Translator: AnubisTL
"Gang Leader Tian Long, it's been a long time," Li Qing said with a confident smile on his ordinary face.
Tian Long, the leader of the Righteous Gang, watched Li Qing approach with his hands clasped behind his back. He finally confirmed it—this was the same man who had fought alongside him against the Yan Family six years ago!
Nearly six years had passed since they last met, and Tian Long felt a momentary daze.
Time seemed to have left few marks on Li Qing's face. He still maintained his calm and composed demeanor, his features unremarkable, yet his aura had deepened, resembling a tranquil, bottomless pool.
"Brother Li, it really is you! I was just wondering if that man carrying the giant hammer was you!" Tian Long's voice suddenly became animated.
Though their time together had been brief, sometimes friendships between men are forged regardless of time.
The Righteous Gang's unparalleled foundation in Blackrock City had been built by the two of them working together!
Based on that bond alone, Tian Long felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Li Qing.
"Where have you been all these years? I've grown old," Tian Long sighed.
Wei Tian and Zhao Kou quickly stepped forward, their faces beaming with joy, unable to contain their excitement.
"Master Li!" Wei Tian hesitated for a moment before reverting to his previous address for Li Qing.
Six years ago, he had attempted to steal from Li Qing's home, only to be caught by the scruff of his neck and lifted up with a single hand. The memory was still fresh in his mind.
Zhao Kou, on the other hand, was more relaxed, calling Li Qing "Brother Li."
"Brother Li, after all these years, you've finally returned!"
Li Qing responded to their greetings with a carefree chuckle. "I've been immersed in the Martial Path these past few years, traveling the world. I'm back now to handle some business, and I thought I'd stop by Blackrock City to see you all."
And maybe pick up some gold, silver, and jewels along the way~
Of course, he didn't say the last part out loud.
Six years had etched several wrinkles onto Tian Long's face.
And Zhao Kou, once a ruthless young man, had matured considerably.
As for Wei Tian, he was now nearing thirty, and a newfound maturity had settled upon him.
Tian Long burst into hearty laughter, shouting, "Hahahaha! Hurry and fetch Miss An for me! Today is a day of great joy!"
They had too much to say to stand chatting at the entrance.
As they entered the mansion gates, Tian Long raised his massive hand, feigning anger. "I told you long ago that the first thing every new recruit must do is memorize Brother Li's portrait! Why does no one take this seriously?"
The subordinate who had just reported the information immediately knelt beside Tian Long. "This subordinate deserves death. Please, Gang Leader, punish me."
"Hmph, you witless fool! Get out of my sight!" Tian Long waved his hand dismissively, sending the man scurrying away.
Li Qing, hearing these words, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. So Tian Long still keeps my portrait?
This was a thoughtful gesture, even he hadn't expected such a thing.
As they walked deeper into the mansion, the furnishings and scenery differed significantly from Li Qing's memories.
The classical wooden structures had all been replaced with buildings made of mushroom trees, and many places were adorned with glowing mushrooms. The courtyard itself was planted with numerous strange ornamental mushrooms.
Li Qing, rarely impressed, found himself genuinely astonished by this bizarre and surreal courtyard scene.
The World of Eternal Night was changing more and more drastically, already beginning to clash with his established worldview.
To celebrate Li Qing's return, a feast had been prepared within the mansion.
Platters of various rare and edible mushrooms discovered by the Righteous Gang over the years were served one after another.
In addition, a whole animal resembling a wild boar was placed in the center of the table.
Before Li Qing could ask about the unfamiliar meat, a clear, melodious voice, like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley, rang out:
"Brother Li! Is it really you back?!"
In the courtyard's shadows, the faint glow of the glowing mushrooms illuminated a slender figure in a pale green gauze dress. She moved with light steps, her fair skin accentuating her sweet smile.
It was none other than An Xuan, the granddaughter Old Man An had raised!
The little girl who had been vaguely recognizable as a beauty six years ago had now blossomed into a graceful young woman.
"An Xuan? Time flies, you've grown so much, Miss An," Li Qing said, slightly stunned. His thoughts drifted back to the past.
His memories of An Xuan were still rooted in the distant past, when she was pale and thin, clearly malnourished. The only thing that stood out then were her well-defined features and her clear, bright eyes.
"Brother Li!" An Xuan approached, her steps slowing as tears welled up in her eyes.
In her memory, the blacksmith across the street had done so much for her family. Six years had passed in the blink of an eye, and she never expected to see him again.
"Where's your grandfather? I don't see him."
As Li Qing spoke, he noticed the expressions on the others' faces and realized Old Man An had likely passed away.
"Ah, Old Man An and Old Man Mo both passed away within three years of your departure," Tian Long said from the side.
"I see," Li Qing nodded, realizing how much had changed in six years.
"Hahaha, let's not dwell on that. It's rare for you to be back today. We must feast!"
As Tian Long spoke, he began to beckon Li Qing over.
It was then that Li Qing finally asked his question: "Gang Leader Tian Long, may I ask what kind of meat this is?"
Tian Long gave a mysterious smile. "Heh heh, remember when we overthrew the Yan Family and found all that fresh meat in their warehouse?"
"After you left, I made sure to investigate everything thoroughly."
"At first, the Yan Family would send the Dark Wheat Mushrooms they collected every so often to a place called Tianliang Mountain. But then they stopped. That's because a force in Giant Rock City to the west started selling meat—this Armored Pig!"
"It takes thirty cartloads of Dark Wheat Mushrooms to trade for a single Armored Pig, and even then, it's already dead. They never sell them alive."
"That's fucking highway robbery!"
Li Qing narrowed his eyes slightly, listening intently.
Armored Pig? There's such an animal?
Tian Long continued, "These Armored Pigs are covered in a layer of armor, and they look pretty much like regular pigs. They grow fat just by eating Dark Wheat Mushrooms."
"We never saw these pigs before the sun disappeared. They must have appeared in the last decade or so."
Curious, Li Qing tasted a small piece of the strange Armored Pig meat.
The taste and texture were similar to pork, but the meat was firmer. When cooked, it sizzled with oil and released a rich, meaty aroma.
"Interesting," Li Qing said, savoring the Armored Pig meat. "Gang Leader Tian Long, have you uncovered anything about Tianliang Mountain over the years?"
Tian Long shook his head. "That Tianliang Mountain is nowhere to be found. My caravans have crisscrossed the entire Black Wind Domain these past few years, but I've only heard whispers from a handful of people. They say it's a place of immortals, shrouded in mystery."
"If immortals truly exist, why haven't they brought back the sun?"
"Utter nonsense!"
"Without the sun, we can't grow crops! We wouldn't even have a place to brew alcohol!"
Li Qing merely smiled faintly. Mushrooms from the fields might fill your stomach, but no one had yet discovered how to make wine.
In this World of Eternal Night, any alcohol that remained was likely a rare relic from the sunlit era. If you were lucky, you might unearth a jar from an underground cellar.
But each jar that surfaced would be priceless, a treasure beyond compare.
Finally, after a satisfying meal, Li Qing requested to see the Armored Pig.
Tian Long readily agreed.
(End of the Chapter)
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