Chapter 25: Stand-in Part 3

Xiang Xian blinked blankly. “What?”

Xiao Kun: “He has over ten concubines at home—why come to a place like this?”

Xiang Xian: “Wildflowers are sweeter than home ones.”

Xiao Kun: “We’re tracking a demon, right?”

Xiang Xian: “Yeah, why?”

Xiao Kun: “Do you think the Heavenly Demon Society would patronize a brothel?”

Xiang Xian had only intended to cut through the back courtyard of Ting Hua Lou as a shortcut, but Xiao Kun’s words made him want to tease. Putting on a serious face, he said, “Big Brother, wouldn’t you feel guilty wasting such a fine night?”

“Scram!” Xiao Kun dodged Xiang Xian’s attempt to pinch his cheek and immediately pinned him down. At that moment, Xiang Xian’s bell rang again—this time vibrating wildly.

Both men froze. Xiang Xian said, “North—toward Yuwang Platform!”

Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian leaped down to the street one after the other and dashed toward Yuwang Platform. But in an instant, the Demon Shaking Bell on the waist badge fell silent.

“Very close,” Xiang Xian said gravely.

Xiao Kun gripped his Tang Dao and scanned left and right from the street. The area consisted mostly of ordinary homes, filled with laughter and fully lit.

“Any special places nearby?” Xiao Kun asked.

Xiang Xian: “Exorcism Division to the north, Gold Stone Bureau to the west, Dali Temple to the east, Longting Lake to the south past Qingping Street.”

Xiao Kun walked toward the distant darkness, through a lampless alley, then looked around—no sounds.

“This guy’s already onto us searching for it,” Xiao Kun said. “It’s toying with us.”

“Not necessarily,” Xiang Xian said. “What if it’s just busy?”

At that moment, A Huang flew back and landed on Xiang Xian’s shoulder.

“Not in the palace either,” A Huang said.

Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun fell silent for a moment. Xiao Kun said, “Back to the Division. I need to check the map. Tomorrow’s departure is on hold for now.”

Upon returning to the Exorcism Division, Xiang Xian called, “Old Wu!”

The Division was utterly quiet—no response.

Xiao Kun instantly sensed something wrong and strode inside. The hall stood empty; in the rooms, clothes were packed away by nearly half.

“Chaosheng?!” Xiao Kun grew tense. After all, when leaving the White Jade Palace, he had been personally entrusted by Pi Changge as Chaosheng’s sole guardian.

“Maybe out watching fireworks,” Xiang Xian said quickly. “Don’t panic… A Huang, check by the lake?”

A Huang: “Let me drink some water first!”

A Huang had flown all night without rest and felt the two were overreacting, but Xiang Xian kept urging him to go find them, so he flew off again.

Xiao Kun opened the main gate and asked the two stone lions outside.

“Has anyone come by?” Xiao Kun asked.

“No—” the stone lions answered in unison.

Xiang Xian: “Did Old Wu take Chaosheng out?”

“Yes!” the stone lions replied together.

Xiang Xian signaled Xiao Kun not to worry—they had probably just gone out to play. Xiao Kun relaxed slightly, returned to the hall, and examined the map of Kaifeng City.

“We sensed Demonic Qi here last night.” Xiao Kun marked north of Longting Lake.

“Exactly,” Xiang Xian said. “Gao Qiu’s residence, Cai Mansion, Li Mansion, and Guo residence were there. We never suspected Guo Jing then, but today confirms it—the Demonic Qi came from the Guo residence, no doubt.”

Xiao Kun nodded and said, “Today it was near Yuwang Platform. What happened here?”

Xiang Xian ran a hand through his hair, sat on the main couch, and lit the still-warm brazier to brew tea, handing a lacquered bowl to Xiao Kun. Xiao Kun took it and sat before the couch, lost in thought.

Fireworks launched outside amid cheers from the city’s populace.

Half a shichen after the fireworks ended, Wu Yingzong and Chaosheng had yet to return.

A Huang flew into the main hall and saw Xiang Xian pillowed on Xiao Kun’s lap, nearly asleep. He smacked Xiang Xian awake with a wing.

A Huang: “Wake up! Trouble! No sign of them—I asked all the birds in Kaifeng, none saw them.”

Xiang Xian jolted awake, realizing the gravity.

“Old Wu would never betray us,” Xiang Xian said.

“I believe it,” Xiao Kun replied. When he and Wu Yingzong first met, he had read the ape demon’s mind with his Nether Eyes and knew he was as pure and kind as Xiang Xian described.

Dawn broke, and the Department Envoy and Deputy Emissary had already sat in the Exorcism Division for an entire night.

Not long before:

“Lord Tong has arrived! Lord Tong has arrived!” the Stone Lions at the door called out.

Wu Yingzong was packing his luggage and chatting idly with Chaosheng when he heard this. He stopped his actions and glanced at Chaosheng.

“Who is Lord Tong?” Chaosheng asked curiously.

Wu Yingzong showed a puzzled expression. This was Tong Guan’s first time coming to the Exorcism Division. He immediately signaled for Chaosheng to wait a moment and went out to open the door personally.

Tong Guan had come lightly equipped that day, bringing only two attendants. After Wu Yingzong opened the door, Tong Guan said loudly, “Imperial decree! Summon Exorcism Division’s Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian to receive it!”

Wu Yingzong knew it was the document for Xiao Kun’s appointment. He hurriedly bowed and replied, “Lord Xiao and the Master are out on business and have not returned. Please come inside for tea, Lord Tong.”

Tong Guan sized up Wu Yingzong and said coldly, “Never mind. Take it first for now. Have him go to the palace tomorrow to give thanks.”

One of his attendants took the imperial decree with both hands and handed it to Wu Yingzong.

Chaosheng was still in the hall at that moment and curiously came out to look. Full of doubt, his expression suddenly changed.

Tong Guan turned toward Chaosheng, and Chaosheng shouted, “Big Brother! He’s the one who…”

But it was already too late. The moment Wu Yingzong received the decree, black qi swept out. Wu Yingzong realized he had been schemed against and swiftly drew back, shouting, “Chaosheng! Get out of here!”

Chaosheng might not understand worldly affairs, but he was no fool at all. He immediately knew the two of them were in danger. He shook out a magic treasure—a tree branch flickering with green light—and was about to release his magical power when Tong Guan said coldly, “Kunlun Master Li Chaosheng, put down your Green Branch, or I’ll kill him right here.”