Chapter 31: Out of the Pass Part 6

Xiang Xian thought it fine—better than camping. He told Xiao Kun, “I’ll buy some materials for the magic treasure.”

“I’ll come with you.” After bathing, Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian emerged refreshed, still scented with soap pods. Shazhou’s nights were cold, but merchants’ enthusiasm burned hot, with Hu Dancing Girls singing and dancing in the market. By Crescent Moon Spring, Central Plains, southern, and Western Regions eateries bustled. Lone men ordered a bowl of wine and steamed lamb, sitting at stalls to watch the Hu Dancing Girls and hear Kucha People play music.

The market was nearing closing. Xiang Xian said, “Lapis lazuli and ruby—merchants from Kubla might have them.”

Xiao Kun accompanied him, wandering without much interest in shopping. It had been ages since he’d strolled a market.

“Look at your bored face,” Xiang Xian said. “Go sit at an eatery and drink.”

“I must be a buzzkill again,” Xiao Kun said. “I don’t like markets.”

Xiang Xian didn’t shop much either; when he did, it was purposeful, usually for food. Now, faced with dazzling gems, he got dizzy picking.

“Last time I wandered Yinchuan, it was with Sa Luan,” Xiao Kun said naturally.

Xiang Xian recalled Xiao Kun’s other worry—Sa Luan had vanished and remained unfound.

“He must have relied on you a lot,” Xiang Xian said. “You were his only support after his kingdom fell.”

Xiao Kun replied, “No, he got fed up with me. He thought I wasn’t doing enough, unreliable.”

“How could that be?” Xiang Xian said.

Xiao Kun suddenly laughed. “Sounds like Chaosheng.”

“Maybe we’ve been together too long.” Xiang Xian laughed too, picked the gems, had Xiao Kun pay, and planned to craft the Echoing Voice Insect that night. They sat at an eatery.

“He wanted me to control a dragon, unleash magical power, spew fire on the Jin Camp Army, slaughter them all.” Xiao Kun sighed. “I told him exorcists can’t do that. No matter our cultivation base, we can’t slaughter mortals for him. But I’d lead troops in battle, protect him, and use my mortal status to guard the Yelu Family with all I had.”

“But he thought it useless.” Xiao Kun said flatly.

Xiang Xian understood: that was a demand the Exiled Young Lord would make. If willing, Xiao Kun could single-handedly charge into ten thousand foes and take Wanyan Zongwang’s head.

But it violated the exorcist rule against meddling in mortal dynasties and wars. Killing one soldier was killing; ten, a hundred, thousand, ten thousand… all killing. One would sink deeper, become a hellish asura, devoured by Demonic Qi.

“If I did that,” Xiao Kun said, “you’d have work. You’d chase me with the Wisdom Sword, chant the Exorcism Incantation, shout ‘Exorcism,’ and scatter my soul.”

Xiang Xian said seriously, “But you didn’t. You held to your heart.”

Xiao Kun fell into thought, fiddling with something between his slender fingers.

“What’s that?” Xiang Xian noticed the new item in Xiao Kun’s hand.

“Nothing.” Xiao Kun had just remembered: Sa Luan had gifted him the Jade-Carved Small Dragon. He’d completely forgotten it these days, so he pulled it out to check if it was lost. It held no Spiritual Power—just a simple street trinket.

“Let me see?” Xiang Xian asked. “A token from some sweetheart? Wasn’t there last time I checked your pouch. Hands off! I’ll get mad!”

Xiao Kun tried to stop him, but Xiang Xian persisted.

Wine arrived. Xiao Kun gave in and handed it over.

“Sa Luan has one just like it,” Xiao Kun asked. “Can we track him with these two trinkets?”

They locked eyes.

Once Xiang Xian knew it was the Young Master’s item, he dropped it. “Ask that after Master reincarnates.”

Xiao Kun burst out laughing. Xiang Xian said, “Always wishing here! Be real—is that possible?”

Xiang Xian laughed too, clinked wine bowls—both faces flushed—then watched the Hu Dancing Girls whirl before the eatery.

The Hu dancing girls twirled gracefully amid the drumbeats and string music. In a fleeting glance, they spotted Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun, the two swordsmen seated under the open sky at a wine table. Xiang Xian had thick brows and large eyes, radiating heroic vigor; Xiao Kun possessed clear brows and bright eyes, with skin as white as snow and gaze deep as the vast ocean. Only the phrase “a pair of jade trees swaying in the wind” could aptly describe them.

Naturally, the Hu dancing girls would not pass up such handsome young lords. One spun right over, draped her arm around Xiao Kun’s neck, and sat on his lap.

Xiao Kun: “…………”

Xiang Xian nearly spat out his wine. The girl then helped herself to Xiao Kun’s wine bowl, took two sips, and leaned down as if to feed it to him mouth-to-mouth. Xiao Kun flailed in panic to dodge her, saying, “I don’t… wait!”

Xiang Xian laughed until he slumped over the table, slapping it repeatedly. When another dancer approached to embrace him, Xiang Xian hurriedly waved her off, signaling that it was enough.

“Young lords, come join us—” The dancers clearly fancied the two of them. Business was business, all about making money, so why not choose the good-looking ones? With Xiao Kun’s striking features, five or six girls swarmed forward to surround him.

Xiang Xian signaled to Xiao Kun to pay up and they could slip away. Xiao Kun hastily pulled out some money, but the lead dancer refused to take the silver for nothing. She grabbed him, insisting he dance with her.

Xiang Xian nearly laughed himself off his feet. “My brother doesn’t know how—watch out, he might step on you!”

Unable to refuse their enthusiasm, Xiao Kun relented. “Fine, fine, just one song.”