許明世只留下這麼一句沒頭沒尾的話，就要離開。柳延一時也想不出阻攔的理由，指著沈玨，讓他陪同前去。雖開春後，卸下厚重棉衣的許明世精神大好，卻終究是古稀老人，這樣一個老人孤身在外，柳延放不下心。
沈玨沒有多話，很快收拾好行裝，隨他一起出門。
許明世見沈玨跟上本想阻攔，最終卻只張了張口，他終歸是老了，也會害怕自己半途出了意外，有個年輕人在旁照應，心裡也多份安定。只是他依然沒有說要去哪裡，一路上默默無言，眉頭緊鎖著顯然滿腹心事。他不肯說，沈玨也不好多問，背著行李走在一旁，沉默的仿佛並不存在。
一路加快步伐，在日頭落山前，兩人已經離開羅浮山五百里地。以沈玨的腳力，原本還能走得更遠些，許明世卻明顯走不動了，只是五百里地，他施法不緊不慢奔走一天，停下來時已經面色蠟黃，額頭冒汗。
兩人停在野外，暮色已深，沈玨環顧四周，覺得景色略有眼熟，站了片刻，沈玨朝東邊走去，走了約三裡地，繞過一條曲徑小路，穿過一片麥田，沈玨不出意外地看到了一座廟宇。沈玨連忙又走回去，對許明世道：“找到了個落腳的地方，我們去那裡過夜。”
許明世點點頭，跟在他身後，兩人一起進了廟裡。
廟宇不大，小小的一座，雖是簡陋，卻也還乾淨，泥塑的神像面前擺著供果，長明燈日夜不熄的燃著，廟裡有個小和尚正在續香火，聽見腳步聲回過頭見到來客，連忙合手行禮道：“施主有禮。”
沈玨道：“借貴地一宿，明日清晨就離開。”
小和尚道：“好說，”又問：“飯食也有，只是清淡，施主若是不嫌棄，尚可果腹。”
沈玨行禮道謝，“那就有勞小師父。”
小和尚點點頭，為他們準備飲食去了。
沈玨走到被供奉的塑像前站了片刻，扭頭對許明世道：“猜猜這是誰？”
許明世有些乏了，坐在一旁昏昏欲睡，聞言抬起眼看，第一眼覺著陌生，再看第二眼，無端看出兩分熟稔來。又看了一會，許明世猛地睜大眼，瞌睡蟲忽閃飛走，他驚愕地道：“噫，這不是老蛇麼？！”
沈玨又指了指左側的另一尊泥胎，“這個呢？”
許明世呆了，有了伊墨在前，這一回很快便認了出來，愣愣道，“你們父子怎麼叫人供起來了？”
沈玨走過去，從包袱裡取出水囊來遞給他，這才道：“供了有些年月了。”
對著許明世一張好奇的老臉，沈玨只好講解給他聽，其實也無須大驚小怪，他們雖是妖，卻也救過不少人，尤其是沈清軒死後他們離山尋覓季玖的那些年月裡，父子二人在人間遊蕩，遇著那些不該遭難的人，伊墨總是讓沈玨出手相助，是讓他借此修些功德的意思。因而被人當菩薩供上，也沒什麼稀奇。
他們腳下這片土地，兩百多年前曾經被洪水淹沒。彼時伊墨父子從此路過，一路盡是哀號悲泣，渾濁的水流中，自上往下滑落的屍體在斷流處堆積成了小山，還有些依然活著卻無法從水中起來的人，在屍堆上奄奄一息。
官府和當地鄉紳一起救人撈屍，剛救上幾個，又逢大雨，山坡崩塌，泥沙俱下，救人者反被洪流卷走。其時慘狀，若人間煉獄。
伊墨看不過眼，在暴雨中帶著兒子將泥流裡的人一一救起，又將那些死去的屍體都撈了上來，直到當地府衙和望族富戶將受難的人群安置好，才和沈玨離開這裡。他們走後，劫後餘生的鄉民們在重建家園時，便給他們修了一座廟宇，湊錢請了鄰村一位高明畫師，將他們容貌根據口述畫出來，又請了匠人，將他們照畫卷上的模樣塑了泥胎，此後香火不絕。
許明世聽了，撚著鬚子忽而笑道：“他們知道你們是妖？”
沈玨回答道：“那時要救人，不施法怎麼行？他們自然看到了，一開始以為是神仙，後來人救完了，父親說我們是妖，所以他們都知道。”
許明世呆了一會，忽然說：“我有一次要回師門，因天黑趕路，心情又急，便施了法狂奔。後來天亮了，我回頭一看，嗨，都奔出師門三百里了。”
說完這事，許明世道：“我常常覺得自己辦事沒頭沒尾，莽莽撞撞，原來你們父子比我更甚。”
可不是，神仙救人天經地義，妖怪救人還自報家門，難道還不莽撞？萬一世風日下人心不古，莫說供奉，將來有個大病小災，也要污蔑都是因為當初讓妖怪救命時碰到了妖氣的！
沈玨道：“管它作甚呢？救起來之後他們怎麼活，就跟我們沒關係了。”
許明世說：“也是。我在人間久了，到被世俗利祿擾了心智，在意榮辱過甚，慚愧。”
兩人正閒談著，小和尚一捲簾子走了過來，手上托著木屜，放了幾個饅頭，一盤青菜，一盤豆腐，他道：“招待不周，還請見諒。”
“很好了。”許明世說，“多謝。”
等人退回去，進室內念經，許明世聽著木魚聲，小聲問沈玨：“那這和尚怎麼回事？”
“我哪裡知道，”沈玨說：“我也是第二次來，想來是路過見這裡清靜又無人，就在此修行了。”
這樣的事也不稀奇，許明世就沒再問。
沈玨倒是問他：“你這一路往西，要去哪裡？”
“去找我師尊。”許明世說，接著就不再說了。
沈玨見狀也不再問。
看許明世吃完飯睡過去，沈玨想起山中柳延，掛念著他一人在家吃了沒有，想著自己出門時可有燒水等等，想著想著，就覺得想也無用，便靜下心，盤膝坐著修行吐納。只有在外面奔走時他才會想起修行，為的是第二日奔走的養精蓄銳，一邊也清一清自己的濁氣。一回到家，卻幾乎連自己是個妖精的事都忘了。
第二日天明，兩人告辭小和尚重新上路，許明世走得比昨天更慢了些，沈玨皺了皺眉，道：“要去哪裡也不說，若是遠得很，你走這麼慢哪天才能到得了？不若我背你吧。”
許明世聽了，幾乎跳起來，一副不服老的語氣狠狠道：“我才不要你背。”
說完拔腿就走，這回心裡不服，加快了速度，很快便耗盡法力，雖一上午就走出四百多裡地，晌午卻坐在地上怎麼也起不來。
沈玨說：“老了就要服老。”說著也不管他頑抗，輕輕鬆松就把老頭兒扛上了背，問：“還是西邊？”
許明世臭著臉哼一聲算是回答，接著就覺著身體一晃，那沈玨一晚上修行，吸足了天地靈氣，跑得飛快，風像刀子似的割在臉上，許明世這時也服了軟，一手籠著自己臉老實趴在沈玨背上，一手緊緊攥著沈玨衣襟，深怕他跑太快，將自己這把老骨頭跑飛了。
就這麼毫無停頓的跑了一個下午，又奔出了一千多裡地。沈玨看天色不早，把老頭兒放下，也覺著有些累了，道：“明日繼續趕路。”
許明世卻說：“快到了。”
既然他這樣說，沈玨也不好推辭，將這先前抗拒的不得了此刻又享受的不得了的老頭重新背上，只好奔下去。
直到夜深人靜，許明世才喊停，沈玨停下步伐，看前方夜景陌生得很。
“你在這歇了，”許明世整了整衣著，道：“我去去就來。”
他是出來幫許明世忙的，沈玨很明白這一點，飲了點水盤膝一坐，在星空下繼續修行。
目的地已到，許明世反而有些猶豫，在山腳站著，不知該不該爬上去。畢竟這樣的事他從未做過，從前沒有，將來也不會有。
耳邊溪水潺潺，明月繁星在天幕中輝映，許明世站著，直到歎息一聲，終於邁出步伐，沿著山道上去，一直往上，一直往上，他知道在這高聳入雲的山峰頂端，是白雪皚皚。
而在家中的柳延一直懸著心，不知他們究竟去了哪裡，要做什麼。畢竟許明世只說他能熬過冬天，他沒有說自己熬不過的是哪個季節。倒是那黑蛇沒有絲毫憂愁，雖然仍是他的春天，但有過一次快活，該做的事已做，即使隔了一日身體仍然不舒坦，他也沒再出行去找母蛇。回到家中也是懶散著，在這暖融融的季節還是趴在柳延懷裡打盹，偶爾溜下去找個地方解決內急，又重新懶洋洋的爬回來。
他一直都是懶散，這段日子裡唯一不懶散的一次，便是找了回母蛇。似乎就這麼一次，就把它那點勤快耗得乾淨，雀鳥從空中落下，啄食院子裡的穀物，他趴在柳延胸口探出頭望瞭望，似乎在考慮捉還是不捉，最後決定反正不餓，連抓鳥果腹的事都省了，打定了主意，再有鳥飛來飛去，它乾脆連看都不看一眼。
有時柳延也會放下它去做事，不論多久再回來，他都還在先前放下的位置趴著，一動不動。察覺到柳延回來了，才抬起頭，沖他吐吐信子，示意繼續抱著睡覺。
終於，他懶到連麻雀都吃准了這是條死蛇，在柳延離開後落下，兩隻爪子踩著“死蛇”的身子，毫不客氣地啄了兩下，然後抬頭欣賞天空。
柳延挖了些竹筍從院外回來時，看到的就是這樣一幕奇景。
忍不住喟歎一句：居然能懶成這個模樣！
幸好，無論他懶成什麼模樣，每天都會有那麼一點時間，他願意抖開一身懶骨，跟柳延頑鬧廝磨。無論他怎麼鬧，想什麼時候玩，柳延都陪著他。
對此時的黑蛇來說，這樣的日子，真是最合適不過，最舒服不過了。
柳延也覺得，這樣的日子，無甚不妥。
夜裡下了一場雨，因小寶不在身邊，所以柳延清晨醒來就多躺了一會，他醒了黑蛇也知曉，從被子裡溜出腦袋，在他臉上舔了舔，舔完又鑽回去，臥在柳延胸前享受被他撫摸的舒適。
空氣清新，氣氛甯謐，柳延睜著眼又閉上，自言自語道：“我想吃野菌湯了。”
大雨過後的蘑菇最是新鮮水靈。柳延突然被勾起饞蟲，怎麼也忍不住，索性決定采些回來，熬一鍋鮮湯滿足胃口。起身梳洗完畢，將黑蛇留在家中，柳延背著竹簍就出了門。
他離開家不過一炷香的功夫，沈玨便和許明世回來了，只是他肉體凡胎，絲毫不知。
回到家，沈玨正欲去找柳延，卻被一路沉默的許明世一把扯住手腕，許明世道：“別去。”
沈玨蹙起眉，狐疑地看著他。
“我能讓伊墨恢復。”許明世說：“你爹知道了不會肯的。”
第一次聽到有人說能讓伊墨恢復，沈玨立刻欣喜起來，在聽到後一句，欣喜又轉變成疑惑，他忙問：“為何？”
許明世道：“我老了，這樣的術法是要命的。”
“一命換一命，你爹知道了，會連夜帶著老蛇走人的。”許明世“嘿”地一笑：“我可沒力氣再跑路追人了。”
沈玨沉默下去。
許明世道：“在這等著我吧。”
“非親非故，為什麼要幫我們？”沈玨問。
“我師尊也這麼問。”許明世說：“他說我跟老蛇非親非故，作甚麼要幫他？”
許明世抬眼看著沈玨，認真問：“當真，是非親非故？”
沈玨再一次沉默。
許明世站在他面前，想起先時在山頂時的對話，師尊已經是神仙，他哪裡找的到，不過是學了伊墨的法子，去山頂挖了他精心釀制的美酒，借此要脅他出來而已。
他一輩子，就沒幹過這樣的事。
頭一回幹，居然也做得很好。許明世忽然覺得，自己完全有潛質做一個大奸之人。
對著成仙的師尊，儘管明知道彼此道行相差萬里，惹惱了他隨時會灰飛煙滅，也願意試上一試。
因為，並非是那樣非親非故。
三百年的相識，豈能這麼輕易就被這冷漠的四個字一筆帶過？
“你是修道之人，又是我門下弟子，現今要為一妖物求人，非親非故，說不過去。”老仙說。
他們起先都是肉體凡胎，後來一人得道成仙，一人卻墮入紅塵，垂垂老朽。
面對著面，不是沒有差距的，起碼有一人是失敗的修道者。
然而許明世沉默良久，卻舒了口氣，緩緩道：
“我年輕時性子急，跟人三句不合就要大打出手，那時沈清軒還在，時常規勸我。”
“沈清軒沒了，我雖因吃了不少虧改了性子，卻也常常出錯，惹了不少禍事，因為有伊墨送的那件寶衣護身，從來也沒有受過重傷……直到有一次惹了個降服不住的妖物，一路倉皇逃命，最後想到老妖蛇，我就逃去找他。他替我收拾了爛攤子。自那以後，每逢遇到事端，我求不到別人，都去找他。”
“他雖嘴上苛刻些，愛挑個刺，說一兩句風涼話，卻也每次都及時幫我，從未耽擱。”
“那老妖看著面冷，我一直以為他是因為沈清軒的緣故才肯照拂我，後來才知道，十三年的交情，他也是拿我當朋友的。”
“所以我有了危難，他都出手相幫，他有了急事，也會來找我……雖然只有過一回，也是信我。”
“如今他有危難，我自然要幫他。”
“他有什麼危難了？”老仙出人意料地瞪了眼：“我看他每日好吃好睡，活的快活得很。”
許明世雖訝異師尊的語氣，卻也未多想，“他那麼聰明一個人，成了傻乎乎的一條蛇，豈能好得了？”
“我看他好得很。”老仙說，頓了頓揮手要趕他：“這其中奧妙你哪裡懂得。”
“我不懂，也不想懂。”許明世也來了氣，“闔家上下都為它難過著呢。我看不過去，我偏要管！”
“你要管便自己管，他從我這裡討要的夠多了，休想我再管他的事。”老仙說，說完便要走。
許明世急中生智，一腳踹了擱在一旁的酒罈，那酒罈滾了兩圈，摔下了山崖——碎了。
老仙氣的吹鬍子瞪眼。連伊墨這肆意慣了的老妖也只是嚇嚇他，眼前這不知第幾代弟子倒好，真把他的酒摔了！
神仙當到天天給人找上門來鬧事的地步，老仙陡然懷疑自己究竟是有仙緣還是孽緣。
又不能開殺戒。老仙無奈的看著自己滾到山崖下的酒，一百個實打實的心疼。
“你既然要幫他，那就幫吧。”
終於冷靜下來，老仙取出一粒丹丸遞過去：“前些日子用酒換來的。”說著瞪他一眼：“就是你剛踢下的這一壇。”
許明世登時縮了縮脖子。
“讓那蛇吃了，我再傳你一道術法，洗他獸骨，重凝精魄，一世為人。
“只是一旦施法，再停不下來，以你現在的道行，只有魂飛魄散，才會達成所願。”老仙問：“這樣還要幫嗎？”
“魂飛魄散是什麼意思？”許明世問，這四個字他熟悉的很，甫一聽到，卻仿佛陌生的從未聽過。
老仙不答話，只是看他。
許明世驟然覺得，山太高，真的很冷。
最後他跪了下來，認真磕了頭，輕聲道：“謝師尊成全。”
“因果迴圈，緣起緣滅，”老仙低頭望著跪在腳邊的老人，“你得他恩惠太多，也該回報。”
許明世道：“是。”
“既然如此，我也不瞞你。”老仙繼續道：“他用千年道行，在我這裡換了他的三世情緣。故他此時是蛇，來生三世卻與沈清軒相守不離。你知道這些，還要去幫他嗎？”
許明世想了很久，才回道：“他的來生未必與我的來生再有瓜葛，我只知道眼下我要幫他，也是幫他一家。”
一邊說著，許明世又補了一句：“我就知道他奸猾。”
老仙甚為贊同這句，附和道：“除了沈清軒一事，他何時吃過虧？”
沒錯，他活了千年，除了開始上他一當成了妖，後來又何時吃過虧？
懶得爭強好勝，也肯不吃虧上當。
卻讓許多人受他恩惠，感恩戴德。妖能做這個地步，也算是無可挑剔。換句話說，他的狡黠由此可見一斑。
只是藏得太深，或許連他自己都給忘了，況論他人。
————————————————
Xu Mingshi left with only this incoherent sentence and was about to leave. Liu Yan couldn’t think of a reason to stop him, so he pointed at Shen Jue and asked him to accompany him. Although Xu Mingshi was in good spirits after taking off his heavy cotton clothes in the spring, he was still an old man in his seventies. Liu Yan was worried about such an old man being alone outside.
Shen Jue didn’t say much. He quickly packed his luggage and went out with him.
Xu Mingshi wanted to stop Shen Jue when he saw him following him, but he just opened his mouth. After all, he was old and afraid of getting into trouble. With a young man taking care of him, he felt more at ease. But he still didn’t say where he was going. He was silent all the way , with a frown on his face, obviously full of thoughts. He refused to say anything, so Shen Jue didn’t ask any more questions. He walked aside with his luggage on his back, silent as if he didn’t exist.
They quickened their pace all the way, and before the sun set, they had already left Luofu Mountain 500 miles away. With Shen Jue’s strength, he could have walked further, but Xu Mingshi was obviously unable to walk anymore. It was only 500 miles, and he ran leisurely for a whole day. When he stopped, his face was sallow and sweat was on his forehead.
The two stopped in the wild, and it was already dusk. Shen Jue looked around and felt that the scenery looked familiar. After standing for a while, Shen Jue walked eastward for about three miles, bypassed a winding path, and passed through a wheat field. As expected, Shen Jue saw a temple. Shen Jue hurriedly walked back and said to Xu Mingshi, “We found a place to stay. Let’s spend the night there."
Xu Mingshi nodded, followed him, and the two of them entered the temple together.
The temple was not big, just a small one. Although it was simple, it was clean . There were offerings of fruit in front of the clay statue, and the eternal lamp was burning day and night. There was a little monk in the temple who was lighting incense. He heard the footsteps and turned around to see the visitor. He quickly put his hands together and saluted, saying, “Greetings, donor."
Shen Jue said: “I will borrow your place for one night and leave tomorrow morning."
The young monk said, “No problem." He then asked, “We have food, but it’s light. If you don’t mind, you can still eat."
Shen Jue bowed and thanked him, “Then I’ll have to trouble you, little master."
The little monk nodded and went to prepare food for them.
Shen Jue walked to the statue and stood in front of it for a moment, then turned to Xu Mingshi and said, “Guess who this is?"
Xu Mingshi was a little tired and was drowsy sitting aside. He looked up at the words. He felt strange at first glance, but when he looked at it again, he felt familiar for no reason. After looking for a while, Xu Mingshi suddenly opened his eyes wide, and the sleepiness flew away. He said in surprise: " Hey , isn’t this the old snake?!"
Shen Jue pointed to another clay statue on the left, “What about this one?"
Xu Mingshi was stunned. With Yi Mo in front of him, he recognized him quickly this time. He asked blankly, " Why are you and your son being worshipped?"
Shen Jue walked over, took out the water bag from his bag and handed it to him, then said: “It has been a while since I offered it."
Facing Xu Mingshi’s curious face, Shen Jue had to explain to him that there was no need to make a fuss. Although they were demons, they had saved many people, especially after Shen Qingxuan’s death, when they left the mountain to look for Ji Jiu, the father and son wandered in the world and met those who should not have suffered. Yi Mo always asked Shen Jue to help, so that he could do some good deeds. Therefore, it was not surprising that they were worshipped as Bodhisattvas.
The land beneath their feet was once flooded more than 200 years ago. At that time, Yi Mo and his son passed by here, wailing and weeping all the way. In the muddy water, corpses sliding down from top to bottom piled up into a small hill at the dry point. Some people who were still alive but could not get out of the water lay dying on the pile of corpses.
The government and local gentry worked together to rescue people and recover bodies. Just as they had saved a few people, a heavy rain hit, causing the hillside to collapse, mud and sand to flow down, and the rescuers were swept away by the flood. The scene was as tragic as hell on earth .
Yi Mo couldn’t bear to watch, so he took his son to rescue people from the mudslide one by one in the heavy rain, and fished out the dead bodies . He didn’t leave here with Shen Jue until the local government and wealthy families settled the suffering people. After they left, the villagers who survived the disaster built a temple for them when they rebuilt their homes. They raised money to hire a skilled painter from a neighboring village to paint their faces according to their oral descriptions, and hired craftsmen to make clay statues of them according to the appearances in the scrolls. Since then, there has been a constant stream of incense.
After hearing this, Xu Mingshi twirled his beard and suddenly laughed, “Do they know you are demons?"
Shen Jue replied, “How could we save people without casting a spell? They saw it naturally. At first they thought we were gods, but after the people were saved, my father said we were demons, so they all knew."
Xu Mingshi was silent for a while, and suddenly said: “I once wanted to return to the sect. It was dark and I was in a hurry, so I cast a spell and ran away. Later, when it was dawn, I looked back and saw that I had already run 300 miles away from the sect."
After saying this, Xu Mingshi said, “I often feel that I am reckless and reckless in doing things. It turns out that you and your son are even worse than me."
Of course, it is natural for gods to save people, but it is reckless for monsters to reveal their identities when saving people? What if the world becomes corrupt and people’s hearts are no longer the same as before? Not to mention offering sacrifices, even if there is a big disease or a small disaster in the future, they will slander that it is because of the evil spirit when they asked the monster to save their lives!
Shen Jue said: “Why bother? How they live after being rescued has nothing to do with us."
Xu Mingshi said, “That’s right. I’ve been in the world for a long time, and I’ve been disturbed by worldly gains and fame. I care too much about honor and disgrace. I’m ashamed."
The two were chatting when the young monk came over with a curtain rolled up, holding a wooden tray with a few steamed buns, a plate of vegetables, and a plate of tofu. He said, “I apologize for the poor hospitality."
“Very good." Xu Mingshi said, “Thank you very much."
When the others retreated and went into the room to chant, Xu Mingshi listened to the sound of the wooden fish and asked Shen Jue in a low voice: “What’s wrong with this monk?"
“How would I know?" Shen Jue said, “This is my second time here. I guess I just passed by and saw that this place was quiet and deserted, so I practiced here."
This kind of thing was not uncommon, so Xu Mingshi didn’t ask any more questions.
Shen Jue asked him: “Where are you going west?"
“Go find my master." Xu Mingshi said, and then said no more.
Seeing this, Shen Jue stopped asking.
Seeing Xu Mingshi fall asleep after dinner , Shen Jue thought of Liu Yan in the mountains, wondering if he had eaten alone at home, and whether he had boiled water before going out, etc. Thinking about it , he felt that it was useless to think about it, so he calmed down and sat cross-legged to practice breathing. He only thought of practicing when he was running outside, in order to conserve his energy for the next day’s running, and to clear his turbid air. When he returned home, he almost forgot that he was a goblin.
At dawn the next day, the two said goodbye to the little monk and set out again. Xu Mingshi walked slower than yesterday. Shen Jue frowned and said, “You didn’t tell me where you were going. If it’s far, how long will it take you to get there if you walk so slowly? Why don’t I carry you on my back?"
Xu Mingshi almost jumped up when he heard this, and said fiercely in a tone of unwillingness to admit his age: “I don’t want you to carry me on your back."
Having said that, he started to run away. This time, he was not convinced and sped up his pace. He soon exhausted his magic power. Although he walked more than 400 miles in the morning, he was sitting on the ground at noon and couldn’t get up.
Shen Jue said, “When you get old, you have to accept your age." He ignored his resistance and easily carried the old man on his back, asking, “Still west?"
Xu Mingshi snorted with a sour face as an answer, and then he felt his body shake. Shen Jue, who had practiced all night and absorbed enough spiritual energy from the heaven and earth, ran very fast. The wind cut on his face like a knife. Xu Mingshi also gave in at this time. He covered his face with one hand and lay obediently on Shen Jue’s back, while holding Shen Jue’s clothes tightly with the other hand, for fear that he would run too fast and his old bones would fly away.
They ran for an entire afternoon without stopping, and covered more than a thousand miles. Seeing that it was getting late, Shen Jue put the old man down, and felt a little tired, so he said, “We will continue on our journey tomorrow."
Xu Mingshi said, “We’re almost there."
Since he said so, Shen Jue couldn’t refuse. He put the old man, who had been resisting but now enjoying it, back on his back and had to run down.
It was not until late at night that Xu Mingshi called for a stop. Shen Jue stopped and looked at the unfamiliar night scene ahead.
“You rest here," Xu Mingshi straightened his clothes and said, “I’ll be back soon."
He came out to help Xu Mingshi. Shen Jue understood this very well. He drank some water, sat cross-legged, and continued to practice under the starry sky.
The destination had been reached, but Xu Mingshi was a little hesitant, standing at the foot of the mountain, not knowing whether he should climb up. After all, he had never done such a thing before, and he would never do it in the future.
The sound of the brook gurgling beside his ears and the bright moon and stars shining in the sky, Xu Mingshi stood there until he sighed, then finally took a step forward and went up the mountain path, up and up. He knew that at the top of this towering mountain was snow-capped.
Liu Yan at home was worried, not knowing where they were going and what they were going to do. After all, Xu Mingshi only said that he could survive the winter, but he didn’t say which season he couldn’t survive. The black snake didn’t feel sad at all. Although it was still spring, he had a good time and had done what he had to do. Even though he still felt uncomfortable after a day, he didn’t go out to look for the mother snake . He was lazy when he returned home. In this warm season, he still took a nap in Liu Yan’s arms. Occasionally, he would slip down to find a place to relieve himself, and then crawl back lazily.
He had always been lazy, and the only time he was not lazy during this period was when he found the female snake. It seemed that just this one time, he had used up all his diligence. Birds fell from the sky and pecked at the grains in the yard. He lay on Liu Yan’s chest and looked out, as if he was considering whether to catch them or not. In the end, he decided that he was not hungry anyway, so he didn’t even bother catching birds to fill his stomach. He made up his mind that if there were birds flying around again, he would simply not even look at them.
Sometimes Liu Yan would put it down to do something, and no matter how long it took him to come back, he would still lie there, motionless. When he noticed Liu Yan coming back, he would raise his head, spit at him, and signal him to continue sleeping with him.
Finally, he was so lazy that even a sparrow was sure that it was a dead snake. After Liu Yan left, it landed, stepped on the body of the “dead snake" with its two claws, pecked it twice without any hesitation, and then looked up to admire the sky.
This was the amazing scene Liu Yan saw when he came back from outside the yard after digging some bamboo shoots.
I couldn’t help but sigh: How could one be so lazy !
Fortunately, no matter how lazy he was , there was always a little time every day when he was willing to shake off his laziness and play with Liu Yan . No matter how he played, no matter when he wanted to play, Liu Yan would accompany him.
For Black Snake at this moment, such a day is the most suitable and comfortable one.
Liu Yan also felt that there was nothing wrong with such a day.
It rained at night, and because Xiaobao was not around, Liu Yan stayed up a little longer when he woke up in the morning. Black Snake knew that he was awake, so it poked its head out from under the quilt, licked his face, then went back in and lay on Liu Yan’s chest, enjoying the comfort of his touch.
The air was fresh and the atmosphere was peaceful. Liu Yan opened his eyes and then closed them, muttering to himself, “I want to eat wild mushroom soup."
Mushrooms are freshest after a heavy rain. Liu Yan was suddenly tempted and couldn’t help himself. He decided to pick some and boil a pot of soup to satisfy his appetite. After getting up and washing up, Liu Yan left the black snake at home and went out with the bamboo basket on his back.
Only a stick of incense had passed since he left home when Shen Jue and Xu Mingshi returned. However, as he was a mortal being, he was unaware of anything.
When Shen Jue got home, he was about to go find Liu Yan, but Xu Mingshi, who had been silent all the way, grabbed his wrist and said, “Don’t go."
Shen Jue frowned and looked at him suspiciously.
“I can make Yi Mo recover." Xu Mingshi said, “Your father won’t agree if he knows."
The first time Shen Jue heard someone say that he could help Yi Mo recover, he was immediately delighted. But after hearing the last sentence, his delight turned into confusion. He hurriedly asked, “Why?"
Xu Mingshi said: “I am old, this kind of magic is fatal."
“One life for another. If your father finds out, he will take Old Snake away overnight." Xu Mingshi smiled and said, “I don’t have the energy to run away and chase after people anymore."
Shen Jue fell silent.
Xu Mingshi said: " Wait for me here."
“If we are not related to each other, why are you helping us?" Shen Jue asked.
“My master asked the same question." Xu Mingshi said, “He said that I have no relationship with Old Snake, so why should I help him?"
Xu Mingshi raised his eyes to look at Shen Jue and asked seriously: “Really? Are we related or not?"
Shen Jue was silent again.
Xu Mingshi stood in front of him and recalled the conversation they had on the top of the mountain. His master had already become a god, so there was no way he could find him. He just followed Yi Mo’s method and went to the top of the mountain to dig out the fine wine that he had carefully brewed, and used it to threaten him to come out.
He has never done anything like this in his life.
It was his first time, and he did it really well. Xu Mingshi suddenly felt that he had the potential to be a great villain.
Even though he knew that there was a huge gap between their levels of cultivation and that he would be reduced to ashes at any time if he angered his master who had become an immortal, he was still willing to give it a try.
Because, we are not that unrelated.
How could three hundred years of acquaintance be so easily written off with these four cold words?
“You are a cultivator and also my disciple. Now you are asking for help from others for help for a monster. It is not right since we are not relatives or friends." said the old immortal.
They were both mortals at first, but later one of them became an immortal while the other fell into the mortal world and grew old.
Face to face, there is a gap between them. At least one of them is a failed ascetic.
However, Xu Mingshi was silent for a long time, then he breathed a sigh of relief and said slowly:
“When I was young, I had a quick temper and would fight with people if I disagreed with them for three sentences. Shen Qingxuan was still around at that time and he often advised me."
“Shen Qingxuan is gone. Although I changed my character after suffering a lot of losses, I still made mistakes and got into trouble. Because of the precious robe that Yi Mo gave me, I never got seriously injured… Until one time I provoked a monster that couldn’t be subdued. I fled for my life. Finally, I thought of the old monster snake and ran to him. He cleaned up the mess for me. Since then, whenever I encounter trouble and can’t ask anyone else for help, I go to him."
“Although he is a bit harsh, likes to find fault and say a few sarcastic words, he always helps me in time and never delays."
“That old demon looked cold, and I always thought he was willing to take care of me because of Shen Qingxuan. Later I found out that after thirteen years of friendship, he also treated me as a friend."
“So when I was in danger, he always helped me. When he had an emergency, he would come to me… Even though it only happened once, he trusted me."
“Now that he is in danger, I will naturally help him."
“What danger is there for him?" The old immortal stared unexpectedly: “I see he eats well and sleeps well every day, and lives a happy life."
Although Xu Mingshi was surprised by his master’s tone, he did not think much about it. “He is such a smart person, but he has become a stupid snake. How can he be good?"
“I think he’s fine." The old immortal said, and after a pause, he waved his hand to drive him away: “How can you understand the mystery of this?"
“I don’t understand, and I don’t want to understand." Xu Mingshi also got angry, “The whole family is sad about it. I can’t stand it, I have to intervene!"
“If you want to take care of it, just do it yourself. He has asked enough from me. Don’t even think about me taking care of his affairs anymore." said the old immortal, and was about to leave.
Xu Mingshi thought quickly and kicked the wine jar beside him. The jar rolled twice and fell off the cliff – breaking into pieces.
The old immortal was puffing his beard and glaring. Even Yi Mo, the old demon who was used to being so wanton, only tried to scare him, but this disciple of who knows which generation actually threw his wine !
The immortal had become so deified that people came to his door every day to cause trouble. The old immortal suddenly doubted whether he had a destiny to be an immortal or a bad fate.
He couldn’t start a killing spree. The old immortal helplessly watched his wine rolling down the cliff, feeling extremely distressed.
“Since you want to help him, then help him."
Finally calming down, the old immortal took out a pill and handed it to him : “I exchanged it for wine a few days ago." He glared at him and said: “It’s the one you just kicked off."
Xu Mingshi immediately shrank his neck.
“Let the snake eat it, and I will teach you a magic trick to wash its bones, condense its spirit, and live as a human for the rest of your life.
“But once you cast the spell, you can’t stop. With your current level of Taoism, you will only achieve your wish if your soul is scattered." The old immortal asked: “Do you still want to help me?"
“What does ‘soul-scattering’ mean?" Xu Mingshi asked. He was very familiar with these four words, but when he heard them, they seemed strange and he had never heard them before.
The old immortal didn’t answer , but just looked at him.
Xu Mingshi suddenly felt that the mountain was too high and really cold.
Finally, he knelt down, kowtowed earnestly, and said softly, “Thank you, Master, for your help."
“Cause and effect go hand in hand, fate comes and goes," the old immortal looked down at the old man kneeling at his feet, “You have received too much from him, you should repay him."
Xu Mingshi said: “Yes."
“In that case, I won’t hide it from you." The old immortal continued, “He used a thousand years of Taoism to exchange his three lives of love with me. So he is a snake now , but he will be with Shen Qingxuan for the next three lives. Knowing this, do you still want to help him?"
Xu Mingshi thought for a long time before replying, “His future life may not have anything to do with mine. I only know that I want to help him right now, and I am also helping his family."
As he spoke, Xu Mingshi added: “I knew he was cunning."
The old immortal agreed with this statement and echoed: “Except for the incident with Shen Qingxuan, when has he ever suffered a loss?"
That’s right, he has lived for a thousand years, and except for the time when he was mistaken for a demon in the beginning , when has he ever suffered any loss since then?
I am too lazy to be competitive and I am willing not to suffer any loss or be cheated.
However, many people have benefited from his kindness and are grateful to him. The demon can do this, which is impeccable. In other words, his cunningness can be seen from this.
It’s just that he hid it too deeply, perhaps even he himself had forgotten it, let alone others.
痕書站 