Mountain God (7)
"You let me stay here for so long because you wanted me to be able to sense the small ball of light." Yu Shu picked up the last small ball of light and put it into the porcelain bottle.
Over the past month, they have been running to different places in the mountains every day, collecting all the small balls of light scattered everywhere.
After living there for a while, Yu Shu was able to sense the specific location of the small light ball like Jiang Yu.
And as he came into contact with the small ball of light more and more times, he felt both strange and familiar.
Jiang Yu nodded in affirmation: "Pour it out and let's see."
Yu Shu poured out the small light balls he had collected from the porcelain bottle.
To Shu's surprise, countless small light balls merged into a fluid, like lake water stained with the faint moonlight, but softer.
"It can actually be combined into a large ball. What should I do then?" Yu Shu blinked.
Jiang Yu leaned close to Yu Shu's ear and whispered a few words.
Yu Shu's pupils contracted and expanded as he looked at the large furry ball of light in disbelief.
There are two different seasons at the foot of the mountain and on the mountain. It is spring and flowers are blooming at the foot of the mountain, but the area near Tianchi is still covered with white snow, which reflects the bright moonlight.
Jiang Yu and Yu Shu hurried home under the moonlight.
Ziyin changed into some very formal and festive clothes and prepared a large table of dishes.
"Where have you been? Why are you back so late?" Zi Yin said the first half of the sentence, realizing that his tone was too gentle, and quickly changed his tone: "Hurry up and go inside to warm up. If you catch a cold, I won't take care of you."
"Let's go find the tiger." Jiang Yu said without hesitation.
Zi Yin hissed and slapped Jiang Yu on the back of the head. "You're still looking at tigers? When you were little, you used the beast-controlling talisman I taught you to stick on a tiger and rode it around. You almost sedated the tiger."
"It's been so many years, Master, how come you remember everything?" Jiang Yu hinted at something.
Zi Yin rolled his eyes and said, "Foxes have very good memories. I can remember how many times you wet the bed that day when you were a child."
Jiang Yu took Yu Shu's hand and stood upright next to him, saying, "Let's not talk about this. I'm already 20."
"20 is also a little brat." Zi Yin snorted loudly, turned around and pulled their hands apart, and arranged Yu Shu to sit on the chair.
"Master, it's what I want to see. It has nothing to do with him." Yu Shu cooperated with Jiang Yu.
A trace of doubt flashed across Zi Yin's face, and he tilted his head slightly: "Really?"
"Yeah." Yu Shu nodded.
"That's so dangerous. If you want to see it, just tell me. I'll ask him to come home and show you. You can even ride on it and take a walk." Ziyin's attitude changed immediately.
"That's not right. If he wants to see you, just let Tiger come to the yard. But if I take him to see you, you punish me by not allowing me to eat at the table." Jiang Yu protested.
Zi Yin rolled his eyes and said, "I didn't ask you to stand. If you sit down, will I kick your chair away and make you fall to the ground?"
Jiang Yu sat next to Yu Shu and showed him the red marks left by Zi Yin's hard scratching.
Yu Shu laughed at him quietly, but his mind was full of what Jiang Yu whispered to him before they went home: "We can't sleep tonight. Master picked three in the morning."
Ziyin was no different from usual. After dinner, he took a walk in the yard, and then stared at the candlelight in the living room.
Late at night, Zi Yin saw Yu Shu still coming out of the bedroom and asked, "Can't sleep?"
"Jiang Yu kicked the quilt. I woke up and saw that the living room was still light, so I came out to check. Master, can't you sleep?" Under the light, Yu Shulai was particularly gentle, and her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she spoke, like the wings of a butterfly.
"I'll go to sleep later." Zi Yin pinched his nose, avoided Yu Shu's gaze, looked at the carpet, and spoke in a voice that sounded a bit out of his mind: "That brat Jiang Yu is like this, always kicking the quilt. It should be okay in the south where it's warmer, but it's quite cold here, so I'll have to trouble you to cover him with the quilt."
No matter how you look at it, Ziyin doesn't look like he's going to sleep soon. Who would dress up and sit in the living room in a daze so late at night?
Yu Shu didn't say anything, and continued with Zi Yin's topic: "Yeah, then I'll go back to sleep first."
Ziyin nodded with a smile, and his eyes quickly returned to their lifeless state as he looked ahead.
Jiang Yu was sitting in a dark room. As soon as Yu Shu opened the door, he met those eyes that were shining in the darkness.
Yu Shu put his phone on silent mode and typed, "Master looks like he's getting ready to go out. Are you sure he chose the lower part of the forest across the way?"
He handed the phone to Jiang Yu.
"Then let's get ready to go."
Yu Shu nodded.
When the talisman paper was stuck on his shoulder, Yu Shu suddenly felt like he was flying. He looked down and saw that his body was sleeping soundly with his eyes closed and breathing steadily.
Under normal circumstances, Zi Yin would be able to sense it immediately when Jiang Yu used the soul-out-of-body talisman. Another reason why he let Yu Shu stay with him for so long and took him around was to let Yu Shu's aura interfere with Zi Yin and set the range of the witchcraft.
Because Yu Shu had learned forbidden sorcery, not only could it block spells within its range, rendering spells ineffective, but it could also block perception. With their frequent travels these past few days, the sorcery barrier had already enveloped the entire area around Tianchi Lake. Without Zi Yin's knowledge, he wouldn't have realized he'd been ensnared, nor would he have sensed their souls leaving their bodies.
Jiang Yu had already floated out, and Yu Shu followed closely behind.
As soon as they arrived at Tianchi, Jiang Yu and Yu Shu both felt something strange in their hearts.
They all felt the gazes being cast, but not from Ziyin.
And that feeling was very familiar, just like the familiar yet strange feeling that surged into the body when one came into contact with the small ball of light.
"I feel a little panicked." Yu Shu said.
Jiang Yu frowned, then he felt it carefully and breathed a sigh of relief: "It's okay, it won't affect us."
The forest was particularly quiet, and the branches of the trees trembled in the wind.
After what happened in the woods of Baishui Town, Yu Shu had some PTSD towards woods, always fearing that someone exactly like him would appear somewhere else.
Jiang Yu leaned closer to him and wanted to hold Yu Shu's hand, but he couldn't touch him because his soul had left his body.
The two of them just waited like this. The moonlight became brighter and brighter, even so bright that it felt a little cold. Fortunately, they couldn't feel the cold in this state, otherwise they would have frozen to death before Ziyin came out.
After a long time, Ziyin finally came out. His tail was no longer bald and had some fine hairs on it. The hairless tail was no longer as majestic as before. It hung dejectedly on the ground, leaving several trails.
But Yu Shu was heartbroken. Without fur to keep warm, his tail was frozen red.
Jiang Yu felt even worse. Even though his words were harsh, it was his master who raised him and made him what he is today.
Ziyin squatted at the position Jiang Yu mentioned, and threw away the snow with his hands like fox paws, his knuckles were frozen red and purple.
As he dug, he muttered to himself, "I should make a few more dumplings so they can eat them in the next few days."
Soon, Ziyin's hands were frozen and bleeding. The hot red blood froze and solidified as soon as it came out, then fell off due to friction, and new blood flowed out and cooled down again.
Jiang Yu was so anxious that he lost his composure, but it was not time yet and he could not take action.
Ziyin dug a round pit, curled up into a ball, and slowly closed his eyes.
"Lu Jing, I'm here to see you." He raised the corners of his mouth and smiled bitterly.
A beam of moonlight passed through layers of snow-covered branches and fell accurately on Ziyin, illuminating his frosted and trembling eyelashes, his bluish face, his purple lips, and the trembling white breath he exhaled.
"Right now." Jiang Yu said anxiously.
Upon hearing the voice, Yu Shu quickly followed Jiang Yu's pace and activated the magic circle.
The ball of light hidden under the magic circle slowly emerged, spread out into countless dust-like light spots, and gathered on Ziyin.
Warmth enveloped Ziyin. He opened his eyes and was surprised by the scene before him.
"You have taught a good apprentice."
The fourth person's voice was like the first stream of sweet spring water melting the ice and snow, gentle yet powerful.
It’s Lu Jing!
Ziyin sat up suddenly and looked around.
"Lu Jing! Are you awake?! Where are you?"
Zi Yin was so focused on Lu Jing's voice that he didn't notice that his three broken tails had grown back.
Those balls of light were the spiritual energy that had accumulated over the years by Zi Yin. They should have scattered and disappeared because of the broken tail, but Lu Jing never really left.
How could Lu Jing bear to see the little fox he had cared for for so many years lose its beloved tail, so he let the spiritual energy return to the earth.
"Ziyin~look up." The Saker Falcon stood on the branch and looked at Ziyin gently.
Lu Jing never told Ziyin that he was a Saker Falcon.
It is hard to remember how many years ago, but he was still an intelligent Saker Falcon, helping humans with small things to the best of his ability, bringing them crop seeds. Gradually, he gained faith and became a mountain god.
"You come to see me now!" Zi Yin complained a little, his eyes bloodshot.
"I'm sorry. But if I weren't your disciple, I wouldn't be able to talk to you like this." A Saker Falcon with a snow-white hue and a hint of sky blue landed on Ziyin's shoulder.
Those balls of light were both strange and familiar. Strange because of Lu Jing, familiar because of Zi Yin. The balls of light contained Lu Jing's consciousness. They collected all the balls of light, and after being nurtured by Yu Shu's physique, Lu Jing's consciousness was finally able to manifest and materialize.
After Jiang Yu and Yu Shu activated the magic circle and heard Lu Jing's voice, they returned to their bodies. They ran out of the house panting.
"Master!" the two men shouted.
Jiang Yu ran too fast and almost tripped. Zi Yin also became anxious and wanted to run over to help him, but fortunately Yu Shu supported him.
"You guys..." Zi Yin didn't know how to start. Complex emotions were surging in his chest, making it impossible for him to organize his words accurately.
Jiang Yu and Yu Shu helped Zi Yin up, one on each side, with concern surging in their eyes.
"Look, your little apprentice has found your tail." Lu Jing smiled with relief.
He continued, "I was born of faith. Without faith, I chose eternal sleep to protect this land. I don't want you to follow my path. I just want you to be happy. If possible, please see more scenery for me. I am enough here."
Ziyin opened his mouth, but still couldn't say anything.
Jiang Yu carried Zi Yin into the house.
Yu Shu bowed to his master Lu Jing.
Lu Jing smiled, and the Saker Falcon's eyes suddenly became dull, losing its anthropomorphic look.
But Lu Jing's voice still reached Yu Shu's mind: "Please take care of my Zi Yin for me. He is still young. Come back to see him more often."
Zi Yin had a good sleep. When he woke up from the soft bedding, he saw his apprentice and his wife sleeping beside the bed, and his hands were bandaged.
He stretched out his tail, tears welling up in his eyes, and the tail returned, fluffy.
Ziyin gently wrapped Jiang Yu and Yu Shu with his tail. He never thought he would hear Lu Jing's voice, and he never thought that these two little guys could find his broken tail back.
The two of them were sleeping soundly. Ziyin quietly put them on the bed and covered them with a quilt.
After Ziyin left, Yu Shu raised his eyelids, leaned close to Jiang Yu's ear, and whispered, "Master, can't you tell we're pretending to be asleep?"
"I can't tell, he must be thinking about his master right now." Jiang Yu kissed Yu Shu on the cheek.
They did stay with Ziyin all night, but only when they noticed that Ziyin's eyelids moved did they lie down on the edge of the bed and pretend to be asleep.
It wasn't that he wanted to make Zi Yin feel bad, but it would be even more strange if the three of them woke up and stared at each other. Furthermore, Zi Yin must have been very upset after hearing what Lu Jing said last night, and he needed time to process it. If they saw him, he would pretend nothing happened but still feel resentful, which would make it even harder to move on.
Zi Yin kicked the door open and said, "You two are playing Liao Zhai in front of me. Have you forgotten that I am a genuine thousand-year-old fox?"
The two of them were stunned and turned to look at Ziyin as if the machine had stuck.
"Go away! Get out of here and go back to your room right now. Stop being affectionate on my bed!" Zi Yin scolded with tears in his eyes.
Ziyin had a new idea. Because Lu Jing didn't want him to follow the same path, he wanted to live well.
However, Ziyin's situation was a blessing in disguise. His hands were frostbitten and it was inconvenient for him to move. Jiang Yu and Yu Shu had been taking good care of him.
If it weren't for this incident, he wouldn't have known Jiang Yu was quite caring. He'd warm water before bringing it to his lips, and even peel off the membranes of an orange's veins. Yu Shu, not to mention his good-tempered and kind-hearted apprentice wife, was also a skilled cook, constantly cooking in different ways. The two young people weren't afraid of the hassle. If he just said he wanted something, they'd drive down the mountain for over an hour to buy it, and they'd happily oblige.
"You have been here with me for quite a long time, and aren't your family members worried about you?" Zi Yin asked Yu Shu.
Yu Shu made a cup of hot tea for Ziyin. The tea fragrance was everywhere. When he lifted the lid, he could see the unfolded tea leaves swirling at the bottom of the water.
"I've greeted them and will stay here for a while." Yu Shu said.
Zi Yin called out Jiang Yu's name loudly. The two of them sat beside him. He changed his usual arrogant and stubborn tone and said earnestly, "I performed the ceremony for you here. I had selfish motives. Your relatives and friends also need an explanation."
He turned to look at Jiang Yu, brought their hands together, and clapped them gently. "You have to take responsibility. You have to give me an explanation and a guarantee. I don't want to hear that you've regretted it one day and abandoned me. If that day ever comes, I'll break your legs and bring you to Yu Shu to apologize."
"Don't you know who I am?" Jiang Yu widened his eyes.
Zi Yin said confidently, "You've learned to do so many things behind my back. I dare not make a final conclusion about what kind of person you are. You are no longer the naughty brat who followed me around as a child. You should be more sensible in what you do."
Yu Shu smiled, squeezed Jiang Yu's hand, and spoke well of him: "We are serious about this, not just playing around. Jiang Yu is efficient and effective out there, and he has quite a few subordinates. He's very respected, so don't worry, Master."
Ziyin lowered his eyes, and when he raised them again, a beam of warm light shone in, making Ziyin look sacred and gentle.
He smiled calmly, "That's good. You've lived here long enough. I don't want to continue to take in two married people for free. Leave now and don't disturb my peace."
Zi Yin, who had guarded Tianchi for many years and never left, sent Jiang Yu and Yu Shu down the mountain.
Many people stared at Ziyin along the way, looking at his ancient charm, the compassion and holiness between his brows, and the captivating look when he raised his eyes and blinked.
Before leaving, Zi Yin reminded Jiang Yu once again: "Give an explanation to Yu Shu's relatives and friends."
On the return flight, Yu Shu leaned on Jiang Yu's shoulder, recalling the leisurely life and magical experiences of the past three months, and whispered with emotion: "It's like a dream." Indeed, it started with seeing ghosts, learning talismans and spells, meeting a witch, and even seeing the mountain god.
The most important thing is that the mountain god actually blessed them both.
"When your husband takes you back to see more often, it won't seem like a dream anymore." Jiang Yu pinched Yu Shu's nose and smiled dotingly.
"Go away, have you any shame?" Yu Shu pretended to be angry and cursed with a smile.
"I am your husband." Jiang Yu said jealously, "Let's not talk about when to go back to see Master. Let's talk about how to hold the wedding ceremony. Your brother, Li Qingyan, and Zhao Jingyun don't know yet."
Yu Shu held Jiang Yu's cheeks, lightly touched his lips, and ran away.
"You pick a day."
-----End of text-----
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