It was late at night, and the sounds of Yan Yingying in the Apricot Blossom House were endless. Mo Xi walked towards the balcony where Gu Mang was. He was not worried about being seen by others, because the cloak he was wearing was made by his grandfather in Yue Chenqing using the feathers of the Stealthy Bird. Although the feathers of the Stealthy Bird lost their effect the moment they left the body, the Yue Clan's ancestor was a great refiner after all. He successfully retained the characteristics of the feathers, and the cloak he made had the effect of being invisible three times.
Mo Xi flew down the eaves, and silently stopped outside the balcony where the flowers were blooming.
The bamboo door was wide open at this time. Gu Mang did not call Fei Tian, who was playing the pipa, back. He was the only one in the room.
Gu Mang was sitting in front of the table with his head resting on his hand, eyes closed.
He seemed to be asleep, but also seemed to be very awake. His long eyelashes fluttered slightly with his breathing. Smoke rose in spirals from the incense burner beside Gu Mang's hand, soaking his facial features very softly … Mo Xi stared at him inch by inch, from the corner of his eyes and eyebrows to his lips and chin. The candlelight shone like an orange butterfly resting on the tip of his nose.
Mo Xi was wearing the invisibility cloak. He held his breath and walked closer to him, looking at this very familiar face from top to bottom. At this time, he suddenly understood how much the Murong Lian relied on 'Fu Sheng Like A Dream'.
He knew that it was laced with poison, that he should not touch it, that it could erode people's will and erode people's muscles and bones, but he still drank it …
It turned out that his addiction to Gu Mang had long been deep in his bones and marrow. It was as deep as the smoke.
"Knock knock."
Suddenly, there was a knock on the closed door.
Mo Xi and Gu Mang regained their senses almost at the same time. Mo Xi took a step back while Gu Mang got up to open the door.
Mo Xi originally thought that the person knocking on the door would be a little demon girl who could fly into the heavens or dive into the earth. However, when the door opened and Gu Mang turned to the side to let the person in, he saw that the person who came was not a singer, but a person who was wearing a black cloak just like himself.
Although the person did not use the Invisibility Cloak, he used a silver-gold mask to cover his facial features. From his tall and straight figure, one could tell that he was a man.
Who was he?
After thinking for a while, the cloaked man spoke. His voice had obviously been distorted by the Illusory Sound Technique, and it sounded very hoarse and strange.
The man asked, "Is there anything unusual today?"
Gu Mang was silent for a moment before he answered, "No."
"Is that so?" The cloaked man said thoughtfully, "Has no one come to look for you?"
Gu Mang still answered, "No."
Seeing that he insisted, the man did not continue to ask. He put a bundle in his hand on the table and said, "I brought this for you. Go and change."
Gu Mang lifted a hand to open a corner of the bundle, but quickly closed it again.
He asked the cloaked man, "What does this mean?"
"You're going to that place, so you should at least make some preparations."
Gu Mang's fingertips were still hanging by the edge of the bundle. When he heard this, he suddenly stiffened and his knuckles unconsciously curled, grasping the outer skin of the bundle. His situation made Mo Xi even more puzzled. Gu Mang had always been a very calm person. Even if the sky fell from the sky, he could cover it as a blanket. However, this cloaked man only needed to say a few words to make Gu Mang's face change color.
"I'm only telling you about the situation there because I'm afraid you won't believe me." The cloaked man said, "Tonight, I'll take you to see it with your own eyes. Seeing is believing. "
Even though the candlelight was so warm, it could not warm up Gu Mang's pale face. Gu Mang seemed to be suppressing an extremely complicated emotion. Even the color of his lips was gradually fading. He lowered his eyes and his shoulders trembled slightly. Finally, he picked up the bundle and turned to go behind the screen.
When Gu Mang came out from behind the screen again, he had changed into the same outfit as the cloaked man. The cloak embroidered with light golden cloud and thunder patterns covered his body from head to toe. Gu Mang said, "Let's go."
The two men left Yi Fang Pavilion one after the other. Mo Xi also followed behind them. This brothel was a place where crooks and honest people mixed together. Whether it was the procuress or the girls, they all remembered the three words "less" in their hearts, which were to see less, ask less, and listen less. Therefore, when the two men dressed abruptly walked through the long corridor of the brothel, the maids did not show the slightest bit of surprise. They only bowed their heads and saluted them. Then, they looked down and let them go.
Gu Mang and the man in black did not speak along the way. Their relationship did not seem to be very close. The man in black walked in front while Gu Mang followed silently behind him.
The black-robed man's movement technique could not be seen, and the aura on his body was concealed perfectly. Without exposing himself, Mo Que could not find out more about the spirit flow related to him. He could only follow them all the way to see where they were going.
After walking for about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the direction gradually became clear. However, Mo Xi's suspicions grew deeper and deeper.
This was … the direction of War Spirit Mountain?
As expected, they finally stopped at the foot of War Spirit Mountain.
Eight years ago, there were no guards at the entrance of War Spirit Mountain. However, because the peak of War Spirit Mountain had the tombs of the martyrs of the Chong Hua dynasties, there was still an invisible enchantment in front of the mountain gate to show respect. That enchantment could wash away almost all disguises and invisibility spells. This also meant that Mo Xi's tracking could only stop here.
Gu Mang pulled down the hood of his cloak and looked up at the winding stone path. The pine trees swayed on both sides, and the bright moon shone through the leaves on the old bluestone road.
The man in black asked, "What's wrong?"
Gu Mang said, "When I think of leaving here soon, my hands will be stained with the blood of the Chong Hua soldiers, I …"
He did not continue speaking. Mo Xi's heart suddenly tightened.
When they met before, Gu Mang had indeed lied to him. Gu Mang had really decided to betray the country at this time. Gu Mang had really expected that his hands would be stained with the blood of his former comrades.
Gu Mang …
Gu Mang …
Why are you doing this? And who exactly is this mysterious black-clothed man who is accompanying you?!!!
Mo Xi tried his best to suppress his desire to go up and take off the man in black's mask, even though this desire had already burned his eyes red.
He had a premonition that as long as he took off this person's mask, many questions would be easily solved, and many mysteries would be solved. However, the clues would also be cut off here, and he would not be able to find out more, and this was undoubtedly not worth the loss.
Mo Xi's throat moved, and he calmed the surging impatience in his heart. Then he heard the man in black say,
"Chong Hua's current situation is like this. After the defeat of Feng Ming Mountain, you saw with your own eyes that you and your army are in dire straits. There are only people kicking you when you are down, and no one is helping you when you are down. " The man in black seemed to see that Gu Mang wanted to refute, so he raised his hand, "You don't have to tell me that if Lord Xi He is here, he will side with you. It's useless even if he sides with you. You are a smart person, and you should already know very well that Chong Hua has always been in power. With your own strength, you can't change anything. "
Mo Xi's head was buzzing in a mess. This person was obviously instigating Gu Mang to betray him, telling Gu Mang that Chong Hua's situation was like this, telling Gu Mang that other than Xi He, no one else was on his side …
Liao people?
No. Impossible.
Which Liao people could come and go as they pleased in Chong Hua, as if there was no one around?
Which Liao people could stand in front of Gu Mang so openly without arousing Gu Mang's strong disgust and turning against him?
Unless …
Unless compared to Chong Hua, Gu Mang himself trusted this man in black more. But how could this kind of trust be built in a few words in ten days? Could it be that Gu Mang had been in contact with a spy from Liao Country even earlier? How could this be?!
The man in black said, "Things have come to this point. You have already made the move of treason, and you have no regrets."
Mo Xi's throat was practically filled with blood.
It was just a short day. Eight years ago, just a short day before Gu Mang's betrayal. There were actually so many things that were buried by the sands of time — Jun Shang's coldness and ruthlessness, Lu Zhanxing's stubbornness, Gu Mang's worries, and this … the man in black who pushed Gu Mang to the road to hell without any disguise.
Gu Mang heard every single word of the black-clothed man's words, but he didn't respond.
The night wind became stronger. The wide sleeves of his robe were like scattered flowers that were about to be blown away. In this cold night, Gu Mang seemed to be cold. His fingers curled slightly, wanting to hide them in his sleeves. But at this moment, the man in black stretched out a few slender fingers from his sleeves. He held Gu Mang's hand.
Not only was Mo Xi agitated by this action, Gu Mang also suddenly turned his head. His dark brown eyes looked at him in shock. He wanted to break free, but in the end, he didn't.
The man in black said in a low voice, "Marshal Gu, if you want to pave a road, your hands will be stained with blood." As he said this, he lowered his eyelashes and carefully looked at Gu Mang's fingers.
"I'm sure you're aware of the power and influence of the rich and powerful. You are a smart man. Let's not talk about anything else. Go up the mountain and take a look. " The man in black paused and said, "I hope that after you see it, you will understand what is trustworthy and what is not. What is worth and what is not worth."
Gu Mang suddenly closed his eyes, the night wind ruffling the hem of his cloak.
In the stillness of the night, Mo Extinguish wished that Gu Mang could deny it, push away this black-clothed man, and say, "I don't want to betray you." Even if he said, "Let me think about it."
But Gu Mang didn't say it.
Mo Xi's heart turned cold inch by inch in this heartbreaking silence.
Gu Mang said, "I know. Let's go."
With these words, he passed through the enchantment of the mountain gate of War Spirit Mountain. His billowing black robe was like black clouds. He went up the mountain without looking back.
Mo Xi didn't know how long they had stayed on War Spirit Mountain. His whole body was numb. One day in the Time Mirror, it was as if eight years of secrets had been unlocked. They came crashing down on him like an avalanche. This man who had always been tall and straight, as if he could withstand anything, had to lean his back against the stone wall to barely stand.
But even if he stood like this, he still couldn't get enough blood. His vision turned black. Memories of the past crushed his bones and broke his tendons. In the end, he slowly slid down to sit by the bluestone of the mountain path. He raised his trembling hand and covered his eyes.
There were too many things that he had to figure out. Instead, he was in a mess. What's more, how cold-blooded and heartless did he have to be to be able to keep a calm heart in this kind of stimulation?
When the sun rose slightly, Gu Mang and the man in black came down from War Spirit Mountain. The man in black walked in front while Gu Mang followed behind.
Mo Xi looked up tiredly. His eyes were bloodshot like spider webs. He faced the blurry sunlight and watched as the two people got closer and closer. Then, they passed through the enchantment.
At this time, Mo Xi's mind was in a mess. His whole person was devastated. He was a proud son of Heaven. If you asked him to recite the "Record of Fuzhou's Heavenly Tribulation", which he could recite backwards when he was young, he might not be able to do it.
But even in this state, in this hazy morning fog, he still realized at first glance that Gu Mang —
Gu Mang had cried.
Gu Mang was a very strong man. But a strong soul could not only be carried by a strong body. Gu Mang's body was warm and soft. His eyes were as soft as the Epiphyllum in the night. It was easy for him to cry because of sadness and stimulation. Mo Xi had once explored Gu Mang's body like he had explored his own. He had already memorized Gu Mang's state of mind under all kinds of emotions.
He saw that Gu Mang's slender eyes were slightly red. He knew that Gu Mang must have cried.
Why did he cry? Who did he cry for? Was it for the past that he could not go back to, or for the future that he had staked everything on?
The two stood at the foot of the mountain. The man in black looked up at the sky and said, "It's getting late. If we don't leave now, we will be discovered."
"Yes." Gu Mang's voice was moist and slightly hoarse. He bowed to the man in black. "I have seen what I should see. Thank you for your company tonight. Goodbye. "
"No need. You … take care of yourself. "
In a flash, the man in black used his lightness skill. His speed was so fast that no one could see him clearly. He disappeared into the twilight. Gu Mang turned his head to take one last look at the cloud-shrouded War Soul Mountain. He tightened the black cloak around his shoulders, as if he was hiding a secret he could not tell anyone. He lowered his head and strode away as well.
After Gu Mang left, Mo Xi did not need to hide anymore. He washed away his magic and went up the War Spirit Mountain alone. He looked for clues on the mountain and finally went to the War Spirit Forbidden Land.
Gu Mang had told him before that he felt that the War Spirit Mountain's forbidden land was "familiar". So Mo Xi felt that they should have gone to this place just now. Although this forbidden land was built by the royal family, it was still a simple prototype at this time. It was not that difficult to break through the enchantment.
Mo Xi stood outside the forbidden land in the barren mountain. His fingers were covered with the enchantment's light array.
He could feel that this was just a layer of ordinary high-level barrier. It was not as invincible as eight years later. However, he was now in the mirror and was an uninvited guest. His spiritual power and magic were greatly weakened. So even if this enchantment was not perfect, he could not break through it …
The light of the enchantment in the War Spirit Mountain's forbidden land was constantly surging, as if mocking this wandering soul from eight years later.
— —
"Chong Hua's current situation is like this. You can't change anything by yourself."
"Marshal Gu, to pave a path, there is no blood on your hands."
"You know the power of Chong Hua's nobility."
"You have already made the move of treason. You have no regrets …"
Who was the man in black?
The meaning of this man's words was to let Gu Mang see clearly the situation of Chong Hua, which was based on bloodline, and choose a new master. His words were very similar to the soldiers of the Liao Kingdom.
But did Gu Mang really collude with the people of the Liao Kingdom so early?
Besides this guess, because the forbidden land in the War Spirit Mountain was built by the royal family, perhaps there were nobles who saw something inside and knew about the king's plan. They wanted to rebel, so they brought Gu Mang here to witness it with their own eyes. They wanted to break Gu Mang's heart and make him give up. They wanted to completely cut ties with the Chong Hua royal family and find a new path.
But this also did not make sense. Although there were undercurrents among the Chong Hua royal family, which nobles really wanted the bloodline to be overturned …
Each question seemed to beat his heart. Mo Xi felt like he was in the middle of a fog. He groped around in the fog, but could not grasp the truth of the matter.
In the end, he did not know the secret of this world. The only thing he was sure of was that Gu Mang's rebellion was not so simple.
Even when he returned to Xi He's residence, Mo Xi did not completely recover.
Shuang Qiu carefully approached with a tray of snacks, "Master?"
"…"
"Master, did you not sleep well last night?"
Mo Xi did not say anything. He knew how ugly and ridiculous his current situation was.
The ancient books said that there was a slim chance of survival in the time mirror. He used to think it was ridiculous, but now he felt that it was true. Not to mention that Gu Mang was completely hypnotized, even he, as a companion who was involved in the past, could not escape the fate of being tortured by the mirror.
In a person's life, there would always be more or less regrets. In a cycle of life, there would always be all kinds of secrets hidden.
Faced with these regrets, would the person who returned to the past not want to make up for it?
Faced with these secrets, how could the person who came from the future not feel shocked …
When a person returned to the time in the mirror, he or she would realize that perhaps it was just a slip of the tongue, a slip of the mind, and the vast sea turned into mulberry fields.
Or perhaps, like him, he or she would realize that many of the "facts" that he thought he knew were just a clumsy disguise that fooled him for eight whole years. As for the truth, he had no way to find out.
Mo Xi had a splitting headache. He was almost driven crazy by this pain.
Shuang Qiu said, "Master, you …"
Mo Xi's hand that was holding the teacup lost its strength. He suddenly clenched his fist and crushed the porcelain cup into pieces. Shuang Qiu screamed. She saw blood flowing down her cut fingers and across the back of her pale hand. She hurriedly said, "Master, master, I will help you …"
"Get out."
"Master?"
Mo Xi's dark eyes were so bloodshot that they seemed to be covered with a layer of red clouds. He stared at his bleeding hand and said hoarsely, "Get out."
Shuang Qiu didn't dare to say more. She hurriedly packed up the tray and left in a hurry. Mo Xi didn't wipe the blood off his hand. He even hoped that this slight pain could wake him up more.
The sobriety that he desperately wanted.
There were still two days before the day of Lu Zhanxing's execution. He felt that he could still hold on. He wouldn't mess up the past in the time mirror because of a moment of impulse.
He also hoped that Murong Chuyi and the others wouldn't defeat Shan Gao so quickly and save them from the mirror.
Reality had already buried this part of the past. He wanted to stay a little longer in the past eight years …
Gu Mang once said that even if the flame would burn his limbs and bones into ashes, he still wanted to ignite the light.
As for him, he didn't have the dream of being a hero like Gu Mang.
However, even if the pain would crush his flesh and bones into powder, he still wanted to dig out the truth.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
