Chapter 44: Pursuers Part 6

“Twenty thousand,” Hulü Guang answered. “But all elite soldiers. Don’t worry, Lord Xiao.”

It wasn’t a military secret—Hulü Guang had served under the Gaochang King for years and knew the city’s setup well.

Xiao Kun nodded. Xiang Xian said: “We just don’t know how many Demon People are left. If it’s only Mr. Liu, we can take him together with Chaosheng covering us—it shouldn’t be hard.”

Chaosheng had observed the Demon People closely along the way: “These Demon People aren’t that strong. The worry is if they all come at once, plus that Demon King Mu Tianzi. I don’t know when he’ll suddenly show up. If only Yuzhou were here.”

Wu Yingzong: “Who’s Yuzhou?”

“A dragon,” Chaosheng answered. “Very strong!”

Wu Yingzong nodded. Chaosheng said: “You’re strong too, but you absolutely can’t get yourself hurt again.”

Xiang Xian laughed: “Old Wu gets tunnel vision sometimes and charges into dead ends. Chaosheng, bear with him.”

“Mmm.” Xiao Kun pondered as Xiang Xian fed him a siu mai with his chopsticks. Gaochang’s lamb siu mai, made from young lamb, was juicy and flavorful with sand onions and carrots—tender without gaminess. After days of dry rations, one bite revived Xiao Kun’s energy completely.

“We must adjust our tactics,” Xiao Kun said. “Combine our powers—no matter how many come, we take them out one by one.”

The Demon People were arrogant, but after several rounds of probing, Xiao Kun had gauged their strength. In single combat, they were evenly matched, but if he and Xiang Xian went all out, they’d have a slight edge.

His clash with Yan Yan on the Fengshan Terrace proved it, and in Kaifeng, when Mr. Qin appeared, Xiang Xian unleashed the Wisdom Sword at full power, leaving the enemy no chance to fight back.

In the Kizil Canyon, two Demon People had appeared together, with heaven and earth advantage plus Demon King Mu Tianzi’s foresight, costing them dearly. Then Mr. Liu had captured Xiang Xian as a hostage first, making the fight that much harder.

“Take them out one by one,” Xiang Xian fully agreed with Xiao Kun’s tactic. “Every one we eliminate weakens the enemy. Our troubles lessen accordingly.”

Xiao Kun figured that with good coordination and the Wisdom Sword, eliminating Mr. Liu outside Gaochang City shouldn’t be an issue. They couldn’t rely too much on the unreliable Heart Lamp on Hulü Guang or Chaosheng’s Mountains and Rivers Sheji Map.

The key now was that the Demon Race was dead set on this battle. It wasn’t just Mr. Liu—Mr. Ying and Yan Yan would appear too, and possibly reinforcements. If Mu Tianzi recovered and returned with the Demon King and Demon Generals, things would get dicey.

“They’ll come along this route,” Wu Yingzong pointed to the Tianshan East Ridge. “According to A Huang’s intel, even at top speed, they won’t arrive until tomorrow night.”

Chaosheng ate his fill, patted his belly contentedly, stood up, and said, “I’ll go check on the refugees along the way.”

“Go ahead,” Xiao Kun said. “Watch your magical power. There might be a big battle tomorrow night.”

Xiang Xian added, “Come back early. Old Wu?”

Wu Yingzong was just getting up when Xiang Xian said, “Do you have any complaints about me sending you off like that? Have you been grumbling about it in your head?”

Wu Yingzong immediately replied, “Not at all! Master!”

Xiang Xian beckoned him over, affectionately draped an arm around Wu Yingzong’s neck, and ruffled him a few times. “We’re good brothers, right? Naturally, I want you to live happily.”

Wu Yingzong’s face turned red in an instant. A Huang, standing nearby, said, “He doesn’t get it.”

Xiang Xian ruffled his head and face a few more times, as if hinting at something, then pushed him away. “Go on, then. Think it over carefully.”

Wu Yingzong hurried off to find Chaosheng. Xiang Xian soon furrowed his brows again.

Hulü Guang leaned against a pillar beside the dining table, eyes closed in a doze. He had been utterly exhausted from the journey, having even made a round trip to Gaochang to deliver a message.

Xiao Kun glanced at Hulü Guang, and Xiang Xian knew exactly what he was thinking. He shook his head, meaning: In this war, we can’t count on the Heart Lamp’s help just yet.

“This kid has really long eyelashes,” Xiao Kun noted, observing Hulü Guang’s sleeping face.

“People from the Western Regions are all like that,” Xiang Xian said. “It’s passed down generation after generation—natural protection against wind and sand.”

“Yours are long too,” Xiao Kun said.

“Are they?” Xiang Xian touched his own eyelashes with his thumb, blinked a few times, and shot Xiao Kun an ambiguous look.

Xiao Kun’s heart stirred, and he broke into a smile.

At that moment, visitors arrived outside the inn: Gaochang’s Prime Minister Elon, accompanied by Gemu Wen, the trade supervisor for Grand Vizier Li Er Man.

Elon leaned on his cane. “His Majesty the King and the Grand Vizier await Lords Xiao and Xiang in the palace. Please come with us.”

Xiao Kun was about to agree when Xiang Xian, uncharacteristically, cut him off.

“No time to get mixed up in their mess,” Xiang Xian replied. “Tomorrow.”

“The two have already made up,” Gemu Wen said. “There won’t be any more arguments.”

“We’re tired,” Xiang Xian said. “Along this road, we two Central Plains folk have saved how many of your Gaochang people? Even oxen and horses don’t get driven like this. At least let us rest a bit.”

Hearing this, Xiao Kun couldn’t help but admire Xiang Xian greatly.

Elon said, “The matter arose suddenly. His Majesty the King still doesn’t know the origins of this ‘Ba Army.’”

Gemu Wen added, “The palace has already prepared baths and quarters for the two lords…”

“Hulü Guang,” Xiang Xian said, casually shaking him awake. “Accompany these two gentlemen back to the palace. Report everything in detail—no holding back. Whatever His Majesty the King says, bring the message back.”

“Huh?” Hulü Guang was still groggy but accepted the task without complaint. He stood up. “Alright, I’ll go right now.”