[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-the-end-of-the-night":3,"chapter-journey-to-the-end-of-the-night-journey-to-the-end-of-the-night-chapter-31":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to the End of the Night",{"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},1715584,2193,"Chapter 31 - 31 31 The Fragrance of the Deer","journey-to-the-end-of-the-night-chapter-31",31,"\u003Cp>31: Chapter 31: The Fragrance of the Deer 31: Chapter 31: The Fragrance of the Deer The young lad’s eyes brimmed with excitement, his cheeks flushed with delight at having gained the iron bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struck a mighty pose, drawing the iron bow into a perfect arc—his action eliciting a round of resounding cheers and shrill shrieks from the girls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The iron bow seemed to be of significant heft; even a grown, muscular man might not be able to draw it fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the youth did it with effortless grace, earning the respect and applause of all present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having acquired the new bow, the young lad did not immediately test its power; instead, he held the iron bow and walked towards Baili An.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes shone brightly, exuding an air of high spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon his approach, he introduced himself, “My name is Qi Yang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of courtesy, Baili An stood to respond, “My name is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t finished stating his name when the other interrupted, “I know your name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I heard it when you first introduced yourself as the Scavenger Si Chen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps among the mortals present, this young man named Qi Yang was the most distinctive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was capable of cultivation, possessing the strength to take on a hundred men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With him alone entering the mountains to hunt, the village would not have to worry about a lack of meat for the entire year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, his uniqueness led to a somewhat casual and impolite demeanor, with an air of arrogance evident in the corner of his eyes and the arch of his brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the white deer at Baili An’s feet and continued, “But don’t be mistaken; I remember your name not because you are something special, but because I’m exceedingly interested in this spiritual deer beside you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain villagers immediately crowded around, curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They whispered among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has Qi Yang singled someone out to bully, picking on the newcomer?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you hear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yang has taken a liking to that deer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that kid’s in for it now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yang is the renowned bully of the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whichever girl he fancies ends up with the same treatment and eventually enters his room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that’s because the girls are willing, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yang is different from us; he has been guided by the Immortal and is so powerful because he practices Immortal arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girls are thrilled to serve him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that deer is not a girl; it won’t be pleased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, let’s just wait and see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baili An, looking at the defiant youth before him, said calmly, “This deer is mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yang smiled and lifted the iron bow in his hand, offering it forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he did so, he intentionally put extra force into his hands, causing an evil wind to whip towards Baili An’s cheeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ordinary person would surely be startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Baili An’s gaze remained calm, unflinching as he eyed the iron bow before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left Qi Yang slightly disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought to himself, Could this kid be a fool?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This deer, I must have!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know the deer is yours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I won’t take advantage of you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll exchange this iron bow for it,” Qi Yang said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a second thought, Baili An flatly refused, “No exchange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yang’s eyes darkened slightly, a bitter edge to his demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, it seemed that in front of the villagers, he restrained himself due to his status and didn’t resort to outright aggression and robbery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down at the beautiful white deer pulsating with Spiritual Energy at Baili An’s feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered with a mocking patience, “I suppose, a simple Scavenger from the forests wouldn’t have seen much of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You think this iron bow I’m holding is just a mortal item?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let me honestly tell you, this bow is a top-grade weapon, worthy of being counted among the treasures of an Immortal Sect family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exchanging it for your deer, you would be making a huge profit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yang spoke with haughty pride, his confidence on full display.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression and demeanor suggested that by taking his bow, Baili An would be the one gaining a significant advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baili An, amused inwardly, understood that not only was this bow a mere treasure, but it was a Low Grade one at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he had claimed, since waking up from the ancient coffin, he hadn’t much experience of the world, yet to him, this bow was far from a top-grade weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since this bow is as outstanding as you describe, you might as well keep it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t understand archery; I only know about raising deer,” Baili An refused once more, with gentle tact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Qi Yang, dead set on obtaining the deer, could not be dissuaded by a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scoffed coldly, thinking if he won’t drink to a toast, he must drink to a dare, “If you don’t want to trade the deer for the bow, that’s fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s settle this like men instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ll have a duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you win, you can have the bow, but if you lose, the deer becomes mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I’m not one to take advantage of newcomers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you lose the deer to me, I’ll still give you the bow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yang’s face bore the expression of a strong man pitying a weaker one, almost as if bestowing charity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding villagers glanced at each other; some felt Baili An was being ungracious, while a few thought Qi Yang too domineering, placing unreasonable demands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone understood one thing for certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The youth facing them now—pale and wan—did not seem a match for Qi Yang in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many robust men in the village had been easily swept aside by Qi Yang’s hand alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Scavenger lad, looking like he hadn’t had a full meal in years, would likely not even stand one move against Qi Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any smart person would refuse such a duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was precisely what Qi Yang thought too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t need his opponent’s agreement—without waiting for Baili An to speak, he had already posed himself for attack, the heavy iron bow plunging deep into the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force was so great that the massive iron bow sank halfway into the ground, stunning many of the villagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s fine by me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Contrary to expectation, Baili An agreed calmly and promptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yang, poised for attack, froze, his expression turning baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villagers also paused in confusion, then some quickly got the joke and burst out laughing, “This Scavenger kid is too proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yang seriously proposed a trade, and he wouldn’t accept, insisting on taking a beating before handing over the deer willingly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he agreed from the start, there’d be no issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the strong men in our village suffer for days after taking just a couple of hits, and that’s when Qi Yang is holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kid is asking for trouble; he’s in for some real pain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess how many days he’ll be in bed after Qi Yang’s punch?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha, does the kid even have a bed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s just a penniless Scavenger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’ll probably find some cave to lie in for ten days or a fortnight, unnoticed, maybe even starve to death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Serves him right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he just agreed to trade with Qi Yang from the get-go, none of this would be happening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strapping man who had begun gnawing on a lamb leg to strike a conversation with Baili An earlier stroked his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuckling, he said, “A fight wouldn’t be too bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy is handsome, and my sister fancies him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’s badly injured and nobody cares for him, I’ll drag him home on my sister’s behalf, nurse him back to health, and make him our brother-in-law.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1303,"2026-06-06T15:16:24.199Z",1,"novelbin.me","b5132a02c80f623a37d1aec3794e71c9ca87910c6521dc8fc03e401d6a75ac15","journey-to-the-end-of-the-night-chapter-32","journey-to-the-end-of-the-night-chapter-30",1594,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-the-end-of-the-night-cover.jpg"]