glanced at him but ultimately said nothing. Some people only wanted him to practice the Silk Scripture and were intentionally guiding him. Back then, he was just a child; how could he see clearly? He was far from being a match for them.

Normally, this kind of New Life Method is simply not feasible.

Fortunately, he actually mastered the Silk Scripture!

Qin Ming asked, "Can you do me a favor?"

Cui Chongyi nodded quickly and said, "Go on!"

Qin Ming spoke solemnly, "Could you try to retrieve the Silk Scripture for me? It's the last thing my grandfather left me."

"Seventh Uncle mentioned this matter. It is said that the Silk Scripture was taken away by the Old Ancestor for study." Cui Chongyi's voice changed as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming couldn't help but want to curse. Now it would be even more difficult to retrieve it!

Seeing that his expression had turned grim, Cui Chongyi quickly said, "Once Seventh Uncle comes out of seclusion, have him go and ask for it for you. It shouldn't be a big problem."

"I hope so." After experiencing some things, Qin Ming no longer places all his hopes on others.

"Cousin, the area you live in is really remote. I've completely cut off contact with the outside world lately and don't know anything about recent events. Where did you go? Also, how did you become so strong? Did you New Life more than five times? This is not good; you need a recovery period within a year..."

Cui Chongyi was clearly trying to find something to talk about, mentioning that he had been kidnapped by a white Owl, taught a lesson by a hateful Violet Lightning Beast, and even had to clean the dentures of an elephant that had lost all its teeth, which made him so angry that he couldn't sleep for two days!

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming couldn't help but glance at him twice, wondering why his experience seemed somewhat related to his own.

"Cousin, that guy... he's also at Black White Mountain." Cui Chongyi's voice was low, and his expression was somewhat awkward as he said, "Cui Chong He from the Beyond the Mundane."

A slight ripple of emotion stirred within Qin, but he quickly regained his composure and said, "The Black and White and Great Medicine harmonizes Yin and Yang; it seems it is extremely important to those Beyond the Mundane People."

"He's helping a fellow disciple obtain it; he doesn't need it himself anymore," Cui Chongyi told him, then added very seriously, "Although the clan values him highly, he's nowhere near as close to me as you. To me, he's just a symbol that shines brightly."

Then he whispered, "Almost all those old friends who entered this Beyond the Mundane have come."

After Li Qingyue obtained the Yin Yang Great Medicine at Black White Mountain, other famous Beyond-Mundane Disciples were afraid of falling behind.

Cui Chongyi whispered, "The atmosphere between the various factions in the Beyond the Mundane has been very tense lately. The most outstanding new disciples are actively preparing for battle because a legendary item has appeared. It is most suitable for young boys and girls and can help them approach immortality in the Near-Immortal. Some of our old friends will probably also be involved."

This wasn't the first time Qin Ming had heard of such things, but he felt they were somewhat distant from his own experience.

Cui Chongyi said, "Wang Caiwei, Zheng Maoze, and others are nearby, all accompanied by experts. When you travel here, you must be careful of Li Qingxu. Although he looks ethereal, he is extremely dangerous..."

"Okay!" Qin Ming nodded.

Then, he prepared to leave.

"The Golden Bandits have gone mad. I need to go check out other places," Qin Ming said. The Red Hawk parted the night fog and carried him away.

Cui Chongyi stood on an official road, watching the figure disappear into the night sky. He was somewhat lost in thought, his feelings quite complicated.

"Now, my cousin, having left the Cui Household, is out in remote areas, fighting to prevent Golden Bandits from causing large-scale bloodshed."

Cui Chongyi was deeply moved, his heart filled with mixed feelings. His younger cousin was younger than him, yet he was working so hard, while he was gaining experience under the protection of his clan.

"In the Black White Mountain, Cui Chonghe, Zheng Maorong, Wang Caiwei, and others are accompanied by experts from Beyond the Mundane, currently acquiring the Yin Yang Great Medicine. People's fates differ greatly; I hope everything goes smoothly for my cousin in the future."

Cui Chongyi wondered what would happen if he had gone through those things. He would probably be completely devastated.

Emotionally, he was closer to Qin Ming, but he knew that some people in the clan were indeed taking advantage of his cousin, and they still lacked goodwill. Moreover, they were all his elders, which made him sigh heavily.

Afterwards, Cui Chongyi became somewhat worried. Although he had reminded his cousin and told him about some old acquaintances in the area, he was still afraid that he might run into some people and get into trouble.

"The experts guarding Emei Town repelled two Golden Bandits, but failed to kill them. The two ruthless bandits have disappeared into the mountains," Talking Finch brought the latest news.

Qin Ming frowned. The appearance of multiple Golden Bandits in this remote area was suspicious. Could it be that even more bandits were planning to pass through here?

A chill ran down his spine. Could it be that a group of Golden Bandits were about to enter Black White Mountain? He recalled that some experts were accompanying some Core Disciple in the Beyond the Mundane; could there be some kind of deal or contact between them?

The young man he killed earlier with the Mutton Fat Jade Iron Saber, who could turn into mist, was connected to the Golden Bandits and had once been accompanied into the mountains by the big bandits of Golden Chicken Ridge.

This was not a major event that he could interfere with. Qin Ming came to Silver Vine Town and wrote a letter, asking the people there to send it to Red Haze City by raptor.

Talking Finch informed them, "The two Golden Bandits who escaped from Emei Town are running wildly through the mountains and forests. They are still several miles away from Double Tree Village. I reckon they probably won't enter the village; they'll eventually head into Black White Mountain."

"Let's go and intercept them!" Qin Ming leaped onto the back of the Red Hawk again. Those Golden Bandits were vicious and ruthless, their hands stained with the blood of innocent people. Although they were all old and gray, it was just that bad people had grown old.

In the dense forest, the two Golden Bandits suddenly stopped, seeing a blood-red raptor circling overhead. A young man, wielding a large hammer, leaped down with ferocity.

The woodland roared with fierce winds and thunder, and many trees instantly disintegrated. Qin Ming attacked them without saying a word, killing every single one of the Golden Bandits without hesitation, ensuring that no innocent souls would be left to die.

The two bandits roared and unleashed their full Heavenly Light Force, wanting to fight Qin Ming to the death, but they were no match for him and were blown apart one after another by the hammer.

"There are actually people fighting in the mountains."

Disciples from the Beyond the Mundane appeared nearby, both men and women, each accompanied by a powerful warrior.

"Those who died weren't strong; none of them were qualified to be selected as Golden Armor Guard." A young man drew this conclusion after sensing with Secret Method, his fingertips glowing.

They watched the bird of prey disappear into the night, not paying it much attention.

Only Wang Caiwei glanced deeply at the night sky, and in that fleeting glance, she felt that the tall figure on the back of the Red Hawk looked somewhat familiar.

Qin Ming wasn't going to act rashly anymore; he had done enough of what he needed to do.

"It's hard to tell what's true and what's false. Everyone says the Golden Bandits are massacring villages to attract attention and create an opportunity for their leader to escape. But if their leader is also taking this path, then things will become incredibly dangerous. I hope I'm wrong."

The Red Hawk broke through the night fog and landed on the slope outside Double Tree Village.

Qin Ming stayed here, hoping that a true master would arrive in Red Haze City.

"Hmm?" His eyesight was very sharp, and he saw some people appearing near Double Shun Village.

Illuminated by the Fire Spring at the village entrance, the leading youth's body glowed, seemingly possessing an ethereal aura, accompanied by wisps of white mist and flowing specks of light rain, making him incomparably otherworldly.

The boy was looking at the Black White Twin Trees at the entrance of the village. As if sensing something, he turned around and looked towards the slope.

Qin Ming realized that this person's perception was extremely sharp.

He then realized who it was; the face bore a striking resemblance to Father Cui.

Furthermore, the other party was dressed in ethereal robes, Beyond-Mundane Disciples, and surrounded by immortal light and rain, as if he had transcended the mortal world. All of this pointed to one person: Cui Chonghe!

Qin Ming hadn't expected to run into the other party under these circumstances.