Chapter 33: White Colt Part 9

The Hu dancing girls all came out, clustering around Bila Ge, who was so exhilarated he could not contain himself. Under the blazing sun, he spun in circles nonstop, dancing the whirling Hu dance. A group of musicians appeared out of nowhere, drums and strings resounding as they played around him.

Xiang Xian: “…”

Xiao Kun: “…………”

“Li Chaosheng!” Bila Ge came to the side of the garden and said, “I’ll give you Bai Ju’er first as thanks. He’s yours from now on. Today, I have more generous gifts for you!”

That day, Elon personally led several officials to the inn, accompanied by a large group of Hu dancing girls and gifts that filled the hall.

“We don’t yet know what Young Sir likes,” Elon said. “We’ve prepared some gems.”

A guard captain carried a chest and showed it to them, grabbing handfuls of gems inside and pouring them back with a clatter.

“No, no!” Chaosheng said. “Too precious! I can’t accept.”

Xiang Xian said, “He likes couplets, which you won’t find. Take the gems back.”

Hulü Guang said, “You cured His Majesty the King, Chaosheng. This is not precious at all!”

Xiao Kun watched the scene helplessly. Elon continued, “These twelve Hu dancing girls and a music troupe are gifts from His Majesty the King to Young Sir…”

“No, no,” Xiao Kun snapped back to attention. “We absolutely cannot accept!”

Xiao Kun could not even imagine going on an exorcism mission with twelve dancing girls and an entire music troupe trailing behind, singing and dancing.

“Chaosheng!” Xiang Xian, his head spinning from the chaos, said. “Come reject them quickly and send them back!”

After much persuasion, Chaosheng finally politely declined the gifts. Elon then summoned Gaochang’s physicians and carefully inquired about how Bila Ge should maintain his health afterward. Chaosheng said, “We’ll be back in Gaochang soon. I’ll check on the emperor then. Don’t worry; he can live a long time.”

“This is Hulü Guang’s Slavery Deed.” Elon produced another box, containing deeds written in both Uyghur and Rouran scripts. Chaosheng hurriedly said, “He’s not a thing; he’s a person. We can’t do this!”

A complex expression appeared on Hulü Guang’s face—tense yet tinged with melancholy. Seeing this, Wu Yingzong’s gaze grew complicated, and he stepped aside.

Finally unable to watch, Xiang Xian took the box and signaled to Chaosheng that he would handle it.

“I’ll trade with you,” Xiang Xian quickly sorted out the mess. “I’ll give you Old Wu, and you give me Hulü Guang.”

Everyone could not help but laugh. Xiang Xian pushed Wu Yingzong toward Chaosheng. “From today on, Old Wu is yours.”

“Master!” Wu Yingzong’s face flushed red. Of course, he knew Xiang Xian would not truly “give him away”; it was just to bring them together.

“Thank you. Bai Ju’er is one of us now.” Xiang Xian thanked Elon again. Then, he took out the Slavery Deed, snapped his fingers, and leaping flames burst from his hand.

Xiang Xian: “You’re free.”

Hulü Guang: “!!!”

Hulü Guang was suddenly at a loss. Elon merely smiled without comment; since it had been given to Chaosheng, he could dispose of it as he wished.

Elon added, “His Majesty the King has also prepared famous Gaochang horses for you all. Please, Young Sir, accept them.”

Chaosheng said, “That should be fine, right?”

Xiao Kun said, “Acceptable. And one more imposition.”

Elon immediately listened respectfully. Xiao Kun took out the letter. “If General Yelu Dashi sends another envoy, please forward this for me. The carriage we came in is parked outside the inn’s courtyard; could you arrange to send it back to Kaifeng?”

Elon naturally agreed readily. The bustle lasted nearly an hour before everyone dispersed from the inn.

“Shouldn’t we set off?” Xiang Xian said.

Wu Yingzong snapped out of it. “I’ll go check the horses they sent.”

Xiang Xian said, “Now you’re Chaosheng’s. Have Hulü Guang do it.”

Wu Yingzong: “This…”

Chaosheng said to Wu Yingzong, “You’re mine now—no, you’re my monkey… my ape.”

Xiang Xian: “You keep enjoying him then. Just like that.”

Xiao Kun, nearly at the end of his patience, said, “What are you all talking about?!”

Xiao Kun had never anticipated such a twist; their group inexplicably gained another member. But after a brief discussion, they changed their minds and decided to let Hulü Guang join. Though he had not cultivated Spells, his martial arts and agility were strong enough for self-preservation, and his familiarity with the terrain would save much unnecessary trouble.

Xiang Xian carried the Wisdom Sword on his back and spoke softly with Xiao Kun in the inn’s courtyard.

“I’m afraid if he follows us, he’ll lose his life,” Xiang Xian said.

Xiao Kun replied, “Old Wu can look after one more person; no big issue.”

Hulü Guang approached again.

“I’m yours from now on,” Hulü Guang said sincerely to Xiang Xian. “Master, you can order me anytime. I’ll run around getting work done every day.”

“You’re already free,” Chaosheng explained, having learned the true meaning of slavery from Wu Yingzong. “Xiang Xian burned your deed!”

“But I’m still a slave,” Hulü Guang said earnestly. “I’ll take good care of everyone.”

He said to Xiang Xian, “Master burned my Slavery Deed, but he can’t burn my bond of loyalty.”

Xiang Xian covered his forehead with one hand, unwilling to listen further.

“Let’s go,” Xiao Kun had no choice but to say. “Set off as soon as possible.”

And so, through the combined efforts of all parties, things became increasingly complicated.