Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 189 – A Late Hunt

Qin Yu comforted Sang Yueyue and said some more words to her. Then, perhaps because the woman on the other side of the door might have been becoming a bit impatient, he smiled and sent Sang Yueyue out. Although it was very discreet, it didn’t escape Qin Yu’s eyes when the woman glanced at Snag Yueyue and looked over her. Indeed, she hadn’t been very reassured at all.

“Miss, we should leave.” After discovering there wasn’t anything different, the woman’s heart calmed down. She nodded towards Qin Yu.

Sang Yueyue’s lips moved, as if she wanted to say something.

Qin Yu patted her shoulder. “You can have some confidence in me, okay?”

So the young girl forcibly nodded. It was just that as she boarded the carriage, she continued to look back.

After driving away from the Great Glory Gambling Hall, the woman thought about things seriously. She said, “Miss, I’m beginning to believe your initial judgment. This Mister Qin Yu isn’t too bad.”

Sang Yueyue curled her lips. “Humph! Seventh Aunty, I think that you know Big Brother Qin Yu would never agree to be with me, so that’s why you’re saying this.”

The woman wasn’t surprised that her thoughts were seen through by the young girl. She had already known that her young miss was smart and never doubted this. She simply nodded in acknowledgement. “That’s right. No matter how outstanding he is, he is inevitably just a human, so how could he match our young miss? I suppose that madam had already expected this earlier, so that’s why she allowed miss to take a trip here. Now, miss, it is time for you to fulfill your end of the bargain. Once you return to Sega City, you won’t take a single step out before you grow up.”

Sang Yueyue bit her lips. “I will return…after Big Brother Qin Yu leaves.”

The woman thought for a moment and nodded, thinking it was impossible to change the stubborn mindset of a young girl. However, she sighed inwardly. Perhaps there was something that the young miss didn’t completely understand; it wasn’t just the Whale Sovereign that wanted to kill Qin Yu. This was something tacitly consented to by many people. For instance, His Majesty, and for instance, Moon Praying Shrine’s old priest.

Qin Yu was a human who had displayed an impossibly dazzling performance. If the sea races couldn’t use him, then he should die. This might have been the common thought percolating in the hearts of many people. In the end, humans stood across from the sea races, and perhaps it was only their geographic limitations that made it so war didn’t erupt between the two groups. Still, weakening the other side was an instinctual desire.

In other words, no one would help Qin Yu. If so, could he rely on his own strength to escape the pursuit of the Whale Sovereign? If the woman were being honest, she didn’t favor his odds. To personally watch someone that you cared for or loved die was an incredibly cruel and brutal matter, but perhaps this might help the young miss mature as soon as possible.

Another day passed.

Today was the deadline that Moon Praying Shrine gave to Qin Yu; they would leave tomorrow. If he stayed here, there would be one more day of calm and peace, but Qin Yu didn’t plan on waiting. So, he bid his farewells to the priest. When he stated his decision to leave, he discovered that this old man who changed faces so quickly, actually revealed a bit of pity and helplessness.

Following that, Qin Yu harvested an unanticipated gift.

What appeared in the priest’s palm was a blue flower. It seemed as if it were carved from drops of water and emanated a verdant vigor. What it contained was an incomparably pure and boundless life aura.

“This old man had come to an agreement with the Saint Flower. As long as you choose to leave before the deadline, then this will be gifted to you. Otherwise, I would have taken it back. The Saint Flower’s strength – that is something which only the brave deserve to be matched with, and now at least, it seems that Little Friend Qin Yu is someone with courage. I hope that you will survive.”

With a small flick of his fingers, the blue flower flew over. Qin Yu reached out a hand, and as if it had truly been formed from drops of water, it melted into his skin, fusing into his blood and flesh and vanishing from sight. But, Qin Yu could feel its existence in his body; he gained a quiet and formidable vitality.

“A flower from the Saint Flower – this is something that only the most outstanding tribesman of Moon Praying can obtain. It will follow you for all your life. When you are injured, the vitality of the flower will surge out and autonomously regenerate your wounds. Moreover, its strength will recover on its own.”

This was a flower but also a repeat use treasure that could store up a massive amount of vitality. It was no wonder that this old fogy priest had such a pained expression when he handed it over.

Qin Yu solemnly expressed his thanks and accepted the flower.

The priest stood up. “Then, I won’t send you off.”

“Farewell!”

Qin Yu turned and left. The wolf riders stood guard outside, as if they already knew what happened. Simultaneously, they all cupped their fists together and lowered their heads to express their respect.

This respect was their gratitude for having treated the Saint Flower.

Xue Zheng stood there, not saying anything. He only quietly watched Qin Yu’s back as he put on a black robe and stepped out of the gambling hall.

Very soon, all the sound spiral stations around the capital city began to broadcast an urgent piece of news. A tribe’s guest priest had their status revoked, and from here on out they were no longer related. The identity of this person wasn’t listed, but those who had the qualifications to know were well aware of what it meant, and just what would follow this transmission.

…

At the Council of Elders, the scarred Great Elder smiled. “In truth, I must say I admire this human junior. Just where does his confidence come from and why does he believe he can leave here alive?”

Below him, the group of white-haired old thieves all revealed sneers. Anyone that ruined their Day of Ancestral Worship and offended the ancestors must die.

…

At Sea Spirit Pavilion, the Nine Layer Building was being rebuilt. Old Sea temporarily lived at a dwelling not too far away. As he heard the transmitted news, he waved his hand and left.

Clearwood bit her lips. “Teacher!”

“This Qin Yu, he has always been doing things that others cannot. To me and to you, although it might seem that he will surely die, this doesn’t necessarily mean a miracle won’t appear. This Qin Yu, he is someone that is always creating his own miracles, right?”

His voice was steady and light, but this steadiness didn’t always represent calm; sometimes it represented weakness, an inability to do anything. As a Purple Card sea spirit teacher, he had a revered status and possessed an incredibly formidable influence. But, he had no means to interfere with this.

…

In that quiet dwelling close to Noble Court Avenue, Leon sat before a newly constructed grave. He spoke in a low voice, as if Qingqing was still sitting right beside him.

Not too far away, there was a sound spiral shell station playing some music. This was lively orchestral music, the type that Qingqing always liked to listen to. But suddenly, the music stopped and an urgent emergency broadcast began. The delicate voice of a woman announced, “Bringing to you the latest news. Because of unknown reasons, a guest priest has parted ways with Moon Praying Shrine today. From here on out, they officially sever relations with each other and are no longer related. In the last 10 years, this is the first time that this station has reported on news related to Moon Praying Shrine. According to this station’s special judgment, this might be explained by the easing in relations between Moon Praying Shrine and the capital city…”

There was still a great deal of news after that, but Leon didn’t hear any of it. He sat there stunned, slowly revealing a pallid face with a disheveled beard. He muttered to himself, “Teacher, is that you…?”

…

At the princess’ palace, Princess Lushy was stunned for a long, long time. She slowly lowered her head. She had already learned that she had been refused by Qin Yu, so his life or death shouldn’t have anything to do with her. But, why did she feel so empty in her heart? Why did she worry so much?

She clenched her teeth and scolded herself for not being ambitious enough. That unsightly, arrogant, hateful, abominable, bastard of a human that lacked any sense of judgment; if he wanted to die then he should go ahead and die! Why did she need to care about him!?

She used a number of adjectives to describe him, but perhaps lacking in judgment was the most important.

…

He looked at the edge of the capital city and listened to the sound spiral stations that were playing all around. He wryly smiled, sighing over the priest’s control of things.

Indeed, it really was time to leave the capital city.

Suddenly, Qin Yu had a feeling in his heart. He turned and looked towards a tall building in the distance. It was so far away that even with his keen senses, he couldn’t make it out clearly. But, with that ruthless and powerful aura as well as that arrow-sharp gaze that was pointed his way, he immediately understood that the Whale Sovereign was there.

Perhaps the Whale Sovereign had noticed him the moment he stepped out from the Great Glory Gambling Hall. It was only when Moon Praying Shrine relayed their new stance that he truly revealed his dark intent.

Bang –

Qin Yu stepped up and shot into the skies. The black robes he wore were immediately reduced to powder by the powerful acceleration force. Blood red flames ignited and he howled into the distance like a meteor.

This sudden scene drew the eyes of countless people. There were some that couldn’t clearly see him, but there were also some people who did. Those that did all widened their eyes, their faces full of shock.

…

Within the royal palace, in that grand hall, a faintly helpless smile appeared on the edge of the Sea Sovereign’s lips. “This Qin Yu, he is deliberately revealing himself to stir things up. It’s clear that he’s harboring some resentment towards us for allowing this to happen.”

The old turtle groaned. “He deserves it. Who made him not know how to separate the good from the bad? He refused the princess and also refused that brat Yueyue. Does he really think he is some indispensable figure?”

The Sea Sovereign smiled. “Does mister believe he can live?”

The old turtle fell silent. He said, “There’s a 20% chance.”

“There’s actually 20%. It seems that mister unexpectedly favors him. But, this Solitude believes that he doesn’t even have a 10% chance.”

“Why does Your Majesty say this?”

“The Whale Sovereign is even stronger.” On the dragon throne, his voice was light and filled with emotion.

His words were simple but the meaning behind them wasn’t, especially when spoken by the Sea Sovereign. The old turtle’s complexion instantly turned solemn. “Your Majesty, are you saying he made a breakthrough…?”

“Mm. This is something this Solitude discovered not too long ago. This Solitude cannot help but acknowledge that this cousin of mine is a truly fierce character. Unfortunately, he cannot be used.”

The old turtle bitterly smiled. “If that’s so, then this time Qin Yu is truly dead.” He spoke with some regret. After all, if he ignored Qin Yu being a human, then whether it was in cultivation, methods, or character, Qin Yu was the junior he appreciated the most.

There was no one that could compare. At least not now.

…

In the tall building, the Whale Sovereign was wreathed in black armor. His gaze was faint as he looked at the brilliant red beam of light that shot into the skies. His face was as cold and indifferent as stone, without any fluctuations in mood. He peacefully watched Qin Yu run away, seeming as if he didn’t care at all. He was like a god observing from the highest heavens, with the grace and poise of everything being in the control of his hands.

Suddenly, from leaning on the railing, the Whale Sovereign’s figure swayed slightly and then vanished from sight. Following that, a crack appeared in the place he vanished from. A second crack, third crack…cracks instantly spread out like a dense spider web.

The entire building immediately collapsed in a breath of time. The formidable strength that was released instantly pulverized the remnants into powder. Then, as stone powder sprinkled down, there was a horrifying, earth-shaking sound that rang out – it was the sound of air being torn apart.

The Whale Sovereign had made his move. From where he stepped in the air, his figure flickered in and out of sight. Countless afterimages of the Whale Sovereign appeared in the skies, leading from the interior all the way to the outside, slowly vanishing in turn.

One red, one black, like twin bolts of lightning piercing through the skies, they howled far off into the distance.

Countless seafolk watched on. Some people cried out in alarm, and some people also knew that this was a hunt which had started late.

However, they didn’t know whether or not the incomparably formidable Whale Sovereign, who had been defeated several times before, would be able to successfully catch his prey this time.

Because maybe, this might be his last chance.