Chapter 195: Scene 20 (Inverted V) Meng Qingshan pulls He Yuezhe...
The fireworks were beautiful, colorful and dazzling, a sight that He Yuezhe had never seen before.
Past experiences have always kept her busy and worried, including her friends. They live in a world where they may die at any time, struggling and running around every day. Even having a meal together is a rare thing, so enjoyment is simply a fantasy for them.
But it is different here, it is peaceful and beautiful, it is called "Jianghu", it is called "Bai Yujing", this is where they live happily.
But she doesn't belong here, He Yuezhe doesn't belong here, there is a sad film between her and them, she will never be able to truly be with them.
He Yuezhe looked at the fireworks and the laughter of his companions, and a sense of sadness arose in his heart.
"I want to be with you all my life," He Yuezhe shouted like everyone else, but she knew in her heart that this wish would never come true.
…
…
It was late at night, and He Yuezhe returned to the inn with several large strings of candied haws.
"Squeak."
When I pushed open the door, the wooden door rubbed against the door frame, making a creaking sound.
"bite--!"
"You're late."
"Is this why you want to kill me?"
With a flash of cold light, He Yuezhe used his dagger to knock against the dagger that she had blocked.
"Also, this is my room. How can you barge in without permission? That's quite offensive!" He Yuezhe shook off the dust on his candied haws with some displeasure. "You've even made my candied haws dirty."
"We have too many reasons to kill you." The man in black covered his face with a black cloth. She retracted the dagger, turned back a few steps, and nodded slightly at He Yuezhe.
"Bang." He Yuezhe walked into the room and closed the door.
"Tell me, what's the matter with you coming to see me?" She walked around the man in black and sat on the windowsill. The breeze outside the window brought coolness.
"..." The man in black was silent, "I came here with the goal of killing you."
"I don't want to hear your nonsense."
"...Aren't you afraid of death?"
"Well, I'm in a good mood today, so I'll answer you mercifully." He Yuezhe swung out the dagger, which grazed the black-clad man's hood and stabbed into the opposite wall. "I am indeed afraid of death, but you are too weak to kill me at all."
"Look, if my crosshairs had moved just a little bit to the left, you would be dead now!" He Yuezhe chuckled.
"You!?" The man in black was furious. "You are so arrogant, no wonder the organization has listed you as their number one target!"
"Miss, there are so many arrogant people in this world. Do you want to think carefully about why I was listed as the number one target?"
"Because you are Shi Lian."
"Yes, yes, that's right. Since you were sent to communicate with me face to face, you shouldn't be a fool."
"...Have you really lived for hundreds of years?"
"..." The little girl's focus seemed off, but the answer to this question was hard to describe. "Guess?"
"I don't guess."
"Oh. Boring."
"You have a good relationship with them?"
"they?"
"That's Tang Xiqin, Chen Shu, Ban Weile, and Yuan Yang."
"Well, let's just say so."
"They want to kill you."
“…” Hey, do you need to be so blunt?
"Why don't you speak?"
"Um, what should I say?"
"Well, actually, I'm here this time to win you over on behalf of the organization."
"Win me over? Why?"
"Because their purpose has been discovered by you, the target, the organization does not need to keep such useless waste."
“…”
"But you are very powerful. The organization has taken a fancy to you, not only Shi Lian, but also He Yuezhe."
"...What do you need me to do for you?"
"Kill them."
"..." He Yuezhe sighed and shook his head helplessly, "They are my friends, I can't do this."
"Then you can only wait for them to come and kill you. Wouldn't that hurt you?"
"Shouldn't it be?"
"As Shi Lian, you must die, but as He Yuezhe, you can live. Girl, Tang Xiqin and the others have known each other for a long time. Frankly speaking, I don't want them to die, and I don't want you to die either."
"Why don't you want me to die?"
"Because you and Shi Lian are actually very different. Shi Lian is cold-blooded and cruel, but you are so interesting, gentle, and lovely. Girl, you are really different from her."
“Is it very different…?”
But that is also myself, that is also a part of myself. How can it become different after going through some things?
She didn't even have any memory of herself as "Shi Lian". This person called "Shi Lian" was like a bubble, carried on her back, like a poor abandoned child, always crying, tears flowing down, wetting He Yuezhe's eyes, and tears also flowed out of He Yuezhe's eyes.
"After all, I've gone through some things and changed, which is normal," He Yuezhe wiped away her tears. "But I also have selfish motives, so girl, I am both Shi Lian and He Yuezhe. I will survive, and they will survive too. I promise you."
“…Thank you very much, thank you very much, really, thank you very much.” The man in black bowed deeply.
The moonlight was behind He Yuezhe, blocked by her, and a few pieces were revealed, draped over the man in black, like a suit of armor, yes, like a suit of armor.
"Are you about the same age as them?"
"Yeah, same age."
"Don't you think it's a pity that you've been working for the organization for so long at such a young age?"
"I don't think so. The organization's ideals are great and they align with my own ideals, so I joined them."
"Ideal..."
"Yes, we are determined to make all the people of the world stop dreaming of immortal arts, live down-to-earth lives, and work together to build this beautiful land."
"Well, I wish you success."
"Thank you." The man in black bowed again.
"Ah, if you have nothing to say, you may go."
"No, there is one last thing. The organization has ordered me to remind the girl at the last moment if she does not choose to join us."
"Please go ahead."
"Meng Qingshan is the 'leader.'"
^
"Yuezhe? Yuezhe, what are you thinking about? Why are you in a daze while chatting with me?"
"Oh, nothing."
"You don't look like nothing happened."
"Didn't you say you were very busy recently? How come you still have time to chat with me?"
"Hey, we've met, so let's just chat. It won't take up much time."
"oh."
"Okay, what's going on? Weren't you so happy when we were watching the fireworks together yesterday? Why are you so gloomy now? You don't look good at all."
"It's really nothing..."
"Yuezhe, I'm your captain after all, and being in the guard team means you have to deal with a lot of things every day. If you keep everything to yourself, you'll burst."
"oh……"
"So what's going on? Tell me about it."
"It's just that I've been away from home for too long. Last night, after returning to the inn, I received a letter. I didn't expect it to be the news that my house had been burned down..."
Meng Qingshan kept asking, and He Yuezhe didn't want her to worry too much about him, so he just made up an excuse to fool her.
"Is this an accident or a man-made disaster?"
"I'm not sure yet, but my mother and father both died in there. My sister is too young to have learned a few words yet. That letter was also written to me by the villagers."
"Um……"
"...Okay, you insisted on asking me questions before, so now that you've asked, don't be silent. I'm fine. At least my sister is still here, and our home isn't completely destroyed."
"Well, Yuezhe, it's just right. I heard from Yuan Yang and the others that the temples in the city are going to be demolished. How about I take you to worship there? Pray for peace and good fortune. The temples here are still very effective."
"Don't you have to be busy?"
"Compared to being busy, the mood of our team members is more important!"
"Captain Meng..."
"Let's go."
…
Following Meng Qingshan out of the base, the streets were no longer as crowded as they were yesterday at the summer solstice. Instead, not many people went out because of the heavy dust.
"What a huge cloud of dust." He Yuezhe covered his mouth and nose.
"Indeed," Meng Qingshan also covered his mouth and nose, nodded, and frowned, "Normally, there isn't this much dust on construction projects. Now it's making people, cough, cough, cough..."
"This is really crazy. Do you want people to live?"
"There's so much dust, what on earth are they doing? Our place is already so prosperous, won't rebuilding mean we have to tear down the old things?"
"Haven't you heard? The temple near the city gate is going to be demolished. I don't know what they're thinking. How can they just tear down a temple?"
"That's right, that's a fairy's temple. It has blessed us for countless years. How can you just tear it down like that? Aren't you afraid of retribution?"
"Yeah, yeah, what a bunch of heartless people!"
"Please don't insult her, okay?"
"Tsk, you're from the Guards, so you can be dogs if you want. I just can't stand their behavior, so I'll say a few words, but don't bother me!"
"Do you want to come to the Guards and have a good chat with me?"
"Tsk, I get it! I just said a few words, and you got so excited. If you didn't know, you would think I was scolding you - Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!!"
"This is just a warning. If you find it again next time, please come with us." Meng Qingshan twisted the man's arm and said, "Yuezhe, let's go."
"Captain Meng," He Yuezhe followed her and asked in a low voice, "Is there anything scary in the guard team?"
"Hmm? Not really. They're just some brainwashing devices."
Just some brainwashing device???
"So, that heartless thing they were talking about...?"
"Those who believe in immortals will naturally think that those above are doing something unrealistic, but in reality, their beliefs are false. The real purpose is to demolish those temples and build something more useful in Baiyujing."
"Captain Meng doesn't believe in that immortal either?" He Yuezhe asked.
"I believe it. After all, the immortal did make some contributions. But it's not superstition."
"I see."
"Speaking of which, you should know Shi Lian. It is said that she is the second-generation successor of the formation."
"...Yeah, I heard about it when I was studying."
"Then you should have heard the story of her and her kind?"
"similar?"
"Yes, the same kind. Shi Lian was a human being created by the immortal sect at that time using immortal arts. Of course, there was more than one of her."
"If that's the case, then why don't people believe in real immortals, but instead believe in this fabricated immortal?"
"Because Shi Lian is far more powerful than all of them." Meng Qingshan said, "People always admire the strong. The stronger the person, the more they trust him."
"However, on the eve of the great battle to encircle and suppress the Xianmen, Shi Lian disappeared and could not be found anywhere. The Xianmen was defeated and completely slaughtered. After that, there were no more immortal cultivators in the world."
"This is a good thing, because it allows people to devote themselves to building their homeland. Rather than striving for enlightenment alone, it's better to work together with fellow countrymen."
"You have to know that when immortal cultivation was popular, ordinary people lived on simple meals. Meat, eggs, and milk were only available once a year. But now, most people can eat at least two meals a week."
"It's indeed a good thing, but why did they massacre the immortal cultivators in the first place?"
"Well, there are many reasons. The war was started by monsters and ghosts. However, victory and defeat in war are common. Besides, monsters and ghosts can check and balance humans, preventing one side from becoming too powerful. So, they have been living a relatively stable life."
“…”
"It's okay. It's not a big deal if you don't understand these things. It's all in the past anyway. Just listen to it casually."
Meng Qingshan patted He Yuezhe's shoulder and smiled gently, "So, Yuezhe, there are people in this world who envy immortal cultivators, and there are also people who hate them. It's better to use your formation less in front of others, for your own safety."
"Yeah, I know."
"Okay, good boy, let's go upstairs?" Meng Qingshan stood on the steps and stretched out his hand to He Yuezhe.
Next to it, a large piece of the stone tablet with "xx Temple" engraved on it was knocked off, and only the word "Temple" on it could be seen clearly. The rest was shattered on the ground with the stone.
"Yeah." He Yuezhe took her hand and they walked up the stairs.
"Yuezhe, I can't stop talking sometimes, so I might be a bit long-winded. If you mind, please tell me."
"I don't mind, Captain Meng."
"Really? That's great. I was afraid you'd find me annoying."
"How could that be?"
Yes, how could that be? Sometimes she would stay alone for a long time when she went out. The overly quiet environment had caused He Yuezhe some kind of PTSD-like effect. When she became quiet, she would doubt her life and want to die.
"I knew that Yuezhe was much better than them. Every time I talked about these things, they found me annoying, which made me not want to talk to them anymore." Meng Qingshan sighed.
"Maybe Captain Meng, you've just repeated the same thing too many times?"
“…How did you know?!”
You can guess it right away! They are all very patient, gossipy, supportive, or calm people. How could they possibly offend Captain Meng?
But thinking this in his heart, He Yuezhe still said soothingly: "So it's not your problem, it's just that the story is too repetitive. Maybe everyone doesn't want to hear it anymore after hearing it too many times."
"Xiao Yuezhe..." Meng Qingshan looked at He Yuezhe with tears in his eyes, "After we finish worshipping, I will definitely treat you to the most delicious ice cream in Baiyujing!"
"Okay. Did you do this yourself?"
"Yes! How did you know? I just learned how to make it these days. It's delicious. I left it in the base. If I'm busy, you can go get it and eat it yourself."
"Thank you, Captain Meng."
"You're welcome."
…
The temple was very popular. Just as He Yuezhe and Meng Qingshan reached halfway up the stairs, thick smoke began to waft out of the temple, curling up slowly and carrying a Zen-like scent that made people feel relaxed and happy.
"This incense is said to be specially made by the temple, with ingredients added to calm the mind. Unfortunately, the daily supply is limited, so if we go there now, I'm afraid it will be sold out."
Meng Qingshan felt a little regretful: "I was thinking of giving this incense to you, Yuezhe, as a gift one day, but this temple is going to be demolished. If we don't come now, I'm afraid we won't have the chance anymore."
"It's okay." He Yuezhe smiled.
"In that case—then I'll have no choice but to give you a sachet made of the same material!" Meng Qingshan stuffed a sachet into He Yuezhe's hand. "Take it. You don't have to wear it, but make sure you keep it by your side when you sleep. It's really effective."
"Captain Meng, thank you very much." He Yuezhe was a little surprised.
"Two benefactors! Are you here to burn incense and pray for blessings?" A young nun hurriedly came up from the temple and bowed to the two. "Because this temple will be demolished soon, we have specially prepared a sufficient amount of calming incense for the benefactors who come to pray during this period."
"Thank you very much. We are indeed here to burn incense and pray for blessings. We don't want this incense for nothing. Take this money. Don't refuse it."
"This, this... donor, it's still not necessary!!" The little nun bowed, then stuffed a few sticks of incense into the hands of Meng Qingshan and He Yuezhe, and ran away quickly.
"Hey, hey!" Meng Qingshan stumbled and He Yuezhe supported her. "There are so many incense sticks, Yuezhe, take them. I originally wanted to just worship at the main temple, but now it seems we have to worship them all."
One, two, three... There are many temples here, and each temple houses a different immortal. Meng Qingshan took He Yuezhe and started to worship from the door.
There weren't many pilgrims coming and going inside. Perhaps many people hadn't heard the news that the temple was going to be demolished and therefore hadn't come.
Lighting a fire, burning incense, worshipping the immortals, and donating merits was He Yuezhe's first experience.
However, the craftsmanship used to create these immortal statues seemed very ordinary. He Yuezhe glanced at the immortal statues several times but could not tell whether they were immortals or ghosts.
"Yuezhe, don't look around. These statues are all alive." Meng Qingshan bowed and reminded in a low voice.
"Okay." He Yuezhe answered obediently.
After the two of them walked around, the incense in their hands was almost finished.
"We are going to the main temple now, which is also the largest temple here. It may be a bit sticky and damp inside. Tell me if you feel uncomfortable."
"sticky?"
"Well, it's very strange, isn't it? No one knows why, but this temple has been like this ever since the statue was placed there."
"Is it related to the immortal's past experiences?"
"Did Master Lian have any strange experiences in the past? I don't know."
Master Lian?
Wait, whose name did Meng Qingshan just say? Could it be her name?
"...Is the statue in this temple Shi Lian?" He Yuezhe untied the string on the incense, lit it, and asked.
"Yes, doesn't the plaque say... Oh, it's been removed."
"Captain Meng, light the fire."
"Okay. Oh, by the way, I heard that even the Lotus Sect has a temple like Shilian, and I think many other cities have them too. Have you seen one?"
"..." He Yuezhe froze. "People in the Lotus Sect should believe in these things. There are a lot of temples, right? I've been to one, but it probably isn't..."
"No, the Lotus Sect does not allow other temples to be built in their area. Shi Lian's temple is the only temple in the Lotus Sect."
“…”
He Yuezhe: Can anyone tell her if it is spiritual for one to worship oneself?
"Okay, I've ordered, let's go in."
"Um."
Stepping over the threshold, He Yuezhe lowered his head and looked quietly at the statue of immortal.
His hair was carefully tied up and combed behind his head, pinned up with an exquisite hairpin. His eyebrows were curved like willows, his eyes were like autumn waves, his hands were clasped in front of his chest, and he was wearing a flowing long gown. He looked like a fairy with an immortal air.
But you can't look too closely, otherwise you would really feel that the immortal's eyes would fade away from gray and turn into a pair of real eyes in the next moment.
And that face looked very much like He Yuezhe, but with a bit more coldness and detachment from the world.
The sticky feeling on her body became stronger and stronger. He Yuezhe smelled so good that she knelt on the mat, feeling uncomfortable as if she had been caught in the rain.
It's so damp, but there's nothing on display in this temple, how could this be?
"Are you feeling unwell?" Meng Qingshan noticed her unusual behavior. "Then let's finish our worship quickly and get out, shall we?"
"Yeah." He Yuezhe agreed.
But when she finished bowing and raised her head again, she accidentally made eye contact with the immortal statue.
——He Yuezhe was surprised to find that the immortal statue, the immortal statue had been looking at her!
The eyes of the immortal statue were as cold as raindrops with icy particles, hitting He Yuezhe's body with a patter, making her joints ache with cold.
"Yuezhe, let's go quickly. I feel it's getting colder here." Meng Qingshan pulled He Yuezhe's sleeve.
"Well, okay." He Yuezhe obediently followed her out of the temple.
"Huh, it's really warmer outside." Meng Qingshan shivered a few times after walking out of the temple. "Yuezhe, are you okay? I saw that you looked very bad just now."
"I felt a little uncomfortable just now, but now that I'm out, I feel much better."
"That's good. Let's eat the ice cream later. Let's eat something warm first. This temple is really strange."
"good."
"How about going for hotpot? Xiqin and Xiaoshu told me that Baiyujing recently opened a new hotpot restaurant that's really delicious."
"all right."
"Okay, okay, let's go..."
"Bang!!!"
“Ugh!!”
"Captain Meng!!!!"
"Bang!!!!!"
"Chi..."
"Captain Meng! Captain Meng!!!"
"Uh, uh, cough, cough..."
"The statue is broken! The statue is broken! Everyone, get away from here!"
"Captain Meng! Captain Meng, what's wrong with you?!"
"Ahem, ahem, ahem..."
"No, no, how could it be such a coincidence, how could this fragment be stuck in your neck by such a coincidence? Someone must have done something, someone must have——"
"Well……"
"Captain Meng...?"
Meng Qingshan took He Yuezhe's hand and put it in his own.
The woman pointed at herself, shook her head, and forced a smile.
"Yes, today, I found out that you couldn't bear to kill me. They clearly told you everything, and you had guessed it a long time ago..."
"Captain Meng..."
"I'm sorry..." Meng Qingshan's eyes were wrinkled, like the tail of a small fish, shining with water. "But, if I want them to live, I must die..."
"No, no, that's not the case. That's not the case, Captain Meng. I've figured out a solution!"
"Uh, cough, cough..."
"Besides, didn't we agree to eat ice cream and hot pot together? Look, you even gave me this sachet. Didn't we watch the fireworks together yesterday?!"
"Why is it so sudden?! Why couldn't you wait for me a little longer?!" He Yuezhe burst into tears, "Just let me go..."
"He Yuezhe, ah..." Meng Qingshan closed his eyes and clenched He Yuezhe's cold hands tightly. "I don't want you to sacrifice yourself to save me..."
"So you're going to die by yourself?"
"I am also a part of you. I know your pain and sadness. I understand your thoughts and your wisdom..."
"But, you, shouldn't, stop, here..."
"Sometimes, living is the answer..."
"Captain Meng!!!"
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The author has something to say: To make up for yesterday's share, there should be another one today [Poor][Poor][Poor][Poor][Poor][Poor][Poor][Poor][Poor]
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