Chapter 74

In the dark night, Li Jinglong silently walked out from the bushes with the Sword of Wisdom on his back. He bent his body and ran across the stream like a cheetah.

Red clouds exploded on the lonely peak in the distance, accompanied by the faint sound of thunder.

Li Jinglong looked at the eastern peak of the mountain under the cover of the night. That was where Hongjun had brought him to climb the last time. It was also the mountain range where the Dazzling Gold Palace was located.

The sun set and the Taihang Mountains fell into the night. Birds returned to their nests and the world seemed to have changed. There were countless monsters lurking in the darkness. Li Jinglong held his breath and listened quietly. He recognized the rustling sounds in the wind as he approached the mountain range.

The grappling hook that Hongjun had used was still on Li Jinglong. He had put it away when he climbed the Dazzling Gold Palace.

In the dark night, he looked up at the tall mountain and took a deep breath. It happened to be a cloudy night. No birds should have noticed him …

… Okay, let's do it!

He spun the grappling hook a few times and threw it high up. With a soft sound, it hung on a tree. Li Jinglong quickly climbed up.

In front of the main hall of the Dazzling Gold Palace.

"He inhaled a lot of Heaven and Earth's Evil Qi." Qing Xiong lay on the steps tiredly. Chong Ming stood behind him and poured medicinal wine from above onto his wounds. Qing Xiong endured the pain and looked at Chong Ming.

"If you had listened to me," Chong Ming said coldly, "if you hadn't sent him down the mountain, today wouldn't have happened."

Qing Xiong smiled bitterly.

Chong Ming threw the wine jar on the steps and it shattered.

"How long do we have to wait?" Chong Ming asked again.

"Tomorrow morning," Qing Xiong replied. "I'll seal it again. This time, it should be able to seal it."

Chong Ming walked to the edge of the couch inside the hall, he carried Hongjun up with both hands, held her in front of him, and turned around to walk toward the main hall.

Hong Jun's sleeping face was extremely calm, as though nothing had happened. Halcyon carried him, passing through the main hall, arriving in front of the parasol tree outside the hall, and gently placed him under the tree.

He leaned against the parasol tree and silently looked at the horizon. Hongjun was lying on the side, the chain around her ankle was tied to Chong Ming's wrist.

The bright moon shone brightly, the sea of clouds billowed with silver light. There were thousands of peaks in Taihang, like isolated islands in the sea.

"Father, what are you looking at?"

"Sun."

"It hasn't risen yet."

"Soon," Chong Ming answered in a deep voice.

At that time, little Hongjun sat beside Chong Ming, watching the dawn of the eastern sky. In the middle of the night, he had a dream. When he woke up, he looked around for Chong Ming and found him on the platform.

In his memories, Halcyon was always sitting there silently. If he wasn't sleeping, he would be in a daze. He also touched Chong Ming's tattoo scars and asked where they came from. Chong Ming only said that they were bitten by a snake.

"Father, what are you looking at?" little Hongjun ran across the platform, poked his head out from behind the pillar, and asked curiously.

"The moon."

"Father, can I go to the human world?"

"No."

"Qing Xiong said that he's willing to take me …"

That was the first time little Hongjun saw Chong Ming get angry. He only asked one question, and Chong Ming and Qing Xiong had a big quarrel. In the end, Qing Xiong flew away, leaving little Hongjun waiting in a daze. After that, Chong Ming was so cruel that he didn't say a word to him. After a full three months, little Hongjun's apology finally received a response.

From then on, he didn't dare to mention the "human world" in front of Chong Ming. He could only anxiously wait for Qing Xiong to come and see him. Fortunately, Chong Ming gradually stopped being angry and said to him,

"It's natural for a chick to leave the nest. But it's impossible to have it both ways. You can go to the human world if you want, but don't come back."

"Father, look, I saved a fish …"

"Throw it away! What kind of nonsense is this?! "

"Father! I'll take good care of it! " Hongjun had grown up a lot, and his facial features were becoming more and more like Kong Xuan. The Carp Demon hid behind him and trembled, saying, "Benefactor, I think it's better to just let it go …"

"Don't be afraid." Hongjun turned to the Carp Demon and said, "My father just looks fierce."

Chong Ming, "…"

"Choose your Hongchen, or choose me?"

"Father, I can't bear to part with you. If I have to choose …"

Chong Ming had already raised his index and middle fingers. Flames burst out from his fingertips, and he slashed at the long feathers on his belt.

With a crackling sound, the belt split into two halves. Halcyon's body lay down on the edge of the cliff. His body was in mid-air, and a raging inferno burst out, illuminating the night sky. He flapped his wings and transformed into a brilliant True Phoenix. His cry resounded through the mountains as he flapped his wings and flew towards the horizon.

"Father!" Hongjun almost rushed off the cliff, but Li Jinglong hugged him tightly.

Li Jinglong hugged him tightly and looked at Chong Ming flying into the distance.

That night, Hongjun's hand hung down from the edge of the bed. Li Jinglong held his hand and fell into a deep sleep. In his dream, the Exorcist Department's Wutong's leaves danced, cutting the brilliant blazing sun into meteor-like spots of light that sprinkled down.

"Elder Scribe …"

"Elder Scribe, what are you doing?"

"Elder Scribe? What is this? "

"Hongjun Kong! We're on the street, don't pull and pull … "

In the dark night, one couldn't see their own fingers. The cold rain fell from above. Li Jinglong bit a piece of wood in his mouth and slowly climbed up the pitch-black cliff. He didn't dare to use his Mind's Lantern for fear of complications. He relied on his memory to find a foothold on the cliff.

"Why do you always say things that don't mean? This isn't good …"

"It's not that I say things that don't mean, I really don't want to eat!"

Li Jinglong looked up at the top of the cliff. The darkness covered the earth as if there was no end. He bit the wood and gasped for breath. His feet almost slipped. He retracted the hook halfway and leaned against the cliff tiredly, letting out a long sigh.

The sun was shining brightly. He waved his hand to shake off Hongjun. He wanted to pat his head, but he saw Hongjun's blank face. Hongjun's mouth was full of pastries, and he held a piece of cake for him to eat. Li Jinglong was angry and amused. He wanted to beat him, but he also wanted to press him down in the alley and kiss the corner of his mouth.

After resting for a moment, Li Jinglong stepped on the rocks and leaped onto the rock wall. He continued to climb upwards.

Hongjun lay on the edge of the pool. A gentle breeze blew, causing ripples in the pool. His sleeping face was tender and calm. The moonlight sparkled like the warm pool water, covering his body.

"Why are they suppurating!"

The two's skin was touching. Li Jinglong seriously applied medicine to his ears. His eyebrows were full of heartache. Hongjun was still smiling. He leaned his head on the edge of the pool. His eyes moved around, sizing up Li Jinglong. His handsome face was red.

"It'll be fine after it scabs on its own."

Li Jinglong frowned and looked at Hongjun. Hongjun just looked at him and smiled.

The world was dark. Li Jinglong's right hand couldn't help but tremble more and more. He pressed his right hand with his left hand and rested on the protruding rock for a while.

"Chief, I'll go with you!"

"Don't pull and pull. This is the government! Where's the propriety? "

Li Jinglong shook off Hongjun and quickly walked out of the government. He stood behind the wall. His face and ears were red. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He cursed casually, tidied his martial robe, and hurried to the Supreme Court.

There were only six hours left … Li Jinglong secretly estimated that the two of them had somewhat slowed down their speed when they climbed together the other day. If they gave it their all, they could still go faster. They had to reach the Dazzling Golden Palace before dawn.

He threw out the hook and hooked it up to the cliff. When he climbed up again, there was nowhere to stand. He nailed the wooden tenon into the crevice and hung it with one hand. He looked down. It was pitch black. He couldn't tell how far he had climbed. When he looked up, he couldn't even see his fingers.

He didn't dare to be careless. He could only use his right hand to inject the power of the Mind's Lamp into the hook. He threw the hook over his head and flew up. The hook illuminated the cliff like a weak lamp.

It was like the light of a relay station on a cold snowy night.

"You did it on purpose!" Hongjun's face was red. He hurriedly looked for a cloth and undid his belt.

"You're holding it in. Don't tell me you want to get married." Li Jinglong sat at the side and laughed.

"I don't want to get married."

The cold wind whistled past. Hongjun huddled in the quilt, using his arm as a pillow. He hugged him sideways and wrapped his leg around him. Li Jinglong's heart was beating wildly. He turned to look at his sleeping face and gently lowered his head. Their lips were less than half an inch apart. Hongjun moved slightly, but his head was tilted. Li Jinglong immediately closed his eyes and breathed evenly.

"Hongjun …" Li Jinglong struggled to swing left and right. He grabbed the hook and ran in an arc on the cliff. Then, he threw himself not far away and grabbed a protruding rock. His whole body hung on the cliff.

At that moment, Li Jinglong's heart seemed to be suspended in mid-air. His life was hanging by a thread.

He closed his eyes. The wind rushed past his ears. In the snowy graveyard, Hongjun's whole body surged with Tianma Fire. It swept wildly like flying blades. Li Jinglong braved the sharp blade of the demonic fire and rushed forward with his sword.

"Stop —!"

He opened his arms and hugged him. His chest emitted a strong light. Hongjun's whole body suddenly burst into black flames. Like the sun melting snow, the wind sweeping away the clouds, the demonic fire turned into a comet, whistling behind him!

Li Jinglong exerted his strength and climbed up the hanging rock. That day, he rested here to avoid the falling ice and snow. Soon! Right in front of him!

The moment the ice collapsed, he subconsciously turned around and hugged Hongjun tightly. The ice waterfall collapsed. Hongjun's heart was beating wildly. The two were close to each other, their noses touching. When the sound gradually faded, he looked at Hongjun with a smile.

He felt that both of them had a reaction.

His hands pressed against the cliff. He looked at Hongjun with bad intentions. He just wanted to lower his head and kiss him on the lips.

Li Jinglong rested for a moment and found himself in the clouds. He immediately bit the dowel and threw out the hook again. His hands pulled back the rope, and he jumped toward the narrow gap at the end of the high ground. He nailed the dowel again!

In an instant, he broke through the rolling dark clouds. His vision suddenly became clear. Ten thousand rays of silver light shone above the clouds!

The bright moon rose from Tianshan, in the vast sea of clouds.

Li Jinglong looked back in disbelief under the shining moonlight. The peaks of the Taihang Mountains were like isolated islands in the sea, rising and falling one after another.

The bright moon was in the sky. Everything was silent. Only the clouds were surging to the sky under the breeze.

With a very subtle sound, the hook landed on the platform fence. Hongjun woke up.

He opened his eyes. The moonlight shone from the west. Under the shadow of the parasol tree, Chong Ming was still sleeping. He lowered his head to look at the chain on his ankle, and then looked at the end of the platform.

Li Jinglong put away the hook. His right hand was shaking uncontrollably. He turned around and looked at Hongjun by the pool.

Hongjun: "…"

Hongjun opened his eyes wide. Li Jinglong laughed. He panted softly and looked at Hongjun seriously. He tried not to make a sound. First, he dragged his tired feet over slowly. Then, he quickly approached. He bowed and opened his arms, hugging Hongjun tightly.

Hongjun couldn't stop sobbing. He hugged Li Jinglong tightly. Li Jinglong lowered his head and kissed his hair.

"Shh." Li Jinglong hissed in his ear. He looked at the sleeping Chong Ming and gestured to Hongjun. He pointed at the thin chain on his ankle. Hongjun shook his head and looked up at Li Jinglong.

Li Jinglong knelt on one knee. He frowned and was thinking of a way. Hongjun silently hugged his waist. Li Jinglong wanted to take off his hands and find a tool to cut the chain. However, Hongjun just didn't let go.

"Let go …" Li Jinglong whispered in his ear.

Hongjun hugged him without saying a word. At that moment, he finally realized the joy and sadness, the melancholy and anger, and the mixed feelings …

All of these were just thoughts of relying on each other and worrying about gains and losses. He didn't know where they came from or why they were born, but they were everywhere. They were like soft feathers that covered the sky and earth, gently falling on the most fragile part of his heart.

"Let go, Hongjun." Li Jinglong was about to go crazy. He patted him gently and leaned over to his ear. He hissed, "You went through so much trouble to climb up here. What's wrong with you?"

Hongjun let go of his hand and looked at Li Jinglong with tears in his eyes.

Li Jinglong looked into his eyes and suddenly felt touched. He just wanted to hold him in his arms again. However, in this situation, it was really not the time to be emotional. He gestured to Hongjun to wait here. He bent over the side of the pool and looked into the main hall, looking for a sharp weapon to pry open the chain.

Hongjun gestured to Li Jinglong to show him his throwing knife. Li Jinglong only waved his hand and pointed at himself, indicating that he would take care of it. Just as he was about to stand up, he suddenly bumped into Qing Xiong, who was walking out of the main hall unsteadily.

Qing Xiong's chest was full of scars, and he reeked of medicine and alcohol. In an instant, the atmosphere became tense. Hongjun turned his head to look at Chong Ming who was sleeping under the tree, and then looked at Qing Xiong. He was incomparably anxious for a moment.

Li Jinglong took off the Wisdom Sword from his back. His right hand was trembling, but he forced himself to be calm and confronted Qing Xiong.

Qing Xiong faced him and suddenly mouthed something. Hongjun couldn't see it, but Li Jinglong understood.

— — Promise me, even if you die, you will turn into a battle ghost and protect him.

Li Jinglong understood. He returned the sword to his back and nodded very slowly.

In the next moment, Qing Xiong waved his left hand, and a black feather with golden light flew out, instantly breaking Hongjun's chains. Then, he flicked his right hand in the air, and Li Jinglong only felt a strong force rushing towards him. His whole body was knocked into the air and fell out of the platform!

Hongjun saw this and immediately leaped a few steps to grab Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong took advantage of the opportunity to lock Hongjun's wrist and pulled him into his arms, hugging him tightly.

Hongjun, "!!!"

The golden-winged roc feathers shot towards Li Jinglong and turned into a pair of light wings, silently flying off the platform with the two of them. Qing Xiong flicked his fingers again, and five streaks of light swept across the night before dawn like shooting stars. Li Jinglong held Hongjun in one hand and accurately caught them with his other hand. They were actually the Rainbow Divine Light and four flying daggers.

Hongjun held Li Jinglong. Li Jinglong flipped over, and his light wings broke through the sea of clouds with a whoosh. With the sun on his back, he flew towards the end of the mountains!

The clouds flew past quickly, and a tremor came from the Dazzling Golden Palace in the distance!

The two of them suddenly turned their heads, and an earth-shattering sound came. A ball of fire and a ball of golden cloud rolled out of the sea of clouds. For a moment, a strong wind blew, and the layers of haze disappeared.

"It's Chong Ming!" Hongjun said, "Chong Ming is awake!"

Li Jinglong didn't answer, and only hugged Hongjun tightly. Hongjun couldn't stop turning his head to look, but Li Jinglong covered his eyes with his arm. The two of them flew faster and faster, whistling through the sky and out of the valley outside Taihang Mountain. They rolled on the ground and fell on the grass.

Hongjun scrambled up and climbed to a high place. Li Jinglong chased after him and shouted, "Hongjun!"

Hongjun stood halfway up the mountain and stared blankly at the Dazzling Golden Palace in the distance. Chong Ming seemed to be incomparably angry. The Phoenix and the golden-winged roc turned into clouds of light and tangled with each other, breaking the solitary peak that imprisoned him. The mountain collapsed, and layers of smoke and clouds covered the mountain.

Hongjun turned to look at Li Jinglong again. Li Jinglong looked at Hongjun guiltily.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect that in the end …"

Hongjun rushed forward and hugged him tightly.