From the junction of cold and desert • North Cold Mountain

The mountain road after the freezing rain is really difficult to walk.

The man couldn't stand it any longer, and as soon as his legs went limp, he sat down on a stone at his feet.

He panted and narrowed his eyes, looked at the icy tree not far away, a squirrel that was startled by himself, picked up the pine cone that had just been thrown aside, and hurriedly jumped into the distance, and then looked down at the bag of gray moldy steamed buns tightly guarded in his arms, and couldn't help but curse the hellish ghost weather of Lihan again.

He sighed heavily, and looked along the muddy earth and rocks under his feet in the direction of the top of the mountain, and among the messy branches, it seemed that a hole carefully hidden by wild grass could be faintly seen.

The corners of his chapped mouth slowly rose, and a fire of hope seemed to ignite again in his gaze.

Hammering his thigh hard, he struggled to get to his feet again. Xu is too tall, and at this stand, a few bright red cuts were drawn on the face of the branches with ice edges. But he seemed unmoved, but with a slight grin he continued with trembling steps, tearing off the luxuriant branches on one wall and climbing up the hill with difficulty.

After climbing for a long time, a flat and empty mountain area was finally revealed in front of me.

The man's heart was happy, but he did not forget to cautiously glance back at the bushes he walked through - as far as the eye could see, there were dense dead branches, where there was a half-human figure. He finally relented, and strode towards the cave not far away. The weeds at the entrance of the cave are tight, and they are still the same as they were when they left.

He grinned again, his eyes full of smile under a pair of thick sword eyebrows. He stomped the soles of his feet three times in a row, and the sludge covered with his boots fell off, revealing a small mottled and faded word "heart" on the waistband.

"Brother Chu, is that you?"

When Chu He heard this graceful and shy voice, his heart was full of shyness, and he called out in his mouth: "Wanqiu." ”

There was a commotion in the cave, and for a long time, Fang stretched out a pair of slender jade hands like white walls from it to pick up the dry grass. Chu He leaned into this low cave, and couldn't wait to hug the only figure in the darkness.

"Wanqiu, I'm late to return, are you scared by yourself?" Chu He's greedy mouth smelled the fresh fragrance that drifted into his mouth and nose along the long strands of hair, and finally reluctantly let go of his embrace, and kissed the forehead of the girl in front of him again, and said distressedly, "There are too many heartfelt soldiers in the city under the mountain, I have to be careful to hide my whereabouts, otherwise they will find out and capture the camp back, which will be a capital crime of defection." ”

"I know, I'm not afraid, and I don't blame you," Wan Qiu stared at Chu Dao with the faint sunlight from this narrow cave, "It's not just the officers and soldiers, you rescued me for many days, I'm afraid they will already find out." If you are bumped into in the city, they will tie me up and torture me... So every time you go down the mountain, it's nothing for me to stay in this little hole by myself, for fear that you will be seen by them, so I just ask you to be careful, what does it matter if you spend more time? ”

"I naturally know your thoughts..."Chu He sighed in his heart, and couldn't help but look at the bag of moldy steamed buns in his arms again, "It's just that I have been out for so long, and I haven't been able to get some good things for you to eat, only ......"

"yes, I'm really feeling a little hungry when I talk about it—what's there today, or is it my favorite steamed bun?" Wan Qiu couldn't help but say something, and reached out and took out a steamed bun from Chu He's arms, and the mildew instantly lingered in the entire narrow and dim cave. She didn't seem to move, but she smiled at Chu He, then picked up the mold chips on the steamed bun, took a big bite and gnawed off a piece, nodded again and again as if it tasted very good, and said with satisfaction, "I never ate it when I was young, but I had the opportunity to taste it by chance... Brother Chu, do you know that the cold dishes and moldy steamed buns mixed together have a different flavor, and the well water that has been rusted for a long time still has a sweetness like honey! ”

Chu He was dumbfounded, but seeing that Wanqiu's cheeks, which were originally white and delicate, but now were covered with mud, were drumming in the dark because of chewing moldy steamed buns, his heart was as sour as if he had turned over a vinegar jar. After hanging his head for a long time, he hesitated and called: "Wanqiu, I can't stop you-"

"-What's the matter, Brother Chu, don't you like to eat steamed buns?" Wanqiu seemed to know what Chu He was going to say, and raised his voice to drown his voice, "If that's the case, I'll go to the river on the other side of the mountain at night to touch two fish and roast them for you, and it's also the right to go down the mountain every day to forage for food these days, and I, an idler who has nothing to do, show my heart a little!" ”

"Nonsense, it's so cold from the cold, I'm afraid that the river on this mountain will freeze. You dip your hands in the cold water of the river every day to wash me, how can I be willing to ask you to fish for me again? Chu He took Wan Qiu's hand and said distressedly, "What's more, this Beileng Mountain is located at the junction of the two countries, and the other end of the mountain is the boundary of the desert country." I heard that their desert soldiers patrol very strictly, you can quietly go there to wash the laundry on weekdays, if you touch the fish and make any noise, and then be discovered by the desert soldiers, wouldn't it be troublesome! ”

"Don't worry, Brother Chu, I know how to be measured, and I won't make a big noise." Wan Qiu smiled sweetly at the Chu River and said, "The river is all flowing, where will there be any ice?" Besides, I've always washed clothes in that river, and I'm used to how cold and hot it is—"

"—that's not going to work either. Even if you can touch the fish, you won't be able to make it for me. We are on the top of the mountain, if we want to light a fire and start a smoke, we will be noticed by the soldiers, and then we will not be caught in the net! Chu He said solemnly, "I know what you think about me, and you should know that I have the same thoughts about you." Wanqiu, let's get through this time, and when the wind outside passes, I'll take you out of this ghost place, let's find a good place to be isolated from the world, build a house, and accompany each other for the rest of our lives, okay? ”

"It's all up to you." Wanqiu stuck out her tongue and leaned her head on Chu He's shoulder as if she were coquettish.

Chu He looked at Wanqiu's eyes flickering in the darkness, only to feel that the fatigue and pain around him had all disappeared in that instant. Wanqiu, she is so beautiful, just like a plum blooming quietly in the barren mountains at dusk in winter, beautiful and lonely, beautiful in the world, and pure in beauty.

"But, Brother Chu, didn't you say that you still have many lost friends to look for?"

Chu He was stunned, and his happy expression dimmed a little.

He hugged Wanqiu's small and thin shoulders, and said with a deep sigh: "Wanqiu, at the beginning, I really wanted to find them, and I wanted to go home with them day and night. It's just that... It's only after so much time that I realize how small I am in this world, too small to deserve such an unfulfilled wish. I have tried, but when dreams and reality are inverted, no matter how hard I try, I will eventually be an outlier in this world, all my abilities cannot be used, and I can only be a small soldier who can never leave this city in Lihan. I'm tired, Wanqiu, I'm really tired, I want to let myself go and live a good life in this world. I don't want to chase those ethereal dreams anymore. Compared with those dreams, for me now, only you are real, and you are worth fighting for and protecting. Maybe in the most difficult moment, they are the pillars of my continued life, but now that I look at it, you are the most inseparable treasure in my life! ”

"But..."

"Wanqiu, I know what you want to persuade me. But you should also know that what I have decided will never change again. Chu He gently stroked Wanqiu's delicate skin with his hand, and added a little perseverance to his heart. I am not a cold-blooded and unrighteous person, and if I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely go to find out about their safety. It's just that now it's hard to protect myself, and I just want to repay you for staying by my side. ”

"Brother Chu—"

"—Wanqiu, you don't have to say it again. In fact, from your words and demeanor, I can see early on that you are not a folk woman who wanders the rivers and lakes. It's just that you never want to take the initiative to mention your life experience, and I naturally won't force you. Chu He looked at Wanqiu's eyes that were shining like a pearl of the night in the darkness and said gently, "When I first saw you that day, you were being sold to the land of wind and dust by human traffickers, although I had the heart to stop it, but because of the identity of the small soldiers guarding the city, I could only obey the orders of the superior commander and continue to patrol." At that time, I speculated that you must be the daughter of a family in a foreign country, and because of some change, you were deceived by the gangsters to leave the cold. Before I could figure it out, I heard that the brothel in the city had brought out a girl who was rare in a hundred years. I thought it was you, so I took a chance to take a look, but I didn't expect it to be you! I looked for a chance to be alone with you again, but I didn't expect you to be—"

"I didn't expect you to take me away, didn't I?" Wan Qiu smiled sweetly, and rubbed her face against Chu He's shoulder again, "Brother Chu, your guess is right, I did come from a big family when I was a child, but later... Later, my family fell into the middle of the road, and it was my master who brought me up. This summer, my master went out on his own, and I haven't been heard from since. I came out to look for him, and then I went all the way south to Lihan, but I didn't expect to enter the city for a few days... It was—"

"—Why didn't your master teach you martial arts?"

"Since I was a child, my master only called me piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, poetry and songs, but he never taught me martial arts. But if I can't take care of myself, where will I meet you? Wan Qiu pointed his fingertips on Chu He's thick palm, and his flashing gaze was slightly condensed. In broad daylight that day, I was sent to the Qinglou by those human traffickers, and the team of city guards I met were all cold-hearted and cold-faced, only you were in a hurry at the end of the line, really worried about the safety of me, a strange woman. After you were forcibly taken away by your superiors and colleagues, I was thrown into a brothel. I thought that there was no hope for this life, but if they were to be rude to me in the future, they would die on the pillar. But I didn't expect that you would come to me, Brother Chu, do you know what your presence meant to me at that time? You are really a flat boat floating in the sea of misery in my life, and your only hope for me to live! Therefore, although I only have a two-sided relationship with you, I have already made up my mind in my heart, and the blessings and misfortunes of life and death in this body depend on you. ”

The more Chu He listened, the more distressed he became, and he hugged Wanqiu's arm tightly and gradually increased his strength.

He lowered his head and kissed Wanqiu's fluffy and disheveled hair, sniffed again, and said in a deep voice, "Why are you so stupid......"

"Am I stupid, but why do I think I have the right vision?" Wan Qiu said smartly, "A woman fell in love with a strange man who had only seen her twice, not only did the man not turn his back on her, but also took her out of the brothel, gave her food and clothing, and gave her love, you say, is this woman's vision accurate?" ”

"Where are you with accurate vision, it is clear that you are a fool and a fool!" Chu He smiled heartily, and then said affectionately to Wanqiu, "Wanqiu, if I say, I don't want to give you food and clothing, and give you love?" ”

Wanqiu's expression froze, and she stammered a little: "Brother Chu, what do you mean by this......?" ”

"I mean, I don't want you to eat steamed buns and cold rice and wear coarse linen clothes every day, and I don't want you to live a hard life of fleeing with me again. I want you to follow me to the desert country, we will start again in that place where no one knows us, and rely on our hands to live together in a dignified and prestigious way. ”

Chu He's gaze was sincere and affectionate, and after a long time, he continued in a trembling voice, "Wanqiu, will you marry me?" ”

It was as if the blood around his body was instantly frozen, and then suddenly boiled and surged. Wan Qiu only felt that her mind was buzzing like thunder in the sky, and she couldn't move an inch of her body, so she just stared at Chu He's blazing eyes that were staring deeply at her at this moment, like a jumping golden fire, getting closer and closer to herself, getting closer and closer, until she surrounded her body and poured into her heart.

"Brother Chu......"

"Marry me and be my only wife in Chu He's life, okay?"

The air seemed to be steaming, and the small cave was no longer damp and gloomy.

Wanqiu couldn't hear anything, she couldn't feel anything, all her senses were left with a pair of eyes that stared at the person in front of her. Her mind had stopped turning, and she didn't have time to think about anything, she didn't have time to say anything more. Only the silent, trembling nodding his head vigorously.

"Lady!" Chu He smiled, and kissed Wanqiu's plump and chapped lips with his face. He really felt that he was the happiest person in the world at this moment. In the dark, he vaguely felt a wet touch on his face, and wanted to wipe it, but he couldn't tell whether it was Wanqiu or his own tears.

"Follow me!"

Before he could ask questions, he was already pulled out of the cave by Chu He.

Wanqiu didn't straighten up for a long time to smell the fresh air in the mountains, she raised her head to look, but saw the sunset on the horizon like blood, and the small half round of red sun floated on the low and continuous dark green mountains in the distance, and the afterglow was already faint. It turned out that Tong Chu He had been muttering in the cave for a long time, and he forgot that time was in a hurry, and it was dusk at this moment.

"Qingshan is the matchmaker, the sunset is the evidence, I Chu He and Su Wanqiu Fusheng gathered, fell in love at first sight, shared weal and woe, and wished to live the rest of my life. Today, they will become husband and wife, and they will be together through thick and thin in the future, and they will never abandon again! Chu He turned his head to look at Wanqiu, her teary eyes and a gentle smile to herself under the sunset, it was really the most beautiful scenery he had ever seen in his life.

He turned to the side slightly, and then took out a dagger from his waist and stuffed it into Wanqiu's hand, "Since I came here, I have been a city defender, and I have no silver money and Chinese things on me, only this dagger distributed by the imperial court." Wanqiu, today you and I are married, this is the token I give you. In the future, if my Chu River loses you Su Wanqiu, you will use this dagger to plunge into my chest and ask me to be your soul under the knife! ”

Wanqiu was stunned, and tears fell in the sunset. Turning around, Chu He was about to snatch the front, but saw Wanqiu turn around, put the dagger in his sleeve with his left hand, and already held a wisp of green silk cut off from his head in his right hand.

"As I said, life and death, blessings and misfortunes, all depend on you. In that case, how could I kill you, that is, the day when you really leave me, I will use this dagger to kill myself. Wanqiu said resolutely, "You still have tokens to give, but I have nothing." Today's disconnection is a token of my trust to you. ”

The north wind was bleak, Chu He looked at the strand of hair floating in Wanqiu's hand in a daze, and his heart was once again filled with intense sadness. He clenched Wanqiu's fist in front of his chest, only to find that her trembling hands were so cold.

Maybe the first half of her life was so miserable and helpless.

But it doesn't matter, from now on, he will be good to her, be good to her wholeheartedly, and repay her all the hardships and grievances she has suffered over the years, a hundred times and a thousand times.

"Lady..."

"Brother Chu..."

"It's still called Brother Chu, don't you know how to change your mouth?" Chu He smiled bitterly, "While the sun hasn't set yet, let's worship heaven and earth quickly!" ”

Before he could hold the corners of his mouth, a pair of big hands suddenly wrapped around his waist from behind him and pulled violently, Wanqiu screamed and saw Chu He turning his head sluggishly, but he had already been dragged out of Zhangxu-

"Brother Chu—"

"-Who are you!" Chu He suddenly changed color, and shouted at the five people who suddenly appeared on the top of this narrow mountain, "Let her go!" ”

"What a pair of dog men and women who are in love with each other, I said that I couldn't find anyone in the cold city, and I actually worshipped heaven and earth here, I'm bah!" The strong man at the head waved the steel knife in his hand and scolded with a smile, "This girl is a cash cow that the proprietor of my family bought at a great price, what kind of thing are you, you still want to eat for nothing, be your mother's spring and autumn dream!" ”

"Don't touch her!" Chu He saw that Wanqiu was frightened by the steel knives on his neck and cried, his heart had already jumped out of his throat, although he knew some fists and kicks, he was defenseless at the moment, so he had to whisper softly, "What are you coming at me, I am Lihan's heartfelt soldier, how much did your owner spend on her, you tell me, I will compensate you!" ”

When the five thugs heard this, they all raised their heads and burst into laughter: "It's really a stupid thing who hasn't woken up from a good dream, with what kind of identity do you have, where can you afford to buy this girl's deed, but the proprietor wants to sell her to the city of Jiazhou for the dignitaries to enjoy, even if it is thousands of gold, it will not be cheap, you kid!" ”

"Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?" Chu He gritted his teeth with hatred, "Wanqiu is my lady, I will never allow you traitors to tarnish her innocence!" ”

"Dog, if you don't mention it, if you hadn't stolen this girl that day, where would the grandfathers have to suffer the hard work of these days. Your lady, heh! Today, grandpa will tell your lady to see how you died, so that she can go back with us to see the proprietor!" The strong man waved the steel knife in his hand, turned his head and shouted, "Brothers, hack this thief who doesn't know the height of the sky!" ”

"Don't!"

Wanqiu desperately struggled to run forward, but was grabbed by the thug behind her and locked in her arms. She was horrified to see the remaining four thugs rushing forward to surround Chu He, and although the latter fought with all his might, his body was instantly cut with bright red blood marks.

"Brother Chu!"

With a wave of the steel knife, it hit the thigh, Chu He fell to the ground with a roar, and his soul flew out of the sky, grabbing the thug's arm and biting it down as if he had lost his mind. But he heard an angry curse behind him, and before he could turn around, a heavy knife handle fell on the neck socket.

Wanqiu was so delicate and delicate, where could she withstand such a heavy blow, her eyes immediately burst into stars, and her knees fell to the ground as soon as she became weak. She leaned her hand forward, trying in vain to crawl towards the blood-drenched body of the Chu River. Before she lost consciousness, she was desperate to see the blade go straight through Chu He's already stiff body, and with a sharp pull, a blood-petaled lotus flower that could only grow in Shura's hell bloomed.

In the distance, the last inch of the red sun has fallen on the other side of the mountains.

The other side of the nightmare......