Chapter 33 - 33 23 A Generous Gift 1

33: Chapter 23 A Generous Gift (1) 33: Chapter 23 A Generous Gift (1) Editor: Henyee Translations Six figures emerged from the slope on the opposite side of the valley entrance.

Four of them wore black armor.

Those are elite gear, far superior to the standard-issue equipment of the patrol squad.

The other two wore more ordinary iron armor, heavily worn and clearly of local make.

One of them gave a sharp whistle, and three powerful raptors came charging out of the dense forest.

They had fluffy yellow-brown feathers and thick legs that moved with incredible speed.

Qin Ming recognized them.

These were mutant creatures bred at Golden Rooster Ridge.

In fact, he had seen three of these very men riding the ground-birds through the forest just the day before.

“Brother, impressive skills.

Holding the valley on your own and slaying blood snakes.

That’s true courage and decisiveness,” said a young man in fine armor.

Qin Ming didn’t respond.

The man still held a stiff bow, the same one he had just attempted to shoot him with moments ago.

“Apologies for earlier,” the man added.

“I acted on impulse and just wanted to test your skills.

It was disrespectful.”

Qin Ming looked directly at him and asked, “Do you even believe what you’re saying?”

“Oh?” The young man tilted his head.

“From your voice, you don’t sound very old.

To have undergone a second rebirth at such a young age… Your future is limitless.” He stared at Qin Ming’s face, which was obscured by a black cloth.

He was certain that someone this talented, in such a remote region, must be truly gifted.

Putting away his black bow, the young man tried a different approach.

“Brother, I really was reckless earlier.

It’s just… My older brother was injured in the mountains and urgently needs a spiritual creature to recover.

I panicked and struck out at you.”

Qin Ming remained unmoved.

Panicked?

Attempting to kill someone on impulse?

That kind of excuse was hollow.

More likely, this was just a cold-blooded man with no regard for human life.

He quickly stuffed the blood snake into his hide bag and said, “Since it was a misunderstanding, can I leave now?”

“Hold on, brother, no need to rush.

We might even become friends.

Perhaps you don’t know, we’re from Chixia City…” The young man’s attempt to win him over was transparent.

Qin Ming didn’t reply.

He silently observed the group.

The man referred to as the “older brother” did seem unwell, as his face had a bluish hue.

Qin Ming’s heart stirred.

That strange, dusky skin tone looked familiar.

He had looked similar after falling into a crevice and suffering from a serious illness.

The young man smiled.

“Look, brother, the misunderstanding is cleared up.

We do need these spiritual beasts, but we’re not asking you to give us the blood snake for nothing.

I’d like to invite you to join us.

We’ll make sure to repay you in the future.”

Qin Ming nearly wanted to slap him.

So, you want me to hand over my prize and then work for you on top of that?

Not getting the warm response he hoped for, the young man’s hand casually drifted to the hilt of his sword, and the others subtly spread out.

Seeing this, Qin Ming said, “This isn’t Chixia City.

No one’s watching here.

You don’t have to pretend.

I’ll just ask once more.

If the misunderstanding is over, can I leave?”

The young man’s face darkened, and his tone sharpened.

“You don’t know what’s good for you!”

Qin Ming shed two layers of armor to lighten himself, so it wouldn’t slow him down.

He strapped the hide bag to his back and tied it tightly.

He glanced at his long blade.

It had nicked from slaying the blood snake.

Several of the iron spear tips were also damaged.

That showed just how tough the blood snake’s crimson scales really were.

The others now wore cold expressions.

Some drew great swords from their backs, others readied bows.

It was clear things had come to a head, and a fight was imminent.

Only the bluish-faced man remained still.

He stared toward the forest and said, “You didn’t run right away because you were waiting for the other blood snake to return, hoping it would attack indiscriminately and help you take us out, huh?

Fine.

I admit I need those blood snakes badly.

I won’t let it retreat into the valley.”

At that moment, a scarlet flash appeared from the woods, the bright red blood snake was coming back.

It hadn’t pursued too far.

The frigid environment would slow it down if it stayed out too long.

Seeing that his plan had been seen through, Qin Ming no longer hid his intentions.

He hurled his iron spear at high speed.

The surrounding men, already on guard, dodged behind trees or prepared to block.

But they quickly realized that they weren’t the target.

With a series of wet thuds, three spears struck the ground-birds, spraying blood everywhere.

Just then, the blood snake reached them.

Seeing a crowd blocking its path, it reared up and launched a fearless assault.

The bluish-faced man said calmly, “You all handle the boy.

I’ll deal with this blood snake.

When it comes to spiritual creatures, the more the better.”

“Big brother, are you sure your body can handle it?” the young man from earlier asked, concerned.

The man drew a long sword and replied, “I entered that special node of my own will.

I wasn’t wounded by accident.

I can still manage this level of strain.”

Qin Ming saw the blood snake arrive and went wild with energy.

Without a trace of hesitation, he turned and fled along his preplanned escape route.

The others immediately moved to intercept, and the young man with the bow began firing again.

Qin Ming ducked and weaved through the forest, using thick trees for cover.

Once the chase was on at full speed, the archer found it much harder to keep firing while moving.

Meanwhile, the bluish-faced man was strong.

With his long sword, he blocked the blood snake’s advance, slashing out brilliant arcs of light that left several wounds across its serpentine body.