When the flat boat hit the water, it only splashed lightly.
The silent boatman took them to the shore, and with another gentle stroke of the oar, the small boat slid across the water and gradually drifted away.
“Let’s go,” Jing Xian said, taking Lu Yingjiu’s hand.
When he went to the world of the living in his physical body, he had breath and heartbeat, and his hands were as hot as a human’s. But now that he had turned back into a ghost, his palms were slightly cool.
It’s a pretty interesting feeling, Lu Yingjiu thought.
However, this was Jing Xian’s true appearance.
Walking through the forest, the light was sparse.
Unlike the human world, the daylight in the ghost world was diverse, sometimes it was obscure purple, sometimes it was brilliant red. The leaves shimmer with a strange luster in the changing light, transparent and clear in texture.
And the weather was also changeable. Clear skies and heavy rain could occur in just a few seconds.
Out of the forest was a thick grassland, the dark green tide shone in the sun, endless, the wild grass was like a quilt, like fur, like silk, it simply make people want to roll on it.
——The black hairball did just that.
It rolled around in the pile of grass, and in the blink of an eye it disappeared into the green waves. Lu Yingjiu only saw a ripple-like fluctuation going away, and after a few turns, it came back abruptly, howling and pouncing into his arms.
He was about to sigh at the good weather here, but the mountains in the distance were struck by lightning, and thunder was booming.
The sunlight was extinguished by the clouds.
The world became pitch black, and the wind swept low over the grassland, pressing them down so they couldn’t lift their heads, swaying left and right, and the different shades of green rolled in turn.
Jing Xian somehow took out a seventy-two bone oil paper umbrella, held it steady, and blocked him and Lu Yingjiu.
The umbrella looked simple, but it isolated the thunder and lightning outside, and under the umbrella, it formed a small world of its own. Lu Yingjiu only felt the damp wind blowing comfortably, and the raindrops ticking on his head, quite a bit of the freehand and romantic feeling of walking in the rain.
They were not in a hurry, they walked slowly in the wind and rain, admiring the grandeur of nature.
Lu Yingjiu said, “The ghost world is too different from what I imagined.”
“It used to be a wasteland here, and you could see bones when you dug up a handful of soil,” Jing Xian said, “Until later, I started greening it…”
Lu Yingjiu: “……”
He sighed, “Jing Xian, you really are a genius in infrastructure construction, the ghost world has found a treasure.”
Jing Xian laughed and said, “Only the upper layers of the ghost world have better scenery. The lower you go, the worse the environment, and you can’t beautify it at all, it’s all a sea of flames and mountains of knives.” He pointed, “So I often come back to the upper layers to rest, and if you go in that direction, you can see a vacation cottage and a stable.”
“You keep horses?” Lu Yingjiu asked.
“Yes,” Jing Xian replied, “And, there are two that you definitely remember.”
Lu Yingjiu: ?
He followed Jing Xian’s steps, crossed the vast grassland, and when he crossed a small hill, the weather cleared again.
Jing Xian put away the umbrella and shook off the crystal raindrops on the umbrella’s surface. He pulled Lu Yingjiu’s hand around the last small slope, and a small wooden house stood next to a clear blue pond.
The wooden house was similar to the ancient architecture and had no special features. Next to it was the fenced stable, where several horses with shiny fur were leisurely eating grass.
The appearance of the horses were no different from ordinary horses, except that some had grown ghost horns and some were stepping on ghost fire. They heard footsteps, looked up and saw Jing Xian, shaking their ears and snorting, looking very happy.
Jing Xian walked up and stroked their fur.
Among them, there were two horses, one was a jujube red and the other was pure black, and their attitude towards him was particularly affectionate.
Lu Yingjiu also felt that they looked familiar.
Thinking carefully…
The memory went back a hundred years ago, when he and the young man traveled through rivers and lakes, the horses under their hips were these two!
At this moment, his heart was filled with emotion and tenderness. He didn’t expect that after so many years, Jing Xian still kept them well in the ghost world after they passed away.
He took a few steps forward, and the two horses smelled the scent, turned their heads to look at him with bright eyes, and soon let out a cheer.
They also remember Lu Yingjiu!
Lu Yingjiu took a few steps forward and touched their smooth fur. The two horses turned their heads and rubbed him hard, snorting loudly.
They didn’t know how to control their strength, and they rubbed Lu Yingjiu to the east and the west. He laughed and said, “Okay, okay, I miss you guys too.”
Jing Xian opened the door of the stable, and the two of them walked out with their heads held high, fat and strong, and their fur shone in the light.
Jing Xian stroked their necks, also with a smile on his eyebrows, and said to Lu Yingjiu, “Wait for your injuries to heal, let’s go horse racing – just like before.”
In the past, they loved to ride horses all over the mountains and plains.
Win or lose, it’s all about meeting a worthy opponent. Upon careful thought, the most precious thing in life was this kind of exhilarating and unrestrained feeling.
In the years when Lu Yingjiu was not there, Jing Xian would drink and think of him from time to time.
But Lu Yingjiu laughed and said, “You don’t have to wait that long.”
After saying that, he leaped up and easily mounted the black horse, grabbed the ink-black mane, and slapped the horse’s body, “Go!”
The black horse neighed long and dashed out like a flash of lightning!
Jing Xian was stunned, also flipped onto the horse, and the jujube red horse was not to be outdone, chasing closely.
In the distance was an endless grassland, boundless. The two horses ran wildly one after the other, their muscle lines were beautifully carved out, their manes fluttered like dark clouds, and the wind was shattered under their hooves.
The sun was shining brightly, but after a few breaths, there was another thunder.
They rushed headlong into the fine sun shower, the rain was pouring down, soaking the trees, soaking the wild grass, and soaking the wild growing freely all over the mountains and plains. The wind blew up their sleeves, and the black clothes and white robes rolled like clouds.
The joy, unrestrained, and boldness in their hearts intertwined.
Dreaming back to a hundred years ago, it was such a great mountain and river.
Leaping over the clear and transparent stream, Jing Xian slapped the horse’s neck, the jujube red horse neighed, and every inch of its muscles tightened, and it actually sped up a bit more!
The distance was getting closer, and it gradually caught up with the pace of the black horse, and soon there was only half a body position difference between it and the black horse. Jing Xian and Lu Yingjiu were almost shoulder to shoulder.
The front was open, Lu Yingjiu flicked the reins and looked sideways, just in time to meet Jing Xian’s gaze.
The eyes of the two of them, one light brown like amber, and the other black like a long night, were both reflecting the bright daylight at this time, both with brilliant smiles, even the most gorgeous gems in the world would be inferior.
Then the black horse accelerated again, leaving Jing Xian behind.
These two horses were originally good horses that could travel a thousand miles a day, and when they came to the ghost world, they were even more tireless.
So they galloped for a long time.
They ran until dusk, then Lu Yingjiu reined in his horse and gradually slowed down.
This was a small hill.
The setting sun was falling towards the horizon.
The jujube red horse stood by his side, Jing Xian was the first to jump off the horse, stretched out his hand to Lu Yingjiu on the horse’s back, and laughed, “You won.”
Lu Yingjiu’s temples were slightly sweaty, he was led by him to dismount, and then he was hugged.
Jing Xian hugged him tightly, directly lifted him up and turned a few circles, and then kissed him.
Ghosts didn’t need to breathe, but Lu Yingjiu was still panting slightly, how could he withstand this onslaught? He quickly couldn’t stand the kiss, and reluctantly pushed Jing Xian away, laughing somewhat awkwardly, “Don’t kiss anymore, if you kiss again, I won’t be able to breathe.”
Jing Xian then stopped.
The two sat on the grassy slope, leisurely chatting. The horses buried their heads to eat grass, occasionally rubbing their ears together.
This continued until the stars filled the sky.
Lu Yingjiu’s tone became sleepy, and when he answered Jing Xian, he was pausing.
In the end, his head tilted and he leaned half-asleep on Jing Xian’s shoulder.
The surroundings were quiet, Jing Xian stared at him for a few seconds, and whispered, “Lie down and sleep?”
Lu Yingjiu responded vaguely.
So they slept on the soft grass.
Lu Yingjiu hugged Jing Xian and fell asleep quickly. Jing Xian gently stroked his black hair, and after a while, he also slowly closed his eyes.
Ghosts didn’t need to sleep. But just like countless times before, he accompanied Lu Yingjiu in his dreams.
But this time, he no longer dreamed of that desolate snowfield.
A good night’s sleep, until dawn.
For the next two days, they rode their horses leisurely through the ghost world.
Whether it was due to his half-human, half-ghost state, Lu Yingjiu’s injuries healed quickly.
Jing Xian was more worried than him, insisting on caring about the healing of his various wounds every day, until all the scars disappeared, only then did he breathed a sigh of relief.
And the surrounding scenery was varied.
As Jing Xian said, the lower one goes, the heavier the yin energy. There was no more romantic scenery of grass and birds, it was replaced by a solemn and majestic feeling.
Black water was rolling, strange cliffs were rugged, either a flaming mountain range that one couldn’t see the end of, or an icy and snowy plain that was forever frozen. Ghosts and monsters fought, never seen before soul bats flew up rustlingly, water ghosts appeared in groups in the sea, their eyes flashing with crimson light.
They stopped and went all the way.
Finally, after several days, the two arrived at the thirteenth layer of the ghost world.
Jing Xian had a palace here, although it was not big, it was extremely exquisite. The house was full of gems, and the bed was as soft as swan velvet.
They rested here for a day.
On the second morning, Jing Xian went to feed the two horses and came back to see Lu Yingjiu sitting by the window, gazing into the distance. His wide sleeves spread out on the window sill, clean and white.
Next to him was a bottle of flower wine, half-drunk, and the cup was full of light.
“What are you looking at?” He asked as he walked over, kissing Lu Yingjiu’s cheek.
“Nothing.” Lu Yingjiu smiled, “Just thinking about something. Jing Xian, I was wondering…”
He stopped.
This state was rare for him.
Jing Xian didn’t ask further, silently sitting next to him, also looking out the window.
After a long while, Lu Yingjiu spoke, “I was wondering, should I stay in the ghost world?” He rubbed his brow, “This half-human, half-ghost state, might be the safest outcome for me. As long as I don’t return to the human world, I don’t have to worry about the Heavenly Way, and I can be with you forever.”
“But Jing Xian, is the safest outcome necessarily the best outcome?”
He sighed lightly, smiling bitterly, “I think I might be too greedy. You worked so hard for so many years to bring me safely to the ghost world, yet I still think about going back.”
“To be honest, I still have a lot of attachments to the human world. Whether it’s friends and family, or the newly established office, or the sense of identity as a human…”
“And the prophecy of that grandest Hundred Ghosts Night Walk will still happen. If the Heavenly Way doesn’t get its way, it will probably interfere. I’m afraid of unexpected problems, causing more people to lose their lives, I can’t let go after all.”
Lu Yingjiu rubbed his brow and continued, “If I hide in the ghost world, I’m afraid that would be the real loss.”
“But I don’t have a specific idea of how to confront the Heavenly Way. The only idea is the formation in the museum.”
That formation could lead people to the ghost world.
And after Lu Yingjiu recalled the past, he realized that this was actually the formation he and Chu Qianju had studied. The family had made many improvements over the centuries, but essentially it was the same.
One of the improvements was that the new formation required eight exorcists to start.
He saw Zhang Haokong, who died in the fire, on that bridge, in that burned car – he was attacked by the Heavenly Way’s servants when he went to deploy the formation.
But Zhang Haokong pointed to the side of the bridge, giving Lu Yingjiu a hint. Lu Yingjiu noticed that the gate to the ghost world had already opened.
That is to say, although he didn’t know the process…
The formation was indeed successful.
There are still too many questions.
Lu Yingjiu didn’t understand, but his intuition told him that this was the very key point. If he investigated, that’s the best clue he would have.
His idea was this: first find the positions of the other seven exorcists to start the formation, then investigate further.
But this also meant that he must return to the mortal world.
When he said this, Lu Yingjiu didn’t dare to look at Jing Xian’s expression.
What would Jing Xian’s reaction be?
Lu Yingjiu was lost in thought. He knew that Jing Xian would never be angry or blame him, but even the slightest disappointment, the most subtle sadness, would hurt him like a knife.
Even if Jing Xian showed a hint of opposition, he might give up this idea.
He turned his face away, looking out the window, feeling as if the flower wine he had just drunk was burning in his stomach, making him restless.
But a few seconds later, his hand was gently held by Jing Xian.
Jing Xian’s hand still had the unique coolness of a ghost. Lu Yingjiu was slightly moved, and then he turned his head back.
Jing Xian looked at him seriously, “Hmm, I understand.”
He continued, “The ghost world and the human world correspond to each other geographically. The area near the bridge where Zhang Haokong is located corresponds to a chaotic burial mound in the ghost world. He set up a formation in the human world, so I thought, maybe there are corresponding signs in the ghost world.”
“These days, I have sent priests there. Indeed, traces of the formation have appeared in the chaotic burial mound.”
“That is to say, if we find the other seven traces in the ghost world, corresponding to the mortal world, we can locate the formation. This way, even if you go back to the mortal world to investigate, the danger can be greatly reduced.”
Lu Yingjiu’s eyes widened slightly.
Jing Xian kissed the back of his hand and continued, “I have sent three thousand priests, countless fierce ghosts, countless monsters, tens of thousands of small ghosts, and a smuggled three-headed dog from hell, who have been searching in the ghost world these days. The traces will be found soon.”
“The reason I didn’t tell you is because you were injured before, and I didn’t want you to worry too much. I never wanted you to stay in the ghost world forever.”
“The ZHeavenly Way and the aristocratic families have no right to let you die, and neither do I. ‘Living’ is a part of your life, and no one can take it away.”
He looked at Lu Yingjiu.
The other’s skin was like transparent snow under the sunlight, contrasted by a white robe. His eyebrows and eyes were delicate, as if they were carefully drawn with a fine brush, gentle and beautiful, which would leave even the most picky person speechless.
—Just like the day they first met.
Young Jing Xian had just finished a massacre and was casually playing with the last prey. He vaguely noticed Lu Yingjiu’s arrival, found it interesting, and sat on the ground pretending to be a victim.
Lu Yingjiu did indeed make a move and “saved” him.
The young man threw himself into his arms, looked up, and saw a man whose clothes seemed to have captured the color of the new moon. There was no malice in his eyes, no disgust for the blood mist on him, only teasing and laughter, bright to the extreme.
But Jing Xian understood in an instant: Lu Yingjiu had seen through all his disguises early on.
And he still held him in his arms.
If Lu Yingjiu’s eyebrows and eyes made his heart beat, then this look was more like a tremor of the soul.
Love at first sight.
From then on, he became invincible just for him.
Jing Xian said, “We will always be together. But not now, now you should still live in the human world.”
“So, when we find that formation, let’s go back to the human world together. We will win this final battle, and we will have many more days to roam the mountains and rivers.”
Lu Yingju’s heart trembled for a moment.
He didn’t know what to say; any words would be feeble and pale.
A thousand words, numerous emotions, all condensed into a “thank you” and a deep kiss.
This kiss carried the scent of flowers, the taste of wine, and an irresistible surge of emotions.
In the end, it was unclear who made the first move, as their clothes slipped off and their skin touched.
“Do you know,” Jing Xian hoarsely whispered in his ear, “I especially like it when you wear white. I couldn’t forget it from the first day we met. I thought you looked like a celestial being walking out of the mountains, so beautiful… Now I like seeing you wear it, and I also like seeing you take it off.”
Their breath grew more urgent, and Lu Yingju was pressed onto the bed, moaning softly, loosely grasping a strand of Jing Xian’s black hair hanging down, his white clothes spreading out like a bird’s tail, resembling frost and snow.
