The group took a month and a half l to travel from the capital to Chifeng Pass in the northwest.
It took slightly longer than planned. Apart from the fact that they brought a carriage and were therefore traveling more slowly, there were also bandits causing trouble near the border in Suzhou and the people were suffering terribly. When Qi Boming passed through and heard the villagers’ tearful complaints, he immediately decided that even if they had to take a detour, he would lead his soldiers in eliminating this scourge.
A small troop of elite soldiers from the Qi family army subdued all the bandits causing trouble and escorted them to the authorities. Qi Boming paid out of his own pocket to compensate the villagers for their losses. Only after making sure everything had been properly taken care of did he lead his men on their way again.
They were traveling light and had not brought much luggage. Before leaving, Su Li even saw Qi Changying considering removing the gold thread from his belt to distribute among the villagers. He cursed him as a fool in his heart, then turned around, borrowed a saw from the village butcher, climbed onto the carriage, and sawed off the two solid-silver dragon heads on the roof. Holding them in his hands, he threw them toward Qi Changying.
Shen Huarong saw what he was doing and was horrified.
“My little ancestor, how dare you casually damage something bestowed by the Emperor? That’s an act of great disrespect!”
“Even if it were something bestowed by a heavenly god, it would still be nothing more than an object. If I find it unpleasant to look at and want to destroy it, then I’ll destroy it. Let them punish me if they wish.”
Su Li sat on the carriage roof. Seeing Qi Changying catch the two large silver dragon heads, he raised his chin and said:
“These things are too heavy. Hanging them up there affects the feng shui. Take them and throw them away.”
Hearing this, Qi Changying paused for a moment, then smiled.
“On behalf of the villagers, I’ll thank you, Ah Li.”
Su Li frowned.
“I’m telling you to throw away some trash. What’s there to thank me for? Stop making a fuss.”
“All right, all right.”
Qi Changying turned and walked away carrying the two dragon heads, while Shen Huarong followed beside him, cheerfully gossiping loudly.
“Look at that little hypocrite of his!”
“?”
Su Li casually picked up a piece of broken silver beside him and hurled it fiercely at Shen Huarong.
The silver struck Shen Huarong on the head with a “thud,” making the young man cru in surprise before hurriedly turning tail and running away.
When the large troop finally departed from the small border village, all the villagers gathered at the entrance to see them off. Even though their homes had just been looted by bandits and they barely had enough food to survive, they still took some of the little grain they had left and stuffed it into the soldiers’ hands, asking them to take it along to eat on the road.
Although Qi Boming repeatedly refused and said it was unnecessary, he ultimately could not resist the villagers’ enthusiasm and accepted some dried provisions to carry on the carriages and horses.
In the past, when Su Li was traveling far and wide with his master, he often heard of the Qi family army, either from storytellers or from the casual conversations of people in the streets and markets over tea.
They said that the Qi family has been a distinguished family for generations, full of loyal martyrs. Their ancestors and descendants devoted their youth and lives to the peace and stability of Great Li. By Qi Boming’s generation, he had even managed to recover Suzhou, which had once been occupied by Chaosu, in a single campaign. After that, the old man took his many military achievements and the Qi family army and voluntarily requested to be stationed at Chifeng Pass. From then on, they kept the northern barbarians of Chaosu beyond the wind and sand of Chifeng Pass.
These things originally felt very distant to Su Li. Back then, he never understood why this army was greatly praised and beloved by the people. But now he was beginning to understand.
No wonder Qi Changying loved meddling in other people’s affairs so much. Like a saint, he tried to shine and radiate warmth every day like the sun in the heavens. It turned out that Qi Boming had raised him that way.
Although they did not look alike in this regard, the underlying nature of this father and son was indeed the same.
They were completely different from Su Li.
After leaving the small village, some of the sesame flatbreads and millet given to them by the villagers took up part of the spacious soft couch inside Su Li’s large carriage, but there was still enough room for him and the kitten to sleep together.
Time passed amid the swaying of the carriage. Outside the window, the scenery changed from lush green vegetation covering the mountains and plains to the northwestern Gobi, where yellow sand filled the sky.
By the time winter arrived, they finally reached the main camp at Chifeng Pass.
The conditions in the military camp were certainly inferior to those in the capital. Since Su Li was sent by the Emperor, Qi Boming considered his young age and delicate upbringing and specially ordered people to set up a large tent that could protect him from wind and cold. It was even larger than Qi Changying and Shen Huarong’s tents combined. The interior was covered with animal-skin rugs, and there was a large pearwood desk for him to write and draw at. In short, all the good things in the entire military camp were here. It looked even more impressive than the commander-in-chief’s tent.
Su Li spent his days in his warm tent, continuing to study his magical artifacts and spells.
This was the only thing he liked doing. Originally, it was the only thing in his life.
But now, because of Qi Changying’s interference, a few more things had been added to his life, such as raising a cat and reading books.
During his free time, Qi Changying would come and teach him some literary works, which Su Li found tedious and boring. His master and senior brother had taught him these things in the past too, but Su Li’s mind always wandered when he read. Even now, after going back and forth through the Thousand Character Classic, he could only recite the first four lines. His master eventually said, “Forget it, forget it. What’s the use of understanding so many principles? You won’t use them if you aren’t taking the imperial examinations. It’s enough if you can recognize all the characters.”
Su Li deeply agreed with this and often used it as an excuse to refuse his senior brother’s lessons.
But clearly, this trick did not work on Qi Changying.
His senior brother always listened to their master, but Qi Changying did not even know who his master was. He did not agree with the theory Su Li had heard from his master that “recognizing all the characters is enough.” He felt that a person should still have some knowledge and ink in their belly. That way, the world they saw could become more interesting too.
However, he did not often lecture him on the great principles so admired by scholars. He knew Su Li disliked those. Rather than discussing the country, the world, and the philosophies of life that were required for the imperial examinations, he preferred to tell Su Li about poetry.
The smoke rising over the vast desert, the wind and flowers, the snow and moon, waterfalls plunging straight down, clear blue waters and gentle waves… They were indeed beautiful, but after listening for too long, Su Li would still grow annoyed.
Fortunately, Qi Changying did not always have time for this kind of idle pursuit.
There had been no battles recently. The war with Chaosu had already ended in late summer, but life in the military camp remained dull and busy. Qi Changying spent his days training soldiers and practicing martial arts. Only occasionally, when he had some free time, could he come and see Su Li.
Therefore, during these rare moments when he happened to have time, Su Li could tolerate listening to him recite a few lines of the sentimental, pretentious poetry of literati and scholars.
Most of the time, the only one accompanying Su Li was Shoumo.
His pet cat.
Su Li had never owned a living creature before.
He did have many magical artifacts of his own, but those artifacts were cold. They could not move by themselves or meow.
Cats were much more lively. When they were sleepy, they slept, and when the sun was good, they would go outside to bask in it on their own.
Most of the time, the cat clung to Su Li. It accompanied him when he made magical artifacts and when he drew talismans. When it got bored, it rubbed its little head against him and made meowing sounds.
Cats and poetry occupied Su Li’s scattered moments of free time. It was all Qi Changying’s fault.
“Ah Li!”
It was a rare day of leisure. Su Li remembered that it was the first New Year’s Eve he had spent at Chifeng Pass.
Qi Changying apparently had no assignments today, because he arrived at Su Li’s tent early in the morning and told him he was going to take him out to have some fun.
“Going out to play” was something Qi Changying had promised Su Li a long time ago.
Su Li had traveled all the way to the northwestern border, carrying the task of “helping the dead transcend.” But the war between the Central Plains and Chaosu had now ended. Without war, there were no large-scale casualties, and naturally, there was no resentment or underworld spirits for Su Li to deal with.
Everyone else was busy, so Su Li spent his days in his tent with Shoumo, waiting for the soldiers to bring him his three meals a day. Once he had eaten his fill and grown tired of writing, he would lie down and sleep.
Su Li actually did not care much about this. After all, he was the same wherever he went. Qi Changying, however, felt that leaving him to spend his days being ignored was a kind of failure on his part. Therefore, he took the initiative to suggest taking Su Li out for a stroll and showing him the different scenery of the border compared with the capital.
Unfortunately, Qi Changying was busy every day. The promise kept getting postponed until the end of the year.
When he could finally fulfill his promise, Qi Changying had breakfast with Su Li, then took him to the stables.
The stables smelled terrible and looked dirty. Qi Changying asked Su Li to wait outside while he jogged inside. Soon, he led out a magnificent white horse.
The horse was tall, with long limbs and a smooth, flowing mane that had been carefully groomed.
Qi Changying led it out, its hooves clopping against the ground.
“His name is Qianshan. He’s my little horse.”
Qi Changying led Qianshan over to Su Li.
“Would you like to touch him?”
The horse looked very docile. Su Li raised his hand and tentatively touched its nose bridge.
Then, out of nowhere, he asked:
“Does it have any siblings named Wanshui?”
“Hm?” Qi Changying did not immediately understand what he meant.
“Qianshan Wanshui.” Su Li regretted making such a boring remark, but he still had to force himself to explain.
“Your horse is called Qianshan. Is there another horse named Wanshui?”
***Qianshan Wanshui is an idiom meaning “a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers,” symbolizing great distances and difficult journeys. Su Li meant that since Qi Changying’s horse is named Qianshan (“A Thousand Mountains”), it should have a sibling named Wanshui (“Ten Thousand Rivers”) to complete the phrase.
Qi Changying understood this time.
He smiled.
“Not at the moment, but I think he’d be very happy to have another sibling.”
As he spoke, he reached out to adjust Qianshan’s saddle and looked at Su Li.
“Have you ridden a horse before?”
“No.”
When Su Li traveled far from home in the past, it was always with his master. Wherever his master wanted to go, he only needed to open a spatial rift. From north to south, he could cross eight thousand miles in a single step.
Occasionally, when they needed to disguise themselves as ordinary mortals, his master would not endure even the slightest hardship. With a wave of his hand, he would hire a luxurious carriage, traveling steadily and comfortably. Wasn’t that much more comfortable than riding a horse?
“Then would you like to try?”
Qi Changying held out his hand to Su Li.
“Come, I’ll take you.”
Actually, Su Li did not want to try.
Horses smelled unpleasant and looked very bumpy to ride.
But he remembered that when Qi Changying, Shen Huarong, and the others rode their horses on the road, they looked very dashing and impressive.
So, as if possessed by a ghost, he still reached out and placed his hand in Qi Changying’s.
Su Li sat on the saddle. Qi Changying’s arms circled around him from behind as he held the reins. He squeezed his legs against the horse’s belly, and Qianshan immediately began trotting as though the horse and rider were of one mind.
The view from horseback was very different from what Su Li usually saw with his feet firmly on the ground.
“Relax a little. Don’t be nervous.”
A gentle breeze swept past, and Su Li heard Qi Changying’s voice fall beside his ear.
“Who’s nervous?” Su Li frowned.
Qi Changying smiled and did not argue with him. He only said, “Then hold on tight.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Changying raised his hand and cracked the whip. Qianshan immediately broke into a run.
The inertia made Su Li’s body lean backward. His heart seemed to miss half a beat, and he instinctively grabbed the handle in front of the saddle.
The horse ran out of the military camp and into the boundless Gobi of the northwest.
Su Li’s long hair was blown up by the dry, cold winter wind. Qi Changying took him along with the wind, farther and farther away from the military camp. Along the way, they went to see the colorful Danxia landforms and even encountered a pack of wild wolves hunting.
At noon, Qi Changying took Su Li hunting and caught a small antelope. The two of them set up a fire on the spot. After simply preparing the meat, they skewered the pieces on wooden sticks and roasted them to eat.
“It’s been so long that I forgot to ask you. How’s life in the military camp? Have you gotten used to it?”
While the meat roasted, Qi Changying raised his eyes to look at Su Li and asked.
“There’s nothing to get used to or not get used to. I’m the same wherever I am,” Su Li replied expressionlessly, holding his hands out to warm them by the fire.
“The scenery is different, though.”
“I don’t look at scenery.”
“The feelings would be different too, wouldn’t they?”
“I don’t feel anything.”
To Su Li, the military camp and the capital really were no different.
The soldiers on duty in the camp knew his identity. They knew he was the grandmaster of the Imperial Advisor and a figure sent over by the emperor to “play tricks with ghosts and gods.” It was hard to say whether they feared him or looked down on him. In any case, none of them paid him much attention. Their necessary interactions with him always maintained a sense of distance, and they certainly did not spare him from gossiping about him behind his back.
Su Li was used to such things and had no desire to look into them.
He thought this was for the best. Keeping some distance from others and making them revere him, stay away from him, and fear him could save him a lot of trouble.
For example, this way, no one would be like Qi Changying, dragging him out of the military camp early in the morning, making him bounce around on horseback the entire way, then sit here in the cold wind roasting wild sheep to eat.
“Then, do you like the scenery today?”
“It’s so-so.”
“Oh, it seems you don’t like it.” Qi Changying nodded with a hint of regret, deliberately saying,
“Then, when I have some free time in the future, I’ll come find you to practice calligraphy and recite poetry.”
“That’s not necessary either.” Su Li’s brows twitched, and his speech quickened.
When he raised his eyes and saw the amusement in Qi Changying’s eyes, he finally realized he had been played by this person and immediately became angry.
“Qi Changying, I really hate you.”
“Then what can I do to make Ah Li like me a little more?”
Qi Changying played along with his words and joked. Afterward, his expression became serious.
“It’s fine to say you hate me. At least that gives you a little vitality. Ah Li, don’t always shut yourself away in your room. The world outside is very interesting. Even when I’m not around, you can still come out and walk around, take a look.”
“…What do you take yourself for?”
He had no idea which words had upset Su Li again. Without any warning, Su Li lost his temper and threw the half-roasted piece of mutton in his hand into the fire.
“Who do you think you are? I don’t go out because I don’t want to. What vitality, what fresh air… Those are things people like you need. Don’t force them on me! I’ve dealt with ghosts and spirits since I was little. I know exactly what I need. I don’t need you to teach me!”
Qi Changying was a little helpless. Still in a good temper, he picked up the skewer of meat and carefully blew the dust off it.
“I don’t know what the ghosts and spirits you people talk about are actually like. I’ve never seen them. I can only see that, Ah Li, you aren’t a ghost. You’re still alive.
“I know you’re not an ordinary child. In your line of work, you must be very capable. But if this strength is something you exchanged for happiness and innocence, then I’d rather it had come a little later.”
After a pause, Qi Changying sprinkled salt over the meat that had finished roasting and held it out to Su Li.
“To speak boldly, my elders and I guard the border to the death precisely so that the children behind us can live in peace and happiness. That includes you. I hope you can live a little more easily and happily. So, in your spare time between studying hard and researching, go out and look around more. See some new scenery, meet some new people, and don’t always shut yourself inside your tent.”
As he spoke, Qi Changying lifted his chin slightly and smiled, his eyes curving.
“After all, this peace and territory I’ve defended are meant for you to enjoy.”
“…”
Su Li stared at his smile for a moment before looking away.
Not knowing what to say, he could only habitually retort in a sullen voice,
“It was Qi Boming who defended it.”
Qi Changying couldn’t help laughing.
He nodded.
“It’s all the same.”
A sudden conflict was gently resolved just like that. Su Li lowered his head and ate the meat, no longer mentioning what had happened.
The two had traveled a very long way today. They did not return to the military camp until nightfall, bringing back most of the antelope they had not finished eating.
Although today was New Year’s Eve, the military camp would not hold any grand celebrations. After all, Chaosu had not yet completely settled down, and they had to guard against surprise attacks from the enemy. They could not relax for even a moment.
At most, they would gather the soldiers for a good meal and tie some red silk onto the tents. That was enough to celebrate the New Year.
Qi Changying and Su Li returned late, and the evening gathering had already ended. The soldiers had returned to their respective posts and were patrolling and keeping watch in various places as usual.
After returning to the main camp, Qi Changying first took the antelope to the kitchen and handed it over to the cooks. Only then did he lead the horse toward the stables.
The road from the kitchen to the stables was long and deserted. Along the way, Qi Changying walked in front, holding the reins, while Su Li sat on the horse.
He looked up at the sky, densely covered with stars, for a while, then lowered his head to look at Qi Changying’s back.
The two remained silent like this, neither saying a word.
It was only when they were almost at the stables that Qi Changying asked, “Do you like riding horses?”
Su Li, who had been staring absentmindedly at the back of his head, immediately shifted his gaze away, even though Qi Changying had not turned around while speaking.
He pressed his lips together. “It’s all right.”
“If you like it, I’ll teach you. Once you learn, you can let Qianshan take you wherever you want to go.”
“I don’t want other people’s things.”
Su Li coldly rejected Qi Changying’s suggestion.
“If I’m going to ride, I’ll ride my own horse.”
“Okay.” Qi Changying smiled.
“Then, when you’re a little older, I’ll give you a little horse that’s even taller and more imposing than Qianshan.”
Only then did Su Li’s expression soften a little.
“Belonging only to me?”
“Of course. You can ride it wherever you want.”
As he spoke, Qi Changying whistled, making Qianshan stop steadily. At the same time, he raised a hand to help Su Li.
“Come on, get down. I’ll help you.”
“No need. I can do it myself.” Su Li pushed his hand away.
“Really?” Qi Changying looked at him.
“The horse’s back is very high.”
“Am I blind? Don’t I know horses are tall?” Su Li said coldly.
“Move aside. I can get off by myself.”
The promise of a horse seemed to have encouraged him considerably. Su Li immediately decided to demonstrate his extraordinary talent and skill. With a cold expression, he told Qi Changying to stand farther away. Tonight, he was determined to get off the horse by himself and lay a good foundation for his future riding lessons.
Qi Changying was still a little worried, but he did not want to go against Su Li. He knew that the more he tried to persuade this child, the more stubbornly he would resist. He could only indulge him and retreat a few steps.
Only after seeing Qi Changying move to a suitable distance was Su Li satisfied.
Then, he held onto the saddle and mentally planned his movements once before jumping straight down from the horse’s back!
For a child with zero experience getting on and off horses, this was an extremely difficult maneuver. As a result, his posture was wrong, and his foot became caught in the stirrup as he dismounted. He immediately lost his balance and began tumbling downward.
Qi Changying reacted quickly and rushed forward to catch him before he could fall flat on his face.
“Hey! …Are you all right…?”
Su Li was half leaning against him, sitting on the ground and clutching his ankle. He wore a sour expression and said nothing.
Clearly, he was extremely dissatisfied with his performance just now.
“Get lost!”
Fortunately, Su Li never took his anger out on himself. He always directed it at other people.
He pushed Qi Changying away, got up from the ground by himself, and was about to walk back. Who would have thought that the moment he took a step, the ankle that had been caught in the stirrup sent a sharp pain through him, and he was about to fall to the ground again.
Qi Changying hurriedly caught him once more and asked nervously,
“Did you twist your ankle? Does it hurt a lot?”
“It doesn’t hurt! Go away!”
“You can’t walk anymore. That looked painful just now.”
“What does that have to do with you? I can walk! Even if I can’t, I can hop all the way back!”
“All right, all right…”
Although he agreed verbally, Qi Changying simply took hold of Su Li’s arm and carried him onto his back without another word.
He motioned for the stable hand to lead Qianshan back, then carried Su Li toward the tents.
“Put me down! I said I can walk. Who asked you to carry me?!”
Suddenly being hoisted onto someone’s back made Su Li feel rather embarrassed. But even stronger than his embarrassment was his anger.
“…Can you stop being so presumptuous and meddling in other people’s business?!”
“I’m the one who wants to carry you, Master Qiyueban. Please, give me a chance?”
Qi Changying coaxed him gently, like he was soothing a child.
“…”
Su Li frowned, but surprisingly, he did not make another fuss.
He slowly curled his fingers. After struggling inwardly for a long time, he awkwardly wrapped his arms around Qi Changying’s neck.
Qi Changying noticed the small movement and understood that Su Li had calmed down and silently consented. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, but he did not let Su Li see.
“…You smell nice.”
Su Li lowered his head, his face close to the side of Qi Changying’s neck, where he could constantly smell his scent.
After smelling it for a long time, he suddenly blurted out those words.
After saying that, he stiffly added,
“It’s really overpowering!”
“I smell nice?” Qi Changying froze for a moment, apparently not expecting Su Li to say that.
He asked, “What kind of smell is it?”
“The smell of lilies.”
Su Li could smell it before. But previously, the distance between him and Qi Changying had been neither too close nor too far, so the scent he caught was faint and indistinct. It was only today, after riding the same horse as Qi Changying and then being carried on his back, that he was immersed in this fragrance all day and finally could not help bringing it up.
As he spoke, Su Li couldn’t help secretly lowering his face again, tentatively burying it against Qi Changying’s neck and taking a deep sniff.
“Where does that lily scent come from?”
Qi Changying did not know.
Flowers were naturally rare in a northwestern military camp. Even in the capital, Qi Changying had no hobby of growing flowers. At most, he would burn a little sandalwood incense when bathing or changing into clean clothes.
No one had ever said that he smelled like this. Of course, he himself could not smell it either.
But Su Li was certain it was there.
The floral fragrance was very real, as if he could reach out and touch petals still covered in dew.
The scent also suddenly reminded him that, when he was very young, his mother’s favorite flower was lilies. There was always a faint floral fragrance in her room and on her clothes. Every time Su Li leaned against her, he could smell it. That scent had made him feel safe.
…That was a very, very long time ago.
In a daze, he remembered that his mother often told him to express his feelings and thoughts openly, so that other people would know what he liked and hated.
Qi Changying seemed to have said something similar, too.
He said, “Ah Li, don’t say the opposite of what you mean.”
“…Ah Li?”
Su Li did not know what came over him. Perhaps he accidentally fell asleep while smelling Qi Changying’s scent. It was only when Qi Changying called his name that he woke up in a daze.
“We’re almost there. I’ll carry you inside and have a look at your injured foot, all right?”
Su Li did not really hear what he said.
Having just woken up, he was not very alert. He answered vaguely, only knowing that Qi Changying would probably put him down soon. So, before leaving him, he lowered his head and subtly leaned toward the side of his neck again, secretly smelling him.
“Ah Li, the tip of your nose is very cold.”
“…?”
Su Li thought his actions were very discreet, but then he heard those words.
He immediately froze and awkwardly raised his head.
As he moved, the lantern hanging outside the tent swayed, dazzling his eyes.
He narrowed them and instinctively looked up.
The next moment, however, his gaze suddenly paused.
Then he frowned, his eyes turning dark and gloomy.
“Oh, you two are finally back?”
Outside Su Li’s tent, the uninvited guest Shen Huarong was sitting on the ground. When he saw them, he called out loudly.
However, Shen Huarong was not what displeased Su Li.
It was the cat beneath Shen Huarong’s hand, lying on its back and rubbing its cheek against his fingers.
