Chapter 53: Kuaiji Part 3

“I’m not pranking you.” Xiao Kun smiled, pulling him back to stand behind him. They stood at the dragon’s head, slightly bent. Xiao Kun gripped a horn, cast the Wind-Breaking Array, and the Golden Dragon reached top speed, flying along the Grand Canal.

Xiang Xian hugged his waist and looked back over the land from behind. Kaifeng City was left behind; beyond the gates, Liao refugees migrated west and south. The Grand Canal stretched onward, with more refugees evacuating along its official roads.

Xiang Xian said, “Where are you taking me? Jinling?”

“Accompanying you home.” Xiao Kun said. “I discussed it with Old Wu and Chaosheng last night.”

Xiang Xian: “Don’t mess around, Xiao Kun. You need to stay in Kaifeng to investigate the demonic qi. Nothing’s resolved yet—what if the Demon Race attacks again?”

“Then we all jump into the sea at Yashan.” Xiao Kun turned his head seriously to Xiang Xian. “I’m fed up.”

Xiang Xian was speechless.

Xiao Kun: “Back in Liao, it was the same—all duty. When the kingdom fell, I didn’t even do what I truly thought important.”

“Like what?” Xiang Xian asked.

“For instance, the night Shangjing fell, I wanted to protect the children I had taken in, lead them from danger.” Xiao Kun said. “But I had to tend to Sa Luan first.”

Xiang Xian recalled Wu Yingzong’s investigation: Xiao Kun had aided many orphans in Liao, raising them on his salary and visiting often—a form of adoption.

“I’ve never done what I truly wanted.” Xiao Kun said regretfully. “I don’t want to repeat that. If I can’t be by your side this time, I’ll never forgive myself.”

Xiang Xian offered no comfort; from his tone, Xiao Kun had already made peace with it.

“The drought is severe,” Xiang Xian looked down at the land, changing the subject to spare Xiao Kun sad memories. “It’s spread south of the Yellow River.”

“Mm,” Xiao Kun agreed, having noticed too. “Who knows how many more will be homeless. Last night, I wondered if chasing the Heavenly Demon Palace roundabout is truly the most urgent matter.”

Xiang Xian: “Want to investigate the Exorcism Division case first?”

Xiao Kun: “We’ll see. Maybe we’ll find clues on the way back to the capital.”

The sun sank westward. The Golden Dragon passed Chenliu, veering east toward Kuaiji.

In Kaifeng Prefecture’s Exorcism Division.

With the chief and Deputy Emissary gone, only the unreliable trio—Chaosheng, Mu Qingshan, and Hulü Guang—remained, along with head housekeeper Wu Yingzong.

Like children without parents, the three began plotting a night out.

“Shall we eat out tonight?” Chaosheng said. “Look, I suddenly remembered—we’ve got tons of money! Forgot about it with all the time passed!”

Chaosheng happily pulled out gold, gifts from Gaochang King Bilage. “I know a place called Song Sao’s Golden Rooster. Super tasty. Big Brother’s a regular; they can save us seats.”

“I don’t eat chicken.” Mu Qingshan munched on Kaifeng Fried Dough Twists, expressionless.

Mu Qingshan seemed disinterested in everything, but his body was honest—soon conquered by local cuisine.

“Yesterday coming back, I saw ‘Wanguo Laizhi.’ Street smelled amazing, all meat,” Hulü Guang said. “How about roast venison?”

“You wanna die?” Mu Qingshan threatened.

Wu Yingzong returned. “No cultivation today? Quick, Hulü Guang—practice your breathing before going out.”

Hulü Guang obeyed readily. In some matters, he didn’t see himself as a slave. Though average in cultivation, he harbored a true heart to protect everyone. He earnestly assumed the horse stance, performed forms, and leaped about the front courtyard, practicing the Heart Lamp with movement.

This was martial arts personally taught by Yaojin Palace’s lord Yuzhou. Though not formally master-disciple, they shared that bond. His fists and feet were grand and sweeping, with soaring dragon momentum—known as the Flying Dragon True Art.

“Did Big Brothers fly away?” Chaosheng asked Wu Yingzong.

Wu Yingzong nodded. “With Lord Xiao accompanying him, Master will feel better. They share everything; Lord Xiao understands Master more than I do.”

Though “gifted” to Chaosheng, Wu Yingzong still cared deeply for Xiang Xian—their master-servant bond was truly brotherly, years deep. Ineloquent with emotions and as a demon unlike Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian’s closeness, his regard for Xiang Xian never wavered.

In the time accompanying them, Mu Qingshan spoke little with Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian but observed often, and with Chaosheng’s constant chatter, grasped their bonds.

“They’re a pair,” Mu Qingshan said. “Master got snatched—you not jealous?”

Wu Yingzong froze. Chaosheng found it amusing. “Really? But I never heard Big Brothers say!”

Mu Qingshan: “After the Wheel of Fate reversed, the karmic ties from past lives—surely this time they’ve come together?”

Wu Yingzong thought for a moment and explained earnestly, “I… I respect the Master greatly. He treats me extremely well, and I’m willing to lay down my life for him, but I’ve never harbored any improper thoughts. He and Lord Xiao are both young talents who truly match each other.”

Wu Yingzong had meant to answer Mu Qingshan, but he looked at Chaosheng as if explaining it to him.

Chaosheng thought for a moment and said, “Big Brother, how do you know?”

“I saw it in dreams,” Mu Qingshan said. “I reviewed their dream realms.”

“Wow!” Chaosheng said. “Can you use the Wheel of Fate to see what happened to them in previous cycles?”

Mu Qingshan said, “Only parts of it. Do you want to see your own?”

Chaosheng: “Is that possible? I also want to know what happened in the previous cycle or the one before that.”

Mu Qingshan: “Have you dreamed of your past life?”

Wu Yingzong fell into contemplation.

Chaosheng: “I think I have, but I can’t remember clearly.”

Chaosheng always slept deeply; even if someone beat gongs and drums by his ear after he fell asleep, he wouldn’t wake. As for dreams, he rarely remembered them after waking.