Chapter 46

Early in the morning, dark clouds covered the sky and the snow gradually lessened.

Inside the relay station, Hongjun was sleeping with his entire body wrapped around Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong was sleeping soundly on his back with one arm for Hongjun to use as a pillow. Hugging his shoulder, Hongjun was pressed against his chest like a lamp in Li Jinglong's heart. It had a strange and innate attraction to him.

The wind was still blowing. Hongjun woke up and yawned. The moment he opened his eyes, he stopped breathing and looked up at the sleeping Li Jinglong. His breathing couldn't help but become rapid. His entire body was wrapped around Li Jinglong's body, one hand hugging his waist and one leg between his legs. He buried his head in his shoulder and listened to his heartbeat.

What was even more exaggerated was that Hongjun had just woken up early in the morning and was hard. That thing was pressing against the crotch of his pants and seeping water. He could feel that Li Jinglong was also hard asleep on his leg. The warm quilt, Li Jinglong's body temperature, the rising and falling of his chest, and the pleasant smell on his body all gave Hongjun a sense of security that he was no longer alone.

This sense of security made his heart palpitate and gave birth to a feeling that was close to nostalgia.

Anyway, he hadn't woken up yet … Let's hug for a while more. Hongjun liked this feeling very much. It was like a flower blooming in his heart when he ate something delicious. Or when he was lying on a rock and basking in the sun, the warm wind blew and the whole world gently embraced him. The sense of companionship was everywhere.

Li Jinglong moved slightly and woke up.

Hongjun could only let go of his hand and carefully lay down. Li Jinglong's sleeping face was irritated. When he turned his head and opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Hongjun and he smiled.

"How long have you been awake?" Li Jinglong's arm was numb from the pillow. He pressed his shoulder and moved his arm.

"You like to smile recently." Hongjun said.

Li Jinglong seemed to have realized something. He stopped smiling and told him to get up quickly. Don't just stay there.

It was still snowing today, but the snowfall was getting lighter. After breakfast, the caravans that passed by could not continue their journey. Looking at the situation, if they continued to head northwest, the snowstorm would only get heavier, and the road would be even more difficult to travel. Li Jinglong stood outside the relay station, frowning as he observed the sky.

Hongjun knew that Wei Xiaobao was in a hurry to leave, thereupon he said, "The snow is a bit lighter, let's go."

"Will it work?" Li Jinglong asked Hongjun. "The wind is too strong."

Hongjun expressed that there was no problem. Li Jinglong hesitated for a moment and finally decided to hurry along.

"If you two want to go to Wuwei." The relay station waiter came out and said, "You must be careful not to go the wrong way. The snow is so heavy that it has covered the official road. If you get lost in the wilderness, it will be troublesome."

Li Jinglong thought about it and agreed. This time, when they left Chang 'an, they brought a map from two years ago. During that time, many roads were changed, so they went the wrong way a few times. Fortunately, they always found the right destination. However, right now, the snowstorm covered the official road and farmland, and there were no caravans' tracks. It was very likely that they would crash into the wasteland and not be able to find their way.

"You two go north." The waiter added, "There is a Han Dynasty Great Wall there. The Great Wall can block the wind. Follow the Great Wall to the station outside Wuwei, then turn back and go south for 60 li."

Li Jinglong thanked him, then mounted a horse with Hongjun and went to look for the Han Dynasty Great Wall. The snowstorm covered the road, making it difficult for horses to travel. When he saw the Great Wall, Hongjun could not help but exclaim.

In the vast snowstorm, a high wall stood in the sky, ignoring the fierce wind and flying snow. It was like the edge of the world, protecting the prosperous Divine Land. This long winding dragon crossed the Wilderness and climbed over the mountains. From its starting point, it rose to the sky and then looked down at the earth. For thousands of years, it was just like it was in the past.

"Let's go." Li Jinglong turned his horse around and said.

"What's outside?" Hongjun asked.

Li Jinglong said, "There is an even bigger world outside."

Hongjun continued, "I've read about Wang Changling, the Bright Moon of the Qin and the Han Dynasty …"

"Long march of ten thousand li — no one has returned." Li Jinglong sang with a smile. Two horses galloped along the Great Wall to the end of the world in the storm and flying snow.

"But with General Long Chengfei here, I will not teach the horse to cross the Yin Mountain …"

"This is a poem written by my ancestors." Li Jinglong said to Hongjun.

Although Hongjun did not know about Li Jinglong's ancestor, General Li Guang's illustrious reputation, he must be a very powerful person.

"Are you cold?" Li Jinglong slowed down his horse and asked.

After last night, Hongjun always felt a little embarrassed when facing Li Jinglong. Today, he even took the initiative to ride his horse.

Hongjun waved his hand. Li Jinglong said, "If you're cold, come here. Brother will take you."

Hongjun replied, "My body is not that weak!"

The Carp Demon woke up and said behind Hongjun, "We're not cold at all. Elder Li, what's wrong? Can't you go on? "

The wind and snow came again, and it was even more violent than last night. The cold air poured into Hongjun's breath, and he could not speak for a while. Li Jinglong hurriedly waved his hand, indicating that he should cover his mouth and nose and go to the front to open the way.

The Great Wall stretched for thousands of li, as if it would never end. Li Jinglong covered his mouth and nose, but he still looked back from time to time to make sure that Hongjun followed. It was strange to say that Hongjun looked around. The snowstorm was like the sky was collapsing, as if millions of shining stars were falling from the sky. The fierce wind was about to lift up the earth and shake them to the edge of the sky, but he did not tremble at all.

Li Jinglong stopped his horse in front. Hongjun asked, "What's wrong?!"

"Are you cold?!" Li Jinglong asked, "Why don't we turn back?! Don't catch a cold! "

Hongjun said, "I'm really not cold. What about you?"

Li Jinglong wore reining gloves and a black cloak. He had always had a strong physique, but at this time, he could not help but tremble a little. He said, "I'm fine. Then … hold on a little longer! We'll reach the pass camp in the evening! "

The two of them continued to move forward. After two hours, Hongjun suddenly felt that something was wrong. Li Jinglong's speed was obviously slower.

"Chief, are you okay?" Hongjun turned back and asked.

Li Jinglong rode on his horse and sneezed.

Hongjun: "…"

Hongjun did not want to catch a cold. He hurriedly turned his horse back. The wind became even stronger, and it was almost difficult to move an inch. Li Jinglong said, "Let's find a place to hide for a while!"

At that time, under the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, there was an empty barracks every ten li. It was reserved for the soldiers in ancient times to stay overnight when they were patrolling. The two of them bumped into the barracks in the dark. Hongjun turned back and closed the door, blocking the cold wind outside. Li Jinglong could not help but rub his hands. His lips were slightly blue.

The Carp Demon rummaged around in the barracks and found a few porcelain pots for boiling water. Li Jinglong sneezed again. Hongjun said, "Don't tell me you're sick."

Li Jinglong hurriedly said, "I'll warm up after resting for a while. I didn't expect it to be so cold here …" He sneezed again as he spoke. After an unknown amount of time, Hongjun rubbed his fingers and lit a fire. He boiled some water to drink and eat.

Li Jinglong leaned against a wooden box in the barracks and fell asleep. The Carp Demon said, "Look at this unlucky guy. Something's not right."

Hongjun reached out and touched Li Jinglong's forehead. It was boiling hot.

"Oh no." Hongjun said, "Chief?"

Li Jinglong opened his eyes and said, "What time is it? Let's go. We still have to hurry. "

Li Jinglong wanted to get up, but he didn't have the strength. Hongjun said, "You've caught a cold. Don't hurt your lungs. You should rest for a while and wait for the snow to stop. I'll prescribe some medicine for you."

Li Jinglong was very depressed. In the end, he was the one who got sick. However, in front of Hongjun, he had embarrassed himself enough. This time didn't make a difference. He could only say, "I don't know what happened. Last year, when the Long Wu Army went to the Guanzhong Plains to train, I didn't sleep for three days and three nights. I didn't get sick even though it was raining heavily and being exposed to the sun …"

Hongjun looked for medicine and replied, "Maybe it's because it's too cold outside."

"Yes, yes." The Carp Demon said, "Your physique can't compare to Hongjun's. You really don't have to feel ashamed. My Hongjun is originally …"

Hongjun hurriedly signaled the Carp Demon to stop poking. If it poked him again, he would be pierced. He took out the Imperial Cold Invitation that he carried with him. There were dried ginger, bupleurum, and other medicinal herbs. He also took out a Phoenix feather. He said, "I know. It should be this."

The Phoenix feather shone faintly in this cold weather. Previously, Hongjun had kept it in his arms. No wonder he didn't feel cold!

Hongjun put the Phoenix feather in Li Jinglong's arms. He went out to pick up some firewood and prepared to boil the medicine. As soon as he took a step out, he wildly shouted, "Heavens! It's so cold — —! "

"I said it's cold." Li Jinglong's depression slightly lessened. He said, "Don't go out. I'll be fine after sweating for a while."

Hongjun signaled that it was fine. He walked out of the snow. In the distance, there was a frozen stream. There were many trees on the opposite side. When the biting cold wind blew, Hongjun immediately screamed. In an instant, his three souls and seven spirits immediately left his body. His open mouth was frozen to the point that he couldn't close it.

"So cold … … so cold … … I'm going to die … …" Hongjun almost fell on the snow. He felt the wind coming from all directions and was blowing towards him. He repeatedly told himself, "I can't die, I can't die. I still have to go back and save Elder Shi … …"

Hongjun opened his Five Colored Divine Light. However, although the Divine Light could block the wind and snow, it couldn't block the cold air. Once he used magic, the cold air became even more severe. Hongjun hurriedly withdrew the Divine Light and used a throwing knife to cut down the tree. He staggered as he dragged the pine tree that was as tall as a person back.

Hongjun knocked open the door. He was shivering from the cold. Li Jinglong was startled and nervously said, "Don't get sick!"

Hongjun said, "I'm fine, I'm fine."

He used the throwing knife to cut a few pieces of firewood. He closed the door tightly and made a fire. It took him a while to recover. He placed the crock on the fire. First, he boiled a bowl of thick soup to expel the cold. He poured it down Li Jinglong's throat and drank a bowl of it himself. Then, he warmed Li Jinglong up to let him sweat.

The sky was dark and the wind was still howling. They could only deal with it here tonight. After drinking the medicine, Li Jinglong began to sweat. He had the Phoenix feather in his arms and wrapped himself and Hongjun's fur coat. It should be fine.

The Carp Demon lay on Li Jinglong's knees and slept with its eyes open. The carp became listless in winter and spoke less.

Hongjun opened his legs and sat on the edge of the fire. He used a branch to stir the fire. His mind was still thinking about what Li Jinglong said last night.

What do I want? How am I going to spend my life? Hongjun remembered that Chong Ming said a long time ago that no matter how high a bird flies in its life, there will always be a place to settle down after passing through the mountains and steep ridges, the stars in the night sky and the white clouds under the blue sky.

That would be his final destination. More importantly, his final destination would be the place he had been tirelessly searching for his entire life. Was it a colorful world or a perilous peak, a mud nest under the eaves of the human race, or a lonely beach in the middle of the river?

Where will my final destination be? Hongjun gradually understood Chong Ming's words. He also missed home. That was his home, but it was not the place he needed to settle down after living his life. Perhaps one day in the future, he would find that Dazzling Gold Palace was his final destination, but at least it was not now.

That place used to belong to his father, Kong Xuan, Chong Ming, and Qing Xiong. Perhaps that was why his father left Dazzling Gold Palace and came to the Divine Continent to be with his mother. Had he found his final destination?

Outside Yulin City.

When leaving Yulin City, Mo Rigen brought Lu Xu along and handed the letter to the soldiers guarding the city.

"Please deliver this letter to the Supreme Court of Chang 'an and hand it to Chief Li Jinglong of the Exorcism Department," Mo Rigen said.

Along the way, he heard a lot of news from the Northwest. The northern merchants had all come to the Central Plains to rest for the winter. The rumor of zombies at the border was widespread. Some said that a group of Huihe people had pretended to be Huihe people, slaughtering and looting everywhere. Others said that zombies had mutated under the Jade Gate Pass. Rumors spread everywhere, and the story was very convincing.

Originally, he should have sent Lu Xu's army to Geshu Han's garrison in Liangzhou Prefecture, but the contents of the letter had long been blurred. Mo Rigen decided to go to the North personally to take a look. The incomplete military report was handed over to Li Jinglong for judgment. He even brought a letter with him, mentioning what had happened in the North.

"Look," Mo Rigen said to Lu Xu, "I've already taken care of it for you."

When Lu Xu saw the soldiers, he nodded repeatedly. After going crazy, he still remembered his responsibility. Now that he was finally better, he looked up at Mo Rigen.

Mo Rigen said, "You brought me to find the deer. Where did you see it last? Do you still remember?"

Lu Xu hesitated, sizing up Mo Rigen. Mo Rigen patted his chest and said, "I can beat ghosts. I'll take revenge for you."

Lu Xu finally stopped running and began to give Mo Rigen directions to the North.

Mo Rigen wore a leather mask and rode on the same horse as Lu Xu. He turned around and asked, "How old are you? How many people do you have in your family? "

Lu Xu didn't say anything, riding on his horse and looking around. Mo Rigen felt that this youth was quite pitiful. According to the news, his comrades were all dead, and the city was destroyed. Presumably, his family was also not lucky. He said that he should take care of him along the way.

In a world of ice and snow, under the Great Wall of Han.

Hongjun sighed softly. He didn't know when, but the snow outside had stopped.

He looked outside through a small hole in the barracks. It was pitch-black outside, and he couldn't see anything. He then touched Li Jinglong's forehead. Li Jinglong still had a fever, but his face was no longer pale.

Hongjun stood guard like this until he felt a little tired. He prepared to lie down and deal with it for the night. Suddenly, he heard rustling sounds outside, accompanied by the uneasy neighing of horses.

Was there some animal that was too cold? Hongjun was afraid that it was a fox or a wolf, but he was afraid that it would scare the horses away. As long as it wasn't a ferocious beast, it would be fine to let it stay in for the night and keep it warm.

He pushed open the door and went out. It was so dark outside that he couldn't see his own fingers. Hongjun held a torch and shone it. He saw two uneasy horses hiding in a shelter to rest.

Hongjun turned around and pointed the torch to the depths of the darkness. He saw messy footprints ten steps away.

Someone?

Someone!

Hongjun hurriedly said, "Is there anyone?"

Across the snowy ground, the sound of branches breaking came from the stream. Hongjun took a few steps forward and waved the torch, making the sound of wind. The rustling sounds behind him continued, and the uneasy sounds of horses came again. In the quiet night, there was no sound at all. Everything seemed so strange.

The cold was everywhere, like mercury rolling in. Hongjun walked forward a little more and crossed the stream. He began to feel that something was wrong. Under the light of the torch, his expression was full of vigilance. Behind him, several shadows appeared on the trees.

Hongjun turned around. Just as he was about to go back, someone suddenly pounced from behind and slammed into his back!

Hongjun instantly flicked out a flying knife and rolled on the ground. When he rolled across the snowy ground, he raised his hand and threw the flying knife rapidly. It hit the armor on the shadow and went straight into its body!

However, the shadow was not afraid of the flying knife at all. With a strange cry, it rushed forward again!

What is this?! Before Hongjun could recover from his shock, another monster in armor pounced on him from behind. Then, a monster with a weapon jumped down from the top of the tree above him! Hongjun used the torch to block. The torch fell to the ground and fell into the snow, extinguishing instantly.

The Five-colored Divine Light trembled with a buzzing sound, blocking the surrounding weapons. With the help of the illusory glazed light, Hongjun suddenly saw the enemy clearly.

It was a soldier in a strange armor. The soldier's eyes were turbid, and there were no pupils in his eyeballs. He held a weapon and slashed at Hongjun!