In a brightly lit room in Mount Li's side hall, Li Jinglong was sleeping soundly on the table. Hongjun was lying beside Li Jinglong, sleeping like a carefree child.
Li Jinglong raised his head, his eyes red. He glanced at the scattered cups and plates in front of the table, then turned to look at Hongjun beside him.
"It's just the two of us left," Li Jinglong whispered and reached out to gently stroke Hongjun's hair.
"Come … get up." Li Jinglong said with difficulty. He reluctantly carried Hongjun up and let his head rest on his shoulder. Hongjun's body was covered with Li Jinglong's robe. Li Jinglong carried him and walked barefoot through the corridor. He kicked open the sliding door of Hongjun's room and carried him in. Panting, he put him on the bed and covered him with a quilt.
"Phew …"
Li Jinglong sat in front of Hongjun's bed. His eyes were full of sadness. For a moment, he didn't want to go back to his room and fell asleep on the floor beside the bed.
That night, Hongjun had a strange dream. He dreamed that someone lit a lamp beside him to illuminate the night. The warm light was always beside him, and not far from the window, there was a fiery red sun shining in. The light of the morning sun warmed his body, as if it was calling him.
At five o 'clock, Hongjun suddenly woke up.
The moment he opened his eyes, the light of the red sun receded. Only the lamp beside him was still lit.
How long did he sleep? Hongjun let out a long breath and looked sideways at the bed. Li Jinglong was leaning against the bed and sleeping soundly. Hongjun sat up. He was thirsty and only wanted to drink water. He walked around the room and stood in front of the window. He didn't know why, but he opened the window and looked outside.
In the snowy night, it was very bright outside. There was a person standing on the high cliff facing the window.
Hongjun: "???"
The man stood in front of the cliff, motionless. Hongjun put down the bowl, closed the window, put on his outer robe, and quietly walked out of the corridor. He walked through the long corridor and arrived at the back door of the side hall. Pushing the door open, the figure standing on the cliff became clearer.
It was a man.
He walked along the suspension bridge towards the high cliff. The leaves of the parasol tree on the cliff were almost all gone. Snowflakes were flying in the air, but there was no snow around the man, revealing the bare cliff. From the edge of the cliff, they could see Chang 'an City in the distance.
Hongjun couldn't help but tremble as he slowly walked up the cliff. He saw that the man had a head of red hair that looked like burning flames. He wore a golden-red royal robe with two flaming tail feathers on his belt that dragged on the ground.
His royal robe hung loosely on his shoulders, revealing his naked upper body, revealing his fair skin and powerful muscles.
"Father?" Hongjun almost couldn't believe his eyes.
Chong Ming slowly turned around and looked at Hongjun. Then, he frowned slightly. Hongjun was about to step forward when Chong Ming seemed to be angered in an instant. He gasped for breath and said, "You … What happened to your ear?!"
Hong Jun's ear was still wrapped in bandages, and he subconsciously wanted to cover it, but Halcyon did not allow him to say anything and grabbed his wrist, pushing him to the side. He had him stand up straight, and casually untied his bandages. Hongjun cried out in pain, "Father! Be gentle! "
"How did you get hurt?!" Chong Ming almost roared.
Hongjun stared at Chong Ming without saying a word. Chong Ming was extremely anxious, but he forced himself to calm down. He raised his left hand, which glowed red. The faint sound of a phoenix's cry could be heard. Then, he placed his left hand beside Hongjun's face, spread his fingers apart, and made a circle. Hongjun's wound healed quickly, and he was as good as new.
"Isn't it healed now?" Hongjun said with a smile.
"You …" Chong Ming almost died of anger when he saw this bastard. It took him a long time to calm down.
Hongjun said, "Didn't you often fall and bleed when you were young?"
"How can you compare that?!" Chong Ming said angrily.
Hongjun smiled at Chong Ming. His eyes were a little wet as he said, "Why are you here?"
Chong Ming took a deep breath and looked at Hongjun. Hongjun was a little scared by his stare, but he missed him too much. He just wanted to be close to him, so he reached out to pull his Phoenix tail feather belt. Chong Ming pushed Hongjun's hand away imperceptibly. Hongjun pulled again. This time, Chong Ming did not move and let him pull.
Chong Ming replied, "I'm here to bring you home."
Hongjun, "!!!"
"But I haven't finished my three tasks yet." Hongjun said.
"I don't care." Chong Ming said coldly.
Hongjun said again, "Elder Li, he … he's the only one left in the Exorcism Division."
"Who?" Chong Ming suddenly emitted a powerful aura with a murderous intent. He said in a deep voice, "The mortal behind you?"
Hongjun suddenly turned around and saw Li Jinglong standing under a parasol tree. He said, "Elder Li, you're awake too? I … Father, this is Li Jinglong! My superior! "
Li Jinglong woke up in the middle of the night. He did not have time to tidy up, so he wore a simple robe and a martial robe. The martial robe fluttered in the wind, and he still held the Wisdom Sword in his hand. At this moment, his left hand gently touched the right hand holding the sword. He said, "Jinglong greets Uncle."
"Are you leaving or not?" Chong Ming did not even look at Li Jinglong and only said to Hongjun.
"Father." Hongjun said, "Listen to me …"
Hongjun pulled Chong Ming's tail and kept pulling it towards himself. Chong Ming was pulled over and raised his hand to beat him. The moment he raised his hand, Li Jinglong became nervous again. However, Hongjun had long been used to Chong Ming's fierce appearance and cowardly aura. He took the opportunity and pounced on his back.
"Get down!" Chong Ming said angrily. In the end, he took off Hongjun and gestured for him to stand up straight.
Li Jinglong said uneasily, "Hongjun."
Hong Jun smiled and said, "Father, I accidentally mistook the Heart Lantern for someone else and placed it on Li Jinglong."
Chong Ming said in a deep voice, "A mistake is a mistake."
Hongjun said again, "I also chased away the Demon King …"
"The human world is already in a mess. I will not return to Chang 'an." Chong Ming interrupted simply and rudely, "That's what I said back in Dazzling Gold Palace. Don't be wishful thinking again."
Li Jinglong's heart was finally relieved.
Hongjun said again, "I still haven't found out who killed my …"
"Your heart is too wild." Chong Ming said, "I understand. You're just looking for excuses because you're unwilling to give up on prosperity and your desire."
Hongjun's words came to an abrupt end. Chong Ming said again, "Forget it. Today, Qing Xiong told me that you won't be willing to go home with me. It's because I didn't want to give up and did something unnecessary. From now on, you can stay in the human world. Learn from your father and enjoy this beautiful world … "
"Father, it's not like that …" Hongjun hurriedly explained.
Chong Ming said in a deep voice, "What? Explain it to me. "
Hongjun stammered, "Chang 'an is very good. There's food, there's fun. There's also a place in the Exorcism Division and a parasol tree. You'll know when you stay with me for a few days. Besides, I also want, want …"
At this point, Hongjun suddenly understood. It was useless to say anything more. He was no longer the ignorant youth he was when he left Taihang Mountains. Once, when he saw the chicks in the forest leave their nests and never return, he was filled with confusion and went to ask Chong Ming.
Chong Ming never faced any of his questions directly. It was only now that Hongjun gradually understood.
"… Yes," Hongjun replied, "I'm attached to the mortal world. I can't bear to part with you. Can you let Elder Shi come with us … "
Chong Ming said, "Choose the person behind you or choose me? I won't let mortals even take half a step into Dazzling Gold Palace. "
"Uncle," Li Jinglong hurriedly said, "When Hongjun was in Chang 'an, there wasn't a day when he didn't think of you. As a young man, I always hope to see the world. "
"Choose your mortal world or choose me?" Chong Ming never once answered Li Jinglong's question.
Hongjun took a deep breath and closed his eyes, saying, "Father, I can't bear to part with you. If I have to choose …"
At this moment, Hongjun might have already made a choice deep in his heart. He turned around and looked at Li Jinglong with melancholy and sorrow. Li Jinglong replied, "Go home with your father. When I'm free, I'll go to Taihang Mountains to look for you, Hongjun."
When Hongjun turned to look at Chong Ming again, Chong Ming had already raised his index and middle fingers. Flames burst out from his fingertips and he slashed at the long tail on his belt.
With a crackling sound, the belt split into two halves. Halcyon's body lay down on the edge of the cliff. While he was in midair, he exploded into a raging inferno that lit up the night sky. Immediately after, he flapped his wings and transformed into a blazing True Phoenix. His cry resounded through the mountains as he gently flapped his wings. Without any hesitation, he flew towards the horizon!
"Father!" Hongjun shouted wildly. He grabbed the half of the tail and rushed out of the cliff. Li Jinglong instantly rushed forward and hugged him tightly without any regard for his own safety, dragging him back to the cliff.
"Father —!" Hongjun screamed and burst into tears. His hand was still tightly holding the tail. "Why! I agreed to go home with you! Why —! "
Hongjun suppressed his sadness for the whole night and finally collapsed at this moment. He did not understand why Chong Ming was so cruel. He wanted to break free from Li Jinglong, but Li Jinglong held him tightly. He choked back his sobs and shouted, "Why? Why don't you want me —! "
Li Jinglong sighed and whispered, "Hongjun, don't be sad, don't be sad. I'll go back to Taihang Mountains with you tomorrow. I promised you."
Hongjun panted wildly. He was exhausted. He tightly held the tail in his hand. The tail emitted a red light and gradually shrank into a phoenix feather. The snow drifted down and avoided his body.
The light snow continued to fall. Everything was silent except for the endless sounds in the deep valley. It sounded like silkworms eating leaves and spinning the pivot. It sounded like the rising tide and the shifting sands of the sea turning into mulberry fields. It sounded like the wind blowing through the bamboo forest with thousands of leaves. It sounded like the cloud waterfall flowing over the mountains.
Snowflakes flew down, covering the sky and covering the earth. In this cold wind, as soon as the snow touched the earth, it turned into water, rolled up the dust, grew flowers, and pulled out leaves. When spring came, it turned into insects, cocoons, and butterflies. It turned into migratory birds that came from winter to summer in the mountains. It passed through the clouds and disappeared in the sea of clouds. Then it turned into fine fragments of flying snow and gently rolled into the world.
At dawn, Hongjun lay on the bed. Li Jinglong made a bed on the floor in the room. Hongjun's mood finally calmed down a little. He was so tired that he fell asleep completely.
Li Jinglong had a hangover and had a splitting headache. He could not sleep well. From time to time, he would get up to see if Hongjun was really asleep or feeling sad. He tossed and turned until the sun was high in the sky. Finally, he really closed his eyes for a while. But after a while, he suddenly heard a scream in the distance.
"It's a monster —!"
Li Jinglong was instantly awakened. He grabbed the wisdom sword on the table and rushed out, shouting, "There's a monster!"
The maids scrambled out of the dining hall last night, screaming crazily. Li Jinglong rushed in with his sword. He saw the Carp Demon had just woken up and was sitting foolishly on the table with its eyes wide open.
Li Jinglong held his forehead with one hand. He had a terrible headache. He leaned against the door and said, "It's raised by this family. Don't be afraid … Where's the Soul Leaving Pollen?"
The Carp Demon went out to scatter the Soul Leaving Pollen. The maids screamed and hid. Suddenly, they sneezed. Their eyes were dull and they looked left and right. The Carp Demon took the opportunity to run away.
Li Jinglong tidied up his robe and went back to see if Hongjun had woken up. The Carp Demon said, "Unlucky Official, where's Mo Rigen and the others?! Why are they all gone?! "
"Don't mention it." Li Jinglong frowned deeply. His expression was extremely painful. "Let me be alone."
The Carp Demon said again, "Where did they all go? Where's my Hongjun? "
He chased to the corridor. Hongjun had a headache and staggered out to wash up. Li Jinglong stood still. His eyes were full of pity. Hongjun smiled at him and said, "Good morning, Official."
The Carp Demon went forward and asked, "Why are you in Li Jinglong's room again? What happened last night …"
Hongjun casually took a piece of cake and stuffed the Carp Demon's mouth. He went to wash his face.
The Carp Demon jumped into the room and ran out in a moment. It held the Chong Ming's feather in its left hand and pointed at the feather with its right hand. Did it mean that the Chong Ming was here?
"We're leaving today." Li Jinglong said, "It's only half a month's journey to the Taihang Mountains."
Hongjun looked up at Li Jinglong with a complicated expression. Li Jinglong said seriously, "The thing I promised you …"
"Official." Hongjun was brushing his teeth. His mouth was full of bubbles. "I'm not going to the Taihang Mountains. My father will bully you. "
Li Jinglong replied, "Talk to your father properly. There's no need to quarrel. If worse comes to worst, I'll just run away, okay?"
The Carp Demon swallowed the mung bean cake with great difficulty and said, "It must be His Majesty Chong Ming who's jealous! Li Jinglong! You kidnapped his son and are still so lovey-dovey. You're lucky that he didn't kill you with fire last night. Tell me, do you like my Hongjun?! Don't be delusional … "
The Carp Demon poked the paper window and the two men's faces immediately turned red. Hongjun squatted by the well in the courtyard. Li Jinglong stood and looked at him. The two men stared at each other and didn't say anything for a long time.
Li Jinglong finally said, "Let's eat breakfast first. We'll discuss further. In any case, I'll keep this matter in mind." Then he turned around and left in a hurry. Hongjun's eyes widened. He couldn't help but think of the hot spring yesterday. Li Jinglong's figure was so good … No, what was this?!
The Carp Demon jumped over again and said, "Hongjun, I have to remind you that Li Jinglong's stomach is full of evil tricks. He's never been kind to you. Now he's trying to sow discord between you and your father …"
"Zhao Zilong! You're so noisy — —! Shut up! "
Hongjun finally exploded. He picked up a wooden basin and scooped it at the Carp Demon, throwing it out.
During breakfast, Li Jinglong couldn't help but observe Hongjun. He didn't look like he was still depressed. Young people were always like this. When troubled matters came, they were like Mount Tai, but when they woke up, they were better than anything else.
"If we go back to Mount Taihang, we have to find Qing Xiong first." Hongjun said, "Qing Xiong will bring me up. Otherwise, we won't be able to go up to Dazzling Golden Palace."
"Where are we going to find him?" Li Jinglong said carelessly, "Since we have nothing to do and the Demon King has been eliminated, we'll just stay in the Exorcism Department. Why don't I send you home? I'll also go take a look at Mount Mingchuan. I've never been out of Guanzhong in my life. I've always heard that the divine continent is magnificent and mysterious. It's all thanks to you. "
Hongjun replied, "Qing Xiong, that Golden-Winged Great Peng."
Li Jinglong smiled and said, "Then we'll have to thank him properly."
The Carp Demon was eating egg mixed rice with a bowl and said, "Li Jinglong, you've been smiling quite happily recently. Did something happy happen?"
Hongjun ignored the Carp Demon's nagging and frowned. "But … where are we going to find him?"
Li Jinglong replied, "I guess there's a fish here who knows."
Hongjun: "?"
The two of them looked at the Carp Demon. The Carp Demon was holding a bowl with its mouth open, its fish face blank.
Carp Demon: "What are you looking at me for?"
"That day, Hongjun asked you to look for someone. Where did you go?" Li Jinglong raised his left eyebrow and looked at the Carp Demon with contempt. "You couldn't have been stopped for questioning, right?"
Carp Demon: "I went to buy groceries."
"Buy groceries?" Hongjun realized that something was wrong and said in surprise, "Don't you never buy groceries? How would you buy groceries? Would anyone sell groceries to a fish? "
The Carp Demon didn't know how to lie. Now that it was exposed, it immediately reached out and took out the Soul Leaving Pollen. Li Jinglong said, "How dare you! I bought the Soul Leaving Pollen with my money! "
Carp Demon: "…"
"Zhao Zilong!" Hongjun was deceived and said angrily, "How many things are you hiding from me?"
"No, no." The Carp Demon hurriedly begged, "It was Lord Qing Xiong who told me not to say … I didn't dare to say."
It turned out that when the Carp Demon went to find someone to pass on a message that day, it was suddenly caught by an eagle and flew out of the city. When it was thrown to the ground, it was Qing Xiong in front of it. Qing Xiong asked a lot of questions and then flew away. The Carp Demon had no choice but to run back and delay a lot of time.
Hongjun was shocked, but Li Jinglong had already guessed that this would happen.
"What did Qing Xiong say?" Hongjun said. "Good for you! Zhao Zilong! "
The Carp Demon said, "He asked where the fox demon was hiding and if it was dying. He told me not to worry about you and that he would come and save you."
"Save my ass!" Hongjun almost flipped the table. If it wasn't for Li Jinglong's Mind Lamp, the Exorcism Division would have been wiped out.
The Carp Demon stammered, "Lord Qing Xiong knows, but … no, Elder Li has the Mind Lamp on him, so you won't be in too much danger. Some experience is necessary, otherwise the Mind Lamp will never be used, right? He said that the Mind Lamp is very important, very important. "
Li Jinglong was simply convinced.
Hongjun asked unhappily, "Where is he now? Tell me honestly. "
The Carp Demon replied, "He said that he will come and find you soon. It's absolutely true, they are all birds, flying around, how would I know where they are! Hongjun! Don't be angry! I will kowtow to you and apologize! "
As he spoke, the Carp Demon placed the fish head on the side of the table and knocked it a few times, making a sound. Hongjun could only give up and no longer pursue the matter.