[Title here]

by Spring Trees

  Nevertheless, since Nan Ge Er was sleeping together with Mo Shu, Mo Shu would arrive home slightly earlier. He would try his best to wrap everything up earlier, and then sleep together with him. If not, Nan Ge Er, usually unable to sleep sound, would be easily awakened, and couldn’t sleep throughout the night afterwards..

  Although the weather had turned warmer, since Nan Ge Er’s room wasn’t tidy during the whole winter period, it had turned into a jumbled mess. Even the bed and tables were unusable due to the decay. To save on expenditures, plus his desire to avoid troubling himself, those two matters were simply dismissed as such—since the two of them were guys, there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

  Regarding the views of the townspeople?

  ‘Who are you kidding? Everyone has regarded me as Magistrate Furen long ago, what in the world would I be afraid of then?!’ Nan Ge Er vocalised in his heart.

  It was currently noon and Nan Ge Er ended his storytelling for the day before he drank a gulp of water and decided to close his stall.

  Today’s sales are not bad, and were just as before.

  He calculated a little. Once spring was over, he could take a break for the whole summer, while also adding more livestock and farming more vegetables to supplement the housekeeping money. If he opened his stall in summer too, he would not need to do so in autumn and winter.

  Anyway, the plan would just be as such. With the income from a season, plus the vegetables farmed daily and the livestock reared, he could get through two seasons easily, with a little more to spare.

  Life in Guang Tian was seriously too relaxing when counting as so.

  It was common for everyone to be slightly wealthy there. Also, almost everyone was well built and educated and the public security was great too.

  He felt that under the present regime of this world, the existence of this place should, at least, be impossible.

  However, he was living there right now.

  “Oh, you’ve already closed your stall, Nan Ge Er?” An unfamiliar voice rang out, interrupting Nan Ge Er’s train of thoughts.

  “Daddy, it’s all your fault!” A blaming voice of a young child rang out behind him too. “Walking so slow, and even talking to others on they way! Look, now the stall’s closed!”

  “Xiao Zhen, it’s been a long while since daddy met his old friends, you know,” the male commented with a bit of embarrassment.

  “There isn’t any problem for daddy to reminisce with your old friends, but we left early in the morning, alright? Daddy, you’ve reminisced for one whole day. You could have just let me go over myself.”

  The male gasped, “Oh my, how can I do that? Xiao Zhen is so cute, what if you get kidnapped by baddies?!”

  “But, Ah Niu and the others are all allowed to come over and listen to Nan Ge Er stories themselves. It’s all because of you.” Although the voice wasn’t quite familiar, every single person in the district called him Nan Ge Er. To tell the truth, he was already used to it.

  Listening to the conversation of the father and daughter situated behind him, he involuntarily smiled while turning around, “Erm… huh?”

  One of the two people standing in front of him was actually someone he recognised.

  He exclaimed unwittingly, “Supernatural General!”

  That’s right, the guy, currently scratching his head with a bitter smile from his own daughter’s reprimanding, was indeed the most outstanding general in Bei Jun. In a mere three years’ time, the guy turned from a small soldier into a prominent and invincible great general.

  At that period, he was known to every single person in Bei Jun.

  In battlefields, he could plan far ahead, anticipate his enemies with god-like precision and emerge victorious in every battle, with strength comparable even to supernatural beings. Thus, whenever he was mentioned, everyone would commend him as ‘Supernatural General’.

  However, this Supernatural General died on the battlefield during a successful expedition. Nan Ge Er was even the one who had managed the burial of Supernatural General’s mangled corpse…

  But now…

  The male, who was called Supernatural General by Nan Ge Er, was stunned. He raised his head after that, scrutinising Nan Ge Er carefully.

  Nan Ge Er could guarantee, with the sole reliance on looks, the guy definitely wouldn’t be able to recognise him. Since even he himself, when he washed his face every morning, would always touch those bumpy crevices on his face—his facial features could be considered to have changed beyond recognition, with a look entirely different from a typical person.

  Fortunately, everyone in the district was abnormal, so they weren’t afraid.

  As for his voice, he guessed it was probably unrecognisable. Since even his vocal cords were torn due to his constant painful cries during the beatings he had endured in those years, his voice would always bring about a slight hissing sound, causing it to sound hoarse and rough.

  As for things like grace…

  Being a criminal jailed for three years, what grace would he have left?

  Or should he say, the prince he was originally was just a dark, scheming fellow, having no slightest bit of grace. Plus, his present status was just a helper in the government…

  Alright, there were countless titles added to it now; such as the boss of the tea stall, famous storyteller in the district, the favorite teasing object of the citizens in the red-light district, and the popular topic of gossip for everyone, the other target in Magistrate-Daren’s scandal…

  Nan Ge Er felt it was quite bizarre.

  He could actually go over those past incidents so lightly, and then think of his current situation in such a mocking tone.

  Following that, he said something which shocked even himself, “I’m Bei Mo Li.”

  He revealed his identity clearly.

  The country surname of Bei Jun was ‘Bei’, the country surname of Jun Yao was ‘Jun’. The country surname of every country was uniformly that of the first word in the country’s name; it could be deemed an established rule in this world.

  The Supernatural General opposite of him revealed an aghast expression, as if he had just seen a ghost.

  Nan Ge Er found the male’s expression rather laughable—it was creepier for him to see someone ‘already dead’ in front of him, right?!

  “Long time no see.” He was a person who had experienced numerous life and death situations and commanded in battlefields, after all. His shock had only lasted that bit of a moment, before being covered up with a smile.

  “Daddy, have you met one of your old friends again?” The little girl beside him frowned in displeasure, emphasising on the word ‘you’.

  The male’s confident demeanor vanished at once, as though from an illusion…

  “Well, Xiao Zhen, you know, daddy, I…”

  “Daddy, you don’t have to explain.” The young girl was unperturbed as she cut the guy’s sentence off, “It’s alright, Xiao Zhen is used to it, you would always meet old friends every day.”

  Speaking of which, the Supernatural General seemed to be outspoken, befriending a wide range of friends…

  The guy looked at Nan Ge Er awkwardly, “My girl, erm, ahem…”

  Following along him, Nan Ge Er smiled as well.

  “Come to think of it, if daddy and Nan Ge Er are old friends, we can come over every day to listen to Nan Ge Er’s storytelling.” The young girl, aged no more than five, spoke out impishly.

  You really do know how to calculate, huh…

  Supernatural General let out a resigned sigh, “Xiao Zhen!”

  “In that case, take your time reminiscing with your old friend, daddy.” Xiao Zhen laughed with her tongue out, “I’ll be playing a bit nearby,” before taking to her heels and rushing out.

  The father with a daughter-complex still nagged behind her, “Xiao Zhen, beware of those innocent-looking boys, they are all baddies who will snatch you away from daddy in the future!”

  After Xiao Zhen’s silhouette disappear
ed, Supernatural General was still a little worried as he looked aa Xiao Zhen’s vanishing back.

  “I know every kid nearby.” Nan Ge Er smiled, “I’ll help you find her later, don’t worry.”

  “I know that it’s fine.” Full of gloom, Supernatural General randomly found a bench to sit down on, “But, if those boys know about my Xiao Zhen, they’ll definitely come over to propose marriage. Xiao Zhen is so adorable…”

  ‘… Hey, no matter how adorable your Xiao Zhen is, she isn’t even five yet, how would others be able to come over to propose marriage…’ Nan Ge Er blacklined.

  While doing so, he poured a cup of tea and placed it in front of Supernatural General, “Drink up.”

  “Thank you.” Supernatural General finally stabilised his state of mind. He took up the teacup on the table, and drank a mouthful before raising his head to glance at Nan Ge Er. “I never knew you were actually interested in men.”

  Nan Ge Er jerked his lips as he replied, “Neither did I.”

  Bastard, as expected, everyone in the district knew about it!

  Supernatural General chuckled, refusing to comment, “You…”

  What he said seemed to have a thousand words hidden in it. In the end, he could only spit a word out, without anything uttered after it.

  Nan Ge Er was able to understand the complicated emotions of the other party. He smiled, “With the passing of five years, both of us had some changes.”

  Supernatural General grinned, “No, I didn’t change, the one who changed is you. I was always someone from here.”

  “Oh.” Nan Ge Er’s brows rose. He didn’t care whether Supernatural General planned on telling him the reason or not, that wasn’t important. He only smiled customarily, “What a great place, even the dead can be revived.”

  Supernatural General chuckled, “I didn’t die at all. Just that when my wife died, I felt attachments to nothing, so I returned to my hometown.” He didn’t hide anything.

  “Here?” At first, Nan Ge Er thought Supernatural General was just stranded here; it ended up really being his original hometown.

  “Here.” Supernatural General nodded, expressing his confirmation, “Apart from here, I can’t think of anywhere in the world that I’m able to settle down in.”

  “You’re the Supernatural General,” Nan Ge Er commented. What can’t you get? Why would you come back here pitifully?

  “This is my only home.” Supernatural General smiled, “A place for me to settle down, and peacefully live. We’re born here, and will return here; this is our fate.”

  “Why?”

  “The world can’t bear us.” Supernatural General chuckled. “Unable to go anywhere.” As he sipped a gulp of tea, he looked at Nan Ge Er, “Your Highness, don’t you feel so?”

  Nan Ge Er was silent.

  “Only people belonging here can return here. Only people with nowhere to go would stay here.” Supernatural General laughed, “It’s the rules here. Ever since birth, every child here learns marching, division of troops, entering battles, and killing enemies instead of learning verses, poetry, and songs; learning martial arts and weapons instead of virtues.” Supernatural General smiled, “After reaching a suitable age, they can choose to gain experience outside, or to stay and earn a living. You should’ve witnessed this.”

  “Those kids intend to enter Jun Yao’s army and carve out achievements?” With that said, if Nan Ge Er still believed that Guang Tian was subsidiary to Jun Yao, he would really be incorrigible.

  “Yes.” Supernatural General smiled. “That’s why, the world can’t bear us. This is our sole and final destination.” He grinned, “I only used a certain tactic to return here.”

  Nan Ge Er thought for a bit, “Why did you tell me that? By right, it should be a great secret of Guang Tian, shouldn’t it? Is it alright to tell that to an outsider like me?”

  Supernatural General laughed all of the sudden instead, “Do you think you’re still an outsider?” With a chuckle, he continued, “Or do you think there’s somewhere else you still can go to?”

  Nan Ge Er was speechless.

  After a long silence, Supernatural General stood up abruptly, “I have to go look for my Xiao Zhen; those rascal boys.” His daughter complex broke out again.

  Nan Ge Er twitched his lips, “I’ll help you.” As he walked beside him, he suddenly said Supernatural General, “The reason why you guys exist.” Why in the world did such a grand, secretive and frightening power exist?

  Judging by that, the monarch of every country appeared to have no idea of its existence. What in the world were they trying to accomplish?

  If one Supernatural General existed, then there must be a second one existing somewhere. The presence, unique to a powerful person, which he had personally witnessed and felt, was so common and concentrated here.

  Supernatural General turned his head to glance at Nan Ge Er, laughing, “Do you want to know?”

  Obviously.

  “Go ask Mo Shu-Xiansheng then, he will tell you.” Supernatural General chortled, “All of us follow his orders and abide by his summons. He is the ruler and will of this place.”

  Chapter 22

  * * *

  In the end, Nan Ge Er still didn’t ask Mo Shu about it.

  There wasn’t any other meaning to his inaction, he just felt that maybe Mo Shu didn’t really wish for him to know about it. If Mo Shu did feel the need for Nan Ge Er know; then, even if he had no interest in it, he would still be told forcefully.

  Moreover, he thought that even if he knew Guang Tian’s secret, there still wouldn’t be many changes in regards to his present life. Hence, he simply ignored Supernatural General’s suggestions.

  Of course, let’s not discuss the later addition of Xiao Zhen to his fanbase.

  His life after that returned to normal again— without a doubt, having numerous friends, Supernatural General ended up bringing quite a few of his old friends, who stayed in Bei Jun before, to circle around ‘Magistrate’s Furen’ again later on.

  Ahem, let’s not mention that either.

  Anyway, time just flowed unknowingly as such. In a blink of an eye, spring ended as summer arrived.

  Accustomed to a busy life, Nan Ge Er was afraid that once he rested, he wouldn’t have the mood to continue his tea stall. Thus, the tea stall continued to be open as well, while Mo Shu kept disappearing elusively.

  Perhaps Mo Shu knew the days he enjoyed would be coming to an end soon, the time he spent in the government office became shorter by the day. Nan Ge Er could only catch a glimpse of him before he slept, and he felt Mo Shu waking up soundlessly at dawn. When he woke up and took a look, a small portion of food went missing. On the other hand, a significant portion of sweet snacks vanished, almost turning into nothingness.

  No matter how reluctant Mo Shu was at parting with the summer season, the season where he had to stay obediently in the hall still came—autumn arrived once again.

  In the following autumn and winter, Mo Shu had to stay in the office to write comments on the document reports and tasks similar to that, without the permission to wander around outside.

  Used to going outside, Mo Shu felt pain and at a loss in regards to that. Zhu Xi felt a malicious enjoyment from Mo Shu’s suffering as he expressed a firm standpoint about it, while Nan Ge Er felt…

  Unperturbed.

  Although the rate of sweet snacks consumption would increase with Mo Shu in the office, on the other hand, Nan Ge Er could push everything he wasn’t good at to Mo Shu-Daren, the all-purpose guy. With that, his workload would significantly decrease.

  Nonetheless, the greatest negative side of it was that he would be teased incessantly by Mo Shu daily…

  By the way, he had become uncontrollable. He cooked Mo Shu’s sweet beans into tear-inducing salty beans, added pepper into Mo Shu’s teacup, ‘accidentally’ splashed the dirty bucket of water he had in his hands onto Mo Shu’s body, and ‘unintentionally’ knocking Mo Shu into a muddy ditch…

  In othe
r words, the countless teasing of Nan Ge Er made him lose his senses.

  However, even with that, Nan Ge Er still wasn’t able to suppress his increasingly, irritable nerves that jumped high up to the sun all day.

  He felt that Mo Shu was still constantly sinking the lower limits he had for a person in his heart.

  For that, he expressed respect to Mo Shu’s ignorant and fearless spirit. At the same time, the insuppressible raging feelings in his heart became frequent as the days passed.

  In reality, the chances he had to plot against Mo Shu were minuscule; it was one of the reasons why he was all the more infuriated.

  The two still celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival together this year.

  Nan Ge Er only ate half a mouthful of a mooncake; the rest were all gnawed and toyed away excitedly by Mo Shu.

  He really wanted to ask Mo Shu—as a guy, aren’t you ashamed of your love for sweets?

  However, he still clearly understood the degree of Mo Shu’s brazenness in the end, as he went out gloomily.

  The salt and pepper in the house were ‘used up’, so he intended to borrow more, to ‘show some proper appreciation’ toward Mo Shu who had been idling the whole day away.

  When he walked to the government office’s door, he saw three guys pitifully squatting by the door.

  Stopping in his tracks, he looked at the one on the right, “…Xiao Nian.”

  Having his head totally buried into his knees, that person raised his head up with a miserable, pitiful face, “…Nan Ge Er~”

  “What is it today?” Nan Ge Er looked at him, exasperated.

  “My dad caught me taking a wallet from someone in the northern street.” The one called Xiao Nian was a little melancholy as he replied, “I was chased through three streets, and got lost…”

  Nan Ge Er blacklined.

  The fellow in front of him was a frequent thief in Guang Tian, and was one of the fellows that usually ‘dropped by’ the government office. The worst part of it was that his dad was a yamen runner, and his brothers were all police officers…

  The more tragic part of it was that the fellow’s sense of direction was bizarrely awful. Once he got a street away from his scope of activity, he would be unsure of where he was.