Night Without End

Under the long night, snowflakes drifted down.

The grand building, under the glow of Fire Spring at night, seemed edged with gold, like a heavenly palace descending upon the dark earth.

Qin Ming climbed the white marble steps, looking at the red lanterns hanging on both sides of the gate, and the pair of stone auspicious beasts on the ground. A flood of familiar sensations overwhelmed him, as if everything from the past was still before his eyes.

Returning to the old place, his emotions were mixed, after all, he had lived here for about ten years.

For a moment, he seemed to return to the past, seeing himself from childhood to youth.

In front of him, Master Cui and Madam Cui were always stern and serious. Even with a smile, there was a lack of warmth. Later, he understood that it was a kind of estrangement.

Through layers of mist, Qin Ming seemed to see his younger self, trapped alone in the Silk Scripture, practicing the various movements recorded above, but never reaching the right path.

His grandfather was just an ordinary person. Because he looked like Cui Chonghe, he was chosen and brought here, living for a long time in a false life constructed by others.

He once considered this place his home until one day, Master Cui gazed down at him and informed him of his responsibility and duty as the legitimate son, to attract powerful enemies with a group of elders nearing the end of their lives. At that time, he was infinitely sad, knowing it would be a farewell unto death.

On that day, he was reluctant, heartbroken, and in pain, until he became numb.

He couldn't utter a word, tears in his eyes, watching Master Cui and Madam Cui take Cui Chongxuan, along with a large group of Cui family elites, leave without a backward glance.

In the village outside Luoyue City, some of the Cui family's elders nearing the end of their lives approached him several times, only to be driven away by Uncle Cui Qi's grandfather.

That night, with fires blazing, Qin Ming was on the verge of despair, feeling the coldness and unfeeling nature of the Cui family. He remained silent the entire night, ultimately experiencing a symbolic death, leading to complete memory loss, and because of this, he had a new life afterward.

"Cousin, it's been three years since we last saw you. You've finally returned. We've always missed you," said one of the two young men approaching, with a seemingly close smile.

Qin Ming's senses were extremely sharp now. This kind of affection was superficial and false. He merely nodded and said, "You've secretly reported already, haven't you? I came back to take a look."

Without allowing them to say more, he already walked inside, unwilling to engage in their facades. If he wasn't worried that his grandfather, in his old age, might not have much life left, he wouldn't return now.

Lu Zizai followed behind, like standing in a mist. Even if not far apart, others seemed unable to see him. The Thunder King Bird and Little Jin that Lu Zizai raised circled in the night sky at a distance.

The two people accompanying Qin Ming inside were in their twenties, not the youths he grew up with, having little interaction, there wasn't any profound friendship to speak of.

In fact, in the past six months, the whole Cui family had been paying attention to Qin Ming, finding it incredible how rapidly he was rising.

In the past, his skull was shattered, leading to complete amnesia, nearly useless, ordered by Master Cui to be kept at Black and White Mountain, never to return, confined in a remote place. Everyone thought he would disappear from the Cui family's sight forever, as if he had never existed.

And yet, how long has it been? He has become a brilliant new star, rising, returning in the way the Cui family least wished to see.

Some in the Cui family naturally have regrets, but when certain choices are made and certain actions are taken, it becomes hard to change course or turn back.

Keeping him at Black and White Mountain was a minor issue. Earlier, sending him as cannon fodder to face Li family masters to die was the "crux" they were concerned about.

Especially later, on the Highland outside Kunleng's Third Forbidden Zone, when the Ancestor Master beheaded the "auspicious beast," and various forces joined forces to hunt demons, a fierce conflict broke out between the Cui family and Qin Ming. He killed several batches of direct lineage forces, and such blood feuds and enmities are hard to dissolve.

"Cousin, we have always hoped for your return," said the smiling young man accompanying him inside.

Qin Ming didn't speak, observing the familiar tiered courtyards.

The Cui Family Mansion could be considered a small Blessed Land.

Even in the cold winter, it was full of spring, with colorful flowers in the flowerbeds, fragrant air, butterflies dancing, and spirit trees swaying, eaves and arches delineated with a pale golden outline in the glow of firelight.

"Qin Ming?!" Cui He appeared, very shocked upon seeing him, then began laughing heartily.

Not far from him stood Cui Shuning in a black dress, with a rather cold and glamorous demeanor. She was also very surprised, feeling extremely unexpected.

Qin Ming had no good feelings towards these two; they had once traveled a great distance to Chixia City to "see him," and without Meng Xinghai's protection, he would have been in danger that time.

Despite this, the two had still hired people from the Esoteric Buddhism to deal with him.

"Little Ming, why haven't you called me Uncle Si upon seeing me?" Cui He's long light green hair was quite noticeable; clearly, he had made further progress in practicing the "Zhu Shi Scripture."

He was an elite of the previous generation, with significant Taoist skills, following the Esoteric Path, while also focusing on life extension Secret Scripture, now bearing a rich smile, but it showed no genuine affection.

"Cui Si, long time no see!" Qin Ming looked at him, speaking plainly.

"What did you call me?" Cui He's smile disappeared, his expression changing as quickly as turning a page, instantly icy cold.

For those who once attempted to harm him, Qin Ming couldn't even muster a perfunctory smile.