close friend
The sky brightened and the fog dissipated.
Xiao Yuan lowered his head and saw someone standing in front of him. He looked up and saw a woman. She was dressed in white, as clean as snow. Her hair was casually pinned up with a hairpin, the jade beads on the head swaying brightly and lovely. Her almond-shaped eyes were round and clear, and her thin lips were gently pursed.
She looks like a young girl in her prime.
"Young monk, I'm so sorry. I didn't create this fog. It was meant to warn those who come, but I didn't expect it would harm you today."
This girl is the mountain deity, guarding the mountain for hundreds of years. Originally, the mountain was not covered in such thick fog, but as bandits became more numerous, many people were afraid to go up the mountain, so she created the fog.
Xiao Yuan remained silent upon hearing this. The pain in his arm was too intense, and the bleeding hadn't stopped yet. Suddenly, cold sweat covered his forehead, trickling down his forehead and onto his jaw.
Only the constant warmth in my wrist could provide some relief.
The mountain god appeared and did not want too many people to see her, so she set up an invisible barrier around her before talking to Xiao Yuan.
The mountain goddess didn't care about Xiao Yuan's attitude. She put her hand on Xiao Yuan's shoulder to stop the bleeding from his wound and slightly relieve the pain.
A god's perception of all things in the world surpasses a human's by a thousand times, so naturally, he sensed a spiritual current distinct from his own. Through Xiao Yuan's translucent gauze tunic, she could see the shimmering chain. She half-closed her eyes, revealing a subtle smile.
"Little monk, your bracelet is very interesting. Where did you get it?" said the mountain god with a gentle smile.
Xiao Yuan was silent for a moment, then replied, "A gift from a close friend."
Hearing Xiao Yuan's answer, the mountain god's smile widened. She swung her sleeves, squatted down, and helped Xiao Yuan, who was kneeling on one knee, to her feet. In her girlish form, she was petite, only reaching Xiao Yuan's shoulders.
She grabbed Xiao Yuan's wrist, took in the full view of the chain on his wrist, and said, "My dear friend? Do you know what this chain is made of?"
Xiao Yuan frowned slightly and said with a hint of confusion, "I don't know. What are your thoughts, young lady?"
The mountain god fiddled with the chain and looked up at him. "What would you say if I told you that this chain is made of human hair?"
Xiao Yuan was stunned, his eyes filled with confusion. He said in disbelief, "Hair? How is that possible?"
The mountain god let go of his hand, a little angry, "You don't believe me? I never lie, and I never say anything I'm not sure about."
The anger on her face suddenly turned into a smile, as if she had never been angry.
"You said the person who gave it to you was a close friend, but I don't think so. Giving you his black hair shows how deeply he loves you. People can feel the warmth around a candle, how much more so a blazing flame? Can't you feel it?"
Or are you pretending not to understand?
Black hair is like a rope; if it is destroyed, the owner of the hair will also be affected. This is a legend left by the ancients.
The man gave him his life gate, devoutly and enthusiastically.
Xiao Yuan unconsciously curled the fingers of his left hand together, "...Thank you for telling me, young lady."
The mountain god waved his hand and said, "Okay, I know you don't believe me, I'm just telling you out of kindness. Believe it or not, it's up to you."
Xiao Yuan was about to say something, but the figure of the mountain goddess became looming. She said, "You should leave. Someone is looking for you."
When the mountain god vanished and the barrier was lifted, Xiao Yuan remained standing there, motionless. The wind rustled, ruffling his hair and his heart, obscuring his deep eyes.
"Ahan!"
It was Yin Heng's voice. I heard it before I saw him.
After dispersing the fog, the mountain god calmed the corpse fox and the few people escaped.
Xiao Yuan turned and walked towards the others, his left hand still clutching his right arm. Yin Heng quickly went over to examine his right arm, only then could he see that it was injured by a sharp claw. The wound was horrific, but fortunately the bleeding had stopped.
After examining the wound, Yin Heng looked up at him, his voice filled with anxiety, "What happened? Do you have any other injuries?"
Xiao Yuan shook his head. Several people stepped forward and Ye Qingci said, "This injury needs to be treated quickly. Let's go down the mountain and find an inn first."
Although the fog was dispelled, the blocked spiritual veins were still not unblocked. Xiao Yuan was injured and unable to wield his sword, so the few of them had to walk down the mountain.
On the road, Yin Heng walked behind Xiao Yuan, staring anxiously at his right arm. Noticing Yin Heng's gaze, he turned back, met Yin Heng's gaze, and remembered what the girl had told him. He opened his mouth to ask, then swallowed his words, ultimately saying nothing.
The others were silent, and Xie Zhuoyun speculated, "Actually, when I was in Lianyun Sect, I carefully examined the corpses of those disciples. They were brutal and cruel. Most importantly, there was a ghostly aura within the corpses, and I immediately suspected they were from the Ghost Realm. Now, I've been to the Dabie Mountains, and I've seen red-tailed foxes living near the Ghost Realm. It seems to me that we should go there."
"Well, you have a point." Jiang Yun said, glancing at the listless Yin Heng, and added: "But the most urgent thing is to wait for Xiao Yuan to recover. Going to the ghost world will probably cause injuries again."
Everyone knows how dangerous the ghost world is. It is not easy to come back unscathed after going there. Several people agreed with Jiang Yun's words.
After leaving, the mountain goddess returned to her own abode, which she inhabited at the very top of the mountain, invisible to ordinary people. The palace had high eaves, its glazed tiles shone with a myriad of colors, and wind chimes tinkled softly from the eaves.
The mountain goddess walked into the palace, her face transformed back to her original form. Her jade-white face was filled with a soft glow, her lips and teeth were red, and her expression was indifferent. She lazily lay back on her couch, and the little boy immediately approached her.
"Sir, why did you tell that young monk? I have a feeling he doesn't believe it at all."
The mountain god didn't look up, as if lost in thought. "It's my business if I tell him, and it's his business if he believes it or not. I told him because they have an unbreakable bond."
This feeling is hard to understand, it is a destined fate.
It is difficult to find true love in one's life. It is not easy to meet one, so you must seize this fate.
Walk to the foot of the mountain and you will reach Yuqian City.
A few of them found an inn called Le Chunfeng.
When they entered the inn, the innkeeper saw that they looked like immortals and hurried over to ask, "Are you monks? Do you need a room?"
Yin Heng pulled off the purse and threw it to the boss, "Three rooms."
Three rooms? Xiao Yuan thought.
This Yin Heng...is going to live in the same room with him again.
The innkeeper took the heavy purse and said hello, then led them upstairs. Jiang Yun and Ye Qingci went into the innermost room, while Xie Zhuoyun stayed in the room next to Yin Heng and the others.
The sun had already set by the time they descended the mountain, and now it was night. Xiao Yuan was unhappy that Yin Heng was sharing a room with him. He didn't say much, but his thoughts were clearly visible on his face.
Yin Heng saw that he had a stern face, which seemed to say, "Get lost! You are not allowed to live in the same room with me."
Xiao Yuan was still sitting there. Yin Heng walked over to him, lifted his sleeve, looked at the hideous wound, and said sullenly, "Take off your clothes. I'll bandage you."
Xiao Yuan was reluctant at first, but the injury was on his right arm and it was inconvenient for him to bandage it himself, so he had to compromise.
He took off his outer shirt, unbuttoned his inner shirt, and pulled it down to his waist, revealing his upper body. The crimson blood made his skin look even paler. He tilted his head, and the tips of his ears unconsciously blushed.
Yin Heng fetched some clean water, took out a square handkerchief from his bosom, dipped it in water, and wiped the blood from the wound. The blood had dried up, and after wiping for a long time, it was finally clean, and the handkerchief was stained red.
Yin Heng folded the handkerchief and placed it in the water, then took out the medicine. The medicine was in the form of an ointment, and he applied a little to his fingertips. The moment the cold ointment touched the wound, Xiao Yuan shuddered.
"Does it hurt?" Yin Heng asked him.
Xiao Yuan couldn't deny it, and closed his eyes slightly. Yin Heng gently applied the ointment to his wound and blew on it. His movements were so gentle that it seemed as if he was saying, "It doesn't hurt anymore."
Ah Han, it doesn't hurt anymore. I'm with you, and I won't let you feel any pain anymore.
Yin Heng bandaged the wound with a strip of cloth and expertly tied a beautiful knot. Xiao Yuan put on his inner garments and draped his filthy outer robe over his shoulders.
"You should have a good rest. I won't stay in the same room with you." As soon as he finished speaking, Yin Heng walked out the door and disappeared.
Even a good-tempered person like Yin Heng couldn't control his emotions when it came to Xiao Yuan. Seeing that Xiao Yuan didn't care about him at all and went to chase the red-tailed fox alone without saying a word and got injured, he was holding back his anger and went out to relax.
What's more, he didn't want to live in the same room with him in the first place, and it was he who acted on his own initiative.
Yin Heng walked on, not knowing where he was. Before him were the lights of a thousand houses, as bright as day. An arch bridge connected the two sides of the river, the water gurgling, and the cobblestones beside the bridge were laid out in a flat surface.
He walked to the bridge and sat on the ground. He picked up a few stones and threw them into the river, making a splashing sound.
"You're so old and still throwing stones into the river."
Yin Heng paused, then turned around to see Xiao Yuan standing behind him. His face was pale, still a bit pale.
Yin Heng was about to stand up when Xiao Yuan held him down and sat down beside him. He was still wearing the blood-stained coat.
Yin Heng put the stone back where it belonged and asked him, "Didn't I tell you to rest well? Why did you follow me out?"
"Your injury isn't that serious. I couldn't sleep, so I came up to see you." Xiao Yuan looked into his bright eyes and raised his hand to gather his coat.
Yin Heng hummed in a muffled voice, pulled off Xiao Yuan's dirty coat, and put his own on him.
"Don't wear this one. I'll buy you a new one tomorrow."
Xiao Yuan did not respond, but took back the coat, folded it and placed it between his knees.
Yin Heng looked at the bright moon in the sky, which cast a layer of silver light on him. He said softly, "Ahan, next time you take any action, can you tell me? Don't do it like today, okay?"
I know you are strong, but I am still worried about you.
Xiao Yuan understood, knowing that he was angry because he was too reckless and injured. He felt guilty, "Well, there won't be a next time."
Yin Heng's eyes were bloodshot, all his anger dissipated in these words, and only heartache remained.
The world is inherently unstable. People think it is wishful thinking to want to live a stable life without suffering any hardship.
But he just didn't want his A-han to suffer any pain.
Suffering is inevitable, but does that mean we should glorify it?
Yin Heng stood up, helped Xiao Yuan up, and said softly, "Go back."
Xiao Yuan let Yin Heng support him and walk side by side along the long road.
This road is called "Xiangshui Road". The locals told them that they also call this road "Heaven-sent Love".
Peach trees line the road, bursting with blossoms during the Spring Equinox, their petals falling in a dazzling display. The blossoms blanket the entire road, a scene of dazzling red. Walking along this path with your loved one, it's as if the very universe bears witness to your love, a love that will last forever.
Xiao Yuan walked slowly, his black hair flowing freely, covering his body. Yin Heng's warm palm pressed tightly against his. This road seemed even longer than the first one, so long that it seemed as if it would never end.
Tender affection nourishes the buds in the heart and opens the cage of shackles and imprisonment.
Just keep going, don't go to the end.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
