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Novel: [Night Without Boundaries]
Chapter 128: [Divine Territory]
Author: [Chen Dong]
Translator: [Shadow Knight AK]
Editor: [Shadow Knight AK]
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The living room, filled with bronze artifacts, was quiet. The Mind-Calming Incense in the purple bronze incense burner had gone unlit.
On the dark ebony tea table, the faint fragrance of camellias drifted upward as a man and a woman sat drinking tea, their demeanor calm and relaxed.
Qin Ming entered the room and immediately recognized them.
The man, Cui He, appeared to be in his early thirties, his face serene, with a faint greenish-blue sheen to his hair.
"Look at you, kid! Two years apart, and you're even more vibrant than before," Cui He exclaimed, rising to his feet and striding over with a broad smile.
He clapped Qin Ming on the shoulders, shaking him warmly.
"Fourth Uncle," Qin Ming greeted with a smile.
Though their relationship had been distant in the past, Qin Ming couldn't possibly respond coldly to Cui He's warm welcome.
"Hmm, not bad. Your vitality is remarkably strong—you're a prime candidate for the Path of Awakening," Cui He observed, a flash of green light flickering in his eyes as he studied Qin Ming.
Qin Ming knew Cui He practiced the Yi Wood Evergreen Technique, a secret manual of great renown that allowed its practitioners to absorb the essence of plants and trees, imbuing their bodies with vigorous vitality.
"I barely survived a serious illness, Fourth Uncle. I'm hardly vibrant. But your cultivation has deepened further, your body brimming with the fresh vitality of nature. You must have gained decades of lifespan beyond ordinary mortals."
Qin Ming had already activated Harmonizing With the World, ensuring that even with Cui He's hands resting on his shoulders, his abundant vitality remained concealed.
Cui He clasped Qin Ming's shoulder and said, "You're always so modest, child. As a son of the Cui Family, you must possess the spirit to forge your own path. Regardless of whether you use that name anymore, you'll always be my nephew."
Qin Ming smiled. "I'd love to be more assertive, but I lack the strength. If I had even half the power you possessed in your youth, Fourth Uncle, I'd venture out and make my mark."
"You two are just flattering each other now," a woman remarked as she rose from her tea.
Dressed in black, she exuded a cold elegance, yet carried an air of noble refinement.
"Aunt," Qin Ming said, his heart bristling with resentment, though he forced a smile and maintained a facade of cordiality.
The black-clad woman was Cui Shuning.
In the past, Qin Ming's relationship with her had been distant, marked by a sense of estrangement despite their frequent encounters. It was clear she had long known their true identities and the truth behind their circumstances.
"Fourth Uncle and Aunt usually devote themselves to secluded cultivation," Qin Ming asked. "What brings you to this remote place today?"
Cui He replied, "We were passing through on business and decided to check on you. Also, the events of that time were truly twisted. Don't dwell on them too much. Your parents still miss you dearly."
Qin Ming nodded with a faint smile, taking their words with a grain of salt.
"Why don't you come back with us?" Cui Shuning's icy demeanor softened into a smile, like thawing snow, a stark contrast to her usual aloofness.
"You've suffered enough these past two years. Come home with us," Cui He added, his verdant hair shimmering with a vibrant, Yi Wood essence.
Qin Ming's hackles rose.
If he returned, he'd never escape again.
He might not die, but any hope of walking the Path of Awakening would be extinguished.
Having fully recovered his memories, he knew these "elders" would likely confine him to a secluded courtyard.
Now possessing meticulous control over his body, Qin Ming instantly relaxed his posture and shook his head.
"If I go back, it's bound to stir up trouble."
"Still practicing the Silk Book?" Cui Shuning asked casually.
Qin Ming knew the real interrogation had begun. Were they suspicious, hence the deployment of two direct descendants?
He sighed softly, his eyes darkening.
"My skull was shattered, and I lost my memory for over two years. I had to abandon Silk Book, and I haven't practiced it since."
"Sigh, you've suffered so much," Cui Shuning murmured, reaching out to touch his head.
Qin Ming recoiled inwardly, fiercely resisting the urge to let anyone touch his head.
For a moment, he almost abandoned all pretense.
Finally, Cui Shuning withdrew her hand, sighing softly.
"You've grown up. It's no longer appropriate to treat you like a child."
In truth, her fastidiousness was the main reason. Born into a Millennial Clan, accustomed to luxurious silks and jade, she disdained touching the hair of this now-distant young man, despite his handsome features.
"That was once your obsession," Cui He remarked. "You've practiced it for over a decade since childhood. With your talent, you might have succeeded if you'd continued."
If Qin Ming's cultivation realm were higher, he would have demanded to know how this "obsession" had even formed.
Fortunately, he had ultimately mastered the technique from the Silk Book!
Feigning dejection, Qin Ming said, "Fourth Uncle, Aunt, could I have the Silk Book back? It's the only thing my Grandpa left me."
Cui He nodded. "The Ancestor has taken the Silk Book to study. I'll personally deliver it to you after he emerges from seclusion."
Qin Ming didn't believe a word of that promise.
They clearly had no intention of returning it.
He realized that without sufficient strength or powerful allies, retrieving the Silk Book would be nearly impossible.
Cui Shuning said, "I heard Meng Xinghai personally declared you the city's top Awakener. You're progressing steadily and swiftly on the Path of Awakening. Your talent is truly remarkable."
Qin Ming said, "I'm embarrassed to admit I accidentally became a 'connected' individual. It's all thanks to Uncle Meng's favor; my actual strength is somewhat lacking."
Cui He chuckled. "I heard you fought that Li Family brat and kicked Li Qingxiao twice? Excellent! A true child of the Cui Family—that's how it should be!"
Qin Ming guessed this was the only genuine smile he'd see from them.
The Cui Family would be delighted to see the Li Family humiliated.
Cui Shuning also smiled. "Indeed, those kicks were well-deserved. The Li Family, with only eight centuries of history, now dares to swallow an elephant, aspiring to join the ranks of Millennial Clans. They overestimate themselves."
Her expression turned serious. "Your talent is extraordinary. You could go far on this path. Why not become Chonghe's Jade Armor Guard?"
Cui Shuning stared intently at his face, as if determined not to miss any flicker of emotion.
"You have some nerve!" Qin Ming thought.
He shook his head. "My strength is too meager to serve as a Jade Armor Guard."
Cui He chimed in, "We're all family here. You and Chonghe should be as close as brothers. Now that you've abandoned the Silk Book Manual and truly embarked on the Path of Awakening, the Cui Family stands behind you, ready to provide all the resources you need to rise swiftly. Your cultivation will advance rapidly, and you'll soon be ready to assist Chonghe."
He too fixed his gaze on Qin Ming's face, a faint green light flickering in his eyes.
Qin Ming shook his head, refusing again.
He had sworn to cultivate diligently and never become someone else's follower, let alone serve as a bodyguard for Cui Chonghe!
Qin Ming studied the two men, wondering what they were truly after.
He suddenly realized that the Cui Family doubted whether he had mastered the techniques from the Silk Book.
Cui He suddenly said, "Qin Ming, if you're not going home, you're being far too conspicuous here. Even in Qing He City, we've heard you've become the 'first' in this city."
Qin Ming was taken aback.
The man's demeanor had shifted abruptly, his smile vanishing and his tone turning stiff.
He noticed both men were watching him intently.
Qin Ming frowned. First, they had shown familial warmth, then suddenly questioned him about the Silk Book, followed by asking him to become Cui Chonghe's bodyguard.
Now, their attitude had turned cold, criticizing him for being too high-profile.
He understood now: they were deliberately manipulating their behavior, using different attitudes and emotions to observe his reactions and probe his inner thoughts.
In the end, for some unknown reason, the Cui Family had grown wary of him.
After careful consideration, Qin Ming concluded that their only real concern was likely his mastery of the Silk Book techniques.
"I've changed my name and retreated to a remote place, far from the Cui Chonghe you knew. Isn't that enough?" he asked earnestly.
Cui Shuning nodded. "You're right, we haven't been discreet enough."
Cui He, his expression grave, asked, "Are you planning to join an Ancient Daoist Lineage or enroll in a special Advanced Academy? Why not come back to the Cui Family instead?"
Qin Ming had been patiently "humoring" them, enduring their persistence for far too long.
Now, his smile vanished, and he had no desire to say another word.
If the Cui Family continued to pressure him like this, it would be crossing a line.
He was Qin Ming now, having severed all ties to his past.
What more did they want?
It was clear that some members of the Cui Family were growing increasingly uneasy, determined to sabotage his future prospects and prevent him from joining an Ancient Daoist Lineage or a special Advanced Academy.
"You two should leave. You're not welcome here," Meng Xinghai said as he entered the living room, his face darkening.
Cui Shuning smiled. "Brother Meng, we're just talking to our own child. It's none of your concern."
Cui He added, "Brother Meng, we have a deep bond with this child. This is a family matter. We're here to take him back and give him proper training."
Meng Xinghai's expression hardened. "We all know the truth here. Don't insult my intelligence with such lies. Leave immediately, or you'll face the consequences."
Cui Shuning chuckled. "Brother Meng, don't get angry. Let's talk rationally, shall we? This child was raised by our family. No matter where you take this argument, the truth is on our side."
"You've already abandoned him and don't care about losing face or being seen as heartless. Feel free to dredge up all those old stories again. Besides, don't pretend I have no connection to him—he's my future son-in-law."
Meng Xinghai's words stunned both Cui Family members, and even Qin Ming was momentarily taken aback.
"You don't even have a daughter," Cui Shuning laughed. "How can he be your son-in-law?"
"No daughter yet," Meng Xinghai retorted, "but can't I have one? And if time is short, I'll just adopt one."
Cui Shuning's expression turned frosty. .
"Brother Meng, do you really value this child we raised so much?"
"If you don't leave now, I'll have to throw you out!" Meng Xinghai snapped, his patience finally exhausted.
He had been listening to their conversation in the living room and had endured their presence long enough.
"Brother Meng, you're going too far!"
"Meng Xinghai, I advise you not to be so domineering."
With a thunderous roar, all the bronze ancient artifacts in the living room began to glow, and the Mind-Calming Incense in the Purple Bronze Incense Burner ignited spontaneously.
"So you want to push your luck?" Meng Xinghai's voice was icy.
From the Purple Bronze Incense Burner, a dense white mist billowed forth, spreading rapidly to engulf the two figures before him.
They naturally wouldn't surrender without a fight.
Cui He's entire body erupted in a verdant glow, his hair and eyes turning emerald green as terrifying power surged through him.
At the center of Cui Shuning's forehead, a Consciousness Spiritual Light expanded, transforming into a Spirit Blade that slashed forward.
In the living room, all the Ancient Artifacts shimmered with crystalline clarity, rippling with energy that seemed to freeze the very space.
Neither Cui He nor Cui Shuning could move, their chests heaving as they gasped for breath, their faces pale with exertion.
"This is... the Divine Territory?"
"The Divine Wisdom has manifested as a territory!"
The two spoke in unison, realizing their opponent's power far surpassed their own—they were simply on different planes of existence.
The white mist from the Purple Bronze Incense Burner coiled around them like ropes, binding them in layer upon layer of ethereal strands.
Then, they were lifted off the ground and hurled out of the living room, landing awkwardly in the courtyard.
"Get out!" Meng Xinghai roared.
Without a word, the pair scrambled to their feet and fled into the distance.
Meng Xinghai slapped his forehead. "Damn it! Those two deliberately provoked us to test my attitude toward you and assess your current potential."
He initially wanted to chase after them but stopped.
"Forget it. If you aim to enter the Ancestral Court of a Great Sect or a renowned Advanced Academy, you'll need to prove yourself anyway. A sharp awl in a bag can't stay hidden."
It took Qin Ming a long time to calm down.
The arrival of those two had severed the last lingering ties to his past.
"Uncle Meng, should I conceal my identity and enter... the dark Great Mountain?"
Meng Xinghai chuckled. "What are you thinking? Don't worry. Some members of the Cui Family can't dominate the Night Mist World with a wave of their hand. Focus on performing well and strive to become a Core Disciple of a top-tier power as soon as possible."
Qin Ming sighed in relief. "That puts my mind at ease. Uncle Meng, besides the duel with Qi Daoming of Zhuguang City, I suspect some Cui Family members will also intervene to test me. They want to verify certain things. How about we strategize together? If Cui He tries to interfere and sends someone to challenge me, we'll make him wager the Yi Wood Evergreen Technique as the prize."
Meng Xinghai's expression shifted. Just moments ago, he had felt Qin Ming's despair, imagining him wandering the desolate mountains of the Night Mist World.
Now, he realized Qin Ming had been scheming to obtain the Cui Family's secret manual all along.
"After all, I lived with the Cui Family for over a decade and understand Fourth Uncle Cui He's methods," Qin Ming said calmly.
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END OF CHAPTER
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