Chapter 35: The Trap Part 1

“Why did Demon King Mu Tianzi even know about our ‘plan to come to the Western Regions’?” Xiang Xian said incredulously as he walked past the wall.

Xiao Kun replied, “Perhaps he saw the murals left by Ge Liang before his death through Shan Yu Hong, just like you, and guessed that the Heart Lamp was in the Western Regions.”

Xiang Xian furrowed his brows deeply and said again, “I just feel like something’s off, as if there’s someone lurking around us.”

Xiao Kun fell silent for a moment, then suddenly remembered the night in Zigui County when he had planned to part ways with Xiang Xian. According to what Mr. Ying had said, Demon King Mu Tianzi knew even of his initial plan to come to the Western Regions! Mu Tianzi was certain they wouldn’t return to Kaifeng and would head to the Western Regions together, so he had Mr. Qin act in Kaifeng to trigger the Demon Seed within Daojun Emperor Zhao Ji?

In the end, due to his moment of hesitation, he agreed to accompany Xiang Xian and Chaosheng back to the capital. Though there were twists and turns, they successfully thwarted Mr. Qin’s plan. Throughout the entire process, Mu Tianzi seemed to be listening in from the sidelines—it was truly too eerie.

“Who else knew our destination this time?” Xiao Kun asked seriously.

Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun returned to outside the inn but did not go in. They talked under a tree.

“You, me, Chaosheng, Old Wu, A Huang,” Xiang Xian said.

“Are you sure?” Xiao Kun asked Xiang Xian again.

“I’m absolutely certain,” Xiang Xian said. “Who do you suspect leaked the message? I didn’t even tell Shan Yu Hong, and Guo Jing doesn’t know either. I kept that in mind.”

Xiao Kun said, “It can’t be you or me. It can’t be Chaosheng either—I personally brought him down from Kunlun Mountain. A Huang is even less likely.”

“Why? Because A Huang is a bird, so he’s not even qualified to be a spy?” Xiang Xian found it somewhat amusing.

“Don’t talk nonsense!” A Huang, wanting only to keep sleeping, couldn’t help but curse at them.

Xiang Xian said honestly, “By your logic, Old Wu is impossible too.”

This point was extremely important. Xiao Kun had to resolve this issue immediately—why did the enemy know their arrangements all along the way, including their heading to Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves?

Xiang Xian asked, “Are you suspecting Old Wu?”

“Can you completely and unreservedly trust him?” Xiao Kun said. “I did spy… well, as far as I know, his thoughts are simple, but I can’t be entirely sure.” Xiao Kun nearly revealed his Nether Eyes power but thought better of it. He decided it was best not to tell Xiang Xian, lest it spark an argument. What if Xiang Xian suspected him of prying into his own mind?

Xiang Xian did not get angry. He understood that Xiao Kun now needed to ensure everyone’s safety. Xiao Kun had not known Wu Yingzong long and they rarely interacted, so having such doubts was not strange. He earnestly explained, “I trust him completely. Before you came, he was the person closest to me.”

Xiao Kun said, “Mm.”

At those words, something stirred suddenly in Xiao Kun’s heart.

Xiang Xian realized he had somewhat betrayed his inner feelings and quickly added, “Of course, he still is now.”

Xiao Kun had been quite anxious, but hearing Xiang Xian vouch for Wu Yingzong softened his tone considerably.

“Good, then I can fully trust him,” Xiao Kun said. “Hulü Guang knows nothing, so we can rule him out.”

“Let’s think of it this way,” Xiang Xian said. “Guo Jing knows we’re looking for the Heart Lamp, right? And a demon possessed Guo Jing’s body before. Even without reading the host’s memories through possession, the enemy must have guessed our short-term goal.”

Xiao Kun did not reply and sank into thought.

Xiang Xian continued his reasoning, “So as long as they monitored our movements along the way and knew we traveled thousands of li to Aksu, then the clues related to the Heart Lamp must be near Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves. It’s very clear. Also, A Huang asked the other birds—maybe a migratory bird leaked it?”

Xiao Kun finally spoke, “But Deputy Emissary, along the way, did you feel like we were being watched?”

Xiang Xian was at a loss and said, “Perhaps they have special surveillance methods.”

Xiao Kun said, “Every move under the enemy’s watch? Do you really think that?”

Xiang Xian fell silent.

In fact, from their departure from Kaifeng to Aksu over these three months, Xiang Xian had never felt anyone watching them.

“Let’s set this aside for now,” Xiao Kun said. “Think about what the Demon Race confessed to—there’s someone called ‘Mr. Liu,’ who, being called ‘Mr.,’ must be on par with Mr. Ying and is also lurking. And another named ‘Zong Shi.’”

Xiang Xian now felt it even more troublesome.

Xiang Xian said, “So nearby and in the city, there are two groups of Demon King’s subordinates lying in wait, fighting among themselves? This area should fall under Mr. Liu’s jurisdiction. Mr. Ying came to snatch the Heart Lamp and is inciting Mr. Liu’s subordinates—is that it? I remember someone called ‘he’ came up in the conversation—who is ‘he’? An enemy of the demons?”

Xiao Kun thought about it. This was the most reasonable guess. He asked again, “What are the Zenggu Drum and Great Si Ming Flute?”

“Two Magic Treasures,” Xiang Xian vaguely remembered seeing those names on a chart. He began flipping through the book on the spot. Xiao Kun snapped his fingers, releasing floating stray blue lights to illuminate for him.

“What kind of demon was that?” Xiang Xian asked while flipping through the book. “It was pitch black—did you see clearly?”

When Xiao Kun saw that man, countless thoughts had raced through his mind. His heart tugged back and forth, wrestling with whether to tell Xiang Xian about his true heritage. Would Xiang Xian look at him differently from then on? Or even feel disgust?

He would find out sooner or later; it was impossible to hide forever.

After weighing it repeatedly, Xiao Kun decided to come clean all at once.

“War Dead Corpse Ghost,” Xiao Kun said. “A special Yao Clan. I’m their descendant, and my father was one too.”