Chapter 49 Part 6

“Wait!” Xiao Kun hurried after him. Sa Luan ran blindly and nearly tumbled down the mountain.

Xiang Xian was still pondering the painting’s origin and style when Xiao Kun grabbed Sa Luan’s arm. The two began arguing again.

Moments later, Xiao Kun lost patience and turned to Xiang Xian. “Brother, I have to go too.”

Xiang Xian: “?”

“First, send him to Kedun City,” Xiao Kun said. “Hand him over to Yelu Dashi. The ambushes on the northwest road should have withdrawn by now; it’s not as dangerous as before.”

“To the Western Regions from here,” Xiang Xian said, “is over ten thousand li away.”

Xiao Kun replied, “Fly a bit, stop a bit along the way—we’ll get there eventually. Let’s part here for now.”

“I’ll go with you,” Xiang Xian said simply. “You can’t manage alone. If danger strikes on the road, at least someone will have your back.”

Xiao Kun fell silent for a long time, his eyes filled with emotion.

Finally, he said, “This is my responsibility. I can’t drag you into it.”

Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun locked eyes for a moment before Xiang Xian said, “Fine. Don’t forget what we really need to do. Pick a meeting spot—wait for you there after you finish?”

“Alright,” Xiao Kun replied. “Where?”

Xiang Xian pondered. The Western Regions were too far for him alone, and sending Xiao Kun into the Central Plains would be too much hassle. Besides, he couldn’t return to Kaifeng himself.

“How about Shazhou?” Xiang Xian suggested. “Wait for you under Mingsha Mountain.”

“Good,” Xiao Kun said. “After Yumen Pass, I’ll go to Crescent Moon Spring.”

Xiang Xian thought and said, “If I don’t show up in three months…”

“If you don’t come, I’ll wait forever,” Xiao Kun replied lightly.

Xiang Xian laughed.

Xiao Kun summoned the Golden Dragon. As they prepared to take off, he looked back at Xiang Xian once more.

“Brother! Take care of yourself!” Xiang Xian called.

Xiao Kun didn’t reply. He took Sa Luan into the sky, flying northwest. Dusk fell. Xiang Xian whistled, summoning A Huang, and wandered down the mountain alone.

At Wu Gorge, the mountains and waters painted a picturesque scene. Xiang Xian sat in a small boat. Earlier, he had returned to Chengdu, returned the Demon-Suppressing Banner, received a letter from Yao Ji, and compared it to the map on the back of Shan Yu Hong’s letter to find the entrance to the Demon Clan Holy Land. With the map this time, it was much easier, but the giant gate wouldn’t budge no matter how he pushed. A Huang flew up for a scout and returned: “There’s a crack on top of the holy land.”

“It’s covered by a barrier,” Xiang Xian said. “Can’t get in.”

Peering through the barrier of Wushan Holy Land, he vaguely saw a giant snake’s corpse and a pool of blood by the Main Hall.

“Ba She is already dead?” Xiang Xian cross-referenced Shuhu’s prophecies and deduced what happened. “So that guy called ‘Mu’ took the Demon Seed and killed Ba She?”

Xiang Xian puzzled over it endlessly. He stopped at Wu Town to organize his route’s information for the next plan when he encountered the housekeeper Wu Yingzong.

“Master instructed me to investigate, and I have the full details.”

Wu Yingzong carefully briefed Xiang Xian on Xiao Kun’s background, identity, and character. Xiang Xian silently sipped tea. After hearing it all, he also learned the Heart Lamp’s whereabouts.

“Kizil!” Xiang Xian awoke as if from a dream. “The Heart Lamp flew to Kizil!”

Wu Yingzong knew Xiang Xian had always been searching for the Heart Lamp and said, “Shall we arrange to head to the Western Regions now?”

“No, wait,” Xiang Xian said. “We still need to make a trip to Kunlun first. I’ve always felt that Lady Hua Rui’s sect has some connection to the Heavenly Demon. Perfect timing—you wanted to go there on pilgrimage too! Let’s go!”

Kunlun Mountain was blanketed in wind and snow. Wu Yingzong led their horses as he crossed the Yuzhu Ancient Path with Xiang Xian. When they reached Pulang Town, A Huang gathered the birds and flew toward the grand clouds at the peak. Upon arriving at the summit of the Pilgrimage Ancient Path, the stone stele transformed into glowing steps that led straight to the heavens.

“Come in,” a voice said. “Though you were born among the mortal masses, you hold the Mountain-Sea Sword.”

Xiang Xian hurried through the barrier and arrived at the White Jade Palace, where he met the Young Lord of White Jade Palace, Chaosheng, and Pi Changge.

“Fei Hui,” Chaosheng sighed. “Is she dead?”

“I’m very sorry,” Xiang Xian said guiltily. “I should have spared her life. Her crimes didn’t warrant death, after all.”

“You can’t blame yourself,” Chaosheng replied, though saddened. In the end, he said to Xiang Xian, “She has Hui Lun. She’ll reincarnate. Don’t take it to heart, Big Brother.”

Xiang Xian browsed through numerous scrolls in the Book Pavilion but found no leads. Pi Changge, however, mentioned an old tale—two thousand years ago, King Zhou Mu, Ji Man, had visited the White Jade Palace twice and stolen Jumang’s Fruit.

“Could it be him?”

But the Demon King remained hidden in the darkness, and Xiang Xian had no clues.

“I need to find the Heart Lamp first,” Xiang Xian said.

“You’ll definitely succeed!” Chaosheng laughed.

“Here, these are all for you.” Xiang Xian had brought many trinkets from the human world and generously gave them all as gifts to Chaosheng. When he left, he descended the northern side of the Kunlun Path, entered the territory of the Western Xia Kingdom from there, and eventually made his way into the Western Regions.

The radiant pixiu carried Chaosheng as he departed the White Jade Palace, bounding through the air toward them.

“I’ve made up my mind!” Chaosheng laughed. “Big Brother! I’m going with you to temper myself in the mortal world! Because I’ve developed mortal feelings!”