Chapter 12: Silver Vine Town

In the frigid winter, amidst the ice and snow, crimson clouds surged from the mountain forest, and butterflies danced across the night sky. A vast rain of light fell, possessing an elegant, ethereal beauty.

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

The biting wind howled, violently shaking the branches in the dense forest and kicking up large drifts of snow. The "red butterflies" dancing in the distance drifted closer with the wind.

Xu Yueping stared at the night sky, which had been dyed red, and finally determined what it was.

"A mutated plant is in Full Bloom, surging with the vigorous power of a Second Rebirth. A few of the nearby beasts and birds are about to mutate."

As he spoke, the dancing "butterflies" drew closer. A small number were blown over by the mountain wind; upon closer inspection, they were actually glowing flower petals.

Qin Ming reached out and caught a few. His fingers were illuminated by a faint red glow.

Xu Yueping went a step further, stuffing two petals into his mouth and eating them directly. After such a mutated plant entered its Full Bloom, both its flowers and fruits carried a rich aura of Rebirth, which was beneficial to the human body.

"Slightly sweet." Qin Ming also tasted a few petals, though unfortunately, very few had fallen here.

In the distant forest, the petals were densely packed, looking like a burning crimson cloud that dispelled the darkness of the night.

A large number of birds took to the night sky, chasing those glowing red petals. From the forest floor below came the cries of apes and the roars of tigers as many creatures fought over them.

Qin Ming was eager to give it a try and wanted to rush over.

Xu Yueping shook his head and stopped him, saying, "Forget it. By the time we get there, the place will be picked clean. We might even run into dangerous Rare Birds and Strange Beasts or Mountain Monsters."

The Full Bloom of a mutated plant followed no season or pattern; they were difficult to find intentionally. Furthermore, after their brilliance faded, they would wither and die completely.

Qin Ming sighed. "Not even counting the deep mountains and great marshes, there are so many mysteries even near our settlements. I really want to pass through the thick night mist and go deep into the vast world to see for myself."

Xu Yueping nodded. "It’s good to have ambitions. That’s what gives you the drive to improve. If you get the chance, you should take a trip to Crimson Cloud City first."

He believed that only once one reached that place could they truly see a glimpse of the real world.

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

"Have you been there, Uncle Xu?" Qin Ming looked at him.

There were faint wrinkles at the corners of Xu Yueping's eyes. "I’ve been there. I was shocked, and I gradually began to see reality for what it was. After adjusting my mindset, I had to admit that I was mediocre."

His words were calm, lacking the sharp edge of youth and leaving only the weathered weariness of middle age.

"You’ve seen and experienced a lot, Uncle Xu," Qin Ming could only offer this comfort.

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

He had a second half to that sentence, but he felt it was too gloomy and discouraged, so he kept it to himself, not wanting to affect Qin Ming. Many things were eventually ground away by reality.

"We’ve walked over a dozen miles and haven't even encountered a single piece of prey," Xu Yueping complained. He had wanted to hunt something in the wilderness to trade for food and drink in town.

"They were probably all attracted to that mutated plant," Qin Ming said.

Normally, ordinary people would need to travel this road in groups because in the pitch-black wilderness, any kind of creature could appear.

"Heh, finally, we’re not going in empty-handed." Xu Yueping ventured into the dense forest several times and finally shot a musk deer, weighing about forty pounds.

The two were fast on their feet. After walking thirteen miles, Silver Vine Town came into view.

Under the cover of night, the lights ahead were hazy, and the buildings were faintly visible, appearing like a beautiful scroll painted by the hand of time.

Once they reached this area, the number of people on the road increased significantly. There were those leaving town to hunt, those entering town to sell mountain goods, and animal-drawn carts carrying cargo passing by quickly.

Xu Yueping was very familiar with Silver Vine Town and led Qin Ming straight ahead.

There were many shops on both sides of the main street, with bright red lanterns hanging under the eaves. People came and went, making it very lively.

The shops were filled with a dazzling array of items: exquisite porcelain, gorgeous silks, and spices produced in the mountains.

On the roadside, there were delicious snacks like pancakes and wontons. The aroma of various foods wafted through the air, accompanied by the cries of street vendors, filling the air with the breath of daily life.

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

Xu Yueping went to ask about grain prices and was told they were still at record highs with demand far exceeding supply. The heavy snow had blocked the roads, making it difficult to transport grain from far away.

The central area of Silver Vine Town was brightly lit. The Fire Spring was located here; although it was currently the Withered Period, the pool—about eighty feet across—still shimmered with rippling water and hazy mists.

An old silver vine, as thick as a barrel, was rooted in the glowing, lava-like Fire Spring. This was the origin of the name Silver Vine Town.

It looked extraordinary, but it was still just an ordinary plant; its absorption of the Fire Spring's spiritual matter was limited.

Qin Ming noticed living things in the pool: a type of glowing red shellfish. They were as translucent as jade, with fire-like light flowing between their shells as they opened and closed.

"Fire Shells. Even a pool this large only supports a few dozen. It’s said they taste incredibly delicious and contain a high concentration of Spiritual Matter. I wonder where they are ultimately sent and who gets to eat them."

Xu Yueping whispered. Fire Shells had to be raised in at least a secondary Fire Spring like the one in this town; otherwise, there wouldn't be enough spiritual essence to sustain them.

The most successful shops were all located near the Fire Spring. For instance, many people were entering and exiting an old, established weapon shop. The survival environment in the wilderness was harsh, and everyone wanted a good weapon in hand.

A few stray snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Xu Yueping led Qin Ming toward a nearby bar. Many intricately crafted hanging lamps were displayed at the entrance, with Sun Stones inside reflecting brilliant colors.

A business like a bar was better the later it got. It was still early, so there were almost no customers.

"I don't suppose we’re the first customers?" Xu Yueping asked with a smile.

A young man nodded politely, his eyes still heavy with sleep. He was clearly reluctant to provide service so early.

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

The smiling youth snapped awake. "Our boss isn't here, but he left instructions. I'll go find Mr. Feng for you right away."

"The meat of this musk deer is fresh and tender. Is it enough to trade for some good wine?" Xu Yueping used the deer as payment.

In the past, the bar certainly wouldn't have agreed, but with the current food shortage, the young waiter immediately nodded in agreement.

"The boss here calls himself a 'West Firelo Person.' Many years ago, his father was a retainer who followed an expert from the west on a giant bird," Xu Yueping told Qin Ming.

Some said that expert had gone off to travel the world, while others said he was killed by a Moon Bug while exploring a high-grade Fire Spring deep in the mountains.

His followers had settled here and started the bar business.

"Mr. Feng should show up around noon today," the youth informed them a moment later, then prepared to call someone over to serve them.

Xu Yueping waved him off. "No need for songs or dances. Just bring food and good wine. we’re here to talk business today."

The bar’s decorations were quite exquisite, with various colored crystal lamps hanging about. However, the Sun Stone fragments inside them were small, creating a hazy, dim atmosphere.

Xu Yueping whispered, "It’s still early. Xiao Qin, you wait here. I’m going to pay a visit to that Old Noble."

Qin Ming nodded. He knew Xu Yueping was going to try his luck at the Old Noble's house, and there was no point in trying to stop him.

The bar grew quiet. Qin Ming took a sip of the amber liquid in his glass; although it wasn't harsh, he still wasn't used to it.

Time passed slowly. He watched the snow falling outside the window and the people passing by, experiencing a level of prosperity and excitement rarely seen in Twin Tree Village.

Xu Yueping returned, brushing a few snowflakes off his clothes. After rubbing his hands together, he downed several glasses of wine in a row and said, "This definitely tastes better than what I have at home."

"Uncle Xu, are you alright?" Qin Ming asked.

Xu Yueping replied, "What could be wrong? Oh, right—when I went there, they were very polite. They received me warmly and said they would give you a chance when the time comes."

"Hmm?" Qin Ming was surprised. This was different from what he had imagined; the other party actually hadn't refused.

He asked a few more questions and was immediately speechless.

The person who had warmly received Xu Yueping was the butler; it was impossible for him to have actually met the Old Noble.

The butler had worn a gentle smile, but it was more like he was maintaining proper etiquette. Many people had been coming to their door lately. He stated that he would arrange a time for all the outstanding youths to meet the Old Noble together.

Qin Ming said, "They were giving you a polite refusal."

Xu Yueping drank another glass of wine. "You can lift a six-hundred-pound cauldron. With such a brilliant achievement, I think they’ll see you in a different light."

Qin Ming spoke up. "You revealed my foundation, and even though they were smiling, they faced you with total indifference. That should explain everything. You mentioned they came from far away, perhaps from some magnificent city. They’ve surely seen the world."

Xu Yueping thought of some rumors; that noble lady's talent seemed to be extremely high.

He frowned. "You’re considered impressive even in our region. They still wouldn't think much of that?"

Though he was somewhat unwilling to accept it, he’d had a premonition after being received so politely by the butler. He had simply wanted to help Qin Ming seize this opportunity, which would also solve the problem of the Mountain Patrol Team pressuring them.

Qin Ming’s expression became serious. "Uncle Xu, don't think about it anymore. We shouldn't get involved with mysterious nobles who come from big places to live in small towns."

Xu Yueping was immediately alerted. Who knew if the other party was living in seclusion or fleeing from trouble? He nodded solemnly. "You’re right."

Noon was a time when the darkness was lighter, allowing a faint view of the mountains outside Silver Vine Town.

Feng Yi'an appeared, accompanied by two Mountain Patrollers. They entered the bar through the wind and snow, bringing in gusts of cold air.

"Brother Xu, I’m so sorry for making you travel so far and wait so long. We just got back from patrolling the mountains," Feng Yi'an greeted them warmly.

Seeing his sincere appearance, Qin Ming felt an immense sense of disgust. He really wanted to punch this bearded man's lights out.

He had already learned from Xu Yueping that this group of Mountain Patrollers was usually quite irresponsible, only showing up in the mountains together at the middle and end of the month.

Even though the sun had disappeared and there were no more brilliant sights of the moon or stars, people still followed the old calendar and referred to the beginning and end of the month.

Many times, some members of the Mountain Patrol Team would linger in the bars and restaurants of various towns, some even keeping mistresses.

Xu Yueping forced a smile and played along. "Brother Feng is too kind. We know how hard your patrol is, so we haven't been waiting long."

Feng Yi'an then looked at Qin Ming and said, "Little Brother Qin is quite the striking young man with infinite potential. I hope you can join our Mountain Patrol Team in the future."

He patted Qin Ming on the shoulder to show friendliness, then called over a waiter and asked for a private room.

Feng Yi'an looked at the two men behind him. "I’ll have a chat with Brother Xu first. You two stay with Little Brother Qin, order some drinks, and head to the restaurant next door to see if there are any good dishes."

His main goal was to drop the act and talk to Xu Yueping alone. Sure enough, his attitude changed the moment they entered the private room.

"Old Xu, you’re not very cooperative. Life will be very tiring and painful if you’re too stubborn. Don't forget, you have a wife and children. It would be normal for a few fierce beasts to occasionally charge out of the Deep Night and break into your home, wouldn't it?" Feng Yi'an lightly patted Xu Yueping's face with his palm.

He was no longer hearty; he smiled indifferently, his gaze turning cold. This was a naked threat.

"I will plant the Black Moon as soon as I return," Xu Yueping said.

"You made me very uncomfortable this time. You won't bow your head until some people are killed in the mountains, will you? We even had to make a special trip here for you. The Team Leader was very unhappy when he heard about this!" Feng Yi'an increased his strength, patting Xu Yueping's face again.

Fifteen minutes later, Feng Yi'an was the first to walk out of the second-floor private room, a smile on his face.

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

Feng Yi'an spoke with a smile, "Brother Xu feels that planting the Black Moon is a matter of great urgency and wants to head back first. If Little Brother Qin isn't in a hurry, he can stay for a couple of drinks."

Qin Ming shook his head and declined. "No, I’ll go with Uncle Xu. The wilderness hasn't been peaceful lately; it's better if the two of us look out for each other on the road."

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

Feng Yi'an said, "True. It’s hard to say what height he’ll reach, and he’s not one of us. But since we haven't officially fallen out yet, we’ll 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. He immediately realized that Xu Yueping had been humiliated in the private room.

He could feel that humiliation, and a flame of anger flickered in his heart. He took a deep breath and said, "Uncle Xu, they keep doing these evil deeds. I feel like even Heaven won't be able to stand it much longer; it'll come for them soon!"