Under the “Mountain-Sea Bright Light” plaque in the main hall, the Demon-Subduing Sword returned to place, filling the Great Song Exorcism Division with grandeur.
The steward was named Wu Yingzong, appearing just past thirty, clad in a neat dark-blue robe embroidered with ape patterns. His sideburns were meticulously trimmed, skin fair, eyes sharp, with a martial build—a loyal servant who had followed Xiang Xian for years, serving diligently.
“Bath first.” Xiang Xian rolled his shoulders.
Wu Yingzong bowed slightly and went to prepare. Xiang Xian fiddled with the bird on the perch, petting and kneading it, then headed to the side courtyard. He undressed as he went; hot water awaited. Xiang Xian stripped naked, vaulted into the tub agilely, and sighed contentedly as he sank in.
Wu Yingzong held a tray with osmanthus brew. Xiang Xian reached out, and he served it.
“You seem to have been to many places.” Wu Yingzong said.
“Still no word on the Heart Lamp’s whereabouts.” Xiang Xian replied. “By a twist of fate, I got the ‘Heaven’s Mandate Box’ instead.”
Wu Yingzong nodded, listening silently. Xiang Xian had pondered Shuhu’s warnings the whole way back. Midway through, he suddenly asked: “Do you know someone named Xiao Kun?”
“Never heard of him.” Wu Yingzong said.
“Great Liao Demon-Exorcism Division’s head.” Xiang Xian said. “Investigate his background for me, and the details of the Tang Exorcism Division’s northern migration.”
“Yes.” Wu Yingzong replied.
Xiang Xian continued: “Also tell Guo Jing the Heaven’s Mandate Box isn’t the Imperial Jade Seal at all—I couldn’t bring it back, but there’s new intel. I need to talk to him.”
“Yes.” Wu Yingzong said again.
“Any news in Bianjing while I was gone?”
“No news, but Prince Kang came looking for you several times.” Wu Yingzong replied.
“Prince Kang is here! Prince Kang is here!”
No sooner had he spoken than the Stone Lions outside called out.
“Let him in.” Xiang Xian said.
Wu Yingzong opened the door. Prince Kang Zhao Gou left his attendants at the Exorcism Division gate and entered straightaway, asking in the courtyard: “Where’s Big Brother?”
“Wait a moment.” Xiang Xian stood to rinse, his silhouette on the screen. “Perfect timing—I have something for you.”
Zhao Gou stood beyond the screen: “I had the Gold Stone Bureau search for your Heart Lamp. They found over two hundred—piled in the warehouse. Check them tomorrow yourself.”
“It’s a person, Your Highness,” Xiang Xian said. “The Heart Lamp is a person. Old Wu! Heat up the wine and food I brought back. Serve His Highness first.”
Zhao Gou spread his hands: “I told them, but they wouldn’t listen. What can I do?”
Xiang Xian, naked, moved behind the screen to the other side, standing barefoot. His frame was slender and pale as ivory, martial training giving broad shoulders and narrow waist—muscles neither excessive nor lacking. His eyes sparkled like stars, brows like flying feathers; in the autumn breeze, he resembled a luminous jade tree.
He twisted the overhead bamboo pipe, pulled the water lever, and a stream cascaded, washing him clean with soap pods, scrubbing away days of dust and grime.
“Where did you go?” Zhao Gou asked outside, full of concern.
Xiang Xian said: “I’ll tell you in detail later.”
Wu Yingzong came and led Zhao Gou away. Xiang Xian finished bathing, returned to his room to don a black robe—single layer, long pants wrapped around him, hair still half-wet. He slipped on thin-soled Leather Clogs in the courtyard.
Zhao Gou could not sit still and soon came looking again, finding Xiang Xian in a secluded rear yard corner, picking bamboo rice from a wall of bamboo.
A quarter-hour later, Xiang Xian returned to the main hall, placing bamboo rice before the bird A Huang.
“Please, Your Highness.” Xiang Xian sat in the Grand Demon-Exorcist’s seat.
Zhao Gou beamed at Xiang Xian, eyes glued to him, laughing: “I ate before coming.”
Xiang Xian finally savored the delicious chicken, sighing that life was truly for a bite to eat. A little wine restored his vigor.
Zhao Gou waited eagerly for Xiang Xian to recount his recent adventures.
They met two years prior during an autumn hunt, when Xiang Xian accompanied Grand Demon-Exorcist Guo Jing with the royals to Luoyang. Zhao Gou, just sixteen, was struck by Xiang Xian’s prowess and sought acquaintance.
Crown Prince Zhao Huan had also eyed the young talent, but yielded when his younger brother showed interest. Since then, Zhao Gou visited Xiang Xian every few days, pestering for Spells. Xiang Xian tried teaching basics, but Zhao Gou’s innate aptitude fell short.
This did nothing to dim his adoration. He had endless questions: Why did the Qiankun Bag hold infinite Magic Treasures? How did Magical Power flow through Meridians? Why did fingers shoot flames? Where did souls go after death…
This year intensified: visits every three days instead of ten, lingering hours in the Exorcism Division, asking everything. Xiang Xian made no bones about sending the prince on errands.
Xiang Xian volunteered: “Tomorrow I must see the Official Family. Arrange it for me, Your Highness.”
Zhao Gou: “Ah?”
Normally, Zhao Gou agreed instantly to any request, never delaying—except this. As Xiang Xian’s devotee, only his father, Daojun Emperor Zhao Ji, could rival that pull.
“Something wrong?” Zhao Gou tensed.
Xiang Xian: “This mission was on Guo Jing’s orders—to Buddha Palace Temple for a treasure called the ‘Heaven’s Mandate Box.’ At first, everyone thought it was the Imperial Jade Seal.”
Zhao Gou nodded eagerly, then grew astonished, then shocked.
