Chapter Twenty-Six: A Solitary Dusk
The east of Nanhuangzhou.
The season has entered summer. With the increasing amount of rain, the weather is gradually showing signs of heat.
"Ok." That day, the sun was high in the sky. After finishing the class and leaving Master Bai's tent, Xu Qing looked up at the blue sky, gazed at the dazzling sun, and murmured to himself.
Unconsciously, two months have passed since he came to the camp.
Recalling his experience in the Blood Rain City two months ago, it seems like a long time has passed, but in Xu Qing's heart, it is still vivid.
But compared with when he lived in the slum more than two months ago, the changes in him have been extremely great.
Whether it was the improvement of cultivation or the acquisition of knowledge about plants and trees, all made Xu Qing feel that he was constantly growing.
During this period, under the sumptuous meals of Captain Lei, he ate a lot of meat, so his body changed from being originally thin and small to a little more refined.
It is precisely because of his practice of the Haishan Art that his masculine and vigorous qi and blood are extremely abundant. The aura instinctively emanating from his entire body gives people a sense of sharpness.
Perhaps it was also because of the imitation of that cut in the temple that Xu Qing's eyes were much brighter than those of others, and the more he imitated, the more so.
Especially as he attended classes with Master Bai, the accumulation of knowledge also added a layer of scholarly air to him.
All of this made Xu Qing's hands accustomed to being clean. Even though the dirt on his face had not been washed away, it was no longer possible to hide his delicate features.
This can be seen from the frequent glances and calls from the dusty women in the tent with feathers in the camp to him.
But Xu Qing paid no attention to all this. His mood had been rather low these days.
On the one hand, the Celestial Destiny Flower was not found; on the other hand, the aging and weakness of Captain Lei became increasingly obvious.
So in the restricted area jungle, Xu Qing went there less and less. Every day after Master Bai's class ended, he would instinctively head to his residence. Even though most of the time he was practicing alone, feeling the Thunder Team next door would make Xu Qing feel much more at ease.
Every night's mealtime is even more cherished by him.
Today, it was the same. Xu Qing, who walked silently in the camp, paid no attention to the scavengers around and first went to the grocery store.
The busy little girl, upon seeing his figure, without a word ran to the back of the counter, took out a pot of wine from inside and handed it directly to Xu Qing.
She was already used to this period of time. Xu Qing would come to buy wine at this time every day.
Thank you. Xu Qing said softly, glancing at the scar on the little girl's face.
Although she had hideous scars, the little girl was very optimistic. She smiled at Xu Qing. When she was about to say something, she was called over by other scavengers.
Xu Qing didn't mind and was about to leave with the wine pot in hand. His figure fell into the little girl's peripheral vision. She hurriedly exchanged a few words with the scavenger and ran to the gate. Looking at Xu Qing who was about to walk away, she suddenly shouted.
"Big brother of the child."
Xu Qing paused in his steps. When he turned around and looked back, the little girl ran over quickly.
After approaching Xu Qing, she stretched out her right hand and opened it towards him, with a piece of candy inside.
I don't know why you've been in a low mood recently, but every time I'm unhappy, my mom gives me candies to eat. As I keep eating them, I become happy.
This is my last piece of candy. It's for you.
The little girl said, fearing that Xu Qing would refuse, so she directly placed it in his hand and quickly ran towards the shop. When she reached the shop door, she turned back to look at Xu Qing and shouted loudly.
"Little brother, be happy!"
Xu Qing stood there blankly, watching the little girl's figure walk into the shop. He looked down at the candy in his palm for a long time... He carefully put away this piece of candy.
On the way back, there was a commotion coming from the camp. Xu Qing, who was far away, saw two convoys arriving outside the camp, one in front and the other behind.
The convoy ahead, whether in terms of the novelty of the carriages or the strength of the horses, far exceeded the ones Xu Qing had ever seen. Inside, there were not only guards but also middle-aged men, and the spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from their bodies were obviously powerful.
And they are clearly not the core of the team.
With the arrival of the motorcade, a group of young men and women got out of it. They were all about sixteen or seventeen years old, walking with high eyes, dressed in fine clothes, and with fair skin. The men were handsome and the women were beautiful.
Obviously, their identities and backgrounds are all quite extraordinary. At this moment, they seem to dislike the dirtiness and disorder inside the camp, so they set up camp outside the camp. The sense of being domineering is very obvious.
And each one seemed to have an attendant by their side, about a hundred people serving them, the young man and woman.
The second convoy behind them, although not bad either, was obviously inferior when compared with the former.
And it was obvious that they knew the identities of those young men and women, so the second convoy was reluctant to have contact with the former along the way, avoiding them from entering the camp. Most of the people who got off were very low-key.
Xu Qing swept it off in a flash.
The convoys in the camp would show up every three days. Either they would issue tasks or they would enter the restricted area alone. There were all kinds of people inside.
This was also the basis for the existence of the scavenger camp, and Xu Qing was accustomed to it.
When he returned to his accommodation, he saw Captain Lei moving his body in the courtyard. Under the sunlight, Captain Lei's body had a hint of dusk, which made Xu Qing feel even more depressed.
You bought me some wine again. Not bad, not bad. Noticing the wine pot in Xu Qing's hand, Captain Lei smiled and spoke.
"All right. You go and tidy up the kitchen. I'll go outside and cook. I'll buy some ingredients back." Captain Lei said this and left with his hands behind his back.
This was an agreement between him and Xu Qing. He had to buy the ingredients. Xu Qing didn't refuse, but she offered him more rent.
It seems that this is the way he gets along with Captain Lei.
On this day, Captain Lei returned earlier than usual. Xu Qing had almost just finished tidying up the kitchen when he came back carrying some meat, smiled at Xu Qing and began to cook.
Xu Qing, as usual, sat beside him to study, but as he watched, he felt something was amiss... At this rate, the dinner time today will be advanced and it will no longer be in the evening.
Realizing this, Xu Qing understood something in his heart. Looking at the busy Captain Lei, he hesitated to speak and remained silent in the end.
Captain Lei, as usual, was chatting while cooking.
Among the daily family affairs, before dusk fell, the meals were already cooked. After placing it on the table, Captain Lei looked at the silent Xu Qing and patted his head.
"Kid, I've already bought the entry qualification for Songtao City. I'll pack my luggage later and leave early tomorrow morning." Captain Lei picked up the wine he had bought for him for a long time and took a big gulp.
Xu Qing's movements were deadlocked. After remaining silent for a while, he lowered his head and said softly.
So soon?
Captain Lei remained silent. After a long while, laughter could be heard.
In fact, I bought it long ago and never told you. You don't have to be reluctant. In this world, there's no such thing as a never-ending feast. Captain Lei said this and took another big gulp of wine.
Come on, have a meal.
Xu Qing gazed at the weathered Lei Team, silently picking up the quick rice and eating in silence. The food of the day should have been very delicious, but in Xu Qing's mouth, it had lost its flavor.
Captain Lei watched all this and let out a soft sigh in his heart, but still wore a smile on his face as he talked about the trivial matters within the camp. It wasn't until after a stick of incense was burned that Xu Qing suddenly spoke up.
"Can't you wait for Cross and Luan Ya? They should be back soon, too."
"Wait a moment. I guess I'll be just like you when I come back, adding to my sadness. Besides, if you have time in the future, just come and see me." "
Captain Lei took out a chimney from his bosom, took a puff, and the smoke he exhaled obscured his expression, making him look somewhat hazy.
Captain Lei ate very quickly at this meal.
Until he left to pack his luggage, Xu Qing still sat there silently, looking at the food on the table. He couldn't eat anymore. After a while, he stood up. For the first time, he didn't go to wash the dishes but went to Captain Lei's room.
Are you really leaving? Xu Qing asked softly.
"Don't be so sad. I'm going to live in the city. You should be happy for me." "
Captain Lei laughed heartily and called Xu Qing over to help him fold his clothes.
Xu Qing walked over in silence. First, he washed his hands carefully, and then folded them neatly.
With his help, Captain Lei's luggage was packed up very soon. He didn't ask for the vast majority of it and left it to Xu Qing.
This house is also given to you.
I'll pay the rent. Xu Qing said seriously.
Upon hearing this, Captain Lei smiled and didn't bring up the topic. Instead, he pulled Xu Qing and sat there. As time passed, he told him about the characters of the scavengers in the camp, with a particular focus on the camp leader.
The leader of the camp is no ordinary person. His background is that of the Vajra Sect.
The Vajra Sect is the leading force in this vast area. Dozens of cities and camps are all under their control. Their ancestor is a powerful foundation builder. From now on, when you are here, you must always be on guard against him.
By this point, it was already very late outside. Xu Qing noticed the exhaustion on Captain Lei's face and silently stood up and left.
Looking at his figure for a long time, Captain Lei let out a soft sigh.
And this night was also the first one that Xu Qing had not practiced during this period of time.
He sat there, staring blankly at the night outside until he saw the sky turning white and the first rays of the sun.
How fast it passes! Xu Qing murmured to himself, a sense of melancholy pervading his heart. Instead of leaving the room at this time as usual, he waited until the sound of the Thunder Team opening the door before slowly walking out.
At dawn, the first light of the day fell. In the courtyard, an old man and a young man gazed at each other.
"Kid, I'm leaving." After a long while, a smile appeared on Captain Lei's face.
"I'll give it to you."
"No need. You go to class quickly."
"I'll give it to you."
"You..."
"I'll give it to you." Xu Qing looked at Captain Lei and spoke again.
Captain Lei looked at Xu Qing. After a while, he showed a helpless expression and nodded.
In this way, the old man and the young man walked away in the camp in the early morning, while most of the other scavengers were still awake. When they passed by Master Bai's tent, Xu Qing ran over.
Master Bai hadn't arrived yet, and neither was the young Chen Feiyuan. Only Tingyu was there carrying the pharmacopoeia.
Could you please ask for a day's leave for me? After seeing Tingyu, Xu Qing quickly spoke up, bowed to her and turned to leave.
Tingyu was somewhat surprised. As she walked out, she saw Xu Qing and Captain Lei's figures receding into the distance.
The first rays of the sun fell upon the earth, casting a glow in front of Xu Qing and the Lei Team, and also enveloping their figures, which grew further and further away.
All the way, Xu Qing took the package from Captain Lei and carried it on his back, remaining silent.
Captain Lei's heart was complicated. Looking at the stubborn young man, he wanted to talk about the trivial matters of the camp neighbors as usual, but after a few words, he couldn't continue.
In silence, the two walked into the mountain where they had come back and reached the place where they had once rested. At that time, it was still the two of them, with Captain Lei standing tall in the front and Xu Qing being cautious behind.
The former is as profound as a sword, while the latter is as solitary as a Wolf.
Today, Xu Qing was in the front and Captain Lei was behind.
The former stands tall and straight like a peak, while the latter faltering and aging.
Here, at Xu Qing's insistence, he carried the aged Thunder Team on his back, just as he did in the jungle.
Captain Lei let out a soft sigh in his heart. Looking at the profile of the young man before him, after a moment of silence, he spoke softly.
After that, in the camp, you should pay more attention to those scavengers.
"I know you are very powerful now, but you can't underestimate them either. Scavengers, they are fugitives. For them, resorting to any means is a common occurrence..." "
At night, don't forget to feed those dogs. These little guys are the most reliable in the camp.
Also, remember to eat. Don't have cold food. Don't think it's troublesome. Heat it up before eating... You are still growing and can't be careless.
"Otherwise, when you get older in the future, you'll know how hard it is. By the way, don't sleep on the bed board in the future. Don't be afraid of getting your bedding dirty. Remember to dry it in the sun when it's sunny after washing." "
"And..."
Captain Lei spoke softly, his words fragmented and filled with deep concern.
Xu Qing carried Captain Lei on his back, nodded slightly, and took all the other person's words to heart.
It was not until Captain Lei fell into a deep sleep due to his physical weakness as he spoke that Xu Qing's steps became gentle as he heard the snoring behind him.
Try your best not to jump. Even if you take a detour, keep yourself steady.
In this way, he carried the Lei Team through the wilderness and around the basin. It was not until dusk broke that as the sky grew darker, the corner of his eye elongated their figures, and a city came into Xu Qing's view.
It was at this moment that Captain Lei woke up. He looked at the city, gazing at the city gate. After a while, he said softly.
"Here we are."
Xu Qing hummed softly, feeling a blockage in his chest. At Captain Lei's request, he gently put it down.
Taking the package from Xu Qing's hand, Captain Lei looked at the city gate, then at Xu Qing. After a moment of silence, he smiled and raised his hand to touch Xu Qing's head, messing up his hair a little.
"Kid, go back. If you miss this old man, come over whenever you want. I live at No. C, Shuiqing Road, in the south of the city." Saying that, Captain Lei, holding his luggage, walked towards the city gate.
Xu Qing stood there, watching the Lei Team walking further and further away. There were a thousand words in his heart but he didn't know how to express them. He could only stare blankly.
It was not until they reached the city gate and submitted their entry qualification that Captain Lei suddenly turned around.
He gave Xu Qing a deep look, waved his hand, and at the urging of the city gate guards, walked into the city and vanished.
Xu Qing looked forlorn and waited for a long time... The moment dusk fell and the city gate closed, his heart suddenly felt empty.
"Take care..." After a while, Xu Qing murmured and turned around bitterly. The feeling of loneliness once again filled his entire body.
As night fell, his solitary figure was gradually covered.
One person walks into the wilderness, one person walks into the basin, one person walks into the mountains.
More and more... The farther away.