Night Without End-Chapter 829 - 418: Blade Light Illuminates Black and White Mountain (Part 2)

Inside the City Lord’s Mansion, Qin Ming spoke: "I hope they can find something out."

"Hmm, with such fiery tempers, they should have some drive," Meng Xinghai nodded.

The calming scent of incense wafted through the air, suppressing their urge to want to crush those two youths to death.

In the afternoon, when the night was at its faintest, Meng Xinghai received another group of guests.

These people came from the Eastern Land, dressed in luxurious garments, akin to nobles traveling. Everything they ate, wore, and used was meticulously chosen, even bringing their own tea leaves.

It’s because of Meng Xinghai’s good temper that he chose not to lose his demeanor on the spot. Otherwise, as guests brewing their own tea in the host’s house, it’s quite disrespectful. Another person might have already shown displeasure.

Nonetheless, their words were quite mild. A middle-aged man among them smiled and said, "Don’t take offense; we’re not accustomed to the tea from Ye State. This time, we mainly want to offer this new tea to Lord Meng. If you find it to your taste, we will send you a few jins. Hmm, these are all tributes from the royal family."

Qin Ming was also present, though his appearance had changed. He had clashed with the Eastern Land people before, ruining Qi Yunxiao above the Thunder Fire Alchemy Hall and joining Jiang Ran, Xiang Yiwu, and others outside Earth City to battle young experts from the two Earth Immortal Palaces of Eastern Land.

An elder of the Eastern Land spoke, "Eastern Land and Ye State are neighbors. With Yujing gone, we all feel the future is unpredictable. Both our lands understand the principle: ’When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold’. We must watch and support each other. We are, after all, the direct descendants of Yujing..."

In different regions, the styles of doing things truly differ. They’re not as straightforward as those swordsmen from the goat hills in the Great Wilderness of the Far North. These people have been talking for ages without getting to the point.

Qin Ming promptly said, "If all regions thought like the Eastern Land, that would be wonderful. Alas, not long ago, the people from the Great Wilderness under the rule of the Old Barbarian God came, claiming to be brother nations with Yujing and looking down on us."

The faces of the people from Eastern Land immediately couldn’t hold it. How bold are those barbarians in the north? They just claimed to be the direct descendants of Yujing, and now the Northern Wilderness is directly claiming to be their uncles!

"Where are they?" the elder asked.

Qin Ming replied, "They’re quite hasty, and after learning about the special resources near Black and White Mountain, they are likely preparing to enter the mountain by now."

The people from Eastern Land became unsettled and began speaking more directly, not being so particular anymore, instead getting straight to substantive matters and inquiring in detail about the local situation.

As they were departing, a young man spoke up, "Lord Meng, do you know someone named Qin Ming? Has he not returned yet?"

Meng Xinghai said, "He is a younger member of mine, traveling outside, probably won’t return to Chixia City anytime soon. Is there something you need?"

The young man nodded and said, "My name is Qi Yunzhen. I had a younger brother who sparred with Qin Ming here and was crippled. I wish to meet Qin Ming."

He made no attempt to hide his intent to stir trouble with Qin Ming, clearly with intense emotional turbulence inside.

Disguised, Qin Ming remained calm and said nothing. He didn’t want to conflict with these "scouts" for the time being, at least until they had scouted the way ahead.

Meng Xinghai escorted these people out of the mansion. Regardless of who came, he showed great courtesy, observing all the proper protocols.

As the people of Eastern Land gradually walked away, a young woman among them spoke up, "If that Qin Ming dares to appear, I shall smash his dog head!"

Qin Ming’s lips curled slightly. His perception was keen, even from this distance he could hear them. Was this a deliberate provocation?

The woman spoke again, "It’s a pity about Junior Brother Yunxiao. I don’t know if he can recover. Rest assured, as your senior sister, I will definitely avenge you in the future!"

"Uncle Meng, I’ll make a quick trip to Shuangshu Village and be back soon." Qin Ming wanted to bring over the Thunder King Bird, making travel easier, as its presence would allow effective surveillance of those scouts.

"Hmm, go early and come back soon. Most likely, those people won’t set off today; I estimate they’ll depart tomorrow."

...

Qin Ming crossed the mountains without skirting the desert edge. Apparently, there’s too much commotion inside and it’s not advisable to get too close now.

"Mountain Master, am I seeing things right? You’re back?" At the village entrance, the talking sparrow was practicing skills on the Heibai Dual Trees. Sensing something, it spotted Qin Ming at a glance.

Fluttering its wings, it flew over and said, "Master, Little Sparrow has been waiting so long for you to come back!"

The Red Squirrel hesitated but eventually came over unwillingly, greeting, "Da Qin!"

Qin Ming immediately flicked its head, causing it to grimace in pain.

In the night sky, the Thunder King Bird, engaged in body refinement, dived down, sweeping away the snow on the ground, excitedly exclaiming, "Qin Ming, you’re back!"

It was Qin Ming’s mount, yet it had been left to roam freely on Black and White Mountain. Before the earth and sky changed dramatically, it often heard Qin Ming’s sensational exploits and longed to be by his side through challenging times.

Now, it finally sees hope again.

Qin Ming didn’t linger long. After visiting the sleepy Liu Mo and the lazily lounging Big Yellow Dog in its kennel, he immediately set off back.

His return journey was much faster because of the Thunder King Bird, which could traverse the night sky. However, in certain areas, it couldn’t fly and had to descend into the snow, becoming a ground runner.

"There are dangers in the sky!" Over the past half-year, it hadn’t idled, familiarizing itself with the monsters in the mountains. After the world changed, it had learned about the danger zones on Black and White Mountain through the help of those friends.

Even carrying Qin Ming, it sprinted swiftly across the snow.

Back during the great battle on Shenshang Plain, the Thunder King Bird came close to stepping into the Fourth Realm. Over a year has passed, and it has long since broken through.

The talking sparrow beat its chest and said, "Little Sparrow was born in Black and White Mountain and knows every detail about the mountain’s conditions. If the Mountain Master needs anything, I can find it all out!"