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　　遠處的雞鳴聲劃破黑夜，黎明到來時季玖睜開眼，枕畔多了一人，那人將他抱在懷裡，正閉眼睡著。他睡得極沉，連季玖醒來也不得知，季玖對眼前陌生一幕發了好一會愣，待看清那人面目時，頃刻翻身而起，抓了衣物胡亂套上，連鞋都不及穿，赤著腳奔了出去，像是有猛鬼野獸在窮追不捨，奔跑時帶起一片塵土。
　　
　　軍營外是有一條河的，因地勢之故，河水並不清冽，泛著一股沙土的濁黃。河岸一裡地外有村落，因河水不潔，家家掘井用水，這河水就成了軍營裡洗刷牲口們專用的水源。
　　季玖一口氣奔到河邊，而後一點猶豫都沒有的跳進了河裡。
　　隨他一路奔來的侍衛登時呆了，看著沉入水底的將軍，不知道該怎麼辦才好。好不容易醒過神，正準備開口喚人救命，才想起自家將軍水性好得很，除非被人摁著腦袋綁了手腳，否則哪裡會淹死呢？所以，將軍必定不會是尋死的。那他這是做什麼？天濛濛亮從軍帳裡沖出來游泳嗎？。
　　那侍衛在岸邊站了片刻，終是忍不住，蹲身沖著泛起漣漪的河面喚道：“將軍，將軍，將軍？”
　　季玖一口氣鬱結在胸口，將自己沉進了水底，水流四面擠壓著，直到胸腔像是要炸裂開般，才猛地躍出水面，甩了臉上水跡，看著岸上那團黑影，默了好一會才道：“心煩，來洗個澡。”
　　那侍衛又呆了呆，才道：“將軍，這河雖是活水，軍中到底都是拿它洗刷馬匹、夜壺……您何必在這洗澡？”也不嫌髒。
　　季玖笑了一下，臉色在暗處也看不清，卻莫名的說了一句：“這水比我乾淨。”
　　侍衛不懂，季玖懂，季玖不再說什麼，重新沉進水裡。一口氣也不知憋了多久，腦中都嗡鳴了，才恍惚著睜開了眼，濁黃的河水湧入眼眶，他的眼睛瞬間酸澀起來，連帶著口中都泛起了酸澀的味道，難以忍受。
　　他這人，二十多年心高氣傲，連名滿江淮的花樓第一美人都不放在眼裡，現在卻屈居人下，成了妖怪的禁臠，如何受得了。若不是性子一貫堅毅，只怕是尋死的心都有了。
　　季玖在河中泡了一個時辰，天色大亮了，才取過侍衛送來的換洗衣物，認真穿戴好了，披著濕漉漉的發回了營中。
　　
　　從河裡起身時，季玖看到了站在岸邊柳樹下的那人。這是伊墨第一次在陽光下出現，一襲黑袍裹身，披散著烏黑長髮，陽光自柳樹枝條中漏下來，斑斑點點的灑在他身上，道不出的尊貴，宛若神祗降臨人間。卻驚不起季玖一絲驚豔感，他的心情卻已經平復了，眼神波瀾不驚的從他面上掃過，仿佛那只是空氣，淡定的自他面前離開。
　　
　　季玖知道自己現在拿他沒有辦法，但他從來就不是遇事退卻的人，辦法一定會有的。他堅信。只是三月過去，留在京中打聽那道人的心腹卻始終無消息傳來，季玖知道必是找不到了。卻又懷疑，自己手下暗探，莫說是一個小小道人，就是宮闈之事也能探聽得到，怎麼這次就失手了？或許是著意躲著也未必。
　　這個念頭一旦浮出，季玖心裡就有了計較。立刻撰書信一封，綁在鴿腿上，飛出軍營。
　　又是兩個月時光，季玖收到了回音，道人找到了。
　　撚著字條，季玖不是不得意的，他不過是使了詐，著人傳謠言道城外村落裡有鬼怪害人，已死了幾條人命，而後暗探們埋伏下去，果然等到了來降妖的道士。天羅地網，逮個正著。
　　但那道士什麼都不說，只滿臉惱怒的要見季玖本人。季玖原就是要見他，自然願意。立刻回了信去，請他到邊塞城中一敘。後又有信來，說是人已經到了。
　　
　　換了輕袍便服，侍衛牽了馬來，季玖駕著馬剛奔出練兵場，就見軍營門口處有兩人站著，似乎為何事爭執不休。其中一人季玖認識，是軍中伍長，另一人卻一身黑色武裝，背著藍色包袱，手中提了一把劍，側臉看去，卻陌生的很。
　　季玖心中好奇，問他們何事。
　　那伍長滿臉羞惱的指著那人道：“這小子蠻不講理！軍中現在又不募兵，他卻非要跑來參軍，我讓他晚些時節來，他還賴在這裡不走了！”
　　季玖也有些意外，躍下馬走到那人面前，只看了一眼，忍不住心中讚歎好兒郎！這人猿背蜂腰，劍眉星目，俊朗非凡。季玖問：“何處人？”
　　那人道：“雍城。”
　　季玖又仔細看了看他，雖是年青人，身形高大卻無蠻橫魯莽之色，反倒是眉眼間有一股從容內斂，剛剛與伍長爭執也是不溫不火，更顯得出眾。季玖起了愛才之心，就讓他留下了。命那伍長帶去錄名，與兵士們一起操練。吩咐完了，又道：“即日起粘貼告示，軍中募兵。”
　　伍長愣了一下，道：“最近沒有戰事啊。”
　　季玖笑了笑，“很快就有了。”說著重新上馬，策鞭而去。
　　馬蹄揚起一縷塵土，仿佛一縷黃綢，隔開了視線。那年青人本該隨伍長去錄名入軍籍，卻站在原地，一動不動的望著馬上駛者的背影。
　　伍長走開兩步，又走回來，拽了他的手臂道：“看什麼看，那是我們季將軍，軍裡兩位季將軍，這是小將軍。好看是吧？別看他笑眯眯的，練兵時候有你受的！真是年輕人，在家有什麼不好，偏要來參軍……”一路說著，一路嘀咕，還琢磨著剛剛那句“很快就有了”是什麼意思。
　　青年人被他拉著，也不計較，臉上仍是平靜的，偶爾回首，那邊的馬與人俱已消失在路的盡頭了。這才聽見伍長的嘀咕，心裡忍不住想，他嚴不嚴厲，我比你曉得，你又沒被他打過掌心。
　　
　　季玖入城，進了茶樓雅室，剛點了一壺花茶，室門就被推開了，兩人一左一右，如牆壁般裹著一個鶴髮童顏的道士進來，見了季玖連忙行禮，恭敬地喚了聲：“大人。”
　　季玖讓他們退下，又做手勢請道人坐下，親自斟茶，笑著說：“仙家難請的很。”
　　道人恨恨，“難請不也被你‘請’來了，”略頓，終是忍不住心裡那口惡氣，補了一句：“你除了誑我，就是訛我，你這劣根什麼時候能改改？”
　　季玖一挑眉：“我只記得這一回，哪裡還有誑你？”
　　道人噤聲。
　　季玖見狀默了片刻，道：“仙家是明白人，出塵之人不與我這等凡夫俗子計較。不若敞開天窗說亮話，你知道些什麼？”
　　許明世心想我才不告訴你。其實也是不知道該怎麼說，說什麼都覺得不合適。怎麼會合適呢？他們記憶裡的沈清軒，已經成了現今的季玖，容貌不改，性情也沒變，從使詐綁他這事就能看得出來。可季玖卻又不全是沈清軒了。那世的沈清軒，所有的好，都是對著他們的，所有的惡，都展露給外人。而今世他們卻成了外人。
　　我們成了外人——許明世忍不住深歎，他是知道自己的，曾經對那世的沈清軒生過別樣心思，還未來得及理清，卻被蛇妖捷足先登，也怨過，但到底是修道之人，自知不該涉及愛恨，這份感情漸漸就被時光磨礪成一份親情。這麼些年，見那蛇妖日復一日的尋覓，受著情思之苦卻不自知，也就恍然大悟，他不曾得到，未必是禍。那些情愫，就徹底淡然，倒是對那蛇，那狼，還有眼前這人，都起了悲憫之心。是悲憫，也是愛。他愛世人，愛自然萬物，愛萬物生靈。
　　他真正成了道家修仙之人。只是性格活潑，骨子裡的性子泯滅不掉，所以才在人間輾轉逗留，扶危濟困。
　　到底沒有真正羽化成仙，還是人皮肉身，所以又著了這一世沈清軒的道。許明世現下真覺得，大蛇不冤，栽在這樣的人手裡，真是不冤。
　　
　　季玖見他臉上表情變幻，最後又發呆，忍不住出聲道：“怎了？”
　　許明世回過神來，看他許久，點了點頭說：“我倒是能告訴你一些。”
　　“請講。”
　　“你手腕上那印子，是前世被蛇咬的。”許明世望著他腕間，道：“你潑了那蛇一盞茶，他掉頭咬你一口。本該是恩怨相抵，這痕印不該帶到你的今生。卻是你自己執念太重，非要強留那蛇，所以這痕印就隨著你一起出生了。”
　　季玖愣了愣，看著手上痕印，想了片刻，道：“沒了？”
　　“前世你叫沈清軒，是大富人家的公子，按你的命格，本該是大富大貴，你卻為……為那人，舍了前程功名，只為陪在他身邊。”
　　季玖皺了皺眉，“‘那人’？是何人？”
　　許明世卻沒搭理他，只撿自己能說的說，繼續道：“因為前世你命中貴氣不曾展露，今生你成為將軍之子，補了那富貴命格。只是你這一世，雖富貴顯赫，卻殺孽太多，命就短了。所以……小將軍，還是放開心懷，將這剩下十幾年好生過完吧。”
　　季玖不說話，似在等他繼續說，許明世卻不說了，閉上眼打坐。
　　季玖說：“沒了？”
　　許明世搖了搖頭。
　　“就這些？”
　　“天機不可洩露。”
　　季玖站起身來，冷了臉道：“那妖卻是怎麼回事？”
　　許明世無言，不答。
　　“你可能降伏了他？”季玖也失了耐性，直奔目標。
　　許明世睜開眼，“你要除他？”
　　“當然。”
　　“那是修行兩千年的妖，除非他自絕生路，否則不會輕易被滅……”許明世道：“你就絕了這個念頭吧。”
　　季玖仍不可信：“無人能除他？”
　　“他雖是妖，卻也不曾害過誰，若真要說有，那人也是自取的。”許明世搖頭道：“反倒是處處行善，功德深厚，不過再有幾百年，定可位列仙班了。”
　　季玖僵直站在原地，臉上無了人氣，袖中的手不知不覺攥成了拳。有血跡，自掌心的指縫裡流下。
　　許明世看到，心裡也頗為難受，忍不住道：“你又何必。若是放開心懷，這一世完結，都可解脫了。”
　　“這一世？”季玖怔了怔回神，“他前世，也是如此嗎？”
　　許明世聽他這麼問，卻感到一分滑稽，要知前世，可是你死活纏著他呢。若非你執迷不悟，又怎麼會今世被他所困。
　　一報還一報，莫過如此了。
　　許明世道：“想要知道前因後果，還是親自去問他吧。”
　　季玖才不會問，也不屑問，他與那人無話可說。不論怎麼說，他是求過他的，跪在地上，磕頭磕了滿臉鮮血，自尊盡毀地求過他的。
　　可他還是不放過他，那就罷了。他再不求他。既然連這些道人和尚都沒有辦法，他只好自救。
　　
　　與許明世分手回到軍營，往後兩個月，季玖再沒有任何失態，無論伊墨是白天出現或者是夜裡，他只視若無睹，不再多看他一眼，連榻上，也雙目緊閉著，不論完事後的伊墨走或留，都無視了他的存在。
　　仍然是，一句都不說，一句都不問。
　　只是偶爾，在某個眼角的轉側間，季玖會瞟到那鋪疊的厚厚的床榻。無人知道，那厚重的被褥之下，放了一柄銳利匕首，吹毛斷發。他只需要時機。
　　他無人可求，只好自尋出路。不計後果。

————————————————

The crowing of a rooster in the distance broke through the darkness. When dawn came, Ji Jiu opened his eyes and saw a man beside his pillow. The man held him in his arms and fell asleep with his eyes closed. He slept so deeply that Ji Jiu didn’t even notice when he woke up. Ji Jiu was stunned for a long time by the strange scene in front of him. When he saw the man’s face clearly, he immediately got up, grabbed his clothes and put them on without even putting on his shoes. He ran out barefoot, as if a fierce beast was chasing him, and he raised a cloud of dust as he ran.

There was a river outside the military camp. Due to the terrain, the water was not clear, but rather a muddy yellow with sand. There was a village a mile away from the river bank. Because the river water was unclean, every household dug a well for water. This river water became the exclusive water source for washing livestock in the military camp.

Ji Jiu ran to the river in one breath, and then jumped into the river without any hesitation.

The guards who had been running with him were stunned. They looked at the general who had sunk into the water and didn’t know what to do. After finally coming to their senses, they were about to call for help when they remembered that their general was a good swimmer. Unless someone held his head down and tied his hands and feet, there was no way he would drown. Therefore, the general would definitely not be seeking death. So what was he doing? Rushing out of the military tent at dawn to swim?

The guard stood on the shore for a while, and finally couldn’t help himself. He squatted down and called out to the rippling river surface: “General, General, General?"

Ji Jiu’s breath was stagnant in his chest, and he sank into the water. The water squeezed him from all sides until his chest seemed to burst. He suddenly jumped out of the water, shook off the water on his face, looked at the dark shadow on the shore, and said in silence for a long time: “I’m upset, let’s take a bath."

The guard was stunned again, then said: “General, although this river is running water, the army uses it to wash horses and chamber pots… Why do you have to take a bath here?" He didn’t mind the dirt.

Ji Jiu smiled, his expression unclear in the dark, but he said inexplicably: “This water is cleaner than me."

The guard didn’t understand, but Ji Jiu did. Ji Jiu said nothing more and sank back into the water. He didn’t know how long he held his breath, his head was buzzing, and he opened his eyes in a daze . The turbid yellow river water poured into his eyes, and his eyes instantly became sore, and even his mouth had a sour taste, which was unbearable.

He had been arrogant for more than 20 years, not even taking seriously the most beautiful woman in the famous brothel in Jianghuai. Now he was inferior to others and became the forbidden food of the monster. How could he bear it? If he had not always been strong-willed, he would have wanted to commit suicide.

Ji Jiu soaked in the river for an hour. When it was bright, he took the change of clothes brought by the guards, put them on carefully, and returned to the camp in his wet clothes.

When he got up from the river, Ji Jiu saw the man standing under the willow tree on the shore. This was the first time Yi Mo appeared in the sun, wrapped in a black robe, with long black hair. The sun leaked through the willow branches, and sprinkled on him. He was indescribably noble, as if a god had descended to the earth. But it didn’t surprise Ji Jiu at all. His mood had calmed down. His eyes swept across his face calmly, as if it was just air, and he left in front of him calmly.

Ji Jiu knew that he had no way to deal with him now, but he was never one to retreat when faced with difficulties. There must be a way. He firmly believed it. However, three months had passed, and there was still no news from the confidant who stayed in the capital to inquire about the Taoist priest. Ji Jiu knew that he must have lost the chance to find him. But he was suspicious. His secret agents could find out about the affairs of the imperial palace, not to mention a small Taoist priest. Why did they fail this time? Maybe he was hiding on purpose.

As soon as this thought came to mind, Ji Jiu had a plan in mind. He immediately wrote a letter, tied it to the pigeon’s leg, and flew out of the military camp.

Another two months passed, and Ji Jiu received a reply that the Taoist priest had been found.

Ji Jiu was not unhappy twisting the note. He had just tricked someone into spreading rumors that there were ghosts and monsters in the village outside the city, killing several people. Then the spies laid an ambush and waited for the Taoist priest who came to exorcise the monster. The net was set in stone and he caught him red-handed.

But the Taoist said nothing, and with an angry look on his face, he wanted to see Ji Jiu himself. Ji Jiu wanted to see him, so he was willing. He immediately wrote back and invited him to the border city for a chat. Later, another letter came, saying that the person had arrived.

After changing into casual clothes , the guards led the horse over. Ji Jiu just ran out of the training ground on the horse when he saw two people standing at the entrance of the military camp, seemingly arguing about something. One of them was someone Ji Jiu knew, a sergeant in the army, while the other was dressed in black, carrying a blue bag, holding a sword in his hand, but looking from the side, he looked very unfamiliar.

Ji Jiu was curious and asked them what was going on.

The sergeant pointed at the man with an angry look on his face and said, “This kid is unreasonable! The army is not recruiting soldiers now, but he insisted on joining the army. I asked him to come later, but he still refused to leave!"

Ji Jiu was also a little surprised. He jumped off his horse and walked up to the man. After just one look, he couldn’t help but admire him in his heart! This man had an ape back, a wasp waist, sword-like eyebrows, and bright eyes. He was handsome and extraordinary. Ji Jiu asked, “Where are you from?"

The man said, “Yongcheng."

Ji Jiu looked at him carefully again. Although he was a young man, he was tall but not arrogant. Instead, he was calm and reserved. He was not heated in his argument with the sergeant just now, which made him stand out. Ji Jiu was fond of talents, so he let him stay. He ordered the sergeant to take the name and train with the soldiers. After giving the order, he said, “Post a notice from now on to recruit soldiers in the army."

The sergeant was stunned for a moment and said, “There has been no war recently."

Ji Jiu smiled and said, “It will be here soon." Then he got back on the horse and rode away.

The horse’s hooves raised a cloud of dust, like a piece of yellow silk, blocking the view. The young man was supposed to follow the sergeant to register for military service, but he stood there, staring at the back of the rider on the horse.

The sergeant walked away two steps, then came back, pulled his arm and said, “What are you looking at? That’s our General Ji. There are two General Ji in the army, and this is the little general. Looks good, right? Don’t be fooled by his smiling face, you will suffer during the training! You are really a young man, there is nothing wrong with staying at home, but you have to join the army…" He said and muttered all the way, and was still wondering what the sentence “soon" meant.

The young man was being pulled by him, but he didn’t care. His face was still calm. He occasionally looked back and saw that the horse and the man had disappeared at the end of the road. Then he heard the muttering of the sergeant, and couldn’t help thinking, whether he is strict or not, I know better than you , you haven’t been spanked by him.

Ji Jiu entered the city and went into the elegant teahouse. Just as he ordered a pot of scented tea, the door was pushed open. Two people, one on the left and one on the right, wrapped a Taoist priest with white hair and a youthful face like a wall. When he saw Ji Jiu, he quickly saluted and respectfully called out, “Sir."

Ji Jiu asked them to leave, then gestured for the Taoist to sit down, poured tea himself, and said with a smile: “It is very difficult to invite an immortal."

The Taoist said angrily, “It’s hard to invite someone here, but you ‘invited’ me here." He paused for a moment, but couldn’t hold back his anger and added, “You’ve only lied to me and blackmailed me. When will you change your bad habits?"

Ji Jiu raised his eyebrows: “I only remember this time, how could I lie to you?"

The Taoist remained silent.

Seeing this, Ji Jiu was silent for a moment and said, “The immortals are wise people. People who have transcended the mortal world will not bother with ordinary people like me. Why don’t we speak frankly? What do you know?"

Xu Mingshi thought to himself, I won’t tell you. In fact, he didn’t know how to say it, and it felt inappropriate to say anything. How could it be appropriate? The Shen Qingxuan in their memory has become the current Ji Jiu. His appearance and temperament have not changed, as can be seen from the fact that he was kidnapped by trickery. But Ji Jiu is not completely Shen Qingxuan. All the good things about Shen Qingxuan in that life were for them, and all the evil was shown to outsiders. But in this life, they have become outsiders.

We have become outsiders – Xu Mingshi couldn’t help but sigh deeply. He knew that he had had different feelings for Shen Qingxuan in that life . Before he could sort it out, the snake demon got there first. He also resented it, but after all, he was a cultivator and knew that he shouldn’t get involved in love and hate. This feeling was gradually tempered by time into a family relationship. Over the years, seeing the snake demon searching day after day, suffering from the pain of love without knowing it, he suddenly realized that it was not necessarily a disaster that he had not obtained it. Those feelings were completely indifferent, but he felt compassion for the snake, the wolf, and the man in front of him. It was compassion, but also love. He loved the world, loved nature, and loved all living things.

He truly became a Taoist who cultivated immortality. However, he had a lively personality and the temperament in his bones could not be eliminated, so he stayed in the human world to help the poor and the needy.

After all, he had not truly become an immortal, and was still in human skin and flesh, so he was once again possessed by Shen Qingxuan in this life. Xu Mingshi now really felt that it was not unfair for the big snake to fall into the hands of such a person.

Seeing his expression changing and finally in a daze, Ji Jiu couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?"

Xu Mingshi came back to his senses, looked at him for a long time, nodded and said, “I can tell you something."

“Speaking."

“The mark on your wrist was caused by a snake bite in your previous life." Xu Mingshi looked at his wrist and said, “You spilled a cup of tea on the snake, and it turned around and bit you. It should have been a grudge, and this mark should not have been brought to your current life. But you were too obsessed and insisted on keeping the snake, so this mark was born with you."

Ji Jiu was stunned for a moment, looking at the marks on his hands, thinking for a moment, and said, “Gone?"

“In your previous life, your name was Shen Qingxuan, and you were the son of a wealthy family. According to your fate, you should have been rich and powerful, but you gave up your future…for that person, just to be with him."

Ji Jiu frowned, “‘That person’? Who is it?"

Xu Mingshi ignored him and only said what he could say, continuing, “Because you never showed your nobleness in your previous life, you became the son of a general in this life, which made up for your rich and noble fate. But in this life, although you are rich and noble, you have committed too many sins and your life is short. So… little general, you should open your heart and live well for the remaining ten years."

Ji Jiu didn’t say anything, as if waiting for him to continue, but Xu Mingshi stopped talking and closed his eyes to meditate.

Ji Jiu said: “No more?"

Xu Mingshi shook his head.

“That’s all?"

“The secret of heaven cannot be revealed."

Ji Jiu stood up and said coldly: “What’s going on with that monster?"

Xu Mingshi was speechless and did not answer.

“Could you have subdued him?" Ji Jiu also lost his patience and went straight to the target.

Xu Mingshi opened his eyes, “You want to get rid of him?"

“certainly."

“That is a demon that has been cultivating for two thousand years. Unless he kills himself, he will not be easily destroyed…" Xu Mingshi said, “Just give up the idea."

Ji Jiu still couldn’t believe it: “No one can get rid of him?"

“Although he is a demon, he has never harmed anyone. If he has, it is his own fault." Xu Mingshi shook his head and said, “On the contrary, he has done good deeds everywhere and has great merits. In a few hundred years, he will definitely be among the immortals."

Ji Jiu stood there stiffly, his face devoid of life, his hands in his sleeves unconsciously clenched into fists. There was blood, flowing from the gaps between his fingers on his palms.

Xu Mingshi felt very uncomfortable when he saw this, and couldn’t help but said, “Why bother. If you let go of your heart, this life will be over and you will be free."

“This life?" Ji Jiu was stunned and came back to his senses, “Was it the same in his previous life?"

Xu Mingshi felt it was funny when he asked this. If you wanted to know about your past life, you were the one who was clinging to him. If you hadn’t been so stubborn, how could you be trapped by him in this life ?

It’s nothing more than a tit-for-tat.

Xu Mingshi said: “If you want to know the whole story, you should go and ask him in person."

Ji Jiu would not ask, nor did he bother to ask, he had nothing to say to that man. No matter what, he had begged him, kneeling on the ground, kowtowed until his face was covered in blood, begged him with his self-esteem destroyed.

But he still didn’t let him go, so that was it. He didn’t beg him anymore. Since even these Taoists and monks couldn’t help him, he had to save himself.

After breaking up with Xu Mingshi and returning to the military camp, Ji Jiu did not misbehave in the next two months. No matter whether Yi Mo appeared during the day or at night, he just ignored him and never looked at him again. Even lying on the couch , he kept his eyes closed . No matter whether Yi Mo left or stayed after the incident, he ignored his existence.

Still, not saying a word, not asking a question.

Only occasionally, when he turned his eyes, Ji Jiu would catch a glimpse of the thickly covered bed. No one knew that under the thick blanket was a sharp dagger that could cut hair. He just needed the right moment.

He had no one to turn to, so he had to find his own way out, regardless of the consequences.