Qin Ming gazed at the night sky, silently pondering something.
His main memories had returned, but some details remained a bit hazy.
“If my guess is correct, then even without me, Qin Ming, there would still be Zhang Ming, Zhao Ming, and others. The Cui family needs an ‘identity’ to stand firm.”
Standing by the window, Qin Ming felt a bit suffocated.
“The rise of the Li family, suddenly clashing with a thousand-year-old family, must have nothing to do with me. The Cui family couldn’t have predicted such a scene ten years ago.”
Qin Ming thought deeply; his identity in the Cui family should have reached its end, it was supposed to conclude. This final stage coincided with the Li family's attack, and he was swept along with it.
Clearly, in such a terrifying clash between the Cui and Li families, he originally had no part to play, but just happened to be caught up in it, allowing him to exert some “afterglow.”
Like those old men, he was destined to be consumed.
However, the group of elders from the Cui family willingly stepped onto that path, knowing it would likely lead to death. They were already old and willingly chose to shine for the Cui family in their final moments.
Qin Ming felt a mix of emotions swirling within him.
“Every year, when spring arrives and flowers bloom, they receive a special letter…” Qin Ming had first sensed something was off from here.
It was the same every year; reading the letter was the happiest moment for Cui father and Cui mother. Even the strict and somewhat rigid Cui father would show an unmistakable smile.
“One year, I vaguely heard something, but it was too long ago. Back then, I seemed not to have paid attention to that detail.” Qin Ming frowned.
However, he was experiencing his fourth rebirth, and it was not over yet. There was still hope to recall those subtle details.
“The fourth rebirth concerns the five senses, the subconscious, and instinctive intuition.” Qin Ming felt that he could completely tear apart the curtain of the past.
He had already noticed that this time, the consumption of spiritual material was indeed excessive.
“If it weren’t for entering the Thunderfire Alchemy Hall and enduring six or seven waves of heavenly light’s impact, gaining a large amount of extremely special and rare spiritual material, this rebirth might have been quite turbulent.”
Qin Ming realized that the injury to his head was more severe than he had imagined; otherwise, he wouldn’t be on the brink of death, completely losing his memory. Fortunately, this rebirth would completely resolve all issues.
“Cutting off old ailments, combined with rebirth, I have consumed double the amount of spiritual material.” He had a premonition that this rebirth would be more intense than any before.
“Perhaps when I wake up tomorrow, those hazy places in my heart will become completely clear.” Qin Ming suddenly realized he hadn’t eaten, having locked himself in his room all day.
He got up and went out, eating a little something.
That night, after Qin Ming fell asleep, golden needles wove through his body, as if stitching him up. At the same time, silver mud enveloped him from head to toe, like applying a final layer of medicine.
The shattered part of his skull was no longer targeted; it was clear that the hidden dangers had been completely eradicated.
Qin Ming entered the final stage of his fourth rebirth.
In the middle of the night, he woke up drenched in sweat, murmuring unconsciously, “I am Qin Ming, I have a grandfather, I am not a member of the Cui family.”
He calmed down; this scene felt familiar, almost like a memory.
Qin Ming sat up quietly, then he remembered how he had woken up like this in a household in Yinteng Town. That time, he had run out madly into the icy cold, shouting and screaming.
“I was severely injured in the head by Li Qingxu, fell into a coma for a long time, and was arranged by Cui Hong and that woman with a red mole on her right eyebrow to stay in Yinteng Town. I survived that winter but nearly went mad…”
Qin Ming reflected; two years ago, he had been plagued by nightmares in a daze, seeing his younger self and grandfather, which was how he learned that his name was actually Qin Ming. Did the rebirth method from the silk book take effect then?
After lying down, he quickly fell asleep again, reliving those dreams from two years ago.
“It’s not a dream; it’s my childhood experience.” Qin Ming’s subconscious was still active.
In these dreams, he confirmed that the old man was indeed his grandfather, and his own name was Qin Ming.
“Child, the method in the silk book really doesn’t work. Grandfather practiced for a lifetime and never succeeded.” The old man sighed, but still opened the silk book for him, page by page, explaining it to him.
His true family knew there was a problem with this method. While explaining it to him, they were also earnestly warning him that continuing to practice would hinder himself.
The old man said, “I practiced for a lifetime and pondered for a lifetime. I suspect that to succeed in it, one might have to die once, but cannot truly die completely. This balance is impossible to grasp.”
Qin Ming’s grandfather softly spoke, “What is rebirth? Perhaps being born from death is the first step.”
Qin Ming, who was just a child over a decade ago, did not understand how difficult and dangerous that was.
Then the old man shook his head again, saying, “This is just the ramblings of an old fool. After all, those predecessors who obtained the silk book are much stronger than I am, yet they couldn’t succeed. The source of the silk book, those initial people and their disciples, they all died, leaving the silk book completely covered in dust, unable to be practiced further.”
“Grandfather, once I succeed, you won’t have to suffer anymore. I will take good care of you.” The young Qin Ming said innocently.
“Good, then you must grow up quickly. It’s rare for someone to live to seventy. I’m already over fifty, and given our conditions, I can live at most another ten years.” The old man stroked his head, filled with both affection and worry, saying, “Grandfather is most worried about you. If I leave, what will you do? You’re still so young, you can’t take care of yourself.”
The old man sighed, saying, “Grandfather’s whole life has been delayed by the silk book, devoted entirely to it, living a very failed life. Now that I’m here, although you’re dressed poorly, at least you can still have enough to eat. If I feel I can’t go on, I’ll find you a good family.”
“Grandfather… is there really only ten years left? I don’t want it to be like this. You can live to be a hundred; I will grow up quickly.” Qin Ming held the old man’s rough hand, finally asking, “Where are my parents? Let them come take care of grandfather.”
Upon hearing this, the old man looked very disappointed, saying, “They, too, have been delayed by the silk book. In order to practice the methods within, they have gone far away. If we count the time, they might not be around anymore, likely gone before grandfather. I don’t want to hide this from you, because grandfather doesn’t have much time left. You must mature early and be strong, so you can live on when grandfather is no longer here.”
“Grandfather, when I grow up, I will take care of you. What do you like? What are your wishes? Please tell me.” The young Qin Ming urged with red-rimmed eyes.
“Grandfather once wanted to succeed in the method of the silk book, but now only hopes you grow up safely. Everything else doesn’t matter.”
……
In the morning, Qin Ming woke up, murmuring, “Grandfather, where are you now?”
It had been over a decade since then, and he sat there motionless for a long time before finally speaking, “Is my last relative also gone?”
“Grandfather, you were right. One must die once to succeed in the method of the silk book. I can fulfill all your wishes; I really want to see you again.” Qin Ming spoke softly.
He got up and washed his body with cold water; the fourth rebirth was now completely finished. Not only was his mind clear, but he also recalled many past details, feeling that even his physical condition had improved once more.
“I might now have nearly five thousand pounds of strength. The severe injury to my head has greatly affected me. The reason for consuming so much spiritual material this time is not only to heal old wounds but also to make up for the regrets from previous rebirths that were left unfinished due to injuries.”
Qin Ming contemplated; based on the current situation, if his head were uninjured, during the initial rebirth, he should be able to lift over twelve hundred pounds.
With the hidden dangers resolved, he felt light and relaxed from head to toe, becoming even stronger.
However, when he thought of his grandfather and the matters of the Cui family, he found it hard to smile.
“After entering the Cui family, those direct descendants personally taught me to write down the name Cui Chonghe, making me remember it firmly, and for a long time, I had no contact with outsiders.”
Qin Ming recalled the details from back then; he had heard someone in the mansion whispering, “It does look somewhat similar.”
In fact, the entire Cui family had never publicly mentioned that he had gone missing. Young Qin Ming had even had some doubts about it.
Now it seemed he was a “seamless connection.” Someone had just left, and he had arrived, taking that person’s place.
No wonder the mature older brother Cui Chongxiao had shown a strange expression when he first met him, scrutinizing him closely. Looking back, everything had long been foreshadowed.
Then, Qin Ming also recalled the “details” from when his parents received the special letter.
Now, after his fourth rebirth, the mist had cleared, and he could see clearly. He remembered that unusual moment when Cui father and Cui mother were very happy and excited, whispering, “Chonghe is precocious, gifted by heaven…”
Thinking deeply about this, it sent chills down his spine because there truly existed a Cui Chonghe!
Remarkable figures like Li Qingxu, Li Qingyue, and the daughters of the Wang family were all taken in by outsiders only after their teenage years.
Yet the real Cui Chonghe had been sent away at the age of three or four!
“How terrifying was his talent? Perhaps what Second Uncle Cui said while drunk was partly true, but it shouldn’t have been applied to me; it should have been placed on the real Cui Chonghe, destined to be close to becoming immortal.”
Qin Ming believed that the old predecessor, renowned in the Night Mist world, mentioned by Cui father certainly existed, and Cui Chonghe had long since become his disciple.
“The personalities of Cui father and Cui mother are extremely cautious. Older brother Cui Chongxiao returns only once every few years. They don’t allow the clan members to discuss which sect he has joined, fearing something might happen.”
Cui Chonghe’s talent was even more astonishing, so naturally, they would protect him better, not letting any hint slip.
In fact, this was understandable.
Because major families were sending their descendants to the outside world, just like the Cui family, where young direct descendants joined the ranks of outsiders every year.
Some old men from the Cui family were originally outsiders, living there for many years. It could be imagined that many powerful figures from other families were also in the outside world.
One could say that place was not a pure land; the forces of various families within those sects were intricately intertwined, with you in me and me in you.
Cui father and Cui mother were afraid that if someone learned of Cui Chonghe’s identity, they would be “remembered” and worried that something might happen to him over there.
Thus, they raised another Cui Chonghe here.
“Carefully selected, my appearance might even resemble his a bit.”
Qin Ming thought that given how cautious Cui father and Cui mother were, it would be abnormal not to take measures to protect the real Cui Chonghe.
“Two years ago, Cui Chonghe might have been exposed, or perhaps he was fearless, about to step into the spotlight and truly appear before everyone, so I should also take my leave.”
Qin Ming recalled the past, his eyes becoming incredibly deep.
“The clash between the Cui family and the Li family, I’m just here to exert some afterglow.” He thought of Cui Hao’s grandfather.
“If it weren’t for Seventh Uncle’s grandfather in that village, I might not have waited for the feather-cloaked youth Li Qingxu to appear and would have been taken away by several other old men.”
Qin Ming clearly remembered that Seventh Uncle’s grandfather had scolded those old men twice, telling them to stay away and not to approach.
Without Seventh Uncle Cui Hao, Cui Hong and that woman likely wouldn’t have appeared to rescue him.
“Although there are still some things I’m puzzled about, it should generally be like this. Everything is because I have completed the ‘task’ I was supposed to, and it’s time to leave the stage. The near-immortal Cui Chonghe is about to step into the limelight.”
Thank you: 133fev, Sleeping Under the Stars, Brother Boeing Says, Love Drinking Organic Milk Powder, Elder Demon Yunlu, many thanks to the several alliance leaders for their support!