Chapter 29 The long, gilded box of gifts, he remembered.
In the dark room, Qiao Xi sat on the bed, lost in thought. She rubbed her shoulders, which were a little sore. In her dream, she was in a long black hole, constantly falling. As for the contents of the comic book in her dream, she frowned and thought for a long time but couldn't remember.
She sat on the edge of the bed, wearing a coat, and touched her shoes barefoot for a long time. In the end, she lay down on the floor and pulled the shoes out from under the bed.
After turning on the lamp, Qiao Xi carried it to the table. Her table had been inexplicably messy for the past few days. She tidied it up a bit and found a book called "Liyue Geography" in the corner of the desk.
Qiao Xi piled the things on the table to one side, and moved the rest to the bed if there was no room left. After clearing a space on the table, she sat down.
She remembered this book; it was brought to her by Master Liuyun. It contained the latest map of Liyue. At the time, Qiao Xi thought it was a rather boring geography textbook. Since Liuyun and Yixiao didn't teach her geography, Qiao Xi naturally forgot about the book.
Now, recalling what Master Yixiao had said about Morax's whereabouts, Qiao Xi opened the book.
By the light of the lamp, she flipped through the pages one by one. One of them was the terrain of Mingyun. Liyue is rich in minerals, and many people make a living by mining. Qiao Xi had often heard her grandparents talk about the children who worked in the mines when she was at the foot of the mountain.
Qiao Xi turned the page over and saw a place called Mount Aozang. She knew this place; Master Liu Yun said she lived there. She, Sister Gui Zhong, and Morax had gathered there. There was a stone table there.
Qiao Xi frowned as she searched for the location of Tianheng Mountain. On the map, Tianheng Mountain was located on the coastline of Liyue, with an endless sea to the east and a small area of sea connecting to the eastern sea to the south.
She moved the map closer to the light, trying to find where she had been when she traveled here.
The wind picked up outside and it got a bit chilly. After leaving Morax, Qiao Xi felt a small emptiness in her heart.
She closed the book, sighed, and found it strange that she felt pressured even when Morax was around.
Now, I often wonder if he will suddenly appear like before.
Thinking of this, Qiao Xi couldn't help but look towards the door.
It was still dark outside, and Qiao Xi shook her head. Forget it, it's better not to suddenly appear. It's scary in the middle of the night.
She turned her gaze back to the books on the table, and suddenly, as if a thin thread of lightning had flashed through her mind, Qiao Xi picked up the books on the table and blinked.
This is a map. Morax is fighting abroad; it's a time of war, and this is a map of that time. The ancient novels she had read told her that maps were extremely important.
Qiao Xi imagined many things and believed that the book must not fall into the hands of the enemy, even though she didn't know who the enemy was, where they were, or whether they would come to Tianheng Mountain.
She closed the book and held it to her chest, then, after thinking for a moment, stuffed it into the pocket inside her clothes, wanting to keep it close to her body.
After doing all this, Qiao Xi looked out the window. The snow had stopped, the sky had cleared, and a bright moon shone precariously in the sky before dawn.
Qiao Xi wondered, "Is Morax right now over there in the eastern sea?"
Is he resting now?
Are they still playing?
He shouldn't be hurt, right?
Qiao Xi had never seen Morax fight anyone, but from everyone's descriptions, she could imagine how powerful he was.
Since she couldn't sleep anyway, Qiao Xi put on her clothes, picked up her sword, and went out the door.
At the highest point of Tianheng Mountain, where there are no tall, lush trees to obstruct the view, one can see the sea to the east.
*
Qiao Xi had originally planned to bring some snacks and fruits with her before leaving home, but when she opened the drawer, she found that she had eaten them all.
Now, she walks up the mountain path, wearing a bright red cloak and a hat, her mind filled with a bowl of steaming hot, thin-skinned, meat-filled wontons.
Qiao Xi rubbed her nose and looked at the mountain path by the moonlight.
The bamboo garden where she lived was already high up on Tianheng Mountain, but there were even higher places, but those places were cliffs, steep, and full of rocks, making them unsuitable for living.
Just as Qiao Xi was reminiscing about the small wontons and then the hot soup noodles, a dark figure appeared in front of her and approached her.
Things are different now. In the past, Qiao Xi was timid and would be so frightened that she couldn't move, but now Qiao Xi hasn't improved much in terms of courage.
She gripped her sword, staring intently at the figure ahead. Feeling uneasy, she crouched down and touched two stones.
It was the middle of the night, and Qiao Xi had recently imagined a grand political drama based on the map. Now, looking at the furtive figure coming down from the cliff, Qiao Xi guessed that he was definitely not a good person.
Suddenly, Qiao Xi paused. She realized that she was wearing a bright red cloak today, which was extremely conspicuous in the darkness, especially with the help of the moonlight. Perhaps the figure opposite her had already spotted her.
Meanwhile, Jinlan, who was on night patrol, was yawning miserably. He had come down from the cliff and planned to sleep soundly at the camp after checking the bamboo garden.
But on his way down the mountain, he unexpectedly bumped into a red figure. Jinlan was usually very brave, but at this moment, at four o'clock in the morning, before dawn, on a deserted mountain road, faced with such a scene, Jinlan's lips twitched stiffly.
Could it be that I've encountered a ghost?
Jinlan swallowed hard, and all the red-clothed ghost stories Qiao Xi had told him flooded his mind. Jinlan had no magic power or elemental power, and he felt a little apprehensive facing this situation alone.
But if you go down, you'll find Qiao Xi's Bamboo Garden, and further down are the homes of the common people.
Jinlan gripped the gun barrel tightly. Despite his fear, he was determined to defend this line no matter what.
And so, the two cautiously moved closer, taking tentative steps towards each other. Qiao Xi's speed was 0.5 meters per second, and Jin Lan's speed was 0.6 meters per second. They both had bright futures.
As the distance closed, Qiao Xi noticed that the other person was carrying a long spear. She thought, "They actually have a weapon? They're definitely not a good person."
At the same time, Jinlan also saw the cold light gleaming in the other person's hand. She could tell at a glance that it was a high-quality sword. It seemed that he was not a ghost, but what kind of good person would come to the desolate mountains in the middle of the night with a weapon?
They didn't care anymore. After hastily judging that the other was no good, one of them raised a sword and the other carried a gun, and they shouted and attacked each other at the same time.
The shouts startled the gray sparrows in the forest, and even woke up Yixiao, who had transformed into a deer and was resting on the withered grass.
When Qiao Xi and Jin Lan saw each other clearly, they quickly tried to stop, but their weapons still clashed.
The impact of the metal against metal made their wrists go numb. They looked at each other and said in unison, "You really want to kill me?"
*
Qiao Xi rubbed her wrist and sat on a rock nearby. She was so frightened by the sudden movement that she was completely exhausted.
Jinlan picked up the weapon from the ground, handed the sword to Qiao Xi, and sat down next to her: "Why did you come out? I was wondering what kind of powerful demon dared to trespass into the immortals' territory. I was afraid I couldn't beat it, I was scared to death."
Qiao Xi leaned on the ground, supporting herself with her sword, and said weakly, "You scared me to death. I remember you weren't on the night shift today."
“The guy who was supposed to be on duty is sick, so I'll cover for him for the night.”
Jinlan felt a sense of relief, as he looked up at the night sky.
"Qiao Xi, why are you running up the mountain instead of sleeping? Those cliffs are very dangerous."
Qiao Xi: "I don't know either."
Jinlan keenly sensed something and leaned closer: "You miss the Emperor?"
Qiao Xi frowned as she looked at him.
She nodded: "It is indeed because of Morax, but I just wanted to go and see which sea he was fighting in."
Jinlan: "Worried?"
Qiao Xi: "He's very capable."
Jinlan didn't know why, but he couldn't help but smile. However, it was working hours and he hadn't finished patrolling the mountain yet, so he couldn't concentrate on finding candy. He asked Qiao Xi, "Wait until I finish patrolling the mountain, and I'll go with you."
Qiao Xi leaned closer and, by the moonlight, looked at the dark circles under Jin Lan's eyes: "You'd better go to sleep, or I really won't be able to tell you apart from a ghost."
Jinlan snorted: "I just checked the mountain. There's nothing dangerous, but the road is difficult to walk on, so you have to be careful."
Qiao Xi nodded.
*
Qiao Xi lifted the hem of her dress and climbed up the stone path to the top of the mountain.
She originally wanted to sit on the edge of a cliff like in the comics, with her feet dangling in the air.
But she only tentatively stretched her leg before silently giving up the idea.
It's too easy to lose your balance. If you're not careful, you'll fall and either die or be transported to another world.
Putting aside the possibility of her falling to her death, what if she were transported to the dinosaur era? She'd be chased by Tyrannosaurus Rex every day—that would be terrifying.
She eventually sat on a rock under a big tree on the edge of the cliff, leaning her head against the tree, staring blankly at the sea in the distance.
The wind howled, whipping up the dark waves that gradually filled Qiao Xi's head.
Footsteps came from behind her. Qiao Xi thought it was Jin Lan, but when she turned around, it was Yi Xiao.
"Master, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Qiao Xi asked him.
Yi Xiao walked over to her and said, "I was woken up by your shouting in the middle of the night. Come on, make some room for your teacher."
Qiao Xi did as she was told and sat down to the side.
Yi Xiao sat down next to her.
Qiao Xi asked him, "Why did I yell?"
Yi Xiao described the situation to her, and Qiao Xi smiled shyly.
Yi Xiao looked at the sea: "The Emperor and Jin Peng are over there now."
Qiao Xi looked at the sea, then looked up at Yi Xiao, and said, "Master, do you think Morax will be able to come back before the New Year?"
Yi Xiao shook his head: "I don't know."
The wind ruffled Yi Xiao's beard. He noticed that Qiao Xi seemed preoccupied, so he smiled and said, "That old guy Liu Yun has been secretly preparing a gift for you. You should behave well these days and solve a few more problems to make her happy."
"Gift?"
Yi Xiao nodded.
Qiao Xi's eyes lit up: "Master, have you prepared it for me?"
Yi Xiao paused, then tapped Qiao Xi on the head. This girl was waiting for him here.
*
Liu Yun once told Qiao Xi that Yi Xiao's antlers absorbed Morax's Geo power, making them the hardest thing in all of Liyue. He quite liked to transform into a deer and show off the majesty of his antlers. Yi Xiao also once told Qiao Xi that Liu Yun was carefree and loved storybooks.
In the time leading up to the New Year, Qiao Xi not only diligently cultivated as Morax had instructed, but also took the time to patrol down the mountain with Jin Lan.
On the eve of the New Year, the villagers of Tianheng Mountain hold a lantern festival. During this time, Maxius lives at the foot of the mountain and watches over the hearth fire.
Jinlan's 99th squad of the Thousand Rock Army has been patrolling more frequently than before. While helping Jinlan, Qiao Xi also found some things to make gifts for her two masters.
She prepared a crystal deer antler ornament for Yixiao and collected a complete collection of storybooks for Liuyun.
Jinlan asked her why she didn't write a set for Liuyun herself?
Qiao Xi just sighed, then slammed the storybook on Jin Lan's head: "Don't I have any dignity?"
Strangely enough, during the time Morax was away, Qiao Xi actually started studying seriously, except for math problems, of course.
Every morning she would squat in a horse stance, do strength training, and practice swordsmanship with Liu Yun.
On the day of the lantern festival, she was able to easily raise the sword to the position Morax requested.
At lunch, Qiao Xi presented gifts to the two mentors.
When Yi Xiao saw the crystal-carved deer antlers, he was overjoyed and kept showing them off to Liu Yun: "See that? Hey, it's exactly the same."
Liu Yun shook his head: "You rascal, you're so impatient."
But when Qiao Xi handed the storybook to Liu Yun, Liu Yun paused and coughed lightly: "I can exempt you from today's questions for now."
Hearing this, Qiao Xi was overjoyed.
During the New Year period, families gather together according to their own preferences and exchange gifts. For example, farmers who grow sweet potatoes will send some fresh and sweet sweet potatoes to families who don't. Similarly, the recipients will also give something the recipient doesn't have; if the recipient has everything, they will simply give something else.
The only constant is that on this day, families reunite.
After putting the storybook away, Liu Yun took out a box and gave it to Qiao Xi: "This was prepared for you by me and Yi Xiao."
Qiao Xi took it, opened it, and inside the box was a jar of lip rouge, an eyebrow pencil, a blush, and a bottle of face powder.
"cosmetic?"
Qiao Xi carefully opened the lip rouge, smelled it, and thought, "It smells so good." She rubbed it on the back of her hand; it was a warm red color, very pretty, and she liked it very much.
Liu Yun said, "I've never seen you wear makeup since the day I first met you. I figured you're all grown up now, so you should be able to use it."
Qiao Xi said, "I didn't have the habit of wearing makeup before."
Yi Xiao asked, "Why? Xiao Xi looks so cute when she's dressed up."
Qiao Xi lowered her head to test the color and answered the two masters, "Because I was caught by the director and have to go home to reflect for a week."
Yi Xiao and Liu Yun looked at each other, not understanding.
“By the way, Xiaoxi,” Yixiao suddenly said.
"What's wrong, Master?" Qiao Xi looked up.
Yi Xiao took out a box from the side and handed it to Qiao Xi, saying, "This is a New Year's gift that the Emperor entrusted to you."
When Qiao Xi heard that it was a gift from Morax, she was momentarily dazed.
She took it.
It is a slender wooden box with delicate gilded patterns engraved on it.
Qiao Xi looked at Yi Xiao, then at Liu Yun.
Liu Yun said, "According to the custom down in the mountain, the gifts should be given on the day of the lantern festival. The Emperor gave them to us before he left, saying that since he would not be able to return on this day, we should give them to you."
Qiao Xi nodded and carefully opened the box.
Inside, there lay a small osmanthus tree, its life sustained by magical powers.
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Author's note: Early update, see you tomorrow!
The ending is a happy one; anything that deviates from the original work is my own interpretation.
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