"Come, come! Let's eat, let's eat! "
Inside the Pure Flowers Palace, the lanterns were brightly lit, reflecting the fine snow swirling in the valley and casting shadows on the tent door. A huge fish was swaying back and forth in front of the lanterns.
"Stop looking." Hongjun smiled. "Come and eat."
The Carp Demon stared at the koi fish on the lampshade for a long time before reluctantly coming down from the cabinet. Li Jinglong personally poured wine for his subordinates and smiled. "Although we've only known each other for two months, it feels like we've known each other for a long time. There's a saying that people who have experienced life and death together must have an unbreakable fate in their previous lives … "
Everyone hurriedly said that they didn't dare and that it was the Chief Scribe who did the work. Li Jinglong raised his cup after pouring wine and said, "May Chang 'an be free from calamities. The heavens bless our Tang Dynasty! "
"The heavens bless our Tang Dynasty."
The four of them raised their cups together with the Carp Demon and downed the wine in one gulp.
Li Jinglong called for everyone to eat again. Mo Rigen smiled. "It's only been two months? Why does it feel like it's been a lifetime? "
"I was admitted to the Exorcism Division on the 18th of September." Qiu Yongsi smiled. "I still remember that place was overgrown with weeds. I almost thought I went to the wrong place."
Hongjun smiled. "Do you guys remember that day when the Chief Scribe barged in, his face turned green from fright?"
Everyone roared with laughter again. That day, when Li Jinglong first entered the Exorcism Division, Atay played the zither, Mo Rigen plucked the bowstring, Qiu Yongsi and Hongjun knocked on cups and bowls, and the Carp Demon danced in a basin … It almost scared Feng Changqing out of his wits.
Li Jinglong joked, "To be honest, I was too presumptuous that day. I shouldn't have acted recklessly."
Mo Rigen beamed with joy as he talked about the little fox that was released and kept teasing Hongjun. Hongjun angrily said, "I really didn't! I just don't have the heart to see cute little animals … "
Qiu Yongsi said, "Speaking of which, I have a few paintings for you guys. Would you like to take a look?"
As he spoke, Qiu Yongsi turned around and took out several pieces of paper from his back. He gave one to each person and said to the Carp Demon, "You often soak in the water, so let Hongjun keep this for you."
Everybody divided the paintings. They saw that Qiu Yongsi's painting was extremely lifelike, it was a depiction of their daily impressions. The moment when Li Jinglong first entered the Exorcism Department, the people between the two screens when the orioles in Pingkang were listening to music at dawn, the scene when they subdued the demon in front of the Daming Palace, the gathering to face the Crown Prince in the Golden Flower Fall, and sitting under the ginkgo tree in the imperial garden waiting for the summons …
As well as the moment he galloped his horse from Chang 'an to Mount Li.
"I want this one!" The Carp Demon liked the last one.
"It's not the same as a landscape painting." Li Jinglong said with interest.
"Grandfather always complained that my paintings were too realistic." Qiu Yongsi said, "Most people don't want this kind of painting."
"I like it." Hongjun simply couldn't put it down. He rolled the painting into a cylinder and said, "When we go back, we can frame it and hang it up."
While everybody was looking at the painting, the room suddenly fell into silence. Hongjun seemed to feel a strange atmosphere. Mo Rigen said, "I also have something here. I'll give it to everyone."
As he spoke, Mo Rigen took out three small bone flutes and distributed them to everyone, saying, "This is a whistle made from the finger bone of the Wolf King. As long as you blow it in Shiwei's territory, you can summon our clansmen. Whether it's to lead the way, eat, or kill enemies, we won't refuse."
The bone flutes were very delicately made, they were melodious and clear when blown. There was even a red string tied to the flutes. Compared to the pearls, Hongjun was even more fond of them.
"I'll give you something too." Hongjun said, "Why don't you take these pearls apart?"
Everybody hurriedly told Hongjun not to take action, but Hongjun had already torn the bracelet apart. The jade pearls fell to the ground. Li Jinglong facepalmed.
Qiu Yongsi said, "These pearls are enough to buy half of Luoyang. You … actually took them apart just like that?"
Hongjun said, "It's okay, it's okay. I still have a lot of them at home. These are all soaked in the fish tank. When the time comes, I'll just string them up …"
Everybody was speechless.
There were a total of twelve pearls. Hongjun gave two to everyone and two to the Carp Demon. The Carp Demon said, "I haven't even turned into a dragon yet, and you're already playing with pearls? Keep them for me first. "
"Why don't you make a necklace for Zhao Zilong and string it together with the Buddha bone and hang it behind his cheek?
This was not a bad idea. Hongjun happily began to make accessories for the Carp Demon. The Carp Demon drank a few cups of wine. Unable to withstand the alcohol, it swayed and spasmed a few times before falling to its side. It was drunk.
"Come, drink another cup." Li Jinglong was about to pour wine when Mo Rigen snatched it away and said, "Let me, let me."
"Chief, this cup is for you." Atay said.
Hongjun followed them and raised his cup to Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong said, "You've just recovered from your injury, so don't drink too much. I'll drink this cup for you. "
Li Jinglong drank two cups in a row and said, "Let's eat. Everyone, help yourselves. "
Everybody picked up the dishes. Li Jinglong ate a mouthful of food, and the atmosphere suddenly fell silent again.
"What's wrong?" Even Hongjun could feel it.
"Nothing." Qiu Yongsi looked at Hongjun with a smile and said, "Hongjun, you're a good child."
Li Jinglong sighed deeply, put down his chopsticks and said, "If you have something to say, just say it. I'm listening."
Qiu Yongsi, Mo Rigen and Atay looked at each other. After a while, Hongjun asked, "What's wrong?"
Mo Rigen sighed and said, "Chief, Hongjun, to be honest, I have to go."
"Why?!" Hongjun's voice was filled with unconcealable surprise and disappointment.
Li Jinglong did not answer. He only looked quietly at Mo Rigen and then at Qiu Yongsi.
Qiu Yongsi said, "I have to go too. Chief, Hongjun."
Atay smiled sadly and said, "You Han people always say that all good things must come to an end. I have to go back too. Chief, Hongjun."
Hongjun: "…"
Li Jinglong was silent.
"You … you …" Hongjun thought he heard wrong and said, "Why? It wasn't easy to get rid of the Demon King. Isn't it good to stay in Chang 'an? Chang 'an is so good … there's food and fun … "
"Hongjun." The Carp Demon called.
Mo Rigen sighed and said, "To be honest, Chief, before I came, I had a mission."
"Looking for the White Deer?" Li Jinglong asked.
Hongjun was very surprised. How did Li Jinglong know? The Carp Demon looked at Hongjun's expression and said, "Are you stupid? What did Mo Rigen ask on the observatory?"
Hongjun then remembered and said, "But there's no trace of the White Deer in Chang 'an. Why don't I ask Qing Xiong and Chong Ming?"
"No." Mo Rigen answered, "The White Deer is the god of dreams that guards the long night. She is not a demon. 120 years ago, she disappeared among the grassland clans. I have inherited the power of the Grey Wolf, so I have to find her. I came to Chang 'an because I suspected that the Demon King had imprisoned her. Now it seems that she is not in the Central Plains. Therefore, I still have to continue searching. "
"What will happen if you can't find her?" Li Jinglong asked.
"The power of the White Deer is like the lamp in your heart." Mo Rigen said, "She runs into everyone's dreams and drives out their nightmares. Once she disappears, the power of nightmares cannot be eliminated, and the evil energy between heaven and earth will become heavier and heavier."
Li Jinglong let out a long sigh. Hongjun frowned and said, "Where are we going to find her?"
Mo Rigen said, "After leaving Chang 'an, I will go all the way south, and then go to the center of Shu to take a look. Elder, everything in the world has a spirit. The evil energy between heaven and earth, demons and ghosts, gods and auspicious beasts all have a connection with each other. One thing restrains another, and one thing weakens the other. Pull one hair and it will affect the whole … "
Li Jinglong raised his hand, indicating that he understood and that there was no need to say more. The room fell into silence again.
"My mission is to find the Hei Jiao's' Xie Yu 'that escaped from the Dragon Subduing Pagoda." Qiu Yongsi said to everyone, "Two hundred years ago, it swallowed many Flood Dragons, and its power grew. It escaped from the bottom of the pagoda and started a war with the Phoenix Clan."
Hongjun's heart trembled. Thinking of Chong Ming's words, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Later, the Phoenix Clan lost." Qiu Yongsi said, "They withdrew from the human world, and Xie Yu hid in the central plains. Before I came, I thought it had become the Demon King of Chang 'an, but now it seems that it didn't."
"This is also my worry," Li Jinglong replied, "So, you plan to continue looking for Xie Yu's whereabouts. What will happen after you find it?"
Qiu Yongsi said, "Take it away and seal it back into the Dragon Subduing Pagoda."
"Where is the Dragon Subduing Pagoda?" Hongjun asked.
The Carp Demon said, "If I accidentally become a dragon, will I be caught in there too?"
"It's in a place that none of you can enter." Qiu Yongsi said, "It was built by the ancient immortal, Guang Chengzi. Although it's called the Dragon Subduing Pagoda, it's actually suppressing the extremely vicious and bloodthirsty flood dragons. The Qiu Clan has been the guardian of the Dragon Subduing Pagoda for generations. "
In the silence, Qiu Yongsi sighed.
"I thought it came to Chang 'an and became the Demon King, but I didn't expect that the Demon King in charge of this place was a nine-tailed fox … So …" Qiu Yongsi smiled bitterly and said, "Xie Yu's whereabouts are like looking for a needle in a haystack. I'm afraid it will be a long time before it can be separated from everyone."
Li Jinglong pondered for a moment, then asked Atay, "What about you?"
Atay replied, "When His Majesty summoned me in the Golden Flowers Fall that night, he promised to lend me the Kuertai County at the side of Wusun Ancient Road to recruit soldiers and buy horses. He also gave me a handwritten order … What do you think?"
Mo Rigen also just found out. He frowned and said, "Kuertai County is too dangerous! The Xiongnu people appear frequently. How are you going to survive there? "
"I still have guards." Ah Tai said to the crowd, "Besides, I'm still the descendant of the Persian Sage King. Hehe …" As he spoke, he shook his fan and replied, "How could an ordinary Xiongnu be our match?"
Li Jinglong nodded and said, "Why didn't you mention anything about that night after you returned?"
Atay replied, "Elder, I didn't want to cause any more trouble for you and everyone. I'm really grateful for everyone's care these days."
After he finished speaking, Atay took half a step back and bowed respectfully to everyone. Hongjun hurried forward to help him. Everyone sighed.
"Leaving is the best way." Qiu Yongsi said, "The Chang 'an Demon King has been eliminated. If we stay here for too long, I'm afraid we'll provoke the Emperor and the imperial court officials. The Exorcism Department can take in demons, but we can also …"
"There's no need to say anymore." Li Jinglong interrupted.
Mo Rigen observed Li Jinglong's expression and knew that the Emperor was afraid.
"Will you come back?" Li Jinglong asked.
"After we find the White Deer, I'll take her back to the grasslands." Mo Rigen replied, "If we pass by the Chang 'an, I'd like to ask Elder to preside over our marriage."
Li Jinglong smiled, but there was a trace of bitterness in his smile.
Qiu Yongsi said, "After taking away the Hei Jiao, I'll probably have to stay by the West Lake. After all, that's the only entrance to the Dragon Subduing Pagoda. However, I can occasionally come to the Chang 'an to take a look. You're welcome to visit anytime."
Atay said, "I don't know if my wish to reclaim my homeland will be realized in this lifetime. However, if there's a day when I can't make it, I might have to come and find my brothers."
Li Jinglong said in amusement, "I hope you won't come back."
Everyone laughed. As they laughed, their eyes turned red. Li Jinglong sighed and turned his head to avoid their gazes. He asked Hongjun, "What about you?"
Hong Jun was still in shock and had not recovered for a long time. Being asked like this, he subconsciously said, "I … I …"
Before Hongjun left the Dazzling Gold Palace, he didn't want to leave. Chong Ming and Qing Xiong had asked him to do three things. The first was to return the Mind's Lamp to its rightful owner. The second was to banish the Demon King of Chang 'an. The third was to investigate the truth of his origins … Now, he didn't know whether the Mind's Lamp had been returned or not. The Demon King of Chang' an had been eliminated, and he roughly knew the truth of his origins. However, he still hadn't found his father's murderer.
"I … will probably stay for a while longer?" Hongjun stared blankly at Li Jinglong. He suddenly felt that this farewell was too cruel for Li Jinglong. Although fate was fleeting, Li Jinglong didn't seem to have many friends. Once the Exorcism Division was disbanded, there would be no more demons in Chang 'an. What could Li Jinglong do? He could only stay in his room all day and wait for their return.
When he heard this, Mo Rigen smiled and said, "Hongjun, you have to take good care of Elder Shi."
Atay said, "Why don't we leave Elder Shi to you? You're a prince after all. When you go home one day, bring him along."
Qiu Yongsi immediately said, "That's what we'll say! It's a deal! "
Li Jinglong: "…"
Hongjun was afraid that Li Jinglong would be too sad, so he said, "Okay! It's a deal! "
Li Jinglong said, "I haven't even nodded yet! The two of you are leaving just like that! Do you even have a conscience?! "
"You still have Hongjun." Qiu Yongsi smiled.
"That's right, that's right. You still have Hongjun." Atay and Mo Rigen agreed and toasted Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong didn't say anything and drank it.
"I can leave," Li Jinglong said, "If one day Chang 'an is plagued by demons again, how will I find you?"
Mo Rigen said, "The power of dreams is everywhere. If Chang 'an's demon aura surges, I will definitely come back."
Atay said, "Give the letter to the caravan heading to the Western Regions and let them bring it to Kuertai. If necessary, even if you have to die, I won't hesitate."
Qiu Yongsi replied, "Elder Scribe, send the letter through the relay station to Hangzhou's West Lake Wanliu Manor. My family will naturally notify me."
Li Jinglong lowered his head and gazed at his wine cup, sighing, "From the day I met everyone, I knew that you would leave sooner or later, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. Blame me, blame me … "
"Blame you for what?" Mo Rigen smiled, "If not for Elder Scribe, how could everyone work together …"
"Blame me for not cherishing the days I spent with everyone," Li Jinglong raised his eyes and looked at Yuren, slowly saying, "I only hope that we will have a chance to meet again in this life."
Qiu Yongsi, Mo Rigen, and Atay had tears in their eyes when they heard this. Hongjun almost cried.
"I don't have anything good to give you." Li Jinglong lowered his head and rubbed the space between his eyebrows with his slender fingers. He said softly, "When the time comes, take the horses with you. Leave them in the Exorcist Division, and I won't let anyone else ride them. "He smiled after he finished speaking.
Everyone fell silent and nodded their heads.
"Shall I play a song for everyone?" Atay hurriedly said. He turned around and picked up the Barbat Zither. Without waiting for anyone to reply, he plucked the strings a few times.
"The morning rain in the City of Wei rustles the dust, the guest house is green with willows …"
"I urge you to drink a cup of wine, leaving Yangguan in the west, no old friends …"
Hongjun often listened to this song, "Yangguan's Three Stacks". However, every time he listened to it in the past, it was only from the sound of the song. It was only tonight that he could hear the melancholy and reluctance in it.
Atay's zither flowed in the long night. After singing "Yangguan's Three Stacks", Mo Rigen said, "Don't be so sad!"
"Okay, okay, okay." Atay said, "Change to another song!"
"Chilechuan, under the Yin Mountain, the sky is blue, the wilderness is boundless, the wind blows the grass lowers, cattle and sheep are seen …"
That night, everyone drank to their heart's content. After singing "Yangguan's Three Stacks" and "Spring River Flower Night Moon", they sang, "Don't you see the Yellow River's water coming from the sky, rushing to the sea and never returning, the bright mirror in the hall grieves for white hair, black hair in the morning, black hair in the evening, snow in the evening …" Then they sang, "The wind sends the autumn geese from thousands of miles away, can drink to the tall buildings, the Penglai article builds peace and tranquility, in the middle of the small house, green hair, cut the water with a knife, the water flows even more, drinking to drown the sorrow even more …"
By the fourth watch, everyone was drunk to the point of unconsciousness. Some were lying down, some were leaning against the table, some were lying in front of the table, some were lying in the corner. The Carp Demon was lying on its side on the table, its tail flapping a few times from time to time.
After a long time, Mo Rigen opened his eyes and rubbed his temples. He opened his eyes that were red from drunkenness, quietly got up, and sighed.
"Brothers, we'll meet again someday." Mo Rigen said in a low voice.
He slowly got up, knelt on one knee in front of the door, put his left hand on his right chest, bowed, and then turned to leave. Not long after, Qiu Yongsi and Atay woke up as well.
"Are we leaving now?" Qiu Yongsi asked with his mouth.
Atay nodded. The moment of departure was the saddest. It was better to leave quietly.
At the fourth watch, at the foot of Mount Li, Atay, Mo Rigen, and Qiu Yongsi were standing in front of the official road.
Atay said, "I'm going west."
"I'm going northeast." Mo Rigen said.
"I'm going south." Qiu Yongsi said, "Brothers, let's part ways here. The road is long, we'll meet again someday. "
Mo Rigen said, "The mountains are ten thousand feet high, the sea is boundless, we'll meet again someday."
Atay laughed, "Hey, monkey! I'll miss you guys! "
"Actually, I've been wanting to ask you this for a long time." Qiu Yongsi said, "Hey, monkey, what does it mean?"
Atay said, "It's the greeting the Persians give when they reunite with a close friend. 'Ah! We meet again, dear friend. '"
Mo Rigen laughed, "You said the same thing when we first met. At that time, we were complete strangers, and we weren't close friends."
Atay looked at the deep night sky. On the plains, the Big Dipper shone brightly.
"I knew it from then on." Atay replied leisurely, "We'll become close friends one day. It's fate. It may seem like strangers meeting by chance, but it's all fated. So what? Giddyup —! "
Atay spurred his horse and left into the night. Qiu Yongsi also shouted, "Giddyup!" and turned his horse around, heading south on the official road.
Mo Rigen looked back at Mount Li, and then at the leather saddle behind him. He said in a low voice, "Chief Shi, Hongjun, take care … Giddyup!"
The three horses turned around and disappeared into the depths of the plains.