Night Without End
Chapter 142 - 91: Old Friends Reunite

Chapter 142: Chapter 91: Old Friends Reunite

Qin Ming had always been invoking "He Guang Tong Chen," reducing his vital energy to that of an average person, yet such a gaze was still perceived by the other, showing how powerful his senses were.

The night grew dense, and the area around Fire Spring was especially bright.

A breeze blew, lifting the glowing hair of Cui Chonghe, whose bearing was as graceful as jade, surrounded by a faint luminescence resembling rain, standing as if rooted in the path of immortality, severing all worldly qi.

Qin Ming stood on the dim slope, nodding slightly in that direction.

Beside Fire Spring, under the black and white trees, Cui Chonghe’s Feather Robe fluttered with tendrils of white mist, his face flawless like finely carved jade, gentle and delicate; his eyes deep, nodding back towards the slope.

Qin Ming realized that he did not recognize himself.

He could understand; he had studied Cui Chonghe, whose identity was noble. From a young age, he was favored by an old senior revered in the Yewu World, born precocious and supremely talented, achieving every desire along his journey, immensely confident.

How could such a person pay attention to the false Cui Chonghe?

After Qin Ming last regained his memory, he realized that this man had completely ignored him.

Cui Chonghe only lost his temper once, frustrated that his family was not careful, thinking that the false Cui Chonghe was overstepping, which could easily become an embarrassment.

Meng Xinghai had once reminded Qin Ming about Cui Chonghe’s attitude toward him.

Putting himself in the mindset of a direct descendant of a thousand-year-old family, Qin Ming was just a replaceable servant, raised by the Cui Family to be used at any moment.

At that time, Qin Ming was very angry.

Yet today, he was calm.

On the slope, Qin Ming even smiled faintly; it was better this way, not recognizing each other could save unnecessary trouble, and if Cui Chonghe knew who he was, there might be some turbulence.

Cui Chonghe responded with a smile, his entire being radiant, otherworldly and dazzling, then his gaze shifted to the black and white trees, saying, "Pity that he lacks the experience of transcending the Heavenly Light life and death tribulation, such young remnants are useless."

Qin Ming turned around, climbed onto the back of the Crimson Eagle, and with a flap of its wings, scattered the night fog, flying towards the distant horizon.

The talking sparrow, standing on his shoulder, experienced a moment of fright, saying, "That young man is terrifying; his mere casual glance made it seem like I was thrust back from early spring to the harsh winter of fierce storms and everything withering."

"You felt that?" Qin Ming was surprised, as he did not experience it.

The talking sparrow nodded, still fearful, saying, "Yes, probably because I was stealthily using my newly formed divine sensing to spy, resulting in a backlash."

Qin Ming realized that Cui Chonghe was even more formidable than he had imagined, very advanced in his spiritual cultivation.

"Heart stirred slightly, sensing something, it seems to be connected to someone or something." Under the black and white trees, surrounded by white mist and light rain, Cui Chonghe suddenly spoke.

Those around him, nearly ten people, with young Outsider Disciples and both Golden Armor and Jade Armor Guards, as well as unfathomable Esoteric Buddhism masters.

These people immediately turned vigilant, scanning the surroundings and looking towards the nearby village.

"Could it be related to the young man who flew away on the Crimson Eagle?" someone asked.

One of the Outsider Disciples said, "Judging by him carrying the Wujin Hammer, his strength is just over four thousand jin, which is indeed excellent in the eyes of commoners, but he does not even qualify to be selected as a Golden Armor Guard."

"Should we investigate carefully, just to be cautious?"

Cui Chonghe was exceptionally valued both in the thousand-year-old family and in the Outer World.

...

Qin Ming stood in the wilderness, waiting for news. Once the experts from Chixia City arrived, he planned to leave; it was not suitable to stay here long.

As Shallow Night ended, the mountains were slowly swallowed by darkness, continuous roars of wild beasts could be heard, and the cries of strange birds echoed in the forest.

"Master Qin, the experts from Chixia City have arrived, they want to understand the details from you," reported the talking sparrow, flying back from Yinteng Town.

Qin Ming nodded, relieved, he should be safe now, not wishing to encounter the Golden Thief leader passing by here, as his followers might incite bloodshed and violence in this remote area.

He somewhat guessed that the Golden Thief might be a financial tool for some super organization, persisting for so many years.

But unfortunately, having killed several Golden Thiefs in one day, he found no valuables; could they all have been entrusted to their leader?

Outside Yinteng Town, Qin Ming met two top experts.

Ling Xu, former City Lord of Chixia City, dressed in white, in his early forties, with a handsome and refined appearance.

He smiled and said, "You’re Xiao Qin, right? A fine young man."

Qin Ming’s heart skipped a beat seeing his smile.

He knew well that this former City Lord had superior tactics, reportedly had once collaborated with high-level abnormalities in the mountains to lure hidden watchers rushing towards a special node illuminated by Five Colored Radiance, who were miserably deceived.

Although there were resentments afterwards, shaking his position as City Lord, he merely moved to a different place, becoming the City Lord of another, larger city.

"Seen Senior Ling," greeted Qin Ming.

City Lord Ling smiled warmly, "I’m on good terms with Meng Xinghai, you’re his nephew, no need for formalities with me."

"We have an obsession with the Golden Thief and wanted to eliminate them personally; we rushed here as soon as we got the message," said Li Huamao, carrying a Crimson Sword, stepping elegantly like a cat, the sword sheath nearly dragging on the ground.

Qin Ming also paid respects to this top expert and quickly relayed the information gathered by the talking sparrow’s bird brothers from various key towns to the two.

Ling Xu frowned and said, "All signs indicate that they really intend to break out from Black and White Mountain, and it seems the vast nets we laid elsewhere have become mere decorations?"

"Brother Ling, it has been a while since we last met, and I did not expect to see you here," came a cheerful laugh from a distance.

A group of people emerged from the dense night and approached Yinteng Town.

"Brother Zhao, you were in retreat outside the world, why did you come to such a remote place as Black and White Mountain?" Ling Xu greeted a middle-aged man cheerfully.

"For the sake of my junior brother, I especially came here to seek the Yin Yang Great Medicine. I didn’t expect the Mountain Master to be so formidable, with no ordinary identity, but it was still worth the journey," the middle-aged man surnamed Zhao approached.

Following closely behind him was a young man, tall and robust, who seemed unlike the typical outsiders. His name was Zheng Maoze.

Qin Ming recognized him; he was from the direct lineage of the Zheng Family, and he had once impersonated Zheng Maorong, his biological brother, in the black market of the Shallow Night.

"Brother Ling, I heard that you also obtained a kind of Yin Yang Great Medicine at Black and White Mountain. I wonder if you could share some," said the middle-aged man surnamed Zhao.

Ling Xu shook his head and said, "Rumors! You don’t really believe them, do you? The Black and White Great Medicine was all taken by the White haired Old Beast. If you’re asking me for it, I suspect, are you trying to recruit me as one of your Divine Armor Guards?"

The middle-aged man surnamed Zhao shook his head and said, "Where would I dare? Others may not know, but how could I not know? You are a master of Esoteric Buddhism, good at keeping secrets."

Qin Ming was surprised; the former City Lord was also someone walking on two paths, it seems that none of the famous masters were simple.

At the same time, he sighed inwardly, feeling that relying on physical mutations had completely become a background board, as other masters often used it to conceal their foundations.

As the group approached, it was clear they did not all come from the same Taoist lineage; there are many types of inheritances among outsiders, with persistent competitive relationships existing between them.

Qin Ming then saw some acquaintances, Lu Zhenyi, Zeng Yuan, Chen Bingyan; some were direct descendants of noble families, others had unclear identities but had previously stayed in Qinghe City, waiting for outsiders to take them as disciples, they all knew each other and were quite familiar.

There were other Outer Disciples behind them that Qin Ming didn’t recognize.

"Cui Chonghe, um, sorry, it’s just an old habit. Didn’t expect to meet here, it’s been over two years, how have you been?" The robust Zheng Maoze was the first to approach.

He walked at the front and naturally was the first to spot this "old friend."

"I did not expect to encounter Lord Zheng here," Qin Ming spoke.

Although Zheng Maoze was robust, he responded not brashly but shook his head and smiled, pointing his finger at him and said, "You’re being too formal; we’re old friends, should you be calling me Lord? What will others think? They may misinterpret and think our statuses have changed, and I look down on you."

"Right, Big Zheng, you really haven’t changed!" Qin Ming laughed heartily.

Zheng Maoze’s expression momentarily stiffened. His body was slightly stocky, and given his stature, some people used to call him "Zheng Dazhuang."

In the past, Cui Chonghe had affectionately called him: Big Zheng.

It wasn’t meant as derogatory, for he was indeed tall, and at one point his family had even considered putting him on the path of the Immortal of Colossal Spirit, but fortunately, he had more affinity with immortals.

To this day, someone daring to still call him "Big Zheng" also showed some boldness.

How could Qin Ming not understand him? Despite appearing candid just now, this man had a rough exterior but delicate thoughts, not someone easy to deal with.

Just considering how sinister his brother Zheng Maorong was, he definitely was not someone easy to handle.

Ning Siqi had already warned Qin Ming to be cautious of Zheng Maorong after learning of certain suggestions he had made; thus, lately, someone had been trying to target him.

If the brother was like this, what about the elder brother?

"You, your nature really hasn’t changed, being this informal indeed shows our relationship can withstand the test of time," said Zheng Maoze laughingly, very amiable, and asked, "What do you go by now, and how should I address you?"

Qin Ming clearly understood that "Zheng Dazhuang" was smiling at him while also subtly reminding him that their statuses had changed.

He certainly didn’t believe that the other didn’t know his current name, as Ning Siqi had mentioned that his younger brother often corresponded with him.

Qin Ming smiled and said, "I feel it too; you’re still so cordial, call me Qin Ming. It’s only been a little over two years, and I see you, already emanating immortal energy and greatly changed in demeanor, must indeed be overlooking your peers, just as you once wished."

"Chong He, no, Qin Ming, don’t just say anything in front of so many people, flattering me, placing me between hot waters and deep fire!" Zheng Maoze hastily stopped him.

He understood well the proverb of the prominent tree facing the wind, and even ordinary people knew the most prominent beam rots first; he immediately looked around and said, "I am just a mere Disciple here among so many elder brothers and sisters, insignificant, as light as a feather."

Qin Ming said, "Big Zheng, you’re being modest!"

Zheng Maoze didn’t entangle in this discussion and immediately changed the topic, saying, "Haven’t you seen Wang Caiwei?"

"No!" Qin Ming only had a simple word.

"She should show up in a while," Zheng Maoze smiled.

"Qin Ming."

"All well?"

"How have you been?"

Lu Zhenyi, Zeng Yuan, Chen Bingyan came up, all considered old acquaintances here to greet him.

Soon more old friends came from a distance, and given that some people had already approached to speak, others couldn’t possibly ignore it; they all greeted him with smiles, asking about his recent circumstances.

They naturally had noticed that Qin Ming was holding a blood-stained Big Hammer, understanding his current situation; his connection to immortality was severed, and he was no longer on the same path as them.

"In a little while, Li Qingxu, Wang Caiwei, and Cui Chong might also come one after another." Someone whispered, it wasn’t clear if this was to remind Qin Ming or meant as a topic destined to create waves for others to hear.

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