Chapter 12: Traveling Together Part 2

Xiang Xian studied the boy. He seemed utterly otherworldly, exuding a fresh aura. His eyes sparkled with spirit, his skin gleamed like jade, his lips were softly flushed, his features exquisitely refined, his brows slender and fine. He smiled before speaking, dressed in a short robe of white and green trimmed with a fox-fur vest. As he exited the tent, he rubbed his hands and breathed on them.

An immortal air rushed toward them!

“It’s you! It’s you! The super handsome big brother I saw at Wuhou Temple yesterday!” the youth exclaimed.

Xiang Xian never imagined the Liao Crown Prince would be such a figure.

Xiao Kun woke too. “Your Highness, this is Exorcist Xiang Xian from Bianjing. Xiang Xian, this is Prince Chaosheng.”

“Hello,” Xiang Xian said. “Prince… Chaosheng.”

“Your face looks just as good from the front as from the side!” Freshly awake, Chaosheng was utterly stunned by Xiang Xian. He approached and said, “Yesterday I wanted to talk to you, but I didn’t get the chance.”

“Ah… Your Highness flatters me, flatters me.” Xiang Xian wasn’t fully awake yet. He hadn’t expected such lavish praise at first sight. Then he remembered buying Sugar Oil Fritters yesterday—Xiao Kun and the youth must have been watching nearby.

Xiang Xian stood, feeling oddly tense as he looked at Chaosheng.

Xiao Kun’s expression grew a bit strange.

Chaosheng circled Xiang Xian, appraising him from head to toe.

Xiang Xian said solemnly, “Your Highness is quite handsome yourself.”

“Of course, of course.” Chaosheng looked like he wanted to take Xiang Xian’s hand, so Xiang Xian generously slung an arm around his shoulders and pulled him close. Chaosheng burst into laughter. Xiang Xian said, “Little Highness, you carry an immortal aura. What brings you down to the mortal world?”

“Hey!” Chaosheng yelped delightedly. Xiang Xian found him amusing and pretty, so his heart warmed. He grabbed Chaosheng’s waist to tease him.

“Xiang Xian! Don’t be disrespectful!” Xiao Kun snapped.

Xiang Xian released Chaosheng, but Chaosheng said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Big Brother, are you an Exorcist too?”

“Mm.” Xiang Xian glanced at Xiao Kun and explained proactively, “I’m here tracking the Heart Lamp.”

Chaosheng glanced at Xiao Kun. “You two are friends, right?”

Xiao Kun fell silent, watching them. After a moment, he said, “Let’s eat something first.”

Chaosheng went to the mountain stream to wash up, and Xiang Xian followed. Seeing him wash his face, Xiang Xian cast a Flame Spell to warm the icy winter stream water slightly.

“Thanks.” Chaosheng smiled. This so-called “Liao Crown Prince” proved quite approachable.

Back at camp, Xiao Kun had boiled tea and laid out rations. As Xiang Xian and Chaosheng sat, Chaosheng still gazed at Xiang Xian with a grin.

“You’re a Pure Yang Body, aren’t you?!” Chaosheng suddenly said.

Xiang Xian: “!!!”

Xiang Xian was shocked. Since age seven, traveling the jianghu with his Master Shen Kuo, fewer than the fingers on one hand could discern his true nature at a glance!

“Yes,” Xiang Xian said.

Chaosheng continued, “Wow! That’s the Wisdom Sword on your back, right? Kun-ge? This really is the Wisdom Sword. I get it—he’s the one you mentioned!”

Xiao Kun: “Mm, that’s him.”

Chaosheng pulled back Xiang Xian’s hood. “Why’s there a… Wow! Who are you?”

“He’s not used to strangers,” Xiang Xian said quickly, fearing A Huang might peck Chaosheng. Chaosheng replied, “Okay, okay.” And covered A Huang again.

“Your Highness,” Xiang Xian said suspiciously, eyeing Chaosheng. After a moment, he added, “Forgive my poor eyesight—I can’t tell your origins, but you absolutely can’t be the Liao Crown Prince.”

“Who said he’s the Great Liao Crown Prince?” Xiao Kun said.

Xiang Xian looked utterly baffled. Chaosheng explained with a smile, “I live on Kunlun Mountain. Kun-ge came up to find me…”

Chaosheng gave Xiang Xian the rundown with a grin, and enlightenment dawned.

“Kunlun Mountain! White Jade Palace! You’re an Immortal! Why didn’t you come find me when you came down?!” Xiang Xian’s mind raced. “Come on, Big Brother will take you to Chengdu for some tunes and drinks!”

“Really?!” Chaosheng exclaimed.

Xiao Kun: “……………………”

Xiao Kun took a deep breath. Since descending from White Jade Palace, Chaosheng—naive to the world—had caused plenty of mishaps but always stuck by his side. Xiao Kun went where he would, Chaosheng followed. Of course, Xiao Kun never expected Chaosheng to help; he was honoring his promise to Pi.

He just hadn’t anticipated Chaosheng glomming onto Xiang Xian at first sight!

“Chaosheng!” Xiao Kun said seriously. “What did we agree on? If you don’t listen and run off everywhere, I might have to send you home.”

Chaosheng had tasted mortal delights these past days and had no desire to return to confinement anytime soon. He shuffled toward Xiao Kun, but his upper body leaned toward Xiang Xian. “Next time.”

Xiang Xian replied, “Sure. Big Brother, breakfast ready? That tea’s about to boil dry.”

“I’m not your brother!” Xiao Kun snapped, at the end of his patience.

Song People casually called each other “brother” and “little brother,” which struck Xiao Kun—raised in the Liao Kingdom—as far too intimate.

Xiang Xian had heard Chaosheng’s descent story. Though he’d known Xiao Kun only briefly, he knew the man’s cool exterior hid a warm heart and few words. Xiang Xian, by contrast, excelled at putting people at ease—witty, elegant. A few teasing words, and Chaosheng was utterly smitten.

Xiao Kun silently portioned out breakfast and tea. By the time they finished and he packed the tent into his Five Treasures Bag, Xiang Xian and Chaosheng were already calling each other “brother” and “little brother” affectionately. Xiao Kun watched in helpless exasperation.