Volume One: Arrival in the Noble Land Chapter Four: The Trial Begins

Having identified seven kinds of flowers and plants, Chen Chen finally regained his composure.

There was someone in the thicket after all—a stranger with a covered face.

The two locked eyes, both startled. Chen Chen, engrossed in identifying plants, had completely forgotten the other’s presence.

The masked man was equally surprised. He had been squatting in the bushes, momentarily distracted when he suddenly noticed Chen Chen slipping in.

Regaining his senses, he saw Chen Chen studying a thorny bush.

At first, he thought a companion had returned and paid it no mind.

But when their gazes met and faces became clear, he realized this was the very target of their scheme.

Chen Chen grew wary and kept a cautious distance from the black-clad man.

Nearby, by the rose bushes, someone came to gather flowers—a woman. She seemed frustrated, pulling out a flower angrily and sweeping her sleeve as she approached.

Passing by the thicket, the bushes rustled slightly.

The woman suddenly remembered her accomplice was nearby and also slipped into the bushes.

This intrusion was not trivial; she ended up right in front of Chen Chen, facing the black-clad man, asking if he had caught Chen Chen.

The man swallowed hard and pointed behind her, signaling someone else.

Chen Chen caught a faint but distinct fragrance unique to the woman.

It was important, but more crucial was preserving his life.

Realizing the two black-clad men in front of him were here to capture him, anger flared within Chen Chen. He rolled quickly and slipped into nearby bushes, then moved stealthily in another direction to hide.

Clearly, they intended to scheme against him.

Chen Chen was determined not to die prematurely. Though he still didn’t know where the enemy stood, nor which faction the people behind them belonged to, his famed caution forbade him from becoming an early target.

If he appeared too soon, he wouldn’t last long enough to learn much, let alone have opportunities to act.

The woman holding the rose turned back but saw no one.

After repeatedly confirming with her companion, they searched around.

From the tense atmosphere, Chen Chen sensed the calm before a storm.

It felt like conflict was about to erupt, or perhaps a grand spectacle was about to unfold.

Beyond the domain of the Underworld’s ruler lay the borderlands between the great mountains and the outside world.

Judging by the timing, it was not yet the stage where the Underworld would clean up the mess and recruit followers.

Signs of a trial had begun elsewhere, with elders wanting to clear obstacles prematurely.

Famous mountains and great rivers were places of beauty and fortune.

Heroes emerged in youth, and recognizing plants was a path to the future.

Few dared claim great skill; in the vast world, only by striving to keep pace could one hope to lead.

Leading meant avoiding being beaten.

Some skills were intellectual, others mental.

Lacking understanding of the world meant becoming a stepping stone for others.

This stir of unrest was somewhat different.

Some watched from afar; others were instructed to enter and compete.

What was being competed for? Many things, with small gains amid the contest.

The key was how many could retreat quietly with their lives intact, and how many became lost souls under others’ wills.

Chen Chen always believed nothing was more precious than experience.

Whether in wealth or fame, all had gains and grudges.

He chose to continue identifying flowers and plants to improve himself—or rather, to grow his knowledge with the experience he had gained.

Thus, in future survival, he would at least not lose too badly.

Schemes and plots were useful tools.

But to great powers, they were mere tricks.

With a wave of the hand, they vanished with karma.

Those who died alongside—whether they could awaken some part of existence remained unknown.

Respecting facts, acknowledging his own flaws and shortcomings, Chen Chen sought to carve out a chance to continue living with ease and humor.

He began to want to settle this small domain. Unlike before, identifying plants now also meant recognizing people.

Conflict had begun or was about to; it mattered little. What mattered was his continued self-improvement.

This time, he focused on trees.

Remembering what he could, the rest would come with time.

Now, he needed to both conceal and add to his knowledge.

Beyond the Underworld’s sphere, the mountains remained mountains. Those hoping to wipe out the Underworld’s influence had finally formed teams to vent their frustrations.

Many entered in groups, though not all were directly targeting Chen Chen. Some even showed a measure of goodwill toward him.

Some were admirable and respectable. The Underworld’s situation was worsening, and a number of young factions formed teams to explore.

No matter the pretext, Chen Chen sensed and inadvertently learned some of the hidden, unsavory secrets of that place.

Groups of young people entered, along with the forces of the black-clad men.

Those dealing with mountain affairs were not utterly vile and thus not doomed without burial.

For example, those involved in murder, robbery, and despicable plundering.

Some tolerated it; others could not accept it.

Masked and wielding large knives, many thought little and headed straight toward the Underworld.

Chen Chen also wished to resolve some of the more sinful matters to ease his inner resentment.

However, he was a player skilled in concealment, aiming to act justly at the right moment, to slay evil with the air of judgment.

The recently established Ghost Gate of the Underworld had some influence. They might resist briefly, but evil was evil—intolerable.

If caught, dealt with swiftly, Chen Chen would earn a good reputation and have the crowd applaud.

At least, it would be gratifying.

Groups of black-clad men passed by, exuding a deadly aura.

Chen Chen occasionally heard of evil fluctuations within the Ghost Gate.

His focus on identifying flowers and plants gradually shifted to the area of the Ghost Gate.

This time, there were flowers, grasses, and trees—all observed carefully.

The crucial point was not to miss this stage.

In the great mountain, some sordid events were unfolding.

Doing such things openly in daylight was shameful.

From afar, a throwing knife flew through the air, striking a man’s forehead. He fell instantly while a woman hurriedly adjusted her clothes and left.

In all aspects of life—whether cunning tricks or schemes—many wished to see evil punished, and peace restored.

The mountain’s land and water were cleansed; its hidden creatures brought to light.

No one wished to hide in caves, known for darkness, dampness, and lack of sunlight.

Supplies were insufficient.

The few survivors might have been guilty but undeserving of death.

If they died, perhaps their sins had grown enough to claim their lives.

Once assured no creatures remained trapped, everyone together sealed the cave with enormous stones.

Chen Chen returned to the large tree where he had come before. It still cast a cool shade; the Ghost Gate had become history.

A place of lawlessness often breeds evil.

Chen Chen gazed at the ancient tree long and sighed.

He sighed for the century-old tree, for the boundless ages.

He thought of the people under heaven and the merit of kindness.

The grand tree still stood, as unwelcoming as when he first arrived.

Today, he had identified a whole tree of plants and ended his poetic musings.

With a touch of joy, Chen Chen drifted away.

Just as silently as he had come, so he left—plain and unremarkable.

It seemed his tally of identified plants had lessened; better to accumulate more and avoid dying too soon.