A distant noisy sound came.
Across several streets and corners, the hustle and bustle turned into tiny ripples when it came here. Everything fell into silence.
After experiencing the chaos and hustle and bustle of the Hundred Eyes Attack in the past few days, the city has just returned to stability, and order has finally been restored. Everyone is busy rebuilding the city and resuming production and work.
This off-the-beaten-path alley can be said to be extremely deserted, with few people around, let alone anyone who comes specifically to browse antique shops.
In the afternoon, light snow fell from the sky again.
The thin snow covered the blood and the dead, hiding those empty pupils like a shroud. People were able to forget the disaster that had just happened in the city and continue with their lives.
Towards evening, the alleys and old shops welcomed rare customers.
Someone pushed the door open, knocked the bell on the counter, and waited patiently.
Behind the counter, Hermes was writing quickly at his desk and waving his hand without raising his head: "This store is closed. Please come back later to buy something."
The visitor stood next to the fireplace, smiled, and took off his hat to keep out the cold, revealing a head full of white hair.
"I don't buy anything."
He said, "Come find someone."
He was an elderly man, well-maintained, with his white hair combed back in an orderly manner. When speaking, his voice was slow and steady, without any signs of anxiety.
As he walked along, there was no snow falling on his body, and there was no trace of water on his black cloak.
"Oh it's you."
Hearing his voice, Hermes was stunned for a moment, raised his head, raised his brows, and habitually put a mocking smile on his lips: "Your Highness Bai Heng, long time no see."
"Long time no see, Hermes."
Bai Heng nodded and pointed to his wine rack: "Can you bring me some? I saw a lot of good things."
"As you wish."
Hermes shook his head: "Your status is not an insult to them."
Bai Heng happily obeyed, stretched out his hand, wiped off the dust on the wine bottle, opened it skillfully, poured himself a glass, and placed another glass in front of Hermes.
Hermes held the wine glass and turned away from him: "At this time of year, you came to the Holy City quietly. Aren't you afraid that His Majesty the Pope will have some suspicions and connections?"
"I only have one emperor, and the emperor who belongs to me is not in the Holy City."
Bai Heng took a sip and put the glass down: "Although something is wrong now, some things must be resolved after dragging on for so long. The dispute between Prince Dong and Hermes should be resolved."
"I see."
Hermes nodded and suddenly asked: "Can I resist?"
"Please feel free to do so."
Bai Heng spread his hands: "As you can see, although I was born in the Bai family, I was not trained as a musician since I was a child. Until now, I am just a rhythm musician. It will be easy for you to kill me."
"You say it so nicely, why are there two people standing outside the door?"
"Just in case." Bai Heng replied calmly.
In the long silence, Hermes' fingertips turned the pen, and the tip of the pen was pointed at Bai Heng's throat intentionally or unintentionally. After a long time, he put down the pen and sighed:
"Forget it, it's too much trouble."
Hermes raised his head and asked, "Are you in a hurry?"
Bai Heng thought for a while and replied: "The schedule is tight, but one or two hours is more than enough."
"Then just wait for me."
Hermes picked up the pen again, looked at the notes on the table, and murmured softly:
"I'm almost done."
…
…
It was already past dusk when Bai Xi came back from the intensive care unit of the Silent Agency.
The chant musician told her that Ye Qingxuan's recovery was in good condition, the ether fluctuations had stabilized, and his recovery was just around the corner. This made her feel much better.
The massive attack by the Hundred-Eyed Ones in the past few days has been called the "Night of Eternal Darkness". Under the wise leadership of the Papal Palace, mankind fought back and finally defeated this evil god and achieved an amazing victory. Proud results. Immediately, the support rate of the new Pope Mr. Ludovic increased rapidly.
When the incident occurred, Ye Qingxuan, who stepped forward, not only repaired the barrier of the Holy City and protected the Holy City from destruction and demonic hands, but even made great contributions to mankind in some places, thus being cleared. His suspicion was praised by the Pope.
Even though the current situation is still turbulent and the war between various countries and natural disasters is not over yet, Ye Qingxuan's name is still spread throughout the world.
His fame can only be matched by the rise of Gaius. Being entrusted with important tasks, taking up important positions in the Holy City is almost within reach.
Even in the ward, important organizations from all over the Holy City sent greetings, the Cardinal made a special visit, and even the Red King made a special visit secretly despite his busy schedule. After awarding the comatose Ye Qingxuan the "Holy Medal" to prove his flawless character, he also left a white robe in the ward.
Bishop's cassock.
This is a hint.
If Ye Qingxuan is willing to wear it after he wakes up, he will be the youngest bishop in the history of the sect. There will be no problem whether he is on a mission or entering key departments of the Holy City. It will be smooth sailing in the future and I will have a bright future.
Therefore, Dr. Shengyong, who was responsible for the treatment, also became frighteningly attentive. He would come in to check on her almost every three minutes, which annoyed Bai Xi very much.
There was not much rest in the past few days. After Ye Qingxuan's condition stabilized, Bai Xi actually fell asleep on the carriage on the way home.
When the coachman woke her up, she remembered having a nightmare.
But she couldn't remember exactly what happened in the nightmare.
It seemed that something terrible had happened somewhere that she hadn't noticed, quietly destroying some things that belonged to her. When she accidentally looked back, she saw the devastation everywhere.
It's too late.
She stood in the alley, uneasy.
The snow fell on her body, melted, turned into water droplets, and seeped into her collar. It was so cold that it seemed to have penetrated into the bone marrow.
She shook her head, stopped thinking about it, and ran faster towards the door under the light. She felt the warmth of the fireplace through the door, and the panic in her heart calmed down slightly.
The soft light seemed to dispel the gloom.
She opened the door and saw blood.
Undried blood flowed out from the crack in the door, flowed down the steps and into the snow.
In front of the fireplace behind the door, in the warm light of the fire, Hermes sat on a chair with his eyes lowered, as if he was asleep. The wine glass in his hand fell to the ground. Under the baking of the fire, the wine had dried up and seeped into the floor.
Scarlet color flowed out from the rip in his shirt, followed his body, fell to the ground, gathered into a spring, and meandered out of the door.
Bai Xi was stunned.
"Hermes?"
She stepped forward through the sticky blood, bent down, and touched his cheek carefully. The dim eyes looked up, seemed to be blurry, and then he squinted to see the dull girl clearly.
"It's you, Bai Xi." He smiled, "Are you back?"
"Hermes, you... you..."
"It's no big deal, I'm just dying."
Hermes looked at the blood on his chest and shook his head tiredly: "In every sense of the word, I've failed as a human being. I have such a bad mouth, I've offended so many people, and I haven't done anything good. I won't die. It’s totally unreasonable. Fortunately, all the debts have been paid off... "
Bai Xi felt that his thoughts were about to freeze.
A dark gap appeared in his consciousness, swallowing up all his thoughts.
Hermes is dying
Hermes and death are two words that would never go together.
This bastard is heartless, vicious and cunning, looking at the world with cold eyes. Even when the world is about to be destroyed, he can ensure that he is safe. Even if everyone else is dead, he will never lose a hair.
For a long time, this bastard stayed out of the action, watching other people's dramas on the stage with cold eyes, applauding and cheering, or laughing in mockery.
It's like being able to see this for decades or hundreds of years...
But now, he is dying.
Some kind of cold pain spread in Bai Xi's heart, making her breathless.
"How did you die?"
Bai Xi looked at his blood and murmured dully. Suddenly, he felt inexplicable anger again. He grabbed him and shook him hard: "Why do you have to die at this time! Bastard! Get up! Are you playing a prank again? Where is your blood bag? Why? …”
Her voice stopped abruptly.
Under Hermes' torn clothes was a broken heart.
She froze.
Hermes sighed, took Bai Xi's hand away, and covered his chest again with difficulty.
"Sorry, I'm dying."
He whispered, "This time it's true, I won't lie to you."
Bai Xi lowered his head, looked at the blood on his hands, and couldn't help but choke up:
"There are other ways, right?"
Hermes smiled and shook his head.
"What are you pretending to do! Don't you always have a way? Save yourself first!"
Bai Xi raised his voice as if he was angry, but he couldn't hold back his tears: "Speak! Who should I go to? I don't know what to do anymore!"
"The cry is too quiet, I can't hear it. Make it louder."
Hermes sighed: "It feels so good to have someone cry before they die. It's a pity that there is only a little girl in the film, and it doesn't look good when she cries. Let's forget it..."
"Hey, don't cry, Bai Xi, raise your head."
He slowly stretched out his hand, pinched the girl's face, looked into her eyes with lax pupils, and told her: "You are the only disciple of the great Hermes. You don't need anyone to die in front of you." Lower your head."
"But I...but what should I do in the future?"
"This is your problem. The teacher has taught you so much, but he can't help you solve everything, right?" Hermes breathed hard, his voice hoarse:
"While I still have the strength to speak, let me leave my last words."
He said, "After I die, all the things I have saved over the years will be given to you. There is also a gift outside. I hope you will like it. However, remember to bring that thing to Ye Qingxuan for me."
He looked at the notebook on the table with the cover stained red.
"I owe him about Auschwitz."
He said, "I'll give it back."
"good."
Bai Xi nodded vigorously.
Hermes smiled, relieved, like a child, full of joy, even though death was embracing him. He just waved to Bai Xi to come over.
Come here some more.
Lean on his shoulder, sit next to him, and hold his hand.
In this way, his expression became peaceful, he no longer smiled, and his eyes were no longer painful.
Just like a child who is about to fall asleep, if you stay with him, he will no longer be afraid of the monsters in the dark and can sleep peacefully.
"Bai Xi, have you ever dreamed?"
He whispered softly, as if talking in his sleep.
"I did it."
"It feels so good to dream, as if my soul has been set free."
"Um."
Bai Xi nodded, resisting the urge to cry.
"Bai Xi, I really like people." He said, "I like you... I like the way you lie and the tears when you betray... It's so beautiful..."
"Bai Xi, I'm a little cold. Can you hug me?"
Bai Xi hugged him so hard, as if she wanted to keep those breaths in place and not allow him to leave.
"Bai Xi, it's so quiet."
He held Bai Xi's hand and humbly begged: "Can you please cry for me?"
Bai Xi nodded vigorously and burst into tears.
Tears fell on Hermes' face, diluting the blood and making it look like pink makeup against his pale face.
He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, as if looking into the long past and distant places.
So I muttered the names of those people, one after another, broken and blurry. It's like passing friends one by one during a long journey.
Until finally, this long journey in this world is coming to an end.
He dropped the salute, relieved, and pushed open the final door.
Go home.
"Don't be so sad, Seton." He smiled and hugged the phantom in his memory. "Smile, I'm back."
"Welcome back, teacher."
Bai Xi stroked his cheek, crying and whispering softly. Feeling the last warmth leaving his fingertips, he couldn't help but feel the sadness in his chest.
Farewell, teacher.
…
…
…
Thousands of snow fell from the sky.
Bai Heng was sitting on the steps, smoking silently, and heard someone in the corner not far away. There was a faint whine. After a while, he stood up, walked over, and reached out to push aside the handful of dead grass.
In the thin snow, the body of the female cat was already stiff.
There was one kitten left whining, sucking shriveled breast milk, and dying. Bai Heng put out his cigarette, reached out, took the kitten into his arms, and returned to the steps.
"Jiuying, do you like cats?"
He asked in a low voice as he carefully stroked the kitten's fur.
In the shadow beyond the light, the burly servant shook his head, "Never."
"It's normal."
Bai Heng nodded, "Guys like you are full of thoughts about murder and arson. You never feel lonely or weak. But only lonely people like cats. When you stay with a cat, you feel that you are not lonely. Yeah. I used to like it too, when I was younger."
Jiuying was silent for a long time and asked:
"what about now?"
Bai Heng smiled, said nothing, and just handed the kitten to Jiu Ying: "Take good care of it for me. It's a rare trip to the Holy City. This is a souvenir I brought for Your Majesty. The palace is deserted. I need to find her a playmate."
Jiuying took it and nodded.
In silence, Bai Heng stood up, looked at the falling snow, and asked in a low voice: "Is the girl that Hermes asked me to be called Bai Xi?"
"Yeah." Jiuying nodded.
"She's a good girl."
Bai Heng said, "That loser Yunlou Qingshu is not worthy of her. Go and tell her that from tomorrow on, she will be my Bai Heng's daughter. After my death, she will be the only successor of the Bai family."
"What if she doesn't want to?"
"She will."
Bai Heng said lightly, "It doesn't matter if you hate me or be afraid of me. Only by following me can you have a chance to kill me, right? You have to be careful, cats can scratch people."
Jiuying's fingers knitted together, and he lowered his head in surprise, seeing the little cat struggling and scratching a gash on his fingertips. His expression suddenly became awkward.
"Leave it to me."
Bai Heng sighed in frustration, and took the kitten from his hand with a light and gentle movement. The little finger scratched its chin, and the cat stopped fussing, closed its eyes obediently, and fell asleep peacefully in his arms.
Jiuying is gone.
In the silent falling snow, only Bai Heng was left holding the cat, silently looking into the distance.
"It's just loneliness."
He whispered softly.