[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-beyond-the-passage-of-time":3,"chapter-beyond-the-passage-of-time-beyond-the-passage-of-time-chapter-19":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Beyond the Passage of Time",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2344459,4583,"Chapter 19: Human Fireworks","beyond-the-passage-of-time-chapter-19",19,"\u003Cp>In the scavenger camp, aside from the necessities for survival, the most abundant thing is meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the forbidden zone is nearby and scavengers head there every day, edible meat is sold at many stalls in the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, upon hearing that Xu Qing wanted to eat snake, a hearty smile appeared on the wrinkled face of Team Leader Lei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood that the reason the boy mentioned eating snake was because of the words he had once spoken; clearly, the child before him had firmly kept them in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he stopped Xu Qing from going out to buy meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The people in this camp are all cunning. You don't know much about the exotic beasts of the forbidden zone, so it's easy to be cheated or encounter forced buying and selling. I'd better go,\" Team Leader Lei said as he stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the words \"forced buying and selling,\" Xu Qing subconsciously touched his iron skewer, pondered for a moment, and said earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They won't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team Leader Lei glanced at the iron skewer, let out a dumbfounded laugh, said nothing more, and walked straight out of the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Team Leader Lei’s figure, Xu Qing thought for a moment, went to the side room, carefully washed the pots and bowls inside, wiped the table clean, and finally set out three sets of bowls and chopsticks. Looking at the extra set, Xu Qing suddenly understood something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is a person who will never arrive.\" Those words of Team Leader Lei surfaced in his mind, and in silence, he placed the third set of bowls and chopsticks next to Team Leader Lei’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chair was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing this, Xu Qing turned back to look at the courtyard outside the door. It was already dusk, and the wind blowing in felt somewhat cold, seemingly carrying faint traces of snowflakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the season of late March, for the eastern part of Nanhuangzhou, although the earth is warming and all things are reviving, winter seems unwilling to leave, occasionally scattering snowflakes to tell all things that it has not yet departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, snowflakes drifted under the gray sky, blown down by the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if they were falling from the heavens to the human world, spreading across the earth while being rapidly melted by the warmth of the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, all that could be seen was mud covering the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how noble a place one comes from, no matter how clean one is, in this human world, one must still mix with the mire, blending into it, indistinguishable from one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was hard to tell if the wind contained the snow, making it colder, or if the snow infected the wind, making it more frigid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it blew across the earth, the camp, and the bamboo courtyard houses, Xu Qing felt a bit cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he is a cultivator, the fear of cold accumulated deep in his memories over many years still made him feel uncomfortable in this chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not until he was in this cold wind that he saw a stumbling figure walking from afar against the wind and snow. The moment the figure pushed open the courtyard gate and appeared, a voice filled with laughter broke through the wind and snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kid, you're in for a treat today. Look at what I bought—this is a red-flower snake. The meat quality is superb. I'll show you my skills in a moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carrying a snake carcass, Team Leader Lei took long strides into the side room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing the cleanliness of the side room, the arrangement of the table and chairs, and the bowls and chopsticks—especially seeing the two sets placed side by side—a smile appeared on Team Leader Lei’s wrinkled face, and he looked deeply at Xu Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Want to learn how to cook snake?\" Team Leader Lei asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Xu Qing’s eyes lit up. He was eager for all knowledge he did not possess, especially since the snake cooked by Team Leader Lei was delicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team Leader Lei laughed, beckoned Xu Qing to his side, and began to explain while preparing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For this snake, logically speaking, you should cut off the head and tail. But those people don't know that the snake tail must be removed because it contains the excretory opening. However, if you handle the snake head properly, it can enhance the flavor of the entire dish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team Leader Lei was very happy when talking about cooking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing listened very attentively, watching as Team Leader Lei cleaned the snake, skinned it, removed the internal organs and other debris, and chopped it into segments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kid, you must remember, whether the meat leaves an aftertaste in your mouth depends on the broth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Team Leader Lei began to simmer the broth in a clay pot, adding many medicinal herbs, and finally threw in the prepared snake head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After doing this, as the fragrance overflowed, Xu Qing swallowed his saliva. Seeing his expression, Team Leader Lei laughed heartily, took out a cleaned pot, and began stir-frying the snake meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, with the sound of sizzling echoing, waves of rich aroma and heat rushed toward them, filling the entire side room and drifting outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed to dispel all the cold, causing Xu Qing’s stomach to rumble uncontrollably. Watching the tumbling snake meat, his eyes went straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, after Team Leader Lei finished cooking, he put the stir-fried snake meat into the clay pot, placed the lid on, and looked at Xu Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you learn it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing stared at the clay pot and nodded vigorously. He had seen the whole process and didn't think it was very difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Team Leader Lei smiled slightly. When he returned from leaving the side room, he held two wine flasks. He tossed one to Xu Qing, kept one for himself, and took a sip with a sigh of admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no shortage of meat in the camp, but this wine is a rare commodity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing picked up the flask and looked at the murky liquid inside; he had never drunk wine before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Team Leader Lei said, this was a rare commodity; it didn't exist in the slums, and only the big shots in the city could taste it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing Team Leader Lei’s look of enjoyment after drinking, Xu Qing hesitantly put it to his lips. After taking a sip, he frowned, feeling the spiciness filling his mouth, but he swallowed it anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of heat emerged from his throat, flowed down his esophagus into his stomach, and then violently exploded, spreading throughout his body and turning into a breath that surged into his mouth, making him open his mouth and exhale a puff of wine vapor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn't taste good.\" Xu Qing looked at Team Leader Lei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Team Leader Lei laughed out loud, pointed at Xu Qing, and said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are still too young to appreciate the taste of wine. When you grow up, you will definitely like it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Team Leader Lei spoke, he reached to take the flask from Xu Qing’s hand, but Xu Qing dodged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll try again.\" Xu Qing said earnestly, and took another sip. Although he was still frowning, he had adapted to the strange taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, under Team Leader Lei’s good-natured mockery of Xu Qing’s drinking, the snake meat was ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he brought the clay pot over and opened the lid, the aroma spread instantly. Xu Qing’s Adam’s apple moved involuntarily. He put down the flask, and after Team Leader Lei picked up a piece first, Xu Qing immediately poked a piece with his chopsticks and swallowed it in big gulps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still couldn't break the habit of wolfing down his food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that, amidst the wind and snow outside, the old man and the young boy inside the house drank wine and ate meat, and a sense of warmth permeated the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Xu Qing struggle to hold his chopsticks in an awkward posture, a softness appeared in the depths of Team Leader Lei’s eyes, and he murmured in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is a child after all, it's a pity... to live in this cruel world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the wind and snow outside blew through, and because the structure of the house had gaps, it still crept in and landed on Xu Qing. Although he was sweating from eating, he was still somewhat resistant to the cold wind and shrank his body slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This subtle action fell into Team Leader Lei’s eyes; he was thoughtful but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Xu Qing followed Team Leader Lei’s example and took another big gulp of wine. After exhaling the wine vapor, he looked at the old man who had brought him out of the ruined city and settled him here, and suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your injury...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine. I've survived for so many years, how could I die so easily? It's nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing was silent. He had wanted to ask Team Leader Lei about his cultivation foundation being crippled, but remembering the scene in the forbidden zone, he ultimately did not speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meal lasted a long time. Until Team Leader Lei had emptied the flask in his hand, he stood up, his eyes somewhat hazy, and returned to his room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his figure, Xu Qing clearly felt that the aura Team Leader Lei once possessed seemed to have dissipated with this return from the forbidden zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing was silent. After a while, he stood up, cleared the table, washed the pots and bowls, and put them away neatly before returning to his own room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting on the bed frame, he looked up at the wind and snow outside the window, shrank his body, and took out the leather bag of the Blood Shadow Captain he had picked up in the forbidden zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there were no elixirs inside, there were many spirit coins and quite a few miscellaneous items. Xu Qing checked them one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he took out a black glove. The glove did not look like leather; it had a metallic texture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon trying it, Xu Qing found that this item was very resilient and had decent defensive power. He put it on and threw a few punches, feeling it was quite good, so he took it off, closed his eyes to meditate, and began to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night passed without incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When dawn broke, the wind and snow were still falling, but it had slowed down a lot. However, the cold of the night meant that the snowflakes could finally remain on the ground for some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when Xu Qing walked out of the room, he saw the snow tracks on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing tightened his clothes, swept his gaze over Team Leader Lei’s residence, and walked out of the courtyard. He felt he should do something, such as buying some White Pills for Team Leader Lei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So after walking out, Xu Qing stepped on the snow, and with the crunching sound, he walked toward the grocery store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing by Master Bai’s caravan tent, Xu Qing heard the faint sound of young boys and girls reading inside. This sound made his footsteps pause, and he looked over with envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, he withdrew his gaze, turned silently, and walked toward the grocery store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he approached, from afar, Xu Qing saw the little girl outside the grocery store, working hard to clear the snow tracks. Her clothes were a bit thin, her small hands were frozen red, and mist was coming from her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After not seeing her for several days, the little girl seemed to have adapted to life in the camp. Although she was very tired, she was cleaning very diligently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it was still snowing, she continued to clean, only the scar that had ruined her face was somewhat prominent in the morning sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Xu Qing approached, the little girl noticed him. After looking up and seeing Xu Qing, her eyes lit up, and a happy smile appeared on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Morning...\" Xu Qing was not used to this kind of greeting. He nodded and looked into the grocery store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because it was just dawn, or perhaps because of the weather, there was no one inside, and the shopkeeper was not there either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want to buy? I'll get it for you,\" the little girl said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"White Pills.\" Xu Qing looked at the little girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the little girl leaned the broom in her hand against the wall. After leading Xu Qing into the shop, she ran behind the counter to search. Soon, she took out a few leather bags, opened them to look, and put them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, she took out another one and handed it to Xu Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The proprietor has a rule that only five can be sold a day, so I can't sell you more,\" the little girl said, looking at Xu Qing with some apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing could understand. After taking the leather bag and opening it to glance inside, his eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He noticed that the quality of the White Pills in this bag was much better than what he had bought before; in fact, three of them had no green color at all, and a faint medicinal fragrance was emanating from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the little girl’s previous actions, Xu Qing looked up at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's nothing, it's within my authority,\" the little girl blinked and said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing looked deeply at the little girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to thank me for such a small thing. I should be thanking you; if it weren't for you, I'm afraid I wouldn't have survived until now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girl’s smile was bright, and there seemed to be light in her eyes. After finishing, she seemed to have thought of something, and while seeing Xu Qing out, she whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard from the proprietor yesterday that during this period, many young people in the camp have gone missing in the forbidden zone. And looking at his expression, he seems to feel that it wasn't caused by the dangers of the forbidden zone itself, but rather by human hands... You should be careful yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was concern in the little girl’s eyes. This kind of look made Xu Qing feel a bit uncomfortable. He stepped back a few paces, nodded, thanked her, and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until he had walked some distance away, Xu Qing turned back to look at the little girl’s figure as she continued to sweep the snow, and at the scar on her face in the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly thought of what Team Leader Lei had said: in the forbidden zone’s temple complex, there is a kind of stone that can remove scars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If there is a chance, I will find one for her.\" Xu Qing murmured in his heart, then turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth walked into the distance, leaving a trail of snow in his wake, while the wind and snow behind him... grew even heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>",2536,"2026-06-21T00:45:15.441Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","ffe0255cd675f8a57725c46589159d731f50be51dc1f662d8b8d8e0a56537ae1","beyond-the-passage-of-time-chapter-20","beyond-the-passage-of-time-chapter-18",998,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbeyond-the-passage-of-time-cover.jpg"]