Just remember

Xia Houfu's body annihilated the last glimmer of hope in everyone's hearts.In fact, it is conceivable, and in fact, it is psychologically prepared, but before finding someone, no one is willing to give up, always thinking that there may be a fluke.However, things in the world are often like this. The more you don't want things, the more they will happen, and the more you expect things, the harder it is to achieve.

For a long time, no one spoke.

The tension and depression brought about by the dark cave has been ignored, and the chaotic and noisy sound of the underground river and the creepy ticking of stone pillars falling into the water have also been left behind. At this moment, there are only two emotions that dominate everyone——

The sadness stems from the accidental death of a partner who has been traveling for many days.

The fear stems from the possible reproach and revenge from Xiahou Villa in the future.

Sadness is true, even if there is no deep affection, after all, no one is hard-hearted after being together day and night for many days.The fear is even more real. To put it bluntly, anyone in this team can have an accident, except Xia Houfu.Because it will not be as simple as just dying, as long as Xiahou Zhengnan is willing, he can let everyone on this trip to the southwest, even half of the world, be buried with him.

In the end, Chun Jinran squatted down and gently helped his former partner close his eyes.

"Let's take him home."

Xia Houfu's body was already stiff, Qingfeng took a long time to carry him on his back.Of course, Young Master Qing didn't volunteer, he just lost in the boxing game.

"Actually, whether we take him back or not, the old man Xiahou can't let us go." The weight of one more person made Qingfeng's steps heavy, and the meaning in his words seemed to be self-deprecating, but also like accepting fate, "We'll just wait for Ying Die young."

Chun Jinran frowned, and was about to refute, but Fang Shulu patted Qingfeng on the shoulder first: "How Xiahou Zhengnan wants to settle accounts is his business, since we came together with fifteen people, we can't Throw your companions in the cold underground outside the Central Plains."

Qingfeng rolled his eyes at him: "It's not your back that dares you."

Fang Shulu heard the words and went to help Xia Houfu's body, with a calm and calm expression: "Then let me do it."

Embarrassed by Qingfeng, he hurriedly walked a few steps to throw him away, and said a little angrily: "I just said that, but I can really throw him here. The people who were talking together a few days ago are just gone, do you think I'm not uncomfortable..."

It took a day and a half to find Xiahou Fu, but the return journey only took half a day because there was no need to search everywhere like headless chickens.But in the middle of the journey, it was still inevitable to meet the monster again. This time, everyone did not dare to disperse, but Guo Pan took the lead, and Pei Xiaoyi and Ge Shiqidian reared their way.During the period, Hang Mingjun was bitten by the neck by the monster. Lin Qiaoxing, who was next to him, dared not use the sword for fear of accidental injury, and opened the monster's mouth with his bare hands. In the end, Hang Mingjun was rescued, but the girl's hands were dripping with blood.When they got back to the ground, everyone was exhausted, and Qingfeng was so sore that he almost lost consciousness. He lay on his back on the ground, and there was another bright sun at noon above his head, as if it had been a lifetime.

The young heroes of the Central Plains stayed in Qiliu Village for two days. First, they took a short rest to treat their wounds. Second, they bought shrouds and materials for Xia Houfu.The inn does not allow coffins to enter, and there is no righteous village in the village, so Xia Houfu's body has been stored in the ruined temple outside the village, and everyone takes turns to guard it.The temple looks like it was built by people from the Central Plains, but I don't know if it's because the gods are not effective, or because it's too remote, there is no incense, it is dilapidated and dilapidated.

Chun Jinran took the initiative to ask Ying to change Xia Houfu's shroud, and brought Ding Ruoshui to help.

When Ding Ruoshui saw his friend's eyes, he knew what he was planning.So when we arrived at the ruined temple, we didn't say much. Together with Chun Jinran and Bailang who guarded the corpse, they changed Xia Houfu's clothes and put them in the coffin. After a long time, the three of them put insect-proof and anti-corrosion herbal sachets around the corpse before covering the coffin.

Saying goodbye to Bailang, Chun Jinran and Ding Ruoshui returned to the inn.As soon as the door was closed, Chun Jinran asked in a low voice, "How is it?"

Ding Ruoshui shook his head: "You saw it when changing clothes just now, except for the bite wound, there are no other suspicious marks."

Chun Jinran pursed her lips and thought for a moment, then asked, "Could it be poisoning?"

Ding Ruoshui still shook his head: "There is nothing abnormal about the lips and nails, it doesn't look like it."

Chun Jinran paced back and forth, a little anxious: "Could it be that he was really killed by those monsters? But I always feel that things are not that simple..."

"No," Ding Ruoshui suddenly grabbed his sleeve, "he was not killed."

Chun Jinran stopped suddenly and was stunned.

"There were no fatal wounds on his body. The most serious wound was on his right ankle. He was almost bitten to the bone, but it was not fatal. But his cheeks were sunken and his lips were chapped. I think his feet hurt so badly that he couldn't recover. Walking, he could only stay where he was, and then he lost more and more blood, and he became weaker and weaker..."

Chun Jinran's heart almost twisted together: "You mean, he's just like that..."

Chun Jinran exhausted all her strength, but she couldn't continue talking.I can't say, nor dare to think, what a long period of pain, a person, in despair, really feels the passing of life.He definitely didn't want to die, but no matter how much he hoped, no matter how much he begged, no one came to save him.There are only cold, damp, and darkness around, he hates these, but at the last moment of his life, he still can only be with these, until he dies, he still does not look at his eyes.

Ding Ruoshui couldn't bear to look at Chun Jinran's face, he had secretly shed a lot of tears when changing clothes before.So at this time, it was rare to be calmer than my friend, so I sighed and advised: "Don't think about it. The body is not suspicious, and we can't go back to the cave to find clues. In the darkness and chaos, do you expect any witnesses or witnesses?" "

Ding Ruoshui's words of persuasion just reminded Chun Jinran that on the return boat, he picked out a few unsuspecting friends and asked questions, but the answers he got were all about running for his life. other.

Chun Jinran's suspicion gradually became shallower and thinner during the time of the return trip, and finally there was only a faint shadow left, which remained somewhere deep in his mind and was never mentioned again.

One month later, Xiahou Villa.

A coffin, fourteen people, the coffin lying quietly, all kneeling.In the same meeting room, things are but people are not.

Xiahou Zhengnan listened expressionlessly to Hang Mingjun's narration before being pushed into the hall by the third brother, and only said two words lightly, and opened the coffin.

As the coffin lid was opened, a rancid smell mixed with the aroma of medicinal herbs wafted out, not strong, but strangely irritating.Xiahou Zhengnan got up and walked slowly to the side of the coffin, and looked inside. After a long time, the hand resting on the edge of the coffin was turned white due to too much force, and when it was released, there were several sunken finger marks on it.

Chun Jinran suddenly heard the woman crying.

The voice was very low, as if trying to suppress it, but it hurt deeply.

Chun Jinran looked quietly out of the corner of her eye, but saw that Jin Liyun, who was hiding behind Mrs. Jin, was already in tears.

That sadness cannot be faked, just like the mourning in Xiahou Zhengnan's eyes, he tried his best to hide it under the calmness, but because it was too turbulent, even the calmness was tainted with real pain.

Except for Xiahou Zhengnan and Jin Liyun, there is probably no one who is really sad in the entire conference hall. Those heads of various sects with serious faces dare not even say "sorry", for fear of hurting Xiahou Zhengnan's nerves and harming his own family. Disciple, you have harmed your sect.

"Come here," Xiahou Zhengnan suddenly said in a low voice, "Take these people down and lock them up. Without my order, they are not allowed to visit."

The guards of the villa have orders to arrest people.

The young heroes kneeling in the hall had expected this situation, but they still struggled unavoidably when it was in front of them.All the sect masters couldn't sit still anymore, they got up one after another, wanting to make a move, but held back with difficulty.

The irritable Guo Ban raised his ax and knocked off the sword of a guard.

There was a bang, but it didn't make a sound, but it seemed like a thunderbolt exploded, freezing the air in the meeting hall.

Xiahou Zhengnan glanced at the chaotic battle situation, said every word, with a very light tone: "I don't want to kill you yet, don't force me to change my mind."

"Nie Zi, if you don't put down your weapon, you can catch him!" The bandit yelled.

Hang Mingjun and Hang Mingzhe looked at their father with angry and sad eyes, but in the end, they threw their swords to the ground.

With an example, the heads of the sects followed suit one after another, and those who had no sect masters or who were the sect masters saw their peers betrayed, so they had to know the current affairs as heroes.After a while, the guards finally quickly grabbed the young heroes and sent them to the private prison in the villa.

Fourteen people were separated into cells, and no one could see each other, let alone speak.

It was night, and Chun Jinran was quietly taken to the south of Xiahou.

This was the first time Chun Jinran entered Xiahou Zhengnan's bedroom.It is said to be a bedroom, but it is as big as a meeting hall, but what surprises Chun Jinran is not its size, but its lushness.Chun Jinran never thought that such a word could be used to describe the bedroom, all kinds of flower pots, large vats, more than a hundred kinds of different green plants and flowers, no matter native or aquatic, they are all delicate and pretty, with luxuriant branches and leaves.It is not an exaggeration to say that the jungle is denser than the one he passed through not long ago, and there is almost no place to step down. Sleeping on the bed inside, he can cover himself tightly without curtains.

In front of the window, Xiahou Zhengnan was painting something at his desk. On both sides of the desk were large pots of emerald bamboo, and on the desk was a narrow-mouthed celadon vase with two flower branches of unknown species stuck in them. The flowers were pink and white, just about to bloom.

"I've met Master Xiahou." Chun Jinran knelt down on one knee, clasped his fists with both hands, and almost performed the biggest salute besides kowtow.

Xiahou Zhengnan put down his brush, turned around, and was surprised by Chun Jinran's politeness: "What is Young Hero Chun doing?"

Chun Jinran didn't dare to raise his head: "I didn't protect Mr. Xiahou well, I deserve death."

There is sincerity and falsehood in these words.Sincerity comes from guilt and sympathy, and falsehood comes from fear and pity for life.He can quarrel with Xiahou Zhengnan who is in a good mood for fun, but he will never pull out his whiskers at this time desperately.

"If you can get Fu'er's life back in exchange for your death, that's fine. You don't have to die, just die once." Xiahou Zhengnan said flatly.

Chun Jinran shuddered, this man was serious, he knew it.

"I checked it myself, and Fu'er really only has wounds bitten by beasts." Xiahou Zhengnan said suddenly, his tone as calm as talking about the weather.

Chun Jinran gritted his teeth, the other party didn't let him get up, so he could only continue to kneel, and replied respectfully: "Hang Mingjun has already told you what happened, and what he said is the truth. I also checked with Ding Ruoshui , there is no doubt about it.”

"But there is a gap."

"The underground caves are intricate, claustrophobic, and under the chaotic situation of being chased and killed by monsters. Everyone is too busy to take care of themselves. Unless there are gods in the sky, no one can explain what happened to Mr. Xiahou."

"No, besides the gods, there is another person who knows."

"..."

"Actually, you also had doubts, so you checked the corpse for the first time."

"Yes, at first I really suspected that there was a murderer." Chun Jinran finally raised his head, "But there is nothing suspicious about Mr. Xiahou, and there is nothing suspicious about our encounters along the way. When we met a ferocious monster, everyone was together, And the monsters don't choose their targets at all, they just catch and bite them. If you have to trace the root cause, it was me who fell into the water that caused everyone to abandon the waterway and take the dry road, and the most suspicious one should be me."

Xiahou Zhengnan didn't say a word, he only narrowed his eyes to look at him.

Chun Jinran took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly, and said with difficulty: "There are too many coincidences along the way, if any one is missing, it may not be the result today. But coincidences are uncontrollable, unless the murderer manipulates everyone, but……"

"I don't need you to deduce the possibility of the murder," Xiahou Zhengnan interrupted, "I just want to know who you suspect."

Chun Jinran looked at him quietly: "No."

Xiahou Zhengnan walked around the table, slowly walked in front of Chun Jinran, and the next moment, kicked him hard.

Chun Jinran was kicked several feet away, her chest hurt so badly that she was almost suffocating, her throat was fishy and sweet.

"Really not," Dou Da's cold sweat dripped from his forehead, Chun Jinran's expression remained neither humble nor overbearing, "There are no clues, no witnesses, no physical evidence, no personal evidence, and even a motive can't be found. It's hard to say there's a murderer, let alone Tell me who the murderer is."

What Chun Jinran said was the truth.It is true that he can name any name he wants, but Xiahou Zhengnan, who is in a rage, doesn't care about the difference between "murderer" and "suspect murderer". If that person dies because of him, he will never feel at ease for the rest of his life.

Xiahou Zhengnan no longer hides his anger, his stare at Chun Jinran almost burns a hole in him.

Chun Jinran could only accept it, face it, and if she retreated a little, she would die.

Finally, Xiahou Zhengnan sighed and sat down in a chair, tired and old.

For the first time, Chun Jinran felt that the other party really looked like a centenarian, without the hostility and arrogance of looking down on the world, only the lifeless decay and weakness.