Heinous

Mishan is always so quiet.

The boundless darkness and almost eternal silence have constituted his entire world for a long time.

Only occasionally, he would recall a long, long time ago.

At that time, he was not the Xue Changle that everyone talked about in the Jianghu in the future, and although his world had sunk into eternal darkness, he was always accompanied by the voice like a clear spring.

"Ding, ding dong, dong dong dong..."

……Again.

Raising his hand and pressing his head, Xue Changle slowly straightened up, groping for the teacup beside him.The water in the cup has already cooled completely, but the cold tea also has a bit of taste, and it feels good to drink.

Compared with it, the sound of the piano is really inappropriate-the player who plays the piano has no skills and talents. It is not so much playing the piano as bullying the poor piano. Tears of sympathy.

Scholars all pay attention to piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. Even if they really don't have this talent, they should at least practice a few pieces of music, otherwise they will lose their reputation in the circle of friends.Now the one who plays the piano is practicing hard for this.But he still has a good face, and he refuses to practice at home, so he must go to this small residence in the mountains to disturb his tranquility.

"Are you awake?" The sound of the piano stopped suddenly, followed by someone's voice.

His voice was already clear, but this time with the addition of very cheerfulness, it sounds much more pleasing to the ear than the piano sound just now.

"If you don't play 'High Mountains and Flowing Waters Meet Friends' with me, I can sleep a little longer." Frowning slightly, Xue Changle said lazily towards the direction of the voice.

"...Then what, the gentleman next door to me said that sleeping too long is not good." Even if he couldn't see it, Xue Changle could still imagine the flattering smile on Ji Yongnian's face at this time.

The one who can go in and out of his small residence in the mountains without the slightest bit of martial arts is this scholar who has known him for nearly ten years.

Too lazy to argue with him, Xue Changle sat back on the bamboo chair, half sitting and half lying down to doze off.

The summer was so hot that Xue Changle was too lazy to wear it, so he only put on a thin green shirt.He had a rough life, so naturally he couldn't give birth to a plump and rich appearance, and he was so pale and emaciated that it made people feel distressed.Ji Yongnian watched silently, some words clearly came to his lips, but he couldn't say them.

"What?" Xue Changle spoke first, "You didn't come all this way just to wake me up, did you?"

"...I'm going to Beijing to catch the exam." After hesitating for a long time, Ji Yongnian whispered.

"Good thing." Xue Changle didn't even move his eyebrows, Ji Yongnian stared at him for a long time, until he was sure that there was no trace of hurt and parting on that face, then he muttered: "I knew I couldn't count on you .”

"what?"

"I won't be able to come back for a long time, and it's fine if I don't win this time. If I win, I'm afraid there won't be a few more days like this in the future." Ji Yongnian knocked on the table with his fan in anger, "You just...don't mind at all?"

Xue Changle turned his head and thought for a while: "Indeed."

Before Ji Yongnian could show a surprised expression on his face, Xue Changle had already slowly added the second half of the sentence: "Indeed, if you never come, there will be no one to feed those fish, and it will probably not be a few days later." will starve to death."

The fish was given by Ji Yongnian, and it was the result of one of his apprentices' leisure time fishing on Bixi.This person is always inexplicably emotional when he shouldn't be soft-hearted, and he refuses to eat or release the fish he catches, so he simply sends them to Xue Changle to raise them, euphemistically called "adding a little interest".

——God knows how interesting it can be to raise two grass carp that are not slippery in autumn!

That's not to mention, he would bring some steamed buns and rice scraps to feed the fish every now and then, until the fish became fat and strong, and occasionally splashed the water, the sound of the water was so loud that Xue Changle could be yelled out of his dream stand up.

It really looks like a master, Xue Changle has slandered more than once for this.

"Could it be that if I don't come, I will only miss my fish?"

"Those two pots of grass outside the door?" Ji Yonglai sent them, saying they could repel mosquitoes—and then Xue Changle, who had never been bitten by mosquitoes that year, got red spots all over his body.

"..."

"That nest of swallows on the wall?" This time they flew here to build their nests, and Ji Yongnian just fed them when he was free.

"..."

"What else..." Before Xue Changle finished speaking, Ji Yongnian had already lowered his head dejectedly: "Chengcheng, I know that I will only cause chaos if I don't do good things every day. I'm leaving, I'm leaving now..."

His voice was extremely mournful, and Xue Changle couldn't help feeling a little bit of compassion when he heard it.After thinking about it, he sighed and said lightly, "However, if you don't come here for a long time, the small residence in the mountains is indeed a bit lonely."

Ji Yongnian's eyes lit up when he heard the words, like a puppy whose master rewarded him with a bone: "Really?"

"...Mmm." After coming here, she was not lonely at all, only noisy.

He knew Ji Yongnian about ten years ago.That was when his mother had just passed away, and he walked out of the mountain alone, and came outside with difficulty.At that time, he was completely ignorant of the worldly affairs outside the mountains, and both eyes were blind, so he lived an extremely hard life.If Ji Yongnian hadn't helped him, the word Xue Changle might have disappeared from the world long ago.

To be precise, Ji Yongnian is his benefactor.

"... Changle."

"Ok?"

"I know it's unfilial...but I really don't want to take the exam."

"Why do you say that?"

"The imperial court right now..." Ji Yongnian snorted contemptuously, "It's either wise to protect oneself, or to join forces with others, and there is probably no one who dares to speak out the truth."

"If you go to become an official with this kind of mind..." Some words of exhortation came to his lips, after thinking about it, Xue Changle swallowed it back.

Ji Yongnian is not stupid, he has a very clear idea of ​​what he wants in his heart, in this case, he might as well just wait for him to make his own decision.

"Forget it, it's useless to think about it." Soon, Ji Yongnian's voice became cheerful again, "I'll go back first, see you next time, it's time for me to be named on the gold list~"

"Congratulations on high school."

"... Changle."

"Ok?"

"Tell me, if I don't take the exam for the number one scholar, you and I will live in seclusion here, with mountains and rivers running every day, is that good?"

"..."

After a very long silence, Xue Changle smiled faintly.

"Even high mountains and flowing waters have to have Boya's youth. I may be able to fill up my youth, but in the world, how can there be Boya who haunts people's peace with his magic voice?"

"...One day I will let you know how powerful I am!" Angrily leaving a word, Ji Yongnian turned and left.

Hearing the sound of his footsteps going away, Xue Changle was relieved.

That sentence just now was probably just a joke.

No longer sleepy, he stood up and walked to the table.

There was a map on it, the pattern on it was originally drawn by Xue Changle himself, and was concocted with secret methods.The whole picture looks yellow and shabby, with some soil stains.

He has made several copies of such a picture before, and this is the last one.

"The rivers and lakes..."

Fingers gently caressed the paper, feeling the strange touch, Xue Changle smiled slightly.

He also waited too long.

From today onwards, let the rivers and lakes dance with him.

A few days later, the treasure map of the Mishan Mountain was published, and countless people in the rivers and lakes were moved by the news, stirring up bloody storms.

A few months later, the hidden treasure in the Mishan Mountain appeared in the world, but it was a joke, and the words "Xue Changle" were left in the hearts of everyone.

He opened the bamboo tube in his hand, and a small roll of paper fell out.Spread it out, and stroke the imprint with slender fingers.

Ji Zhong Tan Hua

"Yes, that's great."

Move your finger down, but unexpectedly touch another line of text.

Xiangnv's intentions and beauty are uncertain

"...This is the same, great."

Unexpectedly, that guy with clumsy piano skills and a dull head who doesn't know how to please people will have a chance to be favored by Jin Zhiyuye one day.

However, if he really becomes the son-in-law of the prime minister, this small residence in the mountains may never be able to wait for him.

"...Alright."

He belongs to the temple, he belongs to the rivers and lakes, a scholar, he shouldn't get involved too much in the world that doesn't belong to him.

It was fine before, but now, even he can't guarantee that the small residence in the mountains will be safe.

One less bum in the way, just right.

The scroll was twisted into paper powder by his fingers little by little, and fell lightly to the ground.Xue Changle stood up and walked slowly in the room - this is his favorite way of thinking, his health has always been bad, but he prefers to move, even unwilling to sit obediently when thinking.

If you can't live with yourself like this, I'm afraid you won't live long.

Those who oppose him should be happy, after all, as long as they work hard, they can always live longer than this useless person like him.

I heard the sound of plopping water in my ears, probably because the fish were making noise again.When Ji Yongnian went to Beijing to rush for the exam, they had no one to feed them, and Xue Changle was tired of hearing that he had to express his dissatisfaction with practical actions every now and then.

It's just that at this moment, why does it seem that there are some other voices?

It's not the sound of water, it's more like...

footsteps?

"Changle!"

The crisp sound echoed in the mountains, it was unbelievably loud.

Xue Changle turned around abruptly, staring blankly at the direction the voice came from.

How did he come back...

"Are there any surprises?" Ji Yongnian ran in, found a teapot and poured it hard.He looked extremely embarrassed now, covered in dust, with a few leaves stuck in his hair, he thought he accidentally dropped it while traveling late at night.

Xue Changle couldn't see it, but from the movement of him drinking water, he could guess that this person was probably exhausted, so he couldn't help frowning: "Why are you back?"

"Escape from marriage!" Ji Yongnian answered simply.

"...run away from marriage?"

"Old bastard wants to marry his daughter to me. I don't like it, so I ran away." Ji Yongnian said, poohing on the ground, "The wine and meat of the Zhumen stinks, and the road is frozen to death... Now I see it, and I still want to see it." Want me to be his son-in-law? Bah! How could I let that kind of person ruin my innocence!"

The corner of Xue Changle's mouth couldn't help but slightly raised: "Aren't you afraid that he will hate you and attack you secretly?"

"What are you afraid of? It's a big deal that I won't be an official. I can still live when I go home and teach." Ji Yongnian said carelessly, "You should go to sleep now and listen to me play a song for you."

"Please."

The sound of the piano is ding-dong, like a clear spring in a mountain stream, flowing happily.

Ji Yongnian's piano skills have indeed improved a lot compared to a few months ago.Although it is still not good, but at least the tune has been tuned, and it will not only make people feel distressed for the piano like it was a few months ago.

"How?" After finishing the song, Ji Yongnian raised his voice, "Can this song be called Boya?"

The smile on Xue Changle's face froze.

"Changle?"

"Are you serious about what you said before?" Xue Changle said lightly.

"...Can't you?"

"You have achieved fame now, even if you don't become an official, you should think about your future." Xue Changle's voice sounded a bit cold, "You should be an adult, how can you still be so nonsense."

"You're younger than me..." Ji Yongnian whispered.

"Don't mention the words of seclusion again. If you still want to play again, I don't mind listening to two songs."

"……Oh."

The sound of the piano sounded again, but it was a little less joyful and a little more stagnant.

After all...he's not that good at hiding his feelings.

Afterwards, after some ups and downs, Ji Yongnian was lucky enough to become a small official in his hometown.Although it didn't match his status as a Tanhualang, it was exactly what he wanted. The small house in the mountains was naturally not quiet, with weeds at the door, swallows twittering on the wall, and even the grass carp in the pool in the backyard had reproduced from generation to generation.

"what!!"

A scream came from the door, Xue Changle frowned, and waved the woman beside him to back off.

Then, he turned towards the direction from which the voice came from: "What?"

"what is that……"

"my son."

"……son?!"

Ji Yongnian's voice sounded extremely weird, Xue Changle knocked on the table to signal him to be quiet: "What's the matter?"

"I didn't know you were married..."

"I'm not married." Xue Changle sighed, "You can't wait to come to my place three times a day. If I get married, can I hide it from you?"

"That……"

"The Xue family needs offspring."

"...That's it."

Not in the mood to waste words with him on this matter, Xue Changle sat back at the table, lowered his head, and fiddled with the calculation chips on the table.

"You're doing these weird things again..." Ji Yongnian leaned over to take a look, and muttered softly.

"...And what do you know?" The hand that was groping for the calculation stopped, and then started to move again. Xue Changle sighed, and didn't want to say anything more.

All his life, he was obsessed with revenge.The person who killed his mother at the beginning came to exterminate Xue Huan, so he wanted to pass on an heir to make the Xue family prosperous and prosperous. For this reason, he spent all his energy and effort to build a magic gate, which was created under the hostility of countless people. Mo Dajiaye, now, everything in Momen is on the right track, and he has extra time to spend on other things.

Suddenly there was a dull pain in his chest, and Xue Changle's shoulders shook.Seeing this, Ji Yongnian hurried over and reached out to support him.

……Again.

Staggering to the bamboo chair and lying down, Xue Changle gritted his teeth and endured the seizure with support.

He was born with a weak heart, and later encountered a catastrophe, even if he took care of himself after gaining power, he would not be able to last long.

Can't live to be 40 years old - this is the assertion of the old man who was an imperial physician.

"... Changle?"

Ji Yongnian's voice sounded very unclear and ethereal, as if it came from afar.

"I'm fine." Shaking his head, Xue Changle forced himself to stand up.

His time is running out.

"... Do me something, okay?" Xue Changle said after a moment of silence.

"Tell me!" Ji Yongnian answered quickly.

"I remember you can draw... right?" He couldn't see, and Ji Yongnian seldom mentioned things related to "seeing" in front of him. Xue Changle found out that he was good at painting from other sources.

"...Yes, I know a little bit." The person who learned from a generation of masters hesitated and nodded.

"That's good." Xue Changle paused while stroking his aching chest, "I'm afraid my body won't last long, before that, you help me..."

After hearing his plan, Ji Yongnian fell silent.

After a long while, he slowly said: "This kind of thing... is incredible."

"You do not trust me?"

"...I believe it, but..." After being dumb for a while, he said with difficulty, "If it really happens, wouldn't you become a lonely ghost?"

"Who said it was a lonely ghost, I have a place to stay."

"But that's, that's..." He, a Confucian disciple, is not good at the strange power and chaos. He can only instinctively feel that this is very bad, but he can't say a word of strong rebuttal.Xue Changle frowned, sighed, "I can't see."

"..."

"How long this broken body can last, I don't know—it probably won't be able to last."

"..."

"You have known me for so many years, and you always know how hard I have worked year after year." The heat in summer and the severe cold in winter are his enemies, and he will get sick if he is not careful.

"..."

"If there is an afterlife, I might be able to have a good body, but after crossing the Naihe bridge and drinking Mengpo soup, am I still Xue Changle?" Seizing Ji Yongnian's wrist with his backhand, Xue Changle paused, " If I forget everything in this life, even if I can live a hundred years, how can I live?"

"Don't they all want me to die? If that's the case, I want to live for them! Not only do I want to live, but I also want to live forever, better than them all!"

The raging fire was burning in the chaotic eyes, and Xue Changle's hand was tightened little by little, until Ji Yongnian's wrist showed a circle of bruises.

"……I see."

Realizing his gaffe, Xue Changle hastily let go, and took two steps back.

He shouldn't be like this... The other party is not someone else, he is the only person who dares to entrust matters related to his future...

But it was impossible to take back what was said, he could only stand there, waiting for Ji Yongnian's next words.

He didn't wait for the sound, but what he waited for was the warmth surrounding his whole body.

"... Changle."

He called his name in a low voice.

"What do you want to say?"

"...I may not be able to become Yu Boya in my lifetime, so don't let Boya Ziqi, you and I will be Xue Changle and Ji Yongnian, okay?"

"A day is a day, a year is a year, as long as you are still here, I will always be with you."

"If... If you are gone, don't worry, just wait for me over there."

"In a few years, I'll go find you... You said you don't want to forget everything in the next life, then we can drink less, and in the next life, at least let me remember you..."

Next life, next life...

What a promise that is.

He was almost lost in the muffled promise.

"……Stop it."

After a long, long time, he finally spoke.

Next life, what a charming and ridiculous word.

He would not pin his hopes on the misty afterlife.

"Is it."

Ji Yongnian's hand slowly loosened.

"... Forget it, just treat it as if I... made a bad joke."

Later, the impermanence of ecstasy arrived as expected, and his age was finally fixed at the age of 37.

"Changle...Changle..."

The hoarse cry woke him up from his drowsiness, Xue Changle stared blankly at the surroundings, there was actually a little light in the darkness.

...yes, he is dead.

Unexpectedly, after death, he could see more of the world.

"Changle..."

Already so dumb that he couldn't hear the original clear voice, Xue Changle was silent for a long time, and finally lowered down slowly, staring at the crying person beside him.

Ji Yongnian.

His only friend in this life.

He has a not-so-good-looking face, but fortunately his eyes are still bright, but at this moment his face is in a mess from crying, and his eyes are swollen like peaches.

Still as stupid as before, how can I remember you when you cry so much?Do you just remember this silly face?

He stretched out his hand, wanting to try to touch his friend, but when his hand fell on him, it passed right through.

They finally embarked on a different path.

"Changle...Changle..."

That was the last sound he heard.

Then, a long, long time passed.

The grass withered, the fish swam, and the swallows flew away.

He tried his best, and finally lost to God's will.After hundreds of years of waiting, only an ironic ending came.

It's not a ghost, but it's not a human being either. If there's anything he's closest to, it should be God.

god……

What an ironic word.

"I don't know who drew these roads and strange patterns for you." A bold and ignorant junior once said to his ancestors, "It's crooked and crooked, and it's thanks to him that he can draw so long."

Xue Changle didn't bother to answer him.

It doesn't really matter what patterns are painted on the tomb passage, the important thing is to paint from the beginning to the end with special ink.He played with Ji Yongnian on the pattern on it.

It wasn't until a long time later that he happened to notice the true meaning of the pattern on the tomb passage. It was very simple. He just wrote the four characters in cursive script in reverse, from the entrance of the tomb in the Mishan tomb hundreds of meters above to his mausoleum underground.

That is a very simple four words.

Changle, Yongnian.