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　　季玖終於承認，這樣的東西，是不適合放在駝隊裡與貨物一起運的——其實未必不可以，而是他不想趕著一隊受驚的駱駝上路。
　　即使是鎖扣在箱子裡，那蛇還是引起了隊伍的騷亂。動物的靈性有時難以想像，這些看起來憨厚的駱駝們，在沈玨抱著箱子靠近時，便躁動起來，往後退著，而後瘋狂的蠕動厚實嘴唇，朝沈玨啐出許多唾沫。
　　幸而沈玨閃躲的快，否則免不去被唾的滿頭滿臉。
　　任何動物都有靈性，都會在危險面前反抗。季玖只好遂了沈玨心願，讓他背著木箱走在商隊最後。
　　行走途中也難免駐足往後看，看著那個年青人背著大木箱行走的情景，連大氣都沒有喘一口，再崎嶇的路面他也走得穩穩當當，身後木箱不曾晃動一毫。偶爾有風沙襲來，便伸手擋著箱子——完全擋不住什麼，也無需擋，卻是一個本能保護的姿態。季玖看了，心裡莫名的生出幾分羡慕來，想到這蛇雖失去良人，卻到底，還有一個人肯陪在他身邊，肯在他沉睡不醒的時候，小心翼翼的護著。
　　這樣被呵護的滋味，是他不曾體味過的。娘親早逝，父親常年征戰沙場，又無兄弟姐妹，他是朝中大將軍的獨子，又怎麼能在人面前流露出脆弱的模樣？
　　所以也從來不覺得，該有人護著。幼時啟蒙，送到學堂讀書，結識了常殷這般的友人，倒是過了兩年快活時光，兩年後，這樣的時光就被斬斷了。進了皇宮，當皇子伴讀，其實是人質的意思，扣在朝廷裡，以威懾邊疆的將軍。卻無人知道，自進宮伊始，就完全割裂了季玖的幼年時光。
　　那些童真與善良，被生生撕裂，鮮血淋漓的丟進了暗無天日的地方。
　　皇宮不會因為他們是孩子，而善待他們，反而因為他們無力反抗，而欺壓的愈發囂張。尤其是，他伴讀的年幼皇子，還是一個早已失寵的女人所生的時候。
　　
　　季玖偶爾午夜夢回，還會回到那個地方，陰暗破落的小院，連他家柴房也比不上的小院子，他跪佈滿碎石瓦礫的地上，給前方的少年磕頭。那時候的皇子，也就是如今的皇帝，則捏緊了拳頭，默默地站在一邊，連眼淚都不敢落下來。那時候的他們就已經知道，在這個地方，眼淚是最無用的東西。
　　只有兵臨城下，手握生殺大權，才能讓那些曾經趾高氣揚的人跪在腳下，低頭認輸。
　　其實也不是沒有別的選擇的，皇子們都大了的時候，明白過來，他們幼年時欺負過的那個孩子，是當朝大將的獨子，是可以拉攏過來為己所用的。
　　可有些事情，他們明白的太晚，他們的母親提醒的也已太晚，那些從未遭受過的羞辱，早已將季玖逼到了與他們對立的那一面——不死不休！
　　這便是人生，幼年的魯莽暴躁與優越感，讓他們不知不覺給自己的命運裡埋下了一條暗索，終有一天，在他們行徑的路上，這條暗索會浮出來，絆倒他們，之後毀掉他們的一生。
　　也從此改寫季玖與那個孤立皇子的人生。甚至整個朝代，都為此改寫。
　　
　　季玖並不在意百年後的史書上會如何描述那年那場兵諫，也不在意如何描述他，這一切他都不放在心上。事情他已經做下，並且不悔。
　　那麼，該如何，就如何罷。
　　即便背負駡名，也有那個弑母殺兄的皇帝陪他一起。沒有誰護誰，而是一同背負那些不可推諉的殺孽。
　　被人護佑，是季玖從未想過的。或許是路途太遙遠，有足夠的時間，讓他思考這些無聊的東西。
　　心中有所思，光陰就流轉的快了，轉眼又到一個城鎮，季玖進了客棧，一路上也遇上些別的商隊，有運載貨物的大隊，也有獨自背著包袱起行的行腳商，季玖將人數又精簡了，原先五百人，在上個城鎮留下了一隊，這個城鎮他打算再留下一隊。
　　人太多，總是礙眼。且不說匈奴探子的警覺，就是商旅們也都覺得這個商隊不同尋常，一路上除了匈奴人需要應付之外，還有那些遊蕩在黃土地上的馬賊們需要防範，人越多，就越是眾矢之的。
　　季玖一直不喜歡替人擋刀。
　　晚上洗漱過後坐在桌前，季玖默默地盤算著下一站的旅程，真正進入沙漠還有一段路程，這一路要將隊伍減少到五十人左右，可要費一番精力。人是皇帝派的，他同意的人數，不能隨意退回去，最好讓他們散落開，尋找發揮最大作用的地方。
　　正坐在，房門被叩響了，隨後有一道依稀耳熟的聲音，“季公子？”
　　季玖回神，打開了門。
　　門外站著申海，如他第一次見到那般，一身青衫，甚是儒雅。也照舊，眼神裡藏著一抹陰鷙，並非針對誰，更像是生來就是那樣。可季玖不信，誰會無緣無故，讓自己的眼神背負那麼多東西。所以，這人背後必然有事，毋庸置疑。
　　
　　季玖有些驚訝，道：“你怎麼來了？”
　　申海笑了笑，“季公子不請我進去？”
　　季玖讓他入內，掩上房門，又倒了茶，問：“這麼遠的路程趕來，有急事？”
　　申海顯然是渴了，喝了兩杯茶水，才回話道：“也無大事，只是聽聞將軍將人馬都逐漸遣散了，想問問，這鋌而走險的主意可划算，將軍是要剿滅匈奴的，並非客死他鄉。”
　　季玖說：“是皇上讓問的？”
　　申海道：“不，是在下想問。”
　　季玖說：“申大人多慮了，季玖這樣安排，自然有道理。”
　　申海卻道：“季將軍還請三思。”
　　季玖微愣一下。他不是傻人，對方一而再重複，顯然背後是暗藏心思的，腦中自然聯繫到朝中局勢，疑惑頓消，“哈”了一聲，譏笑道：“好得很。”又沖申海行了禮，道：“多謝大人提醒。”
　　申海連忙起身還禮，這才松了口氣般，臉上凝重也松緩了，又飲了一杯茶，才仿佛閒聊般道：“聽說前些日子，將軍調閱了雍城的縣誌，可有其事？”
　　季玖想到這皇城暗探精銳之名，真是名副其實，他不過調閱一份縣誌而已，就被盯上了，說不準，有多少人為他這個舉動而生出多少猜測來。季玖道：“在軍中時常聽人說故事，說近些年唯一出名的故事卻是在雍城，想著那些人說的活靈活現，或許真有其事，正好無事，調來看看。”
　　
　　申海也笑了，一邊道：“季將軍到有閒情逸致，”一邊卻又問：“不知引起將軍好奇的，是哪個故事？”
　　季玖沉吟了一下，笑道：“申大人有興趣，可見也是常閱些奇聞異志的，不如說兩則故事來聽聽。也好打發光陰。”
　　申海哈哈一聲：“季將軍既然不願意說，在下也不勉強。不過雍城傳說，在下的確是知道一些。比那縣誌可是詳細。”
　　“哦？”季玖虛應了聲，道：“如何詳細？”
　　申海站起身，背袖而立，看了他一會，又走到窗邊，看著窗外發了會呆，才緩緩道：“那年正是開春……”
　　正是開春時節，凍了一冬的土地開始鬆動，有花草萌芽，地蟲拱土，有常年臥病的少爺，羡慕窗外陽光，便讓僕人推著，裹了狐裘大氅，膝上蓋著羊毛軟氈，袖著暖筒，在院中曬太陽。
　　正是陽光溫柔間，拂過微風，撩起地上碎葉塵埃，落進了少爺茶盞裡。
　　那少爺雖病殘多年，卻也不曾邋遢，且生性喜潔，想也不想的將熱茶潑了出去，潑到了正同樣曬著初春太陽的一條大蛇身上。那蛇也未多想，掉過頭，狠狠咬了他一口，那毒牙嵌入少爺腕上，毒液開始遊走……這是結識。也是起因。
　　
　　申海轉過身，重新回到桌前坐下，看著游神的季玖，笑道：“那縣誌所載，雖是道途聽說，其實也差不了幾分。只是來龍去脈，縣誌上未必就說的明白了。若是季大人有興趣，不妨問在下，在下所知，無不據實以告。”
　　季玖說：“你又如何得知？”
　　申海道：“在下早年四處遊歷，自然聽聞了些。”
　　季玖聽著，雖不大信，卻也無從問詢，總不能逼迫他。
　　等了片刻，季玖淡淡道：“不過是個故事，又何必知的那麼詳細。再離奇波折，也是個故事……與季某人無關。難不成這些陳年舊事，與申大人有關係嗎？”
　　季玖問，與此同時，申海臉色微變，仿佛被人說中心事，很快，又恢復從容，笑道：“將軍多疑了，在下以為將軍喜歡這個故事，所以才說來聽，既然將軍不喜，就罷了吧。”
　　
　　季玖笑了笑，轉而換了話題，兩人又談了片刻功夫，氣氛卻始終是冷的，申海坐不住，就告辭了。下了客棧臺階，因是晚上，申海沒看見從馬廄走出的青年，正凝住腳步一眨不眨的望著他的背影，若有所思。直到身影消失在門後，那青年才重新回過身，穿過逼仄狹小的梯間去尋季玖。
　　季玖正在鋪床，展開被褥鋪好後，將放在裡側的木箱又往裡推了推，這才聽見叩門聲。
　　沈玨站在門外，聽他喊進了，才推門進去，首先見到桌上尚未收起的兩盞茶。余溫尚在，薄霧嫋嫋。
　　沈玨問：“那人找爹爹何事？”
　　季玖道：“來提醒我這一路未必太平。”略頓，又道：“你認識他?”
　　“算是故人。”沈玨說，猶豫了一下，才繼續說道：“若是他有事相求，爹爹又能幫上，便幫幫他，他不是壞人。”
　　來身邊這麼久，季玖這才是頭一次聞他有求與自己，愣在當下，又很快回神，亦沒有多問，只道：“好。”
　　他應得爽快，沈玨也無訝異，只笑了一下，渾圓眼睛眯起來，笑的無遮無掩，露出兩顆虎牙，像個孩子。
　　季玖心道這番未必能活著回去，又能幫到那人什麼呢？那申海雖無官無仕卻是皇帝的幕僚，深得信任，這樣的人，前途不可鬥量，又何須他去幫忙。
　　想歸想，話卻沒有說出來。也沒有問那人與沈玨又有什麼關係，再大的關係，也是與自己無關的。
　　
　　沈玨走過去幫他鋪床，將軟枕調了調位置，又放下帷帳，才道：“爹爹早些睡，明天一早還要趕路。”
　　季玖“嗯”了聲，隔著粗陋的軟屏看見那道身影走出去，關門聲響起了，才插上門閂走回去。側身挨著床沿坐下，季玖望著裡側的大木箱發了好一會呆。
　　沈玨白天背著它，到了晚間住進客棧，就無法守著了，畢竟沈玨與其他兵士共住通鋪，那房裡人多手雜，萬一有人動了心眼打開箱子，准會惹出亂子。是以這箱子到了晚間，就放在季玖房裡，由他看守。
　　明知道這蛇不該在這裡，卻也讓它留下了，睡在自己身邊。季玖打開木箱，看著箱內那條熟睡的大蛇，看了一會，才喃喃著道：“倒是這幅模樣順眼些。”一邊說著，一邊伸手將箱子裡的大蛇摟出來，放到剛鋪好的被褥上，將空箱子挪到一旁，這才用被子將大蛇蓋住了，自己也躺進了另一個被窩。
　　那大蛇成天被鎖在箱子裡，儘管木箱兩側被鑽了幾個小孔，卻也照樣是憋悶的。季玖並沒有虐人的嗜好，兩人雖有諸多糾纏恩怨，卻也不會趁人之危——況且現在是趁“蛇”之危。對這蛇形的人，季玖對它談不上有多好，卻也不差。
　　晚間將它從箱子裡拿出來，透透風，這樣的事季玖還是願意做的。
　　
　　給自己掖好被子，季玖合上眼，很快就入睡了。畢竟一路奔波，並非遊山玩水的愜意，早就疲乏。又有那蛇散出的酒釀清香籠罩在帷帳裡，仿佛飲了兩杯薄酒似的，讓人微醺，更適安眠。季玖睡的很快，剛合上眼，沒一會就陷入沉睡。
　　
　　似乎是半夢半醒，仿佛伊墨又恢復了人形，已經酒醒，正站在床邊俯身望著自己。
　　季玖睜開眼，看他片刻道：“你好了？”
　　伊墨卻不說話，只安靜看著，睫毛濃密，在眼瞼下投了一圈淡淡陰影。神情若有若無的哀傷。
　　仿佛也被觸動了，季玖垂下眼，輕聲道：“你又何必？”
　　伊墨不答，只是坐下來，坐在他身側，還是認真的望著他。
　　季玖繼續道：“你修你的道，來日成仙，無憂無慮，豈不是好的很？何必與我糾纏……我又給不了你什麼，你明白的。”
　　伊墨仍然緘默，卻點了點頭。
　　季玖說：“既然明白，為何還不走？”
　　他問。伊墨卻低下頭來，嘴唇疊上去，封住了他的口。
　　季玖掙了一下，卻在瞬間的唇齒交纏裡軟了身，伊墨的舌探進來，肆意穿梭舔舐，又卷起他的舌，絞纏住後大力吮吸。季玖身上一顫，所有的掙扎反抗皆丟盔棄甲，耳根處染上嫣紅。
　　濃密的親吻自口腔開始往外蔓延，薄涼的嘴唇又印上他的頸側，吸啜著順著曲線一路往下，在鎖骨處停頓片刻，咬齧著製造出疼痛後又伸出舌去舔吻，仿佛安慰，季玖仍是微微顫著，呼吸紊亂的躺在那裡，那唇舌離開了鎖骨的位置，依然往下，衣襟被鬆開了，露出大片胸膛，泛著淋漓水光與紅色痕印，伊墨的唇落在他的乳首，含住，那小小的裝飾性的一點仿佛回應般瞬間立起，在他口中硬成了小小石子。又在接踵而來的舔舐裡軟下去，軟軟的脹著，抵著他的舌。
　　季玖呼吸徹底亂了章法，為身體裡蔓延的酥麻而驚慌失措，伸出手抵著，不讓他再繼續下去。
　　喘的那麼重，心跳的那麼急。
　　那人卻在他胸前趴著，含住那一點，不停用舌掃刷，又用牙齒叼住，或輕或重的咬齧。
　　季玖“嗯”了一聲，鼻音沖出來，泛著甜膩的色氣。
　　
　　也是這一聲，那些曖昧之氣陡然褪去，季玖猛地睜開了眼，遍身濕透，急喘不已。卻是夢。
　　仍是那簡陋木床，周圍掛著辨不出顏色的帷帳，他好端端躺在床上，空氣裡彌漫的酒香靜靜揮灑，並無有人來過的流動感。
　　季玖剛鬆口氣，卻依稀感到胸前又被舔弄一下，驟然掀起身上薄被。
　　卻見一條腹部金黃的黑色大蛇正纏在自己腰腿間，而頭部，則歪在自己胸前，仿佛夢中一樣，不停地伸出蛇信，舔弄著他胸前那一點。
　　至於他的衣物，早已鬆弛開了，燭光下硬起的肉粒水光淋淋的腫著，泛著淫靡之氣。
　　季玖臉上瞬間紅透，如火燒雲一般，一直燒到頸部，許是眼前景象過於詭異驚悚，一時竟沒有反應。
　　只呆呆看著那蛇舔著自己，分叉的蛇信在那處不停掃過，掃的脹痛無比。
　　
　　“啊！”短促的叫了一聲，季玖終於回過神來，一把抓住身上大蛇的腦袋，也顧不上擔心會不會被咬，抓的緊緊的，又扯它纏在身上的蛇身，手忙腳亂了好一陣，才將那蛇從身上剝開，跳下了床。
　　還來不及拉好衣物，就聽沈玨急急的喚著爹，也不知怎麼進來的，一直持劍跑到了床邊。
　　床上那蛇依舊睡著，做著它的美夢，吐出的蛇信舔舐著空氣。
　　地上立著的那人披頭散髮，臉上通紅，更有尚未收拾好的衣物敞著，暴露在空氣裡。
　　沈玨頓時停住腳，立刻轉過身，什麼也沒說的消失了。
　　
　　季玖整個人都要燒起來似的發著燙，連眼睛都紅透。
　　一把抽出自己的佩劍來，舉著就要往床上砍，那劍鋒就要落下時，卻又乍然停頓，懸在蛇身毫釐之處……
　　臉上忽青忽白又突然紅透，站了半晌季玖一把扔了劍，氣到無話可說，要罵畜牲！罵無恥！罵……
　　最後腦子裡亂哄哄的，只從牙縫裡憋出兩個字來，擲地有聲的罵：
　　“你這壞蛇！”

————————————————

Ji Jiu finally admitted that such things were not suitable to be placed in a camel caravan and transported together with the goods – in fact, it might not be impossible, but he did not want to drive a team of frightened camels on the road.

Even though it was locked in the box, the snake still caused a commotion in the team. The intelligence of animals is sometimes hard to imagine. When Shen Jue approached with the box in his arms, these seemingly honest camels became agitated and backed away, then moved their thick lips wildly and spat at Shen Jue.

Fortunately, Shen Jue dodged quickly, otherwise he would have been spat all over his head and face.

All animals have spirits and will resist in the face of danger. Ji Jiu had no choice but to fulfill Shen Jue’s wish and let him carry the wooden box and walk at the end of the caravan.

It was inevitable to stop and look back while walking, watching the young man carrying a large wooden box on his back, without even taking a breath. He walked steadily on the rugged road, and the wooden box behind him did not shake at all. Occasionally, when there was sandstorm, he would stretch out his hand to block the box – he could not block anything at all, and there was no need to block it, but it was an instinctive protective gesture. Ji Jiu looked at it and felt a little envious in his heart, thinking that although the snake had lost his lover, there was still someone who was willing to stay with him and carefully protect him when he was sleeping.

He had never experienced the feeling of being cared for like this before. His mother died young, his father was always fighting on the battlefield, and he had no brothers or sisters. He was the only son of a great general in the court, so how could he show his vulnerability in front of others?

So I never felt that I should be protected by someone. When I was young, I was sent to school to study, and I made friends like Chang Yin. I spent two years of happy time, but two years later, such time was cut off. I entered the palace and became a companion to the prince, which actually meant being a hostage, held in the court to intimidate the generals on the border. But no one knew that since entering the palace, Ji Jiu’s childhood was completely severed.

The innocence and kindness of childhood were torn apart and thrown into a dark place covered in blood.

The palace would not treat them well because they were children, but instead bullied them more and more because they were powerless to resist. Especially when the young prince he was studying with was born to a woman who had long fallen out of favor.

Ji Jiu would occasionally dream of that place at midnight, a dark and dilapidated courtyard that was even smaller than his own firewood room. He would kneel on the ground covered with rubble and kowtow to the young man in front of him. The prince at that time, who is now the emperor, clenched his fists and stood aside silently, not even daring to shed tears. At that time, they already knew that tears were the most useless thing in this place.

Only when the army is at the gates and you have the power of life and death in your hands can you make those who were once arrogant kneel down and admit defeat.

In fact, it was not without other options. When the princes grew up, they realized that the child they had bullied in their childhood was the only son of a general of the current dynasty, and they could win him over and use him for their own purposes.

But there are some things that they understood too late, and their mothers reminded them too late. The humiliations that they had never suffered had already forced Ji Jiu to the opposite side of them – a fight to the death!

This is life. The recklessness and sense of superiority in their childhood make them unknowingly plant a hidden rope in their own destiny. One day, on their path, this hidden rope will surface, trip them up, and then ruin their lives.

This also changed the lives of Ji Jiu and the isolated prince. Even the entire dynasty was rewritten.

Ji Jiu didn’t care how the history books would describe the military remonstrance that year, or how they would describe him, he didn’t care about it. He had done it, and he didn’t regret it.

So, let’s just do what we have to do.

Even if he bore the infamy, he was accompanied by the emperor who murdered his mother and brother. No one protected the other , but they bore the undeniable sin of killing together.

Being protected by others was something Ji Jiu had never thought about. Perhaps the journey was too long, giving him enough time to think about these boring things.

Time passed quickly as he was thinking about something. Soon they arrived at another town and checked into the inn. Along the way they met some other caravans, some were carrying goods, and some were traveling alone with luggage on their backs. Ji Jiu reduced the number of people from the original 500 people, and he left one team in the previous town. He planned to leave another team in this town.

Too many people are always an eyesore. Not to mention the Hun spies’ vigilance, even the merchants felt that this caravan was unusual. In addition to dealing with the Huns, they also had to guard against the horse thieves roaming the loess land. The more people there were, the more targets they would be.

Ji Jiu has never liked taking the blame for others.

After washing up at night, Ji Jiu sat at the table and silently calculated the next stop of the journey. There was still a long way to go before entering the desert. It would take a lot of effort to reduce the team to about fifty people along the way. The people were sent by the emperor, and the number of people he agreed to could not be withdrawn at will. It was best to let them spread out and find a place where they could play the greatest role.

As he was sitting there , there was a knock on the door, followed by a vaguely familiar voice, “Master Ji?"

Ji Jiu came back to his senses and opened the door.

Shen Hai stood outside the door, just like the first time he saw him, dressed in a blue shirt, very elegant. As usual, there was a hint of sinisterness in his eyes , not directed at anyone, more like he was born that way. But Ji Jiu didn’t believe that who would let his eyes carry so many things for no reason. So, there must be something behind this person, no doubt.

Ji Jiu was a little surprised and asked, “Why are you here?"

Shen Hai smiled and said, “Master Ji, don’t you want to invite me in?"

Ji Jiu let him in, closed the door, poured him some tea, and asked, “You came from such a long distance, is there something urgent?"

Shen Hai was obviously thirsty. He drank two cups of tea before replying, “Nothing serious. I just heard that the general has gradually disbanded his troops. I want to ask if this risky idea is worthwhile. The general wants to wipe out the Xiongnu, not die in a foreign land."

Ji Jiu said: “Did the emperor ask you to ask?"

Shen Hai said: “No, I want to ask."

Ji Jiu said: “Master Shen is overthinking. Ji Jiu’s arrangement is naturally reasonable."

Shen Hai said, “General Ji, please think twice."

Ji Jiu was stunned for a moment . He was not stupid. The other party kept repeating it, and it was obvious that there was something behind it. He naturally connected it with the situation in the court, and his doubts disappeared. He said with a “ha" and sneered, “Very good." He saluted Shen Hai and said, “Thank you for reminding me, sir."

Shen Hai quickly stood up and returned the greeting. He seemed to be relieved, and the solemn expression on his face relaxed. He drank another cup of tea, and then he said as if chatting, “I heard that the general consulted the county annals of Yongcheng a few days ago. Is it true?"

Ji Jiu thought that the reputation of the imperial city’s elite spies was well-deserved. He was targeted just for reading a county annals. Who knows how many people have made so many speculations about his action. Ji Jiu said: “I often hear people tell stories in the army. They say that the only famous story in recent years happened in Yongcheng . I think those people’s stories are so vivid that maybe it’s true. I have nothing to do, so I’ll check it out."

Shen Hai also laughed and said, “General Ji is quite leisurely," but he also asked, “Which story aroused the general’s curiosity?"

Ji Jiu pondered for a moment and said with a smile: “Lord Shen is interested, which shows that he often reads strange stories. Why don’t you tell me two stories? It will also help to pass the time."

Shen Hai laughed out loud: “Since General Ji is unwilling to speak, I will not force him. However, I do know something about the legend of Yongcheng. It is much more detailed than the county annals. “

“Oh?" Ji Jiuxu responded, “How detailed?"

Shen Hai stood up, with his sleeves behind his back , looked at him for a while, then walked to the window, stared out the window for a while, and then slowly said: “That year was the beginning of spring…"

It was the beginning of spring, and the ground that had been frozen for a whole winter began to loosen. Flowers and grass sprouted, and insects dug up the soil . A young master who had been bedridden for many years envied the sunshine outside the window, so he asked his servants to push him, wrapped him in a fox fur cloak, covered his knees with a woolen felt, and wore a warm wart in his sleeves , and went to bask in the sun in the yard.

Just as the sun was gently shining, a breeze blew by, stirring up the broken leaves and dust on the ground, and they fell into the young master’s teacup.

Although the young master had been disabled for many years, he was never sloppy and was clean by nature. He spilled the hot tea without thinking, and it splashed on a big snake that was also basking in the early spring sun. The snake didn’t think much, turned around, and bit him hard. The fangs were embedded in the young master’s wrist, and the venom began to spread… This was an acquaintance. It was also the cause.

Shen Hai turned around and sat back down at the table. He looked at Ji Jiu who was parading the gods and said with a smile, “Although the county annals contain rumors, they are actually not far off. However, the annals may not explain the whole story clearly. If Lord Ji is interested, you may ask me. I will tell you everything I know."

Ji Jiu said: “How did you know?"

Shen Hai said: “I traveled around a lot in my early years, so I naturally heard some of it."

Ji Jiu listened, and although he didn’t quite believe it, he had no way to ask, and he couldn’t force him.

After waiting for a while, Ji Jiu said calmly: “It’s just a story, why do you need to know so much details. No matter how bizarre and complicated it is, it’s still a story… It has nothing to do with me. Could it be that these old stories are related to Lord Shen?"

Ji Jiu asked. At the same time, Shen Hai’s face changed slightly, as if someone had spoken to him about his true feelings. Soon, he regained his composure and said with a smile, “General, you are suspicious. I thought you liked this story, so I told you. Since you don’t like it, forget it."

Ji Jiu smiled and changed the topic. The two talked for a while, but the atmosphere was still cold. Shen Hai couldn’t sit still and said goodbye. After going down the steps of the inn, because it was night, Shen Hai didn’t see the young man who walked out of the stable. He was staring at his back without blinking , thinking about something. Only after the figure disappeared behind the door did the young man turn around and walk through the narrow stairwell to look for Ji Jiu.

Ji Jiu was making the bed. After spreading out the bedding, he pushed the wooden box inside further in. Then he heard a knock on the door.

Shen Jue stood outside the door, and when he called her in, he pushed the door open and saw two cups of tea on the table that had not yet been put away. The residual heat was still there, and a thin mist was curling up.

Shen Jue asked: “What does that person want from daddy?"

Ji Jiu said, “You came to remind me that this journey may not be peaceful." After a pause, he continued, “Do you know him?"

“He is an old friend." Shen Jue said, hesitating for a moment before continuing, “If he needs help and Dad can help, then help him. He is not a bad person."

After being with him for so long, this was the first time Ji Jiu heard that he had something to ask of him. He was stunned for a moment, but quickly came to his senses and did not ask any more questions. He just said, “Okay."

He responded readily, and Shen Jue was not surprised. He just smiled, narrowed his round eyes, and laughed without restraint, revealing his two fangs, like a child.

Ji Jiu thought that he might not be able to return alive this time, so how could he help that person? Although Shen Hai had no official position, he was the emperor’s aide and was deeply trusted. Such a person had an uncertain future, so why did he need to help?

Although he thought about it, he didn’t say it. He also didn’t ask what the relationship between that person and Shen Jue was. No matter how big the relationship was, it had nothing to do with him.

Shen Jue walked over to help him make the bed, adjusted the position of the soft pillow, and lowered the curtains before saying, “Dad, go to bed early. We have to travel early tomorrow morning."

Ji Jiu said “hmm", and saw the figure walk out through the crude soft screen . When the door closed, he bolted it and walked back. Sitting sideways on the edge of the bed, Ji Jiu stared at the large wooden box inside for a long time.

Shen Jue carried it during the day, but he couldn’t keep it when he stayed in the inn at night. After all, Shen Jue shared a bunk with other soldiers, and there were many people in the room. If someone had the ulterior motive to open the box, it would cause trouble. So at night, the box was placed in Ji Jiu’s room and he was in charge of it.

Knowing that the snake shouldn’t be here, he let it stay and sleep beside him. Ji Jiu opened the wooden box and looked at the sleeping snake inside. After a while, he murmured , “It looks better this way." As he spoke, he took the snake out of the box and put it on the newly laid bedding. He moved the empty box aside, covered the snake with a quilt, and lay down in another quilt.

The big snake was locked in the box all day long. Although a few small holes were drilled on both sides of the wooden box, it was still suffocating. Ji Jiu did not have the hobby of abusing people. Although the two of them had many entanglements and grievances, he would not take advantage of others’ misfortunes – especially now it was taking advantage of the “snake". Ji Jiu was not very good to this snake-shaped person, but he was not bad either.

Ji Jiu was willing to take it out of the box at night and let it air out.

After tucking himself in the quilt, Ji Jiu closed his eyes and fell asleep quickly. After all, he had been traveling all the way, and it was not a pleasant trip to the mountains and rivers, so he was already tired. And the fragrance of the wine emitted by the snake enveloped the curtains, as if he had drunk two glasses of light wine, making him slightly tipsy and more comfortable to sleep . Ji Jiu fell asleep quickly, and fell into a deep sleep after just closing his eyes .

It seemed as if he was half asleep and half awake, as if Yi Mo had regained his human form, was sober, and was standing beside the bed, leaning over to look at him.

Ji Jiu opened his eyes, looked at him for a moment and said, “Are you okay?"

Yi Mo didn’t say anything, just watched quietly, her thick eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyelids, and her expression was vaguely sad.

As if he was also touched, Ji Jiu lowered his eyes and said softly: “Why do you have to do this?"

Yi Mo didn’t answer, but just sat down, sitting beside him, still looking at him seriously.

Ji Jiu continued, “You can cultivate your way and become an immortal one day, without worries. Isn’t that great? Why do you have to get entangled with me… I can’t give you anything, you know."

Yi Mo remained silent, but nodded.

Ji Jiu said: “Since you understand, why don’t you leave?"

He asked. Yi Mo lowered his head and pressed his lips against his, sealing his mouth.

Ji Jiu struggled for a moment, but softened in the instant of lips and teeth intertwining. Yi Mo ‘s tongue came in , licking wantonly , and then rolled up his tongue, twisting it and sucking vigorously. Ji Jiu trembled, all his struggles and resistances were lost, and his ears were stained with bright red.

The dense kisses spread outward from the mouth, and the thin and cold lips were printed on the side of his neck, sucking and moving down along the curve, pausing for a moment at the collarbone, biting and causing pain, and then extending the tongue to lick and kiss , as if to comfort, Ji Jiu was still trembling slightly, lying there with disordered breathing, the lips and tongue left the collarbone, still moving down, the collar was loosened, revealing a large area of chest, with dripping water and red marks, Yi Mo’s lips fell on his nipple, sucking it, the small decorative point stood up instantly as if in response , and hardened into a small stone in his mouth . Then it softened in the ensuing licking , swelling softly , against his tongue.

Ji Jiu’s breathing became completely disordered. He was panicked by the numbness spreading throughout his body. He stretched out his hand to stop him from continuing.

Breathing so heavily, heart beating so fast.

But the man lay in front of his chest, holding that spot in his mouth, brushing it with his tongue constantly, and then holding it with his teeth, biting it lightly or heavily.

Ji Jiu uttered “hmm" with a nasal sound and a sweet and sexy tone.

It was also with this sound that the ambiguous atmosphere suddenly faded away. Ji Jiu suddenly opened his eyes, his whole body was wet, and he was panting. It was a dream.

It was still the same simple wooden bed, with curtains of indeterminate color hanging around it. He was lying on the bed, the aroma of wine wafting quietly in the air, without a sense of movement as if someone had been there.

Ji Jiu had just breathed a sigh of relief when he vaguely felt his chest being licked again, and he suddenly lifted the thin blanket on his body.

But he saw a big black snake with a golden belly wrapped around his waist and legs, and its head was tilted on his chest. As if in a dream, it kept stretching out its tongue and licking the spot on his chest.

As for his clothes, they had already loosened up, and under the candlelight, his erect nipples were swollen and wet, exuding a lewd aura.

Ji Jiu’s face instantly turned red, like a burning cloud, and burned all the way to his neck. Perhaps the scene before him was too strange and terrifying, and he did not react for a moment.

He just stared blankly at the snake licking him, its forked tongue sweeping across that spot repeatedly, causing him to feel extremely swollen and painful.

“Ah!" After a short cry, Ji Jiu finally came to his senses and grabbed the head of the big snake on his body. He didn’t care about being bitten. He held it tightly and pulled the snake’s body that was wrapped around his body. After a while of fumbling, he finally peeled the snake off his body and jumped off the bed.

Before I could even pull my clothes on, I heard Shen Jue calling for his father anxiously. I didn’t know how he came in, but he ran to the bed with a sword in his hand.

The snake on the bed was still sleeping, dreaming its sweet dreams, licking the air with its tongue .

The man standing on the ground had disheveled hair and a red face, and his clothes, which had not yet been packed, were open and exposed to the air.

Shen Jue stopped immediately, turned around, and disappeared without saying anything.

Ji Jiu’s whole body felt as if it was burning, and even his eyes were red.

He drew out his sword and was about to chop it down on the bed, but when the sword was about to fall, it suddenly stopped and hung just a fraction of an inch from the snake’s body…

His face was pale, blue, and then red. After standing there for a while, Ji Jiu threw away his sword. He was so angry that he had nothing to say. He wanted to call him a beast! He called him shameless! He called…

Finally, his mind was in a mess, and he could only utter two words through his teeth, cursing loudly:

“You evil snake!"