Qingfeng Xu Xu

There is a long winding staircase in the bamboo forest, which seems to grow out of the darkness in the distance. Because there are dense bamboo forests on both sides of the stone steps, even if there is light on one side, not a single trace can penetrate the long steps.

At this time of year, the moonlight at night should be as bright as water, but at this moment, the thick clouds in the sky tightly hide the moonlight. Wait until a gust of wind blows up in the forest, picking up the fallen leaves in the forest and making them dance in waves.

A young man in white clothes suddenly appeared in the center of the stone steps, seemingly riding on the still swirling fallen leaves.

The fallen leaves were blown by the wind and became chaotic among the young man's clothes, stopping the young man's eager steps. The forest also began to become lively, and the leaves on the bamboo branches were rustling. As the moonlight illuminated the bamboo forest piece by piece, the fallen leaves and branches gradually returned to calm, leaving only the branches and leaves that had been blown down by the evening wind. They fell silently, one after another, continuously.

The moonlight fell on the young man's face. I don't know whether it was the cold moonlight or the indifferent expression of the young man, but perhaps they complemented each other better.

The young man looked at the falling leaves in the forest and felt the remaining fragrance of bamboo leaves carried by the breeze. He seemed to have thought of something and smiled to himself. Compared with the coldness just now, he seemed to be in a different place. people.

In the blink of an eye, the young man continued to walk down the stone steps, his face regained its original calmness, and his steps were still eager, and he seemed to have reached the end of the stone steps in an instant.

The young man went down the long steps and turned into the corridor. After walking a few steps, he turned into the courtyard next to him.

There was no one at the door. Xu Mulin originally thought he would have to deal with it a lot before he could get in, but now he drove straight in. He didn't stop until he reached the eaves with the words"Self-Admonishment Hall" written on it.

The door was open, and it seemed like the people inside were waiting for someone to come.

Xu Mulin was hesitating whether to go in directly or wait until someone came out to report.

While hesitating, the people in the room had already seen the figure at the door and walked quickly to the door.

"...Hall Master Zheng?"Xu Mulin was a little surprised that the person who appeared at the door at this moment was Zheng Zizai. He uttered doubts for a moment. Then he realized that he was rude and said,"Greetings to Hall Master Zheng."

"Mulin, come in."

Xu Mulin straightened up and saw Zheng Zizai standing sideways at the door, smiling at him, as if the host was welcoming guests in.

Although Xu Mulin has lived in Tianzong for twenty years, except for his master and junior brother, it seems that Being unfamiliar with all the other people, Xu Mulin seemed very uncomfortable with this inexplicable courtesy and closeness. He stood blankly at the door, not knowing how to act appropriately.

"Are you here to pick up Qingjiu? come in."

Zheng Zizai seemed to know Xu Mulin's character very well and saw Xu Mulin's dilemma. After speaking, he turned around and went back to the house.

"Why is Hall Master Zheng alone on duty tonight?"After being silent for a long time, Xu Mulin could only think of such pleasantries to break the embarrassment.

"Or maybe you are old and can't fall asleep until midnight, so you just stay here by yourself."Zheng Zizai didn't feel embarrassed at all. On the contrary, he felt relaxed and comfortable in the rare interaction with this young and mature junior.

When Zheng Zizai spoke, he turned his head slightly and looked at Xu Mulin's. After he finished speaking, he looked at Xu Mulin for a while before turning his head. There was just a happy and satisfied smile on his face.

Xu Qingjiu had been kneeling for almost two hours, and his knees were already numb. If he wanted to stand up later, he would have to slow down for a while.

Ten times of sect rules and so on It's easy for Xu Qingjiu to deal with, but this letter of regret is really difficult to write. Xu Qingjiu has really racked his brains, but he still can't write the fourth line of this letter of regret.

"Light nine."

Xu Qingjiu was having a headache because of this difficult-to-write letter of repentance. When he heard someone calling from behind him, he thought that the person was coming to urge him, so when he turned around, he couldn't hide his resentment on his face. But wait for Xu Qingjiu When she looked back and saw Xu Mulin standing next to Zheng herself, all the resentment and numbness disappeared in an instant. Xu Qingjiu stood up and walked to Xu Mulin in a few steps.

"Senior brother, you are here! Seeing Xu

Mulin frown slightly and shake his head, Xu Qingjiu quickly saluted Zheng Zizai respectfully.

"Go back with your senior brother"

"I...The letter of repentance has not been finished yet."This was Zheng Zizai's reply, but Xu Qingjiu's eyes did look at Xu Mulin.

Xu Mulin did not respond to Xu Qingjiu, but just turned to look at Zheng Zizai.

Zheng Zizai looked at Xu Mulin, and then at Xu Qingjiu shook his head and said with a smile:"The time Xue Hou entered the self-command hall and left was only a quarter of an hour. While you are here, the sect's rules have been copied, and your repentance has been written. In the next half month, the corridor in front of the hall will also be swept. You have received all the punishments you should receive, and you can naturally leave. It's getting late, and I haven't had dinner yet. Go back with your senior brother quickly. Seeing that the two of them were still hesitating, Zheng Zizai had no choice but to continue:"Today's matter is not important at all. It's just that I

'm afraid that the conflict will get bigger and bigger. If Qingjiu continues to tolerate it, I'm afraid Xue Hou will." Nor would he give up. I simply brought you two back to punish you. As for Xue Hou's contempt for the sect's rules, I let it go. Seeing that you have been punished by me for so long, he is probably very proud now, but what happened today, Many disciples have seen this, and I think Hall Master Xue already knows it, but with his character, he will not allow Xue Hou to act like this again. In the next period of time, I think he will not continue to cause trouble for you."

Xu Qingjiu doesn't remember having any close friendship with this Hall Master Zheng. After thinking about it, he can only think that he should be selling it out of Master's face.

"Thank you Hall Master Zheng for rescuing Qingjiu today."

"Let's go back."

The two of them saluted Zheng Zizai. When they turned around, Xu Mulin thought of something again. He looked at Zheng Zizai and said,"There should be medicine for calming the mind and calming down the hall master. Hall master Zheng might as well try it. After saying that, he turned around and left the Self-Admonishment Hall.

Zheng Zizai was dazed for a while watching the two people leaving, and then turned to look at the two portraits hanging on the wall opposite the table where Xu Qingjiu had just knelt..One of them is younger, with a 60-70% resemblance to Xu Mulin between his eyebrows.

"They look alike and have similar personalities."

The two of them walked on the long stone steps one after another. Xu Qingjiu followed behind. He didn't say anything along the way and seemed a little frustrated.

When they reached the middle of the stone steps, they turned into a stone road and continued up the mountain. Walk in the direction. The moonlight is bright at the moment, and you can see a winding stone road connected to a long staircase at one end, and the other end extending into the lights halfway up the mountain.

"Qingjiu, look."

Xu Qingjiu followed Xu Mulin's gaze and looked into the bamboo groves on both sides. What he saw was the scene that Xu Mulin had just seen when he came down the mountain. At the right time, a breeze blew by, and the place where the two stood also had the same continuous scene. The bamboo leaves fell next to the two of them, swirling and swaying like a small boat.

Xu Qingjiu looked up and saw a bamboo leaf falling right in front of him, so he stretched out his hand to catch it, and the fallen leaf fell on Xu Qingjiu's head. The fingertips rotated and landed directly on Xu Qingjiu's eyes. Xu Qingjiu simply squinted one eye and looked at the falling bamboo leaves one after another.

Xu Mulin looked down at Xu Qingjiu, With a smile on his face, it seemed to be saying - I know you will like it.

Seeing a bamboo leaf fall on Xu Qingjiu's eyes, Xu Mulin raised his hand to take the bamboo leaf away, but Xu Qingjiu raised his hand to hold it Xu Mulin's wrist

"Senior brother, look, it looks like it’s raining bamboo leaves."

Xu Mulin also looked up

"Um."

Xu Mulin's hand was still held, but it didn't hinder him. He took off the bamboo leaves from Xu Qingjiu's eyes. He turned his hand and inserted it into Xu Qingjiu's hair.

"Are you happier?"

Xu Qingjiu turned to look at Xu Mulin, but smiled and said nothing. He raised his hand and touched the bamboo leaves on his head, turned around and broke off a bamboo branch from the bamboo beside him, and stood on tiptoe to pin the bamboo branch to Xu Mulin's head. On Mulin's bun

"Senior brother, you are too plainly dressed, and the moonlight is so white. If you don't look carefully, I'm afraid you are hidden in the moonlight. How about I break a bamboo branch and give it to you every day?"

"good."Since Xu Qingjiu didn't want to say more, Xu Mulin naturally wouldn't force him,"Let's go back."Said, turned around and walked up the mountain,"I just saw that you seemed to be in trouble. I'm afraid you may have hurt your knees from kneeling for a long time. I'll get you some anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointment when you get back...."

"Qingjiu just felt guilty and shouldn't be resentful. Master had to sacrifice his face to the master to allow me to be accepted and truly become a disciple of Tianzong. The first time I went to class today, I caused trouble and even asked my senior brother to intercede with Hall Master Zheng in person....I’d better not go to class after that."

"Since you are already an entry-level disciple, you must take classes."

"That..."

"I have taken all the courses, so I don’t have to go now."Xu Mulin responded to the inquiry in Xu Qingjiu's eyes,"Unfortunately, I can guide you in everything else, except for the hidden weapon mechanisms you like, I really have no talent, and I only know a little about most of them. I am really not as good as you. What you want to learn now are all courses of improvement. Do you really want to never go there again?"

Xu Qingjiu lowered his head, as if he was thinking seriously, but in fact he was still angry with himself.

"I didn't intercede with Hall Master Zheng. When I went in and talked to him, I could only talk to him for a few words. The reason why I came here is because you haven't come back for a long time, and I was worried that you would be embarrassed. But Hallmaster Zheng’s heart is like a clear mirror, no one needs to say anything, it’s me who worries more. Besides, what happened today was not Qingjiu's fault, so you don't have to blame yourself so much. As for the master, don’t think too much about it. He may not take it to heart. The reason why you entered the sect is not entirely because of what the master said. There may be other reasons."

"Any other reason?"

"I don’t know exactly what it is. I just heard someone say a few words casually. It’s nothing important. Don’t worry about it."

"Senior brother..."Just when Xu Qingjiu spoke, a bamboo leaf slowly flew towards Xu Qingjiu's mouth. Xu Qingjiu had an idea and blew the fallen leaf away with a breath.

Xu Mulin stood on the stone steps two steps higher, looking at the scene just now, raised his hand to pick up a leaf and handed it to Xu Qingjiu.

Xu Qingjiu directly held the leaf in his mouth, looked at Xu Mulin and smiled:"I'm happy, I want to go."

Another gust of wind came, and the leaves fell in the forest.

Xu Qingjiu looked up and saw something falling in front of him, so he gently blew the leaves to prevent them from falling.

"Senior brother pulled me."Xu Qingjiu opened his palm and reached out to find Xu Mulin's hand.

Xu Mulin reached out to pull Xu Qingjiu's wrist, but Xu Qingjiu's shaking palm grabbed it.

"Senior brother, is it you who caused this rain of bamboo leaves?"

Xu Mulin turned around and looked at Xu Qingjiu's happy look, and also smiled very happily.

"Be careful not to fall."Xu Mulin followed Xu Qingjiu's steps and continued walking towards the courtyard in the mountain.

"A senior brother is pulling me..."Xu Qingjiu blew up the fallen leaves in front of him, and then continued:"It won't fall." As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Qingjiu was attracted by other scenery and no longer cared about the fallen leaves,"Brother, the moon is so full tonight. ah"

"Yes, today is the 16th, when the moon is at its fullest"

"Today is sixteen?"Xu Qingjiu seemed a little surprised, but also very happy and excited.

"Yes, today is sixteen, and we, Qingjiu, are also sixteen."Xu Mulin paused for a moment, and looked at Xu Qingjiu with a little more smile in his eyes,"Every year, I hope you will always be like the bright moon tonight."

"As long as senior brother is here, there will be a bright moon tonight every year. Xu Qingjiu looked at Xu Mulin and smiled, then pretended to think deeply for a moment, frowned slightly and said,"But is this just what Qingjiu's birthday gift is?""

"What a delicious smell." Before Xu Mulin could answer, Xu Qingjiu sniffed the scent like a puppy, and immediately ran quickly towards the bamboo garden in the forest.

Xu Mulin smiled helplessly and followed Xu Qingjiu Walking away, when Xu Mulin stepped into the bamboo garden, Xu Qingjiu was already in the kitchen surrounded by the meal prepared by Xu Mulin.

Looking at Xu Qingjiu's appearance, Xu Mulin also smiled with satisfaction. It's just that Not knowing what he thought of again, Xu Mulin looked down at his open palm, gently rubbing his thumb on the pads of his other fingers, and frowning slightly, as if he was thinking about something. After a moment, he closed his hand and made a fist. , his hand dropped back to his side, he looked up at Xu Qingjiu's busy figure, his eyes were inexplicably dazed and confused.

Xu Qingjiu was impatient and wanted to eat all the delicious food in front of him, but he turned around But he saw Xu Mulin still standing far away in the yard, and wanted to call Xu Mulin to come in quickly, but then he felt that it was very troublesome, so he ran to Xu Mulin in a few steps and pulled Xu Mulin into the kitchen..When

Xu Qingjiu came to Xu Mulin, Xu Mulin's expression had returned to normal.

"I know you are hungry, so sit down and eat first. It's just that one more hour has passed today, so I'll cook longevity noodles for you first."As Xu Mulin spoke, he pressed Xu Qingjiu on the stool, picked up the chopsticks at hand and put them in Xu Qingjiu's hands. When he stood up, he gently rubbed the top of Xu Qingjiu's head.

Xu Mulin was skillful in front of the stove. While operating, Xu Qingjiu clenched his chin and looked at Xu Mulin who was full of fireworks.

"Okay, let's get started."Xu Mulin placed a bowl of longevity noodles in front of Xu Qingjiu.

Just when he saw Xu Mulin coming over with the noodles, Xu Qingjiu had already grabbed the chopsticks. Xu Mulin finished speaking and a mouthful of noodles was already about to enter Xu Qingjiu's mouth. In the mouth, but suddenly stopped again

"Where is the master?"

"Master seems to have a spleen and stomach disorder recently. Before I went to find you, I had prepared porridge and rice for him. He should have eaten and rested by now."

"But in previous years, we had dinner together on birthdays. Xu Qingjiu was a little disappointed,"I'll go and ask.""As he said that, he got up and walked towards the house on the other side of the corridor bridge.

Within a moment, Xu Qingjiu turned back.

"The lights in the room were still on, but there was no response, so he must have fallen asleep."

Xu Mulin looked in the direction where Xu Qingjiu had just returned. When he looked back at Xu Qingjiu, he saw that Xu Qingjiu's mouth was already full of food, with a very satisfied expression on his face.

After a full meal , Xu Qingjiu leaned sideways on the dining table, stroking his round belly, squinting his eyes as if he was about to fall asleep. He was really full and exhausted. Looking at Xu Qingjiu's appearance, Xu Mulin couldn't help but chuckle. speak out

"Is Qingjiu satisfied with today's birthday party?"

"Couldn't be more satisfied."Xu Qingjiu still stroked his belly and said slowly.

Xu Mulin imitated Xu Qingjiu's behavior just now, turning his head and looking at Xu Qingjiu with a smile.

Time seemed to slow down, and Xu Qingjiu closed his eyes. It's like waking up from a deep sleep. The moonlight outside passes through the gaps between the treetops, passes through the window, and is reflected in front of the table. The swaying tree shadows and falling leaves make the moonlight lively.

"Would it be the icing on the cake if there was wine? Bright moon, cool breeze, good time, wine, this is what the poem says"

"Qingjiu thinks it is, so of course it is."Xu Mulin would never disappoint Xu Qingjiu's expectations,"Besides, today's birthday is the biggest. The wine should be in the side room, I'll go get it."

Looking at Xu Mulin's hurried figure, Xu Qingjiu felt funny in her heart: I didn't know that every day in the past was my birthday.

Suddenly, the sound of the wine jar falling to the ground and breaking came from behind, interrupting Xu Qingjiu's thoughts were interrupted. Xu Qingjiu suddenly looked back and saw Xu Mulin still keeping the action of stepping into the threshold, but the wine jar he originally held in his hand had fallen to pieces on the ground, and a cold The sword penetrated Xu Mulin's chest from behind. At this moment, the blood on the tip of the sword dripped like a thread, and the white clothes on Xu Mulin's chest were quickly smudged with blood.