This was the most peaceful night Xiao Kun had slept in the past six months.
For some reason, with Xiang Xian by his side, he no longer needed to stay vigilant at all times, guarding against potential enemies who might come knocking or sudden attacks.
But as he slept on the cold ground, he had a strange dream.
Chaosheng was absent from the dream, replaced instead by Sa Luan.
Xiang Xian met up with them, and along the way, Xiao Kun, Xiang Xian, and Sa Luan took the road through Chengdu to Guanjiangkou. The scenery was exactly the same. Soon, Sa Luan started arguing with him.
Xiao Kun was at his wits’ end, constantly soothing Sa Luan, while Xiang Xian was very understanding and did not interrupt their conversation. When they arrived at the inn to rest, Xiang Xian was chased out to sleep on one side of the dining room, while Xiao Kun endured his temper and kept explaining to Sa Luan.
“I don’t want to hear it!” Sa Luan said. “I don’t want to travel with Song People either!”
Xiao Kun could no longer hold back and was about to lash out when—
“Big Brother?” Chaosheng’s voice rang in his ear, instantly healing him. The baleful qi and irritation vanished without a trace.
Chaosheng’s hand rested on Xiao Kun, shaking him a few times before Xiao Kun abruptly woke up.
“What time is it?” Xiao Kun asked, still a bit hungover.
The sky had already brightened. Chaosheng’s hair was half-wet, as if he had just returned from a bath. He kept rubbing Xiao Kun’s head and face, laughing as he said, “Xiang Xian said he’ll take us to see the temple fair later. Hurry and wash up!”
“Still playing?” Xiao Kun’s head throbbed. They had serious business today.
“He’s waiting for you in the bathhouse downstairs,” Chaosheng said. “Hurry up. I’m hungry.”
Xiao Kun was bossed around by Chaosheng as if it were the most natural thing, yet he never got angry. Compared to Sa Luan, Chaosheng’s urging and commands were far better—they were like friends, not superior and subordinate. When Sa Luan gave orders, it was always with an air of bossiness.
Xiao Kun went downstairs to the inn’s backyard, where a bathhouse was set up for guests. No one came early in the morning. He lifted the curtain and entered, immediately spotting Xiang Xian’s ivory-white, naked body.
Xiao Kun undid his belt on one side and sat down to remove his boots. Xiang Xian soaked in the pool, studying him. His beautiful shoulders and back were exposed above the water—clearly the build of someone who trained in martial arts regularly.
Xiao Kun stripped off his clothes and went straight to one side, pulling the bell. Hot water flowed through the bamboo pipe and poured over his head. Xiao Kun’s skin was cool and pale, his muscles brimming with explosive power. Standing under the water, he resembled a white jade statue.
“About what we said last night—it’s settled, right?” Xiao Kun said.
Though Xiang Xian did not want to become Xiao Kun’s subordinate, facing a common enemy, as Shuhu had said, they had to join forces to get through it.
“It’s settled,” Xiang Xian said. “Chief Emissary. But you can’t give me random orders.”
“I won’t give random orders, but as Deputy Emissary, don’t keep playing around,” Xiao Kun said. “We have serious business today.”
“I’m not planning to play.” Xiang Xian replied.
Xiao Kun: “You promised Chaosheng you’d take him to the temple fair? I should remind you, he was like that the first time he met me too. He’ll get bored after a while.”
Xiang Xian: “Oh? Are you jealous? Does it bother you that I stole your little darling? Come here.”
Xiao Kun turned to look at Xiang Xian.
“Come on.” Xiang Xian beckoned him.
“What for?” Xiao Kun finished rinsing off the hot water and eyed Xiang Xian warily.
“I won’t touch you!” Xiang Xian said. “I’m not Chaosheng!”
Xiao Kun entered the pool and sat in the hot water under Xiang Xian’s gaze. Xiang Xian casually stirred the water, channeling spiritual power to make it surge up and splash Xiao Kun full in the face.
Xiao Kun: “!!!”
Xiao Kun merely twisted his hand, and the hot water in the bath pool roared up like a massive wave. Xiang Xian hurriedly shouted, “Stop! Stop!”
Only then did Xiao Kun relent and ask, “Where’s your bird?”
Xiang Xian: “Right here. See?”
Xiao Kun: “That’s not what I meant! Are you sick?! Haven’t sobered up from last night’s wine?”
Xiang Xian burst out laughing and said, “It ran off to play by itself yesterday afternoon. What about that dragon coiled around your waist?”
Xiao Kun thought to himself, What kind of talk is this? At first, he had seen Xiang Xian as a serious person, but the more familiar they became, the harder it was to keep up with his words sometimes.
“Do you always talk like this?” Xiao Kun asked.
“I just think,” Xiang Xian said, “since you want me to follow your lead, shouldn’t we get to know each other better?”
Xiao Kun took a deep breath and sized up Xiang Xian, having to admit he was right.
“The bird is called A Huang,” Xiang Xian said. “I don’t know where it cultivated the True Fire Power. When I was six, I found it near death on the mountain behind my home. I saved its life, and ever since, it’s followed me everywhere.”
“It claims it might be a phoenix, but I don’t think so,” Xiang Xian added.
Xiao Kun: “Have you seen a phoenix?”
Xiao Kun had meant, You’ve never seen a phoenix, so how do you know it’s not? But Xiang Xian’s answer was, “Yes, I have.”
Xiao Kun: “!!!”
Xiang Xian: “After my master passed away, I’ve been searching for the Yao Clan’s Holy Land and traces of the Ba She. A few years ago, I came to Bashu. In the mountains not far from here, demons attacked Fengjie. It’s a long story, but my skills weren’t refined enough back then, and I was injured—quite badly. A young man appeared and saved me. When we parted, he unfurled fiery red wings—phoenix feathers.”
