Chapter 50: Departing the Mountain Part 1

Xiang Xian finally understood why Mu Qingshan always looked half-asleep.

If it had been him, he would have been sleepy too. He could no longer distinguish between dream and reality. After that night, he began to waver and doubt the scene before him, often immersing himself in the experiences of his first life. Those memories flashed through his mind like a lantern show.

This led to him tossing and turning all night after parting with Xiao Kun, unable to fall asleep.

Xiao Kun did not ask much. After bringing Xiang Xian back, he silently returned to his own room. The next day, Xiang Xian arrived at the corridor looking exhausted and haggard. He lingered outside Xiao Kun’s door, hesitating whether to knock.

Xiao Kun had already heard the footsteps and came out to open the door. The two men faced each other.

“Didn’t sleep well?” Xiao Kun asked.

“Mm.” The moment he saw Xiao Kun, Xiang Xian regained a bit of his energy. There were still many things to do that day. He had not slept a wink the night before, and his mind had been full of Xiao Kun as he tossed and turned. Crucially, the dream had cut off halfway, and he did not even know the ending.

This made Xiang Xian want to get up in the middle of the night, rush to the Ten Thousand Flowers Pool, and shake Mu Qingshan awake to continue it.

However, in the instant he locked eyes with Xiao Kun, the sorrow from his past life was swept away by an invisible force.

We are still together. After experiencing all this, so what?

Xiang Xian suddenly saw through it all.

He had always been one to let go easily. When his master Shen Kuo passed away, he did not grieve to the point of despair. He simply observed mourning diligently and bid farewell to this most important loved one. Perhaps it was because he had long accepted the truths of life’s fleeting gatherings and separations, and the endless cycle of birth and growth from a young age. Or perhaps it was simply his nature—to cherish the present rather than cling to the past with unwillingness.

In that life’s dream realm, Xiao Kun had paid the price of demonization to become an undercover agent, finding the Heavenly Demon Palace and opening the passage for them. Now, he absolutely could not let him take risks again.

On the contrary, Xiao Kun appeared more fatigued than him. He had been nearly silent all morning, lost in thought.

“What did you see?” Xiao Kun asked.

“It’s not important,” Xiang Xian dispelled the fog and clouds in his heart, striving to return his tone to normal. “At least we’re still alive.”

“That serious?” Xiao Kun also tried to appear relaxed. “Let me guess—in our previous life, who died in the end?”

Xiang Xian said, “Once we’re back, let’s find time to talk properly.”

Xiao Kun stopped in his tracks and looked into Xiang Xian’s eyes, wanting to say something but holding back.

“Alright.” Xiao Kun finally said.

Xiang Xian habitually reached out to clap Xiao Kun on the shoulder, and the two returned to the Main Hall. Wu Yingzong was setting out breakfast on the table. It was Chaosheng’s first night back home, and he had gotten up full of energy after a good sleep.

“Ah?” Chaosheng noticed that his companions were all utterly exhausted. “What’s wrong with everyone?”

Hulü Guang looked completely drained; he had practiced all night, and his beard had grown quite a bit more. Wu Yingzong’s eyes were deeply sunken, as if he were trapped in a difficult dilemma. Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun said nothing, numbly staring at the steamed buns on the table.

“No one slept well?” Chaosheng asked worriedly. “It can’t be that bad, right? Was the bed at home too hard?”

Mu Qingshan arrived last. He walked into the White Jade Palace’s Main Hall as if sleepwalking. His gaze briefly focused, sweeping over Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun, before he said, “I’m hungry. Can we eat now?”

“Everyone, eat up.” Pi Changge was in high spirits. He arrived at the Main Hall with Yuzhou. As the host, he asked again, “Did everyone stay up late last night? Any worries on your minds?”

Several people dragged out their responses in weak, listless voices.

Pi Changge: “No matter how big the issue, it’s nothing compared to life and death.”

Chaosheng said happily, “Exactly, Big Brothers! Don’t look so down—buck up!”

“Got it!” Hulü Guang responded first, shaking off his fatigue.

Pi Changge: “See? I’m almost dead, and I’m still full of energy.”

Chaosheng: “Don’t always say that!”

Xiang Xian could not help but smile wryly. It seemed half of Chaosheng’s personality had been taught by Pi Changge.

“What are your plans next?” Pi Changge asked again.

“Back to Kaifeng,” Xiao Kun said. “Organize the current information, gather our available forces, and analyze the location of the Heavenly Demon Palace.”

Xiang Xian nodded and added, “There’s still over a year until the day of the Shuhu Prophecy. After that year passes, King Mu will launch a major offensive on the human world, and we still don’t know much about the Heavenly Demon.”

At least they had made progress for now, which was good news. As for King Mu himself, Xiao Kun had more questions to investigate. And to confront the Heavenly Demon, their current strength was far from sufficient. Recalling Shuhu’s prophecy, Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun often could not determine whether the “two years” Shuhu mentioned was an overview or precise.

Chaosheng said, “I’ll go help them.”

Pi Changge nodded. “Having a goal is always good.”

Mu Qingshan: “Last night, I promised Chaosheng that from now on, I’ll act together with you all.”

Great! Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun thought simultaneously. Observing Wu Yingzong’s expression, he did not seem particularly concerned about the friendship between Chaosheng and Mu Qingshan.

Hulü Guang said to Mu Qingshan, “Can I ride you sometime?”

Mu Qingshan said loudly, “What do you think?!”

Hulü Guang: “I think yes.”

Mu Qingshan: “…”

Xiao Kun quickly changed the subject: “Our mounts were demonized, and we still don’t know how to resolve it.”