Chapter 45: Assault on the City Part 2

Xiang Xian added, “This isn’t a human race war. Barricading is pointless—the enemy are corpses that don’t eat, drink, or sleep. You can’t outlast them.”

Bila Ge said, “Then how can I trust you’ll take out their commander? For your plan, must I send my young men to die?”

“I believe them,” Li Er Man said gruffly. He sipped some milk tea, tea staining his beard. He had witnessed Xiang Xian’s spellcasting power.

Bila Ge spoke a sentence in Uyghur and discussed with Li Er Man. Though the language was incomprehensible, they could guess he still had reservations. Xiao Kun said to Xiang Xian, “Can we find more reinforcements?”

Xiang Xian pondered. Bila Ge had already sent word to Tingzhou, where Yelu Dashi was stationed, borrowing land to restore Liao. He might send troops—Liao Army was under others’ roofs now, unlikely to refuse.

“Send word to Li Qianshun?” Xiang Xian asked. “But the Xia Army is too far. Even forced march takes ten days, and they have Song and Jin to deal with.”

Xiao Kun knew full well that, given the situation, Western Xia wouldn’t send troops.

“What about Kunlun Mountain?” Bila Ge finally voiced their real thought. “Can you ask your sect to send help? To kill that Mr. Liu?”

Chaosheng looked troubled. “Before leaving White Jade Palace, we didn’t arrange contact. Big Brother’s dragon can’t be used either.”

“Dragon?” Bila Ge perked up. “What dragon?”

Xiang Xian shot Xiao Kun a look, pressed his palms together to mimic wings. Xiao Kun understood, stood, and said, “Better to rely on ourselves than others. The Ba Army might not even arrive yet. Your Majesty, think it over carefully—we won’t wait forever. If you won’t cooperate, we’ll have to withdraw to the passes and let Li Qianshun…”

“No need!” After this back-and-forth, Bila Ge realized he couldn’t bluff more aid from the exorcists. He said, “I’ll hold the city. Li Er Man will lead 24,000 infantry and cavalry out to meet the enemy.”

With Bila Ge’s decision made, the rest of the time went to Xiao Kun, Xiang Xian, Li Er Man, and the generals for planning. Xiao Kun set the attack direction and ambush point, then they hurriedly left the royal palace. The five stood firm.

“Can you find Kunlun Mountain?” Xiang Xian asked A Huang.

“Ask the bird—it’ll find it eventually, but might be too late,” A Huang said.

“No matter,” Xiao Kun said. “Do your best.”

Xiang Xian patted A Huang’s head and whispered instructions. Chaosheng marked Kunlun Mountain’s position on the map, wrote a note, and tied it to A Huang’s leg.

“Senior Pi Changge’s lifespan nears its end—he can’t descend,” Xiao Kun said. “But Lord Yu Zhou surely won’t stand by. Chaosheng, Old Wu, Brother Hulü—the city is yours.”

Chaosheng and Wu Yingzong would aid the defense. With the Mountains and Rivers Sheji Map, they could hold off an assault for a moment if needed. Hulü Guang stayed by the Gaochang King’s side, hopefully contributing something while protecting Bila Ge.

After mutual exhortations, Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun mounted Sweat-Blood Treasure Horses, exited the city, and headed to the agreed ambush point.

The sky was overcast. Silence reigned in the Tupan Basin, with rolling hills to the north stark and desolate under the dense clouds.

They returned to the Gobi Cluster where they had previously been ambushed, southeast of Gaochang. Visibility was excellent from the Gobi heights, overlooking several entry points to the basin. Ordinary people struggled to climb it, but for Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun, it was like flat ground.

“Just hope no sandstorm hits again,” Xiao Kun gazed south, where the wind grew stronger, whipping their robes.

“Don’t worry so much—it hasn’t come yet,” Xiang Xian sat on the ground, leaning against a protruding rock.

Xiao Kun still frowned, staring into the distance.

March was peak sandstorm season in the Western Regions. In half a month, they’d hit two already. The wind intensified, baring yellow earth, sand and stones flying.

“If Mr. Ying shows up…”

“Don’t stand in the wind,” Xiang Xian said. “You’ll eat sand.”

Xiang Xian wrapped his face with a scarf. Xiao Kun joined him, sitting shoulder to shoulder. “Later…”

Xiang Xian: “What?”

The gale howled. As the sandstorm rose, it was like a thousand muffled thunders and rolling stones crushing across the earth—conversation impossible. Xiao Kun leaned to Xiang Xian’s ear and said earnestly, “If it goes wrong later, retreat to the city. Don’t be reckless.”

Xiang Xian patted the Wisdom Sword. “Relax—leave it to me. What reward after we succeed?”

Xiao Kun looked at Xiang Xian. “What do you want?”

Xiang Xian grinned. Xiao Kun spread his hands, indicating he had nothing to offer.

“You have to promise me one thing,” Xiang Xian said.

Xiao Kun raised a brow. Xiang Xian balled his fist. Xiao Kun said, “Another thing you haven’t thought of yet? Don’t forget you owe me one.”

“I haven’t forgotten—I’ve already decided,” Xiang Xian said. “I’ll tell you details later.”

Xiao Kun fist-bumped him, sealing the promise.

“About to draw your sword again—no problem?” Xiao Kun said seriously. “Every time the Wisdom Sword comes out, I feel like you’ll kill me too.”

“So dodge,” Xiang Xian said. “Look how sensible Old Wu is.”

Xiao Kun: “Why? I’m not like Old Wu—you really can’t tell me apart?”

Xiang Xian: “Don’t risk it, good Big Brother. You’re already special enough to me. Don’t pull an Old Wu and force-feed jealousy.”

“What’s that got to do with jealousy?” Unable to resist teasing, Xiao Kun grabbed Xiang Xian’s collar and pressed him down. Xiang Xian yelped “ow ow.” Suddenly, Xiao Kun’s heart stirred—he realized he’d truly been a bit jealous earlier. He just wanted to be the most special one to Xiang Xian.

Xiang Xian pried his hand off and hooked arms with him. Dissatisfied, Xiao Kun pushed him back a bit.

Xiang Xian said, “The six emotions whirl like a turbulent sea, trapping all beings without release. I remain unmoved as a mountain. Only by purging mortal desires when drawing the sword can I unleash its demon-slaying might. Otherwise, try kissing me? Awaken my mortal heart?”

Xiao Kun: “Scram!”

Xiang Xian burst out laughing.

In the city inn, Chaosheng practiced spells while Wu Yingzong tidied up and watched. Chaosheng conjured flowers from his hands several times, then dispersed them. With each release of spiritual power, ghostly green leaves scattered around.