Chapter 13: Passion No More

Xu Yueping didn't say a word until they left Silver Vine Town. He rushed into the dark, dense forest and slammed his fist heavily against a large tree, causing snow to rustle down from the branches.

"If I didn't have a wife and kids, or if I were twenty years younger, I would have taken Feng Yi'an with me today even if it cost me my life!" He wheezed, his heart heavy with suppression, his arms trembling slightly.

He had been humiliated in that private room, and the finger marks were still visible on his face. As a man, he couldn't swallow this insult.

However, he had a family and was no longer young. The burdens and obligations he carried forced him to endure. He clenched his fists and whispered, "Life has ground the passion out of me."

Qin Ming didn't know how to comfort him; even his own emotions were turbulent.

"Uncle Xu, don't let them get to you. People who do such evil will be punished sooner or later."

After a long time, Xu Yueping finally exhaled a breath of turbid air and said, "Let's go back."

Light snow was still falling from the night sky. The two said little on the way back, and Qin Ming tried to find topics to break the stifling silence.

"Why hasn't the Mountain Sweeping Operation started yet?"

Xu Yueping replied, "The higher-ups are likely still negotiating with the mysterious creatures deep in the mountains."

Afterward, his expression turned grim as he mentioned another matter. The Mountain Patrol Team had a Growth Catalyst being prepared. It would be delivered to Twin Tree Village in three days to be poured into the Fire Spring.

It went without saying that this Growth Catalyst, while beneficial for sprouting Black Moon, was harmful to the Fire Fields.

"Did the other villages agree?" Qin Ming asked.

Xu Yueping sighed. "There were some complications in three of the villages. Based on the continuous decline in Fire Field production over recent years, they guessed something was wrong with the seeds. But in the end, they couldn't withstand the pressure and agreed. Only the neighboring Qingsang Village is left; the Mountain Patrol Team is wary of the person who gave Er Bingzi his high-level technique, so they didn't dare push too hard."

"It's almost the middle of the month." Qin Ming looked up at the pitch-black sky.

He already knew that the Mountain Patrollers only gathered in the mountains together at the middle and end of each month.

At that moment, a giant ox with crimson fur emerged from a crossroads ahead. It was impossible not to notice.

Its back was significantly taller than an adult man, and its thick, long coat was glossy, emitting a faint red glow. In addition to its two normal curved horns, it had a third horn in the center of its forehead, straight and sharp as a sword.

Clearly, this was a Mutated Creature.

But the most striking thing was the man riding atop it. He was extraordinarily tall—if he were standing on the ground, he would likely exceed three meters. His black hair fell past his shoulders, and his eyes were like blade edges as he swept a glance over the two of them.

The fiery-red mutated ox trampled through the snow at a very high speed, heading toward Silver Vine Town.

"I’ve never seen someone so tall," Qin Ming said in surprise.

"He's walking a different path," Xu Yueping said, watching the retreating figure.

"Is his body's early development caused by a premature Rebirth?" Qin Ming asked.

According to the experience summarized by predecessors, the best age for physical Rebirth is fifteen or sixteen, which allows for a Golden Foundation to be built.

If it happens too early, it is very easy for the body to lose balance. Because the body is already in a stage of rapid growth, adding a "Rebirth" to promote it can lead to growth hormone disorders, eventually turning the person into a giant.

Crucially, most such giants die young. Their bodies usually spiral out of control after such a drastic transformation.

Xu Yueping said, "Only large clans have the ancestral experience and the massive resources needed to pile onto such people so they can actually grow up."

A small number of giants can survive. Once they rise, they are incredibly powerful, capable of using pure strength to overcome any technique.

"That kind of person follows the Giant Spirit Path," Xu Yueping said, emphasizing that an ordinary household could never afford to cultivate one.

He guessed that the man and his mount likely came from Crimson Cloud City.

As they discussed the issue of physical Rebirth, Qin Ming took the opportunity to mention the Mountain Patrol Team leader, Fu Entao.

Xu Yueping turned to look at him and said, "Xiao Qin, you aren't thinking of going after them, are you? Whatever you do, don't."

Qin Ming shook his head. "Uncle Xu, you're overthinking it. I'm just a newcomer. What qualifications or strength do I have to face someone who has undergone a Second Rebirth?"

Xu Yueping felt relieved. He was truly afraid that Qin Ming might throw his life away in a fit of impulsiveness.

"Although the first Rebirth is all-encompassing, it still focuses on strength. The Second Rebirth leans slightly more toward physical qualities like flexibility and speed."

As they chatted along the way, Qin Ming gradually began to map out Fu Entao’s specialized areas and overall level of strength in his mind.

On the return trip, the two entered the dense forest several times. They didn't want to go back empty-handed and hoped to bring back some prey for families suffering from food shortages.

"That was close. Even as a person of Rebirth, I almost got hurt. The wild creatures are agitated lately; we really do need a Mountain Sweeping Operation." Xu Yueping felt a lingering fear.

Just moments ago, a mutated Thorn Leopard had ambushed him from behind. It moved like a bolt of black lightning, nearly impossible to guard against. If Qin Ming hadn't stepped in, he would have been pinned down.

"This area recently had mutated plants appear, so it's quite dangerous. We shouldn't stay long."

The two didn't delay, dragging the mutated Thorn Leopard with them. It weighed four hundred and fifty pounds and was covered in five-inch-long black spikes from its belly to its head.

Upon returning to the village, Qin Ming immediately felt an oppressive and heavy atmosphere. Even the children who usually loved to chase each other in the snow were fewer in number.

Xu Yueping didn't head home until he had finished distributing the Thorn Leopard meat to the various households. He was exhausted, primarily on a psychological level.

Qin Ming stood by the bright Fire Spring, gazing out at the wilderness. The dim shadows of the distant mountains loomed intermittently.

"The Growth Catalyst will be here in three days to be poured into the Fire Spring. Pushing people like this... you really aren't giving anyone any time," he whispered.

He walked toward the wilderness, preparing to enter the mountains.

"I'll scout the path first." It was still Shallow Night, and he wasn't planning any drastic actions.

Most importantly, there were still two days until the middle of the month.

"Are you determined to drive people to a dead end? To ignore next year's famine and disregard the lives of others?" Qin Ming strode into the mountain forest.

This time he didn't carry his Hunting Spear; after his total physical Rebirth, he no longer needed it. He brought only a bow, arrows, and a wood-cutting blade.

He knew where the Mountain Patrol Team’s base was and walked steadily in that direction.

The wind was strong and the snow was still falling. This environment in the mountains was advantageous for him, as it could erase the traces he left behind.

Each Mountain Patrol Team was responsible for a specific territory covering six to eight villages. The place where Fu Entao and Feng Yi'an rested was just ahead; there was no need to go deep into the great mountains.

When he spotted mutated beasts along the way, Qin Ming did his best to avoid them, not wanting to cause unnecessary trouble.

After crossing a large area of forest and scaling several peaks, he approached his destination.

Faint red light emanated from a mountain peak. There was a miniature Fire Spring there, barely reaching Grade 1. It wasn't as bright as the one in Twin Tree Village, but it was more than sufficient as a base for the Mountain Patrol Team.

This place had once been occupied by a powerful Mutated Creature, but Fu Entao and his men had surrounded and killed it several years ago.

There were high-grade Fire Springs deep in the mountain ranges where the environment was excellent, but the mysterious beings living there looked down on the dim Fire Springs of the outer regions.

Qin Ming observed from an adjacent peak. On the opposite side, fiery clouds flowed, and several wooden huts were built on flat ground. Figures could be seen moving about.

Normally, at most two or three Mountain Patrollers would be active in the vicinity.

When they acted together, it was only to search for mutated plants or creatures with Spiritual Matter in hopes of achieving a Second Rebirth.

"They're keeping a Mutated Creature with a sharp sense of smell." Qin Ming frowned. There was a large Golden Mastiff there, its size comparable to a tiger.

Then, a look of anger appeared on his face. He spotted a Snow Ape with shimmering fur—clearly a captured beast—soaking in the Fire Spring.

Some villagers had been attacked by a Snow Ape; some had broken ribs, and others had nearly had their arms torn off.

Qin Ming watched that peak silently for a long time before finally vanishing soundlessly into the night.

He walked out of the forest and looked toward Twin Tree Village from afar.

Under the shroud of night, fiery light rippled at the village entrance. The nearby houses seemed to be lined with gold, showing hazy silhouettes. Smoke was curling up from some chimneys as people prepared meals.

It should have been a peaceful, beautiful scene, but upon entering the village, Qin Ming heard the sound of crying.

"Old Man Qian didn't make it. He passed away just now. Sigh!"

Many villagers stood at the Qian family's door, and some couldn't help but sigh.

"Old Qian was up there in years, and that Snow Ape nearly tore his throat out. He barely held on until now."

Qin Ming listened quietly without making a sound. This was already the third person to die in this incident.

Xu Yueping and Old Man Liu had also arrived, both looking grim. They knew the truth and felt an immense hatred for Feng Yi'an and the others.

The next day, during Old Man Qian's funeral, members of the Mountain Patrol Team appeared at the village entrance. Feng Yi'an approached with a sigh and handed a river deer to the Qian family.

Watching his hypocritical display of comforting the family, even the eldest villager, Old Man Liu, felt disgusted and turned his face away.

The Qian family, unaware of the truth, felt grateful to him.

Qin Ming silently clenched his fist. A single river deer in exchange for a human life?

The hidden facts were blood-drenched; Old Man Qian's life was apparently worth very little to them.

A tall man wearing armor spoke up. "Whether it was that Blood Bear or the rampaging Snow Ape, both have been killed by us. Everyone can feel safe entering the mountains to hunt now."

Qin Ming recognized him; his name was Shao Chengfeng.

Once, while in the mountains, Qin Ming and Yang Yongqing had encountered this man on the road. At the time, he had felt that Shao Chengfeng was very responsible and hardworking for patrolling deep into the night.

Now, this man was lying through his teeth, claiming credit for himself after committing such evil. It was truly contemptible.

Afterward, several members of the Mountain Patrol Team sought out Xu Yueping. They hadn't come to comfort the villagers, but to personally check the planting status of the Black Moon.

"Brother Xu, thank you for your hard work." This time Feng Yi'an was very satisfied, patting Xu Yueping on the shoulder.

Qin Ming stood by the Fire Spring as well, sensing that although the man was smiling, there was no kindness in it.

Xu Yueping remained expressionless. Recalling the humiliation in Silver Vine Town, he felt a stinging pain in both his face and his heart.

Shao Chengfeng smiled and said, "I misjudged you last time. I didn't realize Little Brother Qin was a person of Rebirth who had built a Golden Foundation. Once the Mountain Sweeping Operation begins, we will likely be fighting side by side. Why don't you just join our Mountain Patrol Team directly and become one of our own ahead of time?"

Qin Ming immediately declined. Even as the other man's smile gradually faded, he acted as if he hadn't noticed.

Shortly after, the Mountain Patrollers departed.

"We didn't even need to test him to know that kid is hostile toward us. Once the sweep starts, find an opportunity to get rid of him!"

"Don't let him go to waste. The Fire Spring at the Blood Bamboo Forest is about to go out; it's the perfect chance to use him to scout the way."

The men chatted casually as they disappeared into the wilderness.

That day, Qin Ming spent his time in the courtyard, earnestly sharpening his wood-cutting blade.