Night without Borders

Chapter 499 Love

In the night, along the banks of the Shuyu River, the slender branches of the silver willows swayed gently in the soft glow of the moonlight, and a light breeze rippled across them like shimmering waves.

Li Qingyue was without makeup, dressed in white, her face exquisitely beautiful. She was bright and elegant, and her smile was like clouds breaking through the mist, as if surrounded by light.

Normally she is poised and graceful, but now, with Qin Ming holding her fair hand and noticing Jiang Ran approaching, her delicate white face blushes slightly under the glow of the silver willows and the reflection of the Shuyu River.

Qin Ming's expression was very natural. Perhaps because he had been tempered by the wind, snow and night fog of Black and White Mountain for a long time, he had a thick skin. He did not let go, but held Li Qingyue's hand and greeted Jiang Ran with a smile.

Jiang Ran, dressed in a green robe, with a bubbling fire spring behind her, made her appear otherworldly, as if bathed in divine light. Her graceful figure was outlined with gold, and she was fresh and refined, like a celestial being banished from the mortal world.

She glanced at the two hands, one large and one small, joined together, and teased, "If there were a skilled painter here, he could paint a picture of a slightly embarrassed young girl by the river at night."

"And me?" Qin Ming asked with a frank smile.

Jiang Ran said, "You should just blend into the night with the breeze and the silver willow, becoming a background image. At most, leaving a blurry outline will be enough."

As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Li Qingyue's other hand, as if trying to snatch it away.

Qin Ming chuckled and said, "Young Master Jiang, you're really cheeky!"

The blush on Li Qingyue's face faded, and she regained her bright and elegant appearance. She smiled and said, "Consort Ran, stop fooling around."

As the face of the Pure Land and the Immortal Land, they can remain dignified and proper in any situation, and a little teasing is unlikely to stir up any ripples in their hearts.

Li Qingyue flicked her hand and grabbed Jiang Ran's slender hand, turning the tables and taking the initiative, truly treating her as "Consort Ran".

At the same time, Li Qingyue struggled slightly, but could not break free from Qin Ming's strong and hot hand.

Along the banks of the Shuyu River, there are the most famous historical sites in the capital of the Great Yu Dynasty. Pedestrians come and go in a constant stream, and many people turn their heads to look at them, all slightly lost in thought.

Qin Ming and the two women were so outstanding that they seemed to have stepped out of a traditional Chinese ink painting. A gentle evening breeze blew, and their clothes fluttered lightly, as if they were about to ride the wind and return home.

"Who is this brother? And he has two immortals accompanying him?"

Many people stopped to look at them, feeling that although the two women were in the mortal world, they were otherworldly and extraordinary, as if they had descended from the heavens and were not accustomed to worldly affairs.

"That brother is truly amazing, to have such heavenly ladies by his side, and two of them at that. I admire and respect him."

Some people whispered among themselves, their eyes shining brightly.

Qin Ming stood tall and straight like a pine tree, calm and composed; Jiang Ran, dressed in green, fluttered like a gentle breeze, fresh and lively; Li Qingyue, dressed in white, was as beautiful as snow and as graceful as a silver willow, swaying with charm.

"Looking at them, I feel as if I've become young again, as if I've returned to fifty years ago and can relive that beautiful and vibrant youth."

The three figures disappeared into the distance, blending into the night.

"That was Qin Ming. With his cultivation at the Spirit Field Realm, he decisively defeated Cui Chonghe, who was at the fourth realm, and completed his battle to prove himself. It is clear who is stronger and who is the true dragon. The so-called 'abandoned pawn' theory is no more!"

When someone recognized them, it caused an uproar.

In the past two days, the great battle between Qin Ming and Cui Chonghe has spread throughout Dayu, and all the cities in Yezhou know about it, with a huge impact.

"No wonder, only someone like him could be worthy of those two fairies. He is actually the face of Xinsheng Road."

"It's pitiful that he was reduced to a substitute for someone else and almost died young. If we trace his past, he should be a descendant of Qin Zushi, one of the founders of the Chaos Scripture. His status is no less than that of a noble family. Now he has proven that he is no ordinary person."

People passing by were watching, so Qin Ming let go of his hand to avoid attracting too much attention.

Li Qingyue walked arm in arm with Jiang Ran, exuding composure and elegance.

Qin Ming realized that he seemed to have really become a background character, and said, "Young Master Jiang, you've gone too far."

The two women chuckled lightly, displaying their poise and grace.

The three boarded a light boat and sailed together on the faintly glowing Shuyu River.

They left the waters where the music was melodious and the pleasure boats were plentiful, and came to a more remote place. The banks were filled with the chirping of insects, and the fresh scent of grass and trees wafted over them. Koi carp would occasionally leap out of the water, splashing up shimmering sprays of water.

Li Qingyue activated the Eight Trigrams Furnace, and Jiang Ran activated the Mysterious Maiden's Heavenly Halberd, forming a colorful light shield that covered the three of them, ensuring complete isolation from the outside world.

They talked about traveling to distant lands and the situation after the disappearance of Yujing.

Qin Ming said, "I will definitely go to explore the new land, but it will be difficult to travel with you all."

The main reason was that he had reservations. His experience in the heavens clearly told him that if he wanted to join any supreme realm, he needed to be bound by the chains of magic.

He rose from humble beginnings as a rogue cultivator, but he never wanted to lose his freedom.

“Even if I don’t join those supreme Daoist sects, I’ll probably be targeted once I get close to them. Senior Six Desires, am I right?” Qin Ming asked the spirit within the Xuan Nu Heavenly Halberd.

Then, he asked about the Eight Trigrams Furnace, saying, "I have already mastered the Six Ding Divine Fire. If I were to go to the location of the Tushita Palace, I'm afraid the supreme Daoist temple there wouldn't ignore me, would it?"

Both spirits remained silent, wanting to say something but unsure how to respond, for what he said was true.

Liu Yu had been incredibly enthusiastic, even more so than the spirit of the Eight Trigrams Furnace, repeatedly inviting Qin Ming to join. However, seeing Qin Ming's resolute attitude, he gradually lost interest.

Having the Blood Chains attached to him was definitely not what Qin Ming wanted.

Actually, Liuyu is still somewhat unwilling to give up. It has been quiet lately, pretending to have given up. But if Qin Ming travels with the two women and they get close to the Supreme Dojo where it is, then perhaps it can be kidnapped.

Of course, it believes it has no malicious intent and that everything it does is out of appreciation for talent.

“Senior, I have sensed your thoughts.” Qin Ming pointed it out without any politeness.

The six desires made him doubt life itself. Where did it reveal its flaws? Could it be that the methods rumored in the Jade Capital had been mastered by the other side?

The strange stone Jiang Ran obtained from Black and White Mountain contained a mysterious liquid. After applying it to her forehead, she gained the ability to control all things.

The transparent liquid that Qin Ming obtained from the scraps granted him a mysterious power of resonance, allowing him to recreate past scenes.

"The previous ruler of Jade Capital, could he be completely dead? Otherwise, why would he give up?" Liu Yu inexplicably uttered these words.

The spirit of the Eight Trigrams Furnace spoke: "Actually, even with the Dao Chains attached, it's not as serious as you imagine. It's just a form of protection. The main reason is that in those long, ancient years, even the highest Dao lineages have encountered betrayal. This is a helpless choice and a precaution."

Previously, it thought that Qin Ming and the true scriptures of the Tushita Palace were not compatible, but as it gradually gained a deeper understanding, it became more and more certain that this young man would shine brightly no matter where he was placed, and could become a core saint even with the most discerning eyes.

Although it tends to be indifferent and values ​​nature and inaction, it later developed the urge to actively bind people.

Unfortunately, Qin Ming had already made his true intentions and attitude clear from the beginning.

“My two seniors, your own high regard for me does not mean that the highest authority behind you, the people at the top, will also favor and trust me in the same way. As with any human being, there will be conflict. I do not want to entrust my fate to the attitude of others.”

Clearly, this matter is not open to discussion.

Li Qingyue said, "The area around Yujing may not be peaceful. First there was the Black Tower Civilization, and then there was that group of people who recently appeared. They clearly all come from the Supreme Land. You must take care."

Jiang Ran also solemnly reminded, "Just as the Earth Immortal predicted, the other supreme Daoist temples will probably also be in a difficult situation and will be in great chaos."

In particular, the appearance of the Qilin's toe and the glowing giant footprints seems like some kind of omen, breaking the ancient, sealed boundaries of the land, and a shocking change seems to be about to occur deep within the world of night fog.

The deepest part of the night fog is so mysterious that even the highest places are like isolated islands, dotting the outer region of the thick, boundless ocean of night fog.

Qin Ming nodded. Overall, this world was becoming increasingly mysterious and dangerous.

He began, "I will use Yezhou as my base to gradually explore the territory beyond the reach of Yujing."

He's not even a Grandmaster yet. If he stays in that high place for too long, something bad might happen.

At present, he will regard the Yujing region as a major rear base and cautiously venture into foreign lands to explore and scout.

Qin Ming said, "If I become a Grandmaster, in this world where the Dao is surging, I might not have so many concerns and could go on expeditions at will."

"You two must be careful on your journey and ensure your own safety." He was indeed worried about the two women; if they encountered the Qilin's Toe, they would have little chance of survival.

It should be understood that such a creature, when traveling, could turn a giant city to ashes with a single step, like a giant accidentally crushing an ant. If it lingered in one place, it would surely lead to the terrible scene of a country falling apart and its land shattered.

The more composed spirit of the Bagua Furnace spoke up: "Don't worry, with us here, nothing will happen to them. You can avoid them in advance."

Liuyu also spoke up: "That thing came from the depths of the Night Fog World and won't stay in the outer regions for long." Qin Ming wanted to ask about the details and secrets, but it didn't say much. If asked again, it would say that it was a remnant spirit and that its memories of that ancient period were severely lacking.

"Seniors, since you value Qingyue and Jiang Ran and want to take them back to the Supreme Land, could you please make an exception and not impose shackles such as blood chains and Dao chains on them?"

Qin Ming frankly stated that he was very worried.

Liu Yu frankly told him, "You can rest assured that our existence is far superior to the Blood Chain and the Dao Chain. Choosing Xiao Ran and Qing Yue is itself a form of protection."

In fact, it was only the second spirit within the Mysterious Maiden's Heavenly Halberd. At this moment, the first spirit also reassured the three of them that they could rest assured.

Li Qingyue's expression softened as she whispered, "If you want to go back to Black and White Mountain, I'll take you."

She knew that there might be troublemakers outside, and hostile people might try to harm Qin Ming. She wanted to go to Black and White Mountain with him.

Jiang Ran smiled and said, "What am I supposed to do if something happens to you in a month? How about this, I'll go escort you too. The Mysterious Maiden's Heavenly Halberd needs a blood sacrifice to be sharpened."

Qin Ming said, "Actually, I'm really looking forward to it. If a Grandmaster attacks, I'd really like to think twice. As for experts in the late fourth realm, let them make their move; I guarantee they won't return alive!"

He was eager to fight, his fighting spirit soaring. He really wanted to test his skills against those tough guys and wouldn't mind giving all the invaders a surprise.

Both special weapons secretly marveled, "This guy is a monster!"
"To see the Nine Perfections is truly transcendent!"

“Jiang Ran, with your unparalleled talent, you are fully capable of reshaping and controlling all things, and you can ‘replenish the nine’ to reach a perfect state.”

"There are true scriptures in the Tushita Palace, and the innate fire body can be further improved."

The three of them cruised the Shuyu River together that night, and the two special weapons made noises from time to time, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

……

On the riverbank, at the Cui family's residence, the atmosphere was grim, thick with the smell of medicine. Cui Qi sighed deeply, now certain that his second son was utterly ruined.

If the Great Yu royal family hadn't said beforehand that this battle wouldn't involve life or death, then Cui Chonghe would surely have died.

Cui Qi believed that his second son's mentor, Sun Taichu, was also very influential. Otherwise, given the influence of the Great Yu royal family alone, the abandoned son might not have been so cautious and might have taken a dangerous risk.

"We shouldn't have put the roadblock on him." The Cui family regretted it. If he hadn't been put in "shackles," Cui Chonghe would never have been crippled at the crucial moment.

Cui Chonghe was in a very bad state. He had been knocked down from the top and into the mud. In just two or three days, he had a profound experience of the coldness of human relationships and the fickleness of the world.

Since he became a cripple, his former glory has been completely destroyed, and most of those who flattered him and those talented individuals who had friendly relations with him have disappeared.

As for the gossip behind his back... he has become a joke!
Even among his own family, some people looked at him with strange eyes.

"Pfft!" He coughed up blood. His Abyss Dao Body had become a body that could vomit blood. This was mainly because he was too hot-tempered and couldn't help but vomit blood when he heard bad rumors.

He already knew that at that party, his fiancée Wang Caiwei had toasted with the abandoned son, which was an utter disgrace to him and almost made him explode.

Cui Chonghe felt as if he had been trampled by a hundred wild bulls.

The Cui family master valued him highly and did not give up on him even at this moment. He spoke gently: "Chonghe, you should consider the path of destruction and creation. Your master and Cao Qianqiu both come from the Pure Land. You may be able to ask Senior Cao for guidance on this great method."

"Pfft!" Cui Chonghe spat out blood again.

Because he inevitably thought of Li Qingxu, who was the first to proclaim that he should take the path of destruction and construction, and even shamelessly said that this path was not lonely and that there would be successors.

What he found most unbearable was that in the past two days, Li Qingxu had actually taken the initiative to contact Wang Caiwei, showing concern and care. Did he think Wang Caiwei was dead?
He believed that Li lost because of provocation, slapping him in the face by stepping on his broken body.

In the past, he suppressed Li Qingxu too much, leaving the latter powerless. Although they were both in the Pure Land, he was no match for him at all.

Now Li Bai is acting on his own whims, recklessly causing him trouble.

Unfortunately, Cui Chonghe had a short temper. He gritted his teeth and coughed up blood. Regardless of whether he had feelings for Wang Caiwei, he couldn't stand being disgusted by outsiders like this.

He felt that Li Bai was utterly despicable; this was the ultimate contempt and personal insult against him.

Unfortunately, the Cui family kept bringing up the so-called "Great Law of Destruction and Establishment," which infuriated Cui Chonghe to the point that he felt like he was about to explode.

Seeing his state, the Cui family master didn't say much, but he pulled Cui Qi aside and whispered to him for a moment.

Clearly, the attitude of the Cui family patriarch has gradually changed from "believing in Chonghe" to "understanding Li Bai," and now he even wants Cui Chonghe to become "Cui Bai."

The Cui family master said, "He must rely on his own open-mindedness and make a living despite his broken body in order to have a glimmer of hope to get out of the abyss."

……

Within days, Qin Ming's name became known throughout the land and even spread to territories beyond Yezhou. He completely washed away his shameful past as a discarded pawn. There is no better "explanation" than defeating the rightful master in public.

The next day, Qin Ming kept his promise and invited Tang Yushang for tea.

Bai Meng informed him, "My sister was taken away by Yun Jianyue."

Qin Ming was surprised and asked, "The core saint of Jade Capital invited her?"

Bai Meng revealed the information, saying, "Yes, our clan's sacred mountain and sacred city were once the place where Jade Capital merged on the ground, and the direct descendants of the sacred clan have the bloodline of the Lord of Jade Capital."

"Little Tang, your background is extraordinary." Qin Ming's expression changed.

Then he said, "I should go now. Please pass on my message that if you have time, you can have Xiao Tang come to Shuangshu Village to meet me for tea."

Bai Meng said disdainfully, "Brother Ming is going too far. What kind of tea is it that's worth traveling so far for?"

Qin Ming smiled and said, "Black and white tea can be used to discuss the great principles of Yin and Yang."

Bai Meng wiped his sweat and said, "Brother, my sister has a very good memory and some things are hard to forget. With you teasing her like this, she might really come back to Shuangshu Village to find you again."

Qin Ming said, "Why be so tactful? Little Tang is just holding a grudge, isn't he?"

On that day, he bid farewell to Ning Siqi, Yao Ruoxian, and others, and embarked on his journey home to return to Black and White Mountain.

Ning Siqi said, "Brother, take care. I should also start my arduous cultivation on the path of Tantric Buddhism. We said back then that we would meet at the summit. Now it seems that by the time I climb halfway up the mountain, you might be able to help me subdue those unspeakable deities in Tantric Buddhism."

Qin Ming nodded and said, "Find me immediately after you 'meet the god'!"

Yao Ruoxian secretly informed him that a grandmaster would personally escort him on his journey.

Clearly, the Great Yu royal family was worried that he would be ambushed if he left the capital, fearing an accident, and did not want such a tragedy to happen on their own territory.

Overall, Yao Ruoxian made the most important suggestions, and she lobbied the royal experts on multiple occasions.

"Thank you, Princess!" Qin Ming clasped his hands in thanks; he naturally couldn't refuse.

As for the Thunder King Bird, it had already gone far away, fearing that it would become Qin Ming's weakness, and left late that night after arriving in Yudu.

In the shadows, besides the powerful members of the Great Yu royal family, Grandmasters Yu Gensheng and Li Qingyun also followed, while Li Qingyue and Jiang Ran, clad in special liquid armor, also vanished into the void to accompany them.

In the current climate, with such a combination, it would be difficult for Qin Ming to get into trouble.

Along the way, some people did have such thoughts, and a pure Yang consciousness wandered over, only to be blasted to smithereens.

Qin Ming returned to Shuangshu Village safely. As soon as he entered the territory of the Black and White Mountain, all the tails that had been secretly trying to catch him disappeared immediately.

Beneath the black and white twin trees, the bright firelight illuminated Li Qingyue's flawless face, making it glow.

Her black hair flowed freely, her eyes were clear, and she whispered, "No matter what, I will come back in five years!"

Then, she took the initiative to give Qin Ming a gentle hug.

Behind her, Jiang Ran smiled at her.

"Why don't you come too?" Li Qingyue glanced at Jiang Xianzi.

Qin Ming returned the hug and said, "Qingyue, you can actually stay. You can consult the Eight Trigrams Furnace for the scriptures, and we can explore and seek out the resources you need."

Writing these kinds of romance chapters is really not my forte; it's as difficult as writing a long chapter of ten thousand words, and most importantly, I have no idea how it will turn out. Fellow readers, please leave your suggestions and thoughts in the comments so I can consider them.

(End of this chapter)