Chapter 31: Crossing the Year
"How long has the 'Map of Mountains and Rivers' been stored here?" Cao Bin asked.
Chen Zhen looked slightly puzzled, as if he didn't understand why Cao Bin would ask something he already knew.
"After Teacher Di Shumin left the Committee," Chen Zhen replied, "she returned the 'Map of Mountains and Rivers.' It's been six years. Xiang Cheng personally sealed it, and I remember you were there too, weren’t you?"
Cao Bin moved closer to examine the seal on the base.
Chen Zhen: "I'm quite sure no one has touched it in these six years. The seal was set by you all together. What's the matter?"
"Nothing," Cao Bin seemed relieved, then glanced at Lu Xiu.
Neither Lu Xiu nor Jiang Hong spoke.
Without pursuing further, Chen Zhen said to Jiang Hong, "Come along."
Chen Zhen led Jiang Hong to a lavishly decorated mirror, saying, "Since Cao Bin is here, help me temporarily unlock the seal."
Cao Bin lifted his left hand, and his fingers emitted light, forming ribbons like the aurora that connected to the mirror. The gems embedded around the mirror then all lit up.
Chen Zhen then said to Jiang Hong, "Place your hand on the mirror."
Jiang Hong did as instructed, and Chen Zhen gently placed a hand on his shoulder, a gentle white light instantly infusing into Jiang Hong's body.
Immediately, the mirror flashed, absorbing all the light, plunging the surroundings into darkness, but in less than half a second, the vault became bright again.
"Done," Chen Zhen said, "The Chakra Mirror is activated for analysis. It requires the energy of moonlight, so the results will only be available on the next full moon night. I will have a teacher bring the results to you then."
Jiang Hong asked, "What will it tell me?"
Cao Bin answered, "It will project a complete image of your chakras."
Suddenly, Cao Bin asked, "Chen Zhen, is the Mai Qing case now being handled by An Jie?"
Chen Zhen glanced at Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu but didn't ask them to leave. Instead, he snapped his fingers, and a light enveloped him and Cao Bin, creating a soundproof barrier for their conversation.
The surroundings fell into silence. Jiang Hong wasn't particularly concerned about the shape of his chakras, but he was very interested in the magical instruments here.
"What does that mean?" Jiang Hong gestured towards the 'Map of Mountains and Rivers' and asked Lu Xiu, "Does it mean Chen Zhen can be cleared of suspicion?"
Lu Xiu signaled him not to ask and glanced at the barrier before walking away.
As Jiang Hong was about to explore other magical instruments, Lu Xiu grabbed his hand, not letting him stray too far, and their fingers intertwined.
Jiang Hong: "..."
It was Jiang Hong's first time holding hands with a boy in this manner. No... he hadn't even held hands with a girl before. The feeling of their fingers interlocked was too ambiguous, too strange, yet Lu Xiu's action seemed utterly natural.
"Don't wander off," Lu Xiu warned.
The two stood side by side in front of the shelves holding the 'Heaven' level magical instruments. Many sections were empty. Jiang Hong looked up curiously and asked, "Is that one at the very top the most powerful magical instrument in the world?"
Lu Xiu replied, "In theory, yes."
It was a slanted prayer wheel. Jiang Hong asked, "What can it be used for?"
Lu Xiu: "It's called 'The Eternal Wheel'. Inside it contains the ashes of the Time Dragon. The clasp on top is a thousand-year-old finger ring, rumored to reverse cause and effect, but at a great cost."
Jiang Hong: "What about the second item? Why is it empty?"
"Don't know," Lu Xiu answered.
"The third one?"
"It used to be the Sword of Wisdom."
"And the fourth one?" Jiang Hong really wanted to take notes, a rare opportunity, as even these weren't taught in the class on magical treasures.
"Don't know."
"Why isn't there an explanatory plaque?" asked Jiang Hong.
Lu Xiu: "Do you think this is a museum? Organizing tours for elementary school students on weekends?"
"What about that?" Jiang Hong pointed to a sculpture in the corner, covered with a cloth.
"That's a head," Lu Xiu said, "Want me to uncover it for you to see?"
"No, thanks," Jiang Hong quickly said, "Actually, I'm not that curious..."
Lu Xiu: "You're here now, take a look."
Jiang Hong was terrified: "No thanks! I was wrong!"
Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong looked at each other, speechless.
Jiang Hong: "Is this the so-called head that answers anything you ask?"
Lu Xiu remained silent, sizing up Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong: "Can it answer the lottery numbers?"
Lu Xiu: "Yes, shall we ask it?"
"Don't go!" Jiang Hong clung tightly to Lu Xiu's arm, preventing him from leaving.
Cao Bin and Chen Zhen removed the barrier, both watching Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu.
"Let's go," Cao Bin said indifferently.
"But to speak, one needs the chest cavity's airflow to vibrate the vocal cords. How can a severed head speak?" Still curious after leaving the treasure trove, Jiang Hong persistently quizzed Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu: "Because it has a speaker inside."
Jiang Hong: "???"
Cao Bin and Chen Zhen: "......"
"Jiang Hong often reminds me of my early days in this field," Cao Bin joked in the elevator.
"This is the mystery of the Inner World," Chen Zhen commented.
Chen Zhen then said to Lu Xiu, "Goodbye, Lu Xiu. You've grown taller, more talkative, and even started cracking dry jokes."
Lu Xiu seemed displeased being treated as a junior. As the elevator doors opened and Cao Bin stepped out first, Jiang Hong was still waving goodbye, but Lu Xiu dragged him out of the elevator.
"Let's go!"
"Ah? Is it over?" asked Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong visited the Exorcist Committee, spawning numerous questions. He was uninterested in the internal affairs of the committee but extremely curious about the magical artifacts.
"Where are we going now?" Jiang Hong asked again.
"We're off duty," answered Cao Bin. "Thank you for your hard work. We won't bother you anymore. See you after New Year's Day. I'll have Xuan Hezhi take you. Where do you plan to go next?"
Standing in front of the Exorcist Committee's main hall, Lu Xiu understood and was about to leave when a young man emerged from inside.
The young man was very youthful, appearing about Lu Xiu's age. He wore a high-necked black sweater and black trousers, dressed entirely in black, with black-framed glasses, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a height similar to Jiang Hong, holding a black umbrella in his hand.
"Principal Cao," the young man said loudly.
When the young man spoke, all the exorcists in the hall almost simultaneously paused and looked toward the group.
"Hello," Cao Bin greeted politely.
The boy's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached every corner.
"Lu Xiu is banned from entering the Exorcism Committee," the boy said, looking down at the umbrella in his hand, undoing the tie, and speaking without lifting his head, "You are still part of the committee's organization, so you should be well aware of this."
"This is Minister Wang Anjie," Cao Bin introduced to Jiang Hong, "the head of the Special Security Office of the Exorcist Committee."
Jiang Hong vaguely remembered hearing this name, it seemed to be the person they had mentioned several times, known as "Anjie."
"You haven't answered my question yet," Anjie said with an aggressive tone.
Cao Bin replied politely but distantly, "Today is an exception, Chen Zhen specifically asked him to come over."
"Oh?" Anjie said, "I haven't received this permission."
Cao Bin said, "Perhaps he's been too busy to inform you."
Lu Xiu looked at Anjie with a mocking gaze and said, "I'm already in here, so what do you propose we do?"
Cao Bin subtly motioned with his hand, signaling Lu Xiu not to cause trouble.
Anjie said, "Regardless, you must leave immediately."
Jiang Hong thought Anjie was handsome and didn't dislike him much, just found him very rigid. Anjie looked at Jiang Hong through his thick glasses, as if he wanted to say something, but then thought better of it, simply standing still, watching the three of them.
"We won't disturb any further," Cao Bin added.
Cao Bin led Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu out of the lobby to the entrance of the Exorcism Committee, followed by several exorcists in black suits from behind Anjie, watching their every move.
Jiang Hong said, "That was very rude."
Lu Xiu said, "Last time I gave him a tough beating, he's still holding a grudge."
Cao Bin reminded, "Unless necessary, don't provoke him. He may not be the most powerful in the committee, but he's the most troublesome."
Jiang Hong always suspected that Anjie nearby had heard them, but just then, Xuan Hezhi drove up, stopping outside the lobby. They said goodbye to Cao Bin and left Lingjing Hutong.
"Where are you planning to go?" Xuan Hezhi turned and asked, "Jiang Hong, aren’t you and Xiaopi going on a survey in a couple of days?"
Jiang Hong hummed in agreement, looking at Lu Xiu, unsure if he had any plans. Today was the last day of the year; were they going to celebrate the New Year?
Lu Xiu answered, "Just drop us off anywhere."
"Alright," said Xuan Hezhi, "Please take good care of Xiaopi."
Jiang Hong politely responded, noting Xuan Hezhi's demeanor. It seemed he likely wouldn't return to Xi'an today. Leaving his son alone at home for New Year's, wouldn't that be sad?
Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong got off the car on an unfamiliar street, with the cold wind howling. At the end of the Gregorian calendar year, the whole city was quiet, except for the subway packed with people heading home early.
Jiang Hong asked eagerly, "So... where are we going now?"
Lu Xiu replied, "I don't know, I'm not familiar with Beijing. Where do you want to go?"
Without a clear idea, Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu walked through the cold winter streets of Beijing. Trees had shed their leaves, leaving bare branches pointing to the pale sky. It had snowed two days ago, leaving snow under the roadside trees, and banners celebrating New Year’s were hung everywhere.
"Shall we go to the Great Wall?" Jiang Hong excitedly suggested, "I've never been to the Great Wall."
Beijing seemed to be hit by a force-eight gale today, but Lu Xiu didn't want to spoil Jiang Hong's mood and said, "Let's go."
They needed to get to the bus station, so Jiang Hong pulled up his hood and walked slowly on the icy streets, occasionally glancing at Lu Xiu, who was unprepared with neither a scarf, gloves, nor a hat, hands tucked in his pockets.
"It's so cold," Jiang Hong said, his mind getting foggy from the cold, "Where are we?"
Lu Xiu: "Heading to the bus station, to take a bus to the Great Wall."
Jiang Hong shivered: "I... I... maybe we shouldn't."
Lu Xiu gave him his black velvet hat, shared his scarf, and gestured for Jiang Hong to put his hands in the pockets of his overcoat, clasping his hands.
"Let's buy gloves first," Lu Xiu suggested.
Lu Xiu took Jiang Hong into a mall, got him properly equipped, but Jiang Hong no longer wanted to go out. It was only after holding a hot drink that he finally felt revived.
"Going to visit your high school classmates in Beijing?" Lu Xiu asked again.
Jiang Hong gave up the idea, and the two of them just sat in the café, staring at each other blankly.
Jiang Hong: "Is there a place that's not cold where we can celebrate the New Year?"
Lu Xiu spread his hands. This time he hadn't done any homework. Previously, it was Jiang Hong who volunteered to plan the trip, and he had indeed prepared thoroughly, but he hadn't anticipated that this would be a place where being outdoors for half an hour could blur one's consciousness with cold.
So, all the dining and entertainment plans they had looked up in advance were almost entirely scrapped.
Lu Xiu: "Shall we go back to the hotel?"
Jiang Hong said apologetically, "I'm really sorry. Is there somewhere you'd like to go?"
Lu Xiu: "No, this is fine."
Jiang Hong said with a smile, "What matters is not where we are, but who we are with."
Lu Xiu suddenly fell silent, just looking at Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong: "Your face... why does it look a bit red?"
Lu Xiu: "?"
Lu Xiu turned his head, looking at his own reflection in the floor-to-ceiling glass window, and denied, "No, it's not."
It was a cozy coffee shop, small in size, decorated with a Christmas vibe. Jiang Hong suddenly felt that celebrating the New Year here wouldn't be too bad.
"Is something up?" Lu Xiu gestured towards Jiang Hong's phone, which was flooded with messages.
"Ah," said Jiang Hong, "It's the schedule for the day after tomorrow."
With nothing else pressing, Jiang Hong glanced at the itinerary sent by Lian Jiang. Lu Xiu sat beside him, and they both looked at the PPT on Jiang Hong's phone. They had spent the afternoon in the café, and in the evening, Lu Xiu suggested, "Let's go for a buffet barbecue," ending up in a restaurant almost exclusively filled with couples for their last meal of the year.
Unsure where to go after dinner, Lu Xiu took him to a bar by the Shichahai.
"Five years ago, Xiang Cheng brought me here," Lu Xiu shared, "to another dragon."
Jiang Hong: "Such a romantic place."
In the bar, a resident singer was performing, and the atmosphere, boosted by a few cocktails, was great. Many foreigners gathered there to listen to music and wait for the New Year. Outside the glass greenhouse, it began to snow again in Beijing. They sat by the glass wall, watching the snowflakes and the frozen Shichahai, with a candle lit in front of them.
Jiang Hong always felt the atmosphere was somewhat ambiguous; surrounded by couples, the two of them seemed like a gay couple. If either he or Lu Xiu were a girl, the scene would definitely seem like they were dating.
But this was nice too. Although Jiang Hong had wanted to date since university, the right opportunity hadn’t come, and it was best not to force it.
"It must be hard to book a spot in this bar, right?" Jiang Hong ordered a drink, took the draw tube from the table, and put a coin in it.
Lu Xiu: "This is Xiang Cheng's spot. He promised me that if there was... in the future, I could bring... bring you here."
Jiang Hong's phone was filled with New Year wishes from friends, but Lu Xiu hadn't contacted anyone, clearly showing that apart from Jiang Hong, Lu Xiu had no friends.
"You've been looking for me for a long time, haven't you?" Jiang Hong pondered for a moment before speaking.
Lu Xiu: "You've asked that question before. Next one."
Jiang Hong sipped some wine, idly playing with the draw tube, and asked curiously, "Before you found me, what were you doing all by yourself?"
Lu Xiu was silent for a few seconds, making Jiang Hong suddenly wonder if he had said something wrong again.
"Nothing much," but this time, Lu Xiu wasn't angry, and said, "Just wandering around, learning how to be human."
Jiang Hong laughed and said, "You wanted to be human too."
Jiang Hong was about to say what's so good about being human? Humans have so many worries and such limited lifespans, but Lu Xiu said, "Someday I had to meet you, and if I didn’t use a human form, I might have scared you."
Jiang Hong said, "Even if you appeared in your true form, I wouldn't be too frightened."
Lu Xiu casually said, "Initially, I didn't know you would become an exorcist. I found out later."
Jiang Hong's curiosity suddenly piqued again, and he asked, "Before you met that head, did you try to find me through divination?"
Lu Xiu: "Often, but because I'm a dragon, my spiritual power is too strong and disrupts the manifestation of fate..."
Lu Xiu, looking at Jiang Hong as if about to say something, was interrupted by a group of drunken foreigners who came over, whistling wildly at them and wanting to toast. Jiang Hong responded while Lu Xiu simply raised his glass, still expressionless.
Their conversation interrupted by this, Jiang Hong forgot what he was about to say.
Snow drifted outside the glass window, candlelight flickered in the greenhouse, and the resident singer started singing an English song.
Jiang Hong, intently, drew a "fortune of the day" stick from the tube on the table, unfolded it to read, 'Fair luck: [Mountains and rivers doubt the path, but a village appears amidst dark willows and bright flowers.]'
Jiang Hong laughed heartily and showed it to Lu Xiu.
"You draw one too," Jiang Hong said.
Lu Xiu twisted the draw tube a couple of times, pulling out a paper, which also indicated 'Fair luck': [Endless searching proves futile, yet it comes without effort.]
"Is this accurate?" Jiang Hong asked with a laugh, "What does it mean?"
"It's accurate if you believe in it," Lu Xiu said, "and not if you don't."
"Alright." Jiang Hong decided to keep it, after all, it was a good omen. He carefully folded it and put it in his wallet, while Lu Xiu watched his every move. Jiang Hong then said, "Last time, He Jian helped me with a divination..."
Jiang Hong spoke without thinking, saying whatever came to mind, but then remembered the topic was a bit awkward and hastily stopped.
After waiting a bit, Lu Xiu asked, "Divination about what?"
"Uh," Jiang Hong pondered how to explain and braced himself to answer, "About you and me."
Lu Xiu: "?"
At that moment, someone came into the bar from outside.
The man, dressed in a black suit and wearing a black woolen hat, took off his hat and gloves after entering the bar. Jiang Hong recognized him – it was Cao Bin.
"Principal!" Jiang Hong greeted him, offering his seat.
Cao Bin nodded but didn't come over, instead sitting at the bar and ordering a drink.
Jiang Hong turned to Lu Xiu and said, "He's alone."
"Whenever Class S comes to Beijing, they usually hang out here," Lu Xiu continued, "Go on, what was the result of the divination?"
"Um..." Jiang Hong felt the topic was awkward, wondering why he had asked his roommate to foretell the fate between him and another man. He wanted to change the subject, "Let's not discuss it anymore."
Lu Xiu: "You don't have to tell me; I was going to ask him anyway. Hurry up, what was the result?"
Jiang Hong thought: Alright, you asked for it.
"He said we have fate but no destiny," Jiang Hong pondered before saying, "which means... we're destined to part ways someday."
Lu Xiu remained silent, fiddling with the divination slip between his slender fingers.
Jiang Hong: "I don't know how accurate He Jian's divination is, but it seems to be a family tradition."
Lu Xiu: "What about you?"
Jiang Hong: "Huh?"
Lu Xiu was very, very serious this time, so serious that he was almost stern. He asked Jiang Hong, "What do you think about it yourself?"
"Me?" Jiang Hong said. "I think... I haven't really thought about it."
"I mean," Lu Xiu said, "what are your thoughts on this matter? Do you want to change this outcome? Do you want to stay with me forever? Never parting?"
Wow, that's so ambiguous! Although Jiang Hong didn't like men, Lu Xiu was so handsome, and speaking such solemn vows like a couple was very, very charming, even making Jiang Hong blush.
"Can fate be changed?" Jiang Hong asked with a smile. "If it can be changed, then it wouldn't be fate, would it?"
"Not necessarily," Lu Xiu replied calmly. "It depends on my mood."
Jiang Hong said, "But I've thought about it, and since I was young, I've understood... understood this truth."
Lu Xiu: "What truth?"
Jiang Hong looked towards Cao Bin, sitting at the bar, his back appearing lonely. Was he waiting for someone? He had been waiting for a long time. After getting to know Cao Bin, Jiang Hong gradually realized that Cao Bin didn't seem to have many friends at school.
"Between people," Jiang Hong came back to his senses and met Lu Xiu's gaze, "there will always be separations, whether it's parents, children, or even close friends. Perhaps one day, they'll part ways without realizing it..."
Lu Xiu averted his gaze.
Jiang Hong said, "So, cherishing the time we have together is what's most important, right? Unless one gets married and starts a family, and even then, who knows how many families end up broken apart."
This time, Lu Xiu remained silent for a long time before finally replying, "You're right."
Jiang Hong smiled and said, "Anyway, being able to meet you again makes me happy, even if I don't remember anything. Ah, saying this is a bit embarrassing..."
Lu Xiu suddenly asked again, "When did the youngest son of the He family predict we would part ways?"
Jiang Hong didn't expect Lu Xiu to care so much about this; he didn't really believe in the accuracy of He Jian's prophecy: "I don't know, should we ask him to predict again next time?"
Lu Xiu waved his hand, indicating to let it go, and then snapped his fingers, burning the divination slip.
Cao Bin was drinking alone at the bar, the world around him warm and prosperous, yet his silhouette appeared lonely and resolute, like a lush tree in a snowstorm.
"During these years, have you encountered any interesting events?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Interesting?" It was hard for Lu Xiu to define, so Jiang Hong rephrased: "Anything worth mentioning."
Lu Xiu thought for a moment and said, "Beneath the Altai Mountains, there was a herdsman's family with four daughters..."
Jiang Hong: "What were you doing at the Altai Mountains? Cultivating?"
Lu Xiu: "Looking for you."
Jiang Hong: "I was reincarnated in the Altai Mountains?"
Lu Xiu: "There's a legend there about a great lama who can find lost relatives in the world... Will you listen?"
"I will!" Jiang Hong stopped interrupting and looked at Lu Xiu eagerly, full of anticipation.
"The four daughters could all drink heavily, outdrinking all the men within a ten-mile radius. The eldest daughter declared that whoever could outdrink them would be her chosen suitor..."
Lu Xiu, surprisingly, started narrating a story. In these one hundred and sixty years, he had visited many places, from the pastures beneath the Altai Mountains to the vineyards of the Genhe Wetlands, even to Shanghai during the liberation and the chaotic evacuation of Nanjing... Jiang Hong then realized that after periods of seclusion, Lu Xiu would immerse himself in the human world.
"One hundred and sixty years," Jiang Hong said, "and you haven't made any human friends?"
Lu Xiu stopped his story, and at that moment, the countdown began.
"Four, three, two, one—"
"Happy New Year—!"
“Happy new year！”
Many balloons fell from above the bar, and everyone started popping them with the pens on the table. The 'pop pop' sounds, along with the whistles, created a lively atmosphere.
Jiang Hong's phone started ringing, but instead of replying to messages, he first sent a voice message to his parents, wishing them a happy new year.
Then, he put down his phone and said to Lu Xiu, "Happy New Year!"
There were no messages on Lu Xiu's phone; he quietly watched Jiang Hong.
Cao Bin at the bar turned around, blew a few whistles towards them, and shouted, "Happy New Year!"
After midnight, when leaving the bar, Jiang Hong, following behind Lu Xiu, suddenly felt an unspoken sentiment that wasn't part of his travel tales.
Just like Cao Bin sitting alone at the bar on this snowy night—
Amidst the grandeur of the world, yet utterly alone, unencumbered by attachments.
In the journey of life, as fleeting as a traveler.
But at least on this night, the first day of the New Year, they had met each other.
"It's so cold!" Jiang Hong lamented.
It was the hardest time to hail a cab, so Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong walked out along Shichahai, on the empty roads lit only by streetlights.
"Hold me tight," Lu Xiu said.
"Huh?" Jiang Hong, a bit drunk and shivering from the cold, hugged Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu: "…"
"Hug me from behind," Lu Xiu said, looking down at Jiang Hong lying in front of him, "What are you thinking about?"
Jiang Hong: "???"
However, the next moment, Jiang Hong understood! He immediately excitedly hugged Lu Xiu from behind.
"Holding on tight?" Lu Xiu said expressionlessly.
Jiang Hong then hugged tighter and shouted, "Take off!"
In silence, Lu Xiu transformed into a long black shadow. Jiang Hong felt a sudden jerk, lifting him off the ground and into the air. He screamed as Lu Xiu turned into a black dragon and soared into the sky, the dizzying acceleration pulling Jiang Hong towards the heavens.
"Ah! The Forbidden City!" Jiang Hong yelled.
On this snowy night, the whole of Beijing was brightly lit; buildings on Chang'an Street were covered with snow, and the streetlights cast a warm orange glow over the world.
The black dragon, carrying Jiang Hong, flew through the air, heading towards their hotel.
"Happy New Year," the voice of the black dragon said.
"Happy New Year!"
This New Year's Eve, Jiang Hong was truly happy.
Chapter 31: Crossing the Year
"How long has the 'Map of Mountains and Rivers' been stored here?" Cao Bin asked.
Chen Zhen looked slightly puzzled, as if he didn't understand why Cao Bin would ask something he already knew.
"After Teacher Di Shumin left the Committee," Chen Zhen replied, "she returned the 'Map of Mountains and Rivers.' It's been six years. Xiang Cheng personally sealed it, and I remember you were there too, weren’t you?"
Cao Bin moved closer to examine the seal on the base.
Chen Zhen: "I'm quite sure no one has touched it in these six years. The seal was set by you all together. What's the matter?"
"Nothing," Cao Bin seemed relieved, then glanced at Lu Xiu.
Neither Lu Xiu nor Jiang Hong spoke.
Without pursuing further, Chen Zhen said to Jiang Hong, "Come along."
Chen Zhen led Jiang Hong to a lavishly decorated mirror, saying, "Since Cao Bin is here, help me temporarily unlock the seal."
Cao Bin lifted his left hand, and his fingers emitted light, forming ribbons like the aurora that connected to the mirror. The gems embedded around the mirror then all lit up.
Chen Zhen then said to Jiang Hong, "Place your hand on the mirror."
Jiang Hong did as instructed, and Chen Zhen gently placed a hand on his shoulder, a gentle white light instantly infusing into Jiang Hong's body.
Immediately, the mirror flashed, absorbing all the light, plunging the surroundings into darkness, but in less than half a second, the vault became bright again.
"Done," Chen Zhen said, "The Chakra Mirror is activated for analysis. It requires the energy of moonlight, so the results will only be available on the next full moon night. I will have a teacher bring the results to you then."
Jiang Hong asked, "What will it tell me?"
Cao Bin answered, "It will project a complete image of your chakras."
Suddenly, Cao Bin asked, "Chen Zhen, is the Mai Qing case now being handled by An Jie?"
Chen Zhen glanced at Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu but didn't ask them to leave. Instead, he snapped his fingers, and a light enveloped him and Cao Bin, creating a soundproof barrier for their conversation.
The surroundings fell into silence. Jiang Hong wasn't particularly concerned about the shape of his chakras, but he was very interested in the magical instruments here.
"What does that mean?" Jiang Hong gestured towards the 'Map of Mountains and Rivers' and asked Lu Xiu, "Does it mean Chen Zhen can be cleared of suspicion?"
Lu Xiu signaled him not to ask and glanced at the barrier before walking away.
As Jiang Hong was about to explore other magical instruments, Lu Xiu grabbed his hand, not letting him stray too far, and their fingers intertwined.
Jiang Hong: "..."
It was Jiang Hong's first time holding hands with a boy in this manner. No... he hadn't even held hands with a girl before. The feeling of their fingers interlocked was too ambiguous, too strange, yet Lu Xiu's action seemed utterly natural.
"Don't wander off," Lu Xiu warned.
The two stood side by side in front of the shelves holding the 'Heaven' level magical instruments. Many sections were empty. Jiang Hong looked up curiously and asked, "Is that one at the very top the most powerful magical instrument in the world?"
Lu Xiu replied, "In theory, yes."
It was a slanted prayer wheel. Jiang Hong asked, "What can it be used for?"
Lu Xiu: "It's called 'The Eternal Wheel'. Inside it contains the ashes of the Time Dragon. The clasp on top is a thousand-year-old finger ring, rumored to reverse cause and effect, but at a great cost."
Jiang Hong: "What about the second item? Why is it empty?"
"Don't know," Lu Xiu answered.
"The third one?"
"It used to be the Sword of Wisdom."
"And the fourth one?" Jiang Hong really wanted to take notes, a rare opportunity, as even these weren't taught in the class on magical treasures.
"Don't know."
"Why isn't there an explanatory plaque?" asked Jiang Hong.
Lu Xiu: "Do you think this is a museum? Organizing tours for elementary school students on weekends?"
"What about that?" Jiang Hong pointed to a sculpture in the corner, covered with a cloth.
"That's a head," Lu Xiu said, "Want me to uncover it for you to see?"
"No, thanks," Jiang Hong quickly said, "Actually, I'm not that curious..."
Lu Xiu: "You're here now, take a look."
Jiang Hong was terrified: "No thanks! I was wrong!"
Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong looked at each other, speechless.
Jiang Hong: "Is this the so-called head that answers anything you ask?"
Lu Xiu remained silent, sizing up Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong: "Can it answer the lottery numbers?"
Lu Xiu: "Yes, shall we ask it?"
"Don't go!" Jiang Hong clung tightly to Lu Xiu's arm, preventing him from leaving.
Cao Bin and Chen Zhen removed the barrier, both watching Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu.
"Let's go," Cao Bin said indifferently.
"But to speak, one needs the chest cavity's airflow to vibrate the vocal cords. How can a severed head speak?" Still curious after leaving the treasure trove, Jiang Hong persistently quizzed Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu: "Because it has a speaker inside."
Jiang Hong: "???"
Cao Bin and Chen Zhen: "......"
"Jiang Hong often reminds me of my early days in this field," Cao Bin joked in the elevator.
"This is the mystery of the Inner World," Chen Zhen commented.
Chen Zhen then said to Lu Xiu, "Goodbye, Lu Xiu. You've grown taller, more talkative, and even started cracking dry jokes."
Lu Xiu seemed displeased being treated as a junior. As the elevator doors opened and Cao Bin stepped out first, Jiang Hong was still waving goodbye, but Lu Xiu dragged him out of the elevator.
"Let's go!"
"Ah? Is it over?" asked Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong visited the Exorcist Committee, spawning numerous questions. He was uninterested in the internal affairs of the committee but extremely curious about the magical artifacts.
"Where are we going now?" Jiang Hong asked again.
"We're off duty," answered Cao Bin. "Thank you for your hard work. We won't bother you anymore. See you after New Year's Day. I'll have Xuan Hezhi take you. Where do you plan to go next?"
Standing in front of the Exorcist Committee's main hall, Lu Xiu understood and was about to leave when a young man emerged from inside.
The young man was very youthful, appearing about Lu Xiu's age. He wore a high-necked black sweater and black trousers, dressed entirely in black, with black-framed glasses, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a height similar to Jiang Hong, holding a black umbrella in his hand.
"Principal Cao," the young man said loudly.
When the young man spoke, all the exorcists in the hall almost simultaneously paused and looked toward the group.
"Hello," Cao Bin greeted politely.
The boy's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached every corner.
"Lu Xiu is banned from entering the Exorcism Committee," the boy said, looking down at the umbrella in his hand, undoing the tie, and speaking without lifting his head, "You are still part of the committee's organization, so you should be well aware of this."
"This is Minister Wang Anjie," Cao Bin introduced to Jiang Hong, "the head of the Special Security Office of the Exorcist Committee."
Jiang Hong vaguely remembered hearing this name, it seemed to be the person they had mentioned several times, known as "Anjie."
"You haven't answered my question yet," Anjie said with an aggressive tone.
Cao Bin replied politely but distantly, "Today is an exception, Chen Zhen specifically asked him to come over."
"Oh?" Anjie said, "I haven't received this permission."
Cao Bin said, "Perhaps he's been too busy to inform you."
Lu Xiu looked at Anjie with a mocking gaze and said, "I'm already in here, so what do you propose we do?"
Cao Bin subtly motioned with his hand, signaling Lu Xiu not to cause trouble.
Anjie said, "Regardless, you must leave immediately."
Jiang Hong thought Anjie was handsome and didn't dislike him much, just found him very rigid. Anjie looked at Jiang Hong through his thick glasses, as if he wanted to say something, but then thought better of it, simply standing still, watching the three of them.
"We won't disturb any further," Cao Bin added.
Cao Bin led Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu out of the lobby to the entrance of the Exorcism Committee, followed by several exorcists in black suits from behind Anjie, watching their every move.
Jiang Hong said, "That was very rude."
Lu Xiu said, "Last time I gave him a tough beating, he's still holding a grudge."
Cao Bin reminded, "Unless necessary, don't provoke him. He may not be the most powerful in the committee, but he's the most troublesome."
Jiang Hong always suspected that Anjie nearby had heard them, but just then, Xuan Hezhi drove up, stopping outside the lobby. They said goodbye to Cao Bin and left Lingjing Hutong.
"Where are you planning to go?" Xuan Hezhi turned and asked, "Jiang Hong, aren’t you and Xiaopi going on a survey in a couple of days?"
Jiang Hong hummed in agreement, looking at Lu Xiu, unsure if he had any plans. Today was the last day of the year; were they going to celebrate the New Year?
Lu Xiu answered, "Just drop us off anywhere."
"Alright," said Xuan Hezhi, "Please take good care of Xiaopi."
Jiang Hong politely responded, noting Xuan Hezhi's demeanor. It seemed he likely wouldn't return to Xi'an today. Leaving his son alone at home for New Year's, wouldn't that be sad?
Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong got off the car on an unfamiliar street, with the cold wind howling. At the end of the Gregorian calendar year, the whole city was quiet, except for the subway packed with people heading home early.
Jiang Hong asked eagerly, "So... where are we going now?"
Lu Xiu replied, "I don't know, I'm not familiar with Beijing. Where do you want to go?"
Without a clear idea, Jiang Hong and Lu Xiu walked through the cold winter streets of Beijing. Trees had shed their leaves, leaving bare branches pointing to the pale sky. It had snowed two days ago, leaving snow under the roadside trees, and banners celebrating New Year’s were hung everywhere.
"Shall we go to the Great Wall?" Jiang Hong excitedly suggested, "I've never been to the Great Wall."
Beijing seemed to be hit by a force-eight gale today, but Lu Xiu didn't want to spoil Jiang Hong's mood and said, "Let's go."
They needed to get to the bus station, so Jiang Hong pulled up his hood and walked slowly on the icy streets, occasionally glancing at Lu Xiu, who was unprepared with neither a scarf, gloves, nor a hat, hands tucked in his pockets.
"It's so cold," Jiang Hong said, his mind getting foggy from the cold, "Where are we?"
Lu Xiu: "Heading to the bus station, to take a bus to the Great Wall."
Jiang Hong shivered: "I... I... maybe we shouldn't."
Lu Xiu gave him his black velvet hat, shared his scarf, and gestured for Jiang Hong to put his hands in the pockets of his overcoat, clasping his hands.
"Let's buy gloves first," Lu Xiu suggested.
Lu Xiu took Jiang Hong into a mall, got him properly equipped, but Jiang Hong no longer wanted to go out. It was only after holding a hot drink that he finally felt revived.
"Going to visit your high school classmates in Beijing?" Lu Xiu asked again.
Jiang Hong gave up the idea, and the two of them just sat in the café, staring at each other blankly.
Jiang Hong: "Is there a place that's not cold where we can celebrate the New Year?"
Lu Xiu spread his hands. This time he hadn't done any homework. Previously, it was Jiang Hong who volunteered to plan the trip, and he had indeed prepared thoroughly, but he hadn't anticipated that this would be a place where being outdoors for half an hour could blur one's consciousness with cold.
So, all the dining and entertainment plans they had looked up in advance were almost entirely scrapped.
Lu Xiu: "Shall we go back to the hotel?"
Jiang Hong said apologetically, "I'm really sorry. Is there somewhere you'd like to go?"
Lu Xiu: "No, this is fine."
Jiang Hong said with a smile, "What matters is not where we are, but who we are with."
Lu Xiu suddenly fell silent, just looking at Jiang Hong.
Jiang Hong: "Your face... why does it look a bit red?"
Lu Xiu: "?"
Lu Xiu turned his head, looking at his own reflection in the floor-to-ceiling glass window, and denied, "No, it's not."
It was a cozy coffee shop, small in size, decorated with a Christmas vibe. Jiang Hong suddenly felt that celebrating the New Year here wouldn't be too bad.
"Is something up?" Lu Xiu gestured towards Jiang Hong's phone, which was flooded with messages.
"Ah," said Jiang Hong, "It's the schedule for the day after tomorrow."
With nothing else pressing, Jiang Hong glanced at the itinerary sent by Lian Jiang. Lu Xiu sat beside him, and they both looked at the PPT on Jiang Hong's phone. They had spent the afternoon in the café, and in the evening, Lu Xiu suggested, "Let's go for a buffet barbecue," ending up in a restaurant almost exclusively filled with couples for their last meal of the year.
Unsure where to go after dinner, Lu Xiu took him to a bar by the Shichahai.
"Five years ago, Xiang Cheng brought me here," Lu Xiu shared, "to another dragon."
Jiang Hong: "Such a romantic place."
In the bar, a resident singer was performing, and the atmosphere, boosted by a few cocktails, was great. Many foreigners gathered there to listen to music and wait for the New Year. Outside the glass greenhouse, it began to snow again in Beijing. They sat by the glass wall, watching the snowflakes and the frozen Shichahai, with a candle lit in front of them.
Jiang Hong always felt the atmosphere was somewhat ambiguous; surrounded by couples, the two of them seemed like a gay couple. If either he or Lu Xiu were a girl, the scene would definitely seem like they were dating.
But this was nice too. Although Jiang Hong had wanted to date since university, the right opportunity hadn’t come, and it was best not to force it.
"It must be hard to book a spot in this bar, right?" Jiang Hong ordered a drink, took the draw tube from the table, and put a coin in it.
Lu Xiu: "This is Xiang Cheng's spot. He promised me that if there was... in the future, I could bring... bring you here."
Jiang Hong's phone was filled with New Year wishes from friends, but Lu Xiu hadn't contacted anyone, clearly showing that apart from Jiang Hong, Lu Xiu had no friends.
"You've been looking for me for a long time, haven't you?" Jiang Hong pondered for a moment before speaking.
Lu Xiu: "You've asked that question before. Next one."
Jiang Hong sipped some wine, idly playing with the draw tube, and asked curiously, "Before you found me, what were you doing all by yourself?"
Lu Xiu was silent for a few seconds, making Jiang Hong suddenly wonder if he had said something wrong again.
"Nothing much," but this time, Lu Xiu wasn't angry, and said, "Just wandering around, learning how to be human."
Jiang Hong laughed and said, "You wanted to be human too."
Jiang Hong was about to say what's so good about being human? Humans have so many worries and such limited lifespans, but Lu Xiu said, "Someday I had to meet you, and if I didn’t use a human form, I might have scared you."
Jiang Hong said, "Even if you appeared in your true form, I wouldn't be too frightened."
Lu Xiu casually said, "Initially, I didn't know you would become an exorcist. I found out later."
Jiang Hong's curiosity suddenly piqued again, and he asked, "Before you met that head, did you try to find me through divination?"
Lu Xiu: "Often, but because I'm a dragon, my spiritual power is too strong and disrupts the manifestation of fate..."
Lu Xiu, looking at Jiang Hong as if about to say something, was interrupted by a group of drunken foreigners who came over, whistling wildly at them and wanting to toast. Jiang Hong responded while Lu Xiu simply raised his glass, still expressionless.
Their conversation interrupted by this, Jiang Hong forgot what he was about to say.
Snow drifted outside the glass window, candlelight flickered in the greenhouse, and the resident singer started singing an English song.
Jiang Hong, intently, drew a "fortune of the day" stick from the tube on the table, unfolded it to read, 'Fair luck: [Mountains and rivers doubt the path, but a village appears amidst dark willows and bright flowers.]'
Jiang Hong laughed heartily and showed it to Lu Xiu.
"You draw one too," Jiang Hong said.
Lu Xiu twisted the draw tube a couple of times, pulling out a paper, which also indicated 'Fair luck': [Endless searching proves futile, yet it comes without effort.]
"Is this accurate?" Jiang Hong asked with a laugh, "What does it mean?"
"It's accurate if you believe in it," Lu Xiu said, "and not if you don't."
"Alright." Jiang Hong decided to keep it, after all, it was a good omen. He carefully folded it and put it in his wallet, while Lu Xiu watched his every move. Jiang Hong then said, "Last time, He Jian helped me with a divination..."
Jiang Hong spoke without thinking, saying whatever came to mind, but then remembered the topic was a bit awkward and hastily stopped.
After waiting a bit, Lu Xiu asked, "Divination about what?"
"Uh," Jiang Hong pondered how to explain and braced himself to answer, "About you and me."
Lu Xiu: "?"
At that moment, someone came into the bar from outside.
The man, dressed in a black suit and wearing a black woolen hat, took off his hat and gloves after entering the bar. Jiang Hong recognized him – it was Cao Bin.
"Principal!" Jiang Hong greeted him, offering his seat.
Cao Bin nodded but didn't come over, instead sitting at the bar and ordering a drink.
Jiang Hong turned to Lu Xiu and said, "He's alone."
"Whenever Class S comes to Beijing, they usually hang out here," Lu Xiu continued, "Go on, what was the result of the divination?"
"Um..." Jiang Hong felt the topic was awkward, wondering why he had asked his roommate to foretell the fate between him and another man. He wanted to change the subject, "Let's not discuss it anymore."
Lu Xiu: "You don't have to tell me; I was going to ask him anyway. Hurry up, what was the result?"
Jiang Hong thought: Alright, you asked for it.
"He said we have fate but no destiny," Jiang Hong pondered before saying, "which means... we're destined to part ways someday."
Lu Xiu remained silent, fiddling with the divination slip between his slender fingers.
Jiang Hong: "I don't know how accurate He Jian's divination is, but it seems to be a family tradition."
Lu Xiu: "What about you?"
Jiang Hong: "Huh?"
Lu Xiu was very, very serious this time, so serious that he was almost stern. He asked Jiang Hong, "What do you think about it yourself?"
"Me?" Jiang Hong said. "I think... I haven't really thought about it."
"I mean," Lu Xiu said, "what are your thoughts on this matter? Do you want to change this outcome? Do you want to stay with me forever? Never parting?"
Wow, that's so ambiguous! Although Jiang Hong didn't like men, Lu Xiu was so handsome, and speaking such solemn vows like a couple was very, very charming, even making Jiang Hong blush.
"Can fate be changed?" Jiang Hong asked with a smile. "If it can be changed, then it wouldn't be fate, would it?"
"Not necessarily," Lu Xiu replied calmly. "It depends on my mood."
Jiang Hong said, "But I've thought about it, and since I was young, I've understood... understood this truth."
Lu Xiu: "What truth?"
Jiang Hong looked towards Cao Bin, sitting at the bar, his back appearing lonely. Was he waiting for someone? He had been waiting for a long time. After getting to know Cao Bin, Jiang Hong gradually realized that Cao Bin didn't seem to have many friends at school.
"Between people," Jiang Hong came back to his senses and met Lu Xiu's gaze, "there will always be separations, whether it's parents, children, or even close friends. Perhaps one day, they'll part ways without realizing it..."
Lu Xiu averted his gaze.
Jiang Hong said, "So, cherishing the time we have together is what's most important, right? Unless one gets married and starts a family, and even then, who knows how many families end up broken apart."
This time, Lu Xiu remained silent for a long time before finally replying, "You're right."
Jiang Hong smiled and said, "Anyway, being able to meet you again makes me happy, even if I don't remember anything. Ah, saying this is a bit embarrassing..."
Lu Xiu suddenly asked again, "When did the youngest son of the He family predict we would part ways?"
Jiang Hong didn't expect Lu Xiu to care so much about this; he didn't really believe in the accuracy of He Jian's prophecy: "I don't know, should we ask him to predict again next time?"
Lu Xiu waved his hand, indicating to let it go, and then snapped his fingers, burning the divination slip.
Cao Bin was drinking alone at the bar, the world around him warm and prosperous, yet his silhouette appeared lonely and resolute, like a lush tree in a snowstorm.
"During these years, have you encountered any interesting events?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Interesting?" It was hard for Lu Xiu to define, so Jiang Hong rephrased: "Anything worth mentioning."
Lu Xiu thought for a moment and said, "Beneath the Altai Mountains, there was a herdsman's family with four daughters..."
Jiang Hong: "What were you doing at the Altai Mountains? Cultivating?"
Lu Xiu: "Looking for you."
Jiang Hong: "I was reincarnated in the Altai Mountains?"
Lu Xiu: "There's a legend there about a great lama who can find lost relatives in the world... Will you listen?"
"I will!" Jiang Hong stopped interrupting and looked at Lu Xiu eagerly, full of anticipation.
"The four daughters could all drink heavily, outdrinking all the men within a ten-mile radius. The eldest daughter declared that whoever could outdrink them would be her chosen suitor..."
Lu Xiu, surprisingly, started narrating a story. In these one hundred and sixty years, he had visited many places, from the pastures beneath the Altai Mountains to the vineyards of the Genhe Wetlands, even to Shanghai during the liberation and the chaotic evacuation of Nanjing... Jiang Hong then realized that after periods of seclusion, Lu Xiu would immerse himself in the human world.
"One hundred and sixty years," Jiang Hong said, "and you haven't made any human friends?"
Lu Xiu stopped his story, and at that moment, the countdown began.
"Four, three, two, one—"
"Happy New Year—!"
“Happy new year！”
Many balloons fell from above the bar, and everyone started popping them with the pens on the table. The 'pop pop' sounds, along with the whistles, created a lively atmosphere.
Jiang Hong's phone started ringing, but instead of replying to messages, he first sent a voice message to his parents, wishing them a happy new year.
Then, he put down his phone and said to Lu Xiu, "Happy New Year!"
There were no messages on Lu Xiu's phone; he quietly watched Jiang Hong.
Cao Bin at the bar turned around, blew a few whistles towards them, and shouted, "Happy New Year!"
After midnight, when leaving the bar, Jiang Hong, following behind Lu Xiu, suddenly felt an unspoken sentiment that wasn't part of his travel tales.
Just like Cao Bin sitting alone at the bar on this snowy night—
Amidst the grandeur of the world, yet utterly alone, unencumbered by attachments.
In the journey of life, as fleeting as a traveler.
But at least on this night, the first day of the New Year, they had met each other.
"It's so cold!" Jiang Hong lamented.
It was the hardest time to hail a cab, so Lu Xiu and Jiang Hong walked out along Shichahai, on the empty roads lit only by streetlights.
"Hold me tight," Lu Xiu said.
"Huh?" Jiang Hong, a bit drunk and shivering from the cold, hugged Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu: "…"
"Hug me from behind," Lu Xiu said, looking down at Jiang Hong lying in front of him, "What are you thinking about?"
Jiang Hong: "???"
However, the next moment, Jiang Hong understood! He immediately excitedly hugged Lu Xiu from behind.
"Holding on tight?" Lu Xiu said expressionlessly.
Jiang Hong then hugged tighter and shouted, "Take off!"
In silence, Lu Xiu transformed into a long black shadow. Jiang Hong felt a sudden jerk, lifting him off the ground and into the air. He screamed as Lu Xiu turned into a black dragon and soared into the sky, the dizzying acceleration pulling Jiang Hong towards the heavens.
"Ah! The Forbidden City!" Jiang Hong yelled.
On this snowy night, the whole of Beijing was brightly lit; buildings on Chang'an Street were covered with snow, and the streetlights cast a warm orange glow over the world.
The black dragon, carrying Jiang Hong, flew through the air, heading towards their hotel.
"Happy New Year," the voice of the black dragon said.
"Happy New Year!"
This New Year's Eve, Jiang Hong was truly happy.
