Hot flashes

Zhou Heng didn't ask any more questions. He sat on a rock by the stream, looking at the thin stream in front of him, at the surrounding mountains and trees, and at the eaves of the Taoist temple that were faintly visible in the distance.

The initial confusion passed, and my mind finally started working again.

Through.

There was no system, no cheat codes. I just inexplicably fell into a strange dynasty.

He turned his head and looked at Xiao Jue standing opposite him.

The boy was looking down, lost in thought. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on him.

At fourteen or fifteen years old, he had a handsome appearance, bright eyes, and looked like someone who hadn't experienced much in life.

Zhou Heng decided to probe the situation first.

"Young man," he began, "where do you live?"

Xiao Jue raised his head.

"Me?" He leaned closer and squatted down next to Zhou Heng. "I live on that mountain over there, in a place called Floating Cloud Manor. I was sent there when I was seven to learn skills from my master."

Zhou Heng nodded.

"Where was your family originally from?"

Xiao Jue thought for a moment, then scratched his head.

"My hometown is in the north, over at Cangyun Ridge. My father is—"

…………

Half an hour later, Xiao Jue was still talking non-stop.

Zhou Heng "………"

He really just wanted to ask a little bit.

This silly boy can practically recite his ancestors for eighteen generations.

Xiao Jue smacked his lips, thirsty, and finally stopped, bending down to scoop up some stream water and take a sip.

Zhou Heng looked at him, his mind racing.

Marquis of Zhenbei. Granted the imperial surname, commanding an army of 100,000. To guard the northern frontier.

This is quite a big deal.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Xiao Jue moved even closer.

"Do you want to hear more? I can memorize it all."

Zhou Heng shook his head: "No need, no need, that's enough."

Xiao Jue gave a somewhat disappointed "Oh".

As we chatted, it got dark without us even realizing it.

The setting sun painted the mountains orange-red, and the calls of returning birds echoed in the distance, urging people to go home.

Zhou Heng looked up at the sky.

It's getting dark.

He lowered his head, looking at the stream, his mind racing.

Where will we stay tonight?

That Taoist temple? It's dilapidated, with drafty doors and windows. What if there are wild animals at night...? He shuddered.

No, no, absolutely not.

Can I stay at his house?

On the very first day we met, he had the nerve to ask to stay at someone's house. That's just too... too much, isn't it?

He glanced at Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue was also looking up at the sky.

He was trying to figure out what method he could use to get someone to come home with him.

As he was looking at it, he suddenly coughed.

"It's so cold today," he said, his voice a little dry.

Zhou Heng was stunned for a moment.

He looked down at himself—short-sleeved shirt, arms exposed, and there wasn't even a thermometer in this lousy place, but he was clearly sweating profusely after running that stretch of road.

He raised his head again and looked at Xiao Jue.

There were also fine beads of sweat on Xiao Jue's forehead.

Zhou Heng: "..."

He nodded in agreement.

"Yes," he said, "it's really cold. It must be even colder at night."

Xiao Jue's lips curved slightly, but he quickly suppressed it.

The two fell silent.

After a while, Xiao Jue spoke up: "How about—"

At the same time, Zhou Heng also spoke up: "How about—"

The two stopped at the same time.

Xiao Jue said, "You go first."

Zhou Heng said, "You go first."

Xiao Jue scratched his head, hesitated for a moment, and then suddenly spoke.

"That Taoist temple," he said, his voice low, "was terrifying."

Zhou Heng looked at him.

Xiao Jue continued, "I heard that people died there before, and there are often strange noises at night. Some people have even seen...seen..."

He hesitated, thought for a long time, and finally managed to utter:

"It's just something really scary!"

Zhou Heng suppressed a laugh and feigned surprise.

"Huh? That's terrifying?"

Xiao Jue nodded vigorously.

"Seriously! It's terrifying! Nobody dares to go there at night!"

Zhou Heng frowned, looking quite troubled.

"Then...where will I stay tonight?"

Xiao Jue's eyes lit up instantly.

"You'll live with me!"

As soon as he said it, he realized he had been too direct and quickly tried to backtrack.

"No, no, I mean... if you don't mind, you can, you can stay at my house. My house is quite big, there are spare rooms, and my master is a very nice person..."

His voice grew softer and softer as he spoke, until it was almost inaudible.

Zhou Heng pretended to think for a moment, then nodded.

"Well... then I'll leave it to you."

Xiao Jue's eyes lit up completely.

"No trouble at all!" He jumped up, "Wait here, I'll go get you your clothes!"

Zhou Heng was taken aback: "Get your clothes?"

Xiao Jue looked down at his strange clothes and a slightly embarrassed expression appeared on his face.

"Your clothes... if you go back wearing this, my master and the others might ask about it. I'll go back and get you one of mine, you can change into that first."

Zhou Heng looked down at himself—short-sleeved shirt, shorts, arms and calves exposed.

indeed.

He nodded.

Xiao Jue had already turned and run away.