季玖回府後命人打點行裝，告別家眷，又上了路。此一番路途雖是不遠，策馬不停也需小半個月，隨身兩名侍衛護著，季玖卻沒有太過著急趕路，一路上翻山越嶺，偶遇美景也喚著侍衛牽著馬兒一起徒步行走，行程雖是不慢，卻也快不到哪去。一路行下來，景色逐漸荒蕪，孤山獨嶺，人聲漸微，飛禽走獸倒是多了起來，其中屬猿聲最大，尖銳而高昂。季玖勒住馬韁，聽著那猿聲陣陣，也不知從何處溜出一絲惆悵來，輕歎一聲。心中陰霾始終是散不開。
忍不住低頭看了看自己勒住馬韁的手，手腕上的茶色蛇吻印記依舊，仿佛天工造物時遺漏的一點瑕疵。季玖卻越來越覺得，這並非尋常胎記。或許，每個人身上那些經年不退的印記，都是牽扯著前生往事的吧。他這樣想著，又覺得自己可笑。原是不信神魔的人，現在卻偏信了妖鬼之說，只是這些事確實是發生了，儘管荒誕不經，但發生在自己身上，再荒誕，也得認。
季玖認了。認了，卻不等同認命。他與那妖物結了仇，儘管知道這仇是前世帶來，他來尋仇無可厚非，只是手段過於齷齪了，季玖不屑！
他不屑他。
若是堂堂正正上門尋仇，就是身家性命都賠上去，季玖也認了。只當這是自己該受的，受就受了。可那妖卻不是。那妖用了這樣的手段，這般羞辱，季玖從心裡恨上了他。
猿聲仍在尖叫著，響徹寰宇。季玖回過神，臉上掛上了笑，招呼著兩名侍衛，繼續揚鞭策馬，趕回軍營。
一路上，他臉上的笑都未放下來過。
身邊人早已習慣他的笑容，並不以為意，人人都知道季將軍脾氣好，性情也好，見人三分笑，不論高低貴賤。笑的溫文爾雅，叫人一看便覺得親近。
卻不知他此時駕著馬，腦中想的卻是離家前他囑咐精明之人在城中暗訪的道士，不知何時才能得到消息。那名道人鶴髮童顏，想來必有法力，若是能尋來，說不定能將其中蹊蹺弄清許多。甚至……出手降了那妖物，也不是沒有可能。
有些仇恨，只有鮮血才能洗刷。
一路胡亂想著，又趕了幾日，回歸軍中。
營中黃沙漫天，馬蹄奔騰，戰鼓聲聲大作，將士們正在校場練兵。頭上烈日高照，揚起的塵土覆滿臉頰，又被汗水沖刷出溝壑，每一個人看起來都面目不清。每一個面目不清的人臉上，卻有一雙男兒鐵骨錚錚本色的驕傲眸子。季玖翻身下馬，自他們面前走過，身後兵士都在低聲歡迎：將軍回來了。季玖應著，揮手讓他們繼續操練，臉上卻露出真心的笑來，眼睛都彎成了月牙，眼角處隱約幾道細紋，更添一份成熟。
回到中軍大帳，季老將軍穿著甲胄，正在案前寫奏章，季玖一身輕袍便服走進去，喊了聲父親。
“小玖，”老將軍抬起臉來，鬚髮皆白，放下筆問：“家中如何了？”
“一切都好。”季玖答著，道：“軍中無事？操練的這般緊張，是要出兵？”
“就前兩日，有小股匈奴兵來犯，被趕了回去。”老將軍道：“你如何看？”
季玖微微蹙起眉：“看樣子，匈奴王廷的內部紛爭已經解決了。不知來犯人數多少，可抓到俘虜？”
“抓到了兩名，你去審問吧。”老將軍起身走到一旁，又道：“這裡有一封信，你也看看。”說著從懷裡取出一份信件來。
季玖接過，卻是一份密件，裡面寥寥幾句話，說的是自他離京，皇帝早朝時龍威震怒，暗指有人污蔑朝廷將領，雖未指名道姓，卻說了一句男兒們血戰沙場，朝堂之中卻有人置他於死地，其心叵測，國家蠹蟲也！
季玖放下信箋，取了火撚子，燒在銅盆裡，一聲不吭。
老將軍看著那火苗將信箋化成一堆灰，歎道：“克扣軍餉之事，我原意讓你壓下，你卻偏要提。現在惹火燒身，那張郎將身後是相國支撐……”
“爹爹怕了？”季玖抬起臉，反問。
“為父老矣，不知何時就會離世，你尚年輕，平白身邊多出幾條豺狼，我怎麼能安心去？”
“無事。”季玖說，語調淡淡的，“皇上現在還需要季家將領為他血戰沙場，匈奴未平，季家尚能苟安。”
“若皇帝要你為他平亂匈奴呢？”老將軍反問。
“身為臣子，自然是為君效命。”季玖站起身，拍了拍手上灰屑道：“這便是季家子孫的命，來日若得機緣，與匈奴同歸於盡，也省得皇帝不放心。待那日，四海內外皆臣服在天子腳下，手握兵權的季家也功成身退，將軍戰死沙場，只留幼子，皇上會好生相待的。”
季老將軍聞言怔怔站在原地，似是屏住了呼吸，只望著自己兒子，那張年青的臉上是雲淡風輕的，蘊著一種寵辱不驚。心裡寬慰了一些，又覺酸楚。
亦無話可說。只是不知純純稚子從何時開始，變成了現今男兒。
似乎是從進宮伴讀開始，與那時的落勢皇子，此時的九五之尊朝夕相處，逐漸將世事看透。
可當年，也是他季玖憑著熱血方剛的意氣，強行將整個家族榮辱捲進了皇位之爭裡的！是他不顧祖訓，不顧身家性命，為落勢的皇子爭權勢，甚至瞞過父親耳目，最終事發，險些害的季家滅門之禍。若不是季家原就樹大根深，這樣的劫難，早已被滿門抄斬了。
季老將軍想起往事，忍不住唏噓。那時他是弱冠少年，便狠心做了這事，將季家上下上百口扯進去，立志要扶持伴讀的皇子做皇帝。問他緣由，他只說，這會是個好皇帝。
就這麼一句話，險些毀了季家三代名將的忠良名聲。
他要讓那四皇子做皇帝。那皇帝卻手段狠辣，登基一年後點火將前太子、親兄弟活活燒死的皇帝！
季老將軍看著兒子，看了許久，終是忍不住，輕聲問了一句：“當年你執意扶持他，可曾想過今日？”
季玖沒料到父親會這樣問，愣了一下，很快回神道：“當然。”
“那……為何？”
季玖不答，只看著那案上鋪開的軍事圖，看了很久，才垂下眼，低聲道：“我是將軍之子，自小精讀兵書，註定要上陣殺敵。別的皇子或許都會是好皇帝……但只有四皇子讓我覺得……我可以成為名揚天下，治國安邦的將軍。”略頓，補了一句：“皇子中，只有他能成全我。”而其餘皇子，則只想坐擁眼前這天下，沒有那份野心勃勃。
季老將軍聽懂了。是的，哪一個將軍不想千古揚名？哪一個帝王，不想橫掃天下？他們不過是惺惺相惜。
所以當年未及弱冠的季玖，願意為他捨命。所以現今的帝王，願意成全他的理想。這是他們共同的理想。
縱使知道一旦理想化為現實，等待他們的，將是史上司空見慣的那些下場。也義無反顧。
老將軍坐回椅上，重新看著那份地圖，終是說了一句：“只盼你心願達成，將來在沙場上與匈奴同歸於盡，尚能保家族安寧。”
“父親放心，”季玖微微笑了笑：“匈奴掃定，孩兒當死。”
一字一句，字字千斤。
儼然已將這天下領土謀劃於胸，只等時機一到，風生水起！
天色暗下來，軍營空地上燃了些篝火，軍士們盤膝圍著篝火坐了一圈，正捧著粗瓷大碗果腹。季玖從地牢裡走出來，地牢之上的空氣裡飯菜飄香，混合著泥土與士兵們身上的汗味，還有不遠處的馬廄裡，牲畜的腥臊氣味，這些混亂的氣息攪拌在一起，籠罩了軍營上方的天空。
卻有一種如歸家園的感覺。
季玖也取了一方粗瓷大碗，盛了些湯湯水水，又拿了兩個面餅子，坐在了兵卒身邊。
士兵也慣了，見他來了自覺地讓開點位置，等季玖坐下，一圈人照舊低了頭吃喝不休。吃喝完，勞累了一天的士兵門各自回營休憩，輪值的則提著長槍站回崗上，換下先前的兄弟去休息。
一切都在井然有序裡默契的進行著。軍營的生活向來如此，沒有什麼樂趣，沒有什麼悠閒，時時刻刻都繃緊腦中那根警惕的弦，隨時提起兵器迎敵。
雖是三年無戰事，統帥卻治軍嚴苛，隊伍從未有一絲散亂過。那些聚眾吃酒，群聚賭博之事，更沒有一樁。有人暗地裡傳言，道這支隊伍另有一名，名曰：季家軍。
也非譫妄。軍中統帥乃季老將軍，其餘將領除季玖外，更有大數乃季家門客。只是季家三代名將，樹大根深，無人敢多言。朝中有人揣測，皇帝是季家扶持上位，只怕季家會越做越大，將來成朝中大患。這樣的風言風語，從沒有斷過一天。季家人只好更兢兢業業，操持軍務不敢懈怠。季玖曾笑言，只怕越是如履薄冰，這冰就裂的越快些。
這話雖是笑著說的，卻決計不是玩笑。季家現在兩位將軍都知道，腳下這冰遲早會碎裂。他們也都想過，這一天就是匈奴平定之日。
只是誰也不曾料到，季玖心中早已有了決斷——用這無雙年華，換季家往後數十年的平安喜樂。
所以，季玖長子，自幼唯讀詩書，不教武藝。
季玖有時想到自己兒子，覺得那是太遙遠的事，他不過是個普通人，為自己子孫鋪路也只可鋪幾十年的路，往後再怎麼走，他管不上，也不想管了。那時也已經沒他了——我死之後，哪管洪水滔天！
吃完飯，季玖回帳休息，躺在床上卻又睡不著，只好披了袍子，挑亮油燈起身看書，剛閱完一頁，案上燭火晃動了一下，而後滅了。
季玖心中一凜，維持著之前的姿勢，一動不動。那燭火滅了，再未亮起。桌案對面，卻影影綽綽，有了一道人影。那人影如此熟悉，僅一夜而已，季玖卻將他記得刻骨銘心，當下渾身冰冷起來，如墜冰窟。
季玖想說話，張口，卻出不了聲。季玖試圖站起來，卻發現手腳不再受自己管轄，一動而不能動。
即使光線如此黑暗，季玖卻看到一雙眸子，如潛伏在叢林深處的野獸，有著不容忽視的光。仿佛獵物一樣被牢牢盯住的感覺。
那人靠近過來，與暗夜裡湊到他的身前，微微傾下腰，冰冷卻又隱著灼熱的視線在他面上梭巡，宛若視察自己領土般的肆無忌憚。那人看了很久，而後靠近在他的耳畔，低聲念了一句：“你怕我。”
那人說：你怕我。聲線是沙啞的，音調有一種冰冷的金屬質感，匿著一股無奈的哀傷。季玖卻聽不出來。
季玖只聽那人說：你怕我。說的乾脆，仿佛挑釁。季玖在心裡冷嗤一聲，知道自己說不出話，索性不應。怕不怕，承認不承認，於他來說並無分別。他現在被這妖物所拘，動彈不得，甚至連開口喚人的機會都沒有。坐以待斃，大約就是形容現在了。
季玖不答，那人也就維持著這樣傾近的姿態，雙方不動聲色的僵持著。
時光在緩緩流逝，季玖腦中逐漸安靜下來，直視著那人的眼眸，展露出一種剛硬的不妥協。最壞的遭遇他已經歷過，無非是恥辱和疼痛，一次和兩次並無分別，季玖很明白這一點。他無力改變現狀，起碼此時不能。他是清醒的季玖，分得清利弊，從不讓自己陷入混亂裡，所以，如果不能翻局，那就咬牙忍了吧。那樣的事，逃脫不掉，只好屈辱忍受，只是休想讓他妥協。他絕不妥協！
季玖的眼睛是憤怒的，帶著不加掩飾的恨意，憤恨的火苗在他眼中升起，灼傷了另一人的眼。
那人伸出手，撫向他的臉，手指冰涼的在那臉上摩挲而過時，有一絲絲不為人知的顫抖。
季玖不堪其辱，咬牙閉上了眼。再不去看他。他的前世，只會癡癡望他，他的今生，卻連一個眼神都不屑給他。
究其原因，不外是前生願意捨棄一切的沈清軒，成了今世雄心壯志的季玖。
根骨富貴的紅塵中人，伊墨想，他前生為自己舍了一切，不謀功名前程，只蝸居在小小雍城裡打理家業，陪伴在側。今世合該是捨棄情緣，只謀野心的季將軍。又忍不住想，若前世的沈清軒沒有癡纏他，是不是今世，就可以洗盡鉛華的陪在自己身邊了？伊墨不知道。
那些命數過於奧妙，他不過修行千年，哪裡又看得透。
伊墨停下了撫摸的手。
季玖在等待片刻過後，重新張開了眼。
燭火又亮了起來。
那人已經收回身，只立在自己身前。季玖還是不動，靜觀其變。
伊墨垂眸看了他很久，才說了一句：“殺業太重，命貴而壽短。”
季玖不料他突然說出這樣的話，愣了一下，隨即冷笑。他自然知道自己命短，若是命長，才是真正毀了季家。為保子孫，他自當命短。伊墨看出他的不屑，也知他心中所想，不由想到一百五十多年的尋覓，這一世，就算遠遠看著，卻又能看多久？不過十幾年而已。時限一到，這人殺業這般重，誰知還會不會輪回成人，許是畜生也未必。到那時，他又去哪裡尋他，哪裡能找得到他？他沉默了片刻，道：“我想抱你。”
季玖更是不屑，仍是不做聲。他不知術法已解，只是不願意同他多說一句話。
隨後被人抱起來，走向床榻。
他的臉上已經白了，身體僵硬，如同木偶。
伊墨將那僵硬肢體抱在懷裡，緊緊擁著，仿佛懷裡還是那世喜愛他卻不敢說出口的沈清軒；明知人妖殊途，也要強留的沈清軒；明知強留，卻又不捨得放開的沈清軒；連一句喜歡，都藏了一生至死才敢說出口的沈清軒……生怕他來世尋他，生怕他真的喜歡了，在尋覓中受苦。
有些事情，只有百年過去了，他才能看得清楚。逐漸明白，沈清軒在那個年月裡，是如何膽戰心驚又情不自禁地過著每一天。
伊墨將季玖死死摟在懷裡，懷中人的呼吸聲是忍耐的沉重，肢體是僵死的幹硬。
夜深了。
身側的人將他摟著，薄被裡的肢體是被迫交纏的，季玖的額上泌出大滴汗水，濕潤了額角。
由始至終，伊墨都用臂膀將他在懷裡鎖緊了，仿佛懷抱著稀世珍寶，小心卻又用力的緊縛，像是害怕被人搶走。偶爾低下頭來，在那潮濕額上舔過，嘗到的汗水有一股鹹味，鹹到讓他舌根發苦。動作裡有散亂的髮絲撩過他的唇邊，伊墨在上面輕輕吻著，姿態是他與季玖都看不見的虔誠。
季玖的眼睛始終是閉的，看不見他，也看不見他眼裡的自己。這樣的事連同今夜他也才經歷兩次，無從分辨好壞，無從分辨輕重，也沒有這份心思。
卻不知道身上那人由始至終，都小心而輕柔的動作著，一如猛虎細嗅薔薇。
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After returning home, Ji Jiu ordered his men to pack his luggage, said goodbye to his family, and set off again. Although the journey was not far, it would take half a month to ride a horse without stopping. With two guards accompanying him, Ji Jiu was not in a hurry to travel. He crossed mountains and ridges along the way. When he encountered beautiful scenery, he would call the guards to lead the horses to walk together. Although the journey was not slow, it was not fast either. As he traveled along the way, the scenery gradually became desolate, with isolated mountains and ridges . The human voices gradually faded, but there were more birds and beasts. Among them, the sound of monkeys was the loudest, sharp and high. Ji Jiu pulled the reins , listened to the monkey sounds, and a trace of melancholy came out from nowhere, and he sighed softly. The haze in his heart could not be dispersed.
He couldn’t help but look down at his hand holding the reins . The brown snake kiss mark on his wrist was still there, as if it was a flaw missed when God created the world. Ji Jiu felt more and more that this was not an ordinary birthmark. Perhaps, the marks on everyone’s body that never faded over the years were related to past lives. He thought so and felt ridiculous. He was originally a person who didn’t believe in gods and demons, but now he believed in ghosts and monsters . It’s just that these things did happen, although they were absurd, but they happened to him, no matter how absurd, he had to admit it.
Ji Jiu admitted it. But it was not the same as accepting his fate. He had a grudge against the monster. Although he knew that the grudge was from his previous life, it was understandable that he came to seek revenge. However, the means were too dirty. Ji Jiu despised it!
He despised him.
If he came to seek revenge openly, even if he had to sacrifice his life, Ji Jiu would accept it. He just thought it was what he deserved, so he just accepted it . But that monster was not like that . The monster used such means and humiliated him so much that Ji Jiu hated him from the bottom of his heart.
The monkeys were still screaming , resounding throughout the universe. Ji Jiu came to his senses, put on a smile, called the two guards, and continued to whip his horse and rushed back to the barracks.
The smile on his face never left his face throughout the journey.
People around him were already used to his smile and didn’t take it seriously. Everyone knew that General Ji had a good temper and a good personality. He smiled at everyone, regardless of their status. His smile was gentle and elegant, making people feel close to him at first sight.
But he was riding his horse at this moment, thinking about the Taoist priest whom he had asked a shrewd person to secretly visit in the city before leaving home. He didn’t know when he would get the news. The Taoist priest had white hair and a youthful face, so he must have magical powers. If he could find him, he might be able to clarify a lot of the strange things. It’s even possible that he could subdue the monster.
There are some hatreds that can only be washed away by blood.
After a few more days of random thoughts, he returned to the army.
The camp was filled with yellow sand, horses were galloping, war drums were beating, and the soldiers were training in the parade ground. The sun was shining brightly overhead, and the dust was covering their cheeks, and the sweat washed out gullies. Everyone looked unrecognizable. On the face of each unrecognizable person, there was a pair of proud eyes of a man with iron bones. Ji Jiu turned over and dismounted, walked in front of them, and the soldiers behind him were whispering to welcome: The general is back. Ji Jiu responded and waved to let them continue training, but a sincere smile appeared on his face. His eyes were curved into crescents, and there were a few fine lines at the corners of his eyes, adding a sense of maturity.
Back at the central army tent, General Ji was wearing armor and writing a memorial at his desk. Ji Jiu walked in wearing a casual light robe and called out “Father".
“Xiao Jiu," the old general raised his head, his hair and beard all white, put down his pen and asked, “How is things at home?"
“Everything is fine." Ji Jiu replied, “Nothing is wrong in the army? The training is so intense, are you going to send troops?"
“Just two days ago, a small group of Xiongnu soldiers attacked us, but were driven back." The old general asked, “What do you think?"
Ji Jiu frowned slightly: “It seems that the internal disputes in the Xiongnu royal court have been resolved. I wonder how many invaders there are, and whether they can capture any prisoners?"
“We have captured two people, go and interrogate them." The old general stood up and walked to the side, and said, “Here is a letter, take a look at it." Then he took out a letter from his arms.
Ji Jiu took it, but it was a confidential document with only a few sentences in it, saying that since he left Beijing, the emperor had been furious during the morning court, implying that someone had slandered the court generals. Although he did not mention any names, he said that while the men fought on the battlefield, there was someone in the court who wanted to kill him. This person had ulterior motives and was a parasite to the country!
Ji Jiu put down the letter, took the fire wick, and burned it in the copper basin without saying a word.
The old general watched the flames turn the letter into ashes and sighed, “I wanted you to suppress the matter of withholding military pay, but you insisted on bringing it up. Now you’ve got yourself into trouble. Behind General Zhang is the support of the Prime Minister…"
“Daddy is scared?" Ji Jiu raised his head and asked back.
“I am old and I don’t know when I will pass away. You are still young and there are a few more wolves around you. How can I go with peace of mind?"
“Nothing." Ji Jiu said in a light tone, “The emperor still needs the Ji family’s generals to fight for him on the battlefield. As long as the Xiongnu is not pacified, the Ji family can still live in peace."
“What if the emperor wants you to help him quell the Huns’ rebellion?" the old general asked.
“As a subject, I naturally serve the emperor." Ji Jiu stood up, patted the dust on his hands and said, “This is the fate of the descendants of the Ji family. If we have the opportunity in the future, we will die together with the Xiongnu, so that the emperor will not worry. When that day comes, all the people in and outside the country will submit to the emperor, and the Ji family, which holds military power, will retire after success. The general will die on the battlefield, leaving only the young son. The emperor will treat him well."
General Ji stood there in a daze, holding his breath, looking at his son. His young face was calm and composed, showing a kind of indifference to fame and fortune. He felt relieved, but also sad.
I have nothing to say. I just don’t know when the innocent boy turned into the man he is now.
It seems that it started from the time he entered the palace as a tutor, and lived with the then fallen prince, now the emperor, day and night, and gradually he saw through the affairs of the world.
But back then, it was Ji Jiu who, with his hot-blooded spirit, forced the entire family’s honor and disgrace into the struggle for the throne ! He disregarded the ancestral teachings, his life, and fought for power for the fallen prince, even hiding it from his father. In the end, the incident was discovered and almost caused the Ji family to be wiped out. If the Ji family had not been so powerful, such a disaster would have long been exterminated.
General Ji couldn’t help sighing when he recalled the past. He was a young man at that time, and he was so cruel that he did this, dragging hundreds of people from the Ji family into it, determined to support the prince who was studying with him to become the emperor. When asked why, he just said that he would be a good emperor.
Just this one sentence almost ruined the reputation of the three generations of famous generals in the Ji family.
He wanted the fourth prince to be the emperor. But the emperor was cruel and ruthless. One year after he ascended the throne, he set fire to the former crown prince and his brother and burned them alive!
General Ji looked at his son for a long time, and finally couldn’t help but asked softly: “When you insisted on supporting him, did you ever think about today?"
Ji Jiu didn’t expect his father to ask this. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly came back to his senses and said, “Of course."
“Then… why?"
Ji Jiu did not answer, but just looked at the military map spread out on the table. After looking at it for a long time, he lowered his eyes and whispered: “I am the son of a general. I have been studying military books since I was a child, and I am destined to go into the battlefield and kill the enemy. Other princes may all be good emperors… but only the fourth prince makes me feel… I can become a general who is famous all over the world and can govern the country and ensure its security." After a pause, he added: “Among the princes, only he can help me." The other princes just wanted to own the world in front of them, and they did not have such ambitions.
General Ji understood. Yes, which general doesn’t want to be famous throughout the ages? Which emperor doesn’t want to sweep the world? They just admired each other.
That’s why Ji Jiu, who was not yet twenty, was willing to sacrifice his life for him. That’s why the current emperor is willing to fulfill his ideal. This is their common ideal.
Even though they knew that once their ideals became reality, what awaited them would be the common fates in history, they still did not look back.
The old general sat back in his chair , looked at the map again, and finally said, “I only hope that your wish will come true, and that you can perish together with the Huns on the battlefield in the future, and still keep your family safe."
“Don’t worry, father," Ji Jiu smiled slightly, “Once the Huns are defeated, I will die."
Every word weighs a thousand pounds.
It seems that he has already planned all the territory of the world in his mind, and is just waiting for the right time to make great progress!
As the sky darkened, some bonfires were lit in the open space of the military camp. The soldiers sat cross-legged around the bonfires, eating from large coarse porcelain bowls. Ji Jiu walked out of the dungeon. The air above the dungeon was filled with the aroma of food, mixed with the smell of soil and sweat from the soldiers, and the fishy smell of livestock in the stable not far away. These chaotic smells mixed together and enveloped the sky above the military camp.
But there is a feeling of returning home.
Ji Jiu also took a large coarse porcelain bowl, poured some soup into it , took two pancakes, and sat next to the soldier.
The soldiers were used to it , and when they saw him coming, they consciously made way for him. When Ji Jiu sat down, they all lowered their heads and ate and drank as usual. After eating and drinking, the soldiers who were tired after a day of hard work returned to the camp to rest, and those on duty returned to their posts with their long guns, replacing their previous brothers to rest.
Everything was going on in an orderly and tacit manner. Life in the military camp was always like this, no fun, no leisure, and the vigilant string in the mind was always tense, ready to pick up weapons to meet the enemy at any time.
Although there had been no war for three years, the commander was strict in his military discipline, and the troops had never been in disarray. There was no gathering for drinking or gambling. Some people secretly spread rumors that this team had another name, called the Ji Family Army.
It is not delirium. The commander of the army is General Ji, and most of the other generals, except Ji Jiu, are retainers of the Ji family. It’s just that the Ji family has been famous for three generations, and no one dares to say much. Some people in the court speculated that the emperor was supported by the Ji family to take the throne, and they were afraid that the Ji family would become bigger and bigger and become a big problem in the future. Such rumors have never stopped for a day. The Ji family had to work harder and harder, and dared not slack off in handling military affairs. Ji Jiu once said with a smile that the more cautious you are, the faster the ice will crack.
Although he said this with a smile, it was definitely not a joke. The two generals of the Ji family now knew that the ice under their feet would break sooner or later. They also thought that this day would be the day when the Huns would be pacified.
But no one had expected that Ji Jiu had already made up his mind – to use these unparalleled years to exchange for decades of peace and happiness for the Ji family .
Therefore, Ji Jiu’s eldest son only read poetry and books since childhood and was not taught martial arts.
Ji Jiu sometimes thought of his son and felt that it was too far away. He was just an ordinary man. He could only pave the way for his descendants for a few decades. He could not control how things would go in the future, nor did he want to control it. He would be gone by then – after I die, why would I care about the flood!
After dinner, Ji Jiu went back to his tent to rest, but couldn’t fall asleep while lying on the bed, so he put on his robe, lit the oil lamp and got up to read. Just after he finished reading a page, the candle on the desk flickered and then went out.
Ji Jiu’s heart shuddered , and he maintained his previous posture, motionless. The candle went out and never lit up again. Across the table, there was a shadowy figure. The figure was so familiar, just one night, but Ji Jiu remembered him deeply, and his whole body turned cold, as if he fell into an ice cave.
Ji Jiu wanted to speak, but no sound came out. Ji Jiu tried to stand up, but found that his hands and feet were no longer under his control and he could not move.
Even though the light was so dark, Ji Jiu saw a pair of eyes, like a beast lurking in the depths of the jungle, with a light that could not be ignored. It felt like being stared at firmly, like prey.
The man came closer, leaning in front of him in the dark night, and leaning down slightly. His cold but burning eyes swept across his face, as if he was inspecting his territory. The man looked at him for a long time, then leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Are you afraid of me?"
The man said: You are afraid of me. His voice was hoarse, with a cold metallic tone, and a sense of helplessness and sadness. But Ji Jiu could not hear it.
Ji Jiu only heard the man say: You are afraid of me. He said it bluntly, as if provoking. Ji Jiu sneered in his heart, knowing that he could not say anything, so he simply did not respond. Being afraid or not, admitting or not, it made no difference to him. He was now restrained by this monster, unable to move, and he didn’t even have the chance to call for help. Waiting to die, this is probably how he felt now.
Ji Jiu didn’t answer, and the man maintained this approaching posture, and the two sides remained in a stalemate without saying a word.
Time passed slowly, and Ji Jiu’s mind gradually calmed down. He looked directly into the man’s eyes, revealing a hard and uncompromising attitude. He had experienced the worst, which was nothing but humiliation and pain. There was no difference between once and twice, and Ji Jiu understood this very well. He was powerless to change the status quo, at least not at this time. He was a sober Ji Jiu who could distinguish the pros and cons and never let himself fall into confusion. Therefore, if he could not turn the situation around, he would just grit his teeth and endure it. There was no way to escape from such a thing, so he had to endure the humiliation, but don’t even think about making him compromise. He would never compromise!
Ji Jiu’s eyes were filled with anger, carrying undisguised hatred. The flames of resentment rose in his eyes, burning the other person’s eyes.
The man stretched out his hand and touched his face. When his cold fingers stroked his face, there was a slight, unknown tremor.
Ji Jiu couldn’t bear the humiliation, so he gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. He would never look at him again. In his previous life, he would only stare at him foolishly, but in this life, he didn’t even bother to look at him.
The reason is that Shen Qingxuan, who was willing to give up everything in his previous life, has become the ambitious Ji Jiu in this life.
A man of noble character in the world, Yi Mo thought, he gave up everything for her in his previous life, did not seek fame and fortune, just lived in the small city of Yong to manage the family business and accompany her. In this life, he should be General Ji who gave up love and pursued ambition. He couldn’t help but think, if Shen Qingxuan in the previous life hadn’t been obsessed with him, would he be able to wash away the makeup and accompany her in this life? Yi Mo didn’t know.
Those destinies were too mysterious. He had only practiced for a thousand years, so how could he see through them?
Yi Mo stopped stroking his hand.
After waiting for a while, Ji Jiu opened his eyes again.
The candlelight lit up again.
The man had withdrawn his body and stood in front of him. Ji Jiu still did not move, and watched the situation.
Yi Mo lowered his eyes and looked at him for a long time before saying, “The karma of killing is too heavy, and life is precious but short."
Ji Jiu didn’t expect him to say such words suddenly. He was stunned for a moment, then sneered. He naturally knew that he had a short life. If he had a long life, he would have truly ruined the Ji family. In order to protect his descendants, he should have a short life. Yi Mo saw his disdain and knew what he was thinking. He couldn’t help but think of the more than 150 years of searching. In this life, even if he watched from afar, how long could he watch? It was only a dozen years. When the time limit is up, this person has such a heavy karma of killing, who knows if he will be reincarnated as a human, or even an animal. By then, where can he look for him, where can he find him? He was silent for a moment, and said, “I want to hug you."
Ji Jiu was even more disdainful and remained silent. He didn’t know that the spell had been solved, but he just didn’t want to say a word to him.
He was then picked up and walked towards the bed.
His face had turned pale and his body was stiff, like a puppet.
Yi Mo held the stiff limb in his arms, tightly, as if in his arms was still the Shen Qingxuan who loved him in that life but dared not say it out loud; the Shen Qingxuan who wanted to stay despite knowing that humans and demons were different; the Shen Qingxuan who wanted to stay despite knowing that he had to force him, but was reluctant to let go; the Shen Qingxuan who kept the word “like" hidden for his entire life and only dared to say it out loud until his death… He was afraid that he would look for him in the next life, and he was afraid that he really liked him and would suffer in the search.
Some things could only be seen clearly by him after a hundred years had passed. He gradually understood how Shen Qingxuan lived every day in fear and involuntarily during those years.
Yi Mo held Ji Jiu tightly in his arms. The person in his arms’ breathing was heavy with endurance, and his limbs were stiff and dead.
It’s late at night.
The person beside him hugged him, and their limbs were forced to entangle under the thin quilt. Big drops of sweat oozed out of Ji Jiu’s forehead, wetting his temples.
From the beginning to the end, Yi Mo locked him tightly in his arms, as if he was holding a rare treasure, carefully but tightly, as if afraid that it would be snatched away. Occasionally, he lowered his head and licked his wet forehead. The sweat he tasted was salty, so salty that it made his tongue bitter. In the movement, a messy hair brushed against his lips, and Yi Mo kissed it gently, with a posture that was devout that neither he nor Ji Jiu could see.
Ji Jiu’s eyes were always closed, he couldn’t see him, nor could he see himself in his eyes. He had only experienced this twice, including tonight, so he couldn’t tell good from bad, couldn’t tell the importance, and didn’t have the heart to care.
had been moving carefully and gently from beginning to end , like a tiger sniffing a rose.
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