The New Year’s Eve in Yidu is extremely lively.
The streets and alleys were filled with the smell of firecracker smoke, and red paper scraps were scattered all over the ground, mixing with the snow and water. From a distance, it looked like a pile of spring petals.
Every household rushed to stock up on New Year's goods on the last day. The aroma of cakes, sweets, nuts and roasted seeds filled the air. The streets were packed with people, and the little remaining snow was trampled dry. The atmosphere in the streets was hot, and the early spring cold could not freeze into thin ice.
Celebrating the Chinese New Year is a tradition that existed before the founding of Dayun. Even though people later began to worship the gods of the emperor's house, the festive atmosphere did not fade.
Lanterns were hung outside the Imperial Master's Mansion as well, but there was no festive atmosphere inside the gate, separated by a vermilion gate.
As a loyal believer of the Emperor's House, there was almost no festive atmosphere in Jiang Youyue's house. However, the Imperial Master was always magnanimous and would not interfere with the servants' celebrations. He would not ask which maid changed into festive hairpins or which servant tore new cloth to make clothes.
There are not many things that I care about, and Shi Jingzhi's whereabouts is the most important one.
"If you really went to Mishan Sect, what would they say?"
Jiang Youyue was tending to the bonsai on the shrine and listening to his subordinates' reports leisurely.
"We have contacted Chen Qianfan from Mishan Sect."
"Chen Qianfan? He's quite an important figure. Back then, he poked around everywhere with his nose and almost discovered the location of the ghost tomb in advance... Well, it's not surprising that he came to find Chen Qianfan after coming down from Huilian Mountain. It seems that the boy cares a lot about restrictions."
The subordinates were also dressed in gorgeous clothes and wearing masks for offering sacrifices to the gods, looking like students of the imperial teacher.
"I just don't know whether to unlock the restriction or seal the memory. Master Mishan will contact the disciples directly. Master, if you intervene rashly, it may arouse suspicion."
Jiang Youyue carefully trimmed the tangled branches of the bonsai, and then slowly turned around: "It's okay, if the formation is broken, we can find out without the intervention of Mishan Sect."
"Queen Milan's secret book is still in the north. If Jingzhi deciphers it and finds clues—"
"So what if you find out? Remember, this matter depends on your actions. We just need to wait and see the result. If you are carrying the destiny, we will intervene. If you are just another 'trouble', we will deal with it as before."
The young subordinate hesitated to speak.
"I still believe that success depends on planning, and the less you know, the better. Queen Milan is very smart, and Yan Budu is arrogant because of his talent. Both of them are trying to be perfect, but they stopped at the last step. Shi Jingzhi..."
"Don't worry about it. Let's talk about it in a few days. If he really wants to break the ban, I will tell you. How have you investigated about my disciple?"
“Nothing special yet.”
"Well, let's wait and see. As long as the Northwest 'Great Restriction' is still there, even if Shi Jingzhi accepts Yan Luo as his apprentice, he can't change his fate."
"yes."
Thousands of miles away, the desolate north.
When the group returned to Chen Qianfan's residence, it was completely dark.
Chen Qianfan sat on the stool and drank a whole pot of hot tea. He wiped his beard and Shi Jingzhi's words took a long time to enter his ears: "Huh? You said you want to break the ban?"
“…Yes.” Shi Jingzhi’s tone was quite serious.
"You are quite nice to me. But this makes things a little difficult. To make a talisman for the girl, you only need to chop off a piece of corpse. But to break the formation, you need at least an ancient corpse."
Chen Qianfan stood up cursing and pounded his waist.
"It's also very troublesome to set up the place to solve the formation. Oh, it's quite troublesome when I think about it. It will take at least ten days to finish it..."
Shi Jingzhi: "Senior Chen, I have always wanted to ask, why do we have to use ancient corpses as materials? Are other substitutes feasible?"
Chen Qianfan took a look and spoke slowly.
"You know that any spell or formation requires the corpse of a monster as the material for casting the spell, right?"
"yes."
"Some creatures are naturally much stronger than their peers, and are called 'monsters' in the world. In fact, the world is full of essence, and some creatures are born with extra essence, which is why monsters appear. When a monster dies, before its body rots into mud, it still contains abundant essence - based on this, it can cast spells. The more intelligent the monster is, the better the effect of its corpse."
Chen Qianfan slowly flipped through the record book.
"It's the same principle. Humans are also living creatures, and there are also 'demons' who are born with extra energy."
Shi Jingzhi suddenly realized: "Humans are the most powerful of all things, and have the most abundant energy. Is that why you want the ancient corpse in the secret book?"
No wonder Chen Qianfan said he was a “good material”.
"That's right. The ancient corpses in the secret book are all top-quality monsters and the most useful materials for casting spells. But killing people for materials is taboo. This is the first iron rule of the Mishan Sect, so I can only use human corpses."
At this point, Old Man Chen smiled meaningfully.
"There is no tree without roots or water without a source in the world. For something as insane as magic or formations to be 50% effective, the cost must be at least doubled. Otherwise, it wouldn't have taken me thirty years to research the immortal body."
Shi Jingzhi fell into deep thought, and Yin Ci also lowered his eyes and remained silent.
But this subtle atmosphere did not last long—
Shi Zhongyu had no time to worry about the theory of magic. Ever since she heard that "it will take at least ten days to finish", she looked gloomy and depressed.
She could wait, but her master could not. If they delayed for another ten days, Master Qi might not be able to finish the work until the seventh day.
Shi Jingzhi noticed her anxious gaze and said, "It's just body parts, which can be obtained in the next few days. Human life is at stake, Miss Shi should go back to Taiheng first."
Shi Zhongyu didn't take advantage of the situation and said, "In this case, how will Sect Leader Shi return to the Central Plains?"
"I agreed with the young lady to spend half a month. I will send my assistant to get the materials. After half a month, the young lady will come back with arrows and horses to pick us up. Is that okay?"
Shi Zhongyu finally breathed a sigh of relief, with some excitement in his eyes: "Thank you, Master Shi."
Su Si hugged Master Bai tightly, his face almost the same color as Goose Feather: "We have to stay here for another half a month?"
This place is barren, and there is nothing but snow outside the window. Su Si only stayed here for one day, and he was so idle that he felt uncomfortable. But Yan Qing was so obsessed with sword practice that it didn't matter where he practiced. The young master Chi Gou didn't even have a chance to unite the front.
After joining the Kushan Sect, my life became more and more miserable.
Shi Zhongyu tried to smooth things over by saying, "I have set up a garrison in Shuangchuan. I will have people waiting there early. I won't really delay the half-month deadline."
Su Si sighed, "I'm not targeting Senior Shi... Sect Leader, today is New Year's Eve. So, we can't enter the city before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month?"
Shi Jingzhi: “…”
Shi Jingzhi was horrified: "New Year's Eve is already here? Isn't it still seven or eight days away?"
This is really not Master Shi's fault. The master and apprentice of Kushan Sect, one is facing a life-and-death decision, and the other has long been living a life without knowing what day it is. After the tragedy at Huilian Mountain, Yan Qing was so obsessed with sword practice. They almost forgot what exciting and good things were happening in the world, and only Su Si remained sober without a care in the world.
What's more, there is no festive atmosphere at all here at Chen Qianfan's place. It makes sense, old man Chen looks like a carefree outsider, how could he care about the festive atmosphere.
Poor Su Si, who had been struggling at the bottom of the underworld, what he looked forward to most was this little bit of excitement, but in the end he couldn't even hear the sound of firecrackers.
Granny Wei was just about to add more tea. She smiled and said, "It just so happens that there are a lot of young people here. Why don't we celebrate the New Year? I'll cook two more dishes tonight and that will be our New Year's Eve dinner. I also sewed a new jacket for him, but Master Chen doesn't like to wear it..."
Chen Qianfan shook his beard and said indifferently: "It's up to you. I don't care."
Anyway, I will be able to forget this person completely tomorrow, Yin Ci thought.
Looking at Shi Jingzhi—the cheap master loves the hustle and bustle, who happens to be facing a decision concerning his life, he definitely doesn’t want to miss such a festival.
Sure enough, Shi Jingzhi's serious look just now disappeared without a trace.
He walked up to Su Si in two steps and said sternly, "So what if we can't enter the city? How can our sect not celebrate the New Year?"
Seeing Shi Jingzhi's performance, Yin Ci finally felt relieved: "Yan Qing, go decorate the house, I will help mother-in-law prepare meals."
Granny Wei's eyes were a little moist, and she was almost beaming with joy: "Okay, okay. There are still some remaining demon flowers from the other day. I'll use them to dye some paper and cut some window decorations. Well, the New Year should be lively."
Chen Qianfan exhaled a few times but didn't say anything.
Anyway, the secret book has to be played before dawn, so finding something to do at night can be a combination of work and rest.
Although Shi Jingzhi was not the type who would never do anything, unfortunately, in this matter, his role was comparable to that of Master Bai. Sect Leader Shi was really useless and was sent to watch Chen Qianfan study magic—even Su Si was able to chop meat into good stuffing, at least he could help make dumplings.
Whether he was too self-aware or just wanted to be lazy, Shi Jingzhi said nothing, crossed the boundary of the front hall, and plunged into the messy side. In a short while, Sect Master Shi and Old Man Chen started to talk quietly, and even started to fight.
Yin Ci looked carefully for a moment, and made sure that there was no gloom on Shi Jingzhi's face, then he withdrew his gaze.
On the way back, I always felt that there was a rare heaviness on Shi Jingzhi. Maybe he was just overthinking it.
time flies.
They had not originally planned to celebrate a very elaborate New Year, as long as the atmosphere was there. Unexpectedly, after the window paper-cuts were pasted and the dumplings were cooked, Shi Jingzhi, who had instigated this matter in the first place, left Chen Qianfan and went out alone.
Yin Ci patted the flour on his back and followed with a dignified manner.
When it comes to matters of life and death, Shi Jingzhi's emotions have always been unstable. At this moment, when the world is at its busiest, he is left behind in the north, with who knows how much pressure he is carrying, so it is not impossible for him to lose control.
You have to keep a close eye on me.
Outside the door, the snow was still a dark blue patch, spreading dully to the horizon. There were some dark clouds in the sky, with a few scattered snow and ice fragments, and no stars or moon could be seen when I looked up.
Shi Jingzhi walked to the windowless side of the room, stood in the open space, turned his head and looked at Yin Ci: "Ah Ci really followed me."
Yin Ci stopped teasing: "Your decision is very important, and it is difficult for ordinary people to choose. Who knows how the addiction will develop? From what I know, someone is an expert in self-harm."
"I promised you that I would not hurt myself again." Shi Jingzhi was not annoyed, "I promised you that I would not go back on my word."
Yin Ci stared at him for a while and said, "If you want to be alone and quiet..."
"No, you stay here and don't go anywhere."
Shi Jingzhi smiled more sincerely.
"This may be my last New Year, and I really want to live it seriously. Tomorrow, on the first day of the first lunar month, I will fight for the secret book, which is also appropriate."
Yin Ci didn't respond to the joke: "What nonsense are you talking about? Next year I will take you to Yidu for the New Year. There will be the most lively lantern festival there."
Shi Jingzhi's eyes gradually softened: "Okay, Master approves."
Then he let out a long breath and took out something from his arms.
"But we have to have a good New Year, Ah Ci, watch out."
There was a flash of sun fire, and something caught fire with a hiss.
Then, the thing exploded directly in Shi Jingzhi's arms.
Yin Ci's scalp suddenly went numb, and he was almost frightened to explode - that scene was no joke, and he might even get his face blown in half.
Before he realized it, his body had already dodged and grabbed Shi Jingzhi. This time, he didn't have time to coordinate his steps, and his light Kung Fu didn't look very good, and he even looked a little embarrassed.
"I just said I wouldn't hurt myself, and you're going to kill yourself in front of me?"
Yin Ci examined the injury anxiously and almost roared.
When the smoke cleared, Shi Jingzhi's face was blackened by the smoke, but his skin was intact. Yin Ci breathed a sigh of relief, and then he saw the other person's innocent smile.
"you-"
There was a sharp snap.
In the dull night sky, a golden light rose from Shi Jingzhi's arms and rushed up to the sky, and then exploded into a golden firework. Under the dark clouds, gold fragments flew everywhere, and the sky was brighter in an instant. The familiar smell of fireworks penetrated into the nose.
It was a crude firework, fierce and extremely brilliant.
"I've seen people do it in Yidu, and it won't hurt yourself. But since this is my first time, I want to try out the effects first. I knew Ah Ci would follow, so I can show it to you secretly."
Shi Jingzhi said with a smile.
"You care about me so much?"
The little bastard even knew how to imitate him. Yin Ci let go of his wrist with a stern face and said, "This won't happen again."
Shi Jingzhi's eyes were somewhat complicated.
Even though the mystery became more and more complicated, the resentment about worldly relationship in my heart was completely dissipated at this moment.
Yin Ci still hadn't told Shi Jingzhi why he had revealed his identity to Shi Zhongyu today. After their shared secret was made public, Shi Jingzhi did feel a little disappointed.
However, it seems that Shi Zhongyu is still different from him now—
Perhaps Yin Ci himself did not realize it. When the fireworks started, Yin Ci did not have any ease, nor did he have the aura of a senior. Unlike when he was in the forbidden area, he had lost the dignity of a master, and his lightness skills turned into a stumbling panic.
In just a moment, Shi Jingzhi's heart seemed to stop, and the only sound in the vast sky and earth was the light sound of fireworks exploding.
Maybe Yin Ci will never know.
I will never know what kind of comfort I got in this lonely cold night, among countless dark and unknown whirlpools.
Suddenly I wasn't so scared anymore.