Night's Nomenclature
Chapter 354: There’s Always a Wind or 2 in the World to Fill My 108,000 Dreams

In the woods, the giant Ding Dong carefully raised his hand to support the tree crown above his head.

Because he was so tall, supporting the tree crown felt like bending down to support a door curtain…

Qing Chen smiled happily. He didn’t know why, but every time he saw this lovely big fellow, he felt an inner joy.

“How are you doing lately?” Qing Chen looked at Ding Dong. In such a cold season, the other party was only wearing a ‘pair of shorts’ woven from vines, seemingly impervious to the cold.

He wanted to pat the other party on the shoulder, but found he could only reach his waist.

In front of the four-meter-tall giant, Qing Chen felt like a child.

The amiable Ding Dong looked at Qing Chen, grinned and said, “Ding Dong!”

(I’m doing pretty well. I helped the big firebird deep in the hinterland build a nest the other day. It’s about to have babies and is a little bit grumpy, but I’m not afraid. It never pecks me. How about you?)

Qing Chen was stunned. This was the first time Ding Dong had spoken.

He only said the two words “Ding Dong”, yet so much meaning flooded into Qing Chen’s mind.

Before this, he thought the other party couldn’t speak.

“I’m fine too,” Qing Chen said apologetically, “I’m sorry, there was a little problem, and I had to trouble you to play the villain. But don’t worry, I’ll explain it to them later. I’ll tell them you’re not a bad guy.”

Ding Dong: “Ding Dong!”

(Fun!)

Qing Chen felt relieved. Because Ding Dong was so kind, he felt a little guilty about asking Ding Dong to pretend to be a villain to create the ‘catalyst’.

But there was no other way. The Federation Army really wasn’t cooperating.

Qing Chen and Ding Dong walked towards the big willow tree. The giant beside him was very cautious, avoiding insects on the ground as he walked, as if afraid of crushing them with his feet, which were bigger than car wheels.

Occasionally, when passing under tree crowns, he would knock bird nests off branches. The huge giant would fumble to catch the nest and then carefully place the nest and the baby birds back on the branch.

The old man on Qing Chen’s back stared blankly: “Such a fierce appearance, yet such a kind heart? Qing Chen, is he your friend in the Forbidden Zone?”

Qing Chen smiled and said, “Yes, a friend.”

Ding Dong immediately became happy upon hearing this: “Ding Dong!”

He accidentally knocked a snake resting on a tree, and Ding Dong quickly caught it, holding it in his palm before returning it to the tree.

The banded snake seemed quite angry and bit Ding Dong’s palm.

But surprisingly, it didn’t bite through…

Ding Dong didn’t seem to mind at all.

The old man looked at Ding Dong and asked Qing Chen: “Is he a native of Forbidden Zone 002?”

“Yes,” Qing Chen nodded.

“He’s expressing his thoughts by saying ‘Ding Dong’? And you can understand?” The old man was curious.

He found this communication method incredibly novel. Before, Qing Chen could understand the Qingshan Falcon’s speech, and now the two words “Ding Dong” could contain all kinds of meanings. It was amazing.

Qing Chen explained: “Each Forbidden Zone is like a Forbidden Artifact, with its own containment conditions. The containment condition for Forbidden Zone 002 is to become a Knight, and then you can understand their speech… No, it can’t be called a containment condition, but rather the key to opening a door. As long as you find this key, the rules of the Forbidden Zone will no longer apply to you, and the creatures in the Forbidden Zone will no longer be naturally hostile towards you.”

The old man suddenly fell silent.

Qing Chen asked: “Why aren’t you speaking?”

The old man sighed: “The world is so wonderful, and yet I’ve wasted my life.”

Qing Chen asked: “Do you regret it?”

“No regrets. I did what I should have done, but I have some regrets,” the old man said, “But I’m a little curious, is there only one such giant in Forbidden Zone 002, or are there many?”

Ding Dong: “Ding Dong!”

(And my brother Gu Dong!)

Qing Chen was stunned. So Ding Dong had a brother named Gu Dong.

Before this, he had never thought that Ding Dong actually had relatives. He thought there was only Ding Dong here.

But the name… was too casual, wasn’t it?!

And, Ding Dong sounds cute, but Gu Dong sounds like someone who accidentally fell to the ground.

“Who gave you your names?” Qing Chen wondered.

Ding Dong smiled innocently and pointed towards the depths of the Forbidden Zone.

Qing Chen understood. It was the old Knights who named them. It was indeed consistent with their style.

“Is your brother in the depths of the hinterland?” Qing Chen was curious.

Ding Dong shook his head: “Ding Dong.”

(He went to play in another Forbidden Zone.)

Qing Chen was stunned again: “Can you freely leave the Forbidden Zone?”

Ding Dong nodded.

“Wait, will you be bound by the rules if you go to other Forbidden Zones?” Qing Chen asked.

“Ding Dong?”

(What rules? I’ve been out to play before, but I don’t know what rules there are. Is it forbidden for us to go out?)

Qing Chen understood. The natives of Forbidden Zone 002 would not be bound by the rules in other Forbidden Zones either. No wonder Gu Dong went to play in other Forbidden Zones.

He looked at Ding Dong and thought to himself that he could ask Ding Dong to go with him when he explored other Forbidden Zones in the future.

At this time, Qing Chen asked: “Did you see a group of young people come to Forbidden Zone 002 before?”

“Ding Dong!”

(Yes, they were being chased by a group of people. Are those young people your friends? I can help you get rid of those who are chasing them!)

Qing Chen shook his head: “No need, thank you, Ding Dong. I understand your kindness.”

Ding Dong scratched his head, wondering why Qing Chen would refuse.

The young man’s thoughts were simple. He felt that Ding Dong was too kind, not willing to hurt even the ants on the ground, so how could he ask Ding Dong to do something violent?

Some people in this world always like to bully kind people. The kinder they are, the more they take advantage.

But Qing Chen wasn’t like that.

The old man behind him said: “Hey, kid, translate what Ding Dong said. I can only hear you, but not him. I’m so anxious.”

Qing Chen thought to himself that Ding Dong had said so much, where should he start translating?

He thought for a moment and said, “He said the moonlight tonight is very nice.”

“Just that?”

“Yes.”

The old man: “Now I have reason to suspect that what Qingshan Falcon said before wasn’t a welcome home for Knights…”

Back at the big willow tree, Ding Dong said goodbye to Qing Chen and returned to the hinterland, seemingly having something to do.

The big willow tree swayed its branches, and a gust of wind came from the depths of the hinterland. The wind contained the questions of the old fellows.

If Ding Dong’s language is “Ding Dong”, then the old fellows’ language is the wind.

Every time the Knight ancestors spoke, Qing Chen felt like he was being caressed by a gentle breeze, soft and warm.

Qing Chen explained to the depths of the hinterland: “One person indeed didn’t pass the Trial of Heart, but I believe he can become a Knight.”

The wind from the depths of the Forbidden Zone asked: “Since he can’t pass the Trial of Heart, how can he open the Gene Lock after completing the Knight challenge?”

Qing Chen answered: “Have you all forgotten? Knights have always had another path, the path our ancestors took.”

The wind blowing from the depths of the Forbidden Zone suddenly stopped.

This so-called other path was the one before Qin Sheng created the Breathing Technique.

The path taken by Ren He, the founder of the Knights.

At that time, the Inner World had not yet formed the Forbidden Sea, fishermen could still go out to sea to fish, and Knights could complete the final Trials of Life and Death in front of thirty-meter-high waves.

At that time, Knights would open all the Gene Locks at once after eight Trials of Life and Death, and then be promoted to A-Class.

But because the Forbidden Sea appeared later, the final Trials of Life and Death couldn’t be challenged, so Qin Sheng found another way, using the Breathing Technique to assist Cultivation.

Qing Chen slowly explained his thoughts: “Our ancestors should also have learned from my master that I come from another world, a place we call the Outer World. The sea there is safer than here.”

When Hu Xiaoniu completes the Eight Trials of Life and Death challenge, he will take the oldest path of the Knights.

Although he won’t be able to go as far as Li Ke, it’s still A-Class!

The noisy wind remained silent.

Even the leaves of the Forbidden Zone no longer made rustling sounds.

Perhaps until this moment.

The old fellows only realized why Li Shutong said that Qing Chen would bring unprecedented opportunities to the Knight Order.

In the era of Qin Sheng and Ren He, Knights weren’t as declining as they are now.

Although the Eight Trials of Life and Death were life-threatening, there would always be followers who would strive for their faith.

In that era, twelve Knights swept through the Southwest Snow Mountains as if it were a game. Although they could only reach A-Class at most, they had many people!

It is said that in that era, the Knight Order had more than thirty members at its peak.

What does more than thirty A-Class mean? It’s enough to defend a city in a world surrounded by Conglomerates, and no one would dare to offend.

No one wanted to bear the wrath of more than thirty A-Class powerhouses. No one could withstand this level of retaliation, not even a Demi-God.

They only needed to live in various parts of the world, and they would be an invisible deterrent.

As Qing Chen spoke, even Li Xiurui, the Li Clan head who had seen many storms, was shocked.

It was only at this moment that he truly understood why Li Shutong had placed such high hopes on this young man.

Because the young man could regain the glory of the Knights!

The old man sighed: “The Li Clan has never failed you. May you not fail the Li Clan.”

Qing Chen thought for a moment and said, “It’s too early to say this to me now. Maybe I’ll die young.”

“You little rascal, if you really don’t want to die, no one can find you,” the old man said.

At this moment, the wind blew again: “From today onwards, Forbidden Zone 002 will always be open to you. If you encounter any difficulties, you can run here. No one can kill you here, not even a god.”

The wind intertwined, intersecting, as if a group of people were saying the promise of the Knight ancestors in unison.

Qing Chen was stunned.

Li Shutong had said that although Knights were the ones contained in Forbidden Zone 002, the ancestors had principles and usually would not interfere with external matters.

If a Knight was chased here and was outmatched, they would still die.

The old fellows could only guarantee that their enemies would get their retribution and wouldn’t be able to leave alive.

But now it was different. The old fellows had given their promise.

Because they also saw the future in Qing Chen, a brilliant era that would soon belong to the Knights!

Just like the rising sun on Qingshan Cliff!

At this moment, the wind in the Forbidden Zone blew again, and Qing Chen softly said to the old man behind him: “Old Master, my grandmaster said it’s great to see you again. Welcome to the Knight’s Tomb.”

In this cold winter, the old man suddenly felt a warm wind envelop his hand, like the greeting of old friends after a long separation.

The old man smiled: “I’m late.”

Having said that, the old man seemed to have fulfilled a wish, and his spirit sagged again. His whole person became completely weak.

His weak breath, like a candle in the wind, seemed to be extinguished at any moment.

Qing Chen glanced into the depths of the Forbidden Zone: “I’ll go, senior. I still have things to do.”

He strode resolutely towards Qingshan Cliff.

The old man on his back smiled: “Are you going to watch your disciple become a Knight?”

“No,” Qing Chen said, “You’ll know in a moment.”

He ran wildly.

The young man felt the passing of the old man’s life; he had to race against time.

When Qing Chen arrived at Qingshan Cliff, Li Ke had already climbed to a height of 361 meters, and was taking out the dagger from his waist to carve his name on the cliff Face^[-].

At first, Hu Xiaoniu and Li Ke didn’t know why Qing Chen asked them to bring daggers.

But when they saw the names on Qingshan Cliff, they understood.

Just like Qing Chen didn’t tell them to go west, but they understood everything when they arrived at Qingshan Cliff.

At this time, Hu Xiaoniu was still at 271 meters, climbing arduously.

To complete this Trials of Life and Death, the difficulties Hu Xiaoniu had to Face^[-] were far beyond imagination, because he hadn’t passed the Trial of Heart, and the white fruit’s help was very little.

Therefore, he had to be like the original Knight ancestors, with more time, greater perseverance,

More determined will, and unparalleled courage.

The Knight ancestors at that time didn’t have the Breathing Technique, nor did they have the white fruit. They still had to challenge the 600-meter cliff.

Qing Chen could imagine the difficult conditions under which the ancestors had completed their transformation.

However, Qing Chen didn’t look at Hu Xiaoniu again.

This has never been a smooth road. For thousands of years, countless people have died on this road.

Hu Xiaoniu might become one of the many failures, but he could also grit his teeth and become one of the successful ones.

Qing Chen came to Qingshan Cliff and carefully tightened the rope that bound the old man’s sleeping bag.

He checked three times.

The old man weakly asked: “What are you doing?”

Qing Chen climbed towards the sky without hesitation.

And calmly said: “I’m going to carry you up Qingshan Cliff… Actually, I made this decision the moment I left Autumn Leaf Manor.”

The old man was stunned. He never thought that one day he would be able to climb Qingshan Cliff.

The place he had dreamed of climbing countless times.

He was too old.

His energy was gone, and he always forgot things.

His physical strength was also gone, and he felt tired just talking for a few words.

The old man had dedicated his life to his family and descendants, and he didn’t even dare to expect that he would be able to see the sunrise on Qingshan Cliff.

But just when he no longer expected anything.

The young man carried him up step by step, determined to help him fulfill his last wish in this decisive way.

“Actually, you don’t have to do this,” the old man sighed: “You’re just a D-Class Metahuman. The burden I’ll place on you will be greater than you imagine. I’ve also practiced rock climbing and know that the most important thing in rock climbing is the center of gravity and the support points. So, carrying me, you can only hold onto finger-sized footholds, and my weight will pull you down, as if to drag you into the abyss.”

The old man now only weighed 120 kilograms, which is very light for a man.

But rock climbing Weight training isn’t simply addition.

If the center of gravity shifts outwards, Qing Chen would need several times more strength and courage to complete this Trials of Life and Death challenge.

The old man’s Trials of Life and Death challenge.

“Give up,” the old man said, “There’s no need to risk it for me.”

Qing Chen’s figure didn’t stop, continuing to climb upwards. He stubbornly said to the old man, “The reason Knights are willing to take this life-threatening path is because of their unwavering courage. Once they’ve decided, they cannot turn back. There’s no turning back.”

The old man fell silent.

He watched Qing Chen pass one familiar name after another.

Qing Chen.

Li Shutong.

Li Yingyun.

Qin Sheng.

At some point, the old man, in a daze, seemed to have really walked with those stalwart Knights.

Conquering the stars and the sea together.

Charging across the wilderness together, seeing rivers and lakes.

At this time, Hu Xiaoniu stopped at 411 meters to rest. He felt his whole body trembling, unable to continue.

He wanted to glance down, but before he could lower his head, he found Qing Chen carrying the old man, surpassing him from another route!

Hu Xiaoniu took a deep breath and said, “I might not be able to climb up.”

Qing Chen turned to look at Hu Xiaoniu: “I’ll be waiting for you at the top.”

The young man didn’t say another word, because every Knight had to walk their own path.

Hu Xiaoniu looked up at Qing Chen carrying the old man climbing upwards. He suddenly smiled, somehow regaining his unparalleled courage, and continued to climb upwards.

Someone was waiting for him at the top.

The next moment, Li Ke had already made his final leap to the top of the mountain.

The old man was at the point of death. He looked at the dark sky, with only his last breath left.

Suddenly, a gust of mountain wind blew, and Qing Chen firmly held onto the crevice in the rock, preventing the howling wind from blowing him and the old man off the cliff.

Even Qing Chen felt a little exhausted.

The old man clearly felt that Qing Chen was trembling.

But the trembling young man seemed to be able to completely control his body with his will and set off again.

Until 599 meters.

With a final leap.

This time, Qing Chen didn’t hesitate, didn’t fear.

He grabbed the edge of the highest point of Qingshan Cliff and climbed up.

Qing Chen took the old man off his back and carefully helped him sit on the top of the mountain.

The young man was calm. He wasn’t as excited as when he first climbed Qingshan Cliff. He just sat quietly beside the old man, accompanying him through his last moments.

The old man was also calm.

The two sat side-by-side at the edge of the cliff, Li Ke standing quietly behind them, waiting for the sunrise.

On the quiet Qingshan Cliff, the three waited in silence.

Outside Qingshan Cliff, were majestic giant trees, and a green carpet woven from countless tree crowns.

Vast and spectacular.

The old man slowly said: “When I was fourteen, a Knight came to Ban Shan Mountain Estate to visit my father. I remember clearly that he jokingly asked me if I wanted to follow him to be a Knight, and of course I said yes. But my father didn’t agree, saying that the Li Clan’s future needed me to inherit it, and he would choose another from the other children.”

“At that time, I didn’t dare to disobey my father’s decision, but now that I think about it, the Li Clan is so big, how could they not find someone who could be the head of the family? If I had insisted on my decision at that time, perhaps everything would be different now.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a light suddenly broke through the clouds and mountains at the edge of the sky.

Then, red light quickly spread.

Finally, gold.

The layers of sunrise colors, looked like a golden sea from afar.

The tide was upside down, pouring down towards the earth.

It was dawn.

At this moment, a firm hand grabbed the edge of Qingshan Cliff, and Hu Xiaoniu hung on the cliff, shouting loudly, a passionate release of youthful energy.

“How wonderful,” the old man smiled, “Youth is wonderful.”

Qing Chen looked at the old man: “This is the sunrise we once saw. You saw it too.”

The old man smiled: “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Qing Chen shook his head, “You are a Knight at heart.”

The old man said, “I spent a lifetime understanding one truth.”

Qing Chen asked, “What truth?”

The old man looked at him and smiled, “The wind of youth is more precious than gold.”

After saying that, the old man looked from the top of the mountain towards the giant tree, and saw a colorful Vermillion Bird circling and spreading its wings above the crown of the tree, extremely gorgeous.

He let out a sigh and laughed, his laughter floating from the top of the mountain:

“If I could have my youth again, I would trade all the gold for even a single gust of wind!”

The laughter was dreamlike, with a hint of regret, a hint of letting go, a hint of stubbornness, and a hint of ease.

The laughter flew into the clouds, merging with the sunrise, and even the Vermillion Bird on the giant tree looked back.

“Thank you,” the old man closed his eyes.

From then on, Li Xiurui was no more…