[9. The River of Cicada Song]

"Komatsu, Komatsu. ”

“...... Eh, am I asleep?" Hearing He Yanfang's voice in a daze, Cedar hurriedly raised his head, "I'm sorry!"

"I didn't sleep to find Zhaohua after the battle last night, right?" He Yanfang smiled, "It's really too tired, don't force it." ”

"Mr. He, you are, there is nothing uncomfortable, right?"

"I'm fine. He Yanfang picked up the drawings spread out on the ground for him, and the hazy leaf shadows were layered on top of each other, and the pale sunshine still couldn't dispel the heat.

"Thank you...... I still need to learn a little more," I looked down at the complicated heraldic analysis charts on the table, and thought of the conversation I heard last night, Cedar rubbed his temples, "Mr. He, if you can, will you accompany me to swing the sword in the afternoon?" I want to try the swordsmanship that Sister Xin Li taught me. ”

"Good. Now wash your face first, it's time for lunch. ”

"Didn't Mr. Jean go to Empers? Let's eat takeout?" After studying here for a while, Cedar also knew that He Yanfang didn't know how to cook at all.

"It's really rude," He Yanfang laughed, "and Carlos." ”

"After all, someone else does it......"

"You don't want to try it, I've made Jean cry before. ”

"Wow, I'm so scared......" Cedar pretended to be scared, and they all laughed.

"Does Mr. Lu know how to cook?"

"Don't underestimate me!" Carlos, who heard the voice, poked his head out of the dining room in protest, "I haven't done any profession, you fellow countryman and I are amazing!"

Cedar walked into the dining room suspiciously, but suddenly became excited: "I haven't eaten white-cut chicken for a long time, Mr. Lu, I love you!"

"It's not going to work. Carlos sighed and sat down.

"It's been a long time since I've heard a Cantonese song, and I feel so nostalgic for ......" The everyday feeling made Cedar feel at peace and couldn't help but sigh.

"It just so happens that Carlos likes Hong Kong and Taiwan songs very much, and there are quite a few records here. ”

"Komatsu, we have time to sing karaoke!" Carlos was also enthusiastic.

"Okay, but we'll have to wait until it's over, right?" Cedar picked up the bowl, it was a sweltering summer afternoon at the end of June, and the crisp, meaty, light, and delicious white-cut chicken was just what he was looking for...... Zhaohua likes it too...... I'm going to keep doing this next time, Mr. Lu!"

"No problem, it's easy!" Carlos readily agreed, "How is Xiaohua now?"

"Abel told me that Zhaohua has reconciled with Harden and should have lunch together in the mansion now. ”

"Mr. He......" After bowing his head and eating for a while, he was still uneasy, and Cedar raised his head, "What Musk said last night...... Is it credible? He said that Sister Paris and Xiao Jiu are ......"

"Xue Yao's situation hasn't been confirmed yet," He Yanfang stared at him and spoke slowly, "The moment you heard it, you probably remembered it, right? Paris is indeed the dead." ”

After hearing this, Cedar lowered his eyelashes: "Then it's true...... I had been thinking about it last night, and then I suddenly remembered vaguely, Sister Paris, she ...... You died fighting La Niña, right?"

"Sure enough, you also remembered......" He Yanfang nodded slightly, "Judging from the current situation, the opponent's method is to tamper with our memories, but as long as we touch the keywords and violations, there is a great possibility that we can recover our true memories." ”

"Is there an illusionist who has penetrated into our organization?" said Cedar, frowning.

"Almost, such a delicate operation will be used, and with Mochizuki's statement, it may be a medical worker. Compared to this, what kind of attitude do you think we should take towards Paris?" He Yanfang stared at him and asked calmly.

Cedar was silent, pursed her lips for a moment, and then whispered: "According to the regulations, you have to be isolated......, right?" Of course, I have to understand it with her, I believe she will not do those cruel things, but these must be proved to everyone in the meridian hospital. ”

"Do you feel scared?"

"What are you afraid of? do you mean the eldest sister......" Cedar shook his head, "Now she is no different from us, and it's strange to say, I'm not so afraid of the existence of the undead now, except for the demons, what else is there to be afraid of?"

He Yanfang, who was smiling slightly, had a hint of illusion in his expression for some reason, and perhaps relief and reluctance: "You have become different from before, Komatsu." ”

"A child's growth is fast. Nominee said lightly.

"Yes......" He Yanfang looked at Cedar again and smiled softly, "What kind of heavenly punisher will Komatsu become in the future, it's really exciting." ”

Suddenly being stared at by an idol, Cedar couldn't help but panic for a while: "Eh, me...... I will definitely try my best to make you satisfied!"

He Yanfang was still smiling, but his eyes gradually sharpened: "The best protection is to find out the real culprit." Komatsu, I'll talk to Chongming and the snake later, you sleep first, and I'll practice swords with you when you wake up. ”

"Don't I have to be there?"

"Rest a little longer, I'll tell you the important stuff later. ”

"Okay," Cedar nodded, "they've all been quarantined for a while, and now they're out of suspicion?"

"Well, it's been proven, but it also means that there will be new suspects, which is why I asked Shigeaki to discuss with them," He Yanfang paused again, "Carlos, let's turn off the stereo and let Komatsu rest." ”

"It's okay, I'm used to listening to songs during naps, I like that," Cedar smiled at Carlos again, "Let me pick the record, too?"

Sleeping in bed after eating, Cedar closed his eyes tiredly and listened to the song quietly.

Things have happened so fast and changed so much lately...... It must be stopped, there must be some way to eliminate Musk, and there must be a way to find the real culprit.

Already quite tired of the environment of mutual suspicion and sarcasm. In his ears is Leslie Cheung's "Never Know", and the gentle voice gives him a sense of stability: "Once, with a thousand leaves, drifted into a slightly cold autumn." The red leaves, flying in the wind, compete to kiss you. Nowadays, the warm summer around me has been painted with autumn. The red leaves, the heart is flying, as if I still want to look for you......"

It's nice to listen to old songs once in a while...... Cedar thought in a daze, slowly sinking into sleep.

[Never know, never know

Why don't you fill my thoughts?

In the sun, there are no dead branches

I have autumn in my heart

-

How many leaves are needed

Drifting through the slightly cold autumn

So you don't have to secretly remember

You are smiling in the middle of autumn

-

Never know, never know

Why don't you fill my thoughts?

There are no dead branches in the sun

How do you understand that I have autumn in my heart]

"I thought brother-in-law you were a messenger of love," he was woken up by hearing an uncomfortable voice, and Cedar recognized the exaggerated tone as belonging to Kamishirasawa even in a daze, "I remember that Shigeaki liked that young lady, Miss Girl Spider Weaving Rika Blossom." ”

He's coming, what's the matter...... Perhaps it was because the dullness of the air had subsided a little, and Cedar, who had felt like he had been sleeping for a long time, paused for a moment before opening his eyes. There was still the sound of water dripping in my ears, and it seemed that the rain had finally fallen. Out of curiosity, he slowly unleashed some magic—his sigil could connect with the senses of distant flowers and plants as subtly as an extension of Abel's senses, so that he could hear more clearly.

"She is my senior sister, and according to the regulations of the Academy, she can only be a senior sister. Ji Chongming's voice was obviously resistant, and anyone who heard such a meaningful word would feel annoying. Speaking of which, Miss Weaving did say that she had someone she liked in the temple, so it turned out to be Shigemei......

"I've always had a relationship, although I've heard that Miss Weaver took the initiative. The envoy seemed unaware of this.

"It's my private matter here, Shang Bai Ze. Chongming made his words clearer again.

"Brother, this is off topic. It was Shimo-Shirasawa Mingyin's voice, and although it was cold, Mingyin's behavior could be said to be unbiased.

"Mingyin, why are you ...... like that," the envoy still said in a flirtatious tone, "Actually, I don't want to be considered a nasty boss, I'm sorry." However, after all, the Jingyuan pays attention to her background and background, although Miss Weaving has long been not part of the remnants of the Yan Yingyuan Party, but she is from Japan after all. ”

"What's the matter?" Chongming's indifferent voice was not enthusiastic, "After all, I am a personal disciple of Lady Zhi, even if I don't do anything, I will have my own suspicions to come to the door." ”

After a pause, the envoy's laughing voice sounded again: "It's not appropriate for you to say that, you are the highest-ranking person in the Yan Ying Academy, the commander-in-chief of the S City branch and one of the Nine Giants, you are a core member of the Academy." ”

"Isn't it you who has the highest position? You were also Sister Yi's lover back then. Chongming, who has always been gentle and polite, is also sarcastic.

The envoy laughed, "Is that counted? I was ordered to approach the Yan Ying Courtyard just like you." ”

"I also remembered that we all thought you were killed by the Swingers. He Yanfang also began to recall.

"I also thought I was going to die, and when I woke up, the battle of Chang'an was over, and things were not everything......" The envoy sighed, and the words changed abruptly, "Speaking of which, the highest position among the people associated with Yan Ying Yuan is my brother-in-law, and the power I have as a white sage is not comparable to us." ”

"You demon temple don't recognize this. He Yanfang's tone did not change much, it was still flat.

"We must apologize for this, your gentleman has spoken, and we can't stand up to the Heavenly Punisher. ”

"Is it, is Oreo pressing?" He Yanfang sneered, "I'm still more afraid of him than I am...... It's no wonder that violence is always useful. ”

Sure enough, the mention of the head of the headquarters will be irritated...... Cedar couldn't help but think about going over and diverting the topic.

The envoy laughed heartily again, and the tone of dancing seemed to be deliberately testing the bottom line of others: "Don't be angry, we will cooperate well, let's discuss the suspect, right?"

This unpleasant way of speaking seemed to have no effect on He Yanfang, and the landlord's voice was as calm as before: "So, let's talk about your judgment of the Demon Palace?"

"Yonghe, Yonghe, Teng Xueyao, Jean, Ruan Yanshan. Mingyin replied without emotion.

"What is the basis for judgment?"

"Last night's riot should have been done by a magician who could cause a frenzy, and the man who is good at this technique is very suspicious of Yonghe. Although he was injured before, Yonghe has been in good shape recently, and he is also recuperating, don't forget that the surge who attacked Harden before may be a sorcerer who is active in the sanatorium," the envoy's tone became serious, "In addition, Harden said that it may be an illusionist who attacked him, and when it comes to the sorcerers who have this ability in the city now, it is the brothers Jean and Teng." Shi Xue's serious illness can be ruled out, but Xue Yao, who often visits the patient, is different. ”

"What about Xiao Ruan?"

"He's a staff member of the sanatorium, he's good at fine operations, and there's an important point, he's only fifteen this year, when will the hospital appoint such a young demon," the envoy said with a sneer, "This is a huge flaw." ”

It seemed difficult to refute, and there was no sound on the other side of the study for a while.

"And his ancestors lived in Lingnan, isn't he too concerned about the grandson of the Lingnan Poison Overlord now?" the envoy continued, "There should be a grudge. ”

"That's a bit far-fetched, isn't it?"

"It's always good to be cautious," the envoy naturally added a taunt, "if the Dawn Herald could foretell the list, we'd be much easier." ”

What's wrong with the healer's treatment of the patient, and it's not so simple to prophesy...... Cedar still likes Ruan Yanshan and Clio, and he prefers to believe that Yanshan and Clio's behavior has its own reasons.

"As for Jean......" the envoy seemed to chuckle, "because he is the one you trust the most, I can't say anything." ”

In the end, there is still irony, and the conversation between adults is really infuriating...... Having already sobered up for a few minutes, Cedar sat up, intending to join the discussion after brewing his emotions.

"If you want proof of Jean's actions, I can give it to you. Except for topics related to the head of the headquarters, He Yanfang is always calm and almost indifferent, even if he is an envoy, he doesn't seem to be able to stir up half of it.

"No, what you give doesn't count, brother-in-law. Cedar could imagine the smile on the envoy's face as he said this.

"Worried I'm favoring Jean?"

"No, I'm not worried about that," the envoy's voice was still smiling, as if teasing, "You are such a selfless person after all, even if Yu Xuan is resurrected, he can't blame you for your actions." ”

"Can you not mention Bai Ze Yuxuan? This is very despicable!" The snake who had not spoken all this time was also uneasy, "Let us all give up our personal feelings to suppress demons for you, but aren't you brothers and sisters who are involved in personal affairs and are bent on resentment and revenge!"

"Is it interesting to torture the living with the dead, this is still the person your deceased sister loves, do you think you are the only one who grieves?" Shigeaki's tone was filled with grievance and disgust, "Origin, background, and your personal love and hatred, this is the standard of the Academy, right?"

"Two, let Shang Bai Ze finish his words first," He Yanfang calmly persuaded them, "So Shang Bai Ze, what is the reason for your distrust?"

"Then with all due respect," the envoy said unceremoniously, "the blood sacrifice of Jiuding, the collapse of Yan Ying, such a tragic battle should have buried all the demons, but why did you leave you alone, brother-in-law?"

What kind of question is this? Even Cedar gets angry—isn't this kind of question just asking why Mr. He is not dead? Why didn't Mr. Lu ease the atmosphere as usual?

"Who did he think he was talking to......" Even the indifferent Nobuzhi seemed to show disdain.

"Senior, don't pay attention to this kind of unreasonable questioning, what is this!" Chongming said with anger suppressed, "This is not what official business should involve for a long time! Do you have evidence?"

"The nine murders are all destroyed, why can you live alone when you are equal to their most strength? Are you really not the undead?" the envoy began to bite hard, "Sikong Ruhuang's ability is to make his wishes come true, if you want to, can't you even find a few dead souls?"

"Brother!" seemed to feel inappropriate, and Mingyin couldn't help but solemnly try to whisper to stop.

"Don't bark, his exploits over the years are clear, but you are the one who has a flawed resume!"

You have to stop it, this is about to start a fight! Cedar immediately got out of bed: "Dengzhi, do you say that Bai Ze will listen to my orders?"

"Wait, Cedar ......," Noboree thought for a rare moment, "I seem to have remembered something, something very important...... They're fine, you also know what role He Yanfang is, he can handle it. ”

But Mr. He was bullied because he was too gentle! Cedar had to stand by the door first, and just by a glance he knew that there was a tense look in the study. At that moment, he seemed to feel that the room was also a different color, shadows, eyes, emotions, hypocrisy, forbearance, hatred, and rage...... It's all mixed in, and it's so dark that it chills.

"Don't go too far, Shang Bai Ze, didn't you say it too, this is a white sage, in principle, I should take action to protect the sage, this kind of thankless work, not to mention the head of the headquarters, even if I am very opposed," Carlos, who stopped pouring tea, and was silent for a long time, rarely said solemnly, "I hate the saying that people are good and are bullied, don't take advantage of other people's grief to bully people too much." ”

"I understand the truth, but it's a very serious issue. Since the blood sacrifice was so tragic, the only person who survived and disappeared for a long time was of course questionable. The envoy said it righteously and strictly, but the regret for the deceased sister was probably also mixed in.

"Do you want to find out," He Yanfang looked directly at him like a Xuantan, and his voice was unhurried, "I am the only demon who has the same recovery power as the evil lord, you know this." And I didn't sacrifice Jiuding at that time, there's no doubt about it, right?"

"You are the closest to the host of the Black Water Ji other than the evil lord, that is, my sister Yu Xuan, and the evil lord who is recognized as having the strongest recovery power is still dead, not to mention that you are still fighting with the black water guards in Mount Tai before returning to Chang'an. ”

"What kind of logic do you have, what qualifications do you have to say this if you don't participate in the battle?" the snake sneered.

"I was able to become a synthesizer to defeat Musk and join the battle of Chang'an because the emperor's 'dream invasion' was chosen for me. The purpose of the Emperor's ability is to protect me from death, so my luck is better than that of the Nine Murderers, can you accept this answer?" He Yanfang said without any waves, "As for later, I went to the Blue World, if you want to prove the authority, I'm afraid you will have to ask Oreo." ”

The envoy couldn't help but smile bitterly: "This is no different from looking for death......

"I can't stop you from doubting me, but if you don't want things to worsen, you can respect the Heavenly Punisher a little, it's not wise to just stare at me. Even if he showed toughness, He Yanfang's voice was still flat and his attitude was impeccable.

The envoy, who had been calm, fell silent now.

"Sure enough, it's still annoying...... I really can't tolerate you no matter what, He Jun. The playful voice was cold, and the aura of the envoy began to change, it was...... The breath of the demons?Cedar couldn't help but jump up and rush over: "Mr. He!"

"It's okay, Komatsu. He Yanfang said calmly, just calmly and almost indifferently looking at the envoy-

The envoy still had a flashy smile on his face, but Cedar could see the demon wrapped around his body like a hug behind him, looming like a mirage.

"Brother, how could you ......" Mingyin's hand, which was ready to unfold the sealing scroll at any moment, trembled as her voice, and the unexpected situation clearly shook her.

"Possess the demon...... "Aware of the existence of the monster himself, the envoy said calmly, and looked around at the people guarding the room, "Don't be so nervous, I'm still awake." ”

"Do you dare to say such nonsense after all this, you are the divine beast that rules us!" the snake couldn't help but roar, "It's good to give me a convincing reason!"

Is it because of hatred, the envoy just looked directly at He Yanfang, still with a smile on his face: "I hate you, even if I know in my heart that I should understand, I can't accept it." ”

"Of course you can hate me, but that's not a reason to fall," He Yanfang looked unmoved, "You don't want to be looked down upon by the people you hate, do you?"

"Yes...... "Tiredness and self-abandonment appeared in his smile, and the envoy slowly returned his hand to seal it, dissolving the possessed demon at once, "I'm sorry, I was too rude." I need to go back and calm down and say goodbye. ”

"In the end, I have to defend my students, Shang Bai Ze," He Yanfang said softly, "It's not that Clio can't predict, and it's not that the emperor can't use his powers, it's just that because of the equivalent exchange iron rules of the law of the world, I let them save their power for the time they need it most." ”

Slowly turning his head, the envoy smiled with an inquiring face: "That is...... Are you ready for a big war?"

"When it's over, there's bound to be commotion, and at worst, it's going to be a fight against the Demon King, right here. He Yanfang looked directly at him, his voice piercing.

The black and black eyes calmly faced each other, and the mask-like face then smiled lightly: "Understood, I should apologize." Then let's take my leave. ”

"Please don't take it personally, senior," Shigeaki said solemnly, turning back before leaving, "maybe you will feel that we are seeking your refuge, but in any case, we believe in you. ”

He Yanfang smiled at this and said nothing.

"I've always hoped that at least everyone who survived the battle of Heishui Ji will be okay, and at least think that what I have done is in line with Yu Xuan's expectations......," he said to Carlos as he turned around, and He Yanfang smiled self-deprecatingly, "but to them they are just monsters." ”

Mr. He...... "I didn't know how to comfort him, and Cedar could only stand there.

"Xiao Song, did you say that I became that kind of person?" He Yanfang suddenly asked, "I have agreed, I will stick to her morality, even if I have thought about destruction countless times in my heart, even if I am hypocritical, I will definitely do the right thing...... I know it's going to be thankless, and I know I'm not going to be happy even if I get the ending...... Even if I was ridiculed for why I wanted to build my own cage, even if I wondered that this relationship should not be a shackle, even if it was so difficult to persevere......"

He Yanfang had never said so much in one breath, He Yanfang raised his head slightly, and his illusory expression belonged to this sad season like the blood-colored phoenix branches swaying quietly and the iron-colored clouds surging silently: "Am I what she expects me to be now?"

“...... Don't be sad, Mr. He, of course you ......" I don't know what to say, Cedar blurted out, and for some reason he felt that he had said something inappropriate-

Don't be upset...... As if he suddenly came back to his senses, as if he remembered that he should be retouched, He Yanfang lowered his gaze, frowned lightly and smiled bitterly: "I'm sorry, Xiaosong, it's too late...... Can you wait a little longer? I'll ...... a little bit Take a break. ”

"Mr. He......" Seeing He Yanfang walking towards the inner room, Cedar couldn't help but worry. He followed lightly, and sure enough, the destination was the backyard where the memories of the dead were gathered.

Cedar is afraid of this demon realm - although he has said that he will share it, he is not able to bear the heavy suffering, worry, but he can't do anything. In the deep courtyard of the 100,000 stone pagoda after the rain, the man leaning on the cold flame just smiled softly, his lowered eyebrows and eyes dyed with desolation, as if they were wet with moss.

The faint smell of the soil and blades of grass after the rain was blowing in his face, as heavy and cold as the thousands of ancient towers with sharp edges and corners, as if the past had broken through the soil under the deep soil of a thousand layers and poured out.

The corpse of the past, the blood of the past, the hatred of the past, the love of the past, and the poison of the past...... What kind of deep scars can not be taken away by the spring breeze and autumn rain, how can we get rid of the entrenched thoughts, and how can we practice the permanent agreement?

"Let him be quiet, shall you?" said Carlos, who stood beside him at some point, and whispered, "There are times when you can't be disturbed. ”

Cedar nodded silently and followed Carlos quietly back into the house. The record is still singing, Leslie Cheung's voice is low, singing "Rouge Buckle" in silence:

"The oath is a smoke cloud

Painstakingly put a lot of thought into it

Love is as hot as fire

How to burn a lifetime

Continuation is not easy

-

Negative affection is my name

Wrong payment of a thousand lovesickness

Love is like water passing eastward

Obsessed with pouring out

May that day never be met

I just want to rely on each other

No matter what you do, you can regret the world

Growing old

The fire of love has not been extinguished, and people have mutated

-

Pray for a reunion on that day

Tell all kinds of lovesickness

I hope to live up to you again

Obsessive attention

People are retained by love

I hope to live up to you again

Obsessive attention

Ask when we will meet again"

The soft but heavy singing voice seems to be cold, but the love and sorrow in it are boiling like blood, and it is almost frightening to listen to it in the dark. Cedar didn't understand, but he felt that sadness gradually covered his whole body like moss, and his heavy heart and the tip of his tongue trembled silently.

It's so lonely...... Cedar turned around, and at this time, the courtyard where the heat was slightly dispersed finally came the first cicada song of the afternoon, like a vent of dissatisfaction with the sultry summer, like a sad situation of discord, bursting out from the direction of He Yanfang for a long time.

The distant seasons overlapped in obscurity, and from the reality soaked in the rain of sorrow, from the fragile empty cicada, his song burst out of his shell, and threw the love and hatred that the river of time could not wash away to the sky.

-

Preview: "I know it's unreasonable, but when I think that your tattoo is not Xuanmei's plum blossom, I feel that you betrayed her." ”

"Be sure to find him, he definitely has an ulterior conspiracy!"

"They're the dead this time!"

"That's enough! I'll be in charge, so put away your killing intent!"

"It's true that the identity of the deceased is already known, but what is the best way to deal with it?"

"Don't feel guilty anymore, what is the purpose of your return, let it go. ”

After the anxiety and doubt, they will eventually go deeper into the darkness, exploding, revealing and dissolving, the entangled grievances are like dead knots, and the dim gaze that probes into the darkness in order to find out the truth is relatively like a blade. If this is the only cure for suspicion, let me step into this abyss to find out!

In the next chapter, the fascination is introduced.