Crown of Silence

Chapter 540 Loneliness

A distant noisy sound came.

Across several streets and corners, the hustle and bustle turned into tiny ripples when it came here. Everything fell into silence.

After experiencing the chaos and hustle and bustle of the Hundred Eyes Attack in the past few days, the city has just returned to stability, and order has finally been restored. Everyone is busy rebuilding the city and resuming production and work.

This off-the-beaten-path alley can be said to be extremely deserted, with few people around, let alone anyone who comes specifically to browse antique shops.

In the afternoon, light snow fell from the sky again.

The thin snow covered the blood and the dead, hiding those empty pupils like a shroud. People were able to forget the disaster that had just happened in the city and continue with their lives.

Towards evening, the alleys and old shops welcomed rare customers.

Someone pushed the door open, knocked the bell on the counter, and waited patiently.

Behind the counter, Hermes was writing quickly at his desk, waving his hand without raising his head: "Our store is closed. Please come back later to buy something."

The visitor stood next to the fireplace, smiled, and took off his hat to keep out the cold, revealing a head full of white hair.

"I don't buy anything."

He said, "Come find someone."

He was an elderly man, well-maintained, with his white hair combed back in an orderly manner. When speaking, his voice was slow and steady, without any signs of anxiety.

As he walked along, there was no snow falling on his body, and there was no trace of water on his black cloak.

"Oh it's you."

Hearing his voice, Hermes was stunned for a moment, raised his head, raised his brows, and habitually put a mocking smile on his lips: "Your Highness Bai Heng, long time no see."

"Long time no see, Hermes."

Bai Heng nodded and pointed to his wine rack: "Can you give me some? I saw a lot of good things."

"As you wish."

Hermes shook his head: "Your status is not an insult to them."

Bai Heng obeyed happily, stretched out his hand, wiped off the dust on the wine bottle, opened it skillfully, poured himself a glass, and placed another glass in front of Hermes.

Hermes held the wine glass and turned away from him: "At this time of year, you came to the Holy City quietly. Aren't you afraid that His Majesty the Pope will have some suspicions and connections?"

"I only have one emperor, and the emperor who belongs to me is not in the Holy City."

Bai Heng took a sip and put the glass down: "Although something is wrong now, some things must be resolved after being delayed for so long.

The dispute between the Eastern Prince and Hermes should be settled. "

"I see."

Hermes nodded and suddenly asked: "Can I resist?"

"Please feel free to do so."

Bai Heng spread his hands: "As you can see, although I was born in the Bai family, I was not trained as a musician since I was a child. Until now, I am just a rhythm musician.

It's easy for you to kill me. "

"You say it so nicely, why are there two people standing outside the door?"

"Just in case." Bai Heng replied calmly.

In the long silence, Hermes' fingertips turned the pen, and the tip of the pen was pointed at Bai Heng's throat intentionally or unintentionally. After a long time, he put down the pen and sighed:

"Forget it, it's too much trouble."

Hermes raised his head and asked, "Are you in a hurry?"

Bai Heng thought for a while and replied: "The schedule is tight, but one or two hours is more than enough."

"Then just wait for me."

Hermes picked up the pen again, looked at the notes on the table, and murmured softly:

"I'm almost done."

——

It was already past dusk when Bai Xi came back from the intensive care unit of the Silent Agency.

The chant musician told her that Ye Qingxuan's recovery was in good condition, the ether fluctuations had stabilized, and his recovery was just around the corner. This made her feel much better.

The large-scale attack by the Hundred-Eyed Ones in the past few days has been called the "Night of Eternal Darkness". Under the wise leadership of the Papal Palace, mankind fought back and finally defeated this evil god and achieved amazing results. Proud results. Immediately, the support rate of the new Pope, Mr. Ludovic, rose rapidly.

When the incident occurred, Ye Qingxuan, who stepped forward, not only repaired the barrier of the Holy City and protected the Holy City from destruction and demonic hands, but even made great contributions to mankind in some places, thus being cleared. His suspicion was praised by the Pope.

Even though the current situation is still turbulent and the war between various countries and natural disasters is not over yet, Ye Qingxuan's name is still spread throughout the world.

His fame can only be compared to the rise of Gaius. Being entrusted with important tasks, taking up important positions in the Holy City is almost within reach.

Even in the ward, important organizations from all over the Holy City sent greetings, the Cardinal made a special visit, and even the Red King made a special visit secretly despite his busy schedule. After awarding the comatose Ye Qingxuan the 'Holy Medal' to prove his flawless character, he also left a white robe in the ward.

Bishop's cassock.

This is a hint.

If Ye Qingxuan is willing to wear it after he wakes up, he will be the youngest bishop in the history of the sect. There will be no problem whether he is on a mission or entering key departments of the Holy City. It will be smooth sailing in the future and I will have a bright future.

Therefore, Dr. Shengyong, who was responsible for the treatment, also became frighteningly attentive. He would come in to check on her almost every three minutes, which annoyed Bai Xi very much.

After not getting much rest for days, Bai Xi actually fell asleep in the carriage on the way home after Ye Qingxuan's condition stabilized.

When the coachman woke her up, she remembered that she had a nightmare.

But she couldn't remember what happened in the nightmare.

It seemed that something terrible happened in a place she had not noticed, quietly destroying some of her own things. When she looked back by chance, she saw the devastation.

It was too late for everything.

She stood in the alley, uneasy.

The snow fell on her body, melted, turned into water droplets, seeped into her collar, and was so cold that it seemed to penetrate into her bones.

She shook her head, stopped thinking about it, and ran faster to the door under the light. Through the door, she felt the temperature of the fireplace, and the panic in her heart was slightly calmed down.

The soft light seemed to dispel the haze.

She pushed the door open and saw blood.

The undried blood flowed out from the crack of the door, down the steps, and into the snow.

In front of the fireplace behind the door, in the warm firelight, Hermes sat on a chair with his eyes down, as if he was asleep. The wine glass in his hand fell to the ground, and the wine dried up under the baking fire and seeped into the floor.

Scarlet color flowed out from the rip of his shirt, along his body, fell to the ground, gathered into a spring, and meandered out of the door.

Bai Xi was stunned.

"Hermes?"

She stepped on the sticky blood, moved forward, bent down, and carefully touched his cheek. The dim eyes raised, as if they were blurred, and then narrowed, seeing the sluggish girl clearly.

"It's you, Bai Xi." He smiled, "You're back?"

"Hermes, you...you..."

"It's no big deal, I'm just going to die."

Hermes looked at the blood on his chest and shook his head tiredly: "In every sense, I'm a failure in 'being a human being'. I've offended so many people with my foul mouth and never done anything good. It's simply unjust that I'm not dead.

Fortunately, all the debts have been paid off..."

Bai Xi felt that his mind was about to solidify.

A dark fault appeared in his consciousness, swallowing up all his thoughts.

Hermes is going to die?

Hermes and death, these are two words that will never be linked together.

This bastard, heartless, vicious and cunning, looks at the world with cold eyes. Even when the world is about to be destroyed, he can ensure his own safety. Even if everyone else dies, he will never lose a hair.

For a long time, this bastard stayed out of the matter, watching others perform on the stage with cold eyes, either applauding and cheering, or mocking and laughing.

It was as if he could watch like this for decades, hundreds of years...

But now, he was going to die.

A kind of cold pain spread in Bai Xi's lungs, making her breathless.

"How could you die?"

Bai Xi looked at his blood and murmured dully. Suddenly, she felt inexplicably angry again, grabbed him, and shook him hard: "Why do you have to die at this time! Bastard! Get up! Are you playing a prank again? Where is your blood bag hidden? How..."

Her voice stopped abruptly.

Under Hermes' torn clothes was a broken heart.

She was stunned.

Hermes sighed, took Bai Xi's hand away, and covered his chest again with difficulty.

"Sorry, I'm dying."

He whispered, "This time it's real, I won't lie to you."

Bai Xi lowered her head, looked at the blood on her hands, and couldn't help choking:

"There are other ways, right?"

Hermes smiled and shook his head.

"Why are you pretending! Don't you always have a way? Save yourself first!"

Bai Xi raised her voice, as if she was angry, but couldn't hold back her tears: "Speak up! Who should I go to? I don't know what to do anymore!"

"You cry too softly, I can't hear you. Louder."

Hermes sighed: "It feels good to have someone cry before you die. It's a pity that there is only a little girl, and it doesn't look good when she cries. Forget it..."

"Hey, don't cry, Bai Xi, raise your head."

He slowly reached out and pinched the girl's face, looking into her eyes with his blurred pupils, telling her: " You are the only disciple of the great Hermes. You don't need to bow your head to anyone who dies in front of you. "

"But I...but what should I do in the future?"

"This is your problem. The teacher has taught you so much, but I can't solve all the problems for you, right?" Hermes took a deep breath, his voice hoarse:

"While I still have the strength to speak, leave a last word first."

He said, "After I die, all the things I have saved over the years will be given to you. There is also a gift outside, I hope you will like it. But remember to bring that thing to Ye Qingxuan for me."

He looked at the notebook with a red cover on the table.

"I owe him for Auschwitz."

He said, "I will pay it back."

"Okay."

Bai Xi nodded vigorously.

Hermes smiled, relieved, like a child, full of joy, even if it was death that embraced him. He just waved and motioned Bai Xi to come closer.

Come closer.

Lean on his shoulder, sit beside him, and hold his hand.

Then his expression became calm, he no longer smiled, and his eyes no longer showed pain.

Just like a child who is about to fall asleep, if you stay with him, he will no longer be afraid of the monsters in the dark and can sleep peacefully.

"Bai Xi, have you ever dreamed?"

He whispered softly, as if talking in his sleep.

"I did it."

"It feels so good to dream, as if my soul has been set free."

"Um."

Bai Xi nodded, resisting the urge to cry.

"Bai Xi, I really like people." He said, "I like you...I like the way you lie and the tears when you betray...it's so beautiful..."

"Bai Xi, I'm a little cold. Can you hug me?"

Bai Xi hugged him so hard, as if she wanted to keep those breaths in place and not allow him to leave.

"Bai Xi, it's so quiet."

He held Bai Xi's hand and humbly begged: "Can you please cry for me?"

Bai Xi nodded vigorously and burst into tears.

Tears fell on Hermes' face, diluting the blood and making it look like pink makeup against his pale face.

He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, as if looking into the long past and distant places.

So I muttered the names of those people, one after another, broken and blurry. It's like passing friends one by one during a long journey.

Until finally, this long journey in this world is coming to an end.

He dropped the salute, relieved, and pushed open the final door.

Go home.

"Don't be so sad, Seton." He smiled and hugged the phantom in his memory. "Smile, I'm back."

"Welcome back, teacher."

Bai Xi stroked his cheek, crying and whispering softly. Feeling the last warmth leaving his fingertips, he couldn't help but feel the sadness in his chest.

Farewell, teacher.

——

Thousands of snow fell from the sky.

Bai Heng was sitting on the steps, smoking silently, and heard someone in the corner not far away. There was a faint whine. After a while, he stood up, walked over, and reached out to push aside the handful of dead grass.

In the thin snow, the body of the female cat was already stiff.

There was one kitten left whining, sucking shriveled breast milk, and dying. Bai Heng put out his cigarette, reached out, took the kitten into his arms, and returned to the steps.

"Jiuying, do you like cats?"

He asked in a low voice as he carefully stroked the kitten's fur.

In the shadow beyond the light, the burly servant shook his head, "Never."

"It's normal."

Bai Heng nodded, "Guys like you are full of thoughts about murder and arson. You never feel lonely or weak. But only lonely people like cats. When you stay with a cat, you feel that you are not lonely. .

I used to love it too, when I was younger. "

Jiuying was silent for a long time and asked:

"what about now?"

Bai Heng smiled, said nothing, and just handed the kitten to Jiu Ying: "Take good care of it for me. It's a rare trip to the Holy City. This is a souvenir I brought for Your Majesty.

The palace was deserted, so she had to find a playmate for her. "

Jiuying took it and nodded.

In silence, Bai Heng stood up, looked at the falling snow, and asked in a low voice: "Is the girl that Hermes asked me to be called Bai Xi?"

"Yeah." Jiuying nodded.

"She's a good girl."

Bai Heng said, "That loser Yunlou Qingshu is not worthy of her. Go and tell her that from tomorrow on, she will be my Bai Heng's daughter. After my death, she will be the only successor of the Bai family."

"What if she doesn't want to?"

"She will."

Bai Heng said lightly, "It doesn't matter if you hate me or be afraid of me. Only by following me can you have a chance to kill me, right? You have to be careful, cats can scratch people."

Jiuying's fingers twitched, and he lowered his head in surprise, seeing the little cat struggling and scratching a gash on his fingertips. His expression suddenly became awkward.

"Leave it to me."

Bai Heng sighed in frustration, and took the kitten from his hand with a light and gentle movement. The little finger scratched its chin, and the cat stopped fussing, closed its eyes obediently, and fell asleep peacefully in his arms.

Jiuying is gone.

In the silent falling snow, only Bai Heng was left holding the cat, silently looking into the distance.

"It's just loneliness."

He whispered softly.

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