Chapter 8 - Once Illuminated the Colorful Clouds to Return

In this era, darkness envelops the world. Luminescent creatures are rare, and when they appear, it's often a sign of something formidable, lethal, urging one to steer clear from their domain. In the vast wilderness, countless lurking dangers await. Daring to expose itself in such a perilous environment, unabashedly radiating light—it is undeniably a display of confidence, likely denoting immense power. Qin Ming silently slid down to the base of a tree, hiding within the shadows of the dense forest. His heart was unable to calm. This was no ordinary luminescent creature; it lit up the entire night sky. In an age devoid of sun, moon, and stars, such a spectacle emerged from the pitch-black world. "Moonworm!" he thought, recalling stories he had heard. The elders often recounted tales from a distant past, a time with the sun and the moon. Seeing the confused eyes of the children, the elders would use the moonworm as an example. "If one day you chance upon a moonworm, you'll know what the moon looks like." When a moonworm appears, there is no need for explanation; in its presence, it becomes the lone beacon in the night sky. Initially, a gentle glow rose slowly. Qin Ming, unsure whether it was due to preconceived notions, vaguely saw a blurry insect silhouette. Now it was brilliantly radiant. Where was the shape of a worm amidst this? The intermingling light resembled a resplendent disk, akin to a divine crown illuminating the night sky. Insects, as we know them, rarely survive the winter to the following year. As the elders told, the moonworm migrated to this region over fifty years ago, residing deep within the vast mountains, seldom venturing into peripheral areas. In local tradition, it has long been recorded, standing for fifty years as a distinguished "famous pest" within the mountains. People believe it harbors potential no lesser than the ancient mythical beasts or the enduring mountain lords. Qin Ming was lost in thought: Is this how the moon appeared in those distant eras? In the night sky, it's as if a celestial lamp hangs high, shining brightly, casting its light over the darkened forests and barren hills, instantly tinting the area in a soft silver hue. This scene starkly contrasted what he was accustomed to, banishing the thick darkness of the mountains. Everything appeared different. Gazing at such a breathtaking sight, Qin Ming couldn't help but yearn for the ancient times with the sun and the moon. What kind of world was it? He knew the moonworm merely illuminated two nearby low hills, far from matching the legendary brightness of the true moon—said to stretch for thousands of miles in a grand display of light in the vast heavens. At this moment, all was silent. Be it the Wild Boar King, the mysterious creature hunting it, or other beasts and birds—they all quietly hid. Suddenly, a streak of light shot across the sky as the moonworm drifted away. Rapidly, the surrounding area lost its radiance, plunging the forest back into boundless darkness. Qin Ming felt a hollow emptiness inside. But then, a strong desire welled up: when could he become as free as the moonworm, unhindered by the eternal night, with the path ahead always clear? There wasn't time to dwell on it. Taking advantage of the beasts' intimidation, reluctant to emerge recklessly, he swiftly moved, dragging the Blade-antler Deer and the Donkey-head Wolf over the low hill, disappearing into the distance. From the depths of the mountains, a chilling howl pierced the air before abruptly ceasing. It seemed a powerful creature was slain where the moonworm had descended. Silence reigned over the forest. Neither the exceptional beasts nor the multiple times-mutated "famed birds" dared to make a sound. Twin Tree Village was in sight, and Qin Ming returned triumphantly with his prey. Near the village entrance, he turned to look back, seeing nothing but vast, endless darkness. The vivid spectacle of moments ago replayed in his mind. He felt entranced: the ancient moon once shone on the clouds, returning now in such a wondrous form—where was it today? "Gurgle!" His stomach rumbled, pulling him back to reality with a severe hunger. He chuckled wryly, wondering why he pondered such far-off ideas when he needed to address his immediate need to eat. In the cold weather, only a few kids were playing near the village entrance, unwilling to stay indoors. "Qin Ming, you went into the mountains... and hunted a Blade-antler Deer by yourself?" a slender boy exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief. The kids' little faces were flushed with cold as they gathered around. Surprised by the several hundred-pound black Donkey-head Wolf, they couldn't help but swallow hard. "Come to my house later, and I'll make a meat feast for everyone," Qin Ming said with a smile. Like a gust of wind, he carried both hunted animals back home. After enduring all the way, he longed to experience the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Without delay, he started boiling water and called Lu Ze and Liang Wanqing to lend a hand. "Qin, are you injured?" Liang Wanqing noticed the bloodstains on his shoulder with concern. "Just a scratch, nothing serious," Qin Ming reassured, shaking his head. Lu Ze inspected the wound, finding it shallow and already scabbed over, which put him at ease. Soon, a rich aroma wafted through the small courtyard. Thick chunks of meat simmered in an iron pot, while deer leg roasted over a fire, dripping with sizzling fat. With a thunderous stomach, Qin Ming could wait no longer. He sliced a thin piece of meat from the deer leg with a small knife and, not caring if it was hot, popped it straight into his mouth. "It's done and tastes great! Wen Rui, is your wish fulfilled today, little uncle's promise?" Wen Rui savored a bite, eyes crescent with joy, nodding like a pecking chick. "It’s delicious—I can't remember the last time I ate meat. Little uncle, you're the best!" Qin Ming invited Lu Ze and Liang Wanqing to eat first, planning to sort and preserve the remaining meat later. Two-year-old Wen Hui couldn't chew the roasted deer leg, settling for mashed meat paste instead, which made him pout in mild dissatisfaction, drawing laughter from the group. Amidst a pivotal phase of his rebirth, Qin Ming's body screamed for nourishment. Now, devouring the meat ravenously, he finally felt satiated. At that moment, a few children peeked in from the yard gate—faces dirty, drawn by the smell of meat. Their eyes shone with longing, though they hesitated to enter. Qin Ming waved them over, saying warmly, "Didn't I invite you at the village entrance? Come in let's eat together." "Thank you, Qin Ming!" "Uncle, you're the best..." The invited kids timidly entered, and soon, cheeks puffed like little hamsters, they savored the meal, muffling their praise of its taste. "Take it slow, there's plenty," Liang Wanqing cautioned, serving them some meat broth to prevent choking. Qin Ming felt his very blood and flesh celebrating, akin to a parched land receiving life-giving rain. New sprouts emerged, heralding a burst of vitality and renewal. He sensed keenly his tendons and bones growing, occasionally popping with a sound, his senses heightened, and his spirit soared with vigor. In the subsequent moments, Qin Ming's courtyard became a hub of commotion, filled with laughter and delight. News had spread: Qin Ming had not only hunted a Blade-antler Deer but also a fearsome Donkey-head Wolf. The whole village was abuzz. During these dangerous times, few dared venture into the mountains, yet he had such a bountiful haul. Moreover, the mutated Donkey-head Wolf was notorious—encountering it often spelled doom for ordinary folks. Qin Ming, barely over sixteen, had managed to take down such a formidable beast? "Could it be that he experienced rebirth during the Golden Age?" In no time, Qin Ming's small courtyard drew a crowd, villagers eager for tidbits about the mountain conditions, pondering a return to hunting. "Mom, I'm hungry," a small girl in patch-covered clothes murmured. Amidst a winter scarce of food, the scent of roasted meat wafted invitingly. Behind the adults, some children, eyes wide with longing, watched intently. Knowing the bite of hunger well, particularly against those small, ruby cheeks from the biting cold, Qin Ming quickly waved them in. "Come, have a meal with us." The children hesitated, looking first to their parents—showing their modesty and restraint. Qin Ming continued, "Dear uncles, I won't host you here, but each family can take five pounds of meat home." "Qin Ming, that’s too generous..." Qin Ming clasped them on the shoulder, "It's settled. Our whole village is small; there's enough to share." "Qin Ming is truly one of a kind. Let's get him a nice wife soon; he's the right age," someone chimed in with a laugh. "This can wait," Qin Ming said, waving off with a smile. Laughter filled the courtyard, the children being the happiest, sitting in a circle, their faces shining with contentment. … "Qin Ming, be honest with Uncle Yang, have you truly been reborn?" Yang Yongqing had arrived. He had seen Qin Ming earlier at shallow night, and hadn't been gone long before finding out Qin Ming had actually slain a mutated Donkey-head Wolf—it left him astounded. With a grin, Qin Ming nodded. "Uncle Yang, didn't you mention an esteemed lady was due to visit? You told me to enhance my skills and perform well. After a close encounter in the mountains, my body heated uncontrollably, and suddenly I was reborn." "You young lad, you're not being very humble," Yang Yongqing chuckled, pointing a finger playfully at him. Everyone present knew—it wasn't luck. Qin Ming's extraordinary physical aptitude and deep-seated foundation were the real reasons. "Having a rebirth at the Golden Age, in all these decades, it's the first for our Twin Tree Village!" Old Man Liu remarked, amazed. Such an event carried immense implications, casting Qin Ming in a bright future with endless possibilities across the region. In the freezing cold, where breath crystalizes in the air, Qin Ming’s body radiated heat, increasingly like that of a furnace, sweat pouring from him while white mist enveloped his body. "The vigor in his flesh is astonishing, surpassing my own back then," Yang Yongqing said, his bristling whiskers quivering from shock. He understood clearly: Qin Ming, from head to toe, inside and out, was rapidly undergoing rebirth—sweeping away old decay, sprouting anew. The sticky substances on his skin signified shedding old leaves, expelling impurities, while his core brimmed with vitality. His glowing blood, like returning to the womb, unleashed a vigorous force, unlocking his body’s potential anew. Feeling a wave of drowsiness, Qin Ming, now satiated, sensed an urge akin to a peculiar "hibernation," his eyelids heavy with sleep. He requested Lu Ze to portion the meat for distribution while he surrendered to his instinct, readying to retire indoors for a deep sleep. "Grandma Zhou is being buried today," Qin Ming murmured, fighting off his fatigue, rinsing off with icy water, then fell upon his rustic bed. Though others watched with interest, to them it didn't seem as significant. But Yang Yongqing, worldly and wise, noticed the ethereal white mist enveloping Qin Ming, with a heartbeat that echoed like a drum, striking his core with overwhelming awe! More so, while Qin Ming sought slumber, the process of "rebirth" itself hadn't concluded. Could it be that after this rebirth, Qin Ming might glimpse even the distant Bright City’s renowned young figures? Catching up with those famed youths seemed daunting—they had generational advantage and talent beyond measure. Yang Yongqing dismissed the wild notion soon after; comparing them was not even suitable. Yet, within the sub-zero chills, Yang Yongqing pondered: could Qin Ming truly stand amongst those city luminaires after this remarkable transformation? Though uncertain, Yang Yongqing couldn't help the flicker of hope—Qin Ming's potential seemed limitless.