"Dong dong dong." The annoying knock on the door rang again. "Brother Jonah, are you okay? You have been in the bathroom for forty minutes. Do you need help? Is it the legendary constipation... No wonder I just saw it Your face is pale, your lips are dull, you are dizzy and palpitating, you are tired and timid, and your tongue is pale and has a thin coating. It must be constipation caused by weakness and qi deficiency. My family’s ancestral acupuncture technique is to use the Dachangshu, Rei, Sanjiao, and Kidney meridian points. .Replenish qi and blood, moisturize the intestines and relieve constipation. No pricking or pooping. Once pricked, you will feel relieved and can’t stop defecating.”
Asai's voice buzzed like a fly. Jonah was surprised that he didn't find this Oriental so annoying until now. "No need. I'm not constipated. I'm just thinking about something. I'll go out right away." Astrologer The apprentice stood up and walked to the wash basin. He poured cold water on his face. The person in the mirror looked weak and haggard. Jonah patted his face and tried to cheer up.
He opened the door and walked out of the bathroom. Asai was sitting at the coffee table enjoying the night with a glass of drink. When he heard him coming out, he turned around and said with a smile: "Come and be happy. This juice is very delicious. I don't know what fruit it comes from. .”
Jonah forced a smile and said, "Didn't you remind me to be more vigilant on the way? Why did I start eating and drinking so much when I came here?" As he said that, he walked over and sat across from the Oriental and picked up a glass of golden juice. took a sip.
"I'm well prepared. Poisons and the like are my specialty. I won't eat myself to death." Asai blinked. "Besides, you forgot what happened at the banquet. Now the father and son are tit for tat, fighting over each other. Pull you to your side. No one would be stupid enough to poison your food at this time."
The apprentice astrologer put down the glass and said strangely: "Why don't I remember anything?"
The Oriental grinned, showing his neat white teeth: "Brother Jonah, you drank too much. As soon as the main dish of roasted peacock was served, dignitaries from both factions began to come over to toast you one by one. I held back a few drinks for you. But I can't stand you, a solid-eyed guy, so you take the initiative to drink it down... You fell down before the dessert was served. Tsk tsk. Frozen strawberry mousse cake wow... Don't worry. I'll eat it for you. Why don't you be hospitable. The owner will be sad."
"Two factions. Which two factions?" Jonah asked confusedly. He really didn't retain any memory at all. The scene of the banquet became chaotic after eating the salad.
"The emperor's faction and the auxiliary minister's faction." Asai explained. "There seems to be some disagreements within Tochara now. The imperial power has been divided. Emperor Isaibaink, supported by Prince Harimaya, is the king in name but has military power. He is firmly controlled by the auxiliary minister, the prince, and the governor of the Guards, Herhemias. Our mayor is a supporter of this person. Don't look at the mayor bragging about the wisdom of His Majesty the Emperor and the power of his father along the way. .In fact, the relationship with the old prince was so tense that it was on the verge of breaking out. They almost got into a fight over a peacock leg at the dinner table."
Having said this, Jonah had a vague impression. "Oh, yes, yes. The person sitting on this side of the table seems to be a friend of Prince Emil Shakal of Harimaya. And the people sitting across the table are the mayor of the town, Du... A guest invited by Shakar."
"The whole dining table was filled with electric sparks." The Oriental clapped his hands happily and laughed. "It's a pity that I didn't see them fighting. I thought the battle between father and son would turn into a gorgeous group fight."
"Did I say anything I shouldn't have said?" the astrologer's apprentice asked guiltily.
"No, no. No matter who sincerely invites you to join the relevant camp, you say thank you with a blushing face, and then nothing more happens. You are really a master of Tai Chi." Asai gave a thumbs up.
"Do Tai Chi."
"A kind of martial art from the East...you wouldn't understand it even if I told you about it."
"Oh. Then why did the mayor send us to Harimaya Manor? It's not his father's territory." Yona scratched his head.
The Easterner narrowed his eyes: "Do you think that a steam puppet carriage as precious as the 'Midnight Star' can be controlled by a small mayor? The destination was decided by the old prince a long time ago. The mayor thought shamelessly along the way To build a good relationship with us, you just want to show some favor."
"That's it. The world of adults is really complicated." Jonah sighed unconsciously. Then he realized that this sentence was too childish. He blushed and said: "No. I mean..."
"You're right. The world of adults is too complicated." Unexpectedly, Asai actually agreed. He nodded seriously: "It would be great if I could go back to when I was ten years old. In addition to practicing killing techniques and playing. No need to do anything. No need to think about anything..."
"."
The apprentice astrologer felt as if he heard something extraordinary. He also suspected that it was just an auditory hallucination. "...Uh, by the way, Asai. I still don't know your true occupation. What do you do for a living?" he asked weakly.
"In terms of profession, I can barely be considered a thief." The Oriental thought for a while and answered frankly. "I'm just a lazy type. Business is bleak. I'll make do with it so I don't go hungry."
"Oh, oh." Jonah responded. He hugged his deerskin bag unconsciously. Asai laughed. "Don't be afraid. Brother Jonah, I already know exactly what's in your bag. I admit it. Curiosity is my biggest weakness. But it is my rule of life not to attack my friends. Well... although I am indeed very interested in the magic genie in the bottle."
Jonah didn't know what to say. He could only laugh awkwardly.
We chatted until late at night. Orientals are good chat partners. Jonah felt that his mood had calmed down a lot. He couldn't help but feel sleepy. He stretched out. "Stop talking about sleep. There are big things tomorrow." "Asai immediately stood up and closed the window. He took out spare sheets and bedding from the closet.
"What's going to happen tomorrow?" The astrologer's apprentice was out of the situation again.
"Selections," Asai said. "Two selections will be held simultaneously in the Golden City tomorrow afternoon: the selection of royal warriors invited by Emperor Isaiah Bayink to those with abilities, and the selection of the Guards held by Prince Herhemias. Skills competition. You make your choice. I will listen to you. Choose one of the two. This is obviously an attempt to undermine each other. His Majesty the Emperor is really tolerant... Forget it, go to bed." He hugged the quilt and walked towards the door of the bedroom. .
"Asai, where are you going? This bed is very big. Just sleep together at night." Yona asked blankly.
The oriental man turned around and smiled: "Hehe. It's really an invitation that's hard to refuse... But I'd better go to the second bed and sleep. I'm not a good sleeper." He walked to the wall and opened a door with the same color pattern as the wall. He walked in through the small door. "The second bedroom is so luxurious. It's really... Brother Jonah, good night." He waved his hand and closed the door of the second bedroom.
The astrologer's apprentice had no idea that there was another bedroom. He was suddenly startled. Only then did he realize that the invitation just now seemed a bit ambiguous. He blushed and wanted to explain. The next room was already silent. "...Forget it. It's time to go to sleep." Jonah stood for a while, then jumped onto the soft and comfortable big bed. He put on the pajamas he had prepared and got into bed.
"It's strange. When I'm with Asai, I always fall asleep first. I've never seen him sleeping." He muttered to himself. Suddenly, in Yona's mind, Rose was covered in blood. The miserable situation. He wrapped his hands and feet tightly in the duvet and secretly exposed his eyes. Staring at the dark window. Behind the white gauze curtain. The sparse starlight illuminated the dark garden. Is there someone covered in blood there? The woman stood quietly among the flowers and peered at herself.
I don't know how long it took to be frightened. I finally fell into a deep sleep. I opened my eyes again. It was dawn. Asai opened the curtains with a "swish" sound. He stood in the sunshine in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and squinted his eyes comfortably: "Get up quickly. .Brother Jonah, a beautiful day has just begun.”
"Good morning... I hope it's a nice day." The astrologer's apprentice muttered, rubbing his eyes.
While enjoying a sumptuous breakfast, the father and son appeared at the table again at the same time. Prince Harimaya calmly told Jonah that a four-wheeled carriage with the royal emblem had been prepared for the two of them. It was at the ready 24 hours a day. The coachman knew the streets and alleys of the Golden City very well, especially the roads leading to the Hall of Valor, the venue for the selection of the Golden Warriors. The mayor, with a smile on his face, invited them to visit the most beautiful place in Bactria. One of the famous tourist attractions, "Rewind Valley" is every man's dream paradise. Both sides of this 4,000-yard-long street are lined with steam baths and essential oil massage rooms. People from all corners of the world, different nationalities, and different skin colors The strange young female technicians solemnly swore in front of Luta, the god of fertility, that they would help guests from far away wash away the dust on their bodies and restore their male prowess... In addition, the Guards Fighting Competition was held not far away.
Although Asai was a little moved by the mayor's proposal, Jonah still chose to accept the prince's kindness. Half an hour later, the two people sat in a black four-wheeled carriage and stared at each other. Four strong horses were chattering. There was a loud hiss and the wheels began to roll forward.
"Is it fun to ride in a carriage?" The Easterner glared at the astrologer's apprentice. "I haven't had enough rides along the way. Isn't it logical to take a shower along the way when I'm tired?"
Jonah asked back: "You haven't told me yet. Why do we have to participate in the trials."
Asai was stunned. "Well... you know, I'm going to the Vedic Kingdom to do something. Now the roads between the two countries are under full martial law. You have to have a military title to get close to the border. So... right." "
"You can attend by yourself. I still have my own things to do. I can't accompany you to Veda." Jonah said strangely.
"It's a little... difficult to pass the test with my current strength..." Dongfangren said a little embarrassedly. "In short, there is no harm. No matter what you want to do, having a military background is always a good thing."
The astrologer apprentice shook his head and said nothing more. Before setting off, he instructed the coachman to drive the carriage in the direction of the Astrology Association. There is an astrology tower inside the Golden City. He can find the long-lost intimacy there and even find Keshava. News from teachers...if the association hasn't evacuated yet.