Chapter 5 (1/2)

I’m so happy so many folks are as enchanted by this novel as I a It feels like the book club days of Da Mo Yao and Yun Zhong Ge are back, but I understand Lost You Forever plops everyone right into the story so it’s harder to discuss in the early chapters without ed back to his past life, and for him and Xiao Liu, it’s a difficult choice but one both are likely used it since they have’t lived easy carefree lives until now either The rootten underway yet but it’s clear shi+ Qi is completely in love with Xiao Liu It’s love, it’s devotion, it’s gratitude, it’s appreciation, it’s everything he expresses in action and nothing that words enough could convey Xiao Liu is clearly sad that shi+ Qi is gone, but what does that sadness mean? Sadness because of loss or because of disappointain nothing is forever Xiao Liu’s interactions with Xiang Liu are a lotbecause of how s to each other that seely fine to the Liu sucks Xiao Liu’s blood to heal, but to shi+ Qi he only sees the imprint of what looks like a kiss rather than a bite That’s so telling, and the way Xiao LiuLiu to die is at odds with how hts up in anxiety and fascination anyti Liu shows up There is also Xuan, who I can’t talk about yet until his identity gets revealed in this novel, because the connection between Xiao Liu and Xuan is at a completely different plane than whatever Xiao Liu has with shi+ Qi

Chapter 5 – Wish to Entrust Myself to the Mountains and Strearoceries, Chuan Zi went to deliverto sew clothes for Chuan Zi Without any patients, Xiao Liu sprawled on the pallet sleeping When he woke up there still wasn’t any patients so he rapped himself on the head Can’t justto do

Xiao Liu decided to go to Xuan’s wine shop to drink He put his hands behind hi until Xuan saw him and warmly called out “Brother Liu, what do you want to drink?”

Xiao Liu found a corner spot and sat down and replied warht hi of wine and a plate of cashews Xiao Liu looked around, peeled the cashews, and drank his wine He then saw sitting in the opposite corner aimmaculate richly decorated clothes and a straw hat that shi+elded his face Even though his face was hidden and he wasn’t wearing any expensive jewelry, but his elegant demeanor immediatelyhis brain thinking of when such a lofty personage ca Shui Tohen a beautifulbehind hi Ye dressed like a man

Xiao Liu understood and i the cashews On that table there was also a plate of cashews, initially it was untouched but now thatit But he didn’t eat it and instead neatly placed it back on the plate

shi+ Qi said so Ye bowed and retreated He walked over and sat next to Xiao Liu and placed the plate of peeled cashews before hi behind the counter and counting thetowards shi+ Qi and Xiao Liu Because of Hai Tang, the business in the shop got busier as more men came to buy wine Those with money sat inside, those without held their bowls and sat outside, all of the

After soan to loosen Whatever interesting happened in Qing Shui Town could be heard in the conversation here Xiao Liu was ireat idea!

“That’s nothing interesting There is so even more major that happened in town!”

“What? Do tell!”

“Let , and Sheng Nong, within the great wilderness what are the other powerful and famous clans?”

“Who doesn’t know that? Below the Three I order are the Four Great Clans – the Chi Shui fa family Other than the Four Great Clans, in the Middles Plans are the Six Big Fa Families are various moderately powerful smaller clans such as the Jin Tian fa family to the North… But none of them can compare to the Four Great Clans”

“The Tu Shan clan is based in the city of Qing Qiu Froeneration is in trade Their businesses blanket every part of the great wilderness They have so much money it’s not even considered money I hear even the idoenuinely wealth that can rival a kingdo to say involves the Tu Shan clan”

“So what of it? Hurry up and tell us!”

“I have reliable intel that says the Tu Shan clan’s Second Young Master is in Qing Shui Town!”

“What? That can’t be true”

“Speaking of the Tu Shan clan’s Second Young Master, he’s definitely an ieneration has only two sons, a pair of fraternal male twins born from the same mother and father But I heard the Second Lord is very capable and since he was s over the Eldest Lord He makes all the decisions in the fareat wilderness, noterritories, their businesses extend there Can you iine hoealthy they must be? I hear this Second Lord is very handso to chess, a witty conversationalist and all-around scholar His nickna Qiu So hter to him The Tu Shan fahter of the Fang Feng fahter followed her father and brothers all around growing up, she’s capable and very well traveled, as beautiful as a flower and can shoot a damn fine arrow”

“That Tu Shan eldest son is coirl and can’t even be coo when the two fa cereht before the wedding the Tu Shan fa All these years, the Second Lord has been hidden away healing while the Eldest Lord has been the one handling all the clan affairs”

“That Miss Fang Feng is one loyal girl for sure, when her fae Qiu and told Grand Madam Tu Shan “Born into Tu Shan house, buried in Tu Shan tomb” The Madam was so touched she was in tears, and all these years since Miss Fang Feng has lived at the Tu Shan residence helping the Mada family has heard the Second Lord has recovered, the two fa preparations and want it to happen as soon as possible”

“Hearing the Tu Shan Second Lord is here in Qing Shui town, likely he’s getting ready to take over running the family business affairs”

The crowd started discussing about the upco inheritance battle between the Eldest Lord and the Second Lord, trying to guess ould e the cashews on the plate, first into a flower, and then into a crescent moon

The person next to hi a cashew until it had been reduced to powder

Xiao Liu drank his wine and teased “Hey, what is your name? When I see you later, I can’t act like I don’t know you but I can’t call you shi+ Qi anymore! Even if you don’t mind, your ill likely shoot an arrow into me”

After a few ”

“Tu Shan…horite it?” Jing splashed sohed and asked “And what’s the na’s hand froze above the table Xiao Liu smiled “Six years, I let you stay for six years Give me six years without rent and then on’t owe each other anything!” Xiao Liu got up to leave but Jing grabbed his aro Xiao Liu realized for the first ti and it was enough to subdue hih “Brother Liu is leaving?”

Xiao Liu s business, I have , shall I stay forever then? I can’t help you hat you’re doing”

Jing released his grip and Xiao Liu shook off his hand, handeda ditty

The appearance of the Tu Shan faet even more lively as people jostled for opportunities and advance him Even Butcher Gao laed to the Tu Shan fa of it since those people were like stars, so far above their reach Lao Mu had his questions but one look at Xiao Liu’s calm face and it relieved him It can’t be, it can’t be shi+ Qi!

Xiao Liu refused to go to the river banks anymore He locked the doors to the courtyard and laid on the pallet to count the stars “Three thousand three hundred twenty seven……”

A white snowflake descended from the sky and Xiao Liu was so surprised happy but he quietly ta Liu looked down at hi to be asleep” Xiao Liu pressed his hands on his ears “I’ Liu waved his hand and a ind blew everything off the pallet He sat down and stared at Xiao Liu

Xiao Liu felt two knives were scraping back and forth on his face He endured, and endured, , until finally he couldn’t anymore…he opened his eyes “My lord isn’t busy in thehere in my little courtyard?”

“The man beside you, he’s from the Tu Shan clan?”

“Who? Ma Zi? Chaun Zi?” Xiao Liu opened his eyes and asked sincerely “I wanted to be nicer to you but you always have way ofLiu put both his hands around Xiao Liu’s head and slowly lowered his head Under the s as sharp as any beast

Xiao Liu spoke “You’re really e Last tis I know you’re a de with my own eyes You should know us people, whether be Gods or hue and we don’t care about what’s on the inside Even e eat we care about how it looks and smells The wives we takethe plus retreated and he patted Xiao Liu’s cheek “Lately you’ve been lonely?”

Xiao Liu sighed “People who are too s But you’re not a person, you’re a derabbed Xiao Liu’s neck and pressed in “That man, the one who you always hide every time I show up, is that Tu Shan clan’s second son?”

Xiao Liu thought and kneouldn’t believe hi Liu released hioosebu you go see him yourself”

“I’m even less familiar with hihed “A de Liu said “It’s been very hot lately and there is an illness spreading in the mountains and et some medicine for us”

Xiao Liu sat up “Why? Who do you think you are?” Xiang Liu smiled at Xiao Liu “I’m someone who can eat you”

“I’d rather you eatLiu conjectured out loud “Do you want to knohat the eldest son of the Tu Shan clan is like? Nine years ago, he disappeared right before his wedding If I contact the eldest son and asked him for some medicine and he askedMaster of Qing Qiu can stay alive?”

Xiao Liu spit out through gritted teeth “No wonder your name is number 1 on the list of Most Wanted I really want to use your head to exchange for the reward hed out loud and suddenly ht in front of Xiao Liu’s face and said slowly “I have nine heads, relared at hi

After a ood will that bring hi Liu slowly moved away from Xiao Liu “When matters in the mountain isn’t too busy, sometimes I’m an assassin for hire, and a pretty notorious one at that If the Tu Shan eldest son asked me to kill him, I would turn him down If he wanted me to kill the Tu Shan eldest, I will accept the job”

“He just went hoht not be able to utilize the family money and manpower”

“You underesti Tu Shan clan does any type of business Back then, he sold wayarmy”

Xiao Liu asked “This time, why don’t you buy it directly fro Liu coldly replied “No h but didn’t dare in case he ry He raised his head to look at the stars “You are a de, is it worth it?”

Xiang Liu laughed “You can waste your ti care of a bunch of losers Why can’t I waste ht In this long life, one has to find soot up and walked out the door but Xiang Liu grabbed him back “He’s by the riverbank” Xiao Liu walked to the riverbank with Xiang Liu following behind

Jing heard a sound and turned around with a look of joy, but iure behind Xiao Liu, proud and wild, co Liu walked to the river edge and looked out towards the distance

Xiao Liu walked up to Jing and felt a bit aard He coughed and asked “Have you been well lately?”

“Yes”

“Is Jing Ye well?”

“Yes”

“Lan…”

Xiang Liu’s cold gaze glanced over and Xiao Liu hurriedly asked “I have so replied “Yes”

“I need a batch of ht it and handed it to Jing “Inside is the details”

“Yes

“When theLiu will go and retrieve it”

“Yes”

This business was done just like that? So easy? Xiao Liu added “I have nolowered his eyees “You Don’t need to pay” Xiao Liu didn’t knohat else to say so he looked towards Xiang Liu He nodded so Xiao Liu told Jing “Then…thank you I’ started to walk away and when he passed Xiao Liu his low voice carried in the wind “From now on, don’t say thank you”

Xiao Liu silently stood there for awhile and said to Xiang Liu “I’rabbed his collar and pulled hiet the medicine, you’re with me”

Furball landed and Xiao Liu juhed like he didn’t care “Fine Recently I concocted new poison and I can test it out”

Furball took them into the deep deepLiu “You think about this again I’ to fold easily If the Xuan Yuan ar on the hint of torture”

Xiang Liu said nothing

Xiao Liu grabbed Furball’s neck and fell asleep When he was deep in sleep, he could feel Furball descending Xiang Liu grabbed hi Liu grabbed Xiang Liu’s hand with his eyes still tightly shut “I won’t give you a reason to killLiu’s hand froze and Xiao Liu laughed slyly Xiang Liuon to his hand as he was dragged behind stu Liu said “We’re at the base It’s all houses so if you don’t poke around then you won’t be able to find the location of this place” Xiang Liu walked into a wooden shack and Xiao Liu followed It was threadbare with a narrow pallet, soround, and a wooden chest at the end of the pallet for putting clothes A table was on top of the rug with a tea set on it as well as writing instruments

As one of the leaders of the rebel ar situation was so paltry Xiao Liu silently sighed having really no idea what that nine-headed deain fro Liu naturally slept on the pallet while Xiao Liu wrapped hi to sleep

Morning ti Liu left so Xiao Liu cli There was the sound of organized chants and hollers fro but after some time Xiao Liu wished he were deaf Day after day, year after year, these repetitive ar but needed to keep the blade sharp and h But was their determination worth it? The soldiers wanted to protect their ho in the mountains without either a homeland or people to protect

Xiao Liu was suddenly rather i Liu De to follow rules and authority, and definitely no desire for status But Xiang Liu reined in his rebellious streak to live ahe utterly despised When Xiang Liu finished training the soldiers, he returned to the hut

Xiao Liu sat in front of the table tending to hie but Xiao Liu just mumbled about life and tossed it into the tea pot to brew so and leaned against the pallet as if waiting to laugh at Xiao Liu To his surprise, Xiao Liu took one sip, squinted his face briefly, before resu Liu said “I now believe that you were forced to eat lots of strange disgusting things”

Xiao Liu s a lot of crap”

Xiang Liu added “When I finished the tea, I tossed into the cannister the scent ball used to ward off bugs I heard it’s the poop of soed color but he forced hienuine sound of mirth Xiao Liu looked at how his cold handso water and Xiao Liu wanted to freeze this moment

The soldier reported fro Liu’s laughter stopped and he immediately stood up and walked out Xiao Liu hesitated and walked to the door There were two bodies on top of a pyre Xiang Liu walked over where there were hundreds of soldiers lined up He poured three cups of wine and then lit the pyre Within the flames of the fire, the faces of the men showed their fa they sang it conveyed their deep sorrow Their singing wasn’t in unison, flitting in and out, as they wondered about their cause and what it allrun

It was true that the Yellow E But the Sheng Nong Kingdo there only wanted a peaceful life to live They don’t care who is the Eun to speak warenerosity The people don’t care about the re soldiers who refuse to surrender Thousands of years later, their deter up, bowing low, could they get a sife, a cute kid, perhaps even the wealth given by the E on to their belief, to hold onto soer cared about, to risk their lives for it

The wheels of history were already turning but they remained stubbornly rooted in place, with their ar to turn the wheels back But they were people that tiainst the tide, and they were destined to be obliterated Xiao Liu knew they were foolish, and felt pity for them, but he also couldn’t help but feel respect towards them

In thisquestion to Xiang Liu about why he worked for Gong Gong doing pointless things, to suggest that he betray Gong Gong and throw his lot with the Yellow E Liu to fly into a dark rage In this world, there was a determination that may be destroyed,Liu sloalked back with the sorrowful song lingering behind hiainst the door and watched him walk in the blood red sunset, his white hair and white robe still pristine and untouched Xiang Liu stopped in front of Xiao Liu, his cold gaze containing a measure of disdain, but it wasn’t clear if it was meant for the world or for hiize for what I said last ti Liu was expressionless as he entered the house “If the er They are warriors, if they are to die, it ought to be in front of the Yellow Emperor’s arenuinely started to pray that Jing would hurry up with theShui Town Jing stood by the river and stared as Xiang Liu and Xiao Liu arrived together on the back of the white condor Xiao Liu jumped off the condor and anxiously asked “TheLiu “The medicine the General wants is all ready It’s in the base Liu street General can dispatch so Liu nodded and the condor rose into the sky Xiao Liu didn’t want to face Jing so raised his head to look at Xiang Liu His eyes remained on hi Liu left, Xiao Liu still didn’t knohat to say to Jing so he continued staring into the sky with a look of longing After his neck was sore, Xiao Liu finally looked down and turned with a s that old sack cloth robe froet theshook his head Xiao Liu asked “When do you leave Qing Shui Town?”

“Not leaving” His gaze towards Xiao Liu was filled with tenderness Xiao Liu laughed with his head cocked “So your fiancee will be cohtly clenched his lips Xiao Liu said “I’arden not caring how many plants were squashed underfoot Xiao Liu took a deep breath and pushed open the door and hollered “I, Wen Xiao Liu, is back!”

In the ht, when Xiao Liu was fast sleep, he suddenly startled awake Xiang Liu was standing next to his pallet, still white hair white robe, but his hair was slightly htly dirty

“You’re injured again?” Xiao Liu sighed, sitting up and pulling down his collar Xiang Liu didn’t bother with niceties, pulling Xiao Liu close and biting down to drink his blood Xiao Liu laughed “You’re lucky to have a wonder medicine chest like et theLiu raised his head “No, someone from the Tu Shan clan leaked the location where the ” “I know it’s not hio ask him!” “Do you knoho stole the ?”

“It’s the saroup that injured me last time They arrive very fast, leave very fast, I worry there is a traitor in the mountains but still haven’t discovered any proof”

Xiao Liu sh to the Heavens “Why such a crowd!”