All these years, he had sought a “companion,” or perhaps a “comrade-in-arms”?
A Huang was a good friend, but different; Wu Yingzong was like an elder brother, loyal and privy to nearly all his thoughts, yet ultimately unable to empathize fully with his actions and life; the newly met little brother Chaosheng was pure and innocent, an Immortal unbound by cares, free as a bird.
Zhao Gou, Guo Jing—scanning the world, none were his true confidants.
“Having a bosom friend in life is so difficult,”
Master Shen Kuo had said in life.
Xiang Xian naturally felt affinity toward young exorcists, but among noble heirs, few drew close to him—let alone equals who could cross blades. During this time with Xiao Kun, Xiang Xian suddenly found the loneliness since his master’s death miraculously dissipated—Xiao Kun was an excellent partner, stern and unsmiling usually, yet he understood him. They shared uncanny rapport in many matters; some things needed no words for mutual comprehension.
In other words, Xiao Kun was his comrade. They fought side by side, evenly matched, harboring similar ideals. Not yet “bosom friends,” but “comrades-in-arms” fit perfectly.
Of course, their rapport extended to stubbornness too—Xiang Xian wouldn’t alter his plans for Xiao Kun, nor would Xiao Kun yield to him.
He needed some way to trick him into going back. Without Shuhu’s prophecy, Xiang Xian would have dragged Xiao Kun into sworn brotherhood; it was the first time he’d met someone so kindred. But after Shuhu’s words, they couldn’t help recalling “falling in love with each other,” filling them with awkwardness.
Xiang Xian’s mind swirled with chaotic thoughts as he leaned by the window and unwittingly fell asleep.
In his dream, clad in golden armor radiating blinding light, he hovered high above the massive Heavenly Demon Palace. Surging Demonic Qi roiled, the sun during the Solar Eclipse emitting pale beams.
The colossal Heavenly Demon manifested, extending giant claws to seize the Heaven-Earth Veins. It began to quake and roar.
“Now,” Xiao Kun’s voice said. “Xiang Xian! Strike!”
Xiang Xian gasped violently, drew the Moon Eclipse Bow, nocked a Vajra Arrow, and aimed at the Demon Person Xiao Kun entwined in the Heavenly Demon’s chest and abdomen. Xiao Kun exerted all his power to restrain the Heavenly Demon’s movements, tearing open the flesh before its chest. Blood and flesh sprayed, revealing a throbbing indigo heart—and at its center, the Demon Seed wreathed in black Qi.
“No… I can’t,” Xiang Xian trembled. “I can’t do it, Xiao Kun…”
“Loose the arrow,” Xiao Kun said gravely. “You can do it, Xiang Xian!”
The Vajra Arrow streaked a brilliant trail like a meteor in the night, hurtling toward Xiao Kun.
Xiang Xian jolted awake.
“Big Brother.” Chaosheng nudged him. Xiang Xian opened his eyes to find daylight streaming in.
A cloak draped over him—Xiao Kun’s deep blue martial robe.
“I fell asleep here without realizing,” Xiang Xian said. “What time is it? Where’s Xiao Kun?”
Wu Yingzong was packing luggage in the room. “Lord Xiao has already left.”
“This is it? He just left?” Xiang Xian’s temper flared up all at once. He hadn’t even said goodbye. When he returned to his room to check, it was completely empty—Xiao Kun had taken all his belongings.
“Master, didn’t you chat with Lord Xiao last night?” Wu Yingzong had assumed Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun had talked through the night.
“No,” A Huang answered for Xiang Xian. “Your master drank alone all night.”
Xiang Xian: “A Huang!”
Xiao Kun had left without a word like that. A moment later, Xiang Xian had no choice but to say, “Let’s go. We need to set off too.”
Wu Yingzong went out to hire a carriage. With heavy snow falling thickly at year’s end, Chaosheng sat inside the carriage, watching Xiang Xian. Though Xiang Xian’s expression showed no joy or anger, everyone could sense his foul mood.
Chaosheng suddenly said, “I don’t want to go to Kaifeng anymore. How about we head to Gaochang instead?”
Xiang Xian said, “Why should we accommodate him? We must go home.”
“Alright… alright.” It was the first time Chaosheng had been rebuffed by Xiang Xian, so he didn’t dare speak further.
Wu Yingzong said, “By the time we reach Kaifeng, it’ll probably be just before the seventh day of the first lunar month.”
“Mm.” Xiang Xian replied.
Wu Yingzong: “Master, shall we find a place to celebrate the New Year along the way?”
“Whatever.” Xiang Xian simply lay down.
“Why did Big Brother just leave like that?” Chaosheng didn’t understand.
“No reason,” Xiang Xian said. “He must’ve found me annoying.”
Chaosheng: “He got annoyed because I kept asking so many questions.”
“You’re not annoying,” Xiang Xian said to Chaosheng. “You’re very cute, Chaosheng.”
“Why did you two fight?” Chaosheng asked.
Xiang Xian had originally planned to brush it off with some excuse, but after thinking for a moment, he said seriously, “We fought because we care about loyalty and friendship.”
Chaosheng: “???”
Xiang Xian: “Between friends, you always hope the other person values you a little more. That’s all it is.”
Chaosheng nodded as if he half-understood. Xiang Xian let out a long sigh and said, “Old Wu, take a look at the map. Let’s pick a spot along the way…”
At that moment, a dragon’s roar echoed from the sky.
The carriage came to a halt. The driver, scared out of his wits, jumped down from his seat and knelt by the roadside.
Xiang Xian flung open the carriage curtain and rushed out, only to see Xiao Kun riding the Golden Dragon, hovering three feet off the ground.
Xiao Kun: “Come on up. I’ll take you back to Kaifeng.”
