The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 46 The Mountain and the Oak

Chapter 46 The Mountain and the Oak (5K views, please continue reading)
In a daze, the black snake had a dream.

A vague dream.

Like lenses in winter.

When you step into the warm room, a light layer of white mist will appear in front of you.

It made him only able to see the colors, not the outlines.

He saw a golden hue.

A gentle breeze stirred, causing the color to sway and dance before my eyes.

Until the fiery crimson covered it.

A person stood in front of him.

He tried to reach out and touch the blurry figure.

But the colors before my eyes gradually faded away.

So he started running, trying to run back to her.

But he gradually realized that he was the one actively distancing himself from her.

He had never been so panicked, calling out desperately to that beautiful figure:

"Catherine!"

"I'm here!"

He heard the response from that beautiful figure.

just.

Why has her voice become so high-pitched?

It's just like……

A man is awkwardly imitating a woman's voice by pinching his own throat.

The black snake suddenly awoke:

"who!?"

Tang Qi noticed that the black snake, which had been unconscious the whole way, was finally starting to move.

At first, he let out a long sigh of relief, then his tone became slightly sarcastic:

"What, having a wet dream? You'd better not bump into me, or it'll be disgusting."

"..."

Black Snake was somewhat unwilling to accept that the first words he heard upon waking from his dream were still coming from that rotten mouth.

But he didn't even have the strength to talk back.

I only felt like I was lying on someone, which made the journey a bit bumpy.

Pain in the back and abdomen followed, but the feeling of weakness from blood loss gradually subsided.

Looking up at the sky, I found that it was still the same dark night, thin fog, and damp clothes as before I lost consciousness.

Only ahead, a small kobold, holding a wand with a burning tip, became the only light in the quiet night.

Black Snake still felt dizzy. After regaining his senses, he first let out a weak gasp:

How long have you been walking?

Tang Qi patiently explained:
"It's only been a day, and night has just fallen, so it should be about 6 hours."

"Never stopped?"

"After all, I came all the way from the Terran Empire, traversing mountains and rivers. I wasn't fast, but I'm physically strong and walk steadily."

That's what he said, but Tang Qi's breathing was actually very heavy, and his legs were even trembling.

Because he was walking as fast as he could.

They must be walking much faster than the caravan's wagons.

This significantly shortened the original sixteen-hour journey.

After all, caravans consist of many wagons and horses, and maintaining a relatively slow and steady speed is necessary to carry the full load of goods.

"Can we get out of here?" the black snake asked.

"Hey, I don't like hearing your depressing talk! Can't we be more optimistic?"

I have good news for you: the hallucinogenic effects of the fog have ended.

This proves that we've at least reached the shallows of the forest.

Once you step into the shallows of the forest, it means you're not far from Star Plum Town.

The black snake felt a sharp pain in its wound as it was jolted along, and coughed twice:
"You bandaged me up?"

"Otherwise what? Do you expect those orcs to be merciful and hand over all their medical tools and potions to us?"

Tang Qi sighed.

"I deduce that you went into shock due to excessive blood loss."

But I had no tools. Having no other choice, I cut the clothes from the Nova Dimensional Bag into strips, tied them around your body, and tried to squeeze out the bleeding—

But for some reason, I just can't stop it.

The only option was for Kuru to use the [Earth Shaping Technique] to attach soil to those 'bandages' and continuously apply pressure.

Although you didn't undergo wound cleaning or disinfection, at least you woke up, which means my deduction was correct and this method did have some effect.

Tang Qi had examined Black Snake's injuries.

Besides the two axe wounds on his abdomen and back.

Two deep dents on his back squeezed out blood from the wounds, causing it to gush out.

To help Shyvana win this gladiatorial match.

The black snake deliberately exposed an opening, allowing the horizontal slash to strike its back.

He controlled the distance with such precision that the axe blow failed to cause serious injury.

But as Barbaya suddenly retaliated, he had no choice but to rush in front of Tang Qi and take the fatal blow in her place.

But the wound seemed to be tainted with an aura of death from an unknown source.

This caused the hemostatic factor to fail to take effect for a long time...

"It makes me angry just thinking about it—"

That monk kept bragging about how rich he was.

When they searched his dimensional bag, they found nothing—not even a medical kit or herbs, let alone any healing potions.

No wonder he died at the hands of a kobold; he was utterly stupid!

"Kuru, clever!"

The kobold responded to Tang Qi's curses.

What he didn't know was that Nova had signed a treaty with Explosive Wolf before he arrived.

He is only responsible for casting spells, while all expenses along the way will be borne by Explosive Wolf.

So much so that he didn't need to prepare much for this business trip.

He could obtain any necessary items, even precious healing potions, from the Wolf King if he wished.

But the wolf had already fled with his remaining troops.

It's pointless to dwell on these things now.

"So, besides the wound, is there anything else that feels uncomfortable?"

"My head is spinning and my body feels very hot."

"The wound couldn't be cleaned, it's probably an infection that caused the inflammation... Damn it, I need to walk faster."

Listen, you better hold on! If my estimate is correct, we should be back in Xingmei Town soon.

The church in town must have herbal remedies for treating wounds; the priest can come and help you then!

“Those orcs…”

"They've left us behind. They seem to have been looting around the camp for a while now; I haven't heard the giant tortoises shaking the ground for a long time."

"Their destination is Xingmei Town..."

"I know, I know."

Tang Qi gritted his teeth, enduring the soreness in his legs, quickened his pace, and pretended to be fine.
"So I'm rushing to town as fast as I can so I can get back to tell your sweetheart to prepare for evacuation!"

When Catherine was mentioned, Tang Qi couldn't help but express his admiration:

"But to be honest, I never thought you were such a romantic."

I always thought you were the stereotypical type of guy who lusts after girls younger than himself—a villain, you know?
When they have nothing better to do, they'll pat her on the butt and give her a lewd whistle while people are serving drinks and food...

But perhaps I really misjudged you.

At least you were serious about Catherine, even going so far as to save my life because of her.

Tang Qi couldn't think of any other reason why the black snake would stand in front of him.

It's simply that I can see through illusions and find the direction of Xingmei Town.

It can't be that they really coveted my hook.

"Of course, I'm not saying you saved me with ulterior motives. In fact, I really want to thank you for stepping forward, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to..."

"The best way to express your gratitude is to shut your mouth."

Right now, all I want is to rest quietly for a while…

Black Snake felt his eyelids getting heavy.

But Tang Qi became more alert and hurriedly said:

"Take a break my ass! If you take another break, you'll have to wait until your next life!"

What you need now is to talk to me and get your attention—

I talk a lot because I don't want you to fall asleep, understand?

"I'm fine..."

"Whether something happens or not is not up to you to decide. You are a human, not a troll that can grow two heads just by cutting off one!"

This is reality, not a game.

Becoming a high-level adventurer will not increase your HP.

The improvement in his skills made the wanderer's body more flexible and his movements more agile.

But when truly harmed, this unprotected body is no different from Tang Qi's ordinary mortal body.

"Don't you fucking want to see Catherine anymore?"

"Catherine..."

"Yes! Catherine, the girl you like!"
Think about it, who in the entire Xingmei Town doesn't know that you like her?

But she just ignores you—isn't that because you don't have the qualities she admires?

But this time, you almost lost your life trying to get out of the forest and take her to safety.

Good heavens, if I were Catherine, I would be so happy to hear that someone would risk their life for me.

I wish I could shower tonight, open the door, and just have sex with him—"

"Shut up."

Tang Qi was taken aback, and was somewhat surprised by his reaction:

"Okay, okay, I know you're innocent now."

Let's change the subject—

Singing is fine, right?

Although most of the poems in the Academy of Poets are long and tedious, there are actually quite a few decent ballads.

Do you want to hear the romantic tales of Tyrannical nobles, or the tales of knights valiantly battling dragons? Or, if all else fails, there are the romantic stories of bards fighting dragons—

Actually, the song's content is not bad, it's just a bit explicit, but maybe it will get you excited and improve your blood circulation?

Then I'm going to sing!

"Stop fucking wailing, I'm not dead yet..."

Perhaps Tang Qi was talking too much and seemed overly noisy.

Surprisingly, this gave the black snake a moment to focus its energy, and it let out a slightly stronger curse.

This actually put Tang Qi at ease, and he laughed breathlessly:

"You think I'm noisy and annoying, huh? Fine, I'm tired anyway, so I won't say anything. I'll let you talk—"

Tell me about yourself.
You used to be an adventurer, a minion of the Sandalwood Forest, right?

You must have been to quite a few places, right? The Valley of Giants in the North, Black Reef Harbor on the West Coast, the Wall Frontier in the South... Yes, you must have been to the South, after all, you came out of the Great Desert.

Why don't you tell me about these experiences you've had? Maybe one day, I'll be walking in the same footsteps as you?

The black snake remained silent.

He did indeed travel through those places.

But when he recalled that fallen team, the pent-up emotions in his heart made it impossible for him to speak.

His eyelids were just too heavy; there were people he wanted to see, and he didn't want to fall asleep like this.

So he spoke with difficulty, his tone seemingly tinged with mockery:

"What... you want to be an adventurer too?"

The content doesn't matter; the fact that they're willing to speak up is a good thing.

Actually, Tang Qi wasn't that concerned about his story:

"An adventurer? I just want to go on adventures and let songs accompany me to every corner of the world."

As for whether or not to accept the commission, adding the word 'contributor'... I don't really care that much."

The black snake's eyelids slowly lifted as a result.

He opened his mouth, but in the end only asked:

"You only want to 'take risks'... Why? Don't you care about your own life?"

"Of course I care."

Tang Qi smiled, not minding repaying his benefactor with sincerity.

"But you might not believe it, but I've actually died once. Just think of it as a resurrection spell."

Death is a terrible feeling; it's a bit like turning into a drop of water, falling into the water, and then dissolving back into it.

But in my last moments before I died, I suddenly realized...

The thing that terrifies me most has never been death.

What I fear is that I won't be able to recall a single memorable moment in my life until the day I die...

A mundane and uneventful life.

Tang Qi thought of his past and couldn't help but shake his head.
"So when I discovered that I had a chance to start over, I wasn't so concerned about life and death—"

I crave a vibrant and fulfilling life more than a life of mediocrity.

While the phrase "death" is indeed a perfect antithesis, it is rather ominous.

"Was it exciting...?"

When the words echoed in his ears, Black Snake felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity.

Even the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"But have you ever thought about the price behind this 'brilliance'?"

"I've thought about it, and there's no such thing as the best of both worlds."

But judging from what you're saying, you must have already paid this 'price'?

"Someone once asked me the same question—"

Why did you choose to take risks?

"What's your answer?"

"Adventure is like a mountain; you never need a reason to climb it."

Because the mountain is there.

"What did that person say again?"

"'I'm waiting for you'."

The black snake chuckled, but it was unclear what it was laughing at.
"So I left her and continued my journey to climb the peak."

We climbed one mountain after another and crossed one river after another.

Until, standing before that towering, precipitous mountain, I realized my own insignificance—

Only then did I finally feel fear.

Tang Qi hesitated and asked, "The Great Desert?"

The black snake did not answer him, but continued its narration:

"So, when he realized that his eyes were simply not capable of seeing all these unreachable peaks..."

I ultimately chose to turn back.

'I'm waiting for you'.

So I went back there, to that golden oak tree.

Tang Qi then realized that the reason Black Serpent cared so much about this town was not as simple as he had thought:
"Wait, 'I'll wait for you'—"

But how old was Catherine when you left this town?

No, that's not right.

The person waiting for you isn't her!?

Tang Qi suddenly recalled Catherine's words on the eve of the harvest festival—

'Then perhaps I should thank my mother for letting me inherit everything from her.'

His eyes widened, and he opened his mouth, barely managing to process what had happened.

He finally understood why Black Snake always behaved so well in the tavern.

Why is the way we treat that girl always so strange?

Why did he choose to break through the encirclement and escape alone, abandoning me?

But he still decided to take himself away to escape—

He needs to figure out which way to go home.

He wanted to ensure that those he cared about could avoid being plundered by the orcs.

May you be happy and healthy.

The black snake did not respond to him.

The pupils, hidden beneath the dark, tousled hair, were becoming faintly unfocused.

He just chuckled and reminisced:

"When I returned to this land, I witnessed everything had changed."

When I saw that smiling face, exactly like hers, under the golden shadows of the trees.

I finally realized that it was all for those towering mountains, for that laughable, futile dream...

How much have I actually lost?

Having left this oak tree, I am not worthy to stand before her—

I dared not tell her my identity.

I was never by her side when she passed away, or when that child needed me the most.

Why should she approve of me, the one who abandoned them?
All I could do was watch her.

I just want to look at her...

Watch her live a good life and grow up well.

That's good.

He heard the black snake behind him chattering more and more incessantly, narrating as if no one else was around.

Tang Qi realized something was wrong.

Perhaps the man behind it all was never truly awake.

He simply still harbored the longing to meet that person.

In his final moments of lucidity, he sustained himself through his confusion.

The fog in front of us is getting thinner and thinner.

Ignoring the soreness in his legs, Tang Qi quickened his pace.
"Wait, you bastard, stop talking nonsense! Wake up—we're almost there!"

"You foul-mouthed poet... I saved your life."

"Yes, I know! I fucking thank you, so can I save your life too, okay!?"

Tang Qi gritted his teeth and charged past Kulu, who was leading the way.

Ignoring the pressure on his heart and lungs, he ran with all his might.

"I need your help..."

"Screw you, I'm not fucking helping you! If you have anything on your mind—whether it's recognizing someone or apologizing—you can do it yourself after you survive!"

He ran through the thin fog and across the dark, damp forest.

Day and night never alternate.

But even in the darkness, he made out the outline of the village—

Wooden fences for defense surround the edge of the town, with blazing torches thrust into them, spreading out to illuminate the entire town.

A small number of village soldiers, armed with spears, stood ready in front of the firelight.

The town was filled with unease. Every household kept their doors tightly shut, and the flickering candlelight through the cracks in the windows mirrored their anxious heartbeats.

"Take her away from here, let her live."

"You bastard, can't you hear me?!"

Tang Qi ran across the golden wheat fields and along the muddy country roads.

The closer he got to the firelight, the clearer his vision became.

I even saw that worried, fiery red figure standing in front of the fence gate.

She saw the torch that Kulu held high on the dirt road.

They could see clearly the weak person on Tang Qi's back.

She rushed over the fence, letting the mud splash onto her shoes and skirt.

Tang Qi grabbed the black snake's thigh and shouted almost hoarsely:

"Hey, do you see that? It's Catherine! She recognized you a long time ago, she knew you might be in trouble—that's why she's standing in front of the door waiting for you!"

It was as if I had heard a call.

The black snake slowly moved its arm, clutching the necklace it always wore to its chest.

"Wake up! Wake up! Open your eyes and look, she's right there—we're almost there!"

The man had never felt his eyelids so heavy.

But he still raised his blurry eyes.

In his unfocused pupils, only that fiery red color drew ever closer.

“Ah, Catherine…”

my daughter.

I'm sorry for what happened on your journey of growth.

Dad couldn't be with you.

You can blame me all you want...

We're a bit late.