In the Exorcism Division, when Hongjun saw Lu Xu, Lu Xu was brushing his teeth and rinsing his mouth. Suddenly, Hongjun rushed over, flipped him to the ground, and sprayed a face full of toothbrushing bubbles. Hongjun hadn't seen him for ten days, but Lu Xu had already been gone for a year and a half. He almost burst into tears on the spot.
Both sides scrambled to speak for a long time, so much so that they couldn't even hear each other clearly. In the end, Hongjun laughed loudly, pressed down on Lu Xu, and rolled around the room.
"You came back just in time." Lu Xu asked, "Where are Elder Brother, Brother Yongsi, and Brother Qiong?"
Hongjun explained that Yuren had arrived soon after. "We're in the Dragon-Subduing Pagoda …"
"Shut up." Lu Xu said, "Listen to me first."
"Yes, yes, yes." Hongjun moved Xiao Hu's bed over and rested it on his elbow. He listened with great interest to Lu Xu's events in the past year and a half. Lu Xu talked for a long time, as if it was a running account, but Hongjun listened with great interest.
"You actually found Zhao Zilong?!" Hongjun almost jumped up when he heard about the Carp Demon, but after Lu Xu's explanation, Hongjun felt somewhat dejected.
"Yes." Hongjun thought for a moment, then said, "Did it follow An Lushan's army to the south?"
Lu Xu spread his hands helplessly. They didn't go to Youzhou for the rest of the year. Hongjun heard that Mo Rigen had broken his arm after rushing out of Youzhou with Lu Xu that day, so he went to see Mo Rigen. At this time, Mo Rigen was sitting in the corridor, looking up at the black Qi in the sky.
"I'm fine." Mo Rigen smiled at Hongjun and reached out to pat his head.
Lu Xu said, "Why aren't you calling Atay back?"
"I'm leaving now." Mo Rigen said, "He went to Trandol to buy food and drinks. You two look after the house. Let's have dinner tonight. Everyone is finally reunited."
"And then?" Hongjun asked curiously.
After Lu Xu and Mo Rigen escaped from Youzhou, they were unable to shake off the demons that were tailing them. An Lushan sent out elites to search for their whereabouts. Lu Xu had no choice but to treat Mo Rigen's injuries while carrying him on the run. While they were fleeing towards Taihang Mountains, the demons under An Lushan's command were attacked by a flock of birds.
"It's Chong Ming!" Hongjun said.
Lu Xu had never seen Chong Ming before; he said, "A tall guy, wearing long pants, bare-chested, his skin is darker than a big wolf's. Is he your father?"
"Qing Xiong," Hongjun said. "What did he say?"
"He told the two of us to stay in Taihang Mountains and recuperate," Lu Xu said. "Don't go back to Chang 'an. Just send a letter. But the big wolf didn't listen. After resting at the foot of the mountain for less than a month, he left. "
Afterward, Mo Rigen and Lu Xu returned to Chang 'an. Mo Rigen first went to find the Crown Prince and reported the military situation in the northwest. It was almost the fourth month, and Li Heng quickly brought Mo Rigen to meet with Li Longji. Yang Guozhong had already returned to his former identity and was at Li Longji's side.
Hongjun: "…"
Lu Xu said, "Li Guinian can't do anything to him. He doesn't have the slightest bit of demonic energy on his body. Moreover, he said that he's forgotten all about the past."
Mo Rigen repeatedly probed, even going so far as to personally visit Yang Guozhong's residence at night. He originally wanted to directly eliminate him, but under Lu Xu's persuasion, he ultimately gave up on this idea. After all, this matter was far too important. If he killed Yang Guozhong for no apparent reason, the Exorcism Department would be held responsible.
"The big wolf said that Xie Yu wouldn't be willing to die like this," Lu Xu said. "Perhaps he's still hiding somewhere in Chang 'an. At this time, Atay and Sister-in-law also returned. We've been in Chang 'an investigating for a full seven months. "
Atay also returned. The four of them returned to the Exorcism Department and began investigating Xie Yu's whereabouts. They also waited for the imperial court to come up with a plan to deal with An Lushan. But this time, Xie Yu hid very well, and did not reveal any clues at all. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air.
Mo Rigen wanted to kill Xie Yu. He suggested that they find a way to lure him out, even using Yang Guozhong as a test. Lu Xu even used dreams to repeatedly invade Yang Guozhong's mind, but in the end, he only saw an ordinary person.
The demonic energy was completely removed. In the end, Mo Rigen took a risk and used a poison provided by Atay to put Yang Guozhong into a state of suspended animation. Xie Yu was extremely patient and did not appear.
At this time, Atay and Trandol went to search for the remaining Acalanatha artifacts. Hongjun said in surprise, "You already know the location?"
"The ley lines." Lu Xu said, "They found the secret chamber where Di Renjie took out the Sword of Wisdom in the ancient waterway under Poyang Lake. That's where the ley lines flow."
Hongjun, "!!!"
Hongjun immediately thought of the Demon-binding Rope. It seemed to also exist in the altar near the ley lines.
"It's very possible," Hongjun said.
"But they found nothing." Lu Xu said, "Atay left marks all over China. Anyway, they have nothing to do. As long as you don't leave the tower, the two of them will go and look for it. At the same time, they'll take Sister-in-law to play."
Atay and Trandol left Chang 'an again, leaving Mo Rigen and Lu Xu to stay behind. During this time, they had been waiting for the imperial court to make a move and observing Yang Guozhong. Li Longji decided to summon An Lushan back in August. Naturally, An Lushan could not come.
"After the Divine Fire was taken away, his body could no longer withstand the Devil Qi," Lu Xu said. "He's starting to rot."
An Lushan sent a glib messenger to complain that the traitor was trying to frame him. Mo Rigen never expected that An Lushan would use this trick. Li Longji's secret envoy returned to the imperial court not long after. When the secret envoy went to Youzhou, Mo Rigen had no idea.
The secret envoy's answer was, "No such thing has been found." Thus, the crime of "framing an important minister at the border" fell on Mo Rigen's head. If Li Jinglong was here, it would be fine. He could handle it. Mo Rigen was already very disgusted with Li Longji. He quarreled with the emperor of the Tang Dynasty on the spot …
Hongjun, "…"
"What are you guys doing?" Hongjun couldn't believe his ears.
Lu Xu spread his hands and said, "What can I do?"
Li Longji was already paranoid. Mo Rigen didn't know how to deal with the imperial court at all. Li Jinglong didn't even show up … Thus, the emperor became paranoid. The deputy of the Exorcist Department didn't know how to control Li Jinglong. The tragedy of Li Jinglong being detained almost happened again.
If the emperor ordered the imperial guards to arrest Mo Rigen, this guy would probably shoot him down with a few arrows and escape with Lu Xu.
But this time, Yang Guozhong stood on Mo Rigen's side. Only then did Li Longji agree to give him a way out and not pursue the matter.
"Did they quarrel so fiercely?" Hongjun said.
"They even drew their swords in the study. What do you think?" Lu Xu asked. "It's strange. Why didn't Xie Yu move at all?"
Hongjun asked, "And then?"
Lu Xu said, "Then they were bored. It's not that I want to say this, but Li Jinglong isn't here. They really can't …"
At first, Li Jinglong didn't expect that such a complicated situation would occur after he entered the pagoda. Mo Rigen didn't understand power struggles. After being sucked into the political maelstrom, he was unable to extricate himself. He had a taste of Li Jinglong's disdain.
But the officials in the imperial court weren't to be trifled with. First, Feng Changqing spoke of An Lushan's mistakes. Next, when Geshu Han returned to the imperial court to report on his work, he proposed a transfer. In the end, Li Longji couldn't sit still and agreed to remove An Lushan from the position of Jiedushi.
Autumn passed and winter came. Mo Rigen really couldn't stand the efficiency of these mortals. Li Jinglong left the pagoda without any warning. Mo Rigen originally planned to go with the imperial envoy to Youzhou, but Lu Xu stopped him.
"You're right," Hongjun said.
Lu Xu replied, "I was about to run away from home before he gave up on this idea. He probably thought I was annoying him to death."
Even if Mo Rigen directly confronted An Lushan, what could they do? Just the two of them, along with Atay and Trandol, couldn't get rid of Tianma. Lu Xu's dreamforce might be able to restrain An Lushan, but the only person in the Exorcist Division who could completely restrain An Lushan was Li Jinglong, who possessed the power of the Immovable Wisdom King and the Mind Lamp.
"He actually didn't want to get rid of Tianma." Lu Xu said, "Da Lang wanted to make early preparations, including the entire line of defense along the way from Youzhou south to Luoyang and then to Guanzhong. He didn't want to see the chaos of war, because the memories it gave him were too strong. "
Lu Xu knew where Mo Rigen's obsession lay. Hongjun thought for a moment, then said, "But Jinglong also saw the military reports on the way. He didn't make any preparations at all."
"It's very simple. There's no money," Lu Xu said. "The Yang Family took all of the military's pay."
Hongjun, "…"
After Yang Guozhong returned to the court, he rarely interfered in political affairs, instead wantonly amassing wealth. These years, the Yang Family's expenses were already high, and Yang Guozhong's actions only made things worse. It was precisely because of this that he was too much like a mortal. No matter how Lu Xu and Mo Rigen observed him, they couldn't find any loopholes.
"And then." Lu Xu said, "News of the rebellion came from the North. After we sent a letter to Atay, we rushed to Luoyang."
After hearing all of this, Hongjun felt as if a lifetime had passed.
"Fortunately, Li Jinglong came out," Hongjun said.
Lu Xu said as if a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders, "There's finally someone to worry about these things."
Both of them looked as if it had nothing to do with them, as if a huge stone had been lifted from their hearts. It really wasn't easy to survive in this world without intelligence …
"But anyway, congratulations," Hongjun said.
Lu Xu was puzzled, "What are you congratulating for?"
"You're finally together," Hongjun said with a smile.
Lu Xu was speechless. He stared at Hongjun and said, "If I said that we're not together, would you believe me?"
Hongjun was shocked, saying, "Didn't you guys … already do that?"
Lu Xu said, "That's one thing, but we're not together."
To be honest, Lu Xu also didn't know what kind of relationship he had with Mo Rigen. Ever since the ambush at An Lushan's side was over, the two of them had been neither close nor distant. For no reason, Mo Rigen always wanted to do it with Lu Xu, but he never said anything about love.
When the two of them went out, they practically stayed in their own rooms. When they stayed at the relay station, they also stayed in one room with two beds.
On the way north from Hangzhou, Mo Rigen couldn't hold it in any longer. He got up and went to Lu Xu's bed. Lu Xu happened to be infatuated with that feeling, so he accepted it half-heartedly.
For the next few days, whenever Mo Rigen wanted to do him, he would take the initiative to come. After that, the two of them continued their journey as if nothing had happened.
Hongjun, "…"
Hongjun's expression said, "It can still be like this."
"If he doesn't say it, I won't say it either." Lu Xu said expressionlessly, "He just came last night."
"Did you guys kiss?" Hongjun asked.
"We did," Lu Xu answered.
Hongjun, "Didn't you say that you were together?"
Lu Xu, "I didn't say it."
Hongjun, "How can you be like this?!"
Lu Xu said, "We're all men. So what? There's no need to cry so much. It's not like our stomachs are big. "
Hongjun thought about it and agreed. Men couldn't marry each other, but they didn't promise to stay together for the rest of their lives. However, he really couldn't accept it. If Li Jinglong was like Mo Rigen, Hongjun would probably only hate him.
"Actually, I quite like it this way," Lu Xu said.
Lu Xu and Mo Rigen were like two natural beasts. They hunted for food, wandered, and when they needed sex, they did it. After it was over, neither of them mentioned it.
Hongjun thought of Mo Rigen's rivalry. He didn't expect it to last so long. It lasted for more than a year.
"It seems quite exciting." Hongjun slowly understood Lu Xu's feelings. He said, "But don't you love him?"
Lu Xu didn't say anything. The two of them were silent for a moment. Lu Xu suddenly said, "It's really exciting. There are a lot of tricks."
Hongjun looked at Lu Xu suspiciously and said, "What tricks?"
Lu Xu leaned close to Hongjun's ear and began to whisper. Hongjun's face turned red. The two of them began to compare drawings again. Hongjun said, "Actually, I want to tie Chang Shi up. But if I take the initiative, he should like it very much."
Lu Xu said, "Next time, I want to tie him up and do him. You have to cover his eyes …"
Hongjun was speechless.
Hongjun thought of Li Jinglong being tied up and blindfolded. His appetite was aroused and he swallowed his saliva. He then thought of his delirious appearance. He hadn't done it with Li Jinglong yet. Although Li Jinglong was very considerate every time and was always good at manual labor and oral labor, Hongjun was always a little eager to try.
"It's not good for us to talk about this …" Hongjun said.
"If you ask Li Jinglong to be obedient, he'll definitely listen to you." Lu Xu said, "He's willing to do anything. But it's hard to say about Da Lang. You have to tie him up."
Hongjun: "Will he be angry?"
"What's there to be angry about?" Lu Xu said, "I'm not even angry. This isn't fair."
Hongjun thought that it seemed to be true. Lu Xu said, "I'll teach you. There are other things to play with …"
Lu Xu was taught tricks by Mo Rigen. He was already well-versed in this field. Hongjun imparted some of his own experiences to him. The two of them talked for a long time. Lu Xu finally said, "Let's not talk about it anymore! I can't take it anymore! "
"Don't try it on me." Hongjun saw that Lu Xu's gaze was a little strange and hurriedly said.
Suddenly, there was a loud bang. The two of them were shocked. A fireball landed in the courtyard and flames shot everywhere. Hongjun shouted, "What is this?!"
Hongjun obviously hadn't woken up from his previous state. Lu Xu immediately reacted and said, "The army is attacking the city!"
The two of them hurriedly rushed out and saw that the cans were full of kerosene. They hit the roof of the Exorcist Division and instantly burst into flames. Hongjun hurriedly lifted the bucket. Lu Xu shouted, "Don't save him!"
Lu Xu pulled Hongjun and ran out. Hongjun shouted, "Is there anyone else?"
Lu Xu then remembered that Wen Bin and Xiang Yu were still living in the Exorcist Division. The two of them rushed out of the room. Xiang Yu screamed and shouted, "Flowers!"
Wen Bin's robe caught on fire as he tried to move the flowers outwards. Without a second word, Hong Jun propped up the Five-colored Divine Light. Fireballs filled the sky as they flew over. They were all burning oil cans, and they were bounced away one after another.