After entering the Zhuangyuan Temple, everyone put on a mask. It was still dark and the smoke inside the temple was quite heavy. In the bright candlelight, the red candles made Wenquxing's face look a bit hideous. The witch asked them to enter in order and then kneel down next to each other.
Although everyone was wearing a mask, Pei Jing knew that the person next to him was Yu Qinglian because they came in together. In the witch's somewhat hoarse and strange voice, Pei Jing heard Yu Qinglian whisper.
"I found this mask strange when I saw it. It looked like a monster. The mask moved because it was chosen by God. In my opinion, it must be possessed by a ghost."
They communicated with their spiritual consciousness, so the people around them couldn't hear them.
Pei Jing said: "You won't be selected anyway, why do you worry about these things?"
Yu Qinglian said: "Who said I won't be chosen? We hide our cultivation and our aura. We are cultivators. There are only low-level ghosts in this temple. They might think we are more delicious."
Pei Jing: "Let's take a look first."
The rule of this village is that the selected people must take the imperial examination in the spring of the following year. Some of the selected young men are not even scholars, but they often have a smooth journey and become Jinshi along the way.
After the witch finished singing, she asked them to stand up and form a circle around the statue. The crowd was disrupted, so Pei Jing and Yu Qinglian also separated. He stood right in front of the statue, looking up and could see Wenquxing's expression, a hint of compassion and sneer, which was particularly real in the red fragrance and chaotic mist.
With a bang, firecrackers outside went off, and then a gust of wind came in, and all the lights went out. The temple was in the valley, and it was still pitch black at this time. Pei Jing closed his eyes and heard many subtle sounds, slowly spreading from underground, a bit like chewing. When he first put on the mask, he intuitively felt a strange touch, and now he felt suffocated, buried in dust, blocking his breathing.
It was like being buried alive.
The prayer began.
He closed his eyes tightly, and the breath of the living people around him disappeared, leaving him alone in an empty world. The gate of the Zhuangyuan Temple opened, and a strong light rang above, which made him open his eyes. He looked up quietly, and it was the eyes of Wenquxing, mocking with a hint of world-weariness.
Silence and his gaze.
Originally, from Pei Jing's perspective, he could only see the statue's chin and expression.
Now the statue bowed its head.
Wenquxing came alive, but it didn't speak, and Pei Jing naturally didn't move. He felt that the mask on his face was shrinking and melting, as if it was going to blend into his skin and replace his face.
The intense white light formed a circle of light above, with only Pei Jing left in it. The light even made Wenquxing's figure fade.
As the sky and earth began to get light, he heard the voice of a man reading aloud. The voice was sonorous and upright, carrying the lingering fragrance of books and accompanying the chirping of birds.
"Heaven created all things to nourish man, yet people still blame Heaven for being unkind. They don't know that locusts are everywhere in the world, and all the common people and ministers are suffering. The common people live and die like dogs, and the nobles are arrogant and extravagant, and are blessed by Heaven. This is not a human world, and those who go against Heaven should be punished by Heaven! Suddenly, a madman sharpened his knife at night, and the imperial star was swaying high in Mars. From now on, the world will be turned upside down, so why should we be reluctant to kill people? Kill the disloyal people! Kill the unfilial people! Kill the unkind people! Kill the unrighteous people! Kill the unrighteous, unwise, and untrustworthy people! Kill, kill, kill, kill!"
Every time the word "kill" was spoken, it was like a sword stained with blood, or like thousands of troops breaking through the ground.
In the white light, Pei Jing saw Zhang Qingshu when he was a child.
It started with his ten years of hard study. He sat in his room day and night, a boy who was almost like a piece of wood.
But in this backward and rough village, he looked very different. He was thin and pale, unable to go to the fields or do farm work. At first, everyone mocked him and laughed at Zhang's father for having a daughter, until he became famous.
The majestic imperial city, behind the red gates and brocade clothes.
The most talented man of the time was a pillar of the country, full of vigor and vitality, and when he looked back, he saw thousands of volumes of poetry and books.
He came from a poor family, but held a high position and great power. He was loyal, righteous, polite and trustworthy, and was admired by all.
His chamber was crowded with people every day and officials vied to curry his favor.
A beautiful scenery.
The pictures are all about this glorious side, whether it's the verbal battles in the court or the beautiful women in private, with thousands of envious eyes cast on them, making people feel that if they can live to this point, it would be a perfect life.
Pei Jing didn't understand why he was shown this.
Soon, a faint voice that was difficult to tell whether it was male or female was heard.
"Are you jealous?"
Pei Jing: "..." Now I understand. This means he was chosen by Wenquxing. He wanted to laugh, but he had always been hiding his identity, so he nodded. His mask covered his indifferent expression, but his tone was very panicked: "Are you Wenquxing?"
The voice said, "I am not."
Pei Jing: "Are you a god?"
Its voice was somewhat bewitching: "You can treat me as - do you envy that person just now?"
Pei Jing was delighted and shook his head: "I'm not really envious."
The "God" was slightly stunned, and then continued: "Don't you want to gain both fame and fortune, and shame those who looked down on you in the past?"
Pei Jing said nonsense casually: "No, no, scholars like me do not seek fame, wealth or other people's opinions, but only want to devote ourselves to the people of the world."
God was silent again. After a long while, he said slowly, "Then I can give you infinite wisdom."
Pei Jing: "But I'm smart enough."
god:"... ... "
Pei Jing certainly couldn't let God shut himself up, so he quickly said, "But I want to see you."
God: “Hmm?”
Pei Jing: "This is my grandmother's wish before she died. She said that I have had no luck since I was a child. It would be good for me to meet you and get rid of the bad luck."
God probably didn't want to talk to him any more, so he said in a hoarse and cold voice, "Then come find me here tomorrow at midnight. You are the one I have chosen this time."
Pei Jing was flattered: "Wow, really? Thank you."
After Wenquxing chooses someone, there is a succession ceremony. At that time, Aju and Aju's brother had an accident during this stage.
Pei Jing thought, I’m afraid you won’t dare to come out to see me when the time comes.
Pei Jing could sense that this was a little demon, hiding behind the statue and playing tricks. But there must be someone behind it, probably everyone in the dead village was there.
After the spirit disappeared, the strange scene around him dissipated. Pei Jing looked up again and saw that Wenquxing had returned to normal. He looked to the side and saw the faint sunlight shining in and falling on everyone's face.
The mask concealed his expression, but from his body movements, he could tell that the situation was not good - and what was bad for the villagers was just the lack of reaction. In fact, in his opinion, it was a good thing.
There were only a few dozen people left in the temple. The witch frowned as she saw him looking around, patted him on the back, and pointed to the door. Her meaning was obvious: she wanted him to get out.
Pei Jing didn't stay for long. But when the witch saw his face, she couldn't hide her surprise even with her messy makeup. But the ceremony was still going on, so she didn't say anything.
As soon as Pei Jing came out of the temple, he touched his face. What he felt was not a cold mask, but green mud that could be wiped off.
He thought to himself, what the hell is this monster? He pretends to be an omnipotent god who can satisfy everyone's desires. Were all the idiots in this village deceived in the same way before
However, given their high respect for Wenquxing, the steps are definitely not that troublesome.
Imagine the scene.
Probably, that androgynous voice asked, "Do you want to become famous and a winner in life?"
Then the villagers were moved and burst into tears: "Think about it"
Pei Jing waited for a while, and after a long bell rang, the sunlight just happened to pass through the top of the mountain and illuminate this ancient and mysterious temple.
A beam of light passed over the lintel.
Then the witch's old voice said: "Get up!"
Everyone in the temple opened their eyes.
They looked at each other, and then they were all a little disappointed. They looked around for the person whose mask had changed. After finding the person, everyone ignored their disappointment and stood there like a wooden chicken, feeling as uncomfortable as if they had eaten shit.
A fat foreigner with a frightened look and timid eyes.
A foreign woman, with an impatient and indifferent expression.
A lonely boy, lonely as he is, looks like a dead person.
A foreign monk, blind, always smiling.
Zhuangyuan Village selects candidates every three years.
This time, all the people chosen were outsiders.
All outsiders were selected.
All the villagers including the witch: "..." They cursed in their hearts and thought that it was time to consider changing the village chief.
A group of people behind them looked at them with strange eyes and chattered non-stop.
Except Ji Wuyou who was terrified and ashamed, no one else paid any attention.
The atmosphere of the entire Zhuangyuan Village changed. Everyone had a gloomy face and dared not speak out.
The people involved stayed indoors and discussed the inheritance for tomorrow night.
Pei Jing felt that they could not stay in those families, so he simply asked them to come to the village chief's house. After all, the village chief was a sensible man.
Pei Jing first explained the situation he encountered: "A man tricked me, saying that he was a god and could give me what I wanted. He wanted me to inherit it tomorrow night."
Yu Qinglian: "Me too."
Pei Jing: "Did they also show a story about Zhang Qingshu in the past at the beginning?"
Yu Qinglian: "Yes, it was quite glorious. When that person saw that I was a woman, he must have been shocked. He originally promised me fame and fortune, but immediately changed his words and said he would give me beauty."
After a pause, she said, "Then I said, I am beautiful enough."
Pei Jing already knew what was going to happen to her after hearing what she said before and didn’t even bother to pay attention to her. He was more interested in Chu Junyu—it was the first time in so many days that Chu Junyu sat among them seriously.
Pei Jing asked: "What does he plan to give you?"
Chu Junyu, sitting here, also seemed like an outsider, and said in a cold tone: "Give me the best martial arts in the world."
Pei Jing: "... ... Did you also refuse, saying that you don't need my invincibility?"
I don’t know why, but Pei Jing felt that this god was rejected today.
Chu Junyu raised his eyes to look at him and did not deny it.
"puff."
Pei Jing couldn't help laughing out loud.
This god is really unlucky today and runs into obstacles everywhere.
When asked about Wusheng, Wusheng shook his head: "I didn't hear anything. I just knew that person was looking at me but didn't say anything."
Pei Jing smiled: "I guess your temperament is so pure and indifferent, so the monster has no way to start. It can only watch and put pressure on you, letting you know that you have been chosen by God."
Wusheng smiled.
Finally, Pei Jing asked Ji Wuyou: "Ji Wuyou, what about you?"
Ji Wuyou was a little out of sorts and didn't react.
Pei Jing asked again: "What did that person say he would give you?"
Among them, Ji Wuyou has the most worries and is the easiest to be confused.
Ji Wuyou reacted suddenly, attracted the attention of several people, and his face turned red, and then he became timid again. He deliberately avoided Chu Junyu's side and shrank back: "I... I didn't hear anything either."
He is lying.
Pei Jing watched quietly but did not expose him.
I just thought it was the boy's meager self-esteem at the time, and he didn't want to express his inner desire.
Thinking back, Pei Jing said, "I was in front and saw that Wenquxing move a little."
But the others didn't say anything.
Pei Jing felt a little strange. Was he the only one who saw it
There were not enough rooms in the village chief's house, so Yu Qinglian and Aju slept together, while Wusheng and Ji Wuyou slept together. Pei Jing and Chu Junyu were roommates for a year, so they were naturally together, but no one could sleep that night. The village chief's house was on the second floor, and outside the window was a quiet forest with bright stars.
Pei Jing said softly: "Do you feel strange?"
Chu Junyu said nothing.
Pei Jing: "They chose several of us at once. It seems like they have figured out our identities and are waiting for us to die."
Chu Junyu's light-colored eyes flashed with moonlight: "Are you scared?"
Pei Jing: "That won't happen. He uses his own tricks, so I will use my own tricks as well. It's still unclear who will die."
Chu Junyu smiled, with a mocking look in his eyes: "I guess, you die."
Pei Jing: "You are quite good at talking—" He showed a ferocious expression on his face and gritted his teeth: "Didn't we agree to share life and death together?"
Chu Junyu closed his eyes and didn't want to pay attention to him.
Pei Jing said: "Brother, you have almost forgotten that we were so sincere in Changtian Secret Realm and sworn brotherhood with the heaven and earth. How heartless."
Chu Junyu: "That's not sworn brotherhood."
Pei Jing: "Anyway, our relationship is different now."
Chu Junyu was choked by him. His cold expression suddenly became a little strange, and his eyes were unfathomable.
Pei Jing: "Just tell me, am I the most important person to you in Yunxiao now?"
Chu Junyu: "Not important at all."
Pei Jing laughed in his heart, but still asked, "At least it's different from others."
"So what?"
Pei Jing: "Okay."
It's stable.
The two sleep back to back.
But they all kept their eyes open.
Pei Jing was a little confused: Chu Junyu... ... maybe it's true that he has other thoughts about him.
Chu Junyu seemed to be thinking about something.
That night, there was another person who couldn't sleep.
Ji Wuyou.
All were in the temple and heard the god asking them what they wanted.
He was the only one who saw, in the white light, the rotten shell of Wenquxing falling off, and a young man walked down with a pen and paper in his hand.
He is dressed as a young scholar, wearing a blue robe and a silk scarf, with a weary look and mockery in his world-weary eyes.
“How pathetic.”
These four words brought out all the humble fear and almost ugly envy he had felt during his journey with Pei Jing.
My internal organs felt as if they were burning.
The blood is hot.
No skin left,
He is really, really sad.
The author has something to say: Chu was probably wondering why he became gay.