Master is respected

The sky is covered by heavy snow, the mountain roads are rugged and difficult to walk, and everywhere the eyes go is covered with snow.The revival of vitality brought by the source qi lasted for a short while, and then returned the world to winter.

On the horizon not far away, among the narrow paths in the jungle, an ox cart moves forward slowly.The cart was pulled by a yellow ox, and it was not walking fast. The snow covered the hooves of the ox, and every step was extremely difficult.

The driver was wearing a bamboo hat and a black robe, covering his whole body under the clothes, only revealing a shiny black eye to look at the road.He knew that the snowy road was difficult, so he didn't drive the cow away with a whip, but let the cow go by itself.

The bullock cart was simply spliced ​​together with a few wooden boards, and a grass shed was set up on the top, which was already covered with snow, and a coffin placed below was well protected.

The coffin is an ordinary coffin, and there is nothing special about it. The reason why the driver has to transport it despite the heavy snow is that the person who wants the coffin is different.

Mu Jiu looked up at the road in the distance, as long as he walked for a day, he would be able to reach his destination.When the snow never stopped, he had almost drunk the wine he used to drive away the cold, but there was no village nearby where he could drink.

Just as Mu Jiu was thinking, the ox suddenly stopped, and two more people appeared in front of the road, only a few steps away from Mu Jiu.

Each of them is dressed in white clothes like snow, with long hair like waterfalls, and a tulle face, revealing only a pair of gentle eyes like water.One is dressed in black like night, wearing a purple gold crown on his head, red lips and powder face, with a smile on the corner of his mouth.Before the words were uttered, people felt laughter in their ears.

Mu Jiu was a little surprised, he didn't see anyone in front of him just now, the two seemed to appear out of thin air.Thinking of the recent events, Mu Jiu quickly understood, he kept his mouth shut, only waiting for the other party to speak first.

"Brother, may I ask if this is the way to Sanqingzong?"

The man in black took two steps forward, raised his hands and clasped his fists, quite politely.

Mu Jiu noticed that there were no footprints where he walked, and the snow hadn't sunk in. His eyelids twitched and he said hoarsely, "Yes."

The man in black smiled, and she turned her head to look at the man in white behind her before continuing to ask, "Brother, is you going to Sanqingzong too?"

Mu Jiu nodded, and the man in black suddenly became excited, and said with a smile, "Since we are going the same way, would you be willing to bring us both? To tell you the truth, we are newcomers, and we don't know the way to Sanqingzong. I went wrong several times along the way, and I just couldn’t find the direction after going around.”

The man in black was vivid, and he gestured with his hands when he was angry. He had a bold personality, not like a calculating person.

Mu Jiu didn't agree right away, the two of them were able to step on the snow without a trace, come and go without a trace, most likely they were members of the Taoist sect.A cultivator can walk with the sword, and can walk the road in the sky when the underground road is blocked, so that he will not lose his way.The man in black's words were obviously an excuse, but Mu Jiu didn't know what was in him that was worth waiting for this man here.

He is a cripple, and the only thing that is valuable in his body is the coffin behind him.

"If it's difficult for you, don't force it, just tell us how to go."

Just when Mu Jiu was hesitating, the girl in white stepped forward, her voice was gentle and soft, which made people feel more comfortable, and all doubts and worries were wiped away without leaving any traces.

Mu Jiuduo glanced at the girl in white, and he could feel a kind of resonance in her, which was sadness.Mu Jiu pondered, and said, "No embarrassment."

After saying that, he asked the two of them to get in the car to avoid the wind and snow, pretending not to notice the strangeness of the two of them.

The girl in white said no, but the man in black couldn't wait to pull her into the bullock cart and stay with the coffin.

With the weight of two more people on the cart, it stands to reason that the bullock cart would go slower.But the strange thing is that its speed has become faster, and the mountain road ahead is not so difficult.Mu Jiu knew this well, he didn't know what kind of medicine the other party was buying in the gourd, so he kept his composure and continued on his way.

Behind him, the space left by the coffin was filled by the two extra people, and an inconspicuous barrier fell quietly, isolating all the sounds in the car.

The girl in white and the man in black are none other than Bai Lu and Ghost King Dugu Xingli who came from the ghost world.The ghost king had already foreseen the fate of Xie Junzhuo's death. Although she told Bai Lu part of it, she didn't tell the whole truth.She lied to Bai Lu, telling Bai Lu that there was still time, and asked Bai Lu to go to retreat, but in fact it was impossible.After Bai Lu came out of retreat, news of Xie Junzhuo's death had already spread to the ghost world.

Originally according to Dugu Xingli's plan, Bai Lu would not know about this so soon, she still had enough time to stabilize her.However, someone didn't follow the routine and found a dead end, which made Bai Lu catch him.

Dugu Xingli got a headache when he thought of that guy who broke through the gate of hell alone, but he couldn't do anything about him, so he wanted to help out with a word.

Bai Lu attaches great importance to Xie Junzhuo, if she was not worried that she would get angry and leave, Dugu Xingli would not care about it.

"I can't remember the last time I came to the human world. This place is completely different from what I remember. Your human world has also developed rapidly in these years." Dugu Xingli leaned on the coffin, with his hands in his sleeves, like a You little ruffian, you don't have the slightest majesty of a ghost king.

Bai Lu was annoyed that she wasn't telling the truth to herself, so she didn't want to talk to her at the moment, but just looked at her indifferently, and then her eyes fell on the coffin.In fact, they have already arrived in the human world, but Dugu Xingli said nothing to let her rush to Sanqingzong immediately, but waited here.

"It's not right for the two of us to go empty-handed. No matter what, we have to grab two generous gifts first."

Dugu Xingli's reason was also bad, if she hadn't said that this matter was related to Xie Junzhuo, Bai Lu would not have accommodated her.

This coffin was one of the things they were waiting for. Bai Lu didn't see anything unusual about this coffin, but she felt a very familiar aura on this coffin.It seems that Xie Junzhuo is lying in this coffin, curled up into a ball, like a kitten that hasn't grown up yet.

Bai Lu couldn't help recalling her childhood, succumbing to Xie Xiaoxian's lewdness and power, like a bird that couldn't fly out of the cage, occasionally getting a little respite and keeping it as a treasure in her heart.At that time, she was fragile and sensitive, and her understanding made people feel distressed.

Seeing that Bai Lu didn't speak, Dugu Xingli was full of reminiscences, expecting that she had recalled the past, so she silently slandered a few words in her heart, turned her back to look at the snow outside the car, and didn't bother her anymore.

The ox cart had been traveling for an unknown amount of time, the sky was getting dark, the vision became blurred, and the ground was covered with snow.

Mu Jiu said he wanted to find a place to rest, Dugu Xing left the barrier, poked his head out, and said: "I see there is a light ahead, why not go further, maybe you can find a place to stay."

The road ahead was a vast expanse of whiteness, and Mu Jiu had the impression that there were no houses along this road, not to mention lights, and there might not even be a shed.But since Dugu Xingli said yes, then she must have other plans.Mu Jiu didn't refute, and continued to move forward.

Turning over a small hillside with the help of the snow, a cluster of lights appeared in front of it. The light was inconspicuous in the snowstorm, and it was even crumbling. There was no doubt that it would be extinguished by the snowstorm.

But what was strange was that the light shone tenaciously on the darkness, guiding Mu Jiu in the snowy field.

Mu Jiu murmured in his heart, he was also a cultivator, what strange spiritual things haven't he seen?But today these things are too coincidental, as if everything is under the control of the man in black behind him.Mu Jiu didn't know his purpose, and began to think about whether to send them to Sanqingzong.

The ox didn't know what his master was thinking, so he continued to move forward, and soon reached the place where the lights were shining.

When he got closer, Mu Jiu realized that there was not only a lamp in the snow, but also a small hut and a monk.The lamp is an oil lamp covered with a transparent cover and hung on a bamboo pole.The monk was an old monk with a gray beard drooping down and deep wrinkles around his eyes. He was sitting in meditation with his eyes closed and turned a deaf ear to visitors.

The dilapidated house was very old, obviously it had been abandoned for a long time, so it seemed crowded all of a sudden with so many guests coming tonight.

Mu Jiudao said to bother, and placed the cattle on the corner of the roof of the house that had not yet collapsed, so that it would have a place to shelter from the wind and snow.

Dugu Xingli and Bai Lu got off the bullock cart, Bai Lu saw the monk, her expression was slightly stagnant, but she quickly suppressed it, walked slowly into the room, and sat down on the other side of the room.

Dugu Xingli glanced at the coffin, walked up to Mu Jiu to put him close, and said, "Brother, do you need my help to bring this thing in?"

It was icy and snowy outside the house, no one knew if it would continue to snow in the second half of the night, Mu Jiuben had no intention of putting the coffin outside, when Dugu Xingli spoke, he nodded without hesitation.

Dugu Xingli rubbed his hands excitedly, and helped carry the coffin into the house, and placed it directly opposite the gate.As soon as the two of them put it in place, the light dimmed visibly to the naked eye, and the flame wobbled unsteadily, until it was only the size of a grain of rice.

The brightness of the light was too obvious, even Mu Jiu could sense something was wrong, his heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly turned his head to look at the oil lamp on the table.This time, his intact one eye finally saw clearly that this was not an ordinary lamp, but an ever-burning lamp enshrined by people.

The name was engraved on the lampstand, but it was too dim to read clearly.

The old monk with his eyes closed opened his eyes, his eyes swept over the three uninvited guests, and finally fell on Dugu Xingli, he said the Buddha's name, and asked, "Where does this benefactor come from? Where does he want to go?" ?”

Dugu Xingli leaned on the coffin, and said with a smile: "This deity came from the place where the world of mortals was cut off, and wants to go deep into the world of mortals, and continue to connect three thousand threads of troubles for people."

The old monk narrowed his eyes slightly, and said again: "The old monk's Dharma name is Huikong, what's the benefactor's name?"

"Dugu Xingli."

Hui Kong looked at Bai Lu who was sitting quietly in the corner, Dugu Xingli said: "My wife doesn't like strangers, so please don't take offense, master."

"Your Madam is very similar to an old friend I know. Her surname is Bai. She once lit an ever-burning lantern in front of the Buddhist hall, saying that she was praying for her daughter. May her life be smooth and free from evil spirits." Hui Kong said in a low voice, When he was talking, he looked at the ever-burning lamp that was about to go out in front of him, and there was no wave in his eyes.

With a smile on his face, Dugu Xingli stretched out his hand to brush the lamp in front of him, and said: "The ever-burning lamp is a good meaning, I wonder if that lady will get what she wants?"

Dugu Xingli flicked the darkened ever-burning lamp, as if it had been infused with new vitality, and soon brightened up, and the fire grew out from a small area, illuminating the world.

Huikong looked as usual, as if he didn't see the change of the lamp, and lowered his eyes: "Not yet."

As the voice fell, the cold wind blew in from the dilapidated doorway, chilling to the bone.

Huikong remembered that it was also such a snowy night when the old friend made a wish. She came alone in a cloak, and was silent for a long time to the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in front of the Buddhist hall.

She is a smart person, and the moment the lamp is lit, everything becomes clear.

In fact, Hui Kong no longer remembers the appearance of his old friend, but only remembers those eyes, which are peaceful and gentle, hiding the great love in the world.

Dugu Xingli clicked his tongue and said, "That's really a pity."

It is a pity that the mother who prayed for the safety of the child failed to get her wish in the end.

Huikong paused, but his heart was not entirely the same.The wish was not fulfilled, but the name was added to the wish book.The three golden words are infinite love and care for her daughter. Even if she is not by her side, she still prays silently, wishing her peace and joy.

In the corner, Bai Lu looked sideways, thoughtful.

The snowy night was long, and Mu Jiu had been driving for a day. He didn't exchange greetings with anyone, and just sat by the coffin and began to doze off.Dugu Xingli also retreated to Bai Lu's side, and the room became quiet.Huikong continued to close his eyes and meditate, and the ever-burning lamp burned steadily, becoming the only warmth in the snow.

Bai Lu leaned against the cold wall, Dugu Xingli leaned over, and said with a smile: "It's better to rely on the lady to keep warm."

Bai Lu frowned slightly, with a look of dissatisfaction in her eyes, she showed disgust, but her body did not push Dugu Xingli away.

Dugu Xingli had indeed lied to her, but on the way back to the human world, without Dugu Xing leaving the way, she, a ghost from the ghost world, could not have walked so easily.

Yin and Yang are different, and there are laws between the two realms.The living will not go to hell, and the soul of the dead will not return to the world of heaven.

"Could you tell me what your purpose is now?" Bai Lu leaned her head and put her lips next to Dugu Xingli's ear, and asked in a low voice.

Dugu Xingli smiled, made a silent movement, his eyes drifted to Mu Jiu and Hui Kong, motioning Bai Lu to look over.

Bai Lu raised her head. The situation that was normal at first changed drastically after both of them closed their eyes. The light retreated and barely stopped in front of Mu Jiu, leaving Mu Jiu and the coffin in the darkness.Looking at it from Bai Lu's point of view, it seems that there is an extra dividing line, dividing the world into two parts, black and white.

However, this is nothing, what is even more weird is that an inconspicuous Tai Chi diagram appeared on the wet ground, one Yin and one Yang, slowly rotating.

Dugu Xingli held Bai Lu's hand, and said softly: "The coffin is death, representing Yin, and the ever-burning lamp is life, representing Yang. Life and death are on the line, Yin and Yang are two days, this is Xie Junzhuo's own choice. She lit the ever-burning lamp first, Finally, she chose the coffin, just like her fate, at first she wanted to live, but later she found that death is the end."

Hearing that the coffin was chosen by Xie Junzhuo himself, Bai Lu felt a little uncomfortable.She felt familiar, but Xie Junzhuo had touched it before?

Dugu Xingli couldn't bear her frowning, and said again: "I kept it from you, because I didn't want you to experience the despair of being helpless. At that time, even if you were there, it wouldn't help. The way of heaven changes, and someone will always be a sacrifice."

Bai Lu took a deep breath to calm down the complicated thoughts in her heart.When she was in retreat, she only wanted to go out to help Xie Junzhuo, but when she really came out, what she got was the bad news from the dead soul who broke into the gate of hell.She missed everything, and when she stepped into this land again, everything was changed.

It's not that Dugu Xingli hasn't said how Xie Junzhuo died, it's because she knows that her power is inconspicuous in front of Tiandao, which makes her feel even more uncomfortable.

"Life and death coexist, yin and yang coexist, things haven't reached the worst point yet." Dugu Xingli raised his hand to cover up the aura that gathered into tears at the corners of Bai Lu's eyes, and said, "The specific situation will have to wait until the coffin and the ever-burning lamp are delivered to the third day tomorrow." Only Qingzong can judge, I will not make fun of your pain."