Chapter 34: Pear City Part 5

Along the way, he and Xiang Xian had discussed it: no killing or getting involved in political strife. At most, they’d capture Lierful before leaving and bring him back to Gaochang. Whatever grudge the Gaochang King and Grand Vizier had, they could settle it themselves.

Xiao Kun handed his mount to Xiang Xian and walked to the City Lord’s Mansion.

Hundreds of years ago, Gumo had been the Kucha Kingdom’s capital, and the City Lord’s Mansion was the former Kucha Royal Palace—grand in scale, built with red stone that gleamed dark blood-red. It was afternoon, with rain approaching; the sky was overcast and oppressive. The city was eerily quiet. Though Silk Road caravans lingered, the residents all wore weary, vigilant expressions.

Passing guards checked thoroughly, stopping and questioning strangers. Xiao Kun couldn’t speak the Uyghur common in Gaochang or communicate with Semu People, so he hoped someone at the City Lord’s Mansion knew Liao or Han language.

He avoided the checking guards and headed along the main road to the city center. Compared to Gaochang, Gumo’s defenses were far stricter, filled with tension.

Atop the City Lord’s Mansion wafted a faint trace of Demonic Aura.

Suddenly, someone whistled from the side of the avenue. Xiao Kun turned and saw a Liao Kingdom veteran, so he ducked into a side alley.

The man wore a turban and a thick felt patchwork short jacket, dressed like an ordinary merchant. He first saluted Xiao Kun, then handed over a letter. “A reply from General Yelu Dashi for you.”

Xiao Kun glanced at him, opened the letter, and the messenger added, “The General asks you to visit Tingzhou at your convenience.”

“No paper or pen, inconvenient to reply. Tell him I’m busy and have no time for Tingzhou. He should come see me.” Xiao Kun replied. The messenger bowed and left.

When Xiang Xian arrived at the inn, merchants were noisily arguing with Gumo guards in chaos. Someone started shoving Chaosheng. Wu Yingzong naturally wouldn’t tolerate it. Even without understanding Uyghur, he shielded Chaosheng behind him.

Hulü Guang listened for a bit, and Xiang Xian asked, “What are they saying?”

Hulü Guang said, “The guards want to inspect all goods, or no lodging.”

A nearby merchant heard Han language and asked, “Young Hero, are you from the Central Plains?”

Xiang Xian said, “Old Wu, you all go outside. Chaosheng, don’t touch the inn’s stuff. Hey! Stop that! What are you doing? You looking for death!”

The last shout was at a guard. A Gumo guard noticed Chaosheng looking around and touching things, so he reached to grab him, thinking he was a girl and wanting to take advantage.

Wu Yingzong, Hulü Guang, and Xiang Xian flew into rage.

Wu Yingzong stepped forward and slapped the guard, sending the misbehaving Gumo guard sprawling. The man convulsed and foamed at the mouth.

Hulü Guang had been ready to act but was startled by Wu Yingzong’s strength.

The guards raged, and a brawl erupted in the inn. Xiang Xian was exasperated. “Just stop them, don’t make it bigger. It’ll be hard to clean up later. Chaosheng!”

“Huh, what?” Chaosheng saw a guard knocked out by Wu Yingzong and went to revive him. Once chaos started, it couldn’t be contained. Nosy merchants joined in, turning it into a group fight that ended with four guards fleeing in panic.

“Will we go to jail?” Chaosheng asked.

“No worries,” Wu Yingzong comforted. “The Master and Lord Xiao will handle it.”

The merchants checked in. Gumo’s inns were full that day. Hulü Guang negotiated for a long time and secured only one room.

Xiang Xian: “Better than nothing. We’ll stay for now.”

Xiao Kun returned.

“Nothing serious, right?” Xiao Kun said.

“Just beat some guy senseless,” Xiang Xian said. “What about you?”

Xiao Kun was speechless and spread his hands.

The inn was packed. Xiang Xian got the key and went to the inner room. The door’s lock was barely functional. Xiao Kun entered, washed his face, and said, “Hit a closed door. But I delivered the documents, so Lierful should know we’re here soon. That’s it for today. Rest up.”

Wu Yingzong stood by, serving Xiang Xian water. Knowing he’d acted first and caused trouble, he bowed. “Lord Xiao, I couldn’t hold back and struck first.”

Chaosheng smiled and said, “He’s mine now, so you can’t hit or scold him.”

Xiang Xian: “Oh, I almost forgot about that.”

Everyone laughed.

Xiao Kun had initially worried that with Hulü Guang joining, Chaosheng might revert to his old ways—falling for anyone new and sidelining Wu Yingzong. Fortunately not. Chaosheng had passed the test of beauties like Gao Qiu and Hulü Guang, still relying heavily on Wu Yingzong.

“Tired,” Xiao Kun said. “Pack up quickly and rest.”

Gumo cuisine carried scents of cumin and other spices from roasting. That evening, the innkeeper’s family brought ingredients and grilled meat on red willow for merchants roadside—eat as much as you want, with plenty of milk and fresh water. Rain fell lightly at night.

After a simple meal, they bathed in a cramped back bathhouse. Late at night, the five squeezed into the narrow room and fell asleep to the rain.

In the middle of the night, Xiao Kun quietly got up and gently moved Xiang Xian’s leg off him.

Xiang Xian woke. “Where to?”

“City Lord’s Mansion,” Xiao Kun whispered. “Today when I got close, I sensed Demonic Aura.”

“Let A Huang go.” Xiang Xian said, “A Huang?”

A Huang was curled in an outer robe sleeping. Hearing this, he reluctantly spread his wings and pushed Xiang Xian’s hand away.

Xiao Kun waved it off. Xiang Xian said, “Forget it, I’ll go with you.”

“Got night clothes?”

“Just this. Quit nagging.” Xiang Xian fastened his dark red Exorcist robe. Seeing Xiang Xian move, A Huang followed, curling into his collar to continue sleeping.

Hulü Guang opened his eyes, full of questions, about to speak when Xiao Kun cast a Spell, making him lie back down.

“Another mouth to pry,” Xiang Xian said casually.

“Fate’s doing,” Xiao Kun replied. “Human gatherings and partings are all predestined. Got your sword?”

Xiang Xian patted himself confidently, indicating no.

“Knew you’d drag your feet,” Xiao Kun said as they went outside. “Didn’t plan to call you anyway.”

Xiang Xian: “If you get lost in Gumo, I’ll have to search everywhere, more trouble.”