Chapter 12 - Yinteng Town

In the harsh winter, amidst the icy snow-covered landscape, the mountain forest was ablaze with red clouds, butterflies danced in the night sky, and a vast rain of light fell, exuding a refined, otherworldly beauty. This extraordinary scene left Qin Ming and Xu Yueping in awe as they stood still and watched. The cold wind howled, causing the branches in the dense forest to sway violently, lifting large swathes of accumulated snow, while the 'red butterflies' from afar danced in rhythm with the gale. Xu Yueping fixed his gaze on the night sky painted red and finally identified what it was. 'A mutated plant is in full bloom, surging with vigorous new life power, and some of the nearby beasts and birds are about to mutate.' As he spoke, the fluttering 'butterflies' drifted closer, a few blown over by the mountain wind. Upon closer inspection, they were actually luminous petals. Qin Ming casually caught a few, his fingers tinged with a faint red glow. Xu Yueping even placed two into his mouth, eating them directly. Once these mutated plants bloom, both their flowers and fruits carry an intense aura of new life, beneficial to the human body. 'Slightly sweet,' Qin Ming remarked after tasting a few petals, lamenting how few had landed here. In the distant mountains and forests, the petals were densely packed, resembling a fiery red glow that dispelled the darkness. Large flocks of birds flew into the night sky, chasing the crimson petals, while the land and woods echoed with the cries of apes and roars of tigers, as many creatures competed for them. Qin Ming was eager to rush over, but Xu Yueping shook his head to stop him, saying, 'Forget it, by the time we get there, it'll be barren, and we might run into dangerous mythical birds or mountain monsters.' The 'blooming' of mutated plants is not bound by seasons, follows no pattern, and is difficult to seek out actively. After their splendid display, they wither and die completely. Qin Ming sighed, 'Not to mention the deep mountains and great lakes, even near our dwelling places, there are many mysteries. I really wish to pierce through the thick night fog and venture into the vast depths of the world to take a look.' Xu Yueping nodded and said, 'Having such thoughts is good, it gives you motivation to improve. If you get the chance, you should make a trip to the distant Chixia City.' He believed that only upon reaching there could one truly witness a corner of the real world. He added, 'You could go there to study.' 'Has Uncle Xu been there?' Qin Ming asked, looking at him. Xu Yueping, whose eyes now held slight wrinkles, replied, 'I've been there. It was shocking. Gradually, I came to terms with reality, and after adjusting my mindset, I acknowledged my own mediocrity.' His words were calm, devoid of youthful sharpness, leaving only the vicissitudes of middle age. 'Uncle Xu has seen and experienced much.' "Qin Ming could only offer such comfort. Xu Yueping gave a bitter smile, 'Who hasn't had some dreams in their youth?' He had more to say, but felt it too morose and dispirited, unwilling to cast a shadow over Qin Ming, so he kept it to himself. Many things are ultimately worn away by reality. 'Not a single prey along these dozen miles,' Xu Yueping complained, wishing to catch something in the wild to trade for food and drink in town. 'They've probably all been lured away by the mutated plants,' Qin Ming replied. On normal days, this stretch of road would require companions, as the dark wilderness could harbor any manner of creatures. 'Hey, at least we're not empty-handed,' Xu Yueping remarked after making several forays into the dense forest, finally managing to shoot a deer, weighing around forty pounds. The two traveled quickly, covering thirteen miles, with Yinteng Town now in sight. Under the night sky, the distant lights were hazy, the buildings faintly visible, like an exquisite painting clipped from the tranquil years. Reaching this point, the number of travelers on the road noticeably increased. Some were hunters returning from the wild, others were bringing mountain goods into town, and there were even beast-drawn carts speeding by with merchandise. Xu Yueping, familiar with Yinteng Town, led Qin Ming straight ahead. On both sides of the main street were numerous shops, red lanterns hanging under the eaves, bustling with people coming and going. Each shop was filled with a dazzling array of items, from exquisite porcelain to luxurious silk, and spices endemic to the mountains. The roadside offered tasty snacks like pancakes and wontons, the aroma mingling with the vendors' cries, full of the liveliness of life. Compared to this, Qin Ming found Shuangshu Village to be truly desolate. Xu Yueping went to inquire about grain prices and was told they remained exorbitantly high, still in short supply due to snow-blocked roads making it difficult to transport grain from afar. The center of Yinteng Town was brightly lit, with the Fire Spring located here, and though it was in a period of depletion, the eight-zhang-square pool still shimmered with light, mist rising around it. A silvery old vine, as thick as a water barrel, rooted in the molten-like glowing Fire Spring, was the origin of Yinteng Town's name. It appeared extraordinary, yet it was still an ordinary plant, with limited ability to absorb the spiritual essence of the Fire Spring. Qin Ming noticed something alive in the pool, a kind of red, gem-like clam, its shell opening and closing, with fiery glows flowing in between. 'Fire Clams, even such a large pool contains only a few dozen. They are said to be incredibly delicious, containing potent active substances. I wonder where they will ultimately end up and who will get to eat them.' Xu Yueping whispered, noting that Fire Clams at the very least need to be nurtured in a secondary Fire Spring like the town's, otherwise the spiritual essence would be insufficient to sustain them." The busiest shops were all near the Fire Spring, including the old-established weapon store, which saw a lot of foot traffic. In the harsh wilderness, everyone wanted a good weapon in hand. Sparse snowflakes drifted down from the sky as Xu Yueping led Qin Ming towards a nearby tavern. Many intricately crafted lanterns hung at the entrance, and inside, sunstones were placed to cast dazzling colors. The tavern's business only got better as the night went on, and it was still early, so the place was nearly empty. "Are we going to be the first customers?" Xu Yueping asked with a smile. A young man nodded politely, still sleepy and reluctant to be serving so early. Xu Yueping said, "Tell your boss we're looking for Feng Yi'an." The young man, who had been smiling out of courtesy, suddenly became alert and said, "Our boss is not here, but he instructed us beforehand. I'll go find Mr. Feng for you now." "This deer meat is tender and should be enough to trade for some good wine, right?" Xu Yueping offered the deer as payment. Normally, a tavern wouldn't agree, but with the current food scarcity, the young attendant readily nodded his agreement. "The tavern owner calls himself a 'Western Firelander.' Many years ago, his father, a retainer, followed a master on a strange bird from the west," Xu Yueping explained to Qin Ming. Some say that master traveled the world, while others say he was killed by a 'Moon Worm' while exploring the depths of the mountains' advanced Fire Springs. His followers settled here and started the tavern business. "Mr. Feng should be here by noon," the young man informed them shortly after and began preparing to serve them. Xu Yueping waved his hand, saying, "No need for any singing or dancing, just bring us food and wine. We have matters to discuss today." The tavern's decor was quite exquisite, with various crystal lamps hanging around, though the sunstones were small, creating a hazy glow. Xu Yueping whispered, "It's still early. Little Qin, you sit here and wait. I'm going to visit that old gentleman." Qin Ming nodded, knowing Xu Yueping was trying his luck at an old noble's house, and there was no point in stopping him. The tavern fell silent. Qin Ming took a sip of the amber-colored liquid in his glass; though it wasn't spicy, he still wasn't accustomed to it. Time passed slowly as he watched the snow drift outside, people coming and going, experiencing a rare sense of prosperity and bustle in Shuangshu Village. Xu Yueping returned, brushing off some snowflakes and rubbing his hands before downing several glasses of wine, saying, "It's indeed better than what I have at home." "Uncle Xu, are you alright?" "Qin Ming asked." Xu Yueping replied, "What could I have to say? Oh, right, when I visited, they were very polite and warmly received me, saying they would give you a chance when the time comes." "Hmm?" Qin Ming was surprised. This wasn't what he had imagined; the other party hadn't refused outright. He asked for more details and was rendered speechless. The one who warmly received Xu Yueping was just a steward; it was impossible to meet the old noble. The steward wore a gentle smile, more like maintaining proper etiquette. Many people had been visiting recently, and he mentioned they would arrange a time for outstanding young men to meet the old noble. Qin Ming said, "They're politely declining." Xu Yueping took another sip of wine and said, "You can lift six hundred jin; such a dazzling achievement, I think they will view you differently." Qin Ming spoke, "You revealed my background. Although they smiled, they faced you with indifference, which should explain everything. You also mentioned they come from afar, perhaps from a splendid city, surely acquainted with grandeur." Xu Yueping thought of some rumors; the noble lady's talent seemed extraordinarily high. He frowned and said, "You are already remarkable in our region, yet they still don't take notice?" He was somewhat unwilling, but after being politely received by the steward, he had a premonition. He just wanted to help Qin Ming seize this opportunity and simultaneously resolve the pressure from the Mountain Patrol Team. Qin Ming's expression was serious, "Uncle Xu, don't overthink it. Such mysterious nobles who come from big places to a small town, we shouldn't get too involved." Xu Yueping immediately became alert. Who knows whether they were reclusive or fleeing trouble, he nodded solemnly and said, "You're right." Noon belonged to the time when the night was less dark, and one could see the indistinct mountains outside Yinteng Town. Feng Yi'an appeared, accompanied by two mountain patrollers, braving the snow and wind as they entered the bar, bringing with them a chill. "Brother Xu, sorry to make you come so far and wait so long. We just got back from patrolling the mountains." Feng Yi'an greeted warmly. Seeing his sincere demeanor, Qin Ming felt immense disgust and wanted to punch this bearded man. He had already learned from Xu Yueping that this group of mountain patrollers was not very responsible on ordinary days, appearing together in the mountains only mid-month and at the end. Although the sun had disappeared, and the bright moon no longer hung high with stars filling the sky, people still used the old calendar, referring to the beginning and end of the month, among other times. Often, some members of the Mountain Patrol Team would linger in bars and restaurants across various towns, even keeping mistresses. Xu Yueping forced a smile and replied, "Brother Feng, you're too kind. We know how hard patrolling is for you, we haven't waited long either. Feng Yi'an looked at Qin Ming and said, "Young Brother Qin, you are truly talented and full of potential. I hope you can join our Mountain Patrol Team in the future." He patted Qin Ming's shoulder warmly and then called for a waiter, requesting a private room. Feng Yi'an turned to the two people behind him and said, "I will have a chat with Brother Xu first. You can accompany Young Brother Qin and order some drinks, and perhaps go to the tavern next door to see if there are any good dishes." His main intention was to shed his guise and talk to Xu Yueping alone. As soon as they entered the private room, his demeanor changed. "Old Xu, you're really not getting with the program. Being too earnest in life can be exhausting and painful. Don't forget, you have a wife and children. It's not unusual for a few fierce beasts to occasionally charge into your home from the mountains at night, right?" Feng Yi'an lightly slapped Xu Yueping's face. He was no longer the hearty man he seemed outside; his smile was indifferent, and his gaze turned cold—this was a blatant threat. "I will plant the Black Moon as soon as I return," Xu Yueping said. "You've made me uncomfortable this time. Do I have to kill some people in the mountains before you bow your head? I even came all the way here for you, and the team leader was not pleased when he heard about it!" Feng Yi'an increased the force of his slap on Xu Yueping's face. A quarter of an hour later, Feng Yi'an was the first to step out of the private room on the second floor, his face wearing a smile. "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 very urgent and wants to return first. If Young Brother Qin is not in a hurry, you can stay and have a few drinks." Qin Ming shook his head and politely declined, "No, I will go with Uncle Xu. The wilderness has been quite unsettled lately, and traveling with another person provides some security." Watching them disappear at the bar's entrance, someone beside Feng Yi'an spoke, "Even if that young man has a golden foundation, so what? It's clear he's on the same path as Xu Yueping. Why be so polite with him?" Feng Yi'an replied, "Indeed, it's hard to say what heights he'll reach and he's not on the same path as us. But since we haven't fallen out yet, let's 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 felt that humiliation keenly, with a fire of anger burning within him. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Uncle Xu, they keep committing evil deeds again and again. I believe even heaven cannot tolerate them and will soon deal with them!" Thanks to: Life and Death Are Illusions, Flying Family Bajie, many thanks to the two Silver Alliance Leaders for their support!