Volume One: The Wild Child Chapter Thirty-Two: The Face of the Land and Rivers

“Hu Yong! What on earth is wrong with you today?” Zhao Xinxin’s face flushed deep red with anger as she stamped her foot, coughing uncontrollably. Her trembling, jade-like hand pointed at Hu Yong, but no more words came. For years, the couple had watched the world together, supporting one another with profound affection; their hearts and minds had always been in sync. Yet today, Hu Yong felt like a stranger to her. In search of solace, she could only look at him with hope, waiting for some excuse—even if she already knew it would be nothing but a perfunctory pretext.

Hu Yong’s face remained impassive. Paying no mind to the grief-stricken Zhao Xinxin at his side, he simply turned and walked back into the house, quietly closing the iron door between them.

No further words were exchanged.

...

“So, what happened? Did they really throw you out just as I said?” Chen Mo teased as he watched Lin Changtian return, sullen and silent. Lin Changtian ignored him, rolled his eyes, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

Seeing him like this, Chen Mo dropped his playful tone and grew serious. “Look, the fact that Hu Yong and his wife took you in shows how kind-hearted they are, right? And you, Lin Changtian, repaid them with more than they could earn in months—that means you’re kind too. Sure, things ended unpleasantly, but both sides gained something from their mutual goodwill. Isn’t that enough? Must you focus only on the outcome?”

Lin Changtian nodded, then quickly shook his head as if to clear it. “No, no, I almost got misled by your nonsense. That’s just treating human relationships as business transactions.”

“But aren’t chance encounters just that—business? To be frank, the good deeds of the Hu Yong couple are no different to me from a clearly priced transaction of pleasure,” Chen Mo replied, yawning and smiling.

Lin Changtian felt a bit muddled. “So by your logic, if someone does a good deed, I just pay them?”

Chen Mo smiled, stifling another yawn. “Not exactly. In this world, you either owe a favor or offer a benefit. You have to pick one. Otherwise, you’re changing the rules of the game. For ordinary folk, when capital reigns, things are less complicated. This logic applies to all mortals, but none can handle those who walk between worlds. Enough of that. Let’s talk about your next assignment.”

Lin Changtian nodded, waiting for Chen Mo to continue.

“Do you remember Yu? Or, let’s see—surely you haven’t forgotten Yu Li?” Chen Mo said, a teasing note in his voice. At his words, Lin Changtian’s eyes widened as he stared him down. Chen Mo, as if reading Lin Changtian’s thoughts, nodded. “I’m a member of Yu as well. To be honest, Zhou’s ‘World Martial’ units have lost their dominance on the battlefield. First, because Lin controls most of the martial technology; second, the appearance of the so-called Zhou’s Nightmare. Our investigation points to its origin right here in Lin’s Shanhe District.”

Learning that Chen Mo was also a member of Yu, Lin Changtian relaxed, his guardedness easing. He asked slowly, “Zhou’s Nightmare?”

Chen Mo nodded and sighed. “A strange, powerful creature that appeared out of nowhere. It slaughtered seven veteran world-walkers of the Zhou clan in a single encounter. No one knows its origins; it is shrouded in mystery.”

“I see. In that case, let’s not waste time—share the intelligence on Shanhe District so we can plan ahead,” said Lin Changtian.

“No need to worry about that. Our identities and all the tedious arrangements for infiltration are already set. Our sole task is to deal with whatever secrets the Shanhe District holds. If things get complicated…” Chen Mo’s expression grew solemn. “If it comes to that, rest assured—I will protect you with my life. But the secret must be spread across the world.”

Lin Changtian was puzzled. “If Yu paid for this with their lives, why make it public?”

Chen Mo shook his head with a helpless sigh. “Zhou’s defeat is certain; there’s no hope left for them. Lin is destined to become the new overlord of the North. Given their arrogance and hostility toward other regions, they won’t rest easy. So it’s better to make this secret known, so that other forces in the Central Plains can arm themselves to counter Lin. Night has fallen. We should set out.” Lin Changtian nodded, trusting Yu’s decision.

...

Within the Shanhe District, only a lone melody played.

Contrary to their expectations, there was no heavy military presence. Lin Changtian and Chen Mo slipped in easily. Gazing at the emptiness around them, the two exchanged glances. Lin Changtian frowned. “Your intel was off—other than a few patrols outside, there’s no garrison at all.”

Chen Mo remained calm. “You don’t understand. This actually means we’re in the right place. Before Shanhe District was built, do you know how many buildings stood here? Lin didn’t destroy them. Now it’s flattened. The only explanation is that they used the area to test their weapons.”

Lin Changtian’s concern did not abate. “If that’s the case, the only place left is underground. So how do we find them?”

Chen Mo frowned, but soon his expression turned indifferent. “You’re partly right—Yu did make a mistake, but not with the intel. It was a person who betrayed us. Can you feel it? We don’t need to search for them anymore.”

Lin Changtian stood with his hands behind his back, eyes fixed on the dark mass sweeping in from the horizon, sensing the tremors beneath the earth. He nodded calmly. “So there’s a traitor in Yu as well. It seems there’s little chance of us making it out alive. Let’s each fight for our lives.”

The tune played was one of encirclement on all sides.

A vast horde landed, surrounding the two men. Their weapons fused technology with martial energy, cold blades glinting in the gloom, murderous intent rising like a tide. From their ranks stepped a burly, bearded man who shouted, “Chen Mo, do you remember me?”

Chen Mo’s eyelid twitched. Suppressing his unease, he sneered, “Isn’t this Lin’s dog, Zhang Cheng? What, have you forgotten how you couldn’t block a single one of my shots on the front lines? Yet you survived, even with your heart pierced—impressive.”

Zhang Cheng touched his chest, his face a mixture of fear and rage before twisting into a savage grin. “That’s right. I couldn’t block a shot, and you killed me on the front lines. But now I’ve been reborn. Today I’ll show you what I’m truly capable of!”

Chen Mo, without anyone seeing how, assembled a long spear that now rested against his back, his stance graceful and poised like a dragon in the water. “Enough barking—let’s see what you’ve got,” he said calmly.

Zhang Cheng wasted no time, leaping several yards into the air, swinging a giant hammer down at Chen Mo.

“You’re not even a world-walker. Did you forget how you died last time?” Chen Mo roared, his spear tip shining like silver, martial energy swirling around it. The resulting sonic boom tore a vacuum in the air as his weapon clashed evenly with the descending demon’s hammer.

Yet Chen Mo’s expression grew graver, while Zhang Cheng’s grew ever more delighted and arrogant. “Impossible! How can an Awakened stand toe-to-toe with me in such a short time?” Chen Mo’s thoughts were in turmoil, shock gripping him. Seizing his hesitation, Zhang Cheng put all his strength into the hammer, intent on smashing Chen Mo to pulp.

As the hammer’s force grew sharper, Chen Mo gritted his teeth, enduring the backlash of his energy as he staggered the spear point. Drawing close to Zhang Cheng, he unleashed a flash of silver, his entire body and spear flickering behind his enemy. Using the downward momentum, he thrust straight for Zhang Cheng’s heart.

A sharp whistle, and the attack pierced through. Zhang Cheng crashed heavily to the ground, sending shockwaves rippling out, as if the entire Fan City trembled.

Chen Mo withdrew his spear, gasping for breath. He hadn’t expected Zhang Cheng’s skin to grow so tough, requiring all his might—even with martial energy—to pierce through.

“Hey, hey, it’s not over yet. Hold on to your spear, Chen Mo.” Zhang Cheng crawled from the bottomless pit. As the smoke cleared, his new form was revealed—not the man he once was, but a half-human, half-demon monstrosity. His lower body had transformed completely into monstrous limbs, grotesquely thin compared to his muscular upper body.

Before Chen Mo could react, the creature attacked with lightning speed, a stark contrast to his earlier sluggishness. Chen Mo was sent flying over ten meters, blood streaming from his wounds, unable to fight further. Zhang Cheng bared his white teeth in a cruel grin, turning now to Lin Changtian, choosing a new prey.

Yet no one noticed the figure in black standing atop the tower at Shanhe District’s edge, silently watching the battle unfold below. He dialed a long-unused number. The voice that answered was as hoarse as ever. The black-clad man was silent for a long time before finally speaking. “Qing Ming? I’ve found him—he’s in grave danger now. Once he gets clear, I’ll call you back. For now, please move my family at once. I’m counting on you.”

The moonlight pierced the clouds, spilling down upon the world to reveal the black-clad man’s face—it was Hu Yong.