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Volume 1 | North Bird Does Not Return

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“If a person’s heart is small, even though all their sufferings are as big as a house, it can only be narrow in that small corner. But if one’s heart is as wide as heaven and earth, then even though their problems are as big as a mountain, they will all be no more than droplets the water in the sea is endless.”

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The birthdays of older people are very much alive, because it is a celebration of long life. Children’s birthdays are also very alive because it is not easy for them to grow a year older, their parents can sigh in relief.

Gu Yun is neither young nor old, without the affection of any relatives near and far. If he is at home, the old butler will still remember to prepare something for him, but for most of the time, he is always absent from home. Even he himself will forget the 16th day of the first month due to work.

To be honest, there is nothing to celebrate. Ordinary people pay attention to the proverbial ‘girls born at the start, meant to be His Majesty; a boy born on a full moon, is intended to be an official “一 Very beneficial for girls to be born on the first day of the lunar month, and on the 15th of the lunar month for boys. Gu Yun could have been born on that night rich and lucky, but he had to be put off for a few hours in his mother’s womb; it was clear to see that this was a natural bad luck born.

Cao Niangzi not only dressed himself up but also joined Chang Geng and the others to drag out sword-training dolls to mess with.

The children painted two simple reds on her, and no one knew where they could get some old silk to tie the iron arm.

The sword training doll that was decorated with bright light and flowers carried a bowl of noodles in both hands, stupidly staring at Gu Yun. His black iron face looked like he had complaints that were incomprehensible and couldn’t be expressed.

Gu Yun scolded, “You bastard, can you play sword training dolls like this?”

Ge Pangxiao came forward to announce his contribution, “Mr. Marquis, the fake girl is putting a face on her face, I helped make a fire to cook noodles, and you put the eggs in!”

Gu Yun was stunned for a moment as the manor sank into a lively aura, making a place that had been lonely for years suddenly become unrecognizable.

Chang Geng, “Yifu, eat the noodles first before entering the door.”

Gu Yun, “Alright.”

He took the bowl and glanced at Chang Geng. He specifically chose eggs to eat first. His first bite got a crispy eggshell, but he didn’t even complain in the slightest. He continued to chew and swallow everything. And as if he had never eaten any food in eight of his life, the entire contents of the bowl were finished in an instant, even the broth was clean.

Since ancient times, ‘loving homeland is the burial ground of all heroes’. In Gu Yun’s departure from the previous capital, there was not the slightest burden or worry. Only this time, his heart was filled with sadness.

Maybe because for him, he always ‘returned’ to the border. Only this time, he must immediately ‘leave the house’.

Unfortunately, not only this softness, but even if the inside is cut into pieces, still nothing can stop the footsteps of the Marquis of Order.

▪

The next day, Gu Yun prepared to leave as if nothing was wrong. In the end, he did not say goodbye to Chang Geng but went to the North Camp alone. He turned to look towards the capital.

Too bad because from that distance, he could only faintly see the Qi Yuan tower.

Shen Yi brought his horse to Gu Yun’s side and asked, “Grand Marshal, does your conscience speak?”

Gu Yun sighed, “Maybe he will not recognize me again when I return … My Yifu title is always so shaky … Let’s go.”

The Black Iron Camp began their march tightly, resembling a black whirlwind that swept ashore. Everyone can only move to make way for them.

They were assigned to escort the Barbarian Prince to the north, then head straight west to get rid of raging bandits in the desert of the Western Region, to ensure the Silk Road could be operated in a safe and smooth manner.

The day after they left, Chang Geng got up early like other days. He remembered that Gu Yun was not at home, but he still could not control himself to bring the training doll to Gu Yun’s empty yard, fight his sword with him, then eat his breakfast alone.

When he wanted to leave, he looked up and saw that the plum blossoms in the yard had bloomed.

Only a few days ago, there was great snow, the flower petals were covered with a layer of frost. The more he looked at him, the more he liked him, the more he could not help but reach out and pluck two branches. His first reaction was to always save them for Gu Yun, even though he knew that his Yifu would not always return in three or five days. He carefully wiped the frost and snow from the branch, then looked for a vase of flowers to place in Gu Yun’s room.

However, even after reaching all of Gu Yun’s large rooms, Chang Geng could not find anything that could function as a vase, not even a single bottle of wine. He opened the window to ask their old butler, “Uncle Wang, do we have a vase at home?”

The old butler responded then walked away to get one, Chang Geng holding two plum branches in his hand, staring at Gu Yun’s room back and forth.

Suddenly, his eyes fell on the side of the bed, he froze 一 fox fur coat on the bed, which gave a more valuable appearance to the entire bedroom had disappeared.

At this time, Uncle Wang came in with a blue vase made of porcelain and smiled at Chang Geng, “Your Majesty, will this be possible? Where should we put it.”

Chang Geng’s eyes stared straight at the empty bed, he asked bewilderedly, “Uncle Wang, why is the Marquis taking a fur coat this early?”

Uncle Wang’s eyes twitched slightly, he answered stiffly, “Isn’t the Marquis escorting His Majesty? Maybe he took him with him.”

Chang Geng’s heart slowly sank.

On New Year’s Eve, the Black Eagle soldier on duty under Gu Yun told him that Marshal had never wore winter clothes in the capital, and would only wear them occasionally in the presence of a snowstorm.

On that day he already felt that it was a bit strange 一 because Gu Yun was not wearing winter clothes, for what reason did he bring the fur coat? What will the fur coat be used for? But at that time, the situation was in a state of chaos, he himself was also hit by a nightmare, his mind not so clear that he did not think further.

Chang Geng turned his head, his voice dried, like a string that had stretched to its limits, “Uncle Wang, in the end, where did he go? Please don’t lie to me just because I don’t really like going outside, even I know that Xiangshan is still closer to the capital compared to North Camp. “

Uncle Wang holds a vase in his hand, standing awkwardly.

Gu Yun had handed her the farewell she had for him when he left. The old butler suspected that something like this would happen sooner or later, but he didn’t expect it to come so soon.

Chang Geng took a deep breath and whispered, “Has he left the capital to go to the border? Where? North or West?”

The old butler forced an awkward smile, “For military matters, this old servant doesn’t understand much … Your Honor, maybe the Marquis did this because he doesn’t want you to worry …”

Chang Geng’s hand twisted, breaking one branch of the flower in two. He forced every word, “He is not afraid that I will worry, he is afraid that I will insist to come with him no matter what happens.”

The old butler closed his mouth.

In the name, Chang Geng was Gu Yun’s adopted son, although no one welcomed him or took care of him, so how could he still bear the surname Li. In the future, he will inherit Jun Wang’s status. The old butler was in distress, feeling that his master had retreated in the face of the enemy, throwing this hot potato back at him. Uncle Wang had fully prepared himself to be slashed by the boy’s anger.

But after waiting a long time, Chang Geng didn’t say a word.

Chang Geng’s loud screams and sad screams were all hidden in his heart.

It wasn’t just a matter of Gu Yun’s sudden refusal to say goodbye to him. He had been lied to more than once, he should have been used for a long time, he had to deal with this situation calmly.

But this time, the attention and anxiety that had accumulated in his heart since moving to the capital finally no longer contained in it, unable to not overflow out like water flooding from the floodgates.

Chang Geng’s heart is as clear as a mirror, he is always aware that his existence is unnecessary. He did not intend to get involved. He was destined to become an insignificant chess piece, like in the dark river of Yanhui City, being dragged involuntarily.

He was blinded by a false sense of peace and happiness over the past few days, greed has increased in him, he wants to hug something, deceive himself, and refuse to think of the future.

What more do you want? Chang Geng put his hand on his chest and asked himself. You want too much.

However, besides the wave of turbulence in his heart, when faced with the gray-haired old butler, Chang Geng said nothing.

The old butler asked anxiously, “Your Majesty?”

Chang Geng took the vase from his hand in silence and carefully cut the flower branch that he had broken. After placing the flower in it and putting it on Gu Yun’s table, he whispered, “I have trouble you.”

When he finished, he immediately turned to leave.

Coming out of Gu Yun’s room, he could not help but speed up and run, even leaving the sword training doll.

Ge Pangxiao held a small box containing Ziliujin that no one knew where he came from, on his way, he almost crashed into Chang Geng, he exclaimed, “Oh, brother …”

Chang Geng acted as if he hadn’t heard it, like a passing gust of wind, he hurried to his own room then turned to lock the door.

This was also the part of Chang Geng that Gu Yun liked the most, even with extreme anger, he would never take it out on unrelated people. In this regard, Xiu Niang’s contribution cannot be denied. His long and constant harassment for more than ten years has trained Chang Geng to have extraordinary endurance.

At the same time, the Bone of Impurity buried deep inside the young man’s body became like vegetation that needed to be fed with poisonous water, and gradually bloomed into ferocious flowers.

Chang Geng started to feel difficulty breathing, his chest felt like it had been crushed by a layer of stone, his body muscles tensed into iron rust, his legs involuntarily trembled.

His ears rang, he was horrified when he felt a strange, dominating and cruel sensation flowing out of his chest. He involuntarily moved his fingers into a fist, his joints cracking violently. For the first time, he experienced what it felt like “sleep paralysis” when he was awake.

Chang Geng clearly felt that there was an invisible hand that cruelly erased all the warm feelings and affection in his heart.

At first, Chang Geng was still thinking clearly, he thought fearfully, “Is this Bone of Impurity? What happened to me?”

Soon after, even the horror evaporated, his consciousness immediately blurred. He began to wonder where he was. The countless thoughts lodged in his head surged up and down similar to sea water, and the intention to kill was born out of nowhere.

On one hand, he thought that Gu Yun had left 一 he was no longer wanted or needed, on the other hand, he seemed to see Gu Yun standing in front of him, his expressionless face mocking his inability and helplessness.

All the negative emotions in Chang Geng’s heart were enlarged hundreds and thousands of times by the Bone of Impurity.

At this moment, it seemed like Gu Yun was no longer the little Yifu he loved in his heart, but the mortal enemy he hated with all of his being, who he really wanted to grip on his hands to humiliate him.

Chang Geng squeezed the blade that hung in front of his chest, even though the tip of the blade had been smoothed, but it still managed to cut his fingers, deep enough to cause him to bleed.

The real sensation of pain that penetrated the infinite numbness had awakened Chang Geng, he instinctively found a way out, ten fingers firmly gripping his skin, the wounds leaving flesh and blood on his arm.

When the Bone of Impurity attack gradually subsides, the sun begins to fall.

Chang Geng’s clothes were soaked in cold sweat, his hands and arms were covered in blood, and he leaned against the door in exhaustion. He finally found out about the original strength of Bone of Impurity, only to realize that he was too innocent to think that Bone of Impurity could only cause nightmares.

This time, Xiu Niang was really not lenient on him.

The old butler and others didn’t see him coming out for a long time, there was no answer even when they knocked on the door. They had been worried for a long time, walking in front of his room and trying to call him again and again after a while.

Feelings from people have made Chang Geng feel better. His eyelids moved slightly. A drop of cold sweat rolled down his forehead and fell into his eyelashes, heavy, he could barely open his eyes, “I’m fine, leave me alone for a while.”

“You haven’t eaten all day,” said the old butler. “If the Marquis is here, he won’t be able to stand to see His Majesty treating himself like this 一 Even though just a bowl of porridge is enough, let this old servant get one for you?”

Chang Geng was mentally and physically exhausted, when the old butler mentioned Gu Yun, he secretly recited the man’s name several times in his heart, trying his best to unite himself, “It’s okay, Uncle Wang, if I hungry, I’ll go find something to eat later at night. “

The old butler listened to his voice, though weak, it still sounded reasonable. It’s not the place to keep pressing. He had to return and summon the other servants, along with Ge Pangxiao and Cao Niangzi who were watching attentively. They all turned to look at Chang Geng’s door several times as they left.

Chang Geng sat near the door. As soon as he looked up, he saw the pair of shoulder protectors that Gu Yun was hanging on his bed.

The object was dark and cold, giving an inhuman taste, but was left here by the original owner to dispel his nightmare.

He did not know how long he had been sitting there, the brazier in the room gradually warming his cold body. Chang Geng regained a bit of strength, he crawled to his feet to clean himself. He changed into new clothes and found the medicine his martial instructor had given him when he injured himself in a sword training session a few days ago. He washed the wound and then carefully applied it.

He took Gu Yun’s shoulder protector, hugged him in his arms, and lay down facing his bed.
He does not cry.

Maybe because there was no strength left, or maybe because he had just shed blood.

Quite often happens when someone has chosen the path to shed blood, they will not be able to shed tears again. After all, a person can only have a little water, can only focus on one side.

Chang Geng clashed with enemies who were destined to join him for a lifetime 一 was completely defeated, and finally also recognized the opponent’s strength.

But it is very strange how he feels unafraid, as in Yanhui city, when he is alone in Xiu Niang’s room, facing barbarians in the Heavy Armor.

He has a kind and gentle attitude, but in this world nothing can force him to surrender.

Ah … anything except Gu Yun.

Chang Geng thought exhaustedly, ‘I hate Gu Yun to death.’

Then he tried to wear Gu Yun’s shoulder protector on his own shoulder. He had never worn armor before, he didn’t know if it could fit, he could only feel that the object pressing against his body was much heavier than he had imagined. He fell asleep wearing that thing; there are still a lot of nightmares waiting ahead.

▪

The next day, Chang Geng announced that he wanted to go out for a while.

The entire manor was shocked. The scene where His Majesty was carried out from the door by Marshal Gu on New Year’s Eve yesterday was still evident before their eyes.

Gu Yun’s original words were, “Postpone him for three or five days. By that time, we would have already passed the seven main gates to the Northern Border. He would not be able to catch up and must behave properly.”

But now it hasn’t been three or five days. The old butler was afraid that Chang Geng was preparing his horse to follow them, he quickly said, “Your Majesty, the Black Iron Camp is not an ordinary army, they are moving very fast, even bigger horses cannot catch up. What’s more, they don’t let people who don’t have a military rank stay, this is the rule that the Marquis had sent down earlier … “

Chang Geng calmly replied, “Uncle Wang, I have no intention of going after them to cause trouble, I am not a child who does not understand common sense.”

The old butler, “Then you …..”

Chang Geng, “I want to go to Hu Guo Temple to visit Teacher Liao Ran. I promised him a few days ago.”

The old butler’s expression once again became unreadable.

When Marshal returns home in the future and discovers that when he leaves, His Majesty has committed treason, betraying his own side to run to the Hu Guo temple …

The old butler could really not imagine the expression on Gu Yun 一’s face was no different from being cheated.

However, the most urgent task at this time was to console the Marquis’s son. The old butler had no choice but to bite his teeth and arrange a line of guards to escort Chang Geng to Hu Guo Temple.

Escort as strong as if you want to invite to fight.

Liao Ran has already prepared tea. When he saw Chang Geng, he was not surprised, it seemed like he had predicted that he would come. He invited Chang Geng to sit down and pour him a cup of tea. He also asked the little abbot to bring them the brazier, pen, and paper for himself 一 as if he intended to have a long discussion with Chang Geng.

It’s only been half a month since Liao Ran last saw her, but she found that the confusion and anxiety in the eyes of the young man in front of her had evaporated. He appeared stout and calm, along with a hint of sadness, like a butterfly coming out of his shell.

Chang Geng thanked him, took a cup of tea to sip it, then almost spit it out again.

Last time, the monk said that he would serve him with the best tea, as if the words he said were only pure courtesy. He did not know what tea the man had prepared for him, the taste was bitter enough to make his tongue numb, there was not an iota of tea to be found.

Chang Geng, “What is this?”

Liao Ran smiled and wrote, “Ku Ding, helps blood circulation, improves vision and provides a better night’s sleep.”

• Ku Ding tea is also called Gualou tea, it tastes very bitter.

Chang Geng, “Isn’t this Gualou tea? I have drunk it in the manor before, it feels …”

It doesn’t feel disgusting like this.

Liao Ran, “It’s made with small leaves, this one is from big leaves.”

Large leaves do sound rather extraordinary, Chang Geng just wanted to give a few words of praise when the monk wrote sincerely, “Big leaves are cheaper.”

Chang Geng, “……..”

He carefully looked at the monk’s tea cup. It is a high-quality cup and very clean. Unfortunately, because it’s been used for too long, some lumps are hard to avoid, the edges are peeling off a little.

Liao Ran, “Your Majesty, please forgive the slum conditions of our temple.”

The entire capital city left an impression of luxury and grandeur on him, as if everyone were rich. The city is filled with lavish activity, Westerners say that the tiles on the streets of the capital of Great Liang are covered in gold, actually, that’s not too much.

No one knows why, but everyone who Chang Geng knows, all are poor.

No need to mention Shen Yi, he was naturally born with the bitter face of a poor farmer from generation to generation. Marshal Gu too, even though he has a large manor, it is just an empty shell. On the morning of the first day of the new year, he impatiently brought Chang Geng to the Palace to meet the Emperor to collect the ransom. Now there is also Liao Ran who uses broken teacups.

Chang Geng said, “Hu Guo Temple has a lot of incense and offerings, covered with smoke, but here Master is in peace with a humble lifestyle. Real dedication to Buddhist practice.”

Liao Ran smiled and wrote, “This monk has traveled through North and South, I quickly got used to it, apologize profusely because I do not respect the nobility.”

Chang Geng asked, “I hear people say that Master also visits Western countries with an Iron Dragon (ship), is that to promote Buddhism?”

Liao Ran, “I am inexperienced and still have a lot to learn, I dare not follow in the footsteps of other highly educated teachers from ancient times. I only travel to see the world, to see people.”

Chang Geng took another sip of Ku Ding, but the more he drank it, the bitter it felt, not the slightest sweet taste to be found. He swallowed with disappointment, “I grew up in a small town far off the border, I had never set foot outside that small land before. Even after arriving in the capital, I also did not leave the manor. Could it be because I was too content with what was do I have and have no desire to go forward? “

“But I feel that all the fun or sorrow, anger or misery in this world is ultimately the same, even after seeing other people, one still cannot find their own destination.”

Liao Ran, “If a person’s heart is small, even though all their suffering is as big as a home, it can only be narrow in that small corner. But if one’s heart is as wide as heaven and earth, then even if their problems are as big as a mountain, it will all be no more than water droplets in the endless ocean. “

Chang Geng was stunned for a long time after reading his words, he raised his eyes to look at Teacher Liao Ran putting all the paper that had been filled with words into the brazier, slowly burning everything.

“Teacher, that day you said to me, ‘without knowing suffering, one will not believe in Buddha.’ Now that I know what it feels like to suffer, I have come to hear the teachings of the Buddha, may I ask you to show me the right path? “

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