Chapter 32: Western Regions Part 4

Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian sat facing each other by the window. The old woman brought out flatbreads and steamed buns for them to eat. Xiao Kun did not want to impose and politely declined at first, then wiped his face a few times.

Half an hour later, the wind and sand gradually subsided. The sandstorm had come quickly and left just as fast, and the sky cleared.

“We’re not far from Gaochang City now.” Xiao Kun examined the map.

Xiang Xian: “Once we reach Gaochang, I want a proper meal. Right now, even looking at these steamed buns makes me want to burp. I can’t eat any more.”

Their journey so far could only be described as “sharing joys and hardships.” The gifts Chaosheng had received in Chang’an were still not finished, even after eating them all this time.

Chaosheng cracked the door open a sliver. A Huang peered out and flew off first. Though small gusts of sand still blew, visibility had returned. Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun came out too, and Xiang Xian kept spitting sand at the door, looking just like a clam from the river.

The young man secured the door and went to one side to check on the camels.

Wu Yingzong was clearly anxious—the horses had bolted, after all. Fortunately, moments later, A Huang flew back and said, “I found one of them behind the rocks to the north. The other one’s unclear; the sandstorm’s heading south. I’ll check again.”

Wu Yingzong said, “I’ll go catch the horses.”

“I’ll come with you,” Chaosheng said. “The horses are spooked and might not listen to you.”

Wu Yingzong had wanted Chaosheng to stay and rest, but he realized it made sense—Chaosheng always calmed animals when communicating with them.

Xiang Xian shot him a look, signaling not to scare the hosts. Wu Yingzong circled behind the house, transformed into the White Ape, let Chaosheng ride on his back, and bounded into the Gobi Desert on all fours.

“I’ll go check the north side,” Xiao Kun said.

Xiang Xian went to the fence outside the Gobi to inspect the carriage and said, “The wheel spokes are broken. I need to fix it.”

Xiao Kun leaped to the highest point of the Gobi rock hill. The sandstorm gently dispersed, and on the horizon, a city faintly appeared.

“I see Gaochang!” Xiao Kun shouted.

“How far?” Xiang Xian had removed the wheel, shouldered the carriage, and was poking out the grit from the axle with an iron pin to repair it. Xiao Kun leaped down to help, saying, “You can see farther than you can run—at least a hundred li.”

“Your eyesight is sharp…” Xiang Xian shouldered the carriage, poking out the sand and gravel from the axle with the iron pin. Xiao Kun held one side of the wheel and shared the carriage’s weight on his shoulder.

Hoofbeats sounded. Xiao Kun thought Wu Yingzong had returned, but when he looked up, he saw a man wearing white loose pants and leather clogs.

The man was bare-chested, exposing his torso. His skin was very fair, his muscles honed like an assassin’s, similar in complexion to Xiang Xian. He wore only tight-legged pants, a gold-embroidered scarf around his shoulders and neck, and a mask over his mouth and nose.

A short curved knife hung at the man’s waist, and a five-stringed pipa was strapped to his back.

He glanced at Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian, who were repairing the carriage, whistled teasingly—knowing they were travelers—and entered the house with practiced ease.

Xiao Kun assumed he was the young host’s friend and continued repairing the carriage with Xiang Xian.

“Done.” Xiang Xian spun the wheel back onto the carriage. At the same time, they heard a heavy thud from inside the house.

Xiao Kun: “?”

Xiang Xian straightened, puzzled. When the door pushed open again, the bare-chested youth was still spotless, save for a few shocking splatters of blood on his abs.

In one hand, he held the young host’s severed head; in the other, the short curved knife, which he wiped on the door curtain. He headed for the horses, and as the curtain lifted, the old woman’s corpse appeared inside.

Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun roared in unison. They had never expected this bastard to kill in broad daylight right under their noses!

Xiang Xian abandoned the carriage and gave chase, but the youth showed no fear. He dodged with a flash, vaulted the fence, and whistled. The horses turned toward him.

Xiao Kun rushed into the house. The old woman had been strangled at the bedside, the young man’s head hacked off, and blood sprayed everywhere from the headless corpse.

Enraged beyond measure, Xiao Kun stormed out. Xiang Xian shadowed the youth, who was about to mount and flee. Realizing Xiang Xian was no ordinary man, the youth gave up the horse. Just before Xiang Xian reached him, he spun in place, bowed low, and slipped under Xiang Xian’s arm!

Xiao Kun was stunned. Xiang Xian’s martial prowess matched his own—how could he not catch this guy?!

Xiang Xian reacted, reining in his fury, calming himself a bit, and assumed a fist stance. The youth clearly had no desire to tangle and retreated repeatedly.

Xiao Kun struck, and Xiang Xian halted.

Xiao Kun shot forward like lightning. The bare-chested youth drew back sharply. Xiao Kun only grazed the corner of his scarf before the man escaped the Gobi area. Pursuer and pursued raced into the open wasteland.

The bare-chested youth’s speed was indescribably fast. Seeing Xiao Kun was a martial artist, he tossed the head, drew his curved knife, and got serious.

“He’s too fast!” Xiang Xian said. “Watch his blade—it might be poisoned!”

“Fast or not, he’s still mortal.” Xiao Kun said grimly, focusing on the fight.

Though furious, Xiang Xian held to principle—two exorcists ganging up on one mortal was unacceptable. Xiao Kun refrained from using magical power, determined to deliver justice for the murdered mother and son with pure martial skill.