Chapter 40: Drought Fiend Army Part 1

Knowing that Xiang Xian was temporarily safe, Xiao Kun finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The sky gradually brightened. They were still nearly a hundred li from the Tianshan Mountains, and his companions had all woken up. Xiao Kun released Zheng Yong and asked him clearly about the terrain of the Southern Foothills.

Now freed from Jing Pian Ge, Zheng Yong’s sense of fear lessened somewhat.

“Your Highness,” Zheng Yong tried his best to control his trembling as he said, “The Southern Foothills have a graveyard from the great Western Regions battle in the Han era, the very place General Jing mentioned where you would awaken the brothers.”

“Do not call me Your Highness.” Xiao Kun replied, “Without the Great Si Ming Flute, how could the brothers in the graveyard complete their transformation?”

Zheng Yong steadied his mind and answered, “They have long since become War Dead Corpse Ghosts, the secret Forbidden Army under General Jing’s command. They merely slumbered in the graveyard year-round.”

Xiao Kun nodded, thinking to himself that his father had actually left behind such a contingency. But who was this contingency meant to counter?

“Mr. Liu has already come out searching for us. So after gathering the troops, how do we find the entrance to the Earth Abyss?” Xiao Kun asked again.

“It is on a cliff,” Zheng Yong said. “After reaching the Kucha Region, follow the canyon northward all the way into the mountains, and you will see it along the path. It cannot be missed.”

Xiao Kun looked at Zheng Yong and said after a moment, “From now on, I will not take you back into the Demon-Suppressing Banner for a while, but if you slip away midway to send word, do not blame me for being ruthless.”

“Yes, yes!” Zheng Yong said.

Xiao Kun did not ask further about what Zheng Yong had done in Gumo City or how he had bewitched the Grand Vizier, as those were far from the pressing matters at hand. There would be time to interrogate him slowly later.

“Come, stand up,” Xiao Kun said as he walked toward Hulü Guang, who sat not far away. “Let me take a look at your Heart Lamp.”

Chaosheng was wrapped in a blanket, drinking water in the cold morning air. He had already discussed this with Hulü Guang, but Hulü Guang had never cultivated and knew nothing about concepts like Inner Elixirs, Magical Power, or Meridians. He listened in complete confusion.

“Unless in a very urgent state, such as when a companion or he himself is in mortal danger, he can hardly activate the Heart Lamp of his own accord,” Chaosheng said. “On the downside, his Meridians are blocked and cannot release Magical Power.”

“And on the upside?” Xiao Kun placed his right hand on Hulü Guang’s back. Hulü Guang stood straighter and was slightly taller than Xiao Kun. Though ignorant on every question, he had an upright posture and handsome features. When silent, he exuded the transcendent air of a dashing young hero.

“Uh… on the upside, at least the Heart Lamp has not fallen into enemy hands,” Chaosheng said.

Xiao Kun infused his own Magical Power into Hulü Guang’s Meridians. Suddenly, it jolted violently, and the Heart Lamp rebounded along with his power, faintly poised to scorch him. Xiao Kun had suffered once before and knew his Half-Demon Body was extremely vulnerable to being slain by the Heart Lamp or Wisdom Sword, so he immediately withdrew.

“Can you teach him?” Xiao Kun said. “To bring out even one-tenth—no, half a tenth—of the Heart Lamp’s power. After all, we will soon face a Demon General in battle.”

Zheng Yong watched worriedly from the side, assessing the overall strength of the group.

“I think not,” Chaosheng said.

Wu Yingzong said, “He does not even understand the Zhou Tian Meridian Spiritual Qi circulation. All his martial arts and skills are innate talents, with no proper cultivation of martial arts. Chaosheng taught him a method to circulate qi, but it must be practiced gradually; it cannot be rushed.”

Xiao Kun observed Wu Yingzong and Chaosheng, keenly sensing that they were no longer as intimate as before. They did not even look at each other when speaking. Something felt off, but now was not the time to inquire about others’ relationships, so he let it be for the moment.

Xiao Kun sighed. Hulü Guang’s expression was extremely uneasy; from the start, he had felt he had done something wrong.

“Can it be taken out?” Hulü Guang said. “It is too wasted on me. Give it to you all, and it can actually help.”

“No,” Chaosheng said regretfully. “The Heart Lamp will only leave on the day you die.”

Wu Yingzong said nothing, only watching as Chaosheng comforted Hulü Guang.

Xiao Kun felt quite helpless but still clung to a sliver of hope as he asked, “Chaosheng, are you certain?”

“Yes,” Chaosheng answered. “The Heart Lamp is a power of the soul. In other words, the Heart Lamp now resides in his Life Soul.”

Hulü Guang fell into a difficult dilemma and said, “I… if it really cannot be done… I… let me see Master one more time, then I can…”

“What are you thinking!” Xiao Kun saw Hulü Guang’s hand press on his Broken Knife and sensed something amiss. He used his Nether Eyes to peer into Hulü Guang’s mind—Hulü Guang was actually hesitating over whether to commit suicide and release the Heart Lamp!

Wu Yingzong was also shocked and stood up. “Hulü Brother, do not do anything rash.”

Chaosheng: “What is it?”