Chapter 22: A Person's Twilight

Summer had arrived in the Eastern Phoenix Continent. With the gradual increase in rainfall, the weather was steadily becoming hotter.

“It’s May,” Xu Qing murmured to himself, looking up at the blue sky and the dazzling sun. It was late morning, and he had just finished his lessons and left Master Bai’s tent. Unconsciously, two months had passed since he arrived at the camp.

Recalling his experiences in Blood Rain City two months prior, it felt like a long time ago, yet the memories remained vivid in Xu Qing’s mind.

Compared to his life in the slums over two months ago, he had changed immensely. Both his cultivation advancement and his acquisition of botanical knowledge made Xu Qing feel he was constantly growing.

Thanks to Captain Lei’s generous meals during this period, he had consumed a lot of meat. As a result, his once slender physique had become slightly more refined. Furthermore, practicing the Sea Mountain Art had invigorated his virile qi and blood, causing an instinctively sharp aura to emanate from him.

Perhaps due to his continuous imitation of the saber technique from the temple, Xu Qing’s eyes were significantly brighter than others’, a quality that intensified with each practice. Especially with his lessons from Master Bai, the accumulation of knowledge had given him an scholarly aura.

All of this meant that despite his hands being accustomed to cleanliness and his face still bearing grime, it could no longer entirely conceal the delicate features of his countenance. This was evident from the frequent alluring gazes and invitations he received from the women of the night in the feather-adorned tents around the camp.

However, Xu Qing paid no attention to these overtures. His mood had been somewhat low these past few days. On one hand, the Fated Flower remained elusive; on the other, Captain Lei’s aging and weakening condition became increasingly apparent.

Consequently, Xu Qing visited the forbidden jungle less and less. After Master Bai’s daily lessons, he would instinctively head towards his lodging. Even though he spent most of his time cultivating alone, simply sensing Captain Lei next door brought him significant comfort. He cherished dinner time each evening even more.

Today was no different. Xu Qing walked quietly through the camp, ignoring the scavengers around him, heading first to the general store.

Upon seeing him, the busy little girl immediately ran behind the counter, retrieved a pot of wine, and handed it directly to Xu Qing. She had grown accustomed to Xu Qing’s daily arrival at this time to buy wine.

“Thank you,” Xu Qing said softly, glancing at the scar on the little girl’s face. Despite the ghastly scar, the little girl was very optimistic. She smiled at Xu Qing, but before she could say anything, other scavengers called her away.

Xu Qing didn't mind. He took the wine pot and was about to leave. As his back receded into the little girl’s peripheral vision, she quickly said a few words to the scavengers, then ran to the doorway. Watching Xu Qing walk away, she suddenly called out.

“Brother Little Kid!”

Xu Qing paused, and when he turned to look, the little girl was hurrying towards him. When she reached Xu Qing, she extended her right hand, opening it to reveal a piece of candy.

“I don’t know why you’ve been sad lately, but whenever I’m unhappy, my mother gives me candy to eat, and eating it makes me happy.”

“This is my last piece of candy. I want to give it to you.”

As she spoke, fearing Xu Qing might refuse, she promptly placed it in his hand, then quickly ran back towards the shop. Reaching the storefront, she turned to face Xu Qing and shouted loudly.

“Brother Little Kid, be happy!”

Xu Qing stood there, stunned, watching the little girl disappear into the shop. He looked down at the candy in his palm. After a long moment, he carefully put it away.

On his way back, sounds of commotion emanated from the camp. From a distance, Xu Qing saw two caravans arriving outside the camp, one following the other. The first caravan, with its pristine carriages and robust horses, far surpassed any Xu Qing had seen before. It carried not only guards but also three to five middle-aged individuals who radiated noticeably powerful spiritual energy. They were clearly not the core of the caravan. As the caravan arrived, a group of young men and women, likely sixteen or seventeen years old, disembarked. They carried themselves with an air of superiority, impeccably dressed, and fair-skinned; the men were handsome, the women beautiful. Their distinguished backgrounds were evident. They seemed to disdain the camp’s squalor and chose to pitch their tents outside, exuding a palpable sense of entitlement. Each of them appeared to have attendants, with about a hundred people serving the fifteen or sixteen young individuals. The second caravan, following behind, was also decent, but it seemed clearly inferior when compared to the first. Evidently aware of the young nobles’ identities, this second caravan deliberately avoided contact with the first throughout their journey, entering the camp while staying clear of them. Most of the people who disembarked were very low-key.

Xu Qing merely glanced at them. Caravans appeared in the camp every so often, either to post missions or to enter the forbidden zone independently. They comprised all sorts of people. This was the basis for the scavenger camp’s existence, and Xu Qing was used to it.

Upon returning to his lodging, he saw Captain Lei exercising in the courtyard. In the sunlight, Captain Lei seemed to carry a twilight essence, which deepened Xu Qing’s somber mood.

“You bought me wine again, nice, nice,” Captain Lei said with a smile, noticing the wine pot in Xu Qing’s hand. “Alright, you go clean up the kitchen. I’ll go out for a stroll and buy some ingredients,” Captain Lei said, then walked away with his hands behind his back. This was their agreement: Captain Lei had to buy the ingredients. Xu Qing didn’t refuse, but he paid more rent. This seemed to be how he and Captain Lei interacted.

That day, Captain Lei returned earlier than usual. Xu Qing had barely finished tidying the kitchen when Captain Lei came back carrying some meat, smiled at Xu Qing, and began cooking. Xu Qing sat by, learning as usual. But as he watched, he felt something was off… If things continued like this, dinner would be earlier than usual, not in the evening. Realizing this, Xu Qing understood what was happening deep down. He looked at the busy Captain Lei, wanting to speak but holding back, eventually remaining silent.

Captain Lei, as usual, cooked and chatted. Amidst everyday chatter, dinner was ready before dusk. After placing the dishes on the table, Captain Lei looked at the silent Xu Qing and ruffled his hair.

“Kid, I’ve already bought the entry permit for Pine Wave City. I’ll pack my bags later, and I’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning.” Captain Lei picked up the wine Xu Qing had bought for him earlier and took a large gulp.

Xu Qing’s movements froze. After a long silence, he lowered his head and softly said, “So soon?”

Captain Lei didn't reply, but after a long pause, a laugh escaped him. “Actually, I bought it a while ago, but I didn’t tell you. Don’t be sad about it, kid. There’s no feast that doesn’t end.” Captain Lei said, taking another large gulp of wine. “Come on, eat.”

Xu Qing looked at the aged Captain Lei, silently picked up his chopsticks, and ate without a word. The food that day should have been delicious, but to Xu Qing, it was tasteless.

Captain Lei watched all this, sighing inwardly, yet maintained a smile on his face, recounting trivial matters about the camp. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xu Qing suddenly spoke.

“Aren’t we waiting for Cross and Luan Ya? They should be back soon.”

“No need to wait. If they come back, they’ll probably be like you, just adding to the sadness. Besides, if you have time in the future, you can always come visit me.” Captain Lei took out a smoking pipe from his pocket, took a puff, and the exhaled smoke obscured his expression, making him seem somewhat hazy.

Captain Lei finished this meal quickly. Even after he left to pack his bags, Xu Qing remained seated there in silence, looking at the uneaten food on the table. After a long while, he stood up. For the first time, he didn't wash the dishes and chopsticks, but instead went to Captain Lei’s room.

“Are you really leaving?” Xu Qing asked softly.

“Don’t be so sad. I’m going to live in the city; you should be happy for me.” Captain Lei chuckled and beckoned Xu Qing to come help him fold his clothes.

Xu Qing silently walked over. He first thoroughly washed his hands, then folded the clothes neatly. With his help, Captain Lei’s luggage was quickly packed. Most of his belongings, however, he didn't take, leaving them for Xu Qing.

“And this house, it’s yours too.”

“I’ll pay rent,” Xu Qing said earnestly.

Captain Lei smiled at his words, but instead of dwelling on the topic, he pulled Xu Qing to sit down and, as time passed, began talking about the characters of the scavengers in the camp, particularly focusing on the Camp Master.

“The Camp Master is no simple person; his background is with the Vajra Sect.”

“The Vajra Sect is the foremost power in this entire region. Dozens of cities and camps are under their control, and their patriarch is an expert in the Foundation Establishment realm. You must always be vigilant around him while you’re here.”

By this point, it was very late outside. Xu Qing noticed the weariness on Captain Lei’s face, silently stood up, and left. Watching his departing figure, Captain Lei sighed softly after a long moment.

That night was the first time Xu Qing hadn't cultivated in a long while. He sat there, staring blankly into the darkness outside, until the sky turned pale and the first rays of dawn appeared.

“Time flies so fast,” Xu Qing murmured, a sense of melancholy filling his heart. He didn't leave his room at his usual time; instead, he waited for the sound of Captain Lei opening his door before slowly stepping out.

The first rays of dawn illuminated the courtyard, where an old man and a young boy gazed at each other.

“Kid, I’m leaving,” Captain Lei said after a long silence, a smile on his face.

“I’ll see you off.”

“No need, you should hurry to your lesson.”

“I’ll see you off.”

“You…”

“I’ll see you off,” Xu Qing repeated, looking at Captain Lei.

Captain Lei looked at Xu Qing, and after a long moment, he nodded in resignation.

And so, the old man and the young boy set off in the early morning camp, most other scavengers still asleep. As they passed Master Bai’s tent, Xu Qing ran over. Master Bai had not yet arrived, nor was the young Chen Feiyuan there; only Ting Yu was present, memorizing a book of medicinal herbs.

“Please, could you help me ask for a day’s leave?” Xu Qing quickly asked upon seeing Ting Yu, bowing to her before turning and leaving.

Ting Yu was somewhat surprised. When she stepped outside, she saw Xu Qing and Captain Lei’s receding figures.

The light of the rising sun fell upon the land, illuminating the path ahead of Xu Qing and Captain Lei, enveloping their figures as they moved further and further away.

Along the way, Xu Qing took Captain Lei’s pack and carried it on his own back, remaining silent. Captain Lei felt a mix of emotions. Looking at the stubborn young boy, he wanted to chatter about the camp’s daily trivialities as usual, but after a few sentences, he found he couldn’t continue. In silence, they entered the mountains they had arrived through, reaching the place where they once rested. At that time, it had also been the two of them: Captain Lei upright in front, Xu Qing cautiously behind. The former, profound as a sword; the latter, solitary as a wolf.

Today, Xu Qing was in front, Captain Lei behind. The former, towering like a peak; the latter, tottering in twilight.

Here, at Xu Qing’s insistence, he carried the aging Captain Lei on his back, just as he had in the jungle before. Captain Lei sighed inwardly. Looking at the young boy’s profile, he spoke softly after a moment of silence.

“After this, when you’re back at the camp, you must pay close attention to the scavengers.”

“I know your combat strength is considerable now, but you mustn't underestimate them. Scavengers are desperate people; for them, using any means necessary is commonplace…”

“At night, don’t forget to feed the dogs. Those little fellows are the most reliable in the camp.”

“Also, remember to eat. Don’t eat cold food; don’t be lazy, warm it up before eating… You’re still growing, so you can’t be careless.”

“Otherwise, you’ll regret it when you’re older. Oh, and don’t sleep on bare wooden boards anymore. Don’t be afraid of dirtying the bedding, and remember to air it out in the sun after washing.”

“And…”

Captain Lei spoke softly, his words fragmented, yet full of deep concern. Xu Qing carried Captain Lei on his back, nodding gently, committing every word to memory. Until Captain Lei, still speaking, drifted off to sleep due to his weakness, Xu Qing’s steps became softer as he listened to the faint snoring behind him. He tried his best not to bounce, maintaining a steady pace even if it meant taking a longer route.

And so, he carried Captain Lei across the wilderness, around the basin, until dusk arrived. As the sky darkened and their long shadows stretched in the fading light, a city appeared before Xu Qing’s eyes. It was then that Captain Lei awoke. He looked at the city, at its gates, and after a long moment, he said softly, “We’re here.”

Xu Qing softly hummed in affirmation, a tightness in his chest. At Captain Lei’s request, he gently set him down.

Taking his pack from Xu Qing’s hands, Captain Lei looked at the city gate, then at Xu Qing. After a moment of silence, he smiled, reached out, and ruffled Xu Qing’s hair.

“Kid, go back. If you ever miss this old man, you can always come visit. I live at Ding No. 3, Shuiqing Road, in the south of the city.” With that, Captain Lei took his luggage and walked towards the city gate.

Xu Qing stood there, watching Captain Lei walk further and further away. A thousand words welled up in his heart, but he didn’t know how to express them, so he could only stare blankly. Only when he reached the city gate and submitted his entry permit did Captain Lei suddenly turn back. He gave Xu Qing a deep look, raised a hand to wave, then, urged by the city guards, walked into the city and disappeared from sight.

Xu Qing’s expression was forlorn. He waited for a long time… When dusk fell and the city gates closed, an emptiness instantly filled his heart.

“Take care…” Xu Qing murmured after a long moment, turning with a bitter feeling. The sensation of loneliness once again enveloped his entire being.

As night descended, his solitary figure gradually became obscured.

Alone, he walked towards the wilderness. Alone, he walked towards the basin. Alone, he walked towards the mountains.

Further… and further away.