Chapter 51: The Crossroads of Choice

By the time evening fell, Cui Yuanhai slowly awoke. Qian Ye, upon hearing the news, immediately rushed over, preparing some light food and wine in a secluded and elegant room, sitting across from him to share a drink.

“Old man, I never expected it would take so long for us to meet again,” Qian Ye said with a sigh.

Cui Yuanhai sighed, “If I had known this, I might as well have enjoyed a peaceful life in that small place in the Western Continent.”

Qian Ye smiled, “With your skills, there’s no way you could enjoy a quiet life anywhere. Sooner or later, someone would find you.”

Cui Yuanhai seemed to be touched by something deep within, he downed the wine in his cup in one go, then said, “I’ve ended up like this because of my reckless decisions when I was young. I always thought I could carve out my own world, and refused all the invitations from the great families. At that time, I had no idea how profoundly intricate the field of origin array weapons is. The equipment alone in some areas is worth a fortune, far beyond what an individual can afford. Without these resources, relying only on myself, the path becomes narrower. Now, at this age, I’m nothing more than a craftsman.”

Recalling their first meeting, the old man merely owned a small shop where he could still fit all his tools. That ingenious “Bullet” was crafted by him with a small hammer.

But now, from Qian Ye’s perspective, the design of the “Bullet” was too clever, not the true way.

The “Bullet” was certainly exquisite, but its tier was low, limiting its power. It was no longer within Qian Ye’s high standards.

Cui Yuanhai’s own strength wasn’t high, and without large-scale equipment, his understanding of major origin arrays and truly advanced weapon arrays was limited, becoming a bottleneck. He could only improve in minor techniques, but there was a limit. Just like the “Bullet,” real powerhouses would have no use for it.

For both cultivation and the expensive equipment, only the powerful and wealthy families had the necessary resources to support Cui Yuanhai’s growth. But by the time he realized this, he was already too old, and his once-great talent had been wasted in small workshops.

Thinking about this, Qian Ye couldn’t help but feel a pang. If Lin Xitang hadn’t picked him up from the garbage heap of Evernight and nurtured him in both Netherworld and Red Scorpion, he might not have achieved what he has today. After all, in terms of resources, few could surpass the Empire’s military.

Cui Yuanhai, filled with melancholy, drank sullenly for a while before recounting what happened after they parted.

Back then, amid the chaos, Cui Yuanhai, due to his status as a master gunsmith, did not suffer much. However, he was sold several times, changing hands multiple times, until a steward of the Tide City Lord’s mansion bought him, finally giving him stability.

So despite Qian Ye’s repeated inquiries, he found no trace, and often hit dead ends. If not for accidentally seeing those weapons, they might never have met again.

They continued to drink, talking about the past, and gradually, the alcohol made them warm and lively.

“Where are Qian Ye and the little one?” the old man asked. He had brought up this topic several times, but Qian Ye always avoided it. This time, the old man stubbornly stared at Qian Ye, not allowing him to evade the question.

Qian Ye forced a smile and said, “The little one is doing well. He’s growing, so he sleeps a lot. As for Qian Ye… she’s gone.”

“Gone?!”

“She left. This place was never her home.”

The old man’s eyes widened in anger, “Nonsense! You were living well together, how could she just leave? Something must have happened, right? Did you do something wrong to her?”

Qian Ye shook his head with a bitter smile, “No. How to explain… let’s not talk about it.”

The old man understood there was more to it and, seeing Qian Ye’s demeanor, decided not to push further, lest he reopen old wounds.

He poured Qian Ye another drink and changed the subject, “It’s rare that you still remember me. Working in the weapon workshop for a while, I’ve gained some insights. I don’t feel so old anymore. If you need anything, just say the word.”

Qian Ye perked up, “I recently found a good place and plan to build a large weapon workshop there. If you’re not averse, you could come and oversee it.”

“That’s suitable for me. But the equipment isn’t cheap!”

“The equipment is already prepared, no need to worry.”

Cui Yuanhai’s spirits lifted, and he asked a few detailed questions. When he heard the model numbers Qian Ye listed, he was shocked, “These are forbidden items in the Empire! How did you get them?”

“Even forbidden items, someone always has a way.”

Qian Ye didn’t elaborate. Song Zining had been operating in the Empire for years, accumulating a reputation in the military, making it easy to procure such equipment.

After a while, the old man grew weak, unable to handle the alcohol, and slumped onto the table. Even in his drunken state, he sighed, seemingly regretting the wasted time.

Qian Ye helped him back to his room, laid him on the bed, and quietly left.

He walked out, leaped lightly, landing like a night bird on the top of a nearby power tower. This was the highest point in the area, under the stars, overlooking the city lights.

Tonight, his thoughts were stirred by Cui Yuanhai. In this moment, he had no desire to do anything, just wanted to stay here undisturbed.

Sitting on the power tower, he unconsciously played with a small box in his hand, his face showing a struggle, unable to make a decision.

Those past days still lingered in his mind. The happiest moments were when Qian Ye was at home, and he was fighting. Carrying the responsibility of supporting a family, he was actually happy.

If he could choose again, Qian Ye would not go to war; he would stay with her, accompanying her for a long time.

Sadly, there is no “if.” Even the powerful Finger Peak King was buried in the neutral realm.

“What’s in your hand?” Ji Tianqing’s voice suddenly rang out, startling Qian Ye.

She sat down unceremoniously next to him, grabbed the small box, and prepared to open it.

Qian Ye, alarmed, tried to grab it back, shouting, “Don’t!”

Ji Tianqing deftly twisted away, hiding the box behind her, thrusting her chest out, challenging Qian Ye. Her move made Qian Ye’s hand reach towards her chest. Qian Ye, startled, quickly withdrew. This sudden movement, even with his robust body, left him feeling uncomfortable.

Ji Tianqing turned around, ready to open the box.

“You can’t open it! That’s…”

“Dream-Eating Worm Queen, right?”

Qian Ye, who was about to grab it, froze mid-air, stunned, “How did you know?”

Ji Tianqing looked disdainfully, tossing the box back to Qian Ye, “This kind of box is used for Dream-Eating Worm Queens. And with such obvious aura leakage, anyone would notice.”

“Aura leakage?” Qian Ye instinctively felt a sense of unease.

“The box you have isn’t meant for a Dream-Eating Worm Queen. So it can’t contain its aura. If you hadn’t kept it in a spatial equipment, it would have become useless long ago.”

Qian Ye was shocked. If the Dream-Eating Worm Queen failed, all his efforts would be for naught. At the thought, his face paled instantly.

Ji Tianqing, looking at Qian Ye, said meaningfully, “You’ve been keeping this for a long time, haven’t you?”

Qian Ye didn’t speak, nodding silently after a while.

“Actually, I sensed it when you put the Heart-Burial and East Peak back into the necklace. So I was curious, and if you hadn’t taken it out, I would have asked.”

Qian Ye clenched his right hand, trembling slightly from the effort.

Ji Tianqing suddenly sighed, tossing a small porcelain bottle to Qian Ye. The bottle emitted a faint, indescribable fragrance. Qian Ye, sniffing it, was surprised, “Mirror Water Rebirth?”

“Just a small portion, not a full one. But it’s enough to revive the Dream-Eating Worm Queen and enhance its effects. Use it or not, think carefully.”

“This…”

“Mirror Water Rebirth will expire in a day. The Dream-Eating Worm Queen can only last a day. If it revives, and you keep it in this box, it can only last three days.”

Qian Ye hesitated, then asked, “Do… do you have something to contain it?”

“Do you think I have everything? Why would I carry such useless things?” Ji Tianqing replied irritably.

Qian Ye, reprimanded, sighed, “I understand. Thank you, tonight.”

Ji Tianqing shook her head, “Don’t thank me. Maybe I had bad intentions.”

“… ” Qian Ye, stunned, thought of something, but found it hard to believe.

“Well, continue to brood here, I’m going to sleep.” Ji Tianqing got up, leaping off the power tower, not giving Qian Ye a chance to ask more.

After she left, Qian Ye looked at the Mirror Water Rebirth and the Dream-Eating Worm Queen in his hand, knowing he could no longer avoid making a choice.

Since obtaining the Dream-Eating Worm Queen, Qian Ye had chosen to forget about it, for one reason. Deep down, he believed that Qian Ye awakened because of the Dream-Eating Worm.

For Qian Ye, the past and present wills were hard to distinguish, perhaps both were true, but each was only a part. For Qian Ye, only the past Qian Ye was the real her. Until now, he didn’t know how to face the current Qian Ye, unsure if he should still consider her the same person.

Qian Ye had not given the Dream-Eating Worm Queen to Qian Ye, fearing that if she fully awakened, she might completely bury the past, with no chance of returning.

On the other hand, Qian Ye’s soul remained incomplete, significantly affecting her strength. Her soul, if unrepaired, could never ascend or even approach the Holy Mountain.

Now, Qian Ye’s combat power barely reached the duke level, with real blood vitality only at the marquis level. In the vast system of the Blood Race, she was still vulnerable. If the Lightless King sent a powerful duke, or came personally, Qian Ye might not even have a chance to escape.

Qian Ye held the Dream-Eating Worm Queen in one hand and the Mirror Water Rebirth in the other, both hands trembling.