Cave Heaven
Ji Wang pondered for a moment and then asked, "Where are we going? Are you coming back to the Bu Nian Temple with me?"
Upon hearing this, Bu Jiu lightly tapped his forehead with his finger: "It's dangerous to go anywhere now. Although the people at Bu Nian Temple didn't treat you very well, they still raised you for several years."
He then recalled how those people had tricked Ji Wang, saying that if the Ghost King wasn't him, Ji Wang might have reincarnated again. So he gritted his teeth and added, "It might not be the case in the future."
"Then where do we go?" Ji Wang asked him.
"Come with me." As the two drew closer, Bu Jiu noticed that Ji Wang had grown taller in the past two days. If this continued, he feared that Ji Wang's height would diminish his own imposing presence.
Thinking of this, before Ji Wang realized the problem, he distanced himself and turned to leave.
"Oh, oh." Ji Wang nodded obediently and followed Bu Jiu a few steps behind him. Suddenly, he felt that the words sounded familiar, like the tricks used by slave traders to coax children in storybooks.
Sure enough, Bu Jiu's voice came from ahead: "I've sold you."
Ji Wang: "?"
He ran a few steps to catch up with Bu Jiu: "Bu Jiu! Who taught you to talk like that!"
Bu Jiu turned to look at him, then grabbed Ji Wang's wrist with her other hand: "I was just kidding."
Looking into his eyes, Ji Wang suddenly realized that if this man sold her out, she would actually be foolish enough to help him count the money.
Bu Jiu focused his mind and sensed the spiritual energy flowing around Ji Wang for a moment: "It's still a bit weak, and it's difficult to fly on a sword. Long journeys still require physical strength." As he spoke, he led him to the market's stable and picked out a gentle chestnut horse.
After paying the money, Bu Jiu looked at the tall animal in front of him, a hint of difficulty flashing in his eyes.
He couldn't reveal his true form in front of others, but he was completely clueless about horseback riding. Just as he was about to find a secluded spot to try his old trick again, his hand was grabbed.
“I’ll teach you.” Ji Wang said, nimbly mounting his horse and then bending down to extend his hand to him.
Bu Jiu hesitated for a moment, then hesitantly extended his hand. The next moment, he was steadily pulled onto the horse's back and landed in front of Ji Wang.
"Hold on tight here." Ji Wang's voice came close to his ear, and a warm palm covered his fingers, guiding him to grasp the reins.
Her other hand naturally wrapped around his waist, encircling him in a secure embrace.
"I'm better at riding horses," Ji Wang said with a hint of pride, his breath brushing against Bu Jiu's sensitive ear.
Bu Jiu froze, too stiff to move, his hands gripping the reins tightly. His voice trembled unusually: "Then...then don't let go..."
"I won't let go," Ji Wang answered decisively, tightening his grip on her arm even more. "If you're scared, just hold my hand tighter. I'm not afraid of pain."
After Ji Wang finished speaking, he spurred the horse, and the chestnut horse strode off with steady steps, carrying the two of them into the distance.
About an hour later, the two finally turned into another lush mountain.
Bu Jiu pointed to the only narrow, winding path leading upwards ahead: "I can get down now... Just follow this path..."
As he spoke, he tried to dismount, but his body was stiff from sitting for so long, and he stumbled. Fortunately, Ji Wang was quick-witted and grabbed his arm, saying, "Be careful."
Ji Wang wasn't in a hurry. He jumped off his horse first, gently patted the somewhat uneasy chestnut horse, and then looked up at Bu Jiu on the horse: "Try again."
He spoke very softly, as if soothing a frightened animal: "Don't be afraid, I'm right below holding it, it's very steady."
As he spoke, he led the horse forward a few steps slowly.
“Ji Wang…” Bu Jiu’s voice came from above, trembling slightly. He gripped the reins tightly with both hands, his knuckles turning white from the force.
"Ji Wang..." he called again, this time in a softer voice, with a hint of dependence.
Ji Wang stopped and looked back.
Bu Jiu sat upright on his horse, the mountain breeze ruffling his hair and clothes. His eyes were fixed on him, his reflection clearly visible in them.
"Yes," Ji Wang replied. "I'm here."
Bu Jiu wished she could turn into a fox and shove her into his arms immediately: "Ji Wang, talk to me... I'm scared."
"Okay," Ji Wang replied, his voice soft and slow.
He continued to walk slowly, steadily holding the reins, while talking about nothing but rambling, irrelevant things:
"I saw what looked like fish in the stream when we passed by earlier. They looked silvery. Once we're settled, we can try to catch a couple, and I'll grill them for you."
"I haven't eaten the steamed buns Brother Zhang gave me yet. I've been carrying them all the way here, and they're probably cold by now... I'll start a fire and heat them up for you when we get there."
"The spiritual energy in these mountains is quite strong, no less than that valley before. Do you think we could grow something? Like... um... some radishes? Or what do you like to eat?"
His words were ordinary and trivial, yet they gently soothed the unease in Bu Jiu's heart. As Bu Jiu listened to his steady footsteps and soft whispers, his anxious heart gradually settled back down.
Bu Jiu responded with a soft "hmm," and the hand gripping the reins finally loosened from its fear, surrendering itself entirely to the person below who was guiding it forward.
The two continued their question-and-answer session until they reached the end of the mountain path.
Suddenly, a breathtaking view unfolded before us: a silvery waterfall cascaded down the cliff and plunged into a deep pool.
Ji Wang was captivated by the magnificent sight and stared at it in a daze.
After letting him look for a moment, Bu Jiu raised his fingertip, and a small flame appeared out of thin air, circling around Ji Wang a few times affectionately.
Ji Wang then came to his senses: "We've arrived? Are we going to cultivate under this waterfall?" He imagined himself being overwhelmed by the water.
“You can’t hold on any longer.” Bu Jiu shook his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the roaring curtain of water. “We need to go inside the waterfall. The water will wash away our lingering scent, making us safe for the time being and allowing us to plan our next move.”
As he was about to dismount, Ji Wang immediately stepped forward and caught him steadily, carefully helping him down.
Bu Jiu walked straight towards the rushing waterfall. Ji Wang's heart tightened: "That's a cliff!"
However, the moment Bu Jiu's toes were suspended in mid-air, the cascading waterfall seemed to come alive, the water flowing up into a small river and steadily supporting him.
He walked step by step behind the water curtain, turned around and reached out his hand to Ji Wang.
"Come on." His voice cut through the sound of water and came clearly, "This time it's your turn, don't be afraid."
Ji Wang looked at the almost miraculous scene before him, then at the figure behind the water curtain reaching out to him. He took a deep breath, stepped forward without hesitation, and placed himself in the hand that was waiting for him.
Passing through the waterfall, you'll find a hidden paradise inside.
This is a spacious, dry cave with fresh air and no dampness whatsoever.
Several beads emitting a soft white light were embedded in the cave ceiling, illuminating the entire space with a hazy glow. It didn't feel like a temporary shelter, but rather like a home that had been carefully maintained.
Ji looked around.
Against the wall stood a handcrafted wooden bed, its edges polished smooth and rounded, but its size didn't seem to be for an adult; it looked more like it was for a teenager.
There was a small wooden cabinet next to the bed, on which sat a crooked little wooden fox carving, which looked like a child's first attempt at carving.
There were several shallow carvings on the stone wall, marking the dates, as if recording someone's height. There was even a small stove made of stones next to it, with some firewood piled up beside it.
"Bujiu, have you cultivated here before?" Ji Wang looked around and felt that the place was full of life, which made him feel at ease.
He naturally attributed all these warm memories to Bu Jiu.
He never imagined that the small wooden bed, the crooked wood carving, the marks that recorded his growth, and even the whole "home" that made him feel inexplicably at ease, all originated from himself three hundred years ago, from the Ji Wang of the past, who built the shelter for the little fox he cherished bit by bit.
Bu Jiu watched Ji Wang linger among these old objects, his eyes swirling with emotions. In the end, he didn't explain, but simply walked to the stone table and ran his fingertips over the slightly dusty old objects on it: "Let's rest first."
Ji Wang sat on the rather small wooden bed, gently touched the crooked wooden fox carving on the bedside table, and looked up with a smile: "Is this a carving of you? It looks just like you."
Bu Jiu was tidying up the stone table when he heard this, and without even looking up, said, "Don't all foxes look the same?"
“You’re different.” Ji Wang picked up the wooden carving, stroking the exceptionally fluffy tail, and said earnestly, “You’re the most beautiful. Look at this tail, it’s a whole size bigger than the usual fox tail, it’ll definitely be warm to hug.”
As he spoke, he looked up from the wooden carving, wanting to see Bu Jiu's reaction: "Bu Jiu..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ji Wang was stunned.
The scene before him suddenly blurred and then became clear—standing not far away was no longer the tall and imposing Ghost King, but a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old.
His dark hair was tied up high with a red ribbon, revealing a handsome face that still held a touch of childishness. His light golden eyes shone brightly as he held up a newly drawn talisman, smiling at him with undisguised pride.
"Look! I've drawn it!"
Immediately afterwards, he heard a warm, smiling voice flow naturally from his throat: "Truly impressive. With such talent, you'll probably surpass me very soon."
The voice held a hint of indulgence: "It seems our little fox will soon be able to venture out on its own."
Upon hearing this, the boy's smile vanished instantly. Without hesitation, he rushed over, hugged his arm tightly, and buried his face in his shoulder: "I won't go anywhere. I'm not going anywhere."
The young man raised his head, his golden eyes staring straight at him, and said clearly, word by word: "I'm going to stick to you forever."
"Ji Wang!" His shoulder was gently shaken, and the illusion of the boy in front of him dissipated like ripples on water.
Ji Wang snapped out of his daze, and what came into view was Bu Jiu's face, which showed a hint of worry: "What's wrong? Why did you suddenly stop talking?"
Ji Wang blinked, raised his hand to touch Bu Jiu's face, his voice filled with confusion: "...Huh? How come you've grown up...no..."
He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "How did you shrink? I think I just... saw what you looked like when you were little..."
Bu Jiu stiffened for a moment, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes. He tightened his grip on Ji Wang's shoulder slightly: "...You've mistaken me for someone else."
He looked away: "It's this place that's interfering with your consciousness. You'll get used to it."
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