Chapter 31: The Sulfurfire Mercenary Corps

“Do you know me?” Qin Liang looked at the young girl with curiosity.

The girl nodded. “At the Jiang family’s house last time, it was Young Master Qin who saved Ling Fei. I didn’t realize you had become so powerful.”

Hearing this, Qin Liang recalled the incident but remained puzzled.

Back then, he was a masked figure in black. Ling Fei had just completed her second spirit refinement—although now she was at the third—so how could she recognize that the masked man was him?

Noticing Qin Liang’s confusion, Ling Fei explained, “Young Master Qin, your voice was the same as before.”

“I see,” Qin Liang said with realization. Though his face was covered, he hadn’t changed his voice.

If he hadn’t killed Zhong Wei, Zhong Wei would surely have remembered later that his opponent was Qin Liang.

“If you’re not busy, Young Master Qin, please accompany me to my home. My father often thinks of you and has long wished to repay your kindness, though we’ve never met,” Ling Fei invited earnestly. Twice saved by him, she had no way to express her gratitude.

“Well…” Qin Liang hesitated, then said, “I’m about to buy a map and head to Rainbow Mist Mountain, so it’s not very convenient.”

Ling Fei’s eyes lit up with joy. “In that case, why don’t you come with us into the mountain? Our Sulfur Fire Mercenary Group is also preparing to enter, so we can look out for each other.”

“The Sulfur Fire Mercenary Group?” Qin Liang asked in surprise. “Your father is...?”

He had heard of this mercenary group—they operated near Sulfur City, often making a living by hunting in the mountains and taking on jobs within them.

“My father is the captain of the Sulfur Fire Mercenary Group,” Ling Fei explained before spotting a familiar figure. She waved and called out, “Father, I’m here!”

A sturdy, bronze-skinned middle-aged man hurried over, a worried look on his face. “Fei’er, are you alright? I just heard the Wang family caused trouble—did they hurt you?”

Seeing Ling Fei unharmed, he sighed with relief, then eyed Qin Liang cautiously. “Who might you be?”

“Father, this is the benefactor I told you about. It turns out he is Young Master Qin,” Ling Fei explained. “Fortunately, Young Master Qin arrived just in time; otherwise, I might have been in danger again.”

“Oh! So you’re Young Master Qin! I’ll never forget the debt of saving my daughter,” Ling Dehai said warmly, his face beaming with joy. He grasped Qin Liang’s hand enthusiastically. “If you don’t mind, please come with me back to the group for a drink—we won’t stop until we’re drunk.”

Such genuine warmth was a bit overwhelming for the still-youthful Qin Liang.

After a moment’s thought, he made up his mind. The Sulfur Fire Mercenary Group had spent years in the mountains; their knowledge of Rainbow Mist Mountain might surpass any map. He nodded promptly. “Then I won’t refuse your kind offer.”

Father and daughter were delighted as they welcomed Qin Liang onto the beast-drawn carriage, heading out beyond the city.

“Don’t be alarmed, Young Master Qin. This silver-horned deer pulling the carriage has been raised by the group since it was young. It’s not very fierce,” Ling Dehai explained warmly when Qin Liang showed a hint of unease.

“I see,” Qin Liang thought with surprise. So mystical beasts could be domesticated.

“Recently, your name has been renowned throughout the city, Young Master Qin. Now that I see you in person, you truly are a remarkable young man!” Ling Dehai showered him with compliments aboard the carriage.

Judging by his manner, if his daughter weren’t present, he might have asked to swear brotherhood with Qin Liang then and there.

“Much appreciated, but you flatter me,” Qin Liang replied politely.

The carriage left the city, heading toward Rainbow Mist Mountain, growing more remote by the mile.

Rainbow Mist Mountain covered a vast area, stretching hundreds of miles. It was home to many fierce birds and beasts, as well as rare spiritual flowers and herbs, making it one of Sulfur City’s primary sources for medicinal ingredients. Travelers often ventured there to gather these treasures.

From afar, the mountain appeared enchanting, shrouded in a mist of spiritual energy—a true land of wonder.

At the mountain’s foot, beside a clear stream, the Sulfur Fire Mercenary Group had established their camp, resembling a small village.

Qin Liang followed Ling Dehai and Ling Fei to the camp, immediately sensing the air had grown fresher.

His spiritual perception detected the rich flow of natural energy in the valley—it was truly a suitable place to live.

“Xiao Chuan, we have honored guests today. Roast the black-striped leopard we hunted last time and open two jars of good wine to entertain them. Tonight, we drink until we drop,” Ling Dehai instructed a burly young man.

“Yes, sir!” Mu Chuan responded cheerfully and sincerely.

“Captain Ling, you needn’t go to such trouble,” Qin Liang said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Ling Dehai waved his hand. “It’s no problem. We live off the mountain’s bounty—there’s plenty of meat to go around. And please, don’t call me captain. If you don’t mind, just call me Brother Ling.”

“Alright then, Brother Ling!” Qin Liang nodded, then followed the father and daughter to take a seat.

“To be honest, Brother Ling, I’m here to venture into the mountains to train and seek out spiritual materials to improve my cultivation,” Qin Liang explained.

“I see. We’ll organize an expedition tomorrow; you can come along with us,” Ling Dehai said. “The mountain is dangerous; the more people, the safer.”

“By the way, here’s a map of the mountain. It’s a gift for you, Brother Qin, so you don’t get lost tomorrow and can find your way back,” he added, pulling a piece of beast hide from his spatial pouch and handing it over.

Qin Liang examined the hide, which bore intricate drawings of mountain ranges and paths, clearly marking where beast lairs were located. But the map ended abruptly at the hide’s edge, leaving him curious.

Ling Dehai explained that the map only covered the known safe zones nearby; no one had been able to chart the deeper parts of the mountain.

The heart of Rainbow Mist Mountain was treacherous, filled with strange forests and winding ravines; no single map could capture its full complexity.

“Only those who have been there know the deeper parts. Without a guide, even with a map, it’s easy to get lost,” Ling Dehai said seriously. “Years ago, I wandered in by mistake and nearly lost my life. Luckily, the mountain’s master showed mercy, allowing me to escape. Even now, thinking back makes my heart race.”

“The mountain’s master?” Qin Liang frowned. He knew the mountain was dangerous, but had never heard of a master ruling its depths.

Ling Dehai nodded. “There’s a fierce beast rumored to be the ruler of the mountain—a tyrant among the monsters. No one has seen its true form; its movements are shrouded in mystery.”

“A fierce beast?” Qin Liang’s expression darkened. Though similar in name, ‘fierce beast’ and ‘monster’ were very different. Fierce beasts were on another level of ferocity.

Monsters at the Condensation Yuan stage were much more aggressive and impossible to tame. They were called fierce beasts because even experts at that realm risked death if they encountered one in the mountain.

“Brother Qin, if you get lost in the mountain, stay far away from the core area...” Ling Dehai warned patiently, sharing various prohibitions for entering the mountain.

“Thank you, Brother Ling,” Qin Liang said, raising his cup to sip the wine.

Ling Dehai followed suit with a smile. “Just yesterday, Ji Gang returned from hunting and said he discovered a cave that might contain spiritual herbs, but it’s guarded by a monster. Tomorrow, you’ll come with us to meet it—kill the beast and seize the fortune.”

Qin Liang’s heart stirred with excitement. He hadn’t expected to learn the location of spiritual herbs so soon.

“In that case, I’ll accompany you on this journey, Brother Ling!” Qin Liang said without hesitation. This was exactly why he came.

When the black-striped leopard meat was roasted, everyone shared it with fine wine, drinking late into the night.

Thanks to his supreme Celestial-Grade cultivation technique, Qin Liang remained sober despite ten cups of wine.

The next morning, several mercenary members readied themselves to set out with Ling Dehai, Qin Liang among them; the rest stayed behind to guard the valley village.

Ling Fei waved from behind, calling out, “Father, Young Master Qin, be careful!”