Chiwuxing

Chapter [-] - A mistress sacrifices her life to save an orphan, and a widow fights a jackal alone

Under the snow peak, in the sea of ​​clouds.

The overlapping peaks and rocks cover the sky and the sun, leaving behind the cold mountain atmosphere among the lush forests.

An elegant and quiet bamboo dock is hidden in the hinterland halfway up the mountain. Hiding this quiet and uninhabited place is even more sinister, dangerous and beautiful.

"The woman begs the priest to heal my son—"

A hoarse and tired female voice pierced the silence of the mountain, with a faint echo.

The woman knelt and knelt on the muddy ground at the foot of the mountain, wearing a gray cloth singlet, and a child fell to the ground beside her, and the gray coat of the woman was just under her body.

The woman looked up at the empty green hill, and the gurgling water whispered, as if laughing at her embarrassment.

"The woman begs the priest to heal my son—"

The woman kowtowed respectfully again, but her voice was much lower. The continuous several days of kneeling and begging almost exhausted all her strength. She turned her head to look at the young boy with her eyes closed tightly. The drooping hair was straightened aside, and the eyes were extremely tender and affectionate, as if a certain kind of determination had been made because of this.

She withdrew her hand tremblingly, and a line of tears slowly fell, squeezing out the last trace of moisture in her body.

"Princess Xuanming begs the priest to save—"

Her physical strength was at its limit, and before the woman could finish speaking, she suddenly realized that she had lost her voice at the last moment before she woke up.

A flute sounded leisurely, it seemed far away but near, and the source could not be discerned.

The scorching peach blossoms fell from the branches, and happened to land between the eyebrows of the woman who fell to the ground. It was extremely enchanting.

The breeze slowly dissipates, just like an old friend returning.

A man in white turned to the side of the mother and child on the ground, silently, like a ghost.One can only see that he looks like a young man, but unfortunately his temples are frost-white and his expression is cold, revealing his age and strength.

The clothes are white, the temples are white, and the expression is white.

It complements the snow on the top of the mountain, and looks like a person in the middle of an exiled fairy.

On the bed, a boy slowly woke up, and what he saw was a strange bamboo house. He rubbed his eyes, as if waking up from a big dream, but he didn't remember what he saw in the dream, and he didn't know where he was.

He stared at his eyes, and after a long time slowly sat up on the wooden bed, the creaking of his muscles and the shaking of the bed frame all showed that he had been lying on the bed for a long time.The boy looked confused. He tried hard to search for his first impressions. He vaguely remembered that he had eaten wild animals by mistake because of his playfulness and his boss’s young master, and then he started to suffer from unbearable abdominal pain and high fever. He asked for directions, and looked for doctors everywhere. Later, he felt that the pain was unbearable in a daze, and he bent over and fell into a faint, and his memory stopped here.He moved his muscles and bones, and although he felt dizzy and stagnant after a long sleep, he didn't feel any pain in his body.

The boy couldn't help but feel joy in his heart, subconsciously shouted out: "Mother!"

No one answered.

There was still silence all around, so quiet that people panicked.The boy blinked, and couldn't help becoming embarrassed and confused, isn't the mother around?He hurriedly got out of bed, pushed open the door of the bamboo house, and suddenly realized that there were mountain roads and dense forests everywhere, only a few green bamboos stood upright around the door, which looked a little elegant.

The boy looked at the unfamiliar scene in front of him, but his memory was blank. He asked in horror, "Excuse me...is there anyone here?"

Still no one answered.

In the evening, the sky is getting darker, and the high mountains and rivers make the twilight fall prematurely.Only the sound of rushing water coming from the distant stream made a sound of nature.The boy felt terrified in his heart, only felt strangely at a loss for a while, and hurried back to the bamboo house.

The bamboo house does not occupy a large area, except for the daily tables, chairs, doors and windows, there is only a narrow bed under the window. Although the house is simple, the table is clean and tidy, as if someone has just cleaned it.

The boy thought that there were people living here, so he didn't dare to touch the things here, turned around and went back to the bed.As soon as his bony body touched the stiff wooden bed, there was another rattling sound. The boy didn't seem to feel any pain, and only opened a pair of big eyes, staring blankly at the roof.

He thought that the person living here might be his savior, who might be back soon, and he must be very grateful, but where did mother go?

He was confused and helpless, and he didn't dare to think wildly, but he couldn't fall asleep lying on the bed. He just wanted to spend the night quickly, and when it was dawn, he went to his mother and told her that his illness was cured, and they could go home. home.

When he woke up the next day, the boy only felt that the sunlight leaking in through the window was the long-lost warmth. For the first time, he had the idea of ​​being lazy, wanting to keep bathing in the hard-won gentle morning light like this.

Such thoughts are fleeting like meteors.

He wrapped up his coat, opened the door again and walked out. The same mountain scenery was shining in the sunlight, which showed that what he saw yesterday was not a dream.But he had no intention of admiring the beautiful scenery, just because yesterday's panic and fear returned to his heart at this time, and even the scenery in front of him was distorted and illusory.

"Mother!" The boy's voice was a little hoarse, and he only longed for an echo.

The boy was frightened by the silent gaze of the forest, and he started to run towards the mountain road: "Mother!"

After the sound was brightened, a little echo of silence could be heard.

The sun is shining day by day, the snow on the top of the mountain is clear and pure, the blue sky and the dark green forest are covered with a soft light.

The boy ran into the depths of the forest, but there was no one in sight.Panting, he walked to a stream, grabbed a handful of water and swallowed it, Fang Fang soothed his extremely thirsty throat.The raised skin of the dry and cracked lips gradually subsided under the nourishment of the stream. The boy lost his mind and propped himself on the ground beside the stream, and saw his own face in the water, dry skin, sallow and thin face lacking nutrition, cheekbones There was a large dent in the lower part, like a pair of eyes embedded in dead wood, and only those eyes were full of water, as if it had rained.

The boy knelt by the stream, and at first he was only choked with sobs, but helplessness, confusion, pain and fear finally made him cry aloud. The water in front of him gradually blurred, leaving only a piece of golden light, reflecting a little red sun in the sky.

Heart-piercing cries resounded through the valley, and a few birds on the branches rose up in response. The sun still caressed the boy gently, as if to comfort the crying child's mother.

After an unknown amount of time, the sobs subsided, and the boy stared blankly at the sky with his red eyes.

A few birds that flew away came back and circled again, and the golden crow was hanging in the middle, the golden edge on the side of the mountain, the trees wrapped in golden coats, and the golden and clear stream all lost their color in his eyes , He just looked straight at the light in the middle.

He vaguely recalled that when he and his mother lived in a farmer's household, he helped the neighbor's uncle herd the sheep. When the sun rose, he was always scorched by the scorching sun. His mother told him that his father who was far away in another city had a An ability that is different from ordinary people-the ability to look directly at the brightest sun at noon.He rarely heard about his father from his mother, so he was deeply impressed.

At that time, he just covered the sun with his hands, full of curiosity, and secretly looked at the sun through the gaps between his fingers, but his eyes were immediately stung by the strong light, and he closed his eyes quickly, unable to recover for a long time, just secretly Longing for the appearance of the sun and the father who has never met.Perhaps he has the power to protect his eyes from being burned by the strong light.

Recalling the past, the boy slowly smiled. If there is a chance, he would like to tell his parents as soon as possible. Now, he also has supernatural powers, and he can also look directly at the sun.

The stream rushes down in an instant, singing with the rhythm of time.

The boy got up, the gurgling belly reminded him that he hadn't eaten for a long time.

If there are some chickens, ducks and poultry here, maybe they can have a full meal, but this mountain and river is deserted, and there are more beasts than poultry.

Thinking in his heart, he couldn't bear to stay for a long time, and walked downstream along the stream.

On both sides of the stream are tall rocks erected, extending to the depth.The sound of the water seemed to be mixed with noise. He looked around in surprise, and caught a glimpse of a reddish-brown silhouette, which was incompatible with the surrounding green fields.

The shadow turned its back on him and flashed towards the stream, its wobbling hair tail fluttered, and then suddenly stopped on the edge of a stream stone, stuck there, not moving.

Curious, the boy stretched out his head to secretly look at the unknown animal from the side under the cover of an old tree.

The brown beast was not completely still, and it could be seen waving its two forearms from the side, bright red juice burst out from its rough movements, and the black and long tail under him...

is a snake.

The boy suffocated for breath, and immediately returned to hide behind the tree.The black snake became the meal of the brown beast at some point, and he thought that the brown beast was washing something by the stream.

The red blood that entered his eyes just now lingered in his mind and couldn't get rid of it. The boy eased his breathing, couldn't help but scratch the bark, and held his breath to look back.

The fangs flicked between the movements, and the narrow eyes were full of danger and thirst. While chewing, he did not forget to look around at the food that was delivered to the door at any time.

When it comes quickly, it goes without a trace.After the brown beast finished eating, it fled into the forest again.

The boy lowered his body and covered his mouth and nose, for fear of causing any noise.

After being frozen in place for a long time, he quietly got up, and the broken body of the snake was still far away by the stream.Looking at it from a distance, the boy felt that his belly was empty and his hunger growled endlessly.

His brows drooped silently, his forehead pressed against the rough bark.

In front of him was an old tree with gnarled branches, and he raised his hand to caress the rough bark, rubbing it back and forth hesitantly and contradictoryly, frowning, and apologized to the tree in a low voice: "...I'm sorry, I'm really hungry gone."

He carefully broke off a small piece of bark, and put it jerky into his mouth like his mother did. The hard bark gradually softened in his mouth, and after a few simple chews, he swallowed it.

The familiar leathery texture gave him an inexplicable sense of security for the first time in this strange area.

As the sky darkened, the boy continued to walk in the direction of the previous road, but for some reason he couldn't follow the way he came from.

"Huh..." He was tired from walking, so he leaned against the tree panting, and fear came to his mind again.

After simply taking a short breath, the boy looked at the darkening sky, tried his best to take a long breath, temporarily suppressed the fear in his heart, shook the soil on his clothes, got up and continued walking, and stepped into the depths of the barren mountain.

After the jackal settled his wife and children, he paced out of the cave. His reddish-brown coat was still shiny at night, and his eyes were shining brightly.

There was the rustling of bushes nearby, and the jackal pricked up its ears and scanned the surrounding area vigilantly.

A gray shadow passing by outside the valley attracted its attention, it approached quietly, found the trace of the young child, and the light in its eyes became even brighter.

At this time, the boy approached without knowing the danger, looking at the deep night, he was still depressed.In the silent mountain forest, there were occasional sounds of birds flapping their wings. The boy was sensitive to some movements, thinking that there were people around, and when he looked around with surprise, he suddenly met a pair of hungry wolf eyes.

It's a pity that the familiar brightness does not belong to humans, but it is the brown beast that preyed on the black snake that he bumped into at the edge of the stream this morning.

The start of the engagement was only a split second away.

After seeing the white fangs opened under the eyes, the boy realized that it was a man-eating animal, and the subconscious running of his legs and feet kicked off the fierce battle.

The boy didn't have time to think about what kind of animal it was, and his body, which was slightly larger than a dog, warned him that he might become its full meal.

The jackal's legs were short and powerful, and he stepped forward. When he was about to catch up with the child, he ran to the edge of the stream and jumped into it.

Not self-sufficient.

The jackal laughed at the child's haste. The stream was not deep, so he followed the boy and jumped into it, preparing to cross the stream.

Suddenly, a black object hit its leg.

The jackal saw a pebble fall.

"Wow!" It was furious, and raised its front paw, ready to pounce on the shore.

The boy was terrified, but before he could hesitate, he found a bigger pebble on the bank and smashed it with all his strength.

At the same time, the jackal also swooped over.

Between the lightning and the flint, the pebble fell forward, but it did not hit the wolf's head as expected, but landed on the jackal's hind legs, and a stream of blood gushed out.

"Ouch-"

The jackal dragged its bleeding injured leg, and its eyes became more fierce.

The boy was frightened by the bright red blood, and his body froze in place for a moment.

The jackal ran towards the boy relying on the strength of three legs.

The dazed boy came back to his senses and realized that it was a life-and-death struggle at this moment. He rushed under a tree and nimbly climbed up the branches and bark. His light body was crumbling among the branches, almost A leaf falls.

"Ouch-"

The jackal raised its head and howled towards the tree, and the broken leg trailed a long trail of blood behind it.

The boy was gasping for breath, and the fear in his heart was hard to calm down.

He looked around at the branches and caught a glimpse of the fruit on the tree. He bit his lip and raised his hand to pick a few handfuls of fruit.

"sorry Sorry……"

The boy murmured "I'm sorry" in a low voice, suppressing the sadness and fear in his heart, a feeling of nausea surged, and he threw the fruit in his hand at the jackal.

The jackal fled left and right, but the wound on his leg made his legs and feet stiff. He was hit in both eyes by a bunch of fruits and rolled over on his side.

Another burst of fruit rained down, slightly disordered and mixed.

Under the burial of a few bunches of berries, the twitching jackal stopped struggling.

Strands of blood overflowed, brown skin, bright red fruit, and a pair of half-closed wolf eyes.

A panicked gray figure fell from the tree and lay down beside the jackal's legs.

A puddle of blood came into view, and the suppressed nausea gushed out of the boy's throat again.

The moonlight is gentle and seductive, the mountains are empty and silent, there are no cicadas or insects singing, but there are whimpers, like the howling of a lone wolf and the panic of a lone crane.

Amidst the shadows of the trees, the boy carefully embraced the dead jackal and walked to the stream where they had just fought.

The stream is lingering, even though the blood and fire are intertwined, and the vicissitudes have been experienced several times, the water is always rushing, and with joyful laughter, one can see the suffering in this world.

A pair of slender hands scooped up the water, and washed the bright red on the wolf's legs and belly, revealing the brighter and brighter brown fur, which is the color nourished by the daily food and drink.He dipped into the stream again, and rubbed away the blood stained on his hands. After several times of rubbing, another red mark appeared.

The boy felt the remaining warmth in the wolf's belly, and suddenly shivered.When he climbed the tree just now, the clothes on his body were cut several times, and a trace of coldness invaded.

"Mother," the boy leaned on the stone, curled up with his arms around the jackal with his eyes closed, and the bloody breath penetrated into his nostrils, adding a lot of freshness, "I'm so cold."

The starlight is dim, and the white robes are lightly hidden.