In the Lanling Amber Tavern, everyone from the Exorcism Division had returned. After the Carp Demon was separated from Atay and Hongjun in the Imperial Garden, it had found an extremely important clue. The appearance of the Li Family's late emperor had caused chaos in the palace. The Carp Demon had gone up to the roof to look around. It had chased after Hongjun all the way, but it had unexpectedly discovered the Gu Apes behind the palace walls of Xingqing Palace. They were the two Gu Apes from Wine, Lust, Avarice, and Temper.
When the two Gu Apes left, one of them mentioned to the other, "The Demon King ordered Third Brother to chase after Yuan Kun, but I don't know if he has caught him yet. We must act quickly to avoid unnecessary trouble."
After hearing this, Li Jinglong did not comment. He explained to everyone that Xie Yu's identity was Yang Guozhong and what had happened in the palace. The rest of the people exchanged information with each other. Mo Rigen and Ashina Chong had waited outside the Yang Mansion for an entire night, but did not find any clues.
Atay then explained Li Guinian's identity to everyone.
Lu Xu and Qiu Yongsi found out that the two Demon Generals under An Lushan's command had left the city tonight and left Chang 'an. Their whereabouts were unknown.
Everyone pondered for a moment. Li Jinglong had long known that Yang Guozhong's words were exaggerated to scare people. He had made Li Jinglong think that he had hostages and would seriously consider his conditions. However, Hongjun had not returned, and he was truly anxious.
"Xie Yu's identity has been revealed," said Qiu Yongsi. "Things have become much simpler."
"Since he dared to show himself in front of us." Li Jinglong continued, "He must have already made preparations. From the looks of it, the Demon King is not someone easy to deal with."
"Did you notice something?" Mo Rigen thought for a moment, then said, "Other than An Lushan, Xie Yu has a foothold in the palace as Yang Guozhong, but there are no longer any demons by his side or under his command."
Li Jinglong nodded and said, "Right now, Chang 'an doesn't have any subordinates. An Lushan, on the other hand, has at least four subordinates. In terms of strength, perhaps Xie Yu has already lost by a notch."
Ashina Chong said, "Perhaps that's why the Jiao Dragon had no choice but to seek your help."
At this moment, Hongjun returned and lifted the curtains of the wine shop. Everyone was astonished.
"Hongjun!"
"Are you okay?!"
Hongjun seemed to be exhausted. He smiled at everyone, indicating that they should not worry. Li Jinglong looked at Hongjun worriedly. Hongjun nodded lightly. Li Jinglong was silent for a long time. He asked Hongjun to sit beside him and said, "Xie Yu is lying to us."
"Of course," said Qiu Yongsi. "This Hei Jiao is vicious and cunning. He definitely won't fulfill any of his promises …"
Hongjun was a little lost in thought. Before he left the Yang Residence, Yang Guozhong's words still echoed in his ears.
"Tell me, what did Yuan Kun show you?"
Hongjun did not know why Yang Guozhong cared so much about Yuan Kun. Ever since he was young, he had only heard of Kun Shen from Qing Xiong. However, according to Qing Xiong, the Heart Lamp was given to him by Yuan Kun. Now that he thought about all these coincidences, it was as if everything was premeditated. Yuan Kun passed the Heart Lamp to him through Qing Xiong. Hongjun went down the mountain and arrived at Chang 'an to meet Li Jinglong. Coincidentally, on that night, the Heart Lamp was sucked away by Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong fell in love with him. In the end, he used the Heart Lamp to temporarily seal his demonic seed.
Everything seemed to be linked, leading his fate to a certain realm of karma. After the Fox Demon was killed, Yuan Kun appeared in Chang 'an for the first time. He revealed his great power as one of the Demon Kings — foreseeing the future.
"… The Golden Roc can see through people's hearts. Kun Shen of the North Sea can foresee the future." The Carp Demon's voice interrupted Hongjun's thoughts and said, "Tianma might want to know what will happen in the future."
Hongjun raised his head from his thoughts and suddenly met Li Jinglong's gaze. He then looked at the Carp Demon and asked, "Does Kun Shen know what will happen in the future?"
The Carp Demon said, "Legend has it that he can let everyone see their future, but it's not very accurate. Sometimes, people's lives can be changed. "
Hongjun, "…"
However, Yuan Kun did not let him see anything, so Hongjun could not answer Yang Guozhong's question.
Lu Xu looked at Hongjun worriedly and said, "Are you okay?"
Hongjun hurriedly shook his head and forced a smile at Lu Xu. In reality, it seemed that some information was gradually becoming clearer in his mind. Li Jinglong thought for a long time and said, "The information that Zhao Zilong brought back is very useful. Kun Shen came to Chang 'an not long ago and fought with Xie Yu without our knowledge."
"He was able to beat Kun Shen and even injure him." The Carp Demon said again, "Xie Yu must have some powerful magic treasure. You must not provoke him."
Li Jinglong crossed his arms and thought. At this moment, he raised a hand and said seriously, "He must be seriously injured. We have to find him."
"I'll go." Mo Rigen said.
Li Jinglong said, "I'll go. Right now, I'm a wanted criminal …"
As soon as he said this, the Long Wu Army came to investigate. It was chaos. Someone shouted, "Li Jinglong is a wanted criminal! Immediately accept the search! "
"What do you mean by that?" Atay didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Li Jinglong's mouth twitched. Just as he was about to hide, the sound of whips came from outside. The Long Wu Army who were searching suddenly wailed like ghosts and howled like wolves. It was chaos accompanied by Trandol's angry rebuke. Although the people in the Exorcism Division had never been whipped before, they could hear the extremely tragic screams and their scalps couldn't help but tingle.
After a moment of silence, Li Jinglong calmly assigned tasks amidst the screams.
"Hongjun and I will go to Luoyang to find the whereabouts of the Gu Ape." Li Jinglong said, "Use the Gu Ape as a hostage to force An Lushan to reveal his true self …"
"… You are responsible for finding out what magic treasure he uses to protect his inner demon. Find a way to destroy it, or …"
Atay wanted to say something but stopped. Li Jinglong immediately noticed this detail.
"You'll take full responsibility?" Li Jinglong said to Atay.
Everyone looked at Atay. Atay muttered to himself for a long time before slowly nodding.
Li Jinglong asked Atay, "Are you confident?"
Atay whispered, "I don't know, but I'll do my best."
"What about me? What about me?" The Carp Demon said.
"Stay." Li Jinglong said.
"I want to go."
"I said, stay!"
After arguing for a while, Hongjun said, "Zhao Zilong, you stay."
Since Hongjun had spoken, the Carp Demon could only drop the matter.
Li Jinglong scanned everyone and muttered to himself for a moment. Mo Rigen said, "If everything goes smoothly, when will we turn the tables? How will we turn the tables? Where will we turn the tables? "
Li Jinglong pondered and slowly said, "Imperial Concubine's birthday. At that time, I will appear with the Gu Ape and besiege An Lushan on the spot, forcing him to reveal his true self. The specific process will have to be discussed after the demons are captured. "
Everyone nodded. Hongjun suddenly thought of something and asked, "What if An Lushan doesn't reveal himself and allows his two Gu Ape to die?"
"The Mind Lamp will purify him." Li Jinglong said leisurely, "Just like in Dunhuang, as long as he loses his protective magic weapon, I have the confidence to force him out."
Hongjun was silent. He thought of the battle in Dunhuang — the demonic seed in his body seemed to have an innate ability to control demonic energy. No matter who the demonic energy was in, even if it drifted between heaven and earth. As long as he wanted to absorb it, it could be absorbed at any time, anywhere.
If he absorbed An Lushan's demonic energy into his body … this would be the easiest way to destroy the enemy.
"Hey." Li Jinglong said to Hongjun, "What are you thinking about?"
Hongjun immediately sat up straight and said, "Nothing."
Everyone looked at Hongjun. Hongjun thought to himself, 'Are my thoughts so easy to guess? Why does everyone know what I'm thinking? '
Li Jinglong hesitated and said, "You and I … forget it. Anyway, let's get on the road as soon as possible, Atay."
Li Jinglong originally wanted to talk to Hongjun, but he remembered that the two of them were about to set off for Luoyang and had plenty of time. He got up and gestured for Atay to follow him.
The Exorcism Division was temporarily closed down, so everyone could only stay in the tavern. Hongjun followed Lu Xu to the backyard and saw the Carp Demon helping him pack his luggage. Just now, Yang Guozhong had given Li Jinglong some time, allowing him to bring out a lot of the Exorcism Division's belongings. When Hongjun saw this scene, he suddenly had a strong premonition.
"I feel that my fate with the Exorcism Division is about to end," Hongjun said.
"Don't say that!" Lu Xu's expression changed.
Carp Demon said, "Hongjun, don't let your imagination run wild!"
Hongjun looked at Lu Xu again and suddenly said, "Can you still make me dream of the past?"
Lu Xu pondered for a moment and said, "Have you changed your mind?"
Hong Jun nodded seriously. Yang Guozhong's words today caused him to be unable to help but recall the matters of his childhood. For some unknown reason, he kept having the feeling that everything was about to come to an end very soon, and it was as if his destiny was about to be revealed.
Lu Xu said, "Hongjun, don't."
Hongjun lay down on the couch and looked sideways at Lu Xu.
"Xie Yu told me that Kun Shen has great power and that he can let everyone see their future," Hongjun said. "But Kun Shen has never let me see my future."
"The future is uncertain," Carp Demon Demon replied. The carp demon answered, "Venerable Xuanzang told me that even if you know that everything is destined to happen, and that it may be one of many futures, when you know of a certain possibility, it may affect your present, and that possibility may be changed accordingly."
"But the past is always certain," Hongjun said.
"The past is also uncertain," Lu Xu suddenly replied.
Hongjun, "???"
Lu Xu said, "The past is nothingness, the future is nothingness, the only thing that exists is the present."
This was beyond Hongjun's understanding, but he still said stubbornly, "Lu Xu, let me dream of the past again. This is very important to me."
Lu Xu sighed and stood on the couch, facing Hongjun. His two fingers formed the shape of a pagoda, and his long hair instantly turned snow-white, his whole body glowing.
The carp demon immediately let out a "wah" and slowly retreated.
Hongjun looked at Lu Xu in surprise. He saw that Lu Xu's body had become as transparent and bright as a soul. Short antlers extended from his forehead, and the antlers that had been cut off had not fully recovered.
"I grant you a sleep away from nightmares." Lu Xu's voice became hoarse. He pressed one hand on the back of Hongjun's hand, then lay down, holding his hand tightly, and lay down beside him.
This time, when Hong Jun closed his eyes, there was a "swoosh" sound. Ten thousand rays of white light passed through the ancient memory channel. He only heard Lu Xu whisper in his ear, "I am by your side."
Suddenly, in the tunnel, millions of black flames spun and rushed towards them. Hongjun said, "What is that?"
Lu Xu just waved his hand, and the white light suddenly shot out, shattering the black flames that rushed forward like a meteor. The flames collapsed and disappeared.
"This is the nightmare that you inhaled not long ago." Lu Xu said, "This tunnel is the enchantment that the Mind's Lamp protects."
Hongjun's consciousness gradually calmed down, and the white light flashed in front of his eyes again. He and Lu Xu rushed out of the tunnel, and suddenly there was a torrential downpour. Hongjun realized that compared to the first time, he did not enter the body of his younger self. Instead, he became a white soul like Lu Xu, floating in mid-air.
And his body seemed to have returned to the attire that he used to wear in the Dazzling Gold Palace. He wore a battle skirt, and seven peacock feathers fluttered behind him. Lu Xu's body was covered in white light, and the antlers on his head flickered from time to time.
"No matter what happens, don't let go of my hand." Lu Xu reminded.
Hongjun's eyes widened, and he saw Kong Xuan use a spell to boil a basin of water in the corridor before the storm. And in the room, there was a loud cry. At this moment, Yang Guozhong pushed the door open and entered the room.
Hongjun became excited when he saw him, and the whole dream shook. Lu Xu immediately said, "Hongjun! Guard your heart! "
This time, Hongjun was floating in the air like a spirit, observing his dream. It was different from the last time when he directly entered his body in the dream. With just a slight thought, the dream almost shattered, and he could only rely on Lu Xu to maintain it.
"Father …"
"Hongjun!" Lu Xu shouted angrily. Hongjun woke up and tried his best to remain calm.
The dream gradually became blurry, and from winter to summer, and then from summer to winter, it was covered in white snow. The surrounding scenery changed rapidly, and the scenery outside the Yumen County General's Residence appeared. Kong Xuan was carrying the infant Hongjun on his back. Little Hongjun was only one year old, and he was wrapped tightly in cotton cloth. His little face was red from the cold, and he was carried out on Kong Xuan's back.
Hongjun said, "I see my uncle!"
Lu Xu said, "Follow me."
Lu Xu held Hongjun's hand and flew towards the vast snowfield, following behind Kong Xuan who was riding a horse through the snowfield. The scenery flashed, and they arrived at the foot of the snowy mountain. The night sky was magnificent and gorgeous, and the Milky Way was like a belt. The White Deer stepped on the light powder in the star path, gently stepping on the airdrop into the distance.
"That's you," Hongjun said with a smile.
Lu Xu said, "Mm." However, in the next moment, the flood dragon roared between heaven and earth. The black flood dragon soul rolled forward and bit the White Deer.
Kong Xuan suddenly raised his head and turned his horse around to head towards the village.
Hongjun was extremely nervous. He looked at the horizon with Lu Xu. Then, Kong Xuan flew out from the night sky. His navy blue robe shone with a golden belt, and his body was covered in battle armor. He flew into the sky and fought with the Hei Jiao! This was the first time Hongjun saw the real body of his father, Mahamayuri. His eyes widened instantly.
"You who have lost the Tianma Seed no longer have the power of the Divine Demon Body …" the Hei Jiao roared.
Kong Xuan said loudly, "You who only have one soul is the same. We are the same."
The Hei Jiao roared in pain and turned around to leave. The White Deer in his mouth let out a cry and turned into light spots. A ray of white light spun and flew towards the village at the foot of the snow mountain. Kong Xuan chased after the Hei Jiao, but he heard the cry of a baby again.
In a flash of light, Hongjun and Lu Xu stood in Lu Xu's old residence, hand in hand. Kong Xuan was assisting Lu Xu's mother in delivering a baby and washing the newborn baby. Little Hongjun pressed on Kong Xuan's shoulder and stood shakily, looking at the newborn Lu Xu.
Hongjun and Lu Xu were silent. After a while, Lu Xu flew out with Hongjun and arrived at the top of Mogao Cave. They saw that Kong Xuan was still carrying little Hongjun on his back and chatting with the Ghost King.
"He loves you," Lu Xu suddenly said.
Hongjun replied with an "Mm". His feelings were very complicated. After knowing the truth, he hated his father, Chong Ming, and Qing Xiong … But no matter how much he hated his father, it was useless in the face of time. On the contrary, when he saw his father carrying him and doing everything to make up for his mistakes, he felt sad.