Ch. 46 - The Mountain and the Oak
In a trance, Black Snake had a dream.
A hazy dream.
Like a lens fogged over in winter.
When stepping into a warm room, a layer of pale white mist would blur your vision.
Allowing him to see only colors, unable to make out contours.
He saw a flash of golden yellow.
A gentle breeze brushed past, causing that color to sway hazily before his eyes.
Until blazing crimson covered it over.
A person stood before him.
He tried to reach out his hand, to touch that blurred silhouette.
But the colors before his eyes gradually receded into the distance.
So he quickened his pace, trying to run back to her.
Yet he gradually realized—it was he himself who was actively moving away from her.
Never before had he experienced such panic, calling out desperately toward that silhouette:
"Catherine!"
"I'm here!"
He heard that silhouette's response.
Only...
Why had her voice become so shrill and thin?
Just like...
A man pinching his own throat, clumsily imitating a woman's voice?
Black Snake jerked awake:
"Who!?"
Tang Qi noticed that Black Snake, who had been unconscious the entire journey, finally showed some signs of movement.
First came a long exhale, then his tone carried a hint of teasing:
"What, having a wet dream? You'd better not poke me with it, or that'd be fucking disgusting."
"..."
Black Snake was somewhat unwilling to accept that the first words he heard upon waking from his dream still came from that foul mouth.
But he didn't even have the strength to retort.
He only felt himself lying on someone's back, bouncing along as they moved.
Pain from his spine and abdomen surged forth, though the weakness from blood loss was gradually easing.
Lifting his eyes toward the sky, he found it was still the same dim night, thin mist, and damp clothing as before he'd lost consciousness.
Only ahead, a diminutive kobold held aloft a wand with a flame burning at its tip, becoming the only light in the quiet deep night.
Black Snake felt his head still spinning. After coming to his senses, he first let out a weak, breathy voice:
"How long have we been walking?"
Tang Qi patiently explained:
"We just passed one full day. It's only just turned to evening now, so about 6 hours or so."
"Without stopping?"
"I did travel all the way here from the Terran Empire, crossing mountains and rivers. Not fast, but I've got good stamina and walk steadily."
That's what he said, but Tang Qi's breathing was actually extremely labored, and even his legs were trembling somewhat.
Because he was rushing along as quickly as possible.
Their current walking speed should be considerably faster than the caravan's wagons.
This shortened what would have been a sixteen-hour journey by quite a bit.
After all, the caravan had numerous carts and horses, needing to maintain a relatively slow, steady pace to carry their full load of goods.
"Can we make it out?" Black Snake asked.
"Hey, I really don't like hearing you talk like that! Can't we be a bit more optimistic?
I've got good news for you—the hallucinogenic effects of the mist ended a while back—
This proves we've at least reached the forest's outer layer."
Once they entered the forest's outer layer, it meant they weren't far from Starberry Town.
Black Snake felt his wound throb with pain as they bounced along, coughing lightly twice:
"You bandaged me?"
"What else? You expect those orcs to mercifully hand over medical tools and healing potions to us?"
Tang Qi sighed.
"I deduced you went into shock from excessive blood loss.
But I had no tools on hand. No choice—I could only cut up Starshine's dimensional bag clothes into strips, bind them around your body, trying to apply pressure to stop the bleeding—
But for some reason, it just wouldn't stop.
I could only have Kuru use [Mold Earth] to coat those 'bandages' with dirt, constantly adding pressure.
Though I couldn't clean or disinfect the wounds, at least you woke up, which means my deduction was correct and this method had some use."
Tang Qi had seen Black Snake's injuries.
Besides the two axe wounds to his abdomen and spine...
Two indentations sunken into his back were squeezing blood from the wounds, flowing freely—
To let Shivana win that gladiatorial match...
Black Snake had deliberately exposed an opening, allowing that horizontal slash to land on his spine.
He had controlled the distance with considerable precision, so that axe blow didn't cause serious injury.
But when Babaya violently resisted, he'd had no choice but to rush before Tang Qi, taking the fatal impact in his place.
Yet it seemed some unknown source of necromantic aura clung to the wound.
Causing his clotting factors to fail to take effect...
"Speaking of which, it pisses me off—
That mage spent the whole journey boasting about how rich he was.
But when I searched his dimensional bag, forget healing potions—I didn't even see a medical kit or herbs.
No wonder he died at the hands of a kobold. Absolutely fucking stupid!"
"Kuru—smart!"
The kobold responded to Tang Qi's cursing.
But what he didn't know was that Starshine had signed an agreement with Explosivewolf before coming.
He was only responsible for spellcasting, while all expenses along the way would be borne by Explosivewolf.
So he didn't need to prepare much for this merchant journey.
Whatever supplies he needed, even precious healing potions—as long as he wanted them, he could obtain them from Explosivewolf—
But Explosivewolf had long since fled with his remnant forces.
Now, pondering these matters was completely meaningless.
"So, besides the wounds, do you feel unwell anywhere else?"
"My head is very dizzy, my body very hot."
"Without cleaning the wound, it's probably inflammation from infection... Damn it, I need to walk even faster.
Listen, you hold on for me! If I calculated correctly, it won't be long before we can return to Starberry Town.
The church in town definitely has herbs for cleaning wounds. When the time comes, I'll have the priest save you!"
"Those orcs..."
"We've left them far behind. They seem to have spent time scavenging around the camp. I stopped hearing the ground-shaking sounds of those giant tortoises long ago."
"Their destination is Starberry Town..."
"I know, I know."
Tang Qi gritted his teeth, suppressing the aching in his legs, quickening his pace while feigning nonchalance:
"That's why I'm already rushing to town as fast as I can, so I can get back early and tell that sweetheart of yours to hurry up and prepare to evacuate!"
Mentioning Catherine, even Tang Qi couldn't help but admire:
"But honestly, I never imagined you were actually an infatuated romantic.
I always thought you were one of those stereotype types who coveted girls younger than yourself—a scoundrel, you know?
Nothing better to do than pat her ass when she's serving drinks, then whistle lecherously...
But maybe I really misjudged you.
At least you're serious about Catherine, even willing to save my life for her sake."
Tang Qi couldn't think of any other reason Black Snake would block that attack.
It was simply that he himself could see through illusions and find the direction to Starberry Town.
Surely it couldn't really be because he coveted his hook.
"Of course, I'm not saying you saved me with ulterior motives. In fact, I truly need to thank you for stepping forward, otherwise I..."
"Your best way of thanking me is to shut that mouth of yours.
Right now, I just want to rest quietly for a while..."
Black Snake felt his eyelids growing heavy.
But Tang Qi became alarmed instead, urgently saying:
"Rest my ass! Keep 'resting' and you'll rest into the next life!
What you need now is to talk with me, focus your attention—
I'm talking so much because I don't want you to fall asleep, understand?"
"I'm fine..."
"Is whether you're fine up to you? You're human, not a troll that grows two heads when you cut off one!"
This was reality, not a game.
Becoming a high-level adventurer didn't increase your HP.
Refined skills made this rogue's body more nimble, his movements more agile.
But when actually taking damage, this unprotected mortal flesh was no different from Tang Qi's body.
"Don't you fucking want to see Catherine anymore?"
"Catherine..."
"Yes! Catherine, that girl you fancy!
Think about it—who in all of Starberry Town doesn't know you like her?
But she just gives you the cold shoulder—isn't it precisely because you lack the qualities she admires?
But this time, to escape the forest and help her evacuate, you nearly lost your life.
My God, if I were Catherine, hearing someone was this selfless for my sake...
I'd wash myself clean tonight, throw open the door, and immediately seal the deal—"
"Shut up."
Tang Qi froze, rather surprised by his reaction:
"Okay, okay, got it—you're pure-hearted.
Then let's change the subject—
Singing should be fine, right?
Though most poems from the Poet's Academy are long and tedious, there are actually quite a few presentable ballads.
Do you want to hear about the romantic affairs of Terran nobility, or about knights bravely fighting dragons? If not, there's also the romantic affairs of bards bravely fighting dragons—
Actually that song's content is pretty good, just a bit explicit, but maybe it'll get your blood pumping and promote circulation?
Well, I'm going to start singing—"
"Don't fucking sing a dirge, I'm not dead yet..."
Perhaps Tang Qi's words were too dense, becoming excessively noisy.
It actually roused Black Snake's spirits briefly, his throat producing a somewhat vigorous curse.
This way, Tang Qi felt much more relieved, laughing breathlessly:
"Think I'm noisy, think I'm annoying, right? Fine, I'm tired anyway, so I won't talk—you talk instead—
Tell me about yourself, how about it?
You used to be an adventurer, [Minions of the Sandalwood Grove], right?
You must have been to many places? The north's [Valley of Giants], the west coast's [Black Reef Harbor], the south's [Great Wall Border]...
Right, you definitely went south, after all you came out of the [Great Wasteland].
Why don't you tell me about these experiences? Maybe one day I'll walk in your same footsteps?"
Black Snake remained silent.
He had indeed been to these places.
But when recalling that fragmented party, the depression weighing on his heart made it impossible to speak.
Only his eyelids were truly heavy. He still had someone he wanted to see, and didn't want to fall asleep like this.
So he spoke with difficulty, his tone seemingly still teasing:
"What... you want to become an adventurer too?"
The content didn't matter—being willing to speak was good.
Actually Tang Qi didn't really care about his story:
"An adventurer? I just want to adventure, to have my songs accompany me to every corner of this world.
As for whether to take commissions and add that 'er'... I don't really care."
Black Snake's eyelids slowly lifted at this.
He opened his mouth, ultimately only asking:
"Just want to 'adventure'... why? Don't you care about your own life?"
"Of course I care."
Tang Qi smiled slightly, not minding being sincere with this benefactor:
"But you might not believe this—I've actually already died once. Just think of it as [Resurrection].
The taste of death is very unpleasant, a bit like becoming a drop of water that fell into water and dissolved in the water.
But in that final moment before I died, I suddenly realized—
What I feared most was never death itself.
What I feared was that right up until I died, I couldn't recall a single brilliant moment from my life...
A bland and boring existence."
Tang Qi thought of his past and couldn't help shaking his head:
"So when I discovered I had a chance to live again, I stopped caring so much about so-called life and death—
Compared to living in mediocrity, I yearn more for living brilliantly."
Living brilliantly would parallel with dying brilliantly, but that was really too inauspicious.
"Brilliantly..."
When that word echoed in his ears, Black Snake actually felt it was so familiar.
Even the corners of his mouth twitched slightly:
"But have you considered the price behind being 'brilliant'?"
"I have. Nothing perfect exists in this world.
But from your tone, you've already paid that 'price'?"
"Someone once asked me the same question—
'Why do you choose to adventure'?"
"Your answer was?"
"Adventure is like a mountain. Climbing it never needs a reason.
Because the mountain is there."
"And what did that person say?"
"'I'll wait for you.'"
Black Snake laughed derisively, though what he was mocking was unclear:
"So I left her and continued on my journey to scale the peaks.
Climbing mountain after mountain, wading through river after river.
Until, before that precipitous great mountain, I realized my own insignificance—
Only then did I finally feel fear."
Tang Qi hesitated: "The [Great Wasteland]?"
Black Snake didn't answer him, only continuing his account:
"So when I realized my eyes were completely unable to exhaust those unreachable peaks...
I ultimately chose to turn back.
'I'll wait for you.'
So I returned there, to that place beneath the golden oak tree."
Only now did Tang Qi realize that Black Snake's attachment to this small town wasn't as simple as he'd imagined:
"Wait, 'I'll wait for you'—
But when you left this town, how old was Catherine?
No, that's not right.
The one waiting for you wasn't her!?"
Tang Qi suddenly recalled Catherine's words on the eve of the Harvest Festival—
'Then perhaps I should thank my mother for letting me inherit all of her.'
His eyes widened as his mouth opened, barely comprehending everything.
He finally understood why Black Snake's behavior in the tavern was always so restrained.
Why his attitude toward that girl was always so strange.
Why, when he clearly could have fought his way out and escaped alone...
He still chose to bring him along—
He needed to recognize the way home.
To let the one he cared about avoid the orcs' plunder.
To live happily and peacefully.
Black Snake didn't respond to him.
The pupils hidden beneath his disheveled black hair were faintly unfocused.
He only smiled lightly, reminiscing:
"When I returned to this land and witnessed everything that had changed...
When I saw, beneath that golden tree's shadow, that smile identical to hers...
I finally realized what I had lost for those towering mountains, for that empty, laughable dream...
Having left that oak tree, I had no right to stand before her—
I didn't dare tell her my identity.
When she passed away, when that child needed me most, I was never by their side.
Why should she acknowledge me, the one who abandoned them?
I could only watch her.
I only wanted to watch her...
Watch her live well, grow up well.
That was enough."
Hearing Black Snake behind him was becoming increasingly delirious and rambling, speaking as if no one else existed...
Tang Qi realized something was wrong.
Perhaps the man behind him had never truly regained consciousness.
He was only sustained by his longing to see that person.
Supporting himself through his dying lucidity.
The mist ahead grew increasingly thin.
Tang Qi disregarded his aching legs, quickening his forward steps:
"Wait—you bastard, stop fucking talking in your sleep! Wake up—we're almost there!"
"Foul-mouthed poet... I saved your life."
"Yes, I know! I fucking thank you, so let me save your life too, can you!?"
Tang Qi gritted his teeth and charged past Kuru, who was leading the way.
He ignored the pressure on his heart and lungs, running with all his might.
"I need you to do me a favor..."
"Fuck off, I'm not helping! If you have any unfinished business—whether it's acknowledging her or apologizing—wait until after you survive to do it yourself!"
He rushed through the thin mist and ran through the dim, damp forest.
Day and night hadn't alternated.
But he could still make out the outline of that village town in the darkness—
Wooden palisades for defense surrounded the town's perimeter, burning torches thrust into them, spreading out to illuminate the entire town.
A few village militia held spears, standing alert before the firelight.
Panic filled the town, every household tightly shut their doors, candlelight flickering faintly between window cracks like their anxious, restless heartbeats.
"Take her away from here. Let her... live."
"Bastard, did you hear what I said!?"
Tang Qi crossed the golden wheat fields, running along the muddy rural dirt road.
The closer he got to that firelight, the clearer his vision became.
He even saw, standing before the palisade gate, a fiery red silhouette filled with worry.
She spotted the torch Kuru held high on the dirt road.
Saw clearly the weakened person on Tang Qi's back.
She rushed out from the palisade, letting mud splash on her boots and skirt.
Tang Qi gripped Black Snake's thigh, practically roaring with all his might:
"Hey, see that? It's Catherine! She already recognized you—she knew something might have happened to you—that's why she's standing at the gate waiting for you!"
As if hearing the call...
Black Snake sluggishly moved his arms, grasping tightly at the necklace he'd always worn at his chest.
"Wake up, wake up more! Open your eyes and look—she's right there—we're almost there!"
Never before had the man felt his eyelids become so heavy.
But he still lifted his hazy eyes.
In his unfocused pupils, only that approaching flash of fiery red color.
"Ah, Catherine..."
My daughter.
I'm so sorry, on your path of growth...
Daddy couldn't accompany you.
You can blame me all you want...
I came too late.
The corners of the man's mouth pulled into a final smile.
His rough palm slowly fell from his chest.
Only—he still clutched tightly that most precious treasure of his life.
A silver ring set with a ruby, threaded on a thin cord, the gemstone showing a wine-red luster.
As radiant as her hair.
But you know that.
I think you know.
I truly.
Truly—
"I truly love you so much."