In the cold winter, with snow covering everything, the mountains and forests were unexpectedly filled with a beautiful sight. Red clouds burst forth, butterflies danced in the night sky, and large amounts of glowing petals fell, creating an elegant and otherworldly beauty.
This scene left Qin Ming and Xu Yueping in awe as they stopped to watch.
The cold wind howled, shaking the branches in the dense forest and stirring up piles of snow. In the distance, the "red butterflies" danced closer, carried by the strong wind.
Xu Yueping focused on the dyed red night sky and finally identified what it was.
"An unusual plant is 'blooming,' releasing a surge of vibrant life force. Nearby, some wild animals and birds are likely to mutate."
As he spoke, the fluttering "butterflies" drew nearer, carried by the mountain wind. Upon closer inspection, they were glowing flower petals.
Qin Ming casually caught a few petals, and his fingers turned slightly red from the glow.
Xu Yueping went further and popped two petals into his mouth. After blooming, this unusual plant's flowers and fruits carried a strong vitality, which was beneficial to humans.
"It's slightly sweet," Qin Ming said after trying a few petals, but unfortunately, there were too few here.
In the distance, the forest was thick with petals, resembling burning red clouds that brightened the night.
A large number of birds flew into the night sky, chasing after the bright red petals, while the sounds of monkeys and tigers echoed from the forest floor, as many creatures fought for them.
Qin Ming was eager to rush over.
Xu Yueping shook his head to stop him, saying, "Forget it. By the time we get there, it will probably be bare, and we might encounter dangerous birds or mountain monsters."
The blooming of unusual plants didn't follow any season or pattern, making them hard to seek out. After their brilliant display, they would wither and die completely.
Qin Ming sighed, "Not just in the deep mountains and lakes, even near our home, there are many mysteries. I really want to walk through the thick night fog and explore the vast world beyond."
Xu Yueping nodded, "It's good to have such thoughts; it gives you motivation. If you get the chance, you should visit the distant Red Cloud City."
He believed that reaching there would mean seeing a true corner of the world.
He added, "You could go there to study."
"Has Uncle Xu been there?" Qin Ming asked him.
Xu Yueping, with some wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, replied, "I have been there. It was shocking. Gradually, I realized the reality and accepted my own mediocrity after adjusting my mindset."
His tone was calm, lacking the sharpness of youth, leaving only the weariness of middle age.
"Uncle Xu has seen a lot," Qin Ming comforted him.
Xu Yueping smiled bitterly, "Who hasn't had dreams when they were young?"
He had more to say, but it felt too gloomy and dispiriting, so he kept it to himself. Many things would ultimately be worn down by reality.
"We haven't encountered a single prey in over ten miles," Xu Yueping complained, wanting to hunt something in the wild to bring back to town for food and drink.
"They're probably all attracted to the unusual plants," Qin Ming replied.
Normally, this stretch of road would require people to travel in groups because the dark wilderness could hide all sorts of creatures.
"Hey, at least we didn't return empty-handed." After several attempts in the dense forest, Xu Yueping finally shot a deer weighing about forty pounds.
The two moved quickly, covering thirteen miles, and Silver Vine Town was now in sight.
Under the night sky, the lights ahead were hazy, and the buildings appeared like a beautiful painting crafted from peaceful times.
Once they reached this point, the number of travelers on the road noticeably increased. Some were leaving town to hunt, while others were entering to sell mountain goods, and there were even beast carts rushing by with cargo.
Xu Yueping was familiar with Silver Vine Town and led Qin Ming straight ahead.
Many shops lined both sides of the main street, with bright red lanterns hanging under the eaves. The area was bustling with activity.
Each shop displayed a variety of goods, including exquisite porcelain, luxurious silk, and spices unique to the mountains.
On the roadside, there were delicious snacks like pancakes and wontons, with the aromas of various foods wafting through the air, accompanied by the sounds of vendors calling out, creating a lively atmosphere.
Compared to this place, Qin Ming felt that Shuangshu Village was far too quiet.
When Xu Yueping inquired about grain prices, he was told they were still extremely high due to a shortage. The heavy snow had blocked the roads, making it difficult to transport food from afar.
In the center of Silver Vine Town, there was a bright area where the Fire Spring was located. Although it was in a period of depletion, the eight-foot square pool still shimmered with light, surrounded by mist.
A silver vine, as thick as a water barrel, rooted itself in the glowing Fire Spring, which was the origin of Silver Vine Town's name.
It looked extraordinary, but it was still an ordinary plant, absorbing only a limited amount of the spring's spiritual energy.
Qin Ming noticed that there were living creatures in the pool—red shells that looked like jade, their shells opening and closing while the firelight flowed within.
"Fire Shells. Even in such a large pool, there are only a few dozen. They say they taste incredibly delicious and contain strong active substances. I wonder where they will eventually go and who will eat them."
Xu Yueping murmured that Fire Shells had to be raised in a secondary Fire Spring like this one in town; otherwise, they wouldn't have enough vitality to survive.
The best businesses were located near the Fire Spring, like the well-known weapons shop, which had a lot of foot traffic. In the harsh wilderness, everyone wanted to have a good weapon in hand.
Small snowflakes began to fall from the sky as Xu Yueping led Qin Ming toward a nearby bar. The entrance was adorned with many finely crafted chandeliers, and inside, sunstones illuminated the space with brilliant colors.
Bar business thrived later in the evening, and since it was still early, there were hardly any customers.
"We're not the first guests, are we?" Xu Yueping asked with a smile.
A young attendant nodded politely, still half-asleep, clearly reluctant to provide service at such an early hour.
Xu Yueping said, "Tell your boss that we're looking for Feng Yian."
The young attendant immediately perked up, saying, "Our boss isn't here, but he instructed me to help you find Mr. Feng."
"This deer is tender and should be enough to trade for some good wine, right?" Xu Yueping offered the deer as payment.
In the past, a bar would have refused such a deal, but with food being scarce now, the young attendant readily agreed.
"The boss here calls himself a 'Western Fire Man.' Many years ago, his father followed a master and came here riding a strange bird from the west," Xu Yueping explained to Qin Ming.
Some say that master traveled the world, while others claim he was killed by a "moon worm" while exploring deep mountain springs.
His follower settled here and started the bar business.
"Mr. Feng should show up around noon today," the young attendant informed them after a moment and prepared to call someone for service.
Xu Yueping waved his hand, saying, "No need for singing and dancing; just bring us food and good wine. We're here to discuss business today."
The bar was elegantly decorated, with various crystal lamps hanging from the ceiling, but the sunstones inside were small, creating a dazzling light effect.
Xu Yueping whispered, "It's still early. Little Qin, you sit here and wait while I visit that old gentleman."
Qin Ming nodded, knowing he was going to try his luck at the old noble's house, and stopping him would be pointless.
The bar quieted down, and Qin Ming took a sip of the amber liquid in his glass. It wasn't spicy, but he still wasn't used to it.
Time passed slowly as he watched the snow fall outside, feeling the bustling atmosphere that was rarely seen in Shuangshu Village.
Xu Yueping returned, brushing off some snow from his clothes. After rubbing his hands together, he downed a few cups of wine, saying, "It's definitely better than what I have at home."
"Are you alright, Uncle Xu?" Qin Ming asked.
Xu Yueping replied, "What could happen to me? By the way, when I visited, they were very polite and warmly welcomed me, saying they would give you a chance."
"Huh?" Qin Ming was surprised; this was different from what he expected. They actually didn't refuse.
He asked a few more questions in detail and was left speechless.
The one who warmly welcomed Xu Yueping was the steward, and it was impossible to meet the old noble.
The steward wore a gentle smile, more like he was maintaining proper etiquette. With so many visitors lately, he said he would arrange a time for the outstanding young people to meet the old noble.
Qin Ming said, "They are politely declining."
Xu Yueping drank another cup of wine, saying, "You can lift six hundred pounds. With such an impressive achievement, I think they will look at you differently."
Qin Ming spoke up, "You revealed my background. Even though they smiled, they treated you very casually, which should say it all. You also mentioned that they come from afar, perhaps from a brilliant city, and they must have seen a lot."
Xu Yueping recalled some rumors that the noble lady seemed to have extraordinary talent.
He frowned, saying, "You also stand out in our area. Are they really looking down on you?"
Though he felt a bit reluctant, after being politely received by the steward, he had a sense of foreboding. He really wanted to help Qin Ming seize this opportunity while also solving the issues with the mountain patrol group.
Qin Ming's expression turned serious as he said, "Uncle Xu, don't think too much about it. Those mysterious nobles coming from big places to small towns are not someone we should get involved with."
Xu Yueping immediately became alert. Who knew if they were hiding or running from something? He nodded seriously, saying, "You're right."
Noon was a time when the night was less dark, allowing a blurry view of the mountains outside Silver Vine Town.
Feng Yian appeared, accompanied by two mountain patrollers, bringing a chill into the bar as they entered through the snow.
"Brother Xu, I'm sorry for making you come so far and wait so long. We just returned from patrolling the mountains," Feng Yian greeted warmly.
Seeing his sincere demeanor, Qin Ming felt a strong dislike and wanted to punch this bearded man.
He had already learned from Xu Yueping that this group of patrollers was usually not very responsible, only appearing in the mountains around the middle and end of the month.
Even though the sun had disappeared, and there were no bright moons or starry skies, people still followed the old calendar and mentioned the beginning and end of the month.
Often, some members of the patrol group would linger in the bars and restaurants of various towns, even keeping mistresses.
Xu Yueping forced a smile, replying, "Brother Feng, you're too kind. We know patrolling is hard work, and we haven't waited long."
Feng Yian then turned to Qin Ming, saying, "Young brother Qin, you have a promising appearance and limitless potential. I hope you can join our patrol group in the future."
He patted Qin Ming on the shoulder, showing closeness, and then called for a waiter, asking for a private room.
Feng Yian looked at the two behind him, saying, "I'll talk with Brother Xu first. You two can accompany Young Brother Qin and order some drinks, and check next door for good dishes."
He mainly wanted to drop the pretense and have a private talk with Xu Yueping. Once they entered the private room, his attitude changed.
"Old Xu, you're not being reasonable. If you take things too seriously, it will be exhausting and painful. Don't forget, you have a wife and kids. It's normal for a few fierce beasts to occasionally charge into your home in the middle of the night, right?" Feng Yian said, slapping Xu Yueping's face lightly.
At this moment, he was no longer jovial but wore a cold smile, his gaze turning icy—a blatant threat.
"I'll plant the Black Moon as soon as I get back," Xu Yueping said.
"You've made me very uncomfortable this time. You won't bow down unless I kill some people in the mountains, right? I specifically came here for you, and the group leader is not happy about it!" Feng Yian emphasized, slapping Xu Yueping's face again.
Fifteen minutes later, Feng Yian was the first to come out of the private room on the second floor, wearing a smile.
"Let's go," Xu Yueping said to Qin Ming.
Feng Yian smiled, saying, "Brother Xu thinks planting the Black Moon is very important and wants to go back first. If Young Brother Qin isn't in a hurry to leave, he can stay and have a drink or two."
Qin Ming shook his head, politely declining, "No, I'll leave with Uncle Xu. The wilderness isn't safe lately, and it's better to have someone with me on the road."
Watching them disappear at the bar's entrance, one of Feng Yian's companions spoke up, "That young man, even if he has a golden background, so what? Clearly, he and Xu Yueping are from the same background; why be so polite to him?"
Feng Yian replied, "Indeed, it's hard to say how far he can go, and he's not on the same path as us. But since we haven't turned against each other yet, we should give him some face. 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 feel that kind of humiliation, and a surge of anger rose within him. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Uncle Xu, they keep doing evil things. I feel like heaven won't stand for it much longer, and they'll be dealt with soon!"
Thank you: Life and Death are Illusions, Flying Home, and Bajie. Thanks to both of you for your support!