Fatal to Pretend With a Cheat | Chapter 58 | A Parting by the River | Novela.app

Guimao had never felt himself to be so wicked. Every day, he calculated the date of Bingxu’s death, yet every day, as he emerged from the trial grounds, he would find Bingxu waiting for him. He had always complained that Bingxu was dull and slow-witted, but now, he occasionally found himself relying on Bingxu to help treat his wounds. Bingxu lay quietly by his side, staring at his profile for a long time before asking, “Guimao, what are you thinking about?” Guimao raised his left hand, resting his forearm over his eyes to block out the light. “Thinking about when you’re going to die.” Bingxu paused, seemingly struggling to grasp the meaning of the sentence. Once he understood, he asked again, “What happens if I die?” Guimao replied, “If you die, nothing happens.” According to his expectations, Bingxu shouldn’t have lasted a month in Yexing. Yet, he had not only survived the trials but had grown more stable with each passing day. These past few days, when Guimao pushed open the door and saw Bingxu, he actually felt a sense of normalcy. This was not good; it was a truly ominous sign. “Troublesome...” Guimao muttered, turning his back to him. “What if I actually get used to this?” The height of summer and the depths of winter were the most grueling endurance trials in Yexing. Training during spring and autumn, no matter how intensive, followed a certain rhythm. But once the *Sanfu* heat and the *Sanjiu* cold arrived, there was no such thing as rest. To the Gobi in summer, to the snow-capped mountains in winter—every year at these times, Yexing required two migrations. Every day at the hour of the Rat, everyone was forced to swallow a poison that lasted exactly one day. They then had to travel on foot to the next assembly point to receive the antidote and a new dose of poison by the following midnight. If they failed to arrive on time, they would die from the poison. No horses were allowed, nor any tools; those who violated the order were executed without mercy. A journey of three hundred *li* in a single day allowed for not a moment’s respite. Once everyone was packed and the route and schedule were finalized, the headcount was taken, the poison swallowed, and the guards filed out of the high walls in an orderly fashion. At the sound of the whistle, the silent colleagues vanished like arrows released from a bow, dissolving into the moonlight. Seeing everyone around him disappear, Bingxu found it very strange. He tugged at Guimao’s sleeve and whispered, “Guimao? Are we... are we free?” Guimao’s heart skipped a beat. He asked in shock, “Free? You even know that word?” “I don’t like those dark little rooms. I don’t like them locking you up. I don’t like them leaving scars on you...” Bingxu looked at him cautiously. Seeing Guimao remain silent, he asked, “Did I say something wrong?” Even a fool could feel resentment? Even a fool wanted to resist? Guimao gave a self-mocking smile. He, on the other hand, had completely accepted his fate, never once considering a day where he could leave Yexing and no longer follow orders. “That day will never come. It’s better if you forget the word ‘freedom’; you’ll suffer less.” Guimao sighed and patted his head. Bingxu submissively enjoyed the touch and nodded. “Okay.” “No time for idle chatter. Follow me.” Guimao gathered his internal energy and leaped onto a tree branch, beckoning to him. “ I won’t wait for you. If you can’t keep up, I’m leaving you behind.” He felt he had already wasted enough time. Having said his piece, he didn't look back and sped off. He hadn't covered much ground when a body suddenly slammed into him from behind, wrapping around him. Guimao’s foot missed its mark, and they both tumbled to the ground. Bingxu held him tightly. “I caught up. Don’t... don’t leave me.” Guimao poked him hard in the forehead, exasperated. “...Dammit. You idiot, that’s not how I meant for you to catch up.” Bingxu let go blankly, his expression still filled with panic. Guimao broke free from his embrace and stood up, feeling a slight stinging pain in his left foot. He moved the joint and realized he had sprained it slightly. Fortunately, the pain was minor; he had dealt with such things often on the road before, so it wasn't a major issue. “Sigh, I’m not leaving you, I’m not leaving you. We need to move, let’s go.” Guimao pulled him up. After painstakingly comforting him, he pinched Bingxu’s cheeks and pulled them into a smile. “It’s your first time out to play. Be a bit happier.” Hearing this, Bingxu gave a foolish grin. Once the journey truly began, they no longer had the energy for jokes. They sprinted through the forests for several days, avoiding towns. The first few days were normal, and they reached the assembly points with room to spare. But as the days wore on, Guimao’s exhaustion became apparent. His strength was failing, and the slight pain in his left ankle had intensified, gradually hindering his pace. Though the injury hadn't been serious at first, the forced exertion of the past few days had caused it to deteriorate. On the night of the sixth day, along the banks of the Luoshui River, Guimao was forced to stop. He leaned against a tree trunk, panting. He calculated the time and knew he wouldn't make it today. Bingxu, unable to control his momentum as he landed, accidentally overshot him by a long distance. Realizing this, he doubled back. “Do you know the way?” Before Bingxu could get close, Guimao spoke first. Bingxu thought seriously and said, “I think it’s along the river.” “You remember... that’s good.” Guimao nodded. He simply sat down against the tree and waved him away. “Then you go on ahead.” Bingxu asked, “Go where?” Guimao replied, “To the assembly point.” Bingxu asked again, “And then?” Guimao had no choice but to explain, “To get the new map, and then continue to the next assembly point until we reach the destination.” Bingxu continued his questioning, “What is there?” Guimao was already utterly exhausted. He leaned against the tree with his eyes closed. “There will be a desert. For the next while, there won't be any of those dark little rooms you hate. You just have to bask in the sun and watch the eagles... maybe you’ll like it.” Bingxu asked softly, “Will you be there?” Guimao choked on his words. Bingxu squatted beside him, hugging his knees. “If you aren't there, I’m not going.” Guimao watched the time slip away, his heart filled with anxiety. He urged, “I can’t watch over you forever. We have to part sooner or later. Just go.” Bingxu refused dryly, “Not going.” “You...” Guimao felt a pang of bitterness. The boy was only thirteen or fourteen; he had so much life ahead of him. Why should he throw it away here? Softening his voice, he tried to coax him. “As long as you think of me often, I’ll come find you in your dreams after you fall asleep.” “Eh?” Bingxu widened his eyes. “The person I see every night... is it really you?” Guimao’s face flushed. He thought, *Wow, you really do dream about me all the time,* but he quickly answered, “It’s me, it’s me. So you don’t need to worry. Even if you can’t see me during the day, I’ll come find you at night.” Guimao calculated that very little time remained and urged him several more times. Bingxu finally nodded and stood up to leave. “Wait,” Guimao said suddenly. Bingxu turned back in confusion. Guimao beckoned to him. “Come here, stand closer. Lower your head... closer.” Bingxu did as he was told and leaned down. Guimao reached out, pressing the back of Bingxu’s neck to bring him lower, and pressed his dry lips against the other’s warm ones. After days of hard travel in the sweltering heat, both of their lips were chapped; the sensation was far from delicate. Guimao couldn't help but flick his tongue out, slowly moistening Bingxu’s lips until they were supple again. Guimao let go of him, but Bingxu still wore a look of bewilderment. “...You don’t understand.” Guimao gave a weary smile, pushing him away as if a great weight had been lifted. “That’s for the best... It’s fine. Go now.” “Okay,” Bingxu replied obediently, turned, and walked away. Guimao listened as the other man’s footsteps grew distant and finally vanished. Only then did he turn his gaze to the opposite bank of the river. A village sat there, dotted with sparse candlelight. Separated only by a stretch of water was the world of ordinary people. Several river lanterns floated on the water, drifting away with the current. After a short while, a few fireworks even rose into the sky, accompanied by the faint sound of firecrackers. Was it a holiday today? Or some kind of celebration? Guimao searched his mind, but his meager knowledge of the world offered no answers. He wanted to go to the other side and ask, but he no longer had the strength to stand. He had less than two hours of life left; he should cherish them and take one last look at the mortal world. Yet he felt only exhaustion, with no heart for lingering attachments. Facing the direction in which Bingxu had departed, Guimao lay down in the tall grass and, accompanied by the fireflies, gradually fell asleep.