On a barren suburban mountain, Xiao Kun confirmed everyone was prepared and activated the Dragon Soaring Jade. Instantly, a pitch-black Ink Dragon burst forth with a boom. Xiang Xian immediately shouted, “Watch out!”
Xiao Kun wanted to test if the dragon still recognized him, but the Ink Dragon roared fiercely, turned, and charged at him. Xiang Xian leaped from the side, shielding Xiao Kun behind him. The Ink Dragon bit Xiang Xian and soared into the air.
“Xiang Xian!” Xiao Kun shouted.
Xiang Xian flew up into the sky, grabbed the Ink Dragon’s horn, and flames exploded around him. The sight was especially eerie—a pitch-black Demonic Dragon carrying Xiang Xian, who shot through the air amid bursts of fire, crashing about everywhere. Chaosheng immediately summoned the Green Branch, and the surrounding trees surged to life, whipping vines toward the sky to entwine the black dragon and drag it down.
Xiang Xian punched the Ink Dragon on the head. The Ink Dragon let out a deafening roar. Xiao Kun activated the glistening Dragon Soaring Jade and pushed it toward the sky. The Ink Dragon and Xiang Xian battled in the air before crashing to the ground with a boom.
Xiang Xian never drew the Wisdom Sword; he did not want to hurt the dragon. Xiao Kun channeled all his Magical Power, creating a massive suction force that formed a vortex. The Ink Dragon instinctively turned to flee but was abruptly sucked back into the jade pendant.
Xiang Xian landed, and Chaosheng withdrew his spell.
Xiao Kun held out his hand and showed Xiang Xian the Dragon Soaring Jade, which had turned pitch-black once more.
Xiang Xian said, “Now you’re the man with a black dragon coiled around your waist.”
“I’m very annoyed, Deputy Emissary. Stop making these boring jokes. What do we do now?” Xiao Kun said.
“Just in time,” Xiang Xian said. “I don’t want you to tire yourself out like this either. Everyone, let’s take the land route to Gaochang. Old Wu, borrow a cart from the Gold Stone Bureau.”
Wu Yingzong went off to borrow the cart. Xiao Kun was truly depressed, but Xiang Xian acted as if nothing had happened and quickly recovered. After all, before he met Xiao Kun, he had traveled back and forth on horseback, and his trip to the Shu Region alone had taken him nearly a month.
Back at the Exorcism Division, A Huang was dozing. He asked, “What happened outside the city just now?”
Xiang Xian waved it off, not wanting to mention it, and said to A Huang, “When will you grow up?”
A Huang: “?”
Xiang Xian: “So everyone can ride you.”
“Scram!” A Huang said angrily. “Even if I grow bigger, I still won’t be able to carry you four!”
Wu Yingzong found a large cart. Just then, the first wave of Central Plains merchant caravans for the spring had set off grandly toward Chang’an, and the cart followed right behind the caravan as it departed.
The inside of the cart was spacious and comfortably furnished, with soft cushions and even a small stove for brewing tea.
“Wow!” Chaosheng said on his first cart trip. “This is so much fun!”
“This is the Gold Stone Bureau’s cart,” Xiang Xian said. “Guo Jing used it when he accompanied the Official Family down to Jiangnan. We have to return it when we’re done, so be careful during fights—don’t smash the cart.”
Xiao Kun felt a bit guilty, but Xiang Xian affectionately draped an arm around him and comforted him. “Once we find the Heart Lamp, we’ll definitely be able to dispel the Demonic Qi from the Magic Treasure. Don’t worry.”
Xiao Kun knew full well the power of the Heart Lamp, but they had only one unverified clue right now. Placing all their hopes on a vague Magic Treasure left him uneasy.
“Fine.” Xiao Kun said, “I’m just worried that if the Demon Race attacks again, with how slow message transmission is these days, we won’t be able to rush back.”
“Who cares.” Xiang Xian had already lain down, pillowing his head on Xiao Kun’s lap. This time, Xiao Kun did not push him away.
As the new year began, spring snow fell in the city. Wu Yingzong sat in the outer seat by the cart door. The cart traveled along the main road out of Kaifeng. Chaosheng stuck his head out the window, curiously peering outside. Along the way, stalls on the streets opened one after another. Xiang Xian volunteered to get down and buy some food for the road, and Xiao Kun agreed.
When they passed West Street, Chaosheng got off again to buy porcelain and ornaments.
By the time they reached outside Xingguo Temple, it was time to get off for lunch.
Further ahead at Liang Gate, many residents from nearby villages and towns had come to Kaifeng, setting up stalls with New Year’s goods, cured meats, and other rural specialties.
Xiang Xian: “Shall we buy some cured meat?”
“I’ll go check it out!” Chaosheng said.
Xiao Kun said seriously, “Master, how about we go home first and stay overnight, then leave tomorrow morning?”
Xiang Xian: “Huh? Why? Did you check the almanac?”
Xiao Kun finally lost his temper. “We’ve been in this cart half the day, and we still haven’t left Kaifeng City! No more getting off! Wu Yingzong! Speed up! Otherwise, if we don’t get out of the city by nightfall, everyone go back to the Exorcism Division and sleep!”
——Volume One: Good Things Come in Pairs—— End——
Volume Two: Great Fortune Awaits
