Chapter 70

Li Jinglong personally poured wine for everyone and said, "Everyone's here this year. It's fate that we're all here. We even have two new partners … "

Hongjun leaned back and let Li Jinglong pour the wine. Lu Xu watched the wine pour into the bowl expressionlessly. His expression clearly said, "Who's your partner?"

"Let's eat the last tooth." Li Jinglong poured the wine and raised the bowl. "Everyone, you've worked hard this year. Cheers!"

The Carp Demon immediately flipped over and shook off the onions, ginger, and garlic on its body. It held the small bowl and said, "Cheers!"

Li Jinglong waited for a while. The Carp Demon was the first to drink. Then, everyone raised their bowls and drank the wine.

"Is it your rule that the carp drinks first?" Ashina Chong asked.

"It's everyone's boss." Atay explained.

The Carp Demon said, "Everyone, let's eat."

Li Jinglong: "…"

Thus, everyone raised their chopsticks. Hongjun was already so hungry that he didn't care about anything else. His chopsticks only reached for the chestnut chicken stew. Li Jinglong didn't wait for him to eat. He first put a drumstick in Hongjun's bowl.

"I didn't expect so many things to happen this year." Qiu Yongsi smiled and said, "When we parted at Mount Li, I thought we'd never see each other again."

Atay smiled and said, "You're the last to arrive. You still have the nerve to say that?"

Mo Rigen joked, "When are we going to Spring Dawn again?"

Everyone laughed. Ashina Chong asked Atay what Spring Dawn was. Lu Xu asked Hongjun. Hongjun's mouth was full and he indicated that he'd explain later.

Li Jinglong ate a little and sighed, saying, "After drinking this time, everyone's going to leave again, right?"

Qiu Yongsi hurriedly said, "No, no! Let's go back together! "

Li Jinglong: "…"

Qiu Yongsi said, "Everyone knows about Xie Yu. I'll go with everyone."

Atay replied, "This time, I brought Joan here. I'm planning to return to the Exorcism Division."

Hongjun ate something and finally came back to life. He asked, "Why?"

Ashina Chong said, "There's no more money. Atay, that prodigal, spent it all. Go to your Chang 'an and earn some money. Otherwise, we won't be able to restore our country. All the money will be squandered away by this wastrel. "

Everyone: "…"

Li Jinglong didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Our Exorcism Division doesn't earn much money all year round. We can easily spend a few thousand taels of silver."

Ashina Chong said, "You don't have to worry about that. We have our own business."

Atay said with a bitter face, "They told me to go back to the Exorcism Division, so that the Chief Inspector can smooth things over and do some small business."

Everyone laughed again.

"What about you?" Li Jinglong asked Lu Xu.

Lu Xu glanced at Hongjun. Hongjun then looked at Mo Rigen. He knew that to Mo Rigen, the most important thing in his life was to find Lu Xu.

"You should also go back to the Exorcism Division with everyone," Hongjun replied.

Lu Xu nodded. Mo Rigen sighed in relief and smiled gratefully at Hongjun.

The Carp Demon said, "Cheers, cheers!"

"Boss, you can't hold your liquor well." Li Jinglong hurriedly said, "Let me drink for you."

The Carp Demon insisted, so Li Jinglong could only drink another bowl with everyone. After drinking, other than Lu Xu, everyone began to talk and laugh. During the banquet, they talked about the past six months when everyone fought side by side. In the middle of the night, they broke into Pingkang Village, fought against Daming Palace, planned to set up the imperial examination venue, and were even trapped in a cave by the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox. In the end, Li Jinglong's Mind Lamp exploded, and everyone was able to escape …

Hongjun listened to their past and remembered that day in the blood pool when Li Jinglong saw his ears cut off. He couldn't help but look up at Li Jinglong. Coincidentally, Li Jinglong's handsome face was also looking at him with a hint of drunkenness. When their eyes met, Li Jinglong smiled.

Li Jinglong pressed his left hand on his right shoulder and moved his arm, saying, "You guys left just like that. I took Hongjun all the way to the northwest and almost gave my head to Geshu Han."

When Hongjun thought of the two of them, he couldn't help but laugh. Mo Rigen said, "You guys were just sightseeing the whole way!"

"Sightseeing?" Li Jinglong said, "Little Young Master isn't used to riding, so he tormented me quite a bit."

Hongjun couldn't help but think of that time when Li Jinglong applied medicine for him. He only blushed and didn't answer him.

Li Jinglong asked everyone if they were going back to the Exorcism Department, but he didn't ask him. Perhaps in his eyes, he was definitely the one who wouldn't leave.

The Carp Demon drank too much and staggered on the table. After three rounds of drinking, Li Jinglong said, "Drink this bowl, I won't drink anymore."

Everyone raised their bowls again. Hongjun saw that Lu Xu didn't want to drink, so he said, "I'll drink for you."

Mo Rigen took the bowl and said, "I'll drink it."

Lu Xu glanced at Mo Rigen. After hearing everyone talk about their past friendship, he more or less yearned for it. He asked Hongjun, "Is it true?"

Hongjun was startled. He thought for a moment and said, "Yes."

"Is Chang 'an good?" Lu Xu asked again.

"It only snows in winter." Hongjun explained, "It's a good place."

Mo Rigen said, "Chang 'an is very beautiful. When I bring you back to the Exorcism Department, you'll like it."

Mo Rigen answered Lu Xu intermittently. Lu Xu was no longer so cold and nodded.

"This time, we came to Hexi." Li Jinglong put down his bowl and thought for a moment. He suddenly said, "What worries me the most is the demonic seed in Hongjun's body."

As soon as he said this, the table fell silent. Hongjun put down his chopsticks and looked at Li Jinglong in a daze.

"Hongjun." Li Jinglong said again, "We've never despised you. We've all gone through life and death together."

Hongjun looked at everyone. Qiu Yongsi smiled and said, "In the blood pool, it was you and Chief Shi who saved me."

Mo Rigen replied, "If it wasn't for the two of you, everyone would have died."

Atay said, "Remember that time, we were looking for this group of idiots together?"

Hongjun smiled and said, "I remember."

Li Jinglong said, "You gave me the Mind's Lamp. If it wasn't for you, I would only be a mortal today."

When Hongjun heard this, he avoided Li Jinglong's gaze.

Lu Xu suddenly said, "Many things, in the unseen world, have the will of the heavens."

"Will of the heavens." Li Jinglong said, "That's right. Hongjun, perhaps the Mind's Lamp fell on my body, and that's what it said. "

Hongjun still didn't answer.

Li Jinglong said, "In short, you have to know that no one here despises you, and no one is worried about the demonic seed in your body. In the future, it will be the same. Everyone will slowly think of a way with you to take out this demonic seed. "

Qiu Yongsi said, "I think this is really the will of the heavens, Hongjun. It's because of this that we have the hope of defeating Tianma. "

Hongjun nodded. Li Jinglong smiled again and said, "Hongjun, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't hold it in."

"Okay." Hongjun smiled and said, "I know."

"This is the last bowl!" Li Jinglong raised the bowl again.

Lu Xu drank as well. Atay said, "This is really the last bowl. Let me play the guqin! "

Qiu Yongsi said, "My cousin composed a new song, and it's very good. Come, come, I'll sing it for you."

Everyone immediately listened respectfully. Atay lightly plucked the Barbat guqin a few times, and Qiu Yongsi sang, "Zhao Ke — Man Hu Ying, Wu Gou — Frost and Snow Bright."

"A silver saddle shines on a white horse, valiant like a shooting star!"

When he heard this poem, Hongjun forgot everything again. He thought to himself, could this poem be written by a human?

"Killing a person in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles. When the matter is done, I brush my clothes and leave, hiding my body and name. "

Everyone cheered at the same time, "Good!"

"This is Li Bai's poem, right?" Hongjun said.

Everyone shouted angrily together, telling Hongjun not to interrupt. Qiu Yongsi only smiled and continued to sing. The poem was simply soul-stirring, and everyone who heard it was spellbound. "Even in death, the heroic bones are fragrant, not ashamed of being a hero of the world. Who can write, Your Excellency, the White-Headed Taixuan Sutra? "When the guqin stopped, even the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.

"It's Li Bai." Qiu Yongsi said.

"Li Bai is your cousin?" Li Jinglong said in surprise.

When Hongjun heard this, he was immediately shocked.

Qiu Yongsi replied, "That's right."

Everyone was shocked, but what shocked Hongjun even more was Li Jinglong's next sentence.

"Why haven't I heard him mention it before?" Li Jinglong said to himself, "Next time we meet, I'll ask. Don't randomly claim to be relatives."

"Just ask." Qiu Yongsi said with a smile.

"You know him?" Hongjun asked Li Jinglong in surprise.

This was the first time in so many days that Hongjun took the initiative to speak to Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong looked at Hongjun with a drunken smile and nodded thoughtfully.

"Next time he comes to Chang 'an, make an appointment and let him chat with you?" Li Jinglong said.

Hongjun: "…"

Li Jinglong actually knew Li Bai?! And he had never mentioned it before?

"Brother Taibai loves to drink, and we got to know each other through drinking, so we claimed to be relatives." Li Jinglong replied with a smile, "I'm ashamed that I didn't learn much poetry. I spent all my money on paintings, wine, tea, and food."

Li Jinglong was indeed recognized as someone who knew how to eat, play, and enjoy. Qiu Yongsi came from a famous Han family, but he was still lacking. He held his chopsticks and tapped his teacup, saying, "Cousin is particular about kindred spirits, but since it's Hongjun, I think we can make an appointment."

Hongjun said, "If there's a chance, let me see him!"

"Okay." Li Jinglong replied, "I'll promise you. I'll beg him to go, and if he doesn't, I'll kowtow and kneel. If that doesn't work, I'll go beg His Majesty. If that doesn't work, I'll tie him up and let you see him. I won't go back on my word!"

Everyone roared with laughter, and Hongjun felt very embarrassed. He thought about how Li Jinglong treated him well, and how he always seemed to agree to his request regardless of the conditions. As long as he could do it, he would never refuse him.

"I also have an uncle." Qiu Yongsi said again, "Do you want to listen to his poetry?"

Hongjun said, "Another one?"

"When I was young, I left home, but when I came back, my hometown accent has not changed, and my hair has declined … Children do not recognize each other when they meet, and ask where the guest is from with a smile …"

"Isn't that He Zhizhang?"

"Don't always flatter yourself!"

"You're just bragging!"

Everyone ridiculed Qiu Yongsi, and Qiu Yongsi said, "It really is my uncle!" Hongjun almost died from laughter, and Qiu Yongsi said with an innocent face, "What's wrong with my cousin being a poet!"

Atay played for a while, and Li Jinglong said, "Let's sing 'Spring River Moonlight Night'. In a few days, we'll be returning to Chang 'an, and I'm tired of this place."

Atay agreed, and Li Jinglong poured himself some wine, moved over, and sat beside Hongjun. He leaned against him, stretched out his arm, and put it on Hongjun's shoulder.

Everyone sang 'Spring River Moonlight Night' to the sound of the zither. Hongjun could not help but think of the first time Li Jinglong took them to Spring Dawn. That day, they also sat side by side by the screen, quietly snuggling together and singing this song.

Li Jinglong leaned closer to Hongjun and whispered in his ear, "Where do you want to go when you go back?" There was a hint of alcohol in his voice.

Hongjun said, "I haven't thought about it yet."

Hongjun was a little drunk, and said to Li Jinglong, "You're … a bastard."

Li Jinglong laughed and said, "How am I a bastard? Tell me about it. "

Hongjun did not say anything, and burrowed into Li Jinglong's arms, as if the blazing light in his chest made him a moth to the flame. He leaned on Li Jinglong's shoulder, and for a moment, his heart was filled with sadness, but his consciousness gradually blurred and he slipped down.

The sound of the zither gradually stopped, and Atay put away the zither. Li Jinglong nodded at them, indicating that they should continue. Then, he carried Hongjun upstairs and put him to sleep.

Lu Xu stared at Li Jinglong's back, and sat quietly, lost in thought. Mo Rigen leaned half of his body on the table, and looked at Lu Xu with his head tilted.

"Let me tell you something," Mo Rigen said in a low voice.

Lu Xu glanced at Mo Rigen. Other than Hongjun, he almost never spoke.

"Senior Official likes him." Mo Rigen was also a little drunk, and his eyebrows twitched at Lu Xu as he said, "But Senior Official doesn't admit it. Everyone can see it."

Lu Xu looked at Mo Rigen, and also whispered, "What does this have to do with you?"

Mo Rigen's arm on the table moved, and his palms spread slightly as he answered, "It has nothing to do with me. Sometimes, when I look at them, I feel happy; sometimes, when I look at them, I feel sad. "As he spoke, his voice became softer and softer, and he asked again," Do you understand that feeling? There's a person, like Hongjun, who follows him every day, and when she looks at him, she looks at him with … a smile, just like that … Look … "

Mo Rigen smiled, and his eyes rippled with affection as he said, "When I look at you like that, I know that you have me in your heart, and I have you in my heart too. It's so good to be alive."

The Carp Demon suddenly jumped up, startling Lu Xu, who almost knocked over the bowl. Mo Rigen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He stroked the Carp Demon and said, "Forget it, I'm going to sleep with Boss. Happy New Year, Lu Xu."

"Brothers!" Mo Rigen said, "Happy New Year!"

As he spoke, Mo Rigen held the Carp Demon and bowed to Atay, and then to Qiu Yongsi. The others also stood up and bowed to each other. When Atay came over to bow, he casually hooked Lu Xu's chin. Mo Rigen hurriedly chased after Atay, running all over the hall and kicking him. Lu Xu went to sleep with a numb face.

In the room, Li Jinglong let Hongjun sleep well and covered him with a blanket. He whispered, "I won't sleep with you tonight, I have to write a letter to the Crown Prince first." As he finished speaking, he placed a red envelope under Hongjun's pillow, and went out, closing the door behind him.

Hongjun opened his eyes and felt a slight headache. He heard Ashina Chong and Atay singing "Hey yo" to each other outside. He reached under the pillow and felt for the red envelope. He opened it and saw a banknote worth a hundred taels of silver inside.

Hongjun silently got up, put the red envelope in his arms, put on his fur coat, and quietly went out the door.

Heavy snow swirled in the air, and snowflakes covered the earth. Every cave in Mogao Cave was lit with everlasting lanterns. The bright lanterns shone through the snowy night, making it look like a fairyland.

"Happy New Year, brothers." Hongjun led the horse, wrapped in a fur coat that reached his knees, and said in a low voice. He then mounted the horse, went around the ninth floor, and left Mogao Cave along the southeast road.

"It's snowing!" Mo Rigen pressed on the railing and shouted up and down the stairs, "The monsters are coming!"

Ashina Chong drunkenly went out to pee and stood in the snow. Suddenly, he saw a line of horse hoofprints leading to the distance.

"Who's coming?" Ashina Chong shouted while peeing.

Everyone went back to their rooms to sleep. Only Li Jinglong and Qiu Yongsi were used to staying up for the New Year. When they heard the shout, they came out to take a look. Li Jinglong suddenly remembered what Hongjun said during the day. He instantly ran to Hongjun's room and pushed open the door. It was empty!

Hongjun galloped on the snow. He had just galloped five li along the Great Wall when he heard a shout in the wind.

"Hongjun —!" Li Jinglong shouted.

Hongjun glanced back and saw Li Jinglong chasing after him. He hurriedly urged the horse to speed up.

"Hongjun!" Li Jinglong shouted.

Li Jinglong wore an unlined garment on the inside and a fur robe on the outside. He had a sword of wisdom at his waist. He kicked on his boots and chased after them on horseback. Hongjun hid in the forest, led the horse, and looked out through the gaps between the trees.

"Hongjun! Where are you?! "Li Jinglong rushed back and dismounted to identify the traces on the ground.

Hongjun's body was covered with snow and was one with the trees. Li Jinglong could not see him in the middle of the night. The rustling of the snow covered his breathing. Li Jinglong looked for him for a long time, then mounted his horse and chased after him.

Hongjun mounted his horse in the forest and changed direction to go east first.

The heavy snow gradually stopped, and the sun also came out. Hong Jun was blown by the wind, and he had long sobered up. He ran at a moderate pace, and his mind was blank. In this vast world, as far as he could see, it was all white.

He passed by a valley and thought of what his companions said last night. He felt lonely and hopeless. He had another thought: Turn back and go with them?

He slowed down and did not expect a person to suddenly appear in the valley.

"Hongjun! Where are you going?! "Li Jinglong was actually waiting here in advance.

Hongjun did not want to face him the most. He immediately shouted, "Jia!" and rushed out.

"Don't go!" Li Jinglong shouted.

"Go back!" Hongjun turned back and shouted.

Li Jinglong spurred his horse and chased Hongjun through the valley. Hongjun ran faster and faster. Li Jinglong shouted from behind, "Slow down! I won't force you to go back! Talk to me! "

Hongjun did not slow down. The sun rose. Li Jinglong chased until the sun was high in the sky. Both sides of the official road were covered in snow.

"I won't chase you!" Li Jinglong shouted from behind, "Don't rush! Slow down! If you keep running like this, the horse can take it, but the person can't! "

Hongjun was constantly jolted and was very tired. From last night until now, he had been running for nearly twelve hours. His physical strength was a little exhausted.

The horse gradually slowed down and pulled away from Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong did not speak and only followed Hongjun from a distance. When Hongjun sped up, he sped up. When Hongjun slowed down, he slowed down. When Hongjun stopped, he also stopped. However, he did not move forward.

When the sun went down, Hongjun turned back and shouted, "Go back!"

Li Jinglong did not answer and continued to follow. Hongjun remembered that he had the Phoenix feather and was not afraid of the cold. Li Jinglong did not have it. If he ran until dusk, he was afraid that he would fall sick again.

Hongjun's mind was confused. He wanted to go back to Taihang Mountain and get an answer from Chong Ming and Qing Xiong. It was Qing Xiong who took him away that day. He would definitely tell Chong Ming what happened. However, he was afraid. He was afraid that things were really as the Ghost King said. All of this was incited by Chong Ming. He was just a sacrifice for his father.

He was also full of fear. If on the day Qing Xiong took him away, Li Jinglong was also present …

How should he deal with this?

All of his dependence would be shattered when the truth was mercilessly revealed.

Hongjun slowed down. The sun was setting, the sky was full of stars, and the curtain of night was hanging down.

He had been running for a day and a night. Li Jinglong had also followed for a day and a night.

Hongjun looked back and found that Li Jinglong's figure was not behind him.

He went back? He thought to himself. However, he vaguely felt that something was wrong. He quickly turned his horse around and galloped back the way he came.

In the middle of the official road, the horse ran to the side and shivered. Li Jinglong fell to the ground like a corpse.

"Elder Shi!" Hongjun shouted in panic. He jumped off his horse ten steps away and quickly ran over.

Li Jinglong's body was covered in snow. His palms were cold and curled into a ball. Hongjun immediately turned him over and said, "Elder Shi!"

Unexpectedly, Li Jinglong suddenly reached out and hooked Hongjun's shoulder. Hongjun was about to break free, but Li Jinglong pulled him up!

"Stop!"

"You stop!"

"You stop — —!"

Hongjun constantly struggled and wrestled with Li Jinglong in the snow. Li Jinglong used all of his strength to push Hongjun to the ground. Then, he pressed his whole body and locked his wrists. He forcefully twisted them behind his back and sat in front of his ribs, firmly restraining him.

"Why didn't you wait for me?!" Li Jinglong was angry. He roared at Hongjun, "What did I do wrong again?!"

That was the first time Li Jinglong was truly angry at him. Hongjun subconsciously broke free and threw out a throwing knife. However, his wrist was once again firmly grasped by Li Jinglong.

"You hate me, don't you?" Li Jinglong's voice trembled as he said, "I treat you like this. I have a clear conscience! But you hate me so much. Why?! "

Li Jinglong's hand that grabbed Hongjun's wrist kept shaking. Then, he let go and said, "You want to take my life? Because you're a demon and I'm a human? Because I killed your race? "

"No … … No … …" Hongjun gasped for breath.

"Come on!" Li Jinglong roared at Hongjun as if he had lost his mind. "Do it! Throw a knife here! I'll return the Mind Lamp to you! Take it away — —! "

Hongjun stared at Li Jinglong in a daze. Li Jinglong's eyes were red and tears rolled down his face. His left hand tore open his outer robe and inner garment, revealing his bare chest. He grabbed Hongjun's wrist and pressed his throwing knife against his own chest.

Heaven and earth, the wilderness, the snowfield, and the galaxy were all silent. Only the two people's breathing intertwined like an eternally gentle tide could be heard.

Hongjun saw that on Li Jinglong's left chest, there was a tattoo of a graceful peacock spreading its wings and feathers.

Li Jinglong couldn't help but choke with sobs. His tears fell on Hongjun's face.

At that moment, Hongjun could no longer suppress the sadness in his heart. He let go of the throwing knife. With a soft sound, the throwing knife fell into the snow.

Li Jinglong let go of Hongjun. Hongjun hugged Li Jinglong. He buried his head in his shoulder and cried loudly.