pjbooks Chapter 156 The Return Journey
Chapter 156 The Return Journey
The funeral hall was brightly lit by candlelight.
Li Jun pushed the door open, went in, and closed it behind him.
He walked to the offering table and glanced at the incense burner.
The three incense sticks had burned down to almost half their original length, with only a small portion remaining.
He took out three new incense sticks from the side and lit them over the candle flame.
The flames flickered, turning the incense sticks red-hot.
Wisps of smoke rose into the air.
Li Jun raised the incense to his forehead and bowed three times.
Then insert it into the incense burner.
The wisps of smoke continued to rise and spread above the offering table.
Li Jun sat down on the stool next to him.
He leaned against the wall, looking at the mahogany box.
Inside the box were the advisor's clothes.
Tomorrow, I can take it home.
We'll arrive in Luxian County tonight.
Master must be very happy.
As Li Jun thought about it, the corners of his mouth curved slightly.
He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall.
The candlelight cast flickering light on his face.
……
Silent all night.
early morning.
Before dawn, there was commotion in the courtyard of the Kunlun branch.
Liu Zhenguo was the first to get up.
He stood in the courtyard and looked up at the sky.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, with a few remaining stars still hanging in the air. The air was as cold as a knife, and it felt icy cold when you breathed it in.
But today is a beautiful day.
There was no wind, and no snow.
Suitable for flight.
Liu Zhenguo stretched his limbs and turned to walk into the building.
Just as I reached the door, I saw Wei Zhixing coming out from inside.
"Good morning, Lao Wei."
"morning."
The two exchanged glances and walked together toward the cafeteria.
Inside the canteen, the cooks were already busy at work.
The porridge in the pot was bubbling and steaming, the steamer was filled with freshly steamed buns, and there were chopped pickled vegetables and boiled eggs on the cutting board.
Liu Zhenguo smelled it; it was filled with mutton.
"Old Wei, the food here is pretty good."
Wei Zhixing smiled and said, "On the plateau, you can't stand it without eating some meat."
The two got their food and found a corner to sit down.
I had only taken two bites when Jin Hao came in.
The kid went to bed early last night and is full of energy today. He came in and shouted, "Uncle Liu! Uncle Wei! Good morning!"
Liu Zhenguo nodded to him: "Good morning, come and sit down."
Jin Hao brought over a plate and sat down. He took a bite of a steamed bun, and it was so hot that he grimaced.
"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you," Liu Zhenguo said with a smile.
Jin Hao chuckled twice and continued eating.
A while later.
The light at the entrance of the cafeteria dimmed.
Everyone looked up.
Li Jun walked in.
Everyone quickly stood up.
Li Junchong and the others waved their hands: "Sit down, everyone sit down."
He walked to the food window, took a plate, got some porridge and steamed buns, and then found an empty seat to sit down.
Everyone then sat down again.
The cafeteria quieted down.
There was only the slight sound of bowls and chopsticks clattering together.
After finishing the meal.
Everyone went to pack their things, and Li Jun came to the mourning hall alone.
He didn't sleep much that night, just dozed off leaning against the wall.
But he's in good spirits.
After reaching the Refining Spirit Realm, the difference between sleeping and not sleeping becomes increasingly smaller.
He walked to the altar and looked at the mahogany box.
"Master."
He said softly.
"We should go home."
……
On the tarmac.
The helicopter has started up, and the propellers are slowly turning.
Liu Zhenguo and Wei Zhixing stood by the cabin door, confirming the flight path with the crew. Since Master Jingchen and his group of five had already departed yesterday, they would not be resting on their way back to Luxian.
Li Jun walked out of the building carrying a box wrapped in red cloth, with Jin Hao following behind, carrying a bag.
When the crowd saw him come out, they all made way for him.
Liu Zhenguo stepped forward: "Taoist Master, everything is ready."
Li Jun nodded.
He walked to the helicopter, but instead of boarding immediately, he turned around and looked at Wei Zhixing.
"Thank you for your help these past two days, Manager Wei."
Wei Zhixing quickly waved his hand, "You flatter me, Daoist Master! It is an honor for the Kunlun branch to serve you!"
Li Jun smiled and said nothing more.
He turned and boarded the helicopter.
Jin Hao followed closely behind.
Finally, there's Liu Zhenguo.
The hatch closed.
The propeller started spinning, faster and faster, stirring up huge air currents.
The helicopter slowly took off.
On the ground, Wei Zhixing, along with several key members of the branch, stood at the edge of the helipad, looking up as the helicopter flew higher and higher, farther and farther away.
"Boss Wei," a young team member whispered, "that... is that Master Li from the title page of the cultivation manual?"
Wei Zhixing glanced at him.
"Yes."
The young team member swallowed hard: "It feels... pretty ordinary."
Wei Zhixing remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
Do you know what "the greatest form is formless" means?
The young player was taken aback.
Wei Zhixing did not offer any further explanation.
He just stared at the increasingly smaller black dot in the distance, muttering:
"The more ordinary, the more extraordinary."
……
midair.
Li Jun looked through the porthole at the figures below that were getting smaller and smaller.
They stood there, heads tilted back, waving in this direction.
Li Jun also raised his hand and waved.
The helicopter changed direction and flew eastward.
Outside the porthole, the buildings of the Kunlun branch grew smaller and smaller, soon becoming just a few inconspicuous gray dots on the snowfield.
Further ahead, there are continuous snow-capped mountains, gleaming with golden light in the morning glow.
Li Jun withdrew his gaze and looked down at the box in his arms.
The box was wrapped in red cloth, which felt very soft to the touch.
He gently stroked the red cloth.
The advisor.
Let's go home.
……
The helicopter headed east.
Outside the porthole, the snow-capped mountains gradually receded into the distance, replaced by endless wilderness.
Then the wasteland turned into the Gobi Desert.
The Gobi Desert has been transformed into hills.
The hills turned into plains.
Li Jun kept looking out the window.
Looking at this vast land, it sweeps past my feet.
He thought that he must take his master with him to see this land properly in the future.
See places he's never seen before.
Look at those landscapes he'd only ever read about in books.
After the clerk is buried.
Once everything is settled.
Let's set off.
……
It was a little after 5 p.m.
The helicopter slowly landed on the helipad of the South City Night Watchmen branch.
The hatch opened, and a familiar, scented air rushed in.
Li Jun took a deep breath.
came back.
Liu Zhenguo jumped off the plane first, turned around and reached out to help Li Jun.
Li Jun has already come down on his own.
He stood on the tarmac, holding the box, looking around.
It's still that familiar place.
It's still those familiar buildings.
Everything is the same as before he left.
But for some reason, Li Jun felt that something was different.
He couldn't explain it.
It's just a feeling.
Chen Jianguo and his men were already waiting on the edge of the tarmac.
Seeing Li Jun come down, he quickly stepped forward.
"Master, you must be tired from your journey!"
Li Jun nodded.
Chen Jianguo glanced at the box in his arms, his gaze sharpened slightly, and then he looked away.
"Master, the carriage is ready."
"Would you like to rest for a bit, or...?"
Li Jun thought about it.
"Go straight back to Luxian County."
Chen Jianguo nodded quickly.
"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."
He turned around and gave a few instructions.
Soon, a black SUV drove up.
Li Jun, carrying the box, got into the car.
Jin Hao followed behind him and got into the car.
Liu Zhenguo stood outside the car and hesitated for a moment.
"Master, I won't go with you."
"There are still some things to take care of at the branch."
Li Jun nodded.
"Please go ahead and get busy, Manager Liu."
Liu Zhenguo clasped his hands and bowed.
"Take care, Taoist priest."
The car started and slowly drove out of the gate of the Night's Watch branch.
Liu Zhenguo stood there, watching the car get further and further away until it disappeared at the end of the street.
He let out a long breath.
This trip has finally been successfully completed.
……
Lu County.
It was past six o'clock in the evening, and it was already getting dark.
On the streets of the county town, the streetlights had just come on, emitting a dim, yellowish light.
The off-road vehicle drove through the county town and up the mountain.
The mountain road is still the same mountain road.
The road is winding, with withered yellow grass and sparse trees on both sides.
The car stopped at the foot of the mountain.
Li Jun and Jin Hao walked up the stone steps towards the mountain.
The stone steps are still the same stone steps.
The bluestones, polished smooth by time, gleam with a faint light in the twilight.
Li Jun walked very slowly.
It's not that I can't walk fast.
It's because they don't want to walk fast.
After turning a corner.
Turn another corner.
Then, Li Jun saw it.
At the end of the mountain path, the small Taoist temple stood quietly in the twilight.
The blue tiles are mottled.
The courtyard wall is mottled.
The Spring Festival couplets on the door are still the same.
The door was open.
A dim, yellow light shone from inside the door.
Under the lamplight, a figure was sitting on the blue stone by the door.
It's Master.
The old Taoist priest, Zhang Shouqing, sat there wearing a faded Taoist robe.
He sat very upright.
Leaning against the door frame.
His hands were folded together and placed on his knees.
He just sat there.
Looking at the mountain road.
Looking this way.
Li Jun suddenly stopped walking.
He stood there, watching the figure sitting in the doorway.
Looking at the silhouette under the dim yellow light.
It's so familiar.
We see each other every day.
But looking at him now, Li Jun suddenly felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside him.
He remembered the morning he set off.
The master sat like that too.
They were looking at each other in the same way.
Watching him walk away.
Looking in the direction of the car.
And so, I just sit here.
I sat there all day.
I sat there for two days.
I sat down...
Don't know how long.
Li Jun took a deep breath.
He carried the box and continued walking.
His steps were a little faster than before.
……
The old Taoist priest saw it.
He saw that familiar figure walking towards him on the mountain path.
They walked very steadily.
They walked very fast.
In his arms, he was holding something wrapped in red cloth.
The old Taoist priest's body trembled slightly.
He braced himself on his knees, trying to stand up.
But my legs feel a little weak.
He sat back down.
Then, he took a deep breath, supported himself on his knees again, and slowly stood up.
This time, he stood up.
He stood there at the door, watching the figure getting closer and closer.
The dim yellow light fell on him.
It fell on his wrinkled face.
It fell into his cloudy yet still bright eyes.
Li Jun walked to the door.
He stopped in his tracks.
Looking at his master standing there.
The old Taoist priest was also looking at him.
The master and apprentice just stared at each other like that.
No one spoke.
A gentle evening breeze blew by.
The wind blew, causing the old Taoist priest's robe to flutter.
The wind rustled the hem of Li Jun's clothes.
at last.
The old Taoist priest's gaze shifted from Li Jun's face to the box in his arms.
The box was wrapped in red cloth.
The red cloth was very clean.
It was wrapped very carefully.
The old Taoist priest's gaze fell on the box.
long time.
long time.
Then, he raised his hand.
My hands are shaking.
He reached out and gently touched the box.
The red cloth is very soft.
Even through the red cloth, you could feel the outline of the box.
The old Taoist priest placed his hand on the box.
Not moving at all.
a long time.
He withdrew his hand.
She raised her head and looked at Li Jun.
Li Jun noticed that his master's eyes had turned red.
But the master did not cry.
He just looked at Li Jun and opened his mouth.
His voice was hoarse.
He was so mute that he could barely hear.
But Li Jun heard it.
Master said:
"You're back?"
Li Jun nodded.
"I'm back."
The old Taoist priest asked again.
"They've been brought back?"
Li Jun nodded again.
"They've been brought back."
The old Taoist priest looked at him.
After a while.
Then, he turned to the side.
Let them leave.
"Come in."
He said.
Li Jun, carrying the box, stepped over the threshold.
We entered the courtyard.
The courtyard remains the same as always.
Water vat, well, stone table, stone bench.
Everything is the same as before he left.
Li Jun stood in the courtyard and glanced back.
Master was still standing at the door.
She was staring at the box in his arms.
The light shone from inside the room and fell on the master.
It landed on the master's aged face.
Li Jun suddenly remembered something from before.
Back then, my master was like that too.
Standing at the door.
Looking at the mountain road.
Waiting for him to come home from school.
Waiting for him to finish his homework.
Waiting for him to grow up.
Waiting for him...
Bring that person back.
Li Jun withdrew his gaze.
He carried the box and walked towards the main house.
The old Taoist priest followed behind him.
The master and apprentice walked through the courtyard, one after the other.
We entered the main room.